What the sky was to the giant , such are the cares of earth to those who let themselves be weighed down by them . And whenever men undertake what is beyond the just measure of their abilities , they encounter precisely such a doom as had befallen this poor giant . Poor fellow ! He had evidently stood there a long while . An ancient forest had been growing and decaying around his feet ; and oak-trees , of six or seven centuries old , had sprung from the acorn , and forced themselves between his toes . The giant now looked down from the far height of his great eyes , and , perceiving Hercules , roared out , in a voice that resembled thunder , proceeding out of the cloud that had just flitted away from his face . `` Who are you , down at my feet there ? And whence do you come , in that little cup ? '' `` I am Hercules ! '' thundered back the hero , in a voice pretty nearly or quite as loud as the giant 's own . `` And I am seeking for the garden of the Hesperides ! '' `` Ho ! ho ! ho ! '' roared the giant , in a fit of immense laughter . `` That is a wise adventure , truly ! '' `` And why not ? '' cried Hercules , getting a little angry at the giant 's mirth . `` Do you think I am afraid of the dragon with a hundred heads ! '' Just at this time , while they were talking together , some black clouds gathered about the giant 's middle , and burst into a tremendous storm of thunder and lightning , causing such a pother that Hercules found it impossible to distinguish a word .
Only the giant 's immeasurable legs were to be seen , standing up into the obscurity of the tempest ; and , now and then , a momentary glimpse of his whole figure , mantled XXXXX a volume of mist .
around as at between beyond for from in while with