A, 

.RMS and the man I sing, who first made way. 
Predestined exile, from the Trojan shore 
To Italy, the blest Lavinian strand. 
Smitten of storms he was on land and sea 
By violence of Heaven, to satisfy 
Stem Juno's sleepless wrath; and much in war 
He suffered, seeking at the last to found 
The city, and bring o'er his fathers' gods 
To safe abode in Latium; whence arose 
The Latin race, old Alba's reverend lords. 
And from her hills wide-walled, imperial Rome. 

O Muse, the causes tell ! What sacrilege. 

Or vengeful sorrow, moved the heavenly Queen 

To thrust on dangers dark and endless toil 

A man whose largest honor in men's eyes 

Was serving Heaven ? Can gods such anger feel ? 

In ages gone an ancient city stood — 
Carthage, a Tyrian seat, which from afar 
Made front on Italy and on the mouths 
Of Tiber's stream; its wealth and revenues 
Were vast, and ruthless was its quest of war. 

\ THE iENEID [15-34 

'T is said that Juno, of all lands she loved. 
Most cherished this, — not Samos' self so dear. 
Here were her arms, her chariot ; even then 
A throne of power o'er nations near and far. 
If Fate opposed not, 't was her darling hope 
To 'stablish here ; but anxiously she heard 
That of the Trojan blood there was a breed 
Then rising, which upon the destined day 
Should utterly o'erwhelm her Tyrian towers ; 
A people of wide sway and conquest proud 
Should compass Libya's doom; — such was the web 
The Fatal Sisters spun. 

Such was the fear 
Of Saturn's daughter, who remembered well 
What long and unavailing strife she waged 
For her loved Greeks at Troy. Nor did she fail 
To meditate th' occasions of her rage. 
And cherish deep within her bosom proud 
Its griefs and wrongs: the choice by Paris made; 
Her scorned and slighted beauty; a whole race 
Rebellious to her godhead ; and Jove's smile 
That beamed on eagle-ravished Ganymede. 
With all these thoughts infuriate, her power 
Pursued with tempests o'er the boundless main 
The Trojans, though by Grecian victor spared 
And fierce Achilles; so she thrust them far 
From Latium ; and they drifted. Heaven-impelled, 
Year after year, o'er many an unknown sea — 
O labor vast, to found the Roman line I 

Below th' horizon the Sicilian isle 

85-d6] BOOK I 8 

Just sank from view, as for the open sea 
With heart of hope they sailed, and every ship 
Qove with its brazen beak the salt, white waves. 
But Juno of her everlasting wound 
Knew no surcease, but from her heart of pain 
Thus darkly mused : ^* Must I, defeated, fail 
''Of what I will, nor turn the Teucrian King 
"From Italy away? Can Fate oppose? 
"Had Pallas pow^ to lay waste in flame 
"The Argive fleet and sink its mariners, 
''Revenging but the sacrilege obscene 
"By Ajaz wrought, OlSeus' desperate son? 
"She, from the clouds, herself Jove's lightning threw, 
"Scattered the ships, and ploughed the sea with storms. 
"Her foe, from his pierced breast out-breathing fire, 
"In whirlwind on a deadly rock she flung. 
"But I, who move among the gods a queen, 
"Jove's sister and his spouse, with one weak tribe 
"Make war so long! Who now on Juno calls? 
'^What suppliant gifts henceforth her altars crown?'* 

So, in her fevered heart complaining still. 

Unto the storm-cloud land the goddess came, 

A region with wild whirlwinds in its womb, 

^lia named, where royal .£olus 

In a high-vaulted cavern keeps control 

O'er warring winds and loud concourse of storms. 

There closely pent in chains and bastions strong. 

They, scornful, make the vacant mountain roar. 

Chafing against their bonds. But from a throne 

Of lofty crag, their king with sceptred hand 

4 THE -ffiNEID [57-«0 

Allays their fuiy and their rage confines. 

Did he not so, our ocean, earth, and sky 

Were whirled before them through the vast inane. 

But over-ruling Jove, of this in fear. 

Hid them in dungeon dark: then o'er them piled 

Huge mountains, and ordained a lawful king 

To hold them in firm sway, or know what time. 

With Jove's consent, to loose them o'er the world. 

To him proud Juno thus made lowly plea : 
**Thou in whose hands the Father of all gods 
«And Sovereign of mankind confides the power 
"To calm the waters or with winds upturn, 
** Great ^olus ! a race with me at war 
** Now sails the Tuscan main towards Italy, 
"Bringing their Ilium and its vanquished powers. 
"Uprouse thy gales ! Strike that proud navy down! 
"Hurl far and wide, and strew the waves with dead! 
"Twice seven nymphs are mine, of rarest mould, 
" Of whom Delopea, the most fair, 
" I give thee in true wedlock for thine own, 
"To mate thy noble worth; she at thy side 
*' Shall pass long, happy years, and fruitful bring 
" Her beauteous offspring unto thee their sire." 

Then .Solus : " 'T is thy sole task, O Queen, 
"To weigh thy wish and will. My fealty 
"Thy high behest obeys. This humble throne 
"Is of thy gift. Thy smiles for me obtain 
"Authority from Jove. Thy grace concedes 
" My station at your bright Olympian board, 
"And gives me lordship of the darkening storm." 

Replying thus, he smote with spear reversed 
The hollow mountain's wall; then rush the winds 
Through that wide breach in long, embattled line. 
And sweep tumultuous from land to land : 
With brooding pinions o'er the waters spread 
East wind and south, and boisterous Afric gale 
Upturn the sea; vast billows shoreward roll; 
The shout of mariners, the creak of cordage. 
Follow the shock; low-hanging clouds conceal 
From Trojan eyes all sight of heaven and day; 
Night o'er the ocean broods; from sky to sky 
The thunders roll, the ceaseless lightnings glare; 
And all things mean swift death for mortal man. 

Straightway iSneas, shuddering with amaze. 
Groaned loud, upraised both holy hands to Heaven, 
And thus did plead : ** O thrice and four times blest, 
"Ye whom yoiur sires and whom the walls of Troy 
** Looked on in your last hour! O bravest son 
"Greece ever bore, Tydides! O that I 
"Had fallen on Hian fields, and given this life 
"Struck down by thy strong hand ! where by the spear 
"Of great Achilles, fiery Hector fell, 
"And huge Sarpedon; where the Simois 
"In furious flood engulfed and whirled away 
"So many helms and shields and heroes slain I" 
While thus he cried to Heaven, a shrieking blast 
Smote full upon the sail. Up surged the waves 
To strike the very stars ; in fragments flew 
The shattered oars ; the helpless vessel veered 
And gave her broadside to the roaring flood. 

6 THE iENEID [105-1£8 

Where watery mountaiiis rose and burst and fell. 
Now high in air she hangs, then yawning gulfs 
Lay bare the shoals and sands o'er which she drives. 
Three ships a whirling south wind snatched and flung 
On hidden rocks, — altars of sacrifice 
Italians call them, which lie far from shore 
A vast ridge in the sea ; three ships beside 
An east wind, blowing landward from the deep. 
Drove on the shallows, — pitiable sight, — 
And girdled them in walls of drifting sand. 
That ship, which, with his friend Orontes, bore 
The Lycian mariners, a great, plunging wave 
Struck straight astern, before Eneas' eyes. 
Forward the steersman rolled and o'er the side 
Fell headlong, while three times the circling flood 
Spun the light bark through swift engulfing seas. 
Look, how the lonely swimmers breast the wave ! 
And on the waste of waters wide are seen 
Weapons of war, spars, planks, and treasures rare, 
Once Ilium's boast, all mingled with the storm. 
Now o'er Achates and Ilioneus, 
Now o'er the ship of Abas or Aletes, 
Bursts the tempestuous shock; their loosened seams 
Yawn wide and yield the angry wave its will. 

Meanwhile, how all his smitten ocean moaned. 
And how the tempest's turbulent assault 
Had vexed the stillness of his deepest cave. 
Great Neptune knew; and with indignant mien 
Uplifted o'er the sea his sovereign brow. 
He saw the Teucrian navy scattered far 

12»-148] BOOK I 7 

Along the waters; and Eneas' men 
O'erwhelmed in mingling shock of wave and sky. 
Satumian Juno's vengeful stratagem 
Her brother's royal glance failed not to see; 
And loud to eastward and to westward calling. 
He voiced this word : " What pride of birth or power 
"Is yours, ye winds, that, reckless of my will, 
"Audacious thus, ye ride through earth and heaven, 
"And stir these mountain waves? Such rebels I — 
"Nay, first I calm this tumult ! But yourselves 
«By heavier chastisement shaU expiate 
"Hereafter your bold trespass. Haste away 
"And bear your king this word! Not unto him 
"Dominion o'er the seas and trident dread, 
"But unto me, Fate gives. Let him possess 
"Wild mountain crags, thy favored haunt and home, 
"O Eurus! In his barbarous mansion there, 
"Let iEolus look proud, and play the king 
"In yon close-bounded prison-house of storms!" 

He spoke, and swiftlier than his word subdued 

The swelling of the floods ; dispersed afar 

Th' assembled clouds, and brought back light to 

heaven. 
Cymothoe then and Triton, with huge toil. 
Thrust down the vessels from the sharp-edged reef; 
While, with the trident, the great god's own hand 
Assists the task; then, from the sand-strewn shore 
Out-ebbing far, he calms the whole wide sea. 
And glides light-wheeled along the crested foam. 
As when, with not unwonted tumult, roars 

8 THE ^NEID ll4»-m 

In some vast city a rebellious mob. 
And base-bom passions in its bosom bum, 
TiU rocks and blazing torches fiU the air 
(Rage never lacks for arms) — if haply then 
Some wise man comes, whose reverend looks attest 
A life to duty given, swift sUence falls; 
All ears are turned attentive; and he sways 
With clear and soothing speech the people's will. 
So ceased the sea's uproar, when its grave Sire 
Looked o'er th' expanse, and, riding on in Ught, 
Flung fiee rein to his winged obedient car. 

Eneas' wave-worn crew now landward made. 

And took the nearest passage, whither lay 

The coast of Libya. A haven there 

Walled in by bold sides of a rocky isle. 

Offers a spacious and secure retreat. 

Where every billow from the distant main 

Breaks, and in many a rippling curve retires. 

Huge crags and two confronted promontories 

Frown heaven-high, beneath whose brows outspread 

The silent, sheltered waters ; on the heights 

The bright and glimmering foliage seems to show 

A woodland amphitheatre ; and yet higher 

Rises a straight-stemmed grove of dense, dark shade. 

Fronting on these a grotto may be seen, 

O'erhung by steep cliffs; from its inmost wall 

Clear springs gush out; and shelving seats it has 

Of unhewn stone, a place the wood-nymphs love. 

In such a port, a weary ship rides free 

Of weight of iSrm-fiuked anchor or strong chun. 

ffither MnesLS^ of his scattered fleet 
Saving but seven, into harbor sailed ; 
With passionate longing for the touch of land. 
Forth leap the Trojans to the welcome shore. 
And fling their dripping limbs along the ground. 
Then good Achates smote a flinty stone. 
Secured a flashing spark, heaped on light leaves. 
And with dry branches nursed the mounting flame. 
Then Ceres' gift from the corrupting sea 
They bring away; and wearied utterly 
Ply Ceres' cunning on the rescued com. 
And parch in flames, and mill 'twixt two smooth 
stones. 

^neas meanwhile climbed the cliffs, and searched 

The wide sea-prospect ; haply Antheus there. 

Storm-buffeted, might sail within his ken. 

With biremes, and his Phrygian mariners. 

Or Capys or Caicus armor-clad. 

Upon a towering deck. No ship is seen ; 

But while he looks, three stags along the shore 

Come straying by, and close behind them comes 

The whole herd, browsing through the lowland vale 

In one long line, ^neas stopped and seized 

His bow and swift-winged arrows, which his friend. 

Trusty Achates, close beside him bore. 

His first shafts brought to earth the lordly heads 

Of the high-antlered chiefs; his next assailed 

The general herd, and drove them one and all 

In panic through the leafy wood, nor ceased 

The victory of his bow, till on the ground 

10 THE iENEID [198-812 

Lay seven huge forms, one gift for every ship. 
Then back to shore he sped, and to his friends 
Distributed the spoil, with that rare wine 
Which good Acestes erst in Sicily 
Had stored in jars, and prince-like sent away 
With his loved guest ; — this too ^neas gave ; 
And with these words their mournful mood con- 
soled. 

' Companions mine, we have not failed to feel 

* Calamity till now. O, ye have borne 

* Far heavier sorrow : Jove will make an end 
'Also of this. Ye sailed a course hard by 
'Infuriate Scylla's howling cliflFs and caves. 

* Ye knew the Cyclops' crags. Lift up your hearts! 

* No more complaint and fear ! It well may be 

* Some happier hour will find this memory fair. 
'Through chance and change and hazard without 

end, 

* Our goal is Latium ; where our destinies 

* Beckon to blest abodes, and have ordained 
*That Troy shall rise new-bom! Have patience all! 
*And bide expectantly that golden day." 

Such was his word, but vexed with grief and care» 
Feigned hopes upon his forehead firm he wore. 
And locked within his heart a hero's pain. 

Now round the welcome trophies of his chase 
They gather for a feast. Some flay the ribs 
And bare the flesh below ; some slice with knives. 
And on keen prongs the quivering strips impale» 

2l»-«3Sl BOOK I 11 

Place cauldrons on the shore, and fan the fires. 
Then, stretched at ease on couch of simple green. 
They rally their lost powers, and feast them well 
On seasoned wine and succulent haunch of game. 

But hunger banished and the banquet done. 
In long discourse of their lost mates they tell, 
'Twixt hopes and fears divided ; for who knows 
Whether the lost ones live, or strive with death. 
Or heed no more whatever voice may call ? 
Chiefly MnesLS now bewails his friends, 
Orontes brave and fallen Amycus, 
Or mourns with grief untold the untimely doom 
Of bold young Gyas and Cloanthus bold. 

After these things were past, exalted Jove, 
From his ethereal sky surveying clear 
The seas all winged with sails, lands widely spread. 
And nations populous from shore to shore. 
Paused on the peak of heaven, and fixed his gaze 
On Libya. But while he anxious mused. 
Near him, her radiant eyes all dim with tears. 
Nor smiling any more, Venus approached. 
And thus complained : ** O thou who dost control 
"Things human and divine by changeless laws, 
"Enthroned in awful thunder! What huge wrong 
"Could my iSneas and his Trojans few 
"Achieve against thy power? For they have borne 
"Unnumbered deaths, and, failing Italy, 
"The gates of all the world against them close. 
"Hast thou not given us thy covenant 

THE iENEID 

[284-253 

That hence the Romans when the rolling years 
Have come full cycle, shall arise to power 
From Troy's regenerate seed, and rule supreme 
The unresisted lords of land and sea ? 
O Sire, what swerves thy will ? How oft have I 
In Troy's most lamentable wreck and woe 
Consoled my heart with this, and balanced oft 
Our destined good against our destined ill ! 

* But the same stormf ul fortune still pursues 

* My band of heroes on their perilous way. 

' When shall these labors cease, O glorious King ? 
^Antenor, though th' Achaeans presised him sore» 

* Found his way forth, and entered unassailed 

* lUyria's haven, and the guarded land 

'Of the Libumi. Straight up stream he sailed 

'Where like a swollen sea Timavus pours 

'A nine-fold flood from roaring mountain gorge» 

* And whelms with voicef ul wave the fields below. 
'He built Patavium there, and fixed abodes 
'For Troy's far-exiled sons; he gave a name 
'To a new land and race; the Trojan anhs 
'Were hung on temple walls; and, to this day, 
'Lying in perfect peace, the hero sleeps. 

' But we of thine own seed, to whom thou dost 
'A station in the arch of heaven assign, 

* Behold our navy vilely wrecked, because 
'A single god is angry; we endure 
'This treachery and violence, whereby 
'Wide seas divide us from th' Hesperian shore. 
' Is this what piety receives ? Or thus 

*' Doth Heaven's decree restore our fallen thrones ?" 

M 

e54-£76] BOOK I IS 

Smiling reply, the Sire of gods and men» 
With such a look as clears the skies of storm. 
Chastely his daughter kissed, and thus spake oo: 
'*Let Cytherea cast her fears away! 
^^Irrevocably blest the fortunes be 
*'Of thee and thine. Nor shalt thou fail to see 
**That City, and the proud predestined wall 
''Encompassing Lavinium. Thyself 
** Shall starward to the heights of heaven bear 
iEneas the great-hearted. Nothing swerves 
My will once uttered. Since such carking cares 
** Consume thee, I this hour speak freely forth» 
''And \e^ by leaf^the book of fate unfold. 
"Tfiy sonln Italy shall wage vast war 
"And quell its nations wild; his city-wall 
And sacred laws shall be a mighty bond 
About his gathered people. Summers three 
Shall Latium caU him king; and three times pass 
The winter o'er Rutulia's vanquished hills. 
"His heir, Ascanius, now lulus called 
" (Hus it was while Ilium's kingdom stood). 
Full thirty months shall reign, then move the throne 
From the Lavinian citadel, and build 
For Alba Longa its well-bastioned wall. 
"Here three full centuries shall Hector's race 
Have kingly power; till a priestess queen. 
By Mars conceiving, her twin offspring bear; 
Then Romulus, wolf-nursed and proudly clad 
In tawny wolf-skin mantle, shall receive 
"The sceptre of his race. He shall uprear 
"The war-god's citadel and lofty wall. 

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^^And on his Romans his own name bestow. 
To these I give no bounded times or power» 
But empire without end. Yea, even my Queen, 
** Juno, who now chastiseth land and sea 
" With her dread frown, will find a wiser way, 
**And at my sovereign side protect and bless 
''The Romans, masters of the whole round world. 
Who, clad in peaceful toga, judge mankind. 
Such my decree ! In lapse of seasons duQ, 
The heirs of Ilium's kings shall bind in chains 
" Mycenae's glory and Achilles* towers. 
And over prostrate Aigos sit supreme. 
Of Trojan stock illustriously sprung, 
Lo, Ccesar comes ! whose power the ocean bounds, 
** Whose fame, the skies. He shall receive the name 
"lulus nobly bore, great Julius, he. 
"Him to the skies, in Orient trophies dight, 
"Thou shalt with smiles receive; and he, like us, 
"Shall hear at his own shrines the suppliant 

vow. 
"Then will the world grow mild; the battle-sound 
Will be f oigot ; for olden Honor then. 
With spotless Vesta, and the brothers twain, 
" Remus and Romulus, at strife no more, 
" Will publish sacred laws. The dreadful gates 
"Whence issueth war, shall with close-jointed 
steel 
Be barred impregnably; and prisoned there 
The heaven-offending Fury, throned on sworda. 
And fettered by a hundred brazen chains, 
Shall belch vain curses from his lips of gore.** 

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These words he gave, and summoned Maia's son» 

The herald Mercury, who earthward flying, 

Should bid the Tyrian realms and new-built towers 

Welcome the Trojan waifs; lest Dido, blind 

To Fate's decree, should thrust them from the land. 

fetekiThirflrght. with rhythmic stroke of wing. 

Across th' abyss of air, and soon draws near 

Unto the Libyan mainland. He fulfils 

BGs heavenly task; t he Punic hea rtsj>f st^e 

Grow soft beneath the effluence divine; 

And7 most oFaH, the Qlieen, with heart at ease, 

Awaits benignantly her guests from Troy. 

But good ^neas, pondering all night long 
EGs many cares, when first the cheerful dawn 
Upon him broke, resolved to take survey 
Of this strange country whither wind and wave 
Had driven him,- — for desert land it seemed, — 
To learn what tribes of man or beast possess 
A place so wild, and careful tidings bring 
Back to his friends. His fleet of ships the while. 
Where dense, dark groves o'er-arch a hollowed crag. 
He left encircled in far-branching shade. 
Then with no followers save his trusty friend 
Achates, he went forth upon his way. 
Two broad-tipped javelins poising in his hand. 
Deep to the midmost wood he went, and there 
His Mother in his path uprose; she seemed 
In garb and countenance a maid, and bore, 
like Spartan maids, a weapon ; in such guise 
Harpalyce the Thracian urges on 

16 THE iENEID [818-»0 

Her panting coursers and in wild career 
Outstrips impetuous Hebrus as it flows. 
Over her lovely shoulders was a bow, 
Slender and light, as fits a huntress fair; 
Her golden tresses without wimple moved 
In every wind, and girded in a knot 
Her undulant vesture bared her marble knees. 
She hailed them thus: ^*Ho, sirs, I pray you tell 
" If haply ye have noted, as ye came, 
**One of my sisters in this wood astray? 
"She bore a quiver, and a lynx's hide 
" Her spotted mantle was ; perchance she roused 
"Some foaming boar, and chased with loud halloo." 

So Venus spoke, and Venus' son replied: 

"No voice or vision of thy sister fair 
Has crossed my path, thou maid without a name t 
Thy beauty seems not of terrestrial mould» 
Nor is thy music mortal ! Tell me, goddess, 
Art thou bright Phoebus' sister ? Or some nymph» 
The daughter of a god ? Whate'er thou art. 
Thy favor we implore, and potent aid 
In our vast toil. Instruct us of what skies. 
Or what world's end, our storm-swept lives have found ! 
Strange are these lands and people where we rove. 
Compelled by wind and wave. Lo, this right hand 

"Shall many a victim on thine altars slayT' 

Then Venus: "Nay, I boast not to receive 
"Honors divine. We Tyrian virgins oft 
'*Bear bow and quiver» and our ankles white 

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Lace up in purple buskin. Yonder lies 

The Punic power, where Tyrian masters hold 

Agenor's town ; but on its borders dwell 

The Libyans, by battles unsubdued. 

Upon the throne is Dido, exiled there 

From Tyre, to flee th' unnatural enmity 

Of her own brother. *T was an ancient wrong; 

Too long the dark and tangled tale would be; 

I trace the laiger outline of her story : 

Sichseus was her spouse, whose acres broad 

No Tyrian lord could match, and he was blessed 

By his il l-fated lady's fondegt Joxg^ 

Whose father gave him her first viigin bloom 

Li youthful marriage. But the kingly power 

Among the Tyrians to her brother came, 

Pygmalion, none deeper dyed in crime 

In all that land. Betwixt these twain there rose 

A deadly hatred, and the impious wretch. 

Blinded by greed, and reckless utterly 

Of his fond sister's joy, did murder foul 

Upon defenceless and unarmed Sichseus, 

And at the very altar hewed him down. 

Long did he hide the deed, and guilefully 

Deceived with false hopes, and fair glozing words. 

Her grief and stricken love. But as she slept. 

Her husband's tombless ghost before her came, 

Vfiih face all wondrous pale, and he laid bare 

His heart with dagger pierced, disclosing so 

The blood-stained altar and the infamy 

That darkened now their house. His counsel was 

To fly, self-banished, from her ruined land^ 

IB 

THE iENEID 

[358-3T9 

"And for her journey's aid, he whispered where 
"His buried treasure lay, a weight unknown 
" Of silver and of gold. Thus onward urged, 
" Dido, assembling her few trusted friends, 
"Prepared her flight. There rallied to her cause 
"All who did hate and scorn the tyrant king, 
"Or feared his cruelty. They seized his ships, 
"Which haply rode at anchor in the bay, 
"And loaded them with gold; the hoarded wealth 
" Of vile and covetous Pygmalion 
"They took to sea. A woman wrought this deed. 
"Then came they to these lands where now thine e 
"Behold yon walls and yonder citadel 
"Of newly rising Carthage. For a priee 
" They measured round so much of Afric soil 
"As one bull's hide encircles, and the spot 
"Received its name, the Byrsa. But, I pray, 
" What men are ye ? from what far land arrived, 
"And whither going?" 

\Mien she questioned thuH*'l 
Her son, wiih sighs that rose from his heart's deptb 
This answer gave: "Divine one, if I tell 
" My woes and burdens all, and thou could'st pauj 
"To heed the tale, first would the vesper star 
" Th' OljTnpian portals close, and bid the day 
"In slumber lie, Of ancient Troy are we — 
" If aught of Troy thou knowest ! As we roved 
"From sea to sea, the hazard of Ihe storm 
" Cast us up hither on this Libyan coast. 
" I am jEneas, faithful evermore 
"To Heaven's commaQd; and m my ships I bear 

^ My gods ancestral, which I snatched away 
^From peril of the foe. My fame is known 
** Above the stars. I travel on in quest 
^Of Italy, my true home-land, and I 
**From Jove himself may trace my birth divine. 
^With twice ten ships upon the Phrygian main 
^ I launched away. My mother from the skies 
^ Gave guidance, and I wrought what Fate ordained. 
*• Yet now scarce seven shattered ships survive 
**The shock of wind and wave; and I myself 
^Friendless, bereft, am wandering up and down 
^This Libyan wilderness! Behold me here, 
^From Europe and from Asia exiled still!" 

But Venus could not let him longer plain. 
And stopped his grief midway : 

" Whoe'er thou art, 
'*I deem that not unblest of heavenly powers, 
T^th vital breath still thine, thou comest hither 
Unto our Tyrian town. Go steadfast on, 
"And to the royal threshold make thy way! 
I bring thee tidings that thy comrades all 
Are safe at land ; and all thy ships, conveyed 
**By favoring breezes, safe at anchor lie; 
Or else in vain my parents gave me skill 
To read the skies. Look up at yonder swans ! 
A flock of twelve, whose gayly fluttering file, 
**Erst scattered by Jove's eagle swooping down 
'^From his ethereal haunt, now form anew 
** Their long-drawn Une, and make a landing-place, 
^Or, hovering over, scan some chosen ground. 

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20 THE iENEID [397-419 

** Or soaring high, with whir of happy wings. 
Re-circle heaven in triumphant song: 
Likewise, I tell thee, thy lost mariners 
Are landed, or fly landward at full sail. 

**Up, then! let yon plain path thy guidance be/* 

She ceased and turned away. A roseate beam 
From her bright shoulder glowed ; th' ambrosial hiur 
Breathed more than mortal sweetness, while her robes 
Fell rippling to her feet. Each step revealed 
The veritable goddess. Now he knew 
That vision was his mother, and his words 
Pursued the fading phantom as it fled : 

"Why is thy son deluded o'er and o'er 
With mocking dreams, — another cruel god ? 
Hast thou no hand-clasp true, nor interchange 

"Of words unfeigned betwixt this heart and thine?** 
Such word of blame he spoke, and took his way 
Toward the city's rampart. 

Venus then 
O'erveiled them as they moved in darkened air, — 
A liquid mantle of thick cloud divine, — 
That viewless they might pass, nor any wight 
Obstruct, delay, or question why they came. 
To Paphos then she soared, her loved abode. 
Where stands her temple, at whose hundred shrines 
Garlands of myrtle and fresh roses breathe. 
And clouds of orient sweetness waft away. 

Meanwhile the wanderers swiftly journey on 
Along the clear-marked road, and soon they climb 

4ig-4S8] BOOK I 21 

The brow of a high hill, which close in view 
O'er-towers the city's crown. The vast exploit. 
Where lately rose but Afric cabins rude, 
^neas wondered at: the smooth, wide ways; 
The bastioned gates ; the uproar of the throng. 
The Tyrians toil unwearied ; some up-raise 
A wall or citadel, from far below 
Lifting the ponderous stone ; or with due care 
Choose where to build, and close the space around 
With sacred furrow ; in their gathering-place 
The people for just governors, just laws. 
And for their reverend senate shout acclaim. 
Some clear the harbor mouth ; some deeply lay 
The base of a great theatre, and carve out 
Proud columns from the mountain, to adorn 
Their rising stage with lofty ornament. 

So busy bees above a field of flowers 

In early sunmier amid sunbeams toil. 

Leading abroad their nation's youthful brood; 

Or with the flowing honey storing close 

The pliant cells, until they quite run o'er 

With nectared sweet ; while from the entering swarm 

They take their little loads ; or lined for war. 

Bout the dull drones, and chase them from the 

hive; 
Brisk is the task, and all the honeyed air 
Breathes odors of wild thyme. 

**How blest of Heaven, 
** These men that see their promised ramparts rise!" 
^neas sighed ; and swift his glances moved 

[43&-45g 

From tower to tower; then on his way he fared. 
Veiled in the wonder-cloud, whence all unseen 
Of hiiman eyes, — O strange the tale and true ! — 
He threaded the thronged streets, unmarked, un- 
known. 

Deep in the city's heart there was a grove 
Of beauteous shade, where once the Tyrians, 
Cast here by stonnful waves, delved out of earth 
That portent which Queen Judo bade them find,- 
The head of a proud horse, — that ages long 
Their boast might be wealth, luxury and war. 
Upon this spot Sidonian Dido raised 
A spacious fane to Juno, which became 
Splendid with gifts, and hallowed far and wide 
For potency divine. Its beams were bronze. 
And on loud hinges swung the bmzen doors. 
A rare, new sight this sacred grove did show, 
Which calmed Mneas' fears, and made him bold 
To hope for safety, and with lifted heart 
From his low-fallen fortunes re-aspire. 
For while he waits the advent of the Queen, 
He scans the mighty temple, and admires 
The city's opulent pride, and all the skill 
Its rival craftsmen in their work approve. 
Behold ! he sees old Ilium's well-fought fields 
In sequent picture, and those famous wars 
Now told upon men's lips the whole worid round. 
There Atreus' sons, there kingly Priam moved, 
And fierce Pelides pitiless to both, 
^neas paused, and, weeping, thus began: 

"Alas, Achates, what far region now, 

** What land in all the world knows not our pain ? 

**See, it is Priam! Virtue's wage is given — 

** O even here ! Here also there be tears 
For what men bear, and mortal creatures feel 
Each other's sorrow. Therefore, have no fear! 
This story of our loss forbodes us well.'* 

So saying, he received into his heart 
ThatVisionary scene, profoundly sighed. 
And let his plenteous tears unheeded flow. 
There he beheld the citadel of Troy 
Girt with embattled foes ; here, Greeks in flight 
Some Trojan onset 'scaped ; there, Phrygian bands 
Before tall-plumed Achilles' chariot sped. 
The snowy tents of Rhesus spread hard by 
(He sees them through his tears), where Diomed 
In night's first watch burst o'er them unawares 
With bloody havoc and a host of deaths ; 
Then drove his fiery coursers o'er the plain 
Before their thirst or hunger could be stayed 
On Trojan com or Xanthus' cooling stream. 
Here too was princely Troilus, despoiled. 
Routed and weaponless, O wretched boy! 
Si-matched against Achilles ! His wild steeds 
Bear him along, as from his chariot's rear 
He falls far back, but clutches still the rein ; 
His hair and shoulders on the ground go trailing. 
And his down-pointing spear-head scrawls the dust. 
Elsewhere, to Pallas' ever-hostile shrine, 
Daughters of Ilium, with unsnooded hair. 

24 THE ^NEID [480-500 

And lifting all in vain her hallowed pall. 
Walked suppliant and sad, beating their breasts» 
With outspread palms. But her unswerving eyes 
The goddess fixed on earth, and would not see. 
Achilles round the Trojan rampart thrice 
Had dragged the fallen Hector, and for gold 
Was making traffic of the lifeless clay, 
^neas groaned aloud, with bursting heart. 
To see the spoils, the car, the very corpse 
Of his lost friend, — while Priam for the dead 
Stretched forth in piteous prayer his helpless hands. 
There too his own presentment he could see 
Surrounded by Greek kings ; and there were shown 
Hordes from the East, and black-browed Memnon's 

arms; 
Her band of Amazons, with moon-shaped shields, 
Penthesilea led ; her martial eye 
Flamed on from troop to troop ; a belt of gold 
Beneath one bare, protruded breast she bound — 
A warrior-virgin braving mail-clad men. 

While on such spectacle ^Eneas' eyes 

Looked wondering, while mute and motionless 

He stood at gaze, Queen Dido to the shrine 

In lovely majesty drew near; a throng 

Of youthful followers pressed round her way. 

So by the margin of Eurotas wide 

Or o'er the Cynthian steep, Diana leads 

Her bright processional ; hither and yon 

Are visionary legions numberless 

Of Oreads ; the regnant goddess bears 

A quiver on her shoulders, and is seen 

Emerging tallest of her beauteous train; 

While joy unutterable thrills the breast 

Of fond Latona : Dido not less fair 

Amid her subjects passed, and not less bright 

Her glow of gracious joy, while she approved 

Her future kingdom's pomp and vast emprise. 

Then at the sacred portal and beneath 

The temple's vaulted dome she took her place. 

Encompassed by armed men, and lifted high 

Upon a throne ; her statutes and decrees 

The people heard, and took what lot or toil 

Her sentence, or impartial urn, assigned. 

But, lo ! ^neas sees among the throng 

Antheus, Seigestus, and Cloanthus bold. 

With other Teucrians, whom the black storm flung 

Far o'er the deep and drove on alien shores. 

Struck dumb was he, and good Achates too. 

Half gladness and half fear. Fain would they fly 

To friendship's fond embrace ; but knowing not 

What might befall, their hearts felt doubt and care. 

Therefore they kept the secret, and remained 

Forth-peering from the hollow veil of cloud. 

Haply to learn what their friends' fate might be. 

Or where the fleet was landed, or what aim 

Had brought them hither; for a chosen few 

From every ship had come to su^ for grace. 

And all the temple with their voices rang. 

The doors swung wide ; and after access given 

And leave to speak, revered Ilioneus 

W^th soul serene these lowly words essayed : 

[JW2-aH 

" O Queen, who hast authority of Jove 

"To found this rising city, and subdue 

"With righteous governance its people proud, 

"We wretched Trojans, blown from sea to sea, 

"Beseech thy mercy; keep the curse of fire 

"From our poor ships! We pray thee, do no wronj 

"Unto a guiltless race. But heed our plea! 

"No Libyan hearth shah suffer by our sword, 

"Nor spoil and plunder to our ships be borne; 

"Such haughty violence fits not the souls 

"Of vanquished men. We journey to a land 

"Named, in Greek syllables, Hesperia: 

"A storied realm, made mighty by great wars 

"And wealth of fruitful glebe; in former days 

" (Enotrians had it, and their sons, 't is stud, 

"Have called it Italy, a chieftain's name 

"To a whole region given. Thitherward 

"Our ships did fare; but with swift-rising flood 

"The stormful season of Orion's star 

"Drove us on viewless shoals; and angry gales 

"Dispersed us, smitten by the tumbling surge, 

"Among innavigable rocks. Behold, 

"We few swam hither, waifs upon your shore! 

"What race of mortals this? What barbarous land, J 

"That with inhospitable laws ye thrust 

"A stranger from your coasts, and fly to arms, 

"Nor grant mere foothold on your kingdom's boui 

"If man thou scornest and all mortal power, 

"Forget not that the gods watch good and ill! 

"A king we had, ^neas, — never man 

"In all the world more loyal, just and true, 

^Nor mightier in arms! If Heaven decree 
^His present safety, if he now do breathe 
''The air of earth and is not buried low 
''Among the dreadful shades, then fear not thou! 
"For thou wilt never rue that thou wert prompt 
"To do us the first kindness. O'er the sea 
In the Sicilian land, are cities proud. 
With martial power, and great Acestes there 
Is of our Trojan kin. So grant us here 
To beach our shattered ships along thy shore. 
And from thy forest bring us beam and spar 
To mend our broken oars. Then, if perchance 
We find once more our comrades and our king. 
And forth to Italy once more set sail. 
To Italy, our Latin hearth and home. 
We will rejoicing go. But if our weal 
Is clean gone by, and thee, blest chief and sire, 
These Libyan waters keep, and if no more 
lulus bids us hope, — then, at the least. 
To yon Sicilian seas, to friendly lands 
"Whence hither drifting with the winds we came, 
"Let us retrace the journey and rejoin 
" Gkxxl King Acestes.'* 

So Ilioneus 
Ended his pleading; the Dardanidae 
Murmured assent. 

Then Dido, briefly and with downcast eyes. 
Her answer made: "O Teucrians, have no fear! 
" Bid care begone ! It was necessity, 
"And my young kingdom's weakness, which compelled 
The policy of force, and made me keep 

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THE iENEID 

[505-584 

Such vigilant sentry my wide coast along. 
iEneas and his people, that fair town 
Of Troy — who knows them not? The whole world 
knows 

* Those valorous chiefs and huge, far-flaming wars. 
^ Our Punic hearts are not of substance all 

* Insensible and dull : the god of day 

* Drives not his fire-breathing steeds so far 
*From this our Tjoian town. If ye would go 
*To great Hesperia, where Saturn reigned, 

* Or if voluptuous Eryx and the throne 

* Of good Acestes be your journey's end, 

* I send you safe ; I speed you on your way. 

* But if in these my realms ye will abide, 

* Associates of my power, behold, I build 

* This city for your own ! Choose haven here 

* For your good ships. Beneath my royal sway 
'Trojan and Tyrian equal grace will find. 

* But O, that this same storm had brought your King» 
'iEneas, hither! I will bid explore 

*Our Libya's utmost bound, where haply he 

* In wilderness or hamlet wanders lost." 

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By these fair words to joy profoundly stirred. 
Father iEneas and Achates brave 
To cast aside the cloud that wrapped them round 
Yearned greatly; and Achates to his King 
Spoke thus : " O goddess-bom, in thy wise heart 
What purpose rises now ? Lo ! All is well ! 
Thy fleet and followers are safe at land. 
One only comes not, who before our eyes 

i 

585-^04] BOOK I 29 

''Sank in the soundless sea. All else fulfils 

"Thy mother's prophecy." 

Scarce had he spoke 
When suddenly that overmantling cloud 
Was cloven, and dissolved in lucent air; 
Forth stood iEneas. A clear sunbeam smote 
His god-like head and shoulders. Venus' son 
Of his own heavenly mother now received 
Youth's glowing rose, an eye of joyful fire. 
And tresses clustering fair. 'Tis even so 
The cunning craftsman unto ivory gives 
New beauty, or with circlet of bright gold 
Encloses silver or the Parian stone. 

Thus of the Queen he sued, while wonderment 
Fell on all hearts. " Behold the man ye seek. 
For I am here! iEneas, Trojan-bom, 
Brought safely hither from yon Libyan seas! 

thou who first hast looked with pitying eye 
On Troy's unutterable grief, who even to us 
(Escaped our Grecian victor, and outworn 
By all the perils land and ocean know). 
To us, bereft and ruined, dost extend 
Such welcome to thy kingdom and thy home! 

1 have no power. Dido, to give thanks 
To match thine ample grace ; nor is there power 
In any remnant of our Dardan blood, 

**Now fled in exile o'er the whole wide world. 
May gods on high (if influence divine 
Bless faithful lives, or recompense be found 
In justice and thy self-approving mind) 

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[60S-a2S 

"Give thee thy guerdon due. What age was blest 
"By such a birth as thine ? What parents proud 
"Such offspring bore? O, while the rivers run 
"To mingle with the sea, while shadows pass 
"Along yon rounded hills from vale to vale, 
"And while from heaven's unextinguished fire 
"The stars be fed — so long thy glorious name, 
"Thy place illustrious and thy virtue's praise, 
"Abide undimmed. — Yet I myself must go 
"To lands I know not where." 

After this word 
His right hand clasped his loved Hioneus, 
His left Serestus; then the comrades all. 
Brave Gyaa, brave Cloanthus, and their peers. 
Sidontan Dido felt her heart stand sttll 
When first she looked on him ; and thrilled again 
To hear what vast adventure had befallen 
So great a hero. Thus she welcomed him : 
"What chance, O goddess-born, o'er danger's path 
"Impeb? What power to this wild coast has borne ^ 
"Art thou jEneas, great Anchises' son, 
"Whom lovely Venus by the Phrygian stream 
"Of Simois brought forth unto the day? 
"Now I bethink me of when Teucer came 
"To Sidon, exiled, and of Belus' power 
"Desired a second throne. For Belus then, 
"Our worshipped sire, despoiled the teeming lac 
"Of Cyprus, as its conqueror and king. 
"And since that hour I oft have heard the tale 
" Of fallen Troy, of thine own noble name, 
"And of Achaean kings. Teucer was wont. 

(»5-644] BOOK I 81 

** Although their foe, to praise the Teucrian race, 
**And boasted him of that proud lineage sprung. 
" Therefore, behold, our portals are swung wide 
"For all your company. I also bote 
'*Baid fate like thine. I too was driven of storms 
"And after long toil was allowed at last 
"To call this land my home. O, I am wise 
"In sorrow, and I help all suffering souls!" 

So saying, she bade iEneas welcome take 
Beneath her royal roof, and to the gods 
Made sacrifice in temples, while she sent 
Unto the thankful Trojans on the shore 
A score of bulls, and of huge, bristling swine, 
A herd of a whole hundred, and a flock 
Of goodly lambs, a hundred, who ran close 
Beside the mother-ewes : and all were given 
In joyful feast to please the Heavenly Powers. 

Her palace showed a monarch's fair array 
All glittering and proud, and feasts were spread 
Within the ample court. Rich broideries 
Hung deep incarnadined with Tyrian skill ; 
The board had massy silver, gold-embossed. 
Where gleamed the mighty deeds of all her sires» 
A graven chronicle of peace and war 
Prolonged, since first her ancient line began. 
From royal sire to son. 

iSneas now 
(For love in his paternal heart spoke loud 
And gave no rest) bade swift Achates run 

[645-6Sa 

To tell Ascaoius all, and from the ship 

To guide him upward to the town, — for now 

The father's whole heart for Ascanius yearned. 

And gifts he bade them bring, which had been saved 

In Ilium's fall : a richly broidered cloak 

Heavy with golden emblems; and a veil 

By leaves of saffron lilies bordered round. 

Which Argive Helen o'er her beauty threw. 

Her mother Leda's gift most wonderful. 

And which to Troy she bore, when flying far 

In lawless wedlock from Mycenie's towers; 

A sceptre, too, once fair Ilione's, 

Eldest of Priam's daughters ; and round pearls 

Strung in a necklace, and a double crown 

Of jewels set in gold. These gifts to find. 

Achates to the tall ships sped away. 

But Cytherca in her heart revolved 
New wiles, new schemes : how Cupid should transform 
His countenance, and, coming in the guise 
Of sweet Ascanius, still more inflame 
The amorous Queen with gifts, and dee^lyjjjae < 
Thro ugh a ll her jielding frame his fatal fire. 
Sooth, Wfilis- feared the many-la ngu aged guile 
WTiich Tyrians use ; fierce Juno's hate she feare 
And falling night renewed her sleepless care. 
Therefore to Love, the light-winged god, she s 
"Sweet son, of whom my sovereignty and power 
" Alone are given ! O son, whose smile may s 
"The shafts of Jove whereby the Titans fell, 
" To thee I fly, and humbly here implore 

BOOK I 

"Thy help divine. Behold, from land to land 
"jEneas, thine own brother, voyages on 
"Stonn-driven, by Juno's causeless enmity. 
"Thou knowest it well, and oft hast sighed to see 
"My sighs and tears. Dido the Tynan now 
"' Detains him with soft speeches ; and I fear 
"Such courtesy from Juno means us ill; 
"She is not one who, when the hour is ripe, 
" Bids action pause. I therefore now intend 
" Tilw> TlSBjn Queen to snare, and siege her breast 
" ^^ifih our invading fire, before some god 
"Shall change her mood. But let her bosom bum 
""With love of my ^neas not less than mine, 
"This thou canst bring to pass. I pray thee hear 
"The plan I counsel. At his father's call 
"Ascanius, heir of kings, makes haste to climb 
" To yon Sidonian citadel ; my grace 
"Protects him, and he bears gifts which were saved 
*' From hazard of the sea and burning Troy. 
" Him lapped in slumber on Cythera's hill, 
" Or in Idalia's deep and hallowing shade, 
" Myself will hide, lest haply he should learn 
"Our stratagem, and burst in, foiling all, 
"Wear thou his shape for one brief night thyself, 
"And let thy boyhood feign another boy's 
"Familiar countenance; when Dido there, 
" Beside the royal feast and flowing wine, 
" AH smiles and joy, shall clasp thee to her breast, 
" While fihe caresses thee, and her sweet lips 
"Touch close with Ihine, then let thy secret fire 
"Byeatbe o'er her heart, to poison and betray." 

S4 THE iENEID [68^m 

The love-god to his mother's dear behest 

Gave prompt assent. He put his pinions by 

And tripped it like lulus, light of heart. 

But Venus o'er Ascanius' body poured 

A perfect sleep, and, to her heavenly breast 

Enfolding him, far, far away upbore 

To fair Idalia's grove, where fragrant buds 

Of softly-petalled marjoram embower 

In pleasurable shade. Cupid straightway 

Obeyed his mother's word and bore the gifts» 

Each worthy of a king, as oflFerings 

To greet the Tyrian throne ; and as he went 

He clasped Achates' friendly hand, and smiled. 

Father uEneas now, and all his band 

Of Trojan chivalry, at social feast. 

On lofty purple-pillowed couches lie; 

Deft slaves fresh water on their fingers pour» 

And from reed-woven basketry renew 

The plenteous bread, or bring smooth napery 

Of softest weave ; fifty handmaidens serve. 

Whose task it is to range in order fair 

The varied banquet, or at altars bright 

Throw balm and incense on the sacred fires. 

A hundred more serve with an equal band 

Of beauteous pages, whose obedient skill 

Piles high the generous board and fills the bowl. 

The Tyrians also to the festal hall 

Come thronging, and receive their honor due. 

Each on his painted couch ; with wondering eyes 

-Eneas' gifts they view, and wondering more. 

710-7S1] BOOK I 95^ 

Mark young lulus' radiant brows divine. 
His guileful words, the golden pall he bears» 
And broidered veil with saffron lilies bound. 
The Tyrian Queen ill-starred, already doomed 
1?)lier approaching woe, scanned ardently^ "^ 
With kindling cheek and never-sated eyes. 
The precious gifts and wonder-gifted boy. 

He round iEneas' neck his arms entwined. 

Fed the deep yearning of his seeming sire. 

Then sought the Queen's embrace ; her eyes, her soul 

Clave to him as she strained him to her breast. 

For Dido knew not in that fateful hour 

How great a god betrayed her. He began, 

Remembering his mother (she who bore 

The lovely Acidalian Graces three). 

To make the dear name of Sichseus fade. 

And with new life, new love, to re-possess 

Her loBg-since slumbering bosom's lost desire. /' 

When the main feast is over, they replace 
The banquet with huge bowls, and crown the wine 
With ivy-leaf and rose. Loud rings the roof 
With echoing vqjces ; from the gilded vault 
Far-blazing cressets swing, or torches bright 
Drive the dark night away. The Queen herself 
Called for her golden chalice studded round 
With jewds, and o'er-brimming it with wine 
As Belus and his proud successors use, 
Conmoanded silence, and this utterance made : 
** Great Jove, of whom are hospitable laws 

36 THE iENEID [7S1-7S0 

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For stranger-guest, may this auspicious day 
Bless both our Tynans and the wanderers 
From Trojan shore. May our posterity 
Keep this remembrance ! Let kind Juno smile» 
And Bacchus, lord of mirth, attend us here ! 
And, O ye Tyrians, come one and all. 
And with well-omened words our welcome share!" 
So saying, she outpoured the sacred drop 
Due to the gods, and lightly from the rim 
Sipped the first taste, then unto Bitias gave 
With urgent cheer ; he seized it, nothing loth, 
Quaffed deep and long the foaming, golden bowl» 
Then passed to others. 

On a gilded Ijrre 
The flowing-haired lopas woke a song 
Taught him by famous Atlas : of the moon 
He sang, the wanderer, and what the sun's 
Vast labors be ; then would his music tell 
Whence man and beast were bom, and whence were 

bred 
Clouds, lightnings, and Arcturus' stormful sign» 
The Hyades, rain-stars, and nigh the Pole 
The great and lesser Wain ; for well he knew 
Why colder suns make haste to quench their orb 
In ocean-stream, and wintry nights be slow. 
Loudly the Tyrians their minstrel praised. 
And Troy gave prompt applause. 

Dido the while 
With varying talk prolonged the fateful night. 
And drank both long and deep of love and wine. 
Now many a tale of Priam would she crave. 

7fi0-756] BOOK I 87 

Of Hector many; or what radiant arms 
Aurora's son did wear; what were those steeds 
Of Diomed, or what the stature seemed 
Of great Achilles. ■* Come, illustrious guest» 
" Begin the tale/' she said, '' begin and tell 
"The perfidy of Greece, thy people's fall, 
"And all thy wanderings. For now, — Ah, me! 
"Seven times the summer's burning stars have seen 
"Thee wandering far o'er aUen lands and seas."

A 

GENERAL silence fell; and all gave ear» 
While, from his lofty station at the feast^ 
Father ^neas with these words b^an : — 

A grief unspeakable thy gracious word» 

sovereign lady, bids my heart live o'er : 
How Asia's glory and afficted throne 

The Greek flung down ; which woeful scene I saw. 

And bore great part in each event I tell. 

But O ! in telling, what Dolopian churl. 

Or Mjrrmidon, or gory follower 

Of grim Ulysses could the tears restrain ? 

'T is evening ; lo ! the dews of night begin 

To fall from heaven, and yonder sinking stars 

Invite to slumber. But if thy heart yearn 

To hear in brief of all our evil days 

And Troy's last throes, although the memory 

Makes my soul shudder and recoil in pain, 

1 will essay it. 

Wearied of the war. 
And by ill-fortune crushed, year after year. 
The kings of Greece, by Pallas' skill divine. 
Build a huge horse, a thing of mountain size. 
With timbered ribs of fir. They falsely say 
It has been vowed to Heaven for safe return, 
. And spread this lie abroad. Then they conceal 

Choice bands of warriors in the deep, dark side» 
And fill the caverns of that monstrous womb 
With arms and soldiery. In sight of Troy 
Lies Tenedos, an island widely famed 
And opulent, ere Priam's kingdom fell, 
But a poor haven now, with anchorage 
Not half secure ; 't was thitherward they sailed. 
And lurked unseen by that abandoned shore. 
"We deemed them launched away and sailing far. 
Bound homeward for Mycenae. Teucria then 
Threw off her grief inveterate ; all her gates 
Swung wide ; exultant went we forth, and saw 
The Dorian camp untenanted, the siege 
Abandoned, and the shore without a keel. 
"Here!" cried we, "the Dolopian pitched; the host 
" Of fierce Achilles here ; here lay the fleet ; 
** And here the battling lines to conflict ran." 
Others, all wonder, scan the gift of doom 
By virgin Pallas given, and view with awe 
That horse which loomed so large. Thymoetes then 
Bade lead it through the gates, and set on high 
Within our citadel, — or traitor he. 
Or tool of fate in Troy's predestined fall. 
But Capys, as did all of wiser heart. 
Bade hurl into the sea the false Greek gift. 
Or underneath it thrust a kindling flame. 
Or pierce the hollow ambush of its womb 
With probing spear. Yet did the multitude 
Veer round from voice to voice and doubt of all. 
Then from the citadel, conspicuous, 
Laocoony with all his following choir. 

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40 THE ^NEID [41-6« 

Hurried indignant down ; and from afar 
Thus hailed the people : " O unhappy men ! 

" What madness this ? Who deems our f oemen fled ? 
Think ye the gifts of Greece can lack for guile ? 
Have ye not known Ulysses ? The Achaean 
Hides, caged in yonder beams ; or this is reared 
For engin'ry on our proud battlements^ 
To spy upon our roof-tops, or descend 
In ruin on the city. 'T is a snare. 
Trust not this horse, O Troy, whatever it bode ! 

"I fear the Greeks, though gift on gift they bear/* 

So saying, he whirled with ponderous javelin 

A sturdy stroke straight at the rounded side 

Of the great, jointed beast. A tremor struck 

Its towering form, and through the cavernous womb 

Rolled loud, reverberate rumbling, deep and long. 

If heaven's decree, if our own wills, that hour. 

Had not been fixed on woe, his spear had brought 

A bloody slaughter on our ambushed foe. 

And Troy were standing on the earth this day ! 

O Priam's towers, ye were unf alien still! 

But, lo ! with hands fast bound behind, a youth 
By clamorous Dardan shepherds haled along. 
Was brought before our King, — to this sole end 
A self-surrendered captive, that he might. 
Although a nameless stranger, cunningly 
Deliver to the Greek the gates of Troy. 
His firm-set mind fiinched not from either goal» — 
Success in crime, or on swift death to fall. 

(»-^] BOOK n 41 

The thronging Trojan youth made haste his way 
From every side, all eager to see close 
Their captive's face» and flout with emulous scorn. 
Hear now what Greek deception is, and learn 
From one dark wickedness the whole. For he» 
A mark for every eye, defenceless, dazed, 
Stood staring at our Phrygian hosts, and cried : 
**Woe worth the day! What ocean or what shore 
"Will have me now? What desperate path remains 
**For miserable me.^ Now have I lost 
**A11 foothold with the Greeks, and o'er my head 
** Troy's furious sons call bloody vengeance down." 
Such groans and anguish turned all rage away 
And stayed our lifted hands. We bade him tell 
His birth, his errand, and from whence might be 
Such hope of mercy for a foe in chains. 
Then fearing us no more, this speech he dared : 
"O King! I will confess, whate'er befall, 
**The whole unvarnished truth. I will not hide 
**My Grecian birth. Yea, thus will I begin. 
**For Fortune has brought wretched Sinon low; 
**But never shall her cruelty impair 
'*EGs honor and his truth. Perchance the name 
" Of Palamedes, Belus' glorious son, 
^Hjbls come by rumor to your listening ears; 
** Whom by false witness and conspiracy, 
"Because his counsel was not for this war, 
"The Greeks condemned, though guiltless, to his death, 
"And now make much lament for him they slew. 
" I, his companion, of his kith and kin, 
"Sent hither by my hiunble sire's command, 

42 THE iENEID [87-108 

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Followed his arms and fortunes from my youdi. 
Long as his throne endured, and while he throve 
In conclave with his kingly peers, we twain 
Some name and lustre bore; but afterward. 
Because that cheat Ulysses envied him 
(Ye know the deed), he from this world withdrew. 
And I in gloom and tribulation sore 
Lived miserably on, lamenting loud 
** My lost friend's blameless fall. A fool was I 
" That kept not these lips closed ; but I had vowed 
"That if a conqueror home to Greece I came, 
I would avenge. Such words moved wrath, and were 
The first shock of my ruin ; from that hour, 
Ulysses whispered slander and alarm; 
** Breathed doubt and malice into all men's ears. 
And darkly plotted how to strike his blow. 
Nor rest had he, till Calchas, as his tool, — 
But why unfold this useless, cruel story? 

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**Why make delay? Ye count all sons of Greece 
"Arrayed as one; and to have heard thus far 

Suffices you. Take now your ripe revenge ! 
Ulysses smiles and Atreus' royal sons 
" With liberal price your deed of blood repay." 

We ply him then with passionate appeal 

And question all his cause : of guilt so dire 

Or such Greek guile we harbored not the thought. 

So on he prates, with well-feigned grief and fear. 

And from his lying heart thus told his tale : 

Full oft the Greeks had fain achieved their flight. 

And raised the Trojan siege, and sailed away 

it 

10&-128] BOOK II 48 

** War- wearied quite. O, would it had been sol 
Full oft the wintry tumult of the seas 
Did wall them round, and many a swollen storm 
Their embarcation stayed. But chiefly when, 
An fitly built of beams of maple fair. 
This horse stood forth, — what thunders filled the 

skies! 
With anxious fears we sent Euiypylus 
To ask Apollo's word; and from the shrine 
He brings the sorrowful commandment home : 

* By flowing blood and by a virgin slain 
The wild winds were appeased, when first ye came. 
Ye sons of Greece, to Ilium's distant shore. 

* Through blood ye must return. Let some Greek life 
Your expiation be.' 

The popular ear 
The saying caught, all spirits were dimmed o'er; 
Cold doubt and horror through each bosom ran. 
Asking what fate would do, and on what wretch 
Apollo's choice would fall. Ulysses, then. 
Amid the people's tumult and acclaim. 
Thrust Calchas forth, some prophecy to tell 
To all the throng : he asked him o'er and o'er 
What Heaven desired. Already not a few 
Foretold the murderous plot, and silently 
Watched the dark doom upon my life impend. 
Twice five long days the seer his lips did seal, 
And hid himself, refusing to bring forth 
His word of guile, and name what wretch should die. 
At last, reluctant, and all loudly urged 
By false Ulysses, he fulfils their plot. 

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"And, lifting up his voice oracular, 

"Points out myself the victim to be slain. 

" Nor did one voice oppose. The mortal stroke 

"Horribly hanging o'er each coward head 

"Was changed to one man's ruin, and their heaf 

"Endured it well. Soon rose th' accursed mom; 

"The bloody ritual was ready, salt 

"Was sprinkled on the sacred loaf; my brows 

"Were bound with fillets for the offering. 

"But I escaped that death — yea! I deny not! 

"I cast my fetters off, and darkling lay 

" Concealed all night in lake-side sedge and mire, 

"Awaiting their departure, if perchance 

"They should in truth set sail. But nevermore 

"Shall my dear, native country greet these eyes. 

"No more my father or my tender babes 

"Shall I behold. Nay, haply their own lives 

"Are forfeit, when my foemen take revenge 

"For my escape, and slay those helpless ones, 

"In expiation of my guilty deed, 

" O, by yon powers in heaven which witness truth* 

" By aught in this dark world remaining now 

"Of spotless human faith and innocence, 

"I do implore thee look with pitying eye 

" On these long sufferings my heart hath borne. 

"O, pityl I deserve not what I bear." 

Pity and pardon to ius tears we gave. 
And spared his life. King Priam bade unbind 
The fettered hands and loose those heavy chains 
That pressed him sore; then with benignant mien 

J 

Addressed him thus: "Whate'er thy place or name» 
"Forget the people thou hast lost, and be 
"Henceforth our countryman. But tell me true! 
"What means the monstrous fabric of this horse? 
Who made it ? Why ? What oflFering to Heaven, 
Or engin'ry of conquest may it be ? " 
He spake ; and in reply, with skilful guile, 
Greek that he was ! the other lifted up 
His hands, now freed and chainless, to the skies: 

ever-burning and inviolate fires, 
"Witness my word! O altars and sharp steel. 

Whose curse I fled, O fillets of the gods, 
Which bound a victim's helpless forehead, hear! 
Tis lawful now to break the oath that gave 
My troth to Greece. To execrate her kings 
Is now my solemn duty. Their whole plot 

1 publish to the world. No fatherland 
And no allegiance binds me any more. 
O Troy, whom I have saved, I bid thee keep 
The pledge of safety by good Priam given. 
For my true tale shall my rich ransom be. 

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The Greeks' one hope, since first they opened war. 

Was Pallas' grace and power. But from the day 

When Diomed, bold scomer of the gods. 

And false Ulysses, author of all guile. 

Rose up and violently bore away 

Palladium, her holy shrine, hewed down 

The sentinels of her acropolis. 

And with polluted, gory hands dared touch 

The goddess' virgin fillets, white and pure, — 

46 THE ^NEID [16d-100 

"Theuceforth, I say, the courage of the Greeks 
Ebbed utterly away ; their strength was lost. 
And favoring Pallas all her grace withdrew. 
No dubious sign she gave. Scarce had they set 
Her statue in our camp, when glittering flame 
** Flashed from the staring eyes; from all its limbs 
"Salt sweat ran forth; three times (O wondrous tale!) 
" It gave a sudden skyward leap, and made 
Prodigious trembling of her lance and shield. 
The prophet Calchas bade us straightway take 
Swift flight across the sea ; for fate had willed 
The Trojan citadel should never fall 
By Grecian arm, till once more they obtain 
"New oracles at Argos, and restore 
That god the round ships hurried o'er the sea. 
Now in Mycenae, whither they are fled. 
New help of heaven they find, and forge anew 
"The means of war. Back hither o'er the waves 
"They suddenly will come. So Calchas gave 
"The meaning of the god. Warned thus, they reared 
In place of Pallas' desecrated shrine 
Yon image of the horse, to expiate 
"The woeful sacrilege. Calchas ordained 
" That they should build a thin^ of monstrous size 
"Of jointed beams, and rear it heavenward, 
"So might it never pass your gates, nor come 
"Inside your walls, nor anywise restore 
"Unto the Trojans their lost help divine. 
" For had your hands Minerva's gift profaned, 
" A ruin horrible — O, may the gods 
" Bring it on Calchas rather ! — would have come 

« 

On Priam's throne and all the Phrygian power. 
But if your hands should lift the holy thing 
To your own citadel, then Asia's host 
Would hurl aggression upon Pelops' land, 
** And all that curse on our own nation fall." 

Thus Sinon's guile and practised perjury 

Our doubt dispelled. His stratagems and tears 

Wrought victory where neither Tydeus' son. 

Nor mountain-bred Achilles could prevail. 

Nor ten years' war, nor fleets a thousand strong. 

But now a vaster spectacle of fear 

Burst over us, to vex our startled soub. 

Laocoon, that day by cast of lot 

Priest unto Neptune, was in act to slay 

A huge bull at the god's appointed fane. 

Lo ! o'er the tranquil deep from Tenedos 

Appeared a pair (I shudder as I tell) 

Of vastly coiling serpents, side by side. 

Stretching along the waves, and to the shore 

Taking swift course; their necks were lifted high. 

Their gory dragon-crests o'ertopped the waves ; 

All else, half seen, trailed low along the sea; 

While with loud cleavage of the foaming brine 

Their monstrous backs wound forward fold on fold. 

Soon they made land ; the furious bright eyes 

Glowed with ensanguined fire ; their quivering tongues 

Lapped hungrily the hissing, gruesome jaws. 

All terror-pale we fled. Unswerving then 

The monsters to Laocoon made way. 

First round the tender limbs of his two sons 

48 THE iENEID «14-«87] 

Each dragon coiled, and on the shrinking flesh 

Fixed fast and fed. Then seized they on the sire. 

Who flew to aid, a javelin in his hand, 

Embracing close in bondage serpentine 

Twice round the waist ; and twice in scaly grasp 

Around his neck, and o'er him grimly peered 

With lifted head and crest ; he, all the while. 

His holy fillet fouled with venomous blood. 

Tore at his fetters with a desperate hand, 

And lifted up such agonizing voice. 

As when a bull, death-wounded, seeks to flee 

The sacrificial altar, and thrusts back 

From his doomed head the ill-aimed, glancing blade. 

Then swiftly writhed the dragon-pair away 

Unto the templed height, and in the shrine 

Of cruel Pallas sure asylum found 

Beneath the goddess' feet and orbed shield. 

Such trembling horror as we ne'er had known 
Seized now on every heart. " Of his vast guilt 
Laocoon," they say, " receives reward ; 
For he with most abominable spear 
Did strike and violate that blessed wood. 
Yon statue to the temple ! Ask the grace 
Of glorious Pallas!" So the people cried 
In general acclaim. Ourselves did make 
A breach within our walls and opened wide 
The ramparts of our city. One and all 
Were girded for the task. Smooth-gliding wheels 
Were 'neath its feet ; great ropes stretched round its 
neck. 

Si 

TiU o'er our walls the fatal engine climbed. 

Pregnant with men-at-anns. On every side 

Fair youths and maidens made a festal song. 

And hauled the ropes with merry heart and gay. 

So on and up it rolled, a tower of doom, 

And in proud menace through our Forum moved. 

O Ilium, my country, where abode 

The gods of all my sires ! O glorious walls 

Of Dardan's sons ! before your gates it passed. 

Four times it stopped and dreadful clash of arms 

Four times from its vast concave loudly rang. 

Yet frantic pressed we on, our hearts all blind. 

And in the consecrated citadel 

Set up the hateful thing. Cassandra then 

From heaven-instructed heart our doom foretold; 

But doomed to unbelief were Ilium's sons. 

Our hapless nation on its dying day 

Flung free o'er streets and shrines the votive flowers. 

The skies rolled on ; and o'er the ocean fell 
The veil of night, till utmost earth and heaven 
And all their Myrmidonian stratagems 
Were mantled darkly o'er. In silent sleep 
The Trojan city lay; dull slumber chained 
Its weary life. But now the Greek array 
Of ordered ships moved on from Tenedos, 
Their only light the silent, favoring moon. 
On to the well-known strand. The King displayed 
A torch from his own ship, and Sinon then. 
Whom wrathful Heaven defended in that hour. 
Let the imprisoned band of Greeks go free 

50 THE /ENEID [258-881 

From that huge womb of wood; the open horse 
Restored them to the light ; and joyfully 
Emerging from the darkness, one by one. 
Princely Thessander, Sthenelus. and dire 
Ulyaaes glided down the swinging cord. 
Closely upon them Neoptolemus, 
The son of Peleus, came, and Acamas, 
King Menelaus, Thoas and Machaon, I 

And last, Epeiis, who the fabric wrought. 
Upon the town they fell, for deep in sleep 
And drowaed with wine it lay; the sentinels 
They slaughtered, and through gates now openi 

wide 
Let in their fellowa, and arrayed for war 
Th' auxiliar legions of the dark design. 

That hour it was when heaven's first gift of slet 
On weary hearts of men most sweetly steals. 
O, then my slumbering senses seemed to see 
Hector, with woeful face and streaming eyes; 
I seemed to see him from the chariot trailing. 
Foul with dark dust and gore, his swollen feet 
Pierced with a cruel thong. Ah me ! what change I 
From glorious Hector when he homeward bore 
The spoils of fierce Achilles ; or huried far 
That shower of torches on the ships of Greece I 
Unkempt his beard, his tresses thick with blood, 
And all those wounds in sight which he did take 
Defending Troy. Then, weeping as I spoke, 
I seemed on that heroic shape to call 
With mournful utterance : " O star c 

as i spoJ£e, ^H 

call ^1 

"O surest hope and stay of all her sons! 
"Why tarriest thou so long? What region sends 
"The long-expected Hector home once more? 
"These weary eyes that look on thee have seen 
"Hosts of thy kindred die, and fateful change 
"Upon thy people and thy city fall. 
"O, say what dire occasion has defiled 
"Thy tranquil brows? What mean those bleeding 
wounds?" 

Silent he stood, nor anywise would stay 
My vain lament ; but groaned, and answered thus : 
"Haste, goddess-born, and out of yonder flames 
"Achieve thy flight. Our foes have scaled the wall; 
"Exalted Troy is falling. Fatherland 
"And Priam ask no more. If human arm 
" Could profit Troy, my own had kept her free. 
"Her Lares and her people to thy hands 
"Troy here commends. Companions let them be 
" Of all thy fortunes. Let them share thy quest 
" Of that wide realm, which, after wandering far, 
" Thou shalt achieve, at last, beyond the sea." 
He spoke: and from our holy hearth brought forth 
The solemn fillet, the ancestral shrines, 
And Vesta's ever-bright, inviolate fire. 

Now shrieks and loud confusion swept the town ; 
And though my father's dwelling stood apart 
Embowered deep in trees, th' increasing din 
Drew nearer, and the battle-thunder swelled. 
I woke on sudden, and up-starting scaled 

52 THE iENEID [S03-S24 

The roof, the tower, then stood with listening ear: 
*T was like an harvest burning, when wild winds ' 
Uprouse the flames ; 't was like a mountain stream 
That bursts in flood and ruinously whelms 
Sweet fields and farms and all the ploughman's toil, 
Whirling whole groves along; while dumb with fear, 
From some far cliflF the shepherd hears the sound. 
Now their Greek plot was plain, the stratagem 
At last laid bare. Deiphobus' great house 
Sank vanquished in the fire. Uealegon's 
Hard by was blazing, while the waters wide 
Around Sigeum gave an answering glow. 
Shrill trumpets rang; loud shouting voices roared; 
Wildly I armed me (when the battle calls. 
How dimly reason shines !) ; I burned to join 
The rally of my peers, and to the heights 
Defensive gather. Frenzy and vast rage 
Seized on my soul. I only sought what way 
With sword in hand some noble death to die. 

When Panthus met me, who had scarce escaped 

The Grecian spears, — Panthus of Othrys* line, 

Apollo's priest within our citadel ; 

His holy emblems, his defeated gods. 

And his small grandson in his arms he bore. 

While toward the gates with wild, swift steps he flew. 

How fares the kingdom, Panthus? What strong 

place 
Is still our own?" But scarcely could I ask 
When thus, with many a groan, he made reply : — 
** Dardania's death and doom are come to-day. 

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824r-349] BOOK II 53 

** Implacable. There is no Ilium now; 
"Our Trojan name is gone, the Teucrian throne 
"Quite fallen. For the wrathful power of Jove 
"Has given to Argos all our boast and pride. 
**The Greek is lord of all yon blazing towers. 
"Yon horse uplifted on our city's heart 
Disgorges men-at-arms. False Sinon now. 
With scorn exultant, heaps up flame on flame. 
" Others throw wide the gates. The whole vast horde 
"That out of proud Mycenae hither sailed 
Is at us. With confronting spears they throng 
Each narrow passage. Every steel-bright blade 
"Is flashing naked, making haste for blood. 
" Our sentries helpless meet the invading shock 
"And give back blind and unavailing war." 

By Panthus' word and by some god impelled, 
I flew to battle, where the flames leaped high. 
Where grim Bellona called, and all the air 
Resounded high as heaven with shouts of war. 
Rhipeus and Epytus of doughty arm 
Were at my side, Dymas and Hypanis, 
Seen by a pale moon, join our little band; 
And young Coroebus, Mygdon's princely son. 
Who was in Troy that hour because he loved 
Cassandra madly, and had made a league 
As Priam's kinsman with our Phrygian arms : 
Ill-starred, to heed not what the virgin raved ! 
When these I saw close-gathered for the fight, 
I thus addressed them: "Warriors, vainly brave, 
^If ye indeed desire to follow one 

54 THE ^NEID [S4i»-871 

** Who dares the uttermost brave men may do, 
" Our evil plight ye see : the gods are fled 
" From every altar and protecting fire, 
** Which were the kingdom's stay. Ye offer aid 
*'Unto your country's ashes. Let us fight 
'*Unto the death! To arms, my men, to arms! 
"The single hope and stay of desperate men 
" Is their despair." Thus did I rouse their 30uls. 
Then like the ravening wolves, some night of cloud, 
When cruel hunger in an empty maw 
Drives them forth furious, and their whelps behind 
Wait famine-throated; so through foemen's steel 
We flew to surest death, and kept our way 
Straight through the midmost town . The wings of night 
Brooded above us in vast vault of shade. 
But who the bloodshed of that night can tell ? 
What tongue its deaths shall number, or what eyes 
Find meed of tears to equal all its woe ? 
The ancient City fell, whose throne had stood 
Age after age. Along her streets were strewn 
The unresisting dead ; at household shrines 
And by the temples of the gods they lay. 
Yet not alone was Teucrian blood required : 
Oft out of vanquished hearts fresh valor flamed. 
And the Greek victor fell. Anguish and woe 
Were everywhere ; pale terrors ranged abroad. 
And multitudinous death met every eye. 

Androgeos, followed by a thronging band 

Of Greeks, first met us on our desperate way; 

But heedless, and confounding friend with foe. 

d7d-^06] BOOK II 55 

Thus» All unchallenged» hailed us as his own : 
^ Haste, heroes! Are ye lizards at this hour? 
*' Others bear off the captives and the spoil 
**Of burning Troy. Just from the galleys ye?** 
He spoke ; but straightway, when no safe reply 
Returned, he knew himself entrapped, and fallen 
Into a foeman's snare; struck dumb was he 
And stopped both word and motion ; as one steps. 
When blindly treading a thick path of thorns. 
Upon a snake, and sick with fear would flee 
That lifted wrath and swollen gorge of green : 
So trembling did Androgeos backward fall. 
At them we flew and closed them round with war; 
And since they could not know the ground, and 

fear 
Had whelmed them quite, we sWiftly laid them low. 
Thus Fortune on our first achievement smiled ; 
And, flushed with victory, Coroebus cried : 
** Come, friends, and follow Fortune's finger, where 
''She beckons us what path deliverance lies. 
''Change we our shields, and these Greek emblems 

wear. 
" 'Twiirt guile and valor who will nicely weigh 
" When foes are met ? These dead shall find us arms.'* 
With this, he dons Androgeos' crested helm 
And beauteous, blazoned shield ; and to his side 
Girds on a Grecian blade. Young Rhipeus next, 
With Djrmas and the other soldiery. 
Repeat the deed, exulting, and array 
Their valor in fresh trophies from the slain. 
Now intermingled with our foes we moved. 

56 THE iENEID [396-419 

And alien emblems wore; the long, black night 
Brought many a grapple, and a host of Greeks 
Down to the dark we hurled. Some fled away. 
Seeking their safe ships and the friendly shore. 
Some cowards foul went clambering back again 
To that vast horse and hid them in its maw. 
But woe is me ! If gods their help withhold, 
*T is impious to be brave. That very hour 
The fair Cassandra passed us, bound in chains, 
fcng Priam's virgin daughter, from the shrine 
And altars of Minerva; her loose hair 
Had lost its fillet ; her impassioned eyes 
Were lifted in vain prayer, — her eyes alone ! 
For chains of steel her frail, soft hands confined. 
Corcebus' eyes this horror not endured. 
And, sorrow-crazed, he plunged him headlong in 
The midmost fray, self-offered to be slain. 
While in close mass our troop behind him poured. 
But, at this point, the overwhelming spears 
Of our own kinsmen rained resistless down 
From a high temple-tower; and carnage wild 
Ensued, because of the Greek arms we bore 
And our false crests. The howling Grecian band. 
Crazed by Cassandra's rescue, charged at us 
From every side; Ajax of savage soul. 
The sons of Atreus, and that whole wild horde 
Achilles from Dolopian deserts drew. 
'T was like the bursting storm, when gales contend. 
West wind and South, and jocund wind of mom 
Upon his orient steeds — while forests roar. 
And foam-flecked Nereus with fierce trident stirs 

The dark deep of the sea. 

All who did hide 
In shadows of the night, by our assault 
Surprised, and driven in tumultuous flight. 
Now start to view. Full well they now can see 
Our shields and borrowed arms, and clearly note 
Our speech of alien sound ; their multitude 
O'erwhelms us utterly. Coroebus first 
At mailed Minerva's altar prostrate lay. 
Pierced by Peneleus' blade ; then Rhipeus fell ; 
We deemed him of all Trojans the most just. 
Most scrupulously righteous ; but the gods 
Gave judgment otherwise. There Dymas died. 
And Hypanis, by their compatriots slain ; 
Nor thee, O Fanthus, in that mortal hour. 
Could thy clean hands or Fhoebus' priesthood save. 
O ashes of my country ! funeral pjrre 
Of all my kin ! bear witness that my breast 
Shrank not from any sword the Grecian drew, 
And that my deeds the night my country died 
Deserved a warrior's death, had Fate ordained. 

But soon our ranks were broken ; at my side 
Stayed Iphitus and Pelias; one with age 
Was long since wearied, and the other bore 
The burden of Ulysses' crippling wound. 
Straightway the roar and tumult summoned us 
To Priam's palace, where a battle raged 
As if save this no conflict else were known, 
And all Troy's dying brave were mustered there. 
There we beheld the war-god unconfined ; 

58 THE iENEID [440-463 

The Greek besiegers to the roof-tops fled ; 
Or, with shields tortoise-back, the gates assailed. 
Ladders were on the walls ; and round by round. 
Up the huge bulwark as they fight their way. 
The shielded left-hand thwarts the falling spears. 
The right to every vantage closely clings. 
The Trojans hurl whole towers and roof-tops down 
Upon the mounting foe ; for well they see 
That the last hour is come, and with what arms 
The dying must resist. Rich gilded beams. 
With many a beauteous blazon of old time. 
Go crashing down. Men armed with naked swords 
Defend the inner doors in close array. 
Thus were our hearts inflamed to stand and strike 
For the king's house, and to his body-guard 
Bring succor, and renew their vanquished powers. 
A certain gate I knew, a secret way. 
Which gave free passage between Priam's halls. 
And exit rearward ; hither, in the days 
Before our fall, the lone Andromache 
Was wont with young Astyanax to pass 
In quest of Priam and her husband's kin. 
This way to climb the palace roof I flew. 
Where, desperate, the Trojans with vain skill 
Hurled forth repellent arms. A tower was there. 
Reared skyward from the roof-top, giving view 
Of Troy's wide walls and full reconnaissance 
Of all Achsea's fleets and tented field ; 
This, with strong steel, our gathered strength as- 
sailed. 
And as the loosened courses offered us 

Great threatening fissures, we uprooted it 

From its aerial throne and thrust it down : 

It fell with instantaneous crash of thunder 

Along the Danaan host in ruin wide. 

But fresh ranks soon arrive ; thick showers of stone 

Rain down, with every missile rage can find. 

Now at the threshold of the outer court 
Fyrrhus triumphant stood» with glittering arms 
And helm of burnished brass. He glittered like 
Some swollen viper, fed on poison-leaves. 
Whom chilling winter shelters underground, 
Till, fresh and strong, he sheds his annual scales 
Andy crawling forth rejuvenate, uncoils 
His slimy length; his lifted gorge insults 
The sunbeam with three-forked and quivering 

tongue. 
Huge Feriphas was there ; Automedon, 
Who drove Achilles' steeds, and bore lus arms. 
Then Scyros' island-warriors assault 
The palaces, and hurl reiterate fire 
At waU and tower. Pyrrhus led the van ; 
Seizing an axe he clove the ponderous doors 
And rent the hinges from their posts of bronze ; 
He cut the beams, and through the solid mass 
Burrowed his way, till like a window huge 
The breach yawned wide, and opened to his gaze 
A vista of long courts and corridors. 
The hearth and home of many an ancient king. 
And Priam's own ; upon its sacred bourne 
The sentry, all in arms, kept watch and ward. 

60 THE ^NEID [485-505 

Confusion, groans, and piteous turmoil 

Were in that dwelling; women shrieked and wailed 

From many a dark retreat, and their loud cry 

Rang to the golden stars. Through those vast halls 

The panic-stricken mothers wildly roved. 

And clung with frantic kisses and embrace 

Unto the columns cold. Fierce as his sire, 

Pyrrhus moves on ; nor bar nor sentinel 

May stop his way ; down tumbles the great door 

Beneath the battering beam, and with it fall 

Hinges and framework violently torn. 

Force bursts all bars ; th' assailing Greeks break in. 

Do butchery, and with men-at-arms possess 

What place they will. Scarce with an equal rage 

A foaming river, when its dykes are down, 

O'erwhelms its mounded shores, and through the 

plain 
Rolls mountain-high, while from the ravaged farms 
Its fierce flood sweeps along both flock and fold. 

My own eyes looked on Neoptolemus 
Frenzied with slaughter, and both Atreus' sons 
Upon the threshold frowning ; I beheld 
Her hundred daughters with old Hecuba ; 
And Priam, whose own bleeding wounds defiled 
The altars where himself had blessed the fires; 
There fifty nuptial beds gave promise proud 
Of princely heirs ; but all their brightness now. 
Of broidered cunning and barbaric gold. 
Lay strewn and trampled on. The Danaan foe 
Stood victor, where the raging flame had failed. 

But would ye haply know wh^^t stroke of doom 
On Priam fell ? Now when his anguish saw 
His kingdom lost and fallen, his abode 
Shattered» and in his very hearth and home 
Th' exulting foe, the aged King did bind 
His rusted armor to his trembling thews, — 
All vainly, — and a useless blade of steel 
He girded on ; then charged, resolved to die 
Encircled by the foe. Within his walls 
There stood, beneath the wide and open sky, 
A lofty altar; an old laurel-tree 
Leaned o'er it, and enclasped in holy shade 
The statues of the tutelary powers. 
Here Hecuba and all the princesses 
Took refuge vain within the place of prayer, 
like panic-stricken doves in some dark storm. 
Close-gathering they sate, and in despair 
Embraced their graven gods. But when the Queen 
Saw Priam with his youthful harness on, 
"What frenzy, O my wretched lord," she cried, 
"Arrayed thee in such arms? O, whither now? 
"Not such defences, nor such arm as thine, 
"The time requires, though thy companion were 
" Our Hector's self. O, yield thee, I implore ! 
This altar now shall save us one and all. 
Or we must die together." With these words 
She drew him to her side, and near the shrine 
Made for her aged spouse a place to cling. 

But, lo ! just 'scaped of Pyrrhus' murderous hand, 
Polites, one of Priam's sons, fled fast 

dr 

[BK 

Along the Corridors, through thronging foes 
And a thick rain of spears. Wildly he gazed 
Across the desolate bails, wounded to death. 
Fierce Pyrrhus followed after, pressing hard 
With mortal stroke, and now his hand and spear 
Were close upon : — when the lost youth leaped 
forth " 

Into his father's sight, and prostrate there 
Lay dying, while his life-blood ebbed away. 
Then Priam, though on all sides death was nigh. 
Quit not the strife, nor from loud wrath refrained : 
"Thy crime and impious outrage, may the gods 
" {If Heaven to mortals render debt and due) 
" Justly reward and worthy honors pay ! 
" My own son's murder thou hast made me see, 
" Blood and pollution impiously throwing 
"Upon a father's head. Not such was he, 
"Not such, Achilles, thy pretended sire, 
"When Priam was his foe. With flush of shame 
"He nobly listened to a suppliant's plea 
"In honor made. He rendered to the tomb 
" My Hector's body pale, and me did send 
"Back to my throne a king." 

With this proud w 
The aged warrior hurled with nerveless arm 
His ineffectual spear, which hoarsely rang 
Rebounding on the brazen shield, and hung 
Piercing the midmost boss, — but all in vain. 
Then Pyrrhus: "Take these tidings, and convey; 
" A message to my father, Peleus' son ! 
" Tell him my naughty deeds t Be sure and say 

n 

"How Neoptolemus hath shamed his sires. 

•^Nowdier 

Vfifh this, he trailed before the shrines 
The trembling King» whose feet slipped in the stream 
Of his son's blood. Then Pjnrhus' left hand clutched 
The tresses old and gray; a glittering sword 
EQs right hand lifted high, and buried it 
Far as the hilt in that defenceless heart. 
So Priam's story ceased. Such final doom 
Fell on him, while his dying eyes surveyed 
Troy burning, and her altars overthrown. 
Though once of many an orient land and tribe 
The boasted lord. In huge dismemberment 
EQs severed trunk lies tombless on the shore. 
The head from shoulder torn, the corpse unknown. 

Then first wild horror on my spirit fell 

And dased me utterly. A vision rose 

Of my own cherished father, as I saw 

The Eling, his aged peer, sore wounded Ijring 

In mortal agony; a vision too 

Of lost Creiisa at my ravaged hearth. 

And young lulus' peril. Then my eyes 

Looked round me seeking aid. But all were fled. 

War-wearied and undone; some earthward leaped 

From battlement or tower; some in despair 

Yielded their suffering bodies to the flame. 

I stood there sole surviving; when, behold. 

To Vesta's altar clinging in dumb fear. 

Hiding and crouching in the hallowed shade, 

T^darus' daughter ! — 't was the burning town 

M THE ^NEID [570-591 

Lighted full well my roving steps and eyes. 
In fear was she both of some Trojan's rage 
For Troy o'erthrown, and of some Greek revenge. 
Or her wronged husband's long indignant ire. 
So hid she at that shrine her hateful brow» 
Being of Greece and Troy, full well she knew» 
The common curse. Then in my bosom rose 
A blaze of wrath ; methought I should avenge 
My dying country, and with horrid deed 
Pay crime for crime. "Shall she return unscathed 
To Sparta, to Mycenae's golden pride. 
And have a royal triumph ? Shall her eyes 
Her sire and sons, her hearth and husband see, 

" While Phrygian captives follow in her train ? 
Is Priam murdered ? Have the flames swept o'er 
My native Troy ? and doth our Dardan strand 
Sweat o'er and o'er with sanguinary dew ? 
O, not thus unavenged ! For though there be 
No glory if I smite a woman's crime. 
Nor conqueror's fame for such a victory won. 
Yet if I blot this monster out, and wring 

"Full punishment from guilt, the time to come 
Will praise me, and sweet pleasure it will be 
To glut my soul with vengeance and appease 

"The ashes of my kindred." 

So I raved. 
And to such frenzied purpose gave my soul. 
Then with clear vision (never had I seen 
Her presence so unclouded) 1 beheld. 
In golden beams that pierced the midnight gloom, 
My gracious mother, visibly divine, 

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50fMll5] BOOK II 65 

And with that mien of majesty she wears 

When seen in heaven; she stayed me with her 

hand, 
And from her lips of rose this counsel gave : 
*' O son, what sorrow stirs thy boundless rage ? 
''What madness this? Or whither vanisheth 
Thy love of me? Wilt thou not seek to know 
Where bides Anchises, thy abandoned sire. 
Now weak with age ? or if Creiisa lives 
And young Ascanius, who are ringed about 
With ranks of Grecian foes, and long ere this — 
Save that my love can shield them and defend — 
Had fallen on flame or fed some hungry sword ? 
Not Helen's hated beauty works thee woe ; 
Nor Paris, oft-accused. The cruelty 
Of gods, of gods unaided, overwhelms 
Thy country's power, and from its lofty height 
Casts Ilium down. Behold, I take away 
The barrier-cloud that dims thy mortal eye. 
With murk and mist o'er-veiling. Fear not thou 
"To heed thy mother's word, nor let thy heart 
"Refuse obedience to her counsel given. 
" 'Mid yonder trembling ruins, where thou see'st 
" Stone torn from stone, with dust and smoke uprolling, 
" 'T is Neptune strikes the wall ; his trident vast 
"Makes her foundation tremble, and imseats 
"The city from her throne. Fierce Juno leads 
"Resistless onset at the Scsean gate, 
"And summons from the ships the league of powers, 
"Wearing her wrathful sword. On yonder height 
"Behold Tritonia in the citadel 

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66 THE iENEID [616-687 

it 

Clothed with the lightning and her Gorgon-shield! 

Unto the Greeks great Jove himself renews 
"Their courage and their power; 't is he thrusts on 

The gods themselves against the Trojan arms. 

Fly, O my son ! The war's wild work give o'er ! 

I will be always nigh and set thee safe 
"Upon thy father's threshold." Having said» 

She fled upon the viewless night away. 

Then loomed o'er Troy the apparition vast 
Of her dread foes divine ; I seemed to see 
All Ilium sink in fire, and sacred Troy, 
Of Neptune's building, utterly o'erthrown. 
So some huge ash-tree on the mountain's brow 
(When rival woodmen, heaving stroke on stroke 
Of two-edged axes, haste to cast her down) 
Sways ominously her trembling, leafy top. 
And drops her smitten head ; till by her wounds 
Vanquished at last, she makes her dying groan. 
And falls in loud wreck from the cliffs uptom. 

I left the citadel ; and, led by Heaven, 
Threaded the maze of deadly foes and fires. 
Through spears that glanced aside and flames that 

fell. 
Soon came I to my father's ancient seat, 
Our home and heritage. But lo ! my sire 
(Whom first of all I sought, and first would bear 
To safe asylum in the distant hills) 
Vowed he could never, after fallen Troy, 
Live longer on, or bear an exile's woe. 

6S8-e59] BOOK II 67 

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you/* he cried, "whose blood not yet betrays 
The cruel taint of time, whose powers be still 
Unpropped and undecayed, go, take your flight. 
If heavenly wrath had willed my life to spare, 
This dwelling had been safe. It is too much 
That I have watched one wreck, and for too long 
Outlived my vanquished country. Thus, O, thus ! 
Compose these limbs for death, and say farewell. 
My own hand will procure it ; or my foe 
Will end me of mere pity, and for spoil 
Will strip me bare. It is an easy loss 
To have no grave. For many a year gone by. 
Accursed of Heaven, I tarry in this world 
A useless burden, since that fatal hour 
When Jove, of gods the Sire and men the King, 

** EQs lightnings o'er me breathed and blasting fire." 

Such fixed resolve he uttered o'er and o'er. 

And would not yield, though with my tears did 

join 
My spouse Creiisa, fair Ascanius, 
And our whole house, imploring the gray sire 
Not with himself to ruin all, nor add 
Yet heavier burdens to our crushing doom. 
He still cried, " No !" and clung to where he sate 
And to the same dread purpose. 1 once more 
Back to the fight would speed. For death alone 

1 made my wretched prayer. What space was left 
For wisdom now ? What chance or hope was given ? 

*' Didst thou, dear father, dream that 1 could fly 
" Sundered from thee ? Did such an infamy 

68 THE ^NEID [659-^77 

<« 
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Fall from a father's lips ? If Heaven's decree 
Will of this mighty nation not let live 
A single soul, if thine own purpose be 
To east thyself and thy posterity 
Into thy country's grave, behold, the door 
Is open to thy death ! Lo, Pyrrhus comes 
** Red-handed from King Priam ! He has slain 
"A son before a father's eyes, and spilt 
A father's blood upon his own hearthstone. 
Was it for this, O heavenly mother mine. 
That thou hast brought me safe through sword and 

fire? 
That I might see these altars desecrate 
By their worst foes ? that I might look upon 
My sire, my wife, and sweet Ascanius 
" Dead at my feet in one another's blood ? 
To arms, my men, to arms ! The hour of death 
Now beckons to the vanquished. Let me go 
" Whither the Greeks are gathered ; let me stand 
"Where oft revives the flagging stroke of war: 
"Not all of us die unavenged this day!" 

I clasped my sword-belt round me once again, 
Fitted my left arm to my shield, and turned 
To fly the house ; but at the threshold clung 
Creiisa to my knees, and lifted up 
lulus to his father's arms. "If thou 
Wouldst rush on death," she cried, '*0, suffer us 
To share thy perils with thee to the end. 
But if this day's work bid thee trust a sword, 
" Defend thy hearthstone first. Who else shall guard 

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(( 

e7»-e97] BOOK n 69 

"Thy babe lulus, or thy reverend sire? 

"Or me, thy wife that was — what help have I ?" 

So rang the roof-top with her piteous cries : 
But lo ! a portent wonderful to see 
On sudden rose ; for while his parents' grief 
Held the boy close in arm and full in view. 
There seemed upon lulus' head to glow 
A flickering peak of fire ; the tongue of flame 
Innocuous o'er his clustering tresses played. 
And hovered round his brows. 

We, horror-struck. 
Grasped at his burning hair, and sprinkled him. 
To quench that holy and auspicious fire. 
Then sire Anchises with exultant eyes 
Looked heavenward, and lifted to the stars 
ffis voice and outstretched hands. " Almighty Jove, 
If aught of prayer may move thee, let thy grace 
Now visit us ! O, hear this holy vow ! 
And if for service at thine altars done, 
"We aught can claim, O Father, lend us aid. 
And ratify the omen thou hast given!" 

cc 

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Scarce ceased his aged voice, when suddenly 
From leftward,^ with a deafening thunder-peal. 
Cleaving the blackness of the vaulted sky, 
A meteor-star in trailing splendor ran. 
Exceeding bright. We watched it glide sublime 
O'er tower and town, until its radiant beam 
In forest-mantled Ida died away ; 
But left a furrow on its track in air. 

70 THE iENEID [W8-717 

A glittering, long line, while far and wide 
The sulphurous fume and exhalation flowed. 

My father strove not now ; but lifted him 
In prayer to all the gods, in holy awe 
Of that auspicious star, and thus exclaimed: 
Tarry no moment more ! Behold, I come ! 
Whithersoe'er ye lead, my steps obey. 
Gods of my fathers, O, preserve our name ! 
"Preserve my son, and his! This augury 
"Is yours; and Troy on your sole strength relies. 
"I yield, dear son; 1 journey at thy side." 

« 

He spoke; and higher o'er the blazing walls 
Leaped the loud fire, while ever nearer drew 
The rolling surges of tumultuous flame. 
"Haste, father, on these bending shoulders climb! 
"This back is ready, and the burden light; 
" One peril smites us both, whate'er befall ; 
"One rescue both shall find. Close at my side 
"Let young lulus run, while, not too nigh, 
" My wife Creiisa heeds what way we go. 
" Ye servants of our house, give ear, I pray, 
"To my command. Outside the city's gates 
"Lies a low mound and long since ruined fane 
"To Ceres vowed; a cypress' ancient shade 
"O'erhangs it, which our fathers' pious care 
" Protected year by year ; by various paths 
" Be that our meeting-place. 

" But in thy hands 
" Bring, sire, our household gods, and sanctities : 

For me to touch, who come this very hour 
From battle and the fresh blood of the slain. 
Were but abomination, till what time 
In living waters I shall make me clean." 

So saying, I bowed my neck and shoulders broad, 

O'erspread me with a lion's tawny skin. 

And lifted up my load. Close at my side 

Little lulus twined his hand in mine 

And followed, with unequal step, his sire. 

My wife at distance came. We hastened on. 

Creeping through shadows ; I, who once had viewed 

Undaunted every instrument of war 

And all the gathered Greeks in grim array. 

Now shook at every gust, and heard all sounds 

With fevered trepidation, fearing both 

For him I bore and him who clasped my hand. 

Now near the gates I drew, and deemed our flight 

Safely at end, when suddenly I heard 

The sounding tread of many warriors 

That seemed hard-by, while through the murky night 

My father peered, and shouted, " O my son, 
"Away, away! for surely all our foes 
"Are here upon us, and my eyes behold 
"The glance of glittering shields and flash of arms." 

O, then some evil-working, nameless god 
Clouded my senses quite : for while I sped 
Along our pathless way, and left behind 
All paths and regions known — O wretched me ! — 

72 THE iENEID [73a-7e2 

Crelisa on some dark disaster fell ; 

She stopped, or wandered, or sank down undone, — 

I never knew what way, — and nevermore 

I looked on her alive. Yet knew I not 

My loss, nor backward turned a look or thought. 

Till by that hallowed hill to Ceres vowed 

We gathered all, — and she alone came not. 

While husband, friends, and son made search in vain. 

What god, what man, did not my grief accuse 

In frenzied word ? In all the ruined land 

What worse woe had I seen ? Entrusting then 

My sire, my son, and all the Teucrian gods 

To the deep shadows of a slanting vale 

Where my allies kept guard, I hied me back 

To that doomed town, re-girt in glittering arms. 

Resolved was I all hazards to renew, 

All Troy to re-explore, and once again 

Offer my life to perils without end. 

The walls and gloomy gates whence forth I came 

I first revisit, and retrace my way. 

Searching the night once more. On all sides round 

Horror spread wide ; the very silence breathed 

A terror on my soul. I hastened then 

Back to my fallen home, if haply there 

Her feet had strayed ; but the invading Greeks 

Were its possessors, though the hungry fire 

Was blown along the roof-tree, and the flames 

Rolled raging upward on the fitful gale. 

To Priam's house I haste, and climb once more 

The citadel; in Juno's temple there. 

The chosen guardians of her wasted halls, 

7«S-785l BOOK II 73 

Phoenix and dread Ulysses watched the spoil. 
Here, snatched away from many a burning fane, 
Troy's treasures lay, — rich tables for the gods. 
Thick bowls of massy gold, and vestures rare. 
Confusedly heaped up, while round the pile 
Fair youths and trembling virgins stood forlorn. 

Yet oft my voice rang dauntless through the gloom, 

From street to street I cried with anguish vain ; 

And on Creiisa piteously calling. 

Woke the lamenting echoes o'er and o'er. 

While on this quest I roamed the city through. 

Of reason reft, there rose upon my sight — 

shape of sorrow ! — my Crelisa's ghost. 
Hers truly, though a loftier port it wore. 

1 quailed, my hair rose, and I gasped for fear; 
But thus she spoke, and soothed my grief away : 

**Why to these frenzied sorrows bend thy soul, 
**0 husband ever dear! The will of Heaven 
''Hath brought all this to pass. Fate doth not send 
** Creiisa the long journeys thou shalt take, 
"Nor hath th' 01}anpian King so given decree. 
••Long is thy banishment; thy ship must plough 
'•The vast, far-spreading sea. Then shalt thou come 
•'Unto Hesperia, whose fruitful plains 
•'Are watered by the Tiber, Lydian stream» 
"Of smooth, benignant flow. Thou shalt obtain 
"Fair fortunes, and a throne and royal bride. 
"For thy beloved Creiisa weep no more! 
"No Myrmidon's proud palace waits me now; 
"Dolopian shall not scorn, nor Argive dames 

74 , THE iENEID [78d-804 

"Command a slave of Dardan's royal stem 
And wife to Venus' son. On these loved shores 
The Mother of the Gods compels my stay. 
Farewell! farewell! O, cherish evermore 
Thy son and mine!" 

Her utterance scarce had ceased, 
When, as I strove through tears to make reply. 
She left me, and dissolved in empty air. 
Thrice would my frustrate arms her form enfold ; 
Thrice from the clasp of hand that vision fled, 
Like wafted winds and like a fleeting dream. 

The night had passed, and to my friends once more 

I made my way, much wondering to find 

A mighty multitude assembled there 

Of friends new-come, — matrons and men-at-arms. 

And youth for exile bound, — a doleful throng. 

From far and near they drew, their hearts prepared 

And their possessions gathered, to sail forth 

To lands unknown, wherever o'er the wave 

I bade them follow. 

Now above the crest 
Of loftiest Ida rose the morning-star. 
Chief in the front of day. The Greeks held fast 
The captive gates of Troy. No help or hope 
Was ours any more. Then, yielding all, 
And lifting once again my aged sire. 
For refuge to the distant hills I fled.

W, 

HEN Asia's power and Priam's race and 

throne. 
Though guiltless, were cast down by Heaven's decree, 
When Hium proud had fallen, and Neptune's Troy 
In smouldering ash lay level with the ground, 
To wandering exile then and regions wild 
The gods by many an augury and sign 
Compelled us forth. We fashioned us a fleet 
Within Antander's haven, in the shade 
Of Phrygian Ida's peak (though knowing not 
Whither our fate would drive, or where afford 
A resting-place at last), and my small band 
Of warriors I arrayed. 

As soon as smiled 
The light of summer's prime, my reverend sire 
Anchises.bade us on the winds of Fate 
To spread all sail. Through tears I saw recede 
My native shore, the haven and the plains 
Where once was Troy. An exile on the seas. 
With son and followers and household shrines. 
And Troy's great guardian-gods, I took my way. 

There is a far-off land where warriors breed. 
Where Thracians till the boundless plains, and where 
The cruel-eyed Lycurgus once was king. 
Troy's old ally it was, its deities 

76 THE iENEID [15-86 

Had brotherhood with ours before our fall. 

Thither I fared, and on its winding shores 

Set my first walls, though partial Fate opposed 

Our entrance there. In memory of my name 

I called its people the iEneadse. 

Unto Dione's daughter, and all gods 

Who blessed our young emprise, due gifts were pdld; 

And unto the supreme celestial King 

I slew a fair white bull beside the sea. 

But haply near my place of sacrifice 

A mound was seen, and on the summit grew 

A copse of cornel and a myrtle tree. 

With spear-like limbs outbranched on every side. 

This I approached, and tried to rend away 

From its deep roots that grove of gjooiny g reen,. 

And dress my altars in its leafy boughs. 

But, horrible to tell, a prodigy 

Smote my astonished eyes : for the first tree, 

Which from the earth with broken roots I drew, 

Dripped black with bloody drops, and gave the 

ground 
Dark stains of gore. Cold horror shook my frame» 
And every vein within me froze for fear. 
Once more I tried from yet another stock 
The pliant stem to tear, and to explore 
The mystery within, — but yet again 
The foul bark oozed with clots of blackest gore ! 
From my deep-shaken soul I made a prayer 
To all the woodland nymphs and to divine 
Gradivus, patron of the Thracian plain. 
To bless this sight, to lift its curse away. 

But when at a third sheaf of myrtle spears 
I fell upon my knees, and tugged amain 
Against the adverse ground (I dread to tell !), 
. ' A moaning and a wail from that deep grave 
Burst forth and murmured in my listening ear: 
Why wound me, great iBneas, in my woe? 
O, spare the dead, nor let thy holy hands 
Do sacrilege and sin ! I, Trojan-bom, 

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** Was kin of thine. This blood is not of trees. 
''Haste from this murderous shore, this land of greed. 

O, I am Polydorus! Haste away! 

Here was I pierced; a crop of iron spears 

Has grown up o'er my breast, and multiplied 

To all these deadly javelins, keen and strong." 

Then stood I, burdened with dark doubt and fear 

I quailed, my hair rose and my utterance choked. 

For once this Polydorus, with much gold, 

■ 

Ill-fated Priam sent by stealth away 

For nurture with the Thracian king, what time 

Dardania's war looked hopeless, and her towers 

Were ringed about by unrelenting siege. 

That king, when Ilium's cause was ebbing low. 

And fortune frowned, gave o'er his plighted faith 

To Agamemnon's might and victory; 

He scorned all honor and did murder foul 

On Polydorus, seizing lawlessly 

On all the gold. O, whither at thy will. 

Curst greed of gold, may mortal hearts be driven ? 

Soon as my shuddering ceased, I told this tale 
Of prodigies before the people's chiefs. 

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1; 78 THE JENEID 

i' Who sat in conclave with my kingly sire, 

j,^ And bade them speak their reverend counsel fo 

;1 All found one voice ; to leave that land of sin, 

;4 Where foul abomination had profaned 

'T A stranger's right; and once more to resign 

Our fleet unto the tempest and the wave. 
But fit and solemn funeral rites were paid 
] To Polydorus. A high mound we reared 

i. Of heaped-up earth, and to his honored shade 

Built a perpetual altar, sadly drest 
In cypress dark and purple pall of woe. 
K Our Dian women wailed with loosened hair; 

i New milk was sprinkled from a foaming cup. 

And from the shallow bowl fresh blood out-poure< 
Upon the sacred ground. So in its tomb 
' We laid his ghost to rest, and loudly sang. 

With prayer for peace, the long, the last farewel 

After these things, when first the friendly sea 
Looked safe and fair, and o'er its tranquil plaii 
Light-whispering breezes bade us launch away. 
My men drew down our galleys to the brine. 
Thronging the shore. Soon out of port we ran, 
And watched the hills and cities fading far. 

There is a sacred island in mid-seas. 
To fruitful Doris and to Neptune dear. 
Which grateful Phoebus, wielder of the bow. 
The while it drifted loose from land to land. 
Chained firmly where the crags of Gyaros 
And Myconos uptower, and bade it rest 

77-941 BOOK in 7» 

Immovable, in scorn of wind and wave. 

Thither I sped ; by this my weary ships 

Found undisturbed retreat and haven fair. 

To land we came and saw with reverent eyes 

Apollo's citadel. King Anius, 

His people's king, and priest at Phoebus' fane» 

Came forth to meet us, wearing on his brow 

The fillets and a holy laurel crown. 

Unto Anchises he gave greeting kind, 

Claimed old acquaintance, grasped us by the hand. 

And bade us both his roof and welcome share. 

Then, kneeling at the shrine of time-worn stone : 
"Thou who at Thymbra on the Trojan shore 
"Hast often blessed my prayer, O, give to me 
A hearth and home, and to this war-worn band 
Defensive towers and oflFspring multiplied 
In an abiding city; give to Troy 
A second citadel, that shall survive 
Achilles' wrath and all our Argive foe. 
Wliom shall we follow ? Whither lies our way ? 
Where wilt thou grant us an abiding-place ? 
Send forth, O King, thy voice oracular, 
And on our spirits move." Scarce had I spoke 
When sudden trembling through the laurels ran 
And smote the holy portals ; far and wide 
The mighty ridges of the mountain shook, 
And from the opening shrine the tripod moaned. 
Prostrate to earth we fall, as on our ears 
This utterance breaks : " O breed of iron men, 
Ye sons of Dardanus ! the self-same land 

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80 THE iENEID [9^115 

Where bloomed at first your far-descended stem 
Shall to its bounteous bosom draw ye home. 
Seek out your ancient Mother ! There at last 
iEneas' race shall reign on every shore, 
"And his sons' sons, and all their house to be.** 

So Phcebus spoke ; and mighty joy uprose 

From all my thronging people, who would know 

Where Phoebus' city lay, and whitherward 

The god ordained the wandering tribe's return. 

Then spake my father, pondering olden days 

And sacred memories of heroes gone : 

Hear, chiefs and princes, what your hopes shall 

be! 
The Isle of Crete, abode of lofty Jove, 
Rests in the middle sea. Thence Ida soars; 
There is the cradle of our race. It boasts 
A hundred cities, seats of fruitful power. 
"Thence our chief sire, if duly I recall 
"The olden tale. King Teucer sprung, who first 
"Touched on the Trojan shore, and chose his seat 
" Of kingly power. There was no Ilium then 
"Nor towered Pergama; in lowly vales 
" Their dwelling ; hence the ancient worship given 
**To the Protectress of Mount Cybele, 
" Mother of Gods, what time in Ida's grove 
"The brazen Corybantic cymbals clang. 
Or sacred silence guards her mystery. 
And lions yoked her royal chariot draw. 
Up, then, and follow the behests divine ! 
"Pour offering to the winds, and point your keels 

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115-1S8] BOOK m 81 

"Unto that realm of Minos. It is near. 

''If Jove but bless, the third day's dawn should see 

""Our ships at Cretan land." 

So, having said» 

He slew the victims for each altar's praise. 

A bull to Neptune, and a bull to thee, 

O beauteous Apollo ! A black lamb 

Unto the clouds and storms ; but fleece of snow 

To the mild zephyrs was our offering. 

The tale was told us that Idomeneus, 
From his hereditary kindgom driven. 
Had left his Crete abandoned, that no foe 
Now harbored there, but all its dwellings lay 
Untenanted of man. So forth we sailed 
Out of the port of Delos, and sped far 
Along the main. The maenad-haunted hills 
Of Naxos came in view ; the ridges green 
Of fair Donysa, with Olearos, 
And Paros, gleaming white, and Cyclades 
Scattered among the waves, as close we ran 
Where thick-strewn islands vex the channelled seas. 
With rival shout the sailors cheerly called : 
"On, comrades! On, to Crete and to our sires!" 
Freely behind us blew the friendly winds. 
And gave smooth passage to that fabled shore, 
The land of the Curetes, friends of Jove. 
There eagerly I labored at the walls 
Of our long-prayed-for city; and its name 
Was Peigamea ; to my Trojan band. 
Pleased with such name, I gave command to build 

8S THE iENEID [134-155 

Altar and hearth, and raise the lofty tower. 

But scarce the ships were beached along the strand 

(While o'er the isle my busy mariners 

Ploughed in new fields and took them wives once 

more, — 
I giving homes and laws) when suddenly 
A pestilence from some infectious sky 
Seized on man's flesh, and horribly exhaled 
O'er trees and crops a fatal year of plague. 
Some breathed their last, while others weak and worn 
Lived on ; the dog-star parched the barren fields; 
Grass withered, and the sickly, mouldering com 
Refused us life. My aged father then 
Bade us re-cross the waves and re-implore 
Apollo's mercy at his island shrine; 
If haply of our weariness and woe 
He might vouchsafe the end, or bid us find 
Help for our task, or guidance o'er the sea. 

T was night, and sleep possessed all breathing things ; 

When, lo ! the sacred effigies divine. 

The Phrygian gods which through the flames I bore 

From fallen Troy, seemed in a vision clear 

To stand before me where I slumbering lay. 

Bathed in bright beams which from the moon at full 

Streamed through the latticed wall: and thus they 

spoke 
To soothe my care away. "Apollo's word, 
" Which in far Delos the god meant for thee, 
"Is uttered here. Behold, he sends ourselves 
"To this thy house, before thy prayer is made. 

^We from Troy's ashes have companioned thee 
"In every fight; and we the swollen seas, 
"Guided by thee, in thine own ships have crossed; 
"Our power divine shall set among the stars 
"Thy seed to be, and to thy city give 
"Dominion evermore. For mighty men 
"Gro build its mighty walls! Seek not to shun 
"The hard, long labors of an exile's way. 
"Change this abode ! Not thine this Cretan shore, 
"Nor here would Delian Phoebus have thee bide. 
"There is a land the roving Greeks have named 
"Hesperia. It is a storied realm 
"Made mighty by great wars and fruitful glebe. 
"(Enotrians had it, and their sons, 't is said, 
"Have called it Italy, a chieftain's name 

To a whole region given. That land alone 

Our true abode can be; for Dardanus 
*^Was cradled there, and old lasius, 
"The venerated sire of all our line. 

Arise ! go forth and cheer thy father gray 

With the glad tidings ! Bid him doubt no more ! 

Ausonia seek and Corythus ; for Jove 
*' Denies this Cretan realm to thine and thee." 

I marvelled at the heavenly presences 
So vocal and so bright, for 't was not sleep; 
But face to face I deemed I could discern 
Each countenance august and holy brow. 
Each mantled head ; and from my body ran 
Cold sweat of awe. From my low couch I sprang. 
Lifting to heaven my suppliant hands and prayer. 

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84 THE iJBNEID [177-lW 

And o'er my hearth poured forth libations free. 
After th' auspicious offering, I told 
Anchises the whole tale in order due. 

He owned our stock two-branched, of our great 

sires 
The twofold line, and that his thought had strayed» 
In new confusion mingling ancient names; 
Then spoke : "' O son, in Ilium's doom severe 

* Afflicted ever! To my ears alone 
^This dark vicissitude Cassandra sang. 

*I mind me now that her wild tongue foretold 
'Such destiny. For oft she called aloud 
'Hesperia!' oft ^Italia's kingdom!* called. 

* But who had faith that Teucer's sons should come 

* To far Hesperia ? What mortal ear 

* Gave heed to sad Cassandra's voice divine ? 
*Now Phoebus speaks. Obedient let us be, 
'And, warned by him, our happier lot pursue!' 

\*9 

He spoke : with heart of hope we all obeyed; 
Again we changed abode; and, leaving there 
A feeble few, again with spreading sails 
We coursed in hollow ship the spacious sea. 
When from the deep the shores had faded far» 
And only sky and sea were round our way. 
Full in the zenith hung a purple cloud. 
Storm-laden, dark as night, and every wave 
Grew black and angry, while perpetual gales 
Came rolling o'er the main, and mountain-high 
The wreckf ul surges rose ; our ships were hurled 

198-Stt] BOOK m 85 

Wide o'er the whiriing waters; thunder-douds 
And misty murk of night made end of all 
The light of heaven, save where the rifted storm 
Flashed with the oft-reiterate shaft of Jove. 
Then went we drifting, beaten from our course» 
Upon a trackless sea. Not even the eyes 
Of Palinurus could tell night from noon 
Or ken our way. Three days of blinding dark» 
Three nights without a star» we roved the seas ; 
The fourth» land seemed to rise. Far distant hills 
And rolling smoke we saw. Down came our sails» 
Out flew the oars» and with prompt stroke the crews 
Swept the dark waves and tossed the crested foam. 

From such sea-peril safe, I made the shores 
Of Strophades» — a name the Grecians gave 
To islands in the broad Ionic main» — 
The Strophades» where dread Celseno bides» 
With other Harpies» who had quit the halls 
Of stricken Phineus» and for very fear 
Fled from the routed feast ; no prodigy 
More vile than these, nor plague more pitiless 
Ere rose by wrath divine from Stygian wave; 
Birds seem they, but with face like woman-kind ; 
Foul-flowing bellies, hands with crooked claws» 
And ghastly lips they have» with hunger pale. 
Scarce had we made the haven» when, behold ! 
Fair herds of cattle roaming a wide plain. 
And homed goats, untended, feeding free 
In pastures green, surprised our happy eyes. 
With eager blades we ran to take and slay» 

86 THE iENEID [«2«-«46 

Asking of every god, and chiefly Jove, 

To share the welcome prize : we ranged a feast. 

With turf-built couches and a banquet-board 

Along the curving strand. But in a trice, 

Down from the high hills swooping horribly. 

The Harpies loudly shrieking, flapped their wings. 

Snatched at our meats, and with infectious touch 

Polluted all ; infernal was their cry. 

The stench most vile. Once more in covert far 

Beneath a cavemed rock, and close concealed 

With trees and branching shade, we raised aloft 

Our tables, altars, and rekindled fires. 

Once more from haunts unknown the clamorous flock 

From every quarter flew, and seized its prey 

With taloned feet and carrion lip most fouL 

I called my mates to arms and opened war 

On that accursed brood. My band obeyed; 

And, hiding in deep grass their swords and shields. 

In ambush lay. But presently the foe 

Swept o'er the winding shore with loud alarm : 

Then from a sentry-crag, Misenus blew 

A signal on his hollow horn. My men 

Flew to the combat strange, and fain would wound 

With martial steel those foul birds of the sea ; 

But on their sides no wounding blade could fall. 

Nor any plume be marred. In swiftest flight 

To starry skies they soared, and left on earth 

Their half-gnawed, stolen feast, and footprints foul. 

Celfleno only on a beetling crag 

Took lofty perch, and, prophetess of ill. 

Shrieked malediction from her vulture breast : 

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«47-«67] BOOK III 87 

'* Because of slaughtered kine and ravished herd» 
''Sons of Laomedon, have ye made war? 
And will ye from their rightful kingdom drive 
The guiltless Harpies ? Hear, O, hear my word 
(Long in your bosoms may it rankle sore !) 
Which Jove onmipotent to Phoebus gave, 
Phcebus to me : a word of doom, which I, 
The Furies' elder sister, here unfold : 
To Italy ye fare. The willing winds 
Your call have heard; and ye shall have your 

prayer 
In some Italian haven safely moored. 
But never shall ye rear the circling walls 
Of your own city, till for this our blood 
By you unjustly spilt, your famished jaws 
***Bite at your tables, aye, — and half devour.* ** 
She spoke : her pinions bore her to the grove» 
And she was seen no more. But all my band 
Shuddered with shock of fear in each cold vein ; 
Their drooping spirits trusted swords no more. 
But turned to prayers and offerings, asking grace» 
Scarce knowing if those creatures were divine. 
Or but vast birds, ill-omened and unclean. 

Father Anchises to the gods in heaven 
Uplifted suppliant hands, and on that shore 
Due ritual made, crying aloud; ''Ye gods 

"Avert this curse, this evil turn away! 

" Smile, Heaven, upon your faithful votaries." 
Then bade he launch away, the chain undo» 
Set every cable free and spread all sail. 

88 THE iBNEID [968-800 

O'er the white waves we flew, and took our way 
Where'er the hehnsman or the winds could guide. 
Now forest-clad Zacynthus met our gaze. 
Engirdled by the waves ; Dulichium, 
Same, and Neritos, a rocky steep. 
Uprose. We passed the cliffs of Ithaca 
That called Laertes king, and flung our curse 
On fierce Ulysses' hearth and native land. 
Nigh hoar Leucate's clouded crest we drew. 
Where Phoebus' temple, feared by mariners. 
Loomed o'er us ; thitherward we steered and reached 
The little port and town. Our weary fleet 
Dropped anchor, .and lay beached along the strand. 
So, safe at land, our hopeless peril past. 
We offered thanks to Jove, and kindled high 
His altars with our feast and sacrifice; 
Then, gathering on Actium's holy shore. 
Made fair solemnities of pomp and game. 
My youth, anointing their smooth, naked limbs» 
Wrestled our wonted way. For glad were we. 
Who past so many isles of Greece had sped 
And 'scaped our circling foes. Now had the sun 
Rolled through the year's full circle, and the waves 
Were rough with icy winter's northern gales. 
I hung for trophy on that temple door 
A swelling shield of brass (which once was worn 
By mighty Abas) graven with this line : 
Spoil of ^Bneas from triumphant foes. 

Then from that haven I command them forth; 
My good crews take the thwarts, smiting the sea 

With rival strokes, and skim the level main. 
Soon sank Phseacia's wind-swept citadels 
Out of our view; we skirted the bold shores 
Of proud Epirus, in Chaonian land. 
And made Buthrotum's port and towering town. 
Here wondrous tidings met us, that the son 
Of Priam, Helenus, held kingly sway 
O'er many Argive cities, having wed 
The Queen of Fyrrhus, great Achilles' son. 
And gained his throne; and that Andromache 
Once more was wife unto a kindred lord. 
Amazement held me ; all my bosom burned 
To secf the hero's face and hear this tale 
Of strange vicissitude. So up I climbed. 
Leaving the haven, fleet, and friendly shore. 

That self-same hour outside the city walls, 
T^thin a grove where flowed the mimic stream 
Of a new Simois, Andromache, 
YTiih offerings to the dead, and gifts of woe. 
Poured forth libation, and invoked the shade 
Of Hector, at a tomb which her fond grief 
Had consecrated to perpetual tears. 
Though void ; a mound of fair green turf it stood, 
And near it rose twin altars to his name. 
She saw me drawing near; our Trojan helms 
Met her bewildered eyes, and, terror-struck 
At the portentous sight, she swooning fell 
And lay cold, rigid, lifeless, till at last. 
Scarce finding voice, her lips addressed me thus : 
''Have I true vision? Bringest thou the word 

90 THE iENEID [810-8» 

'' Of truth, O goddess-born ? Art still in flesh ? 
"Or if sweet light be fled, my Hector, where?*' 
With flood of tears she spoke, and all the grove 
Reechoed to her cry. Scarce could I frame 
Brief answer to her passion, but replied 
With broken voice and accents faltering: 
I live, 't is true. I lengthen out my days 
Through many a desperate strait. But O, believe 
That what thine eyes behold is vision true. 
Alais ! what lot is thine, that wert unthroned 
"From such a husband's side? What after-fate 
" Could give thee honor due ? Andromache, 
"Once Hector's wife, is Pyrrhus still thy lord ?'* 

« 

With drooping brows and lowly voice she cried : 
O, happy only was that virgin blest. 
Daughter of Priam, summoned forth to die 
In sight of Ilium, on a foeman's tomb ! 
No casting of the lot her doom decreed. 
Nor came she to her conqueror's couch a slave. 
Myself from burning Ilium carried far 

" O'er seas and seas, endured the swollen pride 
Of that young scion of Achilles' race. 
And bore him as his slave a son. When he 
Sued for Hermione, of Leda's line. 
And nuptial-bond with Lacedsemon's lords, 

" I, the slave-wife, to Helenus was given. 
And slave was wed with slave. But afterward 
Orestes, crazed by loss of her he loved. 
And ever fury-driven from crime to crime. 
Crept upon Pyrrhus in a careless hour 

« 
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''And muidered him upon his own hearth-stone. 

''Part of the realm of Neoptolemus 

"Fell thus to Helenus, who called his lands 

"Chaonian» and in Trojan Chaon's name 

"His kingdom is Chaonia. Yonder height 

"Is Fergamus, our Hian citadel. 

"What power divine did waft thee to our shore» 

"Not knowing whither? Tell me of the boy 

"Ascanius! Still breathes he earthly air? 

"In Troy she bore him — is he mourning still 

"That mother ravished from his childhood's ejes? 

"What ancient valor stirs the manly soul 

"Of thine own son, of Hector's sister's child?'* 

Thus poured she forth full many a doleful word 

With unavailing tears. But as she ceased. 

Out of the city gates appeared the son 

Of Priam, Helenus, with princely train. 

He welcomed us as kin, and glad at heart 

Gave guidance to his house, though oft his words 

Fell faltering and few, with many a tear. 

Soon to a humbler Troy I lift my eyes. 

And of a mightier Pergamus discern 

The towering semblance ; there a scanty stream 

Runs on in Xanthus' name, and my glad arms 

The pillars of a Scssan gate embrace. 

My Teucrian mariners with welcome free 

Enjoyed the friendly town ; his ample halls 

Our royal host threw wide ; full wine-cups flowed 

Within the palace ; golden feast was spread. 

And many a goblet quaffed. Day followed day. 

92 THE iENEID [S5e-S79 

While favoring breezes beckoned us to sea. 
And swelled the waiting canvas as they blew. 
Then to the prophet-priest I made this prayer: 

Offspring of Troy, interpreter of Heaven ! 
Who knowest Phoebus' power, and readest well 
The tripod, stars, and vocal laurel leaves 
To Phoebus dear, who know'st of every bird 

"The ominous swift wing or boding song, 

" O, speak ! For all my course good omens showed» 

"And every god admonished me to sail 

" In quest of Italy's far-distant shores ; 

" But lone Celaeno, heralding strange woe. 
Foretold prodigious horror, vengeance dark. 
And vile, unnatural hunger. How elude 
Such perils ? Or by what hard duty done 

" May such huge host of evils vanquished be ? ** 

Then Helenus, with sacrifice of kine 

In order due, implored the grace of Heaven, 

Unloosed the fillets from his sacred brow. 

And led me, Phoebus, to thy temple's door. 

Awed by th' o'er-brooding godhead, whose true 

priest. 
With lips inspired, made this prophetic song: 

it 

O goddess-bom, indubitably shines 
The blessing of great gods upon thy path 
"Across the sea; the heavenly King supreme 
Thy destiny ordains; 't is he unfolds 
The grand vicissitude, which now pursues 

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m^-Bv/i BOOK m 9s 

''A course immutable. I will declare 
'*Of thy large fate a certain bounded part; 
"'That fearless thou may'st view the friendly sea» 
''And in Ausonia's haven at the. last 
''Find thee a fixed abode. Than this no more 
'*The Sister Fates to Helenus unveil, 
And Junoy Saturn's daughter, grants no more. 
First, that Italia (which nigh at hand 
Thou deemest, and wouldst fondly enter in 
" By yonder neighboring bays) lies distant far 
" O'er trackless course and long, with interval 
" Of far-extended lands. Thine oars must ply 
"The waves ot Sicily; thy fleet must cleave 
"The large expanse of that Ausonian brine; 
"The waters of Avemus thou shalt see, 
"And that enchanted island where abides 
"iSsean Circe, ere on tranquil shore 
"Thou mayest plant thy nation. Lo! a sign 
"I tell thee; hide this wonder in thy heart: 
"Beside a certain stream's sequestered wave, 
"Thy troubled eyes, in shadowy ilex grove 
"That fringes on the river, shall descry 
"A milk-white, monstrous sow, with teeming brood 
"Of thirty young, new littered, white like her, 
"All clustering at her teats, as prone she lies. 
"There is thy city's safe, predestined ground, 
"And there thy labors' end. Vex not thy heart 
"About those 'tables bitten,' for kind fate 
'* Thy path will show, and Phoebus bless thy prayer. 
"But from these lands and yon Italian shore, 
"Where from this sea of ours the tide sweeps in. 

04 THE iENEID [S8a-4U 

^Escape and flee, for all its cities hold 

* Pernicious Greeks, thy foes : the Locri there 
'Have builded walls; the wide Sallentine fields 
*Are filled with soldiers of Idomeneus; 

* There Melibcean Philoctetes* town, 

* Petilia, towers above its little wall. 

^ Yea, even when thy fleet has crossed the main, 

'And from new altars built along the shore 

*Thy vows to Heaven are paid, throw o'er thy head 

*A purple mantle, veiling well thy brows, 

'Lest, while the sacrificial fire ascends 

*In offering to the gods, thine eye behold 

* Some face of foe, and every omen fail. 

* Let all thy people keep this custom due, 

* And thou thyself be faithful ; let thy seed 
'Forever thus th' immaculate rite maintain. 

* After departing hence, thou shalt be blown 
'Toward Sicily, and strait Pelorus' bounds 

* Will open wide. Then take the leftward way : 
'Those leftward waters in long circuit sweep, 

' Far from that billowy coast, the opposing side. 
' These regions, so they tell, in ages gone 
'By huge and violent convulsion riven 

* (Such mutability is wrought by time), 
'Sprang wide asunder; where the doubled strand 
'Sole and continuous lay, the sea's vast power 

' Burst in between, and bade its waves divide 

* Hesperia's bosom from fair Sicily, 
'While with a straitened firth it interflowed 
'Their fields and cities sundered shore from shore. 

« 

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'^The right side Scylla keeps; the left is given 
''To pitiless Charybdis» who draws down 
"To the wild whirling of her steep abyss 
''The monster waves, and ever and anon 
*' Flings them at heaven» to lash the tranquil stars. 
'*But Scylla» prisoned in her eyeless cave» 
Thrusts forth her face» and pulls upon the rocks 
Ship after ship ; the parts that first be seen 
"Are human; a fair^breasted virgin she» 
" Down to the womb ; but all that lurks below 
"Is a huge-membered fish, where strangely join 
"The flukes of dolphins and the paunch of wolves. 
" Better by far to round the distant goal 
Of the Trinacrian headlands, veering wide 
From thy true course, than ever thou shouldst see 
That shapeless Scylla in her vaulted cave. 
Where grim rocks echo her dark sea-dogs' roar. 
Yea, more, if aught of prescience be bestowed 
" On Helenus, if trusted prophet he, 
"And Phcebus to his heart true voice have given, 
" O goddess-bom, one counsel chief of all 
"I tell thee oft, and urge it o'er and o'er. 
"To Juno's godhead lift thy loudest prayer; 
"To Juno chant a fervent votive song, 
"And with obedient offering persuade 
"That potent Queen. So shalt thou, triumphing» 
"To Italy be sped, and leave behind 
"Trinacria. When wafted to that shore, 
"Repair to Cumse's hill, and to the Lake 
" Avemus with its whispering grove divine. 
"There shalt thou see a frenzied prophetess. 

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96 THE iENEID [448*465 

Who from beneath the hollow scarpM crag 

Sings oracles, or characters on leaves 

Mysterious names. Whate*er the virgin writes» 

On leaves inscribing the portentous song. 

She sets in order, and conceals them well 

In her deep cave, where they abide unchanged 

In due array. Yet not a care has she. 

If with some swinging hinge a breeze sweeps in. 

To catch them as they whirl : if open door 

Disperse them fluttering through the hollow rockt 

She will not link their shifted sense anew. 

Nor re-invent her fragmentary song. 

Oft her unanswered votaries depart. 

Scorning the Sibyl's shrine. But deem not thou 

Thy tarrying too long, whatever thy stay. 

Though thy companions chide, though winds of power 

Invite thy ship to sea, and well would speed 

The swelling sail, yet to that Sibyl go. 

Pray that her own lips may sing forth for thee 

The oracles, uplifting her dread voice 

In willing prophecy. Her rede shall tell 

Of Italy, its wars and tribes to be. 

And of what way each burden and each woe 

May be escaped, or borne. Her favoring aid 

Will grant swift, happy voyages to thy prayer. 

Such counsels Heaven to my lips allows. 

Arise, begone ! and by thy glorious deeds 

Set Troy among the stars!" 

So spake the prophet with benignant voice. 
Then gifts he bade be brought of heavy gold 

And graven ivory, which to our ships 

He bade us bear; each bark was loaded full 

With massy silver and Dodona's pride 

Of brazen cauldrons ; a cuirass he gave 

Of linkkl gold enwrought and triple chain ; 

A noble helmet, too, with flaming crest 

And lofty cone, th' accoutrement erewhile 

Of Neoptolemus. My father too 

Had fit gifts from the King; whose bounty then 

Gave steeds and riders; and new gear was sent 

To every sea-worn ship, while he supplied 

Seafarers' kit to all my loyal crews. 

Anchises bade us speedily set sail. 
Nor lose a wind so fair; and answering him, 
Apollo's priest made reverent adieu : 
** Anchises, honored by the love sublime 
"Of Venus' self and twice in safety borne 
"From falling Troy, chief care of kindly Heaven, 
"Th' Ausonian shore is thine. Sail thitherward! 
" For thou art pre-ordained to travel far 
"O'er yonder seas; far in the distance lies 
"That r^on of Ausonia, Phoebus' voice 
"To thee made promise of. Onward, I say, 
"O blest in the exceeding loyal love 
"Of thy dear son! Why keep thee longer now? 
"Why should my words yon gathering winds detain ? 
Likewise Andromache in mournful guise 
Took last farewell, bringing embroidered robes 
Of golden woof; a princely Phrygian cloak 
She gave Ascanius, vying with the King 

»» 

98 THE iENEID [485-^ 

In gifts of honor; and threw o'er the boy 

The labors of her loom, with words like these : 
"Accept these gifts, sweet youth, memorials 
" Of me and my poor handicraft, to prove 
" Th' undying friendship of Andromache, 
"Once Hector's wife. Take these last ofifer- 
ings 

Of those who are thy kin — O thou that art 

Of my Astyanax in all this world 

The only image ! His thy lovely eyes ! 
" Thy hands, thy lips, are even what he bore, 
"And like thy own his youthful bloom would be.** 

Thus I made answer, turning to depart 

With rising tears: "Live on, and be ye blessed» 

Whose greatness is accomplished ! As for me. 

From change to change Fate summons, and I go; 

But ye have won repose. No leagues of sea 

Await your cleaving keel. Not yours the quest 

Of fading Italy's delusive shore. 

Here a new Xanthus and a second Troy 

Your labor fashioned and your eyes may see — 

More blest, I trust, less tempting to our foes ! 

" If e'er on Tiber and its bordering vales 
I safely enter, and these eyes behold 
Our destined walls, then in fraternal bond 
Let our two nations live, whose mutual boast 
Is one Dardanian blood, one common story. 
Epirus with Hesperia shall be 
One Troy in heart and soul. But this remains 

"For our sons' sons the happy task and care.** 

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506-^26] BOOK III 99 

Forth o'er the seas we sped and kept our course 
Nigh the Ceraunian headland, where begins 
The short sea-passage unto Italy. 
Soon sank the sun, while down the shadowed hills 
Stole deeper gloom ; then making shore, we flung 
Our bodies on a dry, sea-bordering sand. 
Couched on earth's welcome breast; the oars were 

ranged 
In order due; the tides of slumber dark 
O'erflowed our lives. But scarce the chariot 
Of Night, on wings of swift, obedient Hours, 
Had touched the middle sky, when wakeful sprang 
Good Palinurus from his pillowed stone : 
With hand at ear he caught each airy gust 
And questioned of the winds ; the gliding stars 
He called by name, as onward they advanced 
Through the still heaven ; Arcturus he beheld. 
The Hyades, rain-bringers, the twin Bears, 
And vast Orion girt in golden arms. 
He blew a trumpet from his ship ; our caAip 
Stirred to the signal for embarking; soon 
We rode the seas once more with swelling sail. 

Scarce had Aurora's purple from the sky 
Warned oflF the stars, when lying very low 
Along th' horizon, the dimmed hills we saw 
Of Italy; Achates first gave cry 
"Italia!" with answering shouts of joy. 
My comrades' voices cried, "Italia, hail!" 
Anchises, then, wreathed a great bowl with flowers 
And filled with wine, invoking Heaven to bless. 

100 THE iENEID [527-M9 

And thus he prayed from our ship's lofty stem: 
^'O lords of land and sea and every storm! 
"Breathe favoring breezes for our onward way!" 
Fresh blew the prayed-for winds. A haven fair 
Soon widened near us ; and its heights were crowned 
By a Greek fane to Pallas. Yet my men 
Furled sail and shoreward veered the pointing prow. 

The port receding from the orient wave 
Is curved into a bow; on either side 
The jutting headlands toss the salt sea-foam 
And hide the bay itself. Like double wall 
The towered crags send down protecting arms. 
While distant from the shore the temple stands. 
Here on a green sward, the first omen given, 
I saw four horses grazing through the field» 
Each white as snow. Father Anchises cried : 
Is war thy gift, O new and alien land ? 
Horses make war; of war these creatures bode. 
** Yet oft before the chariot of peace 
"Their swift hoofs go, and on their necks they bear 
"Th' obedient yoke and rein. Therefore a hope 
Of peace is also ours." Then we implored 
Minerva's mercy, at her sacred shrine. 
The mail-clad goddess who gave welcome there; 
And at an altar, mantling well our brows 
The Phrygian way, as Helenus ordained. 
We paid the honors his chief counsel urged. 
With blameless rite, to Juno, Argive Queen. 
No tarrying now, but after sacrifice 
We twirled the sailyards and shook out all sail. 

it 

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55fHPJfS] BOOK m 101 

Leaving the cities of the sons of Greece 
And that distrusted land. Tarentum's bay 
Soon smiled before us, town of Hercules, 
If fame be true; opposing it uptowers 
Lacinia's headland unto Juno dear» 
The heights of Caulon, and that sailors' bane. 
Ship-shattering Scylaceum. Thence half seen» 
Trinacrian iBtna cleaves th' horizon line; 
We hear from far the crash of shouting seas» 
Where lifted billows leap the tide-swept sand. 

Father Anchises cried : ** "T is none but she — 
Charybdis! Helenus this reef foretold» 
And rocks of dreadful name. O» fly» my men ! 
Rise like one man with long, strong sweep of oars! 
Not unobedient they ! First Palinure 
Veered to the leftward wave the willing keel. 
And sails and oars together leftward strove. 
We shot to skyward on the arching surge» 
Then, as she sank, dropped deeper than the grave ; 
Thrice bellowed the vast cliffs from vaulted wall ; 
Thrice saw we spouted foam and showers of stars. 

After these things both wind and sun did fail; 
And weary, worn, not witting of our way. 
We drifted shoreward to the Cyclops* land. 
A spreading bay is there, impregnable 
To all invading storms ; and ^Etna's throat 
With roar of frightful ruin thunders nigh. 
Now to the realm of light it lifts a cloud 
Of pitch-black, .whirling smoke, and fieiy dust» 

102 THE iENEID [574-m^ 

Shooting out globes of flame, with monster tongues 
That lick the stars ; now huge crags of itself. 
Out of the bowels of the mountain torn» 
Its maw disgorges» while the molten rock 
Rolls screaming skyward ; from the nether deep 
The fathomless abyss makes ebb and flow. 
Enceladus» his body lightning-scarred» 
Lies prisoned under all» so runs the tale: 
O'er him gigantic ^tna breathes in fire 
From crack and seam ; and if he haply turn 
To change his wearied side» Trinacria's isle 
Trembles and moans» and thick fumes mantle heaven. 

That night in screen and covert of a grove 
We bore the dire convulsion» unaware 
Whence the loud horror came. For not a star 
Its lamp allowed, nor burned in upper sky 
The constellated fires, but all was gloom» 
And frowning night confined the moon in cloud. 

When from the eastern waves the light of mom 

Began to peer, and from the upper sky 

Aurora flamed away the dark and dew. 

Out of the forest sprang a startling shape 

Of hunger-wasted misery; a man 

In wretched guise, who shoreward came with hands 

Outstretched in supplication. We turned back 

And scanned him well. All grime and foulness he. 

With long and tangled beard, his savage garb 

Fastened with thorns ; but in all else he seemed 

A Greek, and in his country's league of arms 

M 
M 
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U 
4* 

Sent to the eiege of Troy. When he beheld 
The Dardan habit, and our Trojan steel». 
He somewhat paused, as if in dread dismay 
Such sight to see, and f alteringly moved ; 
But soon with headlong steps he sought the shore» 
Ejaculating broken sobs and prayers : 
By stars above! By gods on high! O, hear! 
By this bright heavenly air we mortab breathe» 
Save me, sweet Trojans ! Cany me away 
Unto what land ye will ! I ask no more. 
I came, I know it, in the ships of Greece; 
And I did war, 't is true, with Ilium's gods. 
**0, if the crime deserve it, fling my corse 
''On yonder waves, and in the boundless brine 
''Sink me forever! Give me in my death 
"The comfort that by human hands I die.'' 

He clasped our knees, and writhing on his own 
Clung fast. We bid him tell his race and name» 
And by what fate pursued. Anchises gave 
His own right hand in swift and generous aid. 
And by prompt token cheered the exile's heart. 
Who, banishing his fears, poured forth this tale : — 

"My home was Ithaca, and I partook 
" The fortunes of Ulysses evil-starred. 
My name is Achemenides, my sire 
Was Adamastus, and I sailed for Troy, 
"Being so poor, — O, that I ne'er had changed 
"The lot I bore! In yon vast Cyclops' cave 
"My comrades, flying from its gruesome door. 

104 THE iENEm [eifhWP 

Left me behind» forgotten. *T is a house 
Of gory feasts of flesh, *t is deep and dark. 
And vaulted high. He looms as high as heaven; 
I pray the blessed gods to rid the earth 
Of the vile monster ! None can look on him, 
**None speak with him. He feeds on clotted gore 
**Of disembowelled men. These very eyes 
"Saw him seize two of our own company, 
And, as he lolled back in the cave, he clutched 
And dashed them on the stones, fouling the floor 
With torrent of their blood ; myself I saw him 
Crunch with his teeth the dripping, bloody limbs 
Still hot and pulsing on his hungry jaw. 
But not without reward ! For such a sight 
Ulysses would not brook, and Ithaca 
Forgot not in such strait the name he bore. 
For soon as, gorged with feasting and overcome 
With drunken slumber, the foul giant lay 
"Sprawled through the cave, his head dropped helpless 

down, 
"Disgorging as he slept thick drool of gore 
"And gobbets drenched with bloody wine; then we, 
" Calling on Heaven and taking place by lot, 
Drew round him like one man, and with a beam 
Sharpened at end bored out that monster eye, 
Which, huge and sole, lay under the grim brow. 
Round as an Aigive shield or Phcebus' star. 
"^Thus took we joyful vengeance for the shades 
" Of our lost mates. But, O ill-fated men ! 
"Fly, I implore, and cut the cables free 
"Along the beach! For in the land abide. 

M 
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ti 

U 
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«t 

«i 

641-6M] BOOK in 105 

''Like Polyphemus, who in hollow cave 
''Kept fleecy sheep, and milked his fruitful ewes» 
"A hundred other, huge as he, who rove 
"Wide o'er this winding shore and mountains fair: 
" Cyclops accursed, bestial ! Thrice the moon 
"Has filled her horns with light, while here I dwell 
In lonely woods and lairs of creatures wild ; 
Or from tall cliffs out-peering I discern 
The Cyclops, and shrink shuddering from the sound 
" Of their vast step and cry. My sorry fare 
" Is berries and hard cornels dropped from trees, 
" Or herb-roots torn out from the niggard ground. 
"Though watching the whole sea, only to-day 
"Have I had sight of ships. To you I fled. 
" Whate*er ye be, it was my only prayer 
"To 'scape that monster brood. I ask no more. 
"O, set me free by any death ye will!" 

M 

it 

He scarce had said, when moving o*er the crest 
Of a high hill a giant shape we saw : 
That shepherd Polyphemus, with his flocks 
Down-wending to the well-known water-side; 
Huge, shapeless, horrible, with blinded eye. 
Bearing a lopped pine for a staff, he made 
His footing sure, while the white, fleecy sheep. 
Sole pleasure now, and solace of his woes. 
Ran huddling at his side. 
Soon to the vast flood of the level brine 
He came, and washed the flowing gore away 
From that out-hollowed eye; he gnashed his teeth» 
Groaning, and deep into the watery way 

106 THE iENEID [665-6Sr 

Stalked on, his tall bulk wet by scarce a wave. 

We fled in haste, though far, and with us bore 

The truthful suppliant ; cut silently 

The anchor-ropes, and, bending to the oar» 

Swept on with eager strokes clean out to sea. 

Aware he was, and toward our loud halloo 

Whirled sudden round ; but when no power had he 

To seize or harm, nor could his fierce pursuit 

Overtake the Ionian surges as they rolled. 

He raised a cry incredible ; the sea 

With all its billows trembled ; the wide shore 

Of Italy from glens and gorges moaned. 

And ^tna roared from every vaulted cave. 

Then rallied from the grove-clad, lofty isle 

The Cyclops' clan, and lined the beach and bay. 

We saw each lonely eyeball glare in vain. 

As side by side those brothers iEtna-bom 

Stood towering high, a conclave dark and dire: 

As when, far up some mountain's famous crest» 

Wind-fronting oaks or cone-clad cypresses 

Have made assembling in the solemn hills, 

Jove's giant wood or Dian's sacred grove. 

We, terror-struck, would fly we knew not where. 
With loosened sheet and canvas swelling strong 
Before a welcome wind ; but Helenus 
Bade us both Scylla and Charybdis fear. 
Where 'twixt the twain death straitly hems the way; 
And so the counsel was to veer our bark 
The course it came. But lo ! a northern gale 
Burst o'er us from Pelorus' narrowed side. 

687-70B] BCK>K III 107 

And on we rode far past Pantagia's bay 

Of unhewn rock, and past the haven strong 

Of M^ara, and Thapsus lying low. 

Such were the names retold, and such the shores 

Shown us by Achemenides, whose fate 

Made him familiar there, for he had sailed 

With evil-starred Ulysses o'er that sea. 

Off the Sicilian shore an island lies» 

Wave-washed Plemmyrium, called in olden days 

Ortygia; here Alpheus, river-god. 

From Elis flowed by secret sluice, they say. 

Beneath the sea, and mingles at thy mouth. 

Fair Arethusa ! ^th Sicilian waves. 

Our voices hailed the great gods of the land 

With reverent prayer; then skirted we the shore. 

Where smooth Helorus floods the fruitful plain. 

Under Pachynus* beetling precipice 

We kept our course ; then Camarina rose 

In distant view, flrm-seated evermore 

By Fate's decree ; and that far-spreading vale 

Of Grela, with the name of power it takes 

From its wide river; and, uptowering far. 

The ramparts of proud Acragas appeared. 

Where fiery steeds were bred in days of old. 

Borne by the winds, along thy coast I fled, 

Selinus, green with palm ! and past the shore 

Of Lilybseum with its treacherous reef; 

Till at the last the port of Drepanum 

Received me to its melancholy strand. 

Here, woe is me ! outworn by stormful seas. 

108 THE iENEID [709-7ia 

My sire, sole comfort of my grievous doom, 
Anchises ceased to be. O best of sires! 
Here didst thou leave me in the weary way; 
Through all our perils — O the bitter loss ! — 
Borne safely, but in vain. Xing Helenus, 
Whose prophet-tongue of dark events foretold» 
Spoke not this woe; nor did Celasno's curse 
Of this forebode. Such my last loss and pain ; 
Such, of my weary way, the destined goal. 
From thence departing, the divine behest 
Impelled me to thy shores, O listening queen ! 

Such was, while all gave ear, the tale sublime 
Father ^neas, none but he, set forth 
Of wanderings and of dark decrees divine : 
Silent at last, he ceased, and took repose.

N, 

ow felt the Queen the sharp, slow-gathering 

pangs 
Of love ; and out of every pulsing vein 
Nourished the wound and fed its viewless fire. 
' Her hero's v irtues a nd his lor dly l ine 
] ^ep call ing to h er soul ; his words, his glance. 
Cling to her heart like lingering, barbed steel. 
And rest and peace from her vexed body fly. 

A new day's dawn with Phcebus' lamp divine 
Lit up all lands, and from the vaulted heaven 
Aurora had dispelled the dark and dew; 
When thus unto the ever-answering heart 
Of her dear sister spoke the stricken Queen : 
"Anna, my sister, what disturbing dreams 
** Perplex me and alarm? What guest is this 
** New-welcomed to our house ? How proud his mien ! 
" What dauntless couray^e and exploits of war ! 
"Sooth, I receive it for no idle tale 
"That of the gods he sprang. 'T is cowardice 
" Betrays the base-bom soul. Ah me ! How fate 
"Has smitten him with storms! What dire extremes 
"Of war and horror in his tale he told! 
"O, were it not immutably resolved 
''In my fixed heart, that to no shape of man 

no 

(1»- 

" I would be wed again (since my first love 
" Left me by death abandoned and betrayed) ; 
" Loathed I not so the marriage torch and train, 
" I could — who knows ? — to this one weakness y 
< "Anna, I hide it not! But since the doom 
" Of my ill-starred Sichseus, when our shrines 
" Were by a brother's murder dabbled o'er, 
"This man alone has moved me; he alone 
"Has shaken my weak will. I seem to feel 
"The motions of love's lost, familiar fire. 
" But may the earth gape open where I tread, 
"And may almighty Jove with thunder-scourge 
" Hurl me to Erebus' abysmal shade, 
"To pallid ghosts and midnight fathomless, 
" Before, O Chastity ! I shall offend 
"Thy holy power, or cast thy bonds away! 
"He who first mingled his dear life with mine 
"Took with him all niy heart. 'T is his alone — 
"O, let it rest beside him in the grave!" 
She spoke : the bursting tears her breast o'erflowed. 

" O dearer to thy sister than her life," 

Anna replied, " wouldst thou in sorrow's weed 
" Waste thy long youth alone, nor ever know 
"Sweet babes at thine own breast, nor gifts of lovCH 
" Will dust and ashes, or a buried ghost, 
" Reck what we do ? 'T is true thy grieving heart 1 
"Was cold to earlier wooers, Libya's now, 
"And long ago in Tyre. larbas knew 
" Thy scorn, and many a prince and captain bred 
" In Afric's land of gloiy. Why resist 

8&-59] BOOK IV 111 

* A love that makes thee glad? E[ast thou no care 
What alien lands are these where thou dost reign ? 

'Here are Gsetulia's cities and her tribes 
* Unconquered ever; on thy borders rove 
'Numidia's uncurbed cavaliy; here too 
' Lies Syrtis' cruel shore, and regions wide 

* Of thirsty desert, menaced everywhere 

' By the wild hordes of Barca. Shall I tell 

* Of Tyre's hostilities, the threats and rage 

* Of our own brother ? Friendly gods, I trow, 

* Wafted the Teucrian ships, witE Junb^s aid, 
'To these our shores. O sister, what a throne, 
'And what imperial city shall be thine, 

*If thus espoused] With Trojan arms allied 
'How far may not our Punic fame extend 
"In deeds of power? Call therefore on the gods 
'To favor thee; and, after omens fair. 
Give queenly welcome, and contrive excuse 
'To make him tarry, while yon wintry seas 
'Are loud beneath Orion's stormful star, 
'And on his battered ships the season frowns." 

So saying, she stirred a passion-burning breast 

To love more madly, still ;.her words infused. 

A doubting mind with hope, and bade the blush \ 

Of shame b^one. First to the shrines they wen* — ^ 

And sued for grace ; performing sacrifice. 

Choosing an offering of unblemished ewes. 

To law-bestowing Ceres, to the god 

Of light, to sire Lyseus, lord of wine; 

But chiefly unto Juno, patroness 

112 THE iENEID [eo-79 

Of nuptial vows. There Dido, beauteous Queen, 

Held forth in her right hand the sacred bowl» 

And poured it full between the lifted horns 

Of the white heifer ; or on temple floors 

She strode among the richly laden shrines. 

The eyes of gods upon her, worshipping 

With many a votive gift ; or, peering deep 

Into the victims' cloven sides, ske read 

The fate-revealing tokens trembling there. 

How blind the hearts of prophets be ! Alas I 

Of what avail be temples and fond prayers 

To change a frenzied mind ? Devouring ever, 

Love'sr fire bums inward to her bones ; she feels 

.Quick in her Breast the viewTSsrvoiceleiS wound. 

Ill-fated Dido ranges up and down 

The spaces of her city, desperate. 

Her life one flame — like arrow-stricken doe. 

Through Cretan forest rashly wandering. 

Pierced by a far-oflF shepherd, who pursues 

With shafts, and leaves behind his light-winged steel. 

Not knowing; while she scours the dark ravines 

Of Dicte and its woodlands ; at her heart 

The mortal barb irrevocably clings. 

Around her city's battlements she guides 

iEneas, to make show of Sidon's gold. 

And what her realm can boast ; full oft her voice 

Essays to speak and trembling dies away : 

Or, when the daylight fades, she spreads anew 

A royal banquet, and once more will plead. 

Mad that she is, to hear the Trojan sorrow; 

And with oblivious ravishment once more 

79-W] BOOK IV lis 

Hangs on his lips who tells ; or when her guests 

Are scattered, and the wan moon's fading horn 

Bedims its ray, while many a sinking star 

Invites to slwnber, there she weeps alone 

In the deserted hall, and casts her down 

On the cold couch he pressed. Her love from far 

Beholds her vanished hero and receives 

His voice upon her ears ; or to her breasts. 

Moved by a father's image in his child. 

She clasps Ascanius, seeking to deceive 

Her unblest passion so. Her enterprise 

Of tower and rampart stops : her martial host 

No longer she reviews, nor fashions now ' 

Defensive haven and defiant wall ; 

But idly all her half-built bastions frown. 

And enginery of sieges, high as heaven. ^ 

But soon the chosen spouse of Jove perceived 
The Queen's infection ; and because the voice 
Of honor to such frenzy spoke not, she. 
Daughter of Saturn, unto Venus turned 
And counselled thus : ** How noble is the praise, 
''How glorious the spoils of victory, 
" For thee and for thy boy ! Your names should be 
''In lasting, vast renown — that by the snare 
" Of two great gods in league one woman fell ! 
"It 'scapes me not that my protected realms 
" Have ever been thy fear, and the proud halls 
" Of Carthage thy vexation and annoy. 
" Why further go ? Prithee, what useful end 
"Has our long war? Why not from this day forth 

114 THE iBNEm [99-190 

'* Perpetual peace and nuptial amity? 
^ Hast thou not worked thy will ? Behold and see 
**Hqw love-sick Dido bums» and all her j flesh 
** The madness feels! So let our common grace 
"Smile on a mingled people ! Let her serve 
"A Phrygian husband, while thy hands receive 
**Her Tyrian subjects ifor the bridal dower!** 

In answer (reading the dissembler's mind 
Which unto Libyan shores were fain to shift 
Italia's future throne) thus Venus spoke : 
" *T were mad to spurn such favor, or by choice 
"Be numbered with thy foes. But can it be 
"That fortune on thy noble counsel smiles? 
"To me Fate shows but dimly whether Jove 
" Unto the Trojan wanderers ordains 
" A common city with the sons of Tyre, 
*'With mingling blood and sworn, perpetual peace. 
"His wife thou art; it is thy rightful due 
"To plead to know his mind. Go, ask him, then! 
" For humbly I obey ! '* 

With instant word 
Juno the Queen replied : " Leave thait to me ! 
" But in what wise our urgent task and grave 
"May soon be sped, I will in brief unfold 
" To thine attending ear. A royal hunt 
"In sylvan shades unhappy Dido gives 
For her ^neas, when to-morrow's dawn 
Uplifts its earliest ray and Titan's beam 
"Shall first unveil the world. But I will pour 
" Black storm-clouds with a burst of heavy hail 

^ Along their way; and as the huntsmen speed 
** To hem the wood with snares, I will arouse 
** All heaven with thunder. The attending train 
^ Shall scatter and be veiled in blinding dark» 
" While Dido and her hero out of Troy 
** To the same cavern fly. My auspices 
"I will declare — if thou alike wilt bless; 
And yield her in true wedlock for his bride. 
Such shall their spousal be!" To Juno's will 
Cyth^ra's Queen inclined assenting brow : 
And laughed such guile to see. 

Aurora rose» 
And left the ocean's rim. The city's gates 
Pour forth to greet the mom a gallant train 
Of huntsmen, bearing many a woven snare 
And steel-tipped javelin; while to and fro 
Run the keen-scented dogs and Libyan squires. 
The Queen still keeps her chamber; at her doors 
The Punic lords await; her palfrey, brave 
In gold and purple housing, paws the ground 
And fiercely champs the foam-flecked bridle-rein. 
At last, with numerous escort, forth she shines : 
Her Tyrian pall is bordered in bright hues. 
Her quiver, gold ; her tresses are confined 
Only with gold ; her robes of purple rare 
Meet in a golden clasp. To greet her come 
The noble Phrygian guests ; among them smiles 
The boy lulus ; and in fair array 
^neas, goodliest of all his train. 
In such a guise Apollo (when he leaves 
Cold Lycian hills and Xanthus' frosty stream 

116 THE iENEID [IM-m 

To visit Delos to LatoDa dear) 
Ordains the song, while round his altars cry 
' The choirs of many islands, with the pied. 
Fantastic Agathyrsi ; soon the god 
Moves o'er the Cynthian steep ; his flowing hair 
He binds with laurel garland and bright gold ; 
Upon his shining shoulder as he goes 
The arrows ring : — not less uplifted mien 
Mneas wore; from his illustrious brow 
Such beauty shone. 

Soon to the mountains tall 
The cavalcade comes nigh, to pathless haunts 
Of woodland creatures; the wild goats are seen. 
From pointed crag descending leap by leap 
Down the steep ridges; in the vales below 
Are routed deer, that scour the spreading plain. 
And mass their dust-blown squadrons in wild flight. 
Far from the mountain's bound. Ascanius, 
Flushed with the sport, spurs on a mettled steed 
From vale to vale, and many a flying herd 
His chase outspeeds; but in his heart he prays ^ 
Among these tame things suddenly to see 
A tusky boar, or, leaping from the hills, 
A growling mountain-lion, golden-maned. 

Meanwhile low thunders in the distant sky 

Mutter confusedly; soon bursts in full 

The storm-cloud and the hail. The Tyrian troop 

Is scattered wide ; the chivalry of Troy, 

With the young heir of Dardan's kingly line. 

Of Venus sprung, seek shelter where they may. 

With sudden terror; down the deep ravines 
The swollen torrents roar. In that same hour 
Queen Dido and her hero out of Troy 
To the same cavern fly. Old Mother-Earth 
And wedlock-keeping Juno gave the sign ; 
The flash of lightnings on the conscious air 
Lit them the bridal bed ; along the hills 
The wailing wood-nymphs sobbed a wedding song. 
Such was that day of death, the source and spring 
Of many a woe. For Dido took no heed 
Of honor and good-namej no'r did she mean 
Her loves to hide; but called tbe lawfefls deed 
A marriage, and with jdiraaes veiled her shame. 

Swift through the Libyan cities Rumor sped. 

Rumor! What evil can surpass her speed? 

In movement she grows mighty, and achieves 

Strength and dominion as she swifter flies. 

Small first, because afraid, she soon exalts 

Her stature skyward, stalking through the lands 

And mantling in the clouds her baleful brow. 

The womb of Earth, in anger at high Heaven» 

Bore her, they say, last of the Titan spawn. 

Sister to Coeus and Enceladus. 

Feet swift to run and pinions like the wind 

The dreadful monster wears ; her carcase huge 

Is feathered, and at root of every plume 

A peering eye abides; and, strange to tell. 

An equal number of vociferous tongues. 

Foul, whispering lips, and ears, that catch at all. 

At night she spreads midway 'twixt earth and heaven 

118 THE iBNEID [185-204 

Her pinions in the darkness» hissing loud» 

Nor e'er to happy slumber gives her eyes : 

But with the morn she takes her watchful throne 

High on the housetops or on lofty towers. 

To terrify the nations. She can cling 

To vile invention and malignant wrong. 

Or mingle with her word some tidings true. 

She now with changeful story filled men's ears. 
Exultant, whether false or true she sung : 
How, Trojan-bom ^neas having come. 
Dido, the lovely widow, looked his way. 
Deigning to wed ; how all the winter long 
They passed in revel and voluptuous ease. 
To dalliance given o'er; naught heeding now 
Of crown or kingdom — i^ameless ! lust-enslaved ! 
Such tidings broadcast on the lips of men 
The filthy goddess spread ; and soon she hied 
To King larbas, where her hateful song 
To newly-swollen wrath his heart inflamed. 
Him the god Ammon got by forced embrace 
Upon a Libyan nymph; his kingdoms wide 
Possessed a hundred ample shrines to Jove, 
A hundred altars whence ascended ever 
The fires of sacrifice, perpetual seats 
For a great god's abode, where flowing blood 
Enriched the ground, and on the portals hung 
Garlands of every flower. The angered King, 
Half -maddened by malignant Rumor's voice. 
Unto his favored altars came, and there, 
Surrounded by the effluence divine. 

Upraised in prayer to Jove his suppliant hands. 
^Ahnighty Jupiter, to whom each day, 
^ At banquet on the painted couch reclined, 
^ Numidia pours libation ! Do thine eyes 
** Behold us ? Or when out of yonder heaven, 
** O sire, thou launchest the swift thunderbolt, 
** Is it for naught we fear thee ? Do the clouds 
** Shoot forth blind fire to terrify the soul 
^ YTiih wild, unmeaning roar ? O, look upon 
** That woman, who was homeless in our realm, 
** And bargained where to build her paltry town, 
^ Receiving fertile coastland for her farms, 
** By hospitable grant ! She dares disdain 
** Our proffered nuptial vow. She has proclaimed 
** MneSLS partner of her bed and throne. 
** And now that Paris, with his eunuch crew, 
** Beneath his chin and fragrant, oozy hair 
^ Ties the soft Lydian bonnet, boasting well 
** His stolen prize. But we to all these fanes, 
^ Though they be thine, a fruitless offering bring, 
** And feed on empty tales our trust in thee." 

As thus he prayed and to the altars clung, 
Th' Omnipotent gave ear, and turned his gaze 
Upon the royal dwelling, wher e for lo ve 
The amorous pair forgot their place and name. 
Then thus to Mercury he gave command : " 
** Haste thee, my son, upon the Zephyrs call, 
" And take thy winged way ! My mandate bear 
** Unto that prince of Troy who tarries now 
** In Tyrian Carthage, heedless utterly 

*( 
it 

120 THE iBNEID [ns-StM 

"Of empire Heaven-bestowed. On wingfed winds 
** Hasten with my decrees. Not such the man 
** His beauteous mother promised ; not for this 
"Twice did she shield him from the Greeks in arms: 
" But that he might rule Italy, a land 
Pregnant with thrones and echoing with war; 
That he of Teucer's seed a race should sire, 
" And bring beneath its law the whole wide worid. 
" If such a glory and event supreme 
** Enkindle not his bosom ; if such task 
" To his own honor speak not ; can the sire 
" Begrudge Ascanius the heritage 
" Of the proud name of Rome ? What plans he now? 
" What mad hope bids him linger in the lap 
" Of enemies, considering no more 
"The land Lavinian and Ausonia's sons. 
" Let him to sea ! Be this our final word : 
" This message let our herald faithful bear.'* 
He spoke. The god a prompt obedience gave 
To his great sire's command. He fastened first 
Those sandals of bright gold, which carry him 
Aloft o'er land or sea, with airy wings 
That race the fleeting wind ; then lifted he 
His wand, wherewith he summons from the grave 
Pale-featured ghosts, or, if he will, consigns 
To doleful Tartarus ; or by its power 
Gives slumber or dispels ; or quite unseals 
The eyelids of the dead : on this relying, 
He routs the winds or cleaves th' obscurity 
Of stormful clouds. Soon from his flight he spied 
The summit and the sides precipitous 

\ 
\ 

S47-088] BOOK IV 121 

Of stubborn Atlas, whose star-pointiDg peak \ 

Props heaven; of Atlas, whose pine-wreathM brow 

Is girdled evermore with misty gloom 

And lashed of wind and rain ; a cloak of snow 

Melts on his shoulder; from his aged chin 

Drop rivers, and ensheathed in stiffening ice 

Glitters his great grim beard. 

Here first was stayed 

The speed of Mercury's well-poising wing; 

Here making pause, from hence he headlong flung 

EQs body to the sea; in motion like 

Some sea-bird's, which along the levelled shore 

Or round tall crags where rove the swarming fish» 

Flies low along the waves : o'er-hovering so 

Between the earth and skies, Cyllene's god 

Flew downward from his mother's mountain-sire» 

Parted the winds and skimmed the sandy marge 

Of Libya. When first his wingM feet 

Came nigh the clay-built Punic huts, he saw 

Mneas building at a citadel. 

And founding walls and towers ; at his side 

Was girt a blade with yellow jaspers starred, 

His mantle with the stain of Tyrian shell 

Flowed purple from his shoulder, broidered fair 

By opulent Dido with fine threads of gold. 

Her gift of love; straightway the god began: 
** Dost thou for lofty Carthage toil, to build 

Foundations strong ? Dost thou, a wife's weak thrall» 

Build her proud city? Hast thou, shameful loss! 
*' Forgot thy kingdom and thy task sublime ? 
'* From bright Olympus, I. He who commands 

« 
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122 THE iENEID [269-290 

** All gods, and by his sovran deity 

** Moves earth and heaven — he it was who bade 

" Me bear on winged winds his high decree. 
What plan is thine ? By what mad hope dost thou 
Linger so long in lap of Libyan land ? 
If the proud guerdon of thy destined way 
Move not thy heart, if all the arduous toil 

**To thine own honor speak not, look upon 

^ lulus in his bloom, thy hope and heir 

^'Ascanius. It is his rightful due 

"In Italy o'er Roman lands to reign." 
After such word Cyllene's wingid god 
Vanished, and e'er his accents died away. 
Dissolved in air before the mortal's eyes. 

^neas at the sight stood terror-dumb 
With choking voice and horror-rising hair. 
He fain would fly at once and get him gone 
From that voluptuous land, much wondering 
At Heaven's wrathful word. Alas ! how stir ? 
What cunning argument can plead his cause 
Before th' infuriate Queen ? How break such news ? 
Flashing this way and that, his startled mind 
Makes many a project and surveys them all. 
But, pondering well, his final counsel stopped 
At this resolve : he summoned to his side 
Mnestheus, Sergestus, and Serestus bold. 
And bade them fit the fleet, all silently 
Gathering the sailors and collecting gear. 
But carefully dissembling what emprise 
Such novel stir intends : himself the while 

(Since high-bom Dido dreamed not love so fond 
Could have an end) would seek an audience. 
At some indulgent time» and try what shift 
Such matters may require. With joy they heard. 
And wrought, assiduous, at their prince's plan. 

But what can cheat true love ? The Queen foreknew 
His stratagem, and all the coming change 
Perceived ere it began. Her jealous fear 
Counted no hour secure. That unclean tongue 
Ot Rumor told her fevered heart the fleet 
W^. fitting forth, and hastening to be gone. 
Distractedly she raved, and passion-tossed 
Roamed through her city, like a Maenad roused 
By the wild rout of Bacchus, when are heard 
The third year's orgies, and the midnight scream 
To cold Cithseron calls the frenzied crew, 
landing iBneas, thus her plaint she poured : 
** Didst hope to hide it, false one, that such crime 
** Was in thy heart, — to steal without farewell 
** Out of my kingdom ? Did our mutual joy 
"Not move thee; nor thine own true promise given 
** Once on a time ? Nor Dido, who will die 
"A death of sorrow? Why compel thy ships 
^TTcTBirave the winter stars? Why oflf to sea 
"So fast through stormy skies? O, cruelty! 
If Troy still stood, and if thou wert not bound 
For alien inhere unknown, wouldst steer for Troy 
"Through yonder waste of waves? Is it from 

me 
"Thou takest flight? O, by these flowing tears. 

u 
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1«4 

IS15- 

"By thine own plighted word (for nothing more 

"My weakness left to miserable me), 

" By our poor marriage of imperfect vow, 

"If aught to me thou owest, if aught in me 

" Ever have pleased thee — O, be merciful 

" To my low-fallen fortunes ! I implore, 

" If place be left for prayer, thy purpose change ! 

" Because of thee yon Libyan savages 

" And nomad chiefs are grown implacable, 

"And my owii Tyriaos hate me. Yes, for Uiee 

"My chastity was slain and honor fair, 

"By which alone to glory 1 aspired, 

"In former days. To ivhom dost thou in death 

"Abandon me? my guest! — since but this name 

"Is left me of a husband ! Shall I wait 

"Till fell Pygmalion, my brother, raze 

" My city walls ? Or the Geelulian king, 

" larbas, chain me captive to his car ? 

"O, if, ere thou hadst fled, I might but bear 

"Some pledge of love to thee, and in these halls 

" Watch some sweet babe ^neas at his play, 

"Whose face should be the memory of thine own — 

"I were not so forsaken, lost, undone!" 

She said. But he, obeying Jove's decree. 
Gazed steadfastly away; and in his heart 
With strong repression crushed his cruel pain; 
Then thus the sileuce brake: "O Queen, not one 
"Of my unnumbered debts so strongly urged 
"Would I gainsay. Eiissa's memory 
" Will be my treasure long as memory holds. 

u 

8S7-458] BOOK IV 125 

** Or breath of life is mine. Hear my brief [dea ! 
** 'T was not my hope to hide this flight I take, 
''As thou hast dreamed. Nay, I did never light 
"A bridegroom's torch, nor gave I thee the vow 
" Of marriage. Had my destiny decreed, 
** That I should shape life to my heart's desire. 
And at my own will put away the weight 
Of toil and pain, my place would now be found 
In Troy, among the cherished sepulchres 
** Of my own kin, and Priam's mansion proud 
''Were standing still; or these my loyal hands 
"Had rebuilt Ilium for her vanquished sons. 
" But now to Italy Apollo's power 
" Commands me forth ; his Lycian oracles 
" Are loud for Italy. My heart is there, 
"And there my fatherland. If now the towers 
** Of Carthage and thy Libyan colony 
"Delight thy Tyrian eyes; wilt thou refuse 
"To Trojan exiles their Ausonian shore? 
"I too by Fate was driven, not less than thou, 
"To wander far a foreign throne to find. 
" Oft when in dewy dark night hides the world, 
" And flaming stars arise, Anchises' shade 
Looks on me in my dreams with angered brow. 
I think of my Ascanius, and the wrong 
" To that dear heart, from whom I steal away 
"Hesperia, his destined home and throne. 
" But now the winged messenger of Heaven, 
" Sent down by Jove (I swear by thee and me !), 
"Has brought on wingM winds his sire's command. 
" My own eyes with unclouded vision saw 

126 THE iBNEID [859-379 

"The god within these walls; I have received 
" With my own ears his word. No more inflame 
** With lamentation fond thy heart and mine. 
" 'T is not my own free act seeks Italy.'* 

She with averted eyes and glance that rolled 
Speechless this way and that, had listened long 
To his reply, till thus her rage broke forth : 
" No goddess gave thee birth. No Dardanus 
" Begot thy sires. But on its breast of stone 
** Caucasus bore thee, and the tigresses 
** Of fell Hyrcania to thy baby lip 
** Their udders gave. Why should I longer show 
"A lying smile? What worse can I endure? 
" Did my tears draw one sigh ? Did he once drop 
" His stony stare ? or did he yield a tear 
** To my lament, or pity this fond heart ? 
" Why set my wrongs in order ? Juno, now, 
"And Jove, the son of Saturn, heed no more 
" Where justice lies. No trusting heart is safe 
"In all this world. That waif and castaway 
" I found in beggary and gave him share — 
" Fool that I was ! — in my own royal glory. 
" His lost fleet and his sorry crews I steered 
"From death away. O, how my fevered soul 
" Unceasing raves ! Forsooth Apollo speaks ! 
" His Lycian oracles ! and sent by Jove 
" The messenger of Heaven on fleeting air 
" The ruthless bidding brings ! Proud business 
" For gods, I trow, that such a task disturbs 
"Their still abodes! I hold thee back no more» 

"Nor to thy cunning speeches give the lie. 

•* B^one ! Sail on to Italy, thy throne, 

•* Through wind and wave! I pray that, if there be 

''Any just gods of power, thou mayest drink down 

** Death on the mid-sea rocks, and often call 

** With dying gasps on Dido's name — while I 

** Pursue with vengeful fire. When cold death rends 

** The body from the breath, my ghost shall sit 

** Forever in thy path. Pull penalties 

** Thy stubborn heart shall pay. They 11 bring me news 

**In yon deep gulf of death of all thy woe." 

Abrupt her utterance ceased ; and sick at heart 

She fled the light of day, as if to shrink 

From human eyes, and left ^neas there 

Irresolute with horror, while his soul 

Framed many a vain reply. Her swooning shi^ 

Her maidens to a marble chamber bore 

And on her couch the helpless limbs reposed. 

^neas, faithful to a task divine. 

Though yearning sore to remedy and soothe 

Such misery, and with the timely word 

Her grief assuage, and though his burdened heart 

Was weak because of love, while many a groan 

Rose from his bosom, yet no whit did fail 

To do the will of Heaven, but of his fleet 

Resumed command. The Trojans on the shore 

Ply well their task and push into the sea 

The lofty ships. Now floats the shining keel. 

And oars they bring all leafy from the grove. 

/ 

128 THE JBNEID [40a-4M 

Wiih oak half-hewn, so hurried was the flight. 
Behold them how th^y haste — from every gate 
Forth-streaming ! — just as when a heap of com 
Is thronged with ants, who, knowing winter nigh» 
Refill their granaries; the long black line 
Runs o'er the levels, and conveys the spoil 
In narrow pathway through the grass; a part 
With straining and assiduous shoulder push 
The kernels huge; a part array the file. 
And whip the laggards on ; their busy track 
Swarms quick and eager with unceasing toil. 

O Dido, how thy suffering heart was wrung, 
TEat spectacle to seel What sore lament 
Was thine, when from the towering citadel 
The whole shore seemed alive, the sea itself 
In turmoil with loud cries ! Relentless Love, 
To what mad courses may not mortal hearts 
By thee be driven ? Again her sorrow flies 
To doleful plaint and supplication vain; 
Again her pride to tyrant Love bows down. 
Lest, though resolved to die, she fail to prove 
Each hope of living : " O Anna, dost thou see 
** Yon busy shore ? From every side they come. 
" Their canvas wooes the winds, and o*er each prow 
"The merry seamen hang their votive flowers. 
" Dear sister, since I did forebode this grief, 
'* I shall be strong to bear it. One sole boon 
" My sorrow asks thee, Anna ! Since of thee, 
**Thee only, did that traitor make a friend, 
** And trusted thee with what he hid so deep — 

''The feelings of his heart; since thou alone 

''Hast known what way, what hour the man would 

yield 
"To soft persuasion — therefore, sister, haste, 
" And humbly thus implore our haughty foe : 
"'I was not with the Greeks what time they swore 
"'At Aulis to cut off the seed of Troy; 
"'I sent no ships to Ilium. Pray, have I 
"'Profaned Anchises* tomb, or vexed his shade?' 
" Why should his ear be deaf and obdurate 
"To all I say? What haste? May he not make 
" One last poor offering to her whose love 
"Is only pain? O, bid him but delay 
"Till flight be easy and the winds blow fair. 
"I plead no more that bygone marriage-vow 
"By him forsworn, nor ask that he should lose 
" His beauteous Latium and his realm to be. 
" Nothing but time I crave ! to give repose 
" And more room to this fever, till my fate 
"Teach a crushed heart to sorrow. I implore 
"This last grace. (To thy sister's grief be kind !) 
"I will requite with increase, till I die." 

Such plaints, such prayers, again and yet again, 
Betwixt the twain the sorrowing sister bore. 
But no words move, no lamentations bring 
Persuasion to his soul ; decrees of Fate 
Oppose, and some wise god obstructs the way 
That finds the hero's ear. Oft-times around 
The aged strength of some stupendous oak 
The rival blasts of wintry Alpine winds 

130 THE iBNEID [443-466 

Smite with alternate wrath : loud is the roar. 
And from its rocking top the broken boughs 
Are strewn along the ground ; but to the crag 
Steadfast it ever clings ; far as toward heaven 
Its giant crest uprears, so deep below 
Its roots reach doWn to Tartarus : — not less 
The hero by unceasing wail and cry 
Is smitten sore, and in his mighty heart 
Has many a pang, while his serene intent 
Abides unmoved, and tears gush forth in vain. 

Then wretched Dido, by her doom appalled. 

Asks only death. It wearies her to see 

The sun in heaven. Yet that she might hold fast 

Her dread resolve to quit the light of day. 

Behold, when on an incense-breathing shrine 

Her offering was laid — O fearful tale ! — 

The pure libation blackened, and the wine 

Flowed like polluting gore. She told the sight 

To none, not even to her sister's ear. 

A second sign was given : for in her house 

A marble altar to her husband's shade. 

With garlands bright and snowy fleeces dressed. 

Had fervent worship; here strange cries were heard 

As if her dead spouse called while midnight reigned. 

And round her towers its inhuman song 

The lone owl sang, complaining o'er and o'er 

With lamentation and long shriek of woe. 

Forgotten oracles by wizards told 

Whisper old omens dire. In dreams she feels 

Cruel ^neas goad her madness on. 

And ever seems she, friendless and alone. 

Some lengthening path to travel, or to seek 

Her Tynans through wide wastes of barren lands. 

Thus frantic Pentheus flees the stem array 

Of the Eumenides, and thinks to see 

Two noonday lights blaze o'er his doubled Thebes; 

Or murdered Agamemnon's haunted son, 

Orestes, flees his mother's phantom scourge 

Of flames and serpents foul, while at his door 

Avenging horrors wait. 

Now sorrow-crazed 
And by her grief undone, resolved on death. 
The manner and the time her secret soul 
Prepares, and, speaking to her sister sad, 
She masks in cheerful calm her fatal will : 
I know a way — O, wish thy sister joy ! — 
To bring him back to love, or set me free. 
On Ocean's bound and next the setting sun 
'^Lies the last iEthiop land, where Atlas tall 
Lifts on his shoulder the wide wheel of heaven. 
Studded with burning stars. From thence is come 
A witch, a priestess, a Numidian crone, 
** Who guards the shrine of the Hesperides 
And feeds the dragon ; she protects the fruit 
Of that enchanting tree, and scatters there 
** Her slumb'rous poppies mixed with honey-dew. 
"" Her spells and magic promise to set free 
** What hearts she will, or visit cruel woes 
** On men afar. She stops the downward flow 
"Of rivers, and turns back the rolling stars; 
" On midnight ghosts she calls : her vot'ries hear 

M 
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182 THE iENEID [491-511 

"Earth bellowing loud below, while from the hills 
"The ash-trees travel down. But, sister mine» 
** Thou knowest, and the gods their witness give, 
" How little mind have I to don the garb 
** Of sorcery. Depart in secret, thou, 
" And bid them build a lofty funeral pyre 
"Inside our palace-wall, and heap thereon 
" The hero's arms, which that blasphemer hung 
"Within my chamber; every relic bring, 
"And chiefly that ill-omened nuptial bed, 
" My death and ruin ! For I must blot out 
" All sight and token of this husband vile. 
" 'T is what the witch commands." She spoke no more, 
And pallid was her brow. Yet Anna's mind 
Knew not what web of death her sister wove 
By these strange rites, nor what such frenzy dares; 
Nor feared she worse than when Sichseus died. 
But hied her forth the errand to fulfil. 

Soon as the funeral pyre was builded high 
In a sequestered garden, looming huge 
With boughs of pine and faggots of cleft oak, 
The queen herself enwreathed it with sad flowers 
And boughs of mournful shade ; and crowning all 
She laid on nuptial bed the robes and sword 
By him abandoned ; and stretched out thereon 
A mock iEneas ; — but her doom she knew. 
Altars were there; and with loose locks unbound 
The priestess with a voice of thunder called 
Three hundred gods. Hell, Chaos, the three shapes 
Of triple Hecate, the faces three 

61t-.5S3] BOOK IV 18S 

Of virgin Dian. She aspersed a stream 
From dark Avenius drawn, she said ; soft herbs 
Were cut by moonlight with a blade of bronze. 
Oozing black poison-sap; and she had plucked 
That philter from the forehead of new foal 
Before its dam devours. Dido herself, 
Sprinkling the salt meal, at the altar stands; 
One foot unsandalled, and with cincture free» 
On all the gods and fate-instructed stars, 
Foreseeing death, she calls. But if there be 
Some just and not oblivious power on high» 
Who heeds when lovers plight unequal vow» 
To that god first her supplications rise. 

Soon fell the night, and peaceful slumbers breathed 

On all earth's weary creatures ; the loud seas 

And babbling forests entered on repose; 

Now midway in their heavenly course the stars 

Wheeled silent on; the outspread lands below 

Lay voiceless; all the birds of tinted wing. 

And flocks that haunt the marge of waters wide 

Or keep the thorny wold, oblivious lay 

Beneath the night so still; the stings of care 

Ceased troubling, and no heart its burden knew. 

Not so the Tyrian Queen's deep-grieving soul ! 

To sleep she could not yield ; her eyes and heart 

Refused the gift of night; her suffering 

Redoubled, and in full returning tide 

Her love rebelled, while on wild waves of rage 

She drifted to and fro. So, ceasing not 

From sorrow, thus she brooded on her wrongs : 

THE iENEID 

[534-554 

What refuge now ? Shall I invite the scorn 

Of my rejected wooers, or entreat 

Of some disdainful, nomad blackamoor 

To take me to his bed — though many a time 

Such husbands I made mock of ? Shalt I sail 

On Ilian ships away, and sink to be 

The Trojans' humble thrall ? Do they rejoice 

That once I gave them bread ? Lives gratitude 

In hearts like theirs for bygone kindnesses? 

O, who, if so I stooped, would deign to bear 

On yon proud ships the scorned and fallen Queen ? 

Lost creature ! Woe betide thee ! Knowest thou not 

The perjured children of Laomedon ? 

What way is left ? Should I take flight alone 

* And join the revelling sailors ? Or depart 

* With Tyrians, the whole attending train . 

* Of my own people ? Hard the task to force 

* Their hearts from Sidon's towers ; how once more 

* Compel to sea, and bid them spread the sail ? 

* Nay, perish ! Thou hast earned it. Let the sword 

* From sorrow save thee ! Sister of my blood — 

' Who else but thee, — by my own tears borne down, 

* Didst heap disaster on my frantic soul, 

* And fling me to this foe ? Why could I not 

* Pass wedlock by, and live a blameless life 

* As wild things do, nor taste of passion's pain ? 

* Biit I broke faith ! I cast the vows away 
'Made at Sichseus' grave." Such loud lament 

Burst from her breaking heart with doleful sound. 

Meanwhile ^Eneas on his lofty ship, 

M 
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555-^77] BOOK IV 135 

Having made ready all» and fixed his mind 

To launch away, upon brief slumber fell. 

But the god came ; and in the self -same guise 

Once more in monitory vision spoke, — 

All guised as Mercury, — his voice, his hue. 

His golden locks, and young limbs strong and fair. 

** Hail, goddess-bom ! Wouldst linger on in sleep 
At such an hour ? Nor seest thou the snares 
That hem thee round ? Nor hearest thou the voice 

** Of friendly zephyrs calling ? Senseless man ! 

"That woman's breast contrives some treachery 

*'And horrid stroke; for, resolute to die, 

** She drifts on swollen floods of wrath and scorn. 

" Wilt thou not fly before the hastening hour 
Of flight is gone ? To-morrow thou wilt see 
Yon waters thronged with ships, the cruel glare 

" Of fire-brands, and yonder shore all flame» 

" If but the light of morn again surprise 

"Thee loitering in this land. Away! Away! 

" Stay not ! A mutable and shifting thing 

" Is woman ever." 

Such command he spoke» 
Then melted in the midnight dark away, 
^neas, by that fleeting vision struck 
With an exceeding awe, straightway leaped forth 
From slumber's power, and to his followers cried : 

** Awake, my men ! Away ! Each to his place 

" Upon the thwarts ! Unfurl at once the sails ! 

** A god from heaven a second time sent down 

** Urges our instant flight, and bids us cut 

"The twisted cords. Whatever be thy name, 

a 
a 

1S6 THE ^NEID [577-5OT 

"Behold, we come, O venerated Power! 
" Again with joy we follow ! Let thy grace 
** Assist us as we go ! And may thy power 
"Bring none but stars benign across our sky." 
So saying, from its scabbard forth he flashed 
The lightning of his sword, with naked blade 
Striking the hawsers free. Like ardor seized 
On all his willing men, who raced and ran; 
And, while their galleys shadowed all the sea, 
XDlean from the shore they scudded, with strong 

strokes 
Sweeping the purple waves and crested foam. 

Aurora's first young beams to earth were pouring 
As from Tithonus' saffron bed she sprang; 
While from her battlements the wakeful Queen 
"Watched the sky brighten, saw the mated sails 
Push forth to sea, till all her port and strand 
Held not an oar or keel. Thrice and four times 
She smote her lovely breast with wrathful hand» 
And tore her golden hair. " Great Jove," she cries, 
"Shall that departing fugitive make mock 
" Of me, a queen ? Will not my men-at-arms 
" Draw sword, give chase, from all my city thronging ? 
" Down from the docks, my ships ! Out, out ! Begone ! 
"Take fire and sword! Bend to your oars, ye slaves! 
"What have I said? Where am I? What mad thoughts 
" Delude this ruined mind ? Woe unto thee, 
"Thou wretched Dido, now thy impious deeds 
" Strike back upon thee. Wherefore struck they not, 
"As was most fit, when thou didst fling away 

598^17] BOOK IV 137 

Thy sceptre from thy hand ? O lying oaths ! 
O faith forsworn ! of him who brings, they boast. 
His father's gods along, and bowed bis back 
To lift an age- worn sire ! Why dared I not 
Seize on him, rend his body limb from limb. 
And hurl him piecemeal on the rolling sea ? 
Or put his troop of followers to the sword, 
Ascanius too, and set his flesh before 

What fears a woman dying ? Would I had 
Attacked their camp with torches, kindled flame 
From ship to ship, until that son and sire. 
With that whole tribe, were unto ashes burned 
In one huge holocaust — myself its crown ! 
Great orb of light whose holy beam surveys 
All earthly deeds! Great Juno, patroness 
Of conjugal distress, who knowest all! 
Pale Hecate, whose name the witches cry 

U 

Give ear, and to my guiltless misery 
Extend your power. Hear me what I prayl 
** If it be fated that yon creature curst 
" Drift to the shore and happy haven find, 
"If Father Jove's irrevocable word 
Such goal decree — there may he be assailed 
By peoples fierce and bold. A banished man. 
From his lulus' kisses sundered far. 
May his own eyes see miserably slain 
His kin and kind, and sue for alien arms. 

u 

138 THE iENEID [617-W 

Nor when he basely bows him to receive 
Terms of unequal peace, shall he be blest 
With sceptre or with life ; but perish there 
" Before his time, and lie without a grave 
"Upon the barren sand. For this I pray. 
"This dying word is flowing from my heart 
With my spilt blood. And — O ye TyriansI 
Sting with your hatred all his seed and tribe 
Forevermore. This is the offering 
My ashes ask. Betwixt our nations twain, 
No love ! No truce or amity ! Arise, 
Out of my dust, unknown Avenger, rise ! 
To harry and lay waste with sword and flame 
Those Dardan settlers, and to vex them sore» 
To-day, to-morrow, and as long as power 
Is thine to use ! My dying curse arrays 
Shore against shore and the opposing seas 
In shock of arms with arms. May living foes 
Pass down from sire to son insatiate war!" 

She said. From point to point her purpose flew. 
Seeking without delay to quench the flame 
Of her loathed life. Brief bidding she addressed 
To Barce then, Sichseus' nurse (her own 
Lay dust and ashes in a lonely grave 
Beside the Tyrian shore), "Go, nurse, and call 
My sister Anna ! Bid her quickly bathe 
" Her limbs in living water, and procure 
Due victims for our expiating fires. 
Bid her make haste. Go, bind on thy own brow 
The sacred fillet. For to Stygian Jove 

« 
<C 

« 

tt 
€S 

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ts 

tt 
tt 
tt 

638-e58] BOOK IV 139 

It is my purpose now to consummate 

The sacrifice ordained, ending my woe. 

And touch with flame the Trojan's funeral pyre J 

The aged crone to do her bidding ran 
With trembling zeal. But Dido (horror-struck 
At her own dread design, unstrung with fear. 
Her bloodshot eyes wide-rolling, and her cheek 
Twitching and fever-spotted, her cold brow 
Blanched with approaching death) — sped past the 

doors 
Into the palace garden ; there she leaped, 
A frenzied creature, on the lofty pyre 
And drew the Trojan's sword ; a gift not asked 
For use like this ! When now she saw the garb 
Of Ilian fashion, and the nuptial couch 
She knew too well, she lingered yet awhile 
For memory and tears, and, falling prone 
On that cold bed, outpoured a last farewell : 
** Sweet relics! Ever dear when Fate and Heaven 
"Upon me smiled, receive my parting breath, 
** And from my woe set free ! My life is done. 
** I have accomplished what my lot allowed ; 
**And now my spirit to the wprldLjpf deatlL. 
** In royal honor g oes. T he founder I_ 
** Of yonder noble city, I have seen 
"Walls at my bidding rise. I was avenged 
" For my slain husband : I chastised the crimes 
** Of our injurious brother. Woe is me ! 
"ffiest had I been, beyond deserving blest, 
"If but the Trojan galleys ne'er had moored 

140 THE ^NEID [e5»-«7 

^ Upon my kingdom's bound ! ** So saying, she pressed 
One last kiss on the couch. " Though for my death 

" No vengeance fall, O, give me death ! " she cried. 

" O thus ! O thus ! it is my will to take 

" The journey to the dark. From yonder sea 

" May his cold Trojan eyes discern the flames 

**That make me ashes! Be this cruel death 

"His omen as he sails!" 

She spoke no more. 
But almost ere she ceased, her maidens all 
Thronged to obey her cry, and found their Queen 
Prone fallen on the sword, the reeking steel 
Still in her bloody hands. Shrill clamor flew 
Along the lofty halls ; wild rumor spread 
Through the whole smitten city; loud lament. 
Groans and the wail of women echoed on 
From roof to roof, and to the dome of air 
The noise of mourning rose. Such were the cry 
If a besieging host should break the walls 
Of Carthage or old Tyre, and wrathful flames 
O'er towers of kings and worshipped altars roll. 
Her sister heard. Half in a swoon, she ran 
With trembling steps, where thickest was the throng. 
Beating her breast, while with a desperate hand 
She tore at her own face, and called aloud 
Upon the dying Queen. "Was it for this 
My own true sister used me with such guile ? 
O, was this horrid deed the dire intent 

" Of altars, lofty couch, and funeral fires ? 

" What shall I tell for chiefest of my woes ? 

" Lost that I am ! Why, though in death, cast oflf 

« 

678-4W5] BOOK IV 141 

* Thy sister from thy heart ? Why not invite 

** One mortal stroke for both, a single sword» 

^' One agony together? But these hands 

** Built up thy pyre ; and my voice implored 

**The blessing of our gods, who granted me 

''That thou shouldst perish thus — and I not know! 

**In thy self-slaughter, sis ter, thou hast slai^ 

** J^self, thy people, the grave counsellors 

"Of Sidon, and yon city thou didst build 

**T6 be thy throne T— Go, fetch me water, there! 

"That I may bathe those gashes ! If there be 

" One hovering breath that stays, let my fond lips 

" Discover and receive ! " 

So saying, she sprang up 
From stair to stair, and, clasping to her breast 
Her sister's dying form, moaned grievously. 
And staunched the dark blood with her garment's 

fold. 
Vainly would Dido lift her sinking eyes. 
But backward fell, while at her heart the wound 
Opened afresh; three times with straining arm 
She rose; three times dropped helpless, her dimmed 

eyes 
Turned skyward, seeking the sweet light of day, — 
Which when she saw, she groaned. 

Great Juno then 
Looked down in mercy on that lingering pain 
And labor to depart : from realms divine 
She sent the goddess of the rainbow wing. 
Iris, to set the struggling spirit free 
And loose its fleshly coil. For since the end 

142 THE ^NEID [696-705 

Came not by destiny» nor was the doom 
Of guilty deed» but of a hapless wight 
To sudden madness stung» ere ripe to die, 
Therefore the Queen of Hades had not shorn 
The fair tress from her forehead, nor assigned 
That soul to Stygian dark. So Iris came 
On dewy, saffron pinions down from heaven» 
A thousand colors on her radiant way» 
From the opposing sun. She stayed her flight 
Above that pallid brow : " I come with power 
" To make this gift to Death. I set thee free 
**From thy frail body's bound." With her right hand 
She cut the tress : then through its every limb 
The sinking form grew cold ; the vital breath 
Fled forth, departing on the viewless air.

M: 

EANWHiLE JEneas, now well launched away, 
Steered forth with all the fleet to open sea» 
On his unswerving course, and ploughed the waves» 
Sped by a dri^ng gale; but when his eyes 
Looked back on Carthage» they beheld the glare 
Of hapless Dido's fire. Not yet was known 
What kindled the wild flames; but that the pang 
Of outraged love is cruel, and what the heart 
Of desperate woman dares, they knew too well. 
And sad foreboding shook each Trojan soul. 
Soon in mid-sea, beyond all chart of shore. 
When only seas and skies were round their way, 
Full in the zenith loomed a purple cloud. 
Storm-laden, dark as night, and every wave 
Grew black and angry; from his lofty seat 
The helmsman Palinurus cried, '" Alas ! 

^What means this host of storms encircling heaven? 

**What, Neptune, wilt thou now?" He, having said. 
Bade reef and tighten, bend to stronger stroke, 
And slant sail to the wind ; then spake again : 

" High-souled ^neas, not if Jove the King 

** Gave happy omen, would I have good hope 

1 0f making Italy through yonder sky. 

"Athwart our course from clouded evening-star 

** Rebellious winds run shifting, and the air 

144 THE iENEID [«0-41 

" Into a cloud-wrack rolls. Against such foes 

"Too weak our strife and strain! Since now the 

hand 
" Of Fortune triumphs, let us where she calls 
" Obedient go. For near us, I believe, 
** Lies Eryx' faithful and fraternal shore : 
** Here are Sicilian havens, if my mind 
" Of yon familiar stars have knowledge true." 

Then good iEneas : " For a friendly wind 
"Long have I sued, and watched thee vainly strive. 
" Shift sail ! What happier land for me and mine, 
" Or for our storm-beat ships what safer shore, 
"Than where Dardanian Acestes reigns; 
"The land whose faithful bosom cherishes 
"Anchises' ashes?" Heedful of his word. 
They landward steer, while favoring zephyrs fill 
The spreading sail. On currents swift and strong 
The fleet is wafted, and with thankful soul 
They moor on Sicily's familiar strand. 

From a far hill-top having seen with joy 

The entering ships, and knowing them for friends^ 

Good King Acestes ran to bid them hail. 

Garbed in rough pelt of Libyan bear was he, 

And javelins he bore, in sylvan guise : 

For him the river-god Crimisus sired 

Of Trojan wife. Remembering in his heart 

His ancient blood, he greeted with glad words 

The wanderers returned ; bade welcome to * 

His rude abundance, and with friendly gifts 

Their weariness consoled. The morrow morn, 

M 

a 

Soon as the new beams of a golden day 
Had banished every star, ^neas called 
A council of his followers on the shore» 
And from a fair green hillock gave this word : 
Proud sons of Dardanus, whose lofty line 
None but the gods b^an ! This day fulfils 
The annual cycle of revolving time. 
Since the dear relics of my god-like sire 
To earth we gave, and with dark offerings due 
^ Built altars sorrowful. If now I err not, 
"This is my day — ye gods have willed it so! — 
" For mourning and for praise. Should it befall 
" Me exiled in Gsetulia's wilderness, 
"Or sailing some Greek sea, or at the waUs 
" Of dire Mycenae, still would I renew 
"Unfailing vows, and make solemnity 
"With thankful rites, and worshipful array, 
"At altars rich with gifts. But, lo, we come, 
" Beyond all hope, where lie the very bones 
" Of my great sire. Nor did it come to pass 
"Without divine intent and heavenly power, 
"That on these hospitable shores we stand. 
"Up, then! For we will make a festal day, 
"Imploring lucky winds! O, may his spirit 
"Grant me to build my city, where his shrines 
" Forever shall receive perpetual vows 
"Made in his name! This prince of Trojan line, 
"Acestes, upon every ship bestows 
"A pair of oxen. To our offerings call 
"The powers that bless the altars and the fires 
''Of our ancestral hearth; and join with these 

u 
u 

u 
it 

146 THE iENEID [68-«8 

** The gods of good Acestes. Presently, 

" When the ninth dawn shall bring its beam benign 

"To mortal men, and show the radiant world, 

" For all my Teucrian people I ordain 
A holiday of games ; the flying ships 
Shall first contend ; then swiftest runners try 

"A foot-race; after that the champions bold 
Who step forth for a cast of javelins. 
Or boast the soaring arrow; or fear not 

"The boxing-bout, with gauntlet of thick thongs. 

"This summons is for all; let all have hope 
To earn some noble palm ! And from this hour 
Speak but well-boding words, and bind your brows 

" With garlands green." So saying, he twined a wreath 
Of his own mother's myrtle-tree, to shade 
His sacred brow; the hero Helymus, 
And King Acestes for his tresses gray. 
Like coronals took on; Ascanlus 
And all the warrior youth like emblems wore. 
Then in th' attendant throng conspicuous. 
With thousands at his side, the hero moved 
From place of council to his father's tomb. 
There on the ground he poured libation due. 
Two beakers of good wine, of sweet milk two. 
Two of the victim's blood — and scattered flowers 
Of saddest purple stain, while thus he prayed : 

" Hail, hallowed sire ! And hail, ye ashes dear 
Of him I vainly saved ! O soul and shade 
Of my blest father ! Heaven to us denied 
To find together that predestined land 

" Of Italy, or our Ausonian stream 

"Of Tiber — ah! butwhere?** 

He scarce had said» 
When from the central shrine a gliding snake. 
Coiled seven-fold in seven spirals wide. 
Twined round the tomb and trailed innocuous o'er 
The very altars; his smooth back was flecked 
With green and azure, and his changeful scales 
Gleamed golden, as the cloud-bom rainbow flings 
Its thousand colors from th' opposing sun. 
^neas breathless watched the serpent wind 
Among the bowls and cups of polished rim. 
Tasting the sacred feast; where, having fed. 
Back to the tomb all harmless it withdrew. 
Then with new zeal his sacrifice he brings 
In honor of his sire; for he must deem 
That serpent the kind genius of the place. 
Or of his very father's present shade 
Some creature ministrant. Two lambs he slew, 
The wonted way, two swine, and, sable-hued. 
The yoke of bulls; from shallow bowl he poured 
Libation of the grape, and called aloud 
On great Anchises' spirit, and his shade. 
From Acheron set free. Then all the throng. 
Each from his separate store, heap up the shrines 
With victims slain; some range in order fair 
The brazen cauldrons ; or along the grass, 
Scattered at ease, hold o'er the embers bright 
The spitted flesh and roast it in the flames. 

Arrived the wished-for day; through cloudless sky 
The coursers of the Sun's bright-beaming car 

148 THE ^NEID [106^187 

Bore upward the ninth mom. The neighboring folk 

Thronged eager to the shore; some hoped to see 

Mneas and his warriors, others fain 

Would their own prowess prove in bout and game. 

Conspicuous lie the guerdons, ranged in sight 

In the mid-circus ; wreaths of laurel green. 

The honored tripod, coronals of palm 

For conquerors' brows, accoutrements of war. 

Rare robes of purple stain, and generous weight 

Of silver and of gold. The. trumpet's call 

Proclaimed from lofty mound the opening games. 

First, side by side, with sturdy, rival oars, 

Four noble galleys, pride of all the fleet. 

Come forward to contend. The straining crew 

Of Mnestheus bring his speedy Pristis on, — 

Mnestheus in Italy erelong the sire 

Of Memmius' noble line. Brave Gyas guides 

His vast Chimsera, a colossal craft, 

A floating city, by a triple row 

Of Dardan sailors manned, whose banks of oars 

In triple order rise. Sergestus, he 

Of whom the Sergian house shall after spring. 

Rides in his mighty Centaur. Next in line. 

On sky-blue Scylla proud Cloanthus rides — 

Whence thy great stem, Cluentius of Rome! 

Fronting the surf-beat shore, far out at sea 
Rises a rock, which under swollen waves 
Lies buffeted unseen, when wintry storms 
Mantle the stars ; but when the deep is calm, 
lifts silently above the sleeping wave 

Its level field» — a place where haunt and plaj 

Hocks of the sea-birds, lovers of the sun. 

Here was the goal ; and here iEneas set 

A green-leaved ilex-tree, to be a mark 

For every captain's eye, from whence to veer 

The courses of their ships in sweeping curves 

And speed them home. Now places in the line 

Are given by lot. Upon the lofty stems 

The captains ride, in beautiful array 

Of Tyrian purple and far-flaming gold ; 

The crews are poplar-crowned, the shoulders bare 

Rubbed well with glittering oil; their straining arms 

Make long reach to the oar, as on the thwarts 

They sit attentive, listening for the call 

Of the loud trumpet ; while with pride and fear 

Their hot hearts throb, impassioned for renown. 

Soon pealed the signal clear; from all the line 
Instant the galleys bounded, and the air 
Rang to the rowers' shouting, while their arms 
Pulled every inch and flung the waves in foam; 
Deep cut the rival strokes; the surface fair 
Yawned wide beneath their blades and cleaving keeb. 
Not swifter scour the chariots o'er the plain. 
Sped headlong from the line behind their teams 
Of mated coursers, while each driver shakes 
Loose, rippling reins above hb plunging pairs. 
And o'er the lash leans far. With loud applause 
Vociferous and many an urgent cheer 
The woodlands rang, and all the concave shores 
Back from the mountains took the Trojan cry 

150 THE iENEID [15W74 

In answering song. Forth-fljang from his peers» 
While all the crowd acclaims, sped Gyas' keel 
Along the outmost wave. Cloanthus next 
Pushed hard upon, with stronger stroke of oars 
But heavier ship. At equal pace behind 
The Pristis and the Centaur fiercely strive 
For the third place. Now Pristis seems to lead. 
Now mightier Centaur past her flies, then both 
Ride on together, prow with prow, and cleave 
Long lines of foaming furrow with swift keeb. 
Soon near the rock they drew, and either ship 
Was making goal, — when Gyas, in the lead. 
And winner of the half-course, loudly hailed 
Menoetes, the ship's pilot : " Why so far 
To starboard, we? Keep her head round this way! 
Hug shore ! Let every oar-blade almost graze 
That reef to larboard ! Let the others take 
The deep-sea course outside ! " But while he spoke, 
Menoetes, dreading unknown rocks below. 
Veered oflf to open sea. "Why steer so wide? 
"Round to the rock, Menoetes!" Gyas roared, — 
Again in vain, for looking back he saw 
Cloanthus hard astern, and ever nearer, 
Who, in a trice, betwixt the booming reef 
And Gyas' galley, lightly forward thrust 
The beak of Scylla to the inside course, 
And, quickly taking lead, flew past the goal 
To the smooth seas beyond. Then wrathful grief 
Flamed in the warrior's heart, nor was his cheek 
Unwet with tears; and, reckless utterly 
Of his own honor and lus comrades' lives. 

He hurled poor, slack M enoetes from the poop 
Headlong upon the waters, while himself. 
Pilot and master both, the helm assuming. 
Urged on his crew, and landward took his way. 
But now, with heavy limbs that hardly won 
His rescue from the deep, engulfing wave. 
Up the rude rock graybeard Menoetes climbed 
With garment dripping wet, and there dropped down 
Upon the cliflf's dry top. With laughter loud 
The Trojan crews had watched him plunging, swim- 
ming. 
And now to see his drink of bitter brine 
Spewed on the ground, the sailors laughed again. 
But Mnestheus and Sergestus, coming last. 
Have joyful hope enkindled in each heart 
To pass the laggard Gyas. In the lead 
Sergestus' ship shoots forth; and to the rock 
Runs boldly nigh; but not his whole long keel 
May pass his rival ; the projecting beak 
Is followed fast by Pristis' emulous prow. 
Then, striding straight amidships through his crew. 
Thus Mnestheus urged them on : " O Hector's friends ! 
"Whom in the dying hours of Troy I chose 
** For followers ! Now stand ye to your best ! 
"Put forth the thews of valor that ye showed 
"In the Gsetulian Syrtes, or that sea 
"Ionian, or where the waves race by 
"The Malean promontory! Mnestheus now 
** Hopes not to be the first, nor do I strive 
" For victory. O Father Neptune, give 
**That garland where thou wilt! But O, the shame 

152 THE iENEID [196^19 

** If we are last ! Endure it not, my men ! 

"The infamy refuse!" So, bending low. 
They enter the home-stretch. Beneath their stroke 
The brass-decked galley throbs, and under her 
The sea-floor drops away. On, on they fly ! 
Parched are the panting lips, and sweat in streams 
Pours down their giant sides ; but lucky chance 
Brought the proud heroes what their honor craved. 
For while Sergestus furiously drove 
His ship's beak toward the rock, and kept inside 
The scanty passage, by his evil star 
He grounded on the jutting reef; the cliffs 
Rang with the blow, and his entangled oars 
Grated along the jaggM granite, while 
The prow hung wrecked and helpless. With loud cry 
Upsprang the sailors, while the ship stood still. 
And pushed off with long poles and pointed iron. 
Or snatched the smashed oars from the whirling tide. 
Mnestheus exults; and, roused to keener strife 
By happy fortune, with a quicker stroke 
Of each bright rank of oars, and with the breeze 
His prayer implored, skims o'er the obedient wave 
And sweeps the level main. Not otherwise 
A startled dove, emerging o'er the fields 
Prom secret cavern in the crannied hill 
Where her safe house and pretty nestlings lie. 
Soars from her nest, with whirring wings — but soon 
Through the still sky she takes her path of air 
On pinions motionless. So Pristis sped 
With Mnestheus, cleaving her last stretch of sea, 
By her own impulse wafted. She outstripped 

«MHMl] BOOK V 15S 

Seigestus first; for he upon the reef 

Fought with the breakers, desperately shouting 

For help, for help in vain, with broken oars 

Contriving to move on. Then Mnestheus ran 

Past Gyas, in Chimsera's ponderous hulk. 

Of pilot now bereft ; at last remains 

Cloanthus his sole peer, whom he pursues 

With a supreme endeavor. From the shore 

Burst echoing cheers that spur him to the chase» 

And wild applause makes all the welkin ring. 

The leaders now with eager souls would scorn 

To lose their glory, and faint-hearted fail 

To grasp a prize half-won, but fain would buy 

Honor with Ufe itself; the followers too 

Are flushed with proud success, and feel them 

strong 
Because their strength is proven. Both ships now 
With indistinguishable prows had sped 
To share one prize, — but with uplifted hands 
Spread o'er the sea, Cloanthus, suppliant. 
Called on the gods to bless his votive prayer : 
** Ye gods who rule the waves, whose waters be 
"My pathway now; for you on yonder strand 
''A white bull at the altar shall be slain 
"In grateful tribute for a granted vow; 
** And o'er the salt waves I will scatter far 
**The entrails, and outpour the flowing wine." 
He spoke; and from the caverns under sea 
Phorcus and virgin Panopea heard. 
And all the sea-njnmphs' choir ; while with strong hand 
The kindly God of Havens rose and thrust 

154 THE iENEID [«4«-«« 

The gliding ship along, that swifter flew 
Than south wind, or an arrow from the string, 
And soon made land in haven safe and sure. 

Mneas then, assembling all to hear, 

By a far-sounding herald's voice proclaimed 

Cloanthus victor, and arrayed his brows 

With the green laurel-garland ; to the crews 

Three bulls, at choice, were given, and plenteous 

wine 
And talent-weight of silver; to the chiefs 
Illustrious gifts beside; the victor had 
A gold-embroidered mantle with wide band 
Of undulant Meliboean purple rare. 
Where, pictured in the woof, young Ganymede 
Through Ida's forest chased the light-foot deer 
With javelin ; all flushed and panting he. 
But lo ! Jove's thunder-bearing eagle fell, 
And his strong talons snatched from Ida far 
The royal boy, whose aged servitors 
Reached helpless hands to heaven; his fdithful 

hound 
Bayed fiercely at the air. To him whose worth 
The second place had won, ^Eneas gave 
A smooth-linked golden corselet, triple-chained. 
Of which his own victorious hand despoiled 
Demoleos, by the swift, embattled stream 
Of Simois, under Troy, — and bade it be 
A glory and defence on valor's field ; 
Scarce might the straining shoulders of two slaves» 
Phegeus and Sagaris, the load endure. 

S64He87] BOOK V 155 

Yet oft Demoleos in this armor dressed 
Charged down full speed on routed hosts of Troy. 
The third gift was two cauldrons of wrought brass. 
And bowls of beaten silver, cunningly 
Embossed with sculpture fair. Bearing such gifts» 
Th' exultant victors onward moved, each brow 
Bound with a purple fillet. But behold ! 
Sergestus, from the grim rock just dragged ofif 
By cunning toil, one halting rank of oars 
Left of his many lost, comes crawling in 
With vanquished ship, a mockery to all. 
As when a serpent, on the highway caught» 
Some brazen wheel has crushed, or traveller 
With heavy-smiting blow left half alive 
* And mangled by a stone; in vain he moves 
In writhing flight ; a part is lifted high 
With hissing throat and angry, glittering eyes; 
But by the wounded part a captive still 
He knots him fold on fold : with such a track 
The maimed ship labored slow; but by her sails 
She still made way, and with full canvas on 
Arrived at land. iEneas then bestowed 
A boon upon Sergestus, as was meet 
For guerdon of the ship in safety brought 
With all its men ; a fair slave was the prize, 
The Cretan Pholoe, well taught to weave. 
And twin boy-babes upon her breast she bore. 

Then good iEneas, the ship-contest o'er. 
Turned to a wide green valley, circled round 
With clasp of wood-clad hills, wherein was made 

156 THE iENEID [288-812 

An amphitheatre; entering with a throng 

Of followers, the hero took his seat 

In mid-arena on a lofty mound. 

For the fleet foot-race, now, his summons flies, — 

He offers gifts, and shows the guerdons due. 

The mingling youth of Troy and Sicily 

Hastened from far. Among the foremost came 

The comrades Nisus and Euryalus, 

Euryalus for beauty's bloom renowned, 

Nisus for loyal love; close-following these 

Diores strode, a prince of Priam's line; 

Then Salius and Patron, who were bred 

In Acarnania and Arcady; 

Then two Sicilian warriors, Helymus 

And Panopes, both sylvan bred and bom. 

Comrades of King Acestes; after these 

The multitude whom Fame forgets to tell. 

iEneas, so surrounded, thus spake forth : 
**Hear what I purpose, and with joy receive! 
" Of all your company, not one departs 
"With empty hand. The Cretan javelins 
"Bright-tipped with burnished steel, and battle-axe 
"Adorned with graven silver, these shall be 
" The meed of all. The three first at the goal 
" Shall bind their foreheads with fair olive green, 
" And win the guerdons due. The first shall lead. 

Victorious, yon rich-bridled steed away; 

This Amazonian quiver, the next prize, 
" Well-stocked with Thracian arrows ; round it goes 
" A baldrick broad and golden, — in its clasp 

818-^89] BOOK V 157 

^ A lustrous gem. The third man goes away 
«< Taking this hehnet from the Argive spoil.'* 

They heard, and took their places. The loud horn 
Gave signal, and impetuous from the line, 
Swift as a bursting storm they sped away, 
Eyes fixed upon the goal. Far in advance 
Nisus shot forward, swifter than the winds 
Or wingM thunderbolt ; the next in course. 
Next, but out-rivalled far, was Salius, 
And after him a space, Euryalus 
Came tiiird ; him Heljrmus was hard upon ; 
And, look ! Diores follows, heel on heel. 
Close at his shoulder — if the race be long 
He sure must win, or claim a doubtful prize. 
Now at the last stretch, spent and panting, all 
Pressed to the goal, when in a slime of blood 
Nisus, hard fate ! slipped down, where late the death 
Of victims slain had drenched the turf below. 
Here the young victor, with his triumph flushed. 
Lost foothold on the yielding ground, and plunged 
Face forward in the pool of filth and gore; 
But not of dear Euryalus was he 
Forgetful then, nor heedless of his friend ; 
But rising from the mire he hurled himself 
In Salius' way; so he in equal plight 
Rolled in the filthy slough. Euryalus 
Leaped forth, the winner of the race by gift 
Of his true friend, and flying to the goal 
Stood first, by many a favoring shout acclaimed. 
Next Helymus ran in ; and, for the third, last prize. 

u 

« 

158 THE ^NEID [840^861 

Diores. But the multitude now heard 
The hollowed hill-side ringing with wild wrath 
From Salius, clamoring where the chieftains sate 
For restitution of his stolen prize, 
Lost by a cheat. But general favor smiles 
Upon Euryalus, whose beauteous tears 
Conunend him much, and nobler seems the worth 
Of valor clothed in youthful shape so f lur. 
Diores, too, assists the victor's claim. 
With loud appeal — he too has won a prize, 
And vainly holds his last place, if the first 
To Salius fall. ^Eneas then replied : 
Your gifts, my gallant youths, remain secure. 
None can re-judge the prize. But to console 
The misadventure of a blameless friend, 
" Is in my power." Therewith to Salius 
An Afric lion's monstrous pelt he gave. 
With ponderous mane, the claws o'erlaid ^th gold. 
But Nisus cried : " If such a gift be found 
"For less than victory, and men who fall 
"Are worthy so much sorrow, pray, what prize 
"Shall Nisus have? For surely I had won 
The proudest of the garlands, if one stroke 
Of inauspicious fortune had not fallen 
"On Salius and me." So saying, he showed 
His smeared face and his sorry limbs befouled 
With mire and slime. Then laughed the gracious sire. 
And bade a shield be brought, the cunning work 
Of Didymaon, which the Greeks tore down 
From Neptune's temple ; with this noble gift 
He sent the high-born youth upon his way. 

sestssi] BOOK V 159 

The foot-race over and the gifts disbursed» 
** Come forth ! " he cries, " if any in his heart 
^Have strength and valor, let him now pull on 
^The gauntlets and uplift his thong-bound arms 
** In challenge." For the guerdon of this fight 
A two-fold gift he showed : the victor's meed, 
A bullock decked and gilded ; but a sword 
And glittering helmet to console the fallen. 
Straightway, in aU his pride of giant strength. 
Dares loomed up, and wondering murmurs ran 
Along the gazing crowd ; for he alone 
Was wont to match with Paris, he it was 
Met Butes, the huge-bodied champion 
Boasting the name and race of Amycus, 
Bythinian-bom; him felled he at a blow, 
And stretched him djdng on the tawny sand. 
Such Dares was, who now held high his head, 
Fierce for the fray, bared both his shoulders broad, 
Lunged out with left and right, and beat the air. 
Who shall his rival be ? Of all the throng 
Not one puts on the gauntlets, or would face 
The hero's challenge. Therefore, striding forth. 
Believing none now dare but yield the palm. 
He stood before iEneas, and straightway 
Seized with his left hand the bull's golden horn. 
And cried, '* O goddess-bom, if no man dares 
**To risk him in this fight, how long delay? 
^ How long beseems it I should stand and wait ? 
** Bid me bear oflf my prize." The Trojans all 
Murmured assent, and bade the due award 
Of promised gift. But with a brow severe 

160 THE iENEID [887-410 

Acestes to Entellus at his side 
Addressed upbraiding words, where they reclined 
On grassy bank and couch of pleasant green : 
** O my Entellus, in the olden days 
** Bravest among the mighty, but in vain ! 
" Endurest thou to see yon guerdon won 
"Without a blow? Where, prithee, is that god 
"Who taught thee? Are thy tales of Eryx vain? 
" Does all Sicilia praise thee ? Is thy roof 
" With trophies hung ? " The other in reply : 
" My jealous honor and good name yield not 
** To fear. But age, so cold and slow to move, 
** Makes my blood laggard, and my ebbing powers 
** In all my body are but slack and chill. 
" O, if I had what yonder ruffian boasts — 
** My own proud youth once more ! I would not ask 
" The fair bull for a prize, nor to the lists 
"In search of gifts come forth." So saying, he threw 
Into the mid-arena a vast pair 
Of ponderous gauntlets, which in former days 
Fierce Eryx for his fights was wont to bind 
On hand and arm, with the stiff raw-hide thong. 
All marvelled ; for a weight of seven bulls' hides 
Was pieced with lead and iron. Dares stared 
Astonished, and step after step recoiled ; 
High-souled Anchises' son, this way and that» 
Turned o'er the enormous coil of knots and thongs; 
Then with a deep-drawn breath the veteran spoke: 
" O, that thy wondering eyes had seen the arms 
" Of Hercules, and what his gauntlets were I 
" Would thou hadst seen the conflict terrible 

^n-ASS] BOOK V 161 

•* Upon this self -same shore ! These arms were borne 
** By Eryx. Look ; thy brother's ! — spattered yet 
''With blood, with dashed-out brains! In these he 

stood 
" When he matched Hercules. I wore them oft 
** When in my pride and prime, ere envious age 
** Shed frost upon my brows. But if these arms 
** Be of our Trojan Dares disapproved, 
** If good iEneas rules it so, and King 
''Acestes wills it, let us offer fight 
** On even terms. Let Eryx' buU's-hide go. 
"Tremble no more! But strip those gauntlets off — 
"Fetched here from Troy." So sajdng, he dropped 
down 
The double-folded mantle from his shoulders, 
Stripped bare the huge joints, the huge arms and 

thews. 
And towered gigantic in the midmost ring. 
Anchises' son then gave two equal pairs 
Of gauntlets, and accoutred with like arms 
Both champions. Each lifted him full height 
On tiptoe; each with mien unterrified 
Held both fists high in air, and drew his head 
Far back from blows assailing. Then they joined 
In struggle hand to hand, and made the fray 
Each moment fiercer. One was light of foot 
And on his youth relied ; the other strong 
In'bulk of every limb, but tottering 
On sluggish knees, while all his body shook 
With labor of his breath. Without avail 
They rained their blows, and on each hollow side. 

162 THE iENEID [484-Aft8 

Each flounding chest, the swift, reverberate strokes 

Fell without pause ; around their ears and brows 

Came blow on blow, and with relentless shocks 

The smitten jaws cracked loud. Entellus stands 

Unshaken, and, the self-same posture keeping» 

Only by body-movement or quick eye 

Parries attack. Dares (like one in siege 

Against a mountain-citadel, who now will drive 

With ram and engine at the craggy wall, 

Now wait in full-armed watch beneath its towers) 

Tries manifold approach, most craftily 

Invests each point of vantage, and renews 

His unsuccessful, ever various war. 

Then, rising to the stroke, Entellus poised 

Aloft his ponderous right ; but, quick of eye» 

The other the descending wrath foresaw 

And nimbly slipped away; Entellus so 

Wasted his stroke on air, and, self-o'erthrown, 

Dropped prone to earth his monstrous length along» 

As when on Erymanth or Ida falls 

A hollowed pine from giant roots uptom. 

Alike the Teucrian and Trinacrian throng 

Shout wildly; while Acestes, pitying, hastes 

To lift his gray companion. But, unchecked» 

Undaunted by his fall, the champion brave 

Rushed fiercer to the fight, his strength now roused 

By rage, while shame and courage confident 

Kindle his soul; impetuous he drives * 

Dares full speed all round the ring, with blows 

Redoubled right and left. No stop or stay 

Gives he, but like a storm of rattling hail 

M 

409-48S] B(X)K V leS 

Upon a house-top, so from each huge hand 
The champion's strokes on dizzy Dares fall. 

Then Sire ^neas willed to make a stay 

To so much rage, nor let Entellus' soul 

Flame beyond bound, but bade the battle pause. 

And, rescuing weary Dares, thus he spoke 

In soothing words : "* Ill-starred ! What mad attempt 

Is in thy mind ? Will not thy heart confess 

Thy strength surpassed, and auspices averse? 

Submit, for Heaven decrees ! " With such wise words 

He sundered the fell strife. But trusty friends 

Bore Dares off: his spent limbs helpless trailed. 

His head he could not lift, and from his lips 

Came blood and broken teeth. So to the ship 

They bore him, taking, at Eneas' word. 

The helmet and the sword — but left behind 

Entellus' prize of victory, the bull. 

He, then, elate and glorying, spoke forth : 

See, goddess-bom, and all ye Teucrians, see. 

What strength was mine in youth, and from what 

death 
Ye have delivered Dares." Saying so. 
He turned him full front to the bull, who stood 
For guerdon of the fight, and, drawing back 
His right hand, poising the dread gauntlet high. 
Swung sheer between the horns and crushed the skull ; 
A trembling, lifeless creature, to the ground 
The bull dropped forward dead. Above the fallen 
Entellus cried aloud, "This victim due 
I give thee, Eryx, more acceptable 

"Than Dares' death to thy benigDaiit shade. 

" For this last victory and joj'ful day, 

" My gauDtlets and my art I leave with thee." 

Forthwith jEneas summons all who will 

To contest of swift arrows, and displays 

Reward and prize. With mighty hand he rears 

A mast within th' arena, from the ship 

Of good Seigestus taken ; and thereto 

A fluttering dove by winding cord is bound 

For target of their shafts. Soon to the match 

The rival bowmen came and cast the lots 

Into a brazen helmet. First came forth 

Hippocoon's number, son of Hyrtacus, 

By cheers applauded ; Mnestheus was the next, 

Xiate victor in the ship-race, Mnestheus crowned 

With olive-garland ; next Eurj-tion, 

Brother of thee, O bowman most renowned, 

Pandarus, breaker of the truce, who hurled 

His shaft upon the Achseans, at the word 

The goddess gave, Acestes' lot and name 

Came from the helmet fast, whose royal hand 

The deeds of youth dared even yet to try. 

Each then with strong arm bends his pliant bow, 
Each from the quiver plucks a chosen shaft. 
First, with loud arrow whizzing from the string, 
The young Hippocoon with skyward aim 
Cuts through the yielding air; and lo! his barb 
Pierces the very wood, and makes the mast 
Tremble ; while with a fluttering, frighted vring 

I 
I 

J 

The bird tugs hard, — and plaudits fill the sky. 

Boldly rose Mnestheus, and with bow full-drawn 

Aimed both his eye and shaft aloft; but he 

Failing, unhappy man, to bring his barb 

Up to the dove herself, just cut the cord 

And broke the hempen bond, whereby her feet 

Were captive to the tree : she, taking flight. 

Clove through the shadowing clouds her path of air. 

But swiftly — for upon his waiting bow 

He held a shaft in rest — Eurytion 

Invoked his brother's shade, and, marking well 

The dove, whose happy pinions fluttered free 

In vacant sky, pierced her, hard by a cloud ; 

Lifeless she fell, and left in light of heaven 

Her spark of life, as, floating down, she bore 

The arrow back to earth. Acestes now 

Remained, last rival, though the victor's palm 

To him was lost; yet did the aged sire. 

To show his prowess and resounding bow, 

Hurl forth one shaft in air; then suddenly 

All eyes beheld such wonder as portends 

Events to be (but when fulfilment came. 

Too late the fearful seers its warning sung) : 

For, soaring through the stream of cloud, his shaft 

Took fire, tracing its bright path in flame. 

Then vanished on the wind, — as oft a star 

Will fall unfastened from the firmament. 

While far behind its blazing tresses flow. 

Awe-struck both Trojan and Trinacrian stood, 

Calling upon the gods. Nor came the sign 

In vain to great ^neas. But his arms 

166 THE .aENEID [581-564 

Folded the blest Acestes to his heart» 
And, loading him with noble gifts, he cried : 
Receive them, sire ! The great Olympian Eng 
Some peerless honor to thy name decrees 
By such an omen given. I offer thee 
**This bowl with figures graven, which my are, 
" Good gray Anchises, for proud gift received 
"Of Thracian Cisseus, for their friendship's pledge 
"And memory evermore." Thereon he crowned 
His brows with garland of the laurel green, 
And named Acestes victor over all. 
Nor could Eurytion, noble youth, think ill 
Of honor which his own surpassed, though he. 
He only, pierced the bird in upper air. 
Next gift was his whose arrow cut the cord ; 
Last, his whose light shaft clove the lofty pine. 

Father ^neas now, not making end 
Of game and contest, summoned to his side 
Epytides, the mentor and true friend 
Of young lulus, and this bidding gave 
To his obedient ear: "Arise and go 
" Where my Ascanius has lined his troop 
Of youthful cavalry, and trained the steeds 
To tread in ranks of war. Bid him lead forth 
"The squadron in our sire Anchises' name, 
" And wear a hero's arms ! " So saying, he bade 
The course be cleared, and from the whole wide field 
Th' insurging, curious multitude withdrew. 
In rode the boys, to meet their parents' eyes. 
In even lines, a glittering cavalry; 

« 

««5-577J B(X)K V lOT 

While all Trinacria and the host from Troy 

Made loud applause. On each bright brow 

A well-trimmed wreath the flowing tresses bound ; 

Two javelins of cornel tipped with steel 

Each bore for arms; some from the shoulder slung 

A polished quiver; to each bosom fell 

A pliant necklace of fine, twisted gold. 

Three bands of horsemen ride, three captains proud 

France here and there, assiduous in command, 

Each of lus twelve, who shine in parted lines 

Which lesser captains lead. One cohort proud 

Follows a little Priam's royal name — 

One day, Polites, thy illustrious race 

Through him prolonged, shall greater glory bring 

To Italy. A dappled Thracian steed 

With snow-white spots and fore-feet white as snow 

Bears him along, its white face lifted high. 

Next Atys rode, young Atys, sire to be 

Of th' Atian house in Rome, a boy most dear 

Unto the boy lulus; last in line, 

And fairest of the throng, lulus came, 

Astride a steed from Sidon, the fond gift 

Of beauteous Dido and her pledge of love. 

Close followed him the youthful chivalry 

Of King Acestes on Trinacrian steeds. 

The Trojans, with exultant, loud acclaim. 

Receive the shy-faced boys, and joyfully 

Trace in the features of the sons their sires. 

After, with smiling eyes, the horsemen proud 
Have greeted each his kin in all the throng. 

168 THE iENEID [57B-m 

Epytides th' appointed signal calls, 

And cracks his lash; in even lines they move» 

Then, loosely sundering in triple band, 

Wheel at a word and thrust their lances forth 

In hostile ranks; or on the ample field 

Retreat or charge, in figure intricate 

Of circling troop with troop, and s\nft parade 

Of simulated war; now from the field 

They flee with backs defenceless to the foe; 

Then rally, lance in rest — or, mingling all, 

Make common front, one legion strong and (air. 

As once in Crete, the lofty mountain-isle. 

That fabled labyrinthine gallery 

Wound on through lightless walls, with thousand 

paths 
Which baflSed every clue, and led astray 
In unreturning mazes dark and blind : 
So did the sons of Troy their courses weave 
In mimic flights and battles fought for play. 
Like dolphins tumbling in the liquid waves. 
Along the Afric or Carpathian seas. 

This game and mode of march Ascanius, 
When Alba Longa's bastions proudly rose. 
Taught to the Latin people of the prime; 
And as the princely Trojan and his train 
Were wont to do, so Alba to her sons 
The custom gave ; so glorious Rome at last 
The heritage accepted and revered ; 
And still we know them for the " Trojan Band,'' 
And call the lads a " Troy." Such was the end 

eos-624] BOOK V 189 

Of game and contest at Anchises' grave.. 

Then fortune veered and different aspect wore. 
For ere the sacred funeral games are done, 
Satumian Juno from high heaven sent down 
The light-winged Iris to the ships of Troy, 
Giving her flight good wind — still full of schemes 
And hungering to avenge her ancient wrong. 
Unseen of mortal eye, the virgin took 
Her pathway on the thousand-colored bow. 
And o'er its gliding passage earthward flew. 
She scanned the vast assemblage ; then her gaze 
Turned shoreward, where along the idle bay 
The Trojan galleys quite unpeopled rode. 
But far removed, upon a lonely shore, 
A throng of Trojan dames bewailed aloud 
Their lost Ancluses, and with tears surveyed 
The mighty deep. " O weary waste of seas ! 
**What vast, untravelled floods beyond us roll!" 
So cried they with one voice, and prayed the gods 
For an abiding city; every heart 
Loathed utterly the long, laborious sea. 
Then in their midst alighted, not unskilled 
In working woe, the goddess; though she wore 
Nor garb nor form divine, but made herself 
One Beroe, Doryclus' aged wife. 
Who in her happier days had lineage fair 
And sons of noble name; in such disguise 
She called the Trojan dames : " O ye ill-starred, 
"That were not seized and slain by Grecian foes 
"Under your native walls! O tribe accursed. 

THE iENEID 

"What death is Fate preparing? Since Troy fell 
"The seventh summer fliea, while still we rove 
" O'er cruel rocks and seas, from star to star, 
"From alien land to land, as evermore 
"We chase, storm-tossed, that fleeting Italy 
" Across the waters wide. Behold this land 
" Of Eryx, of Acestes, friend and kin ; 
" What hinders them to raise a rampart here 
"And build a town? O city of our sires! 
" O venerated gods from haughty foes 
"Rescued in vain! Will nevermore a wall 
" Rise in the name of Troy? Shall I not see 
"A Xanthus or a Simois, the streams 
"To Hector dear? Come now! I lead the way. 
"Let us go touch their baneful ships with fire! 
"I saw Cassandra in a dream. Her shade, 
"Prophetic ever, gave me firebrands, 
"And cried. 'Find Ilium so! The home for thee 
"'Is where thou art.' Behold, the hour is ripe 
" For our great act ! No longer now delay 
"To heed the heavenly omen. Yonder stand 
" Four altars unto Neptune. 'T is the god, 
"The god himself, gives courage for the deed, 
"And swift -enkindling fire." So having said. 
She seized a dreadful brand: then, lifting high. 
Waved it all flaming, and with furious arm 
Hurled it from far. The Ilian matrons gazed. 
Bewildered and appalled. But one, of all 
The eldest. Pyrgo, venerated nurse 
Of Priam's numerous sons, exclaimed, "Nay, i 
" This is no Beroe, my noble dames. 

W7-«71] B(X)K V 171 

^ Dorydus knew her not. Behold and see 
^Her heavenly beauty and her radiant eyes! 
^ What voice of music and majestic mien, 
"* What movement like a god ! Myself am come 
** From Beroe sick, and left her grieving sore 
** That she, she only, had no gift to bring 
** Of mournful honor to Anchises' shade.'* 
She spoke. The women with ill-boding eyes 
Looked on the ships. Their doubting hearts were torn 
'Twixt tearful passion for the beauteous isle 
Their feet then trod, and that prophetic call 
Of Fate to lands unknown. Then on wide wings 
Soared Iris into heaven, and through the clouds 
Clove a vast arch of light. With wonder dazed. 
The women in a shrieking frenzy rose. 
Took embers from the hearth-stones, stole the fires 
Upon the altars — faggots, branches, brands — 
And rained them on the ships. The god of fire. 
Through thwarts and oars and bows of painted fir. 
Ran in unbridled flame. 

Swift to the tomb 
Of Sire Anchises, to the circus-seats. 
The messenger Eumelus flew, to bring 
News of the ships on fire ; soon every eye 
The clouds of smoke and hovering flame could see* 
Ascanius, who had led with smiling brow 
His troops of horse, accoutred as he was. 
Rode hot-haste to the turmoil of the camp. 
Nor could his guards restrain. ** What madness now ? 
**What is it ye would do? " he cried. "Alas! 
^ Ill-fated women ! Not our enemies, 

[672-1 

" Nor the dread bulwarks of the Greek ye bum, 
" But all ye have to hope for. Look al me, 
"Your own Aacanms!" His helmet then 
Into their midst he flung, which he had worn 
For pageantry of war. ^neas, too, 
With Trojan bands sped thither. But far off. 
The women, panic-scattered on the shore. 
Fled many ways, and deep in caverned crags 
Or shadowed forests hid them, for they loathed 
Their deed and life itself ; their thoughts were changed; 
They knew their kin and husbands, and their hearts 
From Juno were set free. But none the less 
The burning and indomitable flames 
Raged without stay; beneath the ships' smeared sides 
The hempen fuel puffed a lingering smoke, 
As, through the whole bulk creeping, the slow fi 
Devoured its way: and httle it availed 
That strong men fought the fire with streamo 

Then good /Eneas from his shoulder rent 
His garment, and with hfted hands implored 
The help of Heaven. "O Jove omnipotent! 
"If thou not yet thy wrath implacable 
"Od every Trojan pourest, if thou still 
"Hast pity, as of old, for what men bear, 
"O, grant my fleet dehverance from this flamel 
"From uttermost destruction. Father, save 
" Our desperate Trojan cause ! Or even now — 
" Last cruelty ! thy fatal thunders throw. 
" If this be my just meed, let thy dread arm 
" Coafound us all." But scarce the prayer is said. 

When with a bursting deluge a dark storm 
Falls, marvellous to see; while hills and plains 
With thunder shake, and to each rim of heaven 
Spreads swollen cloud-rack, black with copious rain 
And multitudinous gales. The full flood pours 
On every ship, and all the smouldering beams 
Are drenched, until the smoke and flames expire, 
And (though four ships be lost) the burning fleet 
Rides rescued from its doom. 

But smitten sore 
By this mischance, ^neas doubtfully 
Weighs in his heart its mighty load of cares, 
And ponders if indeed he may abide 
In Sicily, not heeding prophet-songs. 
Or seek Italian shores. Thereon uprose 
Nautes, an aged sire, to whom alone 
Tritonian Pallas of her wisdom gave 
And made his skill renowned ; he had the power 
To show celestial anger's warning signs. 
Or tell Fate's fixed decree. The gifted man 
Thus to ^neas comfortably spoke: 
** O goddess-born, we follow here or there, 
'* As Fate compels or stays. But come what may, 
"He triumphs over Fortune, who can bear 
*Whate'er she brings. Behold, Acestes draws 
** From Dardanus his origin divine ! 
Make him thy willing friend, to share with thee 
Thy purpose and thy counsel. Leave with him 
"The crews of the lost ships, and all whose hearts 
"Repine at thy high task and great emprise: 
"The spent old men, the women ocean-weary, 

M 

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174 THE iENEID [716-737 

" Whate'er is feeble found, or faint of heart 
** In danger's hour, — set that apart, and give 
" Such weary ones within this friendly isle 
"A city called Acesta, — if he will." 

Much moved ^neas was by this wise word 
Of his gray friend, though still his anxious soul 
Was vexed by doubt and care. But when dark night 
Had brought her chariot to the middle sky. 
The sacred shade of Sire Anchises seemed. 
From heaven descending, thus to speak aloud : 
"My son, than life more dear, when life was mine! 
** O son, upon whose heart the Trojan doom 
" Has weighed so long ! Beside thy couch I stand» 
" At pleasure of great Jove, whose hand dispelled 
The mad fire from thy ships; and now he looks 
From heaven with pitying brow. I bid thee heed 
"The noble counsels aged Nautes gave. 
" Only with warriors of dauntless breast 
"To Italy repair; of hardy breed, 
"Of wild, rough life, thy Latin foes will be. 
" But first the shores of Pluto and the Shades 
" Thy feet must tread, and through the deep abyss 
" Of dark Avernus come to me, thy sire : 
For I inhabit not the guilty gloom 
Of Tartarus, but bright Elysian day. 
Where all the just their sweet assemblies hold. 
" Hither the virgin Sibyl, if thou give 
" Full offerings of the blood of sable kine, 
" Shall lead thee down ; and visions I will show 
" Of cities proud and nations sprung from thee. 

« 

7W-75»] BOOK V 175 

" Farewell, for dewy Night has wheeled her way 
''Far past her middle course; the panting steeds 
** Of orient Mom breathe pitiless upon me/' 

He spoke, and passed, like fleeting clouds of smoke. 
To empty air. " O, whither haste away ? " 
Maeas cried. ''Whom dost thou fly? What god 
^From my fond yearning and embrace removes? '* 
Then on the altar of the gods of Troy 
He woke the smouldering embers, at the shrine 
Of venerable Vesta, worshipping 
With hallowed bread and incense burning free. 
Straightway he calls assembly of his friends, — 
Acestes first in honor, — and makes known 
Jove's will, the counsel of his cherished sire. 
And his own fresh resolve. With prompt assent 
They hear his word, nor does Acestes fail 
The task to share. They people the new town 
With women ; and leave every wight behind 
Who ^Us it — souls not thirsting for high praise. 
Themselves re-bench their ships, rebuild, and fit 
With rope and oar the flame-swept galleys all; 
A band not large, but warriors bold and true, 
^neas, guiding with his hand a plough, 
Marks out the city's ground, gives separate lands 
By lot, and bids within this space appear 
A second Troy. Trojan Acestes takes 
The kingly power, and with benignant joy 
Appoints a forum, and decrees just laws 
Before a gathered senate. Then they raise 
On that star-circled Erycinian hill. 

176 THE ^NEip [760-779 

The temple to Idalian Venus dear; 

And at Anchises' sepulchre ordain 

A priesthood and wide groves of hallowed shade. 

Now the nine days of funeral pomp are done. 

And every altar has had honors due 

From all the folk. Now tranquil-breathing winds 

Have levelled the great deep, while brisk and free, 

A favoring Auster bids them launch away. 

But sound of many a wailing voice is heard 

Along the winding shore; for ere they go, 

In fond embraces for a night and day 

They linger still. The women — aye, and men ! — 

Who hated yesterday the ocean's face 

And loathed its name, now clamor to set sail 

And bear all want and woe to exiles known. 

But good iEneas with benignant words 

Their sorrow soothes, and, not without a tear. 

Consigns them to Acestes' kindred care. 

Then bids he sacrifice to Eryx' shade 

Three bulls, and to the wind-gods and the storm 

A lamb, then loose the ships in order due. 

He, with a garland of shorn olive, stood 

Holding aloft the sacrificial bowl 

From his own vessel's prow, and scattered far 

The sacred entrails o'er the bitter wave. 

With gift of flowing wine. Swift at the stem 

A fair wind rose and thrust them ; while the crews 

With rival strokes swept o'er the spreading sea. 

Venus, the while, disturbed with grief and care. 

M 
CC 
M 

To Neptune thus her sorrowing heart outpoured : 
Stem Juno's wrath and breast implacable 
Compel me, Neptune, to abase my pride 
In lowly supplication. Lapse of days, 
** Nor prayers, nor virtues her hard heart subdue, 
** Nor Jove's command ; nor will she rest or yield 
At Fate's decree. Her execrable grudge 
Is still unfed, although she did consume 
The Trojan city, Phrygia's midmost throne. 
And though she has accomplished stroke on stroke 
** Of retribution. But she now pursues 
** The remnant — aye ! the ashes and bare bones 
** Of perished Hium ; though the cause and spring 
** Of wrath so great none but herself can tell. 
** Wert thou not witness on the Libyan wave 
^What storm she stirred, immingling sea and sky, 
"And with iBolian whirlwinds made her war, — 
"In vain and insolent invasion, sire, 
"Of thine own realm and power? Behold, but now, 
" Groading to evil deeds the Trojan dames, 
"She basely burned his ships; he in strange lands 
"Must leave the crews of his lost fleet behind. 
O, I entreat thee, let the remnant sail 
In safety o'er thy sea, and end their way 
"In Tiber's holy stream; — if this my prayer 
** Be lawful, and that city's rampart proud 
** Be still what Fate intends." 

Then Saturn's son. 
The ruler of the seas profound, replied : 
" Queen of Cythera, it is meet for thee 
**To trust my waves from which thyself art sprung. 

M 
M 

[801-4 

"Have I not proved a friend, and oft restrained 
" The anger and wild wrath of seas and skies ? 
"On land, let Simois and Xaothus tell 
" If I have loved yEneas ! On that day 
" Achilles drove the shuddering hosts of Troy 
" In panic to the walls, and hurled to death 
" Innumerable foes, until the streams 
" Were choked with dead, and Xanthus scarce could find 
"His wonted path to sea; that self -same day, 
"^neas, spent, and with no help of Heaven, 
" Met Peleus' dreadful son : — who else but I 
" In cloudy mantle bore him safe afar ? 
" Though 't was my will to cast down utterly 
" The walls of perjured Troy, which my own hands 
"Had built beside the sea. And even to-day 
"My favor changes not. Dispel thy fear! 
" Safe, even as thou prayest, he shall ride 
"To Cumae's haven, where Avemus lies. 
" One only sinks beneath th' engulfing seas, - 
" One life in lieu of many." Having soothed 
And cheered her heart divine, the worshipped sire 
Flung o'er his mated steeds a yoke of gold. 
Bridled the mid, white mouths, and with strong hand 
Shook out long, loosened reins. His azure car 
Skimmed light and free along the crested waves; 
Before his path the rolling billows all 
Were calm and still, and each o'er-swollen flood 
Sank 'neath his sounding wheel ; while from the skies 
The storm-clouds fled away. Behind him trailed 
A various company ; vast bulk of 
The hoary band of Glaucus, Inous, 
Palsemon and the nimble Tritons all, 

ii ■ 

The troop of Phorcus; and to leftward ranged 
Thalia, Thetis, and fair Melite, 
With virgin Panopea, and the nymphs 
Nessea, Spio and Cymodoce. 

Now in Eneas' ever-burdened breast 
The voice of hope revived. He bade make haste 
To raise the masts, spread canvas on the spars; 
All hands hauled at the sheets, and left or right 
Shook out the loosened sails, or twirled in place 
The horn-tipped yards. Before a favoring wind 
The fleet sped on. The line in close array 
Was led by Palinurus, in whose course 
All ships were bid to follow. Soon the car 
Of dewy Night drew near the turning-point 
Of her celestial round. The oarsmen all 
Yielded their limbs to rest, and prone had fallen 
On the hard thwarts, in deep, unpillowed slumber. 
Then from the high stars on light-moving wings. 
The God of Sleep found passage through the dark 
And clove the gloom, — to bring upon thy head, 
O Palinurus, an ill-boding sleep. 
Though blameless thou. Upon thy ship the god 
In guise of Phorbas stood, thus whispering: 
^Look, Palinurus, how the flowing tides 
**Lift on thy fleet unsteered, and changeless winds 
" Behind thee breathe ! 'T is now a happy hour 
"To take thy rest. Lay down the weary head. 
** Steal tired eyes from toiling. I will do 
** Thine office for thee, jiist a little space." 
But Palinurus, lifting scarce his eyes, 
Thus answered him : ''Have I not known the face 

180 THE iENEID [848-871 

'* Of yonder placid seas and tranquil waves ? 
** Put faith in such a monster ? Could I trust — 
** I, oft by ocean's treacherous caUn betrayed — 
** My lord ^neas to false winds and skies ? ** 
So sajdng, he grasped his rudder tight, and clung 
More firmly, fixing on the stars his eyes. 
Then waved the god above his brows a branch 
Wet with the dews of Lethe, and imbued 
With power of Stygian dark, until his eyes 
Wavered and slowly sank. The slumberous snare 
Had scarce unbound his limbs, when, leaning o'er, 
The god upon the waters flung him forth. 
Hands clutching still the helm and ship-rail torn» 
And calling on his comrades, but in vain. 

Then soared th' idTmortal into viewless air; 

And in swift course across the level sea 

The fleet sped safe, protected from all fear 

By Neptune's vow. Yet were they drawing nigh 

The sirens' island-steep, where oft are seen 

White, bleaching bones, and to the distant ear 

The rocks roar harshly in perpetual foam. 

Then of his drifting fleet and pilot gone 

^neas was aware, and, taking helm. 

Steered through the midnight waves, with many a sigh r 

And, by his comrade's pitiable death 

Sore-smitten, cried, " O, thou didst trust too far 

** Fair skies and seas, and liest without a grave» 

"My Palinurus, in a land unknown!"

A 

FTER such words and tears, he flung free rein 
To the swift fleet, which sped along the wave 
To old Euboean Cumse's sacred shore. 
They veer all prows to sea ; the anchor fluke 
Makes each ship sure, and shading the long strand 
The rounded stems jut o'er. Impetuously 
The eager warriors leap forth to land 
Upon Hesperian soil. One strikes the flint 
To find the seed-spark hidden in its veins; 
One breaks the thick-branched trees, and steals away 
The shelter where the woodland creatures bide; 
One leads his mates where living waters flow. 

^neas, servant of the gods, ascends 
The templed hill where lofty Phcebus reigns. 
And that far-off, inviolable shrine 
Of dread Sibylla, in stupendous cave. 
O'er whose deep soul the god of Delos breathes 
Prophetic gifts, unfolding things to come. 
Here are pale Trivia's golden house and grove. 
Here Daedalus, the ancient story tells. 
Escaping Minos' power, and having made 
Hazard of heaven on far-mounting wings, 
floated to northward, a cold, trackless way. 
And lightly poised» at last, o'er Cumse's towers. 

THE jENEID 

[1» 

t 

Here first to earth come dowa, he gave to thee 

Hia gear of wiogs, Apollo! and ordained 

Vast temples to thy name and altars fair. 

On huge bronze doors Androgeos' death was done? 

And Cecrops' children paid their debt of woe, 

Where, seven and seven, — O pitiable sight! — 

The youths and maidens wait the annual doom. 

Drawn out by lot from yonder marble urn. 

Beyond, above a sea, lay carven Crete: 

The bull was there ; the passion, the strange guikg 

And Queen Pasiphae's brute-human son. 

The Minotaur — of monstrous loves the sign. 

Here was the toilsome, labyrinthine maze, 

Where, pitying love-lorn Ariadne's tears. 

The crafty Dasdalus himself betrayed 

The secret of his work; and gave the clue 

To guide the path of Theseus through the gloom^ 

O Icarus, in such well-graven scene 

How proud thy place should be! but grief forbade; 

Twice in pure gold a father's fingers strove 

To shape thy fall, and twice they strove in vain. 

^neas long the various work would scan ; 

But now Achates comes, and by his side 

Deiphobe, the Sibyl, Glaucus' child. 

Thus to the prince she spoke: 

" Is this thine hn 
"To stand and wonder? Rather go obtain 
" From young unbroken herd the bullocks sc 
"And seven yearling ewes, our wonted way." 

Thus to i£neas; his attendants haste 

41-«4] BOOK VI 183 

To work her will ; the priestess, calling loud. 
Gathers the Trojans to her mountain-shrine. 

Deep in the face of that Eubcean crag 
A cavern vast is hollowed out amain. 
With hundred openings, a hundred mouths, 
Whence voices flow, the Sibyl's answering songs. 
While at the door they paused, the virgin cried: 
"Ask now thy doom! — the god! the god is nigh I'* 
So sajdng, from her face its color flew. 
Her twisted locks flowed free, the heaving breast 
Swelled with her heart's wild blood ; her stature seemed 
Vaster, her accent more than mortal man. 
As all th' oncoming god around her breathed : 
"On with thy vows and prayers, O Trojan, on! 
** For only unto prayer this haunted cave 
"May its vast lips unclose." She spake no more. 
An icy shudder through the marrow ran 
Of the bold Trojans ; while their sacred King 
Poured from his inmost soul this plaint and prayer : 
" Phoebus, who ever for the woes of Troy 
" Hadst pitying eyes ! who gavest deadly aim 
"To Paris when his Dardan shaft he hurled 
" On great Achilles ! Thou hast guided me 
Through many an unknown water, where the seas 
Break upon kingdoms vast, and to the tribes 
Of the remote Massyli, whose wild land 
To Syrtes spreads. But now, because at last 
I touch Hesperia's ever-fleeting bound. 
May Troy's ill fate forsake me from this day ! 
O gods and goddesses, beneath whose wrath 

[64 

"Dardania's glory and great Ilium stood, 

"Spare, for ye may, the remnant of my race! 

"And thou, most holy prophetess, whose soul 

" Foreknows events to come, grant to my prayer 

"(Which asks no kingdom save what Fate decrees)4 

"That I may slablish in the Latin land 

"My Trojans, my far-wandering household -god 8, 

"And storm-tossed deities of fallen Troy, 

"Then unto Phcebus and his sister pale 

" A temple all of marble shall be given, 

" And festal days to Phcebus evermore, 

"Thee also in my realms a spacious shrine 

"Shall honor; thy dark books and holy songs 

"I there will keep, to be my people's law; 

"And thee, benignant Sibyl, for all time 

"A company of chosen priests shall serve. 

"O, not on leaves, light leaves, inscribe thy songs! 

"Lest, playthings of each breeze, they fly afar 

"In swift confusion! Sing thyself, I pray," 

So ceased his voice; the virgin through the cave, ' 
Scarce bridled yet by Phcebus' hand divine. 
Ecstatic swept along, and vainly strove 
To fling its potent master from her breast; 
But he more strongly plied his rein and curb 
Upon her frenzied lips, and soon subdued 
Her spirit fierce, and swayed her at his will. 
Free and self-moved the cavern's hundred doors 
Swung open wide, and uttered to the tur 
The oracles the virgin-priestess sung : 
"Thy long sea-perils thou hast safely passed; 

''But heavier woes await thee on the land. 
''Truly thy Trojans to Lavinian shore 
"Shall ccmie — vex not thyself thereon — but, oh! 
"Shall rue their coming thither! war, red war! 
"And Tiber stained with bloody foam I see. 
"Simois, Xanthus, and the Dorian horde 
"Thou shalt behold; a new Achilles now 
"In Latium breathes, — he, too, of goddess bom; 
"And Juno, burden of the sons of Troy, 
"Will vex them ever; while thyself shalt sue 
"In dire distress to many a town and tribe 
"Through Italy; the cause of so much ill 
"Again shall be a hostess-queen, again 
"A marriage-chamber for an alien bride. 
"Oh! yield not to thy woe, but front it ever, 
"And follow boldly whither Fortune calls. 
"Thy way of safety, as thou least couldst dream» 
"Lies through a city of the Greeks, thy foes." 

Thus from her shrine Cumsea's prophetess 
Chanted the dark decrees; the dreadful sound 
Reverberated through the bellowing cave. 
Commingling truth with ecstasies obscure. 
Apollo, as she raged, flung loosened rein. 
And thrust beneath her heart a quickening spur. 
When first her madness ceased, and her wild lips 
Were still at last, the hero thus b^an : 
"No tribulations new, O Sibyl blest, 
"Can now confront me; every future pain 
" I have foretasted ; my prophetic soul 
" Endured each stroke of fate before it fell. 

M 
M 

M 
M 

186 THE ^NEID [10e-l«8 

''One boon I ask. If of th' infernal Sang ' 

"This be the portal where the murky wave 
** Of swollen Acheron overflows its bound» 
"Here let me enter and behold the face 
** Of my loved sire. Thy hand may point the way; 
"Thy word will open wide yon holy doors. 
"My father through the flames. and falling spears. 
Straight through the centre of our foes, I bore 
Upon these shoulders. My long flight he shared 
" From sea to sea, and suffered at my side 
"The anger of rude waters and dark skies, — 
"Though weak — O task too great for old and gray! 
Thus as a suppliant at thy door to stand, 
Was his behest and prayer. On son and sire, 
" O gracious one, have pity, — for thy rule 
«Is over all; no vain authority 
"Hadst thou from Trivia o'er th' Avemian groves. 
" If Orpheus could call back his loved one's shade, 
" Emboldened by the lyre's melodious string : 
If Pollux by the interchange of death 
Redeemed his twin, and oft repassed the way : 
" If Theseus — but why name him ? why recall 
"Alcides' task? I, too, am sprung from Jove." 

Thus, to the altar clinging, did he pray: 
The Sibyl thus replied : " Offspring of Heaven, 
Anchises' son, the downward path to death 
Is easy; all the livelong night and day 

"Dark Pluto's door stands open for a guest. 

" But O ! remounting to the world of light, 

"This is a task indeed, a strife supreme. 

« 

"Few, very few, whom righteous Jove did bless, 

** Or quenchless virtue carried to the stars, 

" Children of gods, have such a victory won. 

** Grim forests stop the way, and, gliding slow, 

^ Cocytus circles through the sightless gloom. 

** But if it be thy dream and fond desire 

-Twice o'er the Stygian gulf to travel, twice 

''On glooms of Tartarus to set thine eyes, 

**If such mad quest be now thy pleasure — hear 

"What must be first fulfilled. A certain tree 

"Hides in obscurest shade a golden bough, 

"Of pliant stems and many a leaf of gold, 

"Sacred to Proserpine, infernal Queen. 

"Far in the grove it hides; in sunless vale 

"Deep shadows keep it in captivity. 

"No pilgrim to that underworld can pass 

"But he who plucks this burgeoned, leafy gold; 

" For this hath beauteous Proserpine ordained 

"Her chosen gift to be. Whene'er 't is culled, 

"A branch out-leafing in like golden gleam, 

"A second wonder-stem, fails not to spring. 

"Therefore go seek it with uplifted eyes! 

"And when by will of Heaven thou findest it, 

"Reach forth and pluck; for at a touch it yields, 

"A free and willing gift, if Fate ordain; 

" But otherwise no mortal strength avails, 

" Nor strong, sharp steel, to rend it from the tree. 

" Another task awaits ; thy friend's cold clay 

"Lies unentombed. Alas! thou art not ware 

" (While in my house thou lingerest, seeking light) 

" That all thy ships are by his death defiled. 

[151-174 

"Unto his resting-place and scpulclire, 
"Go, carry him! And sable victims bring, 
" In expiation, lo his mournful shade. 
"So at the last on yonder Sty^an groves, 
** And realms to things that breathe impassable, 
"Thine eye shall gaze." So closed her lips inspire 
jEneas then drew forth, with downcast eyes. 
From that dark cavern, pondering in his heart 
The riddle of his fate. His faithful friend 
Achates at his side, with paces slow. 
Companioned all his care, while their sad souls 
Made mutual and oft-renewed surmise 
What comrade dead, what cold and tombless c 
The Sibyl's word would show. 

But as they n 
Behold Misenus ©n the dry sea-sands. 
By hasty hand of death struck guiltless down ! 
A son of iEoIus, none better knew 
To waken heroes by the clarion's call. 
With war-enkindling sound. Great Hector's tne» 
In happier days, he oft at Hector's side 
Strode to the fight with glittering lance and hort 
But when Achilles stripped his fallen foe. 
This dauntless hero to ^neas gave 
Allegiance true, in not less noble cause. 
But, on a day, he chanced beside the aea 
To blow his shell-shaped horn, and wildly dare 
Challenge the gods themselves to rival song; 
Till jealous Triton, if the tale be true, 
Grasped the rash mortal, and out-flung him f 
'Mid surf-beat rocks and waves of whirling fot 

Now from all sides» with tumult and loud cry» 
The Trojans came, — ^neas leading all 
In faithful grief; they hasten to fulfil 
The Sibyl's mandate, and with many a tear 
Build, altar-wise, a pyre, of tree on tree 
Heaped high as heaven : then they penetrate 
The tall, old forest, where wild creatures bide. 
And fell pitch-pines, or with resounding blows 
Of axe and wedge, cleave oak and ash-tree through. 
Or logs of rowan down the mountains roll, 
^neas oversees and shares the toil. 
Cheers on his mates, and swings a woodman's steel. 
But, sad at heart with many a doubt and care, 
O'erlooks the forest wide; then prays aloud: 
''O, that the Golden Bough from this vast grove 
''Might o'er me shine! For, O iBolides, 
**The oracle foretold thy fate, too well!" 
Scarce had he spoken, when a pair of doves 
Before his very eyes flew down from heaven 
To the green turf below; the prince of Troy 
Knew them his mother's birds, and joyful cried» 
**0, guide me on, whatever path there be! 
In airy travel through the woodland fly. 
To where yon rare branch shades the blessed ground. 
** Fail thou not me, in this my doubtful hour, 
** O heavenly mother ! " So saying, his steps he stayed. 
Close watching whither they should signal give; 
The lightly-feeding doves flit on and on. 
Ever in easy ken of following eyes. 
Till over foul Avernus' sulphurous throat 
Swiftly they lift them through the liquid air. 

M 

190 THE iENEm [208-825 

In silent flight, and find a wished-for rest 
On a twy-natured tree, where through green bou^is 
Flames forth the glowing gold's contrasted hue. 
As in the wintry woodland bare and chill» 
Fresh-budded shines the clinging mistletoe» 
Whose seed is never from the parent tree 
O'er whose round limbs its tawny tendrils twine, — 
So shone th' out-leafing gold within the shade 
Of dark holm-oak, and so its tinsel-bract 
Rustled in each light breeze, ^neas grasped 
The lingering bough, broke it in eager haste» 
And bore it straightway to the Sibyl's shrine. 

Meanwhile the Trojans on the doleful shore 
Bewailed Misenus, and brought tribute there 
Of griefs last gift to his unheeding clay. 
First, of the full-sapped pine and well-hewn oak 
A lofty pyre they build ; then sombre boughs 
Around it wreathe, and in fair order range 
Funereal cypress; glittering arms are piled 
High over all ; on blazing coals they lift 
Cauldrons of brass brimmed o'er with waters pure; 
And that cold, lifeless clay lave and anoint 
With many a moan and cry; on their last couch 
The poor, dead limbs they lay, and mantle o'er 
With purple vesture and familiar pall. 
Then in sad ministry the chosen few, 
With eyes averted, as our sires did use. 
Hold the enkindling torch beneath the pyre : 
They gather up and burn the gifts of myrrh. 
The sacred bread and bowls of flowing oil ; 

226-M9] BOOK VI 191 

And when in flame the dying embers fall. 
On thirsty ash they pour the streams of wine. 
Grood Corynseus, in an urn of brass 
The gathered relics hides ; and three times round» 
With blessed olive branch and sprinkling dew, 
Purges the people with ablution cold. 
In lustral rite; oft chanting, '^Hail! Farewell!'' 
Faithful ^neas for his comrade built 
A mighty tomb, and dedicated there 
Trophy of arms, with trumpet and with oar. 
Beneath a windy hill, which now is called 
'*Misenus/' — for all time the name to bear. 

After these toils, they hasten to fulfil 

What else the Sibyl said. Straightway they find 

A cave profound, of entrance gaping wide, 

O'eiiiung with rock, in gloom of sheltering grove. 

Near the dark waters of a lake, whereby 

No bird might ever pass with scathless wing. 

So dire an exhalation is breathed out 

From that dark deep of death to upper air : — 

Hence, in the Grecian tongue, Aomos called. 

Here first four youthful bulls of swarthy hide 

Were led for sacrifice ; on each broad brow 

The priestess sprinkled wine; 'twixt the two horns 

Outplucked the lifted hair, and cast it forth 

Upon the holy flames, beginning so 

Her offerings ; then loudly sued the power 

Of Hecate, a Queen in heaven and hell. 

Some struck with knives, and caught in shallow bowls 

The smoking blood. iEneas' lifted hand 

192 THE ^NEID [250-209 

Smote with a sword a sable-fleecM ewe 
To Night, the mother of th' Eumenides, 
And Earth, her sister dread ; next unto thee, 
O Proserpine, a curst and barren cow; 
Then unto Pluto, Stygian King, he built 
An altar dark, and piled upon the flames 
The ponderous entrails of the bulls, and poured 
Free o'er the burning flesh the goodly oil. 
Then lo ! at dawn's dim, earliest beam began 
Beneath their feet a groaning of the ground : 
The wooded hill-tops shook, and, as it seemed» 
She-hounds of hell howled viewless through the shade. 
To hail their Queen. "Away, O souls profane! 
" Stand far away ! " the priestess shrieked, " nor dare 
"Unto this grove come near! iEneas, on! 
"Begin thy journey! Draw thy sheathM blade I 
" Now, all thy courage ! now, th' unshaken soul ! ** 
She spoke, and burst into the yawning cave 
With frenzied step ; he follows where she leads. 
And strides with feet unfaltering at her side. 

Ye gods ! who rule the spirits of the dead ! 
Ye voiceless shades and silent lands of night! 
O Phlegethon ! O Chaos ! let my song. 
If it be lawful, in fit words declare 
What I have heard ; and by your help divine 
Unfold what hidden things enshrouded lie 
In that dark underworld of sightless gloom. 

■ 

They walked exploring the unpeopled night. 
Through Pluto's vacuous realms, and regions void. 

«70-2»5] BOOK VI 193 

As when one's path in dreary woodlands winds 
Beneath a misty moon's deceiving ray. 
When Jove has mantled all his heaven in shade. 
And night seals up the beauty of the world. 
In the first courts and entrances of Hell 
Sorrows and vengeful Cares on couches lie: 
There sad Old Age abides, Diseases pale. 
And Fear, and Hunger, temptress to all crime; 
Want, base and vile, and, two dread shapes to see. 
Bondage and Death : then Sleep, Death's next of kin; 
And dreams of guilty joy. Death-dealing War 
Is ever at the doors, and hard thereby 
The Furies* beds of steel, where wild-eyed Strife 
Her snaky hair with blood-stained fillet binds. 
There in the middle court a shadowy elm 
Its ancient branches spreads, and in its leaves 
Deluding visions ever haunt and cling. 
Then come strange prodigies of bestial kind : 
Centaurs are stabled there, and double shapes 
Like Scylla, or the dragon Lerna bred, 
^th hideous scream ; Briareus clutching far 
His hundred hands, Chimsera girt with flame, 
A crowd of Gorgons, Harpies of foul wing. 
And giant Geryon's triple-monstered shade. 
MnesSf shuddering with sudden fear. 
Drew sword and fronted them with naked steel; 
And, save his sage conductress bade him know 
These were but shapes and shadows sweeping by. 
His stroke had cloven in vain the vacant air. 
Hence the way leads to that Tartarean stream 
Of Acheron, whose torrent fierce and foul 

[296-420 

Disgorges in Cocytus all its sands. 
A ferryman of gruesome guise keeps ward 
Upon these waters, — Charon, foully garbed. 
With unkempt, thick gray beard upon his chin. 
And staring eyes of flame ; a mantle coarse, \ 

All stained and knotted, from his shoulder falls» * 
As with a pole he guides his craft, tends sail, 
And in the black boat ferries o'er his dead ; — 
Old, but a god's old age looks fresh and strong. 

To those dim shores the multitude streams on 
Husbands and wives, and pale, unbreathing foi 
Of high'souled heroes, boys and virgins f^r. 
And strong youth at whose graves fond 

mourned. 
As numberless the throng as leaves that fall 
When autumn's early frost is on the grove; 
Or like vast flocks of birds by winter's chill 
Sent flying o'er wide seas to lands of flowers. 
All stood beseeching to begin their voyage 
Across that river, and reached out pale hands, 
In passionate yearning for ils distant shore. 
But the grim boatman takes now these, noi 
Or thrusts unpitying from the stream away. 

^neas, moved to wonder and deep awe. 
Beheld the tumult; "Virgin seer!" he cried 
"Why move the thronging ghosts toward yoi 

stream? 

"What seek they there? Or what election holds 
"That these unwilling linger, while their peen 

thoae^ 

€€ 

MO-841] BOOK VI 195 

•* Sweep forward yonder o*er the leaden waves?* 

To him, in few, the aged Sibyl spoke : 
** Son of Anchises, offspring of the gods. 
Yon are Cocytus and the Stygian stream. 
By whose dread power the gods themselves do fear 
To take an oath in vain. Here far and wide 
' Thou seest the hapless throng that hath no grave. 
' That boatman Charon bears across the deep 
' Such as be sepulchred with holy care. 
^ But over that loud flood and dreadful shore 
' No traveler may be borne, until in peace 
'' His gathered ashes rest. A hundred years 
^ Round this dark borderland some haunt and roam, 
' Then win late passage o'er the longed-for wave/' 

MnesLS lingered for a little space. 

Revolving in his soul with pitjring prayer 

Fate's partial way. But presently he sees 

!Leucaspis and the Lycian navy's lord, 

Orontes; both of melancholy brow. 

Both hapless and unhonored after death, 

"Whom, while from Troy they crossed the wind-swept 

seas, 
A whirling tempest wrecked with ship and crew. 
There, too, the helmsman Palinurus strayed : 
Who, as he whilom watched the Libyan stars. 
Had fallen, plunging from his lofty seat 
Into the billowy deep. iEneas now 
Discerned his sad face through the blinding gloom. 
And hailed him thus : '" O Palinurus, tell 
TVhat god was he who ravished thee away 

196 THE iENEID [342-364 

** From me and mine, beneath the o*erwhehning wave? 

" Speak on ! for he who ne'er had spoke untrue, 

''Apollo's self, did mock my listening mind» 

"And chanted me a faithful oracle 

''That thou shouldst ride the seas unharmed, and 
touch 

" Ausonian shores. Is this the pledge divine?** 
Then he, " O chieftain of Anchises' race, 
Apollo's tripod told thee not untrue. 
No god did thrust me down beneath the wave. 
For that strong rudder unto which I clung. 
My charge and duty, and my ship's sole guide. 
Wrenched from its place, dropped with me as I fell. 
Not for myself — by the rude seas I swear — 
Did I have terror, but lest thy good ship. 
Stripped of her gear, and her poor pilot lost. 
Should fail and founder in that rising flood. 
Three wintry nights across the boundless mun 

'The south wind buffeted and bore me on; 

'At the fourth daybreak, lifted from the surge, 

'I looked at last on Italy, and swam 

'With weary stroke on stroke unto the land. 

'Safe was I then. Alas! but as I climbed 
With garments wet and heavy, my clenched hand 

'Grasping the steep rock, came a cruel horde 
Upon me with drawn blades, accounting me — 
So blind they were! — a wrecker's prize and spoil. 
Now are the waves my tomb, and wandering winds 
Toss me along the coast. O, I implore. 
By heaven's sweet light, by yonder upper air. 
By thy lost father, by lulus dear. 

i 

S64-386] BOOK VI 197 

•*Thy rising hope and joy, that from these woes, 
** Unconquered chieftain, thou wilt set me free! 
Give me a grave where Velia's haven lies, 
For thou hast power! Or if some path there be. 
If thy celestial mother guide thee here 
(For not, I ween, without the grace of gods 
Wilt cross yon rivers vast, yon Stygian pool) 
Reach me a hand ! and bear with thee along ! 
Until (least gift!) death bring me peace and calm/' 

M 
M 
€f 
U 
U 

Such words he spoke : the priestess thus replied : 
Why, Palinurus, these unblest desires ? 
Wouldst thou, unsepulchred, behold the wave 
Of Styx, stem river of th' Eumenides ? 
Wouldst thou, unbidden, tread its fearful strand ? 
Hope not by prayer to change the laws of Heaven ! 
But heed my words, and in thy memory 
Cherish and keep, to cheer this evil time. 
Lo, far and wide, led on by signs from Heaven, 
Thy countrymen from many a templed town 
Shall consecrate thy dust, and build thy tomb, 
A tomb with annual feasts and votive flowers. 
To Palinurus a perpetual fame ! '* 
Thus was his anguish stayed, from his sad heart 
Grief ebbed awhile, and even to this day, 
Our land is glad such noble name to wear. 

The twain continue now their destined way 
Unto the river's edge. The Ferryman, 
Who watched them through still groves approach his 
shore. 

M 

ti 

198 TBE MUEID [387-409 

Hailed them, at distance, from the Stygian wave. 

And Tvith reproachful summons thus b^an : 
" Whoe'er thou art that in this warrior guise 

Unto my river comest, — quickly tell 

Thine errand ! Stay thee where thou standest now ! 

This is ghosts' land, for sleep and slumbrous daiis:. 

That flesh and blood my Stygian ship should bear 

Were lawless wrong. Unwillingly I took 

Alcides, Theseus, and Pirithous, 
"Though sons of gods, too mighty to be quelled. 

One bound in chains yon warder of Hell's door. 

And dragged him trembling from our monarch's 
throne : 

The others, impious, would steal away 
" Out of her bride-bed Pluto's ravished Queen.** 

Briefly th* Amphrysian priestess made reply : 

* Not ours, such guile I Fear not ! This warrior's aims 
'Are innocent. Let Cerberus from his cave 

'Bay ceaselessly, the bloodless shades to scare; 

* Let Proserpine immaculately keep 

'The house and honor of her kinsman King. 

'Trojan iEneas, famed for faithful prayer 

'And victory in arms, descends to seek 

' His father in this gloomy deep of death. 

' If loyal goodness move not such as thee, 

'This branch at least" (she drew it from her breast) 

'Thou knowest well." 

Then cooled his wrathful heart; 

With silent lips he looked and wondering eyes 

Upon that fateful, venerable wand. 

iOIMiSl] BOOK VI 199 

Seen only once an age. Shoreward he turned, 
And pushed their way his boat of leaden hue. 
The rows of crouching ghosts along the thwarts 
He scattered, cleared a passage, and gave room 
To great iEneas. The light shallop groaned 
Beneath his weight, and, straining at each seam. 
Took in the foul flood with unstinted flow. 

At last the hero and his priestess-guide 

Came safe across the river, and were moored 

•Mid sea-green sedges in the formless mire. 

Here Cerberus, with triple-throated roar. 

Made all the region ring, as there he lay 

At vast length in his cave. The Sibyl then. 

Seeing the serpents writhe around his neck. 

Threw down a loaf with honeyed herbs imbued 

And drowsy essences : he, ravenous. 

Gaped wide his three fierce mouths and snatched the 

bait, 
Crouched with his laige backs loose upon the ground. 
And filled his cavern floor from end to end. 
^neas through hell's portal moved, while sleep 
Its warder buried ; then he fled that shore 
Of Stygian stream, whence travellers ne'er return. 
Now hears he sobs, and piteous, lisping cries 
Of souls of babes upon the threshold plaining; 
Whom, ere they took their portion of sweet life. 
Dark Fate from nursing bosoms tore, and plunged 
In bitterness of death. Nor far from these. 
The throng of dead by unjust judgment slain. 
Not without judge or law these realms abide : 

200 THE iENEID [432-405 

Wise Minos there the um of justice moves» 
And holds assembly of the silent shades, 
Hearing the stories of their lives and deeds. 
Close on this place those doleful ghosts abide» 
Who, not for crime, but loathing life and light 
With their own hands took death, and cast away 
The vital essence. Willingly, alas ! 
They now would suffer need, or burdens bear» 
If only life were given ! But Fate fori>ids. 
Around them winds the sad, unlovely wave 
Of Styx : nine times it coils and interflows. 
Not far from hence, on every side outspread» 
The Fields of Sorrow lie, — such name they bear; 
Here all whom ruthless love did waste away 
Wander in paths unseen, or in the gloom 
Of a dark myrtle grove : not even in death 
Have they forgot their griefs of long ago. 
Here impious Phsedra and poor Procris bide; 
Lorn Eriphyle bares the vengeful wounds 
Her own son's dagger made ; Evadne here. 
And foul Pasiphae are seen ; hard by, 
Laodamia, nobly fond and fair; 
And Cseneus, not a boy, but maiden now. 
By Fate remoulded to her native seeming. 
Here Tyrian Dido, too, her wound unhealed. 
Roamed through a mighty wood. The Trojan's eyes 
Beheld her near him through the murky gloom. 
As when, in her young month and crescent pale» 
One sees th' o'er-clouded moon, or thinks he sees. 
Down dropped his tears, and thus he fondly 
spoke: 

45^-479] BOOK VI 201 

** O suflFering Dido ! Were those tidings true 
"That thou didst fling thee on the fatal steel? 
"Thy death, ah me! I dealt it. But I swear 
" By stars above us, by the powers in Heaven, 
" Or whatsoever oath ye dead believe, 
" That not by choice I fled thy shores, O Queen ! 
" Divine decrees compelled me, even as now 
"Among these ghosts I pass, and thread my way 
"Along this gulf of night and loathsome land. 
"How could I deem my cruel taking leave 
" Would bring thee at the last to all this woe ? 
"O, stay! Why shun me? Wherefore haste away? 
" Our last farewell ! Our doom ! I speak it now !" 
Thus, though she glared with fierce, relentless gaze» 
iEneas, with fond words and tearful plea. 
Would soothe her angry soul. But on the ground 
She fixed averted eyes. For all he spoke 
Moved her no more than if her frowning brow 
Were changeless flint or carved in Parian stone. 
Then, after pause, away in wrath she fled. 
And refuge took within the cool, dark grove, 
Where her first spouse, Sichseus, with her tears 
Mingled his own in mutual love and true. 
iEneas, none the less, her guiltless woe 
With anguish knew, watched with dimmed eyes her 

way. 
And pitied from afar the fallen Queen. 
But now his destined way he must be gone ; 
Now the last regions round the travellers lie. 
Where famous warriors in the darkness dwell : 
Here Tydeus comes in view, with far-renowned 

«8 

t« 

Parthenopieus and Adrastus pale; 
Here mourD in upper air with many a moan. 
Id battle fallen, the Dardanidee, 
Whose long defile jEneas groans to see : 
Glaucus and Medea and Thersilochus, 
Antenor's children three, and Ceres' priest. 
That Polypoetes, and Idieus still 
Keeping the kingly chariot and spear. 
Around him left and right the crowding shades 
Not only once would see, but clutch and cling 
Obstructive, asking on what quest he goes. 
Soon as the princes of ArgoHc blood. 
With line on line of Agamemnon's men. 
Beheld the hero and his glittering arms 
Flash through the dark, they trembled with am 
Or turned in flight, as if once more they fled 
To shelter of the ships ; SOme raised aloft 
A feeble shout, or vainly opened wide 
Their gaping lips in mockery of sound. 

Here Priam's son, with body rent and torn, 
DeTphobus, is seen, — his mangled face. 
His face and bloody hands, his wounded head 
Of ears and nostrils infamously shorn. 
Scarce could Mne&s know the shuddering shade 
That strove to hide its face and shameful scar; 
But, speaking first, he said, in their own tongueiJ 
"DeTphobus, strong warrior, nobly born 
"Of Teucer's royal stem, what ruthless foe 
"Could wish to wreak on thee this dire revenge? | 
"Who ventured) unopposed, so vast a wrong? 

" The rumor reached me how, that deadly night, 
" Wearied with slaying Greeks, thyself didst fall 
** Prone on a mingled heap of friends and foes. 
" Then my own hands did for thy honor build 
"An empty tomb upon the Trojan shore, 
"And thrice with echoing voice I called thy shade. 
** Thy name and arms are there. But, O my friend, 
**Thee could I nowhere find, but launched away, 
** Nor o'er thy bones their native earth could fling.** 

To him the son of Priam thus replied : 
Nay, friend, no hallowed rite was left undone. 
But every debt to death and pity due 
The shades of thy Deiphobus received. 
My fate it was, and Helen's murderous wrong. 
Wrought me this woe ; of her these tokens tell. 
For how that last night in false hope we passed. 
Thou knowest, — ah, too well we both recall ! 
When up the steep of Troy the fateful horse 
Came climbing, pregnant with fierce men-at-arms» 
'T was she, accurst, who led the Phrygian dames 
In choric dance and false bacchantic song. 
And, waving from the midst a lofty brand. 
Signalled the Greeks from Ilium's central tower. 
In that same hour on my sad couch I lay. 
Exhausted by long care and sunk in sleep, 
*' That sweet, deep sleep, so close to tranquil death. 
But my illustrious bride from all the house 
Had stolen all arms ; from 'neath my pillowed head 
She stealthily bore oflF my trusty sword ; 
Then loud on Menelaus did she call. 

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804 THE ^NEID [5M-I 

"And with her own false hand unbarred the door; J 
"Such gift to her fond lord she fain would send 
"To blot the memory of his ancient wrong! 
"Why tell the tale, how on my couch they broke, ' 
"While their accomplice, vile jEolides, 
"Counselled to many a crime. O heavenly FowentS 
" Reward these Greeks their deeds of wickedness, 
"If with clean lips upon your wrath I call! 
" But, friend, what fortunes have thy life befallen ? 
"Tell point by point. Did waves of wandering seas 
" Drive thee this way, or some divine command ? 
"What chastisement of fortune thrusts thee on 
"Toward this forlorn abode of night and cloud?" 

While thus they talked, the crimsoned car of Mom 
Had wheeled beyond the midmost point of heavm* 
On her ethereal road. The princely pair 
Had wasted thus the whole brief gift of hours; i 

But Sibyl spoke the warning : " Night speeds by, I 
"And we, ^Eneas, lose it in lamenting. ^ 

"Here cornea the place where cleaves our way in twain. 
"Thy road, the right, toward Pluto's dwelling goes, 

"And leads us to Elysium. But the left 

"Speeds sinful souls to doom, and is their path 
"To Tartarus th' accurst." DeTphobus 

Cried out: "O priestess, be not wroth with ust I 
" Back to the ranks with yonder ghosts I go. 
"O glory of my race, pass on ! Thy lot 
"Be happier than mine!" He spoke, and fled. 

^neaa str^htway by the leftward cliff 

54d-572] BOOK VI 205 

Beheld a spreading rampart» high begirt 

With triple wall, and circling round it ran 

A raging river of swift floods of flame. 

Infernal Phlegethon, which whirls along 

Loud-thundering rocks. A mighty gate is there 

Columned in adamant; no human power. 

Nor even the gods, against this gate prevail. 

Tall tower of steel it has ; and seated there 

Tisiphone, in blood-flecked pall arrayed. 

Sleepless forever, guards the entering way. 

Hence groans are heard, fierce cracks of lash and 

scourge, 
LfOud-clanking iron links and trailing chains. 
.£neas motionless with horror stood 
O'erwhelmed at such uproar. **0 virgin, say 
** What shapes of guilt are these ? What penal woe 
"Harries them thus? What wailing smites the air?" 

To whom the Sibyl, " Far-famed prince of Troy, 
**The feet of innocence may never pass 
** Into this house of sin. But Hecate, 
" When o'er th' Avemian groves she gave me power, 
** Taught me what penalties the gods decree, 
**And showed me all. There Cretan Rhadamanth 
His kingdom keeps, and from unpityiug throne 
Chastises and lays bare the secret sins 
Of mortals who, exulting in vain guile. 
Elude, till death, their expiation due. 
There, armed forever with her vengeful scourge, 
Tisiphone, with menace and affront. 
The guilty swarm pursues ; in her left hand 
She lifts her angered serpents, while she calls 

«« 

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[572-598 

"A troop of aiater-furies fierce as she. 

"TheD, grating loud on hinge of sickening sound, 1 

"Hell's portals open wide. O, dost thou see 

" What sentinel upon that threshold sits, 

"What shapes of fear keep guard upon that gloomfl 

"Far, far within the dragon Hydra broods 

"With half a hundred mouths, gaping and black; ^ 

"And Tartarus slopes downward to the dark 

" Twice the whole space that in the realms of light ' 

"Th' Olympian heaven above our earth aspires. 

"Here Earth's first oEfspring, the Titanic brood, 

"Roll lightning-blasted in the gulf profound; 

"The twin Aloidfie, colossal shades, 

" Came on my view ; their hands made stroke at Heaven 

" And strove to thrust Jove from his seat on high. 

"I saw Salmoneus his dread stripes endure, 

"Who dared to counterfeit Olympian thunder 

"And Jove's own fire. In chariot of four steeds, 

"Brandishing torches, he triumphant rode 

" Through throngs of Greeks, o'er EUs' sacred way, 

"Demanding worship as a god, O fooll 

"To mock the storm's inimitable flash 

"With crash of hoofs and roll of brazen wheell 

" But mightiest Jove from rampart of thick cloud 

"Hurled his own shaft, no flickering, mortal flame, 

" And in vast whirl of tempest laid him low. 

"Next unto these, on Tityos I looked, 

"Child of old Earth, whose womb all creatures bears: 

"Stretched o'er nine roods he lies; a vulture huge 

"Tears with hooked beak at his immortal s 

**Or deep in entrails ever rife with pain 

I 

iture nuge ^m 
rtal side, ^H 

J 

* Gropes for a feast, making his haunt and home 
*In the great Titan bosom; nor will give 

* To ever new-bom flesh surcease of woe. 

* Why name Ixion and Pirithous, 

* The Lapithae, above whose impious brows 
' A crag of flint hangs quaking to its fall, 

* As if just toppling down, while couches proud» 

* Propped upon golden pillars, bid them feast 

* In royal glory : but beside them lies 

* The eldest of the Furies, whose dread hands 

* Thrust from the feast away, and wave aloft 

* A flashing firebrand, with shrieks of woe. 
'Here in a prison-house awaiting doom 
*Are men who hated, long as life endured, 

* Their brothers, or maltreated their gray sires, 

' Or tricked a humble friend ; the men who grasped 

* At hoarded riches, with their kith and kin 

* Not sharing ever — an unnumbered throng ; 
'Here slain adulterers be; and men who dared 

* To fight in unjust cause, and break all faith 
*With their own lawful lords. Seek not to know 
*What forms of woe they feel, what fateful shape 

* Of retribution hath overwhelmed them there. 
'Some roll huge boulders up; some hang on wheels. 

Lashed to the whirling spokes ; in his sad seat 
'Theseus is sitting, nevermore to rise; 

Unhappy Phlegyas uplifts his voice 
' In warning through the darkness, calling loud, 
"O, ere too late, learn justice and fear God!* 
' Yon traitor sold his country, and for gold 
' Enchained her to a tyrant, trafficking 

208 THE ^ENEID [m 

"In laws, for bribes enacted or made void; 
" Another did incestuously assail 
" His daughter's bed with infamous embrace. 
"AH ventured some unclean, prodigious crime; 
"And what they dared, achieved. I could not tell, 
"Not with a hundred mouths, a hundred tongues, 
" Or iron voice, their divers shapes of sin, < 

"Nor call by name the myriaJ pangs they bear." 1 

So spake Apollo's aged prophetess. 
"Now up and on!" she cried. "Thy task fulfil! 
"We must make speed. Behold yon arching doors, 
" Yon walls in furnace of the Cyclops forged ! 
" 'T is there we are commanded to lay down 
"Th' appointed offering." So, side by side. 
Swift through the intervening dark they strode. 
And, drawing near the portal-arch, made pauise. 
^neas, taking station at the door. 
Pure, lustral waters o'er his body threw. 
And hung for garland there the Golden Bough. 
Now, every rite fulfilled, and tribute due 
Paid to the sovereign power of Proserpine, 
At last within & land delectable 

Their journey lay, through pleasurable bowers ^M 
Of groves where all is joy, — a blest abode! ^H 
An ampler sky its roseate light bestows ^H 

On that bright land, which sees the cloudless beam 
Of suns and planets to our earth unknown. 
■ On smooth green lawns, contending limb with limbi 
I Immortal athletes play, and wrestle long 
', 'Gainst mate or rival od the tawny sand 

I 

J 

/ 

644-66^ BOOK VI soft 

With sounding footsteps and ecstatic song» 

Some thread the dance divine : among them moves 

The bard of Thrace, in flowing vesture clad» 

Discoursing seven-noted melody» ^ 

Who sweeps the numbered strings with changeful hand» 

Or smites with ivory point his golden lyre. 

Here Trojans be of eldest» noblest race» 

Great-hearted heroes, bom in happier times» 

Uus» Assaracus» and Dardanus» 

Illustrious builders of the Trojan town. 

Their arms and shadowy chariots he views, 

And lances fixed in earth, while through the fields 

Their steeds without a bridle graze at will. 

For if in life their darling passion ran 

To chariots» arms, or glossy-coated steeds» 

The self-same joy, though in their graves^ they feel. 

Lo! on the left and right at feast reclined 

Are other blessed soub» whose chorus sings 

Victorious paeans on the fragrant air 

Of laurel groves ; and hence to earth outpours 

Eridanus» through forests rolling free. 

Here dwell the brave who for their native land 

Fell wounded on the field ; here holy priests 

Who kept them undefiled their mortal day; 

And poets» of whom the true-inspired song 

Deserved Apollo's name ; and all who found 

New arts» to make man's life more blest or fair; 

Yea ! here dwell all those dead whose deeds bequeath 

Deserved and grateful memory to their kind. 

And each bright brow a snow-white fillet wears. 

Unto this host the Sibyl turned» and hailed 

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it 

£10 THE iENEID [667-688 

Musseus, midmost of a numerous throngs 

Who towered o'er his peers a shoulder higher : 
" O spirits blest ! O venerable bard ! 
"Declare what dwelling or what region holds 
"Anchises, for whose sake we twain essayed 
"Yon passage over the wide streams of hell." 

And briefly thus the hero made reply : 
"No fixed abode is ours. In shadowy groves 
"We make our home, or meadows fresh and fair. 

With streams whose flowery banks our couches be. 

But you, if thitherward your wishes turn; 
" Climb yonder hill, where I your path may show." 

So saying, he strode forth and led them on. 

Till from that vantage they had prospect fair 

Of a wide, shining land ; thence wending down. 

They left the height they trod ; for far below 

Father Anchises in a pleasant vale 

Stood pondering, while his eyes and thought sur^ 

veyed 
A host of prisoned spirits, who there abode 
Awaiting entrance to terrestrial air. 
And musing he reviewed the legions bright 
Of his own progeny and offspring proud — 
Their fates and fortunes, virtues and great deeds. 
Soon he discerned Mneas drawing nigh 
O'er the green slope, and, lifting both his hands 
In eager welcome, spread them swiftly forth. 
Tears from his eyelids rained, and thus he spoke: 
"Art here at last? Hath thy well-proven love 
" Of me thy sire achieved yon arduous way ? 

« 
(C 

Will Heaven, belovM son, once more allow 
That eye to eye we look ? and shall I hear 
Thy kindred accent mingling with my own ? 
I cherished long this hope. My prophet-soul 
Numbered the lapse of days, nor did my thought 
Deceive. O, o*er what lands and seas wast driven 
To this embrace ! What perils manifold 
Assailed thee, O my son, on every side ! 
How long I trembled, lest that Libyan throne 
"Should work thee woe!" 

iEneas thus replied : 
''Thine image, sire, thy melancholy shade, 
'' Came oft upon my vision, and impelled 
"My journey hitherward. Our fleet of ships 
" Lies safe at anchor in the Tuscan seas. 
" Come, clasp my hand ! Come, father, I implore, 
"And heart to heart this fond embrace receive!'* 
So speaking, all his eyes suffused with tears; 
Thrice would his arms in vain that shape enfold. 
Thrice from the touch of hand the vision fled. 
Like wafted winds or likest hovering dreams. 

After these things ^neas was aware 
Of solemn groves in one deep, distant vale. 
Where trees were whispering, and forever flowed 
The river Lethe, through its land of calm. 
Nations unnumbered roved and haunted there : 
As when, upon a windless summer mom. 
The bees afield among the rainbow flowers 
Alight and sip, or round the lilies pure 
Pour forth in busy swarm, while far diffused 

Sl« 

[709-ia 

Their murmured songs from all the meadows ris 
^neas in amaze the wonder views. 
And fearfully inquires of whence and why; 
What yonder rivers be ; what people press. 
Line after liue, on those dim shores along. 
Said Sire Anchises : " Yonder thronging souls 
"To reincarnate shape predestined move. 
"Here, at the river Lethe's wave, they quaS 
"Care-quelling floods, and long oblivion. 
" Of these I shall discourse, and to thy soul 
" Make visible the number and array 
"Of my posterity; so shall thy heart 
"In Italy, thy new-found home, rejoice." 
" O father," said j^neas, " must I deem 
" That from this region souls exalted rise 
"To upper air, and shall once more return 
"To cumbering flesh? O, wherefore do they feel, 
"Unhappy ones, such fatal lust to live?" 
"I speak, my son, nor make thee longer doubt," 
Anchises said, and thus the truth set forth. 
In ordered words from point to point unfolding: 

" Know first that heaven and earth and ocean's pim 
"The moon's bright orb, and stars of Titan birth 
"Are nourished by one Life; one primal Mind, 
" Immingled with the vast and general frame, 
" Fills every part and stirs the mighty whole. 
"Thence man and beast, thence creatures of the a 
"And all the swarming monsters that be found 
" Beneath the level of the marbled sea ; 
" A fieiy virtue, a celestial power. 

Their native seeds retain ; but bodies vile, 

With limbs of clay and members bom to die» 

Encumber and o'ercloud ; whence also spring 

Terrors and passions, suffering and joy; 

For from deep darkness and captivity 

All gaze but blindly on the radiant world. 

Nor when to life's last beam they bid farewell 

May sufferers cease from pain, nor quite be freed 

From all their fleshly plagues ; but by fixed law. 

The strange, inveterate taint works deeply in. 

For this, the chastisement of evils past 

Is suffered here, and full requital paid. 

Some hang on high, outstretched to viewless winds; 

For some their sin's contagion must be puiged 

In vast ablution of deep-rolling seas. 

Or burned away in fire. Each man receives 

His ghostly portion in the world of dark ; 

But thence to realms Elysian we go free. 

Where for a few these seats of bliss abide. 

Till time's long lapse a perfect orb fulfils. 

And takes all taint away, restoring so 

The pure, ethereal soul's first virgin fire. 

At last, when the millennial «on strikes, 

Grod calls them forth to yon Lethsean stream. 

In numerous host, that thence, oblivious all. 

They may behold once more the vaulted sky. 

And willingly to shapes of flesh return." 

So spoke Anchises; then led forth his son. 
The Sibyl with him, to the assembled shades 
(A voiceful throng), and on a lofty mound 

«14 THE ^NEID [754-777 

His station took, whence plainly could be seen 
The long procession, and each face descried. 
Hark now ! for of the glories I will tell 
That wait our Dardan blood ; of our sons' sons 
Begot upon the old Italian breed, 
Who shall be mighty spirits, and prolong 
Our names, their heritage. I will unfold 
The story, and reveal the destined years. 
Yon princeling, thou beholdest leaning there 
Upon a royal lance, shall next emerge 
Into the realms of day. He is the first 
Of half-Italian strain, the last-bom heir 
To thine old age by fair Lavinia given, 
Called Silvius, a royal Alban name 
(Of sylvan birth and sylvan nurture he), 
A king himself and sire of kings to come. 
By whom our race in Alba Longa reign. 
Next Procas stands, our Trojan people's boast; 
Capys and Numitor, and, named like thee, 
'Mnesis Sylvius, like thee renowned 

* For faithful honor and for deeds of war, 
*When he ascends at last his Alban throne. 

* Behold what warrior youth they be ! How strong 

* Their goodly limbs ! Above their shaded brows 

* The civic oak they wear ! For thee they build 
'Nomentum, and the walls of Gabii, 
'Fidena too, and on the mountains pile 
'Collatia's citadels, Pometii, 

* Bola and Cora, Castrum-Inui — 
'Such be the names the nameless lands shall bear. 
' See, in that line of sires the son of Mars, 

' Great Romulus, of Ilian mother bom, 

* From far-descended line of Trojan kings ! 

* See from his helm the double crest uprear, 

* While his celestial father in his mien 
'Shows forth his birth divine ! Of him, my son, 

* Great Rome shall rise, and, favored of his star, 

* Have power world-wide, and men of godlike mind. 
*She clasps her seven hills in single wall, 

* Proud mother of the brave ! So Cybele, 
*The Berecynthian goddess, castle-crowned, 

* On through the Phrygian kingdoms speeds her car, 
'Exulting in her hundred sons divine, 
'All numbered with the gods, all throned on high. 

* Let now thy visionary glance look long 
'On this thy race, these Romans that be thine. 
'Here Caesar, of lulus' glorious seed, 
' Behold ascending to the world of light ! 
' Behold, at last, that man, for this is he, 
*So oft unto thy listening ears foretold, 
'Aug ustus^Caesar, kindred unto Jove . 
* He Jbrin^s a golde n age; he shall resto re 

atum's sceptre t o^ our Latin^ nd. 
'And o'er remotest Garamant and Ind 

* His sway extend ; the fair dominion 

* Outruns th' horizon planets, yea, beyond 

* The sun's bright path, where Atlas' shoulder bears 

* Yon dome of heaven set- thick with burning stars. 
'Against his coming the far Caspian shores 
' Break forth in oracles ; the Mseotian land 
'Trembles, and all the seven-fold mouths of Nile. 

[80H 

"Not o'er domain so wide Alcides passed, 
"Although the brazen-footed doe he slew 
"And stilled the groves of Erj-manth, and bade 
"The beast of Lerna at his arrows quail. 
*'Nor half so far triumphant Bacchus drove, 
"With vine-enlwisted reins, his frolic team 
"Of tigers from the tall-topped Indian hill. 

"Still do we doubt if heroes' deeds can fill 

"A realm so wide ? Shall craven fear constrain 

"Thee or thy people from Ausonia's shore? 

"Look, who is he I may discern from far 

" By olive-branch and holy emblems known ? 

"His flowing locks and hoary beard, behold! 

"Fit for a Roman king! By hallowed laws 

"He shall found Rome anew — from mean estate 

"In lowly Cures led to mightier sway. 

"But after him arises one whose reign 

"Shall wake the land from slumber: TuUus then 

"Shall stir slack chiefs to battle, rallying 

"His hosts which had forgot what triumphs be. 

"Him boastful Aucus follows hard upon, 

" O'erflushed with his light people's windy praise. 

"Wilt thou see Tarquins now ? And haughty hai 

"Of vengeful Brutus seize the signs of power? 

"He first the consul's name shall take; he Erst 

"Th' inexorable fasces sternly bear. 

" When his own sons in rash rebellion ioin, 

" The father and the judge shall sentence give 

"In beauteous freedom's cause — unhappy he! 

"Howe'er the age to come the story tell. 

I 

* *T will bless such love of honor and of Rome. 
*See Decius, sire and son, the Drusi, see! 

* Behold Torquatus with his axe ! Look where 

* Camillus brings the Gallic standards home ! 

* But who are these in glorious armor clad 
'And equal power? In this dark world of cloud 

* Their souls in concord move; — but woe is me! 
*What duel 'twixt them breaks, when by and by 
*The light of life is theirs, and forth they call 
'Their long-embattled lines to carnage dire! 

* Allied by nuptial truce, the sire descends 
'From Alpine rampart and that castled cliff, 
'Moncecus by the sea; the son arrays 
'His hostile legions in the lands of mom. 

' Forbear, my children ! School not your great souLs 
' In such vast wars, nor turn your giant strength 
'Against the bowels of your native land! 

* But be thou first, O first in mercy ! thou 
Who art of birth Olympian ! Fling away 
Thy glorious sword, mine offspring and mine heir! 

M 

Yonder is one whose chariot shall ascend 

The laurelled Capitolian steep ; he rides 

In glory o'er Achsea's hosts laid low, 

And Corinth overthrown. There, too, is he 

Who shall uproot proud Argos and the towers 

Of Agamemnon ; vanquishing the heir 

Even of ^acus, the warrior seed 

Of Peleus* son ; such vengeance shall be wrought 

For Troy's slain sires, and violated shrines ! 

218 THE iENEID [iMl-m 

Or who could fail great Cato's name to tell ? 

Or, Cossus, thine ? or in oblivion leave 
" The sons of Gracchus ? or the Scipios, 
" Twin thunderbolts of war, and Libya's bane ? 
" Or, more than kingly in his mean abode, 
" Fabricius ? or Serranus at the plough ? 
"Ye Fabii, how far would ye prolong 
" My weary praise ? But see ! 't is Maximus, 
" Who by wise waiting saves his native land. 

" Let others melt and mould the breathing bronze 
** To forms more fair, — aye ! out of marble bring 
"Features that live; let them plead causes well; 
" Or trace with pointed wand the cycled heaven, 
" And hail the constellations as they rise ; 
TBut thou, O Roman, learn with sovereign sway 
*To rule the nations. Thy great art shall be 
To keep the world in lasting peace, to spare 
The humbled foe, and crush to earth the proud."/ 

So did Aoj^higes speak, then, after pause. 
Thus to their wondering ears his word prolonged: 
" Behold Marcellus, bright with glorious spoil, 
"In lifted triumph through his warriors move! 
" The Roman power in tumultuous days 
" He shall establish ; he rides forth to quell 
Afric and rebel Gaul ; and to the shrine 
Of Romulus the third-won trophy brings." 
Then spoke i£neas, for he now could see 
A beauteous youth in glittering dress of war. 
Though of sad forehead and down-dropping eyes : 

** Say, father, who attends the prince ? a son ? 

** Or of his greatness some remoter heir ? 

''How his friends praise him, and how matchless he! 

"But mournful night rests darkly o'er his^ljjQ^"*^ 

With brimming eyes Anchises answer gave : 
**Ask not, O son, what heavy weight of woe 
**Thy race shall bear, when fate shall just reveal 
** This vision to the world, then yield no more. 
" O gods above, too glorious did ye deem 
" The seed of Rome, had this one gift been sure ? 
** The lamentation of a multitude 
'* Arises from the field of Mars, and strikes 
** The city's heart. O Father Tiber, see 
** What pomp of sorrow near the new-made tomb 
** Beside thy fleeting stream ! What Ilian youth 
** Shall e'er his Latin kindred so advance 
** In hope of glory ? When shall the proud land 
** Of Romulus of such a nursling boast ? 
** Ah, woe is me ! O loyal heart and true ! 
*• O brave, right arm invincible ! What foe 
** Had *scaped his onset in the shock of arms, 
** Whether on foot he strode, or if he spurred 
** The hot flanks of his war-horse flecked with foam ? 
** O lost, lamented child ! If thou evade 
"Thy evil star, Marcellus thou shalt be. 
** O bring me lilies ! Bring with liberal hand ! 
** Sad purple blossoms let me throw — the shade 
" Of my own kin to honor, heaping high 
** My gifts upon his grave ! So let me pay 
"An unavailing vow!" 

Then, far and wide 

«80 THE ^NEID [887-901 

Through spacious fields of air, they wander free. 
Witnessing all; Anchises guides his son 
From point to point, and quickens in his mind 
Hunger for future fame. Of wars he tells 
Soon imminent; of fair Laurentum's tribes; 
Of King Latinus' town ; and shows what way 
Each task and hardship to prevent, or bear. 

Now Sleep has portals twain, whereof the one 

Is horn, they say, and easy exit gives 

To visions true; the other, gleaming white 

With polished ivory, the dead employ 

To people night with unsubstantial dreams. 

Here now Anchises bids his son farewell; 

And with Sibylla, his companion sage, 

Up through that ivory portal lets him rise. 

Back to his fleet and his dear comrades all 

iEneas hastes. Then hold they their straight course 

Into Caieta's bay. An anchor holds 

Each lofty prow; the sterns stand firm on shore.

o 

XE more immortal name thy death bequeathed» 
Nurse of ^neas, to Italian shores, 
Caieta; there thy honor hath a home; 
Thy bones a name : and on Hesperia's breast 
Their proper glory. When iEneas now 
The tribute of sepulchral vows had paid 
Beside the funeral mound, and o'er the seas 
Stillness had fallen, he flung forth his sails, 
And leaving port pursued his destined way. 
Freshly the night-winds breathe ; the cloudless moon 
Outpours upon his path unstinted beam. 
And with far-trembling glory smites the sea. 

Close to the lands of Circe soon they fare. 
Where the Sun*s golden daughter in far groves 
Sounds forth her ceaseless song; her lofty hall 
Is fragrant every night with flaring brands 
Of cedar, giving light the while she weaves 
With shrill-voiced shuttle at her linens fine. 
From hence are heard the loud lament and wrath 
Of lions, rebels to their linkkl chains 
And roaring all night long; great bristly boars 
And herded bears, in pinfold closely kept, 
Rage horribly, and monster-wolves make moan; 
Whom the dread goddess with foul juices strong 
From forms of men drove forth, and bade to wear 

m 

[il-ti I 

The mouths and maws of beasts in Circe's thrall. 
But lest the sacred Trojans should endure 
Such prodigy of doom, or anchor there 
On that destroying shore, kind Neptune filled 
Their sails with winds of power, and sped them on 
In safety past the perils of that sea. 

Now morning Bushed the wave, and Baffron-garbed 
Aurora from her rose-red chariot beamed 
In highest heaven ; the sea-winds ceased to stitj 
A sudden calm possessed the air, and tides 
Of marble smoothness met the laboring oar. 
Then, gazing from the deep, j^neas saw 
A stretch of groves, whence Tiber's smiling streanii 
Its tumbling current rich with yellow sands, 
Burst seaward forth : around it and above 
Shore-haunting birds of varied voice and plui 
Flattered the sky with song, and, circling far 
O'er river-bed and grove, took jovful wing. 
Thither to landward now his ships he steered, 
And sailed, high-hearted, up the shadowy slreaoi. 

ran>ed 

i 

, jtreaa, 

lum^l 

ar ^\ 

Hail, Erato! while olden kings and thrones 
And all their sequent story I unfold ! 
How Lalium's honor stood, when alien ships 
Brought war to Italy, and from what cause 
The primal conflict sprang, O goddess, breathe 
Upon thy bard in song. Dread wars I tell. 
Array of battle, and high-hearted kings 
Thrust forth to perish, when Etruria's host 
And all Hesperia gathered to the fray. 

m. I 

44HW] BOOK Vn «88 

Events of grander march impel my song» 
And loftier task I try. 

Latinus, then 
An aged king, held long-accepted sway 
O'er tranquil vales and towns. He was the son 
Of Faunus, so the legend tells, who wed 
The nymph Marica of Laurentian stem. 
Picus was Faunus' father, whence the line 
To Saturn's loins ascends. O heavenly sire. 
From thee the stem began ! But Fate had given 
To King Latinus' body no heirs male : 
For taken in the dawning of his day 
His only son had been ; and now his home 
And spacious palace one sole daughter kept, 
Yfho was grown ripe to wed and of full age 
To take a husband. Many suitors hied 
From all Ausonia and Latium's bounds ; 
But comeliest in all their princely throng 
Came Turnus, of a line of mighty sires. 
Him the queen mother chiefly loved, and yearned 
To call him soon her son. But omens dire 
And menaces from Heaven withstood her will. 
A laurel-tree grew in the royal close, 
Of sacred leaf and venerated age. 
Which, when he builded there his wall and tower. 
Father Latinus found, and hallowed it 
To Phoebus' grace and power, wherefrom the name 
Laurentian, which his realm and people bear. 
Unto this tree-top, wonderful to tell. 
Came hosts of bees, with audible acclaim 
Voyaging the stream of air, and seized a place 

224 THE JENEID [06-86 

On the proud, pointing crest» where the swift swann» 
With interlacement of close-clinging feet, 
Swung from the leafy bough. " Behold, there comes,** 
The prophet cried» ** a husband from afar ! 
''To the same region by the self -same path 
** Behold an arm'd host taking lordly sway 
** Upon our city's crown ! " Soon after this. 
When, coming to the shrine with torches pure, 
Lavinia kindled at her father's side 
The sacrifice, swift seemed the flame to bum 
Along her flowing hair — O sight of woe ! 
Over her broidered snood it sparkling flew. 
Lighting her queenly tresses and her crown 
Of jewels rare : then, wrapt in flaming cloud. 
From hall to hall the fire-god's gift she flung.* 
This omen dread and wonder terrible 
Was rumored far : for prophet-voices told 
Bright honors on the virgin's head to fall 
By Fate's decree, but on her people, war. 

The King, sore troubled by these portents,, sought 
Oracular wisdom of his sacred sire, 
Faunus, the fate-revealer, where the groves 
Stretch under high Albunea, and her stream 
Roars from its haunted well, exhaling through 
Vast, gloomful woods its pestilential air. 
Here all (Enotria's tribes ask oracles 
In dark and doubtful days : here, when the priest 
Has brought his gifts, and in the night so still, 
Couched on spread fleeces of the oflPered flock. 
Awaiting slumber lies, then wondrously 

A host of flitting shapes he sees, and hears 
Voices that come and go : with gods he holds 
High converse, or in deep Avernian gloom 
Parleys with Acheron. Thither drew near 
Father Latinus, seeking truth divine. 
Obedient to the olden rite, he slew 
A hundred fleecy sheep, and pillowed lay 
Upon their outstretched skins. Straightway a voice 
Out of the lofty forest met his prayer. 
''Seek not in wedlock with a Latin lord 
** To join thy daughter, O my son and seed ! 
** Beware this purposed marriage ! There shall come 
^ Sons from afar, whose blood shall bear our name 
^ Starward ; the children of their mighty loins, 
** As far as eve and mom enfold the seas, 
** Shall see a subject world beneath their feet 
" Submissive lie.'* 

This admonition given 
Latinus hid not. But on restless wing 
Rumor had spread it, when the men of Troy 
Along the river-bank of mounded green 
Their fleet made fast, ^neas and his chiefs, 
Wiih fair lulus, under spreading boughs 
Of one great tree made resting-place, and set 
The banquet on. Thin loaves of altar-bread 
Along the sward to bear their meats were laid 
(Such was the will of Jove), and wilding fruits 
Rose heaping high, with Ceres' gift below. 
Soon, all things else devoured, their hunger turned 
To taste the scanty bread, which they attacked 
With tooth and nail audacious, and consumed 

226 THE iENEID [115-140 

Both round and square of that predestined leaven. 
** Look» how we eat our tables even ! " cried 
lulus, in a jest. Such was the word 
Which bade their burdens fall. From his boy's lip 
The father caught this utterance of Fate, 
Silent with wonder at the ways of Heaven ; 
Then swift he spoke : ** Hail ! O my destined shore, 
** Protecting deities of Ilium, hail ! 
** Here is our home, our country here ! This day 
" I publish the mysterious prophecy 
"By Sire Anchises given: *My son,' said he, 
'^^ When hunger in strange lands shall bid devour 
"*The tables of thy banquet gone, then hope 
'^^ For home, though weary, and take thought to build 
"^A dwelling and a battlement.' Behold! 
**This was our fated hunger! This last proof 
** Will end our evil days. Up, then ! For now 
" By morning's joyful beam we will explore 
"What men, what cities, in this region be, 
"And, leaving ship, our several errands ply. 
" Your gift to Jove outpour ! Make thankful prayer 
" Unto Anchises' shade ! To this our feast 
"Bring back the flowing wine!" Thereat he bound 
His forehead with green garland, calling loud 
Upon the Genius of that place, and Earth, 
Eldest of names divine; the Nymphs he called. 
And river-gods unknown; his voice invoked 
The night, the omen-stars through night that roll : 
Jove, Ida's child, and Phrygia's fertile Queen : 
He called his mother from Olympian skies. 
And sire from Erebus. Lo, o'er his head 

Three times unclouded Jove omnipotent 

In thunder spoke, and, with effulgent ray 

From his ethereal tract outreaching far. 

Shook visibly the golden-gleaming air. 

Swift, through the concourse of the Trojans, spread 

News of the day at hand when they should build 

Their destined walls. So, with rejoicing heart 

At such vast omen, they set forth a feast 

With zealous emulation, ranging well 

The wine-cups fair with many a garland crowned. 

Soon as the morrow with the lamp of dawn 

Looked o'er the world, they took their separate ways. 

Exploring shore and towns; here spread the pools 

And fountain of Numicius ; here they see 

The river Tiber, where bold Latins dwell. 

Anchises' son chose out from his brave band 

A hundred envoys, bidding them depart 

To the King's sacred city, each enwreathed 

With Pallas' silver leaf; and gifts they bear 

To plead for peace and friendship at his throne. 

While on this errand their swift steps are sped, 

^neas, by a shallow moat and small. 

His future city shows, breaks ground, and girds 

With mound and breastwork like a camp of war 

The Trojans' first abode. Soon, making way 

To where the Latin citadel uprose. 

The envoys scanned the battlements, and paused 

Beneath its wall. Outside the city gates 

Fair youths and striplings in life's early bloom 

Course with swift steeds, or steer through dusty cloud 

228 THE iENEID [164-185 

The wUrling chariot, or stretch stout bows. 
Or hurl the seasoned javelin, or strive 
In boxing-bout and foot-race : one of these 
Made haste on horseback to the aged Eang, 
With tidings of a stranger company 
In foreign garb approaching. The good King 
Bade call them to his house, and took his seat 
In mid-court on his high, ancestral throne. 
Large and majestical the castle rose : 
A hundred columns lifted it in air 
Upon the city's crown — the royal keep 
Of Picus of Laurentum ; round it lay 
Deep, gloomy woods by olden worship blest. 
Here kings took sceptre and the fasces proud 
With omens fair; the selfsame sacred place 
Was senate-house and temple; here was found 
A hall for hallowed feasting, where a ram 
Was oflFered up, and at long banquet-boards 
The nation's fathers sat in due array. 
Here ranged ancestral statues roughly hev^n 
Of ancient cedar-wood : King Italus; 
Father Sabinus, planter of the vine, 
A curving sickle in his sculptured hand ; 
Gray-bearded Saturn ; and the double broW 
Of Janus' head ; and other sires and kings 
Were wardens of the door, with many a chief 
Wounded in battle for his native land. 
Trophies of arms in goodly order hung 
Along the columns : chariots of war 
From foeman taken, axes of round blade. 
Plumed helmets, bolts and barriers of steel 

18G-206] BOOK Vn 229 

From city-gates, shields, spears, and beaks of bronze 
From captured galleys by the conqueror torn. 
Here, wielding his Quirinal augur-staff. 
Girt in scant shift, and bearing on his left 
The sacred oval shield, appeared enthroned 
Picus, breaker of horses, whom his bride. 
Enamoured Circe, smote with golden wand. 
And, raining o'er him potent poison-dew. 
Changed to a bird of pied and dappled wings. 

In such a temple of his gods did Sire 

Latinus, on hereditary throne. 

Welcome the Trojans to his halls, and thus 

With brow serene gave greeting as they came : 

O sons of Dardanus, think not unknown 

Your lineage and city ! Rumored far 

Yoiur venturous voyage has been. What seek ye here ? 

What cause, what quest, has brought your barks and 
you 
** O'er the blue waters to Ausonia's hills ? 
** What way uncharted, or wild stress of storm, 
** Or what that sailors suffer in mid-sea, 
" Unto this river bank and haven bore ? 
" Doubt not our welcome ! We of Latin land 
** Are Saturn's sons, whose equitable minds, 
** Not chained by statute or compulsion, keep 
** In freedom what the god's good custom gave. 

u 
u 
u 

To Dardanus, who after took his way 
Through Phrygian Ida's towns and Samothrace. 

230 THE ^NEID [ie09-S29 

** Once out of Tuscan 0>rythus he fared ; 
^ But now in golden house among the stars 
^ He has a throne, and by his altars blest 
"Adds to the number of the gods we praise." 

He spoke; Hioneus this answer made: 
** O Eang, great heir of Faunus ! No dark storm 
" Impelled us o'er the flood thy realm to find. 
" Nor star deceived, nor strange, bewildering shore 
" Threw out of our true course ; but we are come 
** By our free choice and with deliberate aim 
** To this thy town, though exiled forth of realms 
**Once mightiest of all the sun-god sees 
"When moving from his utmost eastern bound. 
** Prom Jove our line began ; the sons of Troy 
" Boast Jove to be their sire, and our true Eang 
"Is of Olympian seed. To thine abode 
"Trojan iBneas sent us. How there burst 
" O'er Ida's vales from dread Mycenae's kings 
" A tempest vast, and by what stroke of doom 
All Asia's world with Europe clashed in war. 
That lone wight hears whom earth's remotest isle 
"Has banished to the Ocean's rim, or he 
Whose dwelling is the ample zone that bums 
Betwixt the changeful sun-god's milder realms, 
"Far severed from the world. We are the men 
" From' war's destroying deluge safely borne 
" Over the waters wide. We only ask 
" Some low-roofed dwelling for our fathers' gods, 
"Some friendly shore, and, what to all is free, 
" Water and air. We bring no evil name 

"Upon thy people; thy renown will be 
** But wider spread ; nor of a deed so fair 
** Can grateful memory die. Ye ne'er will rue 
** That to Ausonia's breast ye gathered Troy. 
** I swear thee by the favored destinies 
**Of great iEneas, by his strength of arm 
** In friendship or in war, that many a tribe 
** (O» scorn us not, that, bearing olive green, 
** With suppliant words we come), that many a throne 
** Has sued us to be friends. But Fate's decree 
''To this thy realm did guide. Here Dardanus 
** Was bom ; and with reiterate command 
** This way Apollo pointed to the stream 
** Of Tiber and Numicius' haunted spring. 
" Lo, these poor tributes from his greatness gone 
^neas sends, these relics snatched away 
From Ilium burning : with this golden bowl 
Anchises poured libation when he prayed; 
And these were Priam's splendor, when he gave 
^ Laws to his gathered states ; this sceptre his, 
''This diadem revered, and beauteous pall, 
"Eb.ndwork of Asia's queens." 

So ceased to speak 
Ilioneus. But King Latiuus gazed 
Unanswering on the ground, all motionless 
Save for his musing eyes. The broidered pall 
Of purple, and the sceptre Priam bore. 
Moved little on his kingly heart, which now 
Pondered of giving to the bridal bed 
EGs daughter dear. He argues in his mind 
The oracle of Faunus : — might this be 

u 
u 

882 THE ^NEID [«55-«T7 

That destined bridegroom from an alien land. 
To share his throne, to get a progeny 
Of glorious valor, which by mighty deeds 
Should win the world for kingdom ? So at last 
With joyful brow he spoke : " Now let the gods 
^ Our purpose and their own fair promise bless ! 
** Thou hast, O Trojan, thy desire. Thy gifts 
^ I have not scorned ; nor while Latinus reigns 
** Shall ye lack riches in my plenteous land, 
** Not less than Trojan store. But where is he, 
" iEneas' self ? If he our royal love 
^^So much desire, and have such urgent mind 
^*To be our guest and friend, let him draw near, 
^'Nor turn him from well-wishing looks away! 
** My offering and pledge of peace shall be 
**To clasp your monarch's hand. Bear back, I pray, 
•^This answer to your King: my dwelling holds 
** A daughter, whom with husband of her blood 
" Great signs in heaven and from my father's tomb 
** Forbid to wed. A son from alien shores 
"They prophesy for Latium's heir, whose seed 
" Shall lift our glory to the stars divine. 
"I am persuaded this is none but he, 
"That man of destiny; and if my heart 
" Be no false prophet, I desire it so." 

Thus having said, the sire took chosen steeds 
From his full herd, whereof, well-groomed and fair. 
Three hundred stood within his ample pale. 
Of these to every Teucrian guest he gave 
A courser swift and strong, in purple clad 

And broidered housings gay; on every breast 
Hung chains of gold ; in golden robes arrayed. 
They champed the red gold curb their teeth between. 
For offering to ^neas, he bade send 
A chariot, with chargers twain of seed 
Ethereal, their nostrils breathing fire : 
The famous kind which guileful Circe bred. 
Cheating her sire, and mixed the sun-god's team 
With brood-mares earthly bom. The sons of Troy, 
Such gifts and greetings from Latinus bearing, 
Rode back in pomp his words of peace to bring. 

But lo ! from Argos on her voyage of air 

Rides the dread spouse of Jove. She, sky-enthroned 

Above the far Sicilian promontory, 

Pachynus, sees Dardania's rescued fleet. 

And all Eneas' joy. The prospect shows 

Houses a-building, lands of safe abode. 

And the abandoned ships. With bitter grief 

She stands at gaze : then with storm-shaken brows. 

Thus from her heart lets loose the wrathful word : 

** O hated race ! O Phrygian destinies — 

** To mine forevermore (unhappy me !) 
A scandal and offense! Did no one die 
On Troy's embattled plain ? Could captured slaves 

** Not be enslaved again ? Was Ilium's flame 
No warrior's funeral pyre ? Did they walk safe 
Through serried swords and congregated fires ? 
At last, methought, my godhead might repose. 
And my full-fed revenge in slumber lie. 
But nay ! Though flung forth from their native land» 

U 
M 
M 

«34 

THE ^NMD 

|3« 

"I o'er the waves, with enmity unstayed, 

"Dared give them chase, and on that exiled few 

"Hurled the whole sea. I smote the sons of Troj 

"With ocean's power and heaven's. But what avai 

" Syrtes, or Scylla, or Charybdis' waves ? 

"The Trojans are in Tiber; and ^bide 

"Within their prayed-for land delectable. 

" Safe from the seas and me ! Mars once had poi 

"The monstrous Lapiths; to slay; and Jove 

" To Dian's honor and revenge gave o'er 

"The land of Calydon. What crime so foul 

" Was wrought by Lapithse or Calydon ? 

"But I, Jove's wife and Queen, who in my woes 

"Have ventured each bold stroke my power could 

find, 
"And every shift essayed, — behold me now 
" Outdone by this /Eneas t If so weak 
" My own prerogative of godhead be, 
"Let me seek strength in war, come whence it will. 
"If Heaven I may not move, on Hell I call. 
"To bar him from his Latin throne exceeds 
" My fated power. So be it ! Fate has ^ven 
"Lavinia for his bride. But long delays 
"I still can plot, and to the high event 
"Deferment and obstruction. I can smite 
"The subjects of both kings. Let sire and son 
"Buy with their people's blood this marriage-boad ! 
"Let Teucrian and Rutullan slaughter be 
"Thy virgin dower, and Bellona's blaze 
"Light thee the bridal bed! Not only teemed 
"The womb of Hecuba with burning brand) 

^s 
could 

11! 

SdQ-840] BOOK Vn 2S5 

''And brought forth nuptial fires; but Venus» too» 

** Such offspring bore, a second Paris, who 

" To thdr new Troy shall fatal wedlock bring." 

So saying, with aspect terrible she sped 
Earthward her way; and called from gloom of 

heU 
Alecto, woeful power, from cloudy throne 
Among the Furies, where her heart is fed 
With horrid wars, wrath, vengeance, treason foul. 
And fatal feuds. Her father Pluto loathes 
The creature he engendered, and with hate 
Her hell-bom sister-fiends the monster view. 
A host of shapes she wears, and many a front 
Of frowning black brows viper-garlanded. 
Juno to her this goading speech addressed : 
** O daughter of dark Night, arouse for me 
**Thy wonted powers and our task begin! 
**Lest now my glory fail, my royal name 
** Be vanquished, while iEneas and his crew 
** Cheat with a wedlock bond the Latin King 
** And seize Italia's fields. Thou canst thrust on 
" Two loving brothers to draw sword and slay, 
"And ruin homes with hatred, calling in 
" The scourge of Furies and avenging fires. 
** A thousand names thou bearest, and thy ways 
** Of ruin multiply a thousand-fold. 
** Arouse thy fertile breast ! Go, rend in twain 
" This plighted peace ! Breed calumnies and sow 
" Causes of battle, till yon warrior hosts 
" Cry out for swords and leap to gird them on." 

236 THE ^NEID [341-863 

Straightway Alecto, through whose body flows 
The Gorgon poison, took her viewless way 
To Latium and the lofty walls and towers 
Of the Laurentian King. Crouching she sate 
In silence on the threshold of the bower 
Where Queen Amata in her fevered soul 
Pondered, with all a woman's wrath and fear. 
Upon the Trojans and the marriage-suit 
Of Turnus. Prom her Stygian hair the fiend 
A single serpent flung, which stole its way 
To the Queen's very heart, that, frenzy-driven. 
She might on her whole house confusion pour. 
Betwixt her smooth breast and her robe it wound 
XJnfelt, unseen, and in her wrathful mind 
Instilled its viper soul. Like golden chain 
Around her neck it twined, or stretched along 
The fillets on her brow, or with her hair 
Enwrithing coiled ; then on from limb to limb 
Slipped tortuous. Yet though the venom strong 
Thrilled with its first infection every vein. 
And touched her bones with fire, she knew it not. 
Nor yielded all her soul, but made her plea 
In gentle accents such as mothers use; 
And many a tear she shed, about her child. 
Her darling, destined for a Phrygian's bride : 
O father ! can we give Lavinia's hand 
To Trojan fugitives ? why wilt thou show 

"No mercy on thy daughter, nor thyself; 

«Nor unto me. whom ft the first fair wind 

'*That wretch will leave deserted, bearing far 

" Upon his pirate ship my stolen child ? 

36S-385J BOOK Vn 237 

'" Was it not thus that Phrygian shepherd came 
**To Lacedsemon, ravishing away 
** Helen, the child of Leda, whom he bore 
**To those false Trojan lands? Hast thou forgot 
*'Thy plighted word? Where now thy boasted love 
^ Of kith and kin, and many a troth-plight given 
** Unto our kinsman Turnus ? If we need 
''An alien son, and Father Faunus' words 
** Irrevocably o'er thy spirit brood, 
I tell thee every land not linked with ours 
Under one sceptre, but distinct and free, 
''Is alien; and 't is thus the gods intend. 
"Indeed, if Turnus' ancient race be told, 
"It sprang of Inachus, Acrisius, 
"And out of mid-Mycence." 

But she sees 
Her lord Latinus resolute, her words 
An effort vain ; and through her body spreads 
The Fury's deeply venomed viper-sting. 
Then, woe-begone, by dark dreams goaded on. 
She wanders aimless, fevered and unstrung 
Along the public ways ; as oft one sees 
Beneath the twisted whips a leaping top 
Sped in long spirals through a palace-close 
By lads at play : obedieui to the thong. 
It weaves wide circles in the gaping view 
Of its small masters, who admiring see 
The whirling boxwood made a living thing 
Under their lash. So fast and far she roved 
From town to town among the clansmen wild. 
Then to the wood she ran, feigning to feel 

288 THE iENEID [886^106 

The madness Bacchus loves ; for she essays 
A fiercer crime, by fiercer frenzy moved. 
Now in the leafy dark of mountain vales 
She hides her daughter, ravished thus away 
From Trojan brid^room and the wedding-feast. 
'* Hail, Bacchus ! Thou alone," she shrieked and raved, 
"Art worthy such a maid. For thee she bears 
" The thyrsus with soft ivy-clusters crowned, 
"And trips ecstatic in thy beauteous choir. 
" For thee alone my daughter shall unbind 
" The glory of her virgin hair." Swift runs 
The rumor of her deed ; and, frenzy-driven. 
The wives of Latium to the forests fly. 
Enkindled with one rage. They leave behind 
Their desolated hearths, and let rude winds 
O'er neck and tresses blow; their voices fill 
The welkin with convulsive shriek and wail; 
And, with fresh fawn-skins on their bodies bound. 
They brandish vine-clad spears. The Queen herself 
Lifts high a blazing pine tree, while she sings 
A wedding-song for Turnus and her child. 
With bloodshot glance and anger wild, she cries : 
" Ho ! all ye Latin wives, if e'er ye knew 
" Kindness for poor Amata, if ye care 
" For a wronged mother's woes, O, follow me ! 
" Cast oflf the matron fillet from your brows. 
And revel to our mad, voluptuous song." 

« 

Thus, through the woodland haunt of creatures wild, 

Alecto urges on the raging Queen 

With Bacchus' cruel goad. But when she deemed 

40e-429] BOOK VII 289 

The edge of wrath well whetted, and the house 
Of wise Latinus of all reason reft, 
Then soared the black-winged goddess to the walls 
Of the bold Rutule, to the city built 
(So runs the tale) by beauteous Danae 
And her Acrisian people, shipwrecked there 
By south wind strong. Its name was Ardea 
In language of our sires, and that proud name 
Of Ardea still it wears, though proud no more. 
Here Tumus in the gloom of midnight lay 
Half-sleeping in his regal hall. For him 
Alecto her grim fury-guise put by. 
And wore an old crone's face, her baleful brow 
Delved deep with wrinkled age, her hoary hair 
In sacred fillet bound, and garlanded 
Wth leaf of olive : Calybe she seemed. 
An aged servitress of Juno's shrine. 
And in this seeming thus the prince addressed : — 
* O Tumus, wilt thou tamely see thy toil 
*' Lavished in vain? and thy true throne consigned 
" To Trojan wanderers ? The King repels 
**Thy noble wooing and thy war-won dower. 
''He summons him a son of alien stem 
''To take his kingdom. Rouse thee now, and. front, 
"Scorned and without reward, these perilous days. 
"Tread down that Tuscan host! Protect the peace 
"Of Latium from its foe! Such is the word 
"Which, while in^ night and slumber thou wert laid, 
"Saturnia's godhead, visibly revealed, 
"Bade me declare. Up, therefore, and array 
''Thy warriors in arms! Swift sallying forth 

240 THE JBNEID [4S(M51 

" Prom thy strong city-gates, on to the fray 

** Exultant go ! Assail the Phrygian chiefs 

" Who tent them by thy beauteous river's marge, 

** And burn their painted galleys ! 't is the will 

** Of gods above that speaks. Yea, even the King 

** Latinus, if he will not heed thy plea, 

" Nor hear thy wooing, shall be taught too late 

** What Turnus is in panoply of war.'* 

In mocking answer to the prophetess 
The warrior thus replied : " That stranger fleet 
" In Tiber moored, not, as thy folly prates. 
Of me unnoted lies. Vex me no more 
With thy fantastic terror. Juno's power 
Is watchful of my cause. 'T is mere old age, 
" Gone to decay and dotage, fills thy breast 
"With vain foreboding, and, while kings contend, 
"Scares and deceives thy visionary eye. 
" Guard thou in yonder temple's holy shade 
** The images divine ! Of peace and war 
** Let men and warriors the burden bear ! " 
So kindled he Alecto's wrath to flame; 
And even as he spoke a shudder thrilled 
The warrior's body, and his eyeballs stood 
Stonily staring at the hydra hair 
Which hissied and writhed above the grisly head 
Of the large-looming fiend. With eyes of fire 
Horribly rolling, she repelled him far, 
While he but faltered speechless. She upraised 
Two coiling snakes out of her tresses, cracked 
The lashes of her scourge, and wrathfully. 

M 

Yinth raving lips replied : ** Look well on me» 
Grone to decay and dotage of old age ! 
And mocked with foolish fear while kings contend ! 
Wilt hearken now ! Behold me, hither flown 
** From where my sister-furies dwell I My hands 
Bring bloody death and war." She spoke, and hurled 
Her firebrand at the hero, thrusting deep 
Beneath his heart her darkly smouldering flame. 
Then horror broke his sleep, and fearful sweat 
Dripped from his every limb. He shrieked aloud 
For arms ; and seized the ready arms that lay 
Around his couch and hall. Then o'er his soul 
The lust of battle and wild curse of war 
Broke forth in angry power, as when the flames 
Of faggots round the bubbling cauldron sing. 
And up the waters leap ; the close-kept flood 
Brims over, streaming, foaming, breaking bound» 
And flings thick clouds in air. 

He, summonmg 
His chieftains, bade them on Latinus move. 
Break peace, take arms, and, over Italy 
Their shields extending, to thrust forth her foe : 
Himself for Teucrian with Latin joined 
Was more than match. He called upon the gods 
In witness of his vows : while, nothing loth, 
Rutulia's warriors rushed into array; 
Some by his youth and noble beauty moved. 
Some by his kingly sires and fame in arms. 

While Tumus stirred Rutulia's valiant souls, 
Alecto on her Stygian pinions sped 

242 THE ^NEID [477-500 

To where the Teucrians lay. She scanned the 

ground 
With eager guile, where by the river's marge 
Fair-browed lulus with his nets and snares 
Rode fiercely to the chase. Then o'er his hounds 
That hell-bom virgin breathed a sudden rage» 
And filled each cunning nostril with the scent 
Of stags, till forth in wild pursuit they flew. 
Here all the woe began, and here awoke 
In rustic souls the swift-enkindling war. 
For a fair stag, tall-an tiered, stolen away 
Even from its mother's milk, had long been kept 
By Tyrrhus and his sons — the shepherd he 
Of all the royal flocks, and forester 
Of a wide region round. With fondest care 
Their sister Silvia entwined its horns 
With soft, fresh garlands, tamed it to run close. 
And combed the creature, or would bring to bathe 
At a clear, crystal spring. It knew the hands 
Of all its gentle masters, and would feed 
From their own dish ; or wandering through the wood. 
Come back unguided to their friendly door. 
Though deep the evening shade. lulus' dogs 
Now roused this wanderer in their ravening chase. 
As, drifted down-stream far from home it lay. 
On a green bank a-cooling. From bent bow 
Ascanius, eager for a hunter's praise. 
Let go his shaft ; nor did Alecto fail 
His aim to guide : but, whistling through the air. 
The light-winged reed pierced deep in flank and side. 
Swift to its cover fled the wounded thing. 

And crept loud-moaning to its wonted stall» 
Where, like a blood-stained suppliant, it seemed 
To fill that shepherd's house with plaintive prayer. 

Then Silvia the sister, smiting oft 
On breast and arm, made cry for help, and called 
The sturdy rustics forth in gathering throng. 
These now (for in the silent forest crouched 
The cruel Fury) swift to battle flew. 
, One brandished a charred stake, another swung 
A knotted cudgel, as rude anger shapes 
Its weapon of whate'er the searching eye 
First haps to fall on. Tyrrhus roused his clans. 
Just when by chance he split with blows of wedge 
An oak in four; and, panting giant breath. 
Shouldered his woodman's axe. Alecto then. 
Prompt to the stroke of mischief, soared aloft 
From where she spying sate, to the steep roof 
Of a tall byre, and from its peak of straw 
Blew a wild signal on a shepherd's horn, 
Outflinging her infernal note so far 
That all the forest shuddered, and the grove 
Throbbed to its deepest glen. Cold Trivia's lake 
From end to end gave ear, and every wave 
Of the white stream of Nar, the lonely pools 
Of still Velinus heard : while at the sound 
Pale mothers to their breasts their children drew. 
Swift to the signal of the dreadful horn. 
Snatching their weapons rude, the freebom swains 
Assembled for the fray ; the Trojan bands 
Poured from their bivouac with instant aid 

844 THE iENEID [sn-IM 

For young Ascanius. In array of war 

Both stand confronting. Not mere rustic brawl 

With charred oak-staff and cudgel is the fight. 

But with the two-edged steel ; the naked swords 

Wave like dark-bladed harvest-field, while far 

The brazen arms fia^h in the smiting sun. 

And skyward fiing their beam : so some wide sea» 

At first but whitened in the rising wind. 

Swells its slow-rolling mass and ever higher 

Its billows rears, until the utmost deep 

Lifts in one surge to heaven. 

The first to fall 
Was Almo, eldest-bom of Tyrrhus' sons. 
Whom, striding in the van, a loud-winged shaft 
Laid low in death ; deep in his throat it clung. 
And silenced with his blood the dying cry 
Of his frail life. Around him fell the forms 
Of many a brave and strong; among them died 
Gray-haired Galsesus pleading for a truce : 
Righteous he was, and of Ausonian fields 
A prosperous master; five full flocks had he 
Of bleating sheep, and from his pastures came 
Five herds of cattle home ; his busy churls 
Turned with a hundred ploughs his fruitful glebe. 

While o'er the battle-field thus doubtful swung 
The scales of war, the Fury (to her task 
Now equal proven) having dyed the day 
A deep-ensanguined hue, and opened fight 
With death and slaughter, made no tarrying 
Within Hesperia, but skyward soared. 

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544-M5] BOOK VII 245 

And» loud in triumph» insolently thus 
To Juno called : '" See» at thy will, their strife 
Full-blown to war and woe ! Could even thyself 
Command them now to truce and amity ? 
But I» that with Ausonia's blood befoul 
Their Trojan hands, yet more can do, if thou 
Shift not thy purpose. For with dire alarms 
" I will awake the bordering states to war, 
''Enkindling in their souls the frenzied lust 
The war-god breathes ; till from th' horizon round 
The reinforcement pours — I scattering seeds 
Of carnage through the land." 

In answer spoke 
Juno: ''Enough of artifice and fear! 
Thy provocation works. Now have they joined 
In close and deadly combat, and warm blood 
Those sudden-leaping swords incarnadines. 
Which chance put in their hands. Such nuptial joys, 
Such feast of wedlock, let the famous son 
Of Venus with the King Latinus share ! 
But yon Olympian Sire and King no more 
Permits thee freely in our skies to roam. 
Go, quit the field ! Myself will take control 
Of hazards and of labors yet to be." 
Thus Saturn's daughter spoke. Alecto then, 
Unfolding far her hissing, viperous wings. 
Turned toward her Stygian home, and took farewell 
Of upper air. Deep in Italia lies 
A region mountain-girded, widely famed. 
And known in olden songs from land to land : 
The valley of Amsanctus ; deep, dark shades 

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246 THE iENEID [566-586 

Enclose it between forest-walls» whereby 
Through thunderous stony channel serpentines. 
A roaring fall. Here in a monstrous cave 
Are breathing-holes of hell, a vast abyss 
Where Acheron opes wide its noisome jaws : 
In this Alecto plunged» concealing so 
Her execrable godhead, while the air 
Of earth and heaven felt the curse removed. 

Forthwith the sovereign hands of Juno haste 
To consummate the war. The shepherds bear 
Back from the field of battle to the town 
The bodies of the slain : young Almo's corse 
And gray Galsesus* bleeding head. They call 
Just gods in heaven to look upon their wrong. 
And bid Latinus see it. Turnus comes» 
And, while the angry mob surveys the slain. 
Adds fury to the hour. " Shall the land 
Have Trojan lords ? Shall Phrygian marriages 
Debase our ancient, royal blood — and I 
"Be spurned upon the threshold?" Then drew near 
The men whose frenzied women-folk had held 
Bacchantic orgies in the pathless grove. 
Awed by Amata's name : these, gathering, 
Sued loud for war. Yea, all defied the signs 
And venerable omens; all withstood 
Divine decrees, and clamored for revenge. 
Prompted by evil powers. They besieged 
The house of King Latinus, shouting loud 
With emulous rage. But like a sea-girt rock 
Unmoved he stood; like sea-girt rock when surge 

Of waters o'er it sweeps, or howling waves 
Surround ; it keeps a ponderous front of power, 
Though foaming cli£Fs around it vainly roar ; 
From its firm base the broken sea-weeds fall. 
But when authority no whit could change 
Their counsels blind, and each event fulfilled 
Dread Juno's will, then with complaining prayer 
The aged sire cried loud upon his gods 
And on th' unheeding air: **Alas," said he. 
My doom is shipwreck, and the tempest bears 
My bark away ! O wretches, your own blood 
Shall pay the forfeit for your impious crime. 
** O Tumus ! O abominable deed ! 
Avenging woes pursue thee ; to deaf gods 
Thy late and unavailing prayer shall rise. 
Now was my time to rest. But as I come 
Close to my journey's end, thou spoilest me 
Of comfort in my death." With this the King 
Fled to his house and ceased his realm to guide. 

A sacred custom the Hesperian land 
Of Latium knew, by all the Alban hills 
Honored unbroken, which wide-ruling Rome 
Keeps to this day, when to new stroke she stirs 
The might of Mars ; if on the Danube's wave 
Resolved to fling the mournful doom of war. 
Or on the Caspian folk or Arabs wild ; 
Or chase the morning far as India's verge. 
And from the Parthian despot wrest away 
Our banners lost. Twin Gates of War there be. 
Of fearful name, to Mars' fierce godhead vowed : 

M 

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248 THE i£NEID [0O9-eS2 

A hundred brass bars sbut tbem, and tbe strength 

Of uncomipting steel; in sleepless watch 

Janus the threshold keeps. 'T is here» what time 

The senate's voice is war, the consul grave 

In Gabine cincture and Quirinal shift 

Himself the griding hinges backward moves» 

And bids the Romans arm; obedient then 

The legionary host makes loud acclaim, 

And hoarse consent the brazen trumpets blow. 

Thus King Latinus on the sons of Troy 

Was urged to open war, and backward roll 

Those gates of sorrow : but the aged King 

Recoiled, refused the loathsome task, and fled 

To solitary shades. Then from the skies 

The Queen of gods stooped down, and her sole hand 

The lingering portal moved ; Satumia 

Swung on their hinges the barred gates of war. 

Ausonia from its old tranquillity 

Bursts forth in flame. Foot-soldiers through the fleld 

Run to and fro; and mounted on tall steeds 

The cavaliers in clouds of dust whirl by. 

All arm in haste. Some oil the glittering shield 

Or javelin bright, or on the whetstone wear 

Good axes to an edge, while joyful bands 

Uplift the standards or the trumpets blow. 

Five mighty cities to their anvils bring 

New-tempered arms : Atina — martial name — 

Proud Tibur, Ardea, Crustumium, 

And river-walled Antemnse, crowned with towers. 

Strong hollow helmets on their brows they draw. 

683-e54] BOOK VII S49 

And weave them willow-shields; or melt and mould 
Corselets of brass or shining silver greaves; 
None now for pruning-hook or sacred plough 
Have love or care : but old, ancestral swords 
For hardier tempering to the smith they bring. 
Now peals the clarion ; through the legions pass 
The watchwords : the impatient yeoman takes 
His helmet from the idle roof -tree hung ; 
While to his chariot the master yokes 
The mettled war-horse, dons a shining shield 
And golden mail, and buckles his good sword. 

Virgins of Helicon, renew my song ! 
Instruct me what proud kings to battle flown 
With following legions throng the serried plain. 
Tell me what heroes and illustrious arms 
Italia's bosom in her dawning day 
Benignant bore : for your celestial minds 
Have memory of the past, but faint and low 
Steals glory's whisper on a mortal ear. 

Foremost in fight, from shores Etrurian came 
Mezentius, scornful rebel against Heaven, 
Ss people all in arms; and at his side 
Lausus his heir (no fairer youth than he. 
Save Turnus of Laurentum), Lausus, skilled 
To break proud horses and wild beasts to quell; 
Who from Agylla's citadel in vain 
Led forth his thousand warriors : worthy he 
To serve a nobler sire, and happier far 
If he had ne'er been bom Mezentius' son. 

250 THE ^NEID [655-080 

' Next after these, conspicuous o'er the plain» 
With pahn-crowned chariot and victorious steeds» 
Rode forth well-moulded Aventinus» sprung 
From shapely Hercules ; upon the shield 
His blazon was a hundred snakes» and showed 
His father's hydra-cincture serpentine; 
Him deep in Aventine's most secret grove 
The priestess Rhea bore — a mortal maid 
Clasped in a god's embrace the wondrous day 
When, flushed with conquest of huge Geryon, 
The lord of Tiryns to Laurentum drove, 
And washed in Tiber's wave th' Iberian kine. 
His followers brandished pointed pikes and staves. 
Or smooth Sabellian bodkin tipped with steel; 
But he» afoot» swung round him as he strode 
A monstrous lion-skin, its bristKng mane 
And white teeth crowning his ferocious brow : 
For garbed as Hercules he sought his King. 

Then came twin brethren, leaving Tibur's keep 
(Named from Tiburtus» brother of them twain) 
Catillus and impetuous Coras, youth 
Of Argive seed, who foremost in the van 
Pressed ever where the f oemen densest throng : 
As when two centaurs, children of the cloud. 
From mountain-tops descend in swift career» 
The snows of Homole and Othrys leaving. 
While crashing thickets in their pathway fall. 
Nor was Prseneste's founder absent there, 
By Vulcan sired, among the herds and hinds. 
And on a hearth-stone found (so runs the tale 

Each pious age repeats) King Ceeculus 
With rustic l^ons gathered from afar : 
From steep Prseneste and the Gabian vale 
To Juno dear, from Anio's cold stream. 
From upland Hemic rocks and foaming rills. 
From rich Anagnia's pastures, and the plain 
Whence Amasenus pours his worshipped wave. 
Not all of armor boast, and seldom sound 
The chariot and shield ; but out of slings 
They hurl blue balls of lead, or in one hand 
A brace of javelins bear; pulled o*er their brows 
Are hoods of tawny wolf -skin ; as they march 
The left foot leaves a barefoot track behind, 
A rawhide sandal on the right they wear. 

Messapus came, steed-tamer, Neptune's son. 
By sword and fire invincible : this day. 
Though mild his people and unschooled in war. 
He calls them to embattled lines, and draws 
No lingering sword. Fescennia musters there, 
.£qui Falisci, and what clans possess 
Soracte's heights, Flavinia's fruitful farms, 
Ciminian lake and mountain, and the groves 
About Capena. Rank on rank they move. 
Loud singing of their chieftain's praise : as when 
A flock of snowy swans through clouded air 
Return from feeding, and make tuneful cry 
From their long throats, while Asia's rivers hear. 
And lone Cayster's startled moorland rings : 
For hardly could the listening ear discern 
The war-cry of a mail-clad host; the sound 

252 THE iENEID [704-784 

Was like shrill-calling birds, when home from sea 
Their soaring flock moves shoreward like a cloud. 

Then, one of far-descended Sabine name» 
Clausus advanced, the captain of a host. 
And in himself an equal host he seemed ; 
From his proud loins the high-bom Claudian stem 
Through Latium multiplies, since Roman power 
With Sabine first was wed. A cohort came 
From Amitemum and the olden wall 
Of Cures, called Quirites even then ; 
Eretum answered and Mutusca's hill 
With olives clad, Velinus' flowery field, 
Nomentum's fortress, the grim precipice 
Of Tetrica, Severus' upland fair, 
Casperia, Foruli, Himella's waves, 
Tiber and Fabaris, and wintry streams 
Of Nursia ; to the same proud muster sped 
Tuscan with Latin tribes, and loyal towns 
Beside whose walls ill-omened Allia flows. 
As numerous they moved as rolling waves 
That stir smooth Libyan seas, when in cold floods 
Sinks grim Orion's star; or like the throng 
Of clustering wheat-tops in the summer sun. 
Near Hermus or on Lycia's yellowing plain : 
Shields clashed ; their strong tramp smote the trem- 
bling ground. 

Now Agamemnon's kinsman, cruel foe 

To the mere name of Troy, Halsesus, yokes 

The horses of his car and summons forth 

7«5-747l BOOK VH 258 

A thousand savage clans at Turaus* call : 

Rude men whose mattocks to the Massic hills 

Bring Bacchus' bounty, or by graybeard sires 

Sent from Auruncan upland and the mead 

Of Sididnum; out of Cales came 

Its simple folk; and dwellers by the stream 

Of many-shoaled Volturnus, close-allied 

With bold Saticulan or Oscan swains. 

Their arms are tapered javelins, which they wear 

Bound by a coiling thong ; a targe conceab 

The left side, and they fight with crooked swords. 

Nor shalt thou, (Ebalus, depart unsung. 

Whom minstrels say the nymph Sebethis bore 

To Telon, who in Capri was a king 

When old and gray; but that disdaining son 

Quitted so small a seat, and conquering sway 

Among Sarrastian folk and those wide plains 

Watered by Samus' wave, became a king 

Over Celenna, Rufrse, Batulum, 

And where among her apple-orchards rise 

Abella's walls. AH these, as Teutons use. 

Hurl a light javelin ; for helm they wear 

Stripped cork-tree bark ; the crescent of their shields 

Is gleaming bronze, and gleaming bronze the sword. 

Next Ufens, mountain-bred, from Ners» came 
To join the war; of goodly fame was he 
For prosperous arms : his JSquian people show 
No gentle mien, but scour the woods for prey. 
Or, ever-armed, across the stubborn glebe 

254 THE iENEID [748-768 

Compel the plough ; though their chief pride and joy 
Are rapine, violence, and plundered store. 

Next after these, his brows and helmet bound 
With noble olive, from Marruvium came 
A priest, brave Umbro, ordered to the field 
By King Archippus : o'er the viper's brood. 
And venomed river-serpents he had power 
To scatter slumber with wide-waving hands 
And wizard-songs. His potent arts could soothe 
Their coiling rage and heal the mortal sting: 
But 'gainst a Trojan sword no drug had he. 
Nor could his drowsy spells his flesh repair. 
Nor gathered simples from the Marsic hills. 
Thee soon in wailing woods Anguitia mourned. 
Thee, Lake Fucinus and its crystal wave. 
Thee, many a mountain-tarn ! 

Next, Virbius in martial beauty rode. 
Son of Hippolytus, whose mother, proud 
Aricia, sent him in his flower of fame 
Out of Egeria's hills and cloudy groves 
Where lies Diana's gracious, gifted fane. 
For legend whispers that Hippolytus, 
By step-dame's plot undone, his life-blood gave 
To sate his vengeful father, and was rent 
In sunder by wild horses ; but the grave 
To air of heaven and prospect of the stars 
Restored him ; — for Diana's love and care 
Poured out upon him Paeon's healing balm. 
But Jove, almighty Sire, brooked not to see 

77a-7d8] BOOK Vn ft55 

A mortal out of death and dark reclimb 
To light of life, and with a thunderbolt 
Hurled to the Stygian river Phcebus' son. 
Who dared such good elixir to compound. 
But pitying Trivia hid Hippolytus 
In her most secret cave, and gave in ward 
To the wise nymph Egeria in her grove; 
Where he lived on inglorious and alone. 
Ranging the woods of Italy, and bore 
The name of Virbius. 'T is for this cause 
The hallowed woods to Trivia's temple vowed 
Forbid loud-footed horses, such as spilled 
Stripling and chariot on the fatal shore. 
Scared by the monsters peering from the sea. 
Yet did the son o'er that tumultuous plain 
His battle-chariot guide and plunging team. 

Lo, Xumus strides conspicuous in the van. 
Full-armed, of mighty frame, his lordly head 
High o'er his peers emerging ! His tall helm 
With flowing triple crest for ensign bears 
Chimsera, whose terrific lips outpour 
Volcanic fires; where'er the menace moves 
Of her infernal flames and wrathful frown, 
There wildest flows the purple flood of war. 
On his smooth shield deep graven in the gold 
Is horned lo — wondrous the device ! — 
A shaggy heifer-shape the maiden shows ; 
Argus is watching her, while Inachus 
Pours forth his river from the pictured urn. 
A storm of tramping troops, to Tumus sworn, 

256 THE iENEID [7M-817 

Throngs all the widespread plain with serried shields: 

Warriors of Argos, and Auruncan bands» 

Sicani, Rutuli, Sacranian hosts, 

Labicum's painted targes; all who till 

Thy woodland vales, O Tiber ! or the shore 

Numicius hallows; all whose ploughs upturn 

Rutulia's hills, or that Circsean range 

Where Jove of Anxur guards, and forests green 

Make fair Feronia glad ; where lie the fens 

Of Satura, and Ufens' icy wave 

Through lowland valleys seeks his seaward way. 

Last came Camilla, of the Volscians bred» 

Leading her mail-clad, radiant chivalry; 

A warrior-virgin, of Minerva's craft 

Of web and distaff, fit for woman's toil» 

No follower she ; but bared her virgin breast 

To meet the brunt of battle, and her speed 

Left even the winds behind ; for she would skim 

An untouched harvest ere the sickle fell, 

Nor graze the quivering wheat-tops as she ran; 

Or o'er the mid-sea billows' swollen surge 

So swiftly race, she wet not in the wave 

Her flying feet. For sight of her the youth 

From field and fortress sped, and matrons grave 

Stood wondering as she passed, well-pleased to see 

Her royal scarf in many a purple fold 

Float off her shining shoulder, her dark hair 

In golden clasp caught fast, and how she bore 

For arms a quiver of the Lycian mode. 

And shepherd's shaft of myrtle tipped with steel.

w 

HEN Tumus from Laurentum*s bastion proud 
Published the war, and roused the dreadful note 
Of the harsh trumpet's song ; when on swift steeds 
The lash he laid and clashed his sounding arms : 
Then woke each warrior soul ; all Latium stirred 
With tumult and alarm ; and martial rage 
Enkindled youth's hot blood. The chieftains proud» 
Messapus, Ufens, and that foe of Heaven, 
Mezentius, compel from far and wide 
Their loyal hosts, and strip the field and farm 
Of husbandmen. To seek auxiliar arms 
They send to glorious Diomed's domain 
The herald Venulus, and bid him cry : 
" Troy is to Latium come ; iEneas' fleet 
*'Has come to land. He brings his vanquished gods, 
"And gives himself to be our destined King. 
"Cities not few accept him, and his name 
" Through Latium waxes large. But what the foe 
"By such attempt intends, what victory 
" Is his presumptuous hope, if Fortune smile, 
"^tolia's lord will not less wisely fear 
" Than royal Tumus or our Latin King.** 

Thus Latium*s cause moved on. Meanwhile the heir 

Of great Laomedon, who knew full well 

The whole wide land astir, was vexed and tossed 

258 THE iENEID [2(M1 

In troubled seas of care. This way and that 

His swift thoughts flew, and scanned with like dismay 

Each partial peril or the general storm. 

Thus the vexed waters at a fountain's brim. 

Smitten by sunshine or the silver sphere 

Of a reflected moon, send forth a beam 

Of flickering light that leaps from wall to wall. 

Or, skyward lifted in ethereal flight. 

Glances along some rich-wrought, vaulted dome. 

Now night had fallen, and all weary things. 
All shapes of beast or bird, the wide world o'er. 
Lay deep in slumber. So beneath the arch 
Of a cold sky iSneas laid him down 
Upon the river-bank, his heart sore tried 
By so much war and sorrow, and gave o'er 
His body to its long-delayed repose. 
There, 'twixt the poplars by the gentle stream. 
The River-Father, genius of that place. 
Old Tiberinus visibly uprose ; 
A cloak of gray-green lawn he wore, his hair 
O'erhung with wreath of reeds. In soothing words 
Thus, to console -Eneas' cares, he spoke : 
Seed of the gods ! who bringest to my shore 
Thy Trojan city wrested from her foe, 
A stronghold everlasting, Latium's plain 
And fair Laurentum long have looked for thee. 
Here truly is thy home. Turn not away. 
" Here the true guardians of thy hearth shall be. 
Fear not the gathering war. The wrath of Heaven 
Has stilled its swollen wave. A sign I tell : 

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'Lest thou shouldst deem this message of thy sleep 
'A vain» deluding dream, thou soon shalt find 
*In the oak-copses on my margent green, 
*A huge sow, with her newly-littered brood 
'Of thirty young; along the ground she lies, 
'Snow-white, and round her udders her white young. 
'There shall thy city stand, and there thy toil 
'Shall find untroubled rest. After the lapse 
*Of thrice ten rolling years, Ascanius 
'Shall found a city there of noble name, 
'White-City, Alba; *t is no dream I sing! 
' But I instruct thee now by what wise way 
'Th* impending wars may bring thee victory: 
' Receive the counsel, though the words be few : 
'Within this land are men of Arcady, 
Of Pallas' line, who, following in the train 
'Of King Evander and his men-at-arms, 
' Built them a city in the hills, and chose 
'(Honoring Pallas, their Pelasgian sire), 
'The name of Pallanteum. They make war 
'Incessant with the Latins. Therefore call 
'This people to thy side and bind them close 
'In federated power. My channel fair 
'And shaded shore shall guide thee where they dwell, 
' And thy strong oarsmen on my waters borne 
'Shall mount my falling stream. Rise, goddess-bom, 
' And ere the starlight fade give honor due 
'To Juno, and with supplicating vow 
'Avert her wrath and frown. But unto me 
'Make oflfering in thy victorious hour, 
'In time to come. I am the copious flood 

260 THE iENEID [6^^ 

Which thou beholdest chafing at yon shores 
And parting fruitful fields : cerulean stream 
Of Tiber, favored greatly of high Heaven. 
Here shall arise my house magnificent, 
A city of all cities chief and crown." 
So spake the river-god, and sank from view 
Down to his deepest cave ; then night and sleep 
Together from ^neas fled away. 

He rose, and to the orient beams of mom 
His forehead gave; in both his hollowed palms 
He held the sacred waters of the stream» 
And called aloud : '* O ye Laurentian nymphs. 
Whence flowing rills be bom, and chiefly thou, 
O Father Tiber, worshipped stream divine. 
Accept iSneas, and from peril save ! 
If in some hallowed lake or haunted spring 
Thy power, pitying my woes, abides, 

"Or wheresoe'er the blessed place be found 
Whence first thy beauty flows, there evermore 
My hands shall bring thee gift and sacrifice. 
O chief and sovereign of Hesperian streams, 
O river-god that hold'st the plenteous hom, 

"Protect us, and confirm thy words divine!'* 

He spoke; then chose twin biremes from the fleet. 
Gave them good gear and armed their loyal crews. 
But, lo ! a sudden wonder met his eyes : 
White gleaming through the grove, with all her brood 
White like herself, on the green bank the Sow 
Stretched prone. The good iEneas slew her there. 

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Great Juno» for a sacrifice to thee. 

Himself the priest» and with the sucklings all 

Beside thine altar stood. So that whole night 

The god of Tiber calmed his swollen wave» 

Ebbing or lingering in silent flow. 

Till like some gentle lake or sleeping pool 

His even waters lay, and strove no more 

Against the oarsmen's toil. Upon their way 

They speed with joyful sound ; the well-oiled wood 

Slips through the watery floor; the wondering waves. 

And all the virgin forests wondering. 

Behold the warriors in far-shining arms 

Their painted galleys up the current drive. 

O'er the long reaches of the winding flood 

Their sturdy oars outweary the slow course 

Of night and day. Fair groves of changeful green 

Arch o'er their passage, and they seem to cleave 

Green forests in the tranquil wave below. 

Now had the flaming sun attained his way 

To the mid-sphere of heaven, when they discerned 

Walls and a citadel in distant view. 

With houses few and far between ; 't was there» 

Where sovran Rome to-day has rivalled Heaven» 

Evander's realm its slender strength displayed : 

Swiftly they turned their prows and neared the town. 

It chanced th' Arcadian King had come that day 

To honor Hercules, Amphitryon's son. 

And to the powers divine pay worship due 

In groves outside the wall. Beside him stood 

Pallas his son, his noblest men-at-arms. 

And frugal senators, who at the shrines 

262 THE iENEID [106-128 

Burnt incense, while warm blood of victims flowed. 

But when they saw the tall ships in the shade 

Of that dark forest plying noiseless oars. 

The sudden sight alarmed, and all the throng 

Sprang to its feet and left the feast divine. 

But dauntless Pallas bade them give not o*er 

The sacred festival, and spear in hand 

Flew forward to a bit of rising ground. 

And cried from far: "Hail, warriors! what cause 

Drives you to lands unknown, and whither bound? 

Your kin, your country? Bring ye peace or war?" 

Father iSneas then held forth a bough 

Of peaceful olive from the lofty ship. 

Thus answering : " Men Trojan-bom are we, 

" Foes of the Latins, who have driven us forth 

"With insolent assault. We fain would see 

" Evander. Pray, deliver this, and say 
That chosen princes of Dardania 
Sue for his help in arms." So wonder fell 
On Pallas, awestruck at such mighty name. 
O, come, whoe'er thou art," he said, " and speak 

" In presence of my father. Enter here. 
Guest of our hearth and altar." He put forth 
His right hand in true welcome, and they stood 
With lingering clasp ; then hand in hand advanced 
Up the steep woodland, leaving Tiber's wave. 

^neas to Evander speaking fair. 

These words essayed: "O best of Grecian-born! 
"Whom Fortune's power now bids me seek and sue, 
"Lifting this olive-branch with fillets bound. 

it 

*I have not feared thee, though I know thou art 
'A Greek, and an Arcadian king, allied 
*To the two sons of Atreus. For behold, 

* My conscious worth, great oracles from Heaven, 
*The kinship of our sires, thy own renown 

* Spread through the world — all knit my cause with 

thine, 
'All make me glad my fates have so decreed. 
*The sire and builder of the Trojan town 
*Was Dardanus; but he, Electra's child, 

* Came over sea to Teucria ; the sire 

* Of fair Electra was great Atlas, he 

* Whose shoulder carries the vast orb of heaven. 

* But thy progenitor was Mercury, 

'And him conceiving, Maia, that white maid, 

* On hoar Cyllene's frosty summit bore. 

* But Maia's sire, if aught of truth be told, 
*Was Atlas also. Atlas who sustains 

*The weight of starry skies. Thus both our tribes 
*Are one divided stem. Secure in this, 

* No envoys have I sent, nor tried thy mind 
*With artful first approaches, but myself, 

* Risking my person and my life, have come 
'A suppliant here. For both on me and thee 
' The house of Daunus hurls insulting war. 

' If us they quell, they doubt not to obtain 

* Lordship of all Hesperia, and subdue 

* Alike the northern and the southern sea. 

* Accept good faith, and give ! Behold, our hearts 

* Quail not in battle ; souls of fire are we, 

* And warriors proved in many an action brave." 

264 THE iENEID [152-178 

Mneas ceased. The other long had scanned 
The hero's face, his eyes, and wondering viewed 
His form and mien divine ; in answer now 
He briefly spoke: "With hospitable heart, 
*0 bravest warrior of all Trojan-bom, 
' I know and welcome thee. I well recall 
*Thy sire Anchises, how he looked and spake. 
*For I remember Priam, when he came 

* To greet his sister. Queen Hesione, 

^In Salamis, and thence pursued his way 
*To our cool uplands of Arcadia. 

* The bloom of tender boyhood then was mine, 
*And with a wide-eyed wonder I did view 
'Those Teucrian lords, Laomedon's great heir, 
*And, towering highest in their goodly throng, 
'Anchises, whom my warm young heart desired 
' To speak with and to clasp his hand in mine. 

* So I approached, and joyful led him home 
*To Pheneus' olden wall. He gave me gifts 
*The day he bade adieu; a quiver rare 

* Filled with good Lycian arrows, a rich cloak 

* Inwove with thread of gold, and bridle reins 
*A11 golden, now to youthful Pallas given. 

* Therefore thy plea is granted, and my hand 
'Here clasps in loyal amity with thine. 
'To-morrow at the sunrise thou shalt have 
' My tribute for the war, and go thy way 
' My glad ally. But now this festival, 
'Whose solemn rite 'twere impious to delay, 
'I pray thee celebrate, and bring with thee 

* Well-omened looks and words. Allies we are ! 

" Use this our sacred feast as if your own." 

So saying, he bade his followers renew 

Th' abandoned feast and wine ; and placed each guest 

On turf-built couch of green, most honoring 

^neas by a throne of maple fair 

Decked with a lion's pelt and flowing mane. 

Then high-bom pages, with the altar's priest. 

Bring on the roasted beeves and load the board 

With baskets of fine bread ; and wine they bring — 

Of Ceres and of Bacchus gift and toil. 

While good iSneas and his Trojans share 

The long whole ox and meats of sacrifice. 

When hunger and its eager edge were gone, 

Evander spoke : " This votive holiday, 
** Yon tables spread and altar so divine, 
*'Are not some superstition dark and vain, 
" That knows not the old gods, O Trojan King ! 
*' But as men saved from danger and great fear 
" This thankful sacrifice we pay. Behold, 
" Yon huge rock, beetling from the mountain wall, 
" Hung from the clifiF above. How lone and bare 
" The hollowed mountain looks ! How crag on crag 
" Tumbled and tossed in huge confusion lie ! 
" A cavern once it was, which ran deep down 
** Into the darkness. There th' half-human shape 
" Of Cacus made its hideous den, concealed 
** From sunlight and the day. The ground was wet 
" At all times with fresh gore ; the portal grim 
** Was hung about with heads of slaughtered men. 

% 

266 THE iENEID [19e-2£l 

" Bloody and pale — a fearsome sight to see. 
"Vulcan begat this monster, which spewed forth 
" Dark-fuming flames from his infernal throat, 
"And vast his stature seemed. But time and tide 
" Brought to our prayers the advent of a god 
" To help us at our need. For Hercules, 
Divine avenger, came from laying low 
Three-bodied Greryon, whose spoils he wore 
" Exultant, and with hands victorious drove 
" The herd of monster bulls, which pastured free 
Along our river-valley. Cacus gazed 
In a brute frenzy, and left not untried 
Aught of bold crime or stratagem, but stole 
Four fine bulls as they fed, and heifers four, 
" All matchless ; but, lest hoof-tracks point his way, 
" He dragged them cave-wards by the tails, confusing 
" The natural trail, and hid the stolen herd 
" In his dark den ; and not a mark or sign 
" Could guide the herdsmen to that cavern-door. 
" But after, when Amphitryon's famous son, 
" Preparing to depart, would from the meads 
" Goad forth the full-fed herd, his lingering bulls 
" Roared loud, and by their lamentable cry 
" Filled grove and hills with clamor of farewell : 
" One heifer from the mountain-cave lowed back 
" In answer, so from her close-guarded stall 
" Foiling the monster's will. Then hadst thou seen 
" The wrath of Hercules in frenzy blaze 
" From his exasperate heart. His arms he seized, 
" His club of knotted oak, and climbed full-speed 
"The wind-swept hill. Now first our people saw 

« 

«««-2451 BOOK Vm «67 

, " Cacus in fear, with panic in his eyes. 
Swift to the black cave like a gale he flew. 
His feet by terror winged. Scarce had he passed 
The cavern door, and broken the big chains. 
And dropped the huge rock which was pendent there 
By Vulcan's well-wrought steel ; scarce blocked and 

barred 
The guarded gate : when there Tirynthius stood, 
"With heart aflame, surveying each approach, 
"Rolling this way and that his wrathful eyes, 
" Gnashing his teeth. Three times his ire surveyed 
"The slope of Aventine; three times he stormed 
"The rock-built gate in vain; and thrice withdrew 
"To rest him in the vale. But high above 
"A pointed peak arose, sheer face of rock 
" On every side, which towered into view 
" From the long ridge above the vaulted cave. 
Fit haunt for birds of evil-boding wing. 
This peak, which leftward toward the river leaned. 
He smote upon its right — his utmost blow — 
" Breaking its bases loose ; then suddenly 
" Thrust at it : as he thrust, the thunder-sound 
Filled all the arching sky, the river's banks 
Asunder leaped, and Tiber in alarm 
Reversed his flowing wave. So Cacus* lair 
" Lay shelterless, and naked to the day 
" The gloomy caverns of his vast abode 
Stood open, deeply yawning, just as if 
The riven earth should crack, and open wide 
"Th' infernal world and fearful kingdoms pale. 
Which gods abhor; and to the realms on high 

(( 

268 THE iENEID [24M67 

The measureless abyss should be laid bare. 
And pale ghosts shrink before the entering sun. 
"Now upon Cacus, startled by the glare, 
** Caged in the rocks and howling horribly, 
** Alcides hurled his weapons, raining down 
" All sorts of deadly missiles — trunks of trees, 
^^And monstrous boulders from the mountain torn. 
" But when the giant from his mortal strait 
" No refuge knew, he blew from his foul jaws 
"A storm of smoke — incredible to tell — 
** And with thick darkness blinding every eye, 
" Concealed his cave, uproUing from below 
** One pitch-black night of mingled gloom and fiie. 
"This would Alcides not endure, but leaped 
" Headlong across the flames, where densest hung 
" The rolling smoke, and through the cavern surged 
"A drifting and impenetrable cloud. 
" With Cacus, who breathed unavailing flame, 
" He grappled in the dark, locked limb with limb, 
And strangled him, till o'er the bloodless throat 
The starting eyeballs stared. Then Hercules 
" Burst wide the doorway of the sooty den. 
And unto Heaven and all the people showed 
The stolen cattle and the robber's crimes. 
And dragged forth by the feet the shapeless corpse 
Of the foul monster slain. The people gazed 
Insatiate on the grewsome eyes, the breast 
Of bristling shag, the face both beast and man, 
" And that fire-blasted throat whence breathed no more 
" The extinguished flame. 

" 'T is since that famous day 

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268H291] BOOK Vm 209 

** We celebrate this feast, and glad of heart 

^* Each generation keeps the holy time. 

*'Potitius began the worship due, 

** And our Pinarian house is vowed to guard 

" The rites of Hercules. An altar fair 

" Within this wood they raised ; 't is called * the Great,* 

'^And Ara Maxima its name shall be. 

** Come now, my warriors, and bind your brows 

"With garlands worthy of the gift of Heaven. 

" Lift high the cup in every thankful hand, 

"And praise our people's god with plenteous wine.*' 
He spoke ; and of the poplar's changeful sheen. 
Sacred to Hercules, wove him a wreath 
To shade his silvered brow. The sacred cup 
He raised in his right hand, while all the rest 
Called on the gods and pure libation poured. 

Soon from the travelling heavens the western star 
Glowed nearer, and Potitius led forth 
The priest-procession, girt in ancient guise 
With skins of beasts and carrying burning brands. 
New feasts are spread, and altars heaped anew 
With gifts and laden chargers. Then with song 
The Salian choir surrounds the blazing shrine. 
Their foreheads wreathed with poplar. Here the 

youth. 
The elders yonder, in proud anthem sing 
The glory and the deeds of Hercules : 
How first he strangled with strong infant hand 
Two serpents, Juno's plague ; what cities proud, 
Troy and (Echalia, his famous war 

270 THE iENEID [291-S18 

In pieces broke ; what labors numberless 
As King Eurystheus' bondman he endured» 
By cruel Juno's will. "Thou, unsubdued, 
"Didst strike the twy-formed, cloud-bred centaurs 

down, 
" Pholus and tall Hylseus. Thou hast slain 
"The Cretan horror, and the lion huge 
"Beneath the Nemean crag. At sight of thee 
"The Stygian region quailed, and Cerberus, 
" Crouching o'er half-picked bones in gory cave. 
" Nothing could bid thee fear. Typhoeus towered 
"In his colossal Titan-panoply 
" O'er thee in vain ; nor did thy cunning fail 
"When Lema's wonder-serpent round thee drew 
"Its multitudinous head. Hail, Jove's true son! 
"New glory to the gods above, come down, 
"And these thine altars and thy people bless!'* 
Such hymns they chanted, telling oft the taJe 
Of Cacus' cave and blasting breath of fire : 
While hills and sacred grove the note prolong. 

Such worship o'er, all take the homeward way 

Back to the town. The hospitable King, 

Though bowed with weight of years, kept at his side 

^neas and his son, and as they fared, 

With various discourse beguiled the way. 

^nea^ scanned with quick-admiring eyes 

The region wide, and lingered with delight 

Now here, now there, inquiring eagerly 

Of each proud monument of heroes gone. 

Then King Evander, he who builded first 

On Palatine, spoke thus : '' These groves erewhile 
^'Their native nymphs and fauns enjoyed, with men 
*'From trees engendered and stout heart of oak. 
** Nor laws nor arts they knew ; nor how to tame 
^* Bulls to the yoke, nor fill great bams with store 
''And hoard the gathered grain; but rudely fared 
" On wild fruits and such food as hunters find. 
"Then Saturn from Olympian realms came down, 
"In fiight from Jove's dread arms, his sceptre lost, 
"And he an exiled King. That savage race 
*'He gathered from the mountain slopes; and gave 
"Wise laws and statutes; so that latent land 
"Was Latium, 'hid land', where he hid so long. 
"The golden centuries by legends told 
"Were under that good King, whose equal sway 
"Untroubled peace to all his peoples gave. 

But after slow decline arrived an age 

Degenerate and of a darker hue, 
"Prone to insensate war and greed of gain. 

Then came Sicanian and Ausonian tribes, 
** And oft the land of Saturn lost its name. 
"New chieftains rose, and Thybris, giant King 

And violent, from whom th' Italians named 

The fiooding Tiber, which was called no more 

The Albula, its true and ancient style. 

Myself, in exile from my fatherland 

Sailing uncharted seas, was guided here 
"By all-disposing Chance and iron laws 
** Of Destiny. With prophecy severe 
" Carmentis, my nymph-mother, thrust me on, 
"Warned by Apollo's word." 

M 

272 THE iENEID [887-^58 

He scarce had said. 
When near their path he showed an altar fair 
And the Carmental gate, where Romans see 
Memorial of Carmentis, nymph divine, 
The prophetess of fate, who first foretold 
What honors on Eneas' sons should fall 
And lordly Pallanteum, where they dwell. 
Next the vast grove was seen, where Romulus 
Ordained inviolable sanctuary; 
Then the Lupercal under its cold crag. 
Wolf-hill, where old Arcadians revered 
Their wolf-god, the Lycaean Pan. Here too 
The grove of Argiletum, sacred name. 
Where good Evander told the crime and death 
Of Argus, his false guest. From this they climbed 
The steep Tarpeian hill, the Capitol, 
All gold to-day, but then a tangled wild 
Of thorny woodland. Even then the place 
Woke in the rustics a religious awe. 
And bade them fear and tremble at the view 
Of that dread rock and grove. " This leafy wood, 
'Which crowns the hill-top, is the favored seat 
*Of some great god," said he, "but of his name 
*We know not surely. The Arcadians say 

* Jove's dread right hand here visibly appears 
*To shake his aegis in the darkening storm, 
*The clouds compelling. Yonder rise in view 

* Two strongholds with dismantled walls, which now 

* Are but a memory of great heroes gone : 

* One father Janus built, and Saturn one ; 

* Their names, Saturnia and Janiculum." 

'Mid such good parley to the house thej came 
Of King Evander, unadorned and plain. 
Whence herds of browsing cattle could be seen 
Ranging the Forum, and loud-bellowing 
In proud Carinse. As they entered there. 
Behold," said he, " the threshold that received 
Alcides in his triumph! This abode 
He made his own. Dare, O illustrious guest, 
"To scorn the pomp of power. Shape thy soul 
"To be a god's fit follower. Enter here, 
"And free from pride our frugal welcome share." 
So saying, 'neath his roof-tree scant and low 
He led the great iEneas, offering him 
A couch of leaves with Libyan bear-skin spread. 

Now night drew near, enfolding the wide world 
In shadowy wings. But Venus, sore disturbed. 
Vexed not unwisely her maternal breast. 
Fearing Laurentum's menace and wild stir 
Of obstinate revolt, and made her plea 
To Vulcan in their nuptial bower of gold, 
Outbreathing in the music of her words 
Celestial love : " When warring Argive kings 
" Brought ruin on Troy's sacred citadel 
'^And ramparts soon to sink in hostile flames, 
** I asked not thee to help that hopeless woe, 
" Nor craved thy craft and power. For, dearest lord, 
^*I would not tax in vain thine arduous toil, 
"Though much to Priam's children I 'was bound, 
"And oft to see iEneas burdened sore 
"I could but weep. But now by will of Jove 

274 THE iENEID [S81-408 

*^He has found foothold in Rutulian lands. 
"Therefore I come at last with lowly suit 
Before a godhead I adore, and pray 
For gift of arms, — a mother for her son. 
"Thou wert not unrelenting to the tears 
" Of Nereus' daughter or Tithonus' bride. 
"Behold what tribes conspire, what cities strong 
"Behind barred gates now make the falchion keen 
"To ruin and blot out both me and mine!" 

So spake the goddess, as her arms of snow 
Around her hesitating spouse she threw 
In tender, close embrace. He suddenly 
Knew the familiar fire, and o'er his frame 
Its wonted ardor unresisted ran. 
Swift as the glittering shaft of thunder cleaves 
The darkened air and on from cloud to cloud 
The rift of lightning runs. She, joyful wife. 
Felt what her beauty and her guile could do ; 
As, thralled by love unquenchable, her spouse 
Thus answered fair : " Why wilt thou labor so 

* With far-fetched pleas ? my goddess, hast thou lost 
' Thy faith in me ? Had such a prayer been thine, 
*I could have armed the Teucrians. Neither Jove 

* Nor Destiny had grudged ten added years 
' Of life to Troy and Priam. If to-day 
*Thou hast a war in hand, and if thy heart 
•Determine so, I willingly engage 
*To lend thee all my cunning; whatsoe'er 

* Molten alloy or welded iron can, 

* Whate'er my roaring forge and flames achieve, 

** I offer thee. No more in anxious prayer 
** Distrust thy beauty's power/* So saying, he gave 
Embrace of mutual desire, and found 
Deep, peaceful sleep, on her fond heart reclined. 

Night's course half run, soon as the first repose 
Had banished sleep, — what time some careful 

wife 
Whose distaff and Minerva's humble toil 
Must earn her bread, rekindling her warm hearth. 
Adds a night-burden to her laboring day. 
And by the torch-light cheers her maidens on 
To their long tasks ; that so her husband's bed 
She may in honor keep, and train to power 
Her dear men-children — at such prime of mom, 
With not less eager mind the Lord of Fire 
Fled his soft couch and to his forges hied. 

An island near iEoIian Lipara 

Not far from a Sicilian headland lies. 

Where smoking rocks precipitously tower 

Above a vast vault, which the Cyclops' skill 

OuthoUowed large as Etna's thunderous caves. 

There ring the smitten anvils, and the roof 

Re-echoes, roaring loud. Chalybian ores 

Hiss in the gloom, and from the furnace mouths 

Puff the hot-panting fires. *T is Vulcan's seat. 

And all that island is Yulcania. 

Thither descended now the god of fire 

From height of heaven. At their task were found 

The Cyclops in vast cavern forging steel, 

276 THE iENEID [4£5-446 

Naked Pyracmon and gigantic-limbed 
Brontes and Steropes ; beneath their blows 
A lightning-shaft, half-shaped, half-bumished laj. 
Such as the Thunderer is wont to fling 
In numbers from the sky, but formless still. 
Three strands of whirling storm they wove with three 
Of bursting cloud, and three did interfuse 
Of ruddy-gleaming fires and winged winds ; 
Then fearful lightnings on the skilful forge 
They welded with loud horror, and with flames 
That bear swift wrath from Jove. Elsewhere a crew 
Toiled at the chariot and winged wheel 
Wherewith the war-god wakens from repose 
Heroes and peopled cities. Others wrought 
The awful iEgis, herald of dismay. 
By angry Pallas worn ; they burnished bright 
The golden serpent-scales and wreathing snakes. 
Till from the corselet of the goddess glared 
The Gorgon's severed head and rolling eyes. 
Cyclops of iEtna," Vulcan cried, " have done ! 
Leave ev'ry task unfinished, and receive 
My new command ! Good armor must be forged 
" For warrior brave. For this I need to use 
" Your utmost sinew and your swiftest hand, 
"With all your master skill. No lingering now!" 

u 

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u 

Swift the command, and swiftly they divide 
To each his portion, and united urge 
The common task. Forth flow the molten streams 
Of brass and gold, and, melted in fierce flame. 
The deeply-wounding steel like liquid flows. 

A mighty shield took shape, its single orb 
Sufficient to withstand the gathered shock 
Of all the Latin arms ; for seven times 
They welded ring with ring. Some deftly ply 
The windy bellows, which receive and give 
The roaring blasts ; some plunge in cooling pond 
The hissing metal, while the smithy floor 
Groans with the anvil's weight, as side by side 
They lift their giant arms in numbered blows 
And roll with gripe of tongs the ponderous bars. 

While thus the Lemnian god his labor sped 
In far JBolian isle, the cheerful mom 
With voice of swallows round his lowly eaves 
Summoned Evander. From his couch arose 
The royal sire, and o'er his aged frame 
A tunic threw, tying beneath his feet 
The Tuscan sandals : an Arcadian sword. 
Girt at his left, was o'er one shoulder slung. 
His cloak of panther trailing from behind. 
A pair of watch-dogs from the lofty door 
Ran close, their lord attending, as he sought 
His guest ^neas ; for his princely soul 
Remembered faithfully his former word. 
And promised gift. iEneas with like mind 
Was stirring early. King Evander's son 
Pallas was at his side ; Achates too 
Accompanied his friend. All these conjoin 
In hand-clasp and good-morrow, taking seats 
In midcourt of the house, and give the hour 
To converse unrestrained. 

278 THE iENEID [469-492 

First spoke the King: 
Great leader of the Teucrians, while thy life 
In safety stands, I call not Trojan power 
Vanquished or fallen. But to help thy war 
My small means match not thy redoubted name. 
Yon Tuscan river is my bound. That way 
Rutulia thrusts us hard and chafes our wall 
With loud, besieging arms. But I propose 
To league with thee a numerous array 
Of kings and mighty tribes, which fortune strange 
Now brings to thy defence. Thou comest here 
Because the Fates intend. Not far from ours 
A city on an ancient rock is seen, 
Agylla, which a warlike Lydian clan 
Built on the Tuscan hills. It prospered well 
For many a year, then under the proud yoke 
Of King Mezentius it came and bore 
His cruel sway. Why tell the loathsome deeds 
And crimes unspeakable the despot wrought ? 
May Heaven requite them on his impious head 
And on his children ! For he used to chain 
Dead men to living, hand on hand was laid 
And face on face, — torment incredible! 
Till, locked in blood-stained, horrible embrace, 
A lingering death they found. But at the last 
His people rose in furious despair. 
And while he blasphemously raged, assailed 
His life and throne, cut down his guards 
And fired his regal dwellings; he, the while. 
Escaped immediate death and fled away 
To the Rutulian land, to find defence 

40»-513] BOOK VIII 279 

« 

4« 

In Tiimus* hospitality. To-day 

Etruriay to righteous anger stirred, 
** Demands with urgent arms her guilty Sang. 
** To their large host, iEneas, I will give 
** An added strength, thyself. For yonder shores 
" Re-echo with the tumult and the cry 
*' Of ships in close array ; their eager lords 
'^Are clamoring for battle. But the song 
** Of the gray omen-giver thus declares 

Their destiny : * O goodly princes bom 

* Of old Mseonian lineage ! Ye that are 
"*The bloom and glory of an ancient race, 
*• * Whom just occasions now and noble rage 
***Enflame against Mezentius your foe, 
" * It is decreed that yonder nation proud 
"* Shall ne'er submit to chiefs Italian-bom. 
" 'Seek ye a king from far!' So in the field 
" Inert and fearful lies Etruria's force, 
" Disarmed by oracles. Their Tarchon sent 
" Envoys who bore a sceptre and a crown 
" Even to me, and prayed I should assume 
" The sacred emblems of Etruria's king, 
** And lead their host to war. But unto me 
** Cold, sluggish age, now barren and outworn^ 
" Denies new kingdoms, and my slow-paced powers 
" Run to brave deeds no more. Nor could I urge 
•* My son, who by his Sabine mother's line 
" Is half Italian-bom. Thyself art he, 
" Whose birth illustrious and manly prime 
** Fate favors and celestial powers approve. 
** Therefore go forth, O bravest chief and King 

280 THE iENEID [518-558 

Of Troy and Italy ! To thee I give 
The hope and consolation of our throne, 
Pallas, my son, and bid him find in thee 
A master and example, while he learns 
The soldier's arduous toil. With thy brave deeds 
** Let him familiar grow, and reverence thee 
" With youthful love and honor. In his train 
"Two hundred horsemen of Arcadia, 
"Our choicest men-at-arms, shall ride; and he 
In his own name an equal band shall bring 
To follow only thee." Such the discourse. 
With meditative brows and downcast eyes 
^neas and Achates, sad at heart. 
Mused on unnumbered perils yet to come. 

But out of cloudless sky Cythera's Queen 
Gave sudden signal : from th' ethereal dome 
A thunder-peal and flash of quivering fire 
Tumultuous broke, as if the world would fall. 
And bellowing Tuscan trumpets shook the air. 
All eyes look up. Again and yet again 
Crashed the terrific din, and where the sky 
Looked clearest hung a visionary cloud. 
Whence through the brightness blazed resoundmg 

arms. 
All hearts stood still. But Troy's heroic son 
Knew that his mother in the skies redeemed 
Her pledge in sound of thunder : so he cried, 
Seek not, my friend, seek not thyself to read 
The meaning of the omen. 'T is to me 
" Olympus calls. My goddess-mother gave 

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53^-554] BOOK Vni 281 

** Long since her promise of a heavenly sign 
** If war should burst ; and that her power would bring 
A panoply from Vulcan through the air. 
To help us at our need. Alas, what deaths 
Over Laurentum's ill-starred host impend ! 
O Tumus, what a reckoning thou shalt pay 
To me in arms ! O Tiber, in thy wave 
What helms and shields and mighty soldiers slain 
Shall in confusion roll ! Yea, let them lead 
^' Their lines to battle, and our league abjure!" 

He said : and from the lofty throne uprose. 
Straightway he roused anew the slumbering fire 
Sacred to Hercules, and glad at heart 
Adored, as yesterday, the household gods 
Revered by good Evander, at whose side 
The Trojan company made sacrifice 
Of chosen lambs, with fining rites and true. 
Then to his ships he hied him, and rejoined 
His trusty followers, of whom he took 
The best for valor known, to lend him aid 
In deeds of war. Others he bade return 
Down stream in easy course, and tidings bear 
To young Ascanius of the new event. 
And of his father. Horses then were brought 
For all the Teucrians to Etruria bound ; 
And for ^neas one of rarest breed. 
O'er whom a tawny robe descended low. 
Of lion-skin, with claws of gleaming gold. 

Noised swiftly through the little town it flies 

282 THE iENEID [555-578 

That to the precinct of the Tuscan King 

Armed horsemen speed. Pale mothers in great fear 

Unceasing pray; for panic closely runs 

In danger's steps ; the war-god drawing nigh 

Looms larger ; and good sire Evander now 

Clings to the hand of his departing son 

And, weeping without stay, makes sad farewell: 

O, that great Jove would give me once again 

My vanished year^ ! O, if such man I w^re. 

As when beneath Prseneste's wall I slew 

The front ranks of her sons, and burned for spoil 

Their gathered targes on my triumph day; 

Or when this right hand hurled king Erulus 

To shades below, though — terrible to tell — 

Feronia bore him with three lives, that thrice 

He might arise from deadly strife o'erthrown. 

And thrice be slain — yet all these lives took I, 

And of his arms despoiled him o'er and o'er : 

Not now, sweet son (if such lost might were mine), 

Should I from thy beloved embrace be torn; 

Nor could Mezentius with insulting sword 

Do murder in my sight and make my land 

Depopulate and forlorn. O gods in Heaven, 

And chiefly thou whom all the gods obey. 

Have pity, Jove, upon Arcadia's King, 

And hear a father's prayer : if your intent 

Be for my Pallas a defence secure. 

If it be writ that long as I shall live. 

My eyes may see him, and my arms enfold, 

I pray for life, and all its ills I bear. 

But if some curse, too dark to tell, impend 

57S-699] BOOK VIII 28S 

« 

From thee, O Fortune blind ! I pray thee break 
My thread of miserable life to-day ; 
To-day, while fear still doubts and hope still smiles 
On the unknown to-morrow, as I hold 
Thee to my bosom, dearest child, who art 
My last and only joy; to-day, before 
**Th' intolerable tidings smite my ears.'* 
Such grief the royal father's heart outpoured 
At this last parting; the strong arms of slaves 
Lifted him, fallen in swoon, and bore him home. 

Now forth beneath the wide-swung city-gates 
The mounted squadron poured ; iEneas rode. 
Companioned of Achates, in the van ; 
Then other lords of Troy. There Pallas shone 
Conspicuous in the midmost line, with cloak 
And blazoned arms, as when the Morning-star 
(To Venus dearest of all orbs that burn). 
Out of his lucent bath in ocean wave 
Lifts to the skies his countenance divine. 
And melts the shadows of the night away. 
Upon the ramparts trembling matrons stand 
And follow with dimmed eyes the dusty cloud 
Whence gleam the brazen arms. The warriors ride 
Straight on through brake and fell, the nearest way; 
Loud ring the war-cries, and in martial line 
The pounding hoof-beats shake the crumbling ground. 

By Caere's cold flood lies an ample grove 
Revered from age to age. The hollowing hills 
Enclasp it in wide circles of dark fir. 

284 THE ^NEID [600-m 

And the Pelai^ans, so the l^ends tell» 

Primaeval settlers of the Latin plains» 

Called it the haunt of Silvan» kindly god 

Of flocks and fields, and honoring the grove 

Gave it a festal day. Hard by this spot 

Had Tarchon with the Tuscans fortified 

His bivouac, and from the heights afar 

His legions could be seen in wide array 

Outstretching through the plain. To meet them there 

iEneas and his veteran chivalry 

Made sure advance, and found repose at eve 

For warrior travel-worn and fainting steed. 

But now athwart the darkening air of heaven 
Came Venus gleaming bright, to bring her son 
The gifts divine. In deep, sequestered vale 
She found him by a cooling rill retired. 
And hailed him thus : *' Behold the promised gift, 
By craft and power of my Olympian spouse 
Made perfect, that my son need never fear 
Laurentum's haughty host, nor to provoke 
Fierce Tumus to the fray." Cythera's Queen 
So saying, embraced her son, and hung the arms, 
All glittering, on an oak that stood thereby. 
The hero, with exultant heart and proud. 
Gazing unwearied at his mother's gift. 
Surveys them close, and poises in his hands 
The helmet's dreadful crest and glancing flame. 
The sword death-dealing, and the corselet strong. 
Impenetrable brass, blood-red and large. 
Like some dark-lowering, purple cloud that gleams 

Beneath the smiting sun and flashes far 
Its answering ray ; and burnished greaves were there. 
Fine gold and amber ; then the spear and shield — 
The shield — of which the blazonry divine 
Exceeds all power to tell. 

Thereon were seen 
Italia's story and triumphant Rome, 
Wrought by the Lord of Fire, who was not blind 
To lore inspired and prophesjdng song, 
Fore-reading things to come. He pictured there 
lulus' destined line of glorious sons 
Marshalled for many a war. In cavern green. 
Haunt of the war-god, lay the mother-wolf; 
The twin boy-sucklings at her udders played. 
Nor feared such nurse; with long neck backward 

thrown 
She fondled each, and shaped with busy tongue 
Their bodies fair. Near these were pictured well 
The walls of Rome and ravished Sabine wives 
In the thronged theatre violently seized. 
When the great games were done; then, sudden war 
Of Romulus against the Cures grim 
And hoary Tatius ; next, the end of strife 
Between the rival kings, who stood in arms 
Before Jove's sacred altar, cup in hand. 
And swore a compact o'er the slaughtered swine. 

Hard by, behold, the whirling chariots tore 
Mettus asunder (would thou hadst been true. 
False Alban, to thy vow !) ; and Tullus trailed 
The traitor's mangled corse along the hills, 

[645-6U 

The wild thorn dripping gore. Porsenna, next. 

Sent to revolted Rome his proud command 

To take her Tarquin back, and with strong sieg 

Assailed the city's wall ; while unsubdued 

jEneas' sons took arms in freedom's name. 

There too the semblance of the frustrate King, 

A semblance of his wrath and menace vain. 

When Cocles broke the bridge, and Cloelia burs 

Her captive bonds and swam the Tiber's wave. \ 

Lo, on the steep Tarpeian citadel 

Stood Manlius at the sacred doors of Jove, 

Holding the eapitol, whereon was seen 

The fresh -thatched house of Romulus the EJUg. I 

There, too, all silver, through arcade of gold 

Fluttered the goose, whose monitory call 

Revealed the foeman at the gate : outside 

Besieging Gauls the thorny pathway climbed, 

Ambushed in shadow and the friendly dark 

Of night without a star; their flowing hair 

Was golden, and their every vesture gold ; 

Their cloaks were glittering plaid; each milk-white 

neck 
Bore circlet of bright gold ; in each man's hand _ 
Two Alpine javelins gleamed, and for defence 
Long targes the wild northern warriors bore. 
There, graven cunningly, the Salian choir 
Went leaping, and in Lupercalian feast 
The naked striplings ran; while others, crownet 
With peaked cap, bore shields that fell from heaven; 
And, bearing into Rome their emblems old. 
Chaste priestesses on soft-strewn litters passed. 

ind ^^_ 

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heaven; 
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But far from these th* artificer divine 

Had wrought a Tartarus, the dreadful doors 

Of Pluto, and the chastisements of sin ; 

Swung o'er a threatening precipice, was seen 

Thy trembling form, O Catiline, in fear 

Of fury-faces nigh : and distant far 

Th' assemblies of the righteous, in whose midst 

Was Cato, giving judgment and decree. 

Encircled by these pictures ran the waves 
Of vast, unrestful seas in flowing gold. 
Where seemed along the azure crests to fly 
The hoary foam, and in a silver ring 
The tails of swift, emerging dolphins lashed 
The waters bright, and clove the tumbling brine. 
For the shield's central glory could be seen 
Great fleets of brazen galleys, and the fight 
At Actium ; where, ablaze with war's array, 
Leucate's peak glowed o'er the golden tide. 
Csesar Augustus led Italia's sons 
To battle : at his side concordant moved 
Senate and Roman People, with their gods 
Of hearth and home, and all Olympian Powers. 
Uplifted on his ship he stands ; his brows 
Beneath a double glory smile, and bright 
Over his forehead beams the Julian star. 
In neighboring region great Agrippa leads, 
By favor of fair winds and friendly Heaven, 
His squadron forth : upon his brows he wears 
The peerless emblem of his rostral crown. 
Opposing, in barbaric splendor shine 

!e88 

[685-707 

The arms of Antony, in victor's garb 
From nations in the land of mom he rides. 
And from the Red Sea, bringing in his train 
Egypt and Syria, utmost Bactria's horde, 
And last — O shameless ! — his Egyptian Que( 
All to the fight make haste ; the slanted oars 
And triple beaks of brass uptear the waves 
To angry foam, as to the deep they speed 
Like hills on hill-tops hurled, or Cycladea 
Drifting and clashing in the sea : so vast 
That shock of castled ships and mighty men I 
Swift, arrowy steel and balls of blazing tow 
Rain o'er the waters, till the sea-god's world 
Flows red with slaughter. In the midst, the Queen, 
Sounding her native timbrel, wildly calls 
Her minions to the fight, nor yet can see 
Two fatal asps behind. Her monster-gods, 
Barking Anubis, and his mongrel crew. 
On Neptune, Venus, and Minerva fling 
Their impious arms ; the face of angry Mars, 
Carved out of iron, in the centre frowns ; 
Grim Furies fill the air; Discordia strides 
In rent robe, mad with joy; and at her side, 
Bellona waves her sanguinary scouige. 

There Actian Apollo watched the war, 

And o'er it stretched his bow ; which when they knew, 

Egyptian, Arab, and swart Indian slave. 

And all the sons of Saba fied away 

In terror of his arm. The vanquished Queen 

Made prayer to all the winds, and more uid i 

J 

7Dg-7^] BOOK VIII 28» 

Flung out the swelling sail : on wind-swept wave 
She fled through dead and dying; her white brow 
The Lord of Fire had cunningly portrayed 
Blanched with approaching doom. Beyond her lay 
The large-limbed picture of the mournful Nile, 
Who from his bosom spread his garments wide» 
And offered refuge in his sheltering streams 
And broad, blue breast, to all her fallen power. 
But Csesar in his triple triumph passed 
The gates of Rome, and gave Italia's gods. 
For grateful offering and immortal praise, 
Three hundred temples; all the city streets 
With game and revel and applauding song 
Rang loud ; in all the temples altars burned 
And Roman matrons prayed ; the slaughtered herds 
Strewed well the sacred ground. The hero, throned 
At snow-white marble threshold of the fane 
To radiant Phoebus, views the gift and spoil 
The nations bring, and on the portals proud 
Hangs a perpetual garland : in long file 
The vanquished peoples pass, of alien tongues. 
Of arms and vesture strange. Here Vulcan showed 
Ungirdled Afric chiefs and Nomads bold, 
Gelonian bowmen, men of Caria, 
And Leleges. Euphrates seemed to flow 
With humbler wave ; the world's remotest men, 
Morini came, with double-homed Rhine, 
And Dahse, little wont to bend the knee. 
And swift Araxes, for a bridge too proud. 

Such was the blazoned shield his mother gave 

S90 THE MSEJD [729-781 

From Vulcan's forge ; which with astonished eyes 
^neas viewed, and scanned with joyful mind 
Such shadows of an unknown age to be; 
Then on his shoulder for a burden bore 
The destined mighty deeds of all his sons.

W 

HiLE thus in distant region moves the war» 
Down to bold Tumus Saturn's daughter sends 
Celestial Iris. In a sacred vale. 
The seat of worship at his grandsire's tomb» 
Rlumnus, Faunus' son, the hero mused. 
And thus the wonder-child of Thaumas called 
With lips of rose : " O Turnus, what no god 
^ Dared give for guerdon of thy fondest vow, 
^Has come unbidden on its destined day. 
^Behold, iEneas, who has left behind 
**The city with his fleet and followers, 
^Is gone to kingly Palatine, the home 
" Of good Evander. Yea, his march invades 
**The far Etrurian towns, where now he arms 
"The Lydian rustics. Wilt thou longer muse? 
" Call for thy chariot and steeds ! Away ! 
"Take yonder tents by terror and surprise!" 
She spoke; and heavenward on poising wings 
Soared, cleaving as she fled from cloud to cloud 
A vast, resplendent bow. The warrior saw, 
And, lifting both his hands, pursued with prayer 
The fading glory : " Beauteous Iris, hail ! 
** Proud ornament of heaven ! who sent thee here 
"Across yon cloud to earth, and unto me? 
" Whence may this sudden brightness fall ? I see 
"The middle welkin lift, and many a star. 

[21-4* 

" Far-wandering in the sky. Such solemn sign 
"I shall obey, and thee, O god unknown!" 
So saying, he turned him to a sacred stream. 
Took water from its brim, and offered Heaven 
Much prayer, with many an importuning vow. 

Soon o'er the spreading fields in proud array 
The gathered legions poured; no lack was there 
Of steeds all fire, and broidered pomp and gold. , 
Messapus led the van ; in rearguard rode 
The sons of Tyrrheus ; kingly Turnus towered 
From the mid-column eminent : the host 
Moved as great Ganges lifting silently 
His seven peaceful streams, or when the fiood 
Of fructifying Nile from many a field 
Back to his channel flows. 

A swift-blown cloud 
Of black, uproUing dust the Teucrians see 
O'ershadowing the plain ; Calcus calls 
From lofty outpost : " O my countrymen, 
"I see a huge, black ball of rolling smoke. 
" Your swords and lances ! Man the walls ! To ai 
"The foe is here! What ho!" With clamors loud^ 
The Teucrians through the city-gates retire. 
And muster on the walls. For, wise in war, 
jEneas, ere he went, had left command 
They should not range in battle-line, nor dare, 
Whate'er might hap, to risk in open plain 
The bold sortie, but keep them safe entrenched 
In mounded walls. So now, though rage and shame 
Prick to a close fight, they defensive bar 

I 

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iS-M] BOOK IX 098 

Each portal strong, and, patient of control. 
From hollow towers expect th' encircling foe. 

Tumus, at full speed, had outridden far 
His laggard host, and, leading in his train 
A score of chosen knights, dashed into view 
Hard by the walls. A barb of Thracian breed 
Dappled with white he rode ; a crimson plume 
Flamed o'er his golden helmet. "Who,'* he cries» 
** Is foremost at the foe ? Who follows me ? 
^Behold!" And, with the word, he hurled in air 
A javelin, provoking instant war: 
And, towering from his horse, charged o'er the field. 
With answering shout his men-at-arms pursue. 
And war-cries terrible. They laugh to scorn 
" The craven hearts of Troy, that cannot give 
" Fair, equal vantage, matching man to man, 
" But cuddle into camp." This way and that 
Tumus careers, and stormily surveys 
The frowning rampart, and where way is none 
Some entering breach would find : so prowls a wolf 
Nigh the full sheepfold, and through wind and rain 
Stands howling at the postern all night long; 
Beneath the ewes their bleating lambs lie safe; 
But he, with undesisting fury, more 
Rages from far, made frantic for his prey 
By hunger of long hours, his foaming jaws 
Athirst for blood : not less the envy burned 
Of the Rutulian, as he scanned in vain 
The stronghold of his foe. Indignant scorn 
Thrilled all his iron frame. But how contrive 

2M 

THE /ENEID 

I«< 

To storm the fortress or by force expel 
The Trojans from the rampart, and disperse 
Along the plain? Straightway he spied the shipvl 
In hiding near the camp, defended well 
By mounded river-bank and fleeting wave. 
On these he fell; while his exultant crew 
Brought firebrands, and he with heart aflame 
Grasped with a vengeful hand the blazing pine, j 
To the wild work his followers sped ; for who 
Could prove him craven under Tumus' eye ? 
The whole troop for the weapon of their rage 
Seized smoking coals, of many a hearth the spoil; 
Red glare of fuming torches burned abroad. 
And Vulcan starward flung a sparkling cloud. 

What god, O Muses, saved the Trojans then 
Prom wrathful flame f Who shielded then the i 
I pray you tell, from bursting storm of fire ? 
From hoary eld the tale, but its renown 
Sings on forever. When jEneas first 
On Phrygian Ida hewed the sacred wood 
For rib and spar, and soon would put to aea. 
That mighty mother of the gods, they say. 
The Berecynthian goddess, thus to Jove 
Addressed her plea : " Grant, O my son, a hooDil 
" Which thy dear mother asks, who aided thee 
" To quell OljTnpian war. A grove I have 
" Of sacred pine, long-loved from year to year. 
"On lofty hill it grew, and thither came 
"My worshippers with gifts, in secret gloom 
" Of piue-trees dark and shadowing maple-boughi 

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^ These on the Dardan warrior at his need 
"I, not unwilling, for his fleet bestowed. 
** But I have fears. O, let a parent's prayer 
In this prevail, and bid my care begone ! 
Let not rude voyages nor the shock of storm 
My ships subdue, but let their sacred birth 
On my charmed hills their strength and safety be!** 
Then spake her son, who guides the wheeling spheres: 
Wouldst thou, my mother, strive to oversway 
The course of Fate ? What means this prayer of thine ? 
Can it be granted ships of mortal mould 
**To wear immortal being? Wouldst thou see 
^iEneas pass undoubting and secure 
"Through doubtful strait and perjl? On what god 
" Was e'er such power bestowed ? Yet will I grafit 
"A different boon. Whatever ships shall find 
**A safe Ausonian haven, and convey 
** Safe through the seas to yon Laurentian plain 
"The Dardan King, from such I will remove 
"Their perishable shapes, and bid them be 
"Sea-nymphs divine, Kke Nereus' daughters fair, 
" Doto and Galatea, whose white breasts 
Divide the foaming wave." He said, and swore 
By his Tartarean brother's mournful stream. 
The pitch-black floods and dark engulfing shore 
Of Styx ; then great Jove bowed his head, and all 
Olympus quaked at his consenting brow. 

Now was the promised day at hand (for Fate 
Had woven the web so far) when Turnus' rage 
Stirred the divine progenitress to save 

M 

»96 

Her sacred ships from fire. Then suddea shone , 
A strange effulgence in the eastern air; 
And in a storm-cloud wafted o'er the sky 
Were Corybantic choirs, whose dreadful soog 
Smote both on Teucrian and Rutulian ear: 
"O Teucrians, fear not for the sure defence 
"Of all the ships, nor arm your mortal hands. 
"Yon impious Turnus shall burn up the seaa 
"Before my pine-trees blest. Arise! Be free, 
" Ye goddesses of ocean, and obey 
" Your mother's mighty word." Then instant blfl 
The hawsers of the sterns; the beaked prows 
Went plunging like great dolphins from the shol 
Down to the deeps, and, wonderful to tell, 
Tbe forms of virgin goddesses uprose. 
One for each ship, and seaward sped away. 

The hearts of the Rutulian host stood still 
In panic, and Messapus terrified 
His trembling horses reined; the sacred stream 
Of Father Tiber, harshly murmuring. 
Held back his flood and checked his seaward way. 
But Turnus' courage failed not; he alone 
His followers roused, and with reproachful woi 
Alone spoke forth: "These signs and prodigies 
"Threaten the Trojan only. Jove himself 
" Has stripped them of their wonted strength : no more 
"Can they abide our deadly sword and fire. 
"The Trojan path to sea is shut. What hope 
" Of flight is left them nowP The half their caui 
"Is fallen. The possession of this land 

m 

^Is ours already; thousands of sharp swords 
'' Italians nations bring. Small fear have I 
** Of Phrygians boasted omens. What to me 
" Their oracles from heaven ? The will of Fate 
**And Venus have achieved their uttermost 
** In casting on Ausonia's fruitful shore 
"Yon sons of Troy. I too have destinies: 
" And mine, good match for theirs, with this true blade 
** Will spill the blood of all the baneful brood, 
«In vengeance for my stolen wife. Such wrongs 
" Move not on Atreus' sons alone, nor rouse 
** Only Mycenae to a righteous war. 
"Say you, *Troy falls but once?' One crime, say I, 
" Should have contented them ; and now their soub 
"Should little less than loathe all womankind, f 
"These are the sort of soldiers that be brave 
"Behind entrenchment, where the moated walls 
" May stem the foe and make a little room 
Betwixt themselves and death. Did they not see 
How Troy's vast bulwark built by Neptune's hand 
Crumbled in flame? Forward, my chosen brave! 
Who follows me to cleave his deadly way 
Through yonder battlement, and leap like storm 
Upon its craven guard ? I have no need 
Of arms from Vulcan's smithy; nor of ships 
A thousand strong against our Teucrian foes. 
Though all Etruria's league enlarge their power. 
Let them not fear dark nights, nor coward theft 
Of Pallas' shrine, nor murdered sentinels 
On their acropolis. We shall not hide 
In blinding belly of a horse. But I 

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[15S-17* 

"In public eye and open day intend 
"To compass their weak Tcall with siege and fire. 
"I'll prove them we be no Pclasgic band, 
"No Danaan warriors, such as Hector's arm 
"Ten years withstood. But look! thiadayhatb 
"Its better part. In what remains, rejoice 
"In noble deeds well done; let weary fleab 
"Have rest and food. My warriors, husband well, 
" Your strength against to-morrow's hopeful war. 
Meanwhile to block their gates with wakeful guard 
Is made Messapus' work, and to gird round 
Their camp with watchfires. Then a chosen band, 
Twice seven Rutulian chieftains, man the walls 
With soldiery; each leads a hundred men 
Crested with crimson, armed with glittering go\d,i 
Some post to separate sentries, and prepare 
Alternate vigil ; others, couched on grass. 
Laugh round the wine and lift the brazen bowls, 
The camp-fires cheeriy burn; the jovial guard 
Spend the long, sleepless night in sport and game. 

id 

I 

The Trojans peering from the lofty walls ^H 

Survey the foe. and arm for sure defence ^| 

Of every point exposed. They prove the gates 
With fearful care, bind bridge with tower, and bring 
Good store of javelins. Serestus bold 
And Mnestbeus to their labors promptly f 
"Whom Sire ^neas bade in time of s 
To have authority and free command 
Over his warriors. Along the walls 
The legions, by the cast of lots, divide 

smptly 3y, ^H 

f stress ^^H 

The pain and peril, giving each his due 
Of alternating vigil and repose. 

Nisus kept sentry at the gate : a youth 
Of eager heart for noble deeds, the son 
Of Hyrtacus, whom in iBneas' train 
Ida the huntress sent; swift could he speed 
The spear or Ught-winged arrow to its aim. 
Beside him was Euryalus, his friend : 
Of all th* -^neadse no youth more fair 
Wore Trojan arms; upon his cheek unshorn 
The tender bloom of boyhood lingered still. 
Their loving hearts were one, and oft in war 
They battled side by side, as in that hour 
A common sentry at the gate they shared. 
Said Nisus : ^ Is it gods above that breathe 
**This fever in my soul, Euryalus? 
** Or is the tyrant passion of each breast 
** The god it serves ? Me now my urgent mind 
To battles or some mighty deed impels. 
And will not give me rest. Look yonder, where 
The Rutuli in dull security 
The siege maintain. Yet are their lights but few. 
" They are asleep or drunk, and in their line 
Is many a silent space. O, hear my thought. 
And what my heart is pondering. To recall 
iEneas is the dearest wish to-night 
** Of all, both high and low. They need true men 
** To find him and bring tidings. If our chiefs 
**But grant me leave to do the thing I ask 
** (Claiming no guerdon save what honor ^ves). 

4€ 

900 THE iENEID [10£H»5 

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Methinks I could search out by yonder hill 
A path to Pallanteum/' The amazed 
Euryalus, flushed warm with eager love 
For deeds of glory, instantly replied 
To his high-hearted friend : " Dost thou refuse 
My Nisus, to go with me hand in hand 
When mighty deeds are done"? Could I behold 
Thee venturing alone on danger? Nay! 
Not thus my sire Opheltes, schooled in war, 
"Taught me his true child, 'mid the woes of Troy 
**And Argive terrors reared; not thus with thee 
"Have I proved craven, since we twain were leal 
"To great iEneas, sharing all his doom. 
" In this breast also is a heart which knows 
" Contempt of life, and deems such deeds, such praise» 
" Well worth a glorious death." Nisus to him : 
I have not doubted thee, nor e'er could have 
One thought disloyal. May almighty Jove, 
" Or whatsoe'er good power my purpose sees. 
Bring me triumphant to thy arms once more! 
But if, as oft in doubtful deeds befalls. 
Some stroke of chance, or will divine, should turn 
To adverse, 't is my fondest prayer that thou 
Shouldst live the longer of us twain. Thy years 
" Suit better with more life. Oh ! let there be 
" One mourner true to carry to its grave 
" My corpse, recaptured in the desperate fray, 
" Or ransomed for a price. Or if this boon 
" Should be — 't is Fortune's common way — refused» 
Then pay the debt of grief and loyal woe 
Unto my far-off dust, and garlands leave 

it 
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C( 

«1«H»4] BOOK IX 801 

** Upon an empty tomb. No grief I give 
"To any sorrowing mother; one alone, 
** Of many Trojan mothers, had the heart 
"To follow thee, her child, and would not stay 
"In great Acestes' land." His friend replied: 
" Thou weavest but a web of empty words 
" And reasons vain, nor dost thou shake at all 
" My heart's resolve. Come, let us haste away ! ** 
He answered so, and summoned to the gate 
A neighboring watch, who, bringing prompt relief. 
The sentry-station took; then quitted he 
Iffis post assigned ; at Nisus' side he strode. 
And both impatient sped them to the King. 

Now in all lands all creatures that have breath 
Lulled care in slumber, and each heart forgot 
Its load of toil and pain. But they who led 
The Teucrian cause, with all their chosen brave. 
Took counsel in the kingdom's hour of need 
What action to command or whom dispatch 
With tidings to Mness. In mid-camp 
On long spears leaning and with ready shield 
To leftward slung, th' assembled warriors stood. 
Thither in haste arrived the noble pair. 
Brave Nisus with Euryalus his friend. 
And craved a hearing, for their suit, they smd, 
Was urgent and well-worth a patient ear. 
lulus to the anxious striplings gave 
A friendly welcome, bidding Nisus speak. 
The son of Hyrtacus obeyed : " O, hear, 
" Princes of Teucria, with impartial mind. 

802 THE ^NEID [WhUS 

**Nor judge by our unseasoned youth the worth 
" Of what we bring. Yon Rutule watch is now 
**In drunken sleep, and all is silent there. 
** 'V^^th our own eyes we picked out a good place 
** To steal a march, that cross-road by the gate 
** Close-fronting on the bridge. Their lines of fire 
**Are broken, and a murky, rolling smoke 
** Fills all the region. If ye grant us leave 
** By this good luck to profit, we will find 
*^ iEneas and the walls of Palatine, 
** And after mighty slaughter and huge spoil 
" Ye soon shall see us back. Nor need ye fear 
" We wander from the way. Oft have we seen 
" That city's crest loom o'er the shadowy vales, 
"Where we have hunted all day long and know 
" Each winding of yon river." Then uprose 
Aged Aletes, crowned with wisdom's years : 
" Gods of our fathers, who f orevermore 
" Watch over Troy, ye surely had no mind 
"To blot out Teucria's name, when ye bestowed 
" Such courage on young hearts, and bade them be 
"So steadfast and so leal." Joyful he clasped 
Their hands in his, and on their shoulders leaned, 
His aged cheek and visage wet with tears. 
What guerdon worthy of such actions fair. 
Dear heroes, could be given ? Your brightest prize 
" Will come from Heaven and your own hearts. The 

rest 
"iEneas will right soon bestow; nor will 
"Ascanius, now in youth's unblemished prime, 
" Ever forget your praise." Forthwith replied 

«5e-281] BOOK IX 80S 

Eneas' son, ^ By all our household gods, 
By great Assaracus, and every shrine 
Of venerable Vesta, I confide 
My hopes, my fortunes, and all future weal 
To your heroic hearts. O, bring me back 
My father ! Set him in these eyes once more ! 
That day will tears be dry; and I will give 
Two silver wine-cups graven and o'erlaid 
Wth clear-cut figures, which my father chose 
Out of despoiled Arisbe; also two 
Full talents of pure gold, and tripods twain. 
And ancient wine-bowl, Tyrian Dido's token. 
But if indeed our destiny shall be 
To vanquish Italy in prosperous war. 
To seize the sceptre and divide the spoil, — 
Saw you that steed of Turnus and the arms 
** In which he rode, all golden ? That same steed, 
"That glittering shield and haughty crimson crest 
**I will reserve thee, e'er the lots are cast. 
And, Nisus, they are thine. Hereto my sire 
Will add twelve captive maids of beauty rare. 
And slaves in armor; last, thou hast the fields 
Which now Latinus holds. But as for thee. 
To whom my youth but binds me closer still. 
Thee, kingly boy, my whole heart makes my own. 
And through all changeful fortune we shall be 
** Inseparable peers : nor will I seek 
"Renown and glory, or in peace or war, 
** Forgetting thee : but trust thee from this day 
"In deed and word." To him in answer spoke 
Euryalus, " O, may no future show 

« 
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M 
M 
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U 
M 

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M 
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S04 THE jENEID [28i-30e 

" This heart unworthy thy heroic call ! 

" And may our fortune ever prosperous prove, 

"Not adverse. But I now implore of thee 

"A single boon worth all beside. I have 

" A mother, from the veDerated line 

"Of Priam sprung, whom not the Trojan shore i 

"Nor King Acestes' city could detain, 

"Alas! from following me. I leave her now 

" Without farewell ; nor is her love aware 

"Of my supposed peril. For I swear 

" By darkness of this night and thy right hand) 

" That all my courage fails me if I see 

"A mother's tears. O, therefore, I implore, 

"Be thou her sorrow's comfort and sustain 

" Her solitary day. Such grace from thee 

"Equip me for my war, and I shall face 

" With braver heart whatever fortune brings." 

TCth sudden sorrow thrilled, the veteran lords i 
Of Tcucria showed their tears. But most of allj 
Such Hkeness of his own heart's filial love 
On fiur lulus moved, and thus he spoke : 
" Promise thyself what fits thy generous deeds. 
" Thy mother shall be mine, Creiisa's name 
"Alone not hers; nor is the womb unblcst 
"That bore a child like thee. Whate'er success 
" May follow, I make oath immutable 
"By my own head, on which my father sworc^ 
"That all I promise thee of gift or praise 
"If home thou comest triumphing, shall be 
" The glory of thy mother and thy kin." 

SOS-822] BOOK IX 905 

WeefHDg he spoke, and from his shoulder drew 
The golden sword, well-wrought and wonderful» 
Which once in Crete Lycaon's cunning made 
And sheathed in ivory. On Nisus then 
Mnestheus bestowed a shaggy mantle torn 
From a slain lion ; good Aletes gave 
Exchange of crested helms. In such array 
They hastened forth ; and all the princely throng» 
Young men and old, ran with them to the gates» 
Praying all gods to bless. lulus then, 
A fair youth, but of grave, heroic soul 
Beyond his years, gave them in solemn charge 
Full many a message for his sire, but these 
The hazard of wild winds soon scattered far» 
And flung them fruitless on the darkening storm. 

Forth through the moat they climb, and steal away 
Through midnight shades, to where their foemen lie 
Encamped in arms; of whom, before these fall» 
A host shall die. Along the turf were seen. 
Laid low in heavy slumber and much wine» 
A prostrate troop ; the horseless chariots 
Stood tilted on the shore, 'twixt rein and wheel 
The drivers dozed, wine-cups and idle swords 
Strewn round them without heed. The first to speak 
Was Nisus. "Look, Euryalus," he cried, 
** Now boldly strike. TTie hour to do the deed 
•*Is here, the path this way. Keep wide-eyed watch 
** That no man smite behind us. I myself 
"Will mow the mighty field, and lead thee on 
" In a wide swath of slaughter." With this word 

806 THE ^NEID [323-845 

He shut his lips ; and hurled him with his sword 

On haughty Rhamnes, who lay propped at ease 

On pillows huge, and from his heaving breast 

Poured slumber loud : of royal stem was he 

And honored of King Turnus for his skill 

In augury; yet could no augur's charm 

That bloody stroke forefend. And Nisus slew 

Three slaves near by, that lay in reckless sleep 

Upon their spears; then him that bore the shield 

Of Remus, then the driver of his car 

Close to the horses caught ; his sword cut through 

Their prostrate necks ; then their great master's head 

He lifted high, and left decapitate 

The huge corpse spilling forth its crimson gore 

O'er couch and ground. Like stroke on Lamus 

fell 
And Lam3rrus, with young Serranus, who 
Had gamed the midnight through and sleeping lay» 
His fair young body to the wine-god given; 
But happier now had that long-revelling night 
Been merry till the dawn ! Thus round full folds 
Of sheep a famished lion fiercely prowls ; 
Mad hunger moves him ; he devours and rends 
With bloody, roaring mouth, the feeble flock 
That trembles and is dumb. 

Nor was the sword 
Of fair Euryalus less fatal found ; 
But fiercely raging on his path of death. 
He pressed on through a base and nameless throng, 
Rhoetus, Herbesus, Fadus, Abaris; 
Surprising all save Rhoetus, who awake 

Saw every stroke, and crouched in craven fear 
Behind a mighty wine-bowl ; but not less 
Clean through his bare breast as he started forth 
The youth thrust home his sword, then drew it back 
Death-dripping, while the bursting purple stream 
Of life outflowed, with mingling blood and wine. 
Then, flushed with stealthy slaughter, he crept near 
The followers of Messapus, where he saw 
Their camp-fire dying down, and tethered steeds 
Upon the meadow feeding. Nisus then 
Knew the hot lust of slaughter had swept on 
Too far, and cried, " Hold off ! For, lo, 
"The monitory dawn is nigh. Revenge 
** Has fed us to the full. We have achieved 
** Clean passage through the foe." 

Full many a pri2se 
Was left untaken : princely suits of mail 
Enwrought with silver pure, huge drinking-bowls, 
And broideries fair. Yet grasped Euryalus 
The blazonry at Rhamnes' corselet hung. 
And belt adorned with gold : which were a gift 
To Remulus of Tibur from the store 
Of opulent Csedicus, who sued from far 
To be a friend ; and these in death he gave 
To his son's son, who slain in battle fell. 
And proud Rutulians seized them with the spoil. 
Euryalus about his shoulder strong 
This booty slung — unprofitable gain ! — 
And fitted on a gorgeous, crested helm 
Which once Messapus wore. So from the camp. 
Escaping danger, the two champions ran. 

808 THE MSEID [se7-M0 

But horsemen from the Latin city sent 

To join the serried legions of the plain 

Had come at Tumus' call, three hundred strong, 

AU bearing shields, and under the command 

Of Yolscens. Nigh the camp and walls they drew; 

And soon they spied upon the leftward path 

Th' heroic pair, where in dim shades ct night 

The helmet of Euryalus betrayed 

The heedless boy, and with a glancing beam 

Flashed on the foe. Nor was it seen in vain. 

Loud from the line the voice of Volscens called : 

** Stand, gentlemen! What business brings you hCTC? 

** Whose your allegiance? Whither speed so fast? ** 
No answer gave they save to fly in haste 
To cover of the forest and deep gloom 
Of the defensive night. The horsemen then 
Blocked every crossway known, and, scattering wide. 
Kept sentry at the entrance. The great wood 
Was all of tangled brush and blinding shade 
Of ilex-boughs. Impenetrable thorns 
Had thickly overgrown, and seldom showed . 
A pathway through the maze. Euryalus, 
By the black branches and his ponderous spoil 
Lnpeded, groped along in fearful doubt. 
Deceived and quite astray. Nisus his friend 
Had quit him, and incautiously had forced 
A sally through the close-encircling foe. 
Into that region which should after bear 
The name of Alba — a rude shelter then 
For King Latinus' herds. He stayed him there 
And looked, but viunly, for the comrade gone. 

d90-410] BOOK IX 809 

Euryalus, ill-fated boy!" he cried. 

Where have I lost thee in the pathless wild ? 

** How find thee ? How retrace the blinding maze 

** Of yonder treacherous wood ? " 

Yet ere he said, 
On his own path he turns him back, and scans 
His own light footprints through the tangled thorn. 
So dark and still. But suddenly he hears 
The tread of horses, with confusing din 
And tumult of pursuit. Nor was it long 
He tarried ere upon his anguished ear 
Smote a great cry : and, lo ! Euryalus, 
Trapped by the dark night, the deceptive ground. 
Faced the whole onset, and fell back o'erwhelmed 
By a loud mob of foes, while his sole sword 
Tried many a thrust in vain. O, what defence 
May Nisus bring ? With what audacious arms 
His chosen comrade save ? Shall he make bare 
His dying breast to all their swords, and run 
To honorable death that bloody way ? 
He swung his spear with lifted arm, then looked 
To the still moon in heaven, and thus implored : 
O goddess, aid me in my evil case. 
O glory of the stars, Latona's child ! 
O guardian of groves, if in my name 
My father Hyrtacus made oflFerings 
On burning altars, if my own right hand. 
Successful in the chase, ere hung its gift 
Beneath thy dome or on thy sacred wall. 
Grant me yon troop to scatter. Guide my spear 

"Along its path in air." He spoke, and hurled 

[41(M3I 

With all his gathered strength the shaft of steel. 

The swift spear clove the shades of night, and struck 

Full in the back of Sulmo, where it split. 

But tore through to his very heart. The breast 

Pouredforth life's glowingstreara, and he, o'erthrown, 

Lay cold in death, while his huge, heaving sides 

Gave lingering throes. The men about him sta 

This way and that. But Nisus, fiercer still, 

Poised level with his ear a second shaft, 

And, while the foeman paused, the whizzing spear 

Straight through the brows of Tagus drove, and 

clung 
Deep in the cloven brain. In frenzy rose 
Volsccns, but nowhere could espy what hand 
The shaft had hurled, nor whither his wild rage J 
Could make reply. " But thou, " he cried, " shalt feed 
" With thy hot blood my honor and revenge 
"For both the slain." Then with a sword unsheathed 
Upon Euryalus he fell. Loud shrieked 
Nisus, of reason reft, who could not bear 
Such horror, nor in sheltering gloom of night ^H 
Longer abide: "'Tis I, 't is I!" he said. ^H 

"Look on the man who slew them 1 Draw on me ^H 
"Your swords, Rutulians! The whole stratagem 
"Was mine, mine only, and the lad ye slay 
"Dared not. and could not. O, by Heaven above 
"And by the all-beholding stars I swear, 
"He did but love his hapless friend too well.'' 

stare^^H 

pear 
, and 

But while he spoke, the furious-thrusting sword j 
Had pierced the tender body, and run through' 

The bosom white as snow. Euryalus 
Sank prone in death; upon his goodly limbs 
The life-blood ran unstopped, and low inclined 
The drooping head ; as when some purpled flower, 
Cut by the ploughshare, dies, or poppies proud 
With stem forlorn their ruined beauty bow 
Before the pelting storm. 

Then Nisus flew 
Straight at his foes ; but in their throng would find 
Volscens alone, for none but Volseens stayed : 
They gathered thickly round and grappled him 
, In shock of steel with steel. But on he plunged. 
Swinging in ceaseless circles round his head 
His lightning-sword, and thrust it through the face 
Of shrieking Volscens, with his own last breath 
Striking his foeman down ; then cast himself 
Upon his fallen comrade's breast ; and there. 
Stabbed through, found tranquil death and sure 
repose. 

Heroic pair and blest ! If aught I sing 

Have lasting music, no remotest age 

Shall blot your names from honor's storied scroll : 

Not while the altars of iBneas' line 

Shall crown the Capitol's unshaken hill. 

Nor while the Roman Father's hand sustains 

Its empire o'er the world. 

The Rutules seized the spoils of victory, 
And slowly to their camp, with wail and cry. 
Bore Volscens' corse; and in the camp they made 

812 THE JSNEID [459-474 

Like wailing over Rhamnes lifeless found. 
O'er Numa and Serranus, and a throng 
Of princes dead. The gazing people pressed 
Around the slain, the dying, where the earth 
Ran red with slaughter and full many a stream 
Of trickling gore ; nor did they fail to know 
Messapus' glittering helm, his baldric fair. 
Recaptured now with lavish sweat and pain. 

Now, from Tithonus' saffron couch set free, 

Aurora over many a land outpoured 

The rising mom ; the sun's advancing beam 

Unveiled the world ; and Tumus to his host 

Gave signal to stand forth, while he arrayed 

Himself in glorious arms. Then every chief 

Awoke his mail-clad company, and stirred 

Their slumbering wrath with tidings from the foe. 

Tumultuously shouting, they impaled 

On lifted spears — O pitiable sight ! — 

The heads of Nisus and Euryalus. 

Th' undaunted Trojans stood in battle-line 

Along the wall to leftward (for the right 

The river-front defended) keeping guard 

On the broad moat ; upon the ramparts high 

Sad-eyed they stood, and shuddered as they saw 

The hero-faces thrust aloft ; too well 

Their loyal grief the blood-stained features knew. 

On restless pinions to the trembling town 
Had voiceful Rumor hied, and to the ears 
Of that lone mother of Euryalus 

Relentless flown. Through all her feeble frame 
The chilling sorrow sped. From both her hands 
Dropped web and shuttle ; she flew shrieking forth. 
Ill-fated mother ! and with tresses torn. 
To the wide ramparts and the battle-line 
Ran frantic^ heeding naught of men-at-aims. 
Nor peril nor the rain of falling spears ; 
And thus with loud and lamentable cry 
Filled all the air: *'Is it in yonder guise, 
*Euryalus, thou comest? Art thou he, 

* Last comfort of my life ? O cruel one ! 

* Couldst thou desert me ? When they thrust thee forth 
*To death and danger, did they dare refuse 

*A wretched mother's last embrace? But now — 
*0 woe is me! — upon this alien shore 
^Thou liest for a feast to Latin dogs 
*And carrion birds. Nor did thy mother lead 
*The mourners to thy grave, nor shut those eyes, 

* Nor wash the dreadful wounds, nor cover thee 
*With the fair shroud, which many a night and day 

* I swiftly wove, and at my web and loom 

* Forgot my years and sorrows. Whither now 

* To seek and follow thee ? What spot of earth 

* Holds the torn body and the mangled limbs ? 

* Is all the gift thou bringest home, dear child, 

* This ? O, was this the prize for which I came 

* O'er land and sea ? O, stab me very deep, 
*If ye have any pity; hurl on me 

* Your every spear, Rutulians ; make of me 

* Your swords* first work. Or, Father of the gods I 

* Show mercy, thou ! and with thy lightning touch 

[J8ft-519 

"This head accursl, and let it fall by thee 
" Down to the dark. For else what power is muie< 
" My tortured life to end ? " Her agony 
Smote on their listening souls; a wail of woe 
Along the concourse ran. Stem men-at-arms 
Felt valor for a moment sleep, and all 
Their rage of battle fail. But while she stirred 
The passion of her grief, Ilioneus 
And young lulus, weeping filial tears. 
Bade Actor and Idteus, lifting her 
Iq both their reverent arms, to bear her home. 

But now the brazen trumpet's fearsome song 
Blares loud, and startled shouts of soldiery 
Spread through the roaring sky. The Volscian band 
Press to the siege, and, locking shield with shield. 
Fill the great trenches, tear the palisades. 
Or seek approach by ladders up the walls. 
Where'er the line of the defenders thins, and light 
Through their black circle shines. The Trojans pour 
Promiscuous missiles down, and push out hard 
With heavy poles — so well have they been schooled 
To fight against long sieges. They fling down 
A crushing weight of rocks, in hope to break 
Th' assailing line, where roofed in serried shields 
The foe each charge repels. But not for long ^_ 
The siegers stand ; along their dense array ^H 

The crafty Teucrians down the rampart roll ^| 
A boulder like a hill-top. laying low 
The Rutule troop and crashing through their shields- 
Nor may the bold RutuUan longer hope 

519-54i{] BOOK IX 315 

To keep in cover, but essays to storm 

Only with far-flung shafts the bastion strong. 

Here grim Mezentius, terrible to see. 
Waved an Etrurian pine, and made his war 
With smoking firebrands ; there, in equal rage, 
Messapus, the steed-tamer, Neptune's son. 
Ripped down the palisade, and at the breach 
Strung a steep path of ladders up the wall. 

Aid, O Calliope, the martial song! 
Tell me what carnage and how many deaths 
The sword of Tumus wrought : what peer in arms 
Each hero to the world of ghosts sent down. 
Unroll the war's great book before these eyes. 

A tower was there, well-placed and looming large. 
With many a lofty bridge, which desperately 
Th' Italians strove to storm, and strangely plied 
Besieging enginery to cast it down: 
The Trojans hurled back stones, or, standing close. 
Flung through the loopholes a swift shower of spears. 
But Tumus launched a firebrand, and pierced 
The wooden wall with flame, which in the wind 
Leaped larger, and devoured from floor to floor. 
Burning each beam away. The trembling guards 
Sought flight in vain ; and while they crowded close 
Into the side unkindled yet, the tower 
Bowed its whole weight and fell, with sudden crash 
That thundered through the sky. Along the ground 
Half dead the warriors fell (the crushing mass 

S16 

(543-503 

Piled over them) by their own pointed spears 
Pierced to the heart, or wounded mortally 
By cruel splinters of the wreck. Two men, 
Helenor one, and Lycus at his side. 
Alone get free. Helenor of the twain 
Was a mere youth; the slave Lycymnia 
Bore him in secret to the Lydian King, 
And, arming him by stealth, had sent away 
To serve the Trojan cause. One naked sword 
For arms had he, and on his virgin shield 
No blazon of renown ; but when be saw 
The hosts of Turnus front him, and the lines 
This way and that of Latins closing round, — 
As a fierce, forest-creature, brought to bay 
In circling pack of huntsmen, shows its teeth 
Against the naked spears, and scorning death 
Leaps upward on the javelins, — even so, 
Not loth to die, the youthful soldier fiew 
Straight at the centre of his foes, and where 
The shining swords looked thickest, there he sprung^ 
But Lycus, swifter-footed, forced his way 
Past the opposing spears and made escape 
Far as the city-wall, where he would fain 
Clutch at the coping and climb up to cla^p 
Some friend above : but Tumus, spear in hand, 
Had hotly followed, and exulting loud 
Thus taunted him, " Hadst thou the hope, rash fool, 
"Beyond this grasp to fly ?" So, as he clung. 
He tore him down ; and with him broke and 
A huge piece of the wall : not otherwise 
A frail hare, or a swan of snow- 

1^ 

I 

um broke and fell^^H 
otherwise ^^| 

v-white wing, ^^H 

«M^ns] BOOK IX S17 

Is clutijied in eagle-talcms, when the bird 

Of Jove soars skyward with his prey ; or tender Iamb 

FVom bleating mother and the broken fold 

Is stolen by the wolf of Mars. Wild shouts 

On every side resound. In closer sic^ 

The foe press on, and heap the trenches full. 

Or hurl hot-flaming torches at the towers. 

Hioneus with mountain-mass of stone 
Struck down Lucetius, as he crept with fire 
Too near the city-gate. Emathion fell 
By Ljger's hand» and Corynseus' death 
Asilas dealt : one threw the javelin well ; 
Th' insidious arrow was Asilas' skill. 
Ortygius was slain by Cseneus, then 
Victorious Cseneus fell by Tumus* ire. 
Then smote he Dioxippus, and laid low 
Itys and Fromolus and Sagaris 
And Clonius, and from the lofty tower 
Shot Idas down. The shaft of Capys pierced 
Frivemus, whom Themilla's javelin 
But now had lightly grazed, and he, too bold, 
Casting his shield far from him, had outspread 
His left hand on the wound : then sudden flew 
The feathered arrow, and the hand lay pinned 
Against his left side, while the fatal barb 
Was buried in his breathing life. 

The son 
Of Arcens now stood forth in glittering arms. 
His broidered cloak was red Iberian stain, 
And beautiful was he. Arcens his sire 

[fi83~fiU 

Had sent him to the war ; but he was bred 

Id a Siciliao forest by a stream 

To his nj-mph-mother dear, where rose the shrine 

Of merciful Palicus, blest and fair. 

But, lo! Mezentius his spear laid by. 

And whirled three times about his head the thong 

Of his loud sling : the leaden bullet clove 

The youth's mid-forehead, and his towering foi 

Fell prostrate its full length along the ground. 

T was then Ascaniua first shot forth in war 
The arrow swift from which all creatures wild 
Were wont to fly in fear : and he struck down 
With artful aim Numanus, sturdy foe. 
Called Remulus, who lately was espoused 
To Tumus' younger sister. He had stalked 
Before the van, and made vociferous noise 
Of truths and falsehoods foul and base, his heart 
Puffed up with new-found greatness. Up and down 
He strode, and swelled his folly with loud words: 
"No shame have ye this second time to stay 
" Cooped close within a rampart's craven siege, 
"O Phrygians twice-vanquished? Is a wall 
" Your sole defence from death ? Are such the men 
" Who ask our maids in marriage ? Say what god, 
"\^^lat doting madness, rather, drove ye here 
"To Italy? This way ye will not find 
"The sons of Atreus nor the trickster tongue 
" Of voluble Ulysses. Sturdy stock 
"Are we; our softest new-born babes we dip 
"In chilling rivera, till they bear right well 

■The current's bitter cold. Our slender lads 
'Hunt night and day and rove the woods at large, 

* Or for their merriment break stubborn steeds, 

* Or bend the horn-tipped bow. Our manly prime 
*In willing labor lives, and is inured 
*To poverty and scantness; we subdue 

* Our lands with rake and mattock, or in war 

* Bid strong-walled cities tremble. Our whole life 
*Is spent in use of iron; and we goad 
'The flanks of bullocks with a javelin's end. 
*Nor doth old age, arriving late, impair 
*Our brawny vigor, nor corrupt the soul 
*To frail decay. But over silvered brows 

We bind the helmet. Our unfailing joy 
'Is rapine, and to pile the plunder high. 
"But ye! your gowns are saffron needlework 

Or Tyrian purple ; ye love shameful ease. 

Or dancing revelry. Your tunics flow 

Long-sleeved, and ye have soft caps ribbon-bound. 

Aye, Phrygian girls are ye, not Phrygian men ! 

Hence to your hill of Dindjnnus ! Go hear 

The twy-mouthed piping ye have loved so long. 

The timbrel, hark ! the Berecynthian flute 

Calls you away, and Ida's goddess calls. 

Leave arms to men, true men ! and quit the sword ! " 

Of such loud insolence and words of shame 
Ascanius brooked no more, but laid a shaft 
Athwart his bowstring, and with arms stretched wide 
Took aim, first offering suppliant vow to Jove: 
"Almighty Jupiter, thy favor show 

[62J-S4fl 

"To my bold deed! So to thy shrine I bear 
" Gifts year by year, and to thine altars lead 
" A bull with gilded brows, snow-white, and tail 
"As his own dam, what time his youth begins 
"To lower his horns and fling the sand in air." 
The Father heard, and from a cloudless sl^ 
Thundered to leftward, while the deadly bow 
Resounded and the arrow's fearful song 
Hissed from the string ; it struck unswervingly 
The head of Remuius and clove its way 
Deep in the hollows of his brow. " Begone! 
"Proud mocker at the brave! Lo, this reply 
"Twice-vanquished Phrj'gians to Rutulia aeod." 
Ascanius said no more. The Teucrians 
With deep-voiced shout of joy applaud, and lift 
Their exultation starward. Then from heavai 
The flowing-haired Apollo bent his gaze 
Upon Ausonia's host, and cloud -enthroned 
Looked downward o'er the city, speaking thtu 
To fair lulus in his victory: 
"Hail to thy maiden prowess, boy! This way 
"The starward path to dwelling-place divine. 
" O sired of gods and sire of gods to come, 
" All future storms of war by Fate ordained 
"Shall into peace and lawful calm subside 
" Beneath the offspring of Assaracus. 
"No Trojan destinies thy glory bound." 

So saying, from his far, ethereal seat 

He hied him down, and, cleaving the quick winds 

Drew near Ascanius. He wore the guise 

Of aged Butes, who erewhile had borne 

Anchises' armor and kept trusty guard 

Before his threshold, but attended now 

Ascanius, by commandment of his sire. 

Clad in this graybeard's every aspect, moved 

Apollo forth, — his very voice and hue. 

His hoary locks and grimly sounding shield» — 

And to the flushed lulus spoke this word : 

Child of .£neas, be content that now 

Numanus unavenged thine arrows feels. 

Such dawn of glory great Apollo's will 

Concedes, nor envies thee the fatal shaft 

So like his own. But, tender youth, refrain 

Hereafter from this war ! " So said divine 

Apollo, who, while yet he spoke, put by 

His mortal aspect, and before their eyes 

Melted to viewless air. The Teucrians knew 

The vocal god with armament divine 

Of arrows ; for his rattling quiver smote 

Their senses as he fled. Obedient 

To Phoebus' voice they held back from the fray 

lulus' fury, and their eager souls 

Faced the fresh fight and danger's darkest frown. 

From tower to tower along the bastioned wall 
Their war-cry flew : they bend with busy hand 
The cruel bow, or swing the whirling thong 
Of javelins. The earth on every side 
Is strewn with spent shafts, the reverberant shield 
And hollow helmet ring with blows ; the fight 
More fiercely swells ; not less the bursting storm 

822 THE JSNEID [609-600 

From watery Kid-stars in the western sky 
Lashes the plain, or multitudinous hail 
Beats upon shallow seas, when angry Jove 
Flings forth tempestuous and boundless rain. 
And splits the bellied clouds in darkened air. 

The brothers Pandarus and Bitias, 

Of whom Alcanor was the famous sire. 

On Ida bom, and whom Isera bred 

In sacred wood of Jove, an oread she. 

Twin warriors, like their native hills and trees 

Of stature proud, now burst those portals wide 

To them in ward consigned, and sword in hand 

Challenge the foe to enter. Side by side. 

Steel-clad, their tall heads in bright crested helms, 

To left and right, like towers, the champions stand: 

As when to skyward, by the gliding waves 

Of gentle Athesis or Padus wide, 

A pair of oaks uprise, and lift in air 

Their shaggy brows and nodding crests sublime. 

In burst the Rutules where the onward way 

Seemed open wide; Quercens no tarrying knows. 

Nor proud Aquiculus in well-wrought arms; 

Tmarus sweeps on impetuous, and the host 

Of Hsemon, child of Mars. Sonje routed fly ; 

Some lay their lives down at the gate. Wild 

rage 
O'erflows each martial breast, and gathered 

fast 
The Trojans rally to one point, and dare 
Close conflict, or long sallies o'er the plain. 

To Turnus, who upon a distant field 

Was storming with huge havoc, came the news 

That now his foe, before a gate thrown wide. 

Was red with slaughter. His own fight he stays. 

And speeds him, by enormous rage thrust on, 

To those proud brethren at the Dardan wall. 

There first Antiphates, who made his war 

Far in the van (a Theban captive's child 

To great Sarpedon out of wedlock bom). 

He felled to earth with whirling javelin : 

Th* Italic shaft of cornel lightly flew 

Along the yielding air, and through his throat 

Pierced deep into the breast ; a gaping wound 

Gushed blood ; the hot shaft to his bosom clung. 

Then Erymas and Merops his strong hand 

Laid low : Aphidnus next, then came the turn 

Of Bitias, fiery-hearted, furious-eyed : 

But not by javelin, — such cannot fall 

By flying javelin, — the ponderous beam 

Of a phalaric spear, with mighty roar. 

Like thunderbolt upon him fell ; such shock 

Neither the buU's-hides of his double shield 

Nor twofold corselet's golden scales could stay. 

But all his towering frame in ruin fell. 

Earth groaned, and o'er him rang his ample shield. 

So crashes down from Baise's storied shore 

A rock-built mole, whose mighty masonry. 

Piled up with care, men cast into the sea; 

It trails its wreckage far, and fathoms down 

Lies broken in the shallows, while the waves 

Whirl every way, and showers of black sand 

824 THE iENEID [715-786 

Are scattered on the air : with thunder-sound 
Steep Proehyta is shaken, and that bed 
Of cruel stone, Inarime, which lies 
Heaped o'er Typhoeus by revenge of Jove. 

Now to the Latins Mars, the lord of war. 
Gave might and valor, and to their wild hearts 
His spur applied, but on the Teucrians breathed 
Dark fear and flight. From every quarter came 
Auxiliar hosts, where'er the conflict called. 
And in each bosom pulsed the god of war. 
When Pandaiiis now saw his brother's corse 
Low lying, and which way the chance and tide 
Of battle ran, he violently moved 
The swinging hinges of the gate, and strained 
With both his shoulders broad. He shut outside 
Not few of his own people, left exposed 
In fiercest fight • but others with himself 
He barred inside and saved them as they fled ; 
Nor noted, madman, how the Rutule King 
Had burst in midmost of the line, and now 
Stood prisoned in their wall, as if he were 
Some monstrous tiger among helpless kine. 
His eyeballs strangely glared ; his armor rang 
Terrific, his tall crest shook o'er his brows 
Blood-red, and lightnings glittered from his shield. 
Familiar loomed that countenance abhorred 
And frame gigantic on the shrinking eyes 
Of the iEneadse. Then Pandarus 
Sprang towering forth, all fever to revenge 
His brother's slaughter. '* Not this way, " he cried, 

737-7eo] BOOK IX 825 

*'Amata's marriage-gift! No Ardea here 
** Mews Tumus in his fathers' halls. Behold 
**Thy foeman's castle! Thou art not allowed 
**To take thy leave." But Tumus looked his way. 
And smiled with heart unmoved. *' Begin ! if thou 
^Hast manhood in thee, and meet steel with steel! 
** Gro tell dead Priam thou discoverest here 
** Achilles I" For reply, the champion tall 
Hurled with his might and main along the air 
His spear of knotted wood and bark untrimmed. 
But all it wounded was the passing wind. 
For Saturn's daughter turned its course awry. 
And deep in the great gate the spear-point drove. 
^Now from the stroke this right arm means for thee 
*^Thou shalt not fly. Not such the sender of 
''This weapon and this wound.'' He said, and towered 
Aloft to his full height; the lifted sword 
Clove temples, brows, and beardless cheeks clean 

through 
With loudly ringing blow ; the ground beneath 
Shook with the giant's ponderous fall, and, lo. 
With nerveless limbs, and brains spilt o'er his shield» 
Dead on the earth he lay ! in equal halves 
The sundered head from either shoulder swung. 
In horror and amaze the' Trojans all 
Dispersed and fled ; had but the conqueror thought 
To break the barriers of the gates and call 
His followers through, that fatal day had seen 
An ending of the Teucrians and their war. 

• 

But frenzied joy of slaughter urged him on. 

8S6 THE ^NEID [761-78S 

Infuriate, to smite the scattering foe. 

First Phaleris he caught; then cut the knees 

Of Gyges ; both their spears he snatched away 

And hurled them at the rout; 'twas Juno roused 

His utmost might of rage. Now Halys fell» 

And Ph^eus, whom he pierced right through the 

shield : 
Next, at the walls and urging reckless war» 
Alcander, Halius, and Noemon gave 
Their lives, and Prytanis went down. In vain 
Lynceus made stand and called his comrades brave: 
For Tumus from the right with waving sword 
Caught at him and lopped off with one swift blow 
The head, which with its helmet rolled away. 
Next Amycus, destroyer of wild beasts. 
Who knew full well to smear a crafty barb 
With venomed oil ; young Clytius he slew. 
Son of the wind-god ; then on Cretheus fell, 
A follower of the muses and their friend : 
Cretheus, whose every joy it was to sing. 
And fit his numbers to the chorded lyre ; 
Steeds, wars, armed men were his perpetual song. 

At last the Teucrian chiefs had heard the tale 
Of so much slaughter; and in council met 
Are Mnestheus and Serestus bold, who see 
Their comrades routed and the conquering foe 
Within the gates. Cries Mnestheus, "Whither fly? 

" What open way is yonder or what wall ? 

** Beyond these ramparts lost what stronger lie ? 

^* Shall one lone man here in your walls confined. 

''Make havoc unavenged and feed the grave 
** With your best warriors? O cowards vile! 
**For your sad country and her ancient gods 
And for renowned iSneas, can ye feel 
No pity and no shame ? " Enflamed to fight 
By words like these, they close the line, and stand 
In strong array. So Tumus for a space 
Out of the battle step by step withdrew 
To make the river-bank his rearguard strong ; 
"Whereat the Teucrians, shouting loud, swept on 
The fiercer, and in solid mass pressed round. 

As when a troop of hunters with keen spears 

Encircle a wild lion, who in fear. 

But glaring grim and furious, backward falls. 

Valor and rage constrain him ne'er to cease 

Fronting the foe ; yet not for all his ire 

Can he against such serried steel make way : 

So Tumus backward with a lingering step 

Unwilling drew, and wrath his heart o'erflowed. 

For twice already had he cloven a path 

Into the foe's mid-press, and twice had driven 

Their flying lines in panic through the town. 

But now the whole throng from the camp he sees 
Massed to the onset. Nor will Juno now 
Dare give him vigor to withstand, for Jove 
Had sent aerial Iris out of heaven 
With stem commandment to his sister-queen 
That Tumus from the Teucrian walls retire. 
Therefore the warrior's shield avails no more, 

S28 THE iENEID [807-818 

Nor his strong arm; but he is overthrown 
By general assault. Around his brows 
His smitten hehnet rings; the ponderous maH 
Cracks under falling stones ; the haughty plumes 
Are scattered from his head, nor can the boss 
Of his stout shield endure; the Trojans hurl 
Redoubled rain of spears; and with them speeds 
Mnestheus like thunderbolt. The hero's flesh 
Dissolves in sweat; no room to breathe has he; 
His limbs are spent and weary; his whole frame 
Shakes with his gasping breath : then bounding forth 
With all his harness on, headlong he plunged 
Into the flowing stream ; its yellow tide 
Embraced him as he fell, and gentle waves 
Restored him smiling to his friends in arms. 
With all the gore and carnage washed away.

M 

.EANWHiLB Oljrmpus» Seat of sovereign sway» 
Threw wide its portals, and in conclave fair 
The Sire of gods and King of all mankind 
Summoned th' immortals to his starry court» 
Whence, high-enthroned, the spreading earth he 

views — 
And Teucria's camp and Latium's fierce array. 

Beneath the double-gated dome the gods 
Were sitting ; Jove himself the silence broke : 
*0 people of Oljrmpus, wherefore change 
*Your purpose and decree, with partial minds 
*In mighty strife contending ? I refused 
*Such clash of war 'twixt Italy and Troy. 

* Whence this forbidden feud ? What fears 

* Seduced to battles and injurious arms 

* Either this folk or that ? Th' appointed hour 

* For war shall be hereafter — speed it not ! — 

* When cruel Carthage to the towers of Rome 
*ShaU bring vast ruin, streaming fiercely down 
*The opened Alp. Then hate with hate shall vie, 

* And havoc have no bound. Till then, give o'er, 

* And smile upon the concord I decree!" 

Thus briefly, Jove. But golden Venus made 
Less brief reply. "O Father, who dost hold 

330 THE iENEID 

"O'er Man and all things an immortal sway! 

" Of what high throne may gods the aid implore 

"Save thine? Behold of yonder Rutuli , 

"Th' insulting scorn! Among them Tumus movi 

"In chariot proud, and boasts triumphant war 

" In mighty words. Nor do their walls defend 

"My Teucrians now. But in their very gates, 

"And on their mounded ramparts, in close fight 

"They breast their foes and fill the moata with bloj 

"^neas knows not, and is far away. 

" Will ne'er the siege have done ? A second time 

" Above Troy's rising walls the foe impends ; 

"Another host is gathered, and once more 

"From bis jEtolian Arpi wrathful speeds 

"A Diomed. I doubt not that for me 

"Wounds are preparing. Yea, thy daughter dear I 

" Awaits a mortal sword ! If by thy will 

" Unblest and unapproved the Trojans ca 

"To Italy, for such rebellious crime 

"Give them their due. nor lend them succor, tin 

"With thy strong hand ! But if they have obeyed 

"Unnumbered oraeles from gods above 

"And sacred shades below, who now has power 

"To thwart thy bidding, or to weave a 

"The web of Fate? Why speak of ships consume^ 

"Along my hallowed Erycinian shore? 

"Or of the Lord of Storms, whose furious blasts . 

"Were summoned from ^olia? Why tell 

" Of Iris sped from heaven ? Now she moves 

"The region of the shades (one kingdom yet 

"From her attempt secure) and thence lets loose i 

cc 

Alecto on the world above, who strides 
In frenzied wrath along th' Italian hills. 
"No more my heart now cherishes its hope 
''Of domination, though in happier days 
**Such was thy promise. Let the victory fall 
-To victors of thy choice! If nowhere lies 
**The land thy cruel Queen would deign accord 
**Unto the Teucrian people, — O my sire, 
^I pray thee by yon smouldering wreck of Troy 
•*To let Ascanius from the clash of arms 
** Escape unscathed. Let my own oflFspring live! 
**Yea, let iEneas, tossed on seas unknown, 
**Find some chance way; let my right hand avail 
''To shelter him and from this fatal war 
" In safety bring. For Amathus is mine. 
Mine are Cythera and the Paphian hills 
And temples in Idalium. Let him drop 
The sword, and there live out inglorious days. 
By thy decree let Carthage overwhelm 
Ausonia's power; nor let defence be found 
To stay the Tyrian arms ! What profits it 
That he escaped the wasting plague of war 
And fled Argolic fires ? or that he knew 
So many perils of wide wilderness 
"And waters rude? The Teucrians seek in vain 
"A new-bom Troy in Latium. Better far 
*' Crouched on their country's ashes to abide, 
"And keep that spot of earth where once was Troy! 
" Give back, O Father, I implore thee, give 
"Xanthus and Simois back! Let Teucer's sons 
"Unfold once more the tale of Ilium's woe!'* 

« 

« 

SSS THE iENEID [(»-^ 

Then sovereign Juno, flushed with solemn scorn. 
Made answer. '^Dost thou bid me here profane 
**The silence of my heart, and gossip forth 
**Of secret griefs ? What will of god or man 
"Impelled iEneas on his path of war, 
** Or made him f oeman of the Latin King ? 
**Fate brought him to Italia? Be it so! 
** Cassandra's frenzy he obeyed. What voice — 
**Say, was it mine? — urged him to quit his camp» 
"Risk life in storms, or trust his war, his walls» 
"To a boy-captain, or stir up to' strife 
"Etruria's faithful, unoffending sons? 
"What god, what pitiless behest of mine, 
" Impelled him to such harm ? Who traces here 
The hand of Juno, or of Iris sped 
From heaven ? Is it an ignoble stroke 
That Italy around the new-bom Troy 
Makes circling fire, and Tumus plants his heel 
On his hereditary earth, the son 
"Of old Pilumnus and the nymph divine, 
Venilia ? For what offence would Troy 
Bring sword and fire on Latium, or enslave 
Lands of an alien name, and bear away 
Plunder and spoil ? Why seek they marriages. 
And snatch from arms of love the plighted maids? 
An olive-branch is in their hands ; their ships 
"Make menace of grim steel. Thy power one day 
Ravished -^neas from his Argive foes. 
And gave them shape of cloud and fleeting air 
To strike at for a man. Thou hast transformed 
"His ships to daughters of the sea. What wrong 

« 

« 

<c 
(( 

d^lM] BOOK X 8S3 

^lf I, not less, have lent the Rutuli 
^Something of strength in war? JBneas, then, 
*Is far away and knows not! Far away 
' Let him remain, not knowing ! If thou sway'st 
'Cythera, Paphos, and Idalium, 
*Why rouse a city pregnant with loud wars, 
*And fiery hearts provoke? That fading power 

* Of Phrygia, do I, forsooth, essay 
*To ruin utterly? O, was it I 

* Exposed ill-fated Troy to Argive foe ? 
*For what oflFenee in vast array of arms 
^ Did Europe rise and Asia, for a rape 

* Their peace dissolving ? Was it at my word 
'Th' adulterous Dardan shepherd came to storm 
*The Spartan city? Did my hand supply 

' His armament, or instigate a war 
*For Cupid's sake? Then was thy decent hour 
*To tremble for thy children; now too late 
'The folly of thy long lament to Heaven, 
*And objurgation vain." Such Juno's plea; 
The throng of gods with voices loud or low 
Gave various reply : as gathering winds 
Sing through the tree-tops in dark syllables. 
And fling faint murmur on the far-off sea. 
To tell some pilot of to-morrow's storm. 

Then Jupiter omnipotent, whose hands 
Have governance supreme, b^an reply ; 
Deep silence at his word Olympus knew. 
Earth's utmost cavern shook ; the realms of light 
Were silent; the mild zephyrs breathed no more. 

S34 

[108-m 

And perfect calm o'erspread the levelled sea. 
"Give ear, ye gods, and in your hearts record 
" My mandate and decree. Fate yet allows 
"No peace 'twixt Troy and Italy, nor bids 
" Your quarrel end. Therefore, what Chance this day 
"To either foe shall bring, whatever hope 
"Either may cherish, — -the Hutulian cause 
"And Trojan have like favor in my eyes. 
"The destinies of Italy constrain 
"The siege; which for the fault of Troy fulfils 
"An oracle of woe. Yon Kutule host 
"I scatter not. But of his own attempt 
"Let each the triumph and the burden bear; 
"For Jove is over all an equal King, 
"The Fates will find the way." 

The god confirmed 

His sentence by his Stygian brother's wave. 

The shadowy fiood and black, abysmal shore. 

He nodded ; at the bending of his brow 

Olympus shook. It is the council's end. 

Now from the golden throne uprises Jove; 

The train of gods attend him to the doors. 

Meanwhile at every gate the Rutule foe 
Urges the slaughter on, and closes round 
The battlements with ring of flame. The host 
Of Trojans, prisoned in the palisades. 
Lies in strict sii^e and has no hope to fly. 
In wretched plight they man the turrets tall. 
To no avail, and with scant garrison 
The ramparts crown. In foremost line of guard 

1£2-145] BOOK X 9S5 

Are Asius Imbrasides, the twin 

Assaraci, and Hicetaon's son 

Thymoetes, and with Castor at his side 

The veteran Thjrmbris ; then the brothers both 

Of slain Sarpedon, and from Lycian steep 

Clarus and Themon. With full-straining thews 

Lifting a rock, which was of some huge hill 

No fragment small, Lymesian Acmon stood ; 

Nor less than Clytius his sire he seemed, 

Nor Mnestheus his great brother. Some defend 

The wall with javelins ; some hurl down stones 

Or firebrands, or to the sounding string 

Fit arrows keen. But lo ! amid the throng. 

Well worth to Venus her protecting care, 

The Dardan boy, whose princely head shone 

forth 
Without a helm, like radiant jewel set 
In burnished gold for necklace or for crown ; 
Or like immaculate ivory inclosed 
In boxwood or Orician terebinth ; 
His tresses o'er his white neck rippled down, 
Confined in circlet of soft twisted gold. 
Thee, too, the warrior nations gaze upon. 
High-nurtured Ismarus, inflicting wounds 
With shafts of venomed reed : Mseonia's vale 
Thy cradle was, where o'er the fruitful fields 
Well-tilled and rich, Pactolus pours his gold. 
Mnestheus was there, who, for his late repulse 
Of Tumus from the rampart, towered forth 
In glory eminent; there Capys stood, 
Whose name the Capuan citadel shall bear* 

8S6 THE iENEID [146-167 

While these in many a shock of grievous war 
Hotly contend, iEneas cleaves his way 
At midnight through the waters. He had fared 
From old Evander to th' Etruscan folk» 
Addressed their King, and to him told the tale 
Of his own race and name, his suit, his powers; 
Of what allies Mezentius had embraced. 
And Tumus' lawless rage. He bids him know 
How mutable is man, and warning gives. 
With supplication joined. Without delay 
Tarchon made amity and sacred league. 
Uniting with his cause. The Lydian tribe. 
Now destined from its tyrant to be free. 
Embarked, obedient to the gods, and gave 
All^iance to the foreign King. The ship 
iEneas rode moved foremost in the line : 
Its beak a pair of Phrygian lions bore; 
Above them Ida rose, an emblem dear 
To exiled Trojans. On his lofty seat 
Was great iEneas, pondering the events 
Of changeful war; and clinging to his side 
The youthful Pallas fain would learn the lore 
Of stars, the highway of dark night, and asks 
The story of his toils on land and sea. 

Now open Helicon and move my song. 

Ye goddesses, to tell what host in arms 

Followed iEneas from the Tuscan shore. 

And manned his ships and travelled o'er the sea ! 

First Massicus his brazen Tigress rode, 

Cleaving the brine; a thousand warriors 

ie7-189] BOOK X 887 

Were with him out of Clusium's waUs, or from 

The citadel of Cosae, who for arms 

Had arrows, quivers from the shoulder slung. 

And deadly bows. Grim Abas near him sailed ; 

His whole band wore well-blazoned mail ; hb ship 

Displayed the form of Phoebus, all of gold : 

To him had Populonia consigned 

(His mother-city, she) six hundred youth 

Well-proven in war; three hundred Elba gave» 

An island rich in unexhausted ores 

Of iron, like the Chalybes. Next came 

Asilas, who betwixt the gods and men 

Interprets messages and reads clear signs 

In victims' entrails, or the stars of heaven, 

Or bird-talk, or the monitory flames 

Of lightning : he commands a thousand men 

Close lined, with bristling spears, of Pisa all. 

That Tuscan city of Alpheus sprung. 

Then Astur followed, a bold horseman he, 

Astur in gorgeous arms, himself most fair: 

Three hundred are his men, one martial mind 

Uniting all : in Caere they were bred 

And Minio's plain, and by the ancient towers 

Of Pyrgo or Gravisca's storm-swept hill. 

Nor thy renown may I forget, brave chief 
Of the Ligurians, Cinyrus ; nor thine, 
Cupavo, with few followers, thy crest 
The tall swan-wings, of love unblest the sign 
And of a father fair : for legends tell 
That Cycnus, for his Phaethon so dear 

S88 THE iENEID [190-«10 

Lamenting loud beneath the poplar shade 

Of the changed sisters, made a mournful song 

To soothe his grief and passion : but erewhile. 

In his old age, there clothed him as he sang 

Soft snow-white plumes, and spuming earth he soared 

On high, and sped in music through the stars. 

His son with bands of youthful peers urged on 

A galley with a Centaur for its prow. 

Which loomed high o'er the waves, and seemed to 

hurl 
A huge stone at the water, as the keel 
Ploughed through the deep. 

Next Ocnus summoned forth 
A war-host from his native shores, the son 
Of Tiber, Tuscan river, and the nymph 
Manto, a prophetess : he gave good walls, 
O Mantua, and his mother's name, to thee, — 
To Mantua so rich in noble sires. 
But of a blood diverse, a triple breed. 
Four stems in each; and over all enthroned 
She rules her tribes : her strength is Tuscan bom. 
Hate of Mezentius armed against his name 
Five hundred men : upon their hostile prow 
Was Mincius in a cloak of silvery sedge, — 
Lake Benacus the river's source and sire. 

Last good Aulestes smites the depths below. 
With forest of a hundred oars : the flood 
Like flowing marble foams ; his Triton prow 
Threatens the blue waves with a trumpet-shell; 
Far as the hairy flanks its form is man. 

But ends in fish below — the parting waves 
Beneath the half-brute bosom break in foam^ 
Such chosen chiefs in thirty galleys ploughed 
The salt-wave, bringing help to Trojan arms. 

Day now had left the sky. The moon benign 
Had driven her night-wandering chariot 
To the mid-arch of heaven. iSneas sate. 
For thought and care allowed him no repose. 
Holding the helm and tending his own sails. 
But, as he sped, behold, the beauteous train. 
Lately his own, of nymphs, anon transformed 
By kind Cybebe to sea-ruling powers. 
In even ranks they swam the cloven wave, — 
Nymphs now, but once as brazen galleys moored 
Along the sandy shore. With joy they knew 
Then- King from far, and with attending train 
Around him drew. Cymodocea then. 
Best skilled in mortal speech, sped close behind. 
With her right hand upon the stem, uprose 
Breast-high, and with her left hand deeply plied 
The silent stream, as to the wondering King 
She called : " So late on watch, O son of Heaven, 
** ^neas ? Slack thy sail, but still watch on ! 
"We were the pine-trees on the holy top 
"Of Ida's mountain. Sea-nymphs now are we, 
" And thine own fleet. When, as we fled, the flames 
" Rained o'er us from the false Rutulian's hand 
" 'T was all unwillingly we cast away 
"Thy serviceable chains: and now once more 
"We follow thee across the sea. These forms 

<C 

<C 

C< 

840 THE ^NEID [233-256 

** Our pitying mother bade us take, with power 
To haunt immortally the moving sea. 
Lo, thy Ascanius lies close besi^ed 
In moated walls, assailed by threatening arms 
And Latium's front of war. Arcadia, 
"Her horsemen with the bold Etruscan joined. 
Stands at the place appointed. Tumus means. 
With troop opposing, their advance to bar 
**And hold them from the camp. Arouse thee, then, 
** And with the rising beams of dawn call forth 
Thy captains and their followers. Take that shield 
Victorious, which for thee the Lord of Fire 
Forged for a gift and rimmed about with gold. 
** To-morrow's light — deem not my words be vain! — 
Shall shine on huge heaps of Rutulia's dead." 
So saying, she pushed with her right hand the stem 
With skilful thrust, and vanished. The ship sped 
Swift as a spear, or as an arrow flies 
No whit behind the wind : and all the fleet 
Quickened its course. Anchises' princely son. 
Dumb and bewildered stood, but took good heart 
At such an omen fair. Then in few words 
With eyes upturned to heaven he made his prayer: 
Mother of gods, O Ida's Queen benign. 
Who lovest Dindymus and towns with towers, 
And lion-yokes obedient to thy rein, 
" Be thou my guide in battle, and fulfil 
"Thine augury divine. In Phrygia's cause 
"Be present evermore with favoring power!" 

He spoke no more. For now the wheels of day 

cc 

Had sped full circle into perfect light» 
The dark expelling. Then, for his first care. 
He bade his captains heed the signal given. 
Equip their souls for war, and wait in arms 
The coming fray. Now holds he full in view 
His Trojans and their fortress, as he stands 
Upon his towering ship. With his left hand 
He lifts his radiant shield ; then from the wall 
The Dardan warriors send a battle-cry 
That echoes to the stars, as kindling hope 
Their rage renews. A flight of spears they hurl : 
'T was like the cranes of Strymon, through dark clouds 
Each other calling, when they cleave the skies 
Vociferous, outwinging as they fly 
The swift south winds — loud music them pursues. 
Amazement on Ausonia's captains fell 
And Tumus, as they gazed. But soon they saw 
Ships pointing shoreward and the watery plain 
All stirring with a fleet. iEneas' helm 
Uplifted its bright peak, — like streaming flame 
The crimson crest ; his shield of orb^d gold 
Poured forth prodigious fire : it seemed as when 
In cloudless night a comet's blood-red beam 
Makes mournful splendor, or the Dog-star glows. 
Which rises to bring drought and pestilence 
To hapless men, and with ill-omened ray 
Saddens the sky. 

But Tumus, undismayed, 
Trusted not less to hurl th' invaders back 
And hold the shore against them. " Look !" he cried, 
^* Your prayer is come to pass, — that sword in hand 

S4St THE ^NEID [880-303 

"Ye now may shatter them. The might of Mara 
" Is in a true man's blow. Remember well 
"Each man his home and wife! Now call to mtod 
"The glory and great deeds of all your sires! 
"Charge to yon river-bank, while yet they take 
"With weak and fearful steps their shoreward wayl 
"Fortune will help the brave." 

With words like these. 
He chose, well- weighing, who should lead the charge, 
Who at the leaguered walla the fight sustain. 

jEneas straightway from his lofty ships 
Lets down his troop by bridges. Some await 
The ebbing of slack seas, and boldly leap 
Into the shallows ; others ply the oar. 
Tarchon a beach discovers, where the sands 
Sing not, nor waves with broken murmur fall. 
But full and silent swells the gentle sea. ^^t 

Steering in haste that way, he called his crewa : ^^M 
" Now bend to your stout oars, my chosen brave. ^H 
"Lift each ship forward, till her beak shall cleave 
"Yon hostile shore; and let her keel's full weight 
"The furrow drive. I care not if we break 
"Our ship's side in so sure an anchorage, 
"If once we land." While Tarchon urged them thus. 
The crews bent all together to their blades 
And sped their foaming barks to I^tium's plain. 
Till each beak gripped the sand and every keel 
Lay on dry land unscathed : ^ all save thine own» 
O Tarchon ! dashed upon a sand-bar, she ! 
Long poised upon the cruel ridge she hung, 

Tilted this way or that and beat the waves. 

Then split, and emptied forth upon the tide 

Her warriors ; and now the drifting wreck 

Of shattered oars and thwarts entangles them. 

Or ebb of swirling waters sucks them down. 

Tumus no lingering knows, but fiercely hurls 

His whole line on the Teucrians, and makes stand 

Along the shore. Now peals the trumpet's call. 

^neas in the van led on his troop 

Against the rustic foe, bright augury 

For opening war, and laid the Latins low. 

Slaughtering Theron, a huge chief who dared 

Offer ^neas battle; through the scales 

Of brazen mail and corselet stiff with gold 

The sword drove deep, and gored the gaping side. 

Then smote he Lichas, from his mother's womb 

Ripped in her dying hour, and unto thee, 

O Phoebus, vowed, because his infant days 

Escaped the fatal steel. Hard by him fell 

Stout Cisseus and gigantic Gyas ; these 

To death were hurled, while with their knotted clubs 

They slew opposing hosts ; but naught availed 

Herculean weapons, nor their mighty hands. 

Nor that Melampus was their sire, a peer 

Of Hercules, what time in heavy toils 

Through earth he roved. See next how Pharon boasts! 

But while he vainly raves, the whirling spear 

Smites full on his loud mouth. And also thou, 

Cydon, wast by the Trojan stroke o'erthrown. 

While following in ill-omened haste the steps 

Of Clytius, thy last joy, whose round cheek wore 

S44 THE iENEID [326-S49 

Its youthful golden down : soon hadst thou lain 
In death, unheeding of thy fancies fond 
Which ever turned to youth ; — but now arose 
The troop of all thy brothers, Phorcus' sons, 
A close array of seven, and seven spears 
They hurled : some from Eneas' helm or shield 
Glanced off in vain ; some Venus' kindly power. 
Just as they touched his body, turned away. 

^neas then to true Achates cried : 
"Bring on my speiirs : not one shall fruitless fly 
** Against yon Rutules, even as they pierced 
**The breasts of Greeks upon the Ilian plain." 
Then one great shaft he seized and threw; it sped 
Straight into Mseon's brazen shield, and clove 
His mail-clad heart. Impetuous to his aid 
Brother Alcanor came, and lifted up 
With strong right hand his brother as he fell : 
But through his arm a second skilful shaft 
Made bloody way, and by the sinews held 
The lifeless right hand from the shoulder swung. 
Then from his brother's body Numitor 
The weapon plucked and hurled it, furious, 
Upon iEneas; but it could not strike 
The hero's self, and grazed along the thigh 
Of great Achates. Next into the fight 
Clausus of Cures came, in youthful bloom 
Exulting, and with far-thrown javelin 
Struck Dryops at the chin, and took away 
From the gashed, shrieking throat both life and voice; 
The warrior's fallen forehead smote the dust ; 

S49-S72] BOOK X 345 

His lips poured forth thick blood. There also fell 
Three Thracians, offspring of the lordly stem 
Of Boreas, and three of Idas' sons 
From Ismara, by various doom struck down. 
Hakesus here his wild Auruncans brings; 
And flying to the fight comes Neptune's son, 
Messapus, famous horseman. On both sides 
Each charges on the foe. Ausonia's strand 
Is one wide strife. As when o'er leagues of air 
The envious winds give battle to their peers. 
Well-matched in rage and power; and neither they. 
Nor clouds above, nor plunging seas below 
Will end the doubtful war, but each withstands 
The onset of the whole — in such wild way 
The line of Trojans on the Latian line 
Hurls itself, limb on limb and man on man. 

But at a distance where the river's flood 
Had scattered rolling boulders and torn trees 
Uprooted from the shore, young Pallas spied 
Th' Arcadian band, unused to fight on foot. 
In full retreat, the Latins following close — 
Who also for the roughness of the ground 
Were all unmounted : he (the last resource 
Of men in straits) to wild entreaty turned 
And taunts, enkindling their faint hearts anew : 

** Whither, my men ! O, by your own brave deeds, 

** O, by our lord Evander's happy wars, 

** By the proud hopes I had to make my name 

" A rival glory, — think not ye can fly ! 

** Your swords alone can carve ye the safe way 

[378-39S 

*' Strsjgbt through your toes. Where yonder warrior- 
throng 
"Is fiercest, thickest, there and only there 
"Your country's honor calls for men like you, 
"And for your captain Pallas. Nay, no gods 
"Against us fight; we are but mortal men 
"Pressed by a mortal foe. Not more than ours 
"The number of their lives or swords. Behold, 
"The barrier of yonder spreading sea 
"Emprisons us, and for a craven flight 
" Yon lands are all too small. Ha ! Shall we steer 
"Across the sea to Troy?" 

He said, and sprang 
Pull in the centre of lus gathered foes. 
First in his path was Lagus, thither led 
By evil stars; whom, as he tried to lift 
A heavy stone, the shaft of Pallas pierced 
Where ribs and spine divide : backward he drew 
The clinging spear. But Hisbo from above 
Surprised him not, though meaning it; for while 
(In anger blind for friend unpitying slain) 
At Pallas' face he flew : — he, standing firm. 
Plunged deep into that swelling breast the sword. 
Then Sthenius he slew ; and next Anchemolus 
Of Biicetus' ancient line, who dared defile 
His step-dame's bridal bed. And also ye, 
Fair Thymber and Larides, Daueus' twins. 
Fell on that Rutule field ; so like were ye. 
Your own kin scarce discerned, and parents proud 
Smiled at the dear deceit ; but now in death 
Cruel unlikeness Pallas wrought ; thy head 

8M-415] BOOK X 847 

Fell, hapless Thymber, by Evander's sword ; 
And thy right hand, Larides, shorn away, 
Seemed feeling for its lord ; the fingers cold 
Clutched, trembling, at the sword. Now all the troop 
Of Arcady, their chief's great action seen, 
And by his warning roused, made at their foes. 
Spurred on by grief and shame. Next Pallas pierced 
The flying Rhoetus in his car ; this gained 
For Ilus respite and delay, for him 
The stout spear aimed at; but its flight was stopped 
By Rhoetus, as in swift retreat he rode, 
By the two high-born brothers close pursued» 
Teuthras and Tyres : from his car he rolled. 
Making deep furrows with his lifeless heels 
Along the Rutule plain. Oft when the winds 
Of summer, long awaited, rise and blow, 
A shepherd flres the forest, and the blaze 
Devours the dense grove, while o'er the fields. 
In that one moment, swift and sudden spread 
Grim Vulcan's serried flames ; from some high seat 
On distant hill, the shepherd peering down 
Sees, glad at heart, his own victorious fires : 
So now fierce valor spreads, uniting all 
In one confederate rage, 'neath Pallas' eyes. 

But the fierce warrior Halsesus next 

Led on the charge, behind his skilful shield 

Close-crouching. Ladon and Demodocus 

And Pheres he struck down ; his glittering blade 

Cut Strymon's hand, which to his neck was raised. 

Sheer off; with one great stone he crushed the brows 

848 THE iENEID [416-487 

Of Thoas, scattering wide the broken skull» 
Bones, brains, and gore. Hakesus' prophet-sire. 
Foreseeing doom, had hid him in dark groves; 
But when the old man's fading eyes declined 
In death, the hand of Fate reached forth and doomed 
The young life to Evander's sword ; him now 
Pallas assailed, first offering this prayer: 
" O Father Tiber, give my poising shaft 
" Through stout Halaesus' heart its lucky way I 
** The spoil and trophy of the hero slain 
** On thine own oak shall hang.*' 

.The god received 
The vow, and while Halaesus held his shield 
Over Imaon, his ill-fated breast 
Lay naked to th' Arcadian's hungry spear. 
But Lausus, seeing such a hero slain. 
Bade his troop have no fear, for he himself 
Was no small strength in war; and first he slew 
Abas, who fought hard, and had ever seemed 
Himself the sticking-point and tug of war. 
Down went Arcadia's warriors, and slain 
Etruscans fell, with many a Trojan brave 
The Greek had spared. Troop charges upon troop 
Well-matched in might, with chiefs of like renown; 
The last rank crowds the first ; — so fierce the press 
Scarce hand or sword can stir. Here Pallas stands, 
And pushes back the foe; before him looms 
Lausus, his youthful peer, conspicuous both 
In beauty; but no star will them restore 
To home and native land. Yet would the King 
Of high Olympus suffer not the pair 

488-H459] BOOK X 849 

To close in battle, but each hero found 
A later doom at hands of mightier foes. 

Now Tumus* goddess-sister bids him haste 
To Lausus' help. So he, in wheeling car, 
Cut through the lines ; and when his friends he saw, 
"Let the fight stop! " he cried, "for none but I 
"May strike at Pallas; unto me alone 
"The prize of Pallas falls. I would his sire 
" Stood by to see." He spake : his troop withdrew 
A fitting space. But as they made him room, 
The young prince, wondering at the scornful words, 
Liooked upon Turnus, glancing up and down 
That giant frame, and with fierce-frowning brows 
Scanned him from far, hurling defiant words 
In answer to the King's. " My honor now 
Shall have the royal trophy of this war. 
Or glorious death. For either fortune fair 
My sire is ready. Threaten me no more!" 
So saying, to the midmost space he strode. 
And in Arcadian hearts the blood stood still. 
Swift from his chariot Turnus leaped, and ran 
To closer fight. As when some lion sees 
From his far mountain-lair a raging bull 
That sniffs the battle from the grassy field. 
And down the steep he flies — such picture showed 
Grim Turnus as he came. But when he seemed 
Within a spear's cast, Pallas opened fight. 
Expecting Fortune's favor to the brave 
In such unequal match ; and thus he prayed : 
O, by my hospitable father's roof. 

« 

850 THE ^NEID [46(M88 

" Where thou didst enter as a stranger-guest, 
*^Hear me, Alcides, and give aid divine 
**To this great deed. Let Turnus see these hands 
** Strip from his half -dead breast the bloody spoil! 
"And let his eyes in death endure to see 
*His conqueror!" Alcides heard the youth: 
But prisoned in his heart a deep-drawn sigh. 
And shed vain tears ; for Jove, the King and Sire, 
Spoke with benignant accents to his son : 
**To each his day is given. Beyond recall 
" Man's little time runs by : but to prolong 
" Life's glory by great deeds is virtue's power. 
" Beneath the lofty walls of fallen Troy 
'* Fell many a son of Heaven. Yea, there was slain 
"Sarpedon, my own offspring. Turnus too 
Is summoned to his doom, and nears the bounds 
Of his appointed span." So speaking, Jove 
Turned from Rutulia's war his eyes away. 

But Pallas hurled his lance with might and main, 
And from its hollow scabbard flashed his sword. 
The flying shaft touched where the plated steel 
Over the shoulders rose, and worked its way 
Through the shield's rim — then falling, glanced 

aside 
Prom Turnus* giant body. Turnus then 
Poised, without haste, his iron-pointed spear. 
And, launching it on Pallas, cried, "Look now 
" Will not this shaft a good bit deeper drive ? " 
He said : and through the mid-boss of the shield. 
Steel scales and brass with buU's-hide folded round. 

€4 

484n504 BOOK X 351 

The quivering spear-point crashed resistlessly. 
And through the corselet's broken barrier 
Pierced Pallas' heart. The youth plucked out in vain 
The hot shaft from the wound ; his life and blood 
Together ebbed away, as sinking prone 
On his rent side he fell ; above him rang 
His armor ; and from lips with blood defiled 
He breathed his last upon his foeman's ground. 

Over him Tumus stood: "Arcadians all," 
He cried, "take tidings of this feat of arms 
To King Evander. With a warrior's wage 
His Pallas I restore, and freely grant 
What glory in a hero's tomb may lie. 
Or comfort in a grave. They dearly pay 
** Who bid iEneas welcome at their board." 
So saying, with his left foot he held down 
The lifeless form, and raised the heavy weight 
Of graven belt, which pictiu'ed forth that crime 
Of youthful company by treason slain. 
All on their wedding night, in bridal bowers 
To horrid murder given, — which Clonus, son 
Of Eurytus, had wrought in lavish gold ; 
This Tumus in his triumph bore away. 
Exulting in the spoil. O heart of man. 
Not knowing doom, nor of events to be ! 
Nor, being lifted up, to keep thy bounds 
In prosperous days ! To Tumus comes the hour 
When he would fain a prince's ransom give 
Had Pallas passed unscathed, and will bewail 
Such spoil of victory. 

With weeping now 
And lameDtatioDs loud his comrades lay 
Young Pallas on his shield, and thronging close 
Carry him homeward with a mournful song 
"Alas! the sorrow and the glorious gain 
"Thy sire shall have in thee. For one brief d) 
" Bore thee to battle and now bears away ; 
" Yet leavest thou full tale of foemen slain. 

i 

No doubtful rumor to jEneas breaks 

The direful news, but a sure messenger 

Tells him his followers' peril, and implores 

Prompt help for routed Troy. His ready sword 

Reaped down the nearest foes, and through their Kne 

Clove furious path and broad ; the valiant blade ^ 

Through oft-repeated bloodshed groped its way, ^| 

Proud Turnus, unto thee ! His heart beholds ^ 

Pallas and Sire Evander, their kind board 

In welcome spread, their friendly league of peace 

Proffered and sealed with him, the stranger-guest. 

So Sulmo's sons, four wairiors, and four 

Of Ufens sprung, he took alive — to slay 

As victims to the shades, and pour a stream 

Of captives' blood upon a darning pyre. 

Next from afar bis hostile shaft he threw 
At Mago, who with wary motion bowed 
Beneath the quivering weapon, as it sped 
Clean over him ; then at Eneas' knees 
He crouched and clung with supplicating cry: 
" O, by thy father's spirit, by thy hope 

525^47] BOOK X 853 

**In young lulus, I implore thee, spare 
** For son and father's sake this life of mine. 
" A lofty house have I, where safely hid 
** Are stores of graven silver and good weight 
Of wrought and un wrought gold. The fate of war 
Hangs not on me; nor can one little life 
** Thy victory decide." In answer spoke 
^neas : " Hoard the silver and the gold 
** For thy own sons. Such bartering in war 
** finished with Tumus, when fair Pallas fell. 
** Thus bids Anchises' shade, lulus — thus ! '* 
He spoke : and, grasping with his mighty left 
The helmet of the vainly suppliant foe, 
Bent back the throat and drove hilt-deep his sword. 

A little space removed, Hsemonides, 

A priest of Phoebus and pale Trivia, stood. 

Whose ribboned brows a sacred fillet bound : 

In shining vesture he, and glittering arms. 

Him too the Trojan met, repelled, and towered 

Above the fallen form, o'ermantling it 

In mortal shade; Serestus bore away 

Those famous arms a trophy vowed to thee, 

Gradivus, lord of war ! Soon to fresh fight 

Came Cseculus, a child of Vulcan's line. 

And Umbro on the Marsic mountains bred: 

These met the Trojan's wrath. His sword shore oflf 

Anxur's left hand, and the whole orbed shield 

Dropped earthward at the stroke: though Anxur's 

tongue 
Had boasted mighty things, as if great words 

[348-569 

mce 

ick 

pse I 

uthefS 

Would make hira strong, and lifting his proud heart 
As high as heaven, had hoped perchance to see 
Gray hairs and length of days. Then Tarquitiis 
Strode forth, exulting in his burnished anna 
(Him Dryope, the njTuph, to Faunus bore). 
And dared oppose Eneas' rage. But he 
Drew back his lance and, charging, crushed at once 
Corselet and ponderous shield; then off he struck 
The supplicating head, which seemed in vain 
Preparing speech; while o'er the reeking corpse 
The victor stood, and thrusting it away 
Spoke thus with wrathful soul : " Now He thou tl 
"Thou fearsome sight! No noble mother's hand 
"Shall hide thee in the ground, or give those limbs 
"To their ancestral tomb. Thou shalt be left 
" To birds of ravin ; or go drifting far 
" Along yon river to engulfing seas, 
"Where starving fishes on those wounds shall feed." 

Antsus next and Lucas he pursues. 

Though all in Tumus' van; and Numa bold 

And Camers tawny -tressed, the son and heir 

Of Volscens the stout-hearted, whose domain 

Surpassed the richest of Ausonia's lords, 

When over hushed Amyclae he was king. 

Like old Mgamn of the hundred arms. 

The bund red -handed, from whose mouths and 

breasts 
Blazed fifty fiery blasts, as he made war 
With fifty sounding shields and fifty swords 
Against Jove's thunder ; — so ^Eneas raged 

Victorious o'er the field, when once his steel 
Warmed to its work. 

But lo, he turns him now 
Where come ^phseus' bold-advancing wheels 
And coursers four, who, when at furious speed 
They faced his giant stride and dreadful cry, 
Upreared in panic, and reversing spilled 
Their captain to the ground, and bore away 
The chariot to the river's distant shore. 

Meanwhile, with two white coursers to their car. 
The brothers Lucagus and Liger drove 
Into the heart of battle : Liger kept 
With skilful hand the manage of the steeds; 
Bold Lucagus swung wide his naked sword, 
^neas, by their wrathful brows defied. 
Brooked not the sight, but to the onset flew. 
Huge-looming, with adverse and threatening spear. 
Cried Liger, " Not Achilles' chariot, ours ! 
" Nor team of Diomed on Phrygia's plain ! 
" The last of life and strife shall be thy meed 
••Upon this very ground." Such raving word 
Flowed loud from Liger's lip : not with a word 
The Trojan hero answered him, but flung 
His whirUng spear; and even as Lucagus 
Leaned o'er the horses, goading them with steel. 
And, left foot forward, gathered all his strength 
To strike — the spear crashed through the under rim 
Of his resplendent shield and entered deep 
In the left groin ; then from the chariot fallen. 
The youth rolled dying on the field, while thus 

[591-4 

Pious £neas paid him taunting words: 
"O Lucagus, thy chariot did not yield 
" Because of horses slow to fly, or scared 
" By shadows of a foe. It was thyself 
"Leaped o'er the wheel and fled," So saying, he 
grasped 
The horses by the rein. The brother then. 
Spilled also from the car, reached wildly forth 
His helpless hands: "O, by thy sacred head, 
" And by the parents who such greatness gave, 
"Good Trojan, let me live! Some pity show 
" To prostrate me ! " But ere he longer sued, 

jEneas cried, "Not so thy language ran 
" A moment gone ! Die thou ! Nor let this day 
" Brother from brother part ! " Then where the life 
Hides in the bosom, he thrust deep his sword. 
Thus o'er the field of war the Dardan King 
Moved on, death-dealing: like a breaking flood 
Or cloudy whirlwind seemed his wrath. Straightway 
The boy Ascanius from the ramparts came. 
His warriors with him; for the siege had failed. 

Now Jupiter to Juno thus began : 
" O ever-cherished spouse and sister dear, 
" Surely 't is Venus — as thy mind misgave — 
" Whose favor props — O, what discernment thine 1 — 
"Yon Trojan power; not swift heroic hands, 
"Nor souls of fury facing perilous war!" 

Juno made meek reply: "O noblest spouse 1 
"Why vex one sick at heart, who humbly fears 
" Thy stern command P If I coyld claim to-day 

618-eS4] BOOK X 857 

«C 

What once I had, my proper right and due» 
Love's influence, I should not plead in vain 
**To thee, omnipotent, to give me power 
**To lead oflf Tumus from the fight unscathed, 
**And save him at his father Daunus' prayer. 
"Aye, let him die! And with his loyal blood 
"The Teucrians' vengeance feed! Yet he derives 
** Prom our Saturnian stem, by fourth remove 
" Sprung from Pilumnus. Oft his liberal hands 
**Have heaped unstinted oflfering at thy shrine." 
Thus in few words th* Olympian King replied : 
If for the fated youth thy prayer implores 
Delay and respite of impending doom. 
If but so far thou bidst me interpose, — 
Gro, favor Turnus' flight, and keep him safe 
In this imperilled hour; I may concede 
Such boon. But if thy pleading words intend 
Some larger grace, and fain would touch or change 
The issue of the war, then art thou fed 
On expectation vain." With weeping eyes 
Juno made answer : *' Can it be thy mind 
Gives what thy words refuse, and Tumus* life. 
If rescued, may endure ? Yet afterward 
Some cruel close his guiltless day shall see — 
Or far from truth I stray ! O, that I were 
The dupe of empty fears ! and O, that thou 
Wouldst but refashion to some happier end 
** The things by thee begun — for thou hast power ! " 
She ceased ; and swiftly from the peak of heaven 
Moved earthward, trailing cloud-wrack through the 
air, 

M 
<C 
M 
M 

« 
«< 
M 
U 
U 
U 

858 THE iENEID [6S4-e56 

And girdled with the storm. She took her way 
To where Troy's warriors faced Laurentum's line. 
There of a hollow cloud the goddess framed 
A shape of airy, unsubstantial shade, 
JSneas' image, wonderful to see, 
And decked it with a Dardan lance and slueld, 
A crested helmet on the godlike head ; 
And windy words she gave of soulless sound. 
And motion like a stride — such shapes, they say. 
The hovering phantoms of the dead put on, 
Or empty dreams which cheat our slumbering eyes. 
Forth to the front of battle this vain shade 
Stalked insolent, and with its voice and spear 
Challenged the warrior. At it Turnus flew. 
And hurled a hissing spear with distant aim ; 
The thing wheeled round and fled. The foe forth- 
with. 
Thinking iEneas vanquished, with blind scorn 
Flattered his own false hope : " Where wilt thou fly, 
" Mneas ? Wilt thou break a bridegroom's word ? 
"This sword will give thee title to seme land 
" Thou hast sailed far to find ! " So clamoring loud 
He followed, flashing far his naked sword ; 
Nor saw the light winds waft his dream away. 

By chance in covert of a lofty crag 

A ship stood fastened and at rest; her sides 

Showed ready bridge and stairway ; she had brought 

Osinius, king of Clusium. Thither came 

iEneas' counterfeit of flight and fear, 

And dropped to darkness. Turnus, nothing loth. 

657-^79] BOOK X 359 

Gave dose chase, overleaping every bar. 
And scaling the high bridge; but scarce he reached 
The vessel's prow, when Juno cut her loose, 
The cables breaking, and along swift waves 
Pushed her to sea. Yet in that very hour 
^neas to the battle vainly called 
The vanished foe, and round his hard-fought path 
Stretched many a hero dead. No longer now 
The mocking shadow sought to hide, but soared 
Visibly upward and was lost in cloud. 
While Tumus drifted o'er the waters wide 
Before the wind. Bewildered and amazed 
He looked around him ; little joy had he 
In lus own safety, but upraised his hands 
In prayer to Heaven : " O Sire omnipotent ! 
'* Didst thou condemn me to a shame like this? 
" Such retribution dire ? Whither now ? 
** Whence came I here ? What panic wafts away 
« This Tumus — if 't is he ? Shall I behold 
•* Laurentum's towers once more ? But what of those 
** My heroes yonder, who took oath to me, 
"And whom — O sin and shame ! — I have betrayed 
** To horrible destruction? Even now 
** I see them routed, and my ears receive 
Their dying groans. What is this thing I do ? 
Where will the yawning earth crack wide enough 
"Beneath my feet? Ye tempests, pity me! 
** On rocks and reef — 't is Tumus* faithful prayer, 
"Let this bark founder; fling it on the shoals 
" Of wreckful isles, where no Rutulian eye 
" Can follow me, or Rumor tell my shame." 

860 THE iENEID [680-702 

With such wild words his soul tossed to and fro. 
Not knowing if to hide his infamy 
Wth his own sword and madly drive its blade 
Home to lus heart, or east him in the sea, 
And, swinmiing to the rounded shore, renew 
His battle with the Trojan foe. Three times 
Each fatal course he tried ; but Juno's power 
Three times restrained, and with a pilying hand 
The warrior's purpose barred. So on he sped 
O'er yielding waters and propitious tides. 
Far as his father Daunus' ancient town. 

At Jove's command Mezentius, breathing rage. 

Now takes the field and leads a strong assault 

Against victorious Troy. The Tuscan ranks 

Meet round him, and press hard on him alone. 

On him alone with vengeance multiplied 

Their host of swords they draw. As some tall cliflP, 

Projecting to the sea, receives the rage 

Of winds and waters, and untrembling bears 

Vast, frowning enmity of seas and skies, — 

So he. 

First Dolichaon's son he slew, 
Hebrus; then Latagus and Palmus, though 
They fled amain ; he smote with mighty stone 
Torn from the mountain, full upon the face 
Of Latagus ; and Palmus he let lie 
Hamstrung and rolling helpless; he bestowed 
The arms on his son Lausus for a prize. 
Another proud crest in his helm to wear; 
He laid the Phrygian Euanthus low; 

» 

And ^mas, Paris* comrade, just his age, — 
Bom of Theano's womb to Amycus 
IXs sire, that night when royal Hecuba, 
Teeming with firebrand, gave Paris birth: 
One in the city of his fathers sleeps; 
And one, inglorious, on Laurentian strand. 

As when a wild boar, harried from the hills 
By teeth of dogs (one who for many a year 
Was safe in pine-clad Vesulus, or roamed 
The meres of Tiber, feeding in the reeds) 
Falls in the toils at last, and stands at bay. 
Raging and bristling, and no hunter dares 
Defy him or come near, but darts are hurled 
From far away, with cries unperilous : 
Not otherwise, though righteous is their wrath 
Against Mezentius, not a man so bold 
As face him with drawn sword, but at long range 
They throw their shafts and with loud cries as- 
sail; 
He, all unterrified, makes frequent stand. 
Gnashing his teeth, and shaking off their spears. 

From ancient Corythus had Acron come, 
A Greek, who left half-sung his wedding-song. 
And was an exile; lum Mezentius saw 
Among long lines of foes, with flaunting plumes 
And purple garments from his plighted spouse. 
Then as a starving lion when he prowls 
About high pasture-lands, urged on his way 
By maddening hunger (if perchance he see 

362 THE ^NEID [7 

A flying she-goat or tall-antlered stag) 
Lifts up his shaggy mane, and gaping wide 
His monstrous jaws, springs at the creature's 
Feeding foul-lipped, insatiable of gore: 
So through hia gathered foes Mezentius 
Flew at his prey. He stretched along the groi 
Ill-fated Acron, who breathed life away, 
Beating the dark dust with his heels, and bathed 
His broken weapons in his blood. Nor deigned 
Mezentius to strike Orodes down 
As he took flight, nor deal a wound unseeo 
With far-thrown spear; but ran before his fi 
Fronting him man to man, nor would he win 
By sleight or trick, but by a mightier sword, 
Soon on the fallen foe he set his heel, 
And, pushing hard, with heel and spear, cried out 
"Look ye. my men, where huge Orodes lies, 
"Himself a dangerous portion of this war!" 
With loyal, loud acclaim his peers reply; 
But thus the dying hero : "Victor mine, 
" Whoe'er thou art, I fall not unavenged I 
"Thou shalt but triumph for a fleeting hour. 
" Like doom for thee is written. Speedily 
"Thou shalt this dust inhabit, even as I!" 

Mezentius answered him with wrathful smile; 
" Now die ! What comes on me concerns alone 
"The Sire of gods and Sovereign of mankind." 
So saying, from the wounded breast he plucked 
His javelin: and on those eyes there fell 
Inexorable rest and iron slumber, 
And in unending night their vision closed. 

hed 
;ned 

Then Csedicus cut down Alcathous» 

Sacrator slew Hydaspes, Rapo smote 

Parthenius and Orses stout and strong; 

Messapus' good blade cut down Clonius 

And Ericetes, fierce Lycaon's child ; 

The one firom an unbridled war-horse thrown. 

The other slain dismounted. Then rode forth 

Agis the Lycian, but bold Valerus, 

True to his valiant breeding, hurled him down; 

Having slain Thronius, Salius was slain 

By skilled Nealces, of illustrious name 

For spear well cast and far-surprising bow. 

Thus Mars relentless holds in equal scale 
Slaughters reciprocal and mutual woe; 
The victors and the vanquished kill or fall 
In equal measure; neither knows the way 
To yield or fly. Th' Olympians look down 
Out of Jove's house, and pity as they see 
The uhavailing wrath of either foe, 
And burdens measureless on mortals laid. 
Lo ! Venus here, Saturnian Juno yon. 
In anxious watch ; while pale Tisiphone 
Moves on infuriate through the battling lines. 

On strode Mezentius o'er the gory plain, 

And swollen with rage waved wide his awful spear. 

Like tall Orion when on foot he goes 

Through the deep sea and lifts his shoulders high 

Above the waves ; or when he takes his path 

Along the mountain-tops, and has for staflf 

[76« 

An aged ash-tree, as he fixes firm 

His feet in earth and hides his brows in cloud;- 

So loomed Mezeotius with his ponderous arms. 1 

To match him now, ^oeas, looking down 
The long array of war, came forth in arms 
To challenge and defy. But quailing not, 
A mass immovable, the other stood 
Waiting his noble foe, and with a glance 
Measured to cast hia spear the space between. 
"May this right hand," he said, "and this swift spear 
"Which here I poise, be favoring gods for me! 
"The spoils from yonder robber's carcase stripped 
" I vow to hang on thee, my Lausus, thou 
"Shalt stand for trophy of ^neas siain." 
He said, and hurled from far the roaring spear, 
Which from the shield glanced o£E, and speeding slill 
Smote famed Antores 'twixt the loin and side — 
Antores, friend of Hercules, who came 
From Argos, and had joined Evander's cause. 
Abiding in Italia. Lo, a wound 
Meant for another pierced him, and he lay. 
Ill-fated ! looking upward to the light. 
And dreaming of dear Argos as he died. 

Then good ^neas hurled his spear; it passed 
ITirough hollow orb of triple bronze, and throu^ 
Layers of flax and triple-twisted hides ; 
llien in the lower groin it lodged, but left 
Its work undone. jEneas, not Ill-pleased 
To see the Tuscan wounded, swiftly drew 

78a-«12] BOOK X 365 

The falchion from lus thigh, and hotly pressed 
His startled foe. But Lausus at the sight 
Groaned loud, so much he loved his father dear. 
And tears his cheek bedewed. O storied youth! 
K olden worth may win believing ear. 
Let not my song now fail of thee to sing. 
Thy noble deeds, thy doom of death and pain ! 
Mezentius, now encumbered and undone. 
Fell backward, trailing from the broken shield 
His foeman's spear. His son leaped wildly forth 
To join the fray; and where Eneas' hand 
Lifted to strike, he faced the thrusting sword 
And gave the hero pause. His comrades raised 
Applauding cries, as shielded by his son 
The father made retreat; their darts they hurl. 
And vex with flying spears the distant foe : 
iBneas, wrathful, stands beneath his shield. 
As when the storm-clouds break in pelting hall, 
The swains and ploughmen from the furrows fly. 
And every traveller cowers in sure defence 
Of river-bank or lofty shelving crag, 
While far and wide it pours ; and by and by. 
Each, when the sun returns, his task pursues : 
So great iBneas, by assault o'erwhelmed. 
Endured the cloud of battle, till its rage 
Thundered no more ; then with a warning word 
To Lausus with upbraiding voice he called : 
" Why, O death-doomed, rush on to deeds too high 
**For strength like thine. Thou art betrayed, rash 

boy, 
** By thine own loyal heart ! " But none the less 

THE .ENEBD 

[812-835 

The youth made mad defence; while fiercer bi 
The Trojan's anger; and of Lausus' days 
The loom of Fate spun forth the last thj; 
For now iBnea^ thrust his potent blade 
Deep through the stripling's breast and out of sight; 
Through the light shield it passed — a frail defence 
To threaten with! — and tlirough the tunic fine 
His mother's hand had wrought with softest gold; 
Blood filled his bosom, and on path of air 
Down to the shades the mournful soul witbdreff^ 
Its body quitting. As Anchises' son 
Beheld the agonizing hps and brow 
So wondrous white in death, he groaned aloud 
In pity, and reached o'er him his right hand. 
Touched to the heart such likeness to behold 
Of his own filial love. " Unhappy boy! 
" What guerdon worthy of heroic deeds 
"Can I award thee now? Wear still those anna 
"So proudly worn! And I will send thee home 
" ("Perhaps thou carest !) to the kindred shades 
" And ashes of thy sires. But let it be 
"Some solace in thy pitiable doom 
"That none but great jEneas wrought thy fall' 
Then to the stripling's tardy followers 
He sternly called, and lifted from the earth 
With his own hand the fallen foe: dark blood 
Defiled those princely tresses braided fair. 
Meanwhile Mezcntius by the Tiber's wave 
With water staunched his wound, and propped his 

weight 
Against a tree; upon its limbs above 

cer biuw^B 

I tbreao^H 

ight; 
fence 

old: 

I 

J 

83e-«56] BOOK X 367 

His brazen helmet hung, and on the sward 

His ponderous arms lay resting. Round him watched 

His chosen braves. He, gasping and in pain. 

Clutched at his neck and let his flowing beard 

LfOose on his bosom fall ; he questions oft 

Of Lausus, and sends many a messenger 

To bid him back, and bear him the command 

Of his sore-grieving sire. But lo ! his peers 

Bore the dead Lausus back upon his shield, 

And wept to see so strong a hero quelled 

By stroke so strong. From long way off the sire, 

Vfiih soul prophetic of its woe, perceived 

What meant their wail and cry. On his gray hairs 

The dust he flung, and, stretching both his hands 

To heaven, he cast himself the corpse along. 

O son,** he cried, "was life to me so sweet, 
That I to save myself surrendered o*er 
** My own begotten to a foeman's steel ? 
" Saved by these gashes shall thy father be, 
" And living by thy death ? O wretched me, 
"How foul an end have I! Now is my wound 
" Deep ! deep ! *t was I, dear son, have stained 
" Thy name with infamy — to exile driven 
" From sceptre and hereditary throne 
" By general curse. Would that myself had borne 
** My country's vengeance and my nation's hate ! 
** Would my own guilty life my debt had paid — 
"Yea, by a thousand deaths! But, see, I live! 
" Not yet from human kind and light of day 
" Have I departed. But depart I will.** 

868 THE iENEID [85(^-879 

So saying, he raised him on his crippled thigh, 
And though by reason of the grievous wound 
His forces ebbed, yet with unshaken mien 
He bade them lead his war-horse forth, his pride. 
His solace, which from every war 
Victorious bore him home. The master then 
To the brave beast, which seemed to know his pain. 
Spoke thus : " My Rhoebus, we have passed our days 
** Long time together, if long time there be 
" For mortal creatures. Either on this day 
'^Thou shalt his bloody spoils in triumph bear 
"And that ^Eneas' head, — and so shalt be 
"Avenger of my Lausus' woe; or else, 
"If I be vanquished, thou shalt sink and fall 
" Beside me. For, my bravest, thou wouldst spurn 
"A stranger's will, and Teucrian lords to bear." 
He spoke and, mounting to his back, disposed 
His limbs the wonted way and filled both hands 
With pointed javelins; a helm of brass 
With shaggy horse-hair crest gleamed o'er his brow. 
Swift to. the front he rode : a mingled flood 
Surged in his heart of sorrow, wrath, and shame; 
And thrice with loud voice on his foe he called. 

iEneas heard and made exulting vow : 
" Now may the Father of the gods on high, 
" And great Apollo hear ! Begin the fray ! " 

He said, and moved forth with a threatening spear. 

The other cried : " Hast robbed me of my son. 

And now, implacable, wouldst fright me more? 

That way, that only, was it in thy power 

(C 

it 

"To cast me down. No fear of death I feel. 

"Nor from thy gods themselves would I refrain. 

** Give o*er ! For fated and resolved to die 

"I come thy way: but bring thee as I pass 
These oflFerings." With this he whirled a spear 
Against his foe, and after it drove deep 
Another and another, riding swift 
In wide g3n*ation round him. But the shield. 
The golden boss, broke not. Three times he rode 
In leftward circles, hurling spear on spear 
Against th' unmoved iBneas : and three times 
The Trojan hero in his brazen targe . 
The sheaf of spears upbore. But such slow fight, 
Such plucking of spent shafts from out his shield. 
The Trojan liked not, vexed and sorely tried 
In duel so ill-matched. With wrathful soul 
At length he strode forth, and between the brows 
Of the wild war-horse planted his long spear. 
Up reared the creature, beating at the air 
YfiHi quivering feet, then o'er his fallen lord 
Entangling dropped, and prone above him lay, 
Hnning with ponderous shoulder to the ground. 
The Trojans and the Latins rouse the skies 
With clamor loud, ^neas hastening forth 
Unsheathes his sword, and looming o'er him cries : 
Where now is fierce Mezentius, and his soul's 
'V\^ld pulse of rage ? " The Tuscan in reply 
With eyes uproUed, and gasping as he gave 
Long looks at heaven, recalled his fading mind : 
Why frown at me and fume, O bitterest foe ? 
Why threaten death? To slay me is no sin. 

€€ 
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870 THE ^NEID [901-908 

''Not to take quarter came I to this war, 
** Not truce with thee did my lost Lausus crave, 
**Yet this one boon I pray, — if mercy be 
" For fallen foes : O, suffer me when dead 
"In covering earth to hide! Pull well I know 
"What curses of my people ring me round. 
**Defend me from that rage! I pray to be 
" My son's companion in our common tomb. " 
He spoke : then offered with unshrinking eye 
His veined throat to the sword. O'er the bright miul 
Hb vital breath gushed forth in streaming gore.

U, 

p from the sea now soared the dawning day: 
iBneaSy though his sorrow bids him haste 
To burial of the slain, and his sad soul 
Is clouded with the sight of death, fulfils. 
For guerdon to his gods, a conqueror's vow. 
At morning's earliest beam. A mighty oak 
Shorn of its limbs he sets upon a hill 

■ 

And clothes it o'er with glittering arms, the spoil 
Of King Mezentius, and a trophy proud 
To thee, great lord of war. The hero's plumes 
Bedewed with blood are there, and splintered spears; 
There hangs the corselet, by the thrusting steel 
Twelve times gored through ; upon the left he binds 
The brazen shield, and from the neck suspends 
The ivory-hilted sword, ^neas thus. 
As crowding close his train of captains throng. 
Addressed his followers: **Ye warriors mine, 
** Our largest work is done. Bid fear begone 
''Of what is left to do. Behold the spoils! 
** Yon haughty King was firstf ruits of our war. 
''See this Mezentius my hands have made! 
"Now to the Latin town and King we go. 
"Arm you in soul! With heart of perfect hope 
" Prepare the war ! So when the gods give sign 
"To open battle and lead forth our brave 
"Out of this stronghold, no bewilderment. 

872 THE ^NEID [Sl-M 

it 
it 

it 

a 
it 
it 

Nor tarrying, nor fearful, faltering mind 
Shall slack our march. Meanwhile in earth we lay 
Our comrades fallen ; for no honor else 
In Acheron have they. Gro forth," said he. 
Bring gifts of honor and of last farewell 
To those high hearts by shedding of whose blood 
Our country lives. To sad Evander's town 
''Bear Pallas first; who, though he did not fail 
" Of virtue's crown, was seized by doom unblest, 
"And to the bitterness of death consigned." 

Weeping he spoke, and slowly backward drew 
To the tent-door, where by the breathless clay 
Of Pallas stood Acoetes, aged man. 
Once bearer of Evander's arms, but now 
Under less happy omens set to guard 
His darling child. Around him is a throng 
Of slaves, with all the Trojan multitude. 
And Ilian women, who the wonted way 
Let sorrow's tresses loosely flow. When now 
iEneas to the lofty doors drew near. 
All these from smitten bosoms raised to heaven 
A mighty moaning, till the King's abode 
Was loud with anguish. There iEneas viewed 
The pillowed head of Pallas cold and pale. 
The smooth young breast that bore the gaping wound 
Of that Ausonian spear, and weeping said : 
"Did Fortune's envy, smiling though she came, 
" Refuse me, hapless boy, that thou shouldst see 
" My throne established, and victorious ride 
" Beside me to thy father's house ? Not this 

«« 

My parting promise to thy King and sire» 
Evander, when with friendly, fond embrace 
To win imperial power he bade me go ; 
** Yet warned me anxious^ I must resist 
** Bold warriors and a stubborn breed of foes. 
^And haply even now he cheats his heart 
**With expectation vain, and offers vows. 
Heaping with gifts the altars of his gods. 
But we with unavailing honors bring 
This lifeless youth, who owes the gods of heaven 
No more of gift and vow. O ill-starred King ! 
Soon shalt thou see thy son's impitying doom ! 
**What a home-coming! This is glory's day 
So long awaited ; this the solemn pledge 
I proudly gave. But fond Evander's eyes 
Will find no shameful wounding on the slain. 
Nor for a son in coward safety kept 
Wilt thou, the sire, crave death. But woe is me I 
How strong a bulwark in Ausonia falls! 
What loss is thine, lulus!" 

Thus lamenting. 
He bids them lift the body to the bier. 
And sends a thousand heroes from his host 
To render the last tributes, and to share 
A father's tears : — poor solace and too small 
For grief so great, but due that mournful sire. 
Some busy them to build of osiers fine 
The simple litter, twining sapling oaks 
With evergreen, till o'er death's lofty bed 
The branching shade extends. Upon it lay. 
As if on shepherd's couch, the youthful dead. 

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Like fairest flower by virgin fingers culled. 

Frail violet or hyacinth forlorn. 

Of color still undimmed and leaf unmarred ; 

But from the breast of mother-earth no more 

Its life doth feed. Then good iEneas brought 

Two broidered robes of scarlet and fine gold. 

Which with the gladsome labor of her hands 

Sidonian Dido wrought him long ago. 

The thin-spun gold inweaving. One of these 

The sad prince o'er the youthful body threw 

For parting gift ; and with the other veiled 

Those tresses from the fire ; he heaped on high ^^ 

Laurentum's spoils of war, and bade to bring ^^| 

Much tribute forth : horses and arms he gave, ^^M 

Seized from the fallen enemy; with handa ^^ 

Fettered behind them filed a captive train 

Doomed to appease the shades, and with the flames 

To mix their flowing blood. He bade his chiefs 

Set up the trunks of trees and clothe them well 

With captured arms, inscribing on each one 

Some foeman's name. Then came Accetes forth, 

A wretched, worn old man, who beat his breast 

With tight-clenched hands, and tore his wrink led 

face 
With ruthless fingers; oft he cast him down 
Full length along the ground. Then lead they I 
The blood-stained Rutule chariots of war; 
^thon, the war-horse, of his harness bare. 
Walks mournful by; big teardrops wet his che* 
Some bear the lance and helm; for all the r 
Victorious Tumus seized. Then filed along 

A mournful Teucrian cohort; next the host 
Etrurian and the men of Aready 
With trailing arms reversed, ^neas now, 
When the long company had passed him by, 
Spoke thus and groaned aloud: '* Ourselves from 
hence 

^^ Are summoned by the same dread doom of war 

"To other tears. Farewell forevermore! 

"Heroic Pallas! be forever blest! 

" I bid thee hail, farewell ! " In silence then 
Back to the stronghold's lofty walls he moved. 

Now envoys from the Latin citadel 
Came olive-crowned, to plead for clemency: 
Would he not yield those bodies of the dead 
Sword-scattered o'er the plain, and let them lie 
Beneath an earth-built tomb ? Who wages war 
Upon the vanquished, the imbreathing slain ? 
To people once his hosts and kindred called. 
Would he not mercy show ? To such a prayer. 
Deemed not unworthy, good iEneas gave 
The boon, and this benignant answer made : 
"Ye Latins, what misfortune undeserved 
"Has snared you in so vast a war, that now 
"You shun our friendship? Have you here implored 
" Peace for your dead, by chance of battle fallen ? 
" Fain would I grant it for the living too. 
" I sailed not hither save by Heaven's decree, 
"Which called me to this land. I wage no war 
"With you, the people; 'twas your King refused 
" Our proffered bond of peace, and gave his cause 

876 THE ^NEID [115-1» 

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it 

4* 

To Tumus' anns. More meet and just it were 
Had Tumus met this death that makes you mourn. 

** If he would end our quarrel sword in hand. 
Thrusting us Teuerians forth, 't was honor's way 
To cross his blade with mine; that man to whom 

"The gods, or his own valor, had decreed 

"The longer life, had lived. But now depart! 

"Beneath your lost friends light the funeral fires!" 

So spoke JSneas ; and with wonder mute 
All stood at gaze, each turning to behold 
His neighbor's face. Then Drances, full of years. 
And ever armed with spite and slanderous word 
Against young Tumus, made this answering plea: 
O prince of mighty name, whose feats of arms 
Are even mightier! Trojan hero, how 
Shall my poor praise exalt thee to the skies ? 
Is it thy rectitude or strenuous war 

" Most bids me wonder ? We will bear thy word 
Right gladly to the city of our sires ; 
And there, if Fortune favor it, contrive 

"A compact with the Latin King Henceforth 

Let Tumus find his own allies ! Ourselves 

Will much rejoice to see thy destined walls, 

"And our own shoulders will be proud to bear 
The stone for building Troy." 

Such speech he made, 
And all the common voice consented loud. 
So twelve days' truce they swore, and safe from harm 
Latins and Teuerians unmolested roved 
Together o'er the wooded hills. Now rang 

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ii 

« 

1S5-157] BOOK XI 377 

Loud steel on ash-tree bole; enormous pines. 
Once thrusting starward, to the earth they threw; 
And with industrious wedge asunder clove 
Stout oak and odorous cedar, piling high 
Harvest of ash-trees on the creaking wain. 

Now Rumor, herald of prodigious woe. 

To King Evander hied, Evander's house 

And city filling, where, but late, her word 

Had told in Latium Pallas' victory. 

Th' Arcadians thronging to the city-gates 

Bear funeral torches, the accustomed way; 

In lines of flame the long street flashes far. 

Lighting the fields beyond. To meet them moves 

A Phrygian company, to join with theirs 

Its lamentation loud. The Latin wives. 

Soon as they saw them entering, aroused 

The whole sad city with shrill songs of woe. 

No hand could stay Evander. Forth he flew 

Into the midmost tumult, and fell prone 

On his dead Pallas, on the resting bier; 

He clung to the pale corse with tears, with groans. 

Till anguish for a space his lips unsealed : 

Not this thy promise, Pallas, to thy sire. 

To walk not rashly in the war-god's way. 

I knew too well how honor's morning-star. 

And sweet, foretasted glory tempt and woo 

** In a first battle. O first-fruit forlorn 
Of youth so fair ! O prelude pitiless 
Of war approaching ! O my vows and prayers, 

"Which not one god would hear! My blessM wife. 

*€ 

S78 

1138-178 

"How happj was the death that spared thee not ^_ 

"To taste this bitterness .' But I, the while, H 

"By living longer lived to meet my doom, — ^M 

" A father sole-surviving. Would I myself 

" Had perished by the Rutule's cruel spear, 

"The Trojan's cause espousing! This breath of life 

" How gladly had I given ! And O, that now 

" Yon black solemnity were bearing home 

" Myself, not Fallas, dead ! Yet blame I not. 

" O Teucrians, the hallowed pact we made, 

"Nor hospitable bond and clasp of hands. 

"This doom ye bring me was writ long ago, 

"For my old age. And though my child is fallen f 

" Untimely, I take comfort that he fell 

" Where thousands of the Volscians slaughtered 1 

"And into Latium led the Teucrian arms. 

" What brighter glory could I crave in death 

"For thee, my Pallas, than ^neas brings, 

"And Phrj'gian princes, and Etrurian lords 

" With all Etruria's legions ? Lo, they bear 

" Yon glittering spoils of victims of thy sword ! 

"Thou, Tumus, too, wert now an effigy 

"In giant armor clad, if but his years 

"And strength full ripe had been fair match for thine! 

" But now my woes detain the Trojan host 

" From battle. I beseech ye haste away, 

" And bear this faithful message to your I^ng : 

"Since I but linger out a life I loathe, 

"Without my Pallas, nothing but thy sword 

" Can bid me live. Then let thy sword repay 

"Its debt to sire and son by Tumus slain! 

179HW0] BOOK XI S79 

**Such deed alone may with thy honor fit, 
*'And happier fortunes. But my life to me 
"Has no joy left to pray for, save to bring 
*'My son that solace in the shadowy land." 

Meanwhile o'er sorrowing mortals the bright mom 
Had lifted her mild beam, renewing so 
The burden of man's toil, ^neas now 
Built funeral pyres along the winding shore, 
IQng Tarchon at his side. Each thither brought 
The bodies of his kin, observing well 
All ancient ritual. The fuming fires 
Burned from beneath, till highest heaven was 
hid 
. In blackest, overmantling cloud. Three times 
The warriors, sheathed in proud, resplendent steel. 
Paced round the kindling pyres ; and three times 
Fair companies of horsemen circled slow, 
With loud lamenting, round the doleful flame. 
The wail of warriors and the trumpets' blare 
The very welkin rend. Cast on the flames 
Are spoils of slaughtered Latins, — helms and blades» 
Bridles and chariot-wheels. Yet others bring 
Gifts to the dead familiar, their own shields 
And unavailing spears. Around them slain 
Great herds of kine give tribute unto death : 
Swine, bristly-backed, from many a field are borne. 
And slaughtered sheep bleed o'er the sacred fire. 
So on the shore the wailing multitude 
Behold their comrades burning, and keep guard 
O'er the consuming pyres, nor turn away 

S80 THE ^NEID [901-»8 

Till cooling night re-shifts the globe of heaven. 
Thick-strewn with numberless far-flaming stars. 

Likewise the mournful Latins far awaj 
Have built their myriad pyres. Yet of the slain 
Not few in graves are laid, and borne with tears 
To neighboring country-side or native town; 
The rest — promiscuous massif dead unknown — 
To nameless and unhonored ashes bum; 
With multitude of fires the far-spread fields 
Blaze forth unweariedly. But when from heaveo 
The third mom had dispelled the dark and cold» 
The mournful bands raked forth the mingled bones 
And plenteous ashes from the smouldering pyres. 
Then heaped with earth the one sepulchral mound. 

Now from the hearth-stones of the opulent town 
Of old Latinus a vast wail burst forth, 
For there was found the chief and bitterest share 
Of all the woe. For mothers in their tears» 
Lone brides, and stricken souls of sisters fond. 
And boys left fatherless, fling curses loud 
On Tumus' troth-plight and the direful war : 
" Let him, let Tumus, with his single sword 
"Decide the strife," — they cry, — "and who dull 

claim 
" Lordship of Italy and power supreme." 
Fierce Drances whets their fury, urging all 
That Tumus singly must the challenge hear. 
And singly wage the war; but others plead 
In Tumus' favor; the Queen's noble name 

Protects him, and his high renown in arms 
Defends his cause with well-won trophies fair. 

Amid these tumults of the wrathful throng, 

Lo, the ambassadors to Diomed 

Arrive with cloudy forehead from their quest 

In his illustrious town ; for naught availed 

Their toilsome errand, nor the gifts and gold» 

Nor strong entreaty. Other help in war 

The Latins now must find, or humbly sue 

Peace from the Trojan. At such tidings dire 

Even Latinus trembles : Heaven's decrees 

And influence of gods too visible 

Sustain iEneas ; so the wrath divine 

And new-filled sepulchres conspicuous 

Give warning clear. Therefore the Eling convenes 

A general council of his captains brave 

Beneath the royal towers. They, gathering, 

Throng the approaches thither, where their lord. 

Gray-haired Latinus, takes the central throne. 

Wearing authority with mournful brow. 

He bids the envoys from iEtolia's Eang 

Sent back, to speak and tell the royal words 

In order due. Forthwith on every tongue 

Fell silence, while the princely Venulus, 

Heeding his lord's behest, began the parle : 

** My countrjmaen," he said, " our eyes have seen 
Strongholds of Greeks and Diomed the King. 
We braved all perils to our journey's end 
And clasped that hand whereof the dreadful stroke 

u 

882 THE .£NEID [245HW7 

"Wrought nium's fall. The hero built a town, 

■ 

**ATgynpa,9 hereditary name, 
''Near mount Garganus in Apulian land: 
''Passing that city's portal and the King's, 
"We found free audience, held forth thy gifts, 
"And told our names and fatherland. We showed 
"What conflict was enkindled, and what cause 
"Brought us to Arpi's King. He, hearing all» 
"With brow benign made answer to our plea: 
"*0 happy tribes in Saturn's kingdom bom, 
^"Ausonia's ancient stem! What fortune blind 
"'Tempts ye from peace away, and now ensnares 
'"In wars imknown ? Look how we men that dared 
"'Lay Ilium waste (I speak not of what woes 
'"In battling neath her lofty walls we bore, 
"'Nor of dead warriors sunk in Simois' wave) 
"'Have paid the penalty in many a land 
"'With chastisement accurst and changeful woe» 
"'Till Priam's self might pity. Let the star 
'"Of Pallas tell its tale of fatal storm, 
'"Ofif grim Caphereus and Euboea's crags. 
" ' Driven asunder from one field of war, 
'"Atrides unto farthest Egypt strayed, 
'"And wise Ulysses saw from ^Etna's caves 
"'The Cyclops gathering. Why name the throne 
'"Of Pyrrhus, or the violated hearth 

at 
us 
stt 

Lord of Mycenae by the Greeks obeyed. 
Fell murdered on his threshold by the hand 
Of that polluted wife, whose paramour 

*** Trapped Asia's conqueror. The envious gods 
"'Withheld me also from returning home 
***To see once more the hearth-stone of my sires, 
***The wife I yearn for, and my Calydon, 
"* The beauteous land. For wonders horrible 
*** Pursue me still. My vanished followers 
*** Through upper air take wing, or haunt and rove 
"*In forms of birds the island waters o'er: 
***Ah me! what misery my people feel! 
*The tall rocks ring with their lament and cry. 
Naught else had I to hope for from that day 
When my infatuate sword on gods I drew, 
'And outraged with abominable wound 
* The hand of Venus. Urge me not, I pray. 

« 

*€€ 
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***To conflicts in this wise. No more for me 
"*Of war with Trojans after Ilium's fall! 

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* I take no joy in evils past, nor wish 
*Such memory to renew. Gro, lay these gifts, 

* Brought to my honor from your ancient land, 
*At great Mneas* feet. We twain have stood 

* Confronting close with swords implacable 
'In mortal fray. Believe me, I have known 
*The stature of him when he lifts his shield, 
*And swings the whirlwind of his spear. If Troy 

***Two more such sons had bred, the Dardan horde 

* Had stormed at Argos' gates, and Greece to-day 
*Were for her fallen fortunes grieving sore. 

* Our lingering at Ilium's stubborn wall, 
' Our sluggard conquest halting ten years long, 
*Was his and Hector's work. Heroic pair! 

** * Each one for valor notable, and each 

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884 THE ^NEID [291-811 

it 

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ft 

'Famous in enterprise of arms, — but he 
'Was first in piety. Enclasp with his 
'Your hands in plighted peace as best ye may: 
' But shock of steel on steel ye well may shun/ 
Now hast thou heard, good King, a king's reply» 
"And how his wisdom sits in this vast war.'* 

Soon as the envoys ceased, an answering sound 
Of troubled voices through the council flowed 
Of various note, as when its rocky bed 
Impedes an arrowy stream, and murmurs break 
From the strait-channelled flood ; the fringing shores 
Repeat the tumult of the clamorous wave. 

But when their hearts and troublous tongues were 

still. 
The King, invoking first the gods in heaven» 
Thus from a lofty throne his sentence gave: 

* Less evil were our case, if long ago 

* Ye had provided for your coimtiy's weal, 
'O Latins, as I urged. It is no time 

'To hold dispute, while, compassing our walls» 
'The foeman waits. Ill-omened war is ours 
'Against a race of gods, my countrymen, 

* Invincible, unwearied in the fray, 

'And who, though lost and fallen, clutch the sword. 

' If hope ye cherished of ^tolia's power, 

' Dismiss it ! For what hope ye have is found 

' In your own bosoms only. But ye know 

'How slight it is and small. What ruin wide 

' Has fallen, is now palpable and clear. 

812-S35] BOOK XI 385 

** No blame I cast. What valor's uttermost 
"May do was done; our kingdom in this war 
** Strained its last thews. Now therefore I will tell 
" Such project as my doubtful mind may frame, 
"And briefly, if ye give good heed, unfold : 
"An ancient tract have I, close-bordering 
"The river Tiber; it runs westward far 
"Beyond Sicania's bound, and tilth it bears 
"To Rutule and Auruncan husbandmen, 
"Who furrow its hard hills or feed their flocks 
"Along the stonier slopes. Let this demesne, 
"Together with its pine-clad mountain tall, 
" Be given the Teucrian for our pledge of peace, 
" Confirmed by free and equitable league, 
"And full alliance with our kingly power. 
"Let them abide there, if it please them so, 
"And build their city's wall. But if their hearts 
" For other land or people yearn, and fate 
" Permits them hence to go, then let us build 
"Twice ten good galleys of Italian oak, 
"Or more, if they can man them. All the wood 
" Lies yonder on the shore. Let them but say 
"How numerous and large the ships they crave; 
"And we will give the brass, the artisans, 
"And ship-supplies. Let us for envoys choose 

"To tell our message and arrange the peace, 
" Bearing mild olive-boughs and weighty gifts 
" Of ivory and gold, with chair of state 
"And purple robe, our emblems as a king. 
But freely let this council speak; give aid 

« 

S86 THE ^NEID [835-857 

"To our exhausted cause." 

Then Dranees rose» 
That foe inveterate, whom Turaus' fame 
To stinging hate and envy double-tongued 
Ever pricked on. Of liberal wealth was he 
And flowing speech, but slack of hand in war 
At council board accounted no weak voice. 
In quarrels stronger still; of lofty birth 
In the maternal line, but by his sire's 
Uncertain and obscure. He, claiming place. 
Thus multiplies with words the people's ire : 
" A course most clear, nor needing voice of mine, 
"Thy council is, good King; for all men see 
"The way of public weal, but smother close 
"The telling of it. Tumus must concede 
"Freedom to speak, and his own arrogance 
" Diminish ! Under his ill-boding star 
" And fatal conduct — yea, I speak it plain, 
"Though with his naked steel my death he swear — 
"Yon host of princes fell, and we behold 
"The whole land bowed with grief; while he assails 
" The Trojan camp (beating such bold retreats !) 
" And troubles Heaven with war. One gift the more, 
"Among the many to the Trojans given, 
" One chiefly, best of kings, thy choice should be. 
" Let not wild violence thy will restrain 
" From granting, sire, thy virgin daughter's hand 
"To son-in-law illustrious, in a match 
"Worthy of both, — and thus the lasting bond 
" Of peace establish. But if verily 
" Our hearts and souls be weak with craven fear. 

<c 

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" Let us on Tumus call, and grace implore 
Even of him. Let him no more oppose ; 
But to his country and his King concede 
Their natural right. Why wilt thou o'er and o'er 
** Fling thy poor countrymen in danger's way, 
** O chief and fountain of all Latium's pain ? 
"War will not save us. Not a voice but sues 
For peace, O Tumus ! and, not less than peace. 
Its one inviolable pledge. Behold, 
** I lead in this petition ! even I 
** Whom thou dost feign thy foe — (I waste no words 
" Denying) — look ! I supplicate of thee, 
" Take pity on thy kindred ; drop thy pride, 
"And get thee home defeated. We have seen 
" Slaughter enough, enough of funeral flames, 
"And many a wide field waste and desolate. 
"If glory move thee, if thy martial breast 
" So swell with strength, and if a royal dower 
" Be thy dear dream, go, pluck thy courage up, 
"And front thy own brave bosom to the foe. 
" For, lo, that Tumus on his wedding day 
" May win a princess, our cheap, common lives — 
" We the mere mob, unwept, unsepulchred — 
" Must be spilled forth in battle ! Thou, I say, 
" If there be mettle in thee and some drops 
'* Of thy undaunted sires, look yonder where 
'*The Trojan chieftain waits thee in the field." 

By such discourse he stirred the burning blood 
Of Tumus, who groaned loud and from his heart 
This utterance hurled : "O Drances, thou art rich 

THE .ENEID 

[S7 

" In large words, when the day of battle calls 

"For actions. If our senators convene 

"Thou comest early. But the council hall 

" la not for swollen talk, such as thy tongue 

" In safety teases forth ; so long as walla 

"Hold back thy foes, and ere the trenches flow 

" With blood of brave men slain. O, rattle on 

" In fluent thunder — thy habitual style ! 

"Brand me a coward, Drances, when thy sword 

" Haa heaped up Trojan slain, and on the field 

"Thy shining trophies rise. Now may we twain 

"Our martial prowess prove. Our foe, forsooth, 

" Is not so far to seek ; around yon wall 

"He lies in siege: to front him let us fly! 

" Why art thou tarrying ? Wilt thou linger here, 

"A soldier only in thy windy tongue, 

"And thy swift, coward heels? Defeated, I? 

" Foul wretch, what tongue that honors truth can 

" Of my defeat, while Tiber overflows 

" With Trojan blood ? while King Evander's house 

"In ruin dies, and his Arcadians lie ^ 

" Stripped naked on the field ? O, not like thee fl 

" Did Bitiaa or the giant Pandarus M 

" Misprize my honor ; nor those men of Troy 

" Whom this good sword to death and dark sent down, 

"A thousand in a day, — though 1 was penned 

" A prisoner in the ramparts of my foe. 

"War will not save us? Fling that prophecy 

"On the doomed Dardan's head, or on thy own, 

"Thou madman! Aye, with thy vile, craven soul 

"Dbturb the general cause. Extol the power 

I 

H 

he power | 

**Of a twice-vanquished people, and decry 
*'Latinus* rival arms. From this time forth 
"Let all the Myrmidonian princes cower 
** Before the might of Troy ; let Diomed 
**And let Achilles tremble; let the stream 
Of Aufidus in panic backward flow 
From Hadrians wave. But hear me when I say 
That though his guilt and cunning feign to feel 
"Fear of my vengeance, much embittering so 
'*His taunts and insult — such a life as his 
My sword disdains. O Drances, be at ease! 
In thy vile bosom let thy breath abide! 

C< 

it 
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But now of thy grave counsel and thy cause» 
O royal sire, I speak. If from this hour 
Thou castest hope of armed success away, 
**If we be so unfriended that one rout 
Overwhelms us utterly, if Fortune's feet 
Never turn backward, let us, then» for peace 
Oflfer petition, lifting to the foe 
Our feeble, suppliant hands. Yet would I pray 
Some spark of manhood such as once we knew 
Were ours once more ! I count him fortunate. 
And of illustrious soul beyond us all. 
Who, rather than behold such things, has fallen 
Face forward, dead, his teeth upon the dust. 
But if we still have power, and men-at-arms 
Unwasted and unscathed, if there survive 
Italian tribes and towns for help in war. 
Aye ! if the Trojans have but won success 
At bloody cost, — for they dig graves, I ween» 

« 
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890 THE ^NEID [4SS-444 

* Storm-smitten not less than we, — O, wherefore now 
'Stand faint and shameful on the battle's edge? 

* Why quake our knees before the trumpet call ? 
'Time and the toil of shifting, changeful days 
'Restore lost causes; ebbing tides of chance 
'Deceive us oft, which after at their flood 
' Do lift us safe to shore. If aid come not 
'From Diomed in Arpi, our allies 
'Shall be Mezentius and Tolumnius, 
'Auspicious name, and many a chieftain sent 
'From many a tribe; not all inglorious 

'Are Latium's warriors from Laurentian land! 
'Hither the noble Volscian stem sends down 

* Camilla with her beauteous cavalry 

'In glittering brass arrayed. But if, forsooth, 

' The Trojans call me singly to the fight, 

' If this be what ye will, and I so much 

'The public weal impair — when from this sword 

' Has victory seemed to fly away in scorn ? 

'I should not hopeless tread in honor's way 

' Whate'er the venture. Dauntless will I go 

'Though equal match for great Achilles, he, 

'And though he clothe him in celestial arms 

'In Vulcan's smithy wrought. I, Tumus, now, 

' Not less than equal with great warriors gone, 

'Vow to Latinus, father of my bride, 

'And to ye all, each drop of blood I owe. 

' Me singly doth iEneas call ? I crave 

' That challenge. Drances is not called to pay 

'The debt of death, if wrath from Heaven impend; 

* Nor his a brave man's name and fame to share." 

Thus in their doubtful cause the chieftains strove. 
Meanwhile JBneas his assaulting line 
Moved forward. The ill tidings wildly sped 
From royal hall to hall, and filled the town 
With rumors dark : for now the Trojan host 
O'er the wide plains from Tiber's wave was spread 
In close array of war. The people's soul 
Was vexed and shaken, and its martial rage 
Rose to the stem compulsion. Now for arms 
Their terror calls ; the youthful soldiery 
Clamor for arms ; the sires of riper days 
Weep or repress their tears. On every side 
Loud shouts and cries of dissonant acclaim 
Trouble the air, as when in lofty grove 
Legions of birds alight, or by the flood 
Of Padus' fishy stream the shrieking swans 
Far o'er the vocal marish fling their song. 

Then, seizing the swift moment, Turnus cried : 
Once more, my countrymen, ye sit in parle. 
Lazily praising peace, while yonder foe 
Speeds forth in arms our kingdom to obtain." 
He spoke no more, but hied him in hot haste» 
And from the housetop called, "Volusus, go! 
Equip the Volscian companies ! Lead forth 
My Rutules also! O'er the spreading plain. 
Ye brothers Coras and Messapus range 
Our host of cavalry ! Let others guard 
The city's gates and hold the walls and towers: 
I and my followers elsewhere oppose 
The shock of arms.'* Now to and fro they run 

« 

To man the walls. Father Latinus quits 
The place of council and his large design, 
Vexed and bewildered by the hour's distress. 
He blames his own heart that he did not ask 
Trojan ^neas for his daughter's lord. 
And gain him for his kingdom's lasting friend. 

They dig them trenches at the gates, or lift 

Burden of stakes and stones. The horn's harsh q 

Sounds forth its murderous signal for the war; 

Striplings and women, in a motley ring, 

Defend the ramparts ; the decisive hour 

Lays tasks on all. Upon the citadel 

A train of matrons, with the doleful Queen, 

Toward Pallas' temple moves, and in their hant^ 

Are gifts and offerings. See, at their side 

The maid Lavinia, cause of all these tears. 

Drops down her lovely eyes ! The incense rolls | 

In clouds above the altar; at the doors 

"With wailing voice the women make this prayef fl 

"Tritonian virgin, arbitress of war! 

"Break of thyself yon Phrj-glan robber's spear! 

"Hurl him down dying in the dust! Spill forth 

"His evil blood beneath our lofty towers!" 

Pierce Tumus girds him, emulous to slay: 

A crimson coat of mail he wears, with scales 

Of burnished bronze; beneath his knees are bound 

The golden greaves ; upon his naked brow 

No helm he wears; but to his thigh is bound 

A glittering sword. Down from the citad^ 

4^0-51^ BOOK XI S9S 

Runs he, a golden glory, in his heart 
Boldly exulting, while impatient hope 
Fore-counts his fallen foes. He seemed as when. 
From pinfold bursting, breaking his strong chain, 
Th' untrammelled stallion ranges the wide field. 
Or hies him to a herd of feeding mares, 
Or to some cooling river-bank he knows. 
Most fierce and mettlesome; the streaming mane 
O'er neck and shoulder files. 

Across his path 
Camilla with her Volscian escort came. 
And at the city-gate the royal maid 
Down from her charger leaped ; while all her band 
At her example glided to the ground. 
Their horses leaving. Thus the virgin spoke : 
Tumus, if confidence beseem the brave, 
I have no fear; but of myself do vow 
To meet yon squadrons of iEnead» 
Alone, and front me to the gathered chaige 
Of Tuscan cavalry. Let me alone 
The war*s first venture prove. Take station, thou, 

"Here at the walls, this rampart to defend." 
With fixed eyes on the terror-striking maid, 
Tumus replied, " O boast of Italy, 

" O virgin bold ! What praise, what gratitude 
Can words or deeds repay ? But since thy soul 
So large of stature shows, I bid thee share 

" My burden and my war. Our spies bring news 
That now ^neas with pernicious mind 
Sends light-armed horse before him, to alarm 
The plams below, while through the wilderness 

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894 THE ^NEID [514^585 

**He climbs the steep hills, and approaches so 
" Our leaguered town. But I in sheltered grove 
"A stratagem prepare, and bid my men 
** In ambush at a mountain cross-road lie. 
Meet thou the charge of Tuscan cavalry 
With all thy banners. For auxiliar strength 
Take bold Messapus with his Latin troop 
**And King Tiburtus' men: but the conmiiuid 
"Shall be thy task and care." 

He spoke, and urged 
With like instruction for the coming fray 
Messapus and his captains ; then advanced 
To meet the foe. There is a winding vale 
For armed deception and insidious war 
Well fashioned, and by interlacing leaves 
Screened darkly in ; a small path thither leads. 
Through strait defile — a passage boding ill. 
Above it, on a mountain's lofty brow. 
Are points of outlook, level spaces fair. 
And many a safe, invisible retreat 
From whence on either hand to challenge war. 
Or, standing on the ridges, to roll down 
Huge mountain boulders. Thither Tumus fared» 
And, ranging the familiar tract, chose out 
His cunning ambush in the dangerous grove. 

But now in dwellings of the gods on high, 
Diana to fleet-footed Opis called, 
A virgin from her consecrated train. 
And thus in sorrow spoke: "O maiden mine! 
" Camilla now to cruel conflict flies ; 

586-^1^ BOOK XI 895 

With weapons like my own she girds her side, 
In vain, though dearest of all nymphs to me. 
Nor is it some new love that stirs to-day 
With sudden sweetness in Diana's breast : 
*For long ago, when from his kingdom driven, 
*For insolent and envied power, her sire 

* King Metabus, from old Privemum's wall 
*Was taking flight amidst opposing foes, 
*He bore a little daughter in his arms 
*To share his exile; and he called the child 

* (Changing Casmilla, her queen-mother's name) 
Camilla. Bearing on his breast the babe. 
He fled to solitary upland groves. 
But hovering round him with keen lances, pressed 
The Volscian soldiery. Across his path, 
Lo, Amasenus with full-foaming wave 
Overflowed its banks — so huge a rain had burst 
But lately from the clouds. There would he fain 
Swim over, but the love of that sweet babe 
Restrained him, trembling for his burden dear. 
In his perplexed heart suddenly arose 
A firm resolve. It chanced the warrior bore 
A huge spear in his brawny hand, strong shaft 
Of knotted, seasoned oak; to this he lashed 
His little daughter with a withe of bark 
Pulled from a cork-tree, and with skilful bonds 
Fast bound her to the spear; then, poising it 
High in his right hand, thus he called on Heaven : 
* Latona's daughter, whose benignant grace 

Protects this grove, behold, her father now 

Gives thee this babe for handmaid ! Lo, thy spear 

[5aS-681 

'"Her infant fingers hold, as from her foes 

"'She flies a suppliant to thee! Receive, 

"'O goddess, I implore, what now I caiit 

"'Upon the perilous air.' — He spoke, and hurled 1 

"With lifted arm the whirling shaft. The waves 

"Roared loud, as on the whistling javelin 

"Hapless Camilla crossed th' impetuous flood. 

"But Metabus, his foes in hot pursuit, 

"Dared plunge him in mid-stream, and, triumph! 

" Soon plucked from grass-grown river-bank the s] 

"The child upon it,- — now to Trivia vowed, 

"A virgin offering. Him nevermore 

"Could cities hold, nor would bis wild heart yield ( 

"Its sylvan freedom, but his days were passed 

"With shepherds on the solitary hills. 

"His daughter too in tangled woods he bred : 

"A brood-mare from the milk of her fierce breast ( 

"Suckled the child, and to its tender lipa 

"Her udders moved ; and when the infant feet 

"Their first firm steps had taken, the small palmsl 

"Were armed with a keen javelin ; her sire 

"A bow and quiver from her shoulder slung. 

"Instead of golden combs and flowing pall, 

" She wore, from her girl-forehead backward thrown, 

"The whole skin of a tigress; with soft hands 

"She made her plaything of a whirling spear, 

"Or, swinging round her head the polished thong 

" Of her good sling, she fetched from distant sky 

"Strjmonian cranes or swans of spotless wing. 

"From Tuscan towns proud matrons oft in vain 

"Sought her in marriage for their sons; but she 

58d-<l09] BOOK XI 307 

**To Dian* only turned her stainless heart, 
"Her virgin freedom and her huntress' arms 
" With faithful passion serving. Would that now 
"This love of war had ne'er seduced her mind 
The Teucrians to provoke ! So might she be 
One of our wood-nymphs still. But haste, I pray. 
For bitter is her now impending doom. 
Descend, dear nymph, from heaven, and explore 
The country of the Latins, where the fight 
With unpropitious omens now begins. 
These weapons take, and from this quiver draw 
A vengeful arrow, wherewith he who dares 
To wound her sacred body, though he be 
A Trojan or Italian, shall receive 
"Bloody and swift reward at my command. 
Then, in a cloud concealed, I will consign 
Her corpse, ill-fated but inviolate. 
Unto the sepulchre, restoring so 
The virgin to her native land." Thus spake 
The goddess ; but her handmaid, gliding down. 
Took her loud pathway on the moving winds. 
And mantled in dark storm her shape divine. 

Meanwhile the Teucrian legions to the wall 
Draw near, with Tuscan lords and cavalry 
In numbered troops arrayed. Loud-footed steeds 
Prance o'er the field, to manage of the rein 
Rebellious, but turned deftly here or there. 
The iron harvest of keen spears spreads far. 
And all the plain bums bright with lifted steel. 
Messapus and swift Latin cavalry, 

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898 THE ^NEID [604-625 

Coras his brother, and th' attending train 

Of the fair maid Camilla, form their lines 

In the opposing field. Their poised right hands 

Point the long lances forward, and light shafts 

Are brandished in the air; the warrior hosts 

On steeds of fire come kindling as they ride. 

One instant, at a spear-throw's space, each line 

Its motion stays ; then with one sudden cry 

They rush forth, spurring on each frenzied steed. 

From every side the multitudinous spears 

Pour down like snowflakes, mantling heaven in shade. 

Now with contending spears and straining thews, 

Tyrrhenus, and Aconteus, champion bold, 

Ride forward ; with the onset terrible 

Loudly their armor rings ; their chargers twain 

Crash breast to breast, and like a thunderbolt 

Aconteus drops, or like a ponderous stone 

Hurled from a catapult ; full length he falls, 

Surrend'ring to the winds his fleeting soul. 

Now all is panic : holding their light shields 

Behind their backs, the Latin horse wheel round, 

Retreating to the wall, the Trojan foe 

In close pursuit. Asilas, chieftain proud. 

Led on th' assault. Hard by the city gates 

The Latins wheeled once more and pressed the rein 

Strong on the yielding neck ; the charging foe 

Took flight and hurried far with loose-flung rein. 

'T was like the shock and onset of the sea 

That landward hurls the alternating flood 

And hides high cliffs in foam, — the tawny sands 

6<ee-645] BOOK XI 399 

Upflinging as it rolls ; then, suddenly 

Whirled backward on the reingulfing waves. 

It quits the ledges, and with ebbing flow 

Far from the shore retires. The Tuscans twice 

Drive back the fljring Rutules to the town; 

And twice repulsed» with shields to rearward 

thrown. 
Glare back at the pursuer; but conjoined 
In the third battle-charge, both armies merge 
Confusedly together in grim fight 
Of man to man ; then follow dying groans. 
Armor blood-bathed and corpses, and strong steeds 
Inextricably with their masters slain. 
So fierce the fray. Orsilochus — afraid 
To front the warrior's arms — launched forth a 

spear 
At Remulus' horse, and left the fatal steel 
Clinging below its ear; the charger plunged 
Madly, and tossed its trembling hoofs in air. 
Sustaining not the wound ; the rider fell. 
Flung headlong to the ground. Catillus slew 
loUas ; and then struck Herminius down. 
Great-bodied and great-hearted, who could wield 
A monster weapon, and whose yellow hair 
From naked head to naked shoulder flowed. 
By wounds unterrified he dared oppose 
His huge bulk to the foe : the quivering spear 
Pierced to his broad back, and with throes of 

pain 
Bowed the man double and clean clove him through. 
Wide o'er the field th' ensanguined horror flowed» 

THE iENEID 

[846-667 

Where fatal swords were crossed and cut their way 
Througli many a wound to famous death and fair. 

Swift through the midmost slaughter proudly strides 

The quiver-girt Camilla, with one breast 

Thrust naked to the fight, like Amazon. 

Oft from her hand her pliant shafts she rains, 

Or whirls with indefatigable arm 

A doughty battle-axe ; her shoulder bears 

Diana's sounding arms and golden bow. 

Sometimes retreating and to flight compelled, 

The maiden with a rearward -pointing bow 

Shoots arrows as she flies. Around her move 

Her chosen peers, Larina, virgin brave, 

Tarpeia, brandishing an axe of bronze. 

And Tulla, virgins out of Italy 

Whom the divine Camilla chose to be 

Her glory, each a faithful servitress 

In days of peace or war. The maids of Thrace 

Ride thus along Thermodon's frozen flood. 

And fight with blazoned Amazonian arms 

Around Hippolyta; or when returns 

Penthesilea in triumphal car 

'Mid acclamations shrill, and all her host 

Of women clash in air the moon-shaped shield. 

What warrior first, whom last, did thy strong spear, 
Fierce virgin, earthward fling? Or what thy tale 
Of prostrate foes laid gasping on the ground ? 
Eunteus first, the child of Clj'tius' loins, 
VSTioae bared breast, as he faced his foe, she pierced 

60&-«80] BOOK XI 401 

With fir-tree javelin ; from his lips outpoured 

The blood-stream as he fell ; and as he bit 

The gory dust, he clutched his mortal wound. 

Then Liris, and upon him Pagasus 

She slew : the one clung closer to the reins 

Of his stabbed horse, and rolled off on the ground; 

The other, flying to his fallen friend. 

Reached out a helpless hand ; so both of these 

Fell on swift death together. Next in line 

She smote Amastrus, son of Hippotas ; 

Then, swift-pursuing, pierced with far-flung spear 

Tereus, Harpalycus, Demophoon, 

And Chromis ; every shaft the virgin threw 

Laid low its Phrygian warrior. From afar 

Rode Omytus on his Apulian steed. 

Bearing a hunter's uncouth arms ; for cloak 

He wore upon his shoulders broad a hide 

From some wild bull stripped off ; his helmet was 

A wolf's great, gaping mouth, with either jaw 

Full of white teeth ; the weapon in his hand, 

A farmer's pole. He strode into the throng. 

Head taller than them all. But him she seized 

And clove him through (his panic-stricken troop 

Gave her advantage), and with wrathful heart 

She taunted thus the fallen : "" Didst thou deem 

**This was a merry hunting in the wood 
In chase of game ? Behold, thy fatal day 
Befalls thee at a woman's hand, and thus 
Thy boasting answers. No small glory thou 

** Unto the ghosts of thy dead sires wilt tell. 
That *t was Camilla's javelin struck thee down.*' 

t€ 

402 THE iENEID [690-710 

The turn of Butes and Orsilochus 
Came next, who were the Trojans' hugest twain: 
Yet Butes with her javelin-point she clove 
From rearward, 'twixt the hauberk and the helm. 
Just where the horseman's neck showed white, and 

where 
From shoulder leftward slung the light-weight shield. 
From swift Orsilochus she feigned to fly. 
Through a wide circle sweeping, craftily 
Taking the inside track, pursuing so 
Her own pursuer; then she raised herself 
To her full height, and through the warrior's helm 
Drove to his very skull .with doubling blows 
Of her strong battle-axe, — while he implored 
Her mercy with loud prayers : his cloven brain 
Spilt o'er his face. Next in her pathway came — 
But shrank in startled fear — the warribr son 
Of Annus, haunter of the Apennine, 
Not least of the Ligurians ere his doom 
Cut short a life of lies. He, knowing well 
No flight could save him from the shock of arms 
Nor turn the royal maid's attack, began 
With words of cunning and insidious guile : 
What glory is it if a girl be bold. 
On sturdy steed depending ? Fly me not ! 
But, venturing with me on this equal ground, 
" Gird thee to fight on foot. Soon shalt thou see 
" Which one of us by windy boast achieves 
"A false renown." He spoke; but she, to pangs 
Of keenest fury stung, gave o'er her steed 
In charge of a companion, and opposed 

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Her foe at equal vantage, falchion drawn, 

On foot, and, though her shield no blazon bore. 

Of fear incapable. But the warrior fled. 

Thinking his trick victorious, and rode off 

Full speed, with reins reversed, — his iron heel 

Goading his charger's flight. Camilla cried : 

Ligurian cheat ! In vain thy boastful heart 

Puffs thee so large ; in vain thou hast essayed 

Thy father's slippery ways ; nor shall thy trick 

Bring thee to guileful Annus safely home." 

Herewith on wingfed feet that virgin bold 

Flew past the war-horse, seized the streaming rein, 

And, fronting him, took vengeance on her foe 

In bloody strokes : with not less ease a hawk. 

Dark bird of omen, from his mountain crag 

Pursues on pinions strong a soaring dove 

To distant cloud, and, clutching with hooked claws. 

Holds tight and rips, — while through celestial air 

The torn, ensanguined plumage floats along. 

But now not blindly from Olympian throne 
The Sire of gods and men observant saw 
How sped the day. Then to the conflict dire 
The god thrust Tarchon forth, the Tyrrhene King, 
Gk>ading the warrior's rage. So Tarchon rode 
Through slaughter wide and legions in retreat. 
And roused the ranks with many a wrathful 

cry: 
He called each man by name, and toward the 

foe 
Drove back the routed lines. *^ What terrors now. 

404 THE iENEID [7St-75t 

'"O Tuscan cowards, dead to noble rage, 
"" Have seized ye ? or what laggard sloth and vile 
** Unmans your hearts, that now a woman's arm 
** Pursues ye and this scattered host confounds ? 
" Why dressed in steel, or to what purpose wear 
" Your futile swords ? Not slackly do ye join 
*'The ranks of Venus in a midnight war; 
** Or when fantastic pipes of Bacchus call 
" Your dancing feet, right venturesome ye fly 
" To banquets and the flowing wine — what zeal, 
" What ardor then ! Or if your flattering priest 
" Begins the revel, and to lofty groves 
"Fat flesh of victims bids ye haste away!'* 
So saying, hb steed he spurred, and scorning death 
Dashed into the mid-fray, where, frenzy-driven. 
He sought out Venulus, and, grappling him 
With one hand, from the saddle snatched hb foe. 
And, clasping strongly to his giant breast. 
Exultant bore away. The shouting rose 
To heaven, and all the Latins gazed his way. 
As o'er the plain the fiery Tarchon flew 
Bearing the full-armed man ; then, breaking oflE 
The point of his own spear, he pried a way 
Through the seam'd armor for the mortal wound ; 
The other, struggling, thrust back from his throat 
The griping hand, full force to force opposing. 
As when a golden eagle high in air 
Knits to a victim-snake his clinging feet 
And deeply-thrusting claws; but, coiling back. 
The wounded serpent roughens his stiff scales 
And stretches high his hissing head ; whereat 

75^779] BOOK XI 405 

The eagle with hooked beak the more doth rend 
Her writhing foe, and with swift stroke of wing 
Lashes the air : so Tarchon, from the ranks 
Of Tibur's sons, triumphant snatched his prey. 

The Tuscans rallied now, well pleased to view 

Their king's example and successful war. 

Then Amins, marked for doom, made circling line 

Around Camilla's path, his crafty spear 

Seeking its lucky chance. Where'er the maid 

Sped furious to the battle, Arruns there 

In silence dogged her footsteps and pursued ; 

Or where triumphant from her fallen foes 

She backward drew, the warrior stealthily 

Turned his swift reins that way : from every side 

He circled her, and scanned his vantage here 

Or vantage there, his skilful javelin 

Stubbornly shaking. But it soon befell 

That Chloreus, once a priest of Cybele, 

Shone forth in far-resplendent Phrygian arms. 

And urged a foaming steed, which wore a robe 

O'erwrought with feathery scales of bronze and gold ; 

While he, in purples of fine foreign stain. 

Bore light Gortynian shafts and Lycian bow; 

His bow was gold ; a golden casque he wore 

Upon his priestly brow ; the saffron cloak. 

All folds of rustling cambric, was enclasped 

In glittering gold ; his skirts and tunics gay 

Were broidered, and the oriental garb 

Swathed his whole leg. Him when the maiden spied, 

(Perchance she fain on temple walls would hang 

406 THE ^NEID [780-^02 

The Trojan prize, or in such captured gold 
Her own fair shape array), she gave mad chase. 
And reckless through the ranks her prey pursued» 
Desiring, woman-like, the splendid spoil. 
Then from his ambush Arruns seized at last 
The fatal moment and let speed his shaft. 
Thus uttering his vow to heavenly powers : 
** Chief of the gods, Apollo, who dost guard 
** Soracte's hallowed steep, whom we revere 
" First of thy worshippers, for thee is fed 
" The heap of burning pine ; for thee we pass 
" Through the mid-blaze in sacred zeal secure, 
''And deep in glowing embers plant our feet. 
" O Sire Omnipotent, may this my spear 
" Our foul disgrace put by. I do not ask 
" For plunder, spoils, or trophies in my name, 
" When yonder virgin falls ; let honor's crown 
"Be mine for other deeds. But if my stroke 
"That curse and plague destroy, may I unpraised 
"Safe to the cities of my sires return." 

Apollo heard and granted half the prayer. 
But half upon the passing breeze he threw : 
Granting his votary he should confound 
Camilla by swift death ; but 't was denied 
The mountain-fatherland once more to see. 
Or safe return, — that prayer th' impetuous winds 
Swept stormfuUy away. Soon as the spear 
Whizzed from his hand, straight-speeding on the air. 
The Volscians all turned eager thought and eyes 
Toward their Queen. She only did not heed 

That windy roar, nor weapon dropped from heaven, 
TiU in her bare, protruded breast the spear 
Drank, deeply driven, of her virgin blood. 
Her terror-struck companions swiftly throng 
Around her, and uplift their sinking Queen. 

But Arruns, panic-stricken more than all. 

Makes off, half terror and half joy, nor dares 

Hazard his lance again, nor dares oppose 

A virgin's arms. As creeps back to the hills 

In pathless covert ere his foes pursue, 

From shepherd slain or mighty bull laid low. 

Some wolf, who, now of his bold trespass ware. 

Curls close against his paunch a quivering tail 

And to the forest hies : so Arruns speeds 

From sight of men in terror, glad to fly. 

And hides him in the crowd. But his keen spear 

Dying Camilla from her bosom drew. 

Though the fixed barb of deeply-wounding steel 

Clung to the rib. She sank to earth undone. 

Her cold eyes closed in death, and from her cheeks 

The roses fled. With failing breath she called 

On Acca — who of all her maiden peers 

Was chiefly dear and shared her heart's whole 

pain — 
And thus she spoke : ** O Acca, sister mine, 
I have been strong till now. The cruel wound 
Consumes me, and my world is growing dark. 
Haste thee to Tumus ! Tell my dying words ! 

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" 'T is he must bear the battle and hold back 

ttrjtt rrt • t Zm. 11 Tf «111» 

The Trojan from our city wall. FarewelP 

THE .ENEID 

[887-M7 

So saying, her fingera from the bridle-rein 

Unclasped, and helpless to the earth she fell ; 

Then, colder grown, she loosed her more and more 

Out of the body's coil ; she gave to death 

Her neck, her drooping head, and ceased to he« 

Her war-array- So fled her spirit forth 

With wrath and moaning to the world below. 

Then clamor infinite uprose and smote 

The golden stars, as round Camilla slain 

The battle newly raged. To swifter charge 

The gathered Trojans ran, with Tuscan lords 

And King Evaoder's troops of Arcady. 

Fair Opis, keeping guard for Trivia 
In patient sentry on a lofty hill, beheld 
Unterrified the conflict's rage. Yet when. 
Amid the frenzied shouts of soldiery. 
She saw from far Camilla pay the doom 
Of piteous death, with deep-drawn voice of sight 
She thus complained : "O virgin, woe is met 
"Too much, too much, this agony of thine, 
" To expiate that thou didst lift thy spear 
" For wounding Troy. It was no shield in war. 
" Nor any vantage to have kept thy vow 
" To chaste Diana in the thorny wild. 
" Our maiden arrows at thy shoulder slung 
"Availed thee not! Yet will our Queen divine 
" Not leave unhonored this thy dying day, 
"Nor shall thy people let thy death remain 
"A thing forgot, nor thy bright name appear 
"A glory unavenged. Whoe'er he be 

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** That marred thy body with the mortal wound 

** Shall die as he deserves/* 

Beneath that hill 
An earth-built mound uprose, the tomb 
Of King Dercennus, a Laurentine old. 
By sombre ilex shaded : thither hied 
The fair nymph at full speed, and from the mound 
Looked round for Arruns. .When his shape she 

saw 
In glittering armor vainly insolent. 
Whither so fast?'* she cried. "This way, thy path! 
This fatal way approach, and here receive 
Thy guerdon for Camilla ! Thou shalt fall. 
Vile though thou art, by Dian's shaft divine.** 
She said ; and one swift-<;oursing arrow took 
From golden quiver, like a maid of Thrace, 
And stretched it on her bow with hostile aim. 
Withdrawing far, till both the tips of horn 
Together bent, and, both hands poising well. 
The left outreached to touch the barb of steel. 
The right to her soft breast the bowstring drew : 
The hissing of the shaft, the sounding air, 
Arruns one moment heard, as to his flesh 
The iron point clung fast. But his last groan 
His comrades heeded not, and let him lie. 
Scorned and forgotten, on the dusty field. 
While Opis soared to bright Oljonpian air. 

Camilla's light-armed troop, its virgin chief 
Now fallen, were the first to fly; in flight 
The panic-stricken Rutule host is seen 

410 THE ^NEID [871-891 

And Acer bold ; his captains in dismay 

With shattered legions from the peril fly. 

And goad their horses to the city wall. 

Not one sustains the Trojan charge, or stands 

In arms against the swift approach of death. 

Their bows unstrung from drooping shoulder fall. 

And clatter of hoof-beats shakes the crumbling 

ground. 
On to the city in a blinding cloud 
The dust uprolls. From watch-towers looking 

forth. 
The women smite their breasts and raise to heaven 
Shrill shouts of fear. Those fliers who first passed 
The open gates were followed by the foe. 
Routed and overwhelmed; They could not fl^y 
A miserable death, but were struck down 
In their own ancient city, or expired 
Before the peaceful shrines of hearth and home. 
Then some one barred the gates. They dared not 

now 
Give their own people entrance, and were deaf 
To all entreaty. Woeful deaths ensued. 
Both of the armed defenders of the gate. 
And of the foe in arms. The desperate band. 
Barred from the city in the face and eyes 
Of their own weeping parents, either dropped 
With headlong and inevitable plunge 
Into the moat below; or, frantic, blind. 
Battered with beams against, the stubborn door 
And columns strong. Above in conflict wild 
Even the women (who for faithful love 

Of home and country schooled them to be brave 
Camilla's way) rained weapons from the walls» 
And used oak-staves and truncheons shaped in 

flame, 
As if, well-armed in steel, each bosom bold 
Would fain in such defence be first to die. 

Meanwhile th' unpitying messenger had flown 
To Tumus in the wood ; the warrior heard 
From Acca of the wide confusion spread. 
The Volscian troop destroyed, Camilla slain. 
The furious foe increasing, and, with Mars 
To help him, grasping all, till in that hour 
Far as the city-gates the panic reigned. 
Then he in desperate rage (Jove's cruel power 
Decreed it) from the ambushed hills withdrew 
And pathless wild. He scarce had passed beyond 
To the bare plain, when forth iEneas marched 
Along the wide ravine, climbed up the ridge, 
And from the dark, deceiving grove stood clear. 

Then swiftly each with following ranks of war 
Moved to the city-wall, nor wide the space 
That measured 'twixt the twain, -^neas saw 
The plain with dust overclouded, and the lines 
Of the Laurentian host extending far; 
Tumus, as clearly, saw the war array 
Of dread iEneas, and his ear perceived 
Loud tramp of mail-clad men and snorting steeds. 
Soon had they sped to dreadful shock of arms. 
Hazard of war to try; but Phcebus now. 

412 THE iENEID [91S-915 

Glowing rose-red, had dipped his wearied wheel 
Deep in Iberian seas, and brought back night 
Above the fading day. So near the town 
Both pitch their camps and make their ramparts 
strong.

W 

HEN Tumus marks how much the Latins quail 
In adverse war, how on himself they call 
To keep his pledge, and with indignant eyes 
Gaze all his way, fierce rage implacable 
Swells his high heart. As when on Libyan plain 
A lion, gashed along his tawny breast. 
By the huntsman's grievous thrust, awakens him 
Unto his last grim fight, and gloriously 
Shaking the great thews of his man^d neck. 
Shrinks not, but crushes the despoiler's spear 
With blood-sprent, roaring mouth, — not less than so 
Bums the wild soul of Tumus and his ire. 
Thus to the King he spoke with stormf ul brow : 
** The war lags not for Tumus* sake. No cause 
" Constrains the Teucrian cowards and their King 
" To eat their words and what they pledged refuse. 
" On his own terms I come. Bring forward, sire, 
" The sacrifice, and seal the pact I swear : 
^* Either to deepest hell this hand shall fling 
" Yon Trojan runaway — the Latins all 
" May sit at ease and see ! — and my sole sword 
** Efface the general shame ; or let him claim 
^ 'The conquest, and Lavinia be his bride/* 

To him Latinus with unruffled mind 

Thus made reply: "O youth surpassing brave! 

414 THE iENEID [«0-59 

The more thy sanguinary valor bums 
Beyond its wont, the more with toilsome care 
I ponder with just fear what chance may fall. 
Weighing it well. Thy father Daunus' throne» 
And many a city by thy sword subdued» 
Are still thy own. Latinus also boasts 
Much golden treasure and a liberal hand. 
Other unwedded maids of noble stem 
In Latium and Laurentine land are found. 
Permit me, then, to tell thee without guile 
Things hard to utter; let them deeply fill 
Thy listening soul. My sacred duty *twas 
*To plight my daughter's hand to nonesoe*er 
*Of all her earlier wooers — so declared 
*The gods and oracles; but overcome 
**By love of thee, by thy dear, kindred blood, 
*And by the sad eyes of my mournful Queen» 
I shattered every bond ; I snatched away 
The plighted maiden from her destined lord» 
And took up impious arms. What evil case 
Upon that deed ensued, what hapless wars. 
Thou knowest, since thyself dost chiefly bear 
The cruel burden. In wide-ranging fight 
Twice-conquered, our own city scarce upholds 
The hope of Italy. Yon Tiber's wave 
Still runs warm with my people's blood ; the plains 
Far round us glisten with their bleaching bones. 
Why tell it o*er and o'er ? What maddening dream 
Perverts my mind ? If after Tumus slain 
I must for friendship of the Trojan sue. 
Were it not better to suspend the fray 

S9-56] BOOK Xn 415 

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While Tumus lives ? For what will be the word 
Of thy Rutulian kindred — yea, of all 
Italia, if to death I give thee o'er — 
(Which Heaven avert !) because thou fainwouldst win 
My daughter and be sworn my friend and son ? 
Bethink thee what a dubious work is war; 
Have pity on thy father's reverend years. 
Who even now thy absence daily mourns 
''In Ardea, his native land and thine." 

But to this pleading Tumus' frenzied soul 
Yields not at all, but rather blazes forth 
More wildly, and his fever fiercer bums 
Beneath the healer's hand. In answer he. 
Soon as his passion gathered voice, began : 
*This keen solicitude for love of me, 
*I pray, good sire, for love of me put by! 
'And let me traffic in the just exchange 
' Of death for glory. This right hand, O King, 
' Can scatter shafts not few, nor do I wield 
'Untempered steel. Whene'er I make a wound 
' Blood follows. For my foeman when we meet 
'Will find no goddess-mother near, with hand 
'To hide him in her woman's skirt of cloud, 
'Herself in dim, deluding shade concealed." 

But now the Queen, whose whole heart shrank in fear 
From these new terms of duel, wept aloud. 
And like one dying clasped her fiery son : 

" O Tumus, by these tears — if in thy heart 

" Thou honorest Amata still — O thou 

416 » THE ^NEID [57-79 

" Who art of our distressful, dark old age 
"The only hope and peace, the kingly name 
"And glory of Latinus rests in thee; 
"Thou art the mighty prop whereon is stayed 
" Our falling house. One favor I implore : 
" Give o'er this fight with Trojans. In such strife 
" Thy destined doom is destined to be mine 
" By the same fatal stroke. For in that hour 
'' This hated life shall cease, nor will I look 
"With slave's eyes on ^neas as my son." 
Lavinia heard her mother's voice, and tears 
O'erflowed her scarlet cheek, where blushes spread 
Like flame along her warm, young face and brow: 
As when the Indian ivory must wear 
Ensanguined crimson stain, or lilies pale 
Mingled with roses seem to blush, such hues 
Her virgin features bore; and love's desire 
Disturbed his breast, as, gazing on the maid. 
His martial passion fiercer flamed ; whereon 
In brief speech he addressed the Queen : " No tears! 
*No evil omen, mother, I implore! 
' Make me no sad farewells, as I depart 

* To the grim war-god's game ! Can Tumus' hand 
'Delay death's necessary coming? Go, 

* Idmon, my herald, to the Phrygian King, 

* And tell him this — a word not framed to please : 

* Soon as Aurora from her crimson car 

* Flushes to-morrow's sky, let him no more 

* Against the Rutule lead the Teucrian line ; 

* Let Teucrian swords and Rutule take repose, 

* While with our own spilt blood we twain will make 

'^An end of war; on yonder mortal field 
^* Let each man woo Lavinia for his bride." 

So saying, he hied him to his lordly halls, 

Summoned his steeds, and with pleased eye surveyed 

Their action proud : them Orith^a. bride 

Of Boreas, to Sire Pilumnus gave. 

Which in their whiteness did surpass the snow 

In speed the wind. The nimble charioteers 

Stood by and smote vnih hollowed hand and palm 

The sounding chests, or combed the necks and manes. 

But he upon his kingly shoulders clasped 

His corselet, thick overlaid with blazoned gold 

And silvery orichalch ; he fitted him 

With falchion, shield, and helm of purple plume. 

That falchion which the Lord of Fire had made 

For Daunus, tempering in the Stygian wave 

When white it glowed; nesrt grasped he the good 

spear 
Which leaned its weight against a column tall 
In the mid-court, Auruncan Actor's spoil» 
And waved it wide in air vntii mighty cry: 
** O spear, that ne'er did fail me when I called, 
" The hour is come ! Once mighty Actor's hand. 
But now the hand of Turnus is thy lord. 
Grant me to strike that carcase to the ground. 
And with strong hand the corselet rip and rend 
From off that Phrygian eunuch : let the dust 
Befoul those tresses, tricked to curl so fine 
With singeing steel and sleeked with odorous oil." 
Such frenzy goads him : his impassioned brow 

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418 THE iENEID [102-121 

Is all on flame, the wild eyes flash with flre. 
Thus, bellowing loud before the fearful fray. 
Some huge bull proves the fury of his horns. 
Pushing against a tree-trunk; his swift thrusts 
Would tear the winds in pieces ; while his hoofs 
Toss up the turf and sand, rehearsing war. 

That self-same day with aspect terrible 
Mneas girt him in the wondrous arms 
His mother gave ; made sharp his martial steel. 
And roused his heart to ire; though glad was he 
To seal such truce and end the general war. 
Then he spoke comfort to his friends ; and soothed 
lulus' fear, unfolding Heaven's intent ; 
But on Latinus bade his heralds lay 
Unyielding terms and laws of peace impose. 

Soon as the breaking dawn its glory threw 
Along the hills, and from the sea's profound 
Leaped forth the horses of the sun-god's car. 
From lifted nostrils breathing light and fire. 
Then Teucrian and Rutulian measured out 
A place for duel, underneath the walls 
Of the proud city. In the midst were set 
Altars of turf and hearth-stones burning bright 
In honor of their common gods. Some brought 
Pure waters and the hallowed flame, their thighs 
In priestly skirt arrayed, and reverend brows 
With vervain bound. Th' Ausonians, spear in hand» 
Out from the city's crowded portals moved 
In ordered column : next the Trojans all. 

With Tuscan host in various martial guise, 

Equipped vnth arms of steel, as if they heard 

Stem summons to the fight. Their captains, too. 

Emerging from the multitude, in pride 

Of gold and purple, hurried to and fro : 

Mnestheus of royal stem, Asilas brave; 

And Neptune's offspring, tamer of the steed, 

Messapus. Either host, at signal given, 

To its own ground retiring, fixed in earth 

The long shafts of the spears and stacked the shields. 

Then eagerly to tower and rampart fly 

The women, the infirm old men, the throng 

Of the unarmed, and sit them there at gaze. 

Or on the columned gates expectant stand. 

But Juno, peering from that summit proud 
Which is to-day the Alban (though that time 
Nor name nor fame the hallowed mountain knew). 
Surveyed the plain below and fair array 
Of Trojan and Laurentine, by the walls 
Of King Latinus. Whereupon straightway 
With TTumus* sister she began converse, 
Groddess vnih goddess ; for that nymph divine 
O'er Alba's calm lakes and loud rivers reigns; 
Jove, the high monarch of th' ethereal sky. 
Gave her such glory when he stole away 
Her virgin zone. ** O nymph," she said, " who art 
The pride of flowing streams, and much beloved 
Of our own heart ! thou knowest thou alone 
Hast been my favorite of those Latin maids 
That to proud Jove's unthankful bed have climbed; 

THE jENEID 

[14J 

"And wQlingly I found thee place and share 
"Id our Olympian reahn. So blame aot me* 
"But hear, Jutmiia, what sore grief is thine: 
"^Tiile chance and destiny conceded aught 
" Of atreogth to Latium's cause. I shielded well 
" Both Tunms and thy city's wall ; but now 
"I see our youthful champion make bis war 
"With fates adverse. The Parcte's day of doom 
"Implacably impends. My eyes refuse 
"To look upon such fight, such fatal league. 
" If for thy brother's life thou couldst be bold 
"To venture some swift blow, go, strike it now 
"'Tis fit and fair! Some issue fortunate 
"May tread on sorrow's heel." She scarce had 

When rained the quick tears from Jutuma's eyes. 

Three times and yet again her desperate hand 

Smote on her comely breast. But Juno cried, 
"No tears to-day! But haste thee, haste and find 
"What way, if way there be, from clutch of death 
"To tear thy brother free; arouse the war; 
"Their pHghled peace destroy, I grant thee leave 
" Such boldoess to essay." With this command 

She left the nymph dismayed and grieving soi 

Meanwhile the kings ride forth: Latlnus first. 
Looming tall-statured from his four-horse car. 
Twelve rays of gold encircle his bright brow. 
Sign of the sun-god, his progenitor; 
Next Turnus, driving snow-white steeds, is seen,-^ 
Two broad-tipped javelins in his hand he bears; 
^neas, of Rome's blood the source and sate. 

I 

167-186J BOOK Xn ^ 421 

Yfiih star-bright shield and panoply divine. 

Far-shining comes; Ascanius by his side — 

Of Roman greatness the next hope is he. 

To camp they rode, where, garbed in blameless white 

With youngling swine and two-year sheep unshorn,. 

The priest before the flaming altars drove 

His flock and offering : to the rising sun 

All eyes are lifted, as with careful hand 

The salted meal is scattered, while with knives 

They mark each victim's brow, outpouring wine 

From shallow bowls, the sacrifice to bless. 

Then good iCneas, his sword drawn, put forth 
This votive prayer: "O Sun in heaven; and thou, 
** Italia, for whom such toils I bear. 
Be witness of my orison. On thee, 
Father omnipotent, I call ; on thee, 
His Queen Saturnia, — now may she be 
" More gracious to my prayer ! O glorious Mars« 
** Beneath whose godhead and paternity 
^AU wars begin and end, on thee I call; 
**Hail, all ye river-gods and haunted springs; 
** Hail, whatsoever gods have seat of awe 
'* In yonder distant sky, and ye whose power 
"Is in the keeping of the deep, blue sea: 
** If victory to Ausonian Turnus fall, 
*'Then let my vanquished people take its way 
**Unto Evahder's city! From these plains 
** lulus shall retire — so stands the bond; 
** Nor shall the Trojans with rebellious sword 
'* Bring after-trouble on this land and King. 

U 
U 

422 ^ THE iENEID [187-«6 

^ But if on arms of ours success shall shine, 
'^As I doubt not it shall (may gods on high 
** Their will confirm !), I purpose not to chain * 
** Italian captive unto Teucrian lord, 
** Nor seek I kingly power. Let equal laws 
** Unite in federation without end 
The two unconquered nations; both shall share 
My worshipped gods. Latinus, as my sire, 
" Shall keep his sword, and as my sire receive 
"Inviolable power. The Teucrians 
'* Shall build my stronghold, but our citadel 
" Shall bear f orevermore Lavinia's name." 
iEneas thus : then with uplifted eyes 
Latinus swore, his right hand raised to heaven : 
** I too, iEneas, take the sacred vow. 
** By earth and sea and stars in heaven I swear» 
«By fair Latooa's radiant children twain. 
"And two-browed Janus; by the shadowy powers 
** Of Hades and th' inexorable shrines 
"Of the Infernal King; and may Jove hear, 
" Who by his lightnings hallows what is sworn ! 
"I touch these altars, and my lips invoke 
" The sacred altar-fires that 'twixt us burn : 
" We men of Italy will make this peace 
"Inviolate, and its bond forever keep, 
" Let come what will ; there is no power can change 
" My purpose, not if ocean's waves o'erwhelm 
" The world in billowy deluge and obscure 
" The bounds of heaven and hell. We shall remain 
** Immutable as my smooth sceptre is " 
(By chance a sceptre in his hand he bore). 

207-«29] BOOK Xn 423 

^ Which wears no more light leaf or branching shade; 
" For long since in the grove 't was plucked away 
^ From parent stem, and yielded to sharp steel 
"Its leaves and limbs; erewhile 'twas but a tree, 
""Till the wise craftsman with fair sheath of bronze 
** Encircled it and laid it in the hands 
•* Of Latium's royal sires/' 

VClth words like these 
They swore the bond, in the beholding eyes 
Of gathered princes. Then they slit the throats 
Of hallowed victims o'er the altar's blaze, 
Drew forth the quivering vitals, and with flesh 
On loaded chargers heaped the sacrifice. 

But to Rutulian eyes th' approaching joust 
Seemed all ill-matched ; and shifting hopes and fears 
Disturbed their hearts the closer they surveyed 
Th' unequal risks : still worse it was to see 
How Turnus, silent and with downcast eyes. 
Dejectedly drew near the place of prayer, 
Worn, pale, and wasted in his youthful bloom. 
The nymph Jutuma, with a sister's fear. 
Noted the growing murmur, and perceived 
How all the people's will did shift and change; 
She went from rank to rank, feigning the shape 
Of Gamers, scion of illustrious line. 
With heritage of valor, and himself 
Dauntless in war; unceasingly she ran 
From rank to rank, spreading with skilful tongue 
Opinions manifold, and thus she spoke : 
** 'V^ll ye not blush, Rutulians, so to stake 

424 THE iBNEID [9SfHt5l 

** One life for many heroes ? Are we not 
^ Their match in might and numbers? O, behold 
^ Those Trojan sons of Heaven making league 
"VWth exiled Aready; see Tuscan hordes 
*' Storming at Turnus. Yet we scarce could find 
**One foe apiece, forsooth, if we should dare 
^ Fight them with half our warriors. Of a truth 
** Your champion brave shall to those gods ascend 
"Before whose altars his great heart he vows; 
"And lips of men while yet on earth he stays 
**Will spread his glory far. Ourselves, instead, 
" Must crouch to haughty masters, and resign 
"This fatherland upon whose fruitful fields 
" We dwell at ease." So speaking, she infiamed 
The warriors' minds, and through the legions ran 
Increasing whisper; the Laurentine host 
And even Latium wavered. Those who late 
Prayed but for rest and safety, clamored loud 
For arms, desired annulment of the league. 
And pitied Turnus' miserable doom. 

Whereon Jutuma tried a mightier stroke, 
A sign from heaven, which more than all beside 
Confused the Latins and deceived their hearts 
With prodigy. For through the fiaming skies 
Jove's golden eagle swooped, and scattered far 
A clamorous tribe of river-haunting birds; 
Then, swiftly to the waters falling, seized 
One noble swan, which with keen, curving claws 
He ruthless bore away : th' Italians all 
Watched eagerly, while the loud-screaming fiock 

252-C72] BOOK Xn 425 

Wheeled upward (wondrous sight !), with host of 
wings 
' Shadowed the sky, and in a legion-cloud 
Chased through the air the foe ; till, overborne 
By heavier odds, the eagle from his claws 
Flung back his victim to the waves, and fled 
To the dim, distant heaven. The Rutules then 
Hiuled the good omen with consenting cry, 
And grasped the sword and shield. Tolumnius 
The augur spoke first : ** Lo, the sign I sought 
** T^^th many a prayer ! I welcome and obey 
** The powers divine. Take me for captain, me ! 
"And draw your swords, ye wretches, whom th* as- 
sault 
** Of yonder foreign scoundrel puts in fear 
** like feeble birds, and with his violence 
" Lays waste your shore. He too shall fly away, 
** Spreading his ships' wings on the distant seas. 
" Close up your ranks — one soul in all our breasts ! 
** Defend in open war your stolen King." 

So saying, he hurled upon th' opposing foe 
His javelin, running forward. The strong shaft 
Of cornel whistled shrill, and clove the air 
Unerring. Instantly vast clamor rose, 
And all th' onlookers at the spectacle 
Leaped up amazed, and every heart beat high. 
The spear sped flying to the foeman's line, 
Where stood nine goodly brethren, pledges all 
Of one true Tuscan mother to her lord, 
Gylippus of Arcadia; it struck full 

426 THE iENEID [273-«05 

On one of these at his gold-belted waist» 

And where the clasp clung, pierced the rib dean 

through. 
And stretched the fmr youth in his glittering arms 
Full length and lifeless on the yellow sand. 
His brothers then, bold band to wrath aroused 
By sorrow, seize the sword or snatch the spear 
And blindly charge. Opposing them» the host 
Laurentine makes advance, and close-arrayed 
The Trojans like a torrent pour, enforced 
By Tuscans and the gay-accoutred clans 
Of Arcady. One passion moved in all 
To try the judgment of the sword. They tore 
The altars down : a very storm of spears 
Rose angrily to heaven in iron rain 
Down-pouring : while the priests bore far away 
The sacrificial bowls and sacred fires. 
Even Latinus fled ; his stricken gods 
Far from his violated oath he bore. 

Some leaped to horse or chariot and rode 

With naked swords in air. Messapus, wild 

To break the truce, assailed the Tuscan King, 

Aulestes, dight m kingly blazon fair, 

With fearful shock of steeds ; the Tuscan dropped 

Helplessly backward, striking as he fell 

His head and shoulders on the altar-stone 

That lay behind him. But Messapus flew. 

Infuriate, a javelin in his hand, 

And, towering o'er the suppliant, smote him strong 

With the great beam-like spear, and loudly cried : 

** Down with him ! Ah ! no common victim he 
**To give the mighty gods!" Italians men 
Despoiled the dead man ere his limbs were cold. 
Then Corynseus snatched a burning brand 
Out of the altar, and as Ebysus 
Came toward him for to strike, he hurled the flame 
Full in his face : the big beard quickly blazed 
With smell of singeing; while the warrior bold 
Strode over him, and seized with firm left hand 
His quailing foe's long hair; then with one knee 
He pushed and struned, compelled him to the 

ground — 
And struck straight at his heart with naked steel. 
The shepherd Alsus in the foremost line 
Came leaping through the spears; when o'er him 

towered 
Huge Podalirius with a flashing sword 
In close pursuit ; the mighty battle-axe 
Clove him with swinging stroke from brow to chin. 
And spilt along his mail the streaming gore : 
So stern repose and iron slumber fell 
Upon that shepherd's eyes, and sealed their gaze 
In endless night. 

But good iBneas now 
Stretched forth his unarmed hand, and all unhelmed 
Thus loudly to his people called : ** What means 
This frantic stir, this quarrel rashly bold ? 
Recall your martial rage ! The pledge is given 
"And all its terms agreed. 'T is only I 
" Do lawful battle here. So let me forth, 
"And tremble not. My own hand shall confirm 

428 THE iENEID [317-839 

"The solemn treaty. For these rites consign 
"Tumus to none but me." Yet while he spoke. 
Behold, a winged arrow, hissing loud. 
The hero pierced ; but what bold hand impelled 
Its whirling speed, none knew; nor if it were 
Chance or some power divine that brought this fame 
Upon Rutulia ; for the glorious deed 
Was covered o'er with silence : none would boast 
An arrow guilty of -ZEneas' wound. 

When Tumus saw JEneas from the line 

Retreating, and the captains in dismay. 

With sudden hope he burned : he called for steeds, 

For arms, and, leaping to his chariot. 

Rode insolently forth, the reins in hand. 

Many strong heroes he dispatched to die. 

As on he flew, and many stretched half-dead. 

Or from his chariot striking, or from far 

Raining his javelins on the recreant foe. 

As Mars, forth-speeding by the wintry stream 

Of Hebrus, smites his sanguinary shield 

And whips the swift steeds to the front of war. 

Who, flying past the winds of eve and mom, 

Scour the wide champaign ; the bounds of Thrace 

Beneath their hoof -beats thunder; the dark shapes 

Of Terror, Wrath, and Treachery move on 

In escort of the god : in such grim guise 

Bold Tumus lashed into the fiercest fray 

His streaming steeds, that pitiful to see 

Trod down the slaughtered foe; each flying hoof 

Scattered a bloody dew ; their path was laid 

In mingled blood and sand* 

To death he flung 
Pholus and Sthenelus and Thamyris : 
Two smitten in close fight and one from far: 
Also from far he smote with fatal spear 
Glaucus and Lades, the Imbrasidae, 
Whom Imbrasus himself in Lycia bred» 
And honored them with arms of equal skill 
When grappling with a foe, or o'er the field 
Speeding a war-horse faster than the wind. 
Elsewhere Eumedes through a throng of foes 
To battle rode, the high-bom Dolon's child. 
Famous in war, who bore his grandsire's name. 
But seemed in might and courage like his sire : 
That prince, who reconnoitring crept so near 
The Argive camp, he dared to claim for spoil 
The chariot of Achilles ; but that day 
Great Diomed for such audacious deed 
Paid wages otherwise, — and he no more 
Dreamed to possess the steeds of Peleus' son. 
When Tumus recognized in open field 
This warrior, though far, he aimed and flung 
His javelin through the spacious air; then stayed 
His coursers twain, and, leaping from his car. 
Found the wretch helpless fallen ; so planted he 
His foot upon his neck, and from his hand 
Wrested the sword and thrust it glittering 
Deep in the throat, thus taunting as he slew : 
There's land for thee, thou Trojan! Measure there 
**Th' Hesperian provinces thy sword would find. 
Such guerdon will I give to all who dare 

€t 

« 

430 THE iENEID [961-S82 

'' Draw steel on me ; such cities they shall build." 
To bear him company his spear laid low 
Asbutes, Sybaris, Thersilochus, 
Chloreus and Dares, and Thymoetes thrown 
Sheer off the shoulders of his balking steed. 
As when from Thrace the north wind thunders 

down 
The vast JBgean, flinging the swift flood 
Against the shore, and where his blasts assail 
The cloudy cohorts vanish out of heaven : 
So before Tumus, where his path he clove. 
The lines fell back, the wheeling legions fled. 
The warrior's own wild impulse swept him on. 
And every wind that o'er his chariot blew 
Shook out his plume in air. 

But such advance 
So bold, so furious, Phegeus could not brook. 
But, fronting the swift chariot's path, he seized 
The foam-flecked bridles of its coursers wild. 
While from the yoke his body trailed and swung; 
The broad lance found his naked side, and tore 
His double corselet, pricking lightly through 
The outer flesh ; but he with lifted targe 
Still fought his foe and thrust with falchion bare; 
But the fierce pace of whirling wheel and pole 
Flung him down prone, and stretched him on the 

plain. 
Then Turnus, aiming with relentless sword 
Between the corselet's edge and helmet's rim 
Struck off his whole head, leaving on the sands 
The mutilated corpse. 

While thus afield 
Notorious Tumus dealt out death and doom, 
Mnestheus, Achates true, and by their side 
AscaniuSy have carried to the camp 
^neas, gashed and bleeding, whose long lance 
Sustained his limping step. With fruitless rage 
He struggled with the spear-head's splintered barb» 
And bade them help him by the swiftest way 
To carve the wound out with a sword, to rip 
The clin^ng weapon forth, and send him back 
To meet the battle. Quickly to his side 
Came lapyx, dear favorite and friend 
Of Phoebus, upon whom the god bestowed 
His own wise craft and power, love-impelled . 
The gifts of augury were pven, and song, 
\^th arrows of swift wing : he when his sire 
Was carried forth to die, deferred the doom 
For many a day, by herbs of virtue known 
To leechcraft; and without reward or praise 
His silent art he plied. iCneas stood. 
Bitterly grieving, propped upon his spear; 
A throng of warriors were near him, and 
lulus, sorrowing. The aged man 
Gathered his garments up as leeches do. 
And with skilled hand and Phoebus' herbs of power 
Bustled in vain; in vain his surgery 
Pried at the shaft, and with a forceps strong 
Seized on the buried barb. But Fortune gave 
No remedy, nor did Apollo aid 
His votary. So more and more grim fear 
Stalks o'er the field of war, and nearer hies 

488 THE .£NEID [408-180 

The fatal hour; the very heavens are dust; 
The horsemen charge, and in the midmost camp 
A rain of javelins pours. The dismal cry 
Of men in fierce fight, and of men who fall 
Beneath relentless Mars» rends all the air. 

Then Venus, by her offspring's guiltless woe 
Sore moved, did cull from Cretan Ida's crest 
Some dittany, with downy leaf and stem 
And flowers of purple bloom — a simple known 
To mountain goats, when to their haunches clings 
An arrow gone astray. This Venus brought. 
Mantling her shape in cloud; and this she steeped 
In bowls of glass, infusing secretly 
Ambrosia's healing essence and sweet drops 
Of fragrant panacea. Such a balm 
Aged lapyx poured upon the wound. 
Though unaware; and sudden from the flesh 
All pain departed and the blood was staunched. 
While from the gash the arrow uncompelled 
Followed the hand and dropped : his wonted strength 
Flowed freshly through the hero's frame. "Make 
haste ! 

" Bring forth his arms ! Why tarry any more ? " 
lapyx shouted, being first to fire 
Their courage 'gainst the foe. ** This thing is done 

** Not of man's knowledge, nor by sovereign skill ; 

** Nor has my hand, ^neas, set thee free. 

" Some mighty god thy vigor gives again 

** For mighty deeds." 

Mneas now put on. 

<« 
<« 
« 
« 
«« 
u 
«« 
«« 

All fever for the fight, his golden greaves. 
And, brooking not delay, waved wide his spear. 
Soon as the corselet and the shield were bound 
On back and side, he clasped Ascanius 
To his mailed breast, and through his helmet grim 
Tenderly kissed his son. " My boy," he cried. 
What valor is and patient, genuine toil 
Learn thou of me ; let others guide thy feet 
To prosperous fortune. Let this hand and sword 
Defend thee through the war and lead thee on 
To high rewards. Thou also play the man ! 
And when thy riper vigor soon shall bloom. 
Forget not in thy heart to ponder well 
The story of our line. Heed honor's call, 
' Like Sire iEneas and Hector thy close kin." 

After such farewell word, he from the gates 
In mighty stature strode, and swung on high 
His giant spear. With him in serried line 
Antheus and Mnestheus moved, and all the host 
From the forsaken fortress poured. The plain 
Was darkened with their dust; the startled earth 
Shook where their footing fell. From distant hill 
Turnus beheld them coming, and the eyes 
Of all Ausonia saw : a chill of fear 
Shot through each soldier's marrow; in their van 
Jutuma knew full well the dreadful sound. 
And fled before it, shuddering. But he 
Hurried his murky cohorts o'er the plain. 
As when a tempest from the riven sky 
Drives landward o'er mid-ocean, and from far 

484 THE iENEID [45iM78 

The hearts of husbandmen, foreboding woe» 

Quake ruefully, — for this will come and rend 

Their trees asunder, kill the harvests all. 

And sow destruction broadcast ; in its path 

Fly roaring winds, swift heralds of the storm : 

Such dire approach the Trojan chieftain showed 

Before his gathered foes. In close array 

They wedge their ranks about him. With a sword 

Thymbraeus cuts huge-limbed Osiris down ; 

Mnestheus, Arcetius ; from Epulo 

Achates shears the head; from Ufens, Gyas; 

Tolumnius the augur falls, the same 

Who flung the first spear to the foeman's line. 

Uprose to heaven the cries. In panic now 

The Rutules^in retreating clouds of dust 

Scattered across the plain. MnesLS scorned 

Either the recreant or resisting foe 

To slaughter, or the men who shoot from far : 

For through the war-cloud he but seeks the arms 

Of Turnus, and to single combat calls. 

The warrior-maid Juturna, seeing this. 
Distraught with terror, strikes down from his place 
Metiscus, Turnus' charioteer, who dropped 
Forward among the reins and oflF the pole. 
Him leaving on the field, her own hand grasped 
The loosely waving reins, while she took on 
Metiscus' shape, his voice, and blazoned arms. 
As when through some rich master's spacious halls 
Speeds the black swallow on her lightsome wing. 
Exploring the high roof, or harvesting 

«73-497] BOOK Xn 485 

Some scanty morsel for her twittering brood. 
Round empty corridors or garden-pools 
Noisily flitting : so Juturna roams 
Among the hostile ranks, and wings her way 
Behind the swift steeds of the whirling car. 
At divers points she lets the people see 
Her brother's glory, but not yet allows 
The final tug of war; her pathless flight 
Keeps far away. 

iEneas too must take 
A course circuitous, and follows close 
His foeman's track; loud o'er the scattered lines 
He shouts his challenge. But whene'er his eyes 
Discern the foe, and fain he would confront 
The flying-footed steeds, Juturna veers 
The chariot round and flies. What can he do? 
iEneas' wrath storms vainly to and fro. 
And wavering purposes his heart divide. 
Against him lightly leaped Messapus forth. 
Bearing two pliant javelins tipped with steel ; 
And, whirling one in air, he aimed it well. 
With stroke unfailing. Great Mnea,s paused 
In cover of his shield and crouched low down 
Upon his haunches. But the driven spear 
Battered his helmet's peak and plucked away 
The margin. of his plume. Then burst his rage: 
His cunning foes had forced him ; so at last, 
While steeds and chariot in the distance fly. 
He plunged him in the fray, and called on Jove 
The altars of that broken oath to see. 
Now by the war-god's favor he began 

4S6 THE iENEID [49a^20 

Grim, never-pitying slaughter» and flung free 
The bridle of his rage. 

What voice divine 
Such horror can make known ? what song declare 
The bloodshed manifold, the princes slain. 
Or flying o'er the field from Tumus' blade. 
Or from the Trojan King ? Did Jove ordiUQ 
So vast a shock of arms should interpose 
'Twixt nations destined to perpetual bond? 

^neas met the Rutule Sucro — thus 

Staying the Trojan charge — and with swift blow 

Struck at him sidewise, where the way of death 

Is quickest, cleaving ribs and rounded side 

With reeking sword. Turnus met Amycus, 

Unhorsed him, though himself afoot, and slew 

Diores, his fair brother (one was pierced 

Fronting the spear, the other felled to earth 

By stroke of sword), and both their severed heads 

He hung all dripping to his chariot's rim. 

But Talon, Tanais, and Cethegus brave. 

Three in one onset, unto death went down 

At great Eneas' hand ; and he dispatched 

Ill-starred Onites of Echion's line. 

Fair Peridia's child. Then Tumus slew 

Two Lycian brothers unto Phoebus dear. 

And young Mencetes, an Arcadian, 

Who hated war (though vainly) when he plied 

His native fisher-craft in Lerna's streams. 

Where from his mean abode he ne'er went forth 

To wait at great men's doors, but with his sire 

520^542] BOOK Xn 487 

Reaped the scant harvest of a rented glebe. 

As from two sides two conflagrations sweep 

Dry woodlands or full copse of crackling bay. 

Or as, swift-leaping from the mountain-vales. 

Two flooded, foaming rivers seaward roar. 

Each on its path of death, not less uproused. 

Speed Tumus and Mntas o'er the field ; 

Now storms their martial rage; now fiercely swells 

Either indomitable heart ; and now 

Each hero's full strength to the slaughter moves. 

Behold Murranus, boasting his high birth 
From far-descended sires of storied name. 
The line of Latium's kings ! Mneas now 
With mountain-boulder lays him low in dust. 
Smitten with whirlwind of the monster stone; 
And o'er him fallen under yoke and rein 
Roll his own chariot wheels, while with swift tread 
The mad hoofs of his horses stamp him down. 
Not knowing him their lord. 

But Tumus found 
Proud Hyllus fronting him with frantic rage. 
And at his golden helmet launched the shaft 
That pierced it; in his cloven brain it clung. 
Nor could thy sword, O Cretheus, save thee then 
From Tumus, though of bravest Greeks the peer; 
Nor did Cupencus' gods their priest defend 
Against iEneas, but his breast he gave 
Unto the hostile blade; his brazen targe 
Delayed no whit his miserable doom. 
Thee also, .£olus, Laurentum saw 

4S8 THE iENEID [548-^164 

Spread thy huge body dying on the ground ; 
Yea, dying, thou whom Greeks in serried arms 
Subdued not, nor Achilles' hand that hurled 
The throne of Priam down : here didst thou touch 
Thy goal of death ; one stately house was thine 
On Ida's mountain, at Lymessus, oHe ; 
Laurentum's hallowed earth was but thy grave. 
Now the whole host contends; all Latium meets 
All Ilium ; Mnestheus and Serestus bold ; 
Messapus, the steed-breaker, and high-souled 
Asilas ; Tuscans in a phalanx proud ; 
Arcadian riders of Evander's train : 
Each warrior lifts him to his height supreme 
Of might and skill ; no sloth nor lingering now» 
But in one far-spread conflict all contend. 

His goddess-mother in Eneas' mind 
Now stirred the purpose to make sudden way 
Against the city-wall, in swift advance 
Of all his line, confounding Latium so 
With slaughter and surprise. His roving glance, 
Seeking for Turnus through the scattered lines 
This way and that, beholds in distant view 
The city yet unscathed and calmly free 
From the wide-raging fight. Then on his soul 
Rushed the swift vision of a mightier war. 
Mnestheus, Sergestus, and Serestus brave. 
His chosen chiefs, he summons to his side. 
And stands upon a hillock, whither throng 
The Teucrian legions, each man holding fast 
His shield and spear. He, towering high. 

«< 
u 
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56^-584] BOOK Xn 439 

Thus from the rampart to his people calls : 
Perform my bidding swiftly : Jove's own hand 
Sustains our power. Be ye not slack» because 
The thing I do is sudden. For this day 
I will pluck out th' offending root of war, — 
Yon city where Latinus reigns. Unless 
It bear our yoke and heed a conqueror's will, 
I will lay low in dust its blazing towers. 
** Must I wait Turnus' pleasure, till he deign 
**To meet my stroke, and have a mind once more, 
"Though vaaquished, to show fight? My country- 
men, 
" See yonder stronghold of their impious war ! 
"Bring flames; avenge the broken oath with firel" 

Scarce had he said, when with consenting souls» 
They speed them to the walls in dense array, 
FormioTa wedge. Ladders now leap in air; 
And sudden-blazing fires. In various war 
Some troops run charging at the city-gates. 
And slay the guards ; some fling the whirling spear 
And darken heaven with arrows. In their van. 
His right hand lifted to the walls and towers, 
iBneas, calling on the gods to hear. 
Loudly upbraids Latinus that once more 
Conflict is thrust upon him ; that once more 
Italians are his foes and violate 
Their second pledge of peace. So blazes forth 
Dissension 'twixt the frighted citizens : 
Some would give o'er the city and fling wide 
Its portals to the Trojan, or drag forth 

440 THE ^NEID [585-e07 

The King himself to parley; others fly 

To arms, and at the rampart make a stand. 

'T is thus some shepherd from a cavemed crag 

Stirs up the nested bees with plenteous fume 

Of bitter smoke ; they, posting to and fro. 

Fly desperate round the waxen citadel. 

And whet their buzzing fury ; through thdr halls 

The stench and blackness rolls; within the caves 

Noise and confusion ring; the fatal cloud 

Pours forth incessant on the vacant air. 

But now a new adversity befell 
The weary Latins, which with conmion woe 
Shook the whole city to its heart. The Queen, 
When at her hearth she saw the close assault 
Of enemies, the walls beset, and fire 
Spreading from roof to roof, but no defence 
From the Rutulian arms, nor front of war 
With Tumus leading, — she, poor soul, believed 
Her youthful champion in the conflict slain ; 
And, mad with sudden sorrow, shrieked aloud 
Against herself, the guilty chief and cause 
Of all this ill ; and, babbling her wild woe 
In endless words, she rent her purple pall. 
And with her own hand from the rafter swung 
A noose for her foul death. The tidings dire 
Among the moaning wives of Latium spread. 
And young Lavinia's frantic fingers tore 
Her rose-red cheek and hyacinthine hair. 
Then all her company of women shrieked 
In anguish, and the wailing echoed far 

WS-^Sil BOOK XII 441 

Along the royal seat ; from whence the tale 
Of sorrow through the peopled city flew; 
Hearts sank; Latinus rent his robes, appalled 
To see his consort's doom, his falling throne; 
And heaped foul dust upon his hoary hair. 

Meanwhile the warrior Tumus far afield 
Pursued a scattered few ; but less his speed, 
For less and less his worn steeds worked his will; 
And now wind-wafted to his straining ear 
A nameless horror came, a dull, wild roar» 
The city's tumult and distressful cry. 
** Alack," he cried, " what stirs in yonder walls 
** Such anguish ? Or why rings from side to side 
"Such wailing through the city?** Asking so. 
He tightened frantic grasp upon the rein. 
To him his sister, counterfeiting still 
The charioteer Metiscus, while she swayed 
Rein, steeds, and chariot, this answer made: 
•* Hither, my Tumus, let our arms pursue 
"The sons of Troy. Here lies the nearest way 
** To speedy triumph. Tnere be other swords 
" To keep yon city safe. iBneas now 
"Storms against Italy in active war; 
" We also on this Trojan host may hurl 
" Grim havoc. Nor shalt thou the strife give o'er 
" In glory second, nor in tale of slain." 

Tumus replied, " O sister, long ago 
" I knew thee what thou wert, when guilefully 
Thou didst confound their treaty, and enlist 
Thy whole heart in this war. No longer now 

€4 
U 

442 THE iENEID [033-^58 

* Thy craft divine deceives me. But what god 

* Compelled thee, from Olympus fallen so far, 

* To bear these cruel burdens ? Wouldst thou see 
*Thy wretched brother slaughtered? For what else 
'* Is in my power ? What flattering hazard still 

* Holds forth deliverance ? My own eyes have seen 

* Murranus (more than any now on earth 
*My chosen friend) who, calling on my name, 
*Died like a hero by a hero's sword. 

* Ill-fated Ufens fell, enduring not 

* To look upon my shame ; the Teucrians 

* Divide his arms for spoil and keep his bones. 

* Shall I stand tamely, till my hearth and home 
*Are levelled with the ground? For this would be 
*The only blow not fallen. Shall my sword 

* Not give the lie to Drances' insolence ? 

* Shall I take flight and let my country see 

* Her Turnus renegade ? Is death a thing 

* So much to weep for ? O propitious dead, 

* O spirits of the dark, receive and bless 

* Me whom yon gods of light have cast away ! 
' Sacred and guiltless shall my soul descend 
*To join your company; I have not been 

* Unworthy offspring of my kingly sires." 

Scarce had he said, when through the foeman's line 
Saces dashed forth upon a foaming steed. 
His face gashed by an arrow. He cried loud 
On Turnus' name : ** O Tumus, but in thee 
" Our last hope lies. Have pity on the woe 
"' Of all thy friends and kin ! iEneas hurls 

«< 

''His thunderbolt of war, and menaces 
** To crush the strongholds of all Italy, 
**And lay them low; already where we dwell 
** His firebrands are raining. Unto thee 
** The Latins look, and for thy valor call. 
** The King sits dumb and helpless, even he, 

In doubt which son-in-law, which cause to choose. 

Yea, and the Queen, thy truest friend, is fallen 
** By her own hand ; gone mad with grief and fear, 
" She fled the light of day. At yonder gates 

Messapus only and Atinas bear 

The brunt of battle ; round us closely draw 
** The serried ranks ; their naked blades of steel 
''Are thick as ripening com; wilt thou the while 
«Speed in thy chariot o'er this empty plain?» 

Dazed and bewildered by such host of ills, 
Turnus stood dumb; in his pent bosom stirred 
Shame, frenzy, sorrow, a despairing love 
Goaded to fury, and a warrior's pride 
Of valor proven. But when first the light 
Of reason to his blinded soul returned, 
He strained his flaming eyeballs to behold 
The distant wall, and from his chariot gazed 
In wonder at the lordly citadel. 
For, lo, a pointed peak of flame uproUed 
From tier to tier, and surging skyward seized 
A tower — the very tower his own proud hands 
Had built of firm-set beams and wheeled in place. 
And slung its lofty bridges high in air. 
" Fate is too strong, my sister ! Seek no more 

444 THE ^BNEID [076-700 

^To stay the stroke. But let me hence pursae 
**That path where Heaven and cruel Fortune call. 
^ JSneas I must meet; and I must bear 
**The bitterness of death, whatever it be. 
^ O sister, thou shalt look upon my shame 
^No longer. But first grant a madman's will!'' 
He spoke; and leaping from his chariot, sped 
Through foes and foemen's spears, not seeing now 
His sister's sorrow, as in swift career 
He burst from line to line. Thus headlong falls 
A mountain-boulder by a whirlwind flung 
From lofty peak, or loosened by much rain. 
Or by insidious lapse of seasons gone; 
The huge, resistless crag goes plunging down 
By leaps and bounds, o'erwhelming as it flies 
Tall forests, flocks and herds, and mortal men : 
So through the scattered l^ons Tumus ran 
Straight to the city walls, where all the ground 
Was drenched with blood, and every passing air 
Shrieked with the noise of spears. His lifted hand 
Made sign of silence as he loudly called : 
*' Refrain, Rutulians! O ye Latins all, 
" Your spears withhold ! The issue of the fray 
"Is all my own. I only can repair 
"Our broken truce by judgment of the sword.'* 
Back fell the hostile lines, and cleared the field. 

But Sire -^neas, hearing Tumus' name, 
Down the steep rampart from the citadel 
Unlingering hied, all lesser task laid by. 
With joy exultant and dread-thundering arms. 

Like Athos' crest he loomed, or soaring top 
Of Eryx, when the nodding oaks resound. 
Or sovereign Apennine that lifts in ur 
His forehead of triumphant snow. All eyes 
Of Troy, Rutulia, and Italy 
Were fixed his way; and aU who kept a guard 
On lofty rampart, or in si^e below 
Were battering the foundations, now laid by 
Their implements and arms. Latinus too 
Stood awestruck to behold such champions, bom 
In lands far-sundered, met upon one field 
For one decisive stroke of sword with sword. 

Swift striding forth where spread the vacant plain. 
They hurled their spears from far ; then in close fight 
The brazen targes rang. Beneath their tread 
Earth groaned aloud, as with redoubling blows 
Their falchions fell ; nor could a mortal eye 
'Twixt chance and courage the dread work divide. 
As o'er Tabumus' top, or upland vale 
Of Sila, in relentless shock of war. 
Two bulls rush brow to brow, while terror-pale 
The herdsmen fly; the herd is hushed with fear; 
The heifers dumbly marvel which shall be 
True monarch of the grove, whom all the kine 
Obedient follow; but the rival twain. 
Commingling mightily wound after wound. 
Thrust with opposing horns, and bathe their necks 
In streams of blood ; the forest far and wide 
Repeats their bellowing rage : not otherwise 
Trojan iEneas and King Daunus' son 

446 THE iENEID [724-747 

Clashed shield on shield, till all the vaulted sky 
Felt the tremendous sound. The hand of Jove 
Held scales in equipoise, and threw thereon 
Th' unequal fortunes of the heroes twain : 
One to vast labors doomed and one to die. 

Soon Tumus, reckless of the risk, leaped forth» 
Upreached his whole height to his lifted sword» 
And struck : the Trojans and the Latins pale 
Cried mightily, and all eyes turned one way 
Expectant. But the weak, perfidious sword 
^ Broke off, and as the blow descended, failed 
Its furious master, whose sole succor now 
Was flight; and swifter than the wind he flew. 
But, lo ! a hilt of form and fashion strange 
Lay in his helpless hand. For in his haste. 
When to the battle-field his team he drove. 
His father's sword forgotten (such the tale). 
He snatched Metiscus' weapon. This endured 
To strike at Trojan backs, as he pursued. 
But when on Vulcan's armory divine 
Its earthly metal smote, the brittle blade 
Broke off like ice, and o'er the yellow sands 
In flashing fragments scattered. Tumus now 
Takes mad flight o'er the distant plain, and winds 
In wavering gyration round and round; 
For Troy's close ring confines him, and one way 
A wide swamp lies, one way a frowning wall. 
But lo ! ^neas — though the arrow's wound 
Still slackens him and oft his knees refuse 
Their wonted step — pursues infuriate 

His quailing foe, and dogs him stride for stride. 

As when a stag-hound drives the baffled roe 

To torrent's edge (or where the flaunting snare 

Of crimson feathers fearfully confines) 

And with incessant barking swift pursues; 

While through the snared copse or embankment high 

The frightened creature by a thousand ways 

Doubles and turns; but that keen Umbrian hound 

With wide jaws, undesisting, grasps his prey. 

Or, thinking that he grasps it, snaps his teeth 

Cracking together, and deludes his rage. 

Devouring empty air : then peal on peal 

The cry of hunters bursts; the lake and shore 

Reecho, and confusion fills the sky: — 

Such was the flight of Turnus, who reviled 

The Rutules as he fled, and loudly sued 

Of each by name to fetch his own lost sword. 

^neas vowed destruction and swift death 

To all who dared come near, and terrified 

Their trembling souls with menace that his power 

Would raze their city to the ground. Straightway, 

Though wounded, he gave chase, and five times 

round 
In circles ran ; then winding left and right 
Coursed the swift circles o'er. For, lo ! the prize 
Is no light laurel or a youthful game : 
For Turnus' doom and death their race is run. 

But haply in that place a sacred tree, 

A bitter-leaved wild-olive, once had grown. 

To Faunus dear, and venerated oft 

x^ 

448 THE ^NEID [707-790 

By mariners safe-rescued from the waves. 
Who nailed their gifts thereon, or hung in air 
Their votive garments to Laurentum's god. 
But, heeding not, the Teucrians had shorn 
The stem away, to clear the field for war. 
'T was here iEneas' lance stuck fast; its speed 
Had driven it firmly inward, and it clave 
To the hard, clinging root. Anchises' son 
Bent o'er it, and would wrench his weapon free. 
And follow with a far-flung javelin 
The swift out-speeding foe. But Tumus then. 
Bewildered and in terror, cried aloud : 

"O Faunus, pity me and heed my prayer! 

" Hold fast his weapon, O benignant Earth ! 

''If ere these hands have rendered offering due» 

" Where yon polluting Teucrians fight and slay." 
He spoke; invoking succor of the god. 
With no lost prayer. For tugging valiantly 
And laboring long against the stubborn stem, 
iEneas with his whole strength could but fail 
To loose the clasping tree. While fiercely thus 
He strove and strained, Juturna once again. 
Wearing the charioteer Metiscus' shape. 
Ran to her brother's aid, restoring him 
His own true sword. But Venus, wroth to see 
What license to the dauntless nymph was given. 
Herself came near, and plucked from that deep root 
The javelin forth. So both with lofty mien 
Strode forth new-armed, new-hearted : one made bold 
By his good sword, the other, spear in hand, 
Uptowered in wrath, and with confronting brows 

They set them to the war-god's breathless game. 

Meanwhile th' Olympian sovereign supreme 

To Juno speaks, as from an amber cloud 

The strife she views : " My Queen, what end shall be ? 

* What yet remains ? Thou seest iEneas' name 
'Numbered with tutelary gods of power; 
'And well thou know'st what station in the sky 

* His starward destiny intends. What scheme 

' Vexes thy bosom still ? What stubborn hope, 

* Fostered in cloud and cold ? O, was it well 
*To desecrate a god with mortal wound; 

*Or well (what were a nymph unhelped by thee?) 
*To give back Turnus his lost sword, and lend 
' Strength unavailing to the fallen brave ? 

* Give o'er, and to our supplication yield ; 
"Let not such grief thy voiceless heart devour; 

* Nor from thy sweet lips let thy mournful care 
*So oft assail my mind. For now is come 
"The last decisive day. Thy power availed 

* To vex the Trojans upon land and sea» 

* To wake abominable war, bring shame 

* Upon a royal house, and mix the songs 

* Of marriage and the grave : but further act 

* I thee refuse. " 

Such was the word of Jove. 

Thus Saturn's daughter answered, drooping low 
Her brows divine : " Because, great Jove, I knew 
Thy pleasure, I from yonder earth retired 
And Turnus' cause, tho' with unwilling mind. 

ft 
«t 

« 

Else shouldst thou not behold me at this hour 

450 THE JENEID [81(^831 

*Upon my solitary throne of air 

' Enduring fair and foul ; I should be found 

* Flame-girded on the battle's deadly verge, 

* Tempting the Teucrians to a hated war. 

* Yea, 't was my motion thrust Jutuma forth 

* To help her hapless brother. I approved — 
*To save his life — that she should be too bold; 

* But bade no whirl of spear nor bending bow : 
' I swear it by th' inexorable fount 

* Whence flow the Stygian rivers, the sole seat 

* Where gods of light bow down in awful prayer. 
*I yield me now; heart-sick I quit the war. 

* But ask one boon, which in the book of fate 

* Is not denied ; for Latium's good I sue, 
'And high prerogatives of men that be 

*Thy kith and kin: when happy wedlock vows 

* (Aye, be it so !) shall join them by strong laws 

* Of chartered peace, let not the Latins lose 
'Their ancient, native name. Bid them not pass 
*For Trojans, nor be hailed as Teucer's sons; 
*No alien speech, no alien garb impose. 

'Let it be Latium ever; let the lords 

* Of Alba unto distant ages reign ; 

'Let the strong, master blood of Rome receive 

* The manhood and the might of Italy. 
*Troy perished: let its name and glory die! 

The Author of mankind and all that is. 
Smiling benignant, answered thus her plea : 
" Jove's sister true, and Saturn's second child, 
" What seas of anger vex thy heart divine ! 

« 

'" But come, relinquish thy rash, fruitless rage : 
" I give thee this desire, and yield to thee 
**A free submission. The Ausonian tribes 
Shall keep the speech and customs of their sires; 
The name remains as now; the Teucrian race. 
Abiding in the land, shall but infuse 
"The miirture of its blood. I will bestow 
A league of worship, and to Latins give 
One language only. From the mingled breed 
A people shall come forth whom thou shalt see 
Surpass all mortal men and even outvie 
The faithfulness of gods ; for none that live 
Shall render to thy name an equal praise." 
So Juno bowed consent» and let her will 
Be changed, as with much comfort in her breast 
She left Olympus and her haunt of cloud. 

After these things Jove gave his kingly mind 

To further action, that he might forthwith 

Cut oflF Jutuma from her brother's cause. 

Two plagues there be, called Furies, which were 

spawned 
At one birth from the womb of wrathful Night 
\^th dread Megsera, phantom out of hell ; 
And of their mother's gift, each Fury wears 
Grim-coiling serpents and tempestuous wings. 
These at Jove's throne attend, and watch the doors 
Of that stern King — to whet the edge of fear 
For wretched mortals, when the King of gods 
Hurls pestilence and death, or terrifies 
Offending nations with the scourge of war. 

45S THE ^NEID [85S-875 

'T was one of these which Jove sent speeding down 

From his ethereal seat» and bade her cross 

The pathway of Jutuma for a sign. 

Her wings she spread, and earthward seemed to ride 

Upon a whirling storm. As when some shaft» 

With Parthian poison tipped or Cretan gall» 

A barb of death, shoots cloudward from the bow» 

And hissing through the dark hastes forth unseen : 

So earthward flew that daughter of the night. 

Soon as she spied the Teucrians in array 
And Tumus' lines» she shrivelled to the shape 
Of that small bird which on lone tombs and towers 
Sits perching through the midnight, and prolongs 
In shadow and deep gloom her troubling cry. 
In such disguise the Fury, screaming shrill» 
Flitted in Turnus' face, and with her wings 
Smote on his hollow shield. A strange affright 
Palsied his every limb ; each several hair 
Lifted with horror, and his gasping voice 
Died on his lips. But when Juturna knew 
From far the shrieking fiend's infernal wing. 
She loosed her tresses, and their beauty tore. 
To tell a sister's woe; with clenching hands 
She marred her cheeks and beat her naked breast 
" What remedy or help, my Turnus, now 
" Is in a sister's power ? What way remains 
" For stubborn me ? Or with what further guile 
"Thy life prolong? What can my strength oppose 
" To this foul thing ? I quit the strife at last. 
" Withdraw thy terror from my fearful eyes. 

" Thou bird accurst ! The tumult of thy wings 
" I know full well, and thy death-boding call. 
" The harsh decrees of that large-minded Jove 
** I plainly see. Is this the price he pays 
** For my lost maidenhood ? Why flatter me 
"With immortality, and snatch away 
** My property of death ? What boon it were 
"To end this grief this hour, and hie away 
" To be my brother's helpmeet in his grave ! 
"I, an immortal? O, what dear delight 
"Is mine, sweet brother, living without thee? 
" O, where will earth yawn deep enough and wide 
" To hide a goddess with the ghosts below ? ** 
She spoke ; and veiled in glistening mantle gray 
Her mournful brow; then in her stream divine 
The nymph sank sighing to its utmost cave. 

^neas now is near; and waving wide 
A spear like some tall tree, he called aloud 
l^th unrelenting heart: "What stays thee now? 
" Or wherefore, Tumus, backward fly ? Our work 
" Is not a foot-race, but the wrathful strife 
" Of man with man. Aye, hasten to put on 
" Tricks and disguises ; gather all thou hast 
" Of skill or courage ; wish thou wert a bird 
"To fly to starry heaven, or hide thy head 
" Safe in the hollow ground ! " 

The other then 
Shook his head, saying: ''It is not thy words» 
" Not thy hot words, affright me, savage man ! 
" Only the gods I fear, and hostile Jove.'' 

454 THE ^NEID [896-919 

Silent he stood, and glancing round him saw 
A huge rock lying by, huge rock and old, 
A landmark justly sundering field from field» 
Which scarce six strong men's shoulders might up- 
raise. 
Such men as mother-Earth brings forth to-day : 
This grasped he with impetuous hand and hurled. 
Stretched at full height and roused to all lus speed. 
Against his foe. Yet scarcely could he feel 
It was himself that ran, himself that moved 
With lifted hand (o fling the monster stone; 
For his knees trembled, and his languid blood 
Ran shuddering cold ; nor could the stone he threw. 
Tumbling in empty lur, attain its goal 
Nor strike the destined blow. But as in dreams. 
When helpless slumber binds the darkened eyes. 
We seem with fond desire to tread in vain 
Along a lengthening road, yet faint and fall 
When straining to the utmost, and the tongue 
Is palsied, and the body's wonted power 
Obeys not, and we have no speech or cry : 
So unto Turnus, whatsoever way 
His valiant spirit moved, the direful Fiend 
Stopped in the act his will. Swift-changing thoughts 
Rush o'er his soul ; on the Rutulian host. 
Then at the town he glares, shrinks back in fear, 
And trembles at th' impending lance ; nor sees 
What path to fly, what way confront the foe : — 
No chariot now, nor sister-charioteer! 

Above his faltering terror gleams in air 

919-^89] BOOK XII 455 

Eneas' fatal spear; whose eye perceived 
The moment of success, and all whose strength 
Struck forth : the vast and ponderous rock outflung 
From engines which make breach in sieged walls 
Not louder roars nor breaks in thunder-sound 
More terrible ; like some black whirlwind flew 
The death-deUvering spear, and, rending wide 
The corselet's edges and the heavy rim 
Of the laat circles of the seven-fold shield. 
Pierced, hissing, through the thigh. Huge Tumus 

sinks 
Overwhelmed upon the ground with doubling knee. 
Upspring the Rutules, groaning; the whole hill 
Roars answering round them, from far and wide 
The lofty groves give back an echoing cry. 

Lowly, with suppliant eyes, and holding forth 
His hand in prayer: "I have my meed," he cried, 
" Nor ask for mercy. Use what Fate has given ! 
" But if a father's grief upon thy heart 
"Have power at all, — for Sire Anchises once 
"To thee was dear, — I pray thee to show grace 
" To Daunus in his desolate old age ; 
"And me, or, if thou wilt, my lifeless clay, 
"To him and lus restore. For, lo, thou art 
" My conqueror ! Ausonia's eyes have seen 
" Me suppliant, me fallen. Thou hast made 
" Lavinia thy bride. Why further urge 
"Our enmity?" 

With swift and dreadful arms 
^neas o'er him stood, with rolling eyes. 

456 THE JENEID [989-952 

But his bare sword restraimng; for such words 
Moved on him more and more : when suddenly» 
Over the mighty shoulder slung, he saw 
That fatal baldric studded with bright gold 
Which youthful Pallas wore, what time he fell 
Vanquished by Tumus* stroke, whose shoulders now 
Carried such trophy of a foeman slain. 
Eneas' eyes took sure and slow survey 
Of spoils that were the proof and memory 
Of cruel sorrow; then with kindling rage 
And terrifying look, he cried, ^ Wouldst thou, 
''Clad in a prize stripped off my chosen friend, 
''Escape this hand? In this thy mortal wound 
"'T is Pallas has a victim; Pallas takes 
"The lawful forfeit of thy guilty blood!" 
He said, and buried deep his furious blade 
In the opposer's heart. The filing limbs 
Sank cold and helpless; and the vital breath 
With moan of wrath to darkness fled away.