106 HESIOD.

And in close proximity was the delineation of a vin- tage; some gathering the fruit, vine-sickle in hand, and others carrying it away in baskets. By a marvellous skill in metals, a row of vines had been wrought in gold, waving with leaves and trellises of silver, and bending with grapes represented in some dark metal. Treading the winepress, and expressing the juice, com- pleted the picture, which is less perfect than Homer's parallel passage. But there was room found, it would seem, on this part of the shield, for athletic and field sports of vari- ous kinds, the chariot-race being the most elaborate description of the set : " High o'er the well-compacted chariots hung The charioteers : the rapid horses loosed At their full stretch, and shook the floating reins. Rebounding from the ground with many a shock Flew clattering the firm cars, and creaked aloud The naves of the round wheels. They therefore toiled Endless : nor conquest yet at any time Achieved they, but a doubtful strife maintained." E. 413-420. Around the shield's verge was represented the cir- cumambient ocean, girding, as it did in Homer's view, the flat and circular earth with its boundless flood : " Rounding the utmost verge the ocean flowed As in full swell of waters : and the shield All variegated with whole circle bound. Swans of high-hovering wing there clamoured shrill, Who also skimmed the breasted surge with plume Innumerous : near them fishes 'midst the waves Frolicked in wanton leaps," E. 424-429.