No strength of man, or fiercest wild beast, could withstand;

Who tore the lion, as the lion tears the kid;

Ran on embattled armies clad in iron,

And, weaponless himself, 130

Made arms ridiculous, useless the forgery

Of brazen shield and spear, the hammered cuirass,

Chalybean-tempered steel, and frock of mail

Adamantean proof;

But safest he who stood aloof, 135

When insupportably his foot advanced,