LXXVI + 

“Five minutes thirteen seconds after three, + 

Far in the west a mighty fire broke out, + 

Conjectured, on the instant, it might be + 

The city of Balk⁠—’twas Balk beyond all doubt: + 

A griffin, wheeling here and there about, + 

Kept reconnoitering us⁠—doubled our guard⁠— + 

Lighted our torches, and kept up a shout, + 

Till he sheer’d off⁠—the Princess very scared⁠— + 

And many on their marrow-bones for death prepared. + 