Of proud Mezentius, and the lofty strain?"

Struggling, and wildly staring on the skies

With scarce recovered sight, he thus replies:—

"Why these insulting words, this waste of breath,

To souls undaunted, and secure of death?

'Tis no dishonour for the brave to die:

Nor came I here with hope of victory;

Nor ask I life, nor fought with that design.

As I had used my fortune, use thou thine.

My dying son contracted no such band: