askets white and black clusters from the
long rows of vines which were heavy with leaves and tendrils of silver.
Others again were gathering them into baskets. Beside them was a row of
vines in gold, the splendid work of cunning Hephaestus: it had shivering
leaves and stakes of silver and was laden with grapes which turned black
[1805]. And there were men treading out the grapes and others drawing
off liquor. Also there were men boxing and wrestling, and huntsmen
chasing swift hares with a leash of sharp-toothed dogs before them, they
eager to catch the hares, and the hares eager to escape.

(ll 305-313) Next to them were horsemen hard set, and they contended and
laboured for a prize. The charioteers standing on their well-woven cars,
urged on their swift horses with loose rein; the jointed cars flew along
clattering and the naves of the wheels shrieked loudly. So they were
engaged in an unending toil, and the end with victory came never to
them, and the contest was ever unwon. And there was set out for them
within the course a great tripod of gold, the splendid work of cunning
Hephaestus.

(ll. 314-317) And round the rim Ocean was flowing, with a full stream
as it seemed, and enclosed all the cunning work of the shield. Over it
swans were soaring and calling loudly, and many others were swimming
upon the surface of the water; and near them were shoals of fish.

(ll. 318-326) A wonderful thing the great strong shield was to see--even
for Zeus the loud-thunderer, by whose will Hephaestus made it and fitted
it with his hands. This shield the valiant son of Zeus wielded masterly,
and leaped upon his horse-chariot like the lightning of his father Zeus
who holds the aegis, moving lithely. And his charioteer, strong Iolaus,
standing upon the car, guided the curved chariot.

(ll. 327-337) Then the goddess grey-eyed Athene came near them and spoke
winged words, encouraging them: 'Hail, offspring of far-famed Lynceus!
Even now Zeus who reigns over the blessed gods gives you power to
slay Cycnus and to strip off his splendid armour. Yet I will tell you
something besides, mightiest of the people. When you have robbed
Cycnus of sweet life, then leave him there and his armour also, and you
yourself watch man-slaying Ares narrowly as he attacks, and wherever you
shall see him uncovered below his cunningly-wrought shield, there wound
him with your sharp spear. Then draw back; for it is not ordained that
you should take his horses o