A Hero bred, and born to kill;

Who scrupled not to shed his own[27],

When he lack’d other blood to spill.

And often would he turn his arms

On those within his bosom bred,

And quell by fire the mighty swarms[28]

That with his life-blood he had fed.

His person, cover’d o’er with glory,

In truth was little clean or nice;

And ’tis a question in his story,