Aurora out of restful bed did from bright Tithon rise, To bring each deathless Essence light, and use to mortal eyes; When Jove sent Eris to the Greeks, sustaining in her hand Stern signs of her designs for war. She took her horrid stand Upon Ulysses’ huge black bark, that did at anchor ride Amidst the fleet, from whence her sounds might ring on ev’ry side, Both to the tents of Telamon, and th’ author of their smarts, Who held, for fortitude and force, the navy’s utmost parts. The red-ey’d Goddess, seated there, thunder’d the Orthian song, High, and with horror, through the ears of all the Grecian throng, Her verse with spirits invincible did all their breasts inspire, Blew out all darkness from their limbs, and set their hearts on fire; And presently was bitter war more sweet a thousand times, Than any choice in hollow keels to greet their native climes. Atrides summon’d all to arms, to arms himself dispos’d, First on his legs he put bright greaves, with silver buttons clos’d; Then with rich curace arm’d his breast, which Cinyras bestow’d To gratify his royal guest; for ev’n to Cyprus flowed Th’ unbounded fame of those designs the Greeks propos’d for Troy, And therefore gave he him those arms, and wish’d his purpose joy. Ten rows of azure mix’d with black, twelve golden like the sun, Twice-ten of tin, in beaten paths, did through this armour run. Three serpents to the gorget crept, that like three rainbows shin’d, Such as by Jove are fix’d in clouds, when wonders are divin’d. About his shoulders hung his sword, whereof the hollow hilt Was fashion’d all with shining bars, exceeding richly gilt; The scabbard was of silver plate, with golden hangers grac’d. Then he took up his weighty shield, that round about him cast Defensive shadows; ten bright zones of gold-affecting brass Were driv’n about it; and of tin, as full of gloss as glass, Swell’d twenty bosses out of it; in centre of them all One of black metal had engrav’n, full of extreme appall, An ugly Gorgon, compasséd with Terror and with Fear. At it a silver bawdrick hung, with which he us’d to bear, Wound on his arm, his ample shield; and in it there was wov’n An azure dragon, curl’d in folds, from whose one neck was clov’n Three heads contorted in an orb. Then plac’d he on his head His four-plum’d casque; and in his hands two darts he managéd, Arm’d with bright steel that blaz’d to heav’n. Then Juno, and the Maid That conquers empires, trumpets serv’d to summon out their aid In honour of the General, and on a sable cloud, To bring them furious to the field, sat thund’ring out aloud. Then all enjoin’d their charioteers, to rank their chariot horse Close to the dike. Forth march’d the foot, whose front they did r’enforce With some horse troops. The battle then was all of charioteers, Lin’d with light horse. But Jupiter disturb’d this form with fears, And from air’s upper region bid bloody vapours rain, For sad ostent much noble life should ere their times be slain.