Of thousands, seeing them, shall wish his own. He said, and to his bellows quick repair’d, Which turning to the fire he bade them heave. Full twenty bellows working all at once595 Breathed on the furnace, blowing easy and free The managed winds, now forcible, as best Suited dispatch, now gentle, if the will Of Vulcan and his labor so required. Impenetrable brass, tin, silver, gold,590 He cast into the forge, then, settling firm His ponderous anvil on the block, one hand With his huge hammer fill’d, one with the tongs. [10]He fashion’d first a shield massy and broad Of labor exquisite, for which he form’d595 A triple border beauteous, dazzling bright, And loop’d it with a silver brace behind. The shield itself with five strong folds he forged, And with devices multiform the disk Capacious charged, toiling with skill divine.600 There he described the earth, the heaven, the sea, The sun that rests not, and the moon full-orb’d. There also, all the stars which round about As with a radiant frontlet bind the skies, The Pleiads and the Hyads, and the might605 Of huge Orion, with him Ursa call’d, Known also by his popular name, the Wain, That spins around the pole looking toward Orion, only star of these denied To slake his beams in ocean’s briny baths.610 Two splendid cities also there he form’d Such as men build. In one were to be seen Rites matrimonial solemnized with pomp Of sumptuous banquets; from their chambers forth Leading the brides they usher’d them along615 With torches through the streets, and sweet was heard The voice around of Hymenæal song. Here striplings danced in circles to the sound Of pipe and harp, while in the portals stood Women, admiring, all, the gallant show.620 Elsewhere was to be seen in council met The close-throng’d multitude. There strife arose. Two citizens contended for a mulct The price of blood. This man affirm’d the fine All paid,[11] haranguing vehement the crowd,625 That man denied that he had aught received, And to the judges each made his appeal Eager for their award. Meantime the people, As favor sway’d them, clamor’d loud for each. The heralds quell’d the tumult; reverend sat630 On polish’d stones the elders in a ring, Each with a herald’s sceptre in his hand, Which holding they arose, and all in turn Gave sentence. In the midst two talents lay Of gold, his destined recompense whose voice635 Decisive should pronounce the best award. The other city by two glittering hosts Invested stood, and a dispute arose Between the hosts, whether to burn the town And lay all waste, or to divide the spoil.640 Meantime, the citizens, still undismay’d, Surrender’d not the town, but taking arms Secretly, set the ambush in array, And on the walls their wives and children kept Vigilant guard, with all the ancient men.645 They sallied; at their head Pallas and Mars Both golden and in golden vests attired Advanced, proportion each showing divine, Large, prominent, and such as Gods beseem’d.