Page:The Lusiad (Camões, tr. Mickle, 1791), Volume 2.djvu/67

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Of red-arm'd justice. From the shades of night
He dragg'd the foul adulterer to light:
The robber from his dark retreat was led,
And he, who spilt the blood of murder, bled.
Unmoved he heard the proudest noble plead;
Where justice aim'd her sword, with stubborn speed
Fell the dire stroke. Nor cruelty inspired,
Noblest humanity his bosom fired.
The caitiff, starting at his thoughts, represt
The seeds of murder springing in his breast.
His outstretch'd arm the lurking thief withheld,
For fixt as fate he knew his doom was seal'd.
Safe in his monarch's care the ploughman reapt,
And proud oppression coward distance kept.
Pedro the Just the peopled towns proclaim,
And every field resounds her monarch's name.

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