the Sicanian coast and Æolian Lipari, towering with fiery 15
mountains; beneath it thunders a cavern, the den of
Ætna, blasted out by Cyclop forges; the sound of mighty
blows echoes on anvils: the smeltings of the Chalybes
hiss through its depths, and the fire pants from the jaws
of the furnace; it is the abode of Vulcan, and the land 20
bears Vulcan’s name. Hither, then, the lord of fire
descends from heaven’s height. There, in the enormous
den, the Cyclops were forging the iron, Brontes, and
Steropes, and Pyracmon, the naked giant. In their hands