Williams beheld—struck—cleft the head away:

In many a loosening coil the body rolled,

Collapsed, grew still, and there extended lay,

A headless reptile;—all its hues of gold

And diamond deadened in its life’s decay;

Whilst the foiled wizard looked upon the slain,

And choked and yelled, then choked with rage again.

XLVII.

The crowds looked on ’twixt terror and surprise;

They gazed—they gaped with fixed astonishment;