And, after cruel conflict, faints and fails.

Sometimes it seems the air's strong monarch vails

His crest awhile, as, hampering coil on coil,

Insidious knot on pinion proud prevails;

Yet towering greatness crawling hate shall foil,

Nor shall the Bird of Jove be long the Python's spoil.

Strong-winged this Eagle, either wafter ready

To buoy and to upbear that body great.

Potent of beak and claw, of eye-glance steady,

Lord of the air, and master of its fate,