One spring from Karl, and the wild thing was seized,
Fast prison'd in the stalwart Vulcan's gripe.
A sharp, shrill cry of agony from Karl
Was mingled with the hound's low fever'd growl.
And all with horror saw the creature's teeth
Fixed in the blacksmith's shoulder. None had power
To rescue him; for scarcely could you count
A moment's space ere both had disappeared--
The man and dog. The smith had leapt a fence
And gained the forest with a frantic rush,
Bearing the hideous mischief in his arms.
A long receding cry came on the ear,
Showing how swift their flight; and fainter grew
The sound: ere well a man had time to think
What might be done for help, the sound was hushed,
Lost in the very distance. Women crouched
And huddled up their children in their arms;
Men flew to seek their weapons. 'Twas a change
So swift and fearful, none could realise
Its actual horrors--for a time. But now,
The panic past, to rescue and pursuit!
Crash! through the brake into the forest track;
But pitchy darkness, caused by closing night
And foliage dense, impedes the avengers' way;
When lo! they trip o'er something in their path!
It was the bleeding body of the hound,
Warm, but quite dead.
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