What voice divinesuch horror can make known? What song declarethe bloodshed manifold, the princes slain,or flying o'er the field from Turnus' blade,or from the Trojan King? Did Jove ordainso vast a shock of arms should interpose'twixt nations destined to perpetual bond?Aeneas met the Rutule Sucro—thusstaying the Trojan charge—and with swift blowstruck at him sidewise, where the way of deathis quickest, cleaving ribs and rounded sidewith reeking sword. Turnus met Amycus,unhorsed him, though himself afoot, and slewDiores, his fair brother (one was piercedfronting the spear, the other felled to earthby strike of sword), and both their severed headshe hung all dripping to his chariot's rim.But Talon, Tanais, and Cethegus brave,three in one onset, unto death went downat great Aeneas' hand; and he dispatchedill-starred Onites of Echion's line,fair Peridia's child. Then Turnus slewtwo Lycian brothers unto Phoebus dear,and young Menoetes, an Arcadian,who hated war (though vainly) when he pliedhis native fisher-craft in Lerna's streams,where from his mean abode he ne'er went forthto wait at great men's doors, but with his sirereaped the scant harvest of a rented glebe.as from two sides two conflagrations sweepdry woodlands or full copse of crackling bay,or as, swift-leaping from the mountain-vales,two flooded, foaming rivers seaward roar,each on its path of death, not less uproused,speed Turnus and Aeneas o'er the field;now storms their martial rage; now fiercely swellseither indomitable heart; and noweach hero's full strength to the slaughter moves.
Quis mihi nunc tot acerba deus, quis carmine caedesdiversas obitumque ducum, quos aequore totoinque vicem nunc Turnus agit, nunc Troius heros,expediat? Tanton placuit concurrere motu,Iuppiter, aeterna gentis in pace futuras?Aeneas Rutulum Sucronem, ea prima ruentispugna loco statuit Teucros, haud multa morantemexcipit in latus et, qua fata celerrima, crudumtransadigit costas et cratis pectoris ensem.Turnus equo deiectum Amycum fratremque Dioren,congressus pedes, hunc venientem cuspide longa,hunc mucrone ferit curruque abscisa duorumsuspendit capita et rorantia sanguine portat.Ille Talon Tanaimque neci fortemque Cethegum,tris uno congressu, et maestum mittit Oniten,nomen Echionium matrisque genus Peridiae,hic fratres Lycia missos et Apollinis agriset iuvenem exosum nequiquam bella Menoeten,Arcada, piscosae cui circum flumina Lernaears fuerat pauperque domus nec nota potentummunera conductaque pater tellure serebat.Ac velut immissi diversis partibus ignesarentem in silvam et virgulta sonantia lauro,aut ubi decursu rapido de montibus altisdant sonitum spumosi amnes et in aequora curruntquisque suum populatus iter: non segnius amboAeneas Turnusque ruunt per proelia; nunc nuncfluctuat ira intus, rumpuntur nescia vincipectora, nunc totis in volnera viribus itur.
Behold Murranus, boasting his high birthfrom far-descended sires of storied name,the line of Latium's kings! Aeneas nowwith mountain-boulder lays him low in dust,smitten with whirlwind of the monster stone;and o'er him fallen under yoke and reinroll his own chariot wheels, while with swift treadthe mad hoofs of his horses stamp him down,not knowing him their lord. But Turnus foundproud Hyllus fronting him with frantic rage,and at his golden helmet launched the shaftthat pierced it; in his cloven brain it clung.Nor could thy sword, O Cretheus, save thee thenfrom Turnus, though of bravest Greeks the peer;nor did Cupencus' gods their priest defendagainst Aeneas, but his breast he gaveunto the hostile blade; his brazen shielddelayed no whit his miserable doom.Thee also, Aeolus, Laurentum sawspread thy huge body dying on the ground;yea, dying, thou whom Greeks in serried armssubdued not, nor Achilles' hand that hurledthe throne of Priam down: here didst thou touchthy goal of death; one stately house was thineon Ida's mountain, at Lyrnessus, one;Laurentum's hallowed earth was but thy grave.Now the whole host contends; all Latium meetsall Ilium; Mnestheus and Serestus bold;Messapus, the steed-breaker, and high-souredAsilas; Tuscans in a phalanx proud;Arcadian riders of Evander's train:each warrior lifts him to his height supremeof might and skill; no sloth nor lingering now,but in one far-spread conflict all contend.
Murranum hic, atavos et avorum antiqua sonantemnomina per regesque actum genus omne Latinos,praecipitem scopulo atque ingentis turbine saxiexcutit effunditque solo: hunc lora et iuga subterprovolvere rotae, crebro super ungula pulsuincita nec domini memorum proculcat equorum.Ille ruenti Hyllo animisque immane frementioccurrit telumque aurata ad tempora torquet:olli per galeam fixo stetit hasta cerebro.Dextera nec tua te, Graium fortissime Cretheueripuit Turno. Nec di texere CupencumAenea veniente sui: dedit obvia ferropectora, nec misero clipei mora profuit aerei.Te quoque Laurentes viderunt, Aeole, campioppetere et late terram consternere tergo.Occidis, Argivae quem non potuere phalangessternere nec Priami regnorum eversor Achilles;hic tibi mortis erant metae: domus alta sub Ida,Lyrnesi domus alta, solo Laurente sepulchrum.Totae adeo conversae acies, omnesque Latini,omnes Dardanidae, Mnestheus acerque Serestuset Messapus equum domitor et fortis AsilasTuscorumque phalanx Evandrique Arcades alae,pro se quisque viri summa nituntur opum vi:nec mora nec requies, vasto certamine tendunt.
His goddess-mother in Aeneas' mindnow stirred the purpose to make sudden wayagainst the city-wall, in swift advanceof all his line, confounding Latium sowith slaughter and surprise. His roving glance,seeking for Turnus through the scattered linesthis way and that, beholds in distant viewthe city yet unscathed and calmly freefrom the wide-raging fight. Then on his soulrushed the swift vision of a mightier war.Mnestheus, Sergestus, and Serestus brave,his chosen chiefs, he summons to his side,and stands upon a hillock, whither throngthe Teucrian legions, each man holding fasthis shield and spear. He, towering high,thus from the rampart to his people calls:“Perform my bidding swiftly: Jove's own handsustains our power. Be ye not slack, becausethe thing I do is sudden. For this dayI will pluck out th' offending root of war,—yon city where Latinus reigns. Unlessit bear our yoke and heed a conqueror's will,will lay low in dust its blazing towers.Must I wait Turnus' pleasure, till he deignto meet my stroke, and have a mind once more,though vanquished, to show fight? My countrymen,see yonder stronghold of their impious war!Bring flames; avenge the broken oath with fire!”Scarce had he said, when with consenting souls,they speed them to the walls in dense array,forming a wedge. Ladders now leap in air,and sudden-blazing fires. In various warsome troops run charging at the city-gates,and slay the guards; some fling the whirling spearand darken heaven with arrows. In their van,his right hand lifted to the wails and towers,Aeneas, calling on the gods to hear,loudly upbraids Latinus that once moreconflict is thrust upon him; that once moreItalians are his foes and violatetheir second pledge of peace. So blazes forthdissension 'twixt the frighted citizens:some would give o'er the city and fling wideits portals to the Trojan, or drag forththe King himself to parley; others flyto arms, and at the rampart make a stand.'T is thus some shepherd from a caverned cragstirs up the nested bees with plenteous fumeof bitter smoke; they, posting to and fro,fly desperate round the waxen citadel,and whet their buzzing fury; through their hallsthe stench and blackness rolls; within the cavesnoise and confusion ring; the fatal cloudpours forth incessant on the vacant air.
Hic mentem Aeneae genetrix pulcherrima misit,iret ut ad muros urbique adverteret agmenocius et subita turbaret clade Latinos.Ille ut vestigans diversa per agmina Turnumhuc atque huc acies circumtulit, aspicit urbemimmunem tanti belli atque impune quietam.Continuo pugnae adcendit maioris imago:Mnesthea Sergestumque vocat fortemque Serestumductores tumulumque capit, quo cetera Teucrumconcurrit legio nec scuta aut spicula densideponunt. Celso medius stans aggere fatur:“Nequa meis esto dictis mora; Iuppiter hac stat,”“neu quis ob inceptum subitum mihi segnior ito.”“Urbem hodie, causam belli, regna ipsa Latini,”“ni frenum accipere et victi parere fatentur,”“eruam et aequa solo fumantia culmina ponam.”“Scilicet exspectem, libeat dum proelia Turno”“nostra pati rursusque velit concurrere victus?”“Hoc caput, O cives, haec belli summa nefandi:”“ferte faces propere foedusque reposcite flammis.”Dixerat, atque animis pariter certantibus omnesdant cuneum densaque ad muros mole feruntur.Scalae improviso subitusque apparuit ignis.Discurrunt alii ad portas primosque trucidant,ferrum alii torquent et obumbrant aethera telis.Ipse inter primos dextram sub moenia tenditAeneas magnaque incusat voce Latinumtestaturque deos, iterum se ad proelia cogi,bis iam Italos hostis, haec altera foedera rumpi.Exoritur trepidos inter discordia civis:urbem alii reserare iubent et pandere portasDardanidis ipsumque trahunt in moenia regem,arma ferunt alii et pergunt defendere muros.Inclusas ut cum latebroso in pumice pastorvestigavit apes fumoque implevit amaro:illae intus trepidae rerum per cerea castradiscurrunt magnisque acuunt stridoribus iras;volvitur ater odor tectis, tum murmure caecointus saxa sonant, vacuas it fumus ad auras.
But now a new adversity befellthe weary Latins, which with common woeshook the whole city to its heart. The Queen,when at her hearth she saw the close assaultof enemies, the walls beset, and firespreading from roof to roof, but no defencefrom the Rutulian arms, nor front of warwith Turnus leading,—she, poor soul, believedher youthful champion in the conflict slain;and, mad with sudden sorrow, shrieked aloudagainst herself, the guilty chief and causeof all this ill; and, babbling her wild woein endless words, she rent her purple pall,and with her own hand from the rafter swunga noose for her foul death. The tidings direamong the moaning wives of Latium spread,and young Lavinia's frantic fingers toreher rose-red cheek and hyacinthine hair.Then all her company of women shriekedin anguish, and the wailing echoed faralong the royal seat; from whence the taleof sorrow through the peopled city flew;hearts sank; Latinus rent his robes, appalledto see his consort's doom, his falling throne;and heaped foul dust upon his hoary hair.
Accidit haec fessis etiam fortuna Latinis,quae totam luctu concussit funditus urbem.Regina ut tectis venientem prospicit hostem,incessi muros, ignis ad tecta volare,nusquam acies contra Rutulas, nulla agmina Turni:infelix pugnae iuvenem in certamine creditexstinctum et, subito mentem turbata dolore,se causam clamat crimenque caputque malorum,multaque per maestum demens effata furorempurpureos moritura manu discindit amictuset nodum informis leti trabe nectit ab alta.Quam cladem miserae postquam accepere Latinae,filia prima manu flavos Lavinia criniset roseas laniata genas, tum cetera circumturba furit: resonant late plangoribus aedes.Hinc totam infelix volgatur fama per urbem.Demittunt mentes; it scissa veste Latinus,coniugis attonitus fatis urbisque ruina,canitiem immundo perfusam pulvere turpans.[Multaque se incusat, qui non acceperit ante][Dardanium Aenean generumque adsciverit ultro.]
Meanwhile the warrior Turnus far afieldpursued a scattered few; but less his speed,for less and less his worn steeds worked his will;and now wind-wafted to his straining eara nameless horror came, a dull, wild roar,the city's tumult and distressful cry.“Alack,” he cried, “what stirs in yonder wallssuch anguish? Or why rings from side to sidesuch wailing through the city?” Asking so,he tightened frantic grasp upon the rein.To him his sister, counterfeiting stillthe charioteer Metiscus, while she swayedrein, steeds, and chariot, this answer made:“Hither, my Turnus, let our arms pursuethe sons of Troy. Here lies the nearest wayto speedy triumph. There be other swordsto keep yon city safe. Aeneas nowstorms against Italy in active war;we also on this Trojan host may hurlgrim havoc. Nor shalt thou the strife give o'erin glory second, nor in tale of slain.”Turnus replied, “O sister, Iong agoI knew thee what thou wert, when guilefullythou didst confound their treaty, and enlistthy whole heart in this war. No Ionger nowthy craft divine deceives me. But what godcompelled thee, from Olympus fallen so far,to bear these cruel burdens? Wouldst thou seethy wretched brother slaughtered? For what elseis in my power? What flattering hazard stillholds forth deliverance? My own eyes have seenMurranus (more than any now on earthmy chosen friend) who, calling on my name,died like a hero by a hero's sword.Ill-fated Ufens fell, enduring notto Iook upon my shame; the Teucriansdivide his arms for spoil and keep his bones.Shall I stand tamely, till my hearth and homeare levelled with the ground? For this would bethe only blow not fallen. Shall my swordnot give the lie to Drances' insolence?Shall I take flight and let my country seeher Turnus renegade? Is death a thingso much to weep for? O propitious dead,O spirits of the dark, receive and blessme whom yon gods of light have cast away!Sacred and guiltless shall my soul descendto join your company; I have not beenunworthy offspring of my kingly sires.”
Interea extremo bellator in aequore Turnuspalantis sequitur paucos iam segnior atqueiam minus atque minus successu laetus equorumattulit hunc illi caecis terroribus auracommixtum clamorem adrectasque impulit auresconfusae sonus urbis et inlaetabile murmur.“Ei mihi! Quid tanto turbantur moenia luctu?”“Quisve ruit tantus diversa clamor ab urbe?”Sic ait adductisque amens subsistit habenis.Atque huic, in faciem soror ut conversa Metisciaurigae currumque et equos et lora regebat,talibus occurrit dictis: “Hac, Turne, sequamur”“Troiugenas, qua prima viam victoria pandit;”“sunt alii, qui tecta manu defendere possint.”“Ingruit Aeneas Italis et proelia miscet:”“et nos saeva manu mittamus funera Teucris.”“Nec numero inferior pugnae nec honore recedes.”Turnus ad haec:“O soror, et dudum adgnovi, cum prima per artem”“foedera turbasti teque haec in bella dedisti,”“et nunc nequiquam fallis dea. Sed quis Olympo”“demissam tantos voluit te ferre labores?”“An fratris miseri letum ut crudele videres?”“Nam quid ago? Aut quae iam spondet Fortuna salutem?”“Vidi oculos ante ipse meos me voce vocantem”“Murranum, quo non superat mihi carior alter,”“oppetere ingentem atque ingenti volnere victum.”“Occidit infelix nostrum ne dedecus Ufens”“adspiceret; Teucri potiuntur corpore et armis.”“Exscindine domos (id rebus defuit unum)”“perpetiar, dextra nec Drancis dicta refellam?”“Terga dabo et Turnum fugientem haec terra videbit?”“Usque adeone mori miserum est? Vos O mihi Manes”“este boni, quoniam superis aversa voluntas!”“Sancta ad vos anima atque istius nescia culpae”“descendam, magnorum haud umquam indignus avorum.”
Scarce had he said, when through the foeman's lineSaces dashed forth upon a foaming steed,his face gashed by an arrow. He cried loudon Turnus' name: “O Turnus, but in theeour last hope lies. Have pity on the woeof all thy friends and kin! Aeneas hurlshis thunderbolt of war, and menacesto crush the strongholds of all Italy,and lay them low; already where we dwellhis firebrands are raining. Unto theethe Latins Iook, and for thy valor call.The King sits dumb and helpless, even he,in doubt which son-in-law, which cause to choose.Yea, and the Queen, thy truest friend, is fallenby her own hand; gone mad with grief and fear,she fled the light of day. At yonder gatesMessapus only and Atinas bearthe brunt of battle; round us closely drawthe serried ranks; their naked blades of steelare thick as ripening corn; wilt thou the whilespeed in thy chariot o'er this empty plain?”Dazed and bewildered by such host of ills,Turnus stood dumb; in his pent bosom stirredshame, frenzy, sorrow, a despairing lovegoaded to fury, and a warrior's prideof valor proven.
Vix ea fatus erat: medios volat ecce per hostisvectus equo spumante Saces, adversa sagittasaucius ora, ruitque implorans nomine Turnum:“Turne, in te suprema salus: miserere tuorum.”“Fulminat Aeneas armis summasque minatur”“deiecturum arces Italum exscidioque daturum;”“iamque faces ad tecta volant. In te ora Latini,”“in te oculos referunt; mussat rex ipse Latinus,”“quos generos vocet aut quae sese ad foedera flectat.”“Praeterea regina, tui fidissima, dextra”“occidit ipsa sua lucemque exterrita fugit.”“Soli pro portis Messapus et acer Atinas”“sustentant aciem. Circum hos utrimque phalanges”“stant densae, strictisque seges mucronibus horret”“ferrea: tu currum deserto in gramine versas.”Obstipuit varia confusus imagine rerumTurnus et obtutu tacito stetit. Aestuat ingensuno in corde pudor mixtoque insania luctuet furiis agitatus amor et conscia virtus.Ut primum discussae umbrae et lux reddita menti,ardentis oculorum orbes ad moenia torsitturbidus eque rotis magnam respexit ad urbem.
But when first the lightof reason to his blinded soul returned,he strained his flaming eyeballs to beholdthe distant wall, and from his chariot gazedin wonder at the lordly citadel.For, lo, a pointed peak of flame uprolledfrom tier to tier, and surging skyward seizeda tower—the very tower his own proud handshad built of firm-set beams and wheeled in place,and slung its Iofty bridges high in air.“Fate is too strong, my sister! Seek no moreto stay the stroke. But let me hence pursuethat path where Heaven and cruel Fortune call.Aeneas I must meet; and I must bearthe bitterness of death, whate'er it be.O sister, thou shalt look upon my shameno longer. But first grant a madman's will!”He spoke; and leaping from his chariot, spedthrough foes and foemen's spears, not seeing nowhis sister's sorrow, as in swift careerhe burst from line to line. Thus headlong fallsa mountain-boulder by a whirlwind flungfrom lofty peak, or loosened by much rain,or by insidious lapse of seasons gone;the huge, resistless crag goes plunging downby leaps and bounds, o'erwhelming as it fliestall forests, Bocks and herds, and mortal men:so through the scattered legions Turnus ranstraight to the city walls, where all the groundwas drenched with blood, and every passing airshrieked with the noise of spears. His lifted handmade sign of silence as he loudly called:“Refrain, Rutulians! O ye Latins all,your spears withhold! The issue of the frayis all my own. I only can repairour broken truce by judgment of the sword.”Back fell the hostile lines, and cleared the field.
Ecce autem flammis inter tabulata volutusad caelum undabat vortex turrimque tenebat,turrim, compactis trabibus quam eduxerat ipsesubdideratque rotas pontisque instraverat altos.“Iam iam fata, soror, superant; absiste morari;”“quo deus et quo dura vocat Fortuna, sequamur.”“Stat conferre manum Aeneae, stat quidquid acerbi est”“morte pati; neque me indecorem, germana, videbis”“amplius. Hunc, oro, sine me furere ante furorem.”Dixit et e curru saltum dedit ocius arvisperque hostis, per tela ruit maestamque sororemdeserit ac rapido cursu media agmina rumpit.Ac veluti montis saxum de vertice praecepscum ruit avulsum vento, seu turbidus imberproluit aut annis solvit sublapsa vetustas;fertur in abruptum magno mons improbus actuexsultatque solo, silvas armenta virosqueinvolvens secum: disiecta per agmina Turnussic urbis ruit ad muros, ubi plurima fusosanguine terra madet striduntque hastilibus aurae,significatque manu et magno simul incipit ore:“Parcite iam, Rutuli, et vos tela inhibete, Latini;”“quaecumque est Fortuna, mea est: me verius unum”“pro vobis foedus luere et decernere ferro.”Discessere omnes medii spatiumque dedere.
But Sire Aeneas, hearing Turnus' name,down the steep rampart from the citadelunlingering tried, all lesser task laid by,with joy exultant and dread-thundering arms.Like Athos' crest he loomed, or soaring topof Eryx, when the nodding oaks resound,or sovereign Apennine that lifts in airhis forehead of triumphant snow. All eyesof Troy, Rutulia, and Italywere fixed his way; and all who kept a guardon lofty rampart, or in siege belowwere battering the foundations, now laid bytheir implements and arms. Latinus toostood awestruck to behold such champions, bornin lands far-sundered, met upon one fieldfor one decisive stroke of sword with sword.Swift striding forth where spread the vacant plain,they hurled their spears from far; then in close fightthe brazen shields rang. Beneath their treadEarth groaned aloud, as with redoubling blowstheir falchions fell; nor could a mortal eye'twixt chance and courage the dread work divide.As o'er Taburnus' top, or spacious hillsof Sila, in relentless shock of war,two bulls rush brow to brow, while terror-palethe herdsmen fly; the herd is hushed with fear;the heifers dumbly marvel which shall betrue monarch of the grove, whom all the kineobedient follow; but the rival twain,commingling mightily wound after wound,thrust with opposing horns, and bathe their necksin streams of blood; the forest far and widerepeats their bellowing rage: not otherwiseTrojan Aeneas and King Daunus' sonclashed shield on shield, till all the vaulted skyfelt the tremendous sound. The hand of Joveheld scales in equipoise, and threw thereonth' unequal fortunes of the heroes twain:one to vast labors doomed and one to die.
At pater Aeneas audito nomine Turnideserit et muros et summas deserit arcespraecipitatque moras omnis, opera omnia rumpit,laetitia exsultans, horrendumque intonat armis;quantus Athos aut quantus Eryx aut ipse corusciscum fremit ilicibus quantus gaudetque nivalivertice se attollens pater Appenninus ad auras.Iam vero et Rutuli certatim et Troes et omnesconvertere oculos Itali, quique alta tenebantmoenia quique imos pulsabant ariete muros,armaque deposuere umeris. Stupet ipse Latinusingentis, genitos diversis partibus orbis,inter se coiisse viros et cernere ferro.Atque illi, ut vacuo patuerunt aequore campi,procursu rapido, coniectis eminus hastis,invadunt Martem clipeis atque aere sonoro.Dat gemitum tellus; tum crebros ensibus ictuscongeminant: fors et virtus miscentur in unum.Ac velut ingenti Sila summove Taburnocum duo conversis inimica in proelia taurifrontibus incurrunt; pavidi cessere magistri,stat pecus omne metu mutum mussantque iuvencae,quis nemori imperitet, quem tota armenta sequantur;illi inter sese multa vi volnera miscentcornuaque obnixi infigunt et sanguine largocolla armosque lavant; gemitu nemus omne remugit:non alitur Tros Aeneas et Daunius herosconcurrunt clipeis; ingens fragor aethera complet.Iuppiter ipse duas aequato examine lancessustinet et fata imponit diversa duorum,quem damnet labor et quo vergat pondere letum;
Soon Turnus, reckless of the risk, leaped forth,upreached his whole height to his lifted sword,and struck: the Trojans and the Latins palecried mightily, and all eyes turned one wayexpectant. But the weak, perfidious swordbroke off, and as the blow descended, failedits furious master, whose sole succor nowwas flight; and swifter than the wind he flew.But, lo! a hilt of form and fashion strangelay in his helpless hand. For in his haste,when to the battle-field his team he drove,his father's sword forgotten (such the tale),he snatched Metiscus' weapon. This enduredto strike at Trojan backs, as he pursued,but when on Vulcan's armory divineits earthly metal smote, the brittle bladebroke off like ice, and o'er the yellow sandsin flashing fragments scattered. Turnus nowtakes mad flight o'er the distant plain, and windsin wavering gyration round and round;for Troy's close ring confines him, and one waya wide swamp lies, one way a frowning wall.
Emicat hic, impune putans, et corpore totoalte sublatum consurgit Turnus in ensemet ferit: exclamant Troes trepidique Latini,arrectaeque amborum acies. At perfidus ensisfrangitur in medioque ardentem deserit ictu …ni fuga subsidio subeat. Fugit ocior euro,ut capulum ignotum dextramque aspexit inermem.Fama est praecipitem, cum prima in proelia iunctosconscendebat equos, patrio mucrone relicto,dum trepidat, ferrum aurigae rapuisse Metisci.Idque diu, dum terga dabant palantia Teucri,suffecit: postquam arma dei ad Volcania ventumst,mortalis mucro glacies ceu futilis ictudissiluit; fulva resplendent fragmina harena.Ergo amens diversa fuga petit aequora Turnuset nunc huc, inde huc incertos implicat orbesundique enim densa Teucri inclusere corona,atque hinc vasta palus, hinc ardua moenia cingunt.
But lo! Aeneas—though the arrow's woundstill slackens him and oft his knees refusetheir wonted step—pursues infuriatehis quailing foe, and dogs him stride for stride.As when a stag-hound drives the baffled roeto torrent's edge (or where the flaunting snareof crimson feathers fearfully confines)and with incessant barking swift pursues;while through the snared copse or embankment highthe frightened creature by a thousand waysdoubles and turns; but that keen Umbrian houndwith wide jaws, undesisting, grasps his prey,or, thinking that he grasps it, snaps his teethcracking together, and deludes his rage,devouring empty air: then peal on pealthe cry of hunters bursts; the lake and shorereecho, and confusion fills the sky:—such was the flight of Turnus, who reviledthe Rutules as he fled, and loudly suedof each by name to fetch his own lost sword.Aeneas vowed destruction and swift deathto all who dared come near, and terrifiedtheir trembling souls with menace that his powerwould raze their city to the ground. Straightway,though wounded, he gave chase, and five times roundin circles ran; then winding left and rightcoursed the swift circles o'er. For, lo! the prizeis no light laurel or a youthful game:for Turnus' doom and death their race is run.
Nec minus Aeneas, quamquam tardata sagittainterdum genua impediunt cursumque recusant,insequitur trepidique pedem pede fervidus urget:inclusum veluti siquando flumine nanctuscervum aut puniceae saeptum formidine pinnaevenator cursu canis et latratibus instat;ille autem, insidiis et ripa territus alta,mille fugit refugitque vias; at vividus Umberhaeret hians, iam iamque tenet similisque tenentiincrepuit malis morsuque elusus inani est.Tum vero exoritur clamor, ripaeque lacusqueresponsant circa et caelum tonat omne tumultu.Ille simul fugiens Rutulos simul increpat omnis,nomine quemque vocans, notumque efflagitat ensem.Aeneas mortem contra praesensque minaturexitium, si quisquam adeat, terretque trementisexcisurum urbem minitans et saucius instat.Quinque orbis explent cursu totidemque retexunthuc illuc; neque enim levia aut ludicra petunturpraemia, sed Turni de vita et sanguine certant.
But haply in that place a sacred tree,a bitter-leaved wild-olive, once had grown,to Faunus dear, and venerated oftby mariners safe-rescued from the waves,who nailed their gifts thereon, or hung in airtheir votive garments to Laurentum's god.But, heeding not, the Teucrians had shornthe stem away, to clear the field for war.'T was here Aeneas' lance stuck fast; its speedhad driven it firmly inward, and it claveto the hard, clinging root. Anchises' sonbent o'er it, and would wrench his weapon free,and follow with a far-flung javelinthe swift out-speeding foe. But Turnus then,bewildered and in terror, cried aloud:“O Faunus, pity me and heed my prayer!Hold fast his weapon, O benignant Earth!If ere these hands have rendered offering due,where yon polluting Teucrians fight and slay.”He spoke; invoking succor of the god,with no Iost prayer. For tugging valiantlyand laboring long against the stubborn stem,Aeneas with his whole strength could but failto Ioose the clasping tree. While fiercely thushe strove and strained, Juturna once again,wearing the charioteer Metiscus' shape,ran to her brother's aid, restoring himhis own true sword. But Venus, wroth to seewhat license to the dauntless nymph was given,herself came near, and plucked from that deep rootthe javelin forth. So both with lofty mienstrode forth new-armed, new-hearted: one made boldby his good sword, the other, spear in hand,uptowered in wrath, and with confronting browsthey set them to the war-god's breathless game.
Forte sacer Fauno foliis oleaster amarishic steterat, nautis olim venerabile lignum,servati ex undis ubi figere dona solebantLaurenti divo et votas suspendere vestes,sed stirpem Teucri nullo discrimine sacrumsustulerant, puro ut possent concurrere campo.Hic hasta Aeneae stabat, huc impetus illamdetulerat fixam et lenta in radice tenebat.Incubuit voluitque manu convellere ferrumDardanides teloque sequi, quem prendere cursunon poterat. Tum vero amens formidine Turnus“Faune, precor, miserere,” inquit, “tuque optima ferrum”“terra tene, colui vestros si semper honores,”“quos contra Aeneadae bello fecere profanos.”Dixit opemque dei non cassa in vota vocavit.Namque diu luctans lentoque in stirpe moratusviribus haud ullis valuit discludere morsusroboris Aeneas. Dum nititur acer et instat,rursus in aurigae faciem mutata Metisciprocurrit fratrique ensem dea Daunia reddit.Quod Venus audaci nymphae indignata licereadcessit telumque alta ab radice revellit.Olli sublimes armis animisque refecti,hic gladio fidens, hic acer et arduus hasta,adsistunt contra certamina Martis anheli.
Meanwhile th' Olympian sovereign supremeto Juno speaks, as from an amber cloudthe strife she views: “My Queen, what end shall be?What yet remains? Thou seest Aeneas' namenumbered with tutelary gods of power;and well thou know'st what station in the skyhis starward destiny intends. What schemevexes thy bosom still? What stubborn hope,fostered in cloud and cold? O, was it wellto desecrate a god with mortal wound;or well (what were a nymph unhelped by thee?)to give back Turnus his lost sword, and lendstrength unavailing to the fallen brave?Give o'er, and to our supplication yield;let not such grief thy voiceless heart devour;nor from thy sweet lips let thy mournful careso oft assail my mind. For now is comethe last decisive day. Thy power availedto vex the Trojans upon land and sea,to wake abominable war, bring shameupon a royal house, and mix the songsof marriage and the grave: but further actI thee refuse.” Such was the word of Jove.Thus Saturn's daughter answered, drooping lowher brows divine: “Because, great Jove, I knewthy pleasure, I from yonder earth retiredand Turnus' cause, tho, with unwilling mind.Else shouldst thou not behold me at this hourUpon my solitary throne of airenduring fair and foul; I should be foundflame-girded on the battle's deadly verge,tempting the Teucrians to a hated war.Yea, 't was my motion thrust Juturna forthto help her hapless brother. I approved—to save his life—that she should be too bold;but bade no whirl of spear nor bending bow:I swear it by th' inexorable fountwhence flow the Stygian rivers, the sole seatwhere gods of light bow down in awful prayer.I yield me now; heart-sick I quit the war.But ask one boon, which in the book of fateis not denied; for Latium's good I sue,and high prerogatives of men that bethy kith and kin: when happy wedlock vows(aye, be it so!) shall join them by strong lawsof chartered peace, let not the Latins Iosetheir ancient, native name. Bid them not passfor Trojans, nor be hailed as Teucer's sons;no alien speech, no alien garb impose.Let it be Latium ever; let the lordsof Alba unto distant ages reign;let the strong, master blood of Rome receivethe manhood and the might of Italy.Troy perished: let its name and glory die!”The Author of mankind and all that is,smiling benignant, answered thus her plea:“Jove's sister true, and Saturn's second child,what seas of anger vex thy heart divine!But come, relinquish thy rash, fruitless rage:I give thee this desire, and yield to theefree submission. The Ausonian tribesshall keep the speech and customs of their sires;the name remains as now; the Teucrian race,abiding in the land, shall but infusethe mixture of its blood. I will bestowa league of worship, and to Latins giveone language only. From the mingled breeda people shall come forth whom thou shalt seesurpass all mortal men and even outviethe faithfulness of gods; for none that liveshall render to thy name an equal praise.”So Juno bowed consent, and let her willbe changed, as with much comfort in her breastshe left Olympus and her haunt of cloud.
Iunonem interea rex omnipotentis Olympiadloquitur fulva pugnas de nube tuentem:“Qua iam finis erit, coniunx? Quid denique restat?”“Indigetem Aenean scis ipsa et scire fateris”“deberi caelo fatisque ad sidera tolli.”“Quid struis, aut qua spe gelidis in nubibus haeres?”“Mortalin decuit violari volnere divom,”“aut ensem (quid enim sine te Iuturna valeret?)”“ereptum reddi Turno et vim crescere victis?”“Desine iam tandem precibusque inflectere nostris,”[“ni te tantus edit tacitam dolor et mihi curae”][“saepe tuo dulci tristes ex ore recursent,”]“ventum ad supremum est. Terris agitare vel undis”“Troianos potuisti, infandum adcendere bellum,”“deformare domum et luctu miscere hymenaeos:”“ulterius temptare veto.” Sic Iuppiter orsus;sic dea submisso contra Saturnia voltu:“Ista quidem quia nota mihi tua, magne, voluntas,”“Iuppiter, et Turnum et terras invita reliqui;”“nec tu me aeria solam nunc sede videres”“digna indigna pati, sed flammis cincta sub ipsa”“starem acie traheremque inimica in proelia Teucros.”“Iuturnam misero, fateor, succurrere fratri”“suasi et pro vita maiora audere probavi,”“non ut tela tamen, non ut contenderet arcum:”“adiuro Stygii caput implacabile fontis,”“una superstitio superis quae reddita divis.”“Et nunc cedo equidem pugnasque exosa relinquo.”“Illud te, nulla fati quod lege tenetur,”“pro Latio obtestor, pro maiestate tuorum:”“cum iam conubis pacem felicibus, esto,”“component, cum iam leges et foedera iungent,”“ne vetus indigenas nomen mutare Latinos”“neu Troas fieri iubeas Teucrosque vocari”“aut vocem mutare viros aut vertere vestem.”“Sit Latium, sint Albani per saecula reges,”“sit Romana potens Itala virtute propago:”“occidit, occideritque sinas cum nomine Troia.”Olli subridens hominum rerumque repertor“Es germana Iovis Saturnique altera proles:”“irarum tantos volvis sub pectore fluctus.”“Verum age et inceptum frustra submitte furorem”“do quod vis, et me victusque volensque remitto.”“Sermonem Ausonii patrium moresque tenebunt,”“utque est nomen erit; commixti corpore tantum”“subsident Teucri. Morem ritusque sacrorum”“adiciam faciamque omnis uno ore Latinos.”“Hinc genus Ausonio mixtum quod sanguine surget,”“supra homines, supra ire deos pietate videbis,”“nec gens ulla tuos aeque celebrabit honores.”Adnuit his Iuno et mentem laetata retorsit.Interea excedit caelo nubemque relinquit.
After these things Jove gave his kingly mindto further action, that he might forthwithcut off Juturna from her brother's cause.Two plagues there be, called Furies, which were spawnedat one birth from the womb of wrathful Nightwith dread Megaera, phantom out of hell;and of their mother's gift, each Fury wearsgrim-coiling serpents and tempestuous wings.These at Jove's throne attend, and watch the doorsof that stern King—to whet the edge of fearfor wretched mortals, when the King of godshurls pestilence and death, or terrifiesoffending nations with the scourge of war.'T was one of these which Jove sent speeding downfrom his ethereal seat, and bade her crossthe pathway of Juturna for a sign.Her wings she spread, and earthward seemed to rideupon a whirling storm. As when some shaft,with Parthian poison tipped or Cretan gall,a barb of death, shoots cloudward from the bow,and hissing through the dark hastes forth unseen:so earthward flew that daughter of the night.Soon as she spied the Teucrians in arrayand Turnus' lines, she shrivelled to the shapeof that small bird which on lone tombs and towerssits perching through the midnight, and prolongsin shadow and deep gloom her troubling cry.In such disguise the Fury, screaming shrill,flitted in Turnus' face, and with her wingssmote on his hollow shield. A strange affrightpalsied his every limb; each several hairlifted with horror, and his gasping voicedied on his lips.
His actis aliud genitor secum ipse volutatIuturnamque parat fratris dimittere ab armis.Dicuntur geminae pestes cognomine Dirae,quas et Tartaream Nox intempesta Megaeramuno eodemque tulit partu paribusque revinxitserpentum spiris ventosasque addidit alas.Hae Iovis ad solium saevique in limine regisadparent acuuntque metum mortalibus aegris,siquando letum horrificum morbosque deum rexmolitur meritas aut bello territat urbes.Harum unam celerem demisit ab aethere summoIuppiter inque omen Iuturnae occurrere iussit.Illa volat celerique ad terram turbine fertur.Non secus ac nervo per nubem impulsa sagitta,armatam saevi Parthus quam felle veneni,Parthus sive Cydon, telum immedicabile, torsit,stridens et celeris incognita transilit umbras:talis se sata Nocte tulit terrasque petivit.Postquam acies videt Iliacas atque agmina Turni,alitis in parvae subitam conlecta figuram,quae quondam in bustis aut culminibus desertisnocte sedens serum canit importuna per umbras,hanc versa in faciem Turni se pestis ob orafertque refertque sonans clipeumque everberat alis.Olli membra novus solvit formidine torpor,adrectaeque horrore comae, et vox faucibus haesit.
But when Juturna knewfrom far the shrieking fiend's infernal wing,she loosed her tresses, and their beauty tore,to tell a sister's woe; with clenching handsshe marred her cheeks and beat her naked breast.“What remedy or help, my Turnus, nowis in a sister's power? What way remainsfor stubborn me? Or with what further guilethy life prolong? What can my strength opposeto this foul thing? I quit the strife at last.Withdraw thy terror from my fearful eyes,thou bird accurst! The tumult of thy wingsI know full well, and thy death-boding call.The harsh decrees of that large-minded JoveI plainly see. Is this the price he paysfor my lost maidenhood? Why flatter mewith immortality, and snatch awaymy property of death? What boon it wereto end this grief this hour, and hie awayto be my brother's helpmeet in his grave!I, an immortal? O, what dear delightis mine, sweet brother, living without thee?O, where will earth yawn deep enough and wideto hide a goddess with the ghosts below?”She spoke; and veiled in glistening mantle grayher mournful brow; then in her stream divinethe nymph sank sighing to its utmost cave.
At procul ut Dirae stridorem adgnovit et alas,infelix crinis scindit Iuturna solutos,unguibus ora soror foedans et pectora pugnis:“Quid nunc te tua, Turne, potest germana iuvare?”“Aut quid iam durae superat mihi? Qua tibi lucem”“arte morer? Talin possum me opponere monstro?”“Iam iam linquo acies. Ne me terrete timentem,”“obscenae volucres: alarum verbera nosco”“letalemque sonum, nec fallunt iussa superba”“magnanimi Iovis. Haec pro virginitate reponit?”“Quo vitam dedit aeternam? Cur mortis ademptast”“condicio? Possem tantos finire dolores”“nunc certe et misero fratri comes ire per umbras!”“Immortalis ego? Aut quicquam mihi dulce meorum”“te sine, frater, erit? O quae satis ima dehiscet”“terra mihi Manisque deam demittet ad imos?”Tantum effata caput glauco contexit amictumulta gemens et se fluvio dea condidit alto.
Aeneas now is near; and waving widea spear like some tall tree, he called aloudwith unrelenting heart: “What stays thee now?Or wherefore, Turnus, backward fly? Our workis not a foot-race, but the wrathful strifeof man with man. Aye, hasten to put ontricks and disguises; gather all thou hastof skill or courage; wish thou wert a birdto fly to starry heaven, or hide thy headsafe in the hollow ground!” The other thenshook his head, saying: “It is not thy words,not thy hot words, affright me, savage man!Only the gods I fear, and hostile Jove.”Silent he stood, and glancing round him sawa huge rock Iying by, huge rock and old,a landmark justly sundering field from field,which scarce six strong men's shoulders might upraise,such men as mother-Earth brings forth to-day:this grasped he with impetuous hand and hurled,stretched at full height and roused to all his speed,against his foe. Yet scarcely could he feelit was himself that ran, himself that movedwith lifted hand to fling the monster stone;for his knees trembled, and his languid bloodran shuddering cold; nor could the stone he threw,tumbling in empty air, attain its goalnor strike the destined blow. But as in dreams,when helpless slumber binds the darkened eyes,we seem with fond desire to tread in vainalong a lengthening road, yet faint and fallwhen straining to the utmost, and the tongueis palsied, and the body's wonted powerobeys not, and we have no speech or cry:so unto Turnus, whatsoever wayhis valiant spirit moved, the direful Fiendstopped in the act his will. Swift-changing thoughtsrush o'er his soul; on the Rutulian host,then at the town he glares, shrinks back in fear,and trembles at th' impending lance; nor seeswhat path to fly, what way confront the foe:—no chariot now, nor sister-charioteer!
Aeneas instat contra telumque coruscatingens arboreum et saevo sic pectore fatur:“Quae nunc deinde mora est? Aut quid iam, Turne, retractas?”“Non cursu, saevis certandum est comminus armis.”“Verte omnis tete in facies et contrahe quidquid”“sive animis sive arte vales; opta ardua pennis”“astra sequi clausumve cava te condere terra.”Ille caput quassans “Non me tua fervida terrent”“dicta, ferox: di me terrent et Iuppiter hostis.”Nec plura effatus saxum circumspicit ingens,saxum antiquum ingens, campo quod forte iacebat,limes agro positus, litem ut discerneret arvis.Vix illud lecti bis sex cervice subirent,qualia nunc hominum producit corpora tellus:ille manu raptum trepida torquebat in hostemaltior insurgens et cursu concitus heros.Sed neque currentem se nec cognoscit euntemtollentemve manus saxumve immane moventem;genua labant, gelidus concrevit frigore sanguis.Tum lapis ipse viri, vacuum per inane volutus,nec spatium evasit totum neque pertulit ictum.Ac velut in somnis, oculos ubi languida pressitnocte quies, nequiquam avidos extendere cursusvelle videmur et in mediis conatibus aegrisuccidimus, non lingua valet, non corpore notaesufficiunt vires, nec vox aut verba sequuntur:sic Turno, quacumque viam virtute petivit,successum dea dira negat. Tum pectore sensusvertuntur varii. Rutulos aspectat et urbemcunctaturque metu letumque instare tremescit;nec quo se eripiat, nec qua vi tendat in hostem,nec currus usquam videt aurigamve sororem.
Above his faltering terror gleams in airAeneas' fatal spear; whose eye perceivedthe moment of success, and all whose strengthstruck forth: the vast and ponderous rock outflungfrom engines which make breach in sieged wallsnot louder roars nor breaks in thunder-soundmore terrible; like some black whirlwind flewthe death-delivering spear, and, rending widethe corselet's edges and the heavy rimof the last circles of the seven-fold shield,pierced, hissing, through the thigh. Huge Turnus sinkso'erwhelmed upon the ground with doubling knee.Up spring the Rutules, groaning; the whole hillroars answering round them, and from far and widethe lofty groves give back an echoing cry.Lowly, with suppliant eyes, and holding forthhis hand in prayer: “I have my meed,” he cried,“Nor ask for mercy. Use what Fate has given!But if a father's grief upon thy hearthave power at all,—for Sire Anchises onceto thee was dear,—I pray thee to show graceto Daunus in his desolate old age;and me, or, if thou wilt, my lifeless clay,to him and his restore. For, lo, thou artmy conqueror! Ausonia's eyes have seenme suppliant, me fallen. Thou hast madeLavinia thy bride. Why further urgeour enmity?”With swift and dreadful armsAeneas o'er him stood, with rolling eyes,but his bare sword restraining; for such wordsmoved on him more and more: when suddenly,over the mighty shoulder slung, he sawthat fatal baldric studded with bright goldwhich youthful Pallas wore, what time he fellvanquished by Turnus' stroke, whose shoulders nowcarried such trophy of a foeman slain.Aeneas' eyes took sure and slow surveyof spoils that were the proof and memoryof cruel sorrow; then with kindling rageand terrifying look, he cried, “Wouldst thou,clad in a prize stripped off my chosen friend,escape this hand? In this thy mortal wound't is Pallas has a victim; Pallas takesthe lawful forfeit of thy guilty blood!”He said, and buried deep his furious bladein the opposer's heart. The failing limbssank cold and helpless; and the vital breathwith moan of wrath to darkness fled away.
Cunctanti telum Aeneas fatale coruscat,sortitus fortunam oculis, et corpore totoeminus intorquet. Murali concita numquamtormento sic saxa fremunt, nec fulmine tantidissultant crepitus. Volat atri turbinis instarexitium dirum hasta ferens orasque recluditloricae et clipei extremos septemplicis orbes.Per medium stridens transit femur. Incidit ictusingens ad terram duplicato poplite Turnus.Consurgunt gemitu Rutuli, totusque remugitmons circum, et vocem late nemora alta remittunt.Ille humilis supplexque oculos, dextramque precantemprotendens, “Equidem merui nec deprecor,” inquit:“utere sorte tua. Miseri te siqua parentis”“tangere cura potest, oro (fuit et tibi talis”“Anchises genitor), Dauni miserere senectae”“et me seu corpus spoliatum lumine mavis”“redde meis. Vicisti, et victum tendere palmas”“Ausonii videre; tua est Lavinia coniunx:”“ulterius ne tende odiis.” Stetit acer in armisAeneas, volvens oculos, dextramque repressit;et iam iamque magis cunctantem flectere sermocoeperat, infelix umero cum apparuit altobalteus et notis fulserunt cingula bullisPallantis pueri, victum quem volnere Turnusstraverat atque umeris inimicum insigne gerebat.Ille, oculis postquam saevi monimenta dolorisexuviasque hausit, furiis accensus et iraterribilis, “Tune hinc spoliis indute meorum”“eripiare mihi? Pallas te hoc volnere, Pallas”“immolat et poenam scelerato ex sanguine sumit,”hoc dicens ferrum adverso sub pectore conditfervidus. Ast illi solvuntur frigore membravitaque cum gemitu fugit indignata sub umbras.