Since 'neath a heavier burden now The axle trembled. Love compelled Alcmena's son to lay aside His quiver and the threat'ning spoil Of that great lion's skin he bore, And have his fingers set with gems, His shaggy locks in order dressed. 320 His limbs were wrapped in cloth of gold, His feet with yellow sandals bound; And with that hand which bore but now The mighty club, he wound the thread Which from his mistress' spindle fell. The sight all Persia saw, and they 325 Who dwell in Lydia's fertile realm-- The savage lion's skin laid by, And on those shoulders, once the prop For heaven's vast dome, a gauzy cloak Of Tyrian manufacture spread. Accursed is love, its victims know, 330 And all too strong. In every land, In the all-encircling briny deep, In the airy heavens where the bright stars course, There pitiless love holds sway. The sea-green band of the Nereids 335 Have felt his darts in their deepest waves, And the waters of ocean cannot quench Their flames. The birds know the passion of love, And mighty bulls, with its fire inflamed, Wage furious battle, while the herd 340 Look on in wonder. Even stags, Though timorous of heart, will fight If for their mates they fear, while loud Resound the snortings of their wrath. When with love the striped tigers burn, The swarthy Indian cowers in fear. 345 For love the boar whets his deadly tusks And his huge mouth is white with foam. The African lions toss their manes When love inflames their hearts, and the woods Resound with their savage roars. 350 The monsters of the raging deep, And those great beasts, the elephants, Feel the sway of love; since nature's power Claims everything, and nothing spares. Hate perishes when love commands, And ancient feuds yield to his touch. 355 Why need I more his sway approve, When even stepdames yield to love? FOOTNOTES: [19] Reading, _cibus_. ACT II [_Enter_ Nurse _from the palace_.] _Chorus:_ Speak, nurse, the news thou bring'st. How fares the queen? Do her fierce fires of love know any end?