XVII

 
So long as Jove’s great eagle was in flight,
Bearing the fire of Heaven’s menaces,
Heaven feared not the dire audaciousness,
That so stoked the Giants’ reckless might.

But soon as the sun’s fierce burning light
Singed the wings that had abased the Earth,
Earth sent forth, out of her weighty mass,
That ancient horror that assails the right.

Then was the German raven seen, disguised,
Echoing the Roman eagle in the skies,
And once again towards Heaven spread

These brave hills once reduced to dust,
No longer fearing lightning overhead,
Borne by that eagle on the stormy gust.