Hail Mars, War’s triumphant God,
Who storms through all the host,
Who makes the shout and clamour
Of battle his own boast.
With spear and shield he thunders,
And all the earth does shake;
And where he goes there follows
Grim Terror in his wake.
He drives his car and slaughters,
Until the field is red
And rushing like Scamander
From fallen foes who’ve bled;
Their wounds like springing fountains
Gush forth a purple stream,
While Mars filled full of fury
Gives out a howling scream.
Who wins the field is favoured
By Mars; he beats his foes,
Until they fall down battered
Bruised by his crushing blows.
Mars II
Songs of the Gods 