Some passages in Statius

Extract

(i) Th. x, 935–9.

Stat tamen, extremumque in sidera versus anhelat,
pectoraque invisis obicit fumantia muris,
937 ne caderet: sed membra virum terrena relinquunt,
exuiturque animus: paulum si tardius artus
cessissent, potuit fulmen sperare secundum.

937 Nec PQr Nee BLMNCfbWDS Turon. Brux. 5337 Nee (Ne sscr.) Tol.

The last part of book x of the Thebaid describes the grandiose defiance of Capaneus. He grows weary of dealing death below the walls of Thebes, and climbs to the height of the battlements, where he towers above the city and terrifies it with his huge shadow. He taunts the gods and Jupiter himself to do battle for Thebes against him, and when Jupiter in anger darkens the sky and lightning begins to flash, he cries

His, ait, in Thebas, his iam decet ignibus uti,
hinc renovare faces, lassamque accendere quercum. (925–6.)