Jupiter! even thou art false become, And altogether such. Full sure I deem’d That not a Grecian hero should abide One moment force invincible as ours, And lo! as wasps ring-streaked,[1] or bees that build210 Their dwellings in the highway’s craggy side Leave not their hollow home, but fearless wait The hunter’s coming, in their brood’s defence, So these, although two only, from the gates Move not, nor will, till either seized or slain.215 So Asius spake, but speaking so, changed not The mind of Jove on Hector’s glory bent. Others, as obstinate, at other gates Such deeds perform’d, that to enumerate all Were difficult, unless to power divine.220 For fierce the hail of stones from end to end Smote on the barrier; anguish fill’d the Greeks. Yet, by necessity constrain’d, their ships They guarded still; nor less the Gods themselves, Patrons of Greece, all sorrow’d at the sight.225 At once the valiant Lapithæ began Terrible conflict, and Pirithous’ son Brave Polypœtes through his helmet pierced Damasus; his resplendent point the brass Sufficed not to withstand; entering, it crush’d230 The bone within, and mingling all his brain With his own blood, his onset fierce repress’d. Pylon and Ormenus he next subdued. Meantime Leonteus, branch of Mars, his spear Hurl’d at Hippomachus, whom through his belt235 He pierced; then drawing forth his falchion keen, Through all the multitude he flew to smite Antiphates, and with a downright stroke Fell’d him. Iämenus and Menon next He slew, with brave Orestes, whom he heap’d,240 All three together, on the fertile glebe. While them the Lapithæ of their bright arms Despoil’d, Polydamas and Hector stood (With all the bravest youths and most resolved To burst the barrier and to fire the fleet)245 Beside the foss, pondering the event. For, while they press’d to pass, they spied a bird Sublime in air, an eagle. Right between Both hosts he soar’d (the Trojan on his left) A serpent bearing in his pounces clutch’d250 Enormous, dripping blood, but lively still And mindful of revenge; for from beneath The eagle’s breast, updarting fierce his head, Fast by the throat he struck him; anguish-sick The eagle cast him down into the space255 Between the hosts, and, clanging loud his plumes As the wind bore him, floated far away. Shudder’d the Trojans viewing at their feet The spotted serpent ominous, and thus Polydamas to dauntless Hector spake.260 Ofttimes in council, Hector, thou art wont To censure me, although advising well; Nor ought the private citizen, I confess, Either in council or in war to indulge Loquacity, but ever to employ265 All his exertions in support of thine. Yet hear my best opinion once again. Proceed we not in our attempt against The Grecian fleet. For if in truth the sign Respect the host of Troy ardent to pass,270 Then, as the eagle soar’d both hosts between, With Ilium’s on his left, and clutch’d a snake Enormous, dripping blood, but still alive, Which yet he dropp’d suddenly, ere he reach’d