The Sixth Labour of Heracles

It came to pass that when Heracles had cleared
The field of Augeias and had appeared
Once more before Eurystheus, the will
Of the king was that Heracles should kill
Or drive away the flock of birds who loosed
Much trouble on the land whene’er from their roost
They sallied forth. Their feathers were the darts
They shot, which pierced the livers and the hearts
Of men, of whom they made their bloody meal,
As was their savage wont and awful weal.
But for the fear of wolves, they did forsake
The land and make their nest within the lake
Of Stymphalis, which was in a forest;
There they were never harried or distressed.
When Heracles beheld that feathered swarm
Spread o’er the lake, and safe from every harm,
He was troubled, and knew not what to do
Until the gray-eyed goddess came unto
Him and bestowed bronze castanets, which she
Had gotten from Hephaistos. Then swiftly
He climbed a mountain near the lake and shook
The castanets: the birds full of fear betook
Them to the skies, affrighted at the noise,
And like a panic which the host destroys,
They made themselves a prey, for they were shot
By Heracles and died upon the spot.
Like rain they fell unto the earth and fed
The ground with blood. Then once the birds were dead
Did Heracles to Eurystheus return,
And by th’ accomplishment of the deed did earn
A labour which counted towards the ten,
With admiration from all other men.