While thus in distant region moves the war,down to bold Turnus Saturn's daughter sendscelestial Iris. In a sacred vale,the seat of worship at his grandsire's tomb,Pilumnus, Faunus' son, the hero mused.And thus the wonder-child of Thaumas calledwith lips of rose: “O Turnus, what no goddared give for reward of thy fondest vow,has come unbidden on its destined day.Behold, Aeneas, who has left behindthe city with his fleet and followers,is gone to kingly Palatine, the homeof good Evander. Yea, his march invadesthe far Etrurian towns, where now he armsthe Lydian rustics. Wilt thou longer muse?Call for thy chariot and steeds! Away!Take yonder tents by terror and surprise!”She spoke; and heavenward on poising wingssoared, cleaving as she fled from cloud to clouda vast, resplendent bow. The warrior saw,and, lifting both his hands, pursued with prayerthe fading glory: “Beauteous Iris, hail!Proud ornament of heaven! who sent thee hereacross yon cloud to earth, and unto me?Whence may this sudden brightness fall? I seethe middle welkin lift, and many a star,far-wandering in the sky. Such solemn signI shall obey, and thee, O god unknown!”So saying, he turned him to a sacred stream,took water from its brim, and offered Heavenmuch prayer, with many an importuning vow.
Atque ea diversa penitus dum parte geruntur,Irim de caelo misit Saturnia Iunoaudacem ad Turnum. Luco tum forte parentisPilumni Turnus sacrata valle sedebat.Ad quem sic roseo Thaumantias ore locuta est:“Turne, quod optanti divom promittere nemo”“auderet, volvenda dies en attulit ultro.”“Aeneas urbe et sociis et classe relicta”“sceptra Palatini sedemque petit Euandri.”“Nec satis: extremas Corythi penetravit ad urbes”“Lydorumque manum collectos armat agrestis.”“Quid dubitas? Nunc tempus equos, nunc poscere currus.”“Rumpe moras omnis et turbata arripe castra.”Dixit et in caelum paribus se sustulit alisingentemque fuga secuit sub nubibus arcum.Adgnovit iuvenis duplicisque ad sidera palmassustulit ac tali fugientem est voce secutus:“Iri, decus caeli, quis te mihi nubibus actam”“detulit in terras? Unde haec tam clara repente”“tempestas? Medium video discedere caelum”“palantisque polo stellas. Sequor omina tanta,”“quisquis in arma vocas.” Et sic effatus ad undamprocessit summoque hausit de gurgite lymphas,multa deos orans, oneravitque aethera votis.
Soon o'er the spreading fields in proud arraythe gathered legions poured; no lack was thereof steeds all fire, and broidered pomp and gold.Messapus led the van; in rearguard rodethe sons of Tyrrheus; kingly Turnus toweredfrom the mid-column eminent: the hostmoved as great Ganges lifting silentlyhis seven peaceful streams, or when the floodof fructifying Nile from many a fieldback to his channel flows. A swift-blown cloudof black, uprolling dust the Teucrians seeo'ershadowing the plain; Calcus callsfrom lofty outpost: “O my countrymen,I see a huge, black ball of rolling smoke.Your swords and lances! Man the walls! To arms!The foe is here! What ho!” With clamors loudthe Teucrians through the city-gates retire,and muster on the walls. For, wise in war,Aeneas, ere he went, had left commandthey should not range in battle-line, nor dare,whate'er might hap, to risk in open plainthe bold sortie, but keep them safe entrenchedin mounded walls. So now, though rage and shameprick to a close fight, they defensive bareach portal strong, and, patient of control,from hollow towers expect th' encircling foe.
Iamque omnis campis exercitus ibat apertis,dives equum, dives pictaï vestis et auri;Messapus primas acies, postrema coercentTyrrhidae iuvenes, medio dux agmine Turnus,[vertitur arma tenens et toto vertice supra est.]Ceu septem surgens sedatis amnibus altusper tacitum Ganges aut pingui flumine Niluscum refluit campis et iam se condidit alveo.Hic subitam nigro glomerari pulvere nubemprospiciunt Teucri ac tenebras insurgere campis.Primus ab adversa conclamat mole Caicus:“Quis globus, o cives, caligine volvitur atra?”“Ferte citi ferrum, date tela, ascendite muros,”“hostis adest, heia!” Ingenti clamore per omniscondunt se Teucri portas et moenia complent.Namque ita discedens praeceperat optumus armisAeneas: siqua interea fortuna fuisset,neu struere auderent aciem neu credere campo;castra modo et tutos servarent aggere muros.Ergo etsi conferre manum pudor iraque monstrat,obiciunt portas tamen et praecepta facessuntarmatique cavis expectant turribus hostem.
Turnus, at full speed, had outridden farhis laggard host, and, leading in his traina score of chosen knights, dashed into viewhard by the walls. A barb of Thracian breeddappled with white he rode; a crimson plumeflamed over his golden helmet. “Who,” he cries,“Is foremost at the foe? Who follows me?Behold!” And, with the word, he hurled in aira javelin, provoking instant war:and, towering from his horse, charged o'er the field.With answering shout his men-at-arms pursue,and war-cries terrible. They laugh to scorn“the craven hearts of Troy, that cannot givefair, equal vantage, matching man to man,but cuddle into camp.” This way and thatTurnus careers, and stormily surveysthe frowning rampart, and where way is nonesome entering breach would find: so prowls a wolfnigh the full sheepfold, and through wind and rainstands howling at the postern all night long;beneath the ewes their bleating lambs lie safe;but he, with undesisting fury, morerages from far, made frantic for his preyby hunger of long hours, his foaming jawsathirst for blood: not less the envy burnedof the Rutulian, as he scanned in vainthe stronghold of his foe. Indignant scornthrilled all his iron frame. But how contriveto storm the fortress or by force expelthe Trojans from the rampart, and dispersealong the plain? Straightway he spied the ships,in hiding near the camp, defended wellby mounded river-bank and fleeting wave.On these he fell; while his exultant crewbrought firebrands, and he with heart aflamegrasped with a vengeful hand the blazing pine.To the wild work his followers sped; for whocould prove him craven under Turnus' eye?The whole troop for the weapon of their rageseized smoking coals, of many a hearth the spoil;red glare of fuming torches burned abroad,and Vulcan starward flung a sparkling cloud.
Turnus ut ante volans tardum praecesserat agmenviginti lectis equitum comitatus, et urbiimprovisus adest; maculis quem Thracius albisportat equus cristaque tegit galea aurea rubra.“Ecquis erit, mecum, iuvenes, qui primus in hostem?”“En,” ait et iaculum attorquens emittit in auras,principium pugnae, et campo sese arduus infert.Clamore excipiunt socii fremituque sequunturhorrisono: Teucrum mirantur inertia corda,non aequo dare se campo, non obvia ferrearma viros, sed castra fovere. Huc turbidus atque huclustrat equo muros aditumque per avia quaerit.Ac veluti pleno lupus insidiatus ovilicum fremit ad caulas, ventos perpessus et imbris,nocte super media; tuti sub matribus agnibalatum exercent, ille asper et improbus irasaevit in absentis, collecta fatigat edendiex longo rabies et siccae sanguine fauces:haud aliter Rutulo muros et castra tuentiignescunt irae, duris dolor ossibus ardet.Qua temptet ratione aditus et quae via clausosexcutiat Teucros vallo atque effundat in aequum?Classem, quae lateri castrorum adiuncta latebat,aggeribus saeptam circum et fluvialibus undis,invadit sociosque incendia poscit ovantisatque manum pinu flagranti fervidus implet.Tum vero incumbunt, urget praesentia Turni,atque omnis facibus pubes accingitur atris.Diripuere focos; piceum fert fumida lumentaeda et commixtam Volcanus ad astra favillam.
What god, O Muses, saved the Trojans thenfrom wrathful flame? Who shielded then the fleet,I pray you tell, from bursting storm of fire?From hoary eld the tale, but its renownsings on forever. When Aeneas firston Phrygian Ida hewed the sacred woodfor rib and spar, and soon would put to sea,that mighty mother of the gods, they say,the Berecynthian goddess, thus to Joveaddressed her plea: “Grant, O my son, a boon,which thy dear mother asks, who aided theeto quell Olympian war. A grove I haveof sacred pine, long-loved from year to year.On lofty hill it grew, and thither camemy worshippers with gifts, in secret gloomof pine-trees dark and shadowing maple-boughs.;these on the Dardan warrior at his needI, not unwilling, for his fleet bestowed.But I have fears. O, Iet a parent's prayerin this prevail, and bid my care begone!Let not rude voyages nor the shock of stormmy ships subdue, but let their sacred birthon my charmed hills their strength and safety be!”Then spake her son, who guides the wheeling spheres:“Wouldst thou, my mother, strive to overswaythe course of Fate? What means this prayer of thine?Can it be granted ships of mortal mouldto wear immortal being? Wouldst thou seeAeneas pass undoubting and securethrough doubtful strait and peril? On what godwas e'er such power bestowed? Yet will I granta different boon. Whatever ships shall finda safe Ausonian haven, and conveysafe through the seas to yon Laurentian plainthe Dardan King, from such I will removetheir perishable shapes, and bid them besea-nymphs divine, like Nereus' daughters fair,Doto and Galatea, whose white breastsdivide the foaming wave.” He said, and sworeby his Tartarean brother's mournful stream,the pitch-black floods and dark engulfing shoreof Styx; then great Jove bowed his head, and allOlympus quaked at his consenting brow.
Quis deus, o musae, tam saeva incendia Teucrisavertit? Tantos ratibus quis depulit ignes?Dicite. Prisca fides facto, sed fama perennis.Tempore quo primum Phrygia formabat in IdaAeneas classem et pelagi petere alta parabat,ipsa deum fertur genetrix Berecyntia magnumvocibus his adfata Iovem: “Da, nate, petenti,”“quod tua cara parens domito te poscit Olympo.”[“Pinea silva mihi, multos dilecta per annos”]“lucus in arce fuit summa, quo sacra ferebant,”“nigranti picea trabibusque obscurus acernis:”“has ego Dardanio iuveni, cum classis egeret,”“laeta dedi; nunc sollicitam timor anxius angit.”“Solve metus atque hoc precibus sine posse parentem:”“ne cursu quassatae ullo neu turbine venti”“vincantur, prosit nostris in montibus ortas.”Filius huic contra, torquet qui sidera mundi:“O genetrix, quo fata vocas, aut quid petis istis?”“Mortaline manu factae immortale carinae”“fas habeant certusque incerta pericula lustret”“Aeneas? Cui tanta deo permissa potestas?”“Immo ubi defunctae finem portusque tenebunt”“Ausonios olim, quaecumque evaserit undis”“Dardaniumque ducem Laurentia vexerit arva,”“mortalem eripiam formam magnique iubebo”“aequoris esse deas, qualis Nereia Doto”“et Galatea secant spumantem pectore pontum.”Dixerat idque ratum Stygii per flumina fratris,per pice torrentis atraque voragine ripasadnuit et totum nutu tremefecit Olympum.
Now was the promised day at hand (for Fatehad woven the web so far) when Turnus' ragestirred the divine progenitress to saveher sacred ships from fire. Then sudden shonea strange effulgence in the eastern air;and in a storm-cloud wafted o'er the skywere Corybantic choirs, whose dreadful songsmote both on Teucrian and Rutulian ear:“O Teucrians, fear not for the sure defenceof all the ships, nor arm your mortal hands.Yon impious Turnus shall burn up the seasbefore my pine-trees blest. Arise! Be free,ye goddesses of ocean, and obeyyour mother's mighty word.” Then instant brokethe hawsers of the sterns; the beaked prowswent plunging like great dolphins from the shoredown to the deeps, and, wonderful to tell,the forms of virgin goddesses uprose,one for each ship, and seaward sped away.
Ergo aderat promissa dies et tempora Parcaedebita complerant, cum Turni iniuria Matremadmonuit ratibus sacris depellere taedas.Hic primum nova lux oculis offulsit et ingensvisus ab Aurora caelum transcurrere nimbusIdaeique chori; tum vox horrenda per aurasexcidit et Troum Rutulorumque agmina complet:“Ne trepidate meas, Teucri, defendere navis”“neve armate manus: maria ante exurere Turno”“quam sacras dabitur pinus. Vos ite solutae,”“ite deae pelagi: genetrix iubet.” Et sua quaequecontinuo puppes abrumpunt vincula ripisdelphinumque modo demersis aequora rostrisima petunt. Hinc virgineae (mirabile monstrum)quot prius aeratae steterant ad litora proraereddunt se totidem facies pontoque feruntur.
The hearts of the Rutulian host stood stillin panic, and Messapus terrifiedhis trembling horses reined; the sacred streamof Father Tiber, harshly murmuring,held back his flood and checked his seaward way.But Turnus' courage failed not; he alonehis followers roused, and with reproachful wordsalone spoke forth: “These signs and prodigiesthreaten the Trojan only. Jove himselfhas stripped them of their wonted strength: no morecan they abide our deadly sword and fire.The Trojan path to sea is shut. What hopeof flight is left them now? The half their causeis fallen. The possession of this landis ours already; thousands of sharp swordsItalia's nations bring. Small fear have Iof Phrygia's boasted omens. What to metheir oracles from heaven? The will of Fateand Venus have achieved their uttermostin casting on Ausonia's fruitful shoreyon sons of Troy. I too have destinies:and mine, good match for theirs, with this true bladewill spill the blood of all the baneful brood,in vengeance for my stolen wife. Such wrongsmove not on Atreus' sons alone, nor rouseonly Mycenae to a righteous war.Say you, ‘Troy falls but once?’ One crime, say I,should have contented them; and now their soulsshould little less than loathe all womankind.These are the sort of soldiers that be bravebehind entrenchment, where the moated wallsmay stem the foe and make a little roombetwixt themselves and death. Did they not seehow Troy's vast bulwark built by Neptune's handcrumbled in flame? Forward, my chosen brave!Who follows me to cleave his deadly waythrough yonder battlement, and leap like stormupon its craven guard? I have no needof arms from Vulcan's smithy; nor of shipsa thousand strong against our Teucrian foes,though all Etruria's league enlarge their power.Let them not fear dark nights, nor coward theftof Pallas' shrine, nor murdered sentinelson their acropolis. We shall not hidein blinding belly of a horse. But Iin public eye and open day intendto compass their weak wall with siege and fire.I'll prove them we be no Pelasgic band,no Danaan warriors, such as Hector's armten years withstood. But look! this day hath spentits better part. In what remains, rejoicein noble deeds well done; let weary fleshhave rest and food. My warriors, husband wellyour strength against to-morrow's hopeful war.”Meanwhile to block their gates with wakeful guardis made Messapus' work, and to gird roundtheir camp with watchfires. Then a chosen band,twice seven Rutulian chieftains, man the wallswith soldiery; each leads a hundred mencrested with crimson, armed with glittering gold.Some post to separate sentries, and preparealternate vigil; others, couched on grass,laugh round the wine and lift the brazen bowls.The camp-fires cheerly burn; the jovial guardspend the long, sleepless night in sport and game.
Obstipuere animis Rutuli, conterritus ipseturbatis Messapus equis, cunctatur et amnisrauca sonans revocatque pedem Tiberinus ab alto.At non audaci Turno fiducia cessit;ultro animos tollit dictis atque increpat ultro:“Troianos haec monstra petunt, his Iuppiter ipse”“auxilium solitum eripuit, non tela neque ignes”“exspectans Rutulos. Ergo maria invia Teucris”“nec spes ulla fugae: rerum pars altera adempta est.”“Terra autem in nostris manibus, tot milia gentes”“arma ferunt Italae. Nil me fatalia terrent,”“siqua Phryges prae se iactant, responsa deorum:”“sat fatis Venerique datum, tetigere quod arva”“fertilis Ausoniae Troes. Sunt et mea contra”“fata mihi, ferro sceleratam exscindere gentem,”“coniuge praerepta: nec solos tangit Atridas”“iste dolor solisque licet capere arma Mycenis.”“Sed periisse semel satis est: peccare fuisset”“ante satis penitus modo non genus omne perosos”“femineum. Quibus haec medii fiducia valli”“fossarumque morae, leti discrimina parva,”“dant animos. At non viderunt moenia Troiae”“Neptuni fabricata manu considere in ignis?”“‘Sed vos, o lecti, ferro qui scindere vallum’”“‘apparat et mecum invadit trepidantia castra.’”“Non armis mihi Volcani, non mille carinis”“est opus in Teucros; addant se protinus omnes”“Etrusci socios, tenebras et inertia furta”“Palladii caesis summae custodibus arcis”“ne timeant, nec equi caeca condemur in alvo:”“luce palam certum est igni circumdare muros.”“Haud sibi cum Danais rem faxo et pube Pelasga”“esse ferant, decumum quos distulit Hector in annum.”“Nunc adeo, melior quoniam pars acta diei,”“quod superest, laeti bene gestis corpora rebus”“procurate, viri, et pugnam sperate parari.”Interea vigilum excubiis obsidere portascura datur Messapo et moenia cingere flammis.Bis septem Rutuli, muros qui milite servent,delecti; ast illos centeni quemque sequunturpurpurei cristis iuvenes auroque corusci.Discurrunt variantque vices fusique per herbamindulgent vino et vertunt crateras aenos.Conlucent ignes, noctem custodia ducitinsomnem ludo.
The Trojans peering from the lofty wallssurvey the foe, and arm for sure defenceof every point exposed. They prove the gateswith fearful care, bind bridge with tower, and bringgood store of javelins. Serestus boldand Mnestheus to their labors promptly fly,whom Sire Aeneas bade in time of stressto have authority and free commandover his warriars. Along the wallsthe legions, by the cast of lots, dividethe pain and peril, giving each his dueof alternating vigil and repose.
Haec super e vallo prospectant Troes et armisalta tenent, nec non trepidi formidine portasexplorant pontisque et propugnacula iungunt,tela gerunt. Instat Mnestheus acerque Serestus,quos pater Aeneas, siquando adversa vocarent,rectores iuvenum et rerum dedit esse magistros.Omnis per muros legio, sortita periclum,excubat exercetque vices, quod cuique tuendum est.
Nisus kept sentry at the gate: a youthof eager heart for noble deeds, the sonof Hyrtacus, whom in Aeneas' trainIda the huntress sent; swift could he speedthe spear or light-winged arrow to its aim.Beside him was Euryalus, his friend:of all th' Aeneadae no youth more fairwore Trojan arms; upon his cheek unshornthe tender bloom of boyhood lingered still.Their loving hearts were one, and oft in warthey battled side by side, as in that houra common sentry at the gate they shared.Said Nisus: “Is it gods above that breathethis fever in my soul, Euryalus?or is the tyrant passion of each breastthe god it serves? Me now my urgent mindto battles or some mighty deed impels,and will not give me rest. Look yonder, wherethe Rutuli in dull securitythe siege maintain. Yet are their lights but few.They are asleep or drunk, and in their lineis many a silent space. O, hear my thought,and what my heart is pondering. To recallAeneas is the dearest wish to-nightof all, both high and low. They need true mento find him and bring tidings. If our chiefsbut grant me leave to do the thing I ask(Claiming no reward save what honor gives),methinks I could search out by yonder hilla path to Pallanteum.” The amazedEuryalus, flushed warm with eager lovefor deeds of glory, instantly repliedto his high-hearted friend: “Dost thou refuse,my Nisus, to go with me hand in handwhen mighty deeds are done? Could I beholdthee venturing alone on danger? Nay!Not thus my sire Opheltes, schooled in war,taught me his true child, 'mid the woes of Troyand Argive terrors reared; not thus with theehave I proved craven, since we twain were lealto great Aeneas, sharing all his doom.In this breast also is a heart which knowscontempt of life, and deems such deeds, such praise,well worth a glorious death.” Nisus to him:“I have not doubted thee, nor e'er could haveone thought disloyal. May almighty Jove,or whatsoe'er good power my purpose sees,bring me triumphant to thy arms once more!But if, as oft in doubtful deeds befalls,some stroke of chance, or will divine, should turnto adverse, 't is my fondest prayer that thoushouldst live the longer of us twain. Thy yearssuit better with more life. Oh! let there beone mourner true to carry to its gravemy corpse, recaptured in the desperate fray,or ransomed for a price. Or if this boonshould be—'t is Fortune's common way—refused,then pay the debt of grief and loyal woeunto my far-off dust, and garlands leaveupon an empty tomb. No grief I giveto any sorrowing mother; one alone,of many Trojan mothers, had the heartto follow thee, her child, and would not stayin great Acestes' land.” His friend replied:“Thou weavest but a web of empty wordsand reasons vain, nor dost thou shake at allmy heart's resolve. Come, let us haste away!”He answered so, and summoned to the gatea neighboring watch, who, bringing prompt relief,the sentry-station took; then quitted hehis post assigned; at Nisus' side he strode,and both impatient sped them to the King.
Nisus erat portae custos, acerrimus armis,Hyrtacides, comitem Aeneae quem miserat Idavenatrix iaculo celerem levibusque sagittis;it iuxta comes Euryalus, quo pulchrior alternon fuit Aeneadum Troiana neque induit arma,ora puer prima signans intonsa iuventa.His amor unus erat, pariterque in bella ruebant:tum quoque communi portam statione tenebant.Nisus ait: “Dine hunc ardorem mentibus addunt,”“Euryale, an sua cuique deus fit dira cupido?”“Aut pugnam aut aliquid iamdudum invadere magnum”“mens agitat mihi nec placida contenta quietest.”“Cernis, quae Rutulos habeat fiducia rerum.”“Lumina rara micant; somno vinoque soluti”“procubuere; silent late loca: percipe porro,”“quid dubitem et quae nunc animo sententia surgat.”“Aenean acciri omnes, populusque patresque,”“exposcunt mittique viros, qui certa reportent.”“Si tibi quae posco promittunt (nam mihi facti”“fama sat est), tumulo videor reperire sub illo”“posse viam ad muros et moenia Pallantea.”Obstipuit magno laudum percussus amoreEuryalus; simul his ardentem adfatur amicum:“Mene igitur socium summis adiungere rebus,”“Nise, fugis? Solum te in tanta pericula mittam?”“Non ita me genitor, bellis adsuetus Opheltes,”“Argolicum terrorem inter Troiaeque labores”“sublatum erudiit, nec tecum talia gessi,”“magnanimum Aenean et fata extrema secutus:”“est hic, est animus lucis contemptor et istum”“qui vita bene credat emi, quo tendis, honorem.”Nisus ad haec: “Equidem de te nil tale verebar”“nec fas, non, ita me referat tibi magnus ovantem”“Iuppiter aut quicumque oculis haec aspicit aequis.”“Sed siquis, quae multa vides discrimine tali,”“siquis in adversum rapiat casusve deusve,”“te superesse velim; tua vita dignior aetas.”“Sit qui me raptum pugna pretiove redemptum”“mandet humo solita aut siqua id Fortuna vetabit,”“absenti ferat inferias decoretque sepulchro.”“Neu matri miserae tanti sim causa doloris,”“quae te sola, puer, multis e matribus ausa”“persequitur magni nec moenia curat Acestae,”Ille autem: “Causas nequiquam nectis inanis,”“nec mea iam mutata loco sententia cedit:”“adceleremus,” ait. Vigiles simul excitat, illisuccedunt servantque vices: statione relictaipse comes Niso graditur, regemque requirunt.
Now in all lands all creatures that have breathlulled care in slumber, and each heart forgotits load of toil and pain. But they who ledthe Teucrian cause, with all their chosen brave,took counsel in the kingdom's hour of needwhat action to command or whom dispatchwith tidings to Aeneas. In mid-campon long spears leaning and with ready shieldto leftward slung, th' assembled warriors stood.Thither in haste arrived the noble pair,brave Nisus with Euryalus his friend,and craved a hearing, for their suit, they said,was urgent and well-worth a patient ear.Iulus to the anxious striplings gavea friendly welcome, bidding Nisus speak.The son of Hyrtacus obeyed: “O, hear,Princes of Teucria, with impartial mind,nor judge by our unseasoned youth the worthof what we bring. Yon Rutule watch is nowin drunken sleep, and all is silent there.With our own eyes we picked out a good placeto steal a march, that cross-road by the gateclose-fronting on the bridge. Their lines of fireare broken, and a murky, rolling smokefills all the region. If ye grant us leaveby this good luck to profit, we will findAeneas and the walls of Palatine,and after mighty slaughter and huge spoilye soon shall see us back. Nor need ye fearwe wander from the way. Oft have we seenthat city's crest loom o'er the shadowy vales,where we have hunted all day long and knoweach winding of yon river.”
Cetera per terras omnis animalia somnolaxabant curas et corda oblita laborum:ductores Teucrum primi et delecta iuventusconsilium summis regni de rebus habebant,quid facerent quisve Aeneae iam nuntius esset.Stant longis adnixi hastis, et scuta tenentes,castrorum et campi medio. Tum Nisus et unaEuryalus confestim alacres admittier orant:rem magnam, pretiumque morae fore. Primus Iulusaccepit trepidos ac Nisum dicere iussit.Tum sic Hyrtacides: “Audite O mentibus aequis,”“Aeneadae, neve haec nostris spectentur ab annis,”“quae ferimus. Rutuli somno vinoque soluti”“conticuere; locum insidiis conspeximus ipsi,”“qui patet in bivio portae, quae proxuma ponto;”“interrupti ignes, aterque ad sidera fumus”“erigitur: si fortuna permittitis uti”“quaesitum Aenean et moenia Pallantea,”“mox hic cum spoliis ingenti caede peracta”“adfore cernetis. Nec nos via fallit euntis:”“vidimus obscuris primam sub vallibus urbem”“venatu adsiduo et totum cognovimus amnem.”
Then uproseaged Aletes, crowned with wisdom's years:“Gods of our fathers, who forevermorewatch over Troy, ye surely had no mindto blot out Teucria's name, when ye bestowedsuch courage on young hearts, and bade them beso steadfast and so leal.” Joyful he claspedtheir hands in his, and on their shoulders leaned,his aged cheek and visage wet with tears.“What reward worthy of such actions fair,dear heroes, could be given? Your brightest prizewill come from Heaven and your own hearts. The restAeneas will right soon bestow; nor willAscanius, now in youth's unblemished prime,ever forget your praise.” Forthwith repliedAeneas' son, “By all our household gods,by great Assaracus, and every shrineof venerable Vesta, I confidemy hopes, my fortunes, and all future wealto your heroic hearts. O, bring me backmy father! Set him in these eyes once more!That day will tears be dry; and I will givetwo silver wine-cups graven and o'erlaidwith clear-cut figures, which my father choseout of despoiled Arisbe; also twofull talents of pure gold, and tripods twain,and ancient wine-bowl, Tyrian Dido's token.But if indeed our destiny shall beto vanquish Italy in prosperous war,to seize the sceptre and divide the spoil, —saw you that steed of Turnus and the armsin which he rode, all golden? That same steed,that glittering shield and haughty crimson crestI will reserve thee, e'er the lots are cast,and, Nisus, they are thine. Hereto my sirewill add twelve captive maids of beauty rare,and slaves in armor; last, thou hast the fieldswhich now Latinus holds. But as for thee,to whom my youth but binds me closer still,thee, kingly boy, my whole heart makes my own,and through all changeful fortune we shall beinseparable peers: nor will I seekrenown and glory, or in peace or war,forgetting thee: but trust thee from this dayin deed and word.” To him in answer spokeeuryalus, “O, may no future showthis heart unworthy thy heroic call!And may our fortune ever prosperous prove,not adverse. But I now implore of theea single boon worth all beside. I havea mother, from the venerated lineof Priam sprung, whom not the Trojan shorenor King Acestes' city could detain,alas! from following me. I leave her nowwithout farewell; nor is her love awareof my supposed peril. For I swearby darkness of this night and thy right hand,that all my courage fails me if I seea mother's tears. O, therefore, I implore,be thou her sorrow's comfort and sustainher solitary day. Such grace from theeequip me for my war, and I shall facewith braver heart whatever fortune brings.”With sudden sorrow thrilled, the veteran lordsof Teucria showed their tears. But most of allsuch likeness of his own heart's filial loveon fair Iulus moved, and thus he spoke:“Promise thyself what fits thy generous deeds.Thy mother shall be mine, Creusa's namealone not hers; nor is the womb unblestthat bore a child like thee. Whate'er successmay follow, I make oath immutableby my own head, on which my father swore,that all I promise thee of gift or praiseif home thou comest triumphing, shall bethe glory of thy mother and thy kin.”Weeping he spoke, and from his shoulder drewthe golden sword, well-wrought and wonderful,which once in Crete Lycaon's cunning madeand sheathed in ivory. On Nisus thenMnestheus bestowed a shaggy mantle tornfrom a slain lion; good Aletes gaveexchange of crested helms. In such arraythey hastened forth; and all the princely throng,young men and old, ran with them to the gates,praying all gods to bless. Iulus then,a fair youth, but of grave, heroic soulbeyond his years, gave them in solemn chargefull many a message for his sire, but thesethe hazard of wild winds soon scattered far,and flung them fruitless on the darkening storm.
Hic annis gravis atque animi maturus Aletes:“Di patrii, quorum semper sub numine Troia est,”“non tamen omnino Teucros delere paratis,”“cum talis animos iuvenum et tam certa tulistis”“pectora.” Sic memorans umeros dextrasque tenebatamborum et voltum lacrimis atque ora rigabat.“Quae vobis, quae digna, viri, pro laudibus istis”“praemia posse rear solvi? Pulcherrima primum”“di moresque dabunt vestri; tum cetera reddet”“actutum pius Aeneas atque integer aevi”“Ascanius, meriti tanti non immemor umquam.”“Immo ego vos, cui sola salus genitore reducto,”excipit Ascanius, “per magnos, Nise, penatis”“Assaracique larem et canae penetralia Vestae”“obtestor; quaecumque mihi fortuna fidesque est,”“in vestris pono gremiis: revocate parentem,”“reddite conspectum; nihil illo triste recepto.”“Bina dabo argento perfecta atque aspera signis”“pocula, devicta genitor quae cepit Arisba,”“et tripodas geminos, auri duo magna talenta,”“cratera antiquum, quem dat Sidonia Dido.”“Si vero capere Italiam sceptrisque potiri”“contigerit victori et praedae dicere sortem,”“vidisti quo Turnus equo, quibus ibat in armis”“aureus: ipsum illum, clipeum cristasque rubentis”“excipiam sorti, iam nunc tua praemia, Nise.”“Praeterea bis sex genitor lectissima matrum”“corpora captivosque dabit suaque omnibus arma,”“insuper his campi quod rex habet ipse Latinus.”“Te vero, mea quem spatiis propioribus aetas”“insequitur, venerande puer, iam pectore toto”“accipio et comitem casus complector in omnis.”“Nulla meis sine te quaeretur gloria rebus;”“seu pacem seu bella geram, tibi maxima rerum”“verborumque fides.” Contra quem talia faturEuryalus: “Me nulla dies tam fortibus ausis”“dissimilem arguerit; tantum, fortuna secunda”“aut adversa cadat. Sed te super omnia dona”“unum oro, genetrix Priami de gente vetusta”“est mihi, quam miseram tenuit non Ilia tellus”“mecum excedentem, non moenia regis Acestae.”“Hanc ego nunc ignaram huius quodcumque pericli est”“inque salutatam linquo: nox et tua testis”“dextera, quod nequeam lacrumas perferre parentis”“at tu, oro, solare inopem et succurre relictae.”“Hanc sine me spem ferre tui: audentior ibo”“in casus omnis.” Percussa mente dedereDardanidae lacrimas; ante omnis pulcher Iulus,atque animum patriae strinxit pietatis imago.Tum sic effatur:“Sponde digna tuis ingentibus omnia coeptis.”“Namque erit ista mihi genetrix nomenque Creusae”“solum defuerit, nec partum gratia talem”“parva manet. Casus factum quicumque sequentur,”“per caput hoc iuro, per quod pater ante solebat:”“quae tibi polliceor reduci rebusque secundis,”“haec eadem matrique tuae generique manebunt.”Sic ait inlacrimans; umero simul exuit ensemauratum, mira quem fecerat arte LycaonGnosius atque habilem vagina aptarat eburna.Dat Niso Mnestheus pellem horrentisque leonisexuvias; galeam fidus permutat Aletes.Protinus armati incedunt; quos omnis euntisprimorum manus ad portas iuvenumque senumqueprosequitur votis. Nec non et pulcher Iulus,ante annos animumque gerens curamque virilem,multa patri mandata dabat portanda: sed auraeomnia discerpunt et nubibus inrita donant.
Forth through the moat they climb, and steal awaythrough midnight shades, to where their foemen lieencamped in arms; of whom, before these fall,a host shall die. Along the turf were seen,laid low in heavy slumber and much wine,a prostrate troop; the horseless chariotsstood tilted on the shore, 'twixt rein and wheelthe drivers dozed, wine-cups and idle swordsstrewn round them without heed. The first to speakwas Nisus. “Look, Euryalus,” he cried,“Now boldly strike. The hour to do the deedis here, the path this way. Keep wide-eyed watchthat no man smite behind us. I myselfwill mow the mighty fieid, and lead thee onin a wide swath of slaughter.” With this wordhe shut his lips; and hurled him with his swordon haughty Rhamnes, who lay propped at easeon pillows huge, and from his heaving breastpoured slumber loud: of royal stem was heand honored of King Turnus for his skillin augury; yet could no augur's charmthat bloody stroke forefend. And Nisus slewthree slaves near by, that lay in reckless sleepupon their spears; then him that bore the shieldof Remus, then the driver of his carclose to the horses caught; his sword cut throughtheir prostrate necks; then their great master's headhe lifted high, and left decapitatethe huge corpse spilling forth its crimson goreo'er couch and ground. Like stroke on Lamus felland Lamyrus, with young Serranus, whohad gamed the midnight through and sleeping lay,his fair young body to the wine-god given;but happier now had that long-revelling nightbeen merry till the dawn! Thus round full foldsof sheep a famished lion fiercely prowls;mad hunger moves him; he devours and rendswith bloody, roaring mouth, the feeble flockthat trembles and is dumb. Nor was the swordof fair Euryalus less fatal found;but fiercely raging on his path of death,he pressed on through a base and nameless throng,Rhoetus, Herbesus, Fadus, Abaris;surprising all save Rhoetus, who awakesaw every stroke, and crouched in craven fearbehind a mighty wine-bowl; but not lessclean through his bare breast as he started forththe youth thrust home his sword, then drew it backdeath-dripping, while the bursting purple streamof life outflowed, with mingling blood and wine.Then, flushed with stealthy slaughter, he crept nearthe followers of Messapus, where he sawtheir camp-fire dying down, and tethered steedsupon the meadow feeding. Nisus thenknew the hot lust of slaughter had swept ontoo far, and cried, “Hold off! For, lo,the monitory dawn is nigh. Revengehas fed us to the full. We have achievedclean passage through the foe.” Full many a prizewas left untaken: princely suits of mailenwrought with silver pure, huge drinking-bowls,and broideries fair. Yet grasped Euryalusthe blazonry at Rhamnes' corselet hung,and belt adorned with gold: which were a giftto Remulus of Tibur from the storeof opulent Caedicus, who sued from farto be a friend; and these in death he gaveto his son's son, who slain in battle fell,and proud Rutulians seized them with the spoil.Euryalus about his shoulder strongthis booty slung—unprofitable gain! —and fitted on a gorgeous, crested helmwhich once Messapus wore. So from the camp,escaping danger, the two champions ran.
Egressi superant fossas noctisque per umbramcastra inimica petunt, multis tamen ante futuriexitio. Passim somno vinoque per herbamcorpora fusa vident, arrectos litore currus,inter lora rotasque viros, simul arma iacere,vina simul. Prior Hyrtacides sic ore locutus:“Euryale, audendum dextra; nunc ipsa vocat res.”“Hac iter est. Tu, ne qua manus se attollere nobis”“a tergo possit, custodi et consule longe;”“haec ego vasta dabo et lato te limite ducam.”Sic memorat vocemque premit; simul ense superbumRhamnetem adgreditur, qui forte tapetibus altisexstructus toto proflabat pectore somnum.Rex idem et regi Turno gratissimus augur,sed non augurio potuit depellere pestem.Tris iuxta famulos temere inter tela iacentisarmigerumque Remi premit aurigamque sub ipsisnanctus equis ferroque secat pendentia colla;tum caput ipsi aufert domino truncumque relinquitsanguine singultantem; atro tepefacta cruoreterra torique madent. Nec non Lamyrumque Lamumqueet iuvenem Serranum, illa qui plurima nocteluserat, insignis facie, multoque iacebatmembra deo victus: felix, si protinus illumaequasset nocti ludum in lucemque tulisset.Impastus ceu plena leo per ovilia turbans(suadet enim vesana fames) manditque trahitquemolle pecus mutumque metu, fremit ore cruento:nec minor Euryali caedes; incensus et ipseperfurit ac multam in medio sine nomine plebem,Fadumque Herbesumque subit Rhoetumque Abarimque,ignaros, Rhoetum vigilantem et cuncta videntem,sed magnum metuens se post cratera tegebat;pectore in adverso totum cui comminus ensemcondidit adsurgenti et multa morte recepit.Purpuream vomit ille animam et cum sanguine mixtavina refert moriens; hic furto fervidus instat.Iamque ad Messapi socios tendebat; ibi ignemdeficere extremum et religatos rite videbatcarpere gramen equos: breviter cum talia Nisus.sensit enim nimia caede atque cupidine ferri:“Absistamus,” ait, “nam lux inimica propinquat.”“Poenarum exhaustum satis est, via facta per hostis.”Multa virum solido argento perfecta relinquuntarmaque craterasque simul pulchrosque tapetas.Euryalus phaleras Rhamnetis et aurea bulliscingula, Tiburti Remulo ditissimus olimquae mittit dona hospitio cum iungeret absensCaedicus, ille suo moriens dat habere nepoti,[post mortem bello Rutuli pugnaque potiti]haec rapit atque umeris nequiquam fortibus aptat.Tum galeam Messapi habilem cristisque decoraminduit. Excedunt castris et tuta capessunt.
But horsemen from the Latin city sentto join the serried legions of the plainhad come at Turnus' call, three hundred strongall bearing shields, and under the commandof Volscens. Nigh the camp and walls they drew;and soon they spied upon the leftward pathth' heroic pair, where in dim shades of nightthe helmet of Euryalus betrayedthe heedless boy, and with a glancing beamflashed on the foe. Nor was it seen in vain.Loud from the line the voice of Volscens called:“Stand, gentlemen! What business brings you here?Whose your allegiance? Whither speed so fast?”No answer gave they save to fly in hasteto cover of the forest and deep gloomof the defensive night. The horsemen thenblocked every crossway known, and, scattering wide,kept sentry at the entrance. The great woodwas all of tangled brush and blinding shadeof flex-boughs. Impenetrable thornshad thickly overgrown, and seldom showeda pathway through the maze. Euryalus,by the black branches and his ponderous spoilimpeded, groped along in fearful doubt,deceived and quite astray. Nisus his friendhad quit him, and incautiously had forceda sally through the close-encircling foe,into that region which should after bearthe name of Alba—a rude shelter thenfor King Latinus' herds. He stayed him thereand looked, but vainly, for the comrade gone.“Euryalus, ill-fated boy!” he cried,“Where have I lost thee in the pathless wild?How find thee? How retrace the blinding mazeof yonder treacherous wood?” Yet ere he said,on his own path he turns him back, and scanshis own light footprints through the tangled thorn,so dark and still. But suddenly he hearsthe tread of horses, with confusing dinand tumult of pursuit. Nor was it longhe tarried ere upon his anguished earsmote a great cry: and, lo! Euryalus,trapped by the dark night, the deceptive ground,faced the whole onset, and fell back o'erwhelmedby a loud mob of foes, while his sole swordtried many a thrust in vain. O, what defencemay Nisus bring? With what audacious armshis chosen comrade save? Shall he make barehis dying breast to all their swords, and runto honorable death that bloody way?he swung his spear with lifted arm, then lookedto the still moon, in heaven, and thus implored:“O goddess, aid me in my evil case.O glory of the stars, Latona's child!O guardian of groves, if in my namemy father Hyrtacus made offeringson burning altars, if my own right hand,successful in the chase, ere hung its giftbeneath thy dome or on thy sacred wall,grant me yon troop to scatter. Guide my spearalong its path in air.” He spoke, and hurledwith all his gathered strength the shaft of steel.the swift spear clove the shades of night, and struckfull in the back of Sulmo, where it split,but tore through to his very heart. The breastpoured forth life's glowing stream, and he, o'erthrownlay cold in death, while his huge, heaving sidesgave lingering throes. The men about him staredthis way and that. But Nisus, fiercer still,poised level with his ear a second shaft,and, while the foeman paused, the whizzing spearstraight through the brows of Tagus drove, and clungdeep in the cloven brain.
Interea praemissi equites ex urbe Latina,cetera dum legio campis instructa moratur,ibant et Turno regi responsa ferebant,tercentum, scutati omnes, Volcente magistro.Iamque propinquabant castris murosque subibant,cum procul hos laevo flectentis limite cernuntet galea Euryalum sublustri noctis in umbraprodidit immemorem radiisque adversa refulsit.Haud temere est visum. Conclamat ab agmine Volcens“State, viri. Quae causa viae? Quive estis in armis?”“Quove tenetis iter?” Nihil illi tendere contra,sed celerare fugam in silvas et fidere nocti.Obiciunt equites sese ad divortia notahinc atque hinc omnemque abitum custode coronant.Silva fuit late dumis atque ilice nigrahorrida, quam densi complerant undique sentes;rara per occultos lucebat semita calles.Euryalum tenebrae ramorum onerosaque praedaimpediunt fallitque timor regione viarum;Nisus abit, iamque imprudens evaserat hostisatque locos, qui post Albae de nomine dictiAlbani, tum rex stabula alta Latinus habebat,ut stetit et frustra absentem respexit amicum.“Euryale infelix, qua te regione reliqui?”“Quave sequar, rursus perplexum iter omne revolvens”“fallacis silvae?” Simul et vestigia retroobservata legit dumisque silentibus errat.Audit equos, audit strepitus et signa sequentum.Nec longum in medio tempus, cum clamor ad aurispervenit ac videt Euryalum, quem iam manus omnisfraude loci et noctis, subito turbante tumultu,oppressum rapit et conantem plurima frustra.Quid faciat? Qua vi iuvenem, quibus audeat armiseripere? An sese medios moriturus in ensesinferat et pulchram properet per volnera mortem?Ocius adducto torquens hastile lacerto,suspiciens altam Lunam sic voce precatur:“Tu, dea, tu praesens nostro succurre labori,”“astrorum decus et nemorum Latonia custos.”“Siqua tuis umquam pro me pater Hyrtacus aris”“dona tulit, siqua ipse meis venatibus auxi”“suspendive tholo aut sacra ad fastigia fixi:”“hunc sine me turbare globum et rege tela per auras.”Dixerat, et toto conixus corpore ferrumconicit: hasta volans noctis diverberat umbraset venit aversi in tergum Sulmonis ibiquefrangitur ac fisso transit praecordia ligno.Volvitur ille vomens calidum de pectore flumenfrigidus et longis singultibus ilia pulsat.Diversi circumspiciunt. Hoc acrior idemecce aliud summa telum librabat ab aure.Dum trepidant, it hasta Tago per tempus utrumquestridens traiectoque haesit tepefacta cerebro.