5. Parthenopæus
(“Ὁν μὴν ἀκόμπαστος — ἵαπτεσθαι Βέλη·” — Lines 534-540.)
“... Upon his clashing shield,
Whose orb sustains the storm of war, he bears
The foul disgrace of Thebes:—‘A rav’nous Sphynx
Fixed to the plates: the burnish’d monster round
Pours a portentous gleam: beneath her lies
A Theban mangled by her cruel fangs:’—
’Gainst this let each brave arm direct the spear.”