…fluit aes rivis aurique metallum
volnificusque chalybs vasta fornace liquescit
(Aeneid, VIII.445–6)
There flowed in brooks the bronze and golden ore,
and wound-wright steel in furnace vast dissolved.
Not shield alone, but wheels and wings they shaped,
and frame, a frame the whole through fire to bear,
a cloak, that beams with shining weave could spurn,
and claws, on thick-wrought arms for battle slung,
and missile tubes, full eight and hundred strong,
and racks for spears, for ready action sprung.
Around the Key the frame new-wrought would go,
as armour’s armour worn. The hangar-cave
resounded, groaning great and long, as tongs
and blows and liquid metal’s hiss gave voice
to future fray these arms would seek and find.
