Canto II.]
Orion.
59
Told where Rhexergon and Biastor wrought
Their well-directed work. Them, quickly joined
Their head in this destruction, and ere night,
Huge forms, ferocious, mighty in the dawn,
When hoar rime glistened on each hairy shape,
Nought fearing, swift, brimfull of raging life,
Lay stiffening in black pools of jellied gore.
Nor with the day ceased their tremendous task,
But all night long Orion led the way
Through moonless passes to most secret lairs,
Where in their deep abodes fierce monsters crouched,—
Dragons, and sea-beasts, and compounded forms,—
And in the pitchy blackness madly huddling,
Midst deafening yells and hisses they were slain.
Their well-directed work. Them, quickly joined
Their head in this destruction, and ere night,
Huge forms, ferocious, mighty in the dawn,
When hoar rime glistened on each hairy shape,
Nought fearing, swift, brimfull of raging life,
Lay stiffening in black pools of jellied gore.
Nor with the day ceased their tremendous task,
But all night long Orion led the way
Through moonless passes to most secret lairs,
Where in their deep abodes fierce monsters crouched,—
Dragons, and sea-beasts, and compounded forms,—
And in the pitchy blackness madly huddling,
Midst deafening yells and hisses they were slain.
Next day the unabated toil displayed
Like prowess and result; but with the eve
Fatigue o'ercame the giants, and they slept.
Dense were the rolling clouds, starless the glooms,
But o'er a narrow rift, once drawn apart,
Shewing a field remote of violet hue,
The high Moon floated, and her downward gleam
Shone on the upturned giant faces. Rigid
Each upper feature, loose the nether jaw;
Like prowess and result; but with the eve
Fatigue o'ercame the giants, and they slept.
Dense were the rolling clouds, starless the glooms,
But o'er a narrow rift, once drawn apart,
Shewing a field remote of violet hue,
The high Moon floated, and her downward gleam
Shone on the upturned giant faces. Rigid
Each upper feature, loose the nether jaw;
