Page:Metamorphoses.djvu/447

 METAMORPHOSES BOOK VIII the bulls which feed on grassy Epirus, and greater than those of Sicily. His eyes glowed with blood and fire; his neck was stiff and high; his bristles stood up like lines of stiff spear-shafts; amidst deep, hoarse grunts the hot foam flecked his broad shoulders; his tusks were long as the Indian ele- phant's, lightning flashed from his mouth, the her bage shrivelled beneath his breath. Now he trampled down the young corn in the blade, and now he laid waste the full-grown crops of some farmer who was doomed to mourn, and cut off the ripe grain in the ear. In vain the threshing-floor, in vain the granary awaited the promised harvests. The heavy bunches of grapes with their trailing vines were cast down, and berry and branch of the olive whose leaf never withers. He vents his rage on the cattle, too. Neither herdsmen nor dogs can protect them, nor can the fierce bulls defend their herds. The people flee in all directions, nor do they count themselves safe until protected by a city's walls. Then at last Meleager and a picked band of youths assembled, fired with the love of glory: the twin sons of Leda, wife of Tyndarus, one famous for boxing, the other for horsemanship; Jason, the first ship's builder; Theseus and Pirithoüs, inseparable friends; the two sons of Thestius1; Lynceus and swift-footed Idas, sons of Aphareus; Caeneus,2 no longer a woman; warlike Leucippus and Acastus, famed for his javelin; Hippothoüs and Dryas; Phoenix, the son of Amyntor; Actor's two sons3 and Elean Phyleus. Telamon was also there, and the father of great Achilles; and, with the son of Pheres1 and Bocotian Iolaüs, 1 Plexippus and Toxeus, brothers of Althaea, the mother of ct them, along Meleager. 427
 * See XIT. 189 ff. 8 Eurytus and Cleatus 4 Admetus