II.
As Chief, who hears his warder[7] call,
“To arms! the foemen storm the wall,”
The antler’d monarch of the waste
Sprung from his heathery[8] couch in haste.
But, ere his fleet career he took,
The dewdrops from his flanks he shook;
Like crested leader proud and high,
Toss’d his beam’d[9] frontlet to the sky;
A moment gazed adown the dale,