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Rh This, where the flooring timbers join

The stronger stone, we undermine

And tumble o'er: it falls along,

Down crashing on the assailant throng:

But other Danaans fill their place,

And darts and stones still rain apace.

Full in the gate see Pyrrhus blaze,

A meteor, shooting steely rays:

So flames a serpent into light,

On poisonous herbage fed,

Which late in subterranean night

Through winter lay as dead:

Now from its ancient weeds undressed,

Invigorate and young,

Sunward it rears its glittering breast

And darts its three-forked tongue.

There at his side Automedon,

True liegeman both to sire and son,

And giant Periphas, and all

The Scyrian youth assail the wall

And firebrands roofward dart:

Himself the first with two-edged axe

The brazen-plated doors attacks,

And makes their hinges start:

Now through the heart of oak he drives

His weapon, and a loophole rives.

There stands revealed the house within,

Where the long hall retires:

The stately privacy is seen

Of Priam and his sires,

And on the threshold guards appear

In warlike pomp of shield and spear.

But far within the palace swarms

With tumult and confused alarms: