((LACUNA -- One or two leaves missing.))

XLVIII

((Missing in Lacuna))


XLIX

(ll. 446-457) Then all that folk was smitten with terror; fear of
the flood fell on their wretched hearts. The great sea
threatened death. The sloping hills were soaked with blood; the
sea spewed gore. In the deep was uproar, the waves were filled
with weapons; a death-mist rose. The Egyptians turned and fled
away in fear, perceiving their peril. They were shaken with
horror and fain to reach their homes. Their boasting was
humbled. The dreadful rushing sea swept over them. Nor did any
of that army come ever again to their homes, but Fate cut off
retreat and locked them in the sea.

(ll. 457-470) Where before lay open roads the ocean raged. The
host was overwhelmed. The seas flowed forth; an uproar rose to
heaven, a moan of mighty legions. There rose a great cry of the
doomed, and over them the air grew dark. Blood dyed the deep.
The walls of water were shattered; the greatest of sea-deaths
lashed the heavens. Brave princes died in throngs. At the sea's
end hope of return had vanished away. War shields flashed. The
wall of water, the mighty sea-stream, rushed over the heroes.
The multitude was fettered fast in death, deprived of escape,
cunningly bound. The ocean-sands awaited the doom ordained when