Sprang rapid upon Hercules, in haste
To slay; and, for his slaughter’d son incensed,
With violent effort hurl’d his brazen spear
’Gainst the capacious targe. The blue-eyed maid
[277]Stoop’d from the chariot, and the javelin’s force
Turn’d wide. Sore torment seiz’d the breast of Mars:
He bared his keen-edged falchion, and at once
Rush’d on the dauntless Hercules: but he,
The war-insatiate, as the God approach’d,
Beneath the well-wrought shield the thigh exposed