The lance, besmeared with blood, lies broken in the wound. Then with disdain the haughty victor viewed Orodes flying, nor the wretch pursued, Nor thought the dastard's back deserved a wound, But, running, gained the advantage of the ground: Then turning short, he met him face to face, To give his victory the better grace. Orodes falls, in equal fight oppressed: Mezentius fixed his foot upon his breast, And rested lance; and thus aloud he cries:-- "Lo! here the champion of my rebels lies!" The fields around with "Iö Pæan!" ring; And peals of shouts applaud the conquering king. At this the vanquished, with his dying breath, Thus faintly spoke, and prophesied in death:-- "Nor thou, proud man, unpunished shalt remain. Like death attends thee on this fatal plain." Then, sourly smiling, thus the king replied:-- "For what belongs to me, let Jove provide; But die thou first, whatever chance ensue." He said, and from the wound the weapon drew. A hovering mist came swimming o'er his sight, And sealed his eyes in everlasting night. By Cædicus, Alcathöus was slain; Sacrator laid Hydaspes on the plain; Orses the strong to greater strength must yield; He, with Parthenius, were by Rapo killed. Then brave Messapus Ericetes slew, Who from Lycaon's blood his lineage drew. But from his headstrong horse his fate he found, } Who threw his master, as he made a bound: } The chief, alighting, stuck him to the ground; } Then Clonius, hand to hand, on foot assails: The Trojan sinks, and Neptune's son prevails. Agis the Lycian, stepping forth with pride, To single fight the boldest foe defied; Whom Tuscan Valerus by force o'ercame, And not belied his mighty father's fame. Salius to death the great Authronius sent: But the same fate the victor underwent, Slain by Nealces' hand, well skilled to throw The flying dart, and draw the far-deceiving bow. Thus equal deaths are dealt with equal chance: By turns they quit their ground, by turns advance, Victors and vanquished in the various field, Nor wholly overcome, nor wholly yield. The gods from heaven survey the fatal strife, And mourn the miseries of human life. Above the rest, two goddesses appear Concerned for each: here Venus, Juno there. Amidst the crowd, infernal Ate shakes Her scourge aloft, and crest of hissing snakes. Once more the proud Mezentius, with disdain, Brandished his spear, and rushed into the plain, Where towering in the midmost ranks he stood, Like tall Orion stalking o'er the flood, (When with his brawny breast he cuts the waves, His shoulders scarce the topmost billow laves,) Or like a mountain-ash, whose roots are spread, Deep fixed in earth--in clouds he hides his head. The Trojan prince beheld him from afar,