Scarce was it built, when, with eyes lurid-glaring, + 

Three dragons leapt to scale its ramparts high. + 

Now twain of these fell back, and suddenly + 

Died, writhing as in impotent despairing: + 

But the third leapt in with fierce battle-cry. + 

That portent Phoebus pondered; then spake he: + 

“Aiakus, where thine hands reared this stone wonder, + 

There breached and taken Pergamus shall be, + 

As this sign sent down by the Lord of Thunder, + 

Zeus, Kronos’ Son, revealeth unto me. + 