"Their breasts erect they rear amid the deep, Their blood-red crests above the surface shine, Their hinder parts along the waters sweep, Trailed in huge coils and many a tortuous twine; Lashed into foam, behind them roars the brine; Now, gliding onward to the beach, ere long They gain the fields, and rolling bloodshot eyne That blaze with fire, the monsters move along, And lick their hissing jaws, and dart a flickering tongue.
XXVIII.

"Pale at the sight we fly; unswerving, these Glide on and seek Laocoon.

First, entwined In stringent folds, his two young sons they seize, With cruel fangs their tortured limbs to grind.
Then, as with arms he comes to aid, they bind In giant grasp the father.

Twice, behold, Around his waist the horrid volumes wind, Twice round his neck their scaly backs are rolled, High over all their heads and glittering crests unfold.
XXIX.

"Both hands are labouring the fierce knots to pull; Black gore and slime his sacred wreaths distain.
Loud are his moans, as when a wounded bull Shakes from his neck the faltering axe and, fain To fly the cruel altars, roars in pain.
But lo! the serpents to Tritonia's seat Glide from their victim, till the shrine they gain, And, coiled beside the goddess, at her feet, Behind her sheltering shield with gathered orbs retreat.
XXX.