(ll. 57-77) And he slew Cycnus, the gallant son of Ares.  For he found him in the close of far-shooting Apollo, him and his father Ares, never sated with war.  Their armour shone like a flame of blazing fire as they two stood in their car:  their swift horses struck the earth and pawed it with their hoofs, and the dust rose like smoke about them, pounded by the chariot wheels and the horses’ hoofs, while the well-made chariot and its rails rattled around them as the horses plunged.  And blameless Cycnus was glad, for he looked to slay the warlike son of Zeus and his charioteer with the sword, and to strip off their splendid armour.  But Phoebus Apollo would not listen to his vaunts, for he himself had stirred up mighty Heracles against him.  And all the grove and altar of Pagasaean Apollo flamed because of the dread god and because of his arms; for his eyes flashed as with fire.  What mortal men would have dared to meet him face to face save Heracles and glorious Iolaus?  For great was their strength and unconquerable were the arms which grew from their shoulders on their strong limbs.  Then Heracles spake to his charioteer strong Iolaus: 

(ll. 78-94) `O hero Iolaus, best beloved of all men, truly Amphitryon sinned deeply against the blessed gods who dwell on Olympus when he came to sweet-crowned Thebe and left Tiryns, the well-built citadel, because he slew Electryon for the sake of his wide-browned oxen.  Then he came to Creon and long-robed Eniocha, who received him kindly and gave him all fitting things, as is due to suppliants, and honoured him in their hearts even more.  And he lived joyfully with his wife the neat-ankled daughter of Electyron:  and presently, while the years rolled on, we were born, unlike in body as in mind, even your father and I. From him Zeus took away sense, so that he left his home and his parents and went to do honour to the wicked Eurystheus —­ unhappy man!  Deeply indeed did he grieve afterwards in bearing the burden of his own mad folly; but that cannot be taken back.  But on me fate laid heavy tasks.

(ll. 95-101) `Yet, come, friend, quickly take the red-dyed reins of the swift horses and raise high courage in your heart and guide the swift chariot and strong fleet-footed horses straight on.  Have no secret fear at the noise of man-slaying Ares who now rages shouting about the holy grove of Phoebus Apollo, the lord who shoots form afar.  Surely, strong though he be, he shall have enough of war.’

(ll. 102-114) And blameless Iolaus answered him again:  `Good friend, truly the father of men and gods greatly honours your head and the bull-like Earth-Shaker also, who keeps Thebe’s veil of walls and guards the city, —­ so great and strong is this fellow they bring into your hands that you may win great glory.  But come, put on your arms of war that with all speed we may bring the car of Ares and our own together and fight; for he shall not frighten the dauntless son of Zeus, nor yet the son of Iphiclus:  rather, I think he will flee before the two sons of blameless Alcides who are near him and eager to raise the war cry for battle; for this they love better than a feast.’