These for affronting Pallas were chastised, And justly met the death they had despised; But brave Aconteus, Perseus’ friend, by chance Look’d back, and met the Gorgon’s fatal glance; A statue now become, he ghastly stares, And still the foe to mortal combat dares. Astyages the living likeness knew, On the dead stone with vengeful fury flew; But impotent his rage; the jarring blade No print upon the solid marble made: Again, as with redoubled might he struck, Himself astonish’d in the quarry stuck.