Till burst the mighty bow in two.

As snapped the bow, an awful clang,

Loud as the shriek of tempests, rang.

The earth, affrighted, shook amain

As when a hill is rent in twain.

Then, senseless at the fearful sound,

The people fell upon the ground:

None save the king, the princely pair,

And the great saint, the shock could bear.

When woke to sense the stricken train,