Lychas

Man into Stone (in midair, no less)

 

Hercules blames Lychas for poisoning him. The mighty hero scoops up his hapless victim and flings him away.

 

He, as he shot

Through air, was harden'd. As the falling showers

Concrete by freezing winds, whence snow is form'd:

As snows by rolling, their soft bodies join,

Conglomerating into solid hail:

So ancient times believ'd, the boy thus flung,

Through empty air, by strong Alcides' arm,

Bloodless through fear, and all his moisture drain'd,

Chang'd to a flinty rock. A rock e'en now

High in Eubæa's gulph exalts its head,

Which still of human form the marks retains.

Which, as though still of consciousness possess'd,

The sailors fear to tread, and Lychas call.