For not great Herakles’ self, to Arcadia-land when he came,
Availed with his arrows to drive away those birds that swam
The Stymphalian mere: yea, I with mine eyes beheld that thing.
But he stood on a crag exceeding high, loud-clattering
With clash and clang in his hands his brazen battle-gear;
And far away did they flee wild-screaming in panic fear.
Wherefore contrive we now even such device as his,—
Yea, I will speak it, who heretofore have thought upon this:— {1060}
Set we upon our heads our helmets of lofty crest,
And changing about in turn let the half of us row, and the rest