In mocking answer to the prophetessthe warrior thus replied: “That stranger fleetin Tiber moored, not, as thy folly prates,of me unnoted lies. Vex me no morewith thy fantastic terror. Juno's poweris watchful of my cause. 'T is mere old age,gone to decay and dotage, fills thy breastwith vain foreboding, and, while kings contend,scares and deceives thy visionary eye.Guard thou in yonder temple's holy shadethe images divine! Of peace and warlet men and warriors the burden bear!”
Hic iuvenis vatem inridens sic orsa vicissimore refert: “Classis invectas Thybridis undam”“non, ut rere, meas effugit nuntius auris.”“Ne tantos mihi finge metus; nec regia Iuno”“inmemor est nostri.”“Sed te victa situ verique effeta senectus,”“o mater, curis nequiquam exercet et arma”“regum inter falsa vatem formidine ludit.”“Cura tibi divom effigies et templa tueri:”“bella viri pacemque gerent, quis bella gerenda.”
So kindled he Alecto's wrath to flame;and even as he spoke a shudder thrilledthe warrior's body, and his eyeballs stoodstonily staring at the hydra hairwhich hissed and writhed above the grisly headof the large-looming fiend. With eyes of firehorribly rolling, she repelled him far,while he but faltered speechless. She upraisedtwo coiling snakes out of her tresses, crackedthe lashes of her scourge, and wrathfully,with raving lips replied: “Look well on me,gone to decay and dotage of old age!And mocked with foolish fear while kings contend!Wilt hearken now! Behold me, hither flownfrom where my sister-furies dwell! My handsbring bloody death and war.” She spoke, and hurledher firebrand at the hero, thrusting deepbeneath his heart her darkly smouldering flame.Then horror broke his sleep, and fearful sweatdripped from his every limb. He shrieked aloudfor arms; and seized the ready arms that layaround his couch and hall. Then o'er his soulthe lust of battle and wild curse of warbroke forth in angry power, as when the flamesof faggots round the bubbling cauldron sing,and up the waters leap; the close-kept floodbrims over, streaming, foaming, breaking bound,and flings thick clouds in air. He, summoninghis chieftains, bade them on Latinus move,break peace, take arms, and, over Italytheir shields extending, to thrust forth her foe:himself for Teucrian with Latin joinedwas more than match. He called upon the godsin witness of his vows: while, nothing loth,Rutulia's warriors rushed into array;some by his youth and noble beauty moved,some by his kingly sires and fame in arms.
Talibus Allecto dictis exarsit in iras,at iuveni oranti subitus tremor occupat artus,deriguere oculi: tot Erinys sibilat hydristantaque se facies aperit; tum flammea torquenslumina cunctantem et quaerentem dicere plurareppulit et geminos erexit crinibus anguisverberaque insonuit rabidoque haec addidit ore:“En ego victa situ, quam veri effeta senectus”“arma inter regum falsa formidine ludit.”“Respice ad haec: adsum dirarum ab sede sororum,”“bella manu letumque gero.”Sic effata facem iuveni coniecit et atrolumine fumantis fixit sub pectore taedas.Olli somnum ingens rumpit pavor, ossaque et artusperfundit toto proruptus corpore sudor;arma amens fremit, arma toro tectisque requirit;saevit amor ferri et scelerata insania belli,ira super: magno veluti cum flamma sonorevirgea suggeritur costis undantis aëniexsultantque aestu latices, furit intus aquaïfumidus atque alte spumis exuberat amnis,nec iam se capit unda, volat vapor ater ad auras.Ergo iter ad regem polluta pace Latinumindicit primis iuvenum et iubet arma parari,tutari Italiam, detrudere finibus hostem:se satis ambobus Teucrisque venire Latinisque.Haec ubi dicta dedit divosque in vota vocavit,certatim sese Rutuli exhortantur in arma:hunc decus egregium formae movet atque iuventae,hunc atavi reges, hunc claris dextera factis.
While Turnus stirred Rutulia's valiant souls,Alecto on her Stygian pinions spedto where the Teucrians lay. She scanned the groundwith eager guile, where by the river's margefair-browed Iulus with his nets and snaresrode fiercely to the chase. Then o'er his houndsthat hell-born virgin breathed a sudden rage,and filled each cunning nostril with the scentof stags, till forth in wild pursuit they flew.Here all the woe began, and here awokein rustic souls the swift-enkindling war.For a fair stag, tall-antlered, stolen awayeven from its mother's milk, had long been keptby Tyrrhus and his sons—the shepherd heof all the royal flocks, and foresterof a wide region round. With fondest caretheir sister Silvia entwined its hornswith soft, fresh garlands, tamed it to run close,and combed the creature, or would bring to batheat a clear, crystal spring. It knew the handsof all its gentle masters, and would feedfrom their own dish; or wandering through the wood,come back unguided to their friendly door,though deep the evening shade. Iulus' dogsnow roused this wanderer in their ravening chase,as, drifted down-stream far from home it lay,on a green bank a-cooling. From bent bowAscanius, eager for a hunter's praise,let go his shaft; nor did Alecto failhis aim to guide: but, whistling through the air,the light-winged reed pierced deep in flank and side.Swift to its cover fled the wounded thing,and crept loud-moaning to its wonted stall,where, like a blood-stained suppliant, it seemedto fill that shepherd's house with plaintive prayer.Then Silvia the sister, smiting ofton breast and arm, made cry for help, and calledthe sturdy rustics forth in gathering throng.These now (for in the silent forest couchedthe cruel Fury) swift to battle flew.One brandished a charred stake, another swunga knotted cudgel, as rude anger shapesits weapon of whate'er the searching eyefirst haps to fall on. Tyrrhus roused his clans,just when by chance he split with blows of wedgean oak in four; and, panting giant breath,shouldered his woodman's axe.
Dum Turnus Rutulos animis audacibus implet,Allecto in Teucros Stygiis se concitat alis,arte nova speculata locum, quo litore pulcherinsidiis cursuque feras agitabat Iulus.Hic subitam canibus rabiem Cocytia virgoobicit et noto naris contingit odore,ut cervum ardentes agerent; quae prima laborumcausa fuit belloque animos accendit agrestis.Cervus erat forma praestanti et cornibus ingens,Tyrrhidae pueri quem matris ab ubere raptumnutribant Tyrrhusque pater, cui regia parentarmenta et late custodia credita campi.Adsuetum imperiis soror omni Silvia curamollibus intexens ornabat cornua sertispectebatque ferum puroque in fonte lavabat.Ille, manum patiens mensaeque adsuetus erili,errabat silvis rursusque ad limina notaipse domum sera quamvis se nocte ferebat.Hunc procul errantem rabidae venantis Iulicommovere canes, fluvio cum forte secundodeflueret ripaque aestus viridante levaret.Ipse etiam, eximiae laudis succensus amore,Ascanius curvo direxit spicula cornu;nec dextrae erranti deus afuit, actaque multoperque uterum sonitu perque ilia venit harundo.Saucius at quadrupes nota intra tecta refugitsuccessitque gemens stabulis questuque cruentusatque imploranti similis tectum omne replebat.Silvia prima soror, palmis percussa lacertos,auxilium vocat et duros conclamat agrestis.Olli, pestis enim tacitis latet aspera silvis,inprovisi adsunt, hic torre armatus obusto,stipitis hic gravidi nodis: quod cuique repertumrimanti, telum ira facit. Vocat agmina Tyrrhus,quadrifidam quercum cuneis ut forte coactisscindebat, rapta spirans immane securi.
Alecto then,prompt to the stroke of mischief, soared aloftfrom where she spying sate, to the steep roofof a tall byre, and from its peak of strawblew a wild signal on a shepherd's horn,outflinging her infernal note so farthat all the forest shuddered, and the grovethrobbed to its deepest glen. Cold Trivia's lakefrom end to end gave ear, and every waveof the white stream of Nar, the lonely poolsof still Velinus heard: while at the soundpale mothers to their breasts their children drew.Swift to the signal of the dreadful horn,snatching their weapons rude, the freeborn swainsassembled for the fray; the Trojan bandspoured from their bivouac with instant aidfor young Ascanius. In array of warboth stand confronting. Not mere rustic brawlwith charred oak-staff and cudgel is the fight,but with the two-edged steel; the naked swordswave like dark-bladed harvest-field, while farthe brazen arms flash in the smiting sun,and skyward fling their beam: so some wide sea,at first but whitened in the rising wind,swells its slow-rolling mass and ever higherits billows rears, until the utmost deeplifts in one surge to heaven. The first to fallwas Almo, eldest-born of Tyrrhus' sons,whom, striding in the van, a loud-winged shaftlaid low in death; deep in his throat it clung,and silenced with his blood the dying cryof his frail life. Around him fell the formsof many a brave and strong; among them diedgray-haired Galaesus pleading for a truce:righteous he was, and of Ausonian fieldsa prosperous master; five full flocks had heof bleating sheep, and from his pastures camefive herds of cattle home; his busy churlsturned with a hundred ploughs his fruitful glebe.
At saeva e speculis tempus dea nacta nocendiardua tecta petit stabuli et de culmine summopastorale canit signum cornuque recurvoTartaream intendit vocem, qua protinus omnecontremuit nemus et silvae insonuere profundae;audiit et Triviae longe lacus, audiit amnissulfurea Nar albus aqua fontesque Velini,et trepidae matres pressere ad pectora natos.Tum vero ad vocem celeres, qua bucina signumdira dedit, raptis concurrunt undique telisindomiti agricolae; nec non et Troïa pubesAscanio auxilium castris effundit apertis.Direxere acies. Non iam certamine agresti,stipitibus duris agitur sudibusve praeustis,sed ferro ancipiti decernunt atraque latehorrescit strictis seges ensibus aeraque fulgentsole lacessita et lucem sub nubila iactant:fluctus uti primo coepit cum albescere vento,paulatim sese tollit mare et altius undaserigit, inde imo consurgit ad aethera fundo.Hic iuvenis primam ante aciem stridente sagitta,natorum Tyrrhi fuerat qui maximus, Almo,sternitur; haesit enim sub gutture volnus et udaevocis iter tenuemque inclusit sanguine vitam.Corpora multa virum circa seniorque Galaesus,dum paci medium se offert, iustissimus unusqui fuit Ausoniisque olim ditissimus arvis:quinque greges illi balantum, quina redibantarmenta, et terram centum vertebat aratris.
While o'er the battle-field thus doubtful swungthe scales of war, the Fury (to her tasknow equal proven) having dyed the daya deep-ensanguined hue, and opened fightwith death and slaughter, made no tarryingwithin Hesperia, but skyward soared,and, Ioud in triumph, insolently thusto Juno called: “See, at thy will, their strifefull-blown to war and woe! Could even thyselfcommand them now to truce and amity?But I, that with Ausonia's blood befoultheir Trojan hands, yet more can do, if thoushift not thy purpose. For with dire alarmsI will awake the bordering states to warenkindling in their souls the frenzied lustthe war-god breathes; till from th' horizon roundthe reinforcement pours—I scattering seedsof carnage through the land.” In answer spokejuno: “Enough of artifice and fear!Thy provocation works. Now have they joinedin close and deadly combat, and warm bloodthose sudden-leaping swords incarnadines,which chance put in their hands. Such nuptial joys,such feast of wedlock, let the famous sonof Venus with the King Latinus share!But yon Olympian Sire and King no morepermits thee freely in our skies to roam.Go, quit the field! Myself will take controlof hazards and of labors yet to be.”Thus Saturn's daughter spoke. Alecto then,unfolding far her hissing, viperous wings,turned toward her Stygian home, and took farewellof upper air. Deep in Italia liesa region mountain-girded, widely famed,and known in olden songs from land to land:the valley of Amsanctus; deep, dark shadesenclose it between forest-walls, wherebythrough thunderous stony channel serpentinesa roaring fall. Here in a monstrous caveare breathing-holes of hell, a vast abysswhere Acheron opes wide its noisome jaws:in this Alecto plunged, concealing soher execrable godhead, while the airof earth and heaven felt the curse removed.
Atque ea per campos aequo dum Marte geruntur,promissi dea facta potens, ubi sanguine bellumimbuit et primae commisit funera pugnae,deserit Hesperiam et caeli convexa per aurasIunonem victrix adfatur voce superba:“En, perfecta tibi bello discordia tristi:”“dic in amicitiam coeant et foedera iungant.”“Quando quidem Ausonio respersi sanguine Teucros,”“hoc etiam his addam, tua si mihi certa voluntas:”“finitimas in bella feram rumoribus urbes”“accendamque animos insani Martis amore,”“undique ut auxilio veniunt; spargam arma per agros.”Tum contra Iuno; “Terrorum et fraudis abunde est;”“stant belli causae, pugnatur comminus armis,”“quae fors prima dedit sanguis novus imbuit arma.”“Talia coniugia et talis celebrent hymenaeos”“egregium Veneris genus et rex ipse Latinus.”“Te super aetherias errare licentius auras”“haud pater ille velit, summi regnator Olympi:”“cede locis; ego, siqua super fortuna laborum est,”“ipsa regam.” Talis dederat Saturnia voces.Illa autem attollit stridentis anguibus alasCocytique petit sedem, supera ardua linquens.Est locus Italiae medio sub montibus altis,nobilis et fama multis memoratus in oris,Amsancti valles: densis hunc frondibus atrumurguet utrimque latus nemoris, medioque fragosusdat sonitum saxis et torto vertice torrens.Hic specus horrendum et saevi spiracula Ditismonstrantur, ruptoque ingens Acheronte voragopestiferas aperit fauces, quis condita Erinys,invisum numen, terras caelumque levabat.
Forthwith the sovereign hands of Juno hasteto consummate the war. The shepherds bearback from the field of battle to the townthe bodies of the slain: young Almo's corseand gray Galaesus' bleeding head. They calljust gods in heaven to Iook upon their wrong,and bid Latinus see it. Turnus comes,and, while the angry mob surveys the slain,adds fury to the hour. “Shall the landhave Trojan lords? Shall Phrygian marriagesdebase our ancient, royal blood—and Ibe spurned upon the threshold?” Then drew nearthe men whose frenzied women-folk had heldbacchantic orgies in the pathless grove,awed by Amata's name: these, gathering,sued loud for war. Yea, all defied the signsand venerable omens; all withstooddivine decrees, and clamored for revenge,prompted by evil powers. They besiegedthe house of King Latinus, shouting-loudwith emulous rage. But like a sea-girt rockunmoved he stood; like sea-girt rock when surgeof waters o'er it sweeps, or howling wavessurround; it keeps a ponderous front of power,though foaming cliffs around it vainly roar;from its firm base the broken sea-weeds fall.But when authority no whit could changetheir counsels blind, and each event fulfilleddread Juno's will, then with complaining prayerthe aged sire cried loud upon his godsand on th' unheeding air: “Alas,” said he,“My doom is shipwreck, and the tempest bearsmy bark away! O wretches, your own bloodshall pay the forfeit for your impious crime.O Turnus! O abominable deed!Avenging woes pursue thee; to deaf godsthy late and unavailing prayer shall rise.Now was my time to rest. But as I comeclose to my journey's end, thou spoilest meof comfort in my death.” With this the Kingfled to his house and ceased his realm to guide.
Nec minus interea extremam Saturnia belloimponit regina manum. Ruit omnis in urbempastorum ex acie numerus caesosque reportantAlmonem puerum foedatique ora Galaesiimplorantque deos obtestanturque Latinum.Turnus adest medioque in crimine caedis et igniterrorem ingeminat: Teucros in regna vocari,stirpem admisceri Phrygiam, se limine pelli.Tum quorum attonitae Baccho nemora avia matresinsultant thiasis (neque enim leve nomen Amatae),undique collecti coeunt Martemque fatigant.Ilicet infandum cuncti contra omina bellum,contra fata deum perverso numine poscunt,certatim regis circumstant tecta Latini.Ille velut pelagi rupes immota resistit,ut pelagi rupes magno veniente fragore,quae sese multis circum latrantibus undismole tenet; scopuli nequiquam et spumea circumsaxa fremunt laterique inlisa refunditur alga.Verum ubi nulla datur caecum exsuperare potestasconsilium et saevae nutu Iunonis eunt res,multa deos aurasque pater testatus inanis:“Frangimur heu fatis,” inquit, “ferimurque procella!”“Ipsi has sacrilego pendetis sanguine poenas,”“O miseri. Te, Turne, nefas, te triste manebit”“supplicium, votisque deos venerabere seris.”“Nam mihi parta quies, omnisque in limine portus;”“funere felici spolior.” Nec plura locutussaepsit se tectis rerumque reliquit habenas.
A sacred custom the Hesperian landof Latium knew, by all the Alban hillshonored unbroken, which wide-ruling Romekeeps to this day, when to new stroke she stirsthe might of Mars; if on the Danube's waveresolved to fling the mournful doom of war,or on the Caspian folk or Arabs wild;or chase the morning far as India's verge,ind from the Parthian despot wrest awayour banners Iost. Twin Gates of War there be,of fearful name, to Mars' fierce godhead vowed:a hundred brass bars shut them, and the strengthof uncorrupting steel; in sleepless watchJanus the threshold keeps. 'T is here, what timethe senate's voice is war, the consul gravein Gabine cincture and Quirinal shifthimself the griding hinges backward moves,and bids the Romans arm; obedient thenthe legionary host makes Ioud acclaim,and hoarse consent the brazen trumpets blow.Thus King Latinus on the sons of Troywas urged to open war, and backward rollthose gates of sorrow: but the aged kingrecoiled, refused the loathsome task, and fledto solitary shades. Then from the skiesthe Queen of gods stooped down, and her sole handthe lingering portal moved; Saturniaswung on their hinges the barred gates of war.ausonia from its old tranquillitybursts forth in flame. Foot-soldiers through the fieldrun to and fro; and mounted on tall steedsthe cavaliers in clouds of dust whirl by.All arm in haste. Some oil the glittering shieldor javelin bright, or on the whetstone weargood axes to an edge, while joyful bandsuplift the standards or the trumpets blow.Five mighty cities to their anvils bringnew-tempered arms: Atina—martial name —proud Tibur, Ardea, Crustumium,and river-walled Antemnae, crowned with towersstrong hollow helmets on their brows they drawand weave them willow-shields; or melt and mouldcorselets of brass or shining silver greaves;none now for pruning-hook or sacred ploughhave love or care: but old, ancestral swordsfor hardier tempering to the smith they bring.Now peals the clarion; through the legions passthe watchwords: the impatient yeoman takeshis helmet from the idle roof-tree hung;while to his chariot the master yokesthe mettled war-horse, dons a shining shieldand golden mail, and buckles his good sword.
Mos erat Hesperio in Latio, quem protinus urbesAlbanae coluere sacrum nunc maxima rerumRoma colit, cum prima movent in proelia Martem,sive Getis inferre manu lacrimabile bellumHyrcanisve Arabisve parant seu tendere ad IndosAuroramque sequi Parthosque reposcere signa.Sunt geminae belli portae (sic nomine dicunt)religione sacrae et saevi formidine Martis;centum aerei claudunt vectes aeternaque ferrirobora, nec custos absistit limine Ianus:has, ubi certa sedet patribus sententia pugnae,ipse Quirinali trabea cinctuque Gabinoinsignis reserat stridentia limina consul,ipse vocat pugnas; sequitur tum cetera pubes,aereaque adsensu conspirant cornua rauco.Hoc et tum Aeneadis indicere bella Latinusmore iubebatur tristisque recludere portas.Abstinuit tactu pater aversusque refugitfoeda ministeria et caecis se condidit umbris.Tum regina deum caelo delapsa morantisimpulit ipsa manu portas, et cardine versobelli ferratos rumpit Saturnia postes.Ardet inexcita Ausonia atque immobilis ante;Pars pedes ire parat campis, pars arduus altispulverulentus equis furit; omnes arma requirunt.Pars levis clipeos et spicula lucida tergentarvina pingui subiguntque in cote secures;signaque ferre iuvat sonitusque audire tubarum.Quinque adeo magnae positis incudibus urbestela novant, Atina potens Tiburque superbum,Ardea Crustumerique et turrigerae Antemnae.Tegmina tuta cavant capitum flectuntque salignasumbonum cratis; alii thoracas aenosaut levis ocreas lento ducunt argento;vomeris huc et falcis honos, huc omnis aratricessit amor; recoquunt patrios fornacibus enses.Classica iamque sonant; it bello tessera signum.Hic galeam tectis trepidus rapit, ille frementisad iuga cogit equos clipeumque auroque trilicemloricam induitur fidoque accingitur ense.
Virgins of Helicon, renew my song!Instruct me what proud kings to battle flownwith following legions throng the serried plain.Tell me what heroes and illustrious armsItalia's bosom in her dawning daybenignant bore: for your celestial minds,have memory of the past, but faint and lowsteals glory's whisper on a mortal ear.
Pandite nunc Helicona, deae, cantusque movete,qui bello exciti reges, quae quemque secutaecomplerint campos acies, quibus Itala iam tumfloruerit terra alma viris, quibus arserit armis.Et meministis enim, divae, et memorare potestis:ad nos vix tenuis famae perlabitur aura.
Foremost in fight, from shores Etrurian cameMezentius, scornful rebel against Heaven,his people all in arms; and at his sideLausus his heir (no fairer youth than he,save Turnus of Laurentum), Lausus, skilledo break proud horses and wild beasts to quell;who from Agylla's citadel in vainled forth his thousand warriors: worthy heto serve a nobler sire, and happier farhe had ne'er been born Mezentius' son.
Primus init bellum Tyrrhenis asper ab oriscontemptor divom Mezentius agminaque armat.Filius huic iuxta Lausus, quo pulchrior alternon fuit excepto Laurentis corpore Turni,Lausus, equum domitor debellatorque ferarum,ducit Agyllina nequiquam ex urbe secutosmille viros, dignus, patriis qui laetior essetimperiis et cui pater haud Mezentius esset.
Next after these, conspicuous o'er the plain,with palm-crowned chariot and victorious steeds,rode forth well-moulded Aventinus, sprungfrom shapely Hercules; upon the shieldhis blazon was a hundred snakes, and showedhis father's hydra-cincture serpentine;him deep in Aventine's most secret grovethe priestess Rhea bore—a mortal maidclasped in a god's embrace the wondrous daywhen, flushed with conquest of huge Geryon,the lord of Tiryns to Laurentum drove,and washed in Tiber's wave th' Iberian kine.His followers brandished pointed pikes and staves,or smooth Sabellian bodkin tipped with steel;but he, afoot, swung round him as he strodea monstrous lion-skin, its bristling maneand white teeth crowning his ferocious brow:for garbed as Hercules he sought his King.
Post hos insignem palma per gramina currumvictoresque ostentat equos satus Hercule pulchropulcher Aventinus, clipeoque insigne paternumcentum angues cinctamque gerit serpentibus hydram;collis Aventini silva quem Rhea sacerdosfurtivum partu sub luminis edidit oras,mixta deo mulier, postquam Laurentia victorGeryone extincto Tirynthius attigit arvaTyrrhenoque boves in flumine lavit Hiberas.Pila manu saevosque gerunt in bella doloneset tereti pugnant mucrone veruque Sabello.Ipse pedes, tegumen torquens immane leonis,terribili impexum saeta cum dentibus albisindutus capiti, sic regia tecta subibat,horridus, Herculeoque umeros innexus amictu.
Then came twin brethren, leaving Tibur's keep(named from Tiburtus, brother of them twain)Catillus and impetuous Coras, youthof Argive seed, who foremost in the vanpressed ever where the foemen densest throng:as when two centaurs, children of the cloud,from mountain-tops descend in swift career,the snows of Homole and Othrys leaving,while crashing thickets in their pathway fall.
Tum gemini fratres Tiburtia moenia linquunt,fratris Tiburti dictam cognomine gentem,Catillusque acerque Coras, Argiva iuventus,et primam ante aciem densa inter tela feruntur:ceu duo nubigenae cum vertice montis ab altodescendunt centauri, Homolen Othrymque nivalemlinquentes cursu rapido; dat euntibus ingenssilva locum et magno cedunt virgulta fragore.
Nor was Praeneste's founder absent there,by Vulcan sired, among the herds and hinds,and on a hearth-stone found (so runs the taleeach pious age repeats) King Caeculuswith rustic legions gathered from afar:from steep Praeneste and the Gabian valeto Juno dear, from Anio's cold stream,from upland Hernic rocks and foaming rills,from rich Anagnia's pastures, and the plainwhence Amasenus pours his worshipped wave.Not all of armor boast, and seldom soundthe chariot and shield; but out of slingsthey hurl blue balls of lead, or in one handa brace of javelins bear; pulled o'er their browsare hoods of tawny wolf-skin; as they marchthe left foot leaves a barefoot track behind,a rawhide sandal on the right they wear.
Nec Praenestinae fundator defuit urbis,Volcano genitum pecora inter agrestia regeminventumque focis omnis quem credidit aetasCaeculus. Hunc late legio comitatur agrestis:quique altum Praeneste viri quique arva GabinaeIunonis gelidumque Anienem et roscida rivisHernica saxa colunt, quos dives Anagnia pascit,quos, Amasene pater. Non illis omnibus arma,nec clipei currusve sonant: pars maxima glandesliventis plumbi spargit, pars spicula gestatbina manu, fulvosque lupi de pelle galerostegmen habent capiti, vestigia nuda sinistriinstituere pedis, crudus tegit altera pero.
Messapus came, steed-tamer, Neptune's son,by sword and fire invincible: this day,though mild his people and unschooled in war,he calls them to embattled lines, and drawsno lingering sword. Fescennia musters there,Aequi Falisci, and what clans possessSoracte's heights, Flavinia's fruitful farms,Ciminian lake and mountain, and the grovesabout Capena. Rank on rank they move,loud singing of their chieftain's praise: as whena flock of snowy swans through clouded airreturn from feeding, and make tuneful cryfrom their long throats, while Asia's rivers hear,and lone Cayster's startled moorland rings:for hardly could the listening ear discernthe war-cry of a mail-clad host; the soundwas like shrill-calling birds, when home from seatheir soaring flock moves shoreward like a cloud.
At Messapus, equum domitor, Neptunia proles,quem neque fas igni cuiquam nec sternere ferro,iam pridem resides populos desuetaque belloagmina in arma vocat subito ferrumque retractat.Hi Fescenninas acies Aequosque Faliscos.Hi Soractis habent arces Flaviniaque arvaet Cimini cum monte lacum lucosque Capenos.Ibant aequati numero regemque canebant,ceu quondam nivei liquida inter nubila cycni,cum sese e pastu referunt et longa canorosdant per colla modos, sonat amnis et Asia longepulsa palus.Nec quisquam aeratas acies ex agmine tantomisceri putet, aeriam sed gurgite ab altourgueri volucrum raucarum ad litora nubem.
Then, one of far-descended Sabine name,Clausus advanced, the captain of a host,and in himself an equal host he seemed;from his proud loins the high-born Claudian stemthrough Latium multiplies, since Roman powerwith Sabine first was wed. A cohort camefrom Amiternum and the olden wallof Cures, called Quirites even then;Eretum answered and Mutusca's hillwith olives clad, Velinus' flowery field,nomentum's fortress, the grim precipiceof Tetrica, Severus' upland fair,Casperia, Foruli, Himella's waves,Tiber and Fabaris, and wintry streamsof Nursia; to the same proud muster spedTuscan with Latin tribes, and loyal townsbeside whose walls ill-omened Allia flows.As numerous they moved as rolling wavesthat stir smooth Libyan seas, when in cold floodssinks grim Orion's star; or like the throngof clustering wheat-tops in the summer sun,near Hermus or on Lycia's yellowing plain:shields clashed; their strong tramp smote the trembling ground.
Ecce Sabinorum prisco de sanguine magnumagmen agens Clausus magnique ipse agminis instar,Claudia nunc a quo diffunditur et tribus et gensper Latium, postquam in partem data Roma Sabinis.Una ingens Amiterna cohors priscique Quirites,Ereti manus omnis oliviferaeque Mutuscae;qui Nomentum urbem, qui Rosea rura Velini,qui Tetricae horrentis rupes montemque SeverumCasperiamque colunt Forulosque et flumen Himellae,qui Tiberim Fabarimque bibunt, quos frigida misitNursia, et Hortinae classes populique Latini,quosque secans infaustum interluit Allia nomen:quam multi Libyco volvuntur marmore fluctussaevus ubi Orion hibernis conditur undis;vel cum sole novo densae torrentur aristaeaut Hermi campo aut Lyciae flaventibus arvis.Scuta sonant pulsuque pedum conterrita tellus.
Now Agamemnon's kinsman, cruel foeto the mere name of Troy, Halaesus, yokesthe horses of his car and summons fortha thousand savage clans at Turnus' call:rude men whose mattocks to the Massic hillsbring Bacchus' bounty, or by graybeard siressent from Auruncan upland and the meadof Sidicinum; out of Cales cameits simple folk; and dwellers by the streamof many-shoaled Volturnus, close-alliedwith bold Saticulan or Oscan swains.Their arms are tapered javelins, which they wearbound by a coiling thong; a shield concealsthe left side, and they fight with crooked swords.
Hinc Agamemnonius, Troiani nominis hostis,curru iungit Halaesus equos Turnoque ferocismille rapit populos, vertunt felicia BacchoMassica qui rastris et quos de collibus altisAurunci misere patres, Sidicinaque iuxtaaequora quique Cales linquunt, amnisque vadosiaccola Volturni, pariterque Saticulus asperOscorumque manus. Teretes sunt aclydes illistela, sed haec lento mos est aptare flagello;laevas caetra tegit, falcati comminus enses.
Nor shalt thou, Oebalus, depart unsung,whom minstrels say the nymph Sebethis boreto Telon, who in Capri was a kingwhen old and gray; but that disdaining sonquitted so small a seat, and conquering swayamong Sarrastian folk and those wide plainswatered by Sarnus' wave, became a kingover Celenna, Rufrae, Batulum,and where among her apple-orchards riseAbella's walls. All these, as Teutons use,hurl a light javelin; for helm they wearstripped cork-tree bark; the crescent of their shieldsis gleaming bronze, and gleaming bronze the sword.
Nec tu carminibus nostris indictus abibis,Oebale, quem generasse Telon Sebethide nymphafertur, Teleboum Capreas cum regna teneret,iam senior; patriis sed non et filius arviscontentus late iam tum dicione premebatSarrastis populos et quae rigat aequora Sarnusquique Rufras Batulumque tenent atque arva Celemnaeet quos maliferae despectant moenia Abellae,Teutonico ritu soliti torquere cateias,tegmina quis capitum raptus de subere cortex,aerataeque micant peltae, micat aereus ensis.
Next Ufens, mountain-bred, from Nersae cameto join the war; of goodly fame was hefor prosperous arms: his Aequian people showno gentle mien, but scour the woods for prey,or, ever-armed, across the stubborn glebecompel the plough; though their chief pride and joyare rapine, violence, and plundered store.
Et te montosae misere in proelia Nersae,Ufens, insignem fama et felicibus armis;horrida praecipue cui gens adsuetaque multovenatu nemorum, duris Aequicula glaebis.Armati terram exercent, semperque recentisconvectare iuvat praedas et vivere rapto.
Next after these, his brows and helmet boundwith noble olive, from Marruvium camea priest, brave Umbro, ordered to the fieldby King Archippus: o'er the viper's brood,and venomed river-serpents he had powerto scatter slumber with wide-waving handsand wizard-songs. His potent arts could soothetheir coiling rage and heal the mortal sting:but 'gainst a Trojan sword no drug had he,nor could his drowsy spells his flesh repair,nor gathered simples from the Marsic hills.Thee soon in wailing woods Anguitia mourned,thee, Fucinus, the lake of crystal wave,thee, many a mountain-tarn!
Quin et Marruvia venit de gente sacerdos,fronde super galeam et felici comptus oliva.Archippi regis missu, fortissimus Umbro,vipereo generi et graviter spirantibus hydrisspargere qui somnos cantuque manuque solebatmulcebatque iras et morsus arte levabat.Sed non Dardaniae medicari cuspidis ictumevaluit, neque eum iuvere in volnera cantussomniferi et Marsis quaesitae montibus herbae.Te nemus Angitiae, vitrea te Fucinus unda,te liquidi flevere lacus.
Next, Virbius in martial beauty rode,son of Hippolytus, whose mother, proudAricia, sent him in his flower of fameout of Egeria's hills and cloudy groveswhere lies Diana's gracious, gifted fane.For legend whispers that Hippolytus,by step-dame's plot undone, his life-blood gaveto sate his vengeful father, and was rentin sunder by wild horses; but the graveto air of heaven and prospect of the starsrestored him;—for Diana's love and carepoured out upon him Paeon's healing balm.But Jove, almighty Sire, brooked not to seea mortal out of death and dark reclimbto light of life, and with a thunderbolthurled to the Stygian river Phoebus' son,who dared such good elixir to compound.But pitying Trivia hid Hippolytusin her most secret cave, and gave in wardto the wise nymph Egeria in her grove;where he lived on inglorious and alone,ranging the woods of Italy, and borethe name of Virbius. 'T is for this causethe hallowed woods to Trivia's temple vowedforbid loud-footed horses, such as spilledstripling and chariot on the fatal shore,scared by the monsters peering from the sea.Yet did the son o'er that tumultuous plainhis battle-chariot guide and plunging team.
Ibat et Hippolyti proles pulcherrima bello,Virbius, insignem quem mater Aricia misit,eductum Egeriae lucis umentia circumlitora, pinguis ubi et placabilis ara Dianae.Namque ferunt fama Hippolytum, postquam arte novercaeocciderit patriasque explerit sanguine poenasturbatis distractus equis, ad sidera rursusaetheria et superas caeli venisse sub auras,Paeoniis revocatum herbis et amore Dianae.Tum pater omnipotens, aliquem indignatus ab umbrismortalem infernis ad lumina surgere vitae,ipse repertorem medicinae talis et artisfulmine Phoebigenam Stygias detrusit ad undas.At Trivia Hippolytum secretis alma reconditsedibus et nymphae Egeriae nemorique relegat,solus ubi in silvis Italis ignobilis aevomexigeret versoque ubi nomine Virbius esset.Unde etiam templo Triviae lucisque sacratiscornipedes arcentur equi, quod litore currumet iuvenem monstris pavidi effudere marinis.Filius ardentis haud setius aequore campiexercebat equos curruque in bella ruebat.
Lo, Turnus strides conspicuous in the van,full armed, of mighty frame, his lordly headhigh o'er his peers emerging! His tall helmwith flowing triple crest for ensign bearsChimaera, whose terrific lips outpourvolcanic fires; where'er the menace movesof her infernal flames and wrathful frown,there wildest flows the purple flood of war.On his smooth shield deep graven in the goldis horned Io—wondrous the device!—a shaggy heifer-shape the maiden shows;Argus is watching her, while Inachuspours forth his river from the pictured urn.A storm of tramping troops, to Turnus sworn,throngs all the widespread plain with serried shields:warriors of Argos, and Auruncan bands,Sicani, Rutuli, Sacranian hosts,Labicum's painted shields; all who tillthy woodland vales, O Tiber! or the shoreNumicius hallows; all whose ploughs upturnRutulia's hills, or that Circaean rangewhere Jove of Anxur guards, and forests greenmake fair Feronia glad; where lie the fensof Satura, and Ufens' icy wavethrough lowland valleys seeks his seaward way.
Ipse inter primos praestanti corpore Turnusvertitur arma tenens et toto vertice supra est.Cui triplici crinita iuba galea alta Chimaeramsustinet, Aetnaeos efflantem faucibus ignis:tam magis illa fremens et tristibus effera flammis,quam magis effuso crudescunt sanguine pugnae.At levem clipeum sublatis cornibus Ioauro insignibat, iam saetis obsita, iam bos(argumentum ingens), et custos virginis Arguscaelataque amnem fundens pater Inachus urna.Insequitur nimbus peditum clipeataque totisagmina densentur campis, Argivaque pubesAuruncaeque manus, Rutuli veteresque Sicaniet Sacranae acies et picti scuta Labici;qui saltus, Tiberine, tuos sacrumque Numicilitus arant Rutulosque exercent vomere collesCircaeumque iugum, quis Iuppiter Anxurus arvispraesidet et viridi gaudens Feronia luco;qua Saturae iacet atra palus gelidusque per imasquaerit iter vallis atque in mare conditur Ufens.
Last came Camilla, of the Volscians bred,leading her mail-clad, radiant chivalry;a warrior-virgin, of Minerva's craftof web and distaff, fit for woman's toil,no follower she; but bared her virgin breastto meet the brunt of battle, and her speedleft even the winds behind; for she would skiman untouched harvest ere the sickle fell,nor graze the quivering wheat-tops as she ran;or o'er the mid-sea billows' swollen surgeso swiftly race, she wet not in the waveher flying feet. For sight of her the youthfrom field and fortress sped, and matrons gravestood wondering as she passed, well-pleased to seeher royal scarf in many a purple foldfloat off her shining shoulder, her dark hairin golden clasp caught fast, and how she borefor arms a quiver of the Lycian mode,and shepherd's shaft of myrtle tipped with steel.
Hos super advenit Volsca de gente Camillaagmen agens equitum et florentis aere catervas,bellatrix, non illa colo calathisve Minervaefemineas adsueta manus, sed proelia virgodura pati cursuque pedum praevertere ventos.Illa vel intactae segetis per summa volaretgramina nec teneras cursu laesisset aristas,vel mare per medium fluctu suspensa tumentiferret iter celeris nec tingueret aequore plantas.Illam omnis tectis agrisque effusa iuventusturbaque miratur matrum et prospectat euntem,attonitis inhians animis, ut regius ostrovelet honos levis umeros, ut fibula crinemauro internectat, Lyciam ut gerat ipsa pharetramet pastoralem praefixa cuspide myrtum.