His footsteps are not heard,

But soundless they, yet were distinct

As ever that he stirr’d,

[The crackling of his arms and knees:]

In distant lands, ’tis said,

That with like noise has Heaven supplied,

For man to shun in dread,

O, wonder rare! a serpent, named

Thence Rattlesnake, that springs

Quick at the moment it comes nigh,