The ponderous arms across the steep defile;
Then, hurled from sounding hinges o’er the side,
Thundering they plunge into the flashing tide.
The ship, thus eased, some little respite finds
In this rude conflict of the seas and winds—
Such ease Alcides felt, when, clogged with gore,
Th’ envenom’d mantle from his side he tore;
When, stung with burning pain, he strove too late
To stop the swift career of cruel Fate;
Yet then his heart one ray of hope procured,