Waked by the shrilling hiss, and rustling sound,

And shrieks of fair attendants trembling round,

Their gasping throats with clenching hands he holds;

Till death entwists their convoluted folds.

And in red torrents from her seven gold heads

Fell Hydra's blood in Lerna's lake he sheds;

Grasps Achelous with resistless force,

And drags the roaring river to his course:

Binds with loud bellowing and with hideous yell

The monster bull, and three-fold dog of hell."