The fowls are heard in air; then swoops amain

  The covey well nigh in that instant, rends

  The food, o'erturns the vessels, and a rain

  Of noisome ordure on the board descends.

  To stop their nostrils king and duke are fain;

  Such an insufferable stench offends.

  Against the greedy birds, as wrath excites,

  Astolpho with his brandished faulchion smites.