Not for that did Ceres stay her steps; the very sanctity of the place inflames her wrath; with angry hand she brandishes her axe, ready to strike Jove himself. She hesitates whether to cut down pines or lay low knotless cedars, scans likely trunks and lofty trees and shakes their branches with vigorous hand. Even so when a man, fain to carry merchandise over distant seas, builds a ship on dry land and makes ready to expose his life to the tempest, he hews down * * * * * Page 372 et varium rudibus silvis accommodat usum: quae longa est, tumidis praebebit cornua velis; quae fortis, clavo potior; quae lenta, favebit remigio: stagni patiens aptanda carinae. Tollebant geminae capita inviolata cupressus 370 caespite vicino: quales non rupibus Idae miratur Simois, quales non divite ripa lambit Apollinei nemoris nutritor Orontes. germanas adeo credas; sic frontibus aequis adstant et socio despectant vertice lucum. 375 hae placuere faces. pernix invadit utramque cincta sinus, exerta manus, armata bipenni alternasque ferit totisque obnixa trementes viribus impellit. pariter traxere ruinam et pariter posuere comas campoque recumbunt, 380 Faunorum Dryadumque dolor. complectitur ambas, sicut erant, alteque levat retroque solutis crinibus ascendit fastigia montis anheli exuperatque aestus et nulli pervia saxa atque indignantes vestigia calcat harenas: 385 qualis pestiferas animare ad crimina taxos torva Megaera ruit, Cadmi seu moenia poscat sive Thyesteis properet saevire Mycenis: dant tenebrae manesque locum plantisque resultant Tartara ferratis, donec Phlegethontis ad undam 390 constitit et plenos excepit lampade fluctus. Postquam perventum scopuli flagrantis in ora, protinus arsuras aversa fronte cupressus faucibus iniecit mediis lateque cavernas texit et undantem flammarum obstruxit hiatum. 395 * * * * * Page 373 beech and elm and marks the diverse utility of the yet growing forest; the lofty tree he selects as yardarms for the swelling sail; the strong he prefers as a mast; the pliant will make good oars; the waterproof is suitable for the keel.