Book 8.233-246
Hercules tore the roof off of Cacus' cave, as if the Underworld were exposed from above.
Stabat acuta silex, praecisis undique saxis
233
speluncae dorso insurgens, altissima visu,
234
dirarum nidis domus opportuna volucrum.
235
Hanc, ut prona iugo laevum incumbebat in amnem,
236
dexter in adversum nitens concussit et imis
237
avolsam solvit radicibus; inde repente
238
inpulit, inpulsu quo maximus intonat aether
239
dissultant ripae refluitque exterritus amnis.
240
At specus et Caci detecta apparuit ingens
241
regia, et umbrosae penitus patuere cavernae:
242
non secus ac si qua penitus vi terra dehiscens
243
infernas reseret sedes et regna recludat
244
pallida, dis invisa, superque immane barathrum
245
cernatur, trepident inmisso lumine manes.
246