Animal Rights

There will be tigers with sharp claws and savage teeth;
They will eat you, men, unless you jab them with a spear
Or throw your javelin with the skillful aim of piercing their ribs
And furrows of darkened stripes. See how they advance,
Fire in the eyes, as when a lion by the light of thunder
Menaces the folds, picking many of our soldiers
– Best of men! – off as a tasty morsel, bringing back
Bloody bits of flesh for their swelling cubs. So do not weary,
Do not think of sleep or even the charms of a graceful spouse,
Though she extend a belly warm for hungry seed, but combat
The invasion of these beasts, as if they were to burn our homes,
Enslave our young to penury and shame, and rape our wives.