Of Cadmian nations: and the lion bare

Named of Nemæa. Him Jove’s glorious spouse

To fierceness rear’d: and placed his secret lair

Among Nemæa’s hills, the pest of men.

There lurking in his haunts he long ensnared

The roving tribes of man, and held stern sway

O’er cavern’d Tretum: o’er the mountain heights

Of Apesantus, and Nemæa’s wilds:

Till strong Alcides quell’d his gasping strength.

Now Ceto, in embrace with Phorcys, bare