Or as Alcmena, from Electryon born, The guardian of his people, her lov’d home And natal soil abandoning, to Thebes Came with Amphitryon: with the brave in war. She all the gentle race of womankind [252]In height surpass’d and beauty: nor with her Might one in prudence vie, of all who sprang From mortal fair-ones, blending in embrace With mortal men. Both from her tressed head, And [253]from the darkening lashes of her eyes, She breathed enamouring odour like the breath Of balmy Venus: passing fair she was, Yet not the less her consort with heart-love Revered she; so had never woman loved. Though he her noble sire by violent strength Had slain, amid [254]those herds, the cause of strife, Madden’d to sudden rage: his native soil He left, and thence to the Cadmean state, Shield-bearing tribe, came supplicant: and there Dwelt with his modest spouse; yet from the joys Of love estranged: for he might not ascend The couch of her, the beautiful of feet, Till for the slaughter of her brethren brave, His arm had wreak’d revenge; and burn’d with fire The guilty cities of those warlike men Taphians and Teloboans. This the task Assign’d: the gods on high that solemn vow Had witness’d: of their anger visitant In fear he stood; and speeded in all haste T’ achieve the mighty feat, imposed by Heaven. Him the Bœotians, gorers of the steed, Who coveting the war-shout and the shock Of battle o’er the buckler breathe aloft Their open valour: him the Locrian race Close-combating; and of undaunted soul, The Phocians follow’d: towering in the van Amphitryon gallant shone: and in his host Gloried. But other counsel secret wove Within his breast the sire of gods and men: That both to gods and to th’ inventive race Of man a great deliverer might arise Sprung from his loins, of plague-repelling fame. Deep-framing in his inmost soul deceit, He through the nightly darkness took his way From high Olympus, glowing with the love Of her, the fair-one of the graceful zone. Swift to the Typhaonian mount he pass’d: Thence drew nigh Phycium’s lofty ridge: sublime There sitting, the wise counsellor of heaven Revolved a work divine. That self-same night He sought the couch of her, who stately treads With long-paced step; and melting in her arms Took there his fill of love. That self-same night The host-arousing chief, the mighty deed Perform’d, in glory to his home returned: Nor to the vassals and the shepherd hinds His footstep bent, before he climb’d the couch Of his Alcmena: such inflaming love Seiz’d in the deep recesses of his heart The chief of thousands. And as he, that scarce Escapes, and yet escapes, from grievous plague Or the hard-fettering chain, flies free away Joyful,—so struggling through that arduous toil