It settled in its sandy bed,

And steeds stood rooted to the plain.

Then all stood still, and men somehow

Look'd down and with averted head;

Look'd down, nor dared look up, nor reck'd

Of any thing, of ill or good,

But bowed and stricken still they stood.

Like some brave band that dared the fierce

And bristled steel of gather'd host,

These daring men had dared to pierce