Up from the sea now soared the dawning day:Aeneas, though his sorrow bids him hasteto burial of the slain, and his sad soulis clouded with the sight of death, fulfils,for reward to his gods, a conqueror's vow,at morning's earliest beam. A mighty oakshorn of its limbs he sets upon a hilland clothes it o'er with glittering arms, the spoilof King Mezentius, and a trophy proudto thee, great lord of war. The hero's plumesbedewed with blood are there, and splintered spears;there hangs the corselet, by the thrusting steeltwelve times gored through; upon the left he bindsthe brazen shield, and from the neck suspendsthe 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 begoneof 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 hopeprepare the war! So when the gods give signto open battle and lead forth our braveout of this stronghold, no bewilderment,nor tarrying, nor fearful, faltering mindshall slack our march. Meanwhile in earth we layour comrades fallen; for no honor elsein Acheron have they. Go forth,” said he,“bring gifts of honor and of last farewellto those high hearts by shedding of whose bloodour country lives. To sad Evander's townbear Pallas first; who, though he did not failof virtue's crown, was seized by doom unblest,and to the bitterness of death consigned.”
Oceanum interea surgens Aurora reliquit:Aeneas, quamquam et sociis dare tempus humandispraecipitant curae turbataque funere mens est,vota deum primo victor solvebat Eoo.Ingentem quercum decisis undique ramisconstituit tumulo fulgentiaque induit arma,Mezenti ducis exuvias, tibi, magne, tropaeum,bellipotens: aptat rorantis sanguine cristastelaque trunca viri et bis sex thoraca petitumperfossumque locis clipeumque ex aere sinistraesubligat atque ensem collo suspendit eburnum.Tum socios, namque omnis eum stipata tegebatturba 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.”
Weeping he spoke, and slowly backward drewto the tent-door, where by the breathless clayof Pallas stood Acoetes, aged man,once bearer of Evander's arms, but nowunder less happy omens set to guardhis darling child. Around him is a throngof slaves, with all the Trojan multitude,and Ilian women, who the wonted waylet sorrow's tresses loosely flow. When nowAeneas to the lofty doors drew near,all these from smitten bosoms raised to heavena mighty moaning, till the King's abodewas loud with anguish. There Aeneas viewedthe pillowed head of Pallas cold and pale,the smooth young breast that bore the gaping woundof that Ausonian spear, and weeping said:“Did Fortune's envy, smiling though she came,refuse me, hapless boy, that thou shouldst seemy throne established, and victorious ridebeside me to thy father's house? Not thismy parting promise to thy King and sire,Evander, when with friendly, fond embraceto win imperial power he bade me go;yet warned me anxiously I must resistbold warriors and a stubborn breed of foes.And haply even now he cheats his heartwith expectation vain, and offers vows,heaping with gifts the altars of his gods.But we with unavailing honors bringthis lifeless youth, who owes the gods of heavenno 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 dayso Iong awaited; this the solemn pledgeI proudly gave. But fond Evander's eyeswill find no shameful wounding on the slain,nor for a son in coward safety keptwilt thou, the sire, crave death. But woe is me!How strong a bulwark in Ausonia falls!What loss is thine, Iulus!”
Sic ait inlacrimans recipitque ad limina gressum,corpus ubi exanimi positum Pallantis Acoetesservabat senior, qui Parrhasio Evandroarmiger ante fuit, sed non felicibus aequetum comes auspiciis caro datus ibat alumno.Circum omnis famulumque manus Troianaque turbaet maestum Iliades crinem de more solutae.Ut vero Aeneas foribus sese intulit altis,ingentem gemitum tunsis ad sidera tolluntpectoribus, maestoque immugit regia luctu.Ipse caput nivei fultum Pallantis et oraut vidit levique patens in pectore vulnuscuspidis 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!”
Thus lamenting,he bids them lift the body to the bier,and sends a thousand heroes from his hostto render the last tributes, and to sharefather's tears:—poor solace and too smallfor grief so great, but due that mournful sire.Some busy them to build of osiers finethe simple litter, twining sapling oakswith evergreen, till o'er death's Iofty bedthe 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 moreits life doth feed. Then good Aeneas broughttwo broidered robes of scarlet and fine gold,which with the gladsome labor of her handsSidonian Dido wrought him long ago,the thin-spun gold inweaving. One of thesethe sad prince o'er the youthful body threwfor parting gift; and with the other veiledthose tresses from the fire; he heaped on highLaurentum's spoils of war, and bade to bringmuch tribute forth: horses and arms he gave,seized from the fallen enemy; with handsfettered behind them filed a captive traindoomed to appease the shades, and with the flamesto mix their flowing blood. He bade his chiefsset up the trunks of trees and clothe them wellwith captured arms, inscribing on each onesome foeman's name. Then came Acoetes forth,a wretched, worn old man, who beat his breastwith tight-clenched hands, and tore his wrinkled facewith ruthless fingers; oft he cast him downfull length along the ground. Then lead they forththe 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 restvictorious Turnus seized. Then filed alonga mournful Teucrian cohort; next the hostEtrurian and the men of Arcadywith trailing arms reversed. Aeneas now,when the long company had passed him by,spoke thus and groaned aloud: “Ourselves from henceare summoned by the same dread doom of warto other tears. Farewell forevermore!Heroic Pallas! be forever blest!I bid thee hail, farewell!” In silence thenback to the stronghold's Iofty walls he moved.
Haec ubi deflevit, tolli miserabile corpusimperat et toto lectos ex agmine mittitmille viros, qui supremum comitentur honoremintersintque patris lacrimis, solacia luctusexigua ingentis, misero sed debita patri.Haud segnes alii crates et molle feretrumarbuteis texunt virgis et vimine quernoexstructosque toros obtentu frondis inumbrant.Hic iuvenem agresti sublimem stramine ponunt,qualem virgineo demessum pollice floremseu 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 rigentisextulit Aeneas, quas illi laeta laborumipsa suis quondam manibus Sidonia Didofecerat et tenui telas discreverat auro.Harum unam iuveni supremum maestus honoreminduit arsurasque comas obnubit amictu,multaque praeterea Laurentis praemia pugnaeaggerat et longo praedam iubet ordine duci.Addit equos et tela, quibus spoliaverat hostem.Vinxerat et post terga manus, quos mitteret umbrisinferias, caeso sparsuros sanguine flammas,indutosque iubet truncos hostilibus armisipsos ferre duces inimicaque nomina figi.Ducitur infelix aevo confectus Acoetes:pectora nunc foedans pugnis, nunc unguibus orasternitur et toto proiectus corpore terrae.~.~.Ducunt et Rutulo perfusos sanguine currus.Post bellator equus positis insignibus Aethonit lacrimans guttisque umectat grandibus ora.Hastam alii galeamque ferunt, nam cetera Turnusvictor habet. Tum maesta phalanx Teucrique sequunturTyrrhenique 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 altostendebat muros gressumque in castra ferebat.
Now envoys from the Latin citadelcame olive-crowned, to plead for clemency:would he not yield those bodies of the deadsword-scattered o'er the plain, and let them liebeneath an earth-built tomb? Who wages warupon 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 gavethe boon, and this benignant answer made:“Ye Latins, what misfortune undeservedhas snared you in so vast a war, that nowyou shun our friendship? Have you here imploredpeace 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 warwith you, the people; 't was your King refusedour proffered bond of peace, and gave his causeto Turnus' arms. More meet and just it werehad 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 wayto cross his blade with mine; that man to whomthe gods, or his own valor, had decreedthe longer life, had lived. But now depart!Beneath your lost friends light the funeral fires!”So spoke Aeneas; and with wonder muteall stood at gaze, each turning to beholdhis neighbor's face.
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 precantisprosequitur 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 silentesconversique oculos inter se atque ora tenebant.
Then Drances, full of years,and ever armed with spite and slanderous wordagainst young Turnus, made this answering plea:“O prince of mighty name, whose feats of armsare even mightier! Trojan hero, howshall my poor praise exalt thee to the skies?Is it thy rectitude or strenuous warmost bids me wonder? We will bear thy wordright gladly to the city of our sires;and there, if Fortune favor it, contrivea compact with the Latin King. Henceforthlet Turnus find his own allies! Ourselveswill much rejoice to see thy destined walls,and our own shoulders will be proud to bearthe stone for building Troy.” Such speech he made,and all the common voice consented loud.So twelve days' truce they swore, and safe from harmLatins and Teucrians unmolested rovedtogether o'er the wooded hills. Now rangloud steel on ash-tree bole; enormous pines,once thrusting starward, to the earth they threw;and with industrious wedge asunder clovestout oak and odorous cedar, piling highharvest of ash-trees on the creaking wain.
Tum senior semperque odiis et crimine Drancesinfensus iuveni Turno sic ore vicissimorsa 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 sequestraper silvas Teucri mixtique inpune Latinierravere iugis. Ferro sonat alta bipennifraxinus, evertunt actas ad sidera pinus,robora nec cuneis et olentem scindere cedrumnec plaustris cessant vectare gementibus ornos.
Now Rumor, herald of prodigious woe,to King Evander hied, Evander's houseand city filling, where, but late, her wordhad told in Latium Pallas' victory.th' Arcadians thronging to the city-gatesbear funeral torches, the accustomed way;in lines of flame the long street flashes far,lighting the fields beyond. To meet them movesa Phrygian company, to join with theirsits lamentation loud. The Latin wives,soon as they saw them entering, arousedthe whole sad city with shrill songs of woe.No hand could stay Evander. Forth he flewinto the midmost tumult, and fell proneon 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 wooin a first battle. O first-fruit forlornof youth so fair! O prelude pitilessof war approaching! O my vows and prayers,which not one god would hear! My blessed wife,how happy was the death that spared thee notto taste this bitterness! But I, the while,by living longer lived to meet my doom,—a father sole-surviving. Would I myselfhad perished by the Rutule's cruel spear,the Trojan's cause espousing! This breath of lifehow gladly had I given! And O, that nowyon black solemnity were bearing homemyself, 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 fallenuntimely, I take comfort that he fellwhere thousands of the Volscians slaughtered lie,and into Latium led the Teucrian arms.What brighter glory could I crave in deathfor thee, my Pallas, than Aeneas brings,and Phrygian princes, and Etrurian lordswith all Etruria's legions? Lo, they bearyon glittering spoils of victims of thy sword!Thou, Turnus, too, wert now an effigyin giant armor clad, if but his yearsand strength full ripe had been fair match for thine!But now my woes detain the Trojan hostfrom 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 swordcan bid me live. Then let thy sword repayits debt to sire and son by Turnus slain!Such deed alone may with thy honor fit,and happier fortunes. But my life to mehas no joy left to pray for, save to bringmy son that solace in the shadowy land.”
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 vetustofunereas rapuere faces; lucet via longoordine flammarum et late discriminat agros.Contra turba Phrygum veniens plangentia iungitagmina. Quae postquam matres succedere tectisviderunt, maestam incendunt clamoribus urbem.At non Evandrum potis est vis ulla tenere,sed venit in medios. Feretro Pallanta repostoprocubuit 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.”
Meanwhile o'er sorrowing mortals the bright mornhad lifted her mild beam, renewing sothe burden of man's toil. Aeneas nowbuilt funeral pyres along the winding shore,King Tarchon at his side. Each thither broughtthe bodies of his kin, observing wellall ancient ritual. The fuming firesburned from beneath, till highest heaven was hidin blackest, overmantling cloud. Three timesthe warriors, sheathed in proud, resplendent steel,paced round the kindling pyres; and three timesfair companies of horsemen circled slow,with loud lamenting, round the doleful flame.The wail of warriors and the trumpets' blarethe very welkin rend. Cast on the flamesare spoils of slaughtered Latins,—helms and blades,bridles and chariot-wheels. Yet others bringgifts to the dead familiar, their own shieldsand unavailing spears. Around them slaingreat 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 multitudebehold their comrades burning, and keep guardo'er the consuming pyres, nor turn awaytill cooling night re-shifts the globe of heaven,thick-strewn with numberless far-flaming stars.
Aurora interea miseris mortalibus almamextulerat lucem, referens opera atque labores:iam pater Aeneas, iam curvo in litore Tarchonconstituere pyras. Huc corpora quisque suorummore tulere patrum, subiectisque ignibus atrisconditur in tenebras altum caligine caelum.Ter circum accensos cincti fulgentibus armisdecurrere rogos, ter maestum funeris ignemlustravere in equis ululatusque ore dedere;spargitur et tellus lacrimis, sparguntur et arma:it caelo clamorque virum clangorque tubarum.Hic alii spolia occisis derepta Latinisconiciunt igni, galeas ensesque decorosfrenaque ferventisque rotas; pars munera nota,ipsorum clipeos et non felicia tela.Multa boum circa mactantur corpora Morti,saetigerosque sues raptasque ex omnibus agrisin flammam iugulant pecudes. Tum litore totoardentis spectant socios semustaque servantbusta neque avelli possunt, nox umida donecinvertit caelum stellis ardentibus aptum.
Likewise the mournful Latins far awayhave built their myriad pyres. Yet of the slainnot few in graves are laid, and borne with tearsto 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 fieldsblaze forth unweariedly. But when from heaventhe third morn had dispelled the dark and cold,the mournful bands raked forth the mingled bonesand plenteous ashes from the smouldering pyres,then heaped with earth the one sepulchral mound.Now from the hearth-stones of the opulent townof old Latinus a vast wail burst forth,for there was found the chief and bitterest shareof all the woe. For mothers in their tears,lone brides, and stricken souls of sisters fond,and boys left fatherless, fling curses Ioudon Turnus' troth-plight and the direful war:“Let him, let Turnus, with his single sworddecide the strife,”—they cry,—“and who shall claimLordship of Italy and power supreme.”Fierce Drances whets their fury, urging allthat Turnus singly must the challenge hear,and singly wage the war; but others pleadin Turnus' favor; the Queen's noble nameprotects him, and his high renown in armsdefends his cause with well-won trophies fair.
Nec minus et miseri diversa in parte Latiniinnumeras struxere pyras, et corpora partimmulta virum terrae infodiunt avectaque partimfinitimos tollunt in agros urbique remittunt,cetera confusaeque ingentem caedis acervumnec numero nec honore cremant: tunc undique vasticertatim crebris conlucent ignibus agri.Tertia lux gelidam caelo dimoverat umbram:maerentes altum cinerem et confusa ruebantossa 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 sororumpectora maerentum puerique parentibus orbidirum exsecrantur bellum Turnique hymenaeos:ipsum armis ipsumque iubent decernere ferro,qui regnum Italiae et primos sibi poscat honores.ingravat haec saevus Drances solumque vocaritestatur, solum posci in certamina Turnum.Multa simul contra variis sententia dictispro Turno, et magnum reginae nomen obumbrat,multa virum meritis sustentat fama tropaeis.
Amid these tumults of the wrathful throng,lo, the ambassadors to Diomedarrive with cloudy forehead from their questin his illustrious town; for naught availedtheir toilsome errand, nor the gifts and gold,nor strong entreaty. Other help in warthe Latins now must find, or humbly suepeace from the Trojan. At such tidings direeven Latinus trembles: Heaven's decreesand influence of gods too visiblesustain Aeneas; so the wrath divineand new-filled sepulchres conspicuousgive warning clear. Therefore the King convenesa general council of his captains bravebeneath 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 Kingsent back, to speak and tell the royal wordsin order due. Forthwith on every tonguefell silence, while the princely Venulus,heeding his Iord's behest, began the parle:
Hos inter motus, medio in flagrante tumultu,ecce super maesti magna Diomedis ab urbelegati responsa ferunt: nihil omnibus actumtantorum impensis operum, nil dona neque aurumnec magnas valuisse preces, alia arma Latinisquaerenda aut pacem Troiano ab rege petendum.Deficit ingenti luctu rex ipse Latinus.Fatalem Aenean manifesto numine ferriadmonet ira deum tumulique ante ora recentes.Ergo concilium magnum primosque suorumimperio accitos alta intra limina cogit.olli convenere fluuntque ad regia plenistecta viis. Sedet in mediis et maximus aevoet primus sceptris haud laeta fronte Latinus.Atque hic legatos Aetola ex urbe remissos,quae referant, fari iubet et responsa reposcitordine cuncta suo. Tum facta silentia linguis,et Venulus dicto parens ita farier infit:
“My countrymen,” he said, “our eyes have seenstrongholds of Greeks and Diomed the King.We braved all perils to our journey's endand clasped that hand whereof the dreadful strokewrought 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 showedwhat condict was enkindled, and what causebrought 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 blindtempts ye from peace away, and now ensnaresin wars unknown? Look how we men that daredlay Ilium waste (I speak not of what woesin battling neath her lofty walls we bore,nor of dead warriors sunk in Simois' wave)have paid the penalty in many a landwith chastisement accurst and changeful woe,till Priam's self might pity. Let the starof 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 cavesthe Cyclops gathering. Why name the throneof Pyrrhus, or the violated hearthwhence fled Idomeneus? Or Locri caston Libya's distant shore? For even he,Lord of Mycenae by the Greeks obeyed,fell murdered on his threshold by the handof that polluted wife, whose paramourtrapped Asia's conqueror. The envious godswithheld me also from returning hometo see once more the hearth-stone of my sires,the wife I yearn for, and my Calydon,the beauteous land. For wonders horriblepursue me still. My vanished followersthrough upper air take wing, or haunt and rovein 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 daywhen my infatuate sword on gods I drew,and outraged with abominable woundthe hand of Venus. Urge me not, I pray,to conflicts in this wise. No more for meof war with Trojans after Ilium's fall!I take no joy in evils past, nor wishsuch memory to renew. Go, lay these gifts,brought to my honor from your ancient land,at great Aeneas' feet. We twain have stoodconfronting close with swords implacablein mortal fray. Believe me, I have knownthe stature of him when he lifts his shield,and swings the whirlwind of his spear. If Troytwo more such sons had bred, the Dardan hordehad stormed at Argos' gates, and Greece to-daywere 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 eachfamous in enterprise of arms,—but hewas first in piety. Enclasp with hisyour 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.”
“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.”
Soon as the envoys ceased, an answering soundof troubled voices through the council flowedof various note, as when its rocky bedimpedes an arrowy stream, and murmurs breakfrom the strait-channelled flood; the fringing shoresrepeat 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:
Vix ea legati, variusque per ora cucurritAusonidum turbata fremor: ceu saxa moranturcum rapidos amnis, fit clauso gurgite murmurvicinaeque fremunt ripae crepitantibus undis.Ut primum placati animi et trepida ora quierunt,praefatus divos solio rex infit ab alto:
“Less evil were our case, if long agoye had provided for your country's weal,O Latins, as I urged. It is no timeto hold dispute, while, compassing our walls,the foeman waits. Ill-omened war is oursagainst 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 foundin your own bosoms only. But ye knowhow slight it is and small. What ruin widehas fallen, is now palpable and clear.No blame I cast. What valor's uttermostmay do was done; our kingdom in this warstrained its last thews. Now therefore I will tellsuch project as my doubtful mind may frame,and briefly, if ye give good heed, unfold:an ancient tract have I, close-borderingthe river Tiber; it runs westward farbeyond Sicania's bound, and filth it bearsto Rutule and Auruncan husbandmen,who furrow its hard hills or feed their flocksalong 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 heartsfor other land or people yearn, and fatepermits them hence to go, then let us buildtwice ten good galleys of Italian oak,or more, if they can man them. All the woodlies yonder on the shore. Let them but sayhow numerous and large the ships they crave,and we will give the brass, the artisans,and ship-supplies. Let us for envoys choosea hundred of the Latins noblest bornto tell our message and arrange the peace,bearing mild olive-boughs and weighty giftsof ivory and gold, with chair of stateand purple robe, our emblems as a king.But freely let this council speak; give aidto our exhausted cause.”
“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.”
Then Drances rose,that foe inveterate, whom Turnus' fameto stinging hate and envy double-tonguedever pricked on. Of liberal wealth was heand flowing speech, but slack of hand in warat council board accounted no weak voice,in quarrels stronger still; of lofty birthin the maternal line, but by his sire'suncertain 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 seethe way of public weal, but smother closethe telling of it. Turnus must concedefreedom to speak, and his own arrogancediminish! Under his ill-boding starand fatal conduct—yea, I speak it plain,though with his naked steel my death he swear—yon host of princes fell, and we beholdthe whole land bowed with grief; while he assailsthe 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 restrainfrom granting, sire, thy virgin daughter's handto son-in-law illustrious, in a matchworthy of both,—and thus the lasting bondof peace establish. But if verilyour hearts and souls be weak with craven fear,let us on Turnus call, and grace imploreeven of him. Let him no more oppose;but to his country and his King concedetheir natural right. Why wilt thou o'er and o'erfling 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 suesfor peace, O Turnus! and, not less than peace,its one inviolable pledge. Behold,I lead in this petition! even Iwhom thou dost feign thy foe—(I waste no wordsdenying)—look! I supplicate of thee,take pity on thy kindred; drop thy pride,and get thee home defeated. We have seenslaughter enough, enough of funeral flames,and many a wide field waste and desolate.If glory move thee, if thy martial breastso swell with strength, and if a royal dowerbe thy dear dream, go, pluck thy courage up,and front thy own brave bosom to the foe.for, lo, that Turnus on his wedding daymay 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 dropsof thy undaunted sires, Iook yonder wherethe Trojan chieftain waits thee in the field.”
Tum Drances idem infensus, quem gloria Turniobliqua invidia stimulisque agitabat amaris,largus opum et lingua melior, sed frigida bellodextera, consiliis habitus non futilis auctor,seditione potens (genus huic materna superbumnobilitas 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.”
By such discourse he stirred the burning bloodof Turnus, who groaned loud and from his heartthis utterance hurled: “O Drances, thou art richin large words, when the day of battle callsfor actions. If our senators convenethou comest early. But the council hallis not for swollen talk, such as thy tonguein safety tosses forth; so long as wallshold back thy foes, and ere the trenches flowwith blood of brave men slain. O, rattle onin fluent thunder—thy habitual style!Brand me a coward, Drances, when thy swordhas heaped up Trojan slain, and on the fieldthy shining trophies rise. Now may we twainour martial prowess prove. Our foe, forsooth,is not so far to seek; around yon wallhe 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 tellof my defeat, while Tiber overflowswith Trojan blood? while King Evander's housein ruin dies, and his Arcadians liestripped naked on the field? O, not like theedid Bitias or the giant Pandarusmisprize my honor; nor those men of Troywhom this good sword to death and dark sent down,a thousand in a day,—though I was penneda prisoner in the ramparts of my foe.
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.”
War will not save us? Fling that prophecyon the doomed Dardan's head, or on thy own,thou madman! Aye, with thy vile, craven souldisturb the general cause. Extol the powerof a twice-vanquished people, and decryLatinus' rival arms. From this time forthlet all the Myrmidonian princes cowerbefore the might of Troy; let Diomedand let Achilles tremble; let the streamof Aufidus in panic backward flowfrom Hadria's wave. But hear me when I saythat though his guilt and cunning feign to feelfear of my vengeance, much embittering sohis taunts and insult—such a life as hismy 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 hourthou castest hope of armed success away,if we be so unfriended that one routo'erwhelms us utterly, if Fortune's feetnever turn backward, let us, then, for peaceoffer petition, lifting to the foeour feeble, suppliant hands. Yet would I praysome spark of manhood such as once we knewwere ours once more! I count him fortunate,and of illustrious soul beyond us all,who, rather than behold such things, has fallenface forward, dead, his teeth upon the dust.But if we still have power, and men-at-armsunwasted and unscathed, if there surviveItalian tribes and towns for help in war,aye! if the Trojans have but won successat bloody cost,—for they dig graves, I ween,storm-smitten not less than we,—O, wherefore nowstand faint and shameful on the battle's edge?Why quake our knees before the trumpet call?Time and the toil of shifting, changeful daysrestore lost causes; ebbing tides of chancedeceive us oft, which after at their flooddo lift us safe to shore. If aid come notfrom Diomed in Arpi, our alliesshall be Mezentius and Tolumnius,auspicious name, and many a chieftain sentfrom many a tribe; not all ingloriousare Latium's warriors from Laurentian land!Hither the noble Volscian stem sends downCamilla with her beauteous cavalryin glittering brass arrayed. But if, forsooth,the Trojans call me singly to the fight,if this be what ye will, and I so muchthe public weal impair—when from this swordhas victory seemed to fly away in scorn?I should not hopeless tread in honor's waywhate'er the venture. Dauntless will I gothough equal match for great Achilles, he,and though he clothe him in celestial armsin 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 cravethat challenge. Drances is not called to paythe debt of death, if wrath from Heaven impend;nor his a brave man's name and fame to share.”
“‘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.”
Thus in their doubtful cause the chieftains strove.Meanwhile Aeneas his assaulting linemoved forward. The ill tidings wildly spedfrom royal hall to hall, and filled the townwith rumors dark: for now the Trojan hosto'er the wide plains from Tiber's wave was spreadin close array of war. The people's soulwas vexed and shaken, and its martial ragerose to the stern compulsion. Now for armstheir terror calls; the youthful soldieryclamor for arms; the sires of riper daysweep or repress their tears. On every sideloud shouts and cries of dissonant acclaimtrouble the air, as when in lofty grovelegions of birds alight, or by the floodof Padus' fishy stream the shrieking swansfar 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 foespeeds 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 forthmy Rutules also! O'er the spreading plain,ye brothers Coras and Messapus rangeour host of cavalry! Let others guardthe city's gates and hold the walls and towers:I and my followers elsewhere opposethe shock of arms.”
Illi haec inter se dubiis de rebus agebantcertantes; castra Aeneas aciemque movebat:nuntius ingenti per regia tecta tumultuecce ruit magnisque urbem terroribus implet,instructos acie Tiberino a flumine TeucrosTyrrhenamque manum totis descendere campis.Extemplo turbati animi concussaque vulgipectora et adrectae stimulis haud mollibus irae.Arma manu trepidi poscunt, fremit arma iuventus,flent maesti mussantque patres. Hic undique clamordissensu vario magnus se tollit in aurashaud secus atque alto in luco cum forte catervaeconsedere avium piscosove amne Padusaedant 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 locutuscorripuit 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.”