Thus, with strange terrors armed, the wizard stood, And on the casket riveted his eyes, And whispered for a while in ghastly mood, Until responses from it seemed to rise Faintly distinct, whereat the vulgar blood Stayed its career, and even Sachems wise Heard with a thrill,--for these dread accents rose: “Count ye the sands--ye count your pale-faced foes.” XXVIII. The prophet looked around, the throngs to scan; And well he noted by the silence dread The moment of effect, and then began,-- Beseeching first his fearful demon’s aid: “Chepian, thou power of evil! dread of man! God of destruction! pouring on the head Of thy opposers, ruins, plagues, and pest,-- Let all thy might thy serpent form invest.” XXIX. He said; then turning to the throngs he spoke: “Brothers! dark tempests overcast our sky; The characters upon Cohannet’s rock Set bounds in vain; the stranger doth defy And break our spells; dread Chepian feels the shock; In wrath he sees the approaching deity Of the pale man--and, in his coming stride, Feels scathe and death to his dominion wide. XXX. “Now hearken, brothers:--’twas a dismal night, And in his cave sate Tatoban alone; The fading embers shed a dreary light, And the big owl sent forth a hollow moan; The god of tempests sped his rapid flight, And with his footsteps made the forest groan; And whilst he sate, out from the deepest gloom Did the dread form of awful Chepian come. XXXI. “‘Sleeps Tatoban!’ the awful demon said, ‘Sleeps Tatoban! my Priest, my Prophet sleep! Does not a pale man my dominion tread? With hostile gods has he not crossed the deep? Prophet! the spirits of your kindred dead Already o’er their children’s ashes weep;-- Arise! go forth, and by thy serpent quell The daring stranger, and his gods expel! XXXII. “‘Hast thou forgot, when, by Cohannet’s stream, To curse the strangers every charm was tried? How, at your mutterings, the moon’s pale beam Retired from Heaven, and backward rushed the tide? How I appeared, and, by the embers’ gleam, To the hard rock my lance’s point applied, And scored my mandate--saying to the foe, Thus far thy gods may come--no further go?[19] [19] See note. XXXIII. “‘Rouse, Prophet, rouse! A stranger now doth dare Pass the charmed limits, and our peace invade!’ He said, and, resting on the casket there, Melted from sight into the sombre shade: He chose my serpent for his earthly lair; Swelled his huge volumes, and inspired his head, And taught his tongue to speak the future well, And charms most wise that can the bravest quell. XXXIV.