III.
Till she her sons has shaken by the hair,
And from Lethæan sloth to life restored;
Exclaiming, “Will none imitate that pair,
“Zethes and Calais[2], with avenging sword
“Rescue from claws and stench our goodly fare,
“And cleanse and glad anew the genial board,
“As they king Phineus from those fowls released,
“And England’s peer restored the Nubian’s feast?”
IV.
Hunting those hideous birds, that cavalier
Aye scared them with the bugle’s horrid sound;
Till at the mountain-cave his long career
He closed, and ran the monstrous troop to ground:
Attentive to the vent he held his ear,
And in that troubled cavern heard rebound,
Weeping and wailing, and eternal yell;
Proof certain that its entrance led to hell.
V.
Astolpho doubts if he within shall wend,
And see those wretched ones expelled from day;
Into the central pit of earth descend,
And the infernal gulfs around survey.
“Why should I fear, that on my horn depend
“For certain succour?” (did the warrior say)
“Satan and Pluto so will I confound,
“And drive before me their three-headed hound.”
