Suited dispatch, now gentle, if the will
Of Vulcan and his labor so required. 
Impenetrable brass, tin, silver, gold, 590
He cast into the forge, then, settling firm
His ponderous anvil on the block, one hand
With his huge hammer fill’d, one with the tongs.
[10]He fashion’d first a shield massy and broad
Of labor exquisite, for which he form’d 595
A triple border beauteous, dazzling bright,
And loop’d it with a silver brace behind. 
The shield itself with five strong folds he forged,
And with devices multiform the disk
Capacious charged, toiling with skill divine. 600
There he described the earth, the heaven, the sea,
The sun that rests not, and the moon full-orb’d. 
There also, all the stars which round about
As with a radiant frontlet bind the skies,
The Pleiads and the Hyads, and the might 605
Of huge Orion, with him Ursa call’d,
Known also by his popular name, the Wain,
That spins around the pole looking toward
Orion, only star of these denied
To slake his beams in ocean’s briny baths. 610
Two splendid cities also there he form’d
Such as men build.  In one were to be seen
Rites matrimonial solemnized with pomp
Of sumptuous banquets; from their chambers forth
Leading the brides they usher’d them along 615
With torches through the streets, and sweet was heard
The voice around of Hymenaeal song. 
Here striplings danced in circles to the sound
Of pipe and harp, while in the portals stood
Women, admiring, all, the gallant show. 620
Elsewhere was to be seen in council met
The close-throng’d multitude.  There strife arose. 
Two citizens contended for a mulct
The price of blood.  This man affirm’d the fine
All paid,[11] haranguing vehement the crowd, 625
That man denied that he had aught received,
And to the judges each made his appeal
Eager for their award.  Meantime the people,
As favor sway’d them, clamor’d loud for each. 
The heralds quell’d the tumult; reverend sat 630
On polish’d stones the elders in a ring,
Each with a herald’s sceptre in his hand,
Which holding they arose, and all in turn
Gave sentence.  In the midst two talents lay
Of gold, his destined recompense whose voice 635
Decisive should pronounce the best award. 
The other city by two glittering hosts
Invested stood, and a dispute arose
Between the hosts, whether to burn the town
And lay all waste, or to divide the spoil. 640
Meantime, the citizens, still undismay’d,
Surrender’d not the town, but taking arms
Secretly, set the ambush in array,
And on the walls their wives and children kept
Vigilant guard, with all the ancient men. 645