---
title: "Aeneid · Aeneis"
author: "Virgil"
translator: "Theodore C. Williams"
title_ru: "Энеида"
author_ru: "Вергилий"
languages: [la, en]
shelf: "Classical Latin"
section: 20 of 24
url: https://scriptura.si/works/virgil-aeneid/20/
cite: "Virgil, tr. Theodore C. Williams, Aeneid · Aeneis, section 20. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/virgil-aeneid/20/"
---

# Aeneid · Aeneis

*Virgil, tr. Theodore C. Williams*

Russian: Энеида, Вергилий

Aeneas flees burning Troy, loves and leaves Dido, goes down to the underworld and fights for a new home in Italy: Virgil’s Latin beside English verse.

> Latin: ed. J. B. Greenough, from the Perseus Digital Library (canonical-latinLit, phi0690.phi003, CC BY-SA 4.0).

> English: Theodore C. Williams, from the Perseus Digital Library (phi0690.phi003.perseus-eng2). Notes are not included.

> Rows follow the references the two texts share (line numbers), cut where both reach the end of a sentence.

## 20. Book X · lines 479–908

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/virgil-aeneid/20/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/virgil-aeneid/20/#p-N

[¶0] Turnus then
poised, without haste, his iron-pointed spear,
and, launching it on Pallas, cried, “Look now
will not this shaft a good bit deeper drive?”
He said: and through the mid-boss of the shield,
steel scales and brass with bull's-hide folded round,
the quivering spear-point crashed resistlessly,
and through the corselet's broken barrier
pierced Pallas' heart. The youth plucked out in vain
the hot shaft from the wound; his life and blood
together ebbed away, as sinking prone
on his rent side he fell; above him rang
his armor; and from lips with blood defiled
he breathed his last upon his foeman's ground.
Over him Turnus stood: “Arcadians all,”
He cried, “take tidings of this feat of arms
to King Evander. With a warrior's wage
his Pallas I restore, and freely grant
what glory in a hero's tomb may lie,
or comfort in a grave. They dearly pay
who bid Aeneas welcome at their board.”
So saying, with his left foot he held down
the lifeless form, and raised the heavy weight
of graven belt, which pictured forth that crime
of youthful company by treason slain,
all on their wedding night, in bridal bowers
to horrid murder given,—which Clonus, son
of Eurytus, had wrought in lavish gold;
this Turnus in his triumph bore away,
exulting in the spoil. O heart of man,
not knowing doom, nor of events to be!
Nor, being lifted up, to keep thy bounds
in prosperous days! To Turnus comes the hour
when he would fain a prince's ransom give
had Pallas passed unscathed, and will bewail
cuch spoil of victory. With weeping now
and lamentations Ioud his comrades lay
young Pallas on his shield, and thronging close
carry him homeward with a mournful song:
alas! the sorrow and the glorious gain
thy sire shall have in thee. For one brief day
bore thee to battle and now bears away;
yet leavest thou full tale of foemen slain.

> Latin: Hic Turnus ferro praefixum robur acuto
in Pallanta diu librans iacit atque ita fatur:
“Adspice, num mage sit nostrum penetrabile telum.”
Dixerat; at clipeum, tot ferri terga, tot aeris,
quem pellis totiens obeat circumdata tauri,
vibranti cuspis medium transverberat ictu
loricaeque moras et pectus perforat ingens.
Ille rapit calidum frustra de volnere telum:
una eademque via sanguis animusque sequuntur.
Corruit in volnus, sonitum super arma dedere
et terram hostilem moriens petit ore cruento.
Quem Turnus super adsistens,
“Arcades, haec,” inquit, “memores mea dicta referte”
“Euandro; qualem meruit, Pallanta remitto.”
“Quisquis honos tumuli, quidquid solamen humandi est,”
“largior. Haud illi stabunt Aeneia parvo”
“hospitia.” Et laevo pressit pede talia fatus
exanimem, rapiens immania pondera baltei
impressumque nefas, una sub nocte iugali
caesa manus iuvenum foede thalamique cruenti,
quae Clonus Eurytides multo caelaverat auro;
quo nunc Turnus ovat spolio gaudetque potitus.
Nescia mens hominum fati sortisque futurae
et servare modum, rebus sublata secundis!
Turno tempus erit, magno cum optaverit emptum
intactum Pallanta et cum spolia ista diemque
oderit. At socii multo gemitu lacrimisque
impositum scuto referunt Pallanta frequentes.
O dolor atque decus magnum rediture parenti
haec te prima dies bello dedit, haec eadem aufert,
cum tamen ingentis Rutulorum linquis acervos.

[¶1] No doubtful rumor to Aeneas breaks
the direful news, but a sure messenger
tells him his followers' peril, and implores
prompt help for routed Troy. His ready sword
reaped down the nearest foes, and through their line
clove furious path and broad; the valiant blade
through oft-repeated bloodshed groped its way,
proud Turnus, unto thee! His heart beholds
Pallas and Sire Evander, their kind board
in welcome spread, their friendly league of peace
proffered and sealed with him, the stranger-guest.
So Sulmo's sons, four warriors, and four
of Ufens sprung, he took alive—to slay
as victims to the shades, and pour a stream
of captives' blood upon a flaming pyre.
Next from afar his hostile shaft he threw
at Mago, who with wary motion bowed
beneath the quivering weapon, as it sped
clean over him; then at Aeneas' knees
he crouched and clung with supplicating cry:
“O, by thy father's spirit, by thy hope
in young Iulus, I implore thee, spare
for son and father's sake this life of mine.
A lofty house have I, where safely hid
are stores of graven silver and good weight
of wrought and unwrought gold. The fate of war
hangs not on me; nor can one little life
thy victory decide.” In answer spoke
Aeneas: “Hoard the silver and the gold
for thy own sons. Such bartering in war
finished with Turnus, when fair Pallas fell.
Thus bids Anchises' shade, Iulus—thus!”
He spoke: and, grasping with his mighty left
the helmet of the vainly suppliant foe,
bent back the throat and drove hilt-deep his sword.
A little space removed, Haemonides,
priest of Phoebus and pale Trivia, stood,
whose ribboned brows a sacred fillet bound:
in shining vesture he, and glittering arms.
Him too the Trojan met, repelled, and towered
above the fallen form, o'ermantling it
in mortal shade; Serestus bore away
those famous arms a trophy vowed to thee,
Gradivus, Iord of war!

> Latin: Nec iam fama mali tanti, sed certior auctor
advolat Aeneae, tenui discrimine leti
esse suos, versis tempus succurrere Teucris.
Proxima quaeque metit gladio latumque per agmen
ardens limitem agit ferro, te, Turne, superbum
caede nova quaerens. Pallas, Euander, in ipsis
omnia sunt oculis, mensae, quas advena primas
tunc adiit, dextraeque datae. Sulmone creatos
quattuor hic iuvenes, totidem, quos educat Ufens,
viventis rapit, inferias quos immolet umbris
captivoque rogi perfundat sanguine flammas.
Inde Mago procul infensam contenderat hastam.
Ille astu subit ac tremibunda supervolat hasta,
et genua amplectens effatur talia supplex:
“Per patrios manis et spes surgentis Iuli”
“te precor, hanc animam serves natoque patrique.”
“Est domus alta, iacent penitus defossa talenta”
“caelati argenti, sunt auri pondera facti”
“infectique mihi. Non hic victoria Teucrum”
“vertitur aut anima una dabit discrimina tanta.”
Dixerat. Aeneas contra cui talia reddit:
“Argenti atque auri memoras quae multa talenta,”
“natis parce tuis. Belli commercia Turnus”
“sustulit ista prior iam tum Pallante perempto.”
“Hoc patris Anchisae manes, hoc sentit Iulus.”
Sic fatus galeam laeva tenet atque reflexa
cervice orantis capulo tenus applicat ensem.
Nec procul Haemonides, Phoebi Triviaeque sacerdos,
infula cui sacra redimibat tempora vitta,
totus conlucens veste atque insignibus armis.
Quem congressus agit campo lapsumque superstans
immolat ingentique umbra tegit; arma Serestus
lecta refert umeris, tibi, rex Gradive, tropaeum.

[¶2] Soon to fresh fight
came Caeculus, a child of Vulcan's line,
and Umbro on the Marsic mountains bred:
these met the Trojan's wrath. His sword shore off
Anxur's left hand, and the whole orbed shield
dropped earthward at the stroke: though Anxur's tongue
had boasted mighty things, as if great words
would make him strong, and lifting his proud heart
as high as heaven, had hoped perchance to see
gray hairs and length of days. Then Tarquitus
strode forth, exulting in his burnished arms
(Him Dryope, the nymph, to Faunus bore),
and dared oppose Aeneas' rage. But he
drew back his lance and, charging, crushed at once
corselet and ponderous shield; then off he struck
the supplicating head, which seemed in vain
preparing speech; while o'er the reeking corpse
the victor stood, and thrusting it away
spoke thus with wrathful soul: “Now lie thou there,
thou fearsome sight! No noble mother's hand
shall hide thee in the ground, or give those limbs
to their ancestral tomb. Thou shalt be left
to birds of ravin; or go drifting far
along yon river to engulfing seas,
where starving fishes on those wounds shall feed.”
Antceus next and Lucas he pursues,
though all in Turnus' van; and Numa bold
and Camers tawny-tressed, the son and heir
of Volscens the stout-hearted, whose domain
surpassed the richest of Ausonia's lords,
when over hushed Amyclae he was king.
Like old Aegaeon of the hundred arms,
the hundred-handed, from whose mouths and breasts
blazed fifty fiery blasts, as he made war
with fifty sounding shields and fifty swords
against Jove's thunder;—so Aeneas raged
victorious o'er the field, when once his steel
warmed to its work. But lo, he turns him now
where come Niphaeus' bold-advancing wheels
and coursers four, who, when at furious speed
they faced his giant stride and dreadful cry,
upreared in panic, and reversing spilled
their captain to the ground, and bore away
the chariot to the river's distant shore.

> Latin: Instaurant acies Volcani stirpe creatus
Caeculus et veniens Marsorum montibus Umbro:
Dardanides contra furit. Anxuris ense sinistram
et totum clipei ferro deiecerat orbem;
dixerat ille aliquid magnum vimque adfore verbo
crediderat caeloque animum fortasse ferebat
canitiemque sibi et longos promiserat annos:
Tarquitus exultans contra fulgentibus armis,
silvicolae Fauno Dryope quem nympha crearat,
obvius ardenti sese obtulit. Ille reducta
loricam clipeique ingens onus impedit hasta;
tum caput orantis nequiquam et multa parantis
dicere deturbat terrae truncumque tepentem
provolvens super haec inimico pectore fatur:
“Istic nunc, metuende, iace. Non te optima mater”
“condet humi patrioque onerabit membra sepulchro:”
“alitibus linquere feris aut gurgite mersum”
“unda feret piscesque impasti volnera lambent.”
Protinus Antaeum et Lucam, prima agmina Turni,
persequitur fortemque Numam fulvumque Camertem,
magnanimo Volcente satum, ditissimus agri
qui fuit Ausonidum et tacitis regnavit Amyclis.
Aegaeon qualis, centum cui bracchia dicunt
centenasque manus, quinquaginta oribus ignem
pectoribusque arsisse, Iovis cum fulmina contra
tot paribus streperet clipeis, tot stringeret enses:
sic toto Aeneas desaevit in aequore victor,
ut semel intepuit mucro. Quin ecce Niphaei
quadriiugis in equos adversaque pectora tendit.
Atque illi longe gradientem et dira frementem
ut videre, metu versi retroque ruentes
effunduntque ducem rapiuntque ad litora currus.

[¶3] Meanwhile, with two white coursers to their car,
the brothers Lucagus and Liger drove
into the heart of battle: Liger kept
with skilful hand the manage of the steeds;
bold Lucagus swung wide his naked sword.
Aeneas, by their wrathful brows defied,
brooked not the sight, but to the onset flew,
huge-looming, with adverse and threatening spear.
Cried Liger, “Not Achilles' chariot, ours!
Nor team of Diomed on Phrygia's plain!
The last of life and strife shall be thy meed
upon this very ground.” Such raving word
flowed loud from Liger's lip: not with a word
the Trojan hero answered him, but flung
his whirling spear; and even as Lucagus
leaned o'er the horses, goading them with steel,
and, left foot forward, gathered all his strength
to strike—the spear crashed through the under rim
of his resplendent shield and entered deep
in the left groin; then from the chariot fallen,
the youth rolled dying on the field, while thus
pious Aeneas paid him taunting words:
“O Lucagus, thy chariot did not yield
because of horses slow to fly, or scared
by shadows of a foe. It was thyself
leaped o'er the wheel and fled.” So saying, he grasped
the horses by the rein. The brother then,
spilled also from the car, reached wildly forth
his helpless hands: “O, by thy sacred head,
and by the parents who such greatness gave,
good Trojan, let me live! Some pity show
to prostrate me!” But ere he longer sued,
Aeneas cried, “Not so thy language ran
a moment gone! Die thou! Nor let this day
brother from brother part!” Then where the life
hides in the bosom, he thrust deep his sword.
Thus o'er the field of war the Dardan King
moved on, death-dealing: like a breaking flood
or cloudy whirlwind seemed his wrath. Straightway
the boy Ascanius from the ramparts came,
his warriors with him; for the siege had failed.

> Latin: Interea biiugis infert se Lucagus albis
in medios fraterque Liger; sed frater habenis
flectit equos, strictum rotat acer Lucagus ensem.
Haud tulit Aeneas tanto fervore furentis:
inruit adversaque ingens apparuit hasta.
Cui Liger:
“Non Diomedis equos nec currum cernis Achillis”
“aut Phrygiae campos: nunc belli finis et aevi”
“his dabitur terris.” Vesano talia late
dicta volant Ligeri. Sed non et Troïus heros
dicta parat contra: iaculum nam torquet in hostem.
Lucagus ut pronus pendens in verbera telo
admonuit biiugos, proiecto dum pede laevo
aptet se pugnae, subit oras hasta per imas
fulgentis clipei, tum laevum perforat inguen:
excussus curru moribundus volvitur arvis.
Quem pius Aeneas dictis adfatur amaris:
“Lucage, nulla tuos currus fuga segnis equorum”
“prodidit aut vanae vertere ex hostibus umbrae:”
“ipse rotis saliens iuga deseris.” Haec ita fatus
arripuit biiugos; frater tendebat inertis
infelix palmas, curru delapsus eodem:
“Per te, per qui te talem genuere parentes,”
“vir Troiane, sine hanc animam et miserere precantis.”
Pluribus oranti Aeneas: “Haud talia dudum”
“dicta dabas. Morere et fratrem ne desere frater.”
Tum latebras animae pectus mucrone recludit.
Talia per campos edebat funera ductor
Dardanius, torrentis aquae vel turbinis atri
more furens. Tandem erumpunt et castra relinquunt
Ascanius puer et nequiquam obsessa iuventus.

[¶4] Now Jupiter to Juno thus began:
“O ever-cherished spouse and sister dear,
surely 't is Venus—as thy mind misgave—
whose favor props—O, what discernment thine!
Yon Trojan power; not swift heroic hands,
or souls of fury facing perilous war!”
Juno made meek reply: “O noblest spouse!
Why vex one sick at heart, who humbly fears
thy stern command? If I could claim to-day
what once I had, my proper right and due,
love's induence, I should not plead in vain
to thee, omnipotent, to give me power
to lead off Turnus from the fight unscathed,
and save him at his father Daunus' prayer.
Aye, let him die! And with his loyal blood
the Teucrians' vengeance feed! Yet he derives
from our Saturnian stem, by fourth remove
sprung from Pilumnus. Oft his liberal hands
have heaped unstinted offering at thy shrine.”
Thus in few words th' Olympian King replied:
“If for the fated youth thy prayer implores
delay and respite of impending doom,
if but so far thou bidst me interpose,—
go—favor Turnus' flight, and keep him safe
in this imperilled hour; I may concede
such boon. But if thy pleading words intend
some larger grace, and fain would touch or change
the issue of the war, then art thou fed
on expectation vain.” With weeping eyes
Juno made answer: “Can it be thy mind
gives what thy words refuse, and Turnus' life,
if rescued, may endure? Yet afterward
some cruel close his guiltless day shall see—
or far from truth I stray! O, that I were
the dupe of empty fears! and O, that thou
wouldst but refashion to some happier end
the things by thee begun—for thou hast power!”

> Latin: Iunonem interea compellat Iuppiter ultro:
“O germana mihi atque eadem gratissima coniunx”,
“ut rebare, Venus, nec te sententia fallit,”
“Troianas sustentat opes, non vivida bello”
“dextra viris animusque ferox patiensque pericli.”
Cui Iuno summissa “Quid, o pulcherrime coniunx,”
“sollicitas aegram et tua tristia dicta timentem?”
“Si mihi, quae quondam fuerat quamque esse decebat,”
“vis in amore foret, non hoc mihi namque negares,”
“omnipotens, quin et pugnae subducere Turnum”
“et Dauno possem incolumem servare parenti.”
“Nunc pereat Teucrisque pio det sanguine poenas.”
“Ille tamen nostra deducit origine nomen”
“Pilumnusque illi quartus pater et tua larga”
“saepe manu multisque oneravit limina donis.”
Cui rex aetherii breviter sic fatur Olympi:
“Si mora praesentis leti tempusque caduco”
“oratur iuveni meque hoc ita ponere sentis,”
“tolle fuga Turnum atque instantibus eripe fatis”
“hactenus indulsisse vacat. Sin altior istis”
“sub precibus venia ulla latet totumque moveri”
“mutarive putas bellum, spes pascis inanis.”
Et Iuno adlacrimans: “Quid si, quae voce gravaris,”
“mente dares atque haec Turno rata vita maneret?”
“Nunc manet insontem gravis exitus, aut ego veri”
“vana feror. Quod ut O potius formidine falsa”
“ludar et in melius tua, qui potes, orsa reflectas!”

[¶5] She ceased; and swiftly from the peak of heaven
moved earthward, trailing cloud-wrack through the air,
and girdled with the storm. She took her way
to where Troy's warriors faced Laurentum's line.
There of a hollow cloud the goddess framed
a shape of airy, unsubstantial shade,
Aeneas' image, wonderful to see,
and decked it with a Dardan lance and shield,
a crested helmet on the godlike head;
and windy words she gave of soulless sound,
and motion like a stride—such shapes, they say,
the hovering phantoms of the dead put on,
or empty dreams which cheat our slumbering eyes.
Forth to the front of battle this vain shade
stalked insolent, and with its voice and spear
challenged the warrior. At it Turnus flew,
and hurled a hissing spear with distant aim;
the thing wheeled round and fled. The foe forthwith,
thinking Aeneas vanquished, with blind scorn
flattered his own false hope: “Where wilt thou fly,
Aeneas? Wilt thou break a bridegroom's word?
This sword will give thee title to some land
thou hast sailed far to find!” So clamoring loud
he followed, flashing far his naked sword;
nor saw the light winds waft his dream away.

> Latin: Haec ubi dicta dedit, caelo se protinus alto
misit, agens hiemem nimbo succincta per auras,
Iliacamque aciem et Laurentia castra petivit.
Tum dea nube cava tenuem sine viribus umbram
in faciem Aeneae, visu mirabile monstrum,
Dardaniis ornat telis clipeumque iubasque
divini adsimulat capitis, dat inania verba,
dat sine mente sonum gressusque effingit euntis,
morte obita qualis fama est volitare figuras
aut quae sopitos deludunt somnia sensus.
At primas laeta ante acies exsultat imago
inritatque virum telis et voce lacessit.
Instat cui Turnus stridentemque eminus hastam
conicit: illa dato vertit vestigia tergo.
Tum vero Aenean aversum ut cedere Turnus
credidit atque animo spem turbidus hausit inanem,
“Quo fugis, Aenea? Thalamos ne desere pactos;”
“hac dabitur dextra tellus quaesita per undas.”
Talia vociferans sequitur strictumque coruscat
mucronem nec ferre videt sua gaudia ventos.

[¶6] By chance in covert of a lofty crag
a ship stood fastened and at rest; her sides
showed ready bridge and stairway; she had brought
Osinius, king of Clusium. Thither came
Aeneas' counterfeit of flight and fear,
and dropped to darkness. Turnus, nothing loth,
gave close chase, overleaping every bar,
and scaling the high bridge; but scarce he reached
the vessel's prow, when Juno cut her loose,
the cables breaking, and along swift waves
pushed her to sea. Yet in that very hour
Aeneas to the battle vainly called
the vanished foe, and round his hard-fought path
stretched many a hero dead. No longer now
the mocking shadow sought to hide, but soared
visibly upward and was Iost in cloud,
while Turnus drifted o'er the waters wide
before the wind. Bewildered and amazed
he looked around him; little joy had he
in his own safety, but upraised his hands
in prayer to Heaven: “O Sire omnipotent!
Didst thou condemn me to a shame like this?
Such retribution dire? Whither now?
Whence came I here? What panic wafts away
this Turnus—if 't is he? Shall I behold
Laurentum's towers once more? But what of those
my heroes yonder, who took oath to me,
and whom—O sin and shame!—I have betrayed
to horrible destruction? Even now
I see them routed, and my ears receive
their dying groans. What is this thing I do?
Where will the yawning earth crack wide enough
beneath my feet? Ye tempests, pity me!
On rocks and reef—'t is Turnus' faithful prayer,
let this bark founder; fling it on the shoals
of wreckful isles, where no Rutulian eye
can follow me, or Rumor tell my shame.”
With such wild words his soul tossed to and fro,
not knowing if to hide his infamy
with his own sword and madly drive its blade
home to his heart, or cast him in the sea,
and, swimming to the rounded shore, renew
his battle with the Trojan foe. Three times
each fatal course he tried; but Juno's power
three times restrained, and with a pitying hand
the warrior's purpose barred. So on he sped
o'er yielding waters and propitious tides,
far as his father Daunus' ancient town.

> Latin: Forte ratis celsi coniuncta crepidine saxi
expositis stabat scalis et ponte parato,
qua rex Clusinis advectus Osinius oris.
Huc sese trepida Aeneae fugientis imago
conicit in latebras; nec Turnus segnior instat
exsuperatque moras et pontis transilit altos.
Vix proram attigerat: rumpit Saturnia funem
avolsamque rapit revoluta per aequora navem.
Illum autem Aeneas absentem in praelia poscit;
obvia multa virum demittit corpora morti:
tum levis haud ultra latebras iam quaerit imago,
sed sublime volans nubi se immiscuit atrae.
Cum Turnum medio interea fert aequore turbo.
Respicit ignarus rerum ingratusque salutis
et duplicis cum voce manus ad sidera tendit:
“Omnipotens genitor, tanton me crimine dignum”
“duxisti et talis voluisti expendere poenas?”
“Quo feror? Unde abii? Quae me fuga quemve reducit?”
“Laurentisne iterum muros aut castra videbo?”
“Quid manus illa virum, qui me meaque arma secuti?”
“Quosne (nefas) omnis infanda in morte reliqui”
“et nunc palantis video gemitumque cadentum”
“accipio! Quid ago? Aut quae iam satis ima dehiscat”
“terra mihi? Vos O potius miserescite venti:”
“in rupes, in saxa, volens vos Turnus adoro”
“ferte ratem saevisque vadis immittite Syrtis,”
“quo neque me Rutuli nec conscia fama sequatur.”
Haec memorans animo nunc huc, nunc fluctuat illuc,
an sese mucrone ob tantum dedecus amens
induat et crudum per costas exigat ensem,
fluctibus an iaciat mediis et litora nando
curva petat Teucrumque iterum se reddat in arma.
Ter conatus utramque viam, ter maxima Iuno
continuit iuvenemque animi miserata repressit.
Labitur alta secans fluctuque aestuque secundo
et patris antiquam Dauni defertur ad urbem.

[¶7] At Jove's command Mezentius, breathing rage,
now takes the field and leads a strong assault
against victorious Troy. The Tuscan ranks
meet round him, and press hard on him alone,
on him alone with vengeance multiplied
their host of swords they draw. As some tall cliff,
projecting to the sea, receives the rage
of winds and waters, and untrembling bears
vast, frowning enmity of seas and skies,—
so he. First Dolichaon's son he slew,
Hebrus; then Latagus and Palmus, though
they fled amain; he smote with mighty stone
torn from the mountain, full upon the face
of Latagus; and Palmus he let lie
hamstrung and rolling helpless; he bestowed
the arms on his son Lausus for a prize,
another proud crest in his helm to wear;
he laid the Phrygian Euanthus Iow;
and Mimas, Paris' comrade, just his age,—
born of Theano's womb to Amycus
his sire, that night when royal Hecuba,
teeming with firebrand, gave Paris birth:
one in the city of his fathers sleeps;
and one, inglorious, on Laurentian strand.
As when a wild boar, harried from the hills
by teeth of dogs (one who for many a year
was safe in pine-clad Vesulus, or roamed
the meres of Tiber, feeding in the reeds)
falls in the toils at last, and stands at bay,
raging and bristling, and no hunter dares
defy him or come near, but darts are hurled
from far away, with cries unperilous:
not otherwise, though righteous is their wrath
against Mezentius, not a man so bold
as face him with drawn sword, but at long range
they throw their shafts and with loud cries assail;
he, all unterrified, makes frequent stand,
gnashing his teeth, and shaking off their spears.

> Latin: At Iovis interea monitis Mezentius ardens
succedit pugnae Teucrosque invadit ovantis.
Concurrunt Tyrrhenae acies atque omnibus uni,
uni odiisque viro telisque frequentibus instant.
Ille velut rupes, vastum quae prodit in aequor,
obvia ventorum furiis expostaque ponto,
vim cunctam atque minas perfert caelique marisque,
ipsa immota manens, prolem Dolichaonis Hebrum
sternit humi, cum quo Latagum Palmumque fugacem,
sed Latagum saxo atque ingenti fragmine montis
occupat os faciemque adversam, poplite Palmum
succiso volvi segnem sinit, armaque Lauso
donat habere umeris et vertice figere cristas.
Nec non Euanthen Phrygium Paridisque Mimanta
aequalem comitemque, una quem nocte Theano
in lucem genitori Amyco dedit et face praegnans
Cisseis regina Parin creat: urbe paterna
occubat, ignarum Laurens habet ora Mimanta.
Ac velut ille canum morsu de montibus altis
actus aper, multos Vesulus quem pinifer annos
defendit multosve palus Laurentia, silva
pastus harundinea, postquam inter retia ventum est,
substitit infremuitque ferox et inhorruit armos,
nec cuiquam irasci propiusque accedere virtus,
sed iaculis tutisque procul clamoribus instant;
ille autem impavidus partis cunctatur in omnis,
dentibus infrendens, et tergo decutit hastas.
haud aliter, iustae quibus est Mezentius irae,
non ulli est animus stricto concurrere ferro;
missilibus longe et vasto clamore lacessunt:

[¶8] From ancient Corythus had Acron come,
a Greek, who left half-sung his wedding-song,
and was an exile; him Mezentius saw
among long lines of foes, with flaunting plumes
and purple garments from his plighted spouse.
Then as a starving lion when he prowls
about high pasture-lands, urged on his way
by maddening hunger (if perchance he see
a flying she-goat or tall-antlered stag)
lifts up his shaggy mane, and gaping wide
his monstrous jaws, springs at the creature's side,
feeding foul-lipped, insatiable of gore:
so through his gathered foes Mezentius
flew at his prey. He stretched along the ground
ill-fated Acron, who breathed life away,
beating the dark dust with his heels, and bathed
his broken weapons in his blood. Nor deigned
Mezentius to strike Orodes down
as he took flight, nor deal a wound unseen
with far-thrown spear; but ran before his face,
fronting him man to man, nor would he win
by sleight or trick, but by a mightier sword.
Soon on the fallen foe he set his heel,
and, pushing hard, with heel and spear, cried out:
“Look ye, my men, where huge Orodes lies,
himself a dangerous portion of this war!”
With loyal, Ioud acclaim his peers reply;
but thus the dying hero: “Victor mine,
whoe'er thou art, I fall not unavenged!
Thou shalt but triumph for a fleeting hour.
Like doom for thee is written. Speedily
thou shalt this dust inhabit, even as I!”
Mezentius answered him with wrathful smile:
“Now die! What comes on me concerns alone
the Sire of gods and Sovereign of mankind.”
So saying, from the wounded breast he plucked
his javelin: and on those eyes there fell
inexorable rest and iron slumber,
and in unending night their vision closed.

> Latin: Venerat antiquis Corythi de finibus Acron,
Graius homo, infectos linquens profugus hymenaeos.
Hunc ubi miscentem longe media agmina vidit,
purpureum pennis et pactae coniugis ostro:
impastus stabula alta leo ceu saepe peragrans,
suadet enim vesana fames, si forte fugacem
conspexit capream aut surgentem in cornua cervum,
gaudet, hians immane, comasque arrexit et haeret
visceribus super accumbens, lavit inproba taeter
ora cruor,
sic ruit in densos alacer Mezentius hostis.
Sternitur infelix Acron et calcibus atram
tundit humum expirans infractaque tela cruentat.
Atque idem fugientem haud est dignatus Oroden
sternere nec iacta caecum dare cuspide volnus:
obvius adversoque occurrit seque viro vir
contulit, haud furto melior, sed fortibus armis.
Tum super abiectum posito pede nixus et hasta:
“Pars belli haud temnenda, viri, iacet altus Orodes.”
Conclamant socii laetum paeana secuti.
Ille autem exspirans: “Non me, quicumque es, inulto,”
“victor, nec longum laetabere: te quoque fata”
“prospectant paria atque eadem mox arva tenebis.”
Ad quae subridens mixta Mezentius ira:
“Nunc morere. Ast de me divom pater atque hominum rex”
“viderit.” Hoc dicens eduxit corpore telum:
olli dura quies oculos et ferreus urget
somnus, in aeternam clauduntur lumina noctem.

[¶9] Then Caedicus cut down Alcathous,
Sacrator slew Hydaspes, Rapo smote
Parthenius and Orses stout and strong;
Messapus, good blade cut down Clonius
and Ericetes, fierce Lycaon's child;
the one from an unbridled war-horse thrown,
the other slain dismounted. Then rode forth
Agis the Lycian, but bold Valerus,
true to his valiant breeding, hurled him down;
having slain Thronius, Salius was slain
by skilled Nealces, of illustrious name
for spear well cast and far-surprising bow.

> Latin: Caedicus Alcathoum obtruncat, Sacrator Hydaspen
Partheniumque Rapo et praedurum viribus Orsen,
Messapus Croniumque Lycaoniumque Erichaeten,
illum infrenis equi lapsu tellure iacentem,
hunc peditem. Pedes et Lycius processerat Agis,
quem tamen haud expers Valerus virtutis avitae
deicit; at Thronium Salius Saliumque Nealces
insidiis, iaculo et longe fallente sagitta.

[¶10] Thus Mars relentless holds in equal scale
slaughters reciprocal and mutual woe;
the victors and the vanquished kill or fall
in equal measure; neither knows the way
to yield or fly. Th' Olympians Iook down
out of Jove's house, and pity as they see
the unavailing wrath of either foe,
and burdens measureless on mortals laid.
Lo! Venus here, Saturnian Juno yon,
in anxious watch; while pale Tisiphone
moves on infuriate through the battling lines.
On strode Mezentius o'er the gory plain,
and swollen with rage waved wide-his awful spear.
Like tall Orion when on foot he goes
trough the deep sea and lifts his shoulders high
above the waves; or when he takes his path
along the mountain-tops, and has for staff
an aged ash-tree, as he fixes firm
his feet in earth and hides his brows in cloud;—
so Ioomed Mezentius with his ponderous arms.

> Latin: Iam gravis aequabat luctus et mutua Mavors
funera: caedebant pariter pariterque ruebant
victores victique, neque his fuga nota neque illis.
Di Iovis in tectis iram miserantur inanem
amborum et tantos mortalibus esse labores:
hinc Venus, hinc contra spectat Saturnia Iuno,
pallida Tisiphone media inter milia saevit.
At vero ingentem quatiens Mezentius hastam
turbidus ingreditur campo. Quam magnus Orion,
cum pedes incedit medii per maxima Nerei
stagna viam scindens, umero supereminet undas
aut summis referens annosam montibus ornum
ingrediturque solo et caput inter nubila condit:
talis se vastis infert Mezentius armis.

[¶11] To match him now, Aeneas, Iooking down
the long array of war, came forth in arms
to challenge and defy. But quailing not,
a mass immovable, the other stood
waiting his noble foe, and with a glance
measured to cast his spear the space between.
“May this right hand“, he said, “and this swift spear
which here I poise, be favoring gods for me!
The spoils from yonder robber's carcase stripped
I vow to hang on thee, my Lausus, thou
shalt stand for trophy of Aeneas slain.”
He said, and hurled from far the roaring spear,
which from the shield glanced off, and speeding still
smote famed Antores 'twixt the loin and side—
antores, friend of Hercules, who came
from Argos, and had joined Evander's cause,
abiding in Italia. Lo, a wound
meant for another pierced him, and he lay,
ill-fated! Iooking upward to the light,
and dreaming of dear Argos as he died.
Then good Aeneas hurled his spear; it passed
through hollow orb of triple bronze, and through
layers of flax and triple-twisted hides;
then in the lower groin it lodged, but left
its work undone. Aeneas, not ill-pleased
to see the Tuscan wounded, swiftly drew
the falchion from his thigh, and hotly pressed
his startled foe. But Lausus at the sight
groaned loud, so much he loved his father dear,
and tears his cheek bedewed.

> Latin: Huic contra Aeneas, speculatus in agmine longo,
obvius ire parat. Manet imperterritus ille,
hostem magnanimum opperiens, et mole sua stat;
atque oculis spatium emensus, quantum satis hastae:
“Dextra mihi deus et telum, quod missile libro,”
“nunc adsint! Voveo praedonis corpore raptis”
“indutum spoliis ipsum te, Lause, tropaeum”
“Aeneae.” Dixit stridentemque eminus hastam
iecit; at illa volans clipeo est excussa proculque
egregium Antoren latus inter et ilia figit,
Herculis Antoren comitem, qui missus ab Argis
haeserat Euandro atque Itala consederat urbe.
Sternitur infelix alieno volnere caelumque
aspicit et dulcis moriens reminiscitur Argos
tum pius Aeneas hastam iacit: illa per orbem
aere cavum triplici, per linea terga tribusque
transit intextum tauris opus imaque sedit
inguine, sed viris haud pertulit. Ocius ensem
Aeneas, viso Tyrrheni sanguine laetus,
eripit a femine et trepidanti fervidus instat.
Ingemuit cari graviter genitoris amore,
ut vidit, Lausus, lacrimaeque per ora volutae.

[¶12] O storied youth!
If olden worth may win believing ear,
let not my song now fail of thee to sing,
thy noble deeds, thy doom of death and pain!
Mezentius, now encumbered and undone,
fell backward, trailing from the broken shield
his foeman's spear. His son leaped wildly forth
to join the fray; and where Aeneas' hand
lifted to strike, he faced the thrusting sword
and gave the hero pause. His comrades raised
applauding cries, as shielded by his son
the father made retreat; their darts they hurl,
and vex with flying spears the distant foe:
Aeneas, wrathful, stands beneath his shield.
As when the storm-clouds break in pelting hail,
the swains and ploughmen from the furrows fly,
and every traveller cowers in sure defence
of river-bank or lofty shelving crag,
while far and wide it pours; and by and by,
each, when the sun returns, his task pursues:
so great Aeneas, by assault o'erwhelmed,
endured the cloud of battle, till its rage
thundered no more; then with a warning word
to Lausus with upbraiding voice he called:
“Why, O death-doomed, rush on to deeds too high
for strength like thine. Thou art betrayed, rash boy,
by thine own loyal heart!” But none the less
the youth made mad defence; while fiercer burned
the Trojan's anger; and of Lausus' days
the loom of Fate spun forth the last thin thread;
for now Aeneas thrust his potent blade
deep through the stripling's breast and out of sight;
through the light shield it passed—a frail defence
to threaten with!—and through the tunic fine
his mother's hand had wrought with softest gold:
blood filled his bosom, and on path of air
down to the shades the mournful soul withdrew,
its body quitting. As Anchises' son
beheld the agonizing lips and brow
so wondrous white in death, he groaned aloud
in pity, and reached o'er him his right hand,
touched to the heart such likeness to behold
of his own filial love. “Unhappy boy!
What reward worthy of heroic deeds
can I award thee now? Wear still those arms
so proudly worn! And I will send thee home
(Perhaps thou carest!) to the kindred shades
and ashes of thy sires. But let it be
some solace in thy pitiable doom
that none but great Aeneas wrought thy fall.”
Then to the stripling's tardy followers
he sternly called, and lifted from the earth
with his own hand the fallen foe: dark blood
defiled those princely tresses braided fair.

> Latin: Hic mortis durae casum tuaque optima facta,
siqua fidem tanto est operi latura vetustas,
non equidem nec te, iuvenis memorande, silebo.
Ille pedem referens et inutilis inque ligatus
cedebat clipeoque inimicum hastile trahebat:
prorupit iuvenis seseque immiscuit armis
iamque adsurgentis dextra plagamque ferentis
Aeneae subiit mucronem ipsumque morando
sustinuit. Socii magno clamore sequuntur,
dum genitor nati parma protectus abiret,
telaque coniciunt proturbantque eminus hostem
missilibus. Furit Aeneas tectusque tenet se.
Ac velut effusa siquando grandine nimbi
praecipitant, omnis campis diffugit arator
omnis et agricola et tuta latet arce viator,
aut amnis ripis aut alti fornice saxi,
dum pluit in terris, ut possint sole reducto
exercere diem: sic obrutus undique telis
Aeneas nubem belli, dum detonet omnis,
sustinet et Lausum increpitat Lausoque minatur:
“Quo moriture ruis maioraque viribus audes?”
“Fallit te incautum pietas tua.” Nec minus ille
exsultat demens; saevae iamque altius irae
Dardanio surgunt ductori, extremaque Lauso
Parcae fila legunt: validum namque exigit ensem
per medium Aeneas iuvenem totumque recondit.
Transiit et parmam mucro, levia arma minacis,
et tunicam, molli mater quam neverat auro,
implevitque sinum sanguis; tum vita per auras
concessit maesta ad manis corpusque reliquit.
At vero ut voltum vidit morientis et ora,
ora modis Anchisiades pallentia miris,
ingemuit miserans graviter dextramque tetendit,
et mentem patriae subiit pietatis imago.
“Quid tibi nunc, miserande puer, pro laudibus istis,”
“quid pius Aeneas tanta dabit indole dignum?”
“Arma, quibus laetatus, habe tua, teque parentum”
“manibus et cineri, siqua est ea cura, remitto.”
“Hoc tamen infelix miseram solabere mortem:”
“Aeneae magni dextra cadis.” Increpat ultro
cunctantis socios et terra sublevat ipsum,
sanguine turpantem comptos de more capillos.

[¶13] Meanwhile Mezentius by the Tiber's wave
with water staunched his wound, and propped his weight
against a tree; upon its limbs above
his brazen helmet hung, and on the sward
his ponderous arms lay resting. Round him watched
his chosen braves. He, gasping and in pain,
clutched at his neck and let his flowing beard
loose on his bosom fall; he questions oft
of Lausus, and sends many a messenger
to bid him back, and bear him the command
of his sore-grieving sire. But lo! his peers
bore the dead Lausus back upon his shield,
and wept to see so strong a hero quelled
by stroke so strong. From long way off the sire,
with soul prophetic of its woe, perceived
what meant their wail and cry. On his gray hairs
the dust he flung, and, stretching both his hands
to heaven, he cast himself the corpse along.
“O son,” he cried, “was life to me so sweet,
that I to save myself surrendered o'er
my own begotten to a foeman's steel?
Saved by these gashes shall thy father be,
and living by thy death? O wretched me,
how foul an end have I! Now is my wound
deep! deep! 't was I, dear son, have stained
thy name with infamy—to exile driven
from sceptre and hereditary throne
by general curse. Would that myself had borne
my country's vengeance and my nation's hate!
Would my own guilty life my debt had paid—
yea, by a thousand deaths! But, see, I live!
Not yet from human kind and light of day
have I departed. But depart I will.”
So saying, he raised him on his crippled thigh,
and though by reason of the grievous wound
his forces ebbed, yet with unshaken mien
he bade them lead his war-horse forth, his pride,
his solace, which from every war
victorious bore him home. The master then
to the brave beast, which seemed to know his pain,
spoke thus: “My Rhoebus, we have passed our days
long time together, if long time there be
for mortal creatures. Either on this day
thou shalt his bloody spoils in triumph bear
and that Aeneas' head,—and so shalt be
avenger of my Lausus' woe; or else,
if I be vanquished, thou shalt sink and fall
beside me. For, my bravest, thou wouldst spurn
a stranger's will, and Teucrian lords to bear.”
He spoke and, mounting to his back, disposed
his limbs the wonted way and filled both hands
with pointed javelins; a helm of brass
with shaggy horse-hair crest gleamed o'er his brow.
Swift to the front he rode: a mingled flood
surged in his heart of sorrow, wrath, and shame;
and thrice with loud voice on his foe he called.

> Latin: Interea genitor Tiberini ad fluminis undam
volnera siccabat lymphis corpusque levabat
arboris adclinis trunco. Procul aerea ramis
dependet galea et prato gravia arma quiescunt.
Stant lecti circum iuvenes: ipse aeger anhelans
colla fovet, fusus propexam in pectore barbam;
multa super Lauso rogitat multumque remittit
qui revocent maestique ferant mandata parentis.
At Lausum socii exanimem super arma ferebant
flentes, ingentem atque ingenti volnere victum.
Agnovit longe gemitum praesaga mali mens:
canitiem multo deformat pulvere et ambas
ad caelum tendit palmas et corpore inhaeret.
“Tantane me tenuit vivendi, nate, voluptas,”
“ut pro me hostili paterer succedere dextrae,”
“quem genui? Tuane haec genitor per volnera servor,”
“morte tua vivens? Heu, nunc misero mihi demum”
“exitium infelix, nunc alte volnus adactum!”
“Idem ego, nate, tuum maculavi crimine nomen,”
“pulsus ob invidiam solio sceptrisque paternis.”
“Debueram patriae poenas odiisque meorum:”
“omnis per mortis animam sontem ipse dedissem!”
“Nunc vivo neque adhuc homines lucemque relinquo.”
“Sed linquam.” Simul hoc dicens attollit in aegrum
se femur et, quamvis dolor alto volnere tardet,
haud deiectus equum duci iubet. Hoc decus illi,
hoc solamen erat; bellis hoc victor abibat
omnibus. Adloquitur maerentem et talibus infit:
“Rhaebe, diu, res siqua diu mortalibus ulla est,”
“viximus. Aut hodie victor spolia illa cruenti”
“et caput Aeneae referes Lausique dolorum”
“ultor eris mecum aut, aperit si nulla viam vis,”
“occumbes pariter; neque enim, fortissime, credo,”
“iussa aliena pati et dominos dignabere Teucros.”
Dixit et exceptus tergo consueta locavit
membra manusque ambas iaculis oneravit acutis,
aere caput fulgens cristaque hirsutus equina.
Sic cursum in medios rapidus dedit: aestuat ingens
uno in corde pudor mixtoque insania luctu,
[et furiis agitatus amor et conscia virtus.]

[¶14] Aeneas heard and made exulting vow:
“Now may the Father of the gods on high,
and great Apollo hear! Begin the fray!”
He said, and moved forth with a threatening spear.
The other cried: “Hast robbed me of my son,
and now, implacable, wouldst fright me more?
That way, that only, was it in thy power
to cast me down. No fear of death I feel.
Nor from thy gods themselves would I refrain.
Give o'er! For fated and resolved to die
I come thy way: but; bring thee as I pass
these offerings.” With this he whirled a spear
against his foe, and after it drove deep
another and another, riding swift
in wide gyration round him. But the shield,
the golden boss, broke not. Three times he rode
in leftward circles, hurling spear on spear
against th' unmoved Aeneas: and three times
the Trojan hero in his brazen shield
the sheaf of spears upbore. But such slow fight,
such plucking of spent shafts from out his shield,
the Trojan liked not, vexed and sorely tried
in duel so ill-matched. With wrathful soul
at length he strode forth, and between the brows
of the wild war-horse planted his Iong spear.
Up reared the creature, beating at the air
with quivering feet, then o'er his fallen lord
entangling dropped, and prone above him lay,
pinning with ponderous shoulder to the ground.
The Trojans and the Latins rouse the skies
with clamor Ioud. Aeneas hastening forth
unsheathes his sword, and looming o'er him cries:
“Where now is fierce Mezentius, and his soul's
wild pulse of rage?” The Tuscan in reply
with eyes uprolled, and gasping as he gave
long looks at heaven, recalled his fading mind:
“Why frown at me and fume, O bitterest foe?
Why threaten death? To slay me is no sin.
Not to take quarter came I to this war,
not truce with thee did my lost Lausus crave,
yet this one boon I pray,—if mercy be
for fallen foes: O, suffer me when dead
in covering earth to hide! Full well I know
what curses of my people ring me round.
Defend me from that rage! I pray to be
my son's companion in our common tomb.”
He spoke: then offered with unshrinking eye
his veined throat to the sword. O'er the bright mail
his vital breath gushed forth in streaming gore.

> Latin: Atque hic Aenean magna ter voce vocavit.
Aeneas agnovit enim laetusque precatur:
“Sic pater ille deum faciat, sic altus Apollo,”
“incipias conferre manum.”
Tantum effatus et infesta subit obvius hasta.
Ille autem: “Quid me erepto, saevissime, nato”
“terres? Haec via sola fuit, qua perdere posses.”
“Nec mortem horremus nec divom parcimus ulli.”
“Desine: nam venio moriturus et haec tibi porto”
“dona prius.” Dixit telumque intorsit in hostem;
inde aliud super atque aliud figitque volatque
ingenti gyro, sed sustinet aureus umbo.
Ter circum adstantem laevos equitavit in orbes
tela manu iaciens, ter secum Troïus heros
immanem aerato circumfert tegmine silvam.
Inde ubi tot traxisse moras, tot spicula taedet
vellere et urgetur pugna congressus iniqua,
multa movens animo iam tandem erumpit et inter
bellatoris equi cava tempora conicit hastam.
Tollit se arrectum quadrupes et calcibus auras
verberat effusumque equitem super ipse secutus
implicat eiectoque incumbit cernuus armo.
Clamore incendunt caelum Troesque Latinique.
Advolat Aeneas vaginaque eripit ensem
et super haec: “Ubi nunc Mezentius acer et illa”
“effera vis animi?” Contra Tyrrhenus, ut auras
suspiciens hausit caelum mentemque recepit:
“Hostis amare, quid increpitas mortemque minaris?”
“Nullum in caede nefas, nec sic ad proelia veni,”
“nec tecum meus haec pepigit mihi foedera Lausus.”
“Unum hoc per siqua est victis venia hostibus oro:”
“corpus humo patiare tegi. Scio acerba meorum”
“circumstare odia: hunc, oro, defende furorem”
“et me consortem nati concede sepulchro.”
Haec loquitur iuguloque haud inscius accipit ensem
undantique animam diffundit in arva cruore.