280Meanwhile, as heaven slopes down, the Evening Star draws nearer, and now the priests, with Potitius first, were walking, girt with skins after custom, and carrying torches. 283They renew the feast and bring the welcome gifts of a second course, and heap the altars with loaded dishes. 285Then the Salii come to sing around the kindled altars, their temples bound with poplar branches, one a chorus of young men, the other of old, 287who extol in song the praises and deeds of Hercules: how first he gripped and strangled the twin snakes, his stepmother's monsters; how he likewise overthrew in war outstanding cities, Troy and Oechalia; how he endured a thousand hard labours under King Eurystheus by the decrees of unjust Juno.
293'You, unconquered one, slay with your hand the cloud-born, two-formed Hylaeus and Pholus; you slay the Cretan monster and the vast lion beneath the rock of Nemea. 296Before you the Stygian lakes trembled, before you the doorkeeper of Orcus, lying on half-gnawed bones in his bloody cave; 298no shape frightened you, not Typhoeus himself, towering and holding his arms; 299the snake of Lerna did not leave you at a loss as it surrounded you with its throng of heads. 301Hail, true offspring of Jupiter, added glory to the gods, and come graciously with favouring step to us and to your rites.' 303Such things they celebrate in songs; 303above all they add the cave of Cacus, and Cacus himself breathing fire.
305The whole grove rings with the din and the hills echo back.