And, if thou wilt, by thee this word be said, 'Here lies my love, my beautiful is dead.' And let this epitaph mine end recall, Just at the last I scratch it on thy wall: 'Love slew him: stop and say, who here is laid Well but not wisely loved a cruel maid.'” Then in the doorway for its cruel use He set a stone; he fitted next the noose; Spurning the stone away-and swung there dead. : -- Of the girl's dying accent swam around: 13 IDYL XXIV. THE INFANT HERCULES. ARGUMENT. In this Idyl the first contest and victory of Hercules is described. While yet an infant he strangles two dragons sent by Hera to destroy him. Alcmena, alarmed at this prodigy, consults the famous seer, Tiresias, who informs her that Hercules is fated in his life-time to obtain the highest renown for extraordinary exploits, and after his death to be numbered among the gods. He desires her to have the dragons burned, and the house purified in the accustomed manner. The poem ends abruptly, and it is thought that the conclusion has been lost. IDYL XXIV. THE INFANT HERCULES. ALCMENA having washed her twin delight, And her Iphicles, younger by a night, Gave them the breast, then laid them in the hold Of a brass-shield won by Amphitryon bold The spoil of Pterelas in battle slain ; And, touching either head, her blessing told: 66 Sleep, healthful sleep enjoy my blessed twain; Sleep happy happy wake at coming dawn again." And with these words she rocked the mighty shield, To setting turns, vex'd Hera's wily spite, Sent to the chamber-door two monsters dire, They their blood-gorging bellies on the ground Screaming, when he did their remorseless teeth espy? He kicked aside the woollen coverlet, Struggling to flee; but Hercules comprest, Relaxing not the gripe his hand did get, With a firm grasp the throat of either pest, Where is their poison, which e'en gods detest. The boy, that in the birth was long confined, Who ne'er was known to cry, though at the breast A suckling yet, they with their coils entwined: Infolding him they strained their own release to find, |