LVI. Down to this cavern came the Lord of Flame, And found Pyracmon, naked as he strove, Brontes and Steropes. Their hands still frame A thunderbolt unfinished, such as Jove Rains thickly from his armouries above, Tipt with twelve barbs and never known to fail. Part still remain unwrought; three rays they wove Of ruddy fire, three of the Southern gale, Three of the watery cloud, and three of twisted hail. LVII. They blend the frightful flashes and the peals, Sound, fear, and fury with the flames behind. These forge the War-Gods' chariot and swift wheels, Which stir up cities, and arouse mankind. Here, burnished bright for wrathful Pallas, shined, With serpent scales, and golden links firm bound, Her dreadful AEgis, and the snakes entwined; And on her breast, with severed neck, still frowned Medusa's head, and rolled her dying eyes around. LVIII. "Cease now," said Vulcan, "and these toils forbear, Cyclops of AEtna; hither turn your heed. Arms for a hero must the forge prepare. Now use your strength and nimble hands; ye need A master's cunning; to your tasks with speed." He spake; each quickly at the word once more Falls to his labour, as the lots decreed. Now flows the copper, now the golden ore; Now melts the deadly steel; the flames resume their roar. LIX. A mighty shield they fashion, fit to meet Singly all arms of Latium. Layer on layer, Seven folds in circles on its face they beat. These from the windy bellows force the air, These hissing copper for the forge prepare, Dipt in the trough. The cavern floor below Groans with the anvils and the strokes they bear, As strong arms timed heap measured blow on blow, And, turned with griping tongs, the molten mass doth glow. LX. While on AEolia's coast the Lemnian sire Wrought thus, the fair Dawn, mantling in the skies, Awakes Evander, and the lowly choir Of birds beneath the eaves invites to rise. The Tuscan sandals to his feet he ties, The kirtle dons, the Tegeaean sword Links to his side. A panther's skin supplies His scarf, hung leftward, and his watchful ward, Two dogs, the threshold leave, and 'company their lord. LXI. So to the chamber of his Dardan guest The good Evander for his promise' sake Full early hastens pondering in his breast The tale he listened to, the words he spake. Nor less AEneas, with the dawn awake, Goes forth. Achates at his side attends, His son, young Pallas, doth Evander take. So meeting, each a willing hand extends, And host and guest sit down, and frankly talk as friends.