text:  The fight's begun! But lo! the hounds in cowering fly Before the mighty poison-breath-- A yell most like the jackall's cry Howl'd mingling with that wind of death! "No halt--I gave one cheering sound; Lustily springs each dauntless hound-- Swift as the dauntless hounds advance Whirringly skirrs my stalwart lance-- Whirringly skirrs; and from the scale Bounds as a reed aslant the mail