A sudden blow： the great wings beating still

    Above the staggering girl， her thighs¹ caressed²

    By the dark webs， her nape caught in his bill，

    He holds her helpless breast upon his breast.

    How can those terrified vague fingers push

    The feathered glory from her loosening thighs？

    And how can body， laid in that white rush，

    But feel the strange heart beating where it lies？

    A shudder³ in the loins engenders⁴ there

    The broken wall， the burning roof and tower

    And Agamemnon dead.

    Being so caught up，So mastered by the brute⁵ blood of the air，

    Did she put on his knowledge with his power

    Before the indifferent beak⁶ could let her drop？