 | The Poetry of George Wither |  |
2. OF THE LABOURS OF HERCULES.
First he the strong Nemean lion slew;The many-headed Hydra next o'erthrew.
The Erymanthian boar he thirdly foils;
Then of his golden horns the stag he spoils.
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Next he the queen of Amazons o'er-swayed.
Then cleansed Augeas' stalls, with filth so full;
And eighthly tamed the untamed bull.
He slew proud Diomedes with his horses;
From triple Geryon his rich herd he forces.
He slew the dragon for the fruit of gold,
And made black Cerberus the day behold.
These were his twelve stout labours. And they say
With fifty virgins in one night he lay.
If true it be, 'tis thought he labour'd more
In that one act than in the twelve before.
| The Poetry of George Wither | |