Page:A Complete Guide to Heraldry.djvu/21

 :With his proud argument:—'A sable sky
 * Burning with stars; and in the midst full orb'd
 * A silver moon;'—the eye of night o'er all,
 * Awful in beauty, forms her peerless light."


 * "On his proud shield portray'd: 'A naked man
 * Waves in his hand a blazing torch;' beneath
 * In golden letters—'I will fire the city.'"


 * "... No mean device
 * Is sculptured on his shield: 'A man in arms,
 * His ladder fix'd against the enemies' walls,
 * Mounts, resolute, to rend their rampires down;'
 * And cries aloud (the letters plainly mark'd),
 * 'Not Mars himself shall beat me from the Tow'rs.'"


 * "... On its orb, no vulgar artist
 * Expressed this image: 'A Typhæus huge,
 * Disgorging from his foul enfounder'd jaws,
 * In fierce effusion wreaths of dusky smoke.
 * Signal of kindling flames; its bending verge
 * With folds of twisted serpents border'd round.'
 * With shouts the giant chief provokes the war,
 * And in the ravings of outrageous valour
 * Glares terror from his eyes ..."


 * "... Upon his clashing shield,
 * Whose orb sustains the storm of war, he bears
 * The foul disgrace of Thebes:—'A rav'nous Sphynx
 * Fixed to the plates: the burnish'd monster round
 * Pours a portentous gleam: beneath her lies
 * A Theban mangled by her cruel fangs:'—
 * 'Gainst this let each brave arm direct the spear."


 * "So spoke the prophet; and with awful port
 * Advanc'd his massy shield, the shining orb
 * Bearing no impress, for his gen'rous soul
 * Wishes to be, not to appear, the best;
 * And from the culture of his modest worth
 * Bears the rich fruit of great and glorious deeds."