312 LIGHT SCIENCE FOR LEISURE HOURS. 



description of the ocean in the e Shield of Hercules ' 

 contains also some lines, in which we seem to see a 

 reference to the bird-constellations close above the 

 equator: 



Rounding the utmost verge the ocean flow'd 



As in full swell of waters, and the shield 



All variegated with whole circle bound. 



Swans of high-hovering wing there clamour'd shrill, 



Who also'skiinm'd the breasted surge with plume 



Innumerous j near them fishes 'midst the waves 



Frolick'd in wanton bounds. 



In the ' Shield of Achilles ' no mention is made of 

 Perseus, but in the ' Shield of Hercules ' this well- 

 known constellation seems described in the lines 



There was the knight of fair-hair'd Danae born, 

 Perseus ; nor yet the buckler with his feet 

 Touch'd nor yet distant hover'd, strange to see, 

 For nowhere on the surface of the shield 

 He rested ; so the crippled artist-god 

 Illustrious fram'd him with his hands in gold. 

 Bound to his feet were sandals wing'd ; a sword 

 Of brass, with hilt of sable ebony, 

 Hung round him from the shoulders by a thong. 



The visage grim 



Of monstrous Gorgon all his back o'erspread ; 



the dreadful helm 



Of Pluto clasp'd the temples of the prince. 



I think that one may recognise a reference to the 

 twins Castor and Pollux (the wrestler and boxer of 

 mythology) in the words 



But in another part 



Were men who wrestled, or in gymnic fight 

 Wielded the cestus. 



