STROPHE II. CHORUS. May the gods protect my champion! Ruin seize the ruthless foe! As they boast to raze the city, So may Jove with wrathful vengeance Lay their frenzied babblings low! MESSENGER. The fourth's Hippomedon. Before the gate He stands of Onca Pallas, clamouring on With lordly port. His shield's huge round he waved, (Fearful to view), a halo not a shield. No vulgar cunning did his hand possess Who carved the dread device upon its face, Typhon, forth-belching, from fire-breathing mouth, Black smoke, the volumed sister of the flame;[n29] And round its hollow belly was embossed[n30] A ring of knotted snakes. Himself did rage, Shouting for battle, by the god of war Indwelt,[n31] and, like a Maenad, his dark eyes Look fear. Against this man be doubly armed, For, where he is, grim Fear is with him. ETEOCLES. Onca Herself will guard the gate that bears her name, From her own ramparts hurl the proud assailer, And shield her nurslings from this crested snake. Hyperbius, the right valiant son of Oenops, Shall stand against this foe, casting his life Into the chance of war; in lordly port, In courage, in all the accoutrements of fight Hippomedon's counterpart--a hostile pair Well matched by Hermes.[n32] But no equal match Their shields display--two hostile gods--the one Fire-breathing Typhon, father Jove the other, Erect, firm-planted, in his flaming hand Grasping red thunder, an unvanquished god. Such are the gods beneath whose wing they fight, For us the strong, for them the weaker power. And as the gods are, so the men shall be That on their aid depend. If Jove hath worsted {277} This Typhon in the fight, we too shall worst Our adverse. Shall the king of gods not save The man whose shield doth bear the SAVIOUR JOVE. ANTISTROPHE II. CHORUS. Earth-born Typhon, hateful monster, Sight that men and gods appals, Whoso bears in godless blazon Great Jove's foe, shall Jove almighty Dash his head against the walls.