third shape, the furious bull remain'd:
"Chang'd to a bull, again I wag'd the war.
"Around my brawny neck his arms he threw
"To left, and spite of every effort try'd
"To 'scape, he dragg'd me down; the solid earth
"Deep with my horn he pierc'd, and stretch'd me prone
"On the wide sand. Unsated yet his rage,
"His fierce hand seiz'd my stubborn horn, and broke
"From my maim'd front the weapon. Naiaed nymphs
"This consecrated, fill'd with fruits, and flowers
"Of odorous fragrance, and the horn is priz'd
"By Plenty's goddess as her favorite care."

He spoke, a nymph close-girt like Dian's train,
Her ample tresses o'er each shoulder spread,
Enter'd, supporting all of Autumn's fruit
In the rich horn, and mellowest apples came
The second course to grace. Now day appear'd:
The youths when light the loftiest summits touch'd
Of the high hills, departed; waiting not
Till the rough floods in peaceful channels flow'd;
The troubled currents smooth'd. Profound his head
Of rustic semblance, Acheloues hides
'Reft of his horn, beneath his deepest waves.
His forehead's honor lost sore gall'd him: all
Save that was perfect. Ev'n his forehead's loss
With willow boughs and marshy reeds was hid.

Thou too, rash Nessus, through thy furious love,
Of the same virgin, thy destruction met;
Pierc'd through thy body with the feather'd dart!
Jove's son returning to his natal soil,
Companion'd by his new-made bride, approach'd
Evenus' rapid flood. Swol'n was the stream
With wintry showers as wont, and raging whirls
Unfordable proclaim'd it; him, himself
Fearless, yet anxious for his spouse's care,
Nessus approach'd, in strength of limbs secure,
And knowledge of the fords, and thus he spoke;
"Her, O Alcides! will I safely bear
"To yonder bank; thou all thy efforts use
"In swimming." Straight the Theban hero gives
The pallid Calydonian to his care,
Shivering with dread; no less the centaur frights
Than the rough flood. The mighty warrior, prest
With his large quiver, and the lion's hide,
For on the bank opposing had he flung
His club and curved bow, exclaim'd--"the stream
"My arms will vanquish, soon as I essay."--
Nor dubious waits, but in the torrent leaps,
Not heeding where most tranquil flows the stream,
But stemming furious all its utmost rage.
Now had he reach'd the bank, now held again
The bow flung o'er, when loud his spouse'