In air, he seem’d like one to trembling flight Betaken. Close behind the Gorgons twain Of nameless terror unapproachable Came rushing: eagerly they stretch’d their arms To seize him: from the pallid adamant, Audibly as they rush’d, the clattering shield Clank’d with a sharp shrill sound. Two grisly snakes Hung from their girdles, and with forking tongues Lick’d their inflected jaws; and violent gnash’d Their fangs fell glaring: from around their heads Those Gorgons grim a flickering horror cast Through the wide air. Above them warrior men Waged battle, grasping weapons in their hands. [261]Some from their city and their sires repell’d Destruction: others hasten’d to destroy: And many press’d the plain, but more still held The combat. On the strong-constructed towers Stood women, shrieking shrill, and rent their cheeks In very life, by Vulcan’s glorious craft. The elders hoar with age assembled stood Without the gates, and to the blessed gods Their hands uplifted, for their fighting sons Fear-stricken. These again the combat held. Behind them stood the Fates, of aspect black, Grim, slaughter-breathing, stern, insatiable, Gnashing their white fangs; and fierce conflict held For those who fell. Each eager-thirsting sought To quaff the sable blood. Whom first they snatch’d Prostrate, or staggering with the fresh-made wound, On him they struck their talons huge: the soul Fled down th’ abyss, the horror-freezing gulf Of Tartarus. They, glutted to the heart With human gore, behind them cast the corse: And back with hurrying rage they turn’d to seek The throng of battle. And hard by there stood Clotho and Lachesis; and Atropos, Somewhat in years inferior: nor was she A mighty goddess: yet those other Fates Transcending, and in birth the elder far. And all around one man in cruel strife Were join’d: and on each other turn’d in wrath Their glowing eyes: and mingling desperate hands And talons mutual strove. [262]And near to them Stood Misery: wan, ghastly, worn with woe: Arid, and swoln of knees; with hunger’s pains Faint-falling: from her lean hands long the nails Out-grew: an ichor from her nostrils flow’d: Blood from her cheeks distill’d to earth: with teeth All wide disclosed in grinning agony She stood: a cloud of dust her shoulders spread, And her eyes ran with tears. But next arose [263]A well-tower’d city, by seven golden gates Enclosed, that fitted to their lintels hung: There men in dances and in festive joys Held revelry. Some on the smooth-wheel’d car A virgin bride conducted: then burst forth Aloud the marriage-song: and far and wide Long splendours flash’d from many a quivering torch Borne in the hands of slaves. Gay-blooming girls Preceded, and the dancers follow’d blithe: