Where the swoln Rhine, rushing with all its force, Divides the hostile nations in its course, _380 While each contracts its bounds, or wider grows, Enlarged or straitened as the river flows, On Gallia's side a mighty bulwark stands, That all the wide extended plain commands; Twice, since the war was kindled, has it tried The victor's rage, and twice has changed its side; As oft whole armies, with the prize o'erjoyed, Have the long summer on its walls employed. Hither our mighty chief his arms directs, Hence future triumphs from the war expects; _390 And though the dog-star had its course begun, Carries his arms still nearer to the sun: Fixed on the glorious action, he forgets The change of seasons, and increase of heats: No toils are painful that can danger show, No climes unlovely that contain a foe. The roving Gaul, to his own bounds restrained, Learns to encamp within his native land, But soon as the victorious host he spies, From hill to hill, from stream to stream he flies: _400 Such dire impressions in his heart remain Of Marlborough's sword, and Hochstet's fatal plain: In vain Britannia's mighty chief besets Their shady coverts, and obscure retreats; They fly the conqueror's approaching fame, That bears the force of armies in his name, Austria's young monarch, whose imperial sway Sceptres and thrones are destined to obey, Whose boasted ancestry so high extends That in the pagan gods his lineage ends, _410 Comes from afar, in gratitude to own The great supporter of his father's throne; What tides of glory to his bosom ran, Clasped in the embraces of the godlike man! How were his eyes with pleasing wonder fixed To see such fire with so much sweetness mixed, Such easy greatness, such a graceful port, So turned and finished for the camp or court! Achilles thus was formed with every grace, And Nireus shone but in the second place; _420 Thus the great father of almighty Rome (Divinely flushed with an immortal bloom, That Cytherea's fragrant breath bestowed) In all the charms of his bright mother glowed. The royal youth by Marlborough's presence charmed, Taught by his counsels, by his actions warmed, On Landau with redoubled fury falls, Discharges all his thunder on its walls, O'er mines and caves of death provokes the fight, And learns to conquer in the hero's sight. _430 The British chief, for mighty toils renowned, Increased in titles, and with conquests crowned, To Belgian coasts his tedious march renews, And the long windings of the Rhine pursues, Clearing its borders from usurping foes, And blessed by rescued nations as he goes. Treves fears no more, freed from its dire alarms; And Trærbach feels the terror of his arms, Seated on rocks her proud foundations shake, While Marlborough presses to the bold attack, _440 Plants all his batteries, bids his cannon roar,