184When hunger was driven away and the desire for food was checked, King Evander says: 'It was no empty superstition, ignorant of the ancient gods, that laid on us these solemn rites, this customary feast, this altar of so great a power: we do this, Trojan guest, because we were saved from cruel dangers, and we renew honours that are deserved. 190First now look at this crag hanging on its rocks, how the masses are scattered far and wide, how the mountain dwelling stands deserted, and the cliffs have dragged down a huge ruin. 193Here was a cave, set back in a vast recess, which the dreadful shape of half-human Cacus held, unreached by the rays of the sun; 195and always the ground was warm with fresh slaughter, and, fixed to the proud doors, the faces of men hung pale with grim decay.
198Vulcan was this monster's father: it was his black fires that he belched from his mouth as he moved his huge bulk. 200Time brought to us too at last, as we longed for it, the help and arrival of a god. 201For the greatest avenger, Alcides, proud of the slaughter and the spoils of triple Geryon, was at hand, and drove this way as victor his huge bulls, and the cattle filled the valley and the river. 205But Cacus, his mind wild with frenzy, so that no crime or trickery might be left undared or untried, turned away from the stalls four bulls of outstanding body and as many heifers of surpassing beauty; 209and these, so that there might be no tracks with forward-pointing feet, he dragged by the tail into the cave, and with the signs of their path reversed he hid his plunder in the dark rock: no marks led a searcher to the cave.
213Meanwhile, when the son of Amphitryon was now moving his well-fed herds from the stalls and preparing to leave, the cattle lowed at their departure, and the whole grove was filled with their complaints, and the hills were left behind with clamour. 217One of the heifers returned the call, and lowed beneath the vast cave, and, though guarded, foiled the hopes of Cacus.