portis alii bipatentibus adsunt, milia quot magnis umquam venere Mycenis; obsedere alii telis angusta viarum oppositis; stat ferri acies mucrone corusco stricta, parata neci; vix primi proelia temptant portarum vigiles et caeco Marte resistunt.
Some are at the wide-open gates, as many thousands as ever came from mighty Mycenae; others with confronting weapons have barred the narrow ways; a standing line of steel, with flashing point unsheathed, is ready for the slaughter. Scarce do the first guards of the gates essay battle, and resist in blind warfare.