Whene'er to eat or drink the wretched man

  Prepared, by that resistless need pursued,

  Forthwith — infernal and avenging clan —

  Appeared the monstrous Harpies' craving brood;

  Which, armed with beak and talons, overran

  Vessel and board, and preyed upon the food;

  And what their wombs suffice not to receive

  Foul and defiled the loathsome monsters leave.