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Rh His mind, by labour unsubdued,

Rivals the roaring lion's might,

Or like the fox in crafty mood,

That stays the whirling eagle's flight.

'Tis just the foe's imperious will

By force to conquer or to foil by skill.

For not to him Orion's fame

Had been assign'd by partial fate.

Though mean to view, with ponderous weight

Fell from his arm the massive spear.

Erst to Antæus' mansion came

From Thebes to fertile Libya's land,

Of stature short, but dauntless soul,

He that should struggle to control

The bloody monster's fierce career,

Who could delight with savage hand

The fane of Neptune to adorn

With scalps from hapless strangers torn,

Alcmena's son—who took his flight

Up to Olympus' sacred height,

Exploring earth, and through the hoary wave

To mariners a tranquil passage gave.

Now by the ægis-bearing god

In bliss he holds his fair abode

With Hebe his celestial bride,

Honour'd and graced by love divine,

King of the domes with gold that shine,

And to heaven's queen in filial bonds allied.

To him above th' Electran gates

The new-constructed altars rise;

On him the genial banquet waits,

With all the pomp of sacrifice.

His shrine we citizens surround

With the eight lifeless bodies crown'd,

Who by the sword there slaughter'd lie,

Alcides hapless progeny,

Whom Megara, great Creon's daughter, bore.