8
A COMPLETE GUIDE TO HERALDRY
7. Polynices.
("Ἔχει δὲ—τά ξευρηματα."—Lines 639-646.)
- "... His well-orb'd shield he holds,
- New wrought, and with a double impress charg'd:
- A warrior, blazing all in golden arms,
- A female form of modest aspect leads,
- Expressing justice, as th' inscription speaks,
- 'Yet once more to his country, and once more
- To his Paternal Throne I will restore him'—
- Such their devices ..."
VIRGIL.
(The Æneid.)
1. ("Atque hic exultans—insigne decorum."—Lib. ii. lines 386-392.)
- "Choræbus, with youthful hopes beguil'd,
- Swol'n with success, and of a daring mind,
- This new invention fatally design'd.
- 'My friends,' said he, 'since fortune shows the way,
- 'Tis fit we should the auspicious guide obey.
- For what has she these Grecian arms bestowed,
- But their destruction, and the Trojans' good?
- Then change we shields, and their devices bear:
- Let fraud supply the want of force in war.
- They find us arms.'—This said, himself he dress'd
- In dead Androgeos' spoils, his upper vest,
- His painted buckler, and his plumy crest."
2. ("Post hos insignem—serpentibus hydram."—Lib. vii. lines 655-658.)
- "Next Aventinus drives his chariot round
- The Latian plains, with palms and laurels crown'd.
- Proud of his steeds, he smokes along the field;
- His father's hydra fills his ample shield;
- A hundred serpents hiss about the brims;
- The son of Hercules he justly seems,
- By his broad shoulders and gigantic limbs."
3. ("Sequitur pulcherrimus Astur—insigne paternæ."—Lib. x. lines 180-188.)
- "Fair Astur follows in the wat'ry field,
- Proud of his manag'd horse, and painted shield.
- Thou muse, the name of Cinyras renew,
- And brave Cupavo follow'd but by few;
- Whose helm confess'd the lineage of the man,
- And bore, with wings display'd, a silver swan.
- Love was the fault of his fam'd ancestry.
- Whose forms and fortunes in his Ensigns fly."
