THE CHIMERA. 215

And again he shook the bridle. Dashing aslantwise,
as before, the winged horse made another arrow-flight
towards the Chimera, and Bellerophon aimed another
downright stroke at one of the two remaining heads, as
he shot by. But, this time, neither he nor Pegasus es-
caped so well as at first. With one of its claws, the
Chimeera had given the young man a deep scratch in his
shoulder, and had slightly damaged the left wing of the
flying steed with the other. On his part, Bellerophon
had mortally wounded the lion’s head of the monster,
insomuch that it now hung downward, with its fire
almost extinguished, and sending out gasps of thick
black smoke. The snake’s head, however (which was
the only one now left), was twice as fierce and venomous
as ever before. It belched forth shoots of fire five hun-
dred yards long, and emitted hisses so loud, so harsh, and
so ear-piercing, that King Iobates heard them, fifty miles
off, and trembled till the throne shook under him.

“ Well-a-day!” thought the poor king; ‘ the Chi-
meera is certainly coming to devour me!”

Meanwhile Pegasus had again paused in the air, and
neighed angrily, while sparkles of a pure, crystal flame
darted out of his eyes. How unlike the lurid fire of the
Chimera! The aerial steed’s spirit was all aroused,
and so was that of Bellerophon.

“Dost thou bleed, my immortal horse?” cried the
young man, caring less for his own hurt than for the
anguish of this glorious creature, that ought never to
have tasted pam. “The execrable Chimera shall pay
for this mischief, with his last lead! ”