s: Such is their toil, and such their busy pains,


s: When winter past, and summer scarce begun,


s: Some lead their youth abroad, while some condense


s: Their liquid store, and some in cells dispense;


s: The golden burthen, and their friends relieve;


s: The lazy drones from the laborious hive:


s: With envy stung, they view each other's deeds;


s: The fragrant work with diligence proceeds.


s: "Thrice happy you, whose walls already rise!"


s: Aeneas said, and view'd, with lifted eyes,


s: Their lofty tow'rs; then, entiring at the gate,


s: Conceal'd in clouds (prodigious to relate)


s: He mix'd, unmark'd, among the busy throng,


s: Borne by the tide, and pass'd unseen along.


s: Full in the center of the town there stood,


s: The Tyrians, landing near this holy ground,


s: And digging here, a prosp'rous omen found:


s: From under earth a courser's head they drew,


s: Their growth and future fortune to foreshew.


s: This fated sign their foundress Juno gave,


s: Did Juno's temple build, and consecrate,


s: Enrich'd with gifts, and with a golden shrine;


s: But more the goddess made the place divine.


s: On brazen steps the marble threshold rose,


s: And brazen plates the cedar beams inclose:


s: The rafters are with brazen cov'rings crown'd;


s: Reviv'd his courage, and his fear expell'd.


s: For while, expecting there the queen, he rais'd


s: His wond'ring eyes, and round the temple gaz'd,


s: The striving artists, and their arts' renown;


s: The wars that fame around the world had blown,


s: All to the life, and ev'ry leader known.


s: And fierce Achilles, who both kings defies.


s: He stopp'd, and weeping said: "O friend! ev'n here


s: Our known disasters fill ev'n foreign lands:


s: See there, where old unhappy Priam stands!


s: Ev'n the mute walls relate the warrior's fame,


s: And Trojan griefs the Tyrians' pity claim."


s: He said (his tears a ready passage find),


s: For there he saw the fainting Grecians yield,


s: And here the trembling Trojans quit the field,


s: Pursued by fierce Achilles thro' the plain,


s: On his high chariot driving o'er the slain.


s: The tents of Rhesus next his grief renew,


s: By their white sails betray'd to nightly view;


s: The sentries slew, nor spar'd their slumb'ring lord,


s: Then took the fiery steeds, ere yet the food


s: Of Troy they taste, or drink the Xanthian flood.


s: Then, where the boy disarm'd, with loosen'd reins,


s: Was by his horses hurried o'er the plains,


s: Hung by the neck and hair, and dragg'd around:


s: The hostile spear, yet sticking in his wound,


s: With tracks of blood inscrib'd the dusty ground.


s: Meantime the Trojan dames, oppress'd with woe,


s: In hopes to reconcile their heav'nly foe.


s: They weep, they beat their breasts, they rend their hair,


s: And rich embroider'd vests for presents bear;


s: But the stern goddess stands unmov'd with pray'r.


s: Thrice round the Trojan walls Achilles drew


s: The corpse of Hector, whom in fight he slew.


s: Here Priam sues; and there, for sums of gold,


s: So sad an object, and so well express'd,


s: Drew sighs and groans from the griev'd hero's breast,


s: To see the figure of his lifeless friend,


s: And his old sire his helpless hand extend.


s: Himself he saw amidst the Grecian train,


s: Mix'd in the bloody battle on the plain;


s: His pompous ensigns, and his Indian crew.


s: In their right hands a pointed dart they wield;


s: The left, for ward, sustains the lunar shield.


s: Athwart her breast a golden belt she throws,


s: Amidst the press alone provokes a thousand foes,


s: And dares her maiden arms to manly force oppose.


s: Thus while the Trojan prince employs his eyes,


s: Fix'd on the walls with wonder and surprise,


s: The beauteous Dido, with a num'rous train


s: And pomp of guards, ascends the sacred fane.


s: Such on Eurotas' banks, or Cynthus' height,


s: Diana seems; and so she charms the sight,


s: When in the dance the graceful goddess leads


s: The choir of nymphs, and overtops their heads:


s: Known by her quiver, and her lofty mien,


s: She walks majestic, and she looks their queen;


s: And feeds with secret joy her silent breast.


s: Such Dido was; with such becoming state,


s: Amidst the crowd, she walks serenely great.


s: Their labor to her future sway she speeds,


s: And passing with a gracious glance proceeds;


s: Then mounts the throne, high plac'd before the shrine:


s: In crowds around, the swarming people join.


s: She takes petitions, and dispenses laws,


s: Hears and determines ev'ry private cause;


s: Their tasks in equal portions she divides,


s: And, where unequal, there by lots decides.


s: His eyes, and unexpected sees his friends,


s: Antheus, Sergestus grave, Cloanthus strong,


s: And at their backs a mighty Trojan throng,


s: Whom late the tempest on the billows toss'd,


s: The prince, unseen, surpris'd with wonder stands,


s: And longs, with joyful haste, to join their hands;


s: But, doubtful of the wish'd event, he stays,


s: And from the hollow cloud his friends surveys,


s: Impatient till they told their present state,


s: And where they left their ships, and what their fate,


s: And why they came, and what was their request;


s: For these were sent, commission'd by the rest,


s: To sue for leave to land their sickly men,


s: And gain admission to the gracious queen.


s: Ent'ring, with cries they fill'd the holy fane;


s: Then thus, with lowly voice, Ilioneus began:


s: To build a town, with statutes to restrain


s: We wretched Trojans, toss'd on ev'ry shore,


s: Forbid the fires our shipping to deface!


s: We come not with design of wasteful prey,


s: To drive the country, force the swains away:


s: Nor such our strength, nor such is our desire;


s: The vanquish'd dare not to such thoughts aspire.


s: The soil is fruitful, and the men are bold-


s: Th' Oenotrians held it once- by common fame


s: Now call'd Italia, from the leader's name.


s: To that sweet region was our voyage bent,


s: Disturb'd our course, and, far from sight of land,


s: Cast our torn vessels on the moving sand:


s: The sea came on; the South, with mighty roar,


s: Dispers'd and dash'd the rest upon the rocky shore.


s: Those few you see escap'd the Storm, and fear,


s: What men, what monsters, what inhuman race,


s: What laws, what barb'rous customs of the place,


s: If our hard fortune no compassion draws,


s: The gods are just, and will revenge our cause.


s: Observant of the right, religious of his word.


s: If yet he lives, and draws this vital air,


s: Nor we, his friends, of safety shall despair;


s: Nor you, great queen, these offices repent,


s: Which he will equal, and perhaps augment.


s: We want not cities, nor Sicilian coasts,


s: Where King Acestes Trojan lineage boasts.


s: Permit our ships a shelter on your shores,


s: Refitted from your woods with planks and oars,


s: That, if our prince be safe, we may renew


s: That thou art swallow'd in the Libyan main,


s: Dismiss our navy from your friendly shore,


s: And with our friends our common losses mourn."


s: With cries and clamors his request renew.


s: The modest queen a while, with downcast eyes,


s: Ponder'd the speech; then briefly thus replies:


s: "Trojans, dismiss your fears; my cruel fate,


s: And doubts attending an unsettled state,


s: Force me to guard my coast from foreign foes.


s: Who has not heard the story of your woes,


s: The name and fortune of your native place,


s: The fame and valor of the Phrygian race?


s: Whether to Latian shores your course is bent,


s: Or, driv'n by tempests from your first intent,


s: Your men shall be receiv'd, your fleet repair'd,


s: And sail, with ships of convoy for your guard:


s: Or, would you stay, and join your friendly pow'rs


s: To raise and to defend the Tyrian tow'rs,


s: My wealth, my city, and myself are yours.


s: And would to Heav'n, the Storm, you felt, would bring


s: On Carthaginian coasts your wand'ring king.


s: The ports and creeks of ev'ry winding shore,


s: And towns, and wilds, and shady woods, in quest


s: Rais'd in his mind the Trojan hero stood,


s: And long'd to break from out his ambient cloud:


s: Achates found it, and thus urg'd his way:


s: "From whence, O goddess-born, this long delay?


s: What more can you desire, your welcome sure,


s: Your fleet in safety, and your friends secure?


s: Oppose the Storm, and swallow'd in the main.


s: The rest agrees with what your mother said."


s: Scarce had he spoken, when the cloud gave way,


s: The mists flew upward and dissolv'd in day.


s: The Trojan chief appear'd in open sight,


s: His mother goddess, with her hands divine,


s: Had form'd his curling locks, and made his temples shine,


s: And giv'n his rolling eyes a sparkling grace,


s: And breath'd a youthful vigor on his face;


s: Like polish'd ivory, beauteous to behold,


s: Or Parian marble, when enchas'd in gold:


s: Thus radiant from the circling cloud he broke,


s: "He whom you seek am I; by tempests toss'd,


s: And sav'd from shipwreck on your Libyan coast;


s: Presenting, gracious queen, before your throne,


s: A prince that owes his life to you alone.


s: Of those whom fate pursues, and wants oppress,


s: Receive the shipwreck'd on your friendly shore,


s: Associate in your town a wand'ring train,


s: What thanks can wretched fugitives return,


s: Who, scatter'd thro' the world, in exile mourn?


s: The gods, if gods to goodness are inclin'd;


s: If acts of mercy touch their heav'nly mind,


s: And, more than all the gods, your gen'rous heart.


s: Conscious of worth, requite its own desert!


s: In you this age is happy, and this earth,


s: And parents more than mortal gave you birth.


s: While rolling rivers into seas shall run,


s: And round the space of heav'n the radiant sun;


s: While trees the mountain tops with shades supply,


s: Your honor, name, and praise shall never die.


s: Your image shall be present in my mind."


s: Thus having said, he turn'd with pious haste,


s: And joyful his expecting friends embrac'd:


s: With his right hand Ilioneus was grac'd,


s: Serestus with his left; then to his breast


s: The Tyrian queen stood fix'd upon his face,


s: Pleas'd with his motions, ravish'd with his grace;


s: Admir'd his fortunes, more admir'd the man;


s: "What fate, O goddess-born; what angry pow'rs


s: Have cast you shipwrack'd on our barren shores?


s: Are you the great Aeneas, known to fame,


s: Who from celestial seed your lineage claim?


s: It calls into my mind, tho' then a child,


s: And sought my father's aid, to be restor'd:


s: My father Belus then with fire and sword


s: And, conqu'ring, finish'd the successful war.


s: The Grecian chiefs, and your illustrious blood.


s: Your foe himself the Dardan valor prais'd,


s: And his own ancestry from Trojans rais'd.


s: Enter, my noble guest, and you shall find,


s: For I myself, like you, have been distress'd,


s: Till Heav'n afforded me this place of rest;


s: She said, and to the palace led her guest;


s: Then offer'd incense, and proclaim'd a feast.


s: Nor yet less careful for her absent friends,


s: Twice ten fat oxen to the ships she sends;


s: Besides a hundred boars, a hundred lambs,


s: With bleating cries, attend their milky dams;


s: And jars of gen'rous wine and spacious bowls


s: She gives, to cheer the sailors' drooping souls.


s: Now purple hangings clothe the palace walls,


s: And sumptuous feasts are made in splendid halls:


s: On Tyrian carpets, richly wrought, they dine;


s: With loads of massy plate the sideboards shine,


s: Of curious work, where on the sides were seen


s: The fights and figures of illustrious men,


s: From their first founder to the present queen.


s: Dispatch'd Achates to the ships in haste,


s: And, fraught with precious gifts, to bring the boy,


s: Snatch'd from the ruins of unhappy Troy:


s: A robe of tissue, stiff with golden wire;


s: An upper vest, once Helen's rich attire,


s: From Argos by the fam'd adultress brought,


s: With golden flow'rs and winding foliage wrought,


s: Her mother Leda's present, when she came


s: To ruin Troy and set the world on flame;


s: The scepter Priam's eldest daughter bore,


s: Her orient necklace, and the crown she wore


s: One order set with gems, and one with gold.


s: But Venus, anxious for her son's affairs,


s: New counsels tries, and new designs prepares:


s: That Cupid should assume the shape and face


s: Of sweet Ascanius, and the sprightly grace;


s: Should bring the presents, in her nephew's stead,


s: And in Eliza's veins the gentle poison shed:


s: For much she fear'd the Tyrians, double-tongued,


s: And knew the town to Juno's care belong'd.


s: These thoughts by night her golden slumbers broke,


s: And thus alarm'd, to winged Love she spoke:


s: "My son, my strength, whose mighty pow'r alone


s: Controls the Thund'rer on his awful throne,


s: To thee thy much-afflicted mother flies,


s: Thou know'st, my son, how Jove's revengeful wife,


s: By force and fraud, attempts thy brother's life;


s: And often hast thou mourn'd with me his pains.


s: But I suspect the town where Juno reigns.


s: For this 't is needful to prevent her art,


s: And fire with love the proud Phoenician's heart:


s: As neither age can change, nor art can cure.


s: How this may be perform'd, now take my mind:


s: To come, with presents laden, from the port,


s: To gratify the queen, and gain the court.


s: I mean to plunge the boy in pleasing sleep,


s: And, ravish'd, in Idalian bow'rs to keep,


s: May pass unseen, and none prevent the cheat.


s: Take thou his form and shape. I beg the grace


s: Thyself a boy, assume a boy's dissembled face;


s: That when, amidst the fervor of the feast,


s: The Tyrian hugs and fonds thee on her breast,


s: And with sweet kisses in her arms constrains,


s: Thou may'st infuse thy venom in her veins."


s: His bow and quiver, and his plumy pride;


s: And in the sweet resemblance takes delight.


s: The goddess then to young Ascanius flies,


s: And in a pleasing slumber seals his eyes:


s: Lull'd in her lap, amidst a train of Loves,


s: She gently bears him to her blissful groves,


s: Then with a wreath of myrtle crowns his head,


s: Cupid meantime assum'd his form and face,


s: And brought the gifts. The queen already sate


s: Amidst the Trojan lords, in shining state,


s: High on a golden bed: her princely guest


s: Was next her side; in order sate the rest.


s: Then canisters with bread are heap'd on high;


s: Th' attendants water for their hands supply,


s: And, having wash'd, with silken towels dry.


s: The censers, and with fumes the gods adore:


s: Then youths, and virgins twice as many, join


s: To place the dishes, and to serve the wine.


s: The Tyrian train, admitted to the feast,


s: Approach, and on the painted couches rest.


s: All on the Trojan gifts with wonder gaze,


s: But view the beauteous boy with more amaze,


s: His rosy-color'd cheeks, his radiant eyes,


s: His motions, voice, and shape, and all the god's disguise;


s: Nor pass unprais'd the vest and veil divine,


s: Which wand'ring foliage and rich flow'rs entwine.


s: But, far above the rest, the royal dame,


s: (Already doom'd to love's disastrous flame,)


s: With eyes insatiate, and tumultuous joy,


s: Beholds the presents, and admires the boy.


s: With children's play, and false embraces, hung;


s: Then sought the queen: she took him to her arms


s: With greedy pleasure, and devour'd his charms.


s: How dire a god, she drew so near her breast;


s: But he, not mindless of his mother's pray'r,


s: And molds her heart anew, and blots her former care.


s: The dead is to the living love resign'd;


s: Now, when the rage of hunger was appeas'd,


s: The meat remov'd, and ev'ry guest was pleas'd,


s: The golden bowls with sparkling wine are crown'd,


s: And thro' the palace cheerful cries resound.


s: From gilded roofs depending lamps display


s: A golden bowl, that shone with gems divine,


s: The queen commanded to be crown'd with wine:


s: The bowl that Belus us'd, and all the Tyrian line.


s: Then, silence thro' the hall proclaim'd, she spoke:


s: With solemn rites, thy sacred name and pow'r;


s: Bless to both nations this auspicious hour!


s: In lasting concord from this day combine.


s: Thou, Bacchus, god of joys and friendly cheer,


s: And gracious Juno, both be present here!


s: And you, my lords of Tyre, your vows address


s: To Heav'n with mine, to ratify the peace."


s: The goblet then she took, with nectar crown'd


s: (Sprinkling the first libations on the ground,)


s: And rais'd it to her mouth with sober grace;


s: Then, sipping, offer'd to the next in place.


s: 'T was Bitias whom she call'd, a thirsty soul;


s: He took challenge, and embrac'd the bowl,


s: With pleasure swill'd the gold, nor ceas'd to draw,


s: His golden lyre, and sung what ancient Atlas taught:


s: The various labors of the wand'ring moon,


s: And whence proceed th' eclipses of the sun;


s: Th' original of men and beasts; and whence


s: The rains arise, and fires their warmth dispense,


s: And fix'd and erring stars dispose their influence;


s: What shakes the solid earth; what cause delays


s: The summer nights and shortens winter days.


s: With peals of shouts the Tyrians praise the song:


s: Those peals are echo'd by the Trojan throng.


s: Th' unhappy queen with talk prolong'd the night,


s: And drank large draughts of love with vast delight;


s: Then ask'd what arms the swarthy Memnon wore,


s: What troops he landed on the Trojan shore;


s: The steeds of Diomede varied the discourse,


s: And fierce Achilles, with his matchless force;


s: At length, as fate and her ill stars requir'd,


s: "Relate at large, my godlike guest," she said,


s: "The Grecian stratagems, the town betray'd:


s: Your flight, your wand'rings, and your woes, declare;


s: For, since on ev'ry sea, on ev'ry coast,


s: Your men have been distress'd, your navy toss'd,


s: Sev'n times the sun has either tropic view'd,


s: The winter banish'd, and the spring renew'd."


s: When from his lofty couch he thus began:


s: "Great queen, what you command me to relate


s: An empire from its old foundations rent,


s: All that I saw, and part of which I was:


s: Not ev'n the hardest of our foes could hear,


s: And now the latter watch of wasting night,


s: And setting stars, to kindly rest invite;


s: But, since you take such int'rest in our woe,


s: And Troy's disastrous end desire to know,


s: I will restrain my tears, and briefly tell


s: What in our last and fatal night befell.


s: The Greeks grew weary of the tedious war,


s: Which like a steed of monstrous height appear'd:


s: The sides were plank'd with pine; they feign'd it made


s: For their return, and this the vow they paid.


s: Thus they pretend, but in the hollow side


s: Selected numbers of their soldiers hide:


s: With inward arms the dire machine they load,


s: (While Fortune did on Priam's empire smile)


s: Renown'd for wealth; but, since, a faithless bay,


s: Where ships expos'd to wind and weather lay.


s: There was their fleet conceal'd. We thought, for Greece


s: Their sails were hoisted, and our fears release.


s: The Trojans, coop'd within their walls so long,


s: Unbar their gates, and issue in a throng,


s: Like swarming bees, and with delight survey


s: The camp deserted, where the Grecians lay:


s: The quarters of the sev'ral chiefs they show'd;


s: Here Phoenix, here Achilles, made abode;


s: Here join'd the battles; there the navy rode.


s: Part on the pile their wond'ring eyes employ:


s: Thymoetes first ('t is doubtful whether hir'd,


s: Mov'd that the ramparts might be broken down,


s: To lodge the monster fabric in the town.


s: But Capys, and the rest of sounder mind,


s: The fatal present to the flames designed,


s: The hollow sides, and hidden frauds explore.


s: The giddy vulgar, as their fancies guide,


s: With noise say nothing, and in parts divide.


s: Ran from the fort, and cried, from far, aloud:


s: 'O wretched countrymen! what fury reigns?


s: What more than madness has possess'd your brains?


s: Think you the Grecians from your coasts are gone?


s: Within its blind recess, our secret foes;


s: Or 't is an engine rais'd above the town,


s: T' o'erlook the walls, and then to batter down.


s: Somewhat is sure design'd, by fraud or force:


s: Trust not their presents, nor admit the horse.'


s: Thus having said, against the steed he threw


s: His forceful spear, which, hissing as flew,


s: Pierc'd thro' the yielding planks of jointed wood,


s: And trembling in the hollow belly stood.


s: The sides, transpierc'd, return a rattling sound,


s: And groans of Greeks inclos'd come issuing thro' the wound


s: And, had not Heav'n the fall of Troy design'd,


s: Enough was said and done t'inspire a better mind.


s: Then had our lances pierc'd the treach'rous wood,


s: And Ilian tow'rs and Priam's empire stood.


s: Meantime, with shouts, the Trojan shepherds bring


s: A captive Greek, in bands, before the king;


s: Taken to take; who made himself their prey,


s: T' impose on their belief, and Troy betray;


s: About the captive, tides of Trojans flow;


s: All press to see, and some insult the foe.


s: Now hear how well the Greeks their wiles disguis'd;


s: Trembling the miscreant stood, unarm'd and bound;


s: He star'd, and roll'd his haggard eyes around,


s: Then said: 'Alas! what earth remains, what sea


s: Scorn'd by my foes, abandon'd by my friends?'


s: He said, and sigh'd, and cast a rueful eye:


s: And freely tell us what he was, and whence:


s: What news he could impart, we long to know,


s: "His fear at length dismiss'd, he said: 'Whate'er


s: My fate ordains, my words shall be sincere:


s: I neither can nor dare my birth disclaim;


s: Tho' plung'd by Fortune's pow'r in misery,


s: 'T is not in Fortune's pow'r to make me lie.


s: If any chance has hither brought the name


s: Who suffer'd from the malice of the times,


s: Accus'd and sentenc'd for pretended crimes,


s: Because these fatal wars he would prevent;


s: Whose death the wretched Greeks too late lament-


s: Me, then a boy, my father, poor and bare


s: While Fortune favor'd, while his arms support


s: The cause, and rul'd the counsels, of the court,


s: I made some figure there; nor was my name


s: Obscure, nor I without my share of fame.


s: Had made impression in the people's hearts,


s: And forg'd a treason in my patron's name


s: (I speak of things too far divulg'd by fame),


s: My kinsman fell. Then I, without support,


s: In private mourn'd his loss, and left the court.


s: With silent grief, but loudly blam'd the state,


s: And curs'd the direful author of my woes.


s: 'T was told again; and hence my ruin rose.


s: I threaten'd, if indulgent Heav'n once more


s: Would land me safely on my native shore,


s: His death with double vengeance to restore.


s: This mov'd the murderer's hate; and soon ensued


s: Th' effects of malice from a man so proud.


s: Ambiguous rumors thro' the camp he spread,


s: And sought, by treason, my devoted head;


s: New crimes invented; left unturn'd no stone,


s: To make my guilt appear, and hide his own;


s: Till Calchas was by force and threat'ning wrought-


s: But why- why dwell I on that anxious thought?


s: And 't is t' appear a foe, t' appear a Greek;


s: Assuage your thirst of blood, and strike the blow:


s: My death will both the kingly brothers please,


s: This fair unfinish'd tale, these broken starts,


s: Rais'd expectations in our longing hearts:


s: His former trembling once again renew'd,


s: With acted fear, the villain thus pursued:


s: "'Long had the Grecians (tir'd with fruitless care,


s: Resolv'd to raise the siege, and leave the town;


s: And, had the gods permitted, they had gone;


s: But oft the wintry seas and southern winds


s: Withstood their passage home, and chang'd their minds.


s: Portents and prodigies their souls amaz'd;


s: But most, when this stupendous pile was rais'd:


s: Then flaming meteors, hung in air, were seen,


s: And thunders rattled thro' a sky serene.


s: Dismay'd, and fearful of some dire event,


s: Eurypylus t' enquire their fate was sent.


s: He from the gods this dreadful answer brought:


s: "O Grecians, when the Trojan shores you sought,


s: Your passage with a virgin's blood was bought:


s: So must your safe return be bought again,


s: And Grecian blood once more atone the main."


s: The spreading rumor round the people ran;


s: All fear'd, and each believ'd himself the man.


s: Ulysses took th' advantage of their fright;


s: Call'd Calchas, and produc'd in open sight:


s: Then bade him name the wretch, ordain'd by fate


s: For twice five days the good old seer withstood


s: Till, tir'd, with endless clamors and pursuit


s: But, as it was agreed, pronounc'd that I


s: Was destin'd by the wrathful gods to die.


s: All prais'd the sentence, pleas'd the storm should fall


s: On one alone, whose fury threaten'd all.


s: The dismal day was come; the priests prepare


s: Their leaven'd cakes, and fillets for my hair.


s: I broke my bonds and fled the fatal blow.


s: But now what further hopes for me remain,


s: To see my friends, or native soil, again;


s: Whom they returning will to death require;


s: Will perpetrate on them their first design,


s: And take the forfeit of their heads for mine?


s: Which, O! if pity mortal minds can move,


s: If innocence and truth can claim desert,


s: Ye Trojans, from an injur'd wretch avert.'


s: "False tears true pity move; the king commands


s: To loose his fetters, and unbind his hands:


s: Then adds these friendly words: 'Dismiss thy fears;


s: Forget the Greeks; be mine as thou wert theirs.


s: But truly tell, was it for force or guile,


s: Or some religious end, you rais'd the pile?'


s: Thus said the king. He, full of fraudful arts,


s: This well-invented tale for truth imparts:


s: 'Ye lamps of heav'n!' he said, and lifted high


s: His hands now free, 'thou venerable sky!


s: Ye fatal fillets, that once bound this head!


s: Ye sacred altars, from whose flames I fled!


s: Without a crime, th' ungrateful Greeks betray,


s: But you, O king, preserve the faith you gave,


s: The Grecian hopes, and all th' attempts they made,


s: The sleeping guardians of the castle slew,


s: Her virgin statue with their bloody hands


s: From thence the tide of fortune left their shore,


s: And ebb'd much faster than it flow'd before:


s: Their courage languish'd, as their hopes decay'd;


s: And Pallas, now averse, refus'd her aid.


s: When first her fatal image touch'd the ground,


s: She sternly cast her glaring eyes around,


s: That sparkled as they roll'd, and seem'd to threat:


s: Her heav'nly limbs distill'd a briny sweat.


s: Thrice from the ground she leap'd, was seen to wield


s: Her brandish'd lance, and shake her horrid shield.


s: And hope no conquest from the tedious war,


s: Till first they sail'd for Greece; with pray'rs besought


s: Her injur'd pow'r, and better omens brought.


s: And now their navy plows the wat'ry main,


s: Yet soon expect it on your shores again,


s: With Pallas pleas'd; as Calchas did ordain.


s: But first, to reconcile the blue-ey'd maid


s: For her stol'n statue and her tow'r betray'd,


s: Warn'd by the seer, to her offended name


s: We rais'd and dedicate this wondrous frame,


s: So lofty, lest thro' your forbidden gates


s: It pass, and intercept our better fates:


s: For, once admitted there, our hopes are lost;


s: And Troy may then a new Palladium boast;


s: Minerva's gift, your town in flames shall burn,


s: (Which omen, O ye gods, on Graecia turn!)


s: But if it climb, with your assisting hands,


s: The Trojan walls, and in the city stands;


s: "With such deceits he gain'd their easy hearts,


s: Too prone to credit his perfidious arts.


s: A thousand ships, nor ten years' siege, had done-


s: False tears and fawning words the city won.


s: Laocoon, Neptune's priest by lot that year,


s: With solemn pomp then sacrific'd a steer;


s: When, dreadful to behold, from sea we spied


s: Two serpents, rank'd abreast, the seas divide,


s: And smoothly sweep along the swelling tide.


s: Their flaming crests above the waves they show;


s: Their bellies seem to burn the seas below;


s: Their speckled tails advance to steer their course,


s: And on the sounding shore the flying billows force.


s: And now the strand, and now the plain they held;


s: Their ardent eyes with bloody streaks were fill'd;


s: Their nimble tongues they brandish'd as they came,


s: And lick'd their hissing jaws, that sputter'd flame.


s: We fled amaz'd; their destin'd way they take,


s: And first around the tender boys they wind,


s: Then with their sharpen'd fangs their limbs and bodies grind.


s: The wretched father, running to their aid


s: With pious haste, but vain, they next invade;


s: Twice round his waist their winding volumes roll'd;


s: And twice about his gasping throat they fold.


s: The priest thus doubly chok'd, their crests divide,


s: And tow'ring o'er his head in triumph ride.


s: With both his hands he labors at the knots;


s: His roaring fills the flitting air around.


s: Thus, when an ox receives a glancing wound,


s: He breaks his bands, the fatal altar flies,


s: And with loud bellowings breaks the yielding skies.


s: Their tasks perform'd, the serpents quit their prey,


s: And to the tow'r of Pallas make their way:


s: Couch'd at her feet, they lie protected there


s: By her large buckler and protended spear.


s: Whose hand the will of Pallas had withstood,


s: All vote t' admit the steed, that vows be paid


s: And incense offer'd to th' offended maid.


s: A spacious breach is made; the town lies bare;


s: Some hoisting-levers, some the wheels prepare


s: And fasten to the horse's feet; the rest


s: With cables haul along th' unwieldly beast.


s: Each on his fellow for assistance calls;


s: At length the fatal fabric mounts the walls,


s: Big with destruction. Boys with chaplets crown'd,


s: And choirs of virgins, sing and dance around.


s: Thus rais'd aloft, and then descending down,


s: It enters o'er our heads, and threats the town.


s: Four times he struck: as oft the clashing sound


s: Of arms was heard, and inward groans rebound.


s: Yet, mad with zeal, and blinded with our fate,


s: We haul along the horse in solemn state;


s: Then place the dire portent within the tow'r.


s: Cassandra cried, and curs'd th' unhappy hour;


s: Foretold our fate; but, by the god's decree,


s: All heard, and none believ'd the prophecy.


s: With branches we the fanes adorn, and waste,


s: In jollity, the day ordain'd to be the last.


s: Meantime the rapid heav'ns roll'd down the light,


s: And on the shaded ocean rush'd the night;


s: Our men, secure, nor guards nor sentries held,


s: But easy sleep their weary limbs compell'd.


s: The Grecians had embark'd their naval pow'rs


s: From Tenedos, and sought our well-known shores,


s: And guided by th' imperial galley's light;


s: When Sinon, favor'd by the partial gods,


s: Unlock'd the horse, and op'd his dark abodes;


s: Who joyful from their long confinement rose.


s: Tysander bold, and Sthenelus their guide,


s: A nameless crowd succeed; their forces join


s: T' invade the town, oppress'd with sleep and wine.


s: Those few they find awake first meet their fate;


s: Then to their fellows they unbar the gate.


s: "'T was in the dead of night, when sleep repairs


s: Our bodies worn with toils, our minds with cares,


s: When Hector's ghost before my sight appears:


s: A bloody shroud he seem'd, and bath'd in tears;


s: Thessalian coursers dragg'd him o'er the plain.


s: Swoln were his feet, as when the thongs were thrust


s: Thro' the bor'd holes; his body black with dust;


s: Unlike that Hector who return'd from toils


s: Or him who made the fainting Greeks retire,


s: And launch'd against their navy Phrygian fire.


s: His hair and beard stood stiffen'd with his gore;


s: And all the wounds he for his country bore


s: Now stream'd afresh, and with new purple ran.


s: And, while my trance continued, thus began:


s: 'O light of Trojans, and support of Troy,


s: Thy father's champion, and thy country's joy!


s: O, long expected by thy friends! from whence


s: Art thou so late return'd for our defense?


s: With length of labors, and with toils of war?


s: Art thou restor'd to thy declining town?


s: But say, what wounds are these? What new disgrace


s: Deforms the manly features of thy face?'


s: "To this the specter no reply did frame,


s: But answer'd to the cause for which he came,


s: And, groaning from the bottom of his breast,


s: This warning in these mournful words express'd:


s: 'O goddess-born! escape, by timely flight,


s: The flames and horrors of this fatal night.


s: The foes already have possess'd the wall;


s: Troy nods from high, and totters to her fall.


s: Could be defended, 't was by mine alone.


s: Now Troy to thee commends her future state,


s: And gives her gods companions of thy fate:


s: Which, wand'ring long, at last thou shalt erect.'


s: He said, and brought me, from their blest abodes,


s: With ancient Vesta from the sacred choir,


s: The wreaths and relics of th' immortal fire.


s: "Now peals of shouts come thund'ring from afar,


s: Cries, threats, and loud laments, and mingled war:


s: The noise approaches, tho' our palace stood


s: Aloof from streets, encompass'd with a wood.


s: Louder, and yet more loud, I hear th' alarms


s: Of human cries distinct, and clashing arms.


s: Fear broke my slumbers; I no longer stay,


s: But mount the terrace, thence the town survey,


s: And hearken what the frightful sounds convey.


s: Thus, when a flood of fire by wind is borne,


s: Crackling it rolls, and mows the standing corn;


s: Sweep o'er the yellow year, destroy the pains


s: Of lab'ring oxen and the peasant's gains;


s: Flocks, folds, and trees, and undistinguish'd prey:


s: The shepherd climbs the cliff, and sees from far


s: Then Hector's faith was manifestly clear'd,


s: And Grecian frauds in open light appear'd.


s: In smoky flames, and catches on his friends.


s: Ucalegon burns next: the seas are bright


s: With splendor not their own, and shine with Trojan light.


s: The sound of trumpets mix'd with fighting cries.


s: With frenzy seiz'd, I run to meet th' alarms,


s: Resolv'd on death, resolv'd to die in arms,


s: But first to gather friends, with them t' oppose


s: (If fortune favor'd) and repel the foes;


s: Spurr'd by my courage, by my country fir'd,


s: With sense of honor and revenge inspir'd.


s: "Pantheus, Apollo's priest, a sacred name,


s: Had scap'd the Grecian swords, and pass'd the flame:


s: With relics loaden. to my doors he fled,


s: And by the hand his tender grandson led.


s: 'What hope, O Pantheus? whither can we run?


s: Where make a stand? and what may yet be done?'


s: Scarce had I said, when Pantheus, with a groan:


s: The fatal day, th' appointed hour, is come,


s: Transfers the Trojan state to Grecian hands.


s: The fire consumes the town, the foe commands;


s: Break from the bowels of the fatal horse.


s: Within the gates, proud Sinon throws about


s: The flames; and foes for entrance press without,


s: With thousand others, whom I fear to name,


s: To sev'ral posts their parties they divide;


s: Some block the narrow streets, some scour the wide:


s: The bold they kill, th' unwary they surprise;


s: Who fights finds death, and death finds him who flies.


s: The warders of the gate but scarce maintain


s: Th' unequal combat, and resist in vain.'


s: "I heard; and Heav'n, that well-born souls inspires,


s: Prompts me thro' lifted swords and rising fires


s: To run where clashing arms and clamor calls,


s: For valor one renown'd, and one for age.


s: My motions and my mien, and to my party drew;


s: With young Coroebus, who by love was led


s: And lately brought his troops to Priam's aid,


s: Forewarn'd in vain by the prophetic maid.


s: Whom when I saw resolv'd in arms to fall,


s: 'Brave souls!' said I,- 'but brave, alas! in vain-


s: Come, finish what our cruel fates ordain.


s: You see the desp'rate state of our affairs,


s: And heav'n's protecting pow'rs are deaf to pray'rs.


s: The passive gods behold the Greeks defile


s: Their own abodes: we, feeble few, conspire


s: To save a sinking town, involv'd in fire.


s: Then let us fall, but fall amidst our foes:


s: Despair of life the means of living shows.'


s: So bold a speech incourag'd their desire


s: "As hungry wolves, with raging appetite,


s: Scour thro' the fields, nor fear the stormy night-


s: Their whelps at home expect the promis'd food,


s: And long to temper their dry chaps in blood-


s: So rush'd we forth at once; resolv'd to die,


s: Resolv'd, in death, the last extremes to try.


s: We leave the narrow lanes behind, and dare


s: Th' unequal combat in the public square:


s: Night was our friend; our leader was despair.


s: What tongue can tell the slaughter of that night?


s: What eyes can weep the sorrows and affright?


s: The streets are fill'd with frequent funerals;


s: And hostile nations make a common flood.


s: Not only Trojans fall; but, in their turn,


s: The vanquish'd triumph, and the victors mourn.


s: Ours take new courage from despair and night:


s: Confus'd the fortune is, confus'd the fight.


s: All parts resound with tumults, plaints, and fears;


s: And grisly Death in sundry shapes appears.


s: Who thought us Grecians newly come to land.


s: 'From whence,' said he, 'my friends, this long delay?


s: You loiter, while the spoils are borne away:


s: Our ships are laden with the Trojan store;


s: And you, like truants, come too late ashore.'


s: He said, but soon corrected his mistake,


s: Found, by the doubtful answers which we make:


s: Amaz'd, he would have shunn'd th' unequal fight;


s: But we, more num'rous, intercept his flight.


s: Has with unwary footing press'd a snake;


s: He starts aside, astonish'd, when he spies


s: His rising crest, blue neck, and rolling eyes;


s: So from our arms surpris'd Androgeos flies.


s: In vain; for him and his we compass'd round,


s: Possess'd with fear, unknowing of the ground,


s: And of their lives an easy conquest found.


s: Thus Fortune on our first endeavor smil'd.


s: Coroebus then, with youthful hopes beguil'd,


s: 'My friends,' said he, 'since Fortune shows the way,


s: 'T is fit we should th' auspicious guide obey.


s: For what has she these Grecian arms bestow'd,


s: But their destruction, and the Trojans' good?


s: Then change we shields, and their devices bear:


s: Let fraud supply the want of force in war.


s: They find us arms.' This said, himself he dress'd


s: In dead Androgeos' spoils, his upper vest,


s: His painted buckler, and his plumy crest.


s: Thus Ripheus, Dymas, all the Trojan train,


s: Lay down their own attire, and strip the slain.


s: Mix'd with the Greeks, we go with ill presage,


s: Flatter'd with hopes to glut our greedy rage;


s: Unknown, assaulting whom we blindly meet,


s: And strew with Grecian carcasses the street.


s: Thus while their straggling parties we defeat,


s: Some to the shore and safer ships retreat;


s: And some, oppress'd with more ignoble fear,


s: Remount the hollow horse, and pant in secret there.


s: "But, ah! what use of valor can be made,


s: When heav'n's propitious pow'rs refuse their aid!


s: Cassandra, dragg'd by her dishevel'd hair,


s: Whom not Minerva's shrine, nor sacred bands,


s: In safety could protect from sacrilegious hands:


s: On heav'n she cast her eyes, she sigh'd, she cried-


s: 'T was all she could- her tender arms were tied.


s: But, fir'd with rage, distracted with despair,


s: But storms of stones, from the proud temple's height,


s: Pour down, and on our batter'd helms alight:


s: We from our friends receiv'd this fatal blow,


s: Who thought us Grecians, as we seem'd in show.


s: They aim at the mistaken crests, from high;


s: And ours beneath the pond'rous ruin lie.


s: Then, mov'd with anger and disdain, to see


s: Their troops dispers'd, the royal virgin free,


s: The Grecians rally, and their pow'rs unite,


s: With fury charge us, and renew the fight.


s: The brother kings with Ajax join their force,


s: And the whole squadron of Thessalian horse.


s: "Thus, when the rival winds their quarrel try,


s: South, east, and west, on airy coursers borne;


s: The whirlwind gathers, and the woods are torn:


s: Then Nereus strikes the deep; the billows rise,


s: And, mix'd with ooze and sand, pollute the skies.


s: The troops we squander'd first again appear


s: From several quarters, and enclose the rear.


s: They first observe, and to the rest betray,


s: Our diff'rent speech; our borrow'd arms survey.


s: Oppress'd with odds, we fall; Coroebus first,


s: Then Ripheus follow'd, in th' unequal fight;


s: Just of his word, observant of the right:


s: Heav'n thought not so. Dymas their fate attends,


s: With Hypanis, mistaken by their friends.


s: Nor, Pantheus, thee, thy miter, nor the bands


s: Of awful Phoebus, sav'd from impious hands.


s: What I perform'd, and what I suffer'd there;


s: Witness, ye heavens! I live not by my fault:


s: I strove to have deserv'd the death I sought.


s: But, when I could not fight, and would have died,


s: Borne off to distance by the growing tide,


s: With Pelias wounded, and without defense.


s: New clamors from th' invested palace ring:


s: So hot th' assault, so high the tumult rose,


s: While ours defend, and while the Greeks oppose


s: Had been contracted in that narrow space;


s: And tumult, war, and slaughter, only there.


s: Their targets in a tortoise cast, the foes,


s: Some mount the scaling ladders; some, more bold,


s: Swerve upwards, and by posts and pillars hold;


s: Their left hand gripes their bucklers in th' ascent,


s: While with their right they seize the battlement.


s: From their demolish'd tow'rs the Trojans throw


s: Huge heaps of stones, that, falling, crush the foe;


s: And heavy beams and rafters from the sides


s: (Such arms their last necessity provides)


s: And gilded roofs, come tumbling from on high,


s: The guards below, fix'd in the pass, attend


s: The charge undaunted, and the gate defend.


s: Renew'd in courage with recover'd breath,


s: A second time we ran to tempt our death,


s: To clear the palace from the foe, succeed


s: "A postern door, yet unobserv'd and free,


s: Join'd by the length of a blind gallery,


s: To the king's closet led: a way well known


s: To Hector's wife, while Priam held the throne,


s: Thro' which she brought Astyanax, unseen,


s: To cheer his grandsire and his grandsire's queen.


s: Thro' this we pass, and mount the tow'r, from whence


s: With unavailing arms the Trojans make defense.


s: From this the trembling king had oft descried


s: The Grecian camp, and saw their navy ride.


s: Beams from its lofty height with swords we hew,


s: Then, wrenching with our hands, th' assault renew;


s: And, where the rafters on the columns meet,


s: We push them headlong with our arms and feet.


s: The lightning flies not swifter than the fall,


s: Nor thunder louder than the ruin'd wall:


s: Down goes the top at once; the Greeks beneath


s: Are piecemeal torn, or pounded into death.


s: Yet more succeed, and more to death are sent;


s: We cease not from above, nor they below relent.


s: Before the gate stood Pyrrhus, threat'ning loud,


s: With glitt'ring arms conspicuous in the crowd.


s: So shines, renew'd in youth, the crested snake,


s: And, casting off his slough when spring returns,


s: Now looks aloft, and with new glory burns;


s: Restor'd with poisonous herbs, his ardent sides


s: Reflect the sun; and rais'd on spires he rides;


s: High o'er the grass, hissing he rolls along,


s: And brandishes by fits his forky tongue.


s: Rush on in crowds, and the barr'd passage free.


s: Ent'ring the court, with shouts the skies they rend;


s: And flaming firebrands to the roofs ascend.


s: Himself, among the foremost, deals his blows,


s: And with his ax repeated strokes bestows


s: On the strong doors; then all their shoulders ply,


s: Till from the posts the brazen hinges fly.


s: He hews apace; the double bars at length


s: Yield to his ax and unresisted strength.


s: A mighty breach is made: the rooms conceal'd


s: The halls of audience, and of public state,


s: And where the lonely queen in secret sate.


s: Arm'd soldiers now by trembling maids are seen,


s: With not a door, and scarce a space, between.


s: The house is fill'd with loud laments and cries,


s: And shrieks of women rend the vaulted skies;


s: The fearful matrons run from place to place,


s: And kiss the thresholds, and the posts embrace.


s: And all his father sparkles in his eyes;


s: Nor bars, nor fighting guards, his force sustain:


s: The bars are broken, and the guards are slain.


s: In rush the Greeks, and all the apartments fill;


s: Those few defendants whom they find, they kill.


s: Not with so fierce a rage the foaming flood


s: Roars, when he finds his rapid course withstood;


s: Bears down the dams with unresisted sway,


s: And sweeps the cattle and the cots away.


s: These eyes beheld him when he march'd between


s: The brother kings: I saw th' unhappy queen,


s: The hundred wives, and where old Priam stood,


s: To stain his hallow'd altar with his brood.


s: The fifty nuptial beds (such hopes had he,


s: The posts, of plated gold, and hung with spoils,


s: Fell the reward of the proud victor's toils.


s: Where'er the raging fire had left a space,


s: The Grecians enter and possess the place.


s: "Perhaps you may of Priam's fate enquire.


s: His ruin'd palace, and his ent'ring foes,


s: In arms, disus'd, invests his limbs, decay'd,


s: Like them, with age; a late and useless aid.


s: His feeble shoulders scarce the weight sustain;


s: Loaded, not arm'd, he creeps along with pain,


s: Despairing of success, ambitious to be slain!


s: Uncover'd but by heav'n, there stood in view


s: An altar; near the hearth a laurel grew,


s: Dodder'd with age, whose boughs encompass round


s: The household gods, and shade the holy ground.


s: Here Hecuba, with all her helpless train


s: Of dames, for shelter sought, but sought in vain.


s: Driv'n like a flock of doves along the sky,


s: Their images they hug, and to their altars fly.


s: The Queen, when she beheld her trembling lord,


s: 'What rage,' she cried, 'has seiz'd my husband's mind?


s: What arms are these, and to what use design'd?


s: These times want other aids! Were Hector here,


s: Ev'n Hector now in vain, like Priam, would appear.


s: With us, one common shelter thou shalt find,


s: Or in one common fate with us be join'd.'


s: She said, and with a last salute embrac'd


s: The poor old man, and by the laurel plac'd.


s: Pursued by Pyrrhus, there for safety runs.


s: Thro' swords and foes, amaz'd and hurt, he flies


s: Him Pyrrhus, urging with his lance, pursues,


s: And often reaches, and his thrusts renews.


s: The youth, transfix'd, with lamentable cries,


s: Expires before his wretched parent's eyes:


s: Whom gasping at his feet when Priam saw,


s: The fear of death gave place to nature's law;


s: And, shaking more with anger than with age,


s: 'The gods,' said he, 'requite thy brutal rage!


s: As sure they will, barbarian, sure they must,


s: If there be gods in heav'n, and gods be just-


s: Who tak'st in wrongs an insolent delight;


s: With a son's death t' infect a father's sight.


s: Not he, whom thou and lying fame conspire


s: To call thee his- not he, thy vaunted sire,


s: Thus us'd my wretched age: the gods he fear'd,


s: The laws of nature and of nations heard.


s: He cheer'd my sorrows, and, for sums of gold,


s: The bloodless carcass of my Hector sold;


s: And sent me back in safety from his tent.'


s: "This said, his feeble hand a javelin threw,


s: Which, flutt'ring, seem'd to loiter as it flew:


s: Just, and but barely, to the mark it held,


s: And faintly tinkled on the brazen shield.


s: "Then Pyrrhus thus: 'Go thou from me to fate,


s: Now die!' With that he dragg'd the trembling sire,


s: Slidd'ring thro' clotter'd blood and holy mire,


s: (The mingled paste his murder'd son had made,)


s: And on the sacred pile the royal victim laid.


s: His right hand held his bloody falchion bare,


s: Then, with a speeding thrust, his heart he found:


s: The lukewarm blood came rushing thro' the wound,


s: And sanguine streams distain'd the sacred ground.


s: Thus Priam fell, and shar'd one common fate


s: With Troy in ashes, and his ruin'd state:


s: Whom monarchs like domestic slaves obey'd.


s: On the bleak shore now lies th' abandon'd king,


s: A headless carcass, and a nameless thing.


s: "Then, not before, I felt my cruddled blood


s: Congeal with fear, my hair with horror stood:


s: Lest equal years might equal fortune find.


s: And trembled for my son's abandon'd life.


s: Deserted at my need! My friends were gone.


s: Some spent with toil, some with despair oppress'd,


s: Leap'd headlong from the heights; the flames consum'd the rest.


s: Thus, wand'ring in my way, without a guide,


s: The graceless Helen in the porch I spied


s: Of Vesta's temple; there she lurk'd alone;


s: Muffled she sate, and, what she could, unknown:


s: But, by the flames that cast their blaze around,


s: That common bane of Greece and Troy I found.


s: For Ilium burnt, she dreads the Trojan sword;


s: More dreads the vengeance of her injur'd lord;


s: Ev'n by those gods who refug'd her abhorr'd.


s: Trembling with rage, the strumpet I regard,


s: Resolv'd to give her guilt the due reward:


s: 'Shall she triumphant sail before the wind,


s: And leave in flames unhappy Troy behind?


s: Shall she her kingdom and her friends review,


s: While unreveng'd the good old Priam falls,


s: And Grecian fires consume the Trojan walls?


s: For this the Phrygian fields and Xanthian flood


s: Were swell'd with bodies, and were drunk with blood?


s: 'T is true, a soldier can small honor gain,


s: And boast no conquest, from a woman slain:


s: Yet shall the fact not pass without applause,


s: The punish'd crime shall set my soul at ease,


s: And murm'ring manes of my friends appease.'


s: Thus while I rave, a gleam of pleasing light


s: Spread o'er the place; and, shining heav'nly bright,


s: My mother stood reveal'd before my sight


s: Not her own star confess'd a light so clear:


s: Great in her charms, as when on gods above


s: She looks, and breathes herself into their love.


s: She held my hand, the destin'd blow to break;


s: 'My son, from whence this madness, this neglect


s: Of my commands, and those whom I protect?


s: Whom you forsake, what pledges leave behind.


s: Look if your helpless father yet survive,


s: Around your house the greedy Grecians err;


s: And these had perish'd in the nightly war,


s: But for my presence and protecting care.


s: Not Helen's face, nor Paris, was in fault;


s: But by the gods was this destruction brought.


s: Now cast your eyes around, while I dissolve


s: The mists and films that mortal eyes involve,


s: Purge from your sight the dross, and make you see


s: Enlighten'd thus, my just commands fulfil,


s: Nor fear obedience to your mother's will.


s: Stones rent from stones; where clouds of dust arise-


s: Amid that smother Neptune holds his place,


s: Below the wall's foundation drives his mace,


s: And heaves the building from the solid base.


s: Look where, in arms, imperial Juno stands


s: Full in the Scaean gate, with loud commands,


s: See! Pallas, of her snaky buckler proud,


s: Bestrides the tow'r, refulgent thro' the cloud:


s: See! Jove new courage to the foe supplies,


s: And arms against the town the partial deities.


s: Haste hence, my son; this fruitless labor end:


s: Haste, where your trembling spouse and sire attend:


s: Haste; and a mother's care your passage shall befriend.'


s: She said, and swiftly vanish'd from my sight,


s: Obscure in clouds and gloomy shades of night.


s: I look'd, I listen'd; dreadful sounds I hear;


s: And the dire forms of hostile gods appear.


s: Troy sunk in flames I saw (nor could prevent),


s: And Ilium from its old foundations rent;


s: Rent like a mountain ash, which dar'd the winds,


s: And stood the sturdy strokes of lab'ring hinds.


s: The stumps are pierc'd with oft-repeated wounds:


s: The war is felt on high; the nodding crown


s: Now threats a fall, and throws the leafy honors down.


s: To their united force it yields, tho' late,


s: And mourns with mortal groans th' approaching fate:


s: The roots no more their upper load sustain;


s: But down she falls, and spreads a ruin thro' the plain.


s: "Descending thence, I scape thro' foes and fire:


s: Before the goddess, foes and flames retire.


s: Arriv'd at home, he, for whose only sake,


s: Or most for his, such toils I undertake,


s: The good Anchises, whom, by timely flight,


s: And add his fun'rals to the fate of Troy,


s: 'Go you, whose blood runs warm in ev'ry vein.


s: Had Heav'n decreed that I should life enjoy,


s: Heav'n had decreed to save unhappy Troy.


s: 'T is, sure, enough, if not too much, for one,


s: Twice to have seen our Ilium overthrown.


s: Make haste to save the poor remaining crew,


s: And give this useless corpse a long adieu.


s: These weak old hands suffice to stop my breath;


s: At least the pitying foes will aid my death,


s: To take my spoils, and leave my body bare:


s: As for my sepulcher, let Heav'n take care.


s: 'T is long since I, for my celestial wife


s: Loath'd by the gods, have dragg'd a ling'ring life;


s: Blasted from heav'n by Jove's avenging fire.'


s: This oft repeated, he stood fix'd to die:


s: Intreat, pray, beg, and raise a doleful cry-


s: 'What, will he still persist, on death resolve,


s: He still persists his reasons to maintain;


s: Our pray'rs, our tears, our loud laments, are vain.


s: The fate of arms, resolv'd in fight to die:


s: 'What hope remains, but what my death must give?


s: You term it prudence, what I baseness call:


s: Could such a word from such a parent fall?


s: If Fortune please, and so the gods ordain,


s: That nothing should of ruin'd Troy remain,


s: And you conspire with Fortune to be slain,


s: The way to death is wide, th' approaches near:


s: For soon relentless Pyrrhus will appear,


s: Reeking with Priam's blood- the wretch who slew


s: And then the sire himself to the dire altar drew.


s: Your gift was undesir'd, and came too late!


s: Thro' foes and fires, to see my house a prey?


s: Shall I my father, wife, and son behold,


s: Welt'ring in blood, each other's arms infold?


s: Haste! gird my sword, tho' spent and overcome:


s: 'T is the last summons to receive our doom.


s: Not unreveng'd the foe shall see my fall.


s: My death is wanting to conclude the night.'


s: Arm'd once again, my glitt'ring sword I wield,


s: While th' other hand sustains my weighty shield,


s: And forth I rush to seek th' abandon'd field.


s: And cross the threshold in my passage lay,


s: Embrac'd my knees, and, when I would have gone,


s: Shew'd me my feeble sire and tender son:


s: 'If death be your design, at least,' said she,


s: This place, these pledges of your love, maintain.


s: To whom do you expose your father's life,


s: Your son's, and mine, your now forgotten wife!'


s: While thus she fills the house with clam'rous cries,


s: For, while I held my son, in the short space


s: Betwixt our kisses and our last embrace;


s: Strange to relate, from young Iulus' head


s: A lambent flame arose, which gently spread


s: Around his brows, and on his temples fed.


s: To quench the sacred fire, and slake his hair;


s: But old Anchises, vers'd in omens, rear'd


s: His hands to heav'n, and this request preferr'd:


s: Confirm the glad presage which thou art pleas'd to send.'


s: Scarce had he said, when, on our left, we hear


s: There shot a streaming lamp along the sky,


s: Which on the winged lightning seem'd to fly;


s: From o'er the roof the blaze began to move,


s: And, trailing, vanish'd in th' Idaean grove.


s: It swept a path in heav'n, and shone a guide,


s: Then in a steaming stench of sulphur died.


s: "The good old man with suppliant hands implor'd


s: The gods' protection, and their star ador'd.


s: 'Now, now,' said he, 'my son, no more delay!


s: I yield, I follow where Heav'n shews the way.


s: Keep, O my country gods, our dwelling place,


s: And guard this relic of the Trojan race,


s: This tender child! These omens are your own,


s: And you can yet restore the ruin'd town.


s: At least accomplish what your signs foreshow:


s: I stand resign'd, and am prepar'd to go.'


s: "He said. The crackling flames appear on high.


s: And driving sparkles dance along the sky.


s: With Vulcan's rage the rising winds conspire,


s: And near our palace roll the flood of fire.


s: 'Haste, my dear father, ('t is no time to wait,)


s: And load my shoulders with a willing freight.


s: Whate'er befalls, your life shall be my care;


s: One death, or one deliv'rance, we will share.


s: My hand shall lead our little son; and you,


s: My faithful consort, shall our steps pursue.


s: Next, you, my servants, heed my strict commands:


s: Without the walls a ruin'd temple stands,


s: By long religion kept; there bend your feet,


s: Our country gods, the relics, and the bands,


s: Hold you, my father, in your guiltless hands:


s: In me 't is impious holy things to bear,


s: Red as I am with slaughter, new from war,


s: Till in some living stream I cleanse the guilt


s: Of dire debate, and blood in battle spilt.'


s: Thus, ord'ring all that prudence could provide,


s: I clothe my shoulders with a lion's hide


s: And yellow spoils; then, on my bending back,


s: The welcome load of my dear father take;


s: I, who so bold and dauntless, just before,


s: The Grecian darts and shock of lances bore,


s: At ev'ry shadow now am seiz'd with fear,


s: Not for myself, but for the charge I bear;


s: Till, near the ruin'd gate arriv'd at last,


s: Secure, and deeming all the danger past,


s: A frightful noise of trampling feet we hear.


s: My father, looking thro' the shades, with fear,


s: Cried out: 'Haste, haste, my son, the foes are nigh;


s: Their swords and shining armor I descry.'


s: Some hostile god, for some unknown offense,


s: Had sure bereft my mind of better sense;


s: For, while thro' winding ways I took my flight,


s: And sought the shelter of the gloomy night,


s: Or weary sate, or wander'd with affright;


s: My friends, at Ceres' now deserted seat.


s: Deceiv'd her friends, her son, and wretched me.


s: "What mad expressions did my tongue refuse!


s: This was the fatal blow, that pain'd me more


s: Than all I felt from ruin'd Troy before.


s: Stung with my loss, and raving with despair,


s: Of counsel, comfort, and of hope bereft,


s: My sire, my son, my country gods I left.


s: My limbs, not feeling wounds, nor fearing death.


s: Then headlong to the burning walls I run,


s: And seek the danger I was forc'd to shun.


s: I tread my former tracks; thro' night explore


s: Each passage, ev'ry street I cross'd before.


s: All things were full of horror and affright,


s: And dreadful ev'n the silence of the night.


s: Then to my father's house I make repair,


s: With some small glimpse of hope to find her there.


s: The house was fill'd with foes, with flames beset.


s: Driv'n on the wings of winds, whole sheets of fire,


s: Thro' air transported, to the roofs aspire.


s: And search the citadel and desart court.


s: Then, unobserv'd, I pass by Juno's church:


s: A guard of Grecians had possess'd the porch;


s: And thither all the wealth of Troy convey:


s: The spoils which they from ransack'd houses brought,


s: And golden bowls from burning altars caught,


s: The tables of the gods, the purple vests,


s: The people's treasure, and the pomp of priests.


s: A rank of wretched youths, with pinion'd hands,


s: And captive matrons, in long order stands.


s: Then, with ungovern'd madness, I proclaim,


s: Thro' all the silent street, Creusa's name:


s: Creusa still I call; at length she hears,


s: And sudden thro' the shades of night appears-


s: But a pale specter, larger than the life.


s: I stood; like bristles rose my stiffen'd hair.


s: Then thus the ghost began to soothe my grief


s: 'Nor tears, nor cries, can give the dead relief.


s: Desist, my much-lov'd lord,'t indulge your pain;


s: You bear no more than what the gods ordain.


s: My fates permit me not from hence to fly;


s: Nor he, the great controller of the sky.


s: Long wand'ring ways for you the pow'rs decree;


s: On land hard labors, and a length of sea.


s: Then, after many painful years are past,


s: On Latium's happy shore you shall be cast,


s: The flow'ry meadows, and the feeding folds.


s: There end your toils; and there your fates provide


s: There fortune shall the Trojan line restore,


s: Fear not that I shall watch, with servile shame,


s: Th' imperious looks of some proud Grecian dame;


s: Or, stooping to the victor's lust, disgrace


s: And now, farewell! The parent of the gods


s: Restrains my fleeting soul in her abodes:


s: She said, and gliding pass'd unseen in air.


s: I strove to speak: but horror tied my tongue;


s: And thrice about her neck my arms I flung,


s: And, thrice deceiv'd, on vain embraces hung.


s: Light as an empty dream at break of day,


s: "Thus having pass'd the night in fruitless pain,


s: Of men and matrons mix'd, of young and old;


s: A wretched exil'd crew together brought,


s: With arms appointed, and with treasure fraught,


s: Resolv'd, and willing, under my command,


s: To run all hazards both of sea and land.


s: Her rosy cheeks; and Phosphor led the day:


s: Before the gates the Grecians took their post,


s: And all pretense of late relief was lost.


s: And, loaded, up the hill convey my sire."


s: "When Heav'n had overturn'd the Trojan state


s: And Priam's throne, by too severe a fate;


s: When ruin'd Troy became the Grecians' prey,


s: To seek in foreign lands a happier seat.


s: And build our fleet; uncertain yet to find


s: What place the gods for our repose assign'd.


s: Friends daily flock; and scarce the kindly spring


s: Began to clothe the ground, and birds to sing,


s: With sighs and tears I leave my native shore,


s: And empty fields, where Ilium stood before.


s: My sire, my son, our less and greater gods,


s: All sail at once, and cleave the briny floods.


s: "Against our coast appears a spacious land,


s: Which once the fierce Lycurgus did command,


s: (Thracia the name- the people bold in war;


s: Vast are their fields, and tillage is their care,)


s: With Troy in friendship and religion join'd.


s: Their gods, and draw a line along the shore;


s: And Aenos, nam'd from me, the city call.


s: And all the pow'rs that rising labors aid;


s: Not far, a rising hillock stood in view;


s: Sharp myrtles on the sides, and cornels grew.


s: There, while I went to crop the sylvan scenes,


s: And shade our altar with their leafy greens,


s: The rooted fibers rose, and from the wound


s: Black bloody drops distill'd upon the ground.


s: Mute and amaz'd, my hair with terror stood;


s: Fear shrunk my sinews, and congeal'd my blood.


s: That other gush'd with the same sanguine dye.


s: Then, fearing guilt for some offense unknown,


s: With pray'rs and vows the Dryads I atone,


s: With all the sisters of the woods, and most


s: The God of Arms, who rules the Thracian coast,


s: That they, or he, these omens would avert,


s: Release our fears, and better signs impart.


s: Clear'd, as I thought, and fully fix'd at length


s: To learn the cause, I tugged with all my strength:


s: I bent my knees against the ground; once more


s: Scarce dare I tell the sequel: from the womb


s: Of wounded earth, and caverns of the tomb,


s: A groan, as of a troubled ghost, renew'd


s: My fright, and then these dreadful words ensued:


s: 'Why dost thou thus my buried body rend?


s: O spare the corpse of thy unhappy friend!


s: Spare to pollute thy pious hands with blood:


s: The tears distil not from the wounded wood;


s: But ev'ry drop this living tree contains


s: Is kindred blood, and ran in Trojan veins.


s: Here loads of lances, in my blood embrued,


s: Again shoot upward, by my blood renew'd.'


s: "My falt'ring tongue and shiv'ring limbs declare


s: My horror, and in bristles rose my hair.


s: When Troy with Grecian arms was closely pent,


s: Loaded with gold, he sent his darling, far


s: From noise and tumults, and destructive war,


s: Committed to the faithless tyrant's care;


s: Who, when he saw the pow'r of Troy decline,


s: Forsook the weaker, with the strong to join;


s: Broke ev'ry bond of nature and of truth,


s: And murder'd, for his wealth, the royal youth.


s: What bands of faith can impious lucre hold?


s: Now, when my soul had shaken off her fears,


s: What he commands, and their advice desire.


s: But, ere we sail, his fun'ral rites prepare,


s: Then, to his ghost, a tomb and altars rear.


s: In mournful pomp the matrons walk the round,


s: With baleful cypress and blue fillets crown'd,


s: With eyes dejected, and with hair unbound.


s: Then bowls of tepid milk and blood we pour,


s: "Now, when the raging storms no longer reign,


s: But southern gales invite us to the main,


s: We launch our vessels, with a prosp'rous wind,


s: And leave the cities and the shores behind.


s: Neptune and wat'ry Doris claim it theirs.


s: It floated once, till Phoebus fix'd the sides


s: To rooted earth, and now it braves the tides.


s: Here, borne by friendly winds, we come ashore,


s: With needful ease our weary limbs restore,


s: And the Sun's temple and his town adore.


s: "Anius, the priest and king, with laurel crown'd,


s: His hoary locks with purple fillets bound,


s: Who saw my sire the Delian shore ascend,


s: Came forth with eager haste to meet his friend;


s: Of ancient love, their plighted hands they join.


s: And thus, before the shrine, my vows present:


s: 'Give, O Thymbraeus, give a resting place


s: Where shall we fix? where shall our labors end?


s: Whom shall we follow, and what fate attend?


s: Let not my pray'rs a doubtful answer find;


s: Scarce had I said: he shook the holy ground,


s: The laurels, and the lofty hills around;


s: And from the tripos rush'd a bellowing sound.


s: Prostrate we fell; confess'd the present god,


s: Who gave this answer from his dark abode:


s: 'Undaunted youths, go, seek that mother earth


s: From which your ancestors derive their birth.


s: The soil that sent you forth, her ancient race


s: Thro' the wide world th' Aeneian house shall reign,


s: And children's children shall the crown sustain.'


s: Thus Phoebus did our future fates disclose:


s: "All are concern'd to know what place the god


s: Assign'd, and where determin'd our abode.


s: The race and lineage of the Trojan kind,


s: Thus answer'd their demands: 'Ye princes, hear


s: Your pleasing fortune, and dispel your fear.


s: The fruitful isle of Crete, well known to fame,


s: In the mid ocean lies, with large command,


s: And on its plains a hundred cities stand.


s: From thence, as 't is divulg'd by certain fame,


s: To the Rhoetean shores old Teucrus came;


s: There fix'd, and there the seat of empire chose,


s: In humble vales they built their soft abodes,


s: With tinkling cymbals charm'd th' Idaean woods,


s: And to the yoke the savage lions brought.


s: Let us the land which Heav'n appoints, explore;


s: Appease the winds, and seek the Gnossian shore.


s: If Jove assists the passage of our fleet,


s: The third propitious dawn discovers Crete.'


s: A milk-white ewe, the western winds to please,


s: And one coal-black, to calm the stormy seas.


s: Ere this, a flying rumor had been spread


s: That fierce Idomeneus from Crete was fled,


s: Expell'd and exil'd; that the coast was free


s: "We leave the Delian ports, and put to sea;


s: By Naxos, fam'd for vintage, make our way;


s: Then green Donysa pass; and sail in sight


s: Of Paros' isle, with marble quarries white.


s: We pass the scatter'd isles of Cyclades,


s: That, scarce distinguish'd, seem to stud the seas.


s: The shouts of sailors double near the shores;


s: They stretch their canvas, and they ply their oars.


s: 'All hands aloft! for Crete! for Crete!' they cry,


s: And swiftly thro' the foamy billows fly.


s: Full on the promis'd land at length we bore,


s: With joy descending on the Cretan shore.


s: To found their houses, and erect a fort.


s: Our ships are haul'd upon the yellow strand;


s: The youth begin to till the labor'd land;


s: Give laws, and dwellings I divide by lot;


s: When rising vapors choke the wholesome air,


s: And blasts of noisome winds corrupt the year;


s: Parch'd was the grass, and blighted was the corn:


s: Nor 'scape the beasts; for Sirius, from on high,


s: My men- some fall, the rest in fevers fry.


s: To learn what end of woes we might expect,


s: And to what clime our weary course direct.


s: "'T was night, when ev'ry creature, void of cares,


s: The common gift of balmy slumber shares:


s: The statues of my gods (for such they seem'd),


s: Those gods whom I from flaming Troy redeem'd,


s: Full in the beams of Phoebe's ent'ring light.


s: Then thus they spoke, and eas'd my troubled mind:


s: 'What from the Delian god thou go'st to find,


s: He tells thee here, and sends us to relate.


s: Those pow'rs are we, companions of thy fate,


s: Who from the burning town by thee were brought,


s: Thy fortune follow'd, and thy safety wrought.


s: Thro' seas and lands as we thy steps attend,


s: So shall our care thy glorious race befriend.


s: An ample realm for thee thy fates ordain,


s: A town that o'er the conquer'd world shall reign.


s: Thou, mighty walls for mighty nations build;


s: But change thy seat; for not the Delian god,


s: Nor we, have giv'n thee Crete for our abode.


s: A land there is, Hesperia call'd of old,


s: (The soil is fruitful, and the natives bold-


s: Th' Oenotrians held it once,) by later fame


s: Now call'd Italia, from the leader's name.


s: From thence we came, and thither must return.


s: Rise, and thy sire with these glad tidings greet.


s: Search Italy; for Jove denies thee Crete.'


s: "Astonish'd at their voices and their sight,


s: (Nor were they dreams, but visions of the night;


s: I saw, I knew their faces, and descried,


s: In perfect view, their hair with fillets tied;)


s: On all my limbs and shiv'ring body sate.


s: To heav'n I lift my hands with pious haste,


s: And sacred incense in the flames I cast.


s: Thus to the gods their perfect honors done,


s: More cheerful, to my good old sire I run,


s: And tell the pleasing news. In little space


s: Not, as before he deem'd, deriv'd from Crete;


s: Then said: 'O son, turmoil'd in Trojan fate!


s: Such things as these Cassandra did relate.


s: This day revives within my mind what she


s: And Latian lands; but who could then have thought


s: That Phrygian gods to Latium should be brought,


s: Or who believ'd what mad Cassandra taught?


s: Now let us go where Phoebus leads the way.'


s: "He said; and we with glad consent obey,


s: Forsake the seat, and, leaving few behind,


s: We spread our sails before the willing wind.


s: Now from the sight of land our galleys move,


s: When o'er our heads descends a burst of rain,


s: And night with sable clouds involves the main;


s: The ruffling winds the foamy billows raise;


s: The scatter'd fleet is forc'd to sev'ral ways;


s: The face of heav'n is ravish'd from our eyes,


s: And in redoubled peals the roaring thunder flies.


s: Cast from our course, we wander in the dark.


s: No stars to guide, no point of land to mark.


s: Betwixt the night and day; such darkness reign'd around.


s: Three starless nights the doubtful navy strays,


s: Without distinction, and three sunless days;


s: The fourth renews the light, and, from our shrouds,


s: We view a rising land, like distant clouds;


s: The mountain-tops confirm the pleasing sight,


s: And curling smoke ascending from their height.


s: The canvas falls; their oars the sailors ply;


s: From the rude strokes the whirling waters fly.


s: Safe from the danger of the stormy seas.


s: Those isles are compass'd by th' Ionian main,


s: The dire abode where the foul Harpies reign,


s: To their old homes, and leave their costly fare.


s: Monsters more fierce offended Heav'n ne'er sent


s: From hell's abyss, for human punishment:


s: With virgin faces, but with wombs obscene,


s: Foul paunches, and with ordure still unclean;


s: With claws for hands, and looks for ever lean.


s: Fat herds of oxen graze the flow'ry field,


s: And wanton goats without a keeper stray'd.


s: With weapons we the welcome prey invade,


s: Then call the gods for partners of our feast,


s: And Jove himself, the chief invited guest.


s: We spread the tables on the greensward ground;


s: We feed with hunger, and the bowls go round;


s: When from the mountain-tops, with hideous cry,


s: And clatt'ring wings, the hungry Harpies fly;


s: They snatch the meat, defiling all they find,


s: And, parting, leave a loathsome stench behind.


s: New dress the dinner, and the beds refit,


s: Secure from sight, beneath a pleasing shade,


s: And once again the rav'nous birds return,


s: Or from the dark recesses where they lie,


s: With filthy claws their odious meal repeat,


s: And mix their loathsome ordures with their meat.


s: I bid my friends for vengeance then prepare,


s: And with the hellish nation wage the war.


s: They, as commanded, for the fight provide,


s: And in the grass their glitt'ring weapons hide;


s: Then, when along the crooked shore we hear


s: Their clatt'ring wings, and saw the foes appear,


s: Misenus sounds a charge: we take th' alarm,


s: And our strong hands with swords and bucklers arm.


s: Their utmost force, the monsters to destroy.


s: In vain- the fated skin is proof to wounds;


s: And from their plumes the shining sword rebounds.


s: At length rebuff'd, they leave their mangled prey,


s: And their stretch'd pinions to the skies display.


s: Yet one remain'd- the messenger of Fate:


s: 'What! not contented with our oxen slain,


s: Dare you with Heav'n an impious war maintain,


s: And drive the Harpies from their native reign?


s: Heed therefore what I say; and keep in mind


s: What Jove decrees, what Phoebus has design'd,


s: And I, the Furies' queen, from both relate-


s: You seek th' Italian shores, foredoom'd by fate:


s: Th' Italian shores are granted you to find,


s: And a safe passage to the port assign'd.


s: But know, that ere your promis'd walls you build,


s: Fierce famine is your lot for this misdeed,


s: Reduc'd to grind the plates on which you feed.'


s: She said, and to the neighb'ring forest flew.


s: Our courage fails us, and our fears renew.


s: Hopeless to win by war, to pray'rs we fall,


s: And on th' offended Harpies humbly call,


s: And whether gods or birds obscene they were,


s: Our vows for pardon and for peace prefer.


s: And lifting up to heav'n his hands and eyes,


s: Ador'd the greater gods: 'Avert,' said he,


s: 'These omens; render vain this prophecy,


s: And from th' impending curse a pious people free!'


s: "Thus having said, he bids us put to sea;


s: We loose from shore our haulsers, and obey,


s: And soon with swelling sails pursue the wat'ry way.


s: Amidst our course, Zacynthian woods appear;


s: And curse the land which dire Ulysses bore.


s: And the Sun's temple, which the sailor fears.


s: Resolv'd to breathe a while from labor past,


s: Our crooked anchors from the prow we cast,


s: Here, safe beyond our hopes, our vows we pay


s: To Jove, the guide and patron of our way.


s: And Trojan games on Actian shores renew.


s: Our youth their naked limbs besmear with oil,


s: Pleas'd to have sail'd so long before the wind,


s: The sun had now fulfill'd his annual course,


s: And Boreas on the seas display'd his force:


s: The brazen shield which vanquish'd Abas bore;


s: The verse beneath my name and action speaks:


s: 'These arms Aeneas took from conqu'ring Greeks.'


s: Their sweeping oars; the smoking billows fly.


s: The sight of high Phaeacia soon we lost,


s: "Then to Chaonia's port our course we bend,


s: And, landed, to Buthrotus' heights ascend.


s: Here wondrous things were loudly blaz'd fame:


s: And reign'd in Greece; that Priam's captive son


s: Succeeded Pyrrhus in his bed and throne;


s: And long to see the new Dardanian court.


s: By chance, the mournful queen, before the gate,


s: Then solemniz'd her former husband's fate.


s: Green altars, rais'd of turf, with gifts she crown'd,


s: And sacred priests in order stand around,


s: And thrice the name of hapless Hector sound.


s: And Simois seem'd the well-dissembled flood.


s: Forsakes her limbs; her veins no longer beat:


s: She faints, she falls, and scarce recov'ring strength,


s: Thus, with a falt'ring tongue, she speaks at length:


s: "'Are you alive, O goddess-born?' she said,


s: 'Or if a ghost, then where is Hector's shade?'


s: At this, she cast a loud and frightful cry.


s: With broken words I made this brief reply:


s: 'All of me that remains appears in sight;


s: I live, if living be to loathe the light.


s: My fate resembling that of Hector's wife.


s: What have you suffer'd since you lost your lord?


s: By what strange blessing are you now restor'd?


s: Still are you Hector's? or is Hector fled,


s: And his remembrance lost in Pyrrhus' bed?'


s: Whom death deliver'd from the foes' embrace!


s: Endur'd the victor's lust, sustain'd the scorn:


s: Of Pyrrhus, more a handmaid than a bride.


s: Cloy'd with possession, he forsook my bed,


s: And Helen's lovely daughter sought to wed;


s: And his two slaves in equal marriage join'd;


s: Till young Orestes, pierc'd with deep despair,


s: And longing to redeem the promis'd fair,


s: Before Apollo's altar slew the ravisher.


s: By Pyrrhus' death the kingdom we regain'd:


s: At least one half with Helenus remain'd.


s: And names from Pergamus his rising walls.


s: But you, what fates have landed on our coast?


s: What gods have sent you, or what storms have toss'd?


s: Does young Ascanius life and health enjoy,


s: O tell me how his mother's loss he bears,


s: What hopes are promis'd from his blooming years,


s: How much of Hector in his face appears?'


s: She spoke; and mix'd her speech with mournful cries,


s: And fruitless tears came trickling from her eyes.


s: "At length her lord descends upon the plain,


s: In pomp, attended with a num'rous train;


s: Receives his friends, and to the city leads,


s: And tears of joy amidst his welcome sheds.


s: My friends in porticoes were entertain'd,


s: And feasts and pleasures thro' the city reign'd.


s: The tables fill'd the spacious hall around,


s: And golden bowls with sparkling wine were crown'd.


s: Two days we pass'd in mirth, till friendly gales,


s: Blown from the supplied our swelling sails.


s: 'O thou, who know'st, beyond the reach of man,


s: The laws of heav'n, and what the stars decree;


s: Skill'd in the wing'd inhabitants of air,


s: What auspices their notes and flights declare:


s: What toils vanquish, and what course to run.'


s: "The prophet first with sacrifice adores


s: The greater gods; their pardon then implores;


s: To Phoebus, next, my trembling steps he led,


s: Full of religious doubts and awful dread.


s: Then, with his god possess'd, before the shrine,


s: These words proceeded from his mouth divine:


s: 'O goddess-born, (for Heav'n's appointed will,


s: Foreshows thy voyage, and thy course directs;


s: Thy fates conspire, and Jove himself protects,)


s: Of many things some few I shall explain,


s: Teach thee to shun the dangers of the main,


s: And how at length the promis'd shore to gain.


s: The rest the fates from Helenus conceal,


s: First, then, that happy shore, that seems so nigh,


s: Long tracts of seas divide your hopes from Italy:


s: For you must cruise along Sicilian shores,


s: And stem the currents with your struggling oars;


s: Then round th' Italian coast your navy steer;


s: And, after this, to Circe's island veer;


s: And, last, before your new foundations rise,


s: Must pass the Stygian lake, and view the nether skies.


s: Now mark the signs of future ease and rest,


s: And bear them safely treasur'd in thy breast.


s: Thou shalt behold a sow upon the ground,


s: With thirty sucking young encompass'd round;


s: The dam and offspring white as falling snow-


s: These on thy city shall their name bestow,


s: And there shall end thy labors and thy woe.


s: Nor let the threaten'd famine fright thy mind,


s: For Phoebus will assist, and Fate the way will find.


s: Let not thy course to that ill coast be bent,


s: Which fronts from far th' Epirian continent:


s: Those parts are all by Grecian foes possess'd;


s: The salvage Locrians here the shores infest;


s: And guards with arms the Salentinian fields;


s: And on the mountain's brow Petilia stands,


s: Which Philoctetes with his troops commands.


s: Ev'n when thy fleet is landed on the shore,


s: And priests with holy vows the gods adore,


s: Then with a purple veil involve your eyes,


s: These rites and customs to the rest commend,


s: That to your pious race they may descend.


s: "'When, parted hence, the wind, that ready waits


s: For Sicily, shall bear you to the straits


s: Tack to the larboard, and stand off to sea:


s: Veer starboard sea and land. Th' Italian shore


s: And fair Sicilia's coast were one, before


s: An earthquake caus'd the flaw: the roaring tides


s: The passage broke that land from land divides;


s: And where the lands retir'd, the rushing ocean rides.


s: Distinguish'd by the straits, on either hand,


s: And fruitful fields: so much can time invade


s: The mold'ring work that beauteous Nature made.


s: Far on the right, her dogs foul Scylla hides:


s: And in her greedy whirlpool sucks the tides;


s: Then spouts them from below: with fury driv'n,


s: The waves mount up and wash the face of heav'n.


s: But Scylla from her den, with open jaws,


s: And virgin bosom, hides her tail's disgrace:


s: Her parts obscene below the waves descend,


s: With dogs inclos'd, and in a dolphin end.


s: 'T is safer, then, to bear aloof to sea,


s: And coast Pachynus, tho' with more delay,


s: Than once to view misshapen Scylla near,


s: And the loud yell of wat'ry wolves to hear.


s: Do not this precept of your friend forget,


s: Which therefore more than once I must repeat:


s: Above the rest, great Juno's name adore;


s: Let gifts be to the mighty queen design'd,


s: And mollify with pray'rs her haughty mind.


s: Thus, at the length, your passage shall be free,


s: Arriv'd at Cumae, when you view the flood


s: Of black Avernus, and the sounding wood,


s: She sings the fates, and, in her frantic fits,


s: The notes and names, inscrib'd, to leafs commits.


s: What she commits to leafs, in order laid,


s: Before the cavern's entrance are display'd:


s: Unmov'd they lie; but, if a blast of wind


s: The leafs are borne aloft in liquid air,


s: And she resumes no more her museful care,


s: Nor gathers from the rocks her scatter'd verse,


s: Nor sets in order what the winds disperse.


s: And with loud curses leave the mystic shade.


s: "'Think it not loss of time a while to stay,


s: Tho' thy companions chide thy long delay;


s: Tho' summon'd to the seas, tho' pleasing gales


s: Invite thy course, and stretch thy swelling sails:


s: With willing words, and not to write thy fate.


s: The fierce Italian people she will show,


s: And all thy wars, and all thy future woe,


s: And what thou may'st avoid, and what must undergo.


s: She shall direct thy course, instruct thy mind,


s: And teach thee how the happy shores to find.


s: This is what Heav'n allows me to relate:


s: Now part in peace; pursue thy better fate,


s: And raise, by strength of arms, the Trojan state.'


s: "This when the priest with friendly voice declar'd,


s: He gave me license, and rich gifts prepar'd:


s: Bounteous of treasure, he supplied my want


s: And ev'ry ship with sums of silver stor'd.


s: Thrice chain'd with gold, for use and ornament;


s: That flourish'd with a plume and waving crest.


s: Nor was my sire forgotten, nor my friends;


s: Men, horses, captains, arms, and warlike stores;


s: Supplies new pilots, and new sweeping oars.


s: Meantime, my sire commands to hoist our sails,


s: Lest we should lose the first auspicious gales.


s: "The prophet bless'd the parting crew, and last,


s: With words like these, his ancient friend embrac'd:


s: Whom heav'nly Venus honor'd with her love,


s: And twice preserv'd thy life, when Troy was lost,


s: Behold from far the wish'd Ausonian coast:


s: There land; but take a larger compass round,


s: For that before is all forbidden ground.


s: The shore that Phoebus has design'd for you,


s: At farther distance lies, conceal'd from view.


s: Go happy hence, and seek your new abodes,


s: Blest in a son, and favor'd by the gods:


s: For I with useless words prolong your stay,


s: When southern gales have summon'd you away.'


s: "Nor less the queen our parting thence deplor'd,


s: Nor was less bounteous than her Trojan lord.


s: A robe with flow'rs on golden tissue wrought,


s: A phrygian vest; and loads with gifts beside


s: Of precious texture, and of Asian pride.


s: 'Accept,' she said, 'these monuments of love,


s: Which in my youth with happier hands I wove:


s: Regard these trifles for the giver's sake;


s: 'T is the last present Hector's wife can make.


s: In thee his features and his form I find:


s: His eyes so sparkled with a lively flame;


s: Such were his motions; such was all his frame;


s: And ah! had Heav'n so pleas'd, his years had been the same.'


s: "With tears I took my last adieu, and said:


s: 'Your fortune, happy pair, already made,


s: Leaves you no farther wish. My diff'rent state,


s: You have no shores to search, no seas to plow,


s: With better auspice than her ancient tow'rs,


s: And less obnoxious to the Grecian pow'rs.


s: If e'er the gods, whom I with vows adore,


s: Conduct my steps to Tiber's happy shore;


s: As both of us our birth from Troy derive,


s: So let our kindred lines in concord live,


s: And both in acts of equal friendship strive.


s: Our fortunes, good or bad, shall be the same:


s: The double Troy shall differ but in name;


s: "Near the Ceraunian rocks our course we bore;


s: The shortest passage to th' Italian shore.


s: Now had the sun withdrawn his radiant light,


s: And hills were hid in dusky shades of night:


s: We land, and, on the bosom Of the ground,


s: A safe retreat and a bare lodging found.


s: Close by the shore we lay; the sailors keep


s: Their watches, and the rest securely sleep.


s: The night, proceeding on with silent pace,


s: Stood in her noon, and view'd with equal face


s: The face of heav'n, and the nocturnal sky;


s: And listen'd ev'ry breath of air to try;


s: Observes the stars, and notes their sliding course,


s: The Pleiads, Hyads, and their wat'ry force;


s: And both the Bears is careful to behold,


s: And bright Orion, arm'd with burnish'd gold.


s: Then, when he saw no threat'ning tempest nigh,


s: He gave the sign to weigh; we break our sleep,


s: Forsake the pleasing shore, and plow the deep.


s: "And now the rising morn with rosy light


s: Adorns the skies, and puts the stars to flight;


s: When we from far, like bluish mists, descry


s: The hills, and then the plains, of Italy.


s: Achates first pronounc'd the joyful sound;


s: Then, 'Italy!' the cheerful crew rebound.


s: My sire Anchises crown'd a cup with wine,


s: And, off'ring, thus implor'd the pow'rs divine:


s: 'Ye gods, presiding over lands and seas,


s: And you who raging winds and waves appease,


s: Breathe on our swelling sails a prosp'rous wind,


s: And smooth our passage to the port assign'd!'


s: The gentle gales their flagging force renew,


s: Minerva's temple then salutes our sight,


s: Plac'd, as a landmark, on the mountain's height.


s: We furl our sails, and turn the prows to shore;


s: The curling waters round the galleys roar.


s: Then, bending like a bow, with rocks compress'd,


s: Shuts out the storms; the winds and waves complain,


s: And vent their malice on the cliffs in vain.


s: The port lies hid within; on either side


s: Two tow'ring rocks the narrow mouth divide.


s: The temple, which aloft we view'd before,


s: To distance flies, and seems to shun the shore.


s: Were four white steeds that cropp'd the flow'ry field.


s: 'War, war is threaten'd from this foreign ground,'


s: My father cried, 'where warlike steeds are found.


s: Yet, since reclaim'd to chariots they submit,


s: And bend to stubborn yokes, and champ the bit,


s: Peace may succeed to war.' Our way we bend


s: There prostrate to the fierce virago pray,


s: Whose temple was the landmark of our way.


s: Each with a Phrygian mantle veil'd his head,


s: These dues perform'd, we stretch our sails, and stand


s: "From hence Tarentum's bay appears in view,


s: Caulonian tow'rs, and Scylacaean strands,


s: For shipwrecks fear'd. Mount Aetna thence we spy,


s: Known by the smoky flames which cloud the sky.


s: Far off we hear the waves with surly sound


s: Invade the rocks, the rocks their groans rebound.


s: The billows break upon the sounding strand,


s: And roll the rising tide, impure with sand.


s: ''T is that Charybdis which the seer foretold,


s: And those the promis'd rocks! Bear off to sea!'


s: Then all the fleet by his example steer'd.


s: Then down to hell descend, when they divide;


s: And thrice our galleys knock'd the stony ground,


s: And thrice the hollow rocks return'd the sound,


s: And thrice we saw the stars, that stood with dews around.


s: The flagging winds forsook us, with the sun;


s: And, wearied, on Cyclopian shores we run.


s: The port capacious, and secure from wind,


s: Is to the foot of thund'ring Aetna join'd.


s: By turns a pitchy cloud she rolls on high;


s: By turns hot embers from her entrails fly,


s: And flakes of mounting flames, that lick the sky.


s: Oft from her bowels massy rocks are thrown,


s: And, shiver'd by the force, come piecemeal down.


s: Oft liquid lakes of burning sulphur flow,


s: Fed from the fiery springs that boil below.


s: Enceladus, they say, transfix'd by Jove,


s: With blasted limbs came tumbling from above;


s: And, where he fell, th' avenging father drew


s: This flaming hill, and on his body threw.


s: He shakes the solid isle, and smoke the heavens hides.


s: In shady woods we pass the tedious night,


s: Where bellowing sounds and groans our souls affright,


s: Of which no cause is offer'd to the sight;


s: For not one star was kindled in the sky,


s: Nor could the moon her borrow'd light supply;


s: For misty clouds involv'd the firmament,


s: The stars were muffled, and the moon was pent.


s: "Scarce had the rising sun the day reveal'd,


s: Scarce had his heat the pearly dews dispell'd,


s: When from the woods there bolts, before our sight,


s: So bare of flesh, he scarce resembled man.


s: This thing, all tatter'd, seem'd from far t' implore


s: Our pious aid, and pointed to the shore.


s: We look behind, then view his shaggy beard;


s: His clothes were tagg'd with thorns, and filth his limbs


s: The rest, in mien, in habit, and in face,


s: Appear'd a Greek, and such indeed he was.


s: He cast on us, from far, a frightful view,


s: Whom soon for Trojans and for foes he knew;


s: Stood still, and paus'd; then all at once began


s: To stretch his limbs, and trembled as he ran.


s: Soon as approach'd, upon his knees he falls,


s: And thus with tears and sighs for pity calls:


s: 'Now, by the pow'rs above, and what we share


s: From Nature's common gift, this vital air,


s: O Trojans, take me hence! I beg no more;


s: But bear me far from this unhappy shore.


s: 'T is true, I am a Greek, and farther own,


s: Among your foes besieg'd th' imperial town.


s: Since nothing more than death my crime demands,


s: He said, and on his knees my knees embrac'd:


s: I bade him boldly tell his fortune past,


s: His present state, his lineage, and his name,


s: Th' occasion of his fears, and whence he came.


s: The good Anchises rais'd him with his hand;


s: Who, thus encourag'd, answer'd our demand:


s: But, fearful for themselves, my countrymen


s: The cave, tho' large, was dark; the dismal floor


s: Was pav'd with mangled limbs and putrid gore.


s: Our monstrous host, of more than human size,


s: Erects his head, and stares within the skies;


s: Bellowing his voice, and horrid is his hue.


s: Ye gods, remove this plague from mortal view!


s: The joints of slaughter'd wretches are his food;


s: And for his wine he quaffs the streaming blood.


s: These eyes beheld, when with his spacious hand


s: He seiz'd two captives of our Grecian band;


s: Stretch'd on his back, he dash'd against the stones


s: Their broken bodies, and their crackling bones:


s: With spouting blood the purple pavement swims,


s: While the dire glutton grinds the trembling limbs.


s: "'Not unreveng'd Ulysses bore their fate,


s: Nor thoughtless of his own unhappy state;


s: For, gorg'd with flesh, and drunk with human wine


s: Snoring aloud, and belching from his maw


s: We pray; we cast the lots, and then surround


s: The monstrous body, stretch'd along the ground:


s: Each, as he could approach him, lends a hand


s: To bore his eyeball with a flaming brand.


s: Beneath his frowning forehead lay his eye;


s: But that a globe so large, his front it fill'd,


s: Like the sun's disk or like a Grecian shield.


s: The stroke succeeds; and down the pupil bends:


s: This vengeance follow'd for our slaughter'd friends.


s: But haste, unhappy wretches, haste to fly!


s: Like him, in caves they shut their woolly sheep;


s: Like him, their herds on tops of mountains keep;


s: Like him, with mighty strides, they stalk from steep to steep


s: And now three moons their sharpen'd horns renew,


s: Since thus, in woods and wilds, obscure from view,


s: I drag my loathsome days with mortal fright,


s: Oft from the rocks a dreadful prospect see


s: Of the huge Cyclops, like a walking tree:


s: From far I hear his thund'ring voice resound,


s: And trampling feet that shake the solid ground.


s: Cornels and salvage berries of the wood,


s: And roots and herbs, have been my meager food.


s: While all around my longing eyes I cast,


s: On those I fix'd my hopes, to these I run;


s: 'T is all I ask, this cruel race to shun;


s: What other death you please, yourselves bestow.'


s: "Scarce had he said, when on the mountain's brow


s: His following flock, and leading to the shore:


s: A monstrous bulk, deform'd, depriv'd of sight;


s: His staff a trunk of pine, to guide his steps aright.


s: His pond'rous whistle from his neck descends;


s: His woolly care their pensive lord attends:


s: This only solace his hard fortune sends.


s: Soon as he reach'd the shore and touch'd the waves,


s: From his bor'd eye the gutt'ring blood he laves:


s: He gnash'd his teeth, and groan'd; thro' seas he strides,


s: And scarce the topmost billows touch'd his sides.


s: "Seiz'd with a sudden fear, we run to sea,


s: Then, buckling to the work, our oars divide the main.


s: The giant harken'd to the dashing sound:


s: But, when our vessels out of reach he found,


s: Th' Ionian deep, and durst no farther wade.


s: With that he roar'd aloud: the dreadful cry


s: Shakes earth, and air, and seas; the billows fly


s: Before the bellowing noise to distant Italy.


s: The neigh'ring Aetna trembling all around,


s: His brother Cyclops hear the yelling roar,


s: And, rushing down the mountains, crowd the shore.


s: We saw their stern distorted looks, from far,


s: And one-eyed glance, that vainly threaten'd war:


s: A dreadful council, with their heads on high;


s: (The misty clouds about their foreheads fly;)


s: Not yielding to the tow'ring tree of Jove,


s: New pangs of mortal fear our minds assail;


s: We tug at ev'ry oar, and hoist up ev'ry sail,


s: And take th' advantage of the friendly gale.


s: Forewarn'd by Helenus, we strive to shun


s: Charybdis' gulf, nor dare to Scylla run.


s: We, tacking to the left, are free from fears;


s: For, from Pelorus' point, the North arose,


s: And drove us back where swift Pantagias flows.


s: His rocky mouth we pass, and make our way


s: Tracing the course which he before had run.


s: "Right o'er against Plemmyrium's wat'ry strand,


s: There lies an isle once call'd th' Ortygian land.


s: From Greece a secret passage under ground,


s: And, mingling here, they roll in the same sacred bed.


s: With prosp'rous gales we pass the quiet sounds


s: Of still Elorus, and his fruitful bounds.


s: And fenny lake, undrain'd by fate's decree.


s: And the large walls, where mighty Gela was;


s: Then Agragas, with lofty summits crown'd,


s: Long for the race of warlike steeds renown'd.


s: Unsafe, for secret rocks and moving sand.


s: At length on shore the weary fleet arriv'd,


s: Here, after endless labors, often toss'd


s: By raging storms, and driv'n on ev'ry coast,


s: My dear, dear father, spent with age, I lost:


s: Ease of my cares, and solace of my pain,


s: Sav'd thro' a thousand toils, but sav'd in vain


s: The prophet, who my future woes reveal'd,


s: Yet this, the greatest and the worst, conceal'd;


s: And dire Celaeno, whose foreboding skill


s: Denounc'd all else, was silent of the ill.


s: This my last labor was. Some friendly god


s: From thence convey'd us to your blest abode."


s: Thus, to the list'ning queen, the royal guest


s: His wand'ring course and all his toils express'd;


s: And here concluding, he retir'd to rest.


s: But anxious cares already seiz'd the queen:


s: She fed within her veins a flame unseen;


s: The hero's valor, acts, and birth inspire


s: Her soul with love, and fan the secret fire.


s: His words, his looks, imprinted in her heart,


s: Improve the passion, and increase the smart.


s: Now, when the purple morn had chas'd away


s: Her sister first with early care she sought,


s: And thus in mournful accents eas'd her thought:


s: "My dearest Anna, what new dreams affright


s: My lab'ring soul! what visions of the night