Of pointed lightnings, and their forky rays. Through Elis, and the Grecian towns, he flew: The audacious wretch four fiery coursers drew: He waved a torch aloft, and, madly vain, Sought god-like worship from a servile train. Ambitious fool! with horny hoofs to pass O'er hollow arches of resounding brass, To rival thunder in its rapid course, And imitate inimitable force! But he, the king of heaven, obscure on high, Bared his red arm, and, launching from the sky His writhen bolt, not shaking empty smoke, Down to the deep abyss the flaming felon struck. There Tityus was to see, who took his birth From heaven, his nursing from the foodful earth. Here his gigantic limbs, with large embrace, Infold nine acres of infernal space. A ravenous vulture, in his opened side, Her crooked beak and cruel talons tried; Still for the growing liver digged his breast; The growing liver still supplied the feast; Still are his entrails fruitful to their pains: The immortal hunger lasts, the immortal food remains. Ixion and Pirithoüs I could name, And more Thessalian chiefs of mighty fame. High o'er their heads a mouldering rock is placed, That promises a fall, and shakes at every blast. They lie below, on golden beds displayed; And genial feasts with regal pomp are made. The queen of Furies by their sides is set, And snatches from their mouths the untasted meat, Which if they touch, her hissing snakes she rears, Tossing her torch, and thundering in their ears. Then they, who brothers' better claim disown, Expel their parents, and usurp the throne; Defraud their clients, and, to lucre sold, Sit brooding on unprofitable gold-- Who dare not give, and even refuse to lend, To their poor kindred, or a wanting friend-- Vast is the throng of these; nor less the train Of lustful youths, for foul adultery slain-- Hosts of deserters, who their honour sold, And basely broke their faith for bribes of gold. All these within the dungeon's depth remain, Despairing pardon, and expecting pain. Ask not what pains; nor farther seek to know Their process, or the forms of law below. Some roll a mighty stone; some, laid along, And bound with burning wires, on spokes of wheels are hung. Unhappy Theseus, doomed for ever there, Is fixed by Fate on his eternal chair: And wretched Phlegyas warns the world with cries, } (Could warning make the world more just or wise,) } 'Learn righteousness, and dread the avenging deities.' } To tyrants others have their country sold, Imposing foreign lords, for foreign gold: Some have old laws repealed, new statutes made, Not as the people pleased, but as they paid. With incest some their daughters' bed profaned. All dared the worst of ills, and, what they dared, attained. Had I a hundred mouths, a hundred tongues, And throats of brass, inspired with iron lungs, I could not half those horrid crimes repeat,