s: As custom had prescrib'd their holy bands;


s: Then with a second course the tables load,


s: And with full chargers offer to the god.


s: The Salii sing, and cense his altars round


s: With Saban smoke, their heads with poplar bound-


s: To dance, and bear the burthen of the song.


s: The lay records the labors, and the praise,


s: First, how the mighty babe, when swath'd in bands,


s: The serpents strangled with his infant hands;


s: Then, as in years and matchless force he grew,


s: Th' Oechalian walls, and Trojan, overthrew.


s: Besides, a thousand hazards they relate,


s: Procur'd by Juno's and Eurystheus' hate:


s: "Thy hands, unconquer'd hero, could subdue


s: The cloud-born Centaurs, and the monster crew:


s: Nor thy resistless arm the bull withstood,


s: With lolling tongue, lay fawning at thy feet,


s: And, seiz'd with fear, forgot his mangled meat.


s: Th' infernal waters trembled at thy sight;


s: Thee, god, no face of danger could affright;


s: Not huge Typhoeus, nor th' unnumber'd snake,


s: Increas'd with hissing heads, in Lerna's lake.


s: Hail, Jove's undoubted son! an added grace


s: To heav'n and the great author of thy race!


s: Receive the grateful off'rings which we pay,


s: And smile propitious on thy solemn day!"


s: In numbers thus they sung; above the rest,


s: The den and death of Cacus crown the feast.


s: The woods to hollow vales convey the sound,


s: The vales to hills, and hills the notes rebound.


s: The rites perform'd, the cheerful train retire.


s: And pleasing talk beguil'd the tedious way.


s: The stranger cast around his curious eyes,


s: New objects viewing still, with new surprise;


s: With greedy joy enquires of various things,


s: And acts and monuments of ancient kings.


s: Then thus the founder of the Roman tow'rs:


s: "These woods were first the seat of sylvan pow'rs,


s: Of Nymphs and Fauns, and salvage men, who took


s: Their birth from trunks of trees and stubborn oak.


s: Nor laws they knew, nor manners, nor the care


s: Nor arts of gain, nor what they gain'd to spare.


s: Their exercise the chase; the running flood


s: Supplied their thirst, the trees supplied their food.


s: Then Saturn came, who fled the pow'r of Jove,


s: Robb'd of his realms, and banish'd from above.


s: The men, dispers'd on hills, to towns he brought,


s: And laws ordain'd, and civil customs taught,


s: And Latium call'd the land where safe he lay


s: From his unduteous son, and his usurping sway.


s: With his mild empire, peace and plenty came;


s: And hence the golden times deriv'd their name.


s: Th' Ausonians then, and bold Sicanians came;


s: And Saturn's empire often chang'd the name.


s: Then kings, gigantic Tybris, and the rest,


s: Till, from the tyrant's fate, his name it bore.


s: I last arriv'd, driv'n from my native home


s: By fortune's pow'r, and fate's resistless doom.


s: Long toss'd on seas, I sought this happy land,


s: Warn'd by my mother nymph, and call'd by Heav'n's command."


s: Thus, walking on, he spoke, and shew'd the gate,


s: Since call'd Carmental by the Roman state;


s: Where stood an altar, sacred to the name


s: Who to her son foretold th' Aenean race,


s: Sublime in fame, and Rome's imperial place:


s: Then shews the forest, which, in after times,


s: A sacred refuge made; with this, the shrine


s: Where Pan below the rock had rites divine:


s: Then tells of Argus' death, his murder'd guest,


s: Whose grave and tomb his innocence attest.


s: Thence, to the steep Tarpeian rock he leads;


s: Now roof'd with gold, then thatch'd with homely reeds.


s: A reverent fear (such superstition reigns


s: Among the rude) ev'n then possess'd the swains.


s: Some god, they knew- what god, they could not tell-


s: Did there amidst the sacred horror dwell.


s: Th' Arcadians thought him Jove; and said they saw


s: Who took his shield, and dealt his bolts around,


s: And scatter'd tempests on the teeming ground.


s: Then saw two heaps of ruins, (once they stood


s: Two stately towns, on either side the flood,)


s: And either place the founder's name retains.


s: Where poor Evander kept his country court.


s: They view'd the ground of Rome's litigious hall;


s: (Once oxen low'd, where now the lawyers bawl;)


s: Then, stooping, thro' the narrow gate they press'd,


s: When thus the king bespoke his Trojan guest:


s: "Mean as it is, this palace, and this door,


s: Dare to be poor; accept our homely food,


s: The weary prince, and laid him on a bed;


s: The stuffing leaves, with hides of bears o'erspread.


s: Now Night had shed her silver dews around,


s: And with her sable wings embrac'd the ground,


s: When love's fair goddess, anxious for her son,


s: (New tumults rising, and new wars begun,)


s: Couch'd with her husband in his golden bed,


s: With these alluring words invokes his aid;


s: And, that her pleasing speech his mind may move,


s: Inspires each accent with the charms of love:


s: "While cruel fate conspir'd with Grecian pow'rs,


s: To level with the ground the Trojan tow'rs,


s: Nor did the succor of thy skill implore;


s: Nor urg'd the labors of my lord in vain,


s: Tho'much I ow'd to Priam's house, and more


s: But now, by Jove's command, and fate's decree,


s: O still propitious pow'r, that rules my heart!


s: A mother kneels a suppliant for her son.


s: To forge impenetrable shields, and grace


s: With fated arms a less illustrious race.


s: Behold, what haughty nations are combin'd


s: Against the relics of the Phrygian kind,


s: With fire and sword my people to destroy,


s: And conquer Venus twice, in conqu'ring Troy."


s: She said; and straight her arms, of snowy hue,


s: His bones and marrow sudden warmth inspire;


s: And all the godhead feels the wonted fire.


s: Not half so swift the rattling thunder flies,


s: Or forky lightnings flash along the skies.


s: The goddess, proud of her successful wiles,


s: And conscious of her form, in secret smiles.


s: Then thus the pow'r, obnoxious to her charms,


s: Panting, and half dissolving in her arms:


s: "Why seek you reasons for a cause so just,


s: Or your own beauties or my love distrust?


s: Long since, had you requir'd my helpful hand,


s: Th' artificer and art you might command,


s: To labor arms for Troy: nor Jove, nor fate,


s: Confin'd their empire to so short a date.


s: And, if you now desire new wars to wage,


s: My skill I promise, and my pains engage.


s: Or breathing bellows, or the forming fire,


s: Is freely yours: your anxious fears remove,


s: And think no task is difficult to love."


s: Trembling he spoke; and, eager of her charms,


s: He snatch'd the willing goddess to his arms;


s: Till in her lap infus'd, he lay possess'd


s: Of full desire, and sunk to pleasing rest.


s: Now when the Night her middle race had rode,


s: And his first slumber had refresh'd the god-


s: The time when early housewives leave the bed;


s: When living embers on the hearth they spread,


s: Supply the lamp, and call the maids to rise-


s: With yawning mouths, and with half-open'd eyes,


s: They ply the distaff by the winking light,


s: Thus frugally they earn their children's bread,


s: Not less concern'd, nor at a later hour,


s: Rose from his downy couch the forging pow'r.


s: Sacred to Vulcan's name, an isle there lay,


s: Rais'd high on smoking rocks; and, deep below,


s: In hollow caves the fires of Aetna glow.


s: The Cyclops here their heavy hammers deal;


s: Loud strokes, and hissings of tormented steel,


s: Are heard around; the boiling waters roar,


s: And smoky flames thro' fuming tunnels soar.


s: Hether the Father of the Fire, by night,


s: Thro' the brown air precipitates his flight.


s: The brethren beating, and the blows go round.


s: A load of pointless thunder now there lies


s: Before their hands, to ripen for the skies:


s: These darts, for angry Jove, they daily cast;


s: Consum'd on mortals with prodigious waste.


s: Three rays of writhen rain, of fire three more,


s: Of winged southern winds and cloudy store


s: As many parts, the dreadful mixture frame;


s: And fears are added, and avenging flame.


s: And send him forth again with furbish'd arms,


s: To wake the lazy war with trumpets' loud alarms.


s: The rest refresh the scaly snakes that fold


s: The shield of Pallas, and renew their gold.


s: Full on the crest the Gorgon's head they place,


s: With eyes that roll in death, and with distorted face.


s: "My sons," said Vulcan, "set your tasks aside;


s: Your strength and master-skill must now be tried.


s: Arms for a hero forge; arms that require


s: Your force, your speed, and all your forming fire."


s: He said. They set their former work aside,


s: And their new toils with eager haste divide.


s: A flood of molten silver, brass, and gold,


s: And deadly steel, in the large furnace roll'd;


s: Of this, their artful hands a shield prepare,


s: Sev'n orbs within a spacious round they close:


s: One stirs the fire, and one the bellows blows.


s: The hissing steel is in the smithy drown'd;


s: The grot with beaten anvils groans around.


s: By turns their arms advance, in equal time;


s: By turns their hands descend, and hammers chime.


s: They turn the glowing mass with crooked tongs;


s: The fiery work proceeds, with rustic songs.


s: While, at the Lemnian god's command, they urge


s: Their labors thus, and ply th' Aeolian forge,


s: The cheerful morn salutes Evander's eyes,


s: And songs of chirping birds invite to rise.


s: He leaves his lowly bed: his buskins meet


s: Above his ankles; sandals sheathe his feet:


s: And o'er his shoulder throws a panther's hide.


s: Two menial dogs before their master press'd.


s: Thus clad, and guarded thus, he seeks his kingly guest.


s: Mindful of promis'd aid, he mends his pace,


s: Young Pallas did his father's steps attend,


s: They join their hands; a secret seat they choose;


s: Th' Arcadian first their former talk renews:


s: The Trojan empire lost, while you survive.


s: Command th' assistance of a faithful friend;


s: Our narrow kingdom here the Tiber bounds;


s: That other side the Latian state surrounds,


s: Insults our walls, and wastes our fruitful grounds.


s: Their arms with yours, and aid your just design.


s: You come, as by your better genius sent,


s: Not far from hence there stands a hilly town,


s: Of ancient building, and of high renown,


s: Torn from the Tuscans by the Lydian race,


s: Who gave the name of Caere to the place,


s: Once Agyllina call'd. It flourish'd long,


s: In pride of wealth and warlike people strong,


s: Assum'd the crown, with arbitrary pow'r.


s: What words can paint those execrable times,


s: The subjects' suff'rings, and the tyrant's crimes!


s: That blood, those murthers, O ye gods, replace


s: On his own head, and on his impious race!


s: Were coupled, face to face, and hand to hand,


s: Till, chok'd with stench, in loath'd embraces tied,


s: The ling'ring wretches pin'd away and died.


s: Thus plung'd in ills, and meditating more-


s: The people's patience, tir'd, no longer bore


s: His house, and vengeance and destruction threat.


s: They fire his palace: while the flame ascends,


s: They force his guards, and execute his friends.


s: He cleaves the crowd, and, favor'd by the night,


s: To Turnus' friendly court directs his flight.


s: By just revenge the Tuscans set on fire,


s: With arms, their king to punishment require:


s: Their num'rous troops, now muster'd on the strand,


s: My counsel shall submit to your command.


s: Their navy swarms upon the coasts; they cry


s: To hoist their anchors, but the gods deny.


s: An ancient augur, skill'd in future fate,


s: With these foreboding words restrains their hate:


s: 'Ye brave in arms, ye Lydian blood, the flow'r


s: Of Tuscan youth, and choice of all their pow'r,


s: Whom just revenge against Mezentius arms,


s: To seek your tyrant's death by lawful arms;


s: Know this: no native of our land may lead


s: This pow'rful people; seek a foreign head.'


s: Aw'd with these words, in camps they still abide,


s: And wait with longing looks their promis'd guide.


s: Tarchon, the Tuscan chief, to me has sent


s: The people join their own with his desire;


s: And all my conduct, as their king, require.


s: But the chill blood that creeps within my veins,


s: And age, and listless limbs unfit for pains,


s: My Pallas were more fit to mount the throne,


s: And should, but he's a Sabine mother's son,


s: Where Fate and smiling Fortune shew the way,


s: Pursue the ready path to sov'reign sway.


s: Shall make your good or ill success his own;


s: In fighting fields from you shall learn to dare,


s: And serve the hard apprenticeship of war;


s: Your matchless courage and your conduct view,


s: And early shall begin t' admire and copy you.


s: Besides, two hundred horse he shall command;


s: Tho' few, a warlike and well-chosen band.


s: Scarce had he said; Achates and his guest,


s: With downcast eyes, their silent grief express'd;


s: Who, short of succors, and in deep despair,


s: Shook at the dismal prospect of the war.


s: But his bright mother, from a breaking cloud,


s: To cheer her issue, thunder'd thrice aloud;


s: Thrice forky lightning flash'd along the sky,


s: And Tyrrhene trumpets thrice were heard on high.


s: Then, gazing up, repeated peals they hear;


s: And, in a heav'n serene, refulgent arms appear:


s: Redd'ning the skies, and glitt'ring all around,


s: The temper'd metals clash, and yield a silver sound.


s: The rest stood trembling, struck with awe divine;


s: Presag'd th' event, and joyful view'd, above,


s: Th' accomplish'd promise of the Queen of Love.


s: Then, to th' Arcadian king: "This prodigy


s: (Dismiss your fear) belongs alone to me.


s: Heav'n calls me to the war: th' expected sign


s: Is giv'n of promis'd aid, and arms divine.


s: This omen gave, when bright Vulcanian arms,


s: Fated from force of steel by Stygian charms,


s: Suspended, shone on high: she then foreshow'd


s: Approaching fights, and fields to float in blood.


s: Turnus shall dearly pay for faith forsworn;


s: And corps, and swords, and shields, on Tiber borne,


s: Shall choke his flood: now sound the loud alarms;


s: And, Latian troops, prepare your perjur'd arms."


s: He said, and, rising from his homely throne,


s: And on his altars wak'd the sleeping fires;


s: Then cheerful to his household gods retires;


s: There offers chosen sheep. Th' Arcadian king


s: And Trojan youth the same oblations bring.


s: Next, of his men and ships he makes review;


s: Draws out the best and ablest of the crew.


s: Down with the falling stream the refuse run,


s: To raise with joyful news his drooping son.


s: Steeds are prepar'd to mount the Trojan band,


s: Who wait their leader to the Tyrrhene land.


s: A sprightly courser, fairer than the rest,


s: The king himself presents his royal guest:


s: A lion's hide his back and limbs infold,


s: Precious with studded work, and paws of gold.


s: Fame thro' the little city spreads aloud


s: Th' intended march, amid the fearful crowd:


s: The matrons beat their breasts, dissolve in tears,


s: And double their devotion in their fears.


s: The war at hand appears with more affright,


s: Strain'd his departing friend; and tears o'erflow his face.


s: "Would Heav'n," said he, "my strength and youth recall,


s: Then when I made the foremost foes retire,


s: And set whole heaps of conquer'd shields on fire;


s: Whom with three lives Feronia did endue;


s: And thrice I sent him to the Stygian shore,


s: Till the last ebbing soul return'd no more-


s: Such if I stood renew'd, not these alarms,


s: Nor death, should rend me from my Pallas' arms;


s: Nor proud Mezentius, thus unpunish'd, boast


s: His rapes and murthers on the Tuscan coast.


s: If fate and you reserve these eyes, to see


s: If the lov'd boy shall bless his father's sight;


s: If we shall meet again with more delight;


s: Then draw my life in length; let me sustain,


s: In hopes of his embrace, the worst of pain.


s: But if your hard decrees- which, O! I dread-


s: Have doom'd to death his undeserving head;


s: While hopes and fears in equal balance lie;


s: While, yet possess'd of all his youthful charms,


s: I strain him close within these aged arms;


s: Before that fatal news my soul shall wound!"


s: He said, and, swooning, sunk upon the ground.


s: His servants bore him off, and softly laid


s: His languish'd limbs upon his homely bed.


s: The horsemen march; the gates are open'd wide;


s: Aeneas at their head, Achates by his side.


s: Next these, the Trojan leaders rode along;


s: Last follows in the rear th' Arcadian throng.


s: Young Pallas shone conspicuous o'er the rest;


s: Gilded his arms, embroider'd was his vest.


s: So, from the seas, exerts his radiant head


s: The star by whom the lights of heav'n are led;


s: Shakes from his rosy locks the pearly dews,


s: Dispels the darkness, and the day renews.


s: The trembling wives the walls and turrets crowd,


s: And follow, with their eyes, the dusty cloud,


s: Which winds disperse by fits, and shew from far


s: The blaze of arms, and shields, and shining war.


s: The troops, drawn up in beautiful array,


s: O'er heathy plains pursue the ready way.


s: Repeated peals of shouts are heard around;


s: The neighing coursers answer to the sound,


s: And shake with horny hoofs the solid ground.


s: A greenwood shade, for long religion known,


s: Stands by the streams that wash the Tuscan town,


s: Incompass'd round with gloomy hills above,


s: The guardian of their flocks and fields; and pay


s: Not far from hence, along the river's side,


s: In tents secure, the Tuscan troops abide,


s: By Tarchon led. Now, from a rising ground,


s: Stretch'd on the spacious plain from left to right.


s: Thether his warlike train the Trojan led,


s: Refresh'd his men, and wearied horses fed.


s: Meantime the mother goddess, crown'd with charms,


s: Breaks thro' the clouds, and brings the fated arms.


s: Within a winding vale she finds her son,


s: On the cool river's banks, retir'd alone.


s: She shews her heav'nly form without disguise,


s: "Behold," she said, "perform'd in ev'ry part,


s: My promise made, and Vulcan's labor'd art.


s: She said; and, having first her son embrac'd,


s: The radiant arms beneath an oak she plac'd,


s: Proud of the gift, he roll'd his greedy sight


s: Around the work, and gaz'd with vast delight.


s: He lifts, he turns, he poises, and admires


s: The crested helm, that vomits radiant fires:


s: His hands the fatal sword and corslet hold,


s: One keen with temper'd steel, one stiff with gold:


s: Both ample, flaming both, and beamy bright;


s: So shines a cloud, when edg'd with adverse light.


s: He shakes the pointed spear, and longs to try


s: But most admires the shield's mysterious mold,


s: For these, emboss'd, the heav'nly smith had wrought


s: (Not in the rolls of future fate untaught)


s: Of warriors issuing from the Julian line.


s: The cave of Mars was dress'd with mossy greens:


s: There, by the wolf, were laid the martial twins.


s: Intrepid on her swelling dugs they hung;


s: The foster dam loll'd out her fawning tongue:


s: They suck'd secure, while, bending back her head,


s: She lick'd their tender limbs, and form'd them as they fed.


s: Not far from thence new Rome appears, with games


s: The pit resounds with shrieks; a war succeeds,


s: For breach of public faith, and unexampled deeds.


s: Here for revenge the Sabine troops contend;


s: The Romans there with arms the prey defend.


s: Wearied with tedious war, at length they cease;


s: And both the kings and kingdoms plight the peace.


s: The friendly chiefs before Jove's altar stand,


s: Both arm'd, with each a charger in his hand:


s: Near this, the traitor Metius, stretch'd between


s: Four fiery steeds, is dragg'd along the green,


s: By Tullus' doom: the brambles drink his blood,


s: And his torn limbs are left the vulture's food.


s: There, Porsena to Rome proud Tarquin brings,


s: And would by force restore the banish'd kings.


s: One tyrant for his fellow-tyrant fights;


s: The Roman youth assert their native rights.


s: Their king, half-threat'ning, half-disdaining stood,


s: While Cocles broke the bridge, and stemm'd the flood.


s: The captive maids there tempt the raging tide,


s: Scap'd from their chains, with Cloelia for their guide.


s: To guard the temple, and the temple's god.


s: Then Rome was poor; and there you might behold


s: The palace thatch'd with straw, now roof'd with gold.


s: The silver goose before the shining gate


s: There flew, and, by her cackle, sav'd the state.


s: She told the Gauls' approach; th' approaching Gauls,


s: Obscure in night, ascend, and seize the walls.


s: The gold dissembled well their yellow hair,


s: And golden chains on their white necks they wear.


s: Gold are their vests; long Alpine spears they wield,


s: And their left arm sustains a length of shield.


s: Hard by, the leaping Salian priests advance;


s: And naked thro' the streets the mad Luperci dance,


s: In caps of wool; the targets dropp'd from heav'n.


s: Here modest matrons, in soft litters driv'n,


s: To pay their vows in solemn pomp appear,


s: And odorous gums in their chaste hands they bear.


s: Far hence remov'd, the Stygian seats are seen;


s: Pains of the damn'd, and punish'd Catiline


s: Hung on a rock- the traitor; and, around,


s: The Furies hissing from the nether ground.


s: Apart from these, the happy souls he draws,


s: Betwixt the quarters flows a golden sea;


s: But foaming surges there in silver play.


s: The dancing dolphins with their tails divide


s: The glitt'ring waves, and cut the precious tide.


s: Their brazen beaks, oppos'd with equal rage.


s: Leucate's wat'ry plain with foamy billows fries.


s: Young Caesar, on the stern, in armor bright,


s: Here leads the Romans and their gods to fight:


s: His beamy temples shoot their flames afar,


s: And o'er his head is hung the Julian star.


s: Agrippa seconds him, with prosp'rous gales,


s: And, with propitious gods, his foes assails:


s: A naval crown, that binds his manly brows,


s: The happy fortune of the fight foreshows.


s: Rang'd on the line oppos'd, Antonius brings


s: Barbarian aids, and troops of Eastern kings;


s: Th' Arabians near, and Bactrians from afar,


s: Of tongues discordant, and a mingled war:


s: And, rich in gaudy robes, amidst the strife,


s: Moving they fight; with oars and forky prows


s: The froth is gather'd, and the water glows.


s: Were rooted up, and justled in the main;


s: Or floating mountains floating mountains meet;


s: Such is the fierce encounter of the fleet.


s: Fireballs are thrown, and pointed jav'lins fly;


s: The fields of Neptune take a purple dye.


s: The queen herself, amidst the loud alarms,


s: With cymbals toss'd her fainting soldiers warms-


s: Fool as she was! who had not yet divin'd


s: Her cruel fate, nor saw the snakes behind.


s: Her country gods, the monsters of the sky,


s: Great Neptune, Pallas, and Love's Queen defy:


s: The dog Anubis barks, but barks in vain,


s: Nor longer dares oppose th' ethereal train.


s: Mars in the middle of the shining shield


s: Is grav'd, and strides along the liquid field.


s: The Dirae souse from heav'n with swift descent;


s: And Discord, dyed in blood, with garments rent,


s: Divides the prease: her steps Bellona treads,


s: And shakes her iron rod above their heads.


s: This seen, Apollo, from his Actian height,


s: Pours down his arrows; at whose winged flight


s: And soft Sabaeans quit the wat'ry field.


s: The fatal mistress hoists her silken sails,


s: And, shrinking from the fight, invokes the gales.


s: Aghast she looks, and heaves her breast for breath,


s: Panting, and pale with fear of future death.


s: By winds and waves, and scudding thro' the throng.


s: And spreads his mantle o'er the winding coast,


s: In which he wraps his queen, and hides the flying host.


s: The victor to the gods his thanks express'd,


s: And Rome, triumphant, with his presence bless'd.


s: Three hundred temples in the town he plac'd;


s: With spoils and altars ev'ry temple grac'd.


s: Three shining nights, and three succeeding days,


s: The fields resound with shouts, the streets with praise,


s: The domes with songs, the theaters with plays.


s: All altars flame: before each altar lies,


s: Drench'd in his gore, the destin'd sacrifice.


s: Great Caesar sits sublime upon his throne,


s: And hangs the monumental crowns on high.


s: Vast crowds of vanquish'd nations march along,


s: Various in arms, in habit, and in tongue.


s: For Carians, and th' ungirt Numidian race;


s: Then ranks the Thracians in the second row,


s: With Scythians, expert in the dart and bow.


s: And here the tam'd Euphrates humbly glides,


s: And there the Rhine submits her swelling tides,


s: And proud Araxes, whom no bridge could bind;


s: The Danes' unconquer'd offspring march behind,


s: These figures, on the shield divinely wrought,


s: By Vulcan labor'd, and by Venus brought,


s: With joy and wonder fill the hero's thought.


s: Unknown the names, he yet admires the grace,


s: And bears aloft the fame and fortune of his race.


s: While these affairs in distant places pass'd,


s: To find bold Turnus, who, with anxious thought,


s: The secret shade of his great grandsire sought.


s: "What none of all the gods could grant thy vows,


s: That, Turnus, this auspicious day bestows.


s: Aeneas, gone to seek th' Arcadian prince,


s: Has left the Trojan camp without defense;


s: And, short of succors there, employs his pains


s: In parts remote to raise the Tuscan swains.


s: Now snatch an hour that favors thy designs;


s: Unite thy forces, and attack their lines."


s: This said, on equal wings she pois'd her weight,


s: And form'd a radiant rainbow in her flight.


s: And thus invokes the goddess as she flies:


s: "Iris, the grace of heav'n, what pow'r divine


s: Has sent thee down, thro' dusky clouds to shine?


s: And glitt'ring planets dancing in their spheres!


s: And follow to the war the god that leads the way."


s: Thus having said, as by the brook he stood,


s: He scoop'd the water from the crystal flood;


s: Then with his hands the drops to heav'n he throws,


s: And loads the pow'rs above with offer'd vows.


s: Now march the bold confed'rates thro' the plain,


s: Well hors'd, well clad; a rich and shining train.


s: Messapus leads the van; and, in the rear,


s: The sons of Tyrrheus in bright arms appear.


s: In the main battle, with his flaming crest,


s: The mighty Turnus tow'rs above the rest.


s: Like ebbing Nile, or Ganges in his flow.


s: The Trojans view the dusty cloud from far,


s: Black'ning the fields, and thick'ning thro' the skies.


s: Then to his fellows thus aloud he calls:


s: "What rolling clouds, my friends, approach the walls?


s: Arm! arm! and man the works! prepare your spears


s: And pointed darts! the Latian host appears."


s: Thus warn'd, they shut their gates; with shouts ascend


s: The bulwarks, and, secure, their foes attend:


s: For their wise gen'ral, with foreseeing care,


s: Had charg'd them not to tempt the doubtful war,


s: Nor, tho' provok'd, in open fields advance,


s: But close within their lines attend their chance.


s: Unwilling, yet they keep the strict command,


s: And sourly wait in arms the hostile band.


s: A piebald steed of Thracian strain he press'd;


s: His helm of massy gold, and crimson was his crest.


s: With twenty horse to second his designs,


s: "Is there," he said, "in arms, who bravely dare


s: His leader's honor and his danger share?"


s: Then spurring on, his brandish'd dart he threw,


s: In sign of war: applauding shouts ensue.


s: Behind the rampires and the battle shun,


s: He rides around the camp, with rolling eyes,


s: And stops at ev'ry post, and ev'ry passage tries.


s: So roams the nightly wolf about the fold:


s: Wet with descending show'rs, and stiff with cold,


s: He howls for hunger, and he grins for pain,


s: (His gnashing teeth are exercis'd in vain,)


s: In his distended paws to grasp the prey.


s: The mothers listen; but the bleating lambs


s: Securely swig the dug, beneath the dams.


s: Thus ranges eager Turnus o'er the plain.


s: Sharp with desire, and furious with disdain;


s: Surveys each passage with a piercing sight,


s: To force his foes in equal field to fight.


s: Thus while he gazes round, at length he spies,


s: Where, fenc'd with strong redoubts, their navy lies,


s: Close underneath the walls; the washing tide


s: Secures from all approach this weaker side.


s: He takes the wish'd occasion, fills his hand


s: With ready fires, and shakes a flaming brand.


s: Urg'd by his presence, ev'ry soul is warm'd,


s: And ev'ry hand with kindled firs is arm'd.


s: From the fir'd pines the scatt'ring sparkles fly;


s: Fat vapors, mix'd with flames, involve the sky.


s: What pow'r, O Muses, could avert the flame


s: Which threaten'd, in the fleet, the Trojan name?


s: Tell: for the fact, thro' length of time obscure,


s: Is hard to faith; yet shall the fame endure.


s: 'T is said that, when the chief prepar'd his flight,


s: And fell'd his timber from Mount Ida's height,


s: The grandam goddess then approach'd her son,


s: "Grant me," she said, "the sole request I bring,


s: Since conquer'd heav'n has own'd you for its king.


s: On Ida's brows, for ages past, there stood,


s: With firs and maples fill'd, a shady wood;


s: Where I was worship'd with religious love.


s: Those woods, that holy grove, my long delight,


s: I gave the Trojan prince, to speed his flight.


s: Now, fill'd with fear, on their behalf I come;


s: Let neither winds o'erset, nor waves intomb


s: The floating forests of the sacred pine;


s: Then thus replied her awful son, who rolls


s: The radiant stars, and heav'n and earth controls:


s: "How dare you, mother, endless date demand


s: What then is fate? Shall bold Aeneas ride,


s: Of safety certain, on th' uncertain tide?


s: Yet, what I can, I grant; when, wafted o'er,


s: The chief is landed on the Latian shore,


s: Whatever ships escape the raging storms,


s: At my command shall change their fading forms


s: To nymphs divine, and plow the wat'ry way,


s: Like Dotis and the daughters of the sea."


s: To seal his sacred vow, by Styx he swore,


s: The lake of liquid pitch, the dreary shore,


s: And the black regions of his brother god.


s: He said; and shook the skies with his imperial nod.


s: And now at length the number'd hours were come,


s: When the great Mother of the Gods was free


s: To save her ships, and finish Jove's decree.


s: First, from the quarter of the morn, there sprung


s: A light that sign'd the heav'ns, and shot along;


s: Then from a cloud, fring'd round with golden fires,


s: Were timbrels heard, and Berecynthian choirs;


s: And, last, a voice, with more than mortal sounds,


s: Both hosts, in arms oppos'd, with equal horror wounds:


s: "O Trojan race, your needless aid forbear,


s: And know, my ships are my peculiar care.


s: With greater ease the bold Rutulian may,


s: With hissing brands, attempt to burn the sea,


s: Than singe my sacred pines. But you, my charge,


s: Loos'd from your crooked anchors, launch at large,


s: And swim the seas, at Cybele's command."


s: No sooner had the goddess ceas'd to speak,


s: When, lo! th' obedient ships their haulsers break;


s: And, strange to tell, like dolphins, in the main


s: They plunge their prows, and dive, and spring again:


s: As many beauteous maids the billows sweep,


s: As rode before tall vessels on the deep.


s: The foes, surpris'd with wonder, stood aghast;


s: Messapus curb'd his fiery courser's haste;


s: Old Tiber roar'd, and, raising up his head,


s: Call'd back his waters to their oozy bed.


s: Turnus alone, undaunted, bore the shock,


s: And with these words his trembling troops bespoke:


s: "These monsters for the Trojans' fate are meant,


s: And are by Jove for black presages sent.


s: For fly they cannot, and, constrain'd to stay,


s: Must yield unfought, a base inglorious prey.


s: The liquid half of all the globe is lost;


s: Heav'n shuts the seas, and we secure the coast.


s: Theirs is no more than that small spot of ground


s: Which myriads of our martial men surround.


s: Their fates I fear not, or vain oracles.


s: 'T was giv'n to Venus they should cross the seas,


s: Their promis'd hour is pass'd, and mine remains.


s: With sword and fire, the faithless race of Troy.


s: Shall such affronts as these alone inflame


s: The Grecian brothers, and the Grecian name?


s: My cause and theirs is one; a fatal strife,


s: Was 't not enough, that, punish'd for the crime,


s: They fell; but will they fall a second time?


s: One would have thought they paid enough before,


s: To curse the costly sex, and durst offend no more.


s: Can they securely trust their feeble wall,


s: Betwixt their fate and them; when Troy, tho' built


s: By hands divine, yet perish'd by their guilt?


s: Lend me, for once, my friends, your valiant hands,


s: Less than a thousand ships will end this war,


s: Nor Vulcan needs his fated arms prepare.


s: Let all the Tuscans, all th' Arcadians, join!


s: Nor these, nor those, shall frustrate my design.


s: Let them not fear the treasons of the night,


s: The robb'd Palladium, the pretended flight:


s: No wooden engine shall their town betray;


s: Fires they shall have around, but fires by day.


s: No Grecian babes before their camp appear,


s: Now, since the sun is rolling to the west,


s: Give we the silent night to needful rest:


s: Refresh your bodies, and your arms prepare;


s: The morn shall end the small remains of war."


s: To keep the nightly guard, to watch the walls,


s: And close the Trojans in their scanty ground.


s: Twice seven Rutulian captains ready stand,


s: And twice seven hundred horse these chiefs command;


s: All clad in shining arms the works invest,


s: Each with a radiant helm and waving crest.


s: Stretch'd at their length, they press the grassy ground;


s: They laugh, they sing, (the jolly bowls go round,)


s: With lights and cheerful fires renew the day,


s: And pass the wakeful night in feasts and play.


s: The Trojans, from above, their foes beheld,


s: And with arm'd legions all the rampires fill'd.


s: Seiz'd with affright, their gates they first explore;


s: Join works to works with bridges, tow'r to tow'r:


s: Thus all things needful for defense abound.


s: Mnestheus and brave Seresthus walk the round,


s: Commission'd by their absent prince to share


s: The soldiers draw their lots, and, as they fall,


s: By turns relieve each other on the wall.


s: Nigh where the foes their utmost guards advance,


s: To watch the gate was warlike Nisus' chance.


s: And sent him to the wars. Well could he bear


s: His lance in fight, and dart the flying spear,


s: But better skill'd unerring shafts to send.


s: No fairer face, or sweeter air, could boast-


s: Scarce had the down to shade his cheeks begun.


s: One was their care, and their delight was one:


s: One common hazard in the war they shar'd,


s: And now were both by choice upon the guard.


s: Then Nisus thus: "Or do the gods inspire


s: This warmth, or make we gods of our desire?


s: A gen'rous ardor boils within my breast,


s: This urges me to fight, and fires my mind


s: Thou see'st the foe secure; how faintly shine


s: Their scatter'd fires! the most, in sleep supine


s: All hush'd around. Now hear what I revolve-


s: A thought unripe- and scarcely yet resolve.


s: Our absent prince both camp and council mourn;


s: By message both would hasten his return:


s: Methinks, beneath yon hill, I have espied


s: A way that safely will my passage guide."


s: Euryalus stood list'ning while he spoke,


s: With love of praise and noble envy struck;


s: Then to his ardent friend expos'd his mind:


s: "All this, alone, and leaving me behind!


s: Thinkist thou I can my share of glory yield,


s: Not so my father taught my childhood arms;


s: The thing call'd life, with ease I can disclaim,


s: And think it over-sold to purchase fame."


s: Then Nisus thus: "Alas! thy tender years


s: So may the gods, who view this friendly strife,


s: Restore me to thy lov'd embrace with life,


s: Condemn'd to pay my vows, (as sure I trust,)


s: But if some chance- as many chances are,


s: And doubtful hazards, in the deeds of war-


s: If one should reach my head, there let it fall,


s: And spare thy life; I would not perish all.


s: Thy bloomy youth deserves a longer date:


s: Live thou to mourn thy love's unhappy fate;


s: Or buy it back, and fun'ral rites bestow.


s: Or, if hard fortune shall those dues deny,


s: Thou canst at least an empty tomb supply.


s: Nor let a mother's curse my name pursue:


s: Thy pious parent, who, for love of thee,


s: Her age committing to the seas and wind,


s: And but protract the cause you cannot gain.


s: No more delays, but haste!" With that, he wakes


s: The nodding watch; each to his office takes.


s: The guard reliev'd, the gen'rous couple went


s: All creatures else forgot their daily care,


s: And sleep, the common gift of nature, share;


s: Except the Trojan peers, who wakeful sate


s: In nightly council for th' indanger'd state.


s: They vote a message to their absent chief,


s: Shew their distress, and beg a swift relief.


s: Remote from clamor, and secure from foes.


s: On their left arms their ample shields they bear,


s: The right reclin'd upon the bending spear.


s: Now Nisus and his friend approach the guard,


s: Th' affair important, not to be deferr'd.


s: Then Nisus thus: "Ye fathers, lend your ears;


s: Nor judge our bold attempt beyond our years.


s: The foe, securely drench'd in sleep and wine,


s: Neglect their watch; the fires but thinly shine;


s: And where the smoke in cloudy vapors flies,


s: Cov'ring the plain, and curling to the skies,


s: Betwixt two paths, which at the gate divide,


s: Close by the sea, a passage we have spied,


s: Which will our way to great Aeneas guide.


s: Loaded with spoils of foes in battle slain.


s: Snatch we the lucky minute while we may;


s: For, hunting in the vale, we both have seen


s: The rising turrets, and the stream between,


s: And know the winding course, with ev'ry ford."


s: He ceas'd; and old Alethes took the word:


s: "Our country gods, in whom our trust we place,


s: Will yet from ruin save the Trojan race,


s: While we behold such dauntless worth appear


s: In dawning youth, and souls so void of fear."


s: Then into tears of joy the father broke;


s: Each in his longing arms by turns he took;


s: Panted and paus'd; and thus again he spoke:


s: "Ye brave young men, what equal gifts can we,


s: The greatest, sure, and best you can receive,


s: The gods and your own conscious worth will give.


s: The rest our grateful gen'ral will bestow,


s: And young Ascanius till his manhood owe."


s: "And I, whose welfare in my father lies,"


s: By my dear country, by my household gods,


s: Adjure you both, (on you my fortune stands;


s: That and my faith I plight into your hands,)


s: Your common gift shall two large goblets be


s: Of silver, wrought with curious imagery,


s: And high emboss'd, which, when old Priam reign'd,


s: My conqu'ring sire at sack'd Arisba gain'd;


s: And more, two tripods cast in antic mold,


s: With two great talents of the finest gold;


s: Beside a costly bowl, ingrav'd with art,


s: Which Dido gave, when first she gave her heart.


s: When spoils by lot the victor shall obtain-


s: Thou saw'st the courser by proud Turnus press'd:


s: That, Nisus, and his arms, and nodding crest,


s: And shield, from chance exempt, shall be thy share:


s: Twelve lab'ring slaves, twelve handmaids young and fair


s: All clad in rich attire, and train'd with care;


s: And, last, a Latian field with fruitful plains,


s: And a large portion of the king's domains.


s: But thou, whose years are more to mine allied-


s: From thee, heroic youth! Be wholly mine;


s: Take full possession; all my soul is thine.


s: One faith, one fame, one fate, shall both attend;


s: My life's companion, and my bosom friend:


s: My peace shall be committed to thy care,


s: The same shall be my age, as now my youth;


s: No time shall find me wanting to my truth.


s: This only from your goodness let me gain


s: (And, this ungranted, all rewards are vain)


s: And sure the best that ever bore the name-


s: From me departing, but, o'erspent and old,


s: (Whatever) danger, neither parting kiss,


s: And in this only act of all my life deceive.


s: By this right hand and conscious Night I swear,


s: My soul so sad a farewell could not bear.


s: Be you her comfort; fill my vacant place


s: Support her age, forsaken and distress'd.


s: Against the worst of fortunes, and of fears."


s: He said. The mov'd assistants melt in tears.


s: "So great beginnings, in so green an age,


s: Thy mother all the dues shall justly claim,


s: Whate'er event thy bold attempt shall have,


s: 'T is merit to have borne a son so brave.


s: (My father us'd it,) what, returning here


s: Crown'd with success, I for thyself prepare,


s: That, if thou fail, shall thy lov'd mother share."


s: He said, and weeping, while he spoke the word,


s: From his broad belt he drew a shining sword,


s: And in an ivory scabbard sheath'd the blade.


s: This was his gift. Great Mnestheus gave his friend


s: With his own trusty helm, of temper tried.


s: Thus arm'd they went. The noble Trojans wait


s: Their issuing forth, and follow to the gate


s: With prayers and vows. Above the rest appears


s: Which all in winds were lost, and flitting air.


s: The trenches first they pass'd; then took their way


s: Where their proud foes in pitch'd pavilions lay;


s: To many fatal, ere themselves were slain.


s: They found the careless host dispers'd upon the plain,


s: Who, gorg'd, and drunk with wine, supinely snore.


s: Unharness'd chariots stand along the shore:


s: Amidst the wheels and reins, the goblet by,


s: Observing Nisus shew'd his friend the sight:


s: "Behold a conquest gain'd without a fight.


s: There lies our way; be thou upon the guard,


s: And hew a passage thro' the sleeping foe."


s: Softly he spoke; then striding took his way,


s: With his drawn sword, where haughty Rhamnes lay;


s: His head rais'd high on tapestry beneath,


s: And heaving from his breast, he drew his breath;


s: A king and prophet, by King Turnus lov'd:


s: But fate by prescience cannot be remov'd.


s: Him and his sleeping slaves he slew; then spies


s: Where Remus, with his rich retinue, lies.


s: His armor-bearer first, and next he kills


s: His charioteer, intrench'd betwixt the wheels


s: And his lov'd horses; last invades their lord;


s: Full on his neck he drives the fatal sword:


s: The gasping head flies off; a purple flood


s: Flows from the trunk, that welters in the blood,


s: Which, by the spurning heels dispers'd around,


s: The bed besprinkles and bedews the ground.


s: He slew, and then Serranus fair and young.


s: From dice and wine the youth retir'd to rest,


s: And puff'd the fumy god from out his breast:


s: Ev'n then he dreamt of drink and lucky play-


s: The famish'd lion thus, with hunger bold,


s: O'erleaps the fences of the nightly fold,


s: And tears the peaceful flocks: with silent awe


s: Trembling they lie, and pant beneath his paw.


s: The wrathful sword, or fewer foes destroys;


s: Oppress'd with heavy sleep the former fell,


s: Behind a spacious jar he slink'd for fear;


s: The fatal iron found and reach'd him there;


s: For, as he rose, it pierc'd his naked side,


s: And, reeking, thence return'd in crimson dyed.


s: The wound pours out a stream of wine and blood;


s: The purple soul comes floating in the flood.


s: Now, where Messapus quarter'd, they arrive.


s: The fires were fainting there, and just alive;


s: Nisus observ'd the discipline, and said:


s: "Our eager thirst of blood may both betray;


s: And see the scatter'd streaks of dawning day,


s: Foe to nocturnal thefts. No more, my friend;


s: A lane thro' slaughter'd bodies we have made."


s: Of arms, and arras, and of plate, they find


s: A precious load; but these they leave behind.


s: Yet, fond of gaudy spoils, the boy would stay


s: Which on the steed of conquer'd Rhamnes lay.


s: The girdle-belt, with nails of burnish'd gold.


s: On Remulus, when friendship first they vow'd,


s: He, dying, to his heir bequeath'd the prize;


s: Till, by the conqu'ring Ardean troops oppress'd,


s: He fell; and they the glorious gift possess'd.


s: These glitt'ring spoils (now made the victor's gain)


s: He to his body suits, but suits in vain:


s: And laces on, and wears the waving crest.


s: Proud of their conquest, prouder of their prey,


s: They leave the camp, and take the ready way.


s: But far they had not pass'd, before they spied


s: Three hundred horse, with Volscens for their guide.


s: But the swift horse the slower foot prevent,


s: And now, advancing, sought the leader's tent.


s: They saw the pair; for, thro' the doubtful shade,


s: On which the moon with full reflection play'd.


s: "'T is not for naught," cried Volscens from the crowd,


s: "These men go there;" then rais'd his voice aloud:


s: "Stand! stand! why thus in arms? And whither bent?


s: From whence, to whom, and on what errand sent?"


s: Silent they scud away, and haste their flight


s: To neighb'ring woods, and trust themselves to night.


s: And spur their smoking steeds to cross their way,


s: And watch each entrance of the winding wood.


s: Black was the forest: thick with beech it stood,


s: Horrid with fern, and intricate with thorn;


s: Few paths of human feet, or tracks of beasts, were worn.


s: The darkness of the shades, his heavy prey,


s: And fear, misled the younger from his way.


s: But Nisus hit the turns with happier haste,


s: And, thoughtless of his friend, the forest pass'd,


s: And Alban plains, from Alba's name so call'd,


s: Where King Latinus then his oxen stall'd;


s: Till, turning at the length, he stood his ground,


s: And miss'd his friend, and cast his eyes around:


s: "Ah wretch!" he cried, "where have I left behind


s: Th' unhappy youth? where shall I hope to find?


s: Or what way take?" Again he ventures back,


s: And treads the mazes of his former track.


s: He winds the wood, and, list'ning, hears the noise


s: Of tramping coursers, and the riders' voice.


s: The sound approach'd; and suddenly he view'd


s: The foes inclosing, and his friend pursued,


s: Forelaid and taken, while he strove in vain


s: The shelter of the friendly shades to gain.


s: What should he next attempt? what arms employ,


s: What fruitless force, to free the captive boy?


s: Or desperate should he rush and lose his life,


s: With odds oppress'd, in such unequal strife?


s: Resolv'd at length, his pointed spear he shook;


s: And, casting on the moon a mournful look:


s: "Guardian of groves, and goddess of the night,


s: Fair queen," he said, "direct my dart aright.


s: Did grateful off'rings on thy altars make,


s: Or I increas'd them with my sylvan toils,


s: And hung thy holy roofs with savage spoils,


s: Give me to scatter these." Then from his ear


s: He pois'd, and aim'd, and launch'd the trembling spear.


s: The deadly weapon, hissing from the grove,


s: Pierc'd his thin armor, drank his vital blood,


s: He staggers round; his eyeballs roll in death,


s: And with short sobs he gasps away his breath.


s: All stand amaz'd- a second jav'lin flies


s: With equal strength, and quivers thro' the skies.


s: This thro' thy temples, Tagus, forc'd the way,


s: Fierce Volscens foams with rage, and, gazing round,


s: Descried not him who gave the fatal wound,


s: Nor knew to fix revenge: "But thou," he cries,


s: "Shalt pay for both," and at the pris'ner flies


s: With his drawn sword. Then, struck with deep despair,


s: That cruel sight the lover could not bear;


s: But from his covert rush'd in open view,


s: And sent his voice before him as he flew:


s: "Me! me!" he cried- "turn all your swords alone


s: On me- the fact confess'd, the fault my own.


s: He neither could nor durst, the guiltless youth:


s: Ye moon and stars, bear witness to the truth!


s: His only crime (if friendship can offend)


s: Is too much love to his unhappy friend."


s: Too late he speaks: the sword, which fury guides,


s: Driv'n with full force, had pierc'd his tender sides.


s: Down fell the beauteous youth: the yawning wound


s: Gush'd out a purple stream, and stain'd the ground.


s: His snowy neck reclines upon his breast,


s: Like a fair flow'r by the keen share oppress'd;


s: Like a white poppy sinking on the plain,


s: Whose heavy head is overcharg'd with rain.


s: Despair, and rage, and vengeance justly vow'd,


s: Drove Nisus headlong on the hostile crowd.


s: Volscens he seeks; on him alone he bends:


s: Borne back and bor'd by his surrounding friends,


s: Onward he press'd, and kept him still in sight;


s: Then whirl'd aloft his sword with all his might:


s: Th' unerring steel descended while he spoke,


s: Piered his wide mouth, and thro' his weazon broke.


s: Dying, he slew; and, stagg'ring on the plain,


s: With swimming eyes he sought his lover slain;


s: Content, in death, to be reveng'd so well.


s: O happy friends! for, if my verse can give


s: Immortal life, your fame shall ever live,


s: And spread, where'er the Roman eagle flies!


s: The conqu'ring party first divide the prey,


s: Then their slain leader to the camp convey.


s: With wonder, as they went, the troops were fill'd,


s: To see such numbers whom so few had kill'd.


s: Serranus, Rhamnes, and the rest, they found:


s: Vast crowds the dying and the dead surround;


s: And the yet reeking blood o'erflows the ground.


s: All knew the helmet which Messapus lost,


s: But mourn'd a purchase that so dear had cost.


s: Now rose the ruddy morn from Tithon's bed,


s: And with the dawn of day the skies o'erspread;


s: Nor long the sun his daily course withheld,


s: When early Turnus, wak'ning with the light,


s: All clad in armor, calls his troops to fight.


s: His martial men with fierce harangue he fir'd,


s: And his own ardor in their souls inspir'd.


s: This done- to give new terror to his foes,


s: The heads of Nisus and his friend he shows,


s: Rais'd high on pointed spears- a ghastly sight:


s: Loud peals of shouts ensue, and barbarous delight.


s: Meantime the Trojans run, where danger calls;


s: They line their trenches, and they man their walls.


s: In front extended to the left they stood;


s: Safe was the right, surrounded by the flood.


s: But, casting from their tow'rs a frightful view,


s: They saw the faces, which too well they knew,


s: Tho' then disguis'd in death, and smear'd all o'er


s: With filth obscene, and dropping putrid gore.


s: Soon hasty fame thro' the sad city bears


s: The mournful message to the mother's ears.


s: An icy cold benumbs her limbs; she shakes;


s: Her cheeks the blood, her hand the web forsakes.


s: She runs the rampires round amidst the war,


s: Nor fears the flying darts; she rends her hair,


s: And fills with loud laments the liquid air.


s: Was't on this face my famish'd eyes I fed?


s: And could'st thou leave me, cruel, thus alone?


s: In an ill-boding hour to slaughter sent!


s: Cold on the ground, and pressing foreign clay,


s: To Latian dogs and fowls he lies a prey!


s: To wash his wounds, to weep his obsequies,


s: To call about his corpse his crying friends,


s: Or spread the mantle (made for other ends)


s: On his dear body, which I wove with care,


s: Nor did my daily pains or nightly labor spare.


s: Where shall I find his corpse? what earth sustains


s: His trunk dismember'd, and his cold remains?


s: Expos'd my life to winds and winter seas!


s: Here empty all your quivers, all your darts;


s: Or, if they fail, thou, Jove, conclude my woe,


s: And send me thunderstruck to shades below!"


s: Her shrieks and clamors pierce the Trojans' ears,


s: Unman their courage, and augment their fears;


s: Nor young Ascanius could the sight sustain,


s: And now the trumpets terribly, from far,


s: With rattling clangor, rouse the sleepy war.


s: The soldiers' shouts succeed the brazen sounds;


s: And heav'n, from pole to pole, the noise rebounds.


s: The Volscians bear their shields upon their head,


s: And, rushing forward, form a moving shed.


s: These fill the ditch; those pull the bulwarks down:


s: Some raise the ladders; others scale the town.


s: But, where void spaces on the walls appear,


s: Or thin defense, they pour their forces there.


s: With poles and missive weapons, from afar,


s: Taught, by their ten years' siege, defensive fight,


s: They roll down ribs of rocks, an unresisted weight,


s: To break the penthouse with the pond'rous blow,


s: Which yet the patient Volscians undergo:


s: But could not bear th' unequal combat long;


s: For, where the Trojans find the thickest throng,


s: The ruin falls: their shatter'd shields give way,


s: And their crush'd heads become an easy prey.


s: They shrink for fear, abated of their rage,


s: Nor longer dare in a blind fight engage;


s: With darts and slings, and with the distant bow.


s: A blazing pine within the trenches threw.


s: But brave Messapus, Neptune's warlike son,


s: Broke down the palisades, the trenches won,


s: And loud for ladders calls, to scale the town.


s: To sing what slaughter manly Turnus made,


s: What souls he sent below the Stygian shade,


s: What fame the soldiers with their captain share,


s: There stood a tow'r, amazing to the sight,


s: Built up of beams, and of stupendous height:


s: Art, and the nature of the place, conspir'd


s: To furnish all the strength that war requir'd.


s: With weighty stones o'erwhelm their troops below,


s: Shoot thro' the loopholes, and sharp jav'lins throw.


s: Turnus, the chief, toss'd from his thund'ring hand


s: Against the wooden walls, a flaming brand:


s: It stuck, the fiery plague; the winds were high;


s: The planks were season'd, and the timber dry.


s: Contagion caught the posts; it spread along,


s: Scorch'd, and to distance drove the scatter'd throng.


s: The Trojans fled; the fire pursued amain,


s: Still gath'ring fast upon the trembling train;


s: Till, crowding to the corners of the wall,


s: Down the defense and the defenders fall.


s: The mighty flaw makes heav'n itself resound:


s: The dead and dying Trojans strew the ground.


s: The tow'r, that follow'd on the fallen crew,


s: Whelm'd o'er their heads, and buried whom it slew:


s: Some stuck upon the darts themselves had sent;


s: Sav'd- how, they know not- from the steepy leap.


s: (A privilege which none but freemen share).


s: Slight were his arms, a sword and silver shield:


s: No marks of honor charg'd its empty field.


s: Light as he fell, so light the youth arose,


s: And rising, found himself amidst his foes;


s: Nor flight was left, nor hopes to force his way.


s: And- like a stag, whom all the troop surrounds


s: Resolv'd on death, he dissipates his fears,


s: And bounds aloft against the pointed spears:


s: So dares the youth, secure of death; and throws


s: Runs, doubles, winds and turns, amidst the war;


s: Springs to the walls, and leaves his foes behind,


s: And snatches at the beam he first can find;


s: Looks up, and leaps aloft at all the stretch,


s: In hopes the helping hand of some kind friend to reach.


s: But Turnus follow'd hard his hunted prey


s: (His spear had almost reach'd him in the way,


s: Short of his reins, and scarce a span behind)


s: "Fool!" said the chief, "tho' fleeter than the wind,


s: Couldst thou presume to scape, when I pursue?"


s: He said, and downward by the feet he drew


s: Vast ruins come along, rent from the smoking walls.


s: Thus on some silver swan, or tim'rous hare,


s: Jove's bird comes sousing down from upper air;


s: Her crooked talons truss the fearful prey:


s: Then out of sight she soars, and wings her way.


s: So seizes the grim wolf the tender lamb,


s: Then rushing onward with a barb'rous cry,


s: Toss'd firebrands to the steepy turrets throw.


s: To force the gate, and feed the kindling flame,


s: Roll'd down the fragment of a rock so right,


s: It crush'd him double underneath the weight.


s: To bend the bow young Liger better knew;


s: Brave Caeneus laid Ortygius on the plain;


s: By the same hand, Clonius and Itys fall,


s: From Capys' arms his fate Privernus found:


s: Hurt by Themilla first-but slight the wound-


s: His shield thrown by, to mitigate the smart,


s: He clapp'd his hand upon the wounded part:


s: The second shaft came swift and unespied,


s: And pierc'd his hand, and nail'd it to his side,


s: Transfix'd his breathing lungs and beating heart:


s: The soul came issuing out, and hiss'd against the dart.


s: (Fair was his face, his eyes inspiring love,)


s: Bred by his father in the Martian grove,


s: And send in arms to purchase early fame.


s: Him when he spied from far, the Tuscan king


s: Laid by the lance, and took him to the sling,


s: Thrice whirl'd the thong around his head, and threw:


s: It pierc'd his hollow temples and his brain;


s: The youth came tumbling down, and spurn'd the plain.


s: Then young Ascanius, who, before this day,


s: Was wont in woods to shoot the savage prey,


s: First bent in martial strife the twanging bow,


s: Who Turnus' younger sister took to wife.


s: Proud of his realm, and of his royal bride,


s: Vaunting before his troops, and lengthen'd with a stride,


s: In these insulting terms the Trojans he defied:


s: "Twice-conquer'd cowards, now your shame is shown-


s: Coop'd up a second time within your town!


s: But hold your walls before you for a shield.


s: Thus threat you war? thus our alliance force?


s: What gods, what madness, hether steer'd your course?


s: You shall not find the sons of Atreus here,


s: Nor need the frauds of sly Ulysses fear.


s: Strong from the cradle, of a sturdy brood,


s: We bear our newborn infants to the flood;


s: There bath'd amid the stream, our boys we hold,


s: With winter harden'd, and inur'd to cold.


s: They wake before the day to range the wood,


s: Kill ere they eat, nor taste unconquer'd food.


s: No sports, but what belong to war, they know:


s: To break the stubborn colt, to bend the bow.


s: Our youth, of labor patient, earn their bread;


s: From plows and harrows sent to seek renown,


s: They fight in fields, and storm the shaken town.


s: No part of life from toils of war is free,


s: No change in age, or diff'rence in degree.


s: We plow and till in arms; our oxen feel,


s: Instead of goads, the spur and pointed steel;


s: Th' inverted lance makes furrows in the plain.


s: Ev'n time, that changes all, yet changes us in vain:


s: Our helms defend the young, disguise the gray:


s: We live by plunder, and delight in prey.


s: Your vests embroider'd with rich purple shine;


s: Your vests have sweeping sleeves; with female pride


s: Your turbants underneath your chins are tied.


s: Go, less than women, in the shapes of men!


s: Go, mix'd with eunuchs, in the Mother's rites,


s: Where with unequal sound the flute invites;


s: Sing, dance, and howl, by turns, in Ida's shade:


s: Resign the war to men, who know the martial trade!"


s: This foul reproach Ascanius could not hear


s: With patience, or a vow'd revenge forbear.


s: At the full stretch of both his hands he drew,


s: And almost join'd the horns of the tough yew.


s: But, first, before the throne of Jove he stood,


s: And thus with lifted hands invok'd the god:


s: "My first attempt, great Jupiter, succeed!


s: An annual off'ring in thy grove shall bleed;


s: A snow-white steer, before thy altar led,


s: Who, like his mother, bears aloft his head,


s: Butts with his threat'ning brows, and bellowing stands,


s: And dares the fight, and spurns the yellow sands."


s: Jove bow'd the heav'ns, and lent a gracious ear,


s: And thunder'd on the left, amidst the clear.


s: Sounded at once the bow; and swiftly flies


s: The feather'd death, and hisses thro' the skies.


s: The steel thro' both his temples forc'd the way:


s: "Go now, vain boaster, and true valor scorn!


s: The Phrygians, twice subdued, yet make this third return."


s: Ascanius said no more. The Trojans shake


s: The heav'ns with shouting, and new vigor take.


s: To view the feats of arms, and fighting crowd;


s: And thus the beardless victor he bespoke aloud:


s: "Advance, illustrious youth, increase in fame,


s: And wide from east to west extend thy name;


s: Offspring of gods thyself; and Rome shall owe


s: This is the way to heav'n: the pow'rs divine


s: From this beginning date the Julian line.


s: To thee, to them, and their victorious heirs,


s: The conquer'd war is due, and the vast world is theirs.


s: Troy is too narrow for thy name." He said,


s: And plunging downward shot his radiant head;


s: Dispell'd the breathing air, that broke his flight:


s: Shorn of his beams, a man to mortal sight.


s: Old Butes' form he took, Anchises' squire,


s: Now left, to rule Ascanius, by his sire:


s: His wrinkled visage, and his hoary hairs,


s: His mien, his habit, and his arms, he wears,


s: And thus salutes the boy, too forward for his years:


s: "Suffice it thee, thy father's worthy son,


s: The warlike prize thou hast already won.


s: The god of archers gives thy youth a part


s: Of his own praise, nor envies equal art.


s: Now tempt the war no more." He said, and flew


s: Obscure in air, and vanish'd from their view.


s: The Trojans, by his arms, their patron know,


s: And hear the twanging of his heav'nly bow.


s: Then duteous force they use, and Phoebus' name,


s: To keep from fight the youth too fond of fame.


s: Undaunted, they themselves no danger shun;


s: From wall to wall the shouts and clamors run.


s: They bend their bows; they whirl their slings around;


s: Heaps of spent arrows fall, and strew the ground;


s: And helms, and shields, and rattling arms resound.


s: The combat thickens, like the storm that flies


s: From westward, when the show'ry Kids arise;


s: Or patt'ring hail comes pouring on the main,


s: Or bellowing clouds burst with a stormy sound,


s: And with an armed winter strew the ground.


s: Pand'rus and Bitias, thunderbolts of war,


s: On Ida's top, two youths of height and size


s: Like firs that on their mother mountain rise,


s: Presuming on their force, the gates unbar,


s: With fates averse, against their king's command,


s: Arm'd, on the right and on the left they stand,


s: And flank the passage: shining steel they wear,


s: And waving crests above their heads appear.


s: Thus two tall oaks, that Padus' banks adorn,


s: Lift up to heav'n their leafy heads unshorn,


s: And, overpress'd with nature's heavy load,


s: Dance to the whistling winds, and at each other nod.


s: In flows a tide of Latians, when they see


s: The gate set open, and the passage free;


s: Bold Quercens, with rash Tmarus, rushing on,


s: And Haemon first; but soon repuls'd they fly,


s: These with success are fir'd, and those with rage,


s: And each on equal terms at length ingage.


s: Drawn from their lines, and issuing on the plain,


s: The Trojans hand to hand the fight maintain.


s: Fierce Turnus in another quarter fought,


s: When suddenly th' unhop'd-for news was brought,


s: The foes had left the fastness of their place,


s: Prevail'd in fight, and had his men in chase.


s: He quits th' attack, and, to prevent their fate,


s: Runs where the giant brothers guard the gate.


s: Sarpedon's son, he slew: the deadly dart


s: Found passage thro' his breast, and pierc'd his heart.


s: Fix'd in the wound th' Italian cornel stood,


s: Warm'd in his lungs, and in his vital blood.


s: Of Bitias, threat'ning with his ardent eyes.


s: Not by the feeble dart he fell oppress'd


s: (A dart were lost within that roomy breast),


s: But from a knotted lance, large, heavy, strong,


s: Which roar'd like thunder as it whirl'd along:


s: Not two bull hides th' impetuous force withhold,


s: Nor coat of double mail, with scales of gold.


s: Down sunk the monster bulk and press'd the ground;


s: His arms and clatt'ring shield on the vast body sound,


s: Rais'd on the seas, the surges to control-


s: At once comes tumbling down the rocky wall;


s: Prone to the deep, the stones disjointed fall


s: Of the vast pile; the scatter'd ocean flies;


s: Black sands, discolor'd froth, and mingled mud arise:


s: The frighted billows roll, and seek the shores;


s: Then trembles Prochyta, then Ischia roars:


s: Typhoeus, thrown beneath, by Jove's command,


s: Astonish'd at the flaw that shakes the land,


s: Soon shifts his weary side, and, scarce awake,


s: With wonder feels the weight press lighter on his back.


s: The warrior god the Latian troops inspir'd,


s: New strung their sinews, and their courage fir'd,


s: But chills the Trojan hearts with cold affright:


s: Then black despair precipitates their flight.


s: When Pandarus beheld his brother kill'd,


s: The town with fear and wild confusion fill'd,


s: With both his hands, and adds his shoulders to the weight


s: Some happier friends within the walls inclos'd;


s: The rest shut out, to certain death expos'd:


s: Fool as he was, and frantic in his care,


s: T' admit young Turnus, and include the war!


s: He thrust amid the crowd, securely bold,


s: Too late his blazing buckler they descry,


s: And sparkling fires that shot from either eye,


s: His mighty members, and his ample breast,


s: His rattling armor, and his crimson crest.


s: Far from that hated face the Trojans fly,


s: All but the fool who sought his destiny.


s: Mad Pandarus steps forth, with vengeance vow'd


s: For Bitias' death, and threatens thus aloud:


s: "These are not Ardea's walls, nor this the town


s: 'T is hostile earth you tread. Of hope bereft,


s: No means of safe return by flight are left."


s: To whom, with count'nance calm, and soul sedate,


s: Thus Turnus: "Then begin, and try thy fate:


s: Tell him a new Achilles sent thee there."


s: A lance of tough ground ash the Trojan threw,


s: Rough in the rind, and knotted as it grew:


s: With his full force he whirl'd it first around;


s: But the soft yielding air receiv'd the wound:


s: And fix'd the wand'ring weapon in the door.


s: "But hope not thou," said Turnus, "when I strike,


s: To shun thy fate: our force is not alike,


s: Nor thy steel temper'd by the Lemnian god."


s: Then rising, on his utmost stretch he stood,


s: And aim'd from high: the full descending blow


s: Cleaves the broad front and beardless cheeks in two.


s: Down sinks the giant with a thund'ring sound:


s: His pond'rous limbs oppress the trembling ground;


s: Blood, brains, and foam gush from the gaping wound:


s: Scalp, face, and shoulders the keen steel divides,


s: And the shar'd visage hangs on equal sides.


s: The Trojans fly from their approaching fate;


s: And, had the victor then secur'd the gate,


s: And to his troops without unclos'd the bars,


s: But boiling youth, and blind desire of blood,


s: Push'd on his fury, to pursue the crowd.


s: The pointed jav'lins from the dead he drew,


s: And their friends' arms against their fellows threw.


s: Strong Halys stands in vain; weak Phlegys flies;


s: Saturnia, still at hand, new force and fire supplies.


s: Ingag'd against the foes who scal'd the wall:


s: But, whom they fear'd without, they found within.


s: At last, tho' late, by Lynceus he was seen.


s: He calls new succors, and assaults the prince:


s: But weak his force, and vain is their defense.


s: Turn'd to the right, his sword the hero drew,


s: And at one blow the bold aggressor slew.


s: He joints the neck; and, with a stroke so strong,


s: The helm flies off, and bears the head along.


s: Next him, the huntsman Amycus he kill'd,


s: In darts invenom'd and in poison skill'd.


s: Then Clytius fell beneath his fatal spear,


s: And Creteus, whom the Muses held so dear:


s: He fought with courage, and he sung the fight;


s: Arms were his bus'ness, verses his delight.


s: The Trojan chiefs behold, with rage and grief,


s: Their slaughter'd friends, and hasten their relief.


s: Bold Mnestheus rallies first the broken train,


s: Whom brave Seresthus and his troop sustain.


s: To save the living, and revenge the dead,


s: Against one warrior's arms all Troy they led.


s: "O, void of sense and courage!" Mnestheus cried,


s: "Where can you hope your coward heads to hide?


s: Ah! where beyond these rampires can you run?


s: One man, and in your camp inclos'd, you shun!


s: Shall then a single sword such slaughter boast,


s: And pass unpunish'd from a num'rous host?


s: Your gods, your country, and your king you shame!"


s: This just reproach their virtue does excite:


s: They stand, they join, they thicken to the fight.


s: Now Turnus doubts, and yet disdains to yield,


s: But with slow paces measures back the field,


s: And inches to the walls, where Tiber's tide,


s: Washing the camp, defends the weaker side.


s: The more he loses, they advance the more,


s: They shout: they bear him back; and, whom by might


s: They cannot conquer, they oppress with weight.


s: As, compass'd with a wood of spears around,


s: The lordly lion still maintains his ground;


s: Grins horrible, retires, and turns again;


s: Threats his distended paws, and shakes his mane;


s: Nor will his courage let him dare to run:


s: So Turnus fares, and, unresolved of flight,


s: Yet twice, inrag'd, the combat he renews,


s: Twice breaks, and twice his broken foes pursues.


s: But now they swarm, and, with fresh troops supplied,


s: Come rolling on, and rush from ev'ry side:


s: Nor Juno, who sustain'd his arms before,


s: Dares with new strength suffice th' exhausted store;


s: For Jove, with sour commands, sent Iris down,


s: To force th' invader from the frighted town.


s: With labor spent, no longer can he wield


s: The heavy fanchion, or sustain the shield,


s: O'erwhelm'd with darts, which from afar they fling:


s: The weapons round his hollow temples ring;


s: His golden helm gives way, with stony blows


s: Batter'd, and flat, and beaten to his brows.


s: His crest is rash'd away; his ample shield


s: Is falsified, and round with jav'lins fill'd.


s: The foe, now faint, the Trojans overwhelm;


s: And Mnestheus lays hard load upon his helm.


s: Sick sweat succeeds; he drops at ev'ry pore;


s: With driving dust his cheeks are pasted o'er;


s: Shorter and shorter ev'ry gasp he takes;


s: And vain efforts and hurtless blows he makes.


s: Plung'd in the flood, and made the waters fly.


s: The yellow god the welcome burthen bore,


s: And wip'd the sweat, and wash'd away the gore;


s: Then gently wafts him to the farther coast,


s: And sends him safe to cheer his anxious host.


s: The gates of heav'n unfold: Jove summons all


s: The fields, the camp, the fortune of the war,


s: And all th' inferior world. From first to last,


s: The sov'reign senate in degrees are plac'd.


s: Then thus th' almighty sire began: "Ye gods,


s: From whence these murmurs, and this change of mind,


s: This backward fate from what was first design'd?


s: Why this protracted war, when my commands


s: Pronounc'd a peace, and gave the Latian lands?


s: What fear or hope on either part divides


s: Our heav'ns, and arms our powers on diff'rent sides?


s: A lawful time of war at length will come,


s: (Nor need your haste anticipate the doom),


s: When Carthage shall contend the world with Rome,


s: Shall force the rigid rocks and Alpine chains,


s: And, like a flood, come pouring on the plains.


s: Then is your time for faction and debate,


s: Sit quiet, and compose your souls to peace."


s: (For to what else protection can we fly?)


s: Seest thou the proud Rutulians, how they dare


s: In fields, unpunish'd, and insult my care?


s: How lofty Turnus vaunts amidst his train,


s: In shining arms, triumphant on the plain?


s: Ev'n in their lines and trenches they contend,


s: And scarce their walls the Trojan troops defend:


s: The town is fill'd with slaughter, and o'erfloats,


s: With a red deluge, their increasing moats.


s: Has left a camp expos'd, without defense.


s: This endless outrage shall they still sustain?


s: Shall Troy renew'd be forc'd and fir'd again?


s: One more audacious mortal will be found;


s: And I, thy daughter, wait another wound.


s: Yet, if with fates averse, without thy leave,


s: And thy protection from their aid withdraw.


s: But, if the gods their sure success foretell;


s: If those of heav'n consent with those of hell,


s: What should I tell of tempests on the main,


s: T' inspire the matrons, and destroy the fleet?


s: Solicits hell for aid, and arms the fiends.


s: An act that well became the wife of Jove!


s: Alecto, rais'd by her, with rage inflames


s: The peaceful bosoms of the Latian dames.


s: (Such hopes I had indeed, while Heav'n was kind;)


s: Now let my happier foes possess my place,


s: Whom Jove prefers before the Trojan race;


s: And conquer they, whom you with conquest grace.


s: Since you can spare, from all your wide command,


s: Which may my wand'ring fugitives receive;


s: (Since haughty Juno will not give you leave;)


s: Then, father, (if I still may use that name,)


s: By ruin'd Troy, yet smoking from the flame,


s: Be freed from danger, and dismiss'd the war:


s: Inglorious let him live, without a crown.


s: The father may be cast on coasts unknown,


s: Struggling with fate; but let me save the son.


s: Mine is Cythera, mine the Cyprian tow'rs:


s: In those recesses, and those sacred bow'rs,


s: Obscurely let him rest; his right resign


s: To promis'd empire, and his Julian line.


s: Then Carthage may th' Ausonian towns destroy,


s: What profits it my son to scape the fire,


s: Arm'd with his gods, and loaded with his sire;


s: To pass the perils of the seas and wind;


s: Evade the Greeks, and leave the war behind;


s: To reach th' Italian shores; if, after all,


s: Much better had he curb'd his high desires,


s: And hover'd o'er his ill-extinguish'd fires.


s: And give them back to war, and all the woes before."


s: Deep indignation swell'd Saturnia's heart:


s: "And must I own," she said, "my secret smart-


s: What with more decence were in silence kept,


s: And, but for this unjust reproach, had slept?


s: Did god or man your fav'rite son advise,


s: With war unhop'd the Latians to surprise?


s: By fate, you boast, and by the gods' decree,


s: Confess the truth; by mad Cassandra, more


s: Than Heav'n inspir'd, he sought a foreign shore!


s: With walls unfinish'd, which himself forsakes,


s: And thro' the waves a wand'ring voyage takes?


s: Or made the fool himself the fatal choice?


s: You think it hard, the Latians should destroy


s: With swords your Trojans, and with fires your Troy!


s: Their native air, nor take a foreign law!


s: To whom his birth a god and goddess give!


s: But yet is just and lawful for your line


s: To drive their fields, and force with fraud to join;


s: Realms, not your own, among your clans divide,


s: And from the bridegroom tear the promis'd bride;


s: Petition, while you public arms prepare;


s: 'T was giv'n to you, your darling son to shroud,


s: From flaming fleets you turn'd the fire away,


s: And chang'd the ships to daughters of the sea.


s: But is my crime- the Queen of Heav'n offends,


s: If she presume to save her suff'ring friends!


s: Your son, not knowing what his foes decree,


s: Yours is Cythera, yours the Cyprian tow'rs,


s: The soft recesses, and the sacred bow'rs.


s: Why do you then these needless arms prepare,


s: Think on whose faith th' adult'rous youth relied;


s: Who promis'd, who procur'd, the Spartan bride?


s: When all th' united states of Greece combin'd,


s: To purge the world of the perfidious kind,


s: Then was your time to fear the Trojan fate:


s: Your quarrels and complaints are now too late."


s: Thus Juno. Murmurs rise, with mix'd applause,


s: Just as they favor or dislike the cause.


s: So winds, when yet unfledg'd in woods they lie,


s: In whispers first their tender voices try,


s: Then issue on the main with bellowing rage,


s: And storms to trembling mariners presage.


s: Then thus to both replied th' imperial god,


s: Who shakes heav'n's axles with his awful nod.


s: (When he begins, the silent senate stand


s: With rev'rence, list'ning to the dread command:


s: The clouds dispel; the winds their breath restrain;


s: And the hush'd waves lie flatted on the main.)


s: "Celestials, your attentive ears incline!


s: Since," said the god, "the Trojans must not join


s: In wish'd alliance with the Latian line;


s: Since endless jarrings and immortal hate


s: The war henceforward be resign'd to fate:


s: Each to his proper fortune stand or fall;


s: And both shall draw the lots their fates decree.


s: Let these assault, if Fortune be their friend;


s: And, if she favors those, let those defend:


s: The Fates will find their way." The Thund'rer said,


s: And shook the sacred honors of his head,


s: And the black regions of his brother god.


s: Trembled the poles of heav'n, and earth confess'd the nod.


s: This end the sessions had: the senate rise,


s: And to his palace wait their sov'reign thro' the skies.


s: Meantime, intent upon their siege, the foes


s: Within their walls the Trojan host inclose:


s: They wound, they kill, they watch at ev'ry gate;


s: Renew the fires, and urge their happy fate.


s: Th' Aeneans wish in vain their wanted chief,


s: Hopeless of flight, more hopeless of relief.


s: Thin on the tow'rs they stand; and ev'n those few


s: Yet in the face of danger some there stood:


s: The two bold brothers of Sarpedon's blood,


s: Young Haemon, and tho' young, resolv'd to die.


s: With these were Clarus and Thymoetes join'd;


s: From Acmon's hands a rolling stone there came,


s: So large, it half deserv'd a mountain's name:


s: Strong-sinew'd was the youth, and big of bone;


s: His brother Mnestheus could not more have done,


s: Or the great father of th' intrepid son.


s: Some firebrands throw, some flights of arrows send;


s: And some with darts, and some with stones defend.


s: Amid the press appears the beauteous boy,


s: The care of Venus, and the hope of Troy.


s: His lovely face unarm'd, his head was bare;


s: In ringlets o'er his shoulders hung his hair.


s: Distinguish'd from the crowd, he shines a gem,


s: Enchas'd in gold, or polish'd iv'ry set,


s: And death with poison arm'd- in Lydia born,


s: Where plenteous harvests the fat fields adorn;


s: Where proud Pactolus floats the fruitful lands,


s: And leaves a rich manure of golden sands.


s: And there was Mnestheus too, increas'd in fame,


s: Since Turnus from the camp he cast with shame.


s: Thus mortal war was wag'd on either side.


s: Meantime the hero cuts the nightly tide:


s: For, anxious, from Evander when he went,


s: He sought the Tyrrhene camp, and Tarchon's tent;


s: Expos'd the cause of coming to the chief;


s: His name and country told, and ask'd relief;


s: Propos'd the terms; his own small strength declar'd;


s: What vengeance proud Mezentius had prepar'd:


s: What Turnus, bold and violent, design'd;


s: Then shew'd the slipp'ry state of humankind,


s: And fickle fortune; warn'd him to beware,


s: And to his wholesome counsel added pray'r.


s: Tarchon, without delay, the treaty signs,


s: And to the Trojan troops the Tuscan joins.


s: They soon set sail; nor now the fates withstand;


s: Their forces trusted with a foreign hand.


s: Two lions carv'd, which rising Ida bear-


s: Revolving war's events, and various fate.


s: His left young Pallas kept, fix'd to his side,


s: And oft of winds enquir'd, and of the tide;


s: Oft of the stars, and of their wat'ry way;


s: And what he suffer'd both by land and sea.


s: Now, sacred sisters, open all your spring!


s: The Tuscan leaders, and their army sing,


s: Their arms, their numbers, and their names declare.


s: Borne in the Tiger thro' the foaming sea;


s: From Asium brought, and Cosa, by his care:


s: For arms, light quivers, bows and shafts, they bear.


s: Fierce Abas next: his men bright armor wore;


s: All skill'd in martial exercise, and strong.


s: Three hundred more for battle Ilva joins,


s: An isle renown'd for steel, and unexhausted mines.


s: Who heav'n interprets, and the wand'ring stars;


s: From offer'd entrails prodigies expounds,


s: And peals of thunder, with presaging sounds.


s: A thousand spears in warlike order stand,


s: Proud of his manag'd horse and painted shield.


s: Gravisca, noisome from the neighb'ring fen,


s: And his own Caere, sent three hundred men;


s: With those which Minio's fields and Pyrgi gave,


s: Whose helm confess'd the lineage of the man,


s: And bore, with wings display'd, a silver swan.


s: Love was the fault of his fam'd ancestry,


s: Whose forms and fortunes in his ensigns fly.


s: And sung his loss in poplar groves, alone,


s: Beneath the sister shades, to soothe his grief.


s: Heav'n heard his song, and hasten'd his relief,


s: And chang'd to snowy plumes his hoary hair,


s: And wing'd his flight, to chant aloft in air.


s: Who heav'd a rock, and, threat'ning still to throw,


s: With lifted hands alarm'd the seas below:


s: They seem'd to fear the formidable sight,


s: And roll'd their billows on, to speed his flight.


s: Ocnus was next, who led his native train


s: Of hardy warriors thro' the wat'ry plain:


s: From whence the Mantuan town derives the name-


s: Three sev'ral tribes compose the government;


s: The Mantuan laws, and own the Tuscan sway.


s: Hate to Mezentius arm'd five hundred more,


s: Whom Mincius from his sire Benacus bore:


s: Mincius, with wreaths of reeds his forehead cover'd o'er.


s: These grave Auletes leads: a hundred sweep


s: With stretching oars at once the glassy deep.


s: Him and his martial train the Triton bears;


s: High on his poop the sea-green god appears:


s: Frowning he seems his crooked shell to sound,


s: And at the blast the billows dance around.


s: A porpoise tail beneath his belly grows;


s: And ends a fish: his breast the waves divides,


s: And froth and foam augment the murm'ring tides.


s: Full thirty ships transport the chosen train


s: For Troy's relief, and scour the briny main.


s: And Phoebe half her nightly race had run.


s: The careful chief, who never clos'd his eyes,


s: Himself the rudder holds, the sails supplies.


s: A choir of Nereids meet him on the flood,


s: Once his own galleys, hewn from Ida's wood;


s: But now, as many nymphs, the sea they sweep,


s: As rode, before, tall vessels on the deep.


s: Inclose the ship that bore the Trojan king.


s: Cymodoce, whose voice excell'd the rest,


s: Above the waves advanc'd her snowy breast;


s: Her right hand stops the stern; her left divides


s: The curling ocean, and corrects the tides.


s: She spoke for all the choir, and thus began


s: With pleasing words to warn th' unknowing man:


s: "Sleeps our lov'd lord? O goddess-born, awake!


s: Spread ev'ry sail, pursue your wat'ry track,


s: And haste your course. Your navy once were we,


s: From Ida's height descending to the sea;


s: Till Turnus, as at anchor fix'd we stood,


s: Then, loos'd from shore, we fled his fires profane


s: (Unwillingly we broke our master's chain),


s: And since have sought you thro' the Tuscan main.


s: The mighty Mother chang'd our forms to these,


s: But young Ascanius, in his camp distress'd,


s: By your insulting foes is hardly press'd.


s: Th' Arcadian horsemen, and Etrurian host,


s: To cut their way the Daunian chief designs,


s: Before their troops can reach the Trojan lines.


s: Thou, when the rosy morn restores the light,


s: First arm thy soldiers for th' ensuing fight:


s: Thyself the fated sword of Vulcan wield,


s: To-morrow's sun, unless my skill be vain,


s: Shall see huge heaps of foes in battle slain."


s: Parting, she spoke; and with immortal force


s: Push'd on the vessel in her wat'ry course;


s: For well she knew the way. Impell'd behind,


s: The ship flew forward, and outstripp'd the wind.


s: The rest make up. Unknowing of the cause,


s: The chief admires their speed, and happy omens draws.


s: Then thus he pray'd, and fix'd on heav'n his eyes:


s: "Hear thou, great Mother of the deities.


s: With turrets crown'd! (on Ida's holy hill


s: Fierce tigers, rein'd and curb'd, obey thy will.)


s: Firm thy own omens; lead us on to fight;


s: And let thy Phrygians conquer in thy right."


s: Had chas'd the shadows of the night away.


s: He charg'd the soldiers, with preventing care,


s: Their flags to follow, and their arms prepare;


s: Warn'd of th' ensuing fight, and bade 'em hope the war.


s: His camp incompass'd, and th' inclosing foe.


s: His blazing shield, imbrac'd, he held on high;


s: The camp receive the sign, and with loud shouts reply.


s: Hope arms their courage: from their tow'rs they throw


s: Their darts with double force, and drive the foe.


s: Thus, at the signal giv'n, the cranes arise


s: Before the stormy south, and blacken all the skies.


s: King Turnus wonder'd at the fight renew'd,


s: Till, looking back, the Trojan fleet he view'd,


s: The seas with swelling canvas cover'd o'er,


s: And the swift ships descending on the shore.


s: The Latians saw from far, with dazzled eyes,


s: The radiant crest that seem'd in flames to rise,


s: And dart diffusive fires around the field,


s: And the keen glitt'ring the golden shield.


s: Thus threat'ning comets, when by night they rise,


s: Shoot sanguine streams, and sadden all the skies:


s: So Sirius, flashing forth sinister lights,


s: Pale humankind with plagues and with dry famine fright:


s: To man the shores, and hinder their descent,


s: And thus awakes the courage of his friends:


s: "What you so long have wish'd, kind Fortune sends;


s: In ardent arms to meet th' invading foe:


s: You find, and find him at advantage now.


s: Yours is the day: you need but only dare;


s: Your swords will make you masters of the war.


s: Your sires, your sons, your houses, and your lands,


s: And dearest wifes, are all within your hands.


s: Be mindful of the race from whence you came,


s: Now take the time, while stagg'ring yet they stand


s: With feet unfirm, and prepossess the strand:


s: Fortune befriends the bold." Nor more he said,


s: But balanc'd whom to leave, and whom to lead;


s: Then these elects, the landing to prevent;


s: And those he leaves, to keep the city pent.


s: Meantime the Trojan sends his troops ashore:


s: Some are by boats expos'd, by bridges more.


s: With lab'ring oars they bear along the strand,


s: Where the tide languishes, and leap aland.


s: Tarchon observes the coast with careful eyes,


s: And, where no ford he finds, no water fries,


s: But smoothly slide along, and swell the shore,


s: That course he steer'd, and thus he gave command:


s: "Here ply your oars, and at all hazard land:


s: Force on the vessel, that her keel may wound


s: This hated soil, and furrow hostile ground.


s: Then sink my ships, or shatter on the shore."


s: This fiery speech inflames his fearful friends:


s: They tug at ev'ry oar, and ev'ry stretcher bends;


s: They run their ships aground; the vessels knock,


s: (Thus forc'd ashore,) and tremble with the shock.


s: Tarchon's alone was lost, that stranded stood,


s: Stuck on a bank, and beaten by the flood:


s: She breaks her back; the loosen'd sides give way,


s: And plunge the Tuscan soldiers in the sea.


s: Their broken oars and floating planks withstand


s: Their passage, while they labor to the land,


s: And ebbing tides bear back upon th' uncertain sand.


s: Now Turnus leads his troops without delay,


s: The trumpets sound: Aeneas first assail'd


s: The clowns new-rais'd and raw, and soon prevail'd.


s: Great Theron fell, an omen of the fight;


s: Great Theron, large of limbs, of giant height.


s: He first in open field defied the prince:


s: But armor scal'd with gold was no defense


s: Against the fated sword, which open'd wide


s: His plated shield, and pierc'd his naked side.


s: Next, Lichas fell, who, not like others born,


s: Was from his wretched mother ripp'd and torn;


s: Sacred, O Phoebus, from his birth to thee;


s: For his beginning life from biting steel was free.


s: Of monstrous bulk; with Cisseus fierce and strong:


s: Vain bulk and strength! for, when the chief assail'd,


s: Nor their fam'd father, wont in war to go


s: With great Alcides, while he toil'd below.


s: The noisy Pharos next receiv'd his death:


s: Aeneas writh'd his dart, and stopp'd his bawling breath.


s: Then wretched Cydon had receiv'd his doom,


s: Who courted Clytius in his beardless bloom,


s: And sought with lust obscene polluted joys:


s: The Trojan sword had curd his love of boys,


s: Had not his sev'n bold brethren stopp'd the course


s: Of the fierce champions, with united force.


s: Sev'n darts were thrown at once; and some rebound


s: From his bright shield, some on his helmet sound:


s: The rest had reach'd him; but his mother's care


s: Prevented those, and turn'd aside in air.


s: The prince then call'd Achates, to supply


s: The spears that knew the way to victory-


s: "Those fatal weapons, which, inur'd to blood,


s: Not one of those my hand shall toss in vain


s: Against our foes, on this contended plain."


s: He said; then seiz'd a mighty spear, and threw;


s: Which, wing'd with fate, thro' Maeon's buckler flew,


s: Pierc'd all the brazen plates, and reach'd his heart:


s: Alcanor saw; and reach'd, but reach'd in vain,


s: His helping hand, his brother to sustain.


s: A second spear, which kept the former course,


s: From the same hand, and sent with equal force,


s: His right arm pierc'd, and holding on, bereft


s: His use of both, and pinion'd down his left.


s: Th' ill-omen'd spear, and at the Trojan threw:


s: Which, glancing, only mark'd Achates' thigh.


s: In pride of youth the Sabine Clausus came,


s: The spear flew hissing thro' the middle space,


s: And pierc'd his throat, directed at his face;


s: It stopp'd at once the passage of his wind,


s: And the free soul to flitting air resign'd:


s: His forehead was the first that struck the ground;


s: Lifeblood and life rush'd mingled thro' the wound.


s: He slew three brothers of the Borean race,


s: And three, whom Ismarus, their native place,


s: Had sent to war, but all the sons of Thrace.


s: Conspicuous on his horse. On either hand,


s: These fight to keep, and those to win, the land.


s: With mutual blood th' Ausonian soil is dyed,


s: While on its borders each their claim decide.


s: With equal force of lungs their titles try:


s: They rage, they roar; the doubtful rack of heav'n


s: Stands without motion, and the tide undriv'n:


s: Each bent to conquer, neither side to yield,


s: They long suspend the fortune of the field.


s: Both armies thus perform what courage can;


s: Foot set to foot, and mingled man to man.


s: But, in another part, th' Arcadian horse


s: With ill success ingage the Latin force:


s: For, where th' impetuous torrent, rushing down,


s: Huge craggy stones and rooted trees had thrown,


s: They left their coursers, and, unus'd to fight


s: On foot, were scatter'd in a shameful flight.


s: Pallas, who with disdain and grief had view'd


s: His foes pursuing, and his friends pursued,


s: Us'd threat'nings mix'd with pray'rs, his last resource,


s: With these to move their minds, with those to fire their force


s: "Which way, companions? whether would you run?


s: By you yourselves, and mighty battles won,


s: By my great sire, by his establish'd name,


s: To share his honors- shun ignoble flight!


s: Trust not your feet: your hands must hew way


s: Thro' yon black body, and that thick array:


s: 'T is thro' that forward path that we must come;


s: There lies our way, and that our passage home.


s: Oppress our arms: with equal strength we go,


s: See on what foot we stand: a scanty shore,


s: No passage left, unless we swim the main;


s: Or, forcing these, the Trojan trenches gain."


s: This said, he strode with eager haste along,


s: And bore amidst the thickest of the throng.


s: Lagus, the first he met, with fate to foe,


s: Had heav'd a stone of mighty weight, to throw:


s: Stooping, the spear descended on his chine,


s: Just where the bone distinguished either loin:


s: That scarce the victor forc'd the steel away.


s: Hisbon came on: but, while he mov'd too slow


s: To wish'd revenge, the prince prevents his blow;


s: For, warding his at once, at once he press'd,


s: And plung'd the fatal weapon in his breast.


s: Who stain'd his stepdam's bed with impious lust.


s: And, after him, the Daucian twins were slain,


s: Laris and Thymbrus, on the Latian plain;


s: So wondrous like in feature, shape, and size,


s: As caus'd an error in their parents' eyes-


s: Grateful mistake! but soon the sword decides


s: The nice distinction, and their fate divides:


s: For Thymbrus' head was lopp'd; and Laris' hand,


s: Dismember'd, sought its owner on the strand:


s: The trembling fingers yet the fauchion strain,


s: And threaten still th' intended stroke in vain.


s: Now, to renew the charge, th' Arcadians came:


s: Sight of such acts, and sense of honest shame,


s: And grief, with anger mix'd, their minds inflame.


s: Then, with a casual blow was Rhoeteus slain,


s: Who chanc'd, as Pallas threw, to cross the plain:


s: But Rhoeteus happen'd on a death unmeant:


s: From Teuthras and from Tyres while he fled,


s: The lance, athwart his body, laid him dead:


s: Roll'd from his chariot with a mortal wound,


s: And intercepted fate, he spurn'd the ground.


s: As when, in summer, welcome winds arise,


s: The watchful shepherd to the forest flies,


s: And fires the midmost plants; contagion spreads,


s: And catching flames infect the neighb'ring heads;


s: Around the forest flies the furious blast,


s: And Vulcan rides in triumph o'er the waste;


s: The pastor, pleas'd with his dire victory,


s: Beholds the satiate flames in sheets ascend the sky:


s: So Pallas' troops their scatter'd strength unite,


s: And, pouring on their foes, their prince delight.


s: Halesus came, fierce with desire of blood;


s: But first collected in his arms he stood:


s: Advancing then, he plied the spear so well,


s: Around his head he toss'd his glitt'ring brand,


s: And from Strymonius hew'd his better hand,


s: Held up to guard his throat; then hurl'd a stone


s: At Thoas' ample front, and pierc'd the bone:


s: It struck beneath the space of either eye;


s: And blood, and mingled brains, together fly.


s: Deep skill'd in future fates, Halesus' sire


s: Did with the youth to lonely groves retire:


s: But, when the father's mortal race was run,


s: And haul'd him to the war, to find, beneath


s: Pallas th' encounter seeks, but, ere he throws,


s: To Tuscan Tiber thus address'd his vows:


s: "O sacred stream, direct my flying dart,


s: And give to pass the proud Halesus' heart!


s: His arms and spoils thy holy oak shall bear."


s: Pleas'd with the bribe, the god receiv'd his pray'r:


s: For, while his shield protects a friend distress'd,


s: The dart came driving on, and pierc'd his breast.


s: But Lausus, no small portion of the war,


s: Permits not panic fear to reign too far,


s: Caus'd by the death of so renown'd a knight;


s: But by his own example cheers the fight.


s: Fierce Abas first he slew; Abas, the stay


s: Of Trojan hopes, and hindrance of the day.


s: The Phrygian troops escap'd the Greeks in vain:


s: They, and their mix'd allies, now load the plain.


s: To the rude shock of war both armies came;


s: Their leaders equal, and their strength the same.


s: The rear so press'd the front, they could not wield


s: Their angry weapons, to dispute the field.


s: But both by fate forbid to breathe their native air.


s: Their congress in the field great Jove withstands:


s: Both doom'd to fall, but fall by greater hands.


s: Meantime Juturna warns the Daunian chief


s: With his driv'n chariot he divides the crowd,


s: And, making to his friends, thus calls aloud:


s: "Let none presume his needless aid to join;


s: Retire, and clear the field; the fight is mine:


s: O were his father here, my just revenge to view!"


s: From the forbidden space his men retir'd.


s: Pallas their awe, and his stern words, admir'd;


s: Survey'd him o'er and o'er with wond'ring sight,


s: Struck with his haughty mien, and tow'ring height.


s: Then to the king: "Your empty vaunts forbear;


s: Jove is impartial, and to both the same."


s: He said, and to the void advanc'd his pace:


s: Then Turnus, from his chariot leaping light,


s: Address'd himself on foot to single fight.


s: Bending his neck, and spurning back the sand-


s: Runs roaring downward from his hilly stand:


s: Young Pallas, when he saw the chief advance


s: Within due distance of his flying lance,


s: Prepares to charge him first, resolv'd to try


s: If fortune would his want of force supply;


s: And thus to Heav'n and Hercules address'd:


s: "Alcides, once on earth Evander's guest,


s: His son adjures you by those holy rites,


s: That hospitable board, those genial nights;


s: Assist my great attempt to gain this prize,


s: And let proud Turnus view, with dying eyes,


s: His ravish'd spoils." 'T was heard, the vain request;


s: Alcides mourn'd, and stifled sighs within his breast.


s: Then Jove, to soothe his sorrow, thus began:


s: "Short bounds of life are set to mortal man.


s: 'T is virtue's work alone to stretch the narrow span.


s: Around the walls of Troy, have lost the light:


s: Nor I, his mighty sire, could ward the blow.


s: Ev'n Turnus shortly shall resign his breath,


s: And stands already on the verge of death."


s: This said, the god permits the fatal fight,


s: But from the Latian fields averts his sight.


s: Now with full force his spear young Pallas threw,


s: And, having thrown, his shining fauchion drew


s: The steel just graz'd along the shoulder joint,


s: And mark'd it slightly with the glancing point,


s: Fierce Turnus first to nearer distance drew,


s: And pois'd his pointed spear, before he threw:


s: Then, as the winged weapon whizz'd along,


s: "See now," said he, "whose arm is better strung."


s: The spear kept on the fatal course, unstay'd