Where quiv’ring reed-beds rustled, slowly moved.

Four golden shepherds walk’d beside the herd,

By nine swift dogs attended; then amid

The foremost heifers sprang two lions fierce

Upon the lordly bull; he, bellowing loud,

Was dragg’d along, by dogs and youths pursu’d.

The tough bull’s hide they tore, and gorging lapp’d

Th’ intestines and dark blood; with vain attempt

The herdsmen following closely, to th’ attack

Cheer’d their swift dogs; these shunn’d the lions’ jaws,