The sky is overcast with sudden gloom,

And mix’d with sand the billows swell and foam.

When high in air protrude his long fore-teeth,

All nature shrinks, infected by his breath:

Small is his left, and large his dexter eye;

His scales present a many-colour’d die:

His jaws wide gape, his palate swells with pain;

As wont, like fighting cock, he screams amain:

The dryness of his throat with sultry heat

Charges the air—now threatens to upset