“Within the Cosso’s wide and central street
The foemen fierce contend from side to side.
From roof and window hostile volleys meet;
Each house a fortress, where assault is tried
In vain—the very women far and wide
Rain household gear and scalding water down.
The black and shattered walls with blood are dyed.
The dead in heaps putrescent grimly frown;
And pestilence doth threat the death-devoted town.