Whom when he saw, my Xerxes rent his robes.
Such was my vision of the night; the morn
Brought a new portent with it. When I rose,
And dipped my hands in the fair-flowing fount,[f8]
And to the altar of the averting gods,
To whom such right pertains, with sacred cake
In sacrificial ministry advanced,
I saw an eagle flying to the altar[n9]
Of Phœbus; there all mute with fear I stood;
And after it in swiftest flight I saw