Diversified: might none with missile aim Pierce, nor th’ impenetrable substance rive Shattering: a wondrous frame: since all throughout Bright with enamel, and with ivory, And [257]mingled metal; and with ruddy gold Refulgent, and with azure plates inlaid. The scaly terror of a dragon coil’d Full in the central field; unspeakable; With eyes oblique retorted, that aslant Shot gleaming flame: his hollow jaw was fill’d Dispersedly with jagged fangs of white, Grim, unapproachable. And next above The dragon’s forehead fell, stern Strife in air Hung hovering, and array’d the war of men: Haggard; whose aspect from all mortals reft All mind and soul; whoe’er in brunt of arms Should match their strength, and face the son of Jove. Below this earth their spirits to th’ abyss Descend: and through the flesh that wastes away Beneath the parching sun, their whitening bones Start forth, and moulder in the sable dust. [258]Pursuit was there, and fiercely rallying Flight, Tumult and Terror: burning Carnage glow’d: Wild Discord madden’d there, and frantic Rout Ranged to and fro. A deathful Destiny There grasp’d a living man, that bled afresh From recent wound: another, yet unharm’d, Dragg’d furious; and a third, already dead, Trail’d by the feet amid the throng of war: And o’er her shoulders was a garment thrown Dabbled in human blood: and in her look Was horror: and a deep funereal cry Broke from her lips. There indescribable Twelve serpent heads rose dreadful: and with fear Froze all, who drew on earth the breath of life, Whoe’er should match their strength in brunt of arms, And face the son of Jove: and oft as he Moved to the battle, from their clashing fangs A sound was heard. Such miracles display’d The buckler’s field, with living blazonry Resplendent: and those fearful snakes were streak’d O’er their cærulean backs with streaks of jet: And their jaws blacken’d with a jetty dye. Wild from the forest, [259]herds of boars were there, And lions, mutual-glaring; and in wrath Leap’d on each other; and by troops they drove Their onset: nor yet these nor those recoil’d, Nor quaked in fear. Of both the backs uprose Bristling with anger: for a lion huge Lay stretched amidst them, and two boars beside Lifeless: the sable blood down-dropping ooz’d Into the ground. So these with bowed backs Lay dead beneath the terrible lions: they, For this the more incensed, both savage boars And tawny lions, chafing sprang to war. There too [260]the battle of the Lapithæ Was wrought; the spear-arm’d warriors: Cæneus king, Hopleus, Phalérus, and Pirithous, And Dryas, and Exadius: Prolochus, Mopsus of Titaressa, Ampyx’ son, A branch of Mars, and Theseus like a god: Son of Ægéus: silver were their limbs,