"O Pallas! thou hast failed thy plighted word!

To fight with caution, not to tempt the sword,

I warned thee, but in vain; for well I knew

What perils youthful ardour would pursue—

That boiling blood would carry thee too far,

Young as thou wert in dangers, raw to war!

O curst essay of arms! disastrous doom!

Prelude of bloody fields, and fights to come!

Hard elements of inauspicious war!

Vain vows to heaven, and unavailing care!