Foe to the Amazons’ equestrian race
He crossed the boisterous Euxine tide,
And gave them battle by Mæotis’ side.
What friends through Greece collected he to face
Hippolita, th’ intrepid maid,
That he the belt of Mars might gain,
And tissued robe with golden braid.
Still doth exulting Greece the virgin’s spoils retain,
Lodged in Mycene’s shrine, with gore imbrued,
The dog of Lerna’s marshy plain,
Who unresisting multitudes had slain,
The hundred-headed hydra, he subdued,
Aided by fire, and winged shafts combined,
These from his well-stored quiver flew,
And triple-formed Geryon slew,
Fierce Erythræa’s hind.