THE SHIELD OF HERCULES. 107

so like the life, the poet adds, as to exact the admira- tion of even Zeus, the artificer's sire and patron. So much for the shield : what remains concerns the combat betwixt Hercules, and Cycnus with the war- god to help him. The odds are partially balanced by the aid of the blue-eyed Pallas to the hero, who by her counsel forbears to dream of ' ' spoiling the steeds and glorious armour of a god," a thing which he finds is against the decrees of fate. Nor does the goddess stop at advice, but vouchsafes her invisible presence in the hero's car. As the combatants come to close quarters Hercules resorts to mock civilities, and with taunting allusions asks free passage to the court of Ceyx, king of lolchos, the father-in-law of Cycnus. As a matter of course the permission is denied. Her- cules and Cycnus leap to the ground, and their chariot- eers drive a little aside to give free scope for the tug of war : "As rocks From some high mountain-top precipitate Leap with a bound, and o'er each other whirled Shock in the dizzying fall ; and many an oak v Of lofty branch, pine-tree, and poplar, deep Of root, are crashed beneath them ; as their course Eapidly rolls, till now they reach the plain ; So met these foes encountering, and so burst Their mighty clamour. Echoing loud throughout The city of the Myrmidons gave back Their lifted voices, and lolchos famed, And Arn&, and Anthea's grass-girt walls, And Helice. Thus with amazing shout They joined in battle : all-consulting Zeus Then greatly thundered : from the clouds of heaven