Æn. II.
ÆNEIS.
365
Before the Gate stood Pyrrhus, threat'ning loud,
With glitt'ring Arms conspicuous in the Crowd. 640
So shines, renew'd in Youth, the crested Snake,
Who slept the Winter in a thorny Brake:
And casting off his Slough, when Spring returns,
Now looks aloft, and with new Glory burns:
Restor'd with pois'nous Herbs, his ardent sides 645
Reflect the Sun, and rais'd on Spires he rides:
High o'er the Grass, hissing he rowls along,
And brandishes by fits his forky Tongue.
Proud Periphas, and fierce Antomedon,
His Father's Charioteer, together run 650
To force the Gate: The Scyrian Infantry
Rush on in Crouds, and the barr'd Passage free.
Ent'ring the Court, with Shouts the Skies they rend,
And flaming Firebrands to the Roofs ascend.
Himself, among the foremost, deals his Blows, 655
And with his Ax repeated Stroaks bestows
On the strong Doors: Then all their Shoulders ply,
Till from the Posts the brazen Hinges fly.
He hews apace, the double Bars at length
Yeild to his Ax, and unresisted Strength. 660
A mighty Breach is made; the Rooms conceal'd
Appear, and all the Palace is reveal'd.
The Halls of Audience, and of publick State,
And where the lonely Queen in secret sate.
Arm'd Souldiers now by trembling Maids are seen, 665
With not a Door, and scarce a Space between.
With glitt'ring Arms conspicuous in the Crowd. 640
So shines, renew'd in Youth, the crested Snake,
Who slept the Winter in a thorny Brake:
And casting off his Slough, when Spring returns,
Now looks aloft, and with new Glory burns:
Restor'd with pois'nous Herbs, his ardent sides 645
Reflect the Sun, and rais'd on Spires he rides:
High o'er the Grass, hissing he rowls along,
And brandishes by fits his forky Tongue.
Proud Periphas, and fierce Antomedon,
His Father's Charioteer, together run 650
To force the Gate: The Scyrian Infantry
Rush on in Crouds, and the barr'd Passage free.
Ent'ring the Court, with Shouts the Skies they rend,
And flaming Firebrands to the Roofs ascend.
Himself, among the foremost, deals his Blows, 655
And with his Ax repeated Stroaks bestows
On the strong Doors: Then all their Shoulders ply,
Till from the Posts the brazen Hinges fly.
He hews apace, the double Bars at length
Yeild to his Ax, and unresisted Strength. 660
A mighty Breach is made; the Rooms conceal'd
Appear, and all the Palace is reveal'd.
The Halls of Audience, and of publick State,
And where the lonely Queen in secret sate.
Arm'd Souldiers now by trembling Maids are seen, 665
With not a Door, and scarce a Space between.
