Thus far Pelides; and his ma.s.sive spear Close follow'd on his words. With truth it fled; Yet did the steely point, unerring hurl'd, Fall harmless: with a deaden'd point his breast Was struck. Then he;--"O G.o.ddess-born! (for fame "Thy race to me has long before made known) "Why wonder'st thou that I unwounded stand?"

(For wondering stood Pelides.) "Not this helm, "Which thou behold'st, gay with the courser's mane.

"Nor the curv'd buckler by my arm sustain'd, "For aid are worn. For comely grace alone "They deck me. Thus is Mars himself adorn'd.

"Thrown every guard far from my limbs, my limbs "Unwounded would remain. Sure I may boast!

"Sprung not from Nereus' daughter, but from him "Who rules o'er Nereus; o'er his daughter rules; "And all th' extent of ocean." Cygnus spoke: And at Pelides launch'd his spear to pierce His...o...b..d shield; its brazen front it pierc'd, And nine bull-hides beneath; stay'd at the tenth, The warrior shook it forth; with strenuous arm The quivering weapon hostile back return'd: Cygnus again unwounded felt the blow.

Nor felt his naked bosom, to the force Of the third weapon vauntingly expos'd, Aught harm'd. Less fiercely in the Circus wide Rages the bull not, when the scarlet vests To urge his fury fixt, with furious horn To gore attempting, finds elusion still, The unhurt limbs invading. Seeks he now If fall'n the metal from his weapon's point: Fast to the wood the metal still appears; And cries he;--"Weak is then my hand? and spent "On one, is all the strength I once could boast?

"For surely strength that arm could boast, which erst "Lyrnessus' wall o'erthrew, and when with gore "It Tenedos, and Thebes made stream; or when "Cacus purple flow'd, stain'd with their blood "Who on its banks had dwelt; and when twice prov'd "By Telephus, the virtue of my spear.

"This nervous arm has here too shewn its force "In hills of slain by me up-heap'd; these sh.o.r.es "Attest it." Speaking so, his spear he sent Against Mentes 'mid the Lycian crowd, As doubting faintly deeds perform'd before: And pierc'd at once his corslet and his breast.

From the hot smoking wound as forth he drew The dart,--as with his dying head was struck The solid ground, he spoke:--"This is the hand, "And this the spear which conquest knew before: "This will I 'gainst him use. May it, when sent, "The same success attend."--Ere ceas'd his words Cygnus again with aim he sought, nor swerv'd His ashen weapon whence he aim'd, but rung, Unshrunk from, on the shoulder: thence repell'd, As from a wall or rugged rock it fell: Yet where the blow was felt, did Cygnus seem With blood distain'd. Achilles' joy was vain, For wound was not. Mentes' blood was there.

Then furious from his lofty car he sprung, And close at hand his braving foe a.s.sail'd With glittering falchion; by the falchion broke, The helm and shield he saw, but the keen edge His stubborn body blunted. More the son Of Peleus bore not, but the warrior's face With furious buffets from his shield, unclaspt First from his arm, he smote, and with his hilt Heavy his temples; and with headstrong rage Bore on him: nor to his astounded soul Respite allow'd. Dread through his bosom spread; Before his eyes swam darkness: when amidst The plain, a stone his retrogressive feet Oppos'd. Pelides, with his mightiest strength, Struck Cygnus against it, and to earth Hard forc'd him, thrown supine. Pent with his shield, And nervous knees upon his bosom prest Tight, he the lacing of the helmet drew, Which 'neath his chin was ty'd; close press'd his throat, His breathing pa.s.sage and his life at once Destroy'd he. When his conquer'd foe to spoil Of all his arms he went, the arms he found Vacant. The ocean-G.o.d had to a bird Of snowy plumage chang'd his offspring's form: A bird which still the name of Cygnus bears.

Here stay'd the toil, here did the battle gain Of numerous days a respite, either power Resting on arms unhostile. Then, while guards, Watchful, the Trojan walls protective kept; And sentries equal wakeful o'er the trench Form'd by the Argives watch'd, a feast was held, Where Cygnus' victor, stout Achilles, gave An heifer ribbon-bound to Athen's maid.

The sever'd flesh was on the altar plac'd, Whose smoking fragrance, grateful to the G.o.ds, High to th' ethereal regions mounted. Part, Their due, th' official sacrificers took; To swell the feast the rest was given. Outstretch'd On couches, laid the n.o.ble guests, and fill'd With the drest meat their hunger; and with wine At once their thirst and all their cares a.s.suag'd.

No lyre them sooth'd; no sound of vocal song; Nor long extended boxen pipe with holes Multiferous pierc'd: but all night long, discourse Protracted; valiant deeds alone the theme.

Alike the valiant acts their foes perform'd, And those their own they speak. Much they enjoy To tell by turns what hazards they o'ercame; And what they oft successless try'd. What else Could e'er Achilles' speech employ? What else By great Achilles could with joy be heard?

Chief in the converse, was the conquest late O'er Cygnus gain'd, the topic. Strange to all Seem'd it; the youth, from every weapon safe By wound unconquerable, and with skin Blunting the keenest steel. Wonder the Greeks, And wonders ev'n Pelides: when in words Like these, old Nestor hail'd them. "Cygnus, proof "'Gainst steel,--unpierceable by furious blows "Your age alone has known. These eyes have seen "Perrhaebian Caeneus bear ten thousand strokes "Unhurt. He, fam'd for warlike actions, dwelt "On Othrys, and more strange those warlike deeds, "Since female was he born." The wondering crowd, Mov'd with the novel prodigy, beseech (Their spokesman was Achilles) that the tale Nestor would give them. "Eloquent old man!

"Of all our age most prudent, tell, for all "The same desire prevails o'er, who was he, "This Caeneus? why was chang'd his s.e.x? what wars "Of fierce encounter made him known to thee?

"And if by any conquer'd, tell the name."

Then thus the senior: "Though decrepid age "Weighs heavy on me, and the deeds beheld "In prime of youth, in numbers 'scape my mind; "Yet than those facts, 'mid all of peace and war, "Nought on my bosom made a deeper print.

"Yet may extended age of all beheld "Part of the numerous acts and objects seen "Relate,--I twice one hundred years have pa.s.s'd; "Now in the third I breathe. Caenis, a nymph "Sprung from Elateus, fam'd was all around "For brightest beauty; fairest of the maids "Who Thessaly adorn; theme of vain hopes "To crowds of wooers through the neighbouring towns; "And ev'n through thine, Achilles; for the land "Thou claim'st produc'd her. Nay, her nuptial couch, "Peleus perchance had sought, save that the rites "Already with thy mother were compleat, "Or were in promise ready. Nuptial couch "She never press'd, for on the lonely sh.o.r.e "Strolling, so fame declares, the vigorous clasp "Of Ocean's G.o.d she felt. The charms possest "Of his new object, Neptune said--whate'er "Thou wishest, chuse, secure of no repulse.-- "This too does fame report, that Caenis cry'd-- "Wrongs such as mine no trivial gift deserve, "That ne'er such shame again I suffer, grant "I woman be no longer; that will all "Favors comprize.--Her closing words betray'd "A graver sound; manly appear'd her voice: "And masculine it was. Deep ocean's G.o.d "Acceded to her wish, and granted, more, "That wounds should never harm her, nor by steel "Should she e'er fall. Joy'd at the gift, the G.o.d "Atracia's hero leaves--employs his age "In studies warlike; and among the fields, "Where fertilizing Peneus wanders, roams.

"Now bold Ixion's son had gain'd the hand "Of Hippodamia; and the fierce-soul'd crowd "Cloud-born, had bidden to attend the boards, "In order rang'd within a cavern's mouth, "By trees thick-shaded. All the princes round "Of Thessaly attended: I, myself "Amongst them went. Loud rung the regal feast "With the mixt concourse; all most joyful sung "O Hymen! Io Hymen! and each hall "Blaz'd bright with fires. The virgin then approach'd "Pre-excellent in fairness, with a band "Of matrons and unwedded nymphs begirt.

"Most blest, we all exclaim'd, in such a spouse "Must be Pirithous--but such boding hopes "Well nigh deceiv'd us. For when drunken l.u.s.t "O'er thee, Eurytus! govern'd, of the blood "Of savage Centaurs, far most savage, fir'd "Whether by wine, or by the virgin's charms "Thou saw'st, thy breast. Instant, the board o'erturn'd, "Routed the guests convivial, and the bride "Caught by her locks, was forceful dragg'd away.

"Eurytus Hippodamia seiz'd; the rest "Grasp'd such as pleas'd them, or whoe'er they met.

"It show'd the image of a captur'd town.

"With female shrieks the place resounded; swift "We start, and Theseus foremost thus exclaims:-- "What frenzy, O Eurytus! thee impels "Pirithous thus to wrong me still in life!

"Ign'rant that two thou wound'st in one?--Nor vain "The chief magnanimous his threat'nings spoke: "Th' aggressors back repell'd; and, while they rag'd, "The ravish'd bride recover'd. Nought he said, "Nor could such acts defence by words allow; "But with rude inconsiderate hands he press'd "Full on her champion's face; his valiant breast "a.s.saulting. Near by chance a cup there stood, "Of mould antique, and rough with rising forms: "Mighty it was, but Theseus, mightier still, "Seiz'd it, and full against his hostile face "It dash'd; he vomits forth, with clots of gore, "His brains, and wine; these issuing from the wound; "That from his mouth; and on the soaking sand "Supine he sprawls. With rage the two-form'd race "Burn for their brother's slaughter; all with voice "United, eager call--to arms! to arms!

"Wine gave them courage, and the primal fight "Was goblets, fragile casks, and hollow jars, "Dash'd on: once instruments to feasts alone "Pertaining; now for slaughter us'd and blood.

"First Amycus, of Ophion son, not fear'd "To rob the sacred chambers of their spoils; "And from its cord suspensive, tore away, "As from the roof it hung, a glittering lamp; "And hurl'd it, lofty-pois'd, full in the front "Of Lapithaean Celadon. So falls "On the white neck the victim bull presents, "The sacrificial axe, and all his bones "Were shatter'd left; one all confounded wound.

"His eyes sprang forth; his palate bones displac'd, "His nose driv'n back within his palate falls.

"Him Belates Pellaean with a foot "Torn from a maple table, on the ground "Stretch'd p.r.o.ne; his chin forc'd downward on his breast; "And sputtering teeth, with blackest gore commixt, "Sent by a second blow to Stygia's shades.

"As next he stood, and with tremendous brow "The flaming altar view'd, Gryneus exclaim'd-- "Why use we this not? and the ponderous load "With all its fires he seiz'd, and 'mid the crowd "Of Lapithaeans flung: two low it press'd; "Broteas and bold Orion. From her sphere "Orion's mother Mycale, by charms "The moon to drag to earth has oft been known.

"Loud cry'd Exodius:--Were but weapons found "That death impunity would boast not. Horns "An ancient stag once brandish'd, on a pine "Hung lofty, serv'd for arms; the forky branch "Hurl'd in his face deep dug out either eye.

"Part to the horns adhere; part flowing down "His beard, thence hang in ropes of clotted gore.

"Lo! Rhaetus s.n.a.t.c.hes from the altar's height "A burning torch of size immense, and through "Charaxus' dexter temple, with bright hair "Shaded, he drives it. Like the arid corn "Caught by the rapid flame, the tresses burn; "And the scorch'd blood the wound sent forth, a sound "Of horrid crackling gave. Oft whizzes steel "So, drawn forth glowing from the fire, with tongs "Bent, and in cooling waters frequent plung'd; "And crackling sounds, immers'd in tepid waves.

"The wounded hero from his tresses shook "The greedy flames, and in his arms upheav'd, "Tom from the earth, a mighty threshold stone, "A waggon's burthen; but the ponderous load "Forbade his strength to hurl it on the foe: "And on Cometes, who beside him stood, "Dropp'd the huge bulk. Nor Rhaetus then his joy "Disguis'd, exclaiming:--Such may be the aid "That all your friends receive!--Then with his brand "Half burnt, his blows redoubling, burst the skull "With the strong force; and on the pulpy brain "By frequent strokes the bones beat down. From thence "Victor, Evagrus, Corythus, he met "And Dryas. Corythus o'erthrown, whose cheeks "The first down shaded; loud Evagrus cry'd:-- "What glory thine, thus a weak boy to slay?-- "No more to utter Rhaetus gave, but fierce "Plung'd the red-flaming weapon in his mouth, "Thus speaking; and deep forc'd it down his throat.

"Thee also, furious Dryas! with the brand, "Whirl'd round and round his head, he next a.s.sails.

"But thee the same sad fortune not befel: "Him, proud triumphing from increas'd success "In blood, thou piercest with an harden'd stake, "Where the neck meets the shoulder. Rhaetus groan'd: "And from the hard bone scarce the wood could draw; "As drench'd in blood his own, by flight he scap'd.

"With him fled Lycabas; and Orneus fled; "Thaumas; Pisenor; Medon, who was struck "'Neath the right shoulder; Mermeros, who late "In rapid race all else surpa.s.s'd, but now "Mov'd halting with his wound; Abas, of boars "The spoiler; Pholus, and Melaneus too; "With Astylos the seer, who from the war "Dissuaded, but in vain, his brethren crowd.

"Nay more, to Nessus, fearing wounds, he cry'd-- "Fly not!--thou'lt for Alcides' bow be sav'd.

"Euronymus, nor Lycidas, their fate, "Areos, nor Imbreos fled; whom face to face "Confronting, Dryas' hand smote down. Thou too, "Crenaeus! felt thy death in front, though turn'd "For flight thy feet; for looking back thou caught'st "Betwixt thine eyes the ma.s.sy steel; where joins "The nose's bas.e.m.e.nt to the forehead bones.

"With endless draughts of stupefactive wine "Aphidas lay, 'mid all the raging noise "Unrous'd; and grasping in his languid hand "A ready-mingled bowl: stretch'd was he seen, "On a rough bear-skin, brought from Ossa's hill.

"Him from afar, as Phorbas saw, no arms "Dreading, he fix'd his fingers in the thongs, "And said--with Stygian waters mixt, thy wine "Now drink;--and instant round his javelin twin'd "The youth: for as supinely stietch'd he lay "The ash-form'd javelin through his throat was driv'n.

"No sense of death he felt; his dark brown gore "Flow'd in full stream upon the couch, and flow'd "In his grasp'd goblet. I, Petraeus saw, "An acorn-loaded oak from earth to rend "Endeavoring; which while compa.s.s'd with both arms "He strains, now this way, now the other, shook "Appear'd the tottering tree. Pirithous' dart "Driv'n through the ribs, Petraeus' straining breast "Nail'd to the rigid wood. Pirithous' arm "Lycus o'erthrew; and 'neath Pirithous' force "Fell Chromis,--so they tell. But less of fame "The conqueror gain'd from these, than from the death "Of Helops, and of Dictys. Helops felt "The dart through both his temples; swift it whizz'd "His right ear enter'd, shewing at his left.

"But Dictys, from a dangerous mountain's brow "As flying, trembling from Ixion's son "Close following, he descended, headlong down "He tumbled; with his ponderous fall he broke "A mighty ash; within his riven side "The stumps his bowels tore. Aphareus fierce, "Came on for vengeance; and a ma.s.sive rock, "Torn from the hill, upheav'd to throw--to throw "Attempted. Theseus with an oaken club "Prevented, and his mighty elbow broke: "Nor now his leisure suits, nor cares he now "A foe disabled to dispatch to h.e.l.l: "But on Biamor's lofty back he springs, "Unwont to bear, except himself, before: "Press'd with his knees his ribs, and grasping firm, "With his left hand his locks, he bruis'd his face, "His frowning forehead, and his harden'd skull, "With the rough club. With the same club he lays "Nidymnus prostrate; and Lycotas, skill'd "To fling the javelin; Hippasus, whose beard "Immense, his breast o'ershaded; Ripheus sprung "From lofty woods; and Tereus wont to drag "Home furious bears still living, on the hills "Thessalian, caught. Nor longer in the fight "Raging with such success, Demoleon bore "Theseus to see, but from a crowded wood, "With giant efforts strove a pine to rend, "Of ancient growth, up by the roots, but foil'd "He flung the broken fragment 'mid the foe.

"Warn'd by Minerva, from the flying wood "Theseus withdrew; so would he we believe.

"Yet harmless fell the tree not; from the breast "And shoulder of great Crantor, was the neck "Sever'd. The faithful follower of thy sire "Was he, Achilles. Him, Amyntor, king "Of all Dolopia, in the warlike strife "O'ercome, as pledge of peace and faithful words "Gave to aeacides. Him mangled so "With cruel wound, Peleus far distant saw; "And thus exclaim'd,--O, Crantor! dearest youth!

"Thy funeral obsequies behold.--He said, "And hurl'd his ashen spear with vigorous arm, "And with a spirit not less vigorous, forth, "Full on Demoleon: tearing through the fence "Of his strong chest, it quiver'd in the bones.

"The pointless wood his hand dragg'd out; the wood "With difficulty dragg'd he: in his lungs "Deep was the steel retain'd. To his fierce soul "Fresh vigor gave the smart. Hurt as he was "He rear'd against the foe, and with his hoofs "Trampled thy sire. He, with his helm and shield, "Wards off the sounding blows; his shoulders guards; "Holds his protended steel, and his foe's chest "Full 'twixt the shoulders; one strong blow transpierc'd.

"Yet had he slain by distant darts before "Both Hylis and Phlegraeus; and in fight "More close, had Clanis and Hipponous fall'n.

"To these must Dorilas be added, he "A wolf skin round his forehead wore; and, bent, "A double wound presenting, o'er his brows "He bore the weapons of a savage bull; "With streaming gore deep blushing. Loud I cry'd, "While courage gave me strength--see how my steel "Thy horns surpa.s.ses--and my dart I flung.

"My dart to 'scape unable, o'er his brow "To ward the blow, his hand he held; his hand "Was to his forehead nail'd. Loud shouts were heard, "And Peleus at him, wounded thus, rush'd on, "(He nearer stood) and with a furious blow "Mid belly plac'd, dispatch'd him. High he sprung "On earth his entrails dragging;--as they dragg'd "Madly he trampled;--what he trampled tore: "These round his legs entwining, down he falls; "And with an empty'd body sinks to death.

"Nor could thy beauty, Cyllarus, avail "Aught in the contest! if to forms like thine "Beauty we grant. His beard to sprout began, "His beard of golden hue; golden the locks "That down his neck, and o'er his shoulders flow'd.

"Cheerful his face; his shoulders, neck, and arms, "Approach'd the models which the artists praise.

"Thus all that man resembled. Nor fell short "The horse's portion: beauteous for a beast.

"A neck and head supply'd, a steed were form'd, "Of Castor worthy: so was for the seat "Fitted his back; so full outstood his chest: "His coat all blacker than the darkest pitch; "Save his white legs, and ample flowing tail.

"Crowds of his race him lov'd; but one alone, "Hylonome, could charm him; fairest nymph "Of all the two-form'd race that roam'd the groves.

"She sole enraptur'd Cyllarus, with words "Of blandishment; beloved, and her love "For him confessing. Grace in all her limbs "And dress, for him was studied; smooth her hair "For him was comb'd; with rosemary now bound; "Now with the violet; with fresh roses now; "And oft the snow-white lily wore she; twice "Daily she bath'd her features in the stream, "That from Pagasis' woody summit falls; "Twice daily in the current lav'd her limbs.

"Nor cloth'd she e'er her shoulders, or her side, "Save with the chosen spoils of beasts which best "Her form became. Most equal was their love: "As one they o'er the mountains stray'd; as one "The caves they sought; and both together then "The Lapithaean roof had enter'd; both "Now wag'd the furious war. By whom unknown, "From the left side a javelin came, and pierc'd "Thee deep, O Cyllarus! 'neath where thy chest "Joins to thy neck. Drawn from the small-form'd wound, "The weapon,--with the mangled heart, the limbs "Grew rigid all. Hylonome supports "His dying body, and her aiding hand "Presses against the wound; leans face to face, "And tries his fleeting life awhile to stay.

"When fled she saw it, with laments which noise "Drown'd ere my ears they reach'd, full on the dart "Which through him stuck she fell; and clasp'd in death "Her dear-lov'd husband's form. Before my eyes "Still stands Phaeocomes, whom, closely-join'd, "Six lions' hides protected; man and horse "Equal the covering shar'd. Phonoleus' son "Fierce on the skull he smote, with stump immense, "Huge as four oxen might with labor move.

"Crush'd was the rounding broadness of the head; "And the soft brain gush'd forth at both his ears; "His mouth, his hollow nostrils, and his eyes.

"So through the straining oaken twigs appears, "Coagulated milk: so liquid flows "Through the fine sieve, by superc.u.mbent weights "Prest down, the thick curd at the small-form'd holes.

"Deep in his lowest flank the foe I pierc'd, "As from our fallen friend the arms to strip "Prepar'd, he stoop'd. Thy father saw the deed.

"Chthonius too fell beneath my sword, and fell "Teleboas. Chthonius bore a forky bough; "A javelin arm'd the other; with its steel "He pierc'd me. Lo! the mark the wound has left:-- "Still the old scar appears. Then was the time "They should have sent me to the siege of Troy: "Then had I power great Hector's arm to stay; "To check, if not to conquer. Hector then "Was born not, or a boy. Now age me robs "Of all my force. Why should I say how fell "Two-form'd Pyretus, by the strength o'erthrown "Of Periphantes? Why of Amphyx tell, "Who in Oeclus' hostile front deep sunk, "(Oeclus centaur-born) a pointless spear?

"Macareus, Erigdupus, (near the hill "Of Pelethronus born, against his chest "Full-bearing,) prostrate laid. Nor should I pa.s.s, "How I the spear beheld, by Nessus' hands "Launch'd forth, and bury'd in Cymelus' groin.

"Nor think you Mopsus, Amphyx' son, excell'd "Alone to teach the future. By the dart "Of Mopsus, fell Odites double-form'd.

"To speak in vain he strove, for tongue to chin, "And chin to throat were by the javelin nail'd.

"Caeneus ere this had five to death dispatch'd "Bromius, Antimachus with hatchet arm'd; "Pyracmon, Stiphelus, and Helimus.

"What wounds them slew I know not; well their names, "And numbers I remember. Latreus big "In body and in limbs, sprung forth adorn'd "In the gay arms Halesus once had own'd; "Halesus of Thessalia by him slain: "'Twixt strong virility and age his years, "Still strong virility his arm could boast; "Gray hairs his temples sprinkled. Lofty seen "In helm and shield, and Macedonian spear, "Proudly between the adverse ranks he rode; "And clash'd his arms, and circling scower'd along.

"These boasting words to the resounding air "Brave issuing--Caenis, shall I bear thee so?

"Still will I think thee Caenis;--female still "By me thou'lt be consider'd. 'Bates it nought "Thy valor, when thy origin thy soul "Reflects on? When thy mind allows to own "What deed the grant obtained? What price was paid "To gain the false resemblance of a man?

"What thou was born, remember: mark as well "Who has embrac'd thee. Go, the distaff take, "And carding basket. With thy fingers twirl "The flax, and martial contests leave to men.

"The spear which Caeneus hurl'd, deep in his side "Bare as he cours'd, expos'd the blow to meet, "Pierc'd him when boasting thus, just where the man "Join'd the four-footed form. With smart he rag'd, "And to the Phyllian warrior's face his spear "Presented. Back the spear rebounded: so "Bound the hard hailstones from the roof; so leap "The paltry pebbles on the hollow drum.

"Now hand to hand he rushes to engage, "And in his harden'd sides attempts to plunge "His weapon deep. Pervious his weapon finds "No spot. Then cry'd he,--still thou shalt not 'scape: "Though blunted is my point my edge shall slay;-- "And aim'd a blow oblique, to ope his side, "While round his flank was grasp'd his forceful arm.

"Sounded the stroke as marble struck would sound; "The shiver'd steel rebounding from his neck.

"His limbs unwounded, to the wondering foe "Thus long expos'd, loud Caeneus call'd;--Now try "Our arms thy limbs to pierce!--Up to the hilt "His deadly weapon 'twixt his shoulders plung'd; "Then thrust and dug with blows unseeing 'mid "His entrails deep; thus forming wounds on wounds.

"Now all the furious crowd of double forms "Rush raging round him; all their weapons hurl; "And all a.s.sail with blows this single foe.

"Blunted their weapons fall, and Caeneus stands "Unpierc'd, unbleeding, from ten thousand strokes: "Astonish'd at the miracle they gaze; "But Monychus exclaims;--What blasting shame "A race o'erthrown by one; that one a man, "But dubious. Grant him man, our coward deeds "Prove us but what he has been. What avail "Our giant limbs? What boots our double strength; "Strength of created forms the mightiest two, "In us conjoin'd? A G.o.ddess-mother we "a.s.sur'dly should not boast; nor boast for sire "Ixion, whose great daring soul him mov'd "To clasp the lofty Juno in his arms.

"Now vanquish'd by a foe half-male. Him whelm "With trees, with rocks: whole mountains heap'd on high, "Whole falling forests, let that stubborn soul "Crush out. The woods upon his throat shall press, "And weight for wounds shall serve.--The centaur spoke, "Seizing a tree which lay by chance uptorn "By raging Auster; on his valiant foe "The bulk he hurl'd. All in like efforts join'd: "And quickly Othrys of his woods was stript: "Nor Pelion shade retain'd. Caeneus opprest "Beneath the pile immense--the woody load,-- "Hot pants, and with his forceful shoulders bears, "To heave th' unwieldy weight: but soon the heap "Reaches his face, and then o'ertops his head: "Nor breath is left his spirit can inhale.

"Now faint he sinks, and struggles now in vain "To lift his head to air, and from him heave "The heap'd-up forests: then the pile but shakes, "As shakes the lofty Ida you behold, "When by an earthquake stirr'd. Doubtful his end.

"His body, by the sylvan load down prest, "Some thought that shadowy Tartarus receiv'd.

"But Mopsus this deny'd, who spy'd a bird "From 'mid the pile ascend, and mount the skies "On yellow pinions. I the bird beheld, "Then first, then last. As wide on buoyant wing "Our force surveying, Mopsus saw him fly, "And rustling round with mighty noise, his eyes "And soul close mark'd him, and he loud exclaim'd,-- "Hail, Caeneus! of the Lapithaean race "The glory! once of men the first, and now "Bird of thy kind unique!--The seer's belief "Made credible the fact. Grief spurr'd our rage.

"Nor bore we calmly that a single youth "By hosts of foes should fall. Nor ceas'd our swords "In gore to rage 'till most to death were given: "The rest by favoring darkness say'd in flight."

While thus the Pylian sage, the wars narrates Wag'd by the Lapithaean race, and foe Centaurs half-human; his splenetic ire Tlepolemus could hide not, when he found Alcides' deeds past o'er; but angry spoke.-- "Old sire, astonish'd, I perceive the praise "The deeds of Hercules demand, has 'scap'd "Your mind. My father has been wont to tell "Whom, he of cloud-begotten race o'erthrew: "Oft have I heard him." Nestor sad reply'd; "Why force me thus my miseries to recal "To recollection; freshening up the woes "Long years have blunted; and confess the hate "I bear thy sire for injuries receiv'd.

"He, (O, ye G.o.ds!) has deeds atchiev'd which far "All faith surpa.s.s; and has the wide world fill'd "With his high fame. Would I could this deny!

"For praise we e'er Dephobus? or praise "Give we Polydamas, or Hector's self?

"Who can a foe applaud? This sire of thine "Messenia's walls laid prostrate, and destroy'd "Elis and Pylos, unoffending towns; "Rushing with fire and sword in our abode.

"To pa.s.s the rest who 'neath his fury fell,-- "Twice six of Neleus' sons were we beheld; "Twice six save me beneath Alcides' arm, "There dy'd. With ease were conquer'd all but one; "Strange was of Periclymenos the death; "Whom Neptune, founder of our line, had given, "What form he will'd to take; that form thrown off.

"His own again resume. When vainly chang'd "To multifarious shapes; he to the bird "Most dear to heaven's high sovereign, whose curv'd claws "The thunders bear, himself transform'd; the strength "That bird possesses, using, with bow'd wings, "His crooked beak and talons pounc'd his face.