His steel-clad comrades their refulgence shed: With fell reproach to wound his ear they came, To call him coward, and his flying blame. “Oh! cease (he cried) your foul invectives spare, Your eyes and tongues have own’d how much I dare; But if unsatisfied you still remain, Thus—thus—I dare ye singly to the plain. ’Twas not from hope of life, or paltry fear, I flew to save the maid who now lies here; You saw the youth with zealous ardor glow, And shield me from each death-impending blow, Beheld her burning with a passion pure, Receive her death my safety to secure. Think’st thou I could my brave defender see Lie scarr’d with wounds, and those receiv’d for me: Does your new faith such horrid doctrine teach? Do your fam’d prophets such delusion preach? Would you such notions into Rome instill? Oh! let me first the tomb’s cold darkness fill. My leader frowns—my tie to earth is broke, And thus I willing hail the welcome stroke.” Swift glides the steel, attacks the seat of life, He calmly smiles amid the parting strife; Salutes the corse—his frame no more respires, Reclines his head, and on her breast expires! PART II. ARGUMENT. Survey of the ascension of Christ—The consequences of the Jews rejecting him—State of the city—A description of the leaders of the rebels, with their situations—The Romans effect a breach—The rebels join and resist them—A battle which lasts till night—Titus is awakened by a dream—Walks among the dead—Encounters a dying Jew and his daughter, whom he swears to protect—The Jew’s death—Titus bears the lady to his tent—Morning—The siege renewed—Antiochus of Macedon begs leave to attack the Jews—Titus consents—Antiochus’s defeat and narrow escape—The Romans gain the second and third wall—A view of the city.