Not such the people, but of humbler size.650 Arriving at the spot for ambush chosen, A river’s side, where cattle of each kind Drank, down they sat, all arm’d in dazzling brass. Apart from all the rest sat also down Two spies, both looking for the flocks and herds.655 Soon they appear’d, and at their side were seen Two shepherd swains, each playing on his pipe Careless, and of the danger nought apprized, Swift ran the spies, perceiving their approach, And intercepting suddenly the herds660 And flocks of silver fleece, slew also those Who fed them. The besiegers, at that time In council, by the sound alarm’d, their steeds Mounted, and hasted, instant, to the place; Then, standing on the river’s brink they fought665 And push’d each other with the brazen lance. There Discord raged, there Tumult, and the force Of ruthless Destiny; she now a Chief Seized newly wounded, and now captive held Another yet unhurt, and now a third670 Dragg’d breathless through the battle by his feet And all her garb was dappled thick with blood Like living men they traversed and they strove, And dragg’d by turns the bodies of the slain. He also graved on it a fallow field675 Rich, spacious, and well-till’d. Plowers not few, There driving to and fro their sturdy teams, Labor’d the land; and oft as in their course They came to the field’s bourn, so oft a man Met them, who in their hands a goblet placed680 Charged with delicious wine. They, turning, wrought Each his own furrow, and impatient seem’d To reach the border of the tilth, which black Appear’d behind them as a glebe new-turn’d, Though golden. Sight to be admired by all!685 There too he form’d the likeness of a field Crowded with corn, in which the reapers toil’d Each with a sharp-tooth’d sickle in his hand. Along the furrow here, the harvest fell In frequent handfuls, there, they bound the sheaves.690 Three binders of the sheaves their sultry task All plied industrious, and behind them boys Attended, filling with the corn their arms And offering still their bundles to be bound. Amid them, staff in hand, the master stood695 Silent exulting, while beneath an oak Apart, his heralds busily prepared The banquet, dressing a well-thriven ox New slain, and the attendant maidens mix’d Large supper for the hinds of whitest flour.700 There also, laden with its fruit he form’d A vineyard all of gold; purple he made The clusters, and the vines supported stood By poles of silver set in even rows. The trench he color’d sable, and around705 Fenced it with tin. One only path it show’d By which the gatherers when they stripp’d the vines Pass’d and repass’d. There, youths and maidens blithe In frails of wicker bore the luscious fruit, While, in the midst, a boy on his shrill harp710 Harmonious play’d, still as he struck the chord Carolling to it with a slender voice. They smote the ground together, and with song And sprightly reed came dancing on behind.[12] There too a herd he fashion’d of tall beeves715 Part gold, part tin.