Statius Poles

And let this madness not invade my kingdom alone,
Find one who will make war against the gods and repel
The flame of the lightning bolt, and angry Jupiter’s
Smoking shield. Let me witness the whole world more
Afraid to meddle with black Tartarus than pile Pelion
On leafy Ossa!’ While he spoke the gloomy palace
Trembled at his words; his own realm and that pressing
Down from above were shaken. No more powerfully does
Jove move heaven with a frown and twist the starry poles.
‘As for you’ he cried, ‘what death was yours, you who
Rush headlong through the void on your unlawful track?’


- Statius, Thebaid, Book 8


(Note: The speaker here is Pluto.)