Page:Tragedies of Seneca (1907) Miller.djvu/163

Rh With rocking sides drank in the Lethe stream. Then quaked the conquered monsters at the sight: The Centaurs, fierce and wild, the Lapithae, Inflamed to strife by copious draughts of wine; And, seeking out the farthest pools of Styx, The beast of Lerna hid his fertile heads. Soon there appeared the home of greedy Dis, Where the fierce Stygian dog affrights the shades, Who, tossing back and forth his triple heads, With mighty bayings watches o'er the realm. Around his head with damp corruption foul, Writhe deadly serpents, and his shaggy mane With vipers bristles; while a twisting snake Forms his long, hissing tail. His wrath and form Are both alike terrific. When he heard The sound of coming feet, straightway he raised His hackles, bristling with their darting snakes, And with erected ears caught at the sound (For even noiseless spirits can he hear). When Jove's son nearer came, within his cave The dog stood hesitant, and nameless fear Each of the other felt. Then suddenly The silence shudders with his bayings deep, And threatening snakes along his shoulders hiss. The clamor of his dreadful voice, sent forth Three-throated, even happy shades dismayed. Then did the hero from his left arm loose The lion's skin with head and grinning jaws, And 'neath this mighty shield opposed the dog. Then in his right all conquering, he raised His mighty club, and with a rain of blows, Now here, now there, he drove the frightened beast. The conquered dog at last gave o'er his threats, And, spent with fighting, lowered all his heads, And left the entrance free. Then did the king And queen of hell sit trembling on their thrones, And bade the dog be led away. Me, too, Did Dis at Hercules' request release, A royal gift. Then with his soothing hand