FIRST ANTISTROPHE.
And o’er our dwellings hovered
Around the Seven Ports,
With outspread wings he covered,
Athirst for blood, our town
And girdling battlements.
But hungry back he flew before
He had glutted his maw with gore
Or the beetling crown-defence
Of towers had been seized with pine-fed fame.
Lo! loud the clang of battle came
Behind him, routed by the dragon foe
Which wrestled and was found tog hard to throw.
SECOND SYSTEMA.
For Zeus abominates the loud-mouthed vaunt,
And when he saw those warriors come and flaunt,
With arrogant pride,
Clanking gold beside,
Their spears in the face of their foes,
With the thunderbolt
To the earth he smote
From the rampart their chief as he rose.
SECOND STROPHE.
Hurled back came crashing down upon the ground
That warrior rushing on with furious bound,
Who now but late
Was breathing hate
With the flaming torch in hand;
But naught availed those frenzied threats,
For mighty Ares helped and in Ruin’s nets
Caught the chiefs of that Argive band.
THIRD SYSTEMA.
For seven captains stationed at the gates
With seven matched, save two of cruel fates,
Left the tribute of arms
