---
title: "Aeneid · Aeneis"
author: "Virgil"
translator: "Theodore C. Williams"
title_ru: "Энеида"
author_ru: "Вергилий"
languages: [la, en]
shelf: "Classical Latin"
section: 21 of 24
url: https://scriptura.si/works/virgil-aeneid/21/
cite: "Virgil, tr. Theodore C. Williams, Aeneid · Aeneis, section 21. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/virgil-aeneid/21/"
---

# 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.

## 21. Book XI · lines 1–467

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/virgil-aeneid/21/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/virgil-aeneid/21/#p-N

[¶0] Up from the sea now soared the dawning day:
Aeneas, though his sorrow bids him haste
to burial of the slain, and his sad soul
is clouded with the sight of death, fulfils,
for reward to his gods, a conqueror's vow,
at morning's earliest beam. A mighty oak
shorn of its limbs he sets upon a hill
and clothes it o'er with glittering arms, the spoil
of King Mezentius, and a trophy proud
to thee, great lord of war. The hero's plumes
bedewed with blood are there, and splintered spears;
there hangs the corselet, by the thrusting steel
twelve times gored through; upon the left he binds
the brazen shield, and from the neck suspends
the ivory-hilted sword. Aeneas thus,
as crowding close his train of captains throng,
addressed his followers: “Ye warriors mine,
our largest work is done. Bid fear begone
of what is left to do. Behold the spoils!
Yon haughty King was firstfruits of our war.
See this Mezentius my hands have made!
Now to the Latin town and King we go.
Arm you in soul! With heart of perfect hope
prepare the war! So when the gods give sign
to open battle and lead forth our brave
out of this stronghold, no bewilderment,
nor tarrying, nor fearful, faltering mind
shall slack our march. Meanwhile in earth we lay
our comrades fallen; for no honor else
in Acheron have they. Go forth,” said he,
“bring gifts of honor and of last farewell
to those high hearts by shedding of whose blood
our country lives. To sad Evander's town
bear Pallas first; who, though he did not fail
of virtue's crown, was seized by doom unblest,
and to the bitterness of death consigned.”

> Latin: Oceanum interea surgens Aurora reliquit:
Aeneas, quamquam et sociis dare tempus humandis
praecipitant curae turbataque funere mens est,
vota deum primo victor solvebat Eoo.
Ingentem quercum decisis undique ramis
constituit tumulo fulgentiaque induit arma,
Mezenti ducis exuvias, tibi, magne, tropaeum,
bellipotens: aptat rorantis sanguine cristas
telaque trunca viri et bis sex thoraca petitum
perfossumque locis clipeumque ex aere sinistrae
subligat atque ensem collo suspendit eburnum.
Tum socios, namque omnis eum stipata tegebat
turba ducum, sic incipiens hortatur ovantis:
“Maxima res effecta, viri; timor omnis abesto,”
“quod superest: haec sunt spolia et de rege superbo”
“primitiae, manibusque meis Mezentius hic est.”
“Nunc iter ad regem nobis murosque Latinos.”
“Arma parate animis et spe praesumite bellum,”
“nequa mora ignaros, ubi primum vellere signa”
“adnuerint superi pubemque educere castris,”
“impediat segnisve metu sententia tardet.”
“Interea socios inhumataque corpora terrae”
“mandemus, qui solus honos Acheronte sub imo est.”
“Ite,” ait, “egregias animas, quae sanguine nobis”
“hanc patriam peperere suo, decorate supremis”
“muneribus, maestamque Evandri primus ad urbem”
“mittatur Pallas, quem non virtutis egentem”
“abstulit atra dies et funere mersit acerbo.”

[¶1] Weeping he spoke, and slowly backward drew
to the tent-door, where by the breathless clay
of Pallas stood Acoetes, aged man,
once bearer of Evander's arms, but now
under less happy omens set to guard
his darling child. Around him is a throng
of slaves, with all the Trojan multitude,
and Ilian women, who the wonted way
let sorrow's tresses loosely flow. When now
Aeneas to the lofty doors drew near,
all these from smitten bosoms raised to heaven
a mighty moaning, till the King's abode
was loud with anguish. There Aeneas viewed
the pillowed head of Pallas cold and pale,
the smooth young breast that bore the gaping wound
of that Ausonian spear, and weeping said:
“Did Fortune's envy, smiling though she came,
refuse me, hapless boy, that thou shouldst see
my throne established, and victorious ride
beside me to thy father's house? Not this
my parting promise to thy King and sire,
Evander, when with friendly, fond embrace
to win imperial power he bade me go;
yet warned me anxiously I must resist
bold warriors and a stubborn breed of foes.
And haply even now he cheats his heart
with expectation vain, and offers vows,
heaping with gifts the altars of his gods.
But we with unavailing honors bring
this lifeless youth, who owes the gods of heaven
no more of gift and vow. O ill-starred King!
Soon shalt thou see thy son's unpitying doom!
What a home-coming! This is glory's day
so Iong awaited; this the solemn pledge
I proudly gave. But fond Evander's eyes
will find no shameful wounding on the slain,
nor for a son in coward safety kept
wilt thou, the sire, crave death. But woe is me!
How strong a bulwark in Ausonia falls!
What loss is thine, Iulus!”

> Latin: Sic ait inlacrimans recipitque ad limina gressum,
corpus ubi exanimi positum Pallantis Acoetes
servabat senior, qui Parrhasio Evandro
armiger ante fuit, sed non felicibus aeque
tum comes auspiciis caro datus ibat alumno.
Circum omnis famulumque manus Troianaque turba
et maestum Iliades crinem de more solutae.
Ut vero Aeneas foribus sese intulit altis,
ingentem gemitum tunsis ad sidera tollunt
pectoribus, maestoque immugit regia luctu.
Ipse caput nivei fultum Pallantis et ora
ut vidit levique patens in pectore vulnus
cuspidis Ausoniae, lacrimis ita fatur obortis.
“Tene,” inquit, “miserande puer, cum laeta veniret,”
“invidit Fortuna mihi, ne regna videres”
“nostra neque ad sedes victor veherere paternas?”
“Non haec Evandro de te promissa parenti”
“discedens dederam, cum me complexus euntem”
“mitteret in magnum imperium metuensque moneret”
“acris esse viros, cum dura proelia gente.”
“Et nunc ille quidem spe multum captus inani”
“fors et vota facit cumulatque altaria donis:”
“nos iuvenem exanimum et nil iam caelestibus ullis”
“debentem vano maesti comitamur honore.”
“Infelix, nati funus crudele videbis!”
“Hi nostri reditus expectatique triumphi!”
“Haec mea magna fides! At non, Evandre, pudendis”
“vulneribus pulsum adspicies nec sospite dirum”
“optabis nato funus pater. Ei mihi, quantum”
“praesidium Ausonia et quantum tu perdis, Iule!”

[¶2] Thus lamenting,
he bids them lift the body to the bier,
and sends a thousand heroes from his host
to render the last tributes, and to share
father's tears:—poor solace and too small
for grief so great, but due that mournful sire.
Some busy them to build of osiers fine
the simple litter, twining sapling oaks
with evergreen, till o'er death's Iofty bed
the branching shade extends. Upon it lay,
as if on shepherd's couch, the youthful dead,
like fairest flower by virgin fingers culled,
frail violet or hyacinth forlorn,
of color still undimmed and leaf unmarred;
but from the breast of mother-earth no more
its life doth feed. Then good Aeneas brought
two broidered robes of scarlet and fine gold,
which with the gladsome labor of her hands
Sidonian Dido wrought him long ago,
the thin-spun gold inweaving. One of these
the sad prince o'er the youthful body threw
for parting gift; and with the other veiled
those tresses from the fire; he heaped on high
Laurentum's spoils of war, and bade to bring
much tribute forth: horses and arms he gave,
seized from the fallen enemy; with hands
fettered behind them filed a captive train
doomed to appease the shades, and with the flames
to mix their flowing blood. He bade his chiefs
set up the trunks of trees and clothe them well
with captured arms, inscribing on each one
some foeman's name. Then came Acoetes forth,
a wretched, worn old man, who beat his breast
with tight-clenched hands, and tore his wrinkled face
with ruthless fingers; oft he cast him down
full length along the ground. Then lead they forth
the blood-stained Rutule chariots of war;
Aethon, the war-horse, of his harness bare,
walks mournful by; big teardrops wet his cheek.
Some bear the lance and helm; for all the rest
victorious Turnus seized. Then filed along
a mournful Teucrian cohort; next the host
Etrurian and the men of Arcady
with trailing arms reversed. Aeneas now,
when the long company had passed him by,
spoke thus and groaned aloud: “Ourselves from hence
are summoned by the same dread doom of war
to other tears. Farewell forevermore!
Heroic Pallas! be forever blest!
I bid thee hail, farewell!” In silence then
back to the stronghold's Iofty walls he moved.

> Latin: Haec ubi deflevit, tolli miserabile corpus
imperat et toto lectos ex agmine mittit
mille viros, qui supremum comitentur honorem
intersintque patris lacrimis, solacia luctus
exigua ingentis, misero sed debita patri.
Haud segnes alii crates et molle feretrum
arbuteis texunt virgis et vimine querno
exstructosque toros obtentu frondis inumbrant.
Hic iuvenem agresti sublimem stramine ponunt,
qualem virgineo demessum pollice florem
seu mollis violae seu languentis hyacinthi,
cui neque fulgor adhuc necdum sua forma recessit:
non iam mater alit tellus viresque ministrat.
Tum geminas vestes auroque ostroque rigentis
extulit Aeneas, quas illi laeta laborum
ipsa suis quondam manibus Sidonia Dido
fecerat et tenui telas discreverat auro.
Harum unam iuveni supremum maestus honorem
induit arsurasque comas obnubit amictu,
multaque praeterea Laurentis praemia pugnae
aggerat et longo praedam iubet ordine duci.
Addit equos et tela, quibus spoliaverat hostem.
Vinxerat et post terga manus, quos mitteret umbris
inferias, caeso sparsuros sanguine flammas,
indutosque iubet truncos hostilibus armis
ipsos ferre duces inimicaque nomina figi.
Ducitur infelix aevo confectus Acoetes:
pectora nunc foedans pugnis, nunc unguibus ora
sternitur et toto proiectus corpore terrae.~.~.
Ducunt et Rutulo perfusos sanguine currus.
Post bellator equus positis insignibus Aethon
it lacrimans guttisque umectat grandibus ora.
Hastam alii galeamque ferunt, nam cetera Turnus
victor habet. Tum maesta phalanx Teucrique sequuntur
Tyrrhenique omnes et versis Arcades armis.
Postquam omnis longe comitum praecesserat ordo,
substitit Aeneas gemituque haec addidit alto:
“Nos alias hinc ad lacrimas eadem horrida belli”
“fata vocant: salve aeternum mihi, maxime Palla,”
“aeternumque vale.” Nec plura effatus ad altos
tendebat muros gressumque in castra ferebat.

[¶3] Now envoys from the Latin citadel
came olive-crowned, to plead for clemency:
would he not yield those bodies of the dead
sword-scattered o'er the plain, and let them lie
beneath an earth-built tomb? Who wages war
upon the vanquished, the unbreathing slain?
To people once his hosts and kindred called,
would he not mercy show? To such a prayer,
deemed not unworthy, good Aeneas gave
the boon, and this benignant answer made:
“Ye Latins, what misfortune undeserved
has snared you in so vast a war, that now
you shun our friendship? Have you here implored
peace for your dead, by chance of battle fallen?
Pain would I grant it for the living too.
I sailed not hither save by Heaven's decree,
which called me to this land. I wage no war
with you, the people; 't was your King refused
our proffered bond of peace, and gave his cause
to Turnus' arms. More meet and just it were
had Turnus met this death that makes you mourn.
If he would end our quarrel sword in hand,
thrusting us Teucrians forth, 't was honor's way
to cross his blade with mine; that man to whom
the gods, or his own valor, had decreed
the longer life, had lived. But now depart!
Beneath your lost friends light the funeral fires!”
So spoke Aeneas; and with wonder mute
all stood at gaze, each turning to behold
his neighbor's face.

> Latin: Iamque oratores aderant ex urbe Latina,
velati ramis oleae veniamque rogantes:
corpora, per campos ferro quae fusa iacebant,
redderet ac tumulo sineret succedere terrae;
nullum cum victis certamen et aethere cassis;
parceret hospitibus quondam socerisque vocatis.
Quos bonus Aeneas haud aspernanda precantis
prosequitur venia et verbis haec insuper addit:
“Quaenam vos tanto fortuna indigna, Latini,”
“implicuit bello, qui nos fugiatis amicos?”
“Pacem me exanimis et Martis sorte peremptis”
“oratis? Equidem et vivis concedere vellem.”
“Nec veni, nisi fata locum sedemque dedissent,”
“nec bellum cum gente gero: rex nostra reliquit”
“hospitia et Turni potius se credidit armis.”
“Aequius huic Turnum fuerat se opponere morti.”
“Si bellum finire manu, si pellere Teucros”
“apparat, his mecum decuit concurrere telis:”
“vixet, cui vitam deus aut sua dextra dedisset.”
“Nunc ite et miseris supponite civibus ignem.”
Dixerat Aeneas. Illi obstipuere silentes
conversique oculos inter se atque ora tenebant.

[¶4] Then Drances, full of years,
and ever armed with spite and slanderous word
against young Turnus, made this answering plea:
“O prince of mighty name, whose feats of arms
are even mightier! Trojan hero, how
shall my poor praise exalt thee to the skies?
Is it thy rectitude or strenuous war
most bids me wonder? We will bear thy word
right gladly to the city of our sires;
and there, if Fortune favor it, contrive
a compact with the Latin King. Henceforth
let Turnus find his own allies! Ourselves
will much rejoice to see thy destined walls,
and our own shoulders will be proud to bear
the stone for building Troy.” Such speech he made,
and all the common voice consented loud.
So twelve days' truce they swore, and safe from harm
Latins and Teucrians unmolested roved
together o'er the wooded hills. Now rang
loud steel on ash-tree bole; enormous pines,
once thrusting starward, to the earth they threw;
and with industrious wedge asunder clove
stout oak and odorous cedar, piling high
harvest of ash-trees on the creaking wain.

> Latin: Tum senior semperque odiis et crimine Drances
infensus iuveni Turno sic ore vicissim
orsa refert: “O fama ingens, ingentior armis”
“vir Troiane, quibus caelo te laudibus aequem?”
“Iustitiaene prius mirer belline laborum?”
“Nos vero haec patriam grati referemus ad urbem”
“et te, siqua viam dederit fortuna, Latino”
“iungemus regi: quaerat sibi foedera Turnus.”
“Quin et fatalis murorum attollere moles”
“saxaque subvectare umeris Troiana iuvabit.”
Dixerat haec, unoque omnes eadem ore fremebant.
Bis senos pepigere dies et pace sequestra
per silvas Teucri mixtique inpune Latini
erravere iugis. Ferro sonat alta bipenni
fraxinus, evertunt actas ad sidera pinus,
robora nec cuneis et olentem scindere cedrum
nec plaustris cessant vectare gementibus ornos.

[¶5] Now Rumor, herald of prodigious woe,
to King Evander hied, Evander's house
and city filling, where, but late, her word
had told in Latium Pallas' victory.
th' Arcadians thronging to the city-gates
bear funeral torches, the accustomed way;
in lines of flame the long street flashes far,
lighting the fields beyond. To meet them moves
a Phrygian company, to join with theirs
its lamentation loud. The Latin wives,
soon as they saw them entering, aroused
the whole sad city with shrill songs of woe.
No hand could stay Evander. Forth he flew
into the midmost tumult, and fell prone
on his dead Pallas, on the resting bier;
he clung to the pale corse with tears, with groans,
till anguish for a space his lips unsealed:
“Not this thy promise, Pallas, to thy sire,
to walk not rashly in the war-god's way.
I knew too well how honor's morning-star,
and sweet, foretasted glory tempt and woo
in a first battle. O first-fruit forlorn
of youth so fair! O prelude pitiless
of war approaching! O my vows and prayers,
which not one god would hear! My blessed wife,
how happy was the death that spared thee not
to taste this bitterness! But I, the while,
by living longer lived to meet my doom,—
a father sole-surviving. Would I myself
had perished by the Rutule's cruel spear,
the Trojan's cause espousing! This breath of life
how gladly had I given! And O, that now
yon black solemnity were bearing home
myself, not Pallas, dead! Yet blame I not,
O Teucrians, the hallowed pact we made,
nor hospitable bond and clasp of hands.
This doom ye bring me was writ long ago,
for my old age. And though my child is fallen
untimely, I take comfort that he fell
where thousands of the Volscians slaughtered lie,
and into Latium led the Teucrian arms.
What brighter glory could I crave in death
for thee, my Pallas, than Aeneas brings,
and Phrygian princes, and Etrurian lords
with all Etruria's legions? Lo, they bear
yon glittering spoils of victims of thy sword!
Thou, Turnus, too, wert now an effigy
in giant armor clad, if but his years
and strength full ripe had been fair match for thine!
But now my woes detain the Trojan host
from battle. I beseech ye haste away,
and bear this faithful message to your King:
since I but linger out a life I loathe,
without my Pallas, nothing but thy sword
can bid me live. Then let thy sword repay
its debt to sire and son by Turnus slain!
Such deed alone may with thy honor fit,
and happier fortunes. But my life to me
has no joy left to pray for, save to bring
my son that solace in the shadowy land.”

> Latin: Et iam Fama volans, tanti praenuntia luctus,
Evandrum Evandrique domos et moenia replet,
quae modo victorem Latio Pallanta ferebat.
Arcades ad portas ruere et de more vetusto
funereas rapuere faces; lucet via longo
ordine flammarum et late discriminat agros.
Contra turba Phrygum veniens plangentia iungit
agmina. Quae postquam matres succedere tectis
viderunt, maestam incendunt clamoribus urbem.
At non Evandrum potis est vis ulla tenere,
sed venit in medios. Feretro Pallanta reposto
procubuit super atque haeret lacrimansque gemensque,
et via vix tandem vocis laxata dolore est.
“Non haec, O Palla, dederas promissa parenti,”
“cautius ut saevo velles te credere Marti;”
“haud ignarus eram, quantum nova gloria in armis”
“et praedulce decus primo certamine posset.”
“Primitiae iuvenis miserae bellique propinqui”
“dura rudimenta et nulli exaudita deorum”
“vota precesque meae! Tuque, O sanctissima coniunx,”
“felix morte tua neque in hunc servata dolorem!”
“Contra ego vivendo vici mea fata, superstes”
“restarem ut genitor. Troum socia arma secutum”
“obruerent Rutuli telis! Animam ipse dedissem”
“atque haec pompa domum me, non Pallanta, referret,”
“nec vos arguerim, Teucri, nec foedera nec quas”
“iunximus hospitio dextras: sors ista senectae”
“debita erat nostrae. Quod si immatura manebat”
“mors natum, caesis Volscorum milibus ante”
“ducentem in Latium Teucros cecidisse iuvabit.”
“Quin ego non alio digner te funere, Palla,”
“quam pius Aeneas” [“et quam magni Phryges et quam”]
[“Tyrrhenique duces, Tyrrhenum exercitus omnis.”]
“Magna tropaea ferunt, quos dat tua dextera Leto:”
“tu quoque nunc stares immanis truncus in armis,”
“esset par aetas et idem si robur ab annis,”
“Turne. Sed infelix Teucros quid demoror armis?”
“Vadite et haec memores regi mandata referte:”
“quod vitam moror invisam Pallante perempto,”
“dextera causa tua est, Turnum natoque patrique”
“quam debere vides. Meritis vacat hic tibi solus”
“fortunaeque locus. Non vitae gaudia quaero,”
“nec fas, sed nato Manis perferre sub imos.”

[¶6] Meanwhile o'er sorrowing mortals the bright morn
had lifted her mild beam, renewing so
the burden of man's toil. Aeneas now
built funeral pyres along the winding shore,
King Tarchon at his side. Each thither brought
the bodies of his kin, observing well
all ancient ritual. The fuming fires
burned from beneath, till highest heaven was hid
in blackest, overmantling cloud. Three times
the warriors, sheathed in proud, resplendent steel,
paced round the kindling pyres; and three times
fair companies of horsemen circled slow,
with loud lamenting, round the doleful flame.
The wail of warriors and the trumpets' blare
the very welkin rend. Cast on the flames
are spoils of slaughtered Latins,—helms and blades,
bridles and chariot-wheels. Yet others bring
gifts to the dead familiar, their own shields
and unavailing spears. Around them slain
great herds of kine give tribute unto death:
swine, bristly-backed, from many a field are borne,
and slaughtered sheep bleed o'er the sacred fire.
So on the shore the wailing multitude
behold their comrades burning, and keep guard
o'er the consuming pyres, nor turn away
till cooling night re-shifts the globe of heaven,
thick-strewn with numberless far-flaming stars.

> Latin: Aurora interea miseris mortalibus almam
extulerat lucem, referens opera atque labores:
iam pater Aeneas, iam curvo in litore Tarchon
constituere pyras. Huc corpora quisque suorum
more tulere patrum, subiectisque ignibus atris
conditur in tenebras altum caligine caelum.
Ter circum accensos cincti fulgentibus armis
decurrere rogos, ter maestum funeris ignem
lustravere in equis ululatusque ore dedere;
spargitur et tellus lacrimis, sparguntur et arma:
it caelo clamorque virum clangorque tubarum.
Hic alii spolia occisis derepta Latinis
coniciunt igni, galeas ensesque decoros
frenaque ferventisque rotas; pars munera nota,
ipsorum clipeos et non felicia tela.
Multa boum circa mactantur corpora Morti,
saetigerosque sues raptasque ex omnibus agris
in flammam iugulant pecudes. Tum litore toto
ardentis spectant socios semustaque servant
busta neque avelli possunt, nox umida donec
invertit caelum stellis ardentibus aptum.

[¶7] Likewise the mournful Latins far away
have built their myriad pyres. Yet of the slain
not few in graves are laid, and borne with tears
to neighboring country-side or native town;
the rest—promiscuous mass of dead unknown—
to nameless and unhonored ashes burn;
with multitude of fires the far-spread fields
blaze forth unweariedly. But when from heaven
the third morn had dispelled the dark and cold,
the mournful bands raked forth the mingled bones
and plenteous ashes from the smouldering pyres,
then heaped with earth the one sepulchral mound.
Now from the hearth-stones of the opulent town
of old Latinus a vast wail burst forth,
for there was found the chief and bitterest share
of all the woe. For mothers in their tears,
lone brides, and stricken souls of sisters fond,
and boys left fatherless, fling curses Ioud
on Turnus' troth-plight and the direful war:
“Let him, let Turnus, with his single sword
decide the strife,”—they cry,—“and who shall claim
Lordship of Italy and power supreme.”
Fierce Drances whets their fury, urging all
that Turnus singly must the challenge hear,
and singly wage the war; but others plead
in Turnus' favor; the Queen's noble name
protects him, and his high renown in arms
defends his cause with well-won trophies fair.

> Latin: Nec minus et miseri diversa in parte Latini
innumeras struxere pyras, et corpora partim
multa virum terrae infodiunt avectaque partim
finitimos tollunt in agros urbique remittunt,
cetera confusaeque ingentem caedis acervum
nec numero nec honore cremant: tunc undique vasti
certatim crebris conlucent ignibus agri.
Tertia lux gelidam caelo dimoverat umbram:
maerentes altum cinerem et confusa ruebant
ossa focis tepidoque onerabant aggere terrae.
Iam vero in tectis, praedivitis urbe Latini,
praecipuus fragor et longi pars maxima luctus.
Hic matres miseraeque nurus, hic cara sororum
pectora maerentum puerique parentibus orbi
dirum exsecrantur bellum Turnique hymenaeos:
ipsum armis ipsumque iubent decernere ferro,
qui regnum Italiae et primos sibi poscat honores.
ingravat haec saevus Drances solumque vocari
testatur, solum posci in certamina Turnum.
Multa simul contra variis sententia dictis
pro Turno, et magnum reginae nomen obumbrat,
multa virum meritis sustentat fama tropaeis.

[¶8] Amid these tumults of the wrathful throng,
lo, the ambassadors to Diomed
arrive with cloudy forehead from their quest
in his illustrious town; for naught availed
their toilsome errand, nor the gifts and gold,
nor strong entreaty. Other help in war
the Latins now must find, or humbly sue
peace from the Trojan. At such tidings dire
even Latinus trembles: Heaven's decrees
and influence of gods too visible
sustain Aeneas; so the wrath divine
and new-filled sepulchres conspicuous
give warning clear. Therefore the King convenes
a general council of his captains brave
beneath the royal towers. They, gathering,
throng the approaches thither, where their Iord,
gray-haired Latinus, takes the central throne,
wearing authority with mournful brow.
He bids the envoys from Aetolia's King
sent back, to speak and tell the royal words
in order due. Forthwith on every tongue
fell silence, while the princely Venulus,
heeding his Iord's behest, began the parle:

> Latin: Hos inter motus, medio in flagrante tumultu,
ecce super maesti magna Diomedis ab urbe
legati responsa ferunt: nihil omnibus actum
tantorum impensis operum, nil dona neque aurum
nec magnas valuisse preces, alia arma Latinis
quaerenda aut pacem Troiano ab rege petendum.
Deficit ingenti luctu rex ipse Latinus.
Fatalem Aenean manifesto numine ferri
admonet ira deum tumulique ante ora recentes.
Ergo concilium magnum primosque suorum
imperio accitos alta intra limina cogit.
olli convenere fluuntque ad regia plenis
tecta viis. Sedet in mediis et maximus aevo
et primus sceptris haud laeta fronte Latinus.
Atque hic legatos Aetola ex urbe remissos,
quae referant, fari iubet et responsa reposcit
ordine cuncta suo. Tum facta silentia linguis,
et Venulus dicto parens ita farier infit:

[¶9] “My countrymen,” he said, “our eyes have seen
strongholds of Greeks and Diomed the King.
We braved all perils to our journey's end
and clasped that hand whereof the dreadful stroke
wrought Ilium's fall. The hero built a town,
Argyripa, hereditary name,
near mount Garganus in Apulian land:
passing that city's portal and the King's,
we found free audience, held forth thy gifts,
and told our names and fatherland. We showed
what condict was enkindled, and what cause
brought us to Arpi's King. He, hearing all,
with brow benign made answer to our plea:
‘O happy tribes in Saturn's kingdom born,
Ausonia's ancient stem! What fortune blind
tempts ye from peace away, and now ensnares
in wars unknown? Look how we men that dared
lay Ilium waste (I speak not of what woes
in battling neath her lofty walls we bore,
nor of dead warriors sunk in Simois' wave)
have paid the penalty in many a land
with chastisement accurst and changeful woe,
till Priam's self might pity. Let the star
of Pallas tell its tale of fatal storm,
off grim Caphereus and Eubcea's crags.
Driven asunder from one field of war,
Atrides unto farthest Egypt strayed,
and wise Ulysses saw from Aetna's caves
the Cyclops gathering. Why name the throne
of Pyrrhus, or the violated hearth
whence fled Idomeneus? Or Locri cast
on Libya's distant shore? For even he,
Lord of Mycenae by the Greeks obeyed,
fell murdered on his threshold by the hand
of that polluted wife, whose paramour
trapped Asia's conqueror. The envious gods
withheld me also from returning home
to see once more the hearth-stone of my sires,
the wife I yearn for, and my Calydon,
the beauteous land. For wonders horrible
pursue me still. My vanished followers
through upper air take wing, or haunt and rove
in forms of birds the island waters o'er:
ah me, what misery my people feel!
The tall rocks ring with their lament and cry.
Naught else had I to hope for from that day
when my infatuate sword on gods I drew,
and outraged with abominable wound
the hand of Venus. Urge me not, I pray,
to conflicts in this wise. No more for me
of war with Trojans after Ilium's fall!
I take no joy in evils past, nor wish
such memory to renew. Go, lay these gifts,
brought to my honor from your ancient land,
at great Aeneas' feet. We twain have stood
confronting close with swords implacable
in mortal fray. Believe me, I have known
the stature of him when he lifts his shield,
and swings the whirlwind of his spear. If Troy
two more such sons had bred, the Dardan horde
had stormed at Argos' gates, and Greece to-day
were for her fallen fortunes grieving sore.
Our lingering at Ilium's stubborn wall,
our sluggard conquest halting ten years Iong,
was his and Hector's work. Heroic pair!
Each one for valor notable, and each
famous in enterprise of arms,—but he
was first in piety. Enclasp with his
your hands in plighted peace as best ye may:
but shock of steel on steel ye well may shun.’
now hast thou heard, good King, a king's reply,
and how his wisdom sits in this vast war.”

> Latin: “Vidimus, o cives, Diomedem Argivaque castra”
“atque iter emensi casus superavimus omnis”
“contigimusque manum, qua concidit Ilia tellus.”
“Ille urbem Argyripam patriae cognomine gentis”
“victor Gargani condebat Iapygis agris.”
“Postquam introgressi et coram data copia fandi,”
“munera praeferimus, nomen patriamque docemus,”
“qui bellum intulerint, quae causa attraxerit Arpos.”
“Auditis ille haec placido sic reddidit ore:”
“‘O fortunatae gentes, Saturnia regna,’”
“‘antiqui Ausonii, quae vos fortuna quietos’”
“‘sollicitat suadetque ignota lacessere bella?’”
“‘Quicumque Iliacos ferro violavimus agros,’”
“‘mitto ea, quae muris bellando exhausta sub altis,’”
“‘quos Simois premat ille viros, infanda per orbem’”
“‘supplicia et scelerum poenas expendimus omnes,’”
“‘vel Priamo miseranda manus: scit triste Minervae’”
“‘sidus et Euboicae cautes ultorque Caphareus.’”
“‘Militia ex illa diversum ad litus abacti’”
“‘Atrides Protei Menelaus adusque columnas’”
“‘exsulat, Aetnaeos vidit Cyclopas Ulixes.’”
“‘Regna Neoptolemi referam versosque penates’”
“‘Idomenei? Libycone habitantis litore Locros?’”
“‘Ipse Mycenaeus magnorum ductor Achivom’”
“‘coniugis infandae prima inter limina dextra’”
“‘oppetiit: devictam Asiam subsedit adulter.’”
“‘Invidisse deos, patriis ut redditus aris’”
“‘coniugium optatum et pulchram Calydona viderem?’”
“‘Nunc etiam horribili visu portenta sequuntur,’”
“‘et socii amissi petierunt aethera pennis’”
“‘fluminibusque vagantur aves, heu dira meorum’”
“‘supplicia, et scopulos lacrimosis vocibus implent.’”
“‘Haec adeo ex illo mihi iam speranda fuerunt’”
“‘tempore, cum ferro caelestia corpora demens’”
“‘adpetii et Veneris violavi volnere dextram.’”
“‘Ne vero, ne me ad talis impellite pugnas:’”
“‘nec mihi cum Teucris ullum post eruta bellum’”
“‘Pergama, nec veterum memini laetorve malorum.’”
“‘Munera, quae patriis ad me portatis ab oris,’”
“‘vertite ad Aenean. Stetimus tela aspera contra’”
“‘contulimusque manus: experto credite, quantus’”
“‘in clipeum adsurgat, quo turbine torqueat hastam.’”
“‘Si duo praeterea talis Idaea tulisset’”
“‘terra viros, ultro Inachias venisset ad urbes’”
“‘Dardanus, et versis lugeret Graecia fatis.’”
“‘Quidquid apud durae cessatum est moenia Troiae,’”
“‘Hectoris Aeneaeque manu victoria Graium’”
“‘haesit et in decimum vestigia rettulit annum.’”
“‘Ambo animis, ambo insignes praestantibus armis’”
“‘hic pietate prior. Coeant in foedera dextrae,’”
“‘qua datur; ast armis concurrant arma cavete.’”
“Et responsa simul quae sint, rex optime, regis”
“audisti et quae sit magno sententia bello.”

[¶10] Soon as the envoys ceased, an answering sound
of troubled voices through the council flowed
of various note, as when its rocky bed
impedes an arrowy stream, and murmurs break
from the strait-channelled flood; the fringing shores
repeat the tumult of the clamorous wave.
But when their hearts and troublous tongues were still,
the King, invoking first the gods in heaven,
thus from a Iofty throne his sentence gave:

> Latin: Vix ea legati, variusque per ora cucurrit
Ausonidum turbata fremor: ceu saxa morantur
cum rapidos amnis, fit clauso gurgite murmur
vicinaeque fremunt ripae crepitantibus undis.
Ut primum placati animi et trepida ora quierunt,
praefatus divos solio rex infit ab alto:

[¶11] “Less evil were our case, if long ago
ye had provided for your country's weal,
O Latins, as I urged. It is no time
to hold dispute, while, compassing our walls,
the foeman waits. Ill-omened war is ours
against a race of gods, my countrymen,
invincible, unwearied in the fray,
and who, though lost and fallen, clutch the sword.
If hope ye cherished of Aetolia's power,
dismiss it! For what hope ye have is found
in your own bosoms only. But ye know
how slight it is and small. What ruin wide
has fallen, is now palpable and clear.
No blame I cast. What valor's uttermost
may do was done; our kingdom in this war
strained its last thews. Now therefore I will tell
such project as my doubtful mind may frame,
and briefly, if ye give good heed, unfold:
an ancient tract have I, close-bordering
the river Tiber; it runs westward far
beyond Sicania's bound, and filth it bears
to Rutule and Auruncan husbandmen,
who furrow its hard hills or feed their flocks
along the stonier slopes. Let this demesne,
together with its pine-clad mountain tall,
be given the Teucrian for our pledge of peace,
confirmed by free and equitable league,
and full alliance with our kingly power.
Let them abide there, if it please them so,
and build their city's wall. But if their hearts
for other land or people yearn, and fate
permits them hence to go, then let us build
twice ten good galleys of Italian oak,
or more, if they can man them. All the wood
lies yonder on the shore. Let them but say
how numerous and large the ships they crave,
and we will give the brass, the artisans,
and ship-supplies. Let us for envoys choose
a hundred of the Latins noblest born
to tell our message and arrange the peace,
bearing mild olive-boughs and weighty gifts
of ivory and gold, with chair of state
and purple robe, our emblems as a king.
But freely let this council speak; give aid
to our exhausted cause.”

> Latin: “Ante equidem summa de re statuisse, Latini,”
“et vellem et fuerat melius, non tempore tali”
“cogere concilium, cum muros adsidet hostis.”
“Bellum importunum, cives, cum gente deorum”
“invictisque viris gerimus, quos nulla fatigant”
“proelia: nec victi possunt absistere ferro.”
“Spem siquam adscitis Aetolum habuistis in armis,”
“ponite. Spes sibi quisque, sed haec quam angusta videtis;”
“cetera qua rerum iaceant perculsa ruina,”
“ante oculos interque manus sunt omnia vestras.”
“Nec quemquam incuso: potuit quae plurima virtus”
“esse, fuit; toto certatum est corpore regni.”
“Nunc adeo quae sit dubiae sententia menti”
“expediam et paucis, animos adhibete, docebo.”
“Est antiquus ager Tusco mihi proximus amni,”
“longus in occasum, finis super usque Sicanos;”
“Aurunci Rutulique serunt et vomere duros”
“exercent colles atque horum asperrima pascunt.”
“Haec omnis regio et celsi plaga pinea montis”
“cedat amicitiae Teucrorum, et foederis aequas”
“dicamus leges sociosque in regna vocemus.”
“Considant, si tantus amor, et moenia condant.”
“Sin alios finis aliamque capessere gentem”
“est animus possuntque solo decedere nostro:”
“bis denas Italo texamus robore navis”
“seu pluris complere valent, iacet omnis ad undam”
“materies, ipsi numerumque modumque carinis”
“praecipiant, nos aera manus navalia demus.”
“Praeterea qui dicta ferant et foedera firment”
“centum oratores prima de gente Latinos”
“ire placet pacisque manu praetendere ramos,”
“munera portantis aurique eborisque talenta”
“et sellam regni trabeamque insignia nostri.”
“Consulite in medium et rebus succurrite fessis.”

[¶12] Then Drances rose,
that foe inveterate, whom Turnus' fame
to stinging hate and envy double-tongued
ever pricked on. Of liberal wealth was he
and flowing speech, but slack of hand in war
at council board accounted no weak voice,
in quarrels stronger still; of lofty birth
in the maternal line, but by his sire's
uncertain and obscure. He, claiming place,
thus multiplies with words the people's ire:
“A course most clear, nor needing voice of mine,
thy council is, good King; for all men see
the way of public weal, but smother close
the telling of it. Turnus must concede
freedom to speak, and his own arrogance
diminish! Under his ill-boding star
and fatal conduct—yea, I speak it plain,
though with his naked steel my death he swear—
yon host of princes fell, and we behold
the whole land bowed with grief; while he assails
the Trojan camp (beating such bold retreats!)
and troubles Heaven with war. One gift the more,
among the many to the Trojans given,
one chiefly, best of kings, thy choice should be.
Let not wild violence thy will restrain
from granting, sire, thy virgin daughter's hand
to son-in-law illustrious, in a match
worthy of both,—and thus the lasting bond
of peace establish. But if verily
our hearts and souls be weak with craven fear,
let us on Turnus call, and grace implore
even of him. Let him no more oppose;
but to his country and his King concede
their natural right. Why wilt thou o'er and o'er
fling thy poor countrymen in danger's way,
O chief and fountain of all Latium's pain?
War will not save us. Not a voice but sues
for peace, O Turnus! and, not less than peace,
its one inviolable pledge. Behold,
I lead in this petition! even I
whom thou dost feign thy foe—(I waste no words
denying)—look! I supplicate of thee,
take pity on thy kindred; drop thy pride,
and get thee home defeated. We have seen
slaughter enough, enough of funeral flames,
and many a wide field waste and desolate.
If glory move thee, if thy martial breast
so swell with strength, and if a royal dower
be thy dear dream, go, pluck thy courage up,
and front thy own brave bosom to the foe.
for, lo, that Turnus on his wedding day
may win a princess, our cheap, common lives—
we the mere mob, unwept, unsepulchred—
must be spilled forth in battle! Thou, I say,
if there be mettle in thee and some drops
of thy undaunted sires, Iook yonder where
the Trojan chieftain waits thee in the field.”

> Latin: Tum Drances idem infensus, quem gloria Turni
obliqua invidia stimulisque agitabat amaris,
largus opum et lingua melior, sed frigida bello
dextera, consiliis habitus non futilis auctor,
seditione potens (genus huic materna superbum
nobilitas dabat, incertum de patre ferebat),
surgit et his onerat dictis atque aggerat iras:
“Rem nulli obscuram nostrae nec vocis egentem”
“consulis, O bone rex: cuncti se scire fatentur,”
“quid fortuna ferat populi, sed dicere mussant.”
“Det libertatem fandi flatusque remittat”
“cuius ob auspicium infaustum moresque sinistros”
“(dicam equidem, licet arma mihi mortemque minetur)”
“lumina tot cecidisse ducum totamque videmus”
“consedisse urbem luctu, dum Troia temptat”
“castra fugae fidens et caelum territat armis.”
“Unum etiam donis istis, quae plurima mitti”
“Dardanidis dicique iubes, unum, optime regum,”
“adicias nec te ullius violentia vincat,”
“quin natam egregio genero dignisque hymenaeis”
“des, pater, et pacem hanc aeterno foedere iungas.”
“Quod si tantus habet mentes et pectora terror,”
“ipsum obtestemur veniamque oremus ab ipso:”
“cedat, ius proprium regi patriaeque remittat.”
“Quid miseros totiens in aperta pericula cives”
“proicis, O Latio caput horum et causa malorum?”
“Nulla salus bello: pacem te poscimus omnes,”
“Turne, simul pacis solum inviolabile pignus.”
“Primus ego, invisum quem tu tibi fingis, et esse”
“nil moror, en supplex venio. Miserere tuorum,”
“pone animos et pulsus abi. Sat funera fusi”
“vidimus ingentis et desolavimus agros.”
“Aut si fama movet, si tantum pectore robur”
“concipis et si adeo dotalis regia cordi est,”
“aude atque adversum fidens fer pectus in hostem.”
“Scilicet ut Turno contingat regia coniunx,”
“nos animae viles, inhumata infletaque turba,”
“sternamur campis. Etiam tu, siqua tibi vis,”
“si patrii quid Martis habes, illum aspice contra,”
“qui vocat.”

[¶13] By such discourse he stirred the burning blood
of Turnus, who groaned loud and from his heart
this utterance hurled: “O Drances, thou art rich
in large words, when the day of battle calls
for actions. If our senators convene
thou comest early. But the council hall
is not for swollen talk, such as thy tongue
in safety tosses forth; so long as walls
hold back thy foes, and ere the trenches flow
with blood of brave men slain. O, rattle on
in fluent thunder—thy habitual style!
Brand me a coward, Drances, when thy sword
has heaped up Trojan slain, and on the field
thy shining trophies rise. Now may we twain
our martial prowess prove. Our foe, forsooth,
is not so far to seek; around yon wall
he lies in siege: to front him let us fly!
Why art thou tarrying? Wilt thou linger here,
a soldier only in thy windy tongue,
and thy swift, coward heels? Defeated, I?
Foul wretch, what tongue that honors truth can tell
of my defeat, while Tiber overflows
with Trojan blood? while King Evander's house
in ruin dies, and his Arcadians lie
stripped naked on the field? O, not like thee
did Bitias or the giant Pandarus
misprize my honor; nor those men of Troy
whom this good sword to death and dark sent down,
a thousand in a day,—though I was penned
a prisoner in the ramparts of my foe.

> Latin: Talibus exarsit dictis violentia Turni;
dat gemitum rumpitque has imo pectore voces
“Larga quidem, Drance, semper tibi copia fandi”
“tum, cum bella manus poscunt, patribusque vocatis”
“primus ades. Sed non replenda est curia verbis,”
“quae tuto tibi magna volant, dum distinet hostem”
“agger murorum nec inundant sanguine fossae.”
“Proinde tona eloquio, solitum tibi, meque timoris”
“argue tu, Drance, quando tot stragis acervos”
“Teucrorum tua dextra dedit passimque tropaeis”
“insignis agros. Possit quid vivida virtus,”
“experiare licet; nec longe scilicet hostes”
“quaerendi nobis: circumstant undique muros.”
“Imus in adversos: quid cessas? An tibi Mavors”
“ventosa in lingua pedibusque fugacibus istis”
“semper erit?”
“Pulsus ego? Aut quisquam merito, foedissime, pulsum”
“arguet, Iliaco tumidum qui crescere Thybrim”
“sanguine et Evandri totam cum stirpe videbit”
“procubuisse domum atque exutos Arcadas armis?”
“Haud ita me experti Bitias et Pandarus ingens”
“et quos mille die victor sub Tartara misi,”
“inclusus muris hostilique aggere saeptus.”

[¶14] War will not save us? Fling that prophecy
on the doomed Dardan's head, or on thy own,
thou madman! Aye, with thy vile, craven soul
disturb the general cause. Extol the power
of a twice-vanquished people, and decry
Latinus' rival arms. From this time forth
let all the Myrmidonian princes cower
before the might of Troy; let Diomed
and let Achilles tremble; let the stream
of Aufidus in panic backward flow
from Hadria's wave. But hear me when I say
that though his guilt and cunning feign to feel
fear of my vengeance, much embittering so
his taunts and insult—such a life as his
my sword disdains. O Drances, be at ease!
In thy vile bosom let thy breath abide!
But now of thy grave counsel and thy cause,
O royal sire, I speak. If from this hour
thou castest hope of armed success away,
if we be so unfriended that one rout
o'erwhelms us utterly, if Fortune's feet
never turn backward, let us, then, for peace
offer petition, lifting to the foe
our feeble, suppliant hands. Yet would I pray
some spark of manhood such as once we knew
were ours once more! I count him fortunate,
and of illustrious soul beyond us all,
who, rather than behold such things, has fallen
face forward, dead, his teeth upon the dust.
But if we still have power, and men-at-arms
unwasted and unscathed, if there survive
Italian tribes and towns for help in war,
aye! if the Trojans have but won success
at bloody cost,—for they dig graves, I ween,
storm-smitten not less than we,—O, wherefore now
stand faint and shameful on the battle's edge?
Why quake our knees before the trumpet call?
Time and the toil of shifting, changeful days
restore lost causes; ebbing tides of chance
deceive us oft, which after at their flood
do lift us safe to shore. If aid come not
from Diomed in Arpi, our allies
shall be Mezentius and Tolumnius,
auspicious name, and many a chieftain sent
from many a tribe; not all inglorious
are Latium's warriors from Laurentian land!
Hither the noble Volscian stem sends down
Camilla with her beauteous cavalry
in glittering brass arrayed. But if, forsooth,
the Trojans call me singly to the fight,
if this be what ye will, and I so much
the public weal impair—when from this sword
has victory seemed to fly away in scorn?
I should not hopeless tread in honor's way
whate'er the venture. Dauntless will I go
though equal match for great Achilles, he,
and though he clothe him in celestial arms
in Vulcan's smithy wrought. I, Turnus, now,
not less than equal with great warriors gone,
vow to Latinus, father of my bride,
and to ye all, each drop of blood I owe.
Me singly doth Aeneas call? I crave
that challenge. Drances is not called to pay
the debt of death, if wrath from Heaven impend;
nor his a brave man's name and fame to share.”

> Latin: “‘Nulla salus bello.’ Capiti cane talia, demens,”
“Dardanio rebusque tuis. Proinde omnia magno”
“ne cessa turbare metu atque extollere vires”
“gentis bis victae, contra premere arma Latini.”
“Nunc et Myrmidonum proceres Phrygia arma tremescunt,”
“nunc et Tydides et Larissaeus Achilles,”
“amnis et Hadriacas retro fugit Aufidus undas.”
“Vel cum se pavidum contra mea iurgia fingit”
“artificis scelus et formidine crimen acerbat.”
“Numquam animam talem dextra hac, absiste moveri,”
“amittes: habitet tecum et sit pectore in isto.”
“Nunc ad te et tua magna, pater, consulta revertor.”
“Si nullam nostris ultra spem ponis in armis,”
“si tam deserti sumus et semel agmine verso”
“funditus occidimus neque habet Fortuna regressum?”
“oremus pacem et dextras tendamus inertis.”
“Quamquam O, si solitae quicquam virtutis adesset!”
“Ille mihi ante alios fortunatusque laborum”
“egregiusque animi, qui, nequid tale videret,”
“procubuit moriens et humum semel ore momordit.”
“Sin et opes nobis et adhuc intacta iuventus”
“auxilioque urbes Italae populique supersunt,”
“sin et Troianis cum multo gloria venit”
“sanguine, sunt illis sua funera parque per omnis”
“tempestas: cur indecores in limine primo”
“deficimus? Cur ante tubam tremor occupat artus?”
“Multa dies variisque labor mutabilis aevi”
“rettulit in melius, multos alterna revisens”
“lusit et in solido rursus Fortuna locavit.”
“Non erit auxilio nobis Aetolus et Arpi:”
“at Messapus erit felixque Tolumnius et quos”
“tot populi misere duces, nec parva sequetur”
“gloria delectos Latio et Laurentibus agris.”
“Est et Volscorum egregia de gente Camilla,”
“agmen agens equitum et florentis aere catervas.”
“Quod si me solum Teucri in certamina poscunt”
“idque placet tantumque bonis communibus obsto,”
“non adeo has exosa manus Victoria fugit,”
“ut tanta quicquam pro spe temptare recusem.”
“Ibo animis contra, vel magnum praestet Achillem”
“factaque Vulcani manibus paria induat arma”
“ille licet. Vobis animam hanc soceroque Latino”
“Turnus ego, haud ulli veterum virtute secundus,”
“devovi. ‘Solum Aeneas vocat’: et vocet oro,”
“nec Drances potius, sive est haec ira deorum,”
“morte luat, sive est virtus et gloria, tollat.”

[¶15] Thus in their doubtful cause the chieftains strove.
Meanwhile Aeneas his assaulting line
moved forward. The ill tidings wildly sped
from royal hall to hall, and filled the town
with rumors dark: for now the Trojan host
o'er the wide plains from Tiber's wave was spread
in close array of war. The people's soul
was vexed and shaken, and its martial rage
rose to the stern compulsion. Now for arms
their terror calls; the youthful soldiery
clamor for arms; the sires of riper days
weep or repress their tears. On every side
loud shouts and cries of dissonant acclaim
trouble the air, as when in lofty grove
legions of birds alight, or by the flood
of Padus' fishy stream the shrieking swans
far o'er the vocal marish fling their song.
Then, seizing the swift moment, Turnus cried:
“Once more, my countrymen,—ye sit in parle,
lazily praising peace, while yonder foe
speeds forth in arms our kingdom to obtain.”
He spoke no more, but hied him in hot haste,
and from the housetop called, “Volusus, go!
Equip the Volscian companies! Lead forth
my Rutules also! O'er the spreading plain,
ye brothers Coras and Messapus range
our host of cavalry! Let others guard
the city's gates and hold the walls and towers:
I and my followers elsewhere oppose
the shock of arms.”

> Latin: Illi haec inter se dubiis de rebus agebant
certantes; castra Aeneas aciemque movebat:
nuntius ingenti per regia tecta tumultu
ecce ruit magnisque urbem terroribus implet,
instructos acie Tiberino a flumine Teucros
Tyrrhenamque manum totis descendere campis.
Extemplo turbati animi concussaque vulgi
pectora et adrectae stimulis haud mollibus irae.
Arma manu trepidi poscunt, fremit arma iuventus,
flent maesti mussantque patres. Hic undique clamor
dissensu vario magnus se tollit in auras
haud secus atque alto in luco cum forte catervae
consedere avium piscosove amne Padusae
dant sonitum rauci per stagna loquacia cycni.
“Immo,” ait, “O cives” adrepto tempore, “Turnus,”
“cogite concilium et pacem laudate sedentes:”
“illi armis in regna ruunt.” Nec plura locutus
corripuit sese et tectis citus extulit altis.
“Tu, Voluse, armari Volscorum edice maniplos,”
“duc,” ait, “et Rutulos. Equitem Messapus in armis”
“et cum fratre Coras latis diffundite campis.”
“Pars aditus urbis firmet turrisque capessat,”
“cetera, qua iusso, mecum manus inferat arma.”