Mark, and in swooping rage each other tear With bitterest conflict: so vociferous rush’d The warriors on each other. Cygnus, then, Aiming to slay the son of Jupiter Unmatch’d in strength, against the buckler struck His brazen lance, but through the metal plate Broke not; the present of a god preserved. On th’ other side he of Amphitryon named, Strong Hercules, between the helm and shield Drove his long spear; and underneath the chin Through the bare neck smote violent and swift. The murderous ashen beam at once the nerves Twain of the neck cut sheer; for all the man Drop’d, and his force went from him: down he fell Headlong: [275]as falls a thunder-blasted oak, Or sky-capt rock, riven by the lightning shaft Of Jove, in smouldering smoke is hurl’d from high, So fell he: and his brass-emblazon’d mail Clatter’d around him. Jove’s firm-hearted son Then left the corse, abandon’d where it lay: But wary watch’d the mortal-slayer god Approach, and view’d him o’er with terrible eyes Stern-lowering. [276]As a lion, who has fall’n Perchance on some stray beast, with griping claws Intent, strips down the lacerated hide; Drains instantaneous the sweet life, and gluts E’en to the fill his gloomy heart with blood; Green-eyed he glares in fierceness; with his tail Lashes his shoulders and his swelling sides, And with his feet tears up the ground; not one Might dare to look upon him, nor advance Nigh, with desire of conflict: such in truth The war-insatiate Hercules to Mars Stood in array, and gather’d in his soul Prompt courage. But the other near approach’d, Anguish’d at heart; and both encountering rush’d With cries of battle. As when from high ridge Of some hill-top abrupt, tumbles a crag Precipitous, and sheer, a giddy space, Bounds in a whirl and rolls impetuous down: Shrill rings the vehement crash, till some steep clift Obstructs: to this the mass is borne along; This wedges it immoveable: e’en so Destroyer Mars, bowing the chariot, rush’d, Yelling vociferous with a shout: e’en so, As utterance prompt, met Hercules the shock And firm sustain’d. But Jove-born Pallas came With darkening shield uplifted, and to Mars Stood interposed: and scowling with her eyes Tremendous, thus address’d her winged words: “Mars! hold thy furious valour: stay those hands In prowess inaccessible: for know It is not lawful for thee to divest Slain Hercules of these his gorgeous arms, Bold-hearted son of Jove: but come; rest thou From battle, nor oppose thyself to me.” She said: nor yet persuaded aught the soul Of Mars, the mighty of heart. With a great shout He, brandishing his weapon like a flame, Sprang rapid upon Hercules, in haste To slay; and, for his slaughter’d son incensed, With violent effort hurl’d his brazen spear