And first a shield he fashion’d, vast and strong, With rich adornment; circled with a rim, Threefold, bright-gleaming, whence a silver belt Depended; of five folds the shield was form’d; And on its surface many a rare design Of curious art his practis’d skill had wrought. Thereon were figur’d earth, and sky, and sea, The ever-circling sun, and full-orb’d moon, And all the signs that crown the vault of Heav’n; Pleiads and Hyads, and Orion’s might, And Arctos, call’d the Wain, who wheels on high His circling course, and on Orion waits; Sole star that never bathes in th’ ocean wave. And two fair populous towns were sculptur’d there; In one were marriage pomp and revelry. And brides, in gay procession, through the streets With blazing torches from their chambers borne, While frequent rose the hymeneal song. Youths whirl’d around in joyous dance, with sound Of flute and harp; and, standing at their doors, Admiring women on the pageant gaz’d. Meanwhile a busy throng the forum fill’d: There between two a fierce contention rose, About a death-fine; to the public one Appeal’d, asserting to have paid the whole; While one denied that he had aught receiv’d. Both were desirous that before the Judge The issue should be tried; with noisy shouts Their several partisans encourag’d each. The heralds still’d the tumult of the crowd: On polish’d chairs, in solemn circle, sat The rev’rend Elders; in their hands they held The loud-voic’d heralds’ sceptres; waving these, They heard th’ alternate pleadings; in the midst Two talents lay of gold, which he should take Who should before them prove his righteous cause.