In the midst, Full many dolphins chased the fry, and show’d As though they swam the waters, to and fro Darting tumultuous: two[23] of silver scale Panting above the wave. For we learn from both ‘shields’ that the waves of ocean were figured in a position corresponding with the above-mentioned position of the celestial equator, beneath which—that is, _in the ocean_, on our assumption—the aquatic constellations were figured. The description of the ocean in the ‘Shield of Hercules’ contains also some lines, in which we seem to see a reference to the bird-constellations close above the equator:— Rounding the utmost verge the ocean flow’d As in full swell of waters, and the shield All variegated with whole circle bound. Swans of high-hovering wing there clamour’d shrill, Who also skimm’d the breasted surge with plume Innumerous; near them fishes midst the waves Frolick’d in wanton bounds. In the ‘Shield of Achilles’ no mention is made of Perseus, but in the ‘Shield of Hercules’ this well-known constellation seems described in the lines— There was the knight of fair-hair’d Danae born, Perseus; nor yet the buckler with his feet Touch’d nor yet distant hover’d, strange to see, For nowhere on the surface of the shield He rested; so the crippled artist-god Illustrious fram’d him with his hands in gold. Bound to his feet were sandals wing’d; a sword Of brass, with hilt of sable ebony, Hung round him from the shoulders by a thong. . . . . . . . . The visage grim Of monstrous Gorgon all his back o’erspread; . . . . . . . . the dreadful helm Of Pluto clasp’d the temples of the prince. I think that one may recognise a reference to the twins Castor and Pollux (the wrestler and boxer of mythology) in the words— But in another part Were men who wrestled, or in gymnic fight Wielded the cestus. Orion is not mentioned by name in the ‘Shield of Hercules,’ as in the other; but Orion, Lepus, and the two dogs seem referred to:— Elsewhere men of chase Were taking the fleet hares; two keen-toothed dogs Hounded beside; these ardent in pursuit, Those with like ardour doubling in their flight. In each ‘shield’ we find a reference to the operations of the year—hunting and pasturing, sowing, ploughing, and harvesting. It is hardly necessary to point out the connection between these operations and astronomical relations. That this connection was fully recognised in ancient times is shown in the ‘Works and Days’ of Hesiod. We find also in Egyptian zodiacs clear evidence that these operations, as well as astronomical symbols or constellations, were pictured in sculptured domes. The judicial, military, and other proceedings described in the ‘Shield of Achilles’ were also supposed by the ancients to have been influenced by the courses of the stars.