he slew. But when the tenth bright morning orient glow'd, The faithful youth his monarch's mandate show'd: The fatal tablets, till that instant seal'd, The deathful secret to the king reveal'd. First, dire Chimaera's conquest was enjoin'd; A mingled monster of no mortal kind! Behind, a dragon's fiery tail was spread; A goat's rough body bore a lion's head; Her pitchy nostrils flaky flames expire; Her gaping throat emits infernal fire. "This pest he slaughter'd, (for he read the skies, And trusted heaven's informing prodigies,) Then met in arms the Solymaean crew,(169) (Fiercest of men,) and those the warrior slew; Next the bold Amazons' whole force defied; And conquer'd still, for heaven was on his side. "Nor ended here his toils: his Lycian foes, At his return, a treacherous ambush rose, With levell'd spears along the winding shore: There fell they breathless, and return'd no more. "At length the monarch, with repentant grief, Confess'd