The XII Aeneids of Virgil, the most renowned Laureat-Prince of Latine-Poets; Translated into English decasyllables, By john Vicars. 1632.  
Are to be sold by Ni: Alsop at the Angel in Pope's head ally.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOUrable and thrice noble, the Lord George, the Lord Io●n, and the Lord Bernhard Stewart, sons of the gracious and illustrious princess Katherine, Duchess of Lenox, john Vicars wisheth all increase of true nobleness and honour here, and eternal happiness in heaven hereafter.  
RIGHT HONOURABLE,  
THe boundless bond of sincere gratitude,  
For savours multitude and magnitude,  
Myself and second doth so firmly tie  
To you and your illustrious family,  
That what I can or do, or speak, or write,  
Comes short of your demerits infinite.  
Yet that I be not totally ingrate,  
At least (at last) in mind to memorate,  
What I and mine to you and yours do owe,  
I long have longed, fitly forth to show.  
And thus at length my hopes being happifi'de,  
And kind occasion caught, as soon as spied;  
My humble hand and thankful heart accords,  
To you thrice noble and illustrious Lords,  
To dedicate and consecrated, as due,  
Myself, my service, and my all to you.  
In this translated prince of poets rare,  
Disrobed thus from's Latin vestures fair,  
Into a homespun english gray-coat plain,  
It's vital warmth, not worth, safe to maintain:  
Yet in its self a princely poem sweet,  
For your true princely patronage most meet;  
Not for my manner, but its matters sake,  
Wherein much various pleasure you may take.  
Fully and fairly to affect and fit  
Your pregnant promising, fair sprouting wit,  
And cedar-like high growing nobleness,  
In learning, virtue, grace and godliness.  
O as your years, so may these in you flourish,  
Your king t' affect, the church and state to nourish!  
So fair paire-royall of young nobles high,  
Here to adorn, in heaven to glorify.  
Thus from his heart (best part) most humbly prays  
He, who in him and his doth rest always  
Your honours most humbly devoted servant, JOHN VICARS.   

TO THE COURTEOUS not curious Reader.  
THou hast here (courteous and candid reader) the weak issue of my many nocturnal travels; a work fitter (I confess) for one of Apollo's elder bay-browed sons: But thus you see, it hath pleased Urania to make choice of one of the meanest and most unworthy younger brethren of Parnassus. In which my (though poor, yet painful) travel, I must entreat thee, kind reader, to take notice of two things touching the translation; namely the motives thereunto, and the manner thereof. The motives, whereby I first undertook this task, were first, the instigation and in●itement thereunto, by a no less learned than loving friend. Secondly and especially the common good and public utility, which I hoped might accrue to young scholars and grammatical Tyroes. The manner, wherein I have aimed at these three things, Perspicuity of the matter, fidelity to the author, and facility or smoothness to recreate thee my reader. Now if any critical or curious wit tax me with a Frastrà fit per plura, etc. and blame my not curious confinement to my author line for line; I answer, (and I hope this answer will satisfy the moderate and ingenuous) that though peradventure I could (as in my Babel's Balm I have done throughout that whole translation) yet in regard of the lofty majesty and gravity of this my authors style, I would not adventure so to pinch in his spirits, as to make him seem to walk like a liveless ghost. But thinking on that of Horace, Brevis esse laboro, obscu●us fio, I presumed (yet still having an eye to the genuine sense as I was able) to expatiate with poetical liberty, where necessity of matter and phrase enforced. And so much the rather, being backed with so good a warrant therein, as the authority and direction of the foresaid author in his Arte Poetica: whose words run thus; 
Publica materies privati juris erit, ●i  
Nec circa vilem patulúmque moraberis orbem;  
Nec verbum verbo curabis reddere fidus  
Interpres, etc.   
If then (gentle and ingenuous reader) these my poor endeavours may either prodesse, or delectare▪ then give God the praise, his due deser●, my true desire▪ But if thou canst find● neither of either, but canst find in thy heart to find fault withal, than I say to thee, or rather Martial in his Epigrams for me, Carpere vel noli no●●●a, vel ede tua.  
Thine JOHN VICARS.   

❧ THE LIFE OF VIRGIL, written by Tiberius Claudius Donatus, as Servius in his commentary upon Virgil relates it.  
Publius' Virgilius Maro was (as antiquity testifies) born of mean parentage, especially on the father's side, whose name was Maro, who, as some say, was by profession a potter. He was (as many suppose) at first, servant to a certain wand'ring wizard or soothsayer; and by his sedulous industry in ru●ick affairs, husbandry, keeping of cattles, working in woods, and tending of bees, raised up his master's small means to a good estate, and afterwards marrying his daughter, became his master's son in law. He was born the 15. day of October in a country village called Andes, near Mantua, in the year of the consulship of Cneins Pompey the great, and Marcus Licinius Crastus, and was a citizen of Mantua, as saith Servius M●urus Honoratus, a learned Grammarian. His m●ther Ma●a, being great with child of him, dreamt that she was delivered of a 〈◊〉 branch, which being set in the ground, grew up immediately into a great spreading tree, fairly fraught with variety of fruit and fragrant flowers: And the next day she and her husband walking into the next neighbouring country, she stepping aside, was delivered of him in a ditch. It is said, that being born, he never cried; but was of such a sweet and amiable countenance, that he gave great hope of a m●st flourishing future condition. His infancy, till the age of about seven years, was spent in Cremona. From Crem●na he went into Milan, and from thence shortly after passed over into Naples, where with great industry and utility studying the Greek and Latin ●ongues, he addicted himself principally and most seriously to the study of Physic, and of the Mathematics, and in both exceeded all others of his time, insomuch that he planted himself in Rome; where falling into familiarity and acquaintance with the master of the horse to Augustus the emperor, he cured many of his horses diseases, who rewarded him with a daily allowance of bread, as to the rest of the officers of his stable.  
Afterward the Cretonians presented to the emperor a gallant colt, which in the opinion of all the beholders was like to prove a nag of rare spirit and pace: but when Virgil saw him, he told the master of the horse that it was bred of a very faulty mare, and would prove neither quick spirited nor nimble paced: which afterward fell out so indeed. Which the master of the horse relating to Augustus, he commanded that Virgil's allowance of bread should be daily doubled. Again, certain hounds being sent as a present out of Spain to the emperor, Virgil told both of what kind they came, and how they would prove dogs of admirable use and swiftness: which also being made known to Augustus Cesar, he again gave order that his allowance of bread should be re-doubled. Shortly after, Augustus growing doubtful of himself whether Octavi●s were his father, and persuaded that Virgil, who so well knew the nature and kind of hounds and horses, could also resolve this doubt, separating all other company, and retiring into a private room, he takes Virgil with him, and asks him alone, whether he knew who he was, and what power h● had to make men honourable and happy. Whereunto he answered, I know that thou art Augustus Cesar, and that thou hast power almost equal to the immortal Gods, and that thou can●t happifie whomsoever thou pleasest. Surely, said Cesar, I have now a mind and purpose to make thee most happy and honourable, if th●u canst give a full answer to my request unto thee. Sir, says Virgil, I wish it were in my power to tell you the certainty of whatsoever your majesty could demand of me. Some men (says Cesar) think that Octavius was my father, others think some body else: Whereunto Virgil with a smile, thus replied, Sacred sir, if I may freely and without offence answer your majesties demand, I am persuaded I shall easily resolve this doubt. Cesar hereupon assured him with an oath, that whatsoever he spoke he would not take it amiss, and that withal, he would not leave him unrewarded. Now than Virgil fixing his eyes seriously on the emperor's face, said; It is easy in other creatures (by rules of philosophy and the mathematics) to discern the qualities and conditions of their prog●●itours and parents, but in man it is not so easy a matter; yet as touching your sacred majesty, I am able to make some probable conjecture what profession your father was of. Hereat Cesar began to li●ten the more attentively what he would say. Then says Virgil; So far forth as I can collect and understand, thou wast a bakers son. The emperor hereat amazed, presently began to wonder within himself how that could be. But Virgil instantly interrupting his thoughts, said; Harken sir, I beseech you, on what ground I build this my opinion: Your majesty knows, that when I formerly foretold divers things which could not be seen into nor foreshown, but by men of great learning and understanding, that your majesty the great monarch of the world again and again rewarded me with a lot and allowance of bread, which surely is the property either of a baker or a bakers son. This facetious conceit pleased the emperor wondrous well: who thereupon said unto him, Thou shalt now be no more rewarded by a baker, but by a munificent and magnificent king: and ever after the emperor highly esteemed him and commended him to Pollio. He was big of body, and tall of stature, of a shallow complexion, hard favoured and of a sickly constitution, a moderate drinker, and of a spare diet. It is reported that he was given to the filthy and lustful love of boys, but the honestest sort of men of his days were persuaded he loved them no otherwise then as Socrates loved Alcibiades, and Plato his scholars: and that above all other he loved Cebetes and Alexander best, whom in the second Eclog of hi● Bucoiicks' he termed Alexis, whom Asinius Pollio gave unto him. And it is reported also that he kept Plotia Hieria, but Asconius Pedianus affirms the contrary from Virgil's own serious denial thereof. In all other demeanours of his life he was both in speech and conversation so honest and upright, that throughout all Naples he was called Virginity; and if at any time (as that was but seldom) he walked the streets of Rome, and observed himself to be noted and followed by any in the streets, he would retire himself immediately into the next house he came unto. He in his moderation of riches refused the goods and estate of a banished man, which Augustus Cesar proffered to him; having a good competent estate of his own, and a house in Rome in the Exsquiliae near Maecenas his gardens. He used much, and most frequently, to retire himself into Campania and Sicil. In any request to Cesar he never had denial. He was annually helpful to his parents in great measure, who died when he was himself grown to a ripe age; his father being blind ere he died. His two brethren Silo and Flaccus being dead, he bewailed under the name of Daphnis. Melissus reports, that he was slow of tongue and sparing of speech, as if he hadbeen a very ignorant and illiterate man. When he fir●t addicted himself to poetry, he made this distich upon one Balista a master of fence, who f●r report of robberies was covered with a heap of stones: 
Monte sub hoc lapidum tegitur Balista sepultus;  
Nocte, die tutum carp, viator, iter.  
This heap of ●●ones, Balista's corpse inter;  
Then night or day pass safely, passenger.   
After this he wrote Moretum, Priapus, Epigrams, Dirae, Culex, and other Poems, when he was but about sixteen years of age. He wrote Aetna also: and after that, writing of Roman affairs, yet misliking the sharpness and rigidnes of the matter and names thereof, he fell upon his Bucolics: especially to celebrate the names of Asinius Pollio, Alphenus Varius, and Cornelius Gallus his great friends. Afterward he wrote his Georgics in honour of Maecenas. Last of all, he taken these Aeneïds in hand, a work of a various and multifarious argument, and in a manner, resembling both Homer's works. When he wrote the Georgics, it is reported, that every morning he was accustomed to write a certain number of verses, which he would all the day long overlook and so abridge, and refine them into a f●w, that it might not be unfitly said, that he brought forth verses ursino more, as the female-be●re doth her young, bringing them into due form by licking. This his work called the Aeneïds, he wrote first in twelve books in prose (as some think) and afterward digested it into verse; and some think, that had he lived he would have enlarged it unto twenty four books, even unto the time of Augustus. Of his Aeneïds (scarcely yet begun) there was spread such a fame, that Sextus Propertius doubted not thus to write of them; 
Cedite Romani scriptores, cedite Graii;  
Nesciò quid majus nascitur Iliad.  
Give place, give place Greeks, Roman writers wise;  
Some worthier work than Ilias now doth rise.   
When Augustus Cesar, who by chance was absent from the Cantabrick expedition, requested Virgil, partly by entreating, partly by merrily menacing letters, to send him, if it were but a very little, or (as his own words are) some one perfect sentence of his Aeneids, he refused it: but afterward, when it was fully perfected, he recited to him three of the books, namely the second, the fourth, and the sixth, and this especially for Octavia's sake, who being there present at the recital of those verses of her son, Tu Marcellus eris etc. Thou shalt Marcellus be, it is reported she fell into a swound with sorrow: and being with much ado recovered, she commanded that Virgil should have to the value of five pound for every verse. He read his book also to divers, but not often, and those places only, whereof he made any scruple or doubt; thereby to hear men's judgements of them. He fully perused his Bucolics and Georgics: and when he was about 52 years old, with a desire to finish his Aeneids, he resolved to have withdrawn himself into Greece and Asia, and there to have spent three whole years in correcting and perusing it, that he might bestow the remainder of his days only in the study of Philosophy. But being in his journey, at Athens he met Augustus returning out of the East-countreys' towards Rome; whereupon he purposed to have returned home again with the emperor: but travelling to Megara, a town near Athens, only to see it, he took a sickness there, which with continual travel by sea so increased till he came to Brundisium, that within few days after he there died, on the 22 of Septemb. Cneius Plautius and Quintus Lucretus being Consuls. When he felt himself sick unto the death, he called often and very earnestly for his desk, that he might burn his Aeneids: which being denied him, he notwithstanding▪ ordered by his last will and testament, that it should be burned, as a work both faulty and imperfect. But Tucca and Varrus told him that Augustus would by no means suffer it. Whereupon he bequeathed that work and his other writings to Varius and Tucca, upon this condition, that they should set forth nothing but that which he would have set forth; and such verses as were imperfect, to leave so still. He desired that his bones should be translated to Naples, where he had lived long and merrily; which at Caesar's command was accordingly performed, and he buried in the way to Puteoli. Upon his tomb, at the second stone was engraven this distich, made by himself, 
Mantua me genuit, Calabri repuêre; tenet nunc  
Parthenope; Cecini pascua, rura, duces.  
Mantua gave life, Calabria death, a grave  
Parthenop: I sang fields, lands, captains brave.  Plotius Tucca after Virgil's decease (as he had requested) at Caesar's command, corrected the Aeneids; for no man judged them to be burnt; whereof these verses of Suspitius the Carthaginian, are extant. 
Jusserat haec rapidis aboleri carmina flammis  
Virgilius, Phrygium quae cecinere ducem.  
Tucca vetat, Variusque simul: tu maxim Caesar,  
Non sinis; & Latiae consulis historiae.  
Infelix gemino cecidit propè Pergamos igni,  
Et penè est alio Troia cremata rogo.  
Virgil these verses vowed to fires fierce flame,  
Which sweetly sang the Trojan princes fame.  
But Tucca, Varius, Cesar, to his glory,  
The fact forbade, preserved th' Italian story.  
Unhappy Troy, twice (near) with fire consumed;  
Near Pergame perished had, to fire twice doomed.  There are extant also many other and most excellent verses written by Augustus Cesar himself, to the same effect: which begin thus; 
Ergóne supremis potuit vox improba verbis  
Tam dirum mandare nefas? Ergò ibit in ignes,  
Magnáque doctiloqui morietur Musa Maronis?  
And must so vile a voice of lastwill stand,  
And such a foul nefarious fact command?  
Must Maro's marrow of pure poetry,  
Most learned lines in furious fire so fry?  And a little after; 
Sed legum servanda fides; suprema voluntas  
Quod manned at fieríque jubet, parere necesse est.  
Frangatur potius legum veneranda potestas,  
quam tot congestos noctésque diésque labores  
Hauserit una dies, etc.  
But law, and what lastwill doth will, must stand,  
And that must be obeyed which laws command:  
Nay rather we'll infringe laws awful power,  
Then such rare nights and days toils in one hour  
Suffer to suffer shipwreck, etc.   
Pedianus reporteth, that Virgil was very courteous, and a lover of all good and learned men, and so unspotted with the foot of envy, that if he heard or saw any thing wittily or worthily said or done by any others, he as much rejoiced therein, as if it had been his own: That he used not to dispraise any man, but ever praised good men; and that he was so courteous and affable, that there was none (except he were most rudely and barbarously inclined) but both much favoured, and most ardently affected him. He seemed utterly unglued from strict meum and tu●m; for his library stood still as open to the scholars, as to himself, and oftentimes used that old adage of Euripides, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Communia amicorum esse omnia, All things are common among friends. And therefore he so lovingly respected all the poets of his time, that when they were emulously and enviously jarring and snarling at o●e another, yet they all with an unanime consent ever loved and reverenced him, as Tucca, Varius, Horace, Gallus, and Propertius.  
He so much despised glory, that when some had ascribed and arrogated to themselves certain of his verses, and were therefore had in the greater reputation for their learning, he not only showed himself no way discontented therewith, but much rejoiced at it. For when once he made a couple of verses containing the praise and prosperity of Caesar's empery, which were set upon the gates without name, (these were the verses; 
Nocte pluit tota, redeunt spectacula mane,  
Divisum imperium cum jove Caesar habet.  
All night it reins, next morn sights glut the eye:  
Cesar with Jove hath equal empery.)  Cesar having made enquiry for the author of them, yet could not know him, at length Bathyllus a certain plain poet (when none would father them) took upon him to be the author of them; and was therefore both well rewarded and much respected by Cesar. But Virgil not taking this very well, set upon the same gates, this beginning of his conceit fouretimes, Sic vos, non vobis, which Augustus Cesar would have had made up: but when many had fruitlessely endeavoured it, Virgil himself rep●yed thus to the foresaid distich: 
Hos ego versiculos feci, tulit alter honores.  
Sic vos non vobis nidificatis, aves:  
Sic vos non vobis vellera fertis, oves:  
Sic vos non vobis mellificatis, apes:  
Sic vos non vobis fertis aratra, boves.  
These verses I did make,  
Others my palm did take.  
So you not for you, birds, build nests in trees:  
So you not for you, sheep, wooll-fleeces bear:  
So you not for you gather honey, bees:  
So you not for you, beefs, plow-yokes do wear.  This thus known, Bathyllus was for a long time an occasion of jest and laughter to the whole city of Rome. Once Virgil having in his hand the works of Ennius, and being demanded by one, what he did with them, he answered, that he gathered gold out of Ennius his dung: for that author expressed worthy sentences and matter under homely words and phrases. Augustus Cesar ask him how a city might be best governed, he answered, If the wisest men were placed at the helm of government, and good men authorized to overrule the bad; and that thus men of desert might have their due honour, and men of mean condition not oppressed w●th injury. Maecenas also ask him what it is that procures least loathsomeness and tediousness to a man, he answered, The multitude and similitude of all things offends every man's appetite and affection, except of understanding. Maecenas asked him again, how a man might conserve from ruin a fair and flourishing estate? To whom Virgil answered, If he excel others as much in liberality and goodness, as in riches and in honour. He was accustomed to say, that none of all the virtues was more laudable or more profitable for a man then patience; and that no estate or fortune could be so terrible or untoothsome, but that a wise man by discreet sufferance might overcome it. Which he excellently urgeth in the fifth of his Aeneïds, thus; 
Nate Dea, quà fata trahunt, retrahúntque, sequamur;  
Quicquid erit, superanda omnis fortuna ferendo est.  
Fair● Goddess son, let's follow fates where s●ere;  
Worst state or fate by bearing let's o'rebeare.   
There are many other worthy and memorable things written by this author, of this our poet, and his other excellent works; which, partly to avoid prolixity, partly also as not being peculiarly pertinent to this work, I have of purpose pretermitted, and refer the reader, for farther satisfaction (if he require it) to Donatus himself in Servius his Commentary upon that our Prince of Poets, Virgil.   

TO MY GOOD COUSIN Mr JOHN VICARS.  
GOod cousin, as far forth as my other serious studies would give leave, I have read your Virgil's Aeneïds translated into english decasyllables. Wherein (that I may be just, and give you your due) I know not whether you have performed better the part of a good poet or of a good interpreter. In my judgement, I will speak it without fear or flattery (quorum causas procùl habeo) your great pains in transplanting this worthiest of latin poets, into a mellow & neat english soil (a thing not done before) deserveth great applause and good acceptance of all scholars, both such as are under the ferula in Grammar schools, and such as have their brows bedecked with laurel in the Universities. If I were of a perfect wit, or a poet but of an inferior alloy, I would have sent you some verses as an encomiastic: but I must not mount above my sphere, nor step beyond my last.  
Invida me spatiis natura coercuit arctis,  
Ingenii vires exiguásque dedit.  
Nature, a shallow wit in narrow brains  
That penned, forbids me all poëtick strains.  
And therefore in plain prose I bid you heartily well to far, and shall ever rest  
Your assured loving cousin Thomas Vicars. B.D. Ox.   

TO HIS WORTHY FRIEND Mr JOHN VICARS.  

WHy dost thou (Maro) doom unto the fire  
Those lofty raptures, which all times admire,  
Hugging thy genius? Ah, unhappy verse!  
Must thou needs burn? No; Caesar doth reverse  
That fatal verdict; fitter far to be  
In this, thy sire, than who gave life to thee.  
Let reverend sway and awful majesty  
Of laws, before those high-flown poems die,  
Cries great Augustus: So, who ever reads  
Thy lines (thou best interpreter) must needs  
Cry, Live for ever such smooth strains as make  
The world to doubt, whether famed Maro spoke  
The British or the Roman language, best:  
Howe'er, in one, then; now in both he's blessed.  
Who scans, shall freely tell, Rome owes not more  
To his, than fairest Albion to thy store.   

Idem ad eundem.  
The soul (Pythagoras did teach) doth go  
From body unto body; and if so,  
The paradox may pass. Who reads will swear  
The Roman Maro's soul inspired were  
Into thy breast; so smooth and sweet thy strains,  
So high thy language, full of sweat thy pains.   
Thomas Drant, M. A. Ca●●.   

TO THE LEARNED Translator of VIRGIL'S AENEIDS.  
Lofty was Maro's muse, feathered his pen,  
Which raised so high the acts of Gods & men.  
Yet that but hovered on the Roman sphere:  
Thine sores, as chanting, in the British air.  
The story great, in both the lustre clear.  
There shines the sun, but the reflection here.  
What days were those, when Attic streams did swell  
Higher at Rome, then at the Thespian well?  
What days, said I? why 'twas Augustus' reign,  
When arts and arms advanced in equal train:  
When fate was acting fame: and than 'twas meet  
That such a poet such a prince should greet.  
But change the times: Is not the state as free?  
Doth art or nature faint in pedigree?  
No, perch Rome's eagles now, the quills are gone  
From them to us, and so the conquest won.  
Tongues have their several orbs; that spangles bright,  
Whose flame is native, not a borrowed light.  
So spangled Homers, Maro's so: so thine  
With rays embellished splendid and divine.  
The author's crowned before with Roman bays,  
Then rob not the translator of his praise.  
A matchless piece of such exact a frame  
Will envy hush, and criticism shame.  
On then, if poetry pythagorize,  
Virgil in Vicars sacred breast survives.  
W. Sq.   

THE ARGUMENT of the first Book.  
A man for valour, virtue, rare,  
Aeneas, pressed with woe and care,  
By angry Juno's unjust spite,  
To Italy taking his flight  
Through rocky rough Sicilian seas,  
At last in Libya found great ease.  
Where wand'ring with Achates kind,  
By mother's guide themselves they find  
I' th' kingdom of Elisa queen.  
Then closed in a cloud unseen,  
Aeneas to the city bound,  
There his lost ships and fellows found.  
Whom Dido kindly entertains,  
And of Troy's wrack to tell constrains.  
I Who on slender oat-pipes once did sing  
My songs, and leaving levy woods did bring  
Each neighbouring field to yield obedient gains  
(A country welcome-work) to greedy swains:  
But now I sing fierce wars, and that brave knight  
Who forced from Troy, came first by fatal might  
To Latium and Lavine, tossed to and fro  
By angry Gods, with lands and seas much woe,  
And jangling Juno's old remembered frown,  
Much warre-woe felt he ere he built his town,  
Or into Italy his Gods could bring,  
Whence Alban peers, and royal Rome did spring.  
Show me, my Muse, why angry destiny,  
Or why the queen of Gods implacably  
Should force this pious prince such straits to see,  
Such woes to feel: Can Gods thus angry be?  
There is an ancient town, Carthage by name,  
By Tyrians built, and o'er against the same  
Stands Italy, and Tiber's mouth most wide,  
For wealth and feats of arms of peerless pride:  
Which only juno held then all more dear,  
Even before Samo's self. Her armour here,  
Here was her chariot: This the imperial throne  
(If fates were pleased) she minds, maintains alone.  
O but she heard a Trojan plant would spring,  
Which once t'her Tyrian towers would ruin bring:  
That hence a potent people would arise,  
By Libya's loss: so pleased the destinies.  
She fearing this, and mindful of th' old broil,  
Whereby for her dear Greeks she Troy did spoil:  
Nor had she yet quite quenched old angers flame,  
Forgot fierce griefs: to fresh remembrance came,  
Her beauty scorned, by Paris judgement base;  
That hateful stock stole Ganymeds' great grace:  
For these, all these, great juno all-displeased,  
The Trojans poor by tossing waves diseased,  
(Of Greeks and fierce Achilles the remains)  
Enforced far from her Italian planes,  
Long times through seas by fates they driven were:  
So hard it was Rome's empire up to rear.  
Scarce had they cheerly from fair Sicils fight  
Hoist sails, and ploughed the foamy waves outright,  
When juno, stuffed with ancient imbred ire,  
Says thus; Must I vanquished veil my desire?  
Can I not keep Troy's king from Italy?  
Cause fates forbid: Could Pallas potently  
Fire all the Grecian fleet, the Greeks all drown  
For one man's fault, even Ajax mad love known?  
joves' nimble lightning she from heaven soon darted,  
The waves wound up, the ships dispersed and parted:  
And him himself, heart wounded, spewing fire,  
With whirlwinds dashed on rocks she made expire:  
But I the queen of Gods, sister and wife  
To mighty jove, have many years had strife  
With one poor nation: who'll henceforth adore  
Great juno's Godhead, or her aid implore?  
This Goddess thus pumps forth her fiery spite,  
And to Aeolia swiftly takes her flight  
To Windeland, full of furious Southern blasts:  
Where Aeolus their king most fiercely casts  
The blustering winds and tempests turbulent,  
Into vast caves, as slaves in prison penned.  
They rumbling make huge noise i'th' hollow pits,  
Where Aeolus enthroned with sceptre sits,  
And tames their tumults, overrules their rage,  
Which if he should not powerfully assuage,  
Swiftly they'd sweep both heaven, earth, seas, and all,  
And whisk them through the air without recall.  
But mighty jove kept them in dungeons black,  
(This fearing) and main mounts laid on their back:  
Gave them a king, who being charged, should see  
To curb or lose the reins, by firm decree.  
To whom now gentle juno humbly said;  
Great Aeolus, (for so great jove thee made,  
Potent to still the waves, to stir the wind)  
On Tyrrhean seas do sail my foes unkind,  
Troy into Italy (in hopes) transporting,  
Their petty conquered Gods with them consorting.  
Strike strength into thy winds, their ships all scatter,  
Or drown, or on rocks, sands, their bodies batter.  
Fourteen fair lovely lively Nymphs I have,  
Of whom the rarest for her beauty brave,  
My Deïopeia, thy fair bride shall be,  
And in firm wedlock wedded unto thee,  
In lieu of all thy love, eternally:  
Making thee ●ire of sweet posterity.  
To whom thus Aeolus; Great queen, but say:  
For what you bid I'm bound strait to obey.  
By you I have this kingdom, whatsoever,  
By you my sceptre and joves' favour dear  
I do enjoy, and with the Gods do feast,  
O'er winds and storms by you's my power increased.  
This was no sooner said, but strait he struck  
His spear into th' hills side; forth, forth with broke  
Huge blustering winds, as all in uproar raised,  
Through that small postern, making earth amazed.  
Then nestling on the sea, they rouse the waves  
Quite topsy turvy, East, Southeast, outbraves:  
Yea, stormy afric puffs upon the ocean,  
Making floods flow to shore with strange commotion.  
Hence follow, strait, men's shrieks, and creaks of cable,  
Storm clouds from Trojans sight; daylight disable  
Claps up the sun: black night the sea hugs o'er,  
And all the heavens sound with joves' thunder roar:  
With thick quick lightning flashes th' air's replete,  
And all things present death to th' Trojans threat.  
Forthwith Aeneas joints with chilling fear  
Benumbed, he sighs, and's hands to heaven doth rear,  
Venting these sad events; Blessed, oh thrice blessed  
Were they, whom 'fore friend's face, home death gave rest.  
O Greeks great Diomedes, tell me why,  
Why by thy hands in Troy's camps died not I?  
Where by Achilles' blade Sarpedon stout,  
And our warre-wondrous Hector with death fought.  
Where swift Simois did ingurgitate  
Helms, shields, and valiant corpse inanimate.  
Whiles thus he spoke, a whistling N●r hern puff  
Whiffs up the waves, gives his sails such a cuff,  
As broke their wingy oars, turned the foredeck,  
And lays the ships broad side to th' b●llows check.  
Then follows, flows, a mountainous burst wave,  
These, turret like, on floods tops station have;  
Those, 'twixt two gaping seas seem sunk to th'ground,  
Whom boiling, foamy, frothy floods surround.  
A Southern blast three against hard high rocks malled,  
(Rocks which i'th' deep Italians Altars called;  
Huge swelled up heaps amidst the sea:) and three  
East wind on shallows cast (woeful to see)  
And dashed on foards, engulft in thick quicksands:  
One which Or●ntes held, and Lycian bands,  
Was sorely shaken by a furious wave,  
Even in his sight, which the shipmaster drove  
Headlong o'er board: The ship itself at last,  
Thrice whirling round, was on a whirlepool cast,  
And so devoured: Men, riches, writings, arms,  
Were here and there seen floating (helpless harms)  
Above the waves, Ilion's and stout Achates,  
Brave barks, and that of Abas, old Alethes:  
All these the storm had torn; all leakt full sore,  
And at the leak sucked dangerous draughts in store.  
Neptune meanwhile sees the seas huge commotion,  
Fowl winter weather overspread his ocean,  
Waves upside down o'erturned: highly offended,  
With a calm countenance the main ascended:  
Looking about, sees all Aeneas fleet  
Dispersed, his Trojans nought but wave-woes meet,  
Heavens hot combustion: juno's rage and guile  
Not being to her brother hid the while:  
East and West winds to him he called, and said;  
Proud winds, hath your high stock so stout you made?  
Thus heaven and earth without me to molest?  
To dare, my streams with such fierce floods t'infest?  
Whom I: but first 'tis best the storm to stay:  
Then with unpatterned plagues your pride I'll pay.  
Be packing quick, and tell your king from me,  
The three-toothed sceptre, and seas sovereignty,  
Are mine, not his: let him his hard rocks hold,  
Your dens, puffed winds: let Aeolus be bold  
In that his craggy court to rule and reign,  
His winds in that close prison to contain.  
This said, he swiftly swaged the swelling streams,  
Dispelled the cloddy clouds, cleared Sols bright beams.  
Cymoth and Triton strenuously do strive  
The ships securely from hard rocks to drive.  
Neptune's self nimbly with his trident mace,  
Helps from the sands and seas all fears to chase,  
And o'er the seas surface his chariot glides.  
And like as when sedition rudely rides  
Amongst th' ignoble madhead vulgar hinds,  
Then sticks and stones fly thick; wrath weapons finds:  
But if some grave great man they haply spy,  
Strait they stand hushed, listening attentively:  
Whose words their wills reform, their rage appease:  
So at great Neptune's sight all sea-storms cease:  
And being ceased, in's chariot cheerfully  
He turns his steeds, gives reins, to heaven doth high.  
The tired Trojans now seek the next strand,  
And soon arrived on fair Libya's land.  
There is a place in a long creek, where th' isle,  
By castup banks doth a safe haven compile,  
Broke from the main, whence doth the stream divide  
Into safe creeks: here, there huge rocks reside:  
Two chief, whose high tops seem heaven to threat,  
Under whose hieght the sea makes still retreat.  
A shade there is with beauteous boughs o'er head,  
Made by a well-grown wood, with leaves outspread:  
Under the hanging boughs a rocky cave,  
Wherein fresh waters were, and seats most brave,  
Of artlike stone, the wood-nymphs habitation;  
Where yet no fangy anchor made ship-station.  
Hither Aeneas seven of's barks had brought  
Of all his fleet; and now to shore (long sought,  
And by his Trojans ardently desired)  
They came, and rest their faint limbs quite sea-tired.  
And first Achates from a flint strikes fire,  
Leaves were for tinder; and, more strength t'acquire,  
Dry fuel added, kindles to a blaze.  
Then, hungry, baking instruments they raise,  
And fit their sea-harmed corn and balace grain  
To grind and bake, their lost strength to regain.  
Meanwhile Aeneas an high cleft ascended,  
And the vast sea in's sight far comprehended,  
To see if he could spy Antheus stout,  
Or Trojan galleys weather-driven about,  
Capys or Caicus' flags. No ship he eyed,  
But three tall straggling stags on shore he spied:  
The whole herd following fed upon the strand.  
Here he stood still, wi●h bow and shafts in's hand,  
Which his most kind Achates for him held:  
And first their high-horned leaders soon he felled:  
Then all the rest o' th' horned troop he forced  
With his sharp shafts into thick woods; where coursed,  
He left not off till (shooting) he had got  
Seven stately stags, to his seven ships t'allot.  
To th' haven he hastes, them amongst his mates imparted,  
And wine, which kind Acestes, when they parted  
From Sicils shore, most generous, frank and free  
In hogsheads jaded gave, divided he;  
And with these words their drooping hearts doth cheer;  
O mates, (for yet past-perills fresh appear)  
O partners, in far worse perplexities,  
God will at last end these our miseries.  
You Scylla's rage, rock-roaring dreads have past,  
You have Charybdis gulf escaped; at last  
Recall your courage, and let go faint fear,  
A time may come these things your thoughts may cheer.  
By diverse dangers, various hard events,  
To Italy we sail; where sweet contents  
Fates will afford us: there Troy's throne we'll build.  
Hold out, with these hopes let your hearts be filled.  
Thus he with words: with cares his soul's depressed,  
Hope sat on's face, but grief his heart possessed.  
They then to their good cheer themselves address;  
Some flay the skins, some do the umbleses dress;  
Some cut it into joints, some the meat spit,  
Some set on pots, some make great fires for it:  
Then on the grass set down, they cheerly eat,  
And with old wine, fat venison are replete.  
All hunger staunched, the tables ta'en away,  
Long talk began of their lost friends decay:  
All anxious stood, betwixt much hope and fear,  
Whether fallen by fate, or yet alive they were,  
Or that the invocated Gods would hear.  
But good Aeneas chiefly did lament  
His brave Orontes fatal hard event,  
Valiant Amycus, and Cloanthus high,  
Lycus and Gyan, slain by destiny.  
And now it was that jove from starry sky  
Sail-bearing seas, near neighbouring lands did eye,  
The ports and people all abroad commixed,  
On Libya's realm from heaven his sight had fixed.  
And as he thus did muse on men's affairs,  
Venus, w●th eyes of tears, heart full of cares,  
Says to him, O great king of Gods and men,  
Whose dateless laws, and lightnings hamper them,  
What so foul fact hath mine Aeneas wrought?  
What my poor Trojans to such ruin brought?  
From all the world for Italy thus driven.  
Surely from hence a promise great was given,  
That once times revolution forth should bring  
A Roman branch from Teucer's stem to spring,  
Which should be conquering Lords of sea and land:  
And why, great sire, does not this sentence stand?  
With these fair hopes Troy's hardest haps I stayed,  
And with these fates I crossing fates repaid:  
But still their former turmoils them distress:  
Great king, when wilt thou their great toils redress?  
Antenor could escape Greeks thickest strength,  
And piercing through Illyria, safe at length  
Pass through Liburnia, and Timavus swift:  
Whence nine great streams issuing with headlong drift,  
And from the mount with mighty din descending,  
Make a burst sea, the banks and fields transcending.  
Yet he strong Milan built, and planted all  
His Trojans, and did them by's own name call.  
In's temples thus advancing Troy's brave arms,  
In peace his people settled free from harms.  
But we thine offspring, placed by thee in heaven,  
Our ships (most woefully) lost, from us driven  
For one's displeasure, are betrayed to wrack,  
And far from Italy are forced back.  
Is this the palm, the prize of piety?  
Are we thus raised to regal dignity?  
On whom great jove casting a courteous smile,  
With lovely looks, which heaven, earth reconcile,  
Kissing his daughter kindly, thus he said;  
Sweet Cytherea, cease to be afraid:  
The fates are firmly thine, and thou shalt see  
Thy promised Latine-cities built to be,  
Thy great Aeneas lifted to the skies:  
Nothing shall revocate these destinies.  
He (for since this thee grieves, I'll tell thee all,  
And our old hid fate-records will recall.)  
Shall wage fierce wars, th' Italians shall subdue,  
Build them strong towns, and make them statutes new,  
Until Sol thrice the globe hath circled round,  
And three year's king of Latins he be crowned.  
But his Asc●nius young, I●lus named▪  
(For Ilus 'twas, whiles th' Ilian state stood framed)  
Full thirty years shall reign, and from Lavine  
Transfer the throne, and Alba's strength combine.  
Here shall great Hector's race to rule be seen  
Three hundred years: till Ilia priestly queen,  
With child by Mars, two at a birth shall bring.  
Whence wolf-nurst Romulus shall reign as king,  
Build martial towns, and Romans call by's name:  
Whose state no date, whose strength no time shall tame:  
A boundless empire I them give: Beside,  
Fierce juno, who molests the whole world wide,  
Shall reconciled be, and with me nourish  
The Roman gowned Lords o'er all to flourish.  
Thus we decree, yea in times due process  
Tro's sons Achilles race shall much distress,  
To bondage brought, and conquered Greece suppress.  
Then shall great Caesar spring from Troy's high race,  
Whose throne the seas, whose fame shall heaven embrace,  
julius so called from Iülus grave,  
Whom crowned with Eastern spoils, thou glad shalt have  
In heaven, who shall with votes be invocated.  
Fierce war shall then on earth be moderated.  
Pure Faith and Piety, Remus and's brother  
Shall reign, give laws, & wars rage's smoothly smother,  
With bolts and bars locked fast in janus' gates,  
Base civil broils chained in resistless straits:  
And shackled there with hundred fettering gyves  
Sits bound, with bloody mouth frets, fumes, and strives.  
This said, he sends from heaven swift Mercury,  
To open the earth and Carthage courteously  
To Trojan guests, le●● Dido of their ca●e  
Ignorant, should them from her confines chase:  
Through th'air he winged glides, o'er Carthage hovers,  
Gives Libian tender hearts, and there discovers  
Great joves' command: Chiefly the queen expressed  
To th' Trojans her benign and bounteous breast.  
But good Aeneas, full of thoughts by night,  
Goes forth next morn as soon as day grew light,  
To search new corners, see what shores he found,  
Who dwelled there (for 'twas all rude untilled ground)  
Or men, or beasts; and to his mates made known  
What he found out. His ships tied safe; each one  
Under a concave rock, tall trees, did hide,  
With mighty boughs: Achates by his side,  
A brandished lance in's hands with strong steel lin'de.  
Whom's mother Venus' met i'th' wood most kind,  
With Spartan virgins arms, coat, count'nance-grace:  
Or like horse-tiring Harpalace of Thrace,  
Or like swift Hebrus in its nimblest flight:  
For on her shoulders hung she (huntress right)  
A comely bow, her hair dangling i'th' wind,  
Knees bare, breasts open, her coat tucked up behind.  
And first she says; Sirs, saw ye, show me, pray,  
Any of my sisters wand'ring by this way?  
Armed with their quivers, clad with leopards hide,  
The foaming boar with loud noise to outstride.  
Thus Venus: and thus Venus' son, Fair dame,  
None of thy sisters by us this way came,  
Or hard, or seen. O whom may I thee deem?  
For by thy voice and face I thee esteem  
No mortal: but a Goddess sure thou art:  
joves' sister, or some nymph? O let thy heart  
Pity our piteous toils; show us, we pray,  
Under what clime, and in what parts we stray:  
(Of place and persons ignorant we be,  
By winds and waves forced hither as you see)  
Thine altars shall with offerings loaded be.  
Then Venus; Sure such grace for me's too great,  
Our Tyrian damsels wear their quivers neat,  
High on their legs, they purple buskins lace.  
The Punic realm, Tyrians, Agenor's place,  
Are these: but Libyan bounds, a warlike nation,  
Whereof Tires Dido hath due domination,  
Fleeing her brother: long's the injury,  
Long the discourse: but of the heads briefly.  
Her sponse Sichoeus was most rich in ground,  
To whom, poor soul, her love did much abound;  
To whom she soon a virgin pure was married:  
But (as his right) Tires crown her brother carried,  
Pygmalion base, in ill surpassing all,  
'Twixt whom great wrath and discontent did fall:  
Whence blind with love of gold, he impiously  
Supine Sichaeus made 'fore th'altar die,  
Careless of's sister's love, this fact long hid:  
With base fair shows, and much false hope he fed  
Her lovesick heart: Till in her sleep by night  
Her dear unburied sponses ghastly spirit  
To her appeared, showed his thin death-pale face,  
Sword-pierced corpse, the altars foul disgrace,  
And all his houses hid-ills known did make:  
Wished her to take swift flight, her land forsake:  
Of unknown earth, hid treasures he her told,  
Way-helping wealth, much silver and old gold.  
Dido herewith provoked, for flight and friends  
Makes way: And all whom hate o'th' tyrant's ends,  
Or s●avish fear kept down, combined, and prayed  
On ships found ready, where their wealth they laid,  
And fled with what Pygmalion hoped to have:  
A lady foremost in this fact so brave.  
Hither they came, where now strong towns thou seest,  
And Carthage kingdom new, now fair increased,  
And, whence 'twas first named, Byrsa's well bought ground,  
So much as one bulls hide could circled round.  
But who are ye? whence came ye? whither bend?  
To whom he first a deep fetched sigh did vent  
From's heart, than forced these words; O Goddess fair,  
If I should all from first to last declare,  
And thou hadst time to hea●e our toils related,  
Ere I could end, day would be terminated.  
We from old Troy (if ere of Troy th' haste heard)  
Upon these Libyan shores by tempests reared,  
Through rigid seas are here arrived: And I,  
Whose fame transcends the skies for piety,  
Am good Aene●s: in my ships I have  
My country Gods, whom I from foes did save.  
I of joves' race, Lative my land would find,  
With twenty ships Troy's shores I left behind,  
A Goddess mother guide, following my fate,  
Scarce seven ships left from wea●her-torn estate.  
I a poor pilgrim range through Libyan woods,  
From Europe, Asia forced. These plaintive floods  
Venus here stops, and midst his moan says thus,  
Who ere thou art (for sure most gracious  
Thou art to th' Gods, who thus art come to Tyre)  
Go on, and for the queens fair court inquire:  
For all thy fleet and followers most kind,  
I thee assure, ●ail safe with prosperous wind,  
Unless my heaven-●aught angurie me blind.  
Behold ●welve swans fluttering their wings with joy,  
Escaped from th' eagles sw●●ping claws annoy,  
I'th' open air pursued, now downward bend,  
Landed, or landing with a joint consent.  
And as they (safe) sport with spread silver wing,  
And circular assembled swan-songs sing:  
Even so thy ships, and thy associates brave,  
With full sail near, or now the haven have;  
Go on then, as the path leads, take thy way.  
This said, she turned, her roseal necks bright ray  
glistered, sweet scents from her Ambrosian hair  
Distilled, her robe hung down her feet most fair,  
And by her gate she showed a Goddess right.  
He with these words follows his mother's flight.  
(Now known) Oh why dost thou thy son delude  
With oft false shapes? why might we not include  
Kind hand in hand? and words for words have changed?  
Thus he her blamed, thus to the town he ranged.  
But Venus with a mist these travelers clad,  
And in a coat-like cloud o'erspread them, glad  
That none might see them, ●urt them, force them stay,  
Or ask the reason why they went that way.  
Herself to Paphos flies, glad to revise  
Her mansions, temples, where, at sacrifice  
An hundred altars smoke with frankincense,  
And fragrant smell with garlands excellence.  
They the meanwhile presented paths pursued,  
And now they climbed a hill, which over-viewed  
Most of the town, towers, turret's multitude.  
Aeneas wonders at the fabric fair,  
Once cottages; the ga●es, states, streetwayes rare.  
The Tyrians busy some thick walls to make,  
To raise strong forts, stones up in heaps to rake,  
To dig enclosures, house foundations fit,  
Magistrate● making laws in counsel ●it.  
Some shippy havens contrive, some raise fair frames,  
And rock hewn pillars, for theatrick games,  
Like busie-buzing bees in flowery May,  
Working most nimbly in a sunshine day;  
When they thick swarms put out, with honey sweet,  
Their waxen combs to fill and furnish meet:  
Unburthning loaded bees, combining strong,  
To drive out drowsy drones, their hives which wrong.  
Hot grows their waxy work, sweet grow the smells  
Of their mellifluous odoriferous cells.  
Oh, says Aeneas, men most fortunate,  
Whose walls thus rise, whose town so full of state!  
Thus (strange to tell) clothed with the cloud he enters,  
And all unseen, midst the thick rout adventers.  
I'th' heart o'th' town was a fair shady grove,  
To which place first, winds, waves the Tyrians drove;  
And driven, set a sign by juno shown  
A horsehead found i'th' ground; they should be known  
A potent people, a most warlike nation,  
There therefore unto Juno's adoration,  
Sidonian Dido raised a temple fair,  
Garnished with gifts, and riches wondrous rare,  
Sacred to juno, with brass steps ascending,  
Brasse-joynted beams, brass doors on hinge depending.  
Here first i'th' wood new matter tempered grief,  
Here first Aeneas hoped for heart's relief,  
And better learned to trust afflictions frown;  
For as he viewed the temple up and down,  
Finding the queen minding this city's state,  
Which curious Artists did delineate,  
He wonders; most, to see his Trojan story,  
Their wars and woes, spread with world-wondrous glory,  
Atrides, Priam, and unkind Achilles.  
He weeping stayed, and said, See, kind Achates,  
What place, what parts abound not with our woes?  
Behold king Priam's pay; his praise here grows,  
These are material tears, crosses come near.  
Cease fears: for from these palms doth hope appear.  
Thus says he, and him gluts with pictures vain,  
Sighs deep; and floods of tears his cheeks do slain.  
For here he saw how 'bout the walls of Troy,  
Brave Hector did fierce Greeks affright, annoy:  
There, how Achilles Trojans did destroy.  
Hard by he weeping, knew white Rhesus tent,  
Which soon i'th' night betrayed by hard event,  
Cruel Tydides' with much blood did spoil,  
And his fierce horses forced to's camp recoil,  
Before they grazed on Troy's unhappy grass,  
Or Xanthus' streams to taste cold safely pass.  
Young Troilus flying there, whose sword him failed,  
Unlucky lad, unequally assailed  
By Achilles, soon shoved out of's chariots chair,  
Yet held the rulelesse reins: his comely hair  
And deadly wounded corpse dragged on the ground,  
And after him his spear he drailing found.  
Then how Troy's dames, with hair about their ears,  
With veiled heads, eyes full of brinish tears,  
Beating their breasts, to Pallas temple went:  
Who frowningly to th' ground her fixed eyes bend.  
How Hector's corpse thrice 'bout Troy's walls were dragged▪  
And by Achilles sold for gold, upbaged.  
Heart-breaking sighs he fetched, to see the spoils,  
The current chariots, and friends deadly foils,  
And how king Priam prayed with weak-raised hands:  
Yea he himself saw, saw the Grecian bands,  
The Indians troops, and Memnon's black array,  
How that Virago, brave Penthesil'a  
Led her Amazons armed with moon-like shields,  
And bravely fight in Troy's Martial fields,  
Her breast laid open, bound with a golden belt;  
Proud foes the blows of this fierce female felt.  
Whiles these rare objects Troyes Aeneas eyed,  
With serious sight of them even stupefied,  
Unto this temple fair queen Dido came,  
Tended with many a stately youthful dame,  
Most like divine Diana and her train,  
On Cynthus hills, or on Eurota's plain.  
About whom thousand Fairies fair do cluster,  
About her neck a quiver; whose bright lustre  
And stately pace all her Nymphs far exceeds,  
And in Latona's heart prompt pleasure breeds.  
Thus lovely lively Dido seemed to be  
'Midst all intent her throne established to see.  
Then (guarded) she, just at the Goddess gate  
Sat down, high seated in a chair of state.  
Where she made laws, and labours did requite,  
Allotting all, by lots or laws, their right:  
When suddenly Aeneas saw a throng  
Approach to him, which was Cloanthus strong,  
Sergest, Anthea, and the Trojans all,  
Whom raging seas forced on strange shores to fall.  
Amazed he stood, astonished with him were  
Achates and the rest, with joy and fear,  
Longing for sweet reciprocal embraces,  
But, a hid hap, this from their heart first chases.  
They couched it, and clothed in a concave cloud,  
What fate their friends, what haven their ships did shroud,  
How they came thither then expostulating,  
They some selected, who themselves prostrating,  
Came to the temple pardon there to crave;  
Where entered, they to speak full freedom have.  
Then fluent fair Ilioneus sweetly said,  
Great queen, whom jove this city's foundress made,  
Whose justice proudest people makes afraid;  
We, weather-tyred, poor Trojans thee desire  
To spare our ships from fierce nought-sparing fire:  
Pity a pious race, propitious be  
To our affairs. For we are all most free  
From least intent to rob or spoil thy land,  
Or on fair Libya's Gods to lay foul hand.  
Poor captives cannot harbour hopes so high.  
But there's a place, which Greece called anciently  
Hesperia, ancient, powerful, plenteous, known:  
Where the Oenotrians dwelled: by fame now shown,  
Italia named, from Italus renowned.  
Thither we all have our intentions bound.  
When strait stormy Orion tympanizing,  
And surly Southern fierce blasts tyrannising,  
Brought us upon black seas, seas overflown,  
Drove us on rocks unpassable, unknown:  
Hither we few have swum. But what be ye?  
What rude conditions on this soil see we?  
To be debarred harbour on your land;  
From setting foot on shore wars countermand.  
If mortal men and earthly arms ye sleight,  
Yet fear the Gods, mindful of wrong and right.  
Aeneas was our king, more just than he,  
More pious, potent prince there could not be:  
Whom if the fates preserve, if yet alive,  
If gaping grave him not of life deprive,  
We fear not, nor needest thou thy love repent,  
Primely expressed: In Sicils continent  
Are Trojans and Troy's arms, Acestes great,  
A Trojan born. Let us (we thee entreat)  
Our weatherbeaten barks to harbour bring,  
Repair our oars, fit masts i'th' woody spring;  
That so we lively may to Latium sail,  
Our king, companions, safe, if fates don't fail.  
But if they do, and thee, great prince of Troy,  
Libyan seas hold, withhold our hoped joy  
Of young Iülus: let's at least regain  
Fair Sicils shores, where king Acest doth reign,  
From whom we hither came. Thus Ilium said,  
And all the Trojans humming, reverence made.  
Then Dido with grave countenance briefly spoke,  
And said; Brave sirs, false fears, vain cares forsake:  
Novel necessity of our late reign  
Doth us to this strict watch and ward constrain.  
Who knows not Troy, and brave Aeneas race?  
The men, their might, and dire warre-wracked case?  
Our Punic hearts are not so dead, so dull,  
Nor from our parts doth Sol his steeds so pull;  
But that ye may Hesperia fair enjoy,  
Timanus, or Sicilian plains employ,  
And go to king Acestes at your pleasure:  
I'll safely free you, furnish you with treasure.  
Or if you will in our dominions bide,  
Our city's's yours, our havens your ships may hide:  
Trojans and Tyrians I'll alike embrace.  
And oh that king Aeneas, whom storms chase,  
Were present! Sure I'll send to search each shore,  
And Libya's utmost confines to explore,  
To see if haply in strange town he stray,  
Or in some uncouth woods have lost his way.  
Aeneas and Achates hearts revived  
With these sweet words, to break the cloud long strived:  
And first Achates to Aeneas said;  
Great heavenborn prince, what thoughts thy mind invade?  
All things are safe, our ships and mates all found.  
One onely's lost, whom we ourselves saw drowned:  
All things thy mother's words firm ratify.  
Scarce spoke he thus, when into th' open sky  
The clothing cloud broke, and dissolved strait.  
When fair Aeneas in illustrious state  
Did shine, and show like Phoebe in face and feature,  
His mother making him a matchless creature,  
For graceful hair, and youthful azure eyes,  
For countenance sweet, which beauty happifies:  
Like damsels hands with ivory braclets graced,  
Or sparkling stones with gold plates round embraced.  
Thus then, unthought on, quick to th' queen he spoke;  
See here I stand, for whom such care you take,  
Trojan Aeneas, freed from Libyan flood.  
O thou, who only Troy's true friend hast stood,  
Tendering our toils, us, lands, seas, Greeks-remain,  
Drawn dry with woes, most poor, dost entertain  
In towns and tenements: O how shall we  
Repay condign deserved thanks to thee?  
Fair queen, we cannot; nor hath Troy's spoiled nation  
Ought left wherewith to make gratification.  
The Gods (if good men they a jot regard,  
If justice, or good conscience they reward)  
Reward you worthily. What Halcyon days?  
What honoured stems so rare a branch could raise?  
Whiles floods shall flow, while Sol gives mount-beams bright,  
While spangling stars in sky give twinkling light;  
Thy noble name and fame I'll glorious make  
In all parts, as I pass. As thus he spoke,  
Aeneas in's right hand Achates took,  
With's left Serest, Gyan, the rest he shook.  
Dido at first astonished with the states  
Of such brave men, thus them exhilarates:  
What churlish chance (fair Goddess son) what might  
Hath thee on barbarous banks forced in such plight?  
Art thou Aeneas, whom Anchises old  
On Venus got, by Phrygian Simois cold?  
How Teucer came to Sidon now I mind,  
Forced from his state, hoping good help to find,  
To be by Belus repossessed of's crown,  
My father Belus then with high renown  
Warring on wealthy Cyprus, won the same,  
And from that time I knew Troy's fate and fame,  
Thy great renown, thy Grecian princes high,  
And how Troy's foe Troy's fame did magnify,  
Wishing himself sprung from Troy's progeny.  
Go on therefore, fair Sirs, inhabit here;  
For I have not of such like woes been clear:  
But forced by fate am settled in this place.  
Thus knowing woe, I pity a woeful case.  
This she recounts: and to her princely court  
Aeneas brings, and then she doth resort  
To th' temples sacrifice, sending by scores  
Twenty fat ox, an hundred rough haired boars,  
An hundred ewes and lambs, to th' ships to's mates,  
God-pleasing gifts, heaven-cheering delicates.  
But th' inner rooms with princely pomp were dressed,  
And with a bounteous banquet love expressed,  
Rich hangings of most rare wrought tapestry,  
Cupboards of massy plate, where curiously  
Were graven the famous facts, continued story  
Of potent peers, and of her nations glory.  
Aeneas (for paternal love now may  
No longer linger) swiftly sent away  
Achates to Ascanius, to the shore,  
To show these things, and bring him them before.  
All father's joy in's gem Ascanius lay,  
And bade him bring Troy's rich saved garments gay:  
A costly coat embroidered thick with gold,  
A mantle wrought with flowers rich to behold,  
Fair Helen's vestments which from Greece she brought,  
When Troy, and unchaste nuptials there she sought:  
Her mother Leda's gorgeous gifts they were.  
Beside, the sceptre which Ilium fair,  
King Priam's eldest daughter used to hold,  
A neck-pearle bracelet, massy crown of gold.  
Achates, this rich present to present,  
Skips to the ships with joy and high content.  
But Venus new inventions, new plots finds:  
Her Cupids countenance first to change she minds,  
And him for young Ascanius to bring in,  
The lovesick queen with gifts to love to win.  
For why? the Tyrians double tongues she feared,  
Their hollow hearts, and Juno's wrath upreared.  
These nightly thoughts she thinks. Her winged child  
Cupid she therefore calls, with terms most mild,  
And says, Sweet son, my sole, my sovereign might,  
joves' darling dear, who thunderclaps dost sleight,  
To thee I fly, seeking thy sacred aid.  
Thou seest, my son, thy Trojan brother made  
The scorn of seas and shores, by them still chaste  
Through juno's wrath, which thou condoled haste.  
Him Dido has, and holds with speeches fair,  
Yet I, lest Carthage courtesies ensnare,  
Much fear: In active times delays are vain,  
I therefore plot how first by some sly train  
To catch the queen, with love-flames her to heat,  
Lest juno change her love, which now seems great:  
Thus with me mine Aeneas still t'affect.  
Which how to do observe, I'll thee direct.  
The Princely boy, my joy, mine only care,  
By's father's will for Carthage doth prepare;  
Carrying rich gifts preserved from flames and floods  
Of Troy. Him fast asleep in Cythers woods  
I'll hide, or on fierce Ida's holy h●ll;  
That none preview, and so prevent our skill.  
Assume his shape but for one only night,  
And the child's childish face in's father's sight;  
That when the joyful queen shall thee embrace,  
And at her princely bounteous banquet place,  
Hugging thee in her arms, give kisses sweet;  
Loves poisonous potion, hid-fire, her may greet.  
This love-lad strait his mother's mind obeys,  
Goes like Iülus, wings away he lays.  
But Venus laid Ascanius fast asleep,  
And in her bosom tendered did him keep,  
Laid him in Ida's grove, on shady bed,  
With fragrant thyme and Marjoram o'erspread.  
And now goes Cupid to discharge his charge,  
Led by Achates, with his gifts most large,  
And princely presents. And now come to court,  
The queen on carpets rich in regal port  
Sat in the midst of her magnific state.  
Next grave Aeneas, then conglomerate  
The Trojan troops, on purple carpets spread:  
Water for hands, fair towels, salt and bread,  
The servants brought. Fifty fair maids beside  
Tended within, whose care was to provide  
And dress the meat, and fires on altars make:  
An hundred damsels more, and men care take  
To set the banquet, and to see cups filled,  
And troops of Tyrians, as the queen had willed,  
Sat on th'embroidered beds, wondering to see  
Aeneas gifts, Iülus rarity,  
His Godlike shining face, words quaintly coined,  
His coat and covering richly wrought and lined.  
Chiefly Sidonian Dido's mind and sight  
On nothing else could muse, or take delight,  
Unsatiate to behold her after-bane,  
The lovely lad, and gifts which proved her pain.  
He having hung on father's neck and arms,  
And fed, yea filled him with feigned loving charms,  
Runs to the queen. On whom she clasps her eyes,  
Clings to him in her heart, sometimes likewise  
She hugs him in her bosom, ignorant  
How great a God her Love came to supplant.  
But he now minding what his mother willed,  
Makes her forget her good Sichaeus killed  
Slily and slowly: blows dead coals, fresh burning,  
Her love-dulled heart to love's delights returning.  
Their first feast finished, tables ta'en away,  
They bring huge bowls and wine-pots garnished gay.  
With mirth their rooms all ring, and loudly sound,  
In golden lamps great lights are placed round:  
Which burn so clear, that light doth night confound.  
Here the queen caused a wine-bowl rich and great  
Forthwith to be filled up with wine complete.  
(The same which Belus used, and all his race)  
Then silence made, she said with comely grace;  
Great jove, (for thou guest-laws, men say, dost frame)  
Do thou the day, on which the strangers came,  
To Tyrians and to Trojans happifie,  
And blissful make to our prosperity.  
Mirth-making Bacchus help us, juno dear,  
And you my Tyrians strive these guests to cheer.  
This said, the wine-bowl in her hand she took,  
Temp'rately touched it (first) with princely look.  
With checking charge to Bit●as she it gave,  
Who quickly quaffed off the whole cupful brave  
Of foamy wine: after him all the rest.  
Hairy jopas also did his best  
With's golden harp to make them music sweet,  
As ancient Atlas taught him songs most meet.  
He sang and played Moons monthly vagrant change,  
The Sun's diurnal toils, man's stock most strange,  
Whence birds and beasts, whence fire and water were,  
How stars do rise and fall, and bright appear,  
The stormy seven-stars, double plough-stars bright,  
Why Sol runs Southward in his Winter flight,  
And why the Summer makes so short a night.  
The Tyrians do their joy ingeminate,  
The Trojans echoing. And the night in prate  
Poor Dido spends: whose love-draughts deep her touch,  
Much talk of Priam, and of Hector much  
She makes: and of Aurora's sons brave arms,  
Of Diomedes horse, Achilles' harms.  
Tell me good guest (●ayes she) the total story,  
Greeks treason great, which quenched Troy's great glory:  
Yea tell us all thy toils, which (as appears)  
Thou hast endured by land and sea seven years.  
An end of the first book of Virgil's Aeneïds.   

THE ARGUMENT of the second book.  
When all were silent, Troy's brave knight  
Troy's fates, friends, states, doth here recite:  
The guileful Greeks, Minerva's gift,  
La'coons smart, sly Sinon's shift,  
To open the hollow horses side:  
I dream of Hector's death descried,  
Troy's fall, king Priam's destiny:  
Aeneas forced thence to fly,  
With's father on his back he fled,  
And in his hand Ascanius led,  
His wife Creüsa following fast,  
But all in vain, was lost at last.  
He thus escaped, his fellows finds,  
Who flock to him with cheerful minds.  
ALl silent sat, attentive heed to take.  
Then grave Aeneas from's high bed thus spoke;  
Great queen, thou bidst me wondrous woes renew,  
How Greeks Troy's realm and riches overthrew:  
Which I most woefully distressed did see,  
And whereof I had share in high degree.  
O what hardhearted Greek, Ulysses, could  
From tears, large floods of tears his eyes withhold?  
And now being night, stars summon us to rest.  
Yet since you so desire to hear expressed  
Troy's final fall, our woes: though extreme grief  
Makes me abhor those thoughts, yet I'll be brief.  
The Grecian captains tired, retired from fight,  
With many a years fierce war wearied outright,  
By Pallas art a mount-like horse they built,  
And with strong wooden ribs his sides they quilt.  
This fictious vow they leave: so flies the fame.  
In the huge concave belly of the same,  
Closely contrived, select brave youths they hide,  
And armed soldiers in its belly bide.  
In sight of Troy lies Tenedos fair isle,  
A wealthy place, whiles fates on Troy did smile:  
Now but a bay, sheep-shelter, unsecure,  
Here in a wood, retired, they hid them sure.  
We, thinking they were fled, for Greece all bound,  
And Troy from her late toils refreshment found,  
Set open our gates, let all go in and out,  
The Greeks forsaken camps to view about.  
Here Grecian troops, there fierce Achilles' might:  
Here lay their ships, there armies used to fight.  
Some wondered at Minerva's gift accursed,  
The horse's hugeness: and Thymoetes first  
Would have it set i'th' city, placed i'th' tower,  
Whether by fraud or force of fatal power.  
But Capys, and the part more provident,  
Wished that those Grecians grins, gifts fraudulent,  
Were either sunk i'th' sea, or burnt i'th' fire,  
Or's hollow belly bored, truth to inquire.  
The commons carried were with cross desire.  
La'coon first with troops attended then,  
Runs from the tower, fiercely cries out, Poor men,  
What folly's this? think ye your foes are fled?  
Or Grecian gifts want sly Ulysses' head?  
Either this wooden pile doth Grecians hide,  
Or against our town some stratagem provide,  
Or some hid harm: Trojans, trust not these drifts:  
What e'er it is, I fear Greeks bringing gifts.  
Thus having said, a strong spear with great force  
He struck into the ribs and side o'th' horse:  
Which trembling stood, and deeply pierced did sound,  
The hollow vault even groaned with that great wound.  
And had the fates been friends, our hearts been wise,  
The spear had spied out Greece's treacheries:  
And Troy had stood, and Priam's turrets high.  
But now, behold, Troy's shepherds hastily  
Brought to the king a young man with great shouts,  
His hands pinyond behind, found thereabouts:  
Who of set-purpose gave himself to them,  
Troy to destroy by this sly stratagem;  
A fellow bold of heart, for all feats fit  
To work his wiles, or to death to submit.  
Our Trojan lads do flock about him fast,  
To see his face, and scoffs at him to cast.  
Now hear and see Greeks grins, and by this on●  
All other their sly juggle may be known.  
For as unarmed amongst them he trembling stands,  
Glancing his eyes upon our Phrygian bands.  
Alas (says he) what seas, what shores me hold?  
What tends me wretch, but mischiefs manifold?  
To whom nor Greeks permit poor habitation,  
And angry Troy in's blood seeks expiation.  
With which sad sigh our hearts relented strait,  
Passion suppressed, we willed him to relate  
Both whence he was, and what strange news he brought:  
What hopes he had, being now thus captive caught.  
He, fear at last forsaken, thus replied,  
Great king, I'll tell thee all, what ere betide:  
'Tis true (says he) I am a Grecian born:  
This first: though fortune Sinon made forlorn,  
Yet fond and faithless shall she make me never.  
If by relation to thine ears came ever  
The name of Palamedes, of much fame,  
Against whom guiltless, Greeks a snare did frame  
Of treachery ('cause he these wars forbade)  
To put to death, for whom now dead they're sad:  
His man and kinsman near allied, am I;  
And of a child, through parent's poverty,  
Waited on him i'th' wars; while in good state  
The kingdom stood, and he was fortunate.  
For than we lived in fame and reputation,  
Till by Ulysses' envious emulation,  
(I speak: but what I know) he dead, poor I  
Was forced to live in obscure misery,  
The loss lamenting of my guiltless friend.  
Nor could I, frantic fool, to silence bend,  
But vovved, if fates did me to Greece reduce,  
I'd be revenged on him for this abuse:  
Hence rose Ulysses envy, hence did spring  
First harms to me: hence he new crimes did bring  
Against me, and hence rash reports were spread,  
His guilty heart raised broils, not quieted,  
Till I by Calchas. But why stay I you?  
Why things unsavoury do I thus review?  
You have the Greeks all in one condemnation,  
'Tis enough you hear, take on me vindication.  
In this th' Atrideses, Ithacus would joy  
Hereat we ardently our thoughts employ  
To search the end, ignorant utterly  
Of so foul facts, Pelasgan policy.  
Faintly and falsely on he tells his tale.  
The Greeks (says he) from Troy oft sought to sail,  
Would have reti'rd, ti'rd with that weary war.  
O that they had! But bitter winters bar  
Debarred them, and fierce winds their flight denied,  
But chiefly when that high built horse they spied,  
And thundering skie-noise all the seas o'er sounded.  
T' Apollo's oracle (our thoughts confounded)  
Eurypylus we sent, quick, to inquire:  
Who with these words of woe did soon retire;  
With Iphigenia's blood, a virgin slain,  
You Greeks got winds, the Trojan shores t' obtain.  
With blood you must obtain safe to depart,  
A Greek soul sacrificed. This to the heart  
Struck the astonished Greeks: as soon as heard,  
Through all their joints was trembling terror reared,  
To think, whom thus Apollo meant should die.  
Ulysses then pulled Calchas forcibly,  
The soothsayer, 'fore the Greeks, bade him disclose  
Whom 'twas the Gods required: then forthwith rose  
Much muttering, me to be this mischiefs aim,  
Some this fear'd-ill to tell me closely came.  
Calchas beside was silent ten days space,  
And would not show the man must death embrace.  
At last Ulysses urging instantly,  
He purposely burst out, said I must die.  
All were unanimous, what all did fear,  
The weight of deadly woe ones back must bear.  
My dying day drew near, deaths vestments sable,  
My heads death-co●f, fatal fruits deplorable,  
Were all prepared. But I ('tis true) evaded,  
And death to scape, by night a mud-lake waded,  
And hidden, lay i'th' flags, till they did flee,  
If haply so. No hope yet left for me  
My soil to see, children, or parents dear,  
Whom thus exposed to punishment, I fear,  
For mine escape, guiltless to bear my smart.  
Wherhfore by th' Gods, friends t' a truth-venting heart,  
By faith unfeigned (if firm faith yet do stay  
Amongst mortal men) I thee submissly pray:  
Pity my grief so great, so unjust wrong.  
At these his tears our mercy stayed not long,  
But Priam presently life freely gave him,  
Unbound his hands, and all offence forgave him:  
And said, Who e'er thou art, (lost Greeks forgo)  
Thou now art ours: the truth then fairly show.  
What means this huge horse? who did it invent?  
What plot? what pious end? warre-instrument  
Is couched in it? He strait, instructed well  
With Grecian craft and guile his tale to tell,  
His loosened hands to heaven lifts up, and said;  
I you adjure, you quenchless shrine-fires made,  
Your Godhead great, altars, death-swords, (now fled)  
You fatal head-bands, worn when I seemed dead:  
Witness how justly sacred vows I break,  
How justly hateful against my Greeks I speak,  
Opening their secrets, of all oaths now free.  
Thou then, fair Troy, keep promised faith with me;  
If truths I show, if love I largely pay.  
All Greece's hope of wars, good hap still lay  
On Pallas power: since which Tydides' still,  
And vile Ulysses, author of all ill,  
Assayed t' assail her temple, thence to take  
Minerva's image, and did slaughter make  
Of the towers guard, and desperately stole thence  
Fair Pa●●as statue, with strange impudence  
Daring to touch, to take with bloody hands  
The Virgin-Goddesses unstained headbands:  
From that time Greeks great hopes began ebb and end,  
Their force waxed feeble, Pallas not their friend,  
No showing anxious issues by strange sights.  
Scarce had her statue station, but flash-lights  
Of glistering flames came from her angry eyes;  
She sweat all o'er, and thrice with jumps did rise:  
(Fearful to see) and shaken her shield and lance.  
Calchas quick flight advised them to advance:  
And told them Greece could ne'er see Troy's shipwreck▪  
Unless their Gods, and all else they brought back:  
Which they with them to sea in barks do bear.  
And now that they to Greece to sail prepare,  
To make the Gods their friends, arms, all things fit,  
Unseen sail back: thus Calchas order it.  
Vision-advised, they framed this fabrication,  
Pallas t'appease, and make due expiation.  
And of so high, so huge skie-magnitude,  
Calchas contrived it with oak-fortitude:  
That through Troy's walls and gates it might not go,  
Left men their ancient superstition show.  
For if your hands should Pallas presents spoil,  
Much mischief (which heaven bring on him the while)  
Would light on Priam and his Trojan train:  
But if your helpful hands do it sustain,  
And place i'th' town, Troy would all Greece subdue,  
And make our children this fierce fate to rue.  
These Sinon's snares, false fetches, perjuries,  
Troy trusts, being catcht, o'rematcht with false forced cries;  
Whom nor Tydides' nor Achilles' great,  
Nor ten years' wars could tame, nor thousands cheer.  
And, which made more, to make them yet more blind,  
A fearful object troubled their dull mind.  
La'coon, Neptune's priest, as 'twas the guise,  
Offering a bull in solemn sacrifice,  
Behold, two snakes (I tremble to declare)  
With wondrous wraths from Tenedos repair,  
Gliding from silent seas to shore, extending  
Their speckled breasts, and flamy mains all bending▪  
Above the main, their ugly odious tail,  
And backs with fearful folds, do wriggling trail.  
The waves they shove to shore, with foamy din,  
And up the land to crawl and creep begin,  
Their gogling eyes flashing forth blood and fire,  
Their hissing mouths, sharp tongues do stench expire▪  
This sight put us to flight: they jointly crawl  
To La'coon, and two of's children small  
They first affront, and 'bout their body's wound  
With clinging clasps and bites, their corpse confound.  
Then him their fierce assailant they assail,  
With sword in's hand, and o'er him they prevail:  
And twice about his body, twice his neck,  
They twine and twist and hist, with hideous check,  
Their scaly corpse, long necks, his height excelling.  
And he with struggling hands stiffly repelling,  
Pulling their knots, with poisonous filth besmeared,  
Most horrid screeks and cries to th' skies he reared▪  
Much like an altar bull, beat down, broke out,  
To save his neck from th' axe, roars, roaves about.  
But the serpentine dragons thence did glide  
To th' temple, and to Pallas palace hide,  
Under whose feet and shield they lurking bide.  
New shivering fear our quivering hearts hence caught,  
For, all La'coon justly punished thought,  
Because his spear had pierced the sacred oak,  
And's lance had lanced the horse with impious stroke.  
To fetch the fabric (therefore) all consent,  
Into our town, Minerva to content.  
Then strait we broke the wall, a wide gap made.  
All with their helping hands bring nimble aid,  
By's wheely feet and stiff stuffed neck to draw it,  
And ceased not till o'er walls ascent they saw it.  
The fatal foe-filled fabric thus brought in,  
About the horse young boys and girls begin  
To sing their holy hymns, to touch the cable  
Delighted much. Troy (now) the horse's stable,  
I'th' heart o'th' town, to th' town most formidable.  
(O country dear, God's seat, victorious Troy!)  
Yet oft it stumbled, hazarded annoy,  
Entering the porch, arms oft in's paunch were heard;  
And yet blind, blockish we were not afeared,  
But in the sacred tower the horse thus housed.  
Yet we were by Cassandra's cautions roused.  
Whom we would never trust, by fate's decree.  
Poor we, to whom this must the last day be,  
With festive flowers and boughs our temple strew.  
Meanwhile the sky began change, the day withdrew,  
All darkening night her curtains black did spread,  
And heaven and earth and Greeks grins covered:  
Dreadless Dardanians silent, sound slept.  
And now the Grecian troops had slily crept  
Out of their ships from Tenedos, and soon  
Assisted by the still kind-shining moon,  
Closely they landed: then their Admiral  
Hung out a lanthorn-light, and therewithal  
Sinon, base Sinon sheltered by bad fates,  
Closely unclasps the wooden-belly gates,  
Wherein the Greeks lay locked: this opened Jade  
Lets out his armed intralls, all's displayed:  
Tisander, Sthenelus, Ulysses' sly,  
Athamas, Thoas, down by ropes began high,  
Ne'ptolemus, Achilles, Mach'on first,  
Menelaus', and Epeus the accursed  
Horse-enginer: The city they surround,  
And set upon't with sleep and drink all drowned.  
The watch they did destroy, set open the gates,  
And thus rush in their armed confederates.  
Just now were men in their first dead sleep cast,  
God's grateful gift for man's most sweet repast.  
And now, behold, me thought in dream I saw  
Before me Hector weeping; whom foes draw  
Along in piteous plight, at's chariots tail  
Besmeared (as once) with blood and dust most pale,  
Under's wound-swelling feet his horse reins trail.  
Ah how he looked! how changed from that brave Hector,  
Which wore Achilles' spoils, our State's protector,  
Or, darting Trojan-flames in Grecian barks!  
His beard now smeared, hair glued with bloud-wound marks,  
And scars seen plain, ta'en at the siege of Troy.  
And I, me thought, condoling his annoy,  
Seemed him to call, and sadly thus to say;  
O Dardanes light, O Troy's true staff and stay,  
Why hast thou lingered long? whence, Hector brave,  
Long looked for, cam'st thou? that we, weary, have  
Thy company so late, so many slain,  
The city spoiled, the people put to pain?  
O what dire deed hath soiled thy lovely cheeks?  
Why art so wounded? Not a word he speaks,  
Or stays a jot, or answers what's desired.  
But when he had a deep fetched sigh expired,  
Fly, heavenborn prince, he says, O fly this flame,  
Foes have our forts, fallen flat is Troy's high frame.  
Our king and state were well, if Troy could stand:  
And stand it should, had strength been in our hand.  
But now her Gods and pious rites to thee  
Troy recommends, let these thy fates mates be,  
With these seek out those walls and turrets high,  
Which thou (seas voyage ceased) shalt edify.  
This said, our country Gods, holy headbands,  
And altar-fire he put into my hands.  
Meanwhile much woe our town inhabited,  
And more and more (though trees surrounding hid  
My father's house, which stood far in) yet still  
Wars rumbling roaring noise did sound most shrill.  
I startled out of sleep, did soon ascend  
Our highest turret, listening ears to lend:  
Even as fierce blasts fling flames, and cornfields burning▪  
Or mountain floods with swift career o'returning,  
O'erflow fair meads, o'erspread crank corn, ploughed lands▪  
Tumble down headlong trees, nought upright stands:  
Which the poor silly shepherd stupifies,  
When from's high hill this rumbling stir he spies.  
Thus, O even thus truth shown, Greeks craft we knew▪  
First Deiphobus fair house they o'erthrew  
By flames represselesse; then they set upon  
His neighbour's house, our kind Vcalegon:  
Sigaea's shores glistered with fiery blaze.  
men's screeks and cries trumpets shrill sound did raise.  
I raging run to arms; armed, rashly fought,  
Rudely rushed headlong into thickest rout,  
Ran to the tower; hurried with wrath and rage,  
Held it true honour, life in death t'engage.  
But now, behold, Panthus, fled from Greeks power,  
Panthus Apollo's priest, keeper o'th' tower,  
Frantically ran to sea, to fly the land,  
Our Gods, their sacred rites, his son in's hand:  
To whom I cried, O Panthus, where's war's worst?  
What tower may taken be? This said, he burst  
Into deep sighs, and spoke thus as he passed;  
Troy's fearful fate is come, this day's our last:  
We once were Trojans, once this was fair Troy,  
And Trojans grace: now angry jove our joy  
Gives to the Greeks: Greeks lord it over us,  
Out city fired, we most calamitous.  
The hiddie horse standing within our town,  
Hath armed men disgorged: fire up and down  
Sinon triumphant throws: some strongly stand  
To keep our gates wide open: ne'er did our land  
So many Grecian swarms behold: some guard  
Our narrow lanes; strong troops keep watch and ward  
With sharp drawn swords, to th' death to fight most stout;  
Our guards confusedly fight, hardly hold out.  
Thus Panthus: strait my heaven-spurred spirit me threw  
Into the hottest flame, and fight; I view  
Angry Erinnys, noise, annoise me guide  
Rhipheus and valiant Iphitus, beside,  
My Martial mates agglomerate to me,  
Hypanis, Dymas, way by moonlight see:  
Great Mygdons' son, young Choroebus most stout,  
Who in those days by chance to Troy came out,  
Caught with Cassandra's captive love: both he  
And his great Sire brought aid t' us Phrygians free.  
Unhappy, who the counsel would not hear  
Of his Cassandra prophetizing dear.  
Whom when I saw boldly to battle bend,  
I thus bespoke; Brave youths of high intent,  
O, but in vain, if flames of Martial fire  
Kindle your courage, honour true t'acquire,  
Alas our city's fortune here you see:  
Our Gods, best goods, all quite extinguished be,  
Which propped our state, a city burnt you'd save:  
Let's die, and rush through thickest rank most brave.  
'Tis captives comfort no helps hope to have.  
These words the Gallants hearts with rage did fire,  
And strait (as ravening wolfs at night desire,  
Their whelps being left, their paunch being hungerbit,  
To range abroad to find a prey most fit)  
Through spears and spite of foes, fearless to die,  
We pass, and to the midst o'th' city high:  
Black night with sable shades doth us surround.  
O, who that night's great slaughter, woes great wound  
Can explicate? what tears equal those toils?  
A town of fame is fallen, long, rich with spoils,  
Her streets are strewed most thick with bodies slain,  
Troy's unrevenged blood, temples, all doth slain.  
Courage in conquered hearts was once made known,  
Now-conquering Greeks we once had overthrown:  
But now where e'er we look, we nought can spy,  
But fears and tears, and much mortality.  
Androgeos then, a Grecian captain stout,  
We first affronted, with his Grecian rout;  
Who taking us for friends, thus friendly said;  
Make haste, brave Sirs, what loitering hath you stayed?  
While others sack and take all-fired Troy,  
You scarce your ships have left, help to employ.  
This said, he soon perceived: (for no reply  
Fitting his mind was made) that th' enemy  
Had close enclosed him unawares: afraid,  
With heart and heels he made swift retrograde.  
Like one that unawares treads suddenly  
On an earth-creeping snake which close did lie  
Amongst pricklie thorns, he quick starts from (in fear)  
The rage-swoln snake, which his blue neck doth rear.  
Feare-dampt Androgeos thus flew from our sight,  
We followed close, closely maintained the fight:  
On all sides feled our foes, strangers to th' place,  
And filled with fear: fates did our first facts grace.  
Choroebus couraged with this good success,  
Cries out, Brave mates, let's this fair pathway press,  
Let's hold fast fortune by her friendly hand.  
Let's change our shields won from this Grecian band,  
And wear their arms: What courage can't, craft may.  
Slain foes will furnish us. This said, straightway  
Androgeos helmet fair, and shield he bore,  
And a brave Grecian blade by's side he ware.  
The like did Dymas, Rhipheus, and the rest.  
And with Greeks spoils themselves they joyful dressed.  
Then flew we amongst the Greeks, not by self-guide,  
And in dark night we many a skirmish tried,  
And many a Grecian soul we sent to hell,  
And some to ships and shores we did repel:  
Some with base fear to th' horrid horse retire,  
Reclimbe his back, known belly holes t' acquire.  
But fates displeased, alas, there's nothing stable,  
For now behold Cassandra amiable,  
A virgin pure, king Priam's daughter fair,  
Dragged out o'th' temple by her tender hair,  
Lifting her starry eyes to heaven in vain,  
Yea eyes: for her soft hands bands did restrain.  
This spiteful spectacle Choroebus fierce,  
Hating to see, with love-rage strait did pierce  
Into the rout, resolved there to die:  
After whom we do all most fiercely fly.  
Here from the temples top by our friends darts  
We were confounded, suffered sorest smarts,  
By our changed arms, changed Grecian shields and shouts,  
And then the Greeks enraged, since from their routs  
The maid was freed, from all parts hither throng,  
And fiercely us assail: there Ajax strong,  
Th' Atridas twain, and Grecian bands among.  
Like adverse winds burst out with fierce cross puffs,  
Eastern with West, West winds with Southern shuffs.  
Trees therewith tremble, Nereus' foamy voice  
Makes tumbling waves roll up with roaring noise.  
So they, and those whom we (by dark night veiled  
With shieldie shades) ensnared, to death assailed,  
And chased about the streets, appear: first find,  
Our changed shields and arms, yea then they mind  
Our different dialects. Strait numbers die:  
And first Choroebus, by Peneleus' high,  
At th' altar of Pallas omnipotent,  
Did lose his life: next Rhipheus eminent,  
One of the justest and the most upright  
Of all our Trojan peers, fell in this fight.  
So destiny disposed: then Dymas died,  
And Hypanis, by friends (as foes) defied:  
Nor thee, good Panthus, could thy piety,  
Nor Phoebean function save, but thou must die.  
I call to witness (here) the spirits of mine,  
And Trojan flames, that I did ne'er decline  
(In their distress) a Greek, a sword, a shield:  
But, had fates pleased, to death was pressed to yield,  
As my Greek-slaying hand and heart did merit:  
Thence broke out I, and Pelias of stout spirit,  
And Iphitus with us; Iphitus old,  
And P●lias, perished by Ulysses bold.  
Strait friends loud cries did us to court incite,  
Where we did find so fierce and furious fight  
As none had been before, as none had died  
In all the town, but what did there reside.  
There did we see unmastered Mars rush on,  
Bloud-glutted Greeks our houses leap upon,  
And block up fast, and scaling ladders set  
Against our walls, and scaffolds up to get,  
By posts and pillars striving to ascend,  
And with their shields in left hands them defend  
From darted shafts, their right hands grasp the tops  
Of highest holds, the Trojans seek strong stops,  
And from uncovered roofs pull tiles and slates,  
And, as last helps, hurl them down on their pates,  
A while to keep off death, which properates.  
Some guilded beams plucked up do tumble down,  
Which were forefathers facts of high renown:  
Some with sharp brandished blades their houses guard,  
And in thick troops keep them with watch and ward:  
Those regal rooms resolved with hand and heart  
To save, and to tired friends best aid impart.  
There was a wall with privy doors and ways  
To pass unseen, which Priam (in the days  
Of Troy's triumphant state) did use to walk,  
Unhappy now, and for sweet private talk  
Andromache did use alone to meet  
Her father in law: and where, with lovely greet,  
Astyanax her child his grandsire saw.  
I by this passage did myself withdraw  
To th' top of an high house; whence, all in vain,  
The conquered Trojans showered darts amain.  
A tower we then assailed, placed on a hill,  
With skie-topt turrets built, with curious skill:  
Whence total Troy, Greeks ships and camps we might  
Prospectively behold: this with war spite  
We set upon with swords, and hack in twain  
The joined cross beams, and raised the ground-pins main  
From firm foundation, shaking it so sore,  
As that we forced it fall, falling to roar:  
Whose sudden ruin fiercely ruinated,  
Huge troops of Greeks about it congregated.  
But others us assail, nor stones for harms  
Are spared, nor any kind of deadly arms.  
Before the porch, even at the door without,  
In glistering brazen armour, Pyrrhus' stout  
Insulting stood, a brandished sword ●●'s hand:  
Much like a snake, basking on Sunny land,  
With poisonous grass full fed (late) lurking in  
The frozen-earth, cold-swoln, now his old skin  
Stripped off, and he thereby made fresh and fine,  
His slippery rolling back breast high doth shine  
Against the Sun, with's mouths threeforked tongue.  
Great Periphas, Antomedon among,  
Achilles page, horserider, present were,  
And all the lusty Scyrian youths were there.  
All thick do throng to th' house, and wildfire cast  
Up to the top. Himself first comes on fast,  
With a tough two-edged tool cuts doors in sunder,  
And pulls down brazen posts with Martial thunder.  
Thus the beams broke, board's cleft, ruptures made bare  
The rooms within, great halls and parlours fair,  
Where Priam, and Troy's ancient princes rare  
Delighted were: all lay to open view,  
All were displayed. Thence fear and frights ensue,  
To see armed soldiers stand before the doors:  
Loud screeks and cries, tumultuous uproars  
Do fill the rooms within, which loudly ring  
With women's wail: whose shrill clamours ding  
The golden starry skies. The ladies fair,  
O'reloaded with laments, run here and there,  
And clasped posts embrace and kiss in fear.  
But Pyrrhus with paternal power breaks in;  
Nor walls, nor warders can protection win:  
His battering ram breaks open doors and gates,  
Pushing down pillars, all things devastates.  
The Greeks do find, or force their way at will,  
Kill all they meet, all parts with soldiers fill.  
The foaming flood, when banks are open braced,  
O'rerunning obvious mounts, runs not so fast,  
When its resistless stream the field overflows,  
And swallows sheep and sheep-coats, as it goes.  
Thus did I Neoptolemus behold  
Even drunk with blood, and both th' Atridas bold  
Entering the entry, and fair Hecuba  
Her diverse daughters, and king Priam grey,  
Defile the fires with blood, once consecrated:  
His fifty concubines accommodated  
With fifty hopeful sons; columns ore'laid  
With barbarie gold, with spoils most specious made,  
All woefully laid waste; and Greeks do share  
Amongst themselves what ravening fire did spare.  
And now perhaps you'll ask how Priam fared,  
When he beheld his city so ensnared,  
His building burnt with fire, houses pulled down,  
And in the midst of's palace foes fierce frown.  
The good old king his long left-arms resumes,  
And with age-feeble joints, sword, shield assumes,  
Buckles all on, but all in vain, and so  
His dying self in midst of foes doth throw.  
I'th' heart of's court, just in the open air,  
A mighty altar stood, a bay-tree fair  
Did by it grow, ancient, and ample spread,  
Whose shade the shrine and carved Gods covered.  
Here Hecuba, and all her daughters mild  
Like doves driven headlong by a tempest wild  
All in a heap; in vain the altar hold,  
And in their arms their helpless Gods enfold.  
But when she▪ saw her aged Priam armed  
In youthful arms, wherewith once foes he charmed,  
O woeful, oh unhappy spouse, she said,  
What mood, what motive dire hath thee arrayed?  
Nay, forced to wear such weapons? why dost fly?  
Alas, grave sir, there's no necessity  
Of such assistance, such a Guardian grave:  
Chiefly if here we had my Hector brave.  
Oh then come near: this shrine will shield us all,  
Or else we'll here together dying fall.  
Thus Hecuba; and to her him she takes,  
And in a sacred seat to sit she makes  
Her aged spouse. And now behold we hear,  
Polites, one of Priam's sons most dear,  
Scaped from the slaughter, which fierce Pyrrhus wrought  
Through hostile fire and sword, some safeguard sought,  
Flying the galleries and empty places,  
Searching, sore wounded: whom so Pyrrhus chases,  
And prosecutes and executes most fierce  
His rage on him, and now o'reta'ne doth pierce  
His body with his lance, who new now fled  
Into his parent's presence, fell down dead  
Before their face; and much blood spilt, expired.  
Priam hereat, though hedged with death, yet fired  
With aged rage, could not abstain, but strait  
His wrath's revenge doth thus evaporate:  
Ah, but the Gods (if heaven loves holiness,  
And hates foul facts) for this thy wickedness  
And daring deed, with condign guerdon quit,  
And pay thee home with recompense most fit,  
Who thus hast slain my son before my face,  
And by such death wrought's parents great disgrace,  
But he did not do thus, whom thou dost lie,  
And sayest to be thy sire, Achilles' high  
Was no such foe to Priam: but desired,  
Kept faith and promise in that I required  
Humbly of him, and did restore to me  
Brave Hector's corpse, interred for to be:  
And me into my state did re-estate.  
This said, old Priam did ejaculate  
A feebly flying dart, which gave a clang,  
Yet did no hurt, but on his helmet hang.  
Whereat thus Pyrrhus; I'll thee recompense,  
And as my messenger dispatch thee hence,  
To tell my Sire Achilles this sad news,  
That Neoptolemus, of his issues  
The bastard was: so let him understand.  
Die therefore now. And with those words, with's hand  
He trembling Priam to the altar drew,  
And did his corpse in his son's blood imbrue.  
H●s left hand wrapped up in his locks most grey,  
His right-hand with a naked sword made way  
Into his fide, to give his life last pass,  
Which up to th' hilts in's body sheathed was.  
This was king Priam's end, this his hard fate,  
To live to see Troy fired, quite ruinate:  
Even he, who once was Asia's Keisar great,  
Mightiest in men, and spacious regal seat:  
A despicable trunk (now) dead on ground,  
His head cut off, his carcase no name found.  
But I with hideous horror thus begirt,  
Amazed, my thoughts began strait to revert  
Upon the visage of my father dear,  
As I beheld the king massacred here,  
Just of my father's age: I thought upon  
My sweet Creüsa, from whom I was gone;  
On my forsaken house, and the feared fate  
Of young Iülus. 'bout me I looked strait,  
To see what hope of liberty I had.  
But all had me forsaken, tired and sad,  
Some leaping down, themselves precipitate,  
And some themselves in flames do conflagrate.  
And now I left alone, at last did spy,  
(Bright fires gave light to me, who wandringly  
Peep into every nook) I saw, I say,  
Fair lady Helen, how she closely lay  
In Vesta's temple, on the sacred stairs,  
Her head and heart full of just fears and cares,  
Both for the Trojans wrath, their city spoiled,  
And grudgefull Greeks, their marriage bed defiled.  
She being Troy's sole firebrand, fierce flame,  
At th' altar therefore lay she hid for shame.  
Revengeful coals hence kindled in my heart,  
To vindicate my country's woeful smart;  
To pay her for her cursed wickedness:  
Shall she, said I, to Sparta have regress  
In safety? and her country Greece regain?  
There, as a queen, her triumphs to maintain?  
Her parents, children, husband, home to see?  
With Trojan lords and ladies there to be  
Attended on? shall she old Priam slay?  
And Troy by furious flames bring to decay?  
And make our shores so oft sweat streams of blood?  
Not so: for though there be no true manhood,  
Nor glorious conquest in a woman's wrack:  
Yet t' have extinguished such a deed so black,  
To take so just revenge, is worthy praise:  
'Twill be some ease to quit my country's blaze,  
And my friends ashes by revenge to raise.  
As with mad mood these things I cast in mind,  
Ready to run at her, my mother kind  
Offered herself to my most joyful sight,  
And glistering far more gloriously by night  
Then formerly she did, a Goddess plain,  
Such, and so great, as with her heavenly train:  
And holding me by my right hand, she stayed,  
And with her roseal lips she spoke, and said;  
Dear son, what untamed wrath boiles in thy breast?  
Why fretst thou? why's no care of us expressed?  
Wilt thou not first thy feeble father find,  
Left in much woe? seek thy Creüsa kind,  
And child Ascanius? whom in Grecian rout  
I found (with wondering) wand'ring all about:  
And had not I peculiar care employed,  
Fierce flames and foeman's swords had them destroyed.  
Nor hated Helen, nor your Paris blamed,  
Did Troy subvert: but fates with wrath inflamed.  
Behold (for I'll all cloudy mists expel,  
Which dim thy sight, and make men not see well)  
Fear not thy parents precepts to obey,  
Nor from their regulating rules once stray.  
Here where thou seest broad scattered heaps to lie,  
And stones by stones removed, and up on high  
A foggy fume to rise, mixed with dust,  
And Neptune with his triple fork to thrust,  
And shake the walls, and rouse up the foundation,  
And utterly subvert the city's station:  
Here chase juno chiefly guards th' old gates,  
And, wrathful, her choice ship-troops animates,  
And steel-armed soldiers to her congregates.  
Yea see how Pallas on the high towers walks,  
And with storm-brightnes Gorgon's fury stalks:  
How Greeks great patron strength and spirit infuseth  
Into their hearts, and all his projects useth,  
To make the Gods Troy's foes. Therefore depart,  
Fly hence dear son, cease here thy toils of heart:  
I never will be absent from thy side,  
But safely in thy country cause thee 'bide.  
This said, she quick in nights thick mists was closed,  
The great Gods frowning face being plain disclosed,  
And all their fury to poor Troy opposed.  
And now, me thought, I saw all Ilium flame,  
And quite o'retumbled Nerean Troy's fair frame:  
Like an old oak upon a mountain high,  
Which rustic clowns do labour lustily  
To hack and hew with axe and chisils strong,  
By frequent blows at last to lay along.  
The oak makes threatening nods, and tremblingly  
Doth shake and quake its leafy tops on high,  
Till chopping wounds do make it give last crack,  
Which in its fall doth all about it wrack.  
Then I retreat, led by my Goddess guide,  
And through both foes and flames away I glide:  
Weapons give way, and flames do back recoil.  
And now being come into my native soil,  
Unto my father's ancient mansion fair,  
My father (for whom was my special care,  
To carry thence over the mountains high)  
Loathing to live, Troy lost, doth flat deny  
To go with me, and exile to endure:  
And said; O you whose blood is fresh and pure,  
Who young and strong can of yourselves subsist,  
Shift you for life, you may fly, if you list.  
But as for me, if fates would I should live,  
They (sure) this place would me for safeguard give.  
But 'tis enough, more than enough, I see  
One ruin, and our city lost, yet we  
Survive: even thus, oh thus my corpse laid well,  
Departing, give it a sad Vale knell,  
These hands shall find out death: foes may be kind,  
They'll take but spoils, small loss, no grave to find:  
Heaven-hated and earth-loathing fruitless me,  
My years till now too long protracted be,  
Since first the father of Gods, and man's great king,  
Did on my corpse his blasting lightnings fling.  
Urging these arguments he fixed remains.  
But we with cheeks all wet, with teary stains,  
I with my wife Creüsa and my child,  
And our whole household with entreats most mild,  
Prayed he would not all with himself o'erthrow,  
But yield to forcing fates. Still he said no.  
Who holding his intentions, sitting still,  
To arms again I fly with eager will,  
Willing to die a most perplexed wight.  
For what advice, what fortune help me might?  
Thinkst thou, dear father, I'll thee leave and fly?  
May a father's tongue vent such indignity.  
Iffates conclude, nought shall of Troy be left,  
And that to mined Troy of help bereft,  
Thou art resolved thyself and thine to add,  
The gate stands open, death may be quickly had.  
Pyrrhus with Priam's blood all-soiled, makes haste  
The son's blood in his father's sight to waste,  
The father at his sacred shrine to slay.  
For this, dear mother, hast thou been my stay,  
And refuge from all darts and deadly fire?  
That I should see i'th' heart and heat of ire,  
My father, wife, and my Ascanius tender,  
In one another's blood, their lives surrender  
By furious foes? Arms, arms, bring arms, dear friends,  
This last day calls us, conquered▪ to our ends,  
Show me the Greeks, set me afresh to fight,  
We will at least some of our deaths requite.  
Hereat I buckled on my arms again,  
And on my left-arm did my shield retain.  
But to the field I ready now to fly,  
Behold my dear Creüsa suddenly,  
Just at the door about my heels hung fast,  
And in my presence my Iülus cast;  
Saying, If thou'lt fly and die, let's die with thee:  
Or if in arms, lest hope of help there be,  
Bestow thy strength, first to defend this place:  
To whom else dost thou leave us in this case?  
To whom thy father, thy Iülus dear?  
To whom me thy late wife dost thou leave hear?  
Weeping these words, she fills the house with cries:  
When (strange to tell) there suddenly did rise  
A hideous chance: for even amongst us all,  
In my sad father's sight bright beams did fall  
Upon the top of young Iülus head,  
Which lightly licks his locks, and hurtless fed,  
And grew about his brows. We much afraid,  
Frame burning hair to strike the flames, assayed  
To quench the sacred fire with water cast:  
But grave Anchises joyful, lifts at last  
His eyes, his hands, and voice to heaven on high,  
Saying; O great jove, if prayers do pierce the sky,  
And move thee aught, regard us in this thing:  
If piety to mortals profit bring,  
Great father, grant thy favour, establish right  
All these so fair predictions, in our sight.  
Scarce spoke the old man thus, when sudden sound  
Of rattling welcome thunder did rebound;  
A streaming star from heaven most nimbly fell,  
Whose lustrous brightness rarely did excel.  
Which from our houses top we saw to glide,  
Its shining self in Ida's wood to hide,  
Pointing our path: whose furrow with long streams,  
Shone all abroad, with sulfur fuming gleams.  
My father hence o'ercome, the sign respects,  
Adores the star, thanks to the Gods directs,  
Forthwith cuts off delays, says, Here am I,  
Led on the way, I'll follow readily.  
Dear Trojan Gods, my house and grandchild save:  
This was your augur, yet you seem to have  
Some care of Troy. I yield, good son, with thee  
To go along. This said, we hear and see  
Upon our walls a more clear flashing flame,  
And scorching heat more near us rolling came.  
I therefore said; Dear father, take fast hold  
About my neck; for I with courage bold,  
Willingly on my back will bear you hence.  
How e'er things hap, one common exigence,  
Ones welfare shall be boths: Iülus we  
Will take with us, my wife may follow me.  
And you my servants, mark well what I say:  
Being out o'th' town, you'll find a h●ll i'th' way,  
And now forsaken Ceres' temple old:  
Whose ground an ancient Cypress tree doth hold,  
Many years kept for our religions sake,  
Thither we'll all from all parts us betake.  
Our Gods and sacred things, father, hold you:  
But as for me that now this war eschew,  
Still stained with hot bloodshed, 'tis impious (sure)  
Them once to touch, till in some fountain pure  
I may me lave, and cleansing fit procure.  
This said, I with a lion's skin arrayed,  
Clothes on my neck and shoulders fitly laid,  
I took my burden up: my right hand fast  
My young Iülus gripped, and on he past;  
But not with equal pace to's father's flight:  
My wife comes after, forced: through darkest night  
We thus are hurried on: and I, whom late  
No clouds of flying darts could trepidate,  
Nor swarmie troops of adverse Greeks could wound,  
Now fear each puff of wind, each smallest sound.  
Most for my little mate, grandweight, thus feared,  
And now to th' city gate my way thus cleared,  
Thinking all safe, I seemed most suddenly  
To hear a thick quick noise of feet hard by:  
And strait my father through a glimmering shade  
Looking foreright, O son, dear son, he said,  
And hast'ly cried; Fly fast, our foes draw nigh,  
For I their shields and glittering arms do spy.  
Hereat, I know not what unfriendly fate  
Made me amazed, did me precipitate,  
Into strange byways, lanes, and lawns until,  
Whether by fate fetched thence she lived still,  
Wretch that I am, I lost Creüsa kind;  
Or whether, being weary, left behind,  
Or having lost her way, I am unsure,  
But sure no search her sight could reprocure.  
And ere her lost my minds reflect respected,  
To Ceres' sacred seat, the place directed,  
Even to the hill we came, where we all met,  
One only wanted, whose mistake did fret  
Her mates, her son, and me her husband dear.  
And whom herein did frantic I hold clear,  
And not accuse? Or Gods, or men, or what  
In all Troy's wrack held I more harsh than that?  
Ascanius, and Anchises my dear sire,  
Our Trojan troop and Gods, with zeals hot fire,  
I to my mates commend, and did them hide  
In a deep vale: myself to th'city hied,  
Appointed, with my shining shield and arms▪  
I now resolved to reinforce all harms,  
The city through to perambulate,  
My life in dangers to precipitate.  
And first I mount the walls, and as I passed,  
I pried into the cities backwayes, fast,  
And back returned: the way I came by night,  
And into every crook I cast my sight,  
Horror my heart, silence my sense amazed;  
Thence to review my house, my thoughts me raised,  
If haply there I gladly might her see:  
But it I found by Greeks destroyed to be,  
And whole possessed. For why? devouring fire  
Blown by fierce winds did to its top aspire,  
Yea overtopped it, flames flying into th' air:  
Hence then to Priam's palace I repair,  
The tower I did review, which all decayed,  
With empty rooms: and by fierce junos' aid  
I found Ulysses' vile, and Phoenix fell,  
Guardians thereof; keeping their prey too well:  
Hither being brought, our Trojans treasures kept  
(Our temples burnt) from flames, which all quite swept  
The tables of our Gods, great cups of gold:  
Our captived royal robes this tower did hold.  
These, all these thither brought: and their young boys  
And frightful matrons making woeful noise,  
In heaps enhedged it. And though 'midst my foes,  
I with my voice adventured to disclose  
My heavy loss, and through the nightly shade  
I filled the ways with woes, and swiftly said,  
Nay cried, Creüsa, O Creüsa dear,  
Once, twice and thrice (in vain) for she'd not hear.  
Thus as I ceaseless, easeless pried about  
In every nook, furious to find her out,  
Me thought the woeful ghastly ghost I saw  
Of my Creüsa near mine eyes to draw,  
In bigger shape then wont: I stood aghast,  
My hair did stare: my tongue to's roof stuck fast.  
And strait she seemed to say, my plaints to end,  
What good is got, such fruitless pains to spend,  
Dear Fere? these things fall out by fate's decree:  
Nor may thy mate Creüsa go with thee:  
For so great jove gainsays: and says beside,  
That thou by sea long banishment must 'bide.  
And ploughing Neptune's waves to Latium glide,  
And there arrive, where Lydian Tiber's torrent  
Through fertile soils doth pass with facile current.  
There joys attend thee, there's a crown, a queen  
Thy wife to be: then cease this sorrow seen  
For me thy lost Creüsa thus affected.  
For I the Grecian dames, all disrespected,  
Will neither serve nor see in their proud places,  
But I now go t'enjoy the joyful graces  
Of Dardan Ladies, sacred Venus' niece.  
Here now the mother of God's plants me in peace.  
O then farewell, my love t'our son supply.  
This having said, she weeping woefully,  
And willing to have said much more, departed,  
And into th'open air quick from me darted.  
Thrice in my arms her neck to clasp I tried,  
And thrice her form from my hands hold did slide,  
Like a swift wind, or slippery dream by night.  
Night thus being spent, I went to take a sight  
Of all my mates: where such a confluence  
Of followers I found, since I went thence,  
As made me much admire their multitude  
Of men and women, youths and vulgars' rude,  
From miserable exile there collected;  
With goods and good wills freely all affected  
To follow me wheresoever by sea or land.  
And now the tops of Ida's woody strand  
Bright Lucifer with sweet Aurora's face,  
Began with days fair rays to gild and grace:  
The Greeks our blocked up gates and houses held:  
And we from hope of help being quite expelled:  
I therefore, on my back my father ta'en,  
Departed thence, the mountains thus to gain.  
An end of the second book of Virgil's Aeneïds.   

THE ARGUMENT of the third book.  
Troy's kingdom thus quite ruinated,  
And they for flight accommodated,  
Aeneas first arrived in Thrace,  
And built a city in that place,  
The death of Polydore him frighted.  
The kings great harbrous love recited,  
And Phoebus' oracles declared,  
To sail to Crect he's now prepared.  
Where he again new fortunes found,  
And shipwreck did him sore surround.  
Whence fled, the Harpies frights he shows:  
Helenus left, his fates he knows.  
He Achemenides befriends,  
His father dies: his tale so ends.  
AFter the Gods had ruined Asia's state,  
And Priam's throne, unworthy so great hate,  
Neptunian Troy like blazing brands of fire:  
We were constrained, by signs of fatal ire  
Exiled, to wander through strange woods and ways,  
And on Antander and Ides banks we raise  
And build our navy, being all unsure  
Where fates would force us, where to sit secure.  
Our men we muster: Summer scarce comen on,  
My father bade us hoist up sail, be gone.  
I than my native country's loss bewail,  
And planes where Troy late stood. I banished sail,  
With me my son, my mates, Gods small and great.  
far off th●re lies a spacious Martial seat,  
(Thracians it plant and plow) Lycurgus wise  
Once did it rule; Troy's ancient firm allies.  
Their Gods as ours, whiles fortune made us rise.  
Here I arrived, here first I built a town  
In a cross crook, entering by fatal frown:  
And from my name, I did it Aeneads name.  
And to my mother Venus I the same  
Did dedicate, and offer sacrifice  
To my kind Gods, that blessed mine enterprise.  
And jupiter great king of Gods t' adore,  
A fat bull I did offer on the shore.  
By chance hard by a woody hill I spied,  
Upon whose top white horny rods did bide,  
And tall thick shady myrtle boughs did grow.  
Thither to pluck off some of them I go,  
Our altars with green branches to bedeck:  
But as I plucked, a fearful chance did check  
My first attempt: for the first branch I tore,  
There issued thence thick drops of muddy gore,  
Which stained the ground with blood. This did me fright,  
And chilling fear shook me in piteous plight.  
Again another tender sprig I pluck,  
Longing to know the cause and lurking luck:  
Strait from the bark more bloody drops did sprout.  
Whereat much moved, the wood Nymphs (in great doubt)  
I did adore, and Mars great Thracia's king,  
To th'omen good, to th' sight delight to bring.  
Then when a third branch I more strongly tore,  
And with both knees to th' ground me struggling bore,  
(Speak may I, or be still?) A grievous groan  
From bottom of the pit to heaven up thrown,  
Seemed thus to cry. Aeneas, why dost tear  
Distressed me? my buried body spare,  
O spare, thy holy hands thus to bestain,  
For Troy did me thy kinsman know most plain:  
See how out from this stump doth gush my gore,  
O flee this barbarous land, this sharking shore.  
For I am Polydore; who here being slain,  
My corpse a bush of sharp shafts doth remain.  
My heart was strait with dubious thoughts dejected,  
Speechless, amazed, my hair's upright erected.  
Unhappy Priam (once) this Polydore  
With store of gold did secretly send o'er  
Unto the king of Thrace for education:  
Who when he saw Troy's troops in desperation,  
The city round besieged, our valour vail,  
Our weal grow weak, our fortune us to fail,  
Following great Agamemnon's conquering arms,  
He fled from us, burst out into base harms,  
Poor Polydore he slew, usurped the gold.  
O cursed thirst of gain! what, uncontrolled,  
Wilt thou not force man's mind to undergo?  
But now, fear past, this fatal sign I show  
To my choice Peers, but to my father first,  
Prayed them to say their minds, or best, or worst.  
All were unanimous, 'twas best to fly,  
To save that hateful harbour, instantly  
To sail away. A tomb we therefore made  
To Polydore, great heaps of earth up laid:  
About this woeful hearse blue clothes were placed,  
With cypress boughs, and sable garments graced:  
Our Trojan women (as we used) stood round,  
Their hair about their ears hung all unbound▪  
Then on it we warm pales of milk do throw,  
And bowls of sacred blood: and e'er we go,  
We at his hearse do ring his souls sad knell,  
And with loud cries give him his last farewell.  
Thence when first fittest serene seas gave way,  
And gentle fanning blasts made dandling play  
Upon our sails, our troops the shores do fill.  
My mates put forth to sea with free good will,  
And past the port, the lands and towns us leave.  
Thus sailing, we aloof (at length) perceive  
I'th' sea a lovely land lie situated,  
To th' mother of the sea Nymphs dedicated,  
And to Aegean Neptune: which fair land  
Straggling abroad, pious Apollo's hand  
Did with restrictive bands and bounds confine,  
With Gyarus and fair Myc●● combine,  
And thereby it most strong and stable made,  
Fearless when winds and waves did it invade.  
Here I arrived, here we our weary state  
In a most pleasant port did recreate;  
And comen on shore, adore Apollo's town,  
Wither to meet us speedily came down  
King Anius, king and priest to P●oebus great,  
And to those people, he with kind receipt  
(His h●ad with headb●●ds and green la●●ell decked)  
Anchises his known friend doth much respect.  
Then hands we shake in lo●●, and home are h●ad  
Into their houses▪ where I then ●ost glad  
In th'old rock-founded te●ple made oblation  
Unto Apollo, with this supplication;  
Grant, Thymbr●●n Ph●●us, to 〈◊〉 Troj●●● ti●ed,  
A proper place, an issuing race desired,  
And settled city: yet preserve, I pray,  
Another Troy, the relics which yet stay  
Of conquering Greeks, and of Achilles' stout.  
Whom follow we? whither range we about?  
Where shall we seat ourselves? Great father, say,  
Show us some signs our anxious minds to stay.  
Scarce said I thus, when all seemed suddenly,  
The doors and bays of Phoebus' majesty,  
Yea all the mount about, to move and shake,  
Apollo's private Tripos roars did make.  
Hereat to earth we prostrate fell, and heard  
A voice saying thus; Stout Trojans, be not feared:  
The land whence first ye sprang from ancients race,  
Shall safely you receive in copious case:  
Seek your old grandmother. For surely there  
Aeneas house shall spacious empire rear;  
And all his children's children's offspring fair.  
Thus Phoebus: we with clamours joyful are,  
Desirous all to know what towns he meant;  
Wither he'd call us▪ whither we wand'ring went.  
My father then old stories recollecting,  
Said; Hear brave peers, your hopes I'm now detecting,  
Mark then: I'th' midst o'th' sea lies Crect, joves' nation,  
There's Id●, our country's cradle of education;  
Whose large rich realm an hundred towns doth hold:  
Whence our great Sire king Teucer sprung of old.  
(If hearsay fail not) He on Rh●●t●ans shore  
Did first arrive, a fit seat did explore  
To plant his throne: as yet no Ilium fair,  
Nor Pergams pinnacles stood beauteous rare,  
But then low valleys they inhabited.  
Hence was wood-haunting mother Cybel bred,  
Sage Corybantes bells, and Ida's wood:  
Hence sacred secrets found safe silence good,  
Goddesse-yokt lions hence their chariots drew.  
Go on then, and let's pass where Gods us show,  
Let's calm the winds, and get to Candy's land:  
The ways not far: if jove do for us stand,  
Crect shall our fleet receive within three days.  
This said, he sacrificed to th' Gods due praise,  
One bull to Neptune, one t' Apollo kind:  
To storms a black, a white sheep to southwind.  
There flies a fame, that Idomeneus duke  
Forced from his native state his Crect forsook,  
That all his lands lay void, to foes a prey.  
To sea we fly, from Delos part away,  
Leave green Donysa; Naxon, Bacchus' pride,  
Olearon, white marbly Paron wide,  
Sea-spreading Cyclads, pass those lands about.  
With various noise our mariners cries out.  
My mates me move for Crect, forefather's seat;  
And as we sail, rough winds our ships do beat;  
So that at last Candy's old coast we held.  
Where gladsome I, long wished for town-walls build,  
And Pergam named: my glad mates Trojans called,  
Wished them to grace the Gods, see cities walled,  
And houses framed: our ships in ports secure,  
Out youths new wedlock rustic works enure.  
I laws and lands allot: when suddenly  
Through corrupt air a foul mortality  
Did on us seize: a murrion miserable  
Our trees and plants did spoil most lamentable,  
A deadly year. For, or men quickly die,  
Or sickly languish in much misery.  
The dogstar burns our barren fields and plants,  
Denies us grain, complies our pain and wants.  
My father hence to Delphos wills us send,  
And back by sea Phaeb's oracle to tend,  
Pardon to pray, these toils and cares to cease,  
To know their course, and labours longed peace.  
Now night was come, sweet sleep shut up men's eyes,  
And now me thought in sleep I saw to rise,  
Before my face the sacred images  
Of Trojan Gods, our countrey-Deities,  
Whom I, from Troy's fierce flames saved, brought with me:  
These by much light I seemed most plain to see,  
Like Cynthia fair, when windows open be.  
And thus they seemed to say, to cheer my heart,  
What Delian Phoebus means to thee t' impart,  
Behold by us sent to thee: thus he sings;  
We who, Troy burned, thee and thy armies wings  
Have followed, we who through rough seas have passed  
With thee, will thee and thine to th' heavens at last  
Exalt, and give thy city sovereignty:  
Prepare great walls for great posterity.  
And leave not thy long labours progress fair▪  
Thou must seek other seats: Apollo's care  
Called thee not hither thus to rest at Crect.  
But there's a place for thee held far more me●●.  
Which Greeks Hesperia call, of pristine state,  
Potent in arms, with fertile soils ornate.  
Th' Oenotrians dwelled there once, now younger fame  
Doth it from Italus, Italia name.  
Here is our proper place, hence Dardan springs:  
Hence father jasius, and our chiefest kings.  
Rise then, and this, as sure as sweet relation,  
Show to thy aged sire with exultation:  
Seek out fair Corits coasts, Italia's bay:  
jove thee denies in Candie longer stay.  
This voice and vision of the Gods me frights,  
(Nor was't sound sleep, for I their perfect sights  
Did plainly know, their faces, hair bound neat  
I surely saw: whereat a i'll could sweat  
O'erspread my limbs) from bed I started strait,  
To heaven my hands and heart I elevate,  
And to the Gods give a pure sacrifice:  
Which honour done, I, as they did advise,  
Unto Anchises all the vision tell.  
Th' ambiguous branch, and fathers both, full well,  
He straightway knows, and sees his new mistake  
From places old: and therefore thus he spoke;  
Dear son, long seasoned with our Trojan toils,  
Only Cassandra told me these turmoils.  
That these things now our nations due portend,  
I right recount, and oft did apprehend,  
Hesperia spoke of, and fair Italy.  
But who'd have thought Trojans should e'er come nigh  
Those parts? or who did then Cassandra trust?  
But to Apollo now submit we must,  
And follow better fortunes. This thus said,  
We all his words most joyfully obeyed.  
And parted from this place, few left behind,  
Our ships do plow the seas with pleasant wind.  
As thus our wingy sails through waves do fly,  
No land now seen, all sea, all air, and sky;  
Then o'er my head a black blue cloud did stand,  
Whereby i'th' flood night●storms seemed near at hand.  
Winds quick wind up the waves, huge billows rise,  
Floods make our fleet to float: day from our eyes  
Dark clouds roll up, wet night takes sky from sight,  
And from cleft clouds flash out quick lightnings bright.  
We wander through blind seas, our course crossed quite.  
Yea Palinurus did himself deny:  
He could or day or night by heaven descry,  
Or know his way i'th' sea. Three days together  
In foggy mists we strayed in stormy weather,  
And three nights never having seen a star.  
The fourth day first we land descried afar,  
Mountains peeped up, and chimney smoak ascended.  
Our sails we slack, our oars we close attended:  
No stay we make, our shipmen strenuously  
Slice up the foam, sweep the blue floods on high.  
And first Strophadean shores from sea me save,  
The Greeks these isles Strophades named have,  
Isles in the great jonick sea, where dwell  
Celaeno fierce, and ravenous Harpies fell:  
ere since Phinëus house was from them shut,  
And they from their first table-feares were put.  
Then these were ne'ermore hideous monsters found,  
Then these the Gods great wrath did ne'er more wound,  
When raised from Stygian pools. Birds of strange shape,  
Fowl fowls with virgin's faces, mouths which gape,  
Still hunger-starved, with most insatiate maws,  
Which filthily hang lose, hands with huge claws.  
Here now i'th' port we safely set, behold,  
We saw great droves of lusty fat beefs bold,  
And flocks of goats feeding, no herdsman by.  
On whom with swords we set, and instantly  
The Gods, yea jove himself we invocate,  
Part of our prey with's to participate:  
Then on the ground, beds spread, we eat our meat.  
But from the mountains with a bluster great  
And horrid noise, the Harpies on us light,  
And with huge din clap their wings in our sight:  
Snatch up our meat with filthy fists defiled,  
And make most odious smells and screekings wild.  
Again, in a remote most private place,  
Under a rock which shades and boughs did grace,  
Our table set, on shrines we sacrifice.  
Again, from hidden holes a cross way flies  
Another troublous troop, with hooky claws,  
To catch the prey, and fill their filthy maws.  
Then strait to take up arms I charge my mates,  
And to fierce fight each one accelerates,  
Against that odious army; as I bade,  
Their swords and shields i'th' grass they hidden had.  
Thus when to th' shore to us with noise they grew,  
Misenus from an high hill did them view,  
And with brass trumpet sounds th' alarm strait:  
My mates make head, thick blows reduplicate,  
Those foul sea-fowls to foil and profligate.  
But nor their wings nor backs our blows could hurt,  
For into th' air they swiftly fly and flirt,  
Leaving the half-got prey and prints behind,  
Of their foul feet. Only alone I find,  
Set on a steepy cliff, Celaeno fierce,  
Unlucky wizard, who, our hearts to pierce,  
Broke out into these words; Is't war indeed?  
Perfidious Trojans, must fierce war proceed  
For our slain beefs and goats? quite to expel  
Us harmless Harpies from our native cell?  
Then hear me, and my words imprint in thee:  
What mighty jove to Phoeb, Phoeb showed to me,  
I chief of furies will reveal to thee:  
With wind and tide to Italy you go,  
To Italy (at last) you shall do so:  
But first, ere you your city edify,  
Fierce famine and our slaughters injury,  
Shall cause you quite devour your store of meat,  
And bring you to distress, nought left to eat.  
This said, away into the woods she flies.  
Whereat bloud-chilling fear doth us surprise,  
Our hearts did faint: now not with powers, but prayers  
We labour to make peace, to cure our cares;  
Whether bad birds, or sacred fouls they be,  
And old Anchises, most devoutly he  
His hands stretched forth, the great Gods invocates,  
And to them their due honours dedicates.  
Great Gods (says he) spare threats, avert these ills,  
Appeased, save good men that do your wills.  
Then strait he bids us lose the ship from shore,  
And hale the cables in. The winds up boar  
Our fair spread sails: and so we cut the seas,  
And make our way where puffs and pilot please.  
And first at sea we woody Zacynth spy,  
Samey, Dulichium, rocky Nerite high:  
Ithaca's rocks we pass, Laertes straight,  
Ulysses' native soil we execrate,  
As we it pass. To stormy Leucas hills  
We came, and to Apollo's point, which fills  
Poor shipmen's heart with fears. Here we at last,  
Tired, at a little town arrived; and fast,  
To come to shore, our anchours out we cast.  
Thus having found an unexpected land,  
To jove we expiated out of hand,  
Made vows and sacrifice, and manly sport  
On Actium shore, used in our Trojan court.  
Our naked youths suppling their joints with oil,  
Our countrey-wrastling use: ●o see our toil  
And danger past, passing so many towns  
Of adverse Greece, and midst of foeman's frowns,  
This joyed our hearts. Now a full summer past,  
By Northern icy blasts floods frozen fast:  
On a brass shield, which on a post I hung,  
Great Abas famous facts in verse I sung.  
Saying; Here Aeneas consecrates these arms,  
Won from the conquering Greeks most fierce alarms.  
Then from these shores to th' oars I bid them fly,  
And they the seas beat, brush, most justily.  
Soon we lost sight of high Corcyra's towers,  
And bore up by Epirus pleasant bowers.  
Where entering Chaons' port, our course we bend,  
To brave Buthrotums city to ascend.  
Here we rare things of note did understand,  
How Trojan brave Helenus did command  
The Grecian towns, who Pyrrhus wife did wed,  
And wore his crown, and after married  
Andromache, both of them Trojans bred.  
I wondered, and my heart burnt with desire,  
To greet the man, and of these things t'enquire.  
So on I passed, shores, ships, safe left behind,  
When as by chance I saw (with mournful mind)  
Before the city in a grove most green,  
Near Simois stream, Andromache the queen,  
Offering sad gifts, an annual sacrifice,  
To Hector's ashes, calling up likewise  
The ghosts to's tomb, 'bout which green turfs did grow,  
And two more shrines (her greater grief to show)  
She consecrated had. When me she saw,  
And Trojan troops with me near her to draw,  
Distracted, strait she seemed strangely afraid,  
At this so sudden sight she stood dismayed:  
All vital heat her corpse did quite forsake.  
And down she sunk, long first, at last she spoke:  
Is't a true face? bringst thou true news to me?  
O God desk son, liv'st thou? or if thou be  
Raised from the dead, tell me; where's Hector dear?  
This said, a flood of tears from her appear,  
And every place she fills with clamorous woes;  
Nor scarce could I (briefly) her rage oppose:  
But moved with grief, these abrupt words breathed out;  
Indeed I live, through all straits born about.  
Thou seest a certainty, then do not doubt.  
Alas! what chance thee chased from such a Fere,  
Now resustains? what fate does thee recheare?  
Great Hector's Deer, art (still) stout Pyrrhus mate?  
Hereat with hung down head, words temperate,  
And submiss voice she said, O blessed and best  
Priam's fair daughter, happy 'bove the rest,  
Whom foes did force under Troy's walls to die:  
For whom no lots were ever cast, to tie  
Thee to the captive-bed of conquering foe!  
We, Troy destroyed, have been tossed to and fro  
Through diverse seas, and travelling have tried,  
In bondage base, th' Achillean youths great pride:  
Who after loved and married Hermion brave,  
And me his maid to's man Helenus gave.  
But then Orestes in fiecie jealousy  
For his stolen wife vexed with his villainy,  
And roused with rage, did unawares him catch,  
And at his father's tomb, of life dispatch:  
And by the death of Neoptolemus,  
Part of the kingdom came to Helenus:  
Which he from Chaon a brave Trojan state,  
Did totally Chaonia nominate:  
And this Troy's tower and Pergams walls erected.  
But what fair winds, what fates thee thus directed?  
What God did thee thus to our confines drive?  
Where's young Ascanius? does the lad yet live?  
Whom Troy to thee for future hopes did give.  
Of his lost country has the boy a thought?  
Or have the ancient noble virtues wrought  
In his young pregnant heart, of's father 〈◊〉  
Aeneas, or of's uncle Hector brave?  
These words she spoke, and speaking wept full sore,  
Though all in vain; and e'er she could give o'er,  
Trojan Helenus from the city came,  
Attended with a train of Peers of fame.  
His countrymen he knew, acknowledged,  
And joyful, us into his city led:  
And as we went, spoke much, as much he wept.  
Thus on to Troy-novant our way we kept,  
And to his Pergam patterning our great,  
Where was the drie-brook, Xanthus called, whose seat  
I knew, and hugged the posts of janus' gate,  
My Trojans with me do participate  
In this kind harb'rous town. The king also  
In royal rooms did them great kindness show.  
In his great hall they drank full bowls of wine,  
And with choice cheer, in golden dishes dine.  
And thus two days at least we there did spend,  
Now fair southwinds our wingy sails did tend.  
Then to this kingly prophet humbly I  
With these beseeches, do my suit apply;  
Trojan-interpreter of God's decree,  
Who Phoebus power, Delphic stools, stars dost see,  
Who Clarian bays, birds chirps, swift flights dost know▪  
I pray thee, plainly to us all to show,  
(For all religion hath my course made fair:  
And all the Gods advise me to prepare  
For Italy, that promised land to gain:  
Harpyck Celaeno only seems to feign  
New and nefarious frights, and doth us threat  
With a most foul and fearful famine great)  
Show us, I pray, what dangers first to fly,  
And how such toils to vanquish valiantly.  
Helenus' here, first, as he used, did slay  
His heifers, and to th' Gods of peace did pray:  
loosening the fillets on his holy head,  
He by the hand me full of fear and dread,  
Unto thy temple, great Apollo, brings,  
And from his sacred mouth the priest thus sings:  
Great Goddess son, (for'tis a truth most clear,  
That thou shalt sail to th' sea by gods most dear:  
So jupiter guides fates, so lots do light,  
So he the wheel of fortune order right)  
I in few words amongst many things will show  
How thou through serene seas mayst safely go  
To Italy: Further to know, unfold,  
The fatesand juno have my tongue controlled.  
First, Italy, which thou think'st near at hand,  
And ignorant, would rest in neighbouring land,  
far off, long ways, long rigid reaches yet  
It doth contain: and first thou down must sit,  
And set thy bending oars smoothly to sail  
In Sicils seas; and after, with free gale  
Pass with thy ships through Italy's salt seas,  
And through th' infernal flood, and isle Circe's,  
Before thou canst secure thy city build:  
Mark well, for I will thee some tokens yield:  
When careful thou 'bout Tyberinus shore  
Hast that still silent stream quite passed o'er,  
Thou on those banks a huge white sow shalt see,  
With thirty white young pigs late farrowed be:  
And on the ground sucking the sows white ●eats,  
There is the place for thy fair cities seats.  
Nor for the foretold famine be afraid,  
Phoebus will help, the fates will find good aid.  
But see thou shun these parts, our neighbouring land,  
Though near some part of Italy it stand:  
For there the greedy Greeks all cities hold,  
There lie in garrison the Locrians bold,  
There Idomeneus on Salentine plains  
His Grecian army musters up, and trains:  
And there duke Philoctetes safely sleeps,  
And in Petilias weak walls closely keeps.  
Besides, the seas safe past, thy ships at rest,  
Thy altars built on shore, thou ready pressed,  
Then pay thy vows, with purple-hood thy head  
See thou adorn, that no disordered  
Or adverse fact be found, i'th' sacred fire  
Made to the Gods due praise, t'incensetheir ire,  
And all molest. This custom thou and thine  
Keep firm in sacred rites, at sacred shrine.  
After, when winds to Sicil bring thee near,  
And straight Pelorus banks smally appear,  
Sail to the left hand sea, the left hand side,  
Steere, by a long circumference, the tide:  
Be sure to shun the right hand sea and shore.  
These parts (they say) were by a tempest sore  
(Such a strange change makes long antiquity)  
And rupture great, long since most vehemently  
Broke forth; both lands did once together lie:  
For with great force came a huge inundation,  
Whose overflowing stream made separation  
'Twixt Italy and Sicil, tumbling down  
With swift represselesse rage each field and town:  
Yet running with a narrow furious flood,  
On whose right side pernicious Scylla stood;  
Implacable Charybdis on the left,  
The midst whereof so hellishly is cleft,  
That its deep gaping gulf with treble swallow  
Sups up huge waves, which broken in do follow:  
And thrice again disgorgeth them on high,  
Dashing its wavie vomit up to th' sky.  
But Scylla lurketh in his covered caves,  
And to his sharp-toothed mouth sucks ships from waves:  
Upward a man, downward a comely maid,  
His lower parts like a huge whale are made,  
All of wolves wombs and Dolphins tails are said  
To be engendered. But Pachynus point  
Is far more safe for thee, at ease t'appoint  
Thy courses in and out, though farther it wind,  
Then formidable Scylla's fangs to find,  
And rocky roars of his cursed curs unkind.  
Beside, if any wit Helenus have,  
If him lest faith or truth Apollo gave;  
This one thing, and but only this for all  
(Dear Goddess son) to thee I motion shall  
And mention, yea and move most ardently,  
'Bove all adore great junos' deity:  
Make vows to juno with a willing mind,  
And overcome with sacrifices kind  
That mighty Goddess. Thus, thou victor may'st,  
Sicilia left, in Italy be placed  
To Cuma thou being come, and on that shore,  
Where sacred floods, Avernus' woods do roar;  
There thou the frantic prophetess shalt see,  
Who in her deep steep rock doth prophesy.  
And all her notes and names in leaves she writes,  
And what in leaves she written leaves, indites  
In metre-modules, and locks in her cave,  
And there untouched, they lie in order brave.  
But if, the door being open, the wind displace them,  
And out of doors the whisking puffs do chase them,  
She never cares to catch them in again,  
To recollect their strains, or place them plain,  
Rudely they run, and Sibyls seat disdain.  
Nor think it loss of time there to abide,  
Though thy companions thee to ship may chide,  
And though to launch out thou have wind at will,  
Which with most prosperous gales thy sails may fill,  
Yet prove the prophetess, her humbly pray  
Thy fates by word of mouth plain to display,  
She'll show thee Latium lads, fierce future broils,  
And how thou mayst forsake, or take thy toils:  
Thy journeys joyful sacred-she will make.  
Of these things I'd have thee chief note to take.  
Go on then, and to th' heavens Troy magnify  
By famous facts. This said, most courteously  
The prophet gave him ivory gifts, and gold,  
And made his ship huge massy silver hold:  
Dodonaean basons, and a coat of arms  
Richly beset with hooks, to save from harms,  
And treble-guilt with gold; a helmet fair,  
With a rich crest, and dangling plume, like hair:  
The arms of Neoptolemus they were,  
And to my father he great gifts did bear:  
He gave us horses, gave us captains there:  
Gave us new oars, and armour for our men.  
Achilles' my old father bade us then  
To fit our ships with sails, for winds swift chase:  
To whom Apollo's priest said, with great grace,  
Anchises, whom fair Venus to embrace  
With wedlock's royal rites, did kindly ' deign,  
Whom God's regard, and twice did safe sustain  
From Pergams' spoil, behold fair Italy,  
Then sail thou thither with celerity,  
And needs thou must from these our parts depart.  
For very far remote from whence thou art,  
Are those Italian plains, by Phoebus shown:  
Then go (he said) thou who art happy known  
In a most pious son: But why thus still  
Does my talk stay thee? winde blowing now at will.  
Andromache likewise at our farewell  
Most sorrowful, brought gifts that did excel:  
Garments with gold embroidered, rich and deep,  
And a rare Trojan coat, which she did keep,  
She to Ascanius gave, equal to any,  
And rarely woven gifts she gave him many,  
And said; Take these brave child, and let them be  
Pledges of my hands and hearts love to thee,  
Let them Andromaches, great Hector's mate,  
Largely extended kindness demonstrate:  
Yea take them as friends gifts in last extent,  
O thou who only much dost represent  
My dear Astyanax! for so had he  
His eyes, his hands, his countenance like thee;  
And, had he lived, he had been just thine age.  
Then parting, I with a sad carriage  
And many tears, said unto these my friends;  
O happy you, whose toil already ends:  
Whereas new and alternate fates us call,  
You sit at ease, no seas to sail at all:  
You seek no Latian retrograding plains,  
You Xanthus and Troy's figure safe contains,  
Which your own fingers framed: I trust, more blessed,  
Then e'er to be by Greeks again distressed.  
If ever I fair Tiber's floods and field  
Do enter, and my nations city build,  
And kindred countries and our neighbouring nations,  
Epirus and Hesperias combinations  
In amity, who both from Dardan came,  
And both in blood and fortunes were the same:  
Then both shall be one Troy in sweet affection,  
And our posterity have one protection.  
By sea we to Ceraunia sail, hard by,  
Whence by short cut lies way to Italy.  
Meanwhile the Sun goes down, shades hide the hills,  
We on the longed for land with cheerful wills  
Lie down and choose our oars, and scattered wide,  
We for our weary limbs on shore provide:  
And tired, quickly fell full sound asleep,  
Nor yet did midnight season from us creep,  
When Palinurus nimbly rose from rest,  
To watch the wind; his ear to th' air most pressed,  
He marks the gliding stars in serene sky,  
The Plow-starre, Wain, Hyades watery,  
Golden Orion, full of tempests great.  
And finding all to be both fair and neat,  
From shipboard gives a sign: we change a station,  
And steer our way with sail-yards elevation.  
The stars now fled, ruddy Aurora smiles,  
And we dark hills descried some distant miles,  
And Italy lying low: when first of all  
Achates Italy aloud did yaull,  
Our mates do Italy salute with joy.  
And old Anchises doth himself employ,  
A bowl of wine brimful to coronate,  
And all the Gods divine did invocate.  
And thus, advanced i'th' ship, did impetrate:  
You Gods of sea and land, who storms do cease,  
Prosper our journey with all joys increase.  
And strait fair blasts do blow, the ports appear  
To our approach, and we beheld most clear  
Minerva's temple in her sacred tower.  
My mates their ships to shore with all their power  
Put in, to land, and quick let down their sails,  
The haven hooks in, by Eastern seas avails,  
Much like a bow; and rocky banks cast up,  
The foaming-swelling salt seas waves do sup.  
The haven lies hid, the rocks, like turrets high,  
Stretch out two walley-arms, and back doth fly  
The temple from the shore. Here did I see  
(The first omen) four snowwhite steeds to be  
About the field, and on the grass to graze.  
Then grave Anchises thus his mind did blaze;  
O harbrous land, bringest thou battles great?  
By these warre-horses thou fierce war dost threat.  
And yet these beasts chariots were wont to draw,  
And in kind couples bits to champ and chaw.  
Here's hope of peace, says he: then submissly  
We pray to Pallas powerful deity,  
Who us most glad received, before whose fires  
Our heads with hoods we veil, and Trojan tires:  
Holy Helenus charge we discharge now,  
Which chiefly he enjoined us, and we bow  
And sacrifice to Greece's juno high.  
Without delay, our votes paid orderly,  
We turn about our covered cross yards all,  
And from Greeks feared towns and fields we fall.  
And hence we saw Herculean Tarents bay,  
(If fame be true) against which in full sight lay  
Lacinian junos' temple, Caulons towers,  
And shipwrecking Scylacaeums stormy powers.  
Then far from sea, Sicilian Aetna's hill  
We saw, and heard the seas huge roars most shrill,  
And battering stones clattering against the cleft,  
And abrupt sounds at shore, waves loudly lift,  
And sands and seas boiling with furious drift.  
Here's that Charybdis (sure) Anchises said,  
Helen these rigid rocks, these cliffs displayed.  
Hence then brave mates (says he) ply close your oars.  
Strait they what's bid obey, shove from those shores:  
First Palinure the stern steers to th'lef● side,  
The whole fleet rows to th' left with wind and tide.  
Huge bow-backt waves do toss us up to th' sky,  
They shrink, we sink to hell's profundity.  
Thrice threatening rocks i'th' cliffs made clamorous jangles,  
Thrice we the foam did slice, see dewy spangles.  
Meanwhile both wind and sun us tired forsake:  
Unknown on Cyclops banks a stay we make.  
The haven is huge, unstured by sturdy wind,  
But Aetna's horrid roars there (near) we find.  
Whence a black cloud sometimes is belched out,  
Whose pichy fume and fiery sparks about  
Vent flakes of flame, and seem the stars to lick,  
Vomiting up unboweled mount-mould thick,  
Working up rocks to th' sky, and heaps of stones,  
From's fierie-boyling paunch venting great groans.  
Encelads lightning-half-burned corpse, 'tis said,  
Under this mighty mountain Aetna's laid,  
And through those chimney breaches breathes out fire,  
And when that weight his weary limbs doth tyre,  
All Sicil shakes with rumbling noise and cries,  
And mighty fogs and fumes do dim the skies.  
That night in woods strange sounds and sighs us fright,  
Yet on the cause of them we could not light.  
For neither we the light of stars did see,  
No nor the starry pole discerned could be:  
But mungy clouds o'erspread the sky most black,  
And the dark night made us moonlight to lack.  
But now the next day's light sprang from the East,  
And Sols bright rays nights dewy shades decreased:  
When suddenly out of the woods we spy  
A man's strange shape, hunger-starved, like to die,  
In piteous plight, his hands humbly stretched out,  
Whom we behold, see him soiled all about,  
His wild grown beard, his garments all thorn-torn,  
In all things else he seemed a Greek forlorn,  
Who once in Grecian troops to Troy was sent,  
He spies far off Troy's arms and vestiment;  
Which sight him somewhat startled, made afraid,  
And stopped his pace: at last he headlong made  
To us to shore, with woeful treats and tears.  
By stars, by Gods, life-breathing air, he swears,  
Take me hence, Trojans, to what parts you please:  
And this, this only gives me ample ease:  
Myself a Grecian soldier I confess,  
That by that war Troy's Gods we did distress:  
For which, since so great harms our arms have wrought,  
Fling me to th' floods, let sea bring me to nought.  
If so I die, by man to die I'm glad.  
This said, he stayed, kneeling on knees most sad:  
We bade him tell us who he was: where born:  
And what dire fate did cause that state forlorn.  
Yea and my sire himself, Anchises old,  
Without delay the youngman's hand did hold  
In his right hand, a pledge of hope to's mind.  
Whereat he thus began, fear cast behind,  
Of Ithaca I am, Ulysses' mate,  
My name is Achaemenides, and late  
I came to Troy from Adamast my father,  
A man (then) poor (and oh I wish much rather  
That state had stood) here, my unmindful mates  
Fearfully fled, left me within the gates  
Of the huge Cyclops den, foul den indeed,  
Wherein they on dire bloody dainties feed:  
As deep as dark within, the master's self,  
An ugly, odious, tall, starre-touching elf:  
(Heaven grant, like plagues mortals find never more)  
Fierce in his sight, furious to speak before,  
Fed with the flesh and blood of wretches poor.  
For I myself saw him most slightly take,  
And grasp in his foul fist, and fiercely shake,  
Two of the bodies of my mates at once,  
And dash them both against the rocky stones,  
Sprinkling their putrid filth thick on the walls:  
Yea and I saw the beast, how close he falls  
To eat and gnaw their flesh and issuing blood,  
How with their hot joints 'twixt his teeth he stood.  
And yet not altogether unrewarded,  
Nor of himself Ulysses' unregarded.  
For loathing life, Ithacus, in this fear,  
Whiles he was stuffed with wine and his good cheer,  
His head bend down to sleep, he laid on ground  
In his huge den, and in his sleep most sound,  
Disgorging guts and gobbets, bloud-mixt wine,  
We all do call upon our powers divine,  
Each man in's turn, closing him round about,  
His gogling eye we with a club dashed out,  
His only eye, fixed on his frowning brow.  
Like Sol, or Grecian shield in's au-all bow.  
Thus we our fellows deaths revenged at last.  
But fly, oh fly, poor souls, from hence full fast,  
Your cables cut, and loose, and quickly braced,  
From such, so huge, as Polypheme in's den,  
Who men and beasts in's clutches close doth pen,  
Of Cyclops monstrous full an hundred more,  
Do rove and rage about this crabbed shore,  
And haunt about these hills. Now Cynthia bright,  
Had thrice increased, decreased her horny light,  
Since we in woods and deserts wild did range,  
And wild beasts dens: when the huge Cyclops strange  
Descending the rough rocks, I saw in sight;  
Whose roaring voice and pace did me affright.  
Wild stony berries, rural heps and haws  
They foully fed on, roots, herbs, fill their maws.  
Skulking about, first I beheld this fleet  
Sailing to shore: which I (thus) vowed to meet,  
What e'er it was: enough I had that I  
Had scaped these barbarous beasts immanity:  
By you more willing any death to die.  
Scarce had he done, when from a hill we saw,  
Much like a walking-mount, to us to draw  
Huge Polypheme himself amongst his sheep,  
And to the well-known shore his way to keep:  
Monstrous, misshapen, horrid, huge, starkblinde.  
His hand a pinetree grasps, firm way to find,  
His flocks him follow, this his only joy,  
His pipe tied at his neck, to ease annoy.  
Who entering now the deep, and come to shore,  
Of his bored eye he washed the running gore,  
Gnashing his teeth with rage; i'th' main he goes,  
And yet above the waves his sides he shows.  
We fearful, quickly skudding thence do fly,  
Taking with us the wretch, and worthily  
Slily our cables cut; with nimble oars  
We brush the flood, and glide from off the shores.  
Which so perceiving, follows our ship's din,  
But seeing he no reach of us could win,  
To gripe us in his paw, finding likewise,  
Th' jonick seas he could not equalise,  
Us to pursue so huge a howl he raised,  
As earth, and seas, and shores were all amazed.  
All Italy stood trembling, Aetna's hill  
With hollow holes resounded echoes shrill.  
Whereat huge troops of Cyclops from the woods,  
And mountains tall, flock to the shores and floods:  
Whom with their fruitless frowns we safely eye,  
Those Aetnaean elves, whose pates even touch the sky,  
A hellish heap: much like a forest rude,  
Where grow old oaks and trees in multitude,  
Or cypresses tall boughs, on hills that stood  
In fair Diana's groves, or joves' tall wood.  
Fear forced us thence confusedly to sail,  
wheresoever the winds would blow with prosperous gale.  
But grave Helenus' hests us counterchecked,  
'Twixt Scylla and Charybdis to direct,  
And keep our course 'twixt both, as we could best,  
From being by least fear of death distressed:  
But, if not so, then backward to retire.  
But see, a happy Borean blast did spire  
From fair Pelorus parts, which brought us right  
Unto Pantagia's rocky mouth and sight,  
Of cape Megarus, and of Tapsus low.  
All these did Achaemenides us show,  
Ulysses' mate, as by those banks we go.  
Against sour Sicils bay an isle doth lie,  
Called foul Plemmyrium by antiquity;  
But modern times do it Ortygia name.  
Alphean-Elis current (so says fame)  
Here undermines the sea by secret pass,  
Which now into thy mouth, Arethusas,  
Falling, confounded is in Sicils flood.  
There we (advised) adore those Gods so good.  
Thence from Elorus fruitful plains we put,  
And through Pachinus rocks and crooks we cut:  
And sailing, see unmoved Camarina,  
Gelo's large towns, and torrent fierce G●la.  
Then ample Agragas struts stately high,  
Of prancing horses (once) a nursery.  
By thee, date-bearing S●linus, I sailed,  
And Lilybeums hid rocks rough streams hailed.  
And thence I came to Drepanus sad shore:  
Where having all my toils at sea passed o'er,  
(Alas!) my father, cure of all my care,  
Anchises, here I lost: O father fair,  
Here dost thou thy poor tired son forsake?  
Alas! did heaven thee from such turmoils take?  
And all in vain? And, nor Helenus' wise,  
Who many hardships to me did premise,  
Foreshowed me this mishap, this sorrow great,  
Nor fierce Celaeno, who much fright did threat.  
Is this my labours, this my travels scope?  
Hath heaven me hither brought, for this poor hope?  
Thus grave Aeneas did himself relate  
To all their listening ears his God-given fate:  
And all his voyages at large expressed,  
And here did end, and ceased, and so took rest.  
An end of the third book of Virgil's Aeneïds.   

THE ARGUMENT of the fourth book.  
The queen incensed with lovesick fires,  
Her sister Anne's advice desires:  
Who blows the coals more ardently.  
Whereat to Juno's deity  
They sacrifice: A hunting ride,  
And Venus to their votes applied.  
Fame spreads the fact: by fate's decree  
Aeneas charged thence to flee,  
Prepares his shipping and his mates,  
And thence to part he properates.  
This Dido saw, his stay assayed,  
With tears and treats; but all denayed,  
On her built shrine, in sacrifice,  
With woeful words and wounds she dies.  
BUt all this while the queen with love sore wounded,  
Hugs her heart's harm, with imbred flames confounded.  
The man's rare parts she minds much, much does trace  
His noble nation: and his words and face  
Engraves in heart: Care cuts off all sweet rest.  
Next morn, when Sols bright rays the earth had dressed,  
And Phoebus' fair made moist mists heaven forsake,  
She lovesick, thus t'her siding sister spoke;  
Dear sister Anne, what dreams me thus molest?  
Who is this our so noble new-come guest?  
How fair he seems! how rare in power and grace!  
I think (nor vainly think) he's of God's race.  
Fear shows a coward's heart: ah how hath he  
Been tossed by fates? what warre-woes showed he me?  
Were he not in my heart fixed movelesly,  
With nuptial bands none living should me tie.  
Since my first Love, deceasing, hath me failed,  
Had I not hence marriagebed rites quite veiled,  
I could perhaps this one love-slip embrace.  
I'll tell thee (Nan) since poor Sichaeus case,  
My spouse, slain by my brother at his shrines,  
This only winds my will, my heart inclines  
To a forced fall: I feel loves old flames power.  
But may the earth gape wide, and me devour,  
Or mighty jove by lightnings force me die,  
Yea die to hell's black nights profundity,  
Before I thee, sweet chastity, do blot,  
Or wrong thy rites. He which my love first got,  
He has it, holds it in his grave with him.  
This said, her eyes with tears stood full to th' brim.  
Anne strait replies; Sister, to me more dear  
Then lovely light, shall I thee only hear  
Still to bewail thy youth's continuance,  
Void of sweet sons, or Venus' dalliance?  
Think'st thou that graves or ghosts will this supply?  
Say, though all suitors (once) in nicety  
Thou didst put off, and Libyan lords neglect,  
And king Iärbas, whom Tyre did reject,  
And other princely Peers, whom Africa land  
Enriched with spoils: dost still sweet love withstand?  
Regard'st thou not whose land thou now dost hold?  
Getulian towns, a warlike people bold,  
By proud Numidians hedged, and swallowing Syrts,  
Whereby unharbourous land thee round begirts,  
And barbarous Barceans' blustering all about.  
Why talk I of our Tyrian wars burst out,  
And of thy greedy brother's threatenings stout?  
Truly I trust, fair fates and juno kind  
Drove t'us those Trojan ships with prosperous wind.  
O what a city (sister) shall we see?  
How rare a realm, by such a spouse as he?  
If Trojans trim our troops, what matchless praise  
Shall Tyrians to their noble actions raise?  
Only get thou the Gods good will, then offer  
Thy sacrifice, thy guest all kindness proffer:  
And work out ways him with thee to retain,  
While tempests rage at sea, while clouds drop rain,  
While ships are rigging, storms in sky remain:  
These words loves kindled fire highly inflame,  
Strengthen her straggling thoughts, dissolve all shame.  
First then to church they go, favour to find  
By sacrifice: fat beasts to shrines they bind,  
As used to Ceres their lawmaker sweet,  
To Phoebus, Bacchus, and (as was most meet)  
To juno first, Goddess of Nuptial rite.  
Here dainty Dido's self in beauty bright  
Holding in hand a cup of sacred wine  
'Twixt the white heifers horns, upon the shrine  
Poured it out 'fore the God's statues fair,  
At th' altars walks no gifts that day they spare:  
And the beasts inwards opened, inly eyes,  
And seeks i'th' smoking intralls auguries.  
O shallow sight of priests, what good do votes?  
To lovesick souls what good do temples notes?  
When all this while sly flames my pith consume,  
And creeping Cupid holds my hearts best room.  
Inflamed is doleful Dido, like one mad,  
And up and down the city doth she gad.  
Much like a silly dear pierced with a shaft,  
At unawares by hunter's cunning craft,  
And with quick arrows chased through Creets thick woods,  
Away (the huntsman knows not where) she skuds  
O'er large Dictaean downs, and springs, her side  
The deadly arrow fixed fast doth hide:  
So Dido now with her leads to and fro  
Her dear Aeneas, shows him, as they go,  
Her Tyrian treasure, city ready made.  
Ready to speak, yet stops i'th' midst she made.  
Now day declining, to like banquets great  
She him invites, and fond doth entreat,  
Again to hear his Trojan toils related,  
And all the while her fixed affections waited  
Upon the speakers face. But Cynthia pale  
Upon their parting having but a vail  
Of darkness o'er daylight, and pendent spangles  
In skies, men's eyes with drowsy sleep entangles,  
In her void palace she alone laments,  
And his forsaken seat her now contents:  
Whom absent she as present hairs and sees,  
And young Ascanius dandles on her knees,  
Catcht with the countenance of the father right,  
If thus her lawless love she lessen might.  
She builds no towers, begun; no spirits brave  
Trains up in arms: and now, lest care they have  
To raise strong forts for war, fair ports to land;  
All's interrupted, all laid out of hand;  
Their walls, for height threatening the skies, lie still,  
Now joves' dear juno finds this festering ill,  
Not suffering fame her fury to restrain,  
She with these words to Venus doth complain;  
A proper piece of praise, and pompous prize  
To you (forsooth) and to your younker rise!  
A goodly Godhead must you both hence claim,  
If you two Gods one silly soul do tame!  
Nor am I ignorant you fear our powers,  
And much suspect high Carthaginian towers.  
But to what end is this? why do we strive?  
Let's rather practise peace, at long-love drive;  
And them in wedlock joined, make live, love thrive:  
Thou hast thy hearts desire. Poor Dido burns  
With extreme love, which her to frenzy turns.  
Let's then this people into one unite,  
Let's rule them both with equal love, delight:  
Let her her Trojan true-love serve, obey,  
And total Tire to thee large dowry pay.  
To whom (for well she saw she subtly spoke,  
Th' Italian kingdom frustrate thus to make,  
Th' imperial throne to Carthage to procure)  
Thus Venus said; Who'd be so senseless (sure)  
This to deny? or strife with thee t' endure?  
If that thou sayest the fates would ratify.  
But by them I'm distracted diversely,  
If jove to Tyrians and to Trojans grant,  
Themselves in this one city safe to plant,  
To live together, like the combination.  
Thou art his wife, try thou by impetration  
What he will do. Go first, I'll follow thee  
Strait says queen juno, Leave that work to me.  
Now how what I desire we may effect,  
Listen, I pray, I briefly will direct.  
Aeneas and poor Dido do intent  
Next day i'th' woods in hunting sport to spend:  
As soon as ever Titan's lustrous ray  
Begins to beautify the lightsome day,  
I on them both a black thick cloud of hail,  
And on his hastening followers will not fail  
With thunder to shower down, whiles in great fear  
They wind the woods, and search to chase the dear.  
Their gallants gone, enclosed in clouds most black,  
The Trojan prince and Dido I'll bring back  
Into one cave: we'll both be present there,  
And if with me thou like good liking bear,  
She shall be Bride, and I'll them firmly wed.  
Here shall their nuptials be, their marriage bed.  
To these desires fair Venus with a smile  
Gives her consent, glad to have found the guile.  
And now from seas arose Aurora bright,  
And Lucifer, day's harbinger, in sight:  
Young gallants nimbly flock about the gates,  
And in their hands boar spears with iron plates,  
Their nets, gins, grins, troops of Massylian sparks,  
Kennels of scenting hounds with loud-mouthed barks,  
Prime Punic peers at the queen's chamber wait,  
Who there herself was dressing in great state:  
Her steed in stately trappings proudly stamps,  
And in his mouth his foamy bridle champs.  
At last the queen comes forth with tendance great,  
Adorned with a Tyrian mantle neat,  
Most richly wrought, a golden quiver hangs  
Behind her back, her hair tied up with spangs  
And knots of gold, buttons of beaten gold  
Her purple garments neatly clasp and hold:  
The Trojan troops do also follow near,  
Amongst whom comes young Iülus with brave cheer:  
But yet the first and fairest of them all,  
This hunting-game doth prince Aeneas call,  
Them to associate, make the train complete:  
Like fair Apollo, when his Delphic seat  
He glad revisits, leaving Lycia cold,  
And Xanthus' streams, and sacred feasts doth hold  
With his Epirian, Cretian, Scythian rout  
Of lords and lowns, Parnassus round about:  
Himself on Cynthus tops doth stalk in state.  
His fragrant hair laid in a curious plate,  
He binds with tender boughs, and wreaths with gold;  
At's back his quiver clattering shafts doth hold.  
Lovely like him was (now) Aeneas pace,  
Such sparkling splendour shone from his fair face,  
Thus when the high hills they ascended had,  
And searched beast-couching holes and haunts most glad,  
Behold, a herd of wild goats they espy  
Run down the tops of rocks, and fast to fly.  
From other parts he saw i'th' open plain  
A herd of dear to skip and skud amain,  
And with their thick quick race to raise the dust,  
Leaving the hills, themselves in thickets thrust.  
The lusty lad Ascanius, 'midst the plains,  
On's nimble courser razes runs, maintains,  
Outriding all, ardently long to spy  
Some foaming boar amongst the mean beasts to fly,  
Some lusty lion from the mountains high.  
Meanwhile the heavens with stormy clouds are cloy '  
Huge showers of hail the hunters soon annoyed.  
Whereat the Tyrian troops and Trojan train,  
Yea Venus son himself, flock all amain,  
Dispersed and scattered all, with fear to hide  
Themselves in what next shelter they espied:  
Great rainy floods from hills do whirling glide.  
In one cave Dido and Aeneas meet:  
And first the earth and nuptial juno sweet  
Work wedlock signs, conjugal fire and air  
Show forth, and wood-nymphs loud their loves declare▪  
This day began first cause of death, of woe,  
For neither future fame, nor present show,  
Doth Dido move; nor to consulting came  
This surreptitious love, which she did name  
Wedlock, and under wedlock's name did hide  
This faulty fact, which soon o'er Libya wide  
Fame blows about, even fame, that fluttering ill,  
Which thrives by flight, and as it goes, grows still.  
Small first, by fear, straight, stuffed up, wondrous high,  
First goes on ground, then hides its head i'th' sky.  
Whose mother earth (men say) did her beget  
On extreme fury, which the Gods did fret:  
Sister to Caeus and Enceladus,  
By light-fleet, quick wings, expeditious:  
Huge, horrid elf, with feathered corpse so thick,  
Such unseen eyes (most strange) for sight so quick,  
So many tattling tongues, and railing lips,  
Such listening ears, such nightly nimble skips  
She makes i'th' air, and in dark shades so squeaks,  
That rest she takes none, but sweet slumber breaks,  
By day straight watch she keeps on supreme seats,  
Or palace turrets, and towns fright and threats:  
More full of fiction, fraud, than faithfulness,  
With various voices, in mere wantonness,  
Stuffing the vulgar sort, tattling about  
Things done or undone, without fear or doubt.  
The Troy's Aeneas was arrived here,  
That Dido fair wedded him as her Fere;  
That now a winter long their lusts they nourished,  
Careless of crowns, they filthy folly cherished.  
This godless Goddess spreads these men's minds.  
Which to Iärbas king access soon finds.  
Wherewith he's vexed, perplexed, exasperated.  
From Ammon he by birth was generated,  
And the deflored nymph Garamantide;  
To jove an hundred temples builded he  
Through his large realms, an hundred shrines beside,  
Where sacred unextinguished fires did 'bide,  
For days and nights incessant sacrifice  
Unto his Gods, fraught with fat beasts likewise,  
For burnt oblations, all the doors throughout  
With flowers and garlands garnished about.  
He, mad with love with the harsh hearsay stung,  
Forthwith ('tis said) unto his altars flung,  
And 'midst his Gods, his hands high elevated,  
jupiter (thus) he humbly invocated:  
All powerful jove, whom we black Moors adore,  
To whom we our Lenaean liquors pour  
On right embroidered beds; seest thou these things?  
Or, when (great jove) thou on us earthly kings  
Dost flash forth lightnings, fear we this in jest?  
Do those cloud-hid flames vainly fright man's breast?  
Make but a skarre-crow sound? A woman (late)  
Who straggling to these parts, did at a rate  
Purchase and plant a poor, a petty town;  
Whom, subject to the statutes of our crown,  
We licence gave to plant and plow our land,  
Our princely wedlock (now) doth stiff withstand,  
And in her kingdom kindly entertains  
One sir Aeneas, who her solely gains.  
This petty Paris and his straggling trains  
Of beardless boys, effeminately gay  
With quoifs and perfumed hair, these steal the prey:  
But we who fill thy temples with oblations,  
Seem only fame to feed with vain frustrations.  
jupiter hears him venting these events  
Before the altars, views his discontents:  
And to the princely palace turns his eyes,  
Sees how these lovers fairer fame despise:  
Mercury therefore strait he called, and said;  
Be gone, fair son, with wings and winds swift aid  
Haste to the Trojan prince (who now at Tyre  
Wastes time, and doth not fate-given crowns acquire)  
Haste through the air, and tell him this from me:  
His sacred mother promised not that he  
Should such a person prove, nor for this cause  
Was he twice ransomed from Greeks gripping paws:  
But that he should once rule all Italy,  
Italy big with crowns, with conquests high:  
And should advance brave Teucer's noble race,  
And the whole world under his order's place.  
But if these glories great him nought inflame,  
And that he's loath to labour for such, fame;  
Yet shall the father envy's sons renown?  
And must Asc●nius loose his Rom●ne crown?  
What means he? what's his hope in a foes lands?  
Why his Ausonian race, Lavinian strands  
Neglects he thus? Let him to sea: here's all,  
For this I thee my messenger do call.  
Thus jove. His sacred sire he strait obeys,  
His charge to discharge, shakes off all delays:  
His wingy shoes of gold he buckles on,  
Which with fair plumes, for expedition,  
Bore him aloft, quite over sea and land,  
With a swift gale. Then quick he takes his wand,  
With which he calls the hideous souls from hell,  
And others sends to Tartar's dungeon fell:  
He gives, bereaves sweet sleep, from death preserves.  
Therewith he drives the winds, and with winged nerves  
Swims through the clustering clouds: and now in's flight,  
Of craggy Atlas' tops and sides hath sight,  
Of Atlas, whose huge height the heavens doth prop,  
On whose pine-bearing head black clouds do stop,  
And daily's girt, oft dashed with wind and rain.  
Thick drifts of snow do on his shoulders drain:  
Then down his aged chin quick floods do flow,  
With frosty ice his beard doth grisly grow.  
Cyllenius fluttering wings first stayed him here,  
And headlong hence to th' waves his corpse doth bear:  
Much like a bird, which 'bout the shores and sides  
Of fishfull rocks, with hoverings smoothly glides  
Above the waves, about the banks: even so  
Cyllenian Mercury did to and fro  
Flutter o'er sea and land, and winds did slice,  
And Libya's sandy shores touched in a trice.  
His wingy feet no sooner did alight  
On Tyrian towers, but strait he saw in sight,  
Aeneas forts to raise, rooms to repair:  
And he himself girt with a hanger rare,  
With yellow jasper stones like stars bedecked,  
And a rich sword, in clothes of rich respect:  
A mantle on his corpse cast carelessly,  
Which rarely showed, of Tyrian purple die:  
Which gorgeous gifts rich Dido's self had made,  
And in the weaving, threads of gold in-laid.  
Him he encounters thus; Dost thou build high  
Great Carthage towers? dost thou uxoriously  
Settle this city fair? O careless mind  
Of thine affairs, a promised crown to find!  
The king of Gods, whose power shakes earth and heaven,  
Sent me from skies to thee, this charge was given,  
Thus now to say; What buildings dost thou rear?  
What loitering hopes in Libya's land appear?  
Though thou thyself neglect so glorious fates,  
Though so high honour thee nought animates,  
Yet for high springing young Asc●ni●● sake,  
Thy hopeful heir Iülus, some care take:  
To whom fair Ilium's crown, Rome's royal fear,  
As debt are due. This said, Cylleni●● great,  
Amidst these words, from mortals view departed,  
And far from sight into the air was darted.  
But yet this sight Aeneas mad amazed,  
Made him stand mute, his hair with horror raised,  
In staring state, burnt with desire of flight,  
And quick to leave this land of high delight,  
With these forewarnings and the Gods command  
Stunded. Alas, what should he take in hand?  
With what circumlocutions might he dare,  
This to th' enamoured queen now to declare?  
Where might he first begin to break his mind?  
His thoughts now here now there were puffed, like wind,  
In strict distractive parts turned all about:  
At last, these wrestling thoughts thus end the doubt:  
Mnestheus, Sergestus, and Cloanthus wise,  
He calls to him, and closely did advise,  
The fleet to fit, his mates to send to shore,  
Arms to provide, and this to colour o'er  
With some pr●text, himself in the mean while,  
Since his dear Dido knew not of this wile,  
Nor feared lest fraction in such settled loves,  
Labours access to her, fit seasons proves,  
Kindly to treat with her, a gladsome end  
To gain to his designs. They all them bend  
Swiftly and gladly their due tasks to tend.  
But Dido found (oh, who can love delude?)  
Foresaw these guiles, and their first motions viewed;  
All stillness still mistrusts: That impious fame  
Blabbed to her th' increase of fury's flame:  
Told her the ships were rigged, the voyage vowed.  
Her deadened heart incensed, she raves aloud,  
Doth madly through the city drunkardize,  
Even as it is the Bacchanalian guise,  
When at great Bacchus his triennial sport  
Rude troops in drunken dances do resort,  
And so solemnize every sacred rite,  
Cithaeron echoing clamours loud by night.  
At last she thus, even of her own accord,  
Speaks to Aeneas; Faithless, oh, abhorred,  
And didst thou hope to play the counterfeit?  
And couldst thou work so great, so gross a cheat?  
Wouldst thou so slily hence have stolen away?  
Could neither our love, nor plighted faith thee stay?  
Nor woeful Dido dying stop thy flight?  
But even in winter weathers dangerous plight  
Thou must to ship, and (oh hard heart!) set sail,  
Driven on with many a boisterous Northern gale?  
What though thou soughtest no other unknown place,  
Or foreign parts? or Troy stood in best case?  
Must thou thy Troy through furious waves procure?  
Fliest thou from me? Ah, now I thee adjure  
By these my tears, and by thine own right hand,  
Since I poor soul have nought else at command.  
O, by our wedlock nuptial rites begun,  
If I have well deserved by aught yet done,  
Or aught of mine were ever sweet to thee,  
O of my tottering state now tender be.  
If yet my prayers may penetrate thy heart;  
Ah, change thy mind, oh do not hence depart.  
For thy sake Libyas land, and tyrants fierce  
Of Africa, would me with mischief pierce:  
For thee my Tyrians are with me offended,  
For thee, my shame, my fame's extinct and blended:  
My fame, by which I once was raised to th' sky.  
To whom dost thou me leave, now like to die?  
Ah unkind guest. For now no more I may  
Thee husband call: Why longer do I stay?  
What? till Pygmalion all my towns destroy?  
Or till jarbas captiv'd-me annoy?  
Oh yet at least had I before thy flight,  
Enjoyed a child by thee: oh if I might  
Have had a young Aeneas father's face,  
To play withal in court, 't would ease my case.  
Then (sure) I should not altogether seem  
So woeful, or myself forsaken deem.  
This said, she ceased. He on the other side,  
His eyes on joves' command fast fixed tide;  
And strenuously did strive his hearts great grief  
Close to suppress, and spoke these words in brief:  
Fair queen, what e'er thou canst recount, recall,  
Yea and much more, confess I ever shall  
Thy merits infinite, nor shall I shame,  
Gladly to memorise Eliza's name:  
Whiles here I live, whilst I myself may know,  
The truth herein let me thee briefly show.  
I never hoped to hide (feign not) this flight  
Clandestinley, nor minded marriage rite,  
Nor hither came such vows and pacts to plight.  
Yet I, if friendly fates had so decreed,  
Aimed at a life from all perturbance freed,  
In sweet repose t' accommodate all cares,  
And chiefly to my Trojan towns affairs:  
To yet remaining friends to yield supply,  
Priam's fair towers once to re-edify;  
And to my conquered kin to re-advance  
Poor Pergams walls. But now such is my chance,  
Commanded, charged by Gods and great Apollo,  
That Latium I, fair Latium now must follow.  
O there's my love, there is my country kind:  
And since thou bearest to Carthage such a mind,  
Though a Phoenissian, yet dost Libya like,  
Why should pale envies dart thy heart so strike,  
At Trojans liking, loving Italy?  
For us to seek forth, 'tis like equity.  
As oft as nights moist shades the earth do hide,  
And fiery twinkling stars in skies abide,  
Anchises my dear father's ghost appears,  
And in my dreams me much affrights and fears.  
Yea my Ascanius young, whose brows I wrong,  
Keeping Hesperia's crown from him so long,  
And fate-given lands call me to haste away;  
Yea now of late joves' messenger, I say,  
Sent from himself, (all whom I here appeal)  
To me joves' mind and message did reveal.  
And I the God in a clear vision saw,  
E ntring thy town, and near me quick to draw;  
And with these ears I heard his voice and words.  
O then forbear to wound me with tongue-swords,  
And thou thyself with plaints: For Italy,  
Alas, I seek not voluntarily.  
Him answering she did all this while behold  
With discontent: Here, there her eyes she rolled,  
Viewed him throughout with sullen silent eyes,  
And thus at last she wrathfully replies:  
Thou art no Goddess son, perfidious thou,  
Nor e'er did Dardan thee his child avow;  
But thou on cruel Caucasus hard mounts  
Waste bred; or suckest some Tiger's milky founts.  
For why should I dissemble now with thee?  
Or dream that better fates attend on me?  
Didst thou once sigh at all my floods of tears?  
Didst thou with sorrowing eyes behold my fears?  
Showd'st thou teare-passion, lest compassion kind,  
O'ercome with sorrow at my lovesick mind?  
Which (first) may I says worst? Nor juno fair,  
Nor father Saturn hath of me least care.  
Oh, where's firm faith? I took him in adoors,  
A straggling beggar, out cast from his shores:  
And like a frantic fool, my kingdom shared  
To unkind him, his navy naught repaired,  
And all his followers I from death set free.  
Alas, with fury he hath fired me.  
Now fate-saying Phoeb, now Lycian lots are cast,  
Now jove commands, and thou must follow fast  
His messengers quick heels, in his harsh hest.  
What else? for thus the Gods do hold it best;  
This toil perturbs poor silly souls at rest.  
I hold thee not, nor do thy words withstand,  
Go with the winds, seek Italy thy land,  
Away through floods to find thy kingdom's fair.  
But sure I hope (if Gods yet able are)  
Amidst the rocks thou due revenge shall bear,  
And Dido's name invoke with frequent fear.  
Absent I'll thee pursue with frightful fires:  
And when by chilling death life's breath expires,  
In every place my ghost thy guest shall be:  
And thus (vile wretch) I'll be revenged on thee.  
This I shall hear below, fame will me show it,  
And hearing, I shall be most glad to know it.  
Abruptly here i'th' midst an end she makes,  
And malcontent, to flight herself betakes:  
Out of his sight away she turns and winds,  
Leaving Aeneas in a thousand minds:  
Stopping for fear, striving to utter more;  
Her damsels, her, fallen in a sound, in boar:  
And laid in princely bed, with clothes o'er spread.  
But good Aeneas (though he laboured  
With consolation to allay her grief,  
And with kind words to give her woes relief;  
Much sighing, much with love perplexed in heart)  
Yet minds joves' charge, fits his fleet to depart.  
The Trojans busy be, and hale to shore  
Their stately ships and barks, well pitched o'er,  
Their leafy oars, and oaks from woods unwrought,  
Through haste to fly with expeditious thought.  
Thou mightst them see the city skud about,  
And swarm in heaps much like a nimble rout  
Of pretty pismires, when with strenuous pain  
They pray upon a mighty heap ofgrain,  
(Mindful of winter's want) and up it pack,  
Quick goes and comes i'th'field this army black:  
And through the grass, by a strait path their prey  
They bear along, some the great grains assay  
To shove before them with their shoulders stout:  
Some from delays correct their lazy rout:  
Their lusty labour heats each hole about.  
What thoughts hadst thou, poor Dido, at this sight?  
How didst thou sigh, when from thy turret's height  
Thou sawest far off hot toils the wharves to fill,  
And 'fore thy face shores stuffed with clamours shrill?  
Impudent love, what is't thou'lt not enforce?  
Sometimes to shower ou● tears of much remorse,  
Sometimes to try b'intreaties most demure,  
Sometimes again to yield to loves allure:  
That nought (though all in vain) before she died,  
Might be neglected, might be left untried.  
See (sister Anne says she) what hast they make  
About the banks, flocking us to forsake:  
And how their vessels wait but (now) for wind,  
Their tackle fit, by mariners refined  
O had I at the first feared this great shame,  
I, sister, better could have born the same.  
Only this one thing (Anne) for my poor sake,  
Let me entreat thee now to undertake:  
For faithless he was wont to wish thee well,  
And his hearts secrets unto thee to tell,  
And thou alone in him knowst well to find  
Fit time and flexibility of mind.  
Go sister, go, humbly tell this fierce foe;  
With Greeks at Aulis Troy's dire overthrow  
I ne'er conspired, nor sent a fleet to Troy,  
Nor old Anchises ashes did annoy.  
Why then turns he deaf ears to my request?  
Where rashly runs he? Let this last bequest  
Be given to his poor love; to watch fair flight,  
And winds to sail away with smooth delight.  
I do not press or pray sweet marriage rite,  
Which he hath wronged; nor would I him bereave  
Of's longed-for Latium, him of's crown deceive.  
I only ask a little fruitless stay,  
Some small repose, repast, for loves allay,  
Until my fate me vanquished make to moan.  
Grant this last vote, in this request alone  
Pity thy sister; which if thou me grant,  
My death shall bid this wretched life avaunt.  
Thus did she treat, entreat her sister sad,  
Who to and fro bears weeping errands bad.  
But none of all her treats or bitter tears  
Remove his thoughts, do move his dam'd-up ears:  
For fates forbade, and jove his ears had closed.  
As an old oak most furiously opposed,  
Which Alpine pushing puffs now here now there  
Tossing and tumbling, strive to overbeare,  
The blast flies on, bends the high boughs to ground,  
The stock sticks fast on a rock firm and sound;  
And as the more to th'wind top-branches bend,  
The more the root doth groundhold apprehend:  
No otherwise with words and woes this prince  
Is tossed, turmoiled, here, there his heart t'evince:  
But he's unmoved, teare-flouds flow out in vain.  
Whereat poor Dido, full of grief and pain,  
Desires to die; and hates the skies clear sight,  
Fitlier to slay herself, and leave the light.  
Then laying gifts, on incense-smoaking shrines,  
She saw (fearful to say) her sacred wines,  
And pour'd-out liquors turned to putrid blood:  
Which none, no not her sister, understood.  
Beside, there was within her palace fair,  
Her former husband's marble temple rare;  
Which she did honour with most high respect:  
And with white fleeces, and gay garlands decked.  
From whence she seemed to hear her husbands call;  
And that, when nights dark curtain covered all;  
Yea and to hear the scritch-owl all alone  
On houses tops, oft times to make strange moan,  
With fearful fatal notes, long screeks and cries;  
Beside, feare-threatning ancient prophecies  
Her terrified: in nightly visions she  
Aeneas cruel self doth seem to see,  
Pursuing her enraged. She (still) alone  
Left to herself, not waited on by one,  
Is seen to straggle far in deserts strange,  
To seek her Tyrians, seems abroad to range  
Much like mad Pentheus, scared with hags of hell,  
And oftwo suns, two Thebes, feigned (then) to tell:  
Or like Orestes, vexed with furies dire,  
When from his mother armed with rageful fire,  
And stinging serpents, mad, he made away,  
Revengeful furies at the threshold lay:  
So she enraged, o'ercome with grief and woe,  
Resolves to die; how to this work to go,  
Thinks with herself for fittest time and way,  
And thus to her sad sister doth she say;  
(Cheer in her cheeks, her fact hid in her face)  
I have the way, dear sister, (in this case  
Now joy with me) either to keep him here,  
Or from his love myself firmly to clear.  
Near th' oceans end, upon the Western side  
Lies Aethiopa, far from us and wide:  
Where heaven-upholding mighty Atlas stands,  
And ardent sunshine scorcheth up the lands.  
A grave Massylian priest came hence to me,  
His sister's temples keeper said to be;  
Who fed the dragons, kept the fruit divine,  
Whose humid honey doth to sleep incline,  
Even soporiferous poppy. She assures  
By charms to lovesick minds, she cures procures  
In whom she lists; and whom she lists, makes love  
Extremely; stops swift streams, yea stars above  
Turns retrograde; she nightly ghosts can raise,  
Can make the ground to groan with strange amaze,  
And trees to run down hills, she frights and frays.  
Now by the Gods (dear sister) I protest,  
By thee and thy sweet soul, I am thus pressed  
To use these magic spells against my will.  
Thou then, good sister, build up with best skill,  
A pile of wood in th'inner court on high,  
And lay thereon the sword, which impiously  
He stuck up by our bed his garments all,  
Yea my bridebed, where I took fatal fall:  
For so this priest bade me bring all I can,  
Belonging to that false nefarious man,  
And bade me burn them. This thus said, she ceased,  
And death-pale colour in her cheeks increased.  
Her sister Anne suspecting nought herein,  
That she new sacred death dues did begin,  
Nor could conceive she such rage did retain,  
Or greater grief then for Sichaeus slain,  
Does not therefore her sisters charge refrain.  
But now the queen (the pile in th'open air  
In th' inner court erected, fitted fair)  
Great boards and billets, pitch and tar lays on,  
Flowers, cypress boughs and branches ties upon  
This fatal hearse, his clothes, sword, left behind,  
His picture eke she to this bed doth bind,  
Knowing the issue. Altars stand about;  
And now the priest, her haire-spread loose, cries out  
On her three hundred Gods, Erebus deep,  
Chaos and threefold Hecates to weep,  
And triple-faced Diana, sprinkling wide  
The feigned liquors which in Styx abide.  
Then tender herbs are sought out by Moonlight,  
And cropped and cut with scythes and sickles might,  
And with white milk, black poisons pestilent;  
Andfrom a young Foals front incontinent  
They pluck the Mares poisonous beloved bit,  
Before the mare from's brow devoureth it.  
Dido herself with sacred gifts in hands,  
One foot unbound, clothes loose, at th'altar stands,  
Ready to die, the Gods she obtestates,  
And powerful planets, patrons of her fates:  
Yea whatsoever sacred power there were,  
That just and tender mindfulness did bear  
To lovers, which unequal yokes did wear.  
And now 'twas night, when weary limbs at ease  
Slept sweetly, woods were still, and calm the seas,  
And now stars course came to their middle height,  
And every field and bird and beast, by night,  
Yea every liquid lake, and whatsoever  
The wide sharp thorny country coasts did bear,  
Lay still, all fast asleep, devoid of cares,  
Their slumbering hearts forgetful of affairs.  
But woeful Dido's heart no nap could take,  
Nor all the night one nod or wink could make.  
Her cares increase, her raging love reboiles,  
And with huge flames of fury her turmoils.  
And thus she stands, and thus breathes out heart's woe;  
What shall I do? shall I derided go  
Back to my wont wooers? meek must I  
Marriage desire with those whom scornfully  
I oft refused? or must I not apace  
Fly to the Trojans fleet, quickly embrace  
Their last and worst commands? will it not (sure)  
Do well, help to their helper to enure?  
Old favours ought with thankfulness be paid:  
But say I would, who herein would me aid?  
Or scorned me to their proud ships admit.  
Alas (fond fool) knowest thou not fully yet?  
Seest thou not sensibly the perjury  
Of Trojans? And what then? shall only I  
Fly to those jocund sailours? shall I fall  
Upon them with my Tyrian armies all?  
And cause them whom with me I scarce could force  
From their Sidonian city, take recourse  
To sea again? and make them sail with me?  
No rather die, as 'tis most fit for thee,  
Thyself from sorrow with thy sword set free.  
You sister, you o'ercome by my first tears,  
My love-pierced heart now load with these fierce fears,  
And ●e exposed unto my flying foe:  
Might I not well have lived unyoked, so  
As do bruit beasts, unstung with such sharp woe?  
Not having kept faith to Sichaeus plighted,  
With these complaints her heart she sore affrighted.  
Aeneas in's tall ship resolved to sail;  
Yet lies a sleep; all fit for his avail.  
To him in sleep appeared the God's form right  
That formerly he saw, the same face bright;  
In all like Mercury, colour and voice,  
With yellow hair, his corpse of youthful choice.  
Who seemed thus him to advise again:  
Canst thou, O Goddess son, asleep remain  
In such a state as this? Dost thou not see  
How many dangers do environ thee?  
O brainsick man, seest thou not friendly blasts  
Breathing abroad? seest thou not how she casts  
In heart some impious part, resolved to die?  
And how she swells with fury's tympany?  
Fliest thou not hence in haste, whiles thou mayst fly?  
Soon thou shalt see to sea her sh●ps to high.  
Bright burning brands, fierce flames on shore shall be,  
If morning sun thee loitering here do see.  
Be gone, I say, shake off delay: for still  
Most light and lose thou'lt find a woman's will.  
This said, i'th' dark he vanished out of sight.  
Which vision did Aeneas much affright,  
Who starts from sleep, his mates in haste doth call,  
Saying, Rouse yourselves, brave sirs, and closely fall  
To fluttering oars, hoist up your sails amain,  
The God was sent from heaven to me again.  
Quicken our flight, cut knotty ropes with speed,  
The God again urgeth me to proceed.  
Who e'er thou art, great God, we follow thee,  
To thy recharge we glad obedient be.  
Be friendly with us, help us, O we pray,  
Grant us thy present aid, a pleasant way.  
This said, he soon unsheathed his glistering sword,  
With his sharp blade he cuts each cutting cord.  
The rest, as hotly pressed, do rush and run,  
And shove from shore, and leave not aught undone,  
Until they see their barks the billows hide,  
Closely they wind the waves, and swiftly glide.  
Aurora now left Tithonus' broidered bed,  
And first with fresh fair light earth overspread.  
The queen as soon as through her glass she spied  
Daylight clear up, and all the fleet to slide  
With smoothfull sails, and saw the ports and shores  
Forsaken quite, empty of men and oars;  
Her comely breast she struck, and struck again  
With herwhite hand, and in fierce grief and pain  
Tearing her tender yellow hair from head,  
Cries out, O jove, and shall he thus be fled?  
And shall that straggler in my realm me flout?  
Shall not mine armies help, and all fly out?  
And prosecute, and persecute him flying,  
And tear their ships, ●nd burn them where theyare lying?  
O follow, follow, bring, bring forth fierce fire,  
To ship set sail, row on with restless ire.  
What say I? where am I? what mad mood's here?  
Unhappy Dido, now thouart stung most near  
By furious fates: than it had better been,  
When he was here, and thou didst rule as queen.  
See now his hand, his heart, of whom men prate,  
His countrey-Gods do him concomitate;  
That he on's back his aged sire did bear.  
O could I not his corpse in pieces tear?  
And shatter them i'th' sea? his mates destroy?  
Yea even Ascanius that young Trojan boy  
Slay with the sword, and mince in mamacks small,  
And dish on's father's board to feast withal?  
O but the fortune of a fight's unsure:  
What then? whom should I fear? since death t' endure  
I have resolved, I would have firebrands cast  
Into their tents, and filled with flames (at last)  
Their hatches, and the father, son, and all  
Have burnt up, and i'th' flames myself let fall.  
O thou clear sun, which all men's facts dost view,  
And thou fair juno, sounder witness true  
Of these my woes! Hecate, who by night  
In cross paths, howling noise dost make to fright,  
Revengeful furies, and you spirits all  
Of dying Dido, hear my dying call.  
Pour out your power, worthy such wicked men,  
And entertain this my request, that when  
(Ifthat vile wretch must needs) he doth obtain  
Harbour, and sails to land, if firm remain  
joves' high decrees herein; then here's an end:  
Yet let fierce wars of furious foes offend  
And vex him still, and him, an exile made,  
Pulled from Iülus sweet embrace, beg aid,  
And see his friends ignoble dire decease:  
Nor when he stoops to yokes of forced peace,  
Let him enjoy or crown or joys increase:  
And let him die untimely, lie untombed,  
In th' open air, of birds and beasts consumed.  
This wish, these last words with my blood I vent.  
And oh my Tyrians, let your wrath be bend,  
Even yours and all your future progeny,  
Against him and his: to my dead dust apply  
These pleasant presents: let there never be  
'Twixt you and them love or confederacy.  
Let some vindicative revenger rise,  
Sprung from our loins, those Dardan enemies  
With sword and fire to vex now, and full long  
Hereafter still, as time shall make them strong.  
O may lands strive with lands, waves war with waves,  
Friends fight with friends, armies with arms outbraves.  
This said, her heart to thousands thoughts did roll,  
From loathed life striving to snatch her soul.  
Then she Sichaeus nurse, Barce bespoke,  
(For in her own hand hers did her forsake  
By death) O my dear nurse, call strait, says she,  
My sister Anne, bid her come quick to me;  
And water with her bring our limbs to lave,  
And beasts and cleansing offerings, as I gave  
Order therein. Thus let her come to me,  
And thou thyself, good nurse, attired must be  
With holy headbands on thy head: for I  
To sacrifice to Pluto, seriously  
Am minded, as 'tis fit, to end my woe,  
The Trojans head in flames to burn up. So  
This said, with aged pace, yet eager bent,  
She hastens to climb up the piles ascent.  
But trembling Dido mad, full mischief-minded,  
Her bloud-swoln eyes up and down rolled and wound,  
Her shivering cheeks with brinish tears are spread,  
And hastening death made her seem, living, dead.  
When through the doors to th' inner court she broke,  
And rageful haste, to mount the fire, did make:  
And being up, unsheaths the Trojan blade,  
A gift, not for so woeful uses made.  
Here having viewed the Trojan garments gay,  
And well-known bed, a little pausing stay  
With tears and thoughts she made, laid on the bed,  
And these last words of woe she uttered:  
Sweet ornaments, whiles Gods and fates did please,  
Embrace this soul, me from these sorrows ease.  
I lived; now fortunes life-given course I end,  
And now my great ghost to earth's cells doth bend.  
A brave town I have built, strong walls erected,  
Revenged my friend, due punishment inflicted  
On a false brother. Blessed, ah too much blessed,  
Had Trojan barks ne'er on our banks took rest.  
She ceased; her face flat on the bed did lie;  
And shall we (says she) unrevenged die?  
Then let us die: Thus? thus to go fits well  
To obscure shades. And let that Trojan fell  
See with his eyes at ●ea this dying fire,  
And sail with all signs of our death most dire.  
Thus ended she, and ending (thus) this word,  
Her tendants saw her fallen upon her sword,  
The sword all smeared with gore, her hands spread out.  
Whereat they raised loud screeks the court about:  
The fame whereof through the sad city flies,  
And rudely ranging, fills each house with cries,  
With griefs and groans, and womanish sad sounds,  
Which th' echoing air with yelling roars rebounds▪  
Even as if foes let in had Carthage 'stroy'd;  
Or like old Tyre whose buildings fair, employed  
To use of Gods and men, with fires fierce flame  
Were quite con●●m'd. The noise whereof soon came  
To her death-daunted sister, who in fright  
With panting pace ran thither with fierce flight.  
Her nails her cheeks do tear, fists beat her breast,  
Amidst the rout rushing, screeks out (distressed)  
Her dying name. O sister, was this it?  
Hast thou me thus deceived? And did I fit  
This pile for this? these fires and altars frame?  
For what should I forsaken, thee first blame?  
Why didst thou me reject for thy death's mate?  
Thou mightst have me invited to like fate:  
That same smart, with the same sword, that hour  
Might both of us have gripped in death's power.  
These hands did also help to build this frame,  
I called upon our countrey-Gods great name;  
And yet could cruel I be absent hence,  
And not behold thy fates fierce violence?  
O sister, sister, thou hast quite undone  
Thyself, myself, and all renown, begun  
In city, subjects, Carthaginian lords:  
O who me now some cleansing streams affords,  
That I may wash her wounds? And if as yet  
Any last breath there stray, that I may it  
Sup up at length. This said, she soon ascends  
The steepy steps, and in her heart contends,  
And on her breast, to hug with many a tear  
The half dead body of her sister dear,  
And with her clothes the black blood wipes and dries.  
Whereat she seems to heave her heavy eyes.  
But down again the dead lids fall and fail,  
And at her heart the death-smart doth prevail.  
Thrice she herself raised up, and strove to rest  
Upon her arm; and thrice by pain oppressed,  
She sounding rolled back upon the bed,  
And with her straggling sight endeavoured  
To see the skie-light, groaning when 'twas found;  
Then mighty juno pitying her death's wound,  
Protracted woe, difficulty to die,  
Sent Iris quickly from Olympus' high,  
Her struggling soul, and fast bound life t' unbind,  
(Because she not by fate, nor deaths due kind  
Did die, but immaturely) she poor heart  
With sudden rage inflamed, wrought her own smart.  
As yet, Proserpina took not away  
Her yellow locks, which on her head grew grey,  
Nor her designed to the Stygian lake.  
Dame Iris therefore from the clouds did take  
Quick flight to her, with watery coloured plumes,  
Which against the opposite bright sun assumes  
A thousand various curious colours clear:  
And lighting on her head, said; Charged, I bear  
Thy parted soul to Pluto dedicated,  
And free thee from thy corpse excruciated.  
This said, she clipped her locks; at once doth slip  
All vital heat, life into th' air doth skip.  
An end of the fourth book of Virgil's Aeneïds.   

THE ARGUMENT of the fifth book.  
Aeneas' sails, to Sicil hies,  
Where he his father's obsequies  
Doth celebrate: Acestes kind,  
About the grave brave games designed,  
A prodigy, a fiery dart.  
Then Iris plays old Beroes' part,  
In old-wifes' weeds the fleet doth flame,  
But sudden showers do quench the same.  
Anchises ghost in sleep doth show  
What wars his son must undergo:  
And by whose guide to pass to hell.  
He builds a town, wherein to dwell  
He leaves the wives and men unfit:  
For Palinure, he'll steersman sit.  
MEeanwhile Aeneas half way keeps his course;  
His ships with soft winds cut the waves black source;  
Reviewng poor Eliza's walls on fire,  
The cause unknown of such combustion dire:  
But bitter grief he feared for abrupt love,  
Knowing how lovesick passions women move  
With these sad thoughts the Trojans forward sail,  
Lest sight of land at sea their fleet doth fail.  
On all sides sea, on all sides only sky:  
He o'er his head a watery cloud doth spy,  
Full stuffed with storms, whose blackness frights the seas,  
And in his ship did Pal●nure displease.  
Whereat he cries, A●as, what clouds o'erspread  
The heavens? What means God Neptune by this dread?  
He bids them play the men, their oars to ply,  
Sails to the lee, and thus aloud doth cry;  
Dauntless Aeneas, though great jove our guide,  
Should promise we in Italy should 'bide;  
I could not in this case his words confide.  
Such counter-cuffs, cross puffs us turn and wind,  
Such dark dim clouds arise, as th' air quite blind.  
Nor do our reluctations us avail:  
Since fortune forceth, let's with fortune sail,  
And go wheresoever she guides; for sure think I,  
Thy brother Eryx trusty towns are nigh,  
And Sicils shores: for I have certain sight  
Of noted stars, if I remember right.  
Surely, says good Aeneas, so I see  
The winds require, thy labours all to be  
In vain I view. Then bend thy course that way:  
For a more pleasing place could I, I say,  
To rest our weary fleet, wish to attain,  
Then whereas Troy's Acestes kind doth reign,  
And where my fathers buried bones remain?  
This said, they fetch the haven, a Western blast  
Stretching their sails, the navy nimbly past  
The channel, and at length with joy each one  
Gets to the shore, unto them all well known.  
But from a lofty hill, aloof in's eye  
Acestes, wondering, did their fleet espy,  
Their friendly fleet: which he runs down to meet  
Fierce with's bears hide and dart, them (thus) to greet:  
Whose mother Troy him at Crinisus flood  
Begat: He mindful of's forefather good,  
Them safe t'enjoy much joys, with country cates  
And friendly gifts, receives, cheers, consolates.  
Next day, so soon as Eastern Sols bright face  
Had banished stars, Aeneas from each place  
And part o'th' port assembles all his mates,  
And from a tomb's top thus expostulates;  
Renowned dardan's, sprung from joves' high race,  
'Tis now a full and complete twelvemonths space,  
Since here our sacred parents bones were laid,  
And relics left, and sad death-altars made.  
And this (if I mistake not) is the day,  
The doleful day which I resolve for aye  
To solemnize, and sad to celebrate:  
(For so, ye Fates, ye do it destinate)  
Yea this, though afric me an exile held,  
Though Grecian seas or shores me captived quelled,  
With annual votes and due solemnities,  
And altar-decking gifts, I'd memorise.  
Now are we gladly (and, as I conceive,  
Not without heaven's direction and good leave)  
Come to our father's bones and sacred dust,  
And in the a fair and friendly port have thrust.  
Come on then, let's glad triumphs celebrate,  
Let's get fair gales; and when my city's state  
Is established, I'll my sacred rites each year  
To him, in temples to him builded, bear.  
Troy-born Acestes two fat bullocks great  
Bestows on every bark throughout the fleet.  
Then at the feast our countrey-Gods let's place,  
And those which kind Acestes holds in grace.  
Besides, if Sol the ninth day with bright rays  
His fair face o'er the universe displays.  
First, for our Trojans flying-fleets sea-fight  
I'll prizes have: for him, whose nimble flight  
Best runs a race: for him, whose courage stout  
Wrestles most rare: who best flings darts about:  
Or, fight with plummet-clubs doth best affect:  
Let all be pressed, and purchased palms expect.  
Lend us your clamours loud, with bays all crowned.  
This said, himself his brows with laurel bound:  
The like Helymus, old Acestes do,  
Lively Ascanius; all the youth so too:  
He leaves the parley; with thousand tendants brave  
Environed, he comes to's father's grave.  
And here (as due) two bowls of wine most good  
He poured on ground, and two of sacred blood,  
Two of new milk, and strewed blue flowers, and said,  
Hail, sacred sire, once more all hail, safe laid,  
You sacred bones, sire's soul, saved all in vain,  
Since Italy we could not both attain;  
Nor see those fatal fields, nor seek together  
Ausonian Tiber▪ flowing, who knows whither?  
This said, a mighty slippery snake he spied,  
With seven huge wreaths and foldings forth to glide  
From under th' earth, and smoothly crawling by  
The altar, girts the grave, whose back like sky  
Was coloured right, and full ofspecks like gold,  
His glassy scales most bright for to behold;  
Much like the rainbow placed against Sols rays,  
Which thousand various colours than displays.  
This sight amazed the man: the snake among  
The cups and platters crawling thus along,  
At last he tastes the dainties tenderly,  
And back recoils to th'tomb most harmlessly,  
Leaving the full-fed shrines. Hence much the more  
He plied his father with oblations store;  
Uncertain whether it were the Genius fair  
O'th' place, or's fathers spirit did thus repair.  
Five sheep, five hogs, five heifers black he slew,  
And bowls of wine upon them forth he threw,  
And invocates the soul of his great sire,  
And ghosts now raised from th' Acherontine fire.  
His mates likewise bring copious costly gifts,  
And lively each loads on the altars lifts,  
And kill their kine, and pots and pans they place,  
And, spread on ground, make fires to th' spits apace,  
And roast their midriffs, and to feasting fall.  
And now's the day long-lookt-for of them all:  
And Phäethons' coursers drew Sols chariot bright  
Upon this ninth day, with resplendent light.  
When fluttering fame and brave Acests renown  
Called neighbours in from each near neighbouring town:  
Whose joyful troops filled all the plains about,  
To see the Trojan lads, and sport it out.  
But first fair prizes placed were on poles  
I'th' midst in open sight; fair three-legged bowls,  
And fragrant garlands bound in beauteous wise,  
And costly crowns, palms for the victor's prize;  
And glistering arms, wrought-coats, rich to behold,  
And many talents both of silver and gold.  
Shrill trumpets sound amidst those thick consorts,  
And summon them to those propounded sports.  
And first, four choice barks of the fleet begin,  
With stiff strong oars by sea-fight fame to win.  
First Mnestheus with his galleon, Priests swift,  
With his courageous master makes first drift.  
Next him Italian Mnestheus, from whom came  
The race of Memmius: Gyas, next for fame,  
Brought his huge bark, the fierce Chimaera named,  
A town-like ship, with treble-oare banks framed,  
Which Trojan lads with three-rankt oars did guide.  
Next in's tall centaur Sergest forth did glide,  
From whom the family of Sergeus rose,  
In skie-like Scylla fierce Cloanthus goes,  
Whence, Roman Cluent, thy great kindred grows.  
far off, i'th' sea, just against the foaming shore,  
There lies a rock, which oft is covered o'er  
With swelling waves; when Western Corus' blows,  
And hides the stars, a calm it plainly shows:  
And in still tides 'tis all a shelfie plain,  
Where sea-birds, basking in the sun, remain.  
Here grave Aeneas oaken boughs did place,  
To show the mariners their pointed race:  
How far to rove, and where to wind about:  
And now each one his station chooseth out.  
Each champion's on his hatches richly clad.  
Each youth on's head a poplar garland had;  
His shoulders bare, anointed with glistering oil,  
Sitting on's bench, his arms pressed to the toil  
Of tugging oars: to th'wished for sign addressed,  
Whiles leaping joy and lumpish fear in breast  
Makes imbred broils, striving for mastery,  
Pricked with the spur of praise, by victory.  
And now the trumpet sounds the shrill alarms,  
Strait all the ships start out to sportive arms,  
Hate least delay, loud sea-shouts dash the sky,  
Th'oars slicing strokes make folding waves run by.  
At once all furrows plow, the struggling streams  
O'er all the main gape wide, boil foamy streams,  
With flaly-oares and slicing foredecks fierce,  
Which through the bustling billows proudly pierce.  
The furious duellizing chariots swift  
Burst from their bounds, use not such headlong drift  
In field careeres: nor horseman half so fast  
Runs, jets, curvets, or shakes the loose reins cast  
On's horses main, nor loudlier jerks his whip.  
Then shouts, clapped hands, both from each shore and ship  
And siding partners acclamations shrill,  
The woods, fields, shores, with mighty clamours fill;  
Whose quick redoubling echoes answer still.  
Thus (first) flies out, before the rest, i'th' rout,  
Courageous Gyas, whom Cloanthus stout  
Follows at heels, with better oars indeed,  
But slow-paced pinie barks make no great speed.  
After them, nimble Priests, Centaur, fly  
With equal struggle for priority.  
And now flies Priests, Centaur gets the best,  
Now both are maucht, and side to side addressed:  
With even foredecks, they brinish billows plough:  
And now their barges to the bounding bough,  
And regulating rock nimbly draw nigh;  
Which when i'th' floudie field victoriously  
Gyas first spied, he to his master cried,  
Menoetes, why to th' right hast thou so ply'de?  
Hale in this way, and quickly shove to shore,  
And to the left hand cliffs wind in thine oar:  
Let others move i'th' main (says he) for us.  
But yet Menoetes too solicitous  
Of wave-hid rocks, his foredeck winds to th' deep,  
Whiles Gyas still cries out, To land-ward keep,  
Pull back (Menoetes) why dost still go wrong?  
And now behold, he spies Cloanthus strong  
Close at his heels, and (next himself) the first,  
Who stiffly 'twixt the rattling rocks being burst,  
And the left inner way of Gyas ship;  
Passing the best, and bounds, to sea doth whip.  
Hereat deep rage young Gyas did so flame,  
That not without some chafing tears he came  
To slow Menoetes, and (regardless quite  
Of his mates welfare, or's own lustre bright)  
He casts him headlong o'er th'board into th'deep,  
Himself as master at the stern doth keep,  
And cheers his men, and steers the helm to shore.  
But from the bottom (now) Menoetes poor,  
In sea-drencht clothes, floating above the flood,  
Crawls up a rock, and on a dry cliff stood,  
Whiles on the shore the Trojans him deride,  
And laughed to see him swim, and slip and slide,  
And how his stomach did salt water spew.  
Here the two hindmost gamesters gladly view,  
A spur to prick them on, Sergestus stout,  
And valiant Mnestheus nimbly cast about,  
T'outstrip slow Gyas: Sergest gets prime place,  
And to the rock to get, now rows a pace.  
But he's not firmly first, though's barge go on,  
For perking Priests nose lies close upon  
His foredeck: Mnestheus trudging to and fro  
About the ship, his men cheers on to row:  
Now, now, Hectorean mates, row close (cries he)  
For you from Troy's last lot I chose to be  
My faithful followers: now power forth that might,  
That courage brave, which yerst in Grecians sight  
And Argine sturdy streams you have expressed.  
I strive not to be first, nor get the best:  
(Yet O!) but let them win and wear it well:  
Whom thou, great Neptune, wilt, shall bear the bell.  
Yet let it shame us to be last of all:  
Win this (brave lads) let not that shame be fall.  
Hereat they all most stiffly tug and pull,  
And with their oars strong strokes, thick, quick, & full,  
The brassy-poop they shake, no land they see,  
They gape for breath, all o'er most sweaty be:  
And friendly fortune grants wished victory.  
For while Sergestus frets and fumes in mind,  
Whiles, inmost, his foredeck to th' rock's inclined,  
Unhappy by desire of nearest cut,  
On unseen cliffs his vessel fiercely put;  
The rushed on rocks a rattling noise do make,  
While on sharp snags, cleft oars the foredeck strake.  
The boatmen bustle up, with clamour stand,  
And hooks and steel-tipt poles they snatch in hand,  
Gathering their split oars floating on the waves,  
Whiles Mnestheus happi●i'de, with bold outbraves  
For's good success, with nimble oars, fair gales,  
And full sea-room, from sea to shore safe sails.  
Much like a dove soon startled from her nest,  
That in some house or hollow roof took rest,  
Flies forth to field, fluttering her wings full fast,  
Quick through the transient air is nimbly passed,  
And with smooth swooping flight doth glide along:  
So Mnestheus, so his Priests, from among  
The utmost waves most clearly cuts his course,  
And seems to fly with rushing furious force.  
And first forsakes Sergestus struggling hard  
Amongst the rocks, by shallows, shelves, debarred  
Of vain desired help, now taught to row  
With broken oars, and now he does outgo  
Young Gyas, and his huge Chimaera foiled,  
Which soon gives way, being of his master spoiled.  
And now at last none but Cloanth remains,  
Whom to o'ertake he duplicates his pains,  
Reduplicates loud clamours. All him cheer  
With their skie-cuffing votes, as he draws near:  
Those strive to keep their purchased praise and fame,  
Vowing to lose their lives to keep the same:  
Good luck spurs these; there's hope therefore they'll win,  
And evenly matched, they (sure) had victors been,  
Had not Cloanthus fallen to prayer devout,  
And thus with heav'd-up hands to's Gods cried out;  
Great Gods of sea, whose liquid soils I sail,  
If I be victor I'll without all fail  
On shore-built altars sacrifice a bull,  
And your due debtor, forth his midriff pull,  
And pour on these salt seas, with wine good store.  
This said, the sea-nymphs whom he did implore,  
All heard him from the bottom of the main;  
Phorci, Nereids, the Mermaid's train:  
Yea, old Portunus self, with his strong hand  
Shoving his ship (like blast, bird-bolt) to land,  
She flies full fast, and safe i'th' haven doth stand.  
Aeneas then (as custom) congregates  
His troops, and by a crier demonstrates,  
Cloanthus victor, crowns his brows with bays,  
And gives large gifts, true trophies of great praise:  
Three heifers to three ships, and wine great store,  
And a large silver talon thence they bore.  
But to the chieftains he chief prizes gave,  
A golden mantle wrought about most brave  
With fair Meander-like rich purple plates,  
And crinkling folds, wherein art personates,  
In curious work, the princely lively lad  
Fair Ganymede, like a young hunter clad;  
In woody Ide chase the skipping dear  
With dart in's hand, breathing with swift career.  
Whom (thus) in's hooky claws the eagle swift  
Soaring swoops up, and quick to th' sky doth lift.  
His guardians grave to heaven heave hands in vain,  
And all his dog's bark at the clouds amain.  
But him, whose worth deserved the second place,  
He with a rich-wrought coat of arms did grace,  
Set with gold hooks, which he victoriously  
From Demoleus won, in Troy, hard by  
Swift Simois: this he bestows most free,  
A grace, a guard to him in arms to be.  
Whose ponderous weight two servants scarce could bear,  
But Demoleus did it easily wear,  
And with it chased the Trojans in great fear.  
His third gifts were two cauldrons brave of brass,  
And silver bowls, whose workmanship did pass,  
For graven figures fair. Thus all rewarded,  
All pleased with prizes to their worths afforded,  
Their fronts with roseal headbands bound about,  
Along they pass, and passing spied out  
Sergestes, whose best skill and utmost strength,  
Hardly the hard rocks made him escape at length,  
His honour sharelesse ship full fraught with shame,  
His oars all lost, one rank of rowers lame.  
Much like a snake which cross the way doth lie,  
Crushed by a wheel suddenly passing by:  
Or by a passenger bruised with a stone,  
Sore battered and half killed, there left alone;  
Long wriggling wreaths doth force, in vain to fly,  
One half stairs up, and puts forth furiously  
Its hissing neck: th'other half bruised withholds,  
And in close knots and wreaths its members folds:  
With such weak work his slow ship forward passed,  
Yet still sailed on, and got to th' haven at last.  
Aeneas glad to see his ship and mates  
Comen safe to shore, Sergestus decorates  
With promised prize, also a maiden fair,  
Skilful to spin, of Cretian lineage rare,  
And 'twixt her paps of sucking twins a pair.  
These sea-sports finished, good Aeneas went  
Into a grassy mead, on all sides penned  
With groves and craggy banks, i'th' midst of it  
A circled plain, for theatre most fit;  
Where he, with many thousand gallants tended,  
A rare erected throne princelike ascended.  
Here all that could most swiftly run a race,  
Invited were, with praises, prizes grace:  
Whereat Sicilians, Trojans, all about,  
Euryalus and Nisus first i'th' rout,  
Do thither flock: Euryalus most fair,  
A lovely lively youth; and Nisus rare,  
An honest modest lad: next comes apace  
Princely Diores, of king Pri●●s race:  
After him Salius came, and Patr●n good:  
Th'one of Epire, th'other's untainted blood  
Sprang from Tegeus. Then two striplings came,  
Panopes and Helymus, of much fame  
For gallant huntsmen, peers to old Acest:  
And many more whom fame hath not expressed.  
To whom i'th' midst of them Aeneas said;  
Hear me, brave youths, be sure, and well paid▪  
Not one of all this rout but gifts shall have.  
I'll give two glistering Cretian arrows brave,  
Headed with steel, a silver damaskt bill:  
You all with equal gifts reward I will;  
Save the three chief, who three choice palms shall have,  
Their heads adorned with olive-branches brave.  
A gallant horse with trappings I'll bestow  
Upon the first: and on the next also  
An Amazonian quiver, furnished fair  
With Thracian shafts, hung at a belt most rare,  
And richly wrought with gold, and buttened fast  
With a rich stone: The third reward and last,  
Shall be a Grecian helmet. This being said,  
They chose their stations, and the sign being made,  
They suddenly and swiftly forth do fly,  
Most like a furious storm, to th' goal they hie,  
And first most fast, leaving them all behind,  
Runs nimble Nisus, swifter than the wind,  
Or flashy lightning. And to him the next  
Ran Salius swift, but with large distance 'twixt.  
Euryalus was third, but with some space,  
Whom Helymus pursued with rapid race.  
By whom, behold, Diores fiercely flies,  
And foot by foot close at his shoulders lies,  
And if enough space for the race remain,  
Is like, the best from all the rest to gain.  
And now well-nigh they to the goal were got,  
And weary all, when Nisus with hard lot,  
(The grass made slippery with an heifers blood,  
Which had been slain there, and congealed stood)  
Suddenly slipped, just as he skipped for joy  
Of hoped prize, and could not right employ  
His staggering feet, but fell flat on the flore,  
Upon the slimy mud and sacred gore:  
Yet mindful of the love he ever bore  
Euryalus, he Salius doth oppose,  
Trips up his heels, just as himself up rose.  
Who grovelling on the sand, Euryalus  
Starts forward, and by's friend, victorious,  
Got the prime place, with acclamations high,  
And joyful shouts, and 'fore them all doth fly.  
After whom Helym hastes; and in third race  
Diores ran. Here in the open face  
And huge concourse of plebeians and of peers,  
Supplanted Salius mighty clamours rears,  
And claims his prize, forced from him by deceit.  
But bashful tears and partial favour great,  
And virtue in fair forms most gracious,  
Plead and prevail for young E●ryal●s:  
Diores also with loud exclamation  
Craves his reward, and fears his fame's frustration,  
In the last prize, if Salius have the first.  
But grave Aeneas soon his fear off burst,  
And says, Brave youths, your prizes are your own,  
Your promised palms shall altered be by none:  
Yet let me moan my innocent friends fate.  
This said, his Salius he did munerate  
With a fair lions skin, with hair most rough,  
And goldy claws: which Nisus took in s●uffe,  
And said; If vanquished shall be thus rewarded,  
If foiled be favoured; what shall be afforded?  
What proper prize to Nisus will you yield,  
Who did deserve first honour of the field,  
Had not fierce fate, as Salius, thwarted me?  
And at these words he stoutly lets them see  
His dirt-bedawbed clothes, besmeared face.  
Which made Aeneas loudly laugh apace.  
Then strait he called for the stately targe,  
Which Didymaon made, both rich and large,  
Which once the Greeks to Neptune consecrated,  
And was hung up: And then remunerated  
The noble youth with that most noble prize.  
The race thus run, the palms disposed likewise,  
Now says Aeneas, If there's any here  
Strong and courageous, let him now appear,  
And his club-armed arms advance and lift;  
To whom he did allot a twofold gift.  
The conqueror awarded was to have  
A bull arrayed with gold and garlands brave:  
The conquered, a gallant h●●m and sword,  
To him well beat●n comfort to afford.  
Delay laid by, Dares dar●s first come forth,  
A mighty man, whom for his strength and worth  
The people much applaud: for single h●  
Antagonist to Paris used to be.  
And he victorious Buten gigantine,  
(Who from B●bryoian Amycus great line  
Derived his race) him he at Hector's grave  
Did fell and foil, and's cureless death-wound gave.  
Such dauntless Dares him i'th' forefront shows,  
Advancing both his big arms, as he goes,  
And shoulders broad, jerking the air with blows.  
His like they look for, but not one they find  
In all the troops, to fight with him inclined,  
Or take the club in hand triumphant then,  
Hoping to bear the prize from all the men,  
Placed at Aeneas feet, scorning delays,  
The bulls horn held in's left hand, thus he says;  
Great Goddess son, if none dares fight the field,  
What means this stay? why to me done't you yield  
The prize? and bid me bear the palms away?  
And all the Trojan troops the same did say.  
Then grave Acestes calls Entellus great,  
Who next him sit on a green grassy seat,  
And chides him thus; Entellus, once esteemed  
The stoutest of our peers, in vain so deemed,  
Canst thou be patient, and without one blow  
Suffer such palms so easily hence to go?  
where's now great Eryx, our warre-master stout,  
Vainly renowned? where is thy fame, spread out  
Through Sicily? and house adorning spoils?  
To whom he said; No love of land recoils  
In me, nor thirst of fame, enforced by fears:  
But my i'll blood and dull declining years,  
Whereby my youthful powers exhausted be.  
But were it now as it was once with me,  
And as 'tis with this Braggadocia bold,  
Were I so young again, nought should withhold  
Me from the fight, no prize should prick me on,  
No beauteous bull; gifts I'd not stand upon.  
This said, two clubs he threw down in their sight,  
Heavy and huge, wherewith in such like fight,  
Fierce Eryx used to combat with strong hand.  
At sight whereof amazed they all did stand,  
To see them stuffed with lead, and lined beside  
With iron plates, covered with seven bulls hides.  
Amongst the rest Dares being damped most,  
Stiffly refused them (maugre former boast)  
Yea great Aeneas poised with his hands  
Their weight, and up and down rolled their huge bands▪  
Whereat the aged champion thus did say;  
What if you all had seen that furious fray  
Fought in these parts, with great Alcides' arms,  
And these our clubs? wherewith in fierce alarms  
Thy kinsman Eryx formerly had fought,  
Stained still thou seest with blood and brains dashed out.  
Wherewith he haughty Hercules withstood:  
Which I myself have used in youthful blood;  
When yet grey hairs in emulous old age  
Did not my head o'erspread, nor valour suage.  
But if Troyes Dares these our arms deny,  
And good Aeneas and Acest comply  
Me to excuse, who me first moved thereto;  
Let's match our weapons, I remit to you  
Eryx his clubs: fear not, and lay you by  
Your Trojan clubs. This said, immediately  
He doffs his double coat from's shoulders wide,  
And his huge body's bulk: all present eyed  
His mighty bones, strong sinews naked be:  
Thus giantlike, most tall and stout stood he.  
Then grave Aeneas equal clubs chose out,  
And vvell-mached weapons; bound their hands about.  
Strait hand to hand, and foot to foot both stand,  
And fearless, each aloft lifts up his hand,  
And banging blows make each one's head bend back:  
Fiercely they fight, and each gives thwack for thwack.  
He nimbler skips about in youthful heat;  
This keeps his standing with his limbs most great:  
Yet moves his trembling legs, but faint and slow;  
And like one sick, he thick doth breathe and blow.  
Thus (though in vain) with might and main they fight,  
With toiling, foiling cuffs each other smite,  
And beat and bang about each others hides,  
And make redoubled thwacks sound on their sides:  
About their ears their hasty hands do fly,  
Whose thumps their chaps make chatter gnashingly.  
Thus great Entellus stiffly stands it out,  
With watchful eyes observes the blows about,  
And viewing, voids▪ Dares industriously,  
Like one which scales a town with engines high,  
Or with stout troops begirt, a castle strong,  
Now this way, that way, every way doth long  
By fraud or fierce assaults a breach to make:  
But all in vain he all this toil doth take.  
For strong Entellus roused up doth lift  
Aloft his rough right hand, which Dares swift  
Foresees, and shuns the furious falling blow,  
And with a nimble skip avoids it so.  
Whereby Entellus, frustrate, beats the wind,  
Whose mark thus missed, his heavy corpse inclined,  
Prove to the earth with fury of the stroke,  
Much like a hollow, great, and o'ergrown oak  
In Erymanth or Ida's wood most great,  
Even by the roots o'returned from its seat.  
The Trojans and Trinacrian lads in zeal  
Start up hereat, and raise a clamorous peal:  
Acestes first to's fallen old friend doth high,  
Grieves, gets him up. Th' old champion speedily  
Reared, nothing feared with this his sudden fall,  
Flies to the fight more fierce, rage feeds his gall.  
Disgrace gives fire to force, and foreknown might:  
And fiercely he doth Dares headlong smite,  
And bang about the field with both his hands,  
Redoubling boisterous blows; nor quiet stands,  
Nor takes least rest: but as thick showers of hail  
With rattling noise do houses tops assail:  
Even so this chafing champion thrashes out  
With both his hands young Dares stomach stout.  
Then grave Aeneas hastens to allay  
Entellus furious rage, his wrath to stay,  
And ends the fight, gives tired Dares rest,  
And comfort in kind words he thus expressed:  
Unfortunate! what frenzy blinds thy mind?  
Feelest thou not mightier force and fates unkind?  
Submit to God. This said, the combat ended,  
But him (alas!) his faithful mates attended,  
Dragging his feeble feet, and to and fro  
His weak head dangling, vomiting also  
Much gorebloud from his mouth, his teeth dashed out,  
Thus to the ships they bore him from the rout:  
Bidden to take the sword and helm away,  
Entellus had the praise and prize o'th' day.  
He victor, vaunting of his bull for joy,  
Says thus, Fair prince, and you rare troops of Troy,  
Ye now may see what strength my young years had,  
And how ye saved Dares from death most sad.  
This said, against the bull, his prize he stands,  
Ties it, and takes his club in both his hands,  
And 'twixt the horns gives it a blow so fierce,  
As made the broken bones the brains to pierce.  
The beast is slain, lies grovelling on the ground.  
Whereat these words he vents from's heart profound:  
This fitter soul, then Dares death, to thee  
Great Eryx, I being victor, offer free,  
And now my club and art relinquished be.  
Then strait, Aeneas those that would invites  
To shooting games, and them with gifts incites:  
In Sergests ship erects a mighty mast.  
To th' top whereof he ties a pigeon fast,  
Hung by a dangling rope, their mark, or white.  
The archers come, and int' a helmet bright  
The lots are cast, and with a joyful voice,  
Hippoc'on had the first affected choice.  
Whom Mnestheus follows next, at sea-fight best;  
Mnestheus his brows with olive-branches dressed.  
The third Eurytion was, thy brother kind,  
Rare Pandarus; who biddden, with brave mind  
Didst first, once charged the truce to terminate,  
Through thickest Greeks thy dart make penetrate.  
The last and lowest in the harnesse-cap,  
Fell out to be noble Acestes hap;  
Even he himself would venture valiantly  
With those brave sparks this shooting-task to try.  
Then with stiff strength they bend their crooked bows,  
And each for's use shafts from his quiver choose.  
Hippoc'on first made from his clanging string  
His arrow cut the air, and flying, sing;  
And singing, pierce, and stick fast in the mast.  
The mast was shaken, the fluttering foul aghast,  
And through them all loud acclamations past.  
Next Mnestheus stout stood with his bow full bend,  
His eye and arrow aim at high intent.  
But yet (good man) he could not hit the white,  
And yet the cord he did in sunder smite,  
Wherewith the dove by's feet was tied to th' mast:  
Strait with the wind through th' air the dove flies fast.  
Eurytion then already ready pressed  
With bow and shaft, set to, to shoot addressed,  
His brother invocates for aid auspicious:  
In th' open air spies the dove most conspicuous,  
Cheerfully sporting with her wings for joy,  
Whom his quick shaft did nimbly pierce, destroy.  
Under a cloud the dove i'th' air thus dead,  
Falls down, and fallen, the shot-shaft rendered.  
Acestes only fails of's palms desert,  
Yet into th' air he shot his whistling dart,  
Proud of his expert art, and clanging bow.  
But here behold, a most prodigious show  
And anxious augury came soon in sight,  
As the strange issue did demonstrate right,  
And omens great which frighting prophets write.  
For i'th' clear air the flying dart did flame,  
Which gliding on, a fire consumes the same,  
And wastes i'th' fanning winds: just as we see  
The falling stars, when as they gliding be,  
To bear long fiery streams. Amazed they stand,  
Trinacrians, Trojans, lift up heart and hand:  
And wise Aeneas marks the omen right,  
And sweet Acestes greets with great delight,  
Loads him with love-gifts, and (thus) to him said;  
Receive, grave sir (for thee great Jove hath made  
By this strange sign, though priceless, worthy praise)  
Receive this gift, in old Anchises days,  
Bestowed on him by Cisseus king of Thrace,  
A pledge of his great love and friendly grace,  
A goblet great, engraven with figures fair.  
This said, he binds his brows with garlands rare,  
And doth Acest prime conqueror declare.  
Nor did Eurytion kind this honour grudge,  
Though he alone (as all might justly judge)  
The pigeon felled from sky: The next reward  
He therefore had, for he 'twas cut the cord:  
He had the last, whose dart the mast did cleave.  
But brave Aeneas, ere the sport they leave,  
Epitides Ascanius guardian there  
And mate, he calls, and whispers in his ear,  
And says, Go quick, bid my son come away  
(If all the children's troops be in array,  
And horse-race ready) with his bands to go  
Unto his grandsire, and in Martial show  
To show himself: Aeneas self mean space  
Commands the folk, flocking about the place,  
To gather in a ring, the plain to clear.  
And now the lively striplings all draw near  
Before their fathers, on bright bridled steeds,  
Which in the Trojans and Trinacrians breeds  
Great admiration, exultation great.  
All had their hair (as custom was) cut neat,  
And helmets on their heads: in's hand each kept  
A pair of horny spears with steel well tipped.  
Some at their backs wore quivers, dainty, light,  
About their necks: gold chains their breasts bedight.  
Three coronets of horse three captains have,  
Twelve children glistering in their arms most brave,  
Attending them, and masters, them to guide;  
One brave battalion, which with Martial pride  
Thy noble son Polites, (Priam fair)  
Who did his kingly grandsires surname bear,  
And must the bounds of Italy advance;  
Who on a stately Thracian steed did prance,  
All partly colour'dwith fair specks o● white,  
His forefeet so, his proud head born upright,  
A white star on his brow, a comely sight.  
Another band young Atys lively led:  
From whom the Roman Atyan race was spread:  
Young Atys, to Iülus young most dear.  
The last and best for beauty without peer,  
Was fair Iülus, on a courser brave  
Of Carthage, which to him queen Dido gave,  
A sign and symbol of her love to him;  
The rest being grave Acestes yonkers trim,  
Come on Trinacrian steeds. The Trojan rout  
Receive them, full of fame-affecting doubt,  
With great applause, and taking great delight  
In sweet conceit of grave ancestors sight.  
Their stations (now) with joy all viewed about,  
And much affected with this friendly rout.  
Epitides seeing them all addressed,  
With a loud lash and sound the sign expressed.  
Strait all break out, and three by three disperses,  
And back again revoked their reverse:  
And at there breasts their nimble spears they set,  
Fetching careeres, and thence cross courses met:  
And with cross distance fetch cross compass round,  
Rushing on adverse rings, like war profound  
In hottest skirmish; now turn backs to flight.  
Whereat enraged, their darts they at them smite;  
And yet (anon) in peaceful wise shake hands.  
Much like the Laborynthick maze which stands  
In Crect, enclosed with walls most intricate,  
With thousand anxious ways to ambulate,  
Whose unfound paths do weary walkers tyre,  
And in and out, Meanders all admire:  
Even so the Trojan striplings skip about,  
And flights and fights by sporting in and out  
Neatly contrive: like Dolphins in the main,  
Whose frisks and skips much sport i'th' waves maintain.  
These courses, combats, and this custom rare,  
Ascanius first did found, and new repair,  
When spacious Alba he with walls did frame,  
And taught old Rome to celebrate the same:  
As he a child, as Trojan lads had shown,  
The ancient Albans they to theirs made known.  
This pretty sport from them the Romans old,  
Long after did forefathers honour hold:  
This children (now) call Troy, Trojan troops name.  
And thus far (now) unto his father's fame,  
These pleasant sports performed and celebrated,  
Here fortune her fair face first transmutated.  
For whiles they sport about his father's tomb,  
juno send Iris in a pelting fume,  
Unto the Trojan fleets, and gives her wind,  
Much moved, and (still) old grudges born in mind,  
Iris i'th' rain-bows thousand colours speeds,  
Unseen of any, virginlike proceeds  
With expeditious haste, huge troops doth meet,  
Sees the forsaken shores, ports, naked fleet.  
But yet the Trojan wives far off did keep  
In private banks, and for the loss did weep  
Of old Anchises; weeping as they stood,  
They all beheld the mighty ocean flood,  
Crying, Alas! what sea-toiles yet remain  
To us tired souls; all sighing, in one strain  
Wishing a city, loathing more sea-pain.  
Dame Iris amongst them slily thrusts in place,  
Suspectless of abuse, her Goddess face,  
Gesture and vesture, from her laid aside,  
She's now Beröe, Doryclus old bride,  
Mother of children, late of note and fame:  
And thus amongst them, like a Trojan dame,  
Speaks to the Trojan wives: O woeful we,  
Whom Grecian power might not massacred see  
In bloody war under the walls of Troy!  
Unhappy nation! kept from more annoy.  
This now's the seventh year since our land was lost,  
Since we strange seas, lands, rocks, and sands have crossed,  
And stormy stars have scaped, whiles through vast streams  
And tumbling waves, we follow flying dreams;  
We fly to fleeting Italy: yet here  
Our kinsman Eryx borders do us cheer,  
And kind Acest●s. Who'll us than deny  
T'inhabit here, a town to edify?  
O country, O in vain saved deities!  
Shall no town yet old Troy rememorize?  
O shall I ne'er Hectorean rivers see?  
No Xanthus, Si●ois? no? come on with me,  
With me come burn these ships inauspicate:  
For I Cassandra's ghost in sleep saw late;  
Who gave me these incendiary brands,  
And said, Here seek your Troy, here in these lands  
Fix your abode: now's time the work to ply,  
Why stay we, since we see so great a tie?  
Four flaming altars unto Neptune great,  
And fates themselves give fire, and valour's heat.  
Thus speaking, she ran first, and snatched a brand  
Of furious fire, which flaming in her hand,  
Into the fleet she flung it furiously:  
The Trojan wives much startled were hereby,  
And ' mazed in mind: whereat one amongst the rest,  
Grave Pyrgo, Priam's nurse, who had expressed  
Much loyalty and love to's children deer,  
Said, Trust me (matrons) I dare boldly swear  
This is not Beröe, our late neighbour's wife:  
For I see signs of sacred Godhead rise:  
Mark you her glistering eyes, her spirit divine,  
Her looks, her voice, her state and gate most fine:  
And I myself left Berö● sick of late,  
Much grieved, that she was so unfortunate  
Not to be present, horrors due t'have paid  
To old Anchis●s tomb. This though she said,  
Yet at the first the women doubtful be,  
As blind in eyes as mind, their ships to see,  
And held with deep desire of this lands rest,  
And fate-assigned realms, which should b● best.  
But when they saw the winged Goddess fli●,  
And flying cut the cloudy bow in sky,  
Provoked by this prodigious accident,  
With rage transported, they loud clamours vent,  
And fires from ●orth the●r 〈◊〉 and chimneys snatch:  
Some th' altars tear, some boughs and branches catch,  
And aught combustible, and firebrands throw  
Into their ships: Vulcan the flame doth blow  
Of fierce unbridled spoil on planks and ●are●,  
Hatches and painted decks. At these uproars  
Eumelus posteth to Anchises grave,  
To bear sad tidings to those bands most brave,  
Of this combustion: and the gamesters spy  
Black smoke and sparkling flames fly up to th' sky.  
And as first horse-careeres Ascanius led,  
So fiercely first to th'troubled tents he fled:  
Nor could the mazed masters make him stay,  
But on he comes, and thus to them doth say;  
O what strange wrath is this? what mean ye now,  
O wretched women? against whom do ye vow  
This mischief great? Here is no adverse foe,  
No Grecian tents; your hopes you'll burn up so.  
O see me your Ascanius, your delight!  
Whereat he pulls off's helmet in their sight,  
Wherewith in field his Martial sports he plied:  
To whom Aeneas, all the Trojans hide.  
But all the wives pursued with fear and dread,  
To th' woods and groves all stragglingly were fled,  
And michingly to caves and rocks they run,  
Hating the light; shamed of their work begun:  
And changed in mind, in grief their friends they know,  
And hate great juno, cause of all this woe.  
But what of this? hereby they quench no fire,  
For flames increase with most represselesse ire,  
And pitch and ●ow, kindling a smothering heat,  
Sly fires increase, and raise combustion great.  
Through th' ships great bulks, nor by the peers best power,  
Or force of floods, do flames cease to devour.  
Then good Aeneas rend his clothes with grief,  
With stretcht-out hands implores the God's relief.  
And thus he prays▪ Great jove, if Trojans all  
Thou hast not yet quite cast off, left to thrall:  
If long devotion helps men's miseries,  
O free our fleet from flame-calamities:  
And now from ruin raise Troy's tottering state,  
Or else (great sire) if it be my due fate,  
Strike me (all left) to death with lightning fierce,  
And let thy hand my heart profoundly pierce.  
Scarce had he spoke, when mighty showers of rain  
Most thick, most quick, came powdering down amain:  
A mighty storm, and rattling roaring thunder,  
Making earth's most obdurate creatures wonder:  
All o'er the sky the furious tempest grows,  
And plenteous streams into the vessels throws,  
Which washed the half-burnt wood, stints all the flame,  
All's ships but four being saved by the same.  
But grave Aeneas dampt with this dire chance,  
His thoughts now here now there in mind do glance;  
Musing, unmindful of the fates decree,  
Whether 'twere best in Sicil still to be,  
Or bend his courses now for Italy.  
Then aged Nautes, whom most expertly  
Tritonian Pallas made an artist rare,  
Resolves him thus; both what great juno fair  
Enraged would act, and destinies dispose,  
He kindly thus t' Aeneas doth disclose:  
Fair Goddess son, where fates us call, recall,  
Thither let's go, what ever us befall:  
Fortune by sufferance best is overthrown.  
Trojan Acestes is thy kinsman known,  
Make him of counsel with thee, to him cleave,  
Thy burnt-ships surplusage of people leave  
Unto his care. Such as thy high designs  
Do disaffect, whose heart to ease inclines,  
Feeble old men, sea-tyred maids and wives,  
All that are faint, and fearful of their lives,  
Select them out, a town here let them frame,  
And, from Acestes, it Acesta name.  
Encouraged thus by his grave friends advise,  
Yet still one care doth on another rise,  
And now night's curtain black the skies did veil,  
When from the heavens his father's image pale,  
Anchises ghost, came down, and suddenly  
Said thus to him; Dear son, to me more nigh,  
More dear than life, (whiles life with me did last)  
Dear son, on various Troy-fates long time cast;  
I come to thee from jove, who quenched the flame  
Of thy fired fleet, pitying thee in the same.  
Obey old Nautes wholesome exhortations,  
And take with thee in thy perambulations  
To Italy, choice youths of courage stout:  
For with fierce people thou must fight it out,  
A nation hard to tame. Yet before this,  
Thou must descend the dungeons dark of Dis:  
Yea thou, dear son, must pass Avernus' lake  
To come to me: yet no abode I make  
In torturing Tartar, or in darkness sad:  
But in Elysium, where delights make glad  
Sweet troops of sacred souls: hither, I say,  
Fair Sibyl shall thee by much blood convey  
Of sacrificed black beasts. Whence thou shalt know  
Thy city sought, and race from thee to flow.  
And now farewell, moist midnight hastes away,  
Sols puffing steeds begin to breath out day.  
This said, like smoke he flies i'th' fleeting sky.  
To whom Aeneas; Whither dost thou fly?  
Why hastes thou hence? From whom dost thou take flight?  
Or, who does thee from our embraces fright?  
Which spoke, he stirs the embers, raked up fire,  
And worships with a reverend hearts desire  
His Trojan Gods, and to them consecrates  
Pure flower and frankincense. Then calls his mates,  
But chiefly grave Acestes speedily,  
And joves' command to them doth signify,  
And his dear father's charge, what he designed,  
And now resolved. Whereto Acest inclined.  
And counsel strait they take, and measure forth  
Towns for their wives, and men of meanest worth,  
Whose most ignoble minds regard not fame.  
But they new sailing barks begin to frame,  
And half-burnt ship-planks, oars and ropes repair;  
In number, few; in war, for service rare.  
Meanwhile Aeneas with a plough sets out  
The city's scope, 'points house's round about:  
Here Ilium's towers, there he sets Troy's fair gates:  
Thus his new realm Acest congratulates.  
Then courts and laws he gives the father's grave,  
And near the stars, on Eryx high would have  
A temple founded unto Venus' fair,  
A sacred grove, and priest, whose special care  
Should only be, Anchises tomb to tend:  
And now the nations nine days feast had end;  
And on their altars offerings all were made,  
And fanning gales upon the ocean played,  
And frequent puffing blasts to sea invite.  
Then on the shore at their departing sight,  
Full floods of tears are shed, and night and day  
In mutual kind embraces still they stay.  
And now those wives, those folk effeminate,  
To whom the sight of sea was frightful late,  
That toil intolerable; now most fain  
Away they would to sea, all toil sustain.  
Whom good Aeneas with kind words doth cheer,  
And weeping leaves it Acest his kinsman dear.  
To Eryx then three calves he bids them kill,  
And to the storms a lamb he offer will.  
Bids them the cables loose, and order right,  
Himself with olive-boughs his head bedight,  
In's hand a bowl, aloof on shipboard stood,  
Flashed out pure wines, spread entralls on the flood.  
A whisking gale puffs on them as they sail:  
His men row close, and thrash the floods with flail▪  
Meanwhile fair Venus, full of tender care,  
To Neptune speaks, doth thus her plaints declare:  
Fierce Juno's wrath, and quenchless indignation▪  
Force me (great Neptune) to pressed supplication.  
Which rage of hers no length of time, or days,  
Nor piety or pity stops or stays:  
Nor joves' command, or fates decree can still  
Her most unbrideled rage: nor Troy's great ill,  
Bespoiled of towns and nation, with strange spite,  
Can satisfy, but with all rancourous might  
She plagues poor wasted Troyes (as yet) remains;  
Yea their dead bones and ashes she disdains.  
The cause of so great wrath herself can tell,  
And how she lately raised, thou knowst it well,  
Strange sudden storms o'er all the Libyan seas,  
Confounding heaven and sea with rough disease:  
All by her friend Aeolus puffs most vain,  
All this she durst in thy vast realm, the main.  
Behold, beside the Trojan wives (foul fact!)  
With rage inflamed, foully (by her compact)  
Fired their fleet, forced them, their ships decayed,  
In a strange land to be detained and stayed.  
This then remains; I pray thee let them sail  
Thy watery soil in safety, with smooth gale  
Let them arrive where Tiber's stream doth flow:  
If our desires thou grant, if fates also  
Grant us our promised realms, then speak, I pray.  
Then Neptune, seas great sovereign, thus did say;  
Fair Venus, thou mayst in my bounds be bold,  
For thence thou dost thy blood and lineage hold:  
I always also have been kind to thine,  
And heavens and seas joint wrath, which did combine,  
And fury fierce, I have restrained for thee,  
Nor have I (Xanth and Simois witness be)  
Of thine Aeneas had less care on land:  
But when Achilles' fierce with furious hand  
Did prosecute and execute with might  
Troy's troops, and from safe walls forced them to flight;  
When thousands dead did fall, when floods did groan,  
Filled with killed bodies; when no way was known  
For Xanthus' course to sea, being damned with dead:  
I then in misty clouds quite covered  
Aeneas, cha●ed by Achilles strong,  
When fates and force left him to hostile wrong:  
Even then when I could well have found in heart,  
Mine own built faithless Troy quite to subvert.  
Then fear not, for I have the same mind still:  
He and they all desired, shall safely fill  
Avernus' port: one only shall be drowned,  
Who sought for in the sea, shall not be found:  
His life the rest shall ransom. Thus most kind  
He strokes and cheers the Goddess cheerful mind,  
Then yokes his horses to his chariots drift,  
And gives the foamy reins to's courser's swift,  
The bridle laid most loose: and thus he slides  
In his blue chariot o'er the surging tides:  
Down wind the waves, ●ow the rough billows bend,  
Under his thundering wheels clouds quick descend.  
Then various troops appear above the main,  
Leviathans most huge, old Glaucus' train,  
Mankind Palaemon, nimble Triton's thick,  
And foamy Phorcus his attendants quick.  
The left hand Thetis, and the Mermaids keep,  
Nisaeë, Spio, all sea-nymphs that sleep,  
And love to live in waves. Aeneas here  
His drooping thoughts with joy doth now recheare,  
And bids his men their masts to raise with speed,  
To stretch their sails. Whereto they all proceed,  
Their feet and force, their hands and heart conjoin  
To th' larboard, or to th' starboard to incline:  
Their sail-yards then they wind, unwind again:  
All things concur to make them sail amain.  
But primely Palinurus guides them all:  
All bend their course to his least beck or call.  
And now was midnight near, when all took rest,  
Spread on hard hatches thus, from toiling ceased;  
When as soft sleeps slipped down from starry skies,  
And glancing through th' air's darkness way descries  
To pitch on thee, poor harmless Palinure,  
On thee to force sad sleep who satst secure,  
Presenting to thee thy friend Phorbas face,  
And speaking thus to thee in dreaming case;  
See jasian Palinure, the very tide  
Makes thy ship sail, fair gales it friendly guide.  
Here's time to rest, lay down thy head and sleep,  
And I for thee thy stern will careful keep.  
To whom with drowsy eyes says Palinure;  
Wouldst thou me make in calmie seas secure?  
And in fair streams fallacious dreams to trust?  
And great Aeneas on false blasts to thrust?  
With skies fair face have I so oft been gulled?  
For this? This said, his helm more close he pulled,  
Keeps fast his hold, on's star's fast fixed his eyes.  
But now behold, this God of sleep from skies  
Whisks a wet branch of soporiferous dew,  
Whose Stygian strength he o'er his eyebrows threw:  
Which soon his rolling eyes with sleep overlayed.  
Whose first lose lids on sudden nod scarce made,  
When to himself the helm too closely stayed,  
He pulls the poop aside, the rudder braced,  
And overboard i'th' sea he's headlong cast,  
Crying for help unto his mates in vain,  
And then this sleep-god flies to th' skies again.  
The fleet, for all this, sails in safety  
By Neptune's promise, in security.  
And now sirens rigid rocks drew near,  
Which with huge heaps of bones did white appear:  
And then far off the rocks rough roars they heard,  
When grave Aeneas from his sleep upreared,  
Perceived their master lost, the fleet to stray,  
Himself by night the pilots part did play,  
Lamenting much his old dear friends decay.  
Ah too too credulous of sea and sky!  
Dear Palinure in unknown sands must lie.  
An end of the fifth book of Virgil's Aeneïds.   

THE ARGUMENT of the sixth book.  
Aeneas safe at Cuma's lands,  
By Sibyl strange things understands:  
Misenus found, and buried there,  
From whom the hill its name doth bear.  
The Gods appeased, a branch of gold  
He bears along: His course doth hold,  
By Sibyls guide, t' Avernus' lake;  
Knows Palmure, great care does take  
To comfort Dido, there being found.  
Sees Deïphobus cruel wound.  
Sibyl him shows the pains of hell,  
Anchises meets him, knows him well.  
Rare things of Rome to him relates:  
Which done, he thence returns to's mates.  
THose weeping words so uttered, swift he sails,  
And gets to Cumas coasts with prosperous gales.  
Foredecks' they wind from sea, sharp anchours tie  
Their settled ships, which 'bout th● shores do lie:  
Out leap their nimble youth, with high desire  
Of Latium land. Some seek for sparks of fire  
Hid in hard flints; some range the woods about,  
The wilde-beasts dens, fresh springs and floods find out▪  
But good Aeneas to the towers did high,  
Where great Apollo hath supremacy,  
The dungeon dark and cells of Sibyl grave,  
To whom a heart and mind Apollo gave  
Inspired with wisdom, future things to know;  
Then to Diana's groves, guilt rooms, they go.  
Fame says, when Daedalus from Crect did fly  
On wax-swift wings, he boldly flew i'th' sky,  
To the cold North gliding by uncouth way,  
On Cumas turrets he at last did stay.  
Here first arriving safe, great Phoebus, he  
Offered his wings, built temples fair to thee.  
Upon whose gates Androgeus' death doth stand:  
And how (oh woe!) th' Athenians by command  
Seven sons and daughter's year by year did slay:  
There pots for drawing lots behold we may.  
Above the sea, their Candy countries seen,  
And there was portrayed Pasiphäe the queen:  
And by her stood her loathsome love, a bull;  
With whom by art her lust was served at full:  
Whose monstrous mixture foully did produce  
A two-formed Minotaur, of base abuse,  
A monstrous monument. That house was here,  
Whose Labyrinthick labour did appear  
In its amazing maze. But Daedalus  
Pitying the queens love most notorious,  
Found out the houses sleights; Meanders strange,  
Led by a thread, through all the crooks did range.  
And thou, O Icarus, hadst had great share  
(Had not grief hindered) in this work so rare:  
Twice he assayed thy fate in gold to paint,  
And twice i'th' work thy father's hand did faint.  
Yea all those famous facts they had survayed,  
Had not Achates, sent before, them stayed,  
And with him Deiphobe brought, no less,  
Apollo's and Diana's Prophetess:  
Who thus says to the king; This time requires  
No pleasing spectacles to th' eyes desires:  
But now out of thy droves seven heifers fair  
Go sacrifice, and seven good sheep prepare,  
According to old wont. This to him said,  
Her holy hests Aeneas strait obeyed.  
The Trojans than she to th' huge temple calls,  
Into a cave cut out o'th' mighty walls  
Of Cumas mount: an hundred ways most wide  
Leading thereto, an hundred doors beside,  
Where hundred voices roar Sibylls' replies.  
To th' porch they came, when as the virgin wise  
Says, Now's the time the fates decrees to know:  
Here's God, ah see the God who saying so,  
Her visage strait was changed at the door,  
And her complexion was not as before:  
Her hair did stare, her heart did pant with fear,  
Strange ecstasies her swelling thoughts did rear;  
She greater personage seems, no voice humane  
She seems to have, since she did near remain  
Unto the God's great power, therewith inspired:  
And standest thou still (says she) when prayer's required,  
Trojan Aeneas? standest thou still, I say?  
Shall not these fearful rooms (till thou dost pray)  
Open their wide mouths? This having said, she ceased.  
Strait on the Trojans trembling fear increased.  
Then thus the king humbly did supplicate;  
Great Phoebus, who dost still commiserate  
Troy's tedious toils, who Paris hand didst guide,  
And mad'st his shaft to pierce Achilles' side;  
By whom so many land-enclosing seas  
I entered have, and passed with sweet ease;  
And through most far remote Morocco lands,  
Through many deep and dangerous quicksands;  
And now at last in shrinking Italy  
Have safe arrived, and hitherto past by  
The various fortunes which have us still tended:  
O now 'tis time, your indignation ended,  
Great Gods and Goddesses, whom Ilium brave,  
And glorious Dardan much provoked have:  
And thou, most sacred priest, which dost foresee  
Future events, grant (for I ask of thee  
But kingdom's due by destinies consent)  
Us Trojans rest in Latiums' continent,  
And to Troy's wand'ring Gods, who with us went.  
Then I'll to Phoebus and Diana raise  
Fair marble temples, and t' Apollo's praise  
Make days of triumphs; and within our state,  
thou as our God, we all will venerate.  
And here thine anxious oracles I'll place,  
Thy secret sacred rhymes, my nations grace.  
To thee, fair priest, choice men I'll consecrate;  
Only in leaves do not thy rhymes relate,  
Lest puffed with winds, they fluttering fly away.  
And thus he ends; Speak thou thyself, I pray.  
But here the priest pelting impatiently,  
Wrathfully raged at Phoebus' deity  
Within the cave: if she could from her breast  
Shake off the God's great power, which her suppressed,  
And which so much the more did curb and tame  
Her madding mouth, her fierce heart fitly frame.  
And now the temples hundred mighty doors  
Open of themselves, by orisons; the roars  
Of Sibylls' answers thus the air do beat;  
O thou who hast escaped seas dangers great!  
Yet still on land far greater thee attend.  
The Trojans shall (than let this care here end)  
Into Lavinus realms arrive, but there  
They'll soon repent: wars, wars full fraught with fear,  
And Tiber foaming streams of blood I see.  
Ah Simois and Xanthus there shall be,  
And second Grecian camps: there thou shalt find  
A new Achilles of as fierce a mind,  
Born of a Goddess great: yea juno fierce  
Will still the Trojans with much anguish pierce.  
When thou in straits shalt be, what nations great,  
What Latian towns shalt not thou lowly entreat?  
A nother harboured wife will cause this smart,  
A foreign wedlock on the Trojans part.  
Yet shrink not for these ills, but stouter be:  
For the first hope (thou'lt scarcely credit me)  
Of comfort, wherewith fortune will thee crown,  
Shall surely issue from a Grecian town.  
Thus from her cell Cumaean Sibyl sings  
Ambiguous ambages, the cloister rings  
With the shrill sound thereof, in most dark strains  
Wrapping up truths with such o'reruling rains,  
Apollo's spurs her furious stirs restrains.  
As soon as ere her rage began to cease,  
And her mad mouth began to be at peace,  
Noble Aeneas thus begins to say;  
Fair virgin, no new stirs thou dost display,  
No strange unheard of change, unknown to me,  
All these in heart long since I did foresee.  
This one thing I desire (since men relate,  
That hard by is th' infernal kings wide gate,  
And Acherontine darksome plashie lake)  
O may I enter, for my father's sake,  
To see his lovely face. Open, I pray,  
Those dreadful doors, and lead me the right way.  
Him I through flames and thousand fluttering darts  
Bore on my back, and saved from hostile smarts:  
With me he went, with me all seas he sailed,  
All storms, where with skies, seas, shores, us assailed,  
Beyond his strength, and lot he feebly bore.  
He when I hither came, charged me before,  
That humbly I should pray for free access  
Into thy courts: fair lady, now express  
Compassion to the father and the son:  
For by thy power what ere thou wilt is done.  
Nor thee in vain hath Hecate set thus  
Over Avernus' groves: If Orpheus  
With's Thracian harp and rarely sounding voice  
His wife's soul could regain, with longed choice:  
If Pollux could by death alternately  
His brother free, go, come most frequently:  
What talk I now of Hercules most strong?  
Of Theseus' stout? even I myself belong  
To mighty joves' high race. This being said,  
He held the altar: then the priestly maid  
Did thus reply; Brave Trojan, born most high,  
The way to hell is found most easily:  
Pluto's black gate stands open night and day:  
But to return, and thence find heavens hard way,  
O here's the toil, this is a work indeed;  
●ew can do this, and they of heavenly breed,  
And such as are beloved of jove most just,  
Whose virtues rare to th' skies exalt them must:  
Dark woods, black floods, the midwayes overspread:  
Yet if thy mind be with such longing led,  
To swim twice over Styx, twice to behold  
Tartar's dark dens, and that thou art so bold,  
So hard a task, so free to take in hand:  
Then what thou first must do now understand:  
In huge wood shades there is a golden tree,  
Whose leaves and tender twigs all golden be,  
To fair Proserpina being consecrated,  
Which by the whole thick wood is obumbrated,  
And with dark dikes and banks immured about:  
But none can under earth get in or out,  
Till he a branch of that gold three obtain,  
Which must to fair Proserpina remain,  
As her choice gift. A first branch pulled away,  
Another sprig springs out of gold most gay:  
Then search it seriously, which when you spy,  
Carefully crop it; for if destiny  
Intent thee to befriend, 'twill follow fair,  
With a slight slip; if not, no toil or care  
Can break the branch, no axe it lose or lop.  
Besides, there lies upon the earth's bare top,  
Thy friends unburied corpse (alas, thou sure  
Knowest it not) whose smell none can endure  
Through all thy fleet: then whiles thou here dost stay  
To ask deep counsel, take his corpse away,  
And lay him in his grave, and with thee take  
Fat beasts, thy first black sacrifice to make.  
So shalt thou Sty●●●n groves behold at last,  
And hard-found courts, which (yet) no mortals passed.  
This said, to silence she her lips confined.  
Aeneas, he goes on with careful mind,  
His eyes fast fixed on ground, the cave forsaken,  
By thousand thoughts of strange events o'ertaken.  
With whom his trusty kind Achates went,  
To share with him in all hard straits full bend.  
Thus as they pass, much various talk they find;  
What corpse t'interre she meant; what dead friend kind:  
And going on, they on dryland did spy  
Misenus good, slain most unworthily:  
Misenus nobly born, than whom was none  
A braver bolder trumpeter ere known.  
With expert art t'inflame men's hearts to fight,  
In whom great Hector rarely did delight,  
Made him his mate; for in his battles brave  
With spear and trump he did him well behave.  
But when Achilles' victor vanquished  
His Hector dear, he forthwith followed  
Trojan Aeneas, as his noble mate,  
To no less fame himself t' associate.  
But (once) when on an hollow rock, by chance,  
He unadvis'dly did his trump advance,  
And with shrill notes did seem to vindicate  
The sea-nymphs; Triton him did emulate,  
And (if we may believe it) in disdain  
Precipitately in the foamy main  
Drowned him amongst the rocks. They all therefore  
A bout the corpse his fatal end deplore,  
Chiefly Aeneas: then without delay  
They Sibylls' charge to discharge haste away,  
And weeping went to work, to fell down trees,  
A grave pile to erect, which by degrees  
Should touch the skies. To an old wood they go,  
Where fierce wild beasts did lurk: there down they throw  
Firre-trees, and beech resounding hatchets blow,  
Ash-trees and oaks they cut and cleave with wedges,  
And from the hills huge elms they roll on sledges·s  
Aeneas chiefly all their works o'reviews,  
Prays them to ply it, nor doth he refuse  
To work with them; yet whiles in his sad breast  
He ruminates these things, his eyes addressed  
To the huge wood, thus haply prayed he;  
O that in this wide wood, that golden tree  
So hard to find, itself would to me show,  
For surely all the prophets said (I know)  
Is too too true of thee, Misenus dear!  
Scarce said he thus, when to him did appear  
A pair of pigeons, flying 'fore his eyes,  
And on the grass alighting from the skies.  
The noble prince his mother's birds did know,  
And joyful preys, O be my guides, and show  
The way if any be, and through the air  
Appoint me a path by which I may repair  
Into the wood, and find the fertile ground,  
Which with that rare rich golden branch is crowned.  
And thou dear mother, do me not forsake  
In such anxieties: as thus he spoke,  
He steady stands, watching the doves aright,  
What signs they'd show, which way they'd take their flight.  
They only pecking meat flew fast away  
As far as ere man's sight could after stray.  
Thus flying o'er Avernus' stinking lake,  
They swiftly hover up, their way do take  
Through the transparent air, and gliding sit  
Each on a tree, upon their branches fit.  
Whence on the boughs gold glistering glimpses lay,  
Like as when on a pinching winter day  
The mistletoe doth flourish fresh and gay  
With new sprung leaves, which ne'er grew from the tree,  
On which it hangs, whose yellow berries be  
'Bout the tall trunk thereof, a clinging shade:  
Even such a show the golden branches made,  
On adverse oaken boughs, which a soft blast  
Made dangling leaves a twinkling lustre cast.  
At it strait leaps Aeneas, pulls it quick  
Greedily, thinking it too long did stick.  
Which to the Sibylls' cell away he bore.  
Meanwhile the Trojans did lament on shore  
Misenus dead, and his neglected dust  
They now adorn with funeral rites most just.  
And first, fat-heart of oak in shivers cut,  
And pitchy chips of wood together put,  
They built a mighty pile, and thereto add  
In graceful wise his arms and cypress sad.  
Some get warm water, some set on the flame  
Brass boiling cauldrons, some with ointments came,  
And wash and 'noint his frozen body there,  
And weeping much his woeful corpse they bear  
Unto the bed; then over him were thrown  
His purple robes, rich vestures throughly known.  
Some on their shoulders bear the mighty beer  
(Sad piece of service) as to parents dear  
Young men do use; their torches turned behind,  
Their frankincense and oils, given with free mind,  
They heap together, and together burn.  
Thus when his corpse and all to ashes turn,  
And the flame slakes; what ever did remain,  
His unburnt bones, hot cinders, up were ta'en,  
And washed with wine, and by Chorineus laid  
Into a brazen coffin, by him made:  
And thrice pure water on his mates he threw,  
And with an olive-branch sprinkles sweet dew.  
And thus due expiation makes for all,  
And bids farewell, last knell, to th' funeral.  
But good Aeneas the sepulchre raises  
To a huge height, and to the man's due praises  
Lays on his arms, his oar, and trump of fame,  
Upon the skie-top mount, which from his name  
Was called Misenus, aye to bear the same.  
This done, he speeds to do the Sibylls' charge.  
There is a dungeon deep, with mouth most large,  
Lined with stones, fenced with black pools, boughs thick,  
O'er which no fowl dares fly, though ne'er so quick,  
Without destruction; such foul stinks arise  
Out of its mouth, and putrify the skies:  
Whence Greeks that place Avernus nominate.  
Here four fat heifers he did ordinate,  
Upon whose front the priest pure liquor threw,  
And pulled the hairs, which 'twixt their horns thick grew,  
And cast them in the fire, first expiation;  
Making to Hecate due invocation,  
Whose sovereignty in heaven and hell was great.  
Some kill the beasts, and in their basons neat  
Save the warm blood: Aeneas self also  
A black-wooled lamb to th' dam of hags below,  
And her great sister, with his sword did slay;  
And unto thee, sacred Proserpina,  
A barren cow. Then to the Stygian king  
He built night-altars, and to them did bring  
Fat flesh of bulls, to sacrifice i'th' flame,  
Pouring on fatty oil t' increase the same.  
But now, behold, before Sols first arise,  
Under his feet the ground made muttering cries,  
Wood-mountains moved, dogs seemed to howl i'th' shade,  
Just as the Goddess came, foul stir was made:  
The priest cries out, Avaunt, be gone, profane,  
And clear these groves, not one must here remain.  
Force thou thy way with naked sword in hand,  
Be strong, Aeneas, stoutly to it stand.  
This said, herself into the cave she cast  
Most furiously; he stiffly follows fast,  
So good a guide, at heels, and thus he prayed;  
Great Gods, which rule each ghost and silent shade,  
Phlegeton, Chaos, rooms dark, dumb and deep;  
O let me not of these things silence keep:  
O let me with your leave speak what I hear,  
Disclose hid secrets, which do here appear,  
Deep under ground, and in black darkness drowned.  
Then in dark night, black shades, they ramble round  
Through Pluto's palaces, and regions void:  
Much like, when men (the moon with clouds being cloyed)  
Walking in woods but by a glimmering light,  
jove having hid with fogs the skies clear sight,  
And colours fair being dampt by darksome night.  
Before the porch, in the first gape of hell,  
Fowl mournings and tormenting cares did dwell;  
Deadly diseases old-age anguishs,  
Fear, faulty famine, wants lean languishes;  
Affrighting-forms, fierce death, and deadly toils,  
Death's kinsman, sleep; false filthy joy, that soils  
men's souls. On th' other side were deadly wars,  
The Furies beds of steel, and desperate jars,  
Her viperous hair tie up with bloody bands.  
I'th' midst a mighty shady elm there stands,  
With weatherbeaten boughs and aged arms▪  
Where usually (they say) vain dreams and charms  
Made their abodes, and 'bout the leaves did 'bide,  
And many furious fierce wild beasts beside.  
Two natured Scylla's, Centaurs stabled were  
About the doors, monsters of hideous fear:  
Briareus hundreth-handed, Hydra's ire,  
Teeth-gnashing Chimaer's armed with flames of fire;  
Gorgon's, and Harpies, hags with shapes threefold.  
Here sudden fright Aeneas forced to hold,  
And shake his naked sword to all he met:  
And had not his wise guide's advisement let,  
And made him from those corpslesse souls to fly,  
And pass in peace, those thin shapes subtlety  
He had assailed, but vainly beat the air.  
Thence than he to the right path did repair,  
Which leads to th' Acherontine filthy flood:  
Whose troublous stream boiles up with mire and mud,  
And from Cocytus' sands evaporates.  
Charon, hell's frightful ferryman, there waits,  
And plies the passage o'er this filthy flood,  
With crabbed countenance, hoar hairs, which stood  
Most roughly overgrown o'er all his chin,  
His gogling eyes stared, as they flames had been;  
In ragged robes and tattered old attire.  
Thus, a strong long pole thrust into the miro,  
He drives his boat, assisted with one sail,  
And, as his charge, in's barge souls o'er doth hale.  
Much grown in years, yet lusty for his age;  
To whom to th' shore souls flock for their passage,  
Women and men, yea all whom death destroys,  
Great potent peers, unmarried maids and boys,  
Compt youths, which die before their father's face,  
Like leaves in woods, falling from trees apace,  
Pinched off by autumnes chilling, killing cold:  
Or like conglomerated birds that hold  
And fly together, forced o'er the main,  
By winter weather, to some pleasant plain.  
Thus stand they striving, first, to be passed o'er,  
With hands and hearts longing for th' other shore.  
The fuming ferryman takes these, leaves those,  
And others fiercely far from shore overthrows.  
Aeneas (with this noise much moved, amazed)  
Says to the priestly maid, Pray, whence is raised  
This flocking to the flood? what seek these souls?  
What strange adventure to these banks them toules?  
And why do those the livid waves with oars  
So swiftly sweep, to get unto you shores?  
To whom the aged priest says briefly thus▪  
Anchises, and joves' offspring generous,  
This is Cocytus' deep black Styxes lake,  
By which to swear, forswear, God's conscience make▪  
Unburied souls, that ragged-rabble be,  
And he the boatsman, Charon, whom you see.  
Those whom he rows in's boat, due burial have;  
Now may they, till their bones do rest in grave,  
O'er those rough streams, those banks have transportation,  
But make about those shores perambulation,  
And wand'ring walks, at least, an hundred years,  
Then pass they o'er those ponds, which them re-cheeres.  
Aeneas then with fixed feet stood still,  
Full of deep thoughts, pitying their case most ill:  
There he beheld Leucaspis amongst them all,  
And brave Orontes, his fleets admiral,  
Mourning their want of honourable graves,  
Whom boisterous blasts overwhelmed in the waves,  
And sunk both ships and men, sailing from Troy.  
Behold, he now beheld, with more annoy,  
His shipmaster, his Palinure, perplexed:  
Who sailing Sicils seas, his eyes fast fixed  
Upon his stars, fell overboard, was drowned;  
Whom scarce for mists, his sad friend having found,  
Thus he says to him; My dear Palinure,  
What God our loss of thee did thus procure?  
And drench thee in the deep? I pray thee tell,  
For ne'er till now did falsehood with him dwell:  
Apollo with this one unsure reply,  
Did much deceive my vain credulity;  
Who told me, thou seas safe shouldst pass, and see  
Fair Italy, and there shouldst landed be:  
And is this (now) the faithful promise made?  
But he on th' other side replied, and said;  
Brave Trojan prince, nor Phoebus thee deluded,  
Nor any God me to the seas obtruded:  
For I myself holding my helm too fast,  
Where I sat pilot, did me headlong cast  
Into the sea, guiding the ship. I swear  
By all rough seas, nought did me so much fear  
As thy great ships and shipmasters decay,  
Lest on thy bark rough swelling seas should pray.  
Three winter-nights, fierce winds me blue about  
The ocean vast; the fourth day I found out,  
With much ado, the banks of Italy,  
Keeping my head still 'bove the waves on high:  
At last, by small degrees I got to land,  
And thereon safely I a while did stand,  
And so had stayed, but for a barbarous crew,  
Who to me (dropping wet) in fury drew:  
And as I crawled up on hands and feet  
A craggy bank, with swords they did me meet,  
Slew me, and of me hoped to make a prey:  
Now winds and waves me near the shore do lay,  
Yet keep i'th' sea. Wherefore by heaven's light clear,  
By this fair air, and by thy father dear,  
And young Iülus hopes, I thee entreat  
Free me from this ill state, thou captain great;  
And either put me (as thou mayst) in ground,  
(For I in Velines haven may be found)  
Or else, if means there be, if Goddess great  
Have shown thee any supernatural fear,  
(For I believe, not without heav●nly aid  
Thou swam'st this flood, this Stygia● lake didst wade)  
Lend me poor wretch thy hand, and help me o'er,  
That I, at least, may rest in you ●weet shore.  
Thus he; and thus the priest her mind express;  
Whence, Palinure, comes this thy rash request?  
Wouldst thou unburied, Styxes stream pa●●e o'er?  
The fury's floods, unbidden, leave thy shore?  
Cease to expect by prayers to change heavens fates.  
But hear and mark what thy case consolates.  
The nearest neighbours, bordering ' bo●● those parts,  
By heavens prodigious signs perplexed in hearts,  
Shall take thy bones, and with solemnities  
Inter, entomb thee: from which grave shall rise  
Unto that place an everlasting name  
Of Palinure. Hence he more glad became,  
His care had cure, his grief in part was past,  
That that land should his name retain at last.  
Then on they pass, and to the pool draw nigh,  
Whom Charon strait on Stygian streams doth spy,  
How slily they the wood walk, haste to land:  
Thus he with checks and taunts them takes in hand.  
Who e'er thou art, that armed wouldst sail this way,  
Say, what's thy will? why comest thou? thou shalt stay.  
These be souls seats: here night and sleep do sit:  
In Styxes boat live bodies 'tis not fit  
To carry o'er, nor did it me well please  
To carry Theseus, or great Hercules,  
Or Pirithous, though they were heavenly bred,  
For strength and stomach most unconquered.  
Alcides' bound fierce Cerberus in bands,  
Hell's great grim-porter, and with his strong hands  
Him quaking dragged from Pluto's princely seat;  
The rest did plot our king of is queen to cheat.  
To whom th' Amphrysian priest replied again;  
Trust me, here's no such tricks; from rage refrain;  
Our weapons wound not, Cerberus may bark,  
And ever fright poor souls in's dungeon dark:  
Proserpina may keep her uncle's bed;  
For this our Trojan prince much honoured  
For piety and prowess, but intends  
To go to's father, to deep hell descends.  
If so great goodness in the man moves not,  
Yet know this branch of gold, which he hath got:  
(Which she pulled forth, being hid under his gown)  
Whereat his rage and wrath of heart sank down.  
Silent, that sacred gift he did adore,  
The fatal branch not seen long time before,  
And shoves to shore the blue boat them to take,  
And other souls which sat beside the lake  
He thrusts aside, and lays the hatches fit,  
And great Aeneas sits i'th' bulk of it.  
The jointed barge groaned with their ponderous weight,  
And through the chinks took in much puddle strait.  
At length the priest and prince pasto're the flood,  
And scaped the flaggy gray-grasse, mire and mud;  
Hells porter Cerberus, through his triple throat  
Through all those regions raised a barking note.  
Couching, huge curre-like, in his kennel by,  
Whose snakelike swelling neck the priest did spy,  
And cast● to him a soporiferous sop,  
With drugs and honey mixed, which he did slop,  
And through his treble throat it quickly snaps,  
In dogged-hunger, with his meager chaps.  
Whereat his mighty back crouched, down he lies,  
And spreads himself i'th' cave, with slumbering eyes.  
The porter laid, Aeneas whipped in brave,  
And got to shore from th' irregressive wave.  
Strait in's first entrance piteous cries he hears,  
And loud laments of infants 'bout his ears,  
Of tender babes snatched from their mother's breast,  
Deprived of longer life by deaths arrest.  
Next these, were those who by false sentence died,  
Yet lot and law these to their place applied.  
Minos' th' inquisitor the lots doth cast,  
And spies and tries their lives and follies past.  
Next, they lie mourning, who with guiltless smart,  
Hating their lives, their own hands pierce their heart:  
Then though they spilt their blood, yet nowed be glad  
To suffer earth's worst toils, than hell's pains bad.  
But fates forbid, and hells most loathsome lake,  
And Styxes ninefold streams tie them to th' stake.  
Not far from thence lie all the fields about  
(For so men call them) of the weeping rout.  
Here all, whom tyrannising love did slay  
With piercing passions, these in by-paths lay,  
Hid under myrtle boughs, whose grief of heart  
Still stings them, and in death doth not depart.  
Here he beheld Procris and Phaedra fair,  
Eriphyle her son's wounds laying bare.  
Euadne he, and Phasiphe did find,  
And Laodamia, to her fere most kind:  
Caeneus now a woman, once a lad,  
Yet re-transfigured for her follies bad.  
Amongst whom he spied Sidonian Dido there,  
Wand'ring i'th' wood her love-wound fresh t' appear.  
Whom Troyes brave prince approaching near, scarce knew  
Through the thick shade: (like Luna, whose first view  
A man through clouds doth see, or thinks he sees)  
He weeps, and speaks such sugared words as these;  
Distressed Dido, ah, that sad report  
Was too too true, brought to me from thy court;  
That thou wast dead, and with a sharp sword slain.  
Alas! sweet lady, I did cause thy bane.  
Yet I protest by stars and deities,  
And by firm faith, if under ground it lies,  
I left thy land (fair queen) against my mind,  
And here the God's commandments me do bind  
To traverse up and down these foggy shades  
Through thorny paths, and deep, dark, dumpish glades:  
Nor could I ere believe that it could be,  
That my departure could so cruciate thee.  
Ah st●y with me, fly not away so fast,  
Whom shun'st thou? since this talk must be our last.  
Thus spoke Aeneas, thinking therewithal  
To suage their grief, and floods of tears let fall.  
She frowning fixed her angry eyes on ground,  
Nor was more moved with all he could propound,  
Then is hard flint, or Parus rock obdure.  
At last she from him breaks into obscure  
And bushy woods, flying most angrilie,  
Where her first spouse Sich●●● courteously  
Answered, her woes with equal love repaid.  
At this hard hap Aeneas was dismayed:  
Yet weeping follows her aloof, apace,  
Lamenting much her absent woeful case.  
Thence on he goes, and at the last they came  
To th' utmost fields, where men of Martial fame  
Did walk about: here he Tydeus meets,  
And Mars-like Parthenopeus kindly greets;  
Adrastus ghastly ghost: and here he spies  
Such Trojan lords as caused full weeping eyes:  
They being slain in war, he knows them all  
In their rare ranks, and many a tear le's fall.  
Glaucus, Thersilocus, Medon, all three  
Antenor's sons, he sadly there did see,  
Polybetes, great Ceres' priest most stout,  
Idaeus still in's chariot drawn about,  
Still brandishing his blade: souls thick do flock  
On both sides, making him their gazingstock.  
One sight sufficeth not: they stay, stand still,  
Make near approach, and know the cause they will  
Why, how he came. But Greece's peers most stout,  
And those of Agamemnon's warlike rout,  
Spying the man, and his drawn glistering blade  
Through the thick mists, extremely all afraid,  
Some fly away, as once to ship to get:  
Some gape to speak, whose gapes their speech do let.  
And here at last he saw in woeful case  
King Priam's Deïphobus mangled face,  
And all o'er wounded corpse most cruelly,  
Yea, his fair face defaced uncomelily;  
His broken brows, both hands, both ears, and nose,  
All quite cut off by his most barbarous foes.  
Scarce he him knew, trembling in woeful wise,  
Labouring to hide those dire deformities.  
Yet in a well known tone thus he cries out;  
Dear Deïphobus, valiant, stern and stout,  
Sprung from Troy's royal stem, what savage mind  
To take such foul revenge in's heart could find?  
O who had power to use, abuse thee so?  
Fame did report, and I nought else did know,  
But that in dead of night, thou wearied,  
With slaying Greeks didst fight fall down dead  
On heaps of them. Then I in vain did frame  
On Rhetian shores a tomb unto thy fame:  
And to thy soul sent three salutes most deep,  
And made that place thy name and fame to keep:  
Thy body there (fair friend) I could not see,  
Nor as I would (my country left) give thee  
A worthy burial. Deïphobus here  
Says, Nothing's left undone, O friend most dear;  
To Deïphobus thou all dues hast paid,  
All burial rites: but here alas I'm stayed,  
And drowned in this distress by fates decree,  
And base Lacaena's fatal villainy:  
She left me these sad monuments of woe.  
For as we all (you cannot choose but know,  
And too too well remember) that last night  
Did spend in frolic, but most false delight;  
When first that fatal horrid horse o'releapt  
Our Trojan walls, when from his paunch out stepped  
His swelling troops of armed footmen fierce,  
She feigning votes in Bacchanalian verse,  
Led up and down our quaffing Phrygian dames,  
And in her hand held forth bright burning flames:  
And from their camps called out the Grecians bold.  
Then cumbering cares and sleepiness did hold  
Me pressed to rest, in my unhappy bed,  
And sweet deep sleep had me (now) vanquished,  
And laid like one quite dead. This worthy wife  
(Meanwhile) my arms, the safeguard of my life,  
And trusty sword, purloined and stole away,  
Set my doors open, called in without delay  
Her Menelaus, hoping (thus) to endere  
His love to her, and all past ills to clear.  
What needs more words, they burst into my bed,  
Together with Ulysses, mischiefs head.  
Great Gods, repay those Greeks with vengeance due,  
If it be just which I request of you.  
But what strange chance hath brought thee (thus) alive  
To us? Tell me likewise; what seas did drive  
Thee to these parts? or was't the God's decree?  
Or to these toils hath fortune forced thee?  
To tread these sad and sunlesse wearying ways?  
Thus with this talk Aurora's radiant rays  
Had guilded half-o're heavens huge axletree,  
And haply all their time thus spent might be:  
But that the Sibyl his most watchful mate,  
Said, Good Aeneas, night doth properate,  
And we with weeping waste the time in vain:  
Here see the way divides itself in twain.  
〈…〉 way, which leads by Pluto's gate,  
Will bring us the right way t' Elysium strait:  
But the left leads to Tartar's torturing cell,  
The place where damned souls are plagued in hell.  
Then Deïphobus said, Prime priest, be still,  
If I offend, I'll back; my number fill,  
And shelter me in shades. Go thou, O go,  
Thou glory of our land, the heavens bestow  
Better good luck on thee. This having said,  
As soon as spoke away from them he made.  
Aeneas quick looked back, and soon espied  
A spacious castle on a rocks left side,  
With a strong threefold mighty wall surrounded,  
Which Phlegethons' fierce fiery river bounded;  
And did thick rattling stones evaporate.  
Before it stood a mighty open gate,  
With adamantine pillars set in view,  
Such as nor Gods nor men could cut or hew  
By strength or art: a brazen tower stood high,  
Where Tisiphone fierce sat usually  
In bloody robes, and night and day did guard  
And watch the way. From hence was easily heard  
Great groans and moans of shrieking smart and pains,  
And rumbling noise of shackling iron chains.  
Aeneas stood amazed, dampt with that din,  
And said; Fair lady, tell me, what's within?  
What damned souls? what plagues? what hideous cries  
Are those I hear? To whom she thus replies;  
Brave Trojan prince, no upright man may dwell  
In this nefarious nest of damned hell:  
But me, when as Proserpina me made  
Hell's governess, she taught, and open laid  
The plagues which Gods inflict, showed me them all:  
Here's (saith she) Rhadamanthus horrid hall,  
Where he corrects and finds out knaveries,  
Forcing confession of all villainies:  
And when they hope to scape with foolish joy,  
At last in death he plagues them with annoy.  
Then Tisiphone, in one hand a whip,  
Revenge fully makes guilty souls to skip,  
With furious lashes, holding stinging snakes  
In th' other hand, which greater tortures makes,  
Calling for all her furious sister's aid.  
At last the sacred gates huge shrieking made,  
And opened wide. Seest thou (says she to him)  
What looks look on us? what a guard most grim  
Sits at the porch? see horrid Hydra's seat,  
With fifty snaky heads and gape-mouths great:  
Then hell itself, full twice as broad and deep  
Downward, as heaven, upward beheld, is steep.  
Here Titan's youthful troop, earth's aged race,  
By thunder thrown down, sunk to th' deepest place.  
And here the bastard-giant twins I saw,  
Which with their hands meant heaven to scale, and draw  
Great jupiter from his supernal seat.  
I saw Salmone●s suffering tortures great:  
For he joves' lightning needs would imitate,  
And rattling thunder: being born in state  
Upon four horses, shaking flames of fire,  
Making Greek towns and countries him admire,  
In triumph drawn, in frantic arrogance,  
Himself with joves' due honour to advance;  
Whiles he heaven, inimitable fire,  
By sounding brass, and horn-hooft steeds desire  
To counterfeit in their most swift careeres:  
But mighty jove, to whom this soon appears,  
Through thickest clouds dashed out a deadly dart,  
(Nor could his torches, nor bright fiery art  
Assist) and headlong in a storm him slew.  
There also might you mighty Tityus' view,  
Fructiferous Terras son, whose body great  
Stretched out, in breadth nine acres is complete:  
A foul devouring vultures bending bill,  
Gnawing upon his wastelesse intralls still:  
Whose guts him ever glut with horrid pains,  
Thus feeding on his breast it still remains,  
And restlessely pulls his regrowing veins.  
Why speak I of Lapitha, Ixion,  
And Pirithous? on whom a huge flintstone  
Doth always hang, and always seem to fall;  
Before whom stand rich lustful beds most tall;  
And costly cates to feed their luxury,  
Stand ready disht: but nestling o'er them nigh  
Stands the prime Fury, and them strict commands  
Not once to touch the table with their hands:  
And if they stir, she starts up in great ire,  
Rattles them up, bangs them with flames of fire.  
Here brother-haters whiles they lived, I saw;  
Parents despisers, cheaters of just law:  
Rich churls who got great wealth, but for themselves;  
The greatest troops being of these impious elves)  
Such as for foul adulteries have been slain;  
And who in jurious jars do entertain;  
Who rob their masters, traitors are to th' state.  
All these with plagues hell doth incarcerate.  
Nor needest thou ask, what pains and tortures fierce  
These various vicious men do sting and pierce.  
Some ' roll huge stones, so●e hang fast tied to wheels,  
Thus woeful Theseus torments sits and feels,  
And e'er shall feel. Thus Phlegyas most of all  
With hortatory cries in hell doth yaull;  
Be warned, be just, the Gods do not despise:  
For gold of's country he made merchandise,  
And brought in an usurping powerful lord,  
Old laws annulled, made new laws for reward.  
Another did his daughter's bed defile,  
Using forbidden copulation vile.  
All did foul deeds, and what they willed, enjoyed.  
Had I an hundred tongues to be employed,  
An hundred mouths, and iron elocution,  
I could not show the divers distribution  
Of all the kinds of hell's impieties,  
And every plague which on them heavy lies.  
This when Apollo's Sibyl sage had said,  
Let's now go on (says he) all stays evade,  
And our intended task begun conclude:  
Come, let's make haste; for I far off have viewed  
The Cyclops shops, strong walls, high chimneys stand,  
Where we to leave our present, have command.  
This said, together they blind paths pass by,  
Taking the midway, to the gates drew nigh.  
Aeneas' first rushed in, with water clear  
Sprinkles himself, and on a post most near  
Unto the gate, the branch of gold sticks fast;  
Which done, his gift given to the Goddess, past;  
They came at length into these pleasant places,  
Those fragrant fields and groves of all the Graces,  
Those sacred seats, where's larger, purer air,  
Bright light, true sense of stars, and Phoebus' fair.  
Where some delight in grassy plains to sport,  
To skip and leap in sand in wrestling sort;  
Some dance and sing, and trip it on their toes,  
While Orpheus in his priestlike long gown goes  
About, and plays on's sevenfold sounding lute▪  
And strikes the strings with quill and skill acute.  
Here he beheld Troy's ancient noble race,  
Her potent peers, born in more blissful case;  
Ilus, Assaracus; first king of Troy,  
Dardan; their arms put off with peaceful joy.  
He useless chariots (wondering) sees set by;  
Their spears fast fixed in ground, and carelessly  
Their steeds let loose, feeding in pastures wide;  
And look, what chariots love, what Martial pride,  
They living had, what care to feed and dress  
Their gallant coursers, now 'twas here no less.  
Again, on's right and left hand he doth eye  
Some, feeding on the grass, sing merrily  
Rare panegyrics amongst sweet laurel trees,  
Where fluent Po● through groves to flow he sees.  
Here patriots good, who for their country died,  
Here priests, who lived most modest lives, did bide;  
Here pious prophets, who pure truths did preach,  
Here expert artists, who rare arts did teach▪  
And here were they, who, mindful of their state,  
Made others their true goodness gratulate.  
All these were crowned with fragrant garlands gay,  
By whom environed, thus did Sibyl say;  
(But chiefly to Musaeus amongst them all,  
For he was in the midst, and fa●re most tall)  
O say, sweet souls, and thou priest most divine,  
What parts, what place doth old Anchises shrine?  
For for this cause this toil we undertake,  
Are hither come, have swum hells mighty lake.  
To whom this Heroë this reply did make;  
No soul hath certain seat, here we all dwell  
In shady groves, flower-beds, in fields that smell  
Most fresh and fragrant, graced with rivers clear:  
But ye (if thereunto such joy ye bear)  
Climb o'er this hill, your way I'll easy make.  
This said, by his good guide, their way they take:  
And as they pass, he shows them fields most fair;  
Thus high hills left, they to the plains repair.  
But grave Anchises was most closely bend  
To see, observe in valleys excellent,  
The souls reserved for more supernal places,  
Recogitates all his own kindred's cases:  
Their number, nature, fates, and fortunes all,  
Their customs, courage, he to mind doth call.  
And when he saw Aeneas come to meet him,  
Through the green grass he joyful runs to greet him;  
Lifts up his hands, le's fall thick tears on's cheeks:  
Yet thus unto his son he cheerly speaks;  
And art thou come? by power and piety?  
Hast thou (as I had hope) got victory  
O'er this hard task? see I thy face again?  
Shall I my son hear and reply most plain?  
Thus truly I supposed, and cast in mind,  
Counting the times, and now all true I find.  
From what strange parts (dear son) what dangerous case!  
What seas turmoils, do I thee now embrace!  
O how I feared thy harm in Libya land!  
Strait he replied; Dear father, thy command,  
And ghastly ghost in visions oft beheld,  
Hath, for thy sake, me to these parts compelled.  
My fleet lies safe i'th' port, on Tyrrhene sands:  
Ah, grant good father we may now join hands,  
Grant me: ah fly not from our sweet embrace.  
At which words tears ran down his cheeks apace.  
Thrice 'bout his neck to clasp his arms he tries,  
Thrice from his frustrate holds his image flies,  
Like fleeting blasts, or flashy dreams by night.  
Meanwhile Aeneas had full in his sight,  
In a by-valley, an enclosed wood,  
With rattling boughs and sprigs, where Lethe flood  
Ran through Elysian fields; 'bout which did stand  
People and nations, an innumerous band.  
Like bees, when summer's sunshine does them warm▪  
Who in fair meads 'bout flowers and lilies swarm:  
So o'er the field a muttering noise was raised,  
Whose sudden sight Aeneas much amazed.  
Being ignorant, he does the cause inquire,  
What flood that was, and what so great desire,  
About those banks did cause such troops of men.  
Then old Anchises answered thus again;  
Those souls to whom new corpse are due by fate,  
About the banks of Lethe flood do wait  
To drink deep draughts of dull forgetfulness.  
Long since I longed these things to thee t' express,  
And ou● old stock to thee to numerate,  
The more with me thee to exhilarate,  
Latium once found. O father dear (says he)  
Can sacred souls from hence translated be  
To heaven? and there resume dull corpse again?  
Can wretches such dire love t' earth's light retain?  
I'll tell thee son (says he) and clear thy doubt.  
And thus began Anchises to set out,  
And punctually each circumstance t' explain:  
At first one abstruse spirit did maintain  
Heaven, earth and seas, bright moon and twinkling lights:  
That spirit infused through all parts, moveth, incites  
The total bulk; diffused o'er the whole frame.  
Hence men, beasts, birds, and all sea-creatures came,  
And take life-feeding heat; and to their seed  
Celestial birth, if corrupt bodies breed  
No obstacles, nor terrene tumors ill  
The corpse with dull and heavy humours fill.  
And hence they fear, weep, have a longing mind,  
Regard not heaven, closed in flesh prisons blind.  
Besides, when they their life's last breath forsake,  
Yet death from them (poor souls) doth not quite take  
Each blot and blemish, or all corporal ills,  
Which long i'th' body grown, it strangely fills.  
Wherefore they purging punishment endure,  
To make them from old evils clean and pure.  
Some frisking souls i'th' whisking winds hang high,  
Some in huge streams wash their impurity,  
Or el●e are purged in refining flames:  
Thus these our pains each soul here fits and frames.  
Thence than we are to large Elysium sent,  
Few are in those fair meadows resident,  
Till times long progress quite expired be,  
And we from imbred, long-fed faults are free;  
Our souls all simply pure in due degree.  
And then all these (a thousand years full spent)  
In troops to Lethe floods by God are sent:  
There made unmindful of their former state,  
They long t' ascend corpse to re-occupate,  
This said, Anchises his Aeneas brings  
With Sibyl into th' midst o'th' troop, which rings  
With rattling rumours: to a hill conducts him,  
Whence all now coming, he to know instructs him.  
And now go to (says he) I'll to the show  
Our Alban peers, the glory which shall flow  
In Italy, on our fair families,  
Th' imperial princes which from us shall rise;  
Yea all thy fates and fortunes I'll declare.  
Seest thou (says he) that princely youth most fair,  
Which leans on's headless lance? He first shall spring  
From Latins blood and Thine, and be first king;  
Silvius an Alban name, thy posthume birth,  
Whom thy Lavinia to thy long-lifes' mirth  
Shall in the woods bring forth a royal king,  
From whom a regal race of kings shall spring,  
From whom our line o'er Alba long shall reign:  
And Procas next Troy's glory shall maintain,  
Capys and noble Numitor, and he  
Whose name shall personate, re pattern thee,  
Silvius Aeneas, rare for arms and arts,  
If ever he reign o'er those Alban parts.  
Behold, my son, those youths, what powers they show,  
Those which with peaceful oaken garlands go,  
These shall for thee Nomentum, Gabi●, tame,  
Fidena fair, Collatia's towers reclaim;  
Towns famous for their chastity's report:  
Potent Pometia, Bola, Cora's fort,  
And Inuus camp, towns once of noble fame,  
Now only lands, but of no note or name.  
Besides, to's grandsire Marshal Romulus  
Shall be a prop, whom from Assaracus  
His mother Ilia shall produce at last:  
Seest thou not on his head two crests stand fast?  
And how great jove on him his favours pours?  
Behold (fair son) his high imperial towers,  
Renowned Rome, whose magnanimity  
Shall rule the earth, and raise their fame to th' sky:  
And on their brickwall she shall seven towers erect,  
Happy in famous peers of high respect;  
Such as from Berecynthia, God's fair queen,  
In chariot drawn through Troy, to spring were seen:  
Triumphant in her hundred God-births fair,  
All heaven-inhabitants, all starre-kings rare.  
And now look this way, view this nation great,  
Thy Romans rare, and Roman Caesar's seat,  
Iülus royal race, the whole earth's Keisar.  
There's, there's the God-sprung man, Augustus Caesar,  
Whom I so oft have promised unto thee:  
By whom the golden age Latium shall see.  
As once by Saturn 'twas the whole earth o'er,  
His empire shall lie passed the Indies shore,  
And Garamants, and where Sols prying eye,  
And the celestial signs yet ne'er passed by:  
As far as e'er heaven-propping Atlas' high  
Bears on his back the beauteous starry sky.  
At his approach all Africa soon shall quake,  
And at his God-decrees great Nile shall shake,  
Maugre his sevenfold mouth. Nor so much ground  
As he shall win, could Hercules surround,  
Though lightfoot hinds as winds he could outfly,  
And boars and bears in Erymanth make die:  
Nor Bacchus that vine-victour with vine-chains,  
Who tigers fierce to draw his coach constrains  
O'er Nisa's steepy tops. Now then shall we  
To spread our fame by facts base cowards be?  
Shall fear affright us from Ausonia land?  
But what renowned prince doth yonder stand,  
Crowned with a sacred olive-branch? oh now  
I know him by's grey hairs on beard and brow,  
Even noble Numa the first Roman king;  
Who shall establish laws, and make Rome spring  
From a poor land, by simple Sabines aid,  
Unto a mighty monarchy, firm laid;  
Whom Tullus shall succeed, his men to make  
Their lazy lives to leave, arms up to take,  
And wont triumphs now again to gain.  
Next him shall rise Ancus with ampler train,  
Too much affecting popularity:  
And, if thou wilt, hither reflect thine eye,  
And see the kingly Tarquin's haughty heart;  
And Brutus, acting the revengers part,  
Shall first accept the consul's dignity,  
With bundles born, and axes fatally.  
This father first his own sons shall destroy,  
Raising rebellions to the states annoy;  
And slay them, for his country liberty;  
Unhappy, howsoe'er posterity  
May elevate and much commend the same,  
O'ercome with's countries love and thirst of fame.  
See there where Decii, Drusi, stately stand,  
And fierce Torquatus with his axe in's hand;  
And brave Camillus stoutly doth regain  
Rome's ensigns lost. But that most royal twain  
Whom thou seest glistering in like-arms most plain,  
And now seem loving souls, kept in deep shades,  
Ah! what fierce wars, with slicing bloody blades,  
Shall they raise up, when once they rise to life?  
What battles shall they fight? what stintless strife?  
The father in law passing th' Alps altitude;  
The son in law with's Eastern multitude  
In battle ray. Not so, dear son, not so,  
Use not uncivil civil-warres of woe,  
T'embrew your honoured hands in country's blood.  
And thou, O thou Cesarean son, most good,  
Great seed of jove▪ sprung from a sacred line,  
With such foul wars slain not those hands of thine:  
The Capitol he shall triumphant take,  
And in hi● chariot make Corinthus quake.  
The Grecians slain, he Argos shall subdue,  
And trample down proud Agamemnon's crew,  
And victor, vanquish Pyrrhus' self most strong,  
Armipotent Achilles lay along:  
And thus old Troy's great wrongs revenge shall have,  
And Pallases polluted temple brave.  
And who can thee, grave Cato, here omit?  
Or of courageous Cossus silent sit?  
Of Gracchus great? those two rare Scipios,  
War wondrous thunderbolts, to Carthage woes?  
Fabricius, mighty in his mean estate?  
Serranus, ploughman, yet Rome's potentate?  
Why am I tired to tell of Fabius gr●●t?  
That mighty man, whose wisdom to retreat,  
And grave cunctation shall Rome's wrack repair.  
Some for their skill in brazen statutes, rare;  
Some able (I think) hard marbles so to cut  
And carve, as if they life had in them put:  
Some famous for facundous oratory,  
Some for the Math'maticks deserving glory.  
But thou, rare Roman, rule with might and right:  
Let this be thy chief art, thy choice delight,  
To plant good laws in peace, to use most kind  
Good subjects; but to curb the haughty mind.  
Thus grave Anchises: and, to their more wonder,  
Behold (says he) mighty Marcellus yonder:  
How he with spoils most richly loaded goes,  
And all transcending, him great victor shows.  
He, he shall Rome from ruins re-advance,  
Curb and crush Carthage, and subdue all France▪  
A third time shall to jove, in sacrifice,  
Hang up the captive arms, his Martial prize.  
And here Aeneas (for he saw in's sight  
A lovely lively youth in armour bright,  
But with a heavy look and cast-down eye)  
Says, Father, pray, who's that in's company?  
His son? or some of his renowned race?  
What noise they make? see his most portly pace.  
Why do such dark black mists his head so hide?  
To whom Anchises, weeping, thus replied;  
Dear son, long not to know thy country's woe:  
The fates this child to th' world will only show,  
And only so: Rome (sure) seemed too too great  
To you high Gods, if her imperial seat  
Had been perpetual. O what sighs and cries  
Shall by his death unto great Rome arise  
I'th' field of Mars! what frequent funerals  
Shalt thou, swift Tiber, in thy fluent falls  
Behold, as thou dost by his new grave glide.  
N●'re shall a sprig sprung from our Trojan side,  
Exalt Italian ancestors so fairly,  
Nor Rome triumph in any race so rarely.  
Alas, for his connative piety!  
Alas, for faith spread by antiquity,  
And Martial spirit! what do these avail?  
Who, unrevenged, durst him in arms assail?  
And or on horse or foot durst him encounter,  
But he was ever found his far surmounter?  
Ah prince to be deplored! if fate's decree  
(Hard fates) thou scape, thou shalt Marcellus be.  
O give me (now) handfuls of lilies fair,  
And let me strew, with store of violets rare,  
Those odoriferous gifts about the grave  
(Though all in vain) of this our kinsman brave.  
Thus in these sad complaints they stray about,  
And pry and spy all in those fields throughout.  
And when Anchises all to's son had shown,  
And fire of future fame in's heart had blown,  
At last he shows what battles he must fight,  
Latinus towns, Italians warlike might;  
And how to bear, or forbear, hazards all,  
Which could or should i'th' future him befall.  
There are (says he) two dormitive great gates,  
Th'one made of horn (as fame to us relates)  
By which true spirits have a passage right:  
Th'other of elephantine ivory bright:  
But false and fictious dreams souls this way send.  
When thus Anchises did his conference end,  
Both to his son, and to the Sibyl grave,  
Through th' ivory gate he them free passage gave.  
He hastes to's fleet, revisits his old friends;  
And to Cateta's port his course he bends.  
Where they with joy their anchours all do cast,  
And there the fleet at shore is fixed fast.  
An end of the sixth book of Virgil's Aeneïds.   

THE ARGUMENT of the seventh book.  
Caieta dead, here buried lies.  
Aeneas to Laurentum hies:  
Which he did plainly understand,  
By his Ascanius, was the land  
By fates assigned. Then strait he sent  
An hundred legates eloquent,  
With presents to Latinus great,  
A peace and pardon to entreat.  
The king with peace doth them dispatch,  
And for his daughter makes a match.  
Juno displeased, Alecto's sent  
From hell, i'th'peace to make a rent.  
A wounded stag breeds all the jar:  
Confederates fit themselves for war.  
ANd thy death, nurse Caieta, in this strand,  
Eternally hath memorised our land:  
And now thine honour there, thy bones and name,  
Great Italy maintains. (If this thy fame  
May aught enlarge) but her due obsequies  
Rightly performed, her grave made high to rise,  
Seas smooth and calm, Aeneas hoist up sails,  
And left the port, with prosperous nightly gales.  
Nor did dame Luna's light impeach their pace,  
But made a shivering shine on seas surface.  
Thus Circe's next adjacent shores they slice,  
Where Sols rich daughters daily songs entice,  
In groves unpassable: where she by night  
In her proud palace burneth fires most bright  
Of odoriferous cedar, watchfully  
With nimble spindle spinning curiously.  
Hence we might hear by night fierce lions roar,  
Struggling in rage against the bonds they bore:  
wild bears and bristly boars rage in their sty,  
And shapes of mighty wolves howl hideously:  
Whom furious Circe by her sorcery  
And potent potions, metamorphized had,  
Of comely men, into wild beasts most bad.  
Now that these honest Trojans might escape  
These havens, and such prodigious bestial shape,  
And not approach that hurtful hateful shore;  
Neptune with prosperous gales their sails up bore,  
Forced them from thence, them from those dangers ●●ave.  
Now Thetis breasts waxed red, Aurora brave  
I'th' azure sky with golden rays shone bright,  
And suddenly the winds were calmed quite:  
The rocky seas their oars did nimbly smite  
And beat about. And here a mighty wood  
Aeneas spied, through which fair Tiber's flood  
With nimble goldie streams to sea did glide,  
And yellow sands the current beautifi'de:  
And various birds, which did those banks frequent,  
And the floods bubbling falls such notes did vent  
Above, about, as did delight the sky,  
And in the woods with chirping chants did fly.  
And here he bids his mates their voyage stay,  
To wind the fleet to land: then joyful, they  
Enter the shady river. Now relate,  
Urania's fair, what kings, what times, what state,  
Old Italy retained, when this thy fleet,  
Thy new-come army brought to Latium sweet:  
I'll all set forth, and wars first grounds recite.  
Thou, O thou Goddess fair, teach me to write  
Those bloody broils, fierce troops, warre-thirsty kings,  
The Tyrrhean and Italian Marshal wings,  
All in an uproar: here's new work indeed,  
A mighty task, to which I now proceed.  
Old king Latinus o'er those realms did reign,  
And them in peace and plenty did maintain.  
Faunus and Marica (old writers gather)  
His parents were, king Picus, Faunus father;  
And thou great Saturn, thou art said to be  
The utmost basis of his progeny.  
No son, or issue-male fates did him give,  
Death on one seized as soon as he 'gan live.  
One only marriageable daughter fair  
Upheld his court and state: to whom repair  
Many Italian peers and potentates.  
All whom brave Turnus chiefly emulates  
For's famous ancestors most eminent;  
And him the queen with love most vehement  
Did like and long to make her son in law;  
But heaven-diverting prodigies she saw  
Crossing her thoughts. A spreading laurel tree  
Grew in the midst o'th' court, whose branches he  
Had many years preserved with reverend fear,  
And whi●h Latinus, when he first did rear  
His stately towers, there found and consecrated  
To great Apollo (as it is related)  
And from it did the land Laurentum name.  
A thick quick swarm of humming bees there came  
(Strange to be spoken) out o'th' open air,  
And to this laurels tops did all repair,  
And on the boughs close by their feet they hung,  
All in a sudden swarm in clusters clung.  
Their augur strait cries out, I plainly find  
A foreign prince t'approach; with him conjoined  
Are strong confederates, who with partners bold  
From these same parts this tower shall take and hold.  
Moreover, as lady Lavinia good,  
In sacrifice, hard by her father stood,  
Her hair (strange sight) was all on a light fire,  
Whose cinging flames burnt all her rich attire:  
Her locks were burnt; burnt was her diadem,  
Beset with stones most rich, and many a gem:  
Up flies the fume, abroad the flame extends,  
And Vulcan's violence to th' roof ascends.  
This was a hideous sight, hard to endure:  
For fame and fates did glorious things assure  
From her; yet that she should fierce battles breed.  
But these strange sights the careful king with speed  
Brings to his father Faunus' auguries,  
In great Albuna's grove, there to advise:  
In which wide wood a sacred spring did glide,  
Misty mephitis with foul fogs doth bide.  
Hither all Italy, Oenotria land,  
Do still repair, dark doubts to understand.  
Here when the priest (the presents being paid)  
On slain sheep skins by night to sleep is laid,  
And falls asleep, in sleep strange visions views,  
Hears various voices, conference does use,  
And speech to spirits from th' Acherontine lake.  
Here, when as grave Latinus prayers did make  
For fair replies, and many sheep being slain,  
Prostrate upon the skins he did remain,  
And from the wood these words he heard most plain,  
Fair son, forbear thy daughter dear to wed  
To native Latins, shun their marriage bed:  
I have new foreign sons in law, whose race  
Our name and fame unto the stars shall grace:  
Whose noble seed each sublunary thing  
Which Sol beholds, shall to subjection bring,  
And rule and overrule. These plain replies  
Of's father Faunus, and his counsel wise,  
Latinus locks not up in silent sort,  
But of it flying fame makes loud report  
Throughout all Italy. And now at last  
The Trojan youths their fleet made firmly fast  
Against the grassy banks. Aeneas then,  
And fair julus' flower of all his men,  
With his courageous captains in degree,  
Repose their bodies under a great tree.  
Then on the grass they set their cheer, and cakes  
Made of good meal; whereof each one partakes:  
But (for so jove by th' Harpies had decreed)  
Were fain at last on mountain-fruits to feed.  
And this food failing, they were forced to eat  
The crumbs and scraps of refuse bread and meat,  
And with their hands to break (all hungerbit)  
The sacred food, for other use more fit:  
Nor spared they their trenchers broad: whereby  
julus said, See, sirs, strange penury,  
Which even our tables hath devoured quite.  
Nor more did he allude: but with quick sight,  
At his first words his father did foresee,  
Of all his travels now an end to be.  
And intercepted the first words he spoke,  
And at his fates amazed, forth strait he broke  
Into these words; Fair fate-given land, all hail:  
And you Troyes Gods, whose faith ne'er yet did fail:  
Here's, here's our country happy habitation,  
(For now I well remember) this relation  
Of these hid fates my father made to me:  
When thou dear son, (says he) arrived shalt be  
On a strange land, and famine thee shall force,  
Thy meat all spent, to have sharp-set recourse  
To sacred cates; then there thou mayst expect,  
To ease thy weary limbs, there to erect  
Safe seats, and with strong hand thy state protect.  
This was that dearth, that last affrighting ill,  
Which should all future fear and mischief kill.  
Be stirring (then) betimes by break of day,  
And scout about, each part and place survey,  
What houses and inhabitants you find:  
Thus from the port all several ways let's wind.  
And now full cups to jove let's drink, and pray  
To old Anchises, and in goblets gay  
Set wine upon the board. Thus having said,  
With gallant garlands he his head arrayed;  
Then invocates Apollo, Tellus fair,  
The mother of the Gods, and nymphs most rare,  
And the yet unknown floods, and obscure night,  
And nightly rising stars, by solemn rite,  
And Ida's jove, and's Phrygian mother fair,  
His parents both, in hell and heaven which are.  
And now all-potent jupiter on high  
From heaven thrice thundered, but auspiciously:  
And in his hand a fiery cloud did shake,  
Which did a radiant golden lustre make.  
Here amongst the Trojan troops (strait) rumours roof,  
That now's the time they cities should compose.  
Busily therefore banquet's they prepare,  
And full of wine by th'sacred signs they are.  
Next day, when Sols light lamp had earth made bright,  
They strayed abroad, about them cast their sight,  
To see what confines, cities, shores these were;  
And strait they found the river Numick there:  
Here current Tiber, there the Latins stout.  
Anchises son then strait selected out,  
Of all his troops, an hundred legates wise:  
Their brows with olive-boughs in most grave guise  
Adorned, he to the kings great palace sent,  
And gifts unto the king for to present,  
And for the Trojans peace to mediate.  
With this commission forth they properate.  
Meanwhile Aeneas meats his walls extent,  
With shallow trenches fits its continent;  
Most like a camp on first approached land,  
With dikes, forts, bulwarks, makes his city stand,  
And now those Trojan youths so far were passed,  
That they the Latins turret spied at last,  
And then their houses tops, and quick they came  
To the town walls, where they saw children game;  
And lusty youths their prancing horses ride,  
Some making chariots through the dust to glide;  
Some were a shooting with their arrows swift,  
Some slender lances brandish, toss and lift:  
Some were a wrestling, running-matches making,  
All of their best affected sports partaking.  
Strait to the aged king a post reports,  
Brave strangers in strange clothes came to his courts.  
He strait gave charge to entertain them all,  
Himself on's kingly throne sat in his hall:  
A hall most fair and large, born up most high  
With full an hundred pillars, anciently  
The stately palace of king Picus grave,  
For groves and parents piety, most brave.  
Hence kings were wont their crowns and powers to take,  
This they their temple, court, and hall did make:  
Here, many sacred sacrifices slain,  
The peers were wont constantly to remain.  
Besides, here stood rare statues carved in wood,  
In solid cedar, of ancestors good:  
Great Italus and grave Sabinus king,  
Who first in Italy made vines to spring:  
Old Saturn also holding in his hand  
A crooked sickle, portrayed there did stand:  
And twofaced janus at the entry stood,  
And other kings sprung from most royal blood:  
Who wars deep wounds did for their country bear.  
And on the posts rich spoils there hanged were,  
And captives chariots, axes used in wars;  
And helmet-crests, huge bolts and iron bars,  
And shields and darts, and ships foredecks most fair:  
King Picus self, for horse-breaking most rare,  
Sat holding in's right hand his regal rod,  
In's left a shield, enthronised like a God.  
Whom, led with l●st, Circe's his wife so charmed,  
And with her golden rod and drugs so harmed,  
That she into a bird transformed him,  
And made a Jay with coloured feathers trim.  
Latinus sitting in that sacred seat,  
And inmost parlours of ancestors great,  
Bade them the Trojans to him to bring in:  
Who entered, with these kind words did begin;  
Tell me, brave Trojans (for we all do know  
Your land and lineage, and heard long ago  
Of your seavoyage) tell me what you'd have:  
Or what hard straits your barks to Latium drove:  
Whether y'ave lost your way, or weatherbeaten,  
(For such like ills at sea do seamen threaten)  
From other parts and ports hence far remote,  
You safely now 'bout Latium banks do float.  
eat not your safeguard, know that Latins all,  
Of Saturn seed, were never yet in thrall  
To laws or leagues; but voluntarily,  
By our God's pattern, we love equity.  
Indeed I think on't (time hath fame obscured)  
And Italy's old men have thus assured,  
That Dardan, who did from our nation spring,  
Was first Idaean Troy's victorious king.  
And Thracian Samo's streams did penetrate,  
Which Samothracia now men nominate.  
Whom now deceased, from Corits Tyrrhean seat,  
Heaven's regal court, starre-canopie most neat,  
Enthronised hath, and made a God most great.  
He ceased: And thus Ilioneus made reply;  
Great king, whose race did rise from Faunus' high,  
No tempest fierce did force us on your land,  
Nor ignorance of stars, or unknown strand,  
Hath us misled; but we deliberately,  
And with unanime votes did all apply  
Our thoughts unto these parts, from realms expelled,  
Which all that Sols broad eye beheld, excelled.  
From jove we sprang, jove was Troy's joyful sire:  
From jove our king himself doth kin acquire.  
Aeneas Troy's great prince us hither sent.  
O that stern storms did cruel Graecia vent  
On all our Trojan fields! what furious cloud  
Of angry fates did Europe, Asia, shroud?  
I know, fame's trump these things hath sounded loud,  
To utmost lands, from sea the most remote,  
And where the torrid zone (as writers note)  
By Sols intemperate heat doth much displease  
Our obvious world, called the Antipodes.  
We, driven about by that warre-inundation,  
Humbly desire a peaceful petty-station:  
First, for our country Gods a seat secure,  
And for ourselves free air and waters pure.  
we'll to your kingdom bring no foul disgrace,  
Nor slightly your deserving fame abase,  
Nor this fair fact in foul oblivion smother,  
Nor Latins grieve, that they did Trojans mother.  
I swear by great Aeneas destiny,  
And by his Martial hand, who e'er will try  
His virtue, valour, or by faith or flight,  
As many have, and many (do not slight  
This voluntary tender of true peace,  
Or that we our submiss desires increase)  
Many, I say, to us have sought and sued,  
'Twixt them and us like friendship to conclude.  
But sacred secret fates, and heavens command,  
Hath us enforced to seek out thy fair land:  
Hence Dardan sprung, hither doth us invite;  
And grave Apollo's great commands incite  
To Tyrrhean Tiber, sacred Numicks spring.  
And here I thee present, from our great king,  
With these small gifts, of better former fate  
Remains, reserved from Troy's combustive state.  
This bowl of gold Anchises sacred used:  
This Priam's princely robe, which still he chused  
To wear, when he in counsels, laws wrote down,  
A regal sceptre, sacred priestly crown,  
And royal robes, the Trojan wives rare skill.  
And thus Ilioneus ceased. The king sat still  
With settled countenance, eyes fixed firm on ground,  
And rolling downward, full of thoughts profound:  
Regardless of the gifts, the robes most rare,  
Nor did the king for Priam's sceptre care  
So much as for his daughters nuptial state,  
And Faunus foretold fate to ruminate:  
Strongly persuaded, this was he should be  
His son in law, sent by the fate's decree,  
From foreign parts, to be his realm's rel●ef,  
To raise a famous race, and be earth's chief.  
Here at he joyful says, Heavens happifie  
Our high intents, and their own augury:  
Thou hast (brave Trojan) what thou dost desire,  
Nor do I slight thy gifts: till life expire,  
And whiles Latinus reigns, you shall enjoy  
A wealthy soil, and fatness of rich Troy.  
As for your prince himself (if he desire,  
And do our love and league so much require)  
Let him come hither, nothing fear his friend:  
To peace, in part, we soon shall condescend,  
If he, your king, and I, kindly shake hands:  
You therefore show your king these our demands.  
I have a daughter, whom the whole consent  
Of our domestic oracles full bend,  
And many a fearful heaven-shown prodigy,  
Marriage with any native prince deny:  
But that fair son in law, from foreign parts,  
(Thus writers say to cheer Italian hearts)  
Whose blood and birth our name should stellify.  
And this your prince (if e'er with verity  
I ought could augurate) I hope and pray,  
May be the man. This said, without delay,  
Out of three hundred stately steeds that stood  
In faire-built stables, at their manger-food,  
To every Trojan he a choice horse gave,  
Most swift of foot, in purple trappings brave,  
With dangling rich embroidered breastplates fair,  
And champing in their mouths gilded bits most rare.  
And to their absent prince he also sent  
A chariot, with two coursers excellent,  
Of heavenly breed, who breathed out flames of fire,  
Engendered of that kind, celestial sire,  
Which acquaint Daedalian Circe did contrive,  
On mortal mares bastardly to derive.  
With these rare gifts and sweet words of the king,  
They bravely mounted, peace t' Aeneas bring.  
But now behold, still jangling juno fierce  
From Grecian Inachus the air doth pierce:  
And from Sicilian Pachyns parts espied  
Aeneas joyful, all his fleet to 'bide  
In supine safety, all his men intent  
'Bout buildings fair, of confines confident,  
His ships forsaken. Hereat angrily  
Shaking her head, in sharp perplexity  
These words she thundered from her boiling breast;  
An hateful brood! fates against our fates addressed!  
What, were not all in Troy's fierce battles slain?  
And were they captived, yet could not be ta'en?  
And was Troy fired, yet could not burned be?  
Could they through thickest troops and burnings flee?  
Now (sure) my supreme power as tired must lie;  
And must I rest, yet wrath not satisfy?  
Yet I have them pursued, quite chased from Troy,  
And on those vagrants brought all seas annoy,  
And on them spent my spleen by sea and lands;  
And yet, alas, what good do deep quicksands?  
What's Scylla sharp? Charybdis vast, to me:  
Since they in their wished Tiber lodged be,  
In spite of seas and me? Mars had the power,  
The mighty Centaur's nation to devour.  
Diana could obtain my joves' consent,  
On ancient Calydone her rage to vent.  
What so foul fact could Centaurs perpetrate?  
Or Calydone, such plagues to tolerate?  
But I joves' mighty spouse, who all means try,  
Which angry I could use, or each way spy,  
Am vanquished by Aeneas. If my might  
Be still too weak, I'll seek where'er for right:  
If heaven refuse to hear, I'll rouse all hell.  
And since from Italy (I see right well)  
I cannot keep him, since fates firm decree  
Is, that Lavinia shall t'him married be:  
Yet I all rubs and remoras will use,  
Yet I fierce flames of discord will infuse  
'Twixt both those nations. With this precious prize  
The son and father in law shall sympathise;  
And Trojans and Rutulians' blood shallbe  
The damsels dowry, and Bellona she  
Shall be her bride-maid: nor fierce Cissean flames  
Shall only be the birth of Trojan dames.  
But why may not dame Venus brat prove so?  
A second Paris, Troy-novant with woe  
To set on fire. This said she angriely  
To earth descends, and raised up instantly  
From deepest darks, the furies fearful seat,  
The hag Allecto, hell woe-worker great,  
Whom bloody battles chiefly do delight,  
And impious acts, snares, slanders, and despite:  
Whom even her father Pluto loathes and hates,  
And all her hellish sisters, for debates;  
Such frowning faces and such mouths she makes,  
So serpentine she seems, full of foul snakes.  
Whose madness juno thus incites, and says;  
Great maid, black midnight's imp, thy choice assays  
And proper projects lend me strait thou must,  
Lest my renown sore shaken lie i'th' dust;  
Lest Trojans work Latinus to a match,  
And all Italia's confines thereby catch.  
Thou canst belovedst brethren force to fight,  
And overturn whole families by spite,  
And cast from house to house combustious flames,  
Assume a thousand shapes, false, feigned names:  
And thou a thousand cheating tricks canst use:  
Then pump thy plenteous breast, break off abuse.  
Their peace compacted, sow thick seeds of wars,  
Their youths do look, like, long for Martial jars.  
Allecto strait swollen with Gorgonean spells,  
And pestilent poisons, flies to Lotions cells,  
And Laurents kingly court, and silent sits  
Close at Amata's door, which place best fits.  
Whose breast began to boil with discontent,  
With female fears and cares most vehement,  
That Trojans and that Turnus wooers came.  
The hag that quickly did observe the same,  
From off her head one of her blue snakes drew,  
And at her breast into her heart it threw:  
By which this hag the whole house might molest.  
The snake slips slily 'bout her tender breast,  
Rolls up unfelt, and her with fury fills,  
And viperous venom to heart burning ills.  
Then like a chain of gold her neck he twists,  
And wreathes about her hair, like hairlace lists,  
And sliperily about her body frisks.  
But e'er first power of pour'd-in poison had  
Soaked through her senses, kindled flames most mad,  
Or all her intellectuals quite possessed,  
With wont motherly mild terms addressed,  
She spoke unto her spouse, and much complained,  
About her daughter, that he entertained  
Those Trojan wooers. Must, great king, said she,  
Our daughter dear Lavinia married be  
Unto those Trojan vagrants? carest thou not  
For thine and mine, and her more noble lot?  
Whom that perfidious wretch will soon forsake,  
With the first winds that blow, and him betake  
To sea, and like a pirate false make prey  
Of our dear daughter? was not this the way  
That that base Trojan shepherd took, when he  
With Helen did from Laced●mon flee  
To Troy? And where's thy faith so often plighted?  
Thy wont care of kindred? All now slighted?  
Thy promise to our cousin Turnus great?  
Say that the Gods bade thee from foreign seat  
To seek a son in law; and say thou art  
By Faunus his commands much touched in heart:  
Yet I suppose, each state from our state free,  
May be held strange; and so it (sure) may be  
The Gods did mean. And if you please t'enquire  
For Turnus pedigree, you'll find his sire  
Acrisius and great Grecian Inacus.  
Whiles all these words in vain she vented thus,  
To try Latinus, whom she found averse;  
And that all o'er wrath's poison did her pierce:  
Then full of monstrous fury, spite, and spleen,  
She madly 'bout the streets to rage was seen.  
Much like a scourged gygge, box-top, or ball,  
Which boys are wont to scourge about a hall  
Or open yard, with lashes whipped about,  
Which with quick spinnings winds, works in and out,  
The boys whip close, the top about doth fly,  
And roundly frisks, and never still doth lie:  
The lively lads make sport and wonderment,  
From hand to hand to see it nimbly sent:  
The more it spins, the more they whip it on,  
And laugh and leap to see it comen and gone:  
With such fierce flutterings up and down the streets  
She rangeth, rageth, as she people meets.  
Moreover, fiercely to the woods she flies,  
Doth feigned feasts of Bacchus' enterprise,  
(Attempts more frantic mischief, plays mad pranks)  
And hides her daughter in the woody banks,  
The Trojans nuptial rites (thus) to protract:  
And, Ho, ho, Bacchus cries, with rage distract;  
Thou, thou alone, must wed thy virgin fair,  
For unto thee small ivy javelins rare  
They bear about: thou lov'st (they say) to dance,  
And sacred hairs, thine altars to advance.  
Like-furious madness does possess the waves,  
To leave their own, to seek new dwelling drives.  
Their dangling hair, necks bare, they spread to th' winds,  
And some loud howl raise, with trembling minds,  
And clad in skins, vine-lances bear about.  
The queen herself, in midst of all the rout,  
Bearing a flaming pinetree, tunes her voice  
To Turnus, and her daughter's marriage choice:  
Yet suddenly, with frowning blood-red eyes,  
Ho mothers, maids and wives, aloud she cries,  
Who-e're she be, that pity yet retains,  
When poor unhappy Amata complains,  
whoever tenders tender mother's grief,  
Unlace your head-attires, afford relief,  
Advance with me my Bacchanalian rites.  
Thus in the woods with madded frantic frights,  
Through damping deserts fierce Allecto had  
Stung and stirred up the queen with passions mad.  
Who, for this first time now, seemed fired enough,  
To give all first contracts a counter-cuffe.  
The hellish hag therefore with frightful wings,  
Strait to the walls of Rutuls' kingdom flings:  
Which city first Danae was said to build,  
And with Acrision colonies it filled,  
Driven there on land by tempests violent:  
Antiquity did call that continent  
Ardea, and still it is great Ardea named,  
But once it was by fortune much more famed:  
Here great king Turnus, in his palace fair,  
In the dark night slept sweetly, void of care:  
And here Allecto doffes her frowning face,  
And is transformed into an oldwives case;  
And her old brows with aged furrows ploughs,  
And wears white hairs, close quoifs, and olive-boughs:  
Seems Calybe, great Juno's sexton old,  
And priest of her fair temple, to behold:  
And to the princely youth thus comes, and says;  
Brave Turnus, wilt thou suffer thy assays  
And many labours to be spent in vain?  
Shall Trojan strangers thee supplant, and reign?  
The king denies thee marriage, dowry due  
By birth and blood, seeks a successor new  
To rule his realms. Go thou thus laughed to scorn,  
Now cast thyself on thankless dangers born;  
Go slay the Tyrrheans, Latins, rule in rest.  
These things (since thou didst all in sleep digest)  
All-potent juno bid me tell thee plain.  
Rise therefore quick, thy soldier's muster, train:  
Arm, arm them all, to all thy havens make haste,  
And let those Trojan captains all be chased,  
And burn their barks, which 'boutfaire Tiber lie:  
Thy warrant's good confirmed from on high.  
And let king Latins self (if he refuse  
To grant thee marriage, kindly thee to choose)  
Feel thy fierce force, and utmost Martial might.  
Here the brave spark the soothsayer seemed to sleght.  
And thus replied; I'm not (as you suppose)  
So unacquainted how this business goes:  
Their ships in Tiber left affright me not,  
I know queen juno hath us not forgot.  
But over thee (old beldame) oldwives tales,  
And doting doubts too much in vain prevails:  
And kings affairs thee with false fears do flout.  
There's work enough for thee to look about,  
And tend thy temple, thy God's image fair:  
Leave peace and war unto the warrior's care.  
These words Allecto made with rage to burn.  
But whiles the prince did him to prayers turn,  
A sudden trembling all his joints possessed,  
His sight grew dim, fierce snakes much din expressed,  
With raging hissings, frightful visages,  
Him staying, praying her, her wrath t'appease.  
She forced back, with flames his eyes do stare,  
And two choice snakes she plucked from her hair,  
Lashed him therewith, and thus in rage she rails;  
Behold thy beldame, with her oldwives tales,  
Whom kings affairs do with false fears so flout.  
Mark these thy words. See me come from the rout  
Of hellish furies, bearing in my hand  
Both war and death. This said, a flaming brand  
She at the prince with rage and fury flings,  
Which in his heart with quenchless burning stings.  
Fierce fear did straightd isturbe the prince's sleep,  
A sudden sweat o'er all his corpse doth creep.  
Arms, arms, in rage he cries, and strives to find:  
Mad heat of wars and jars inflame his mind:  
Fury foams up: much like a cauldron great  
Which makes huge bubbling noise with boiling heat  
By store of flaming sticks, whose crackling fire  
The seething liquor swells, and boyles up higher,  
The scum about the cauldrons brims contends,  
And into th' air black foam and froth ascends.  
Choice youths therefore unto Latinus came,  
Their peace-infringer, wars for to proclaim,  
To safeguard Italy, t'expel their foes,  
Or else he would with potent power oppose  
Trojans and Latins both. These words thus spoke,  
His Gods he did to his high votes invoke.  
Then strait the stout Rutulians' to the fight  
Do one another readily incite.  
His beauty, bravery, this man stimulates;  
His kingly kindred that man provocates:  
His former famous facts a third doth spur.  
Whiles Turnus thus to arms his men doth stir,  
Allecto lewd to th' Trojans flies full fast,  
For her new tricks fit place she spies at last,  
Where brave Iülus was about the shore,  
Busily hunting some wild bear or boar.  
And here hell's hag a sudden foil infused  
Into the dogs, and much their scent abused,  
With fierce pursuit to prosecute that dear,  
Which did the first cause of much ill appear,  
And to fierce broils the rustic clowns did steer:  
A high-horned stately stag was tamely bred,  
By Tyrrhus' children from the dam so fed.  
This Tyrrhus from Latinus had the charge,  
To keep his dear in parks and forests large.  
Their sister Sylvia dear that dear kept trim,  
And on his horns with flowers adorned him:  
And combed his locks, and kept him clean and slick,  
And he to hand would come, and meat would pick  
Out of his master's hand, and forth would stray  
Into the woods, yet find the ready way  
Unto his master's house, though late at night.  
Iülus dogs had of him sudden sight,  
And at him flew, as he was wand'ring there,  
Cooling his heat in woods and waters clear.  
Ascanius also, who did fame affect,  
A sharp shaft from his bow did strait direct;  
Nor did fate fail to help, the mark to hit:  
But through his paunch the whistling arrow split.  
The hart pierced near the heart, homeward made haste,  
And with deep groans him in's known stable placed:  
And like one mourning, seemed much to complain,  
And every room his bleedings did retain.  
Sad Sylvia first the sister beats her breasts  
Cries out for help, the rustics rude requests  
To come together. They (for yet i'th' wood  
The mischief lurking lay, not understood)  
Rashly run to her: this brings in his hands  
A knotty club; that with bright fierbrands  
Is stoutly armed; each one what first he finds  
Snaps up: Wrath armeth peevish testy minds.  
Tyrrhus calls troops also, as he was cleaving  
Oaks in four parts, them with stiff wedges reaving,  
His axe snatched up in furious puff and snuff.  
Here then the hellish hag sat high enough,  
To spy this mischief's opportunity,  
And from the ridges of the stables high,  
A pastoral summons on her horn she sounds,  
Whose rattling noise i'th' trembling groves rebounds,  
And made the mounts and thickest woods to quake.  
far sounding shrill, even to Diana's lake,  
And Nars white flood, sulphurous streams it heard,  
And Velines fount: And mothers much afeared,  
Their tender infants huged close to their breast.  
Then to the call which the hag's horn expressed,  
The rigid Corydons, unruly clowns,  
With snatcht-up weapons flocked from all the towns.  
The Trojan gallants also forth do flow,  
And from their camps to aid Ascanius go.  
Their army they draw out, but not to fight  
With country clownish clubs, brands burning bright;  
But with their slicing swords: and all the lands  
Tremble to see their glistering blades, brave bands:  
Their brazen shields reflected lustre bright  
Against the sun, which seemed the clouds to smite.  
Like as when waves seem white by winds first blast,  
But by degrees the sea swells up at last,  
The waves work from the bottom up so high,  
As that they seem fiercely to dash the sky.  
Here, at first onset, Tyrrhus' eldest son,  
A lusty youth, Al●on by name, begun  
To taste of death, by a swift arrows flight,  
Which stuck in's throat, and did him deadly smite,  
Stopping his vocal breath, locking up fast  
His vital spirits, by much blood forth cast.  
Many more bodies lay about him slain,  
And grave Galesus, striving to obtain  
And mediate peace between them; one well known,  
For's upright dealings, to give place to none,  
The richest landed man in Italy:  
Five flocks of sheep he kept most constantly,  
Five herds of cattle, and to till his land  
An hundred blows. Now whilst with equal hand  
The field they fought, and that the hag did find,  
The issue answerable to her mind,  
The war with both sides blood initiated,  
And mischief firmly at first machinated:  
She Italy forsakes, mounts up to th' sky,  
And like a conqueress, superciliously  
Speaks thus to juno; See, great madam, see,  
With deadly discord they so fired be,  
That though thyself wouldst them reduce to peace,  
Yet they from mutual bloodshed would not cease.  
So soiled are Trojans with Italians blood.  
Yet this I'll add, if so thou think'st it good,  
Th' adjacent towns I'll so incense to wars,  
By rumours raised, and to most frantic jars:  
So move, promove their minds, that all about  
To auxiliary broils they shall burst out.  
O no, says juno, thou hast shown thyself,  
With art and smart enough, the fury's elf.  
War's seeds well sown, well grown already be,  
What chance had dipped, fresh blood hath died, I see.  
Such marriage matches may Latinus wise,  
And Venus godly offspring solemnize.  
But as for thee, great jupiter, heaven's Lord,  
No longer liberty will thee afford  
To fly about the air. Back to thy place:  
If any work remain in this like case,  
I'll see to it myself. Thus juno spoke.  
Allecto then her forthwith did betake  
To her snake-fluttering wings, leaving the sky,  
And to Cocytus swiftly she doth fly.  
I'th' midst of Italy there is a place,  
On mountains high, of noble name and grace,  
Deep sacred valleys with huge leafy shades,  
Which woody banks upon both sides invades:  
In midst whereof a rough swift stream did glide,  
Which did with rattling noise from rocks down slide.  
Here fearful Pluto's gaping gulf was found,  
A dungeon dark, there 'twixt deep cleaving ground,  
Was a huge hellish hole, whose chaps most wide  
Did fierce Allecto's hateful presence hide;  
Where she, to heavens and earth's content, did 'bide.  
Meanwhile queen▪ juno plies her helping hand,  
T' increase the furious war throughout the land:  
Great troops of shepherds to the city throng,  
And slain Galesus body bring along,  
And youthful Almonds; and their Gods for aid,  
And king Latinus urgently they prayed.  
Turnus was present at their exclamation,  
Ingeminating threats, makes protestation,  
With fire and sword to ruinate them all,  
Since into league he did the Trojans call,  
And join himself unto the Phrygian race,  
But him rejected, with indigne disgrace.  
Those wives also, whom Bacchus frantic dance  
(For they queen Amata did high advance)  
Led in mad measures, through the woods most wide,  
Flocking in troops, would not be reconciled,  
But urge for arms, and instantly require  
With peevish spirits (against the God's desire,  
And former fatal omens) bloody fight,  
And thus hedge in the king's court with fierce might.  
He like a rock resistless, firm, stood out,  
Like a sea-rock, when stiff blasts blow about,  
Making such mountain-waves with bellowing sound,  
And rattling stones, and boiling foam surround,  
And wash and dash, in vain, the rocks hard sides,  
And floating flags and weeds about it glides.  
But when no might might their blind wills subdue,  
And to her beck fierce juno all things drew;  
The king to's Gods and empty air complains:  
Alas! (says he) we suffer piercing pains,  
We run to ruin, fatal storms us beat,  
But fierce revenge does you, vile wretches, threat;  
Your sacrilegious blood shall for it pay,  
And woeful smart does for thee, Turnus, stay;  
And thou in vain unto thy Gods shalt pray.  
But I, at rest, my house, my haven, who thought,  
Am robbed of rest, to woes sepulchre brought.  
Hereat he ceased, and him to's house betook,  
And public rule and regiment forsook.  
The custom was throughout all Italy,  
Which custom Albans towns kept sacredly,  
And now great Rome conserveses, when first they wage  
Fierce wars, and Mars in battles brave engage,  
Either with Scythians or Arabians bold,  
Or eastern lands, or Indies fraught with gold,  
Or Parthians proud to purchase glorious fame:  
There are two warre-gates (for so is their name)  
Of sacred use, of Martial terror great;  
An hundred brazen locks and bolts most neat,  
And iron bars do shut them sure and strait,  
And twofaced janus, porter, there doth wait:  
These gates, when once the peers do war declare,  
The noble consul's self in robes most rare,  
In princely pomp, Gabinian garments tide,  
With mighty shrieking noise doth open wide,  
And war proclaims; then troops of youths do follow,  
And sound assent with brazen trumpets hollow.  
Latinus thus was charged urgently,  
With furious wars Aeneas to defy;  
To open those fatal gates; which he denied,  
And would not that offensive office 'bide  
But hid himself (good man) in discontent:  
In secret shades, would give no such consent.  
Then jangling juno, gliding from the sky,  
With her own hands unlocked instantly  
The lazy doors, and breaks the iron bars,  
And turns the hinges, and sets open wars.  
Thus Italy, which lately lay at rest,  
Now unincited, is to war addressed.  
Some flock as footmen to the field to fight,  
Some hasty horsemen make dust dim the light.  
All ask for arms, some take their spears and shields,  
And with fat tallow scour them for the fields;  
And whet their bills and blades on whetstones strong,  
For ensigns spread, and trumps alarms, they long.  
Five powerful cities do in forges frame  
New weapons for the war: which five, by name,  
Were potent Atina, and Tybur bold,  
Ardea, Crustumer, and Antemnae old,  
Strong for its bulwarks brave. Some helmets make,  
And buckler bosses wreath, some corslets take  
Of strong-proofe steel, light boots with silver lined:  
And now the plough, sickle and sith declined,  
No love, delight in tillage, country toil,  
Their peaceful blades in furnace they reboil.  
And now th' alarms sound, wars sign is given,  
This man, his helm from home in haste is driven  
To snatch away: that man his horse constrains  
To wear his traces, foamy bit and reins:  
A third, his shield and treble coat of mail  
Put on, and wears his trusty sword, t' assail.  
And now ye sacred nine, set open, I pray,  
Sweet Helicon, and let my Muse display  
The mighty kings, heroic captains stout,  
And Martial bands, these bloody fields that fought;  
With what most potent peers and armies great,  
All Italy was fraught in Martial heat.  
You ladies fair, you best can show the same,  
For scarce▪ fames whisperings to our knowledge came.  
The first that waged war with Martial bands,  
Was fierce Mezentius from his Tyrrhene lands,  
A stout contemner of Troy's deities:  
And with him came Lausus his son likewise,  
A count, accomplished prince, without compare,  
Only excelled by Laurents Turnus fair:  
Lausus, I say, famous great horse to ride,  
And tamelesse beasts to tame, of peerless pride,  
From Agylla unhappy troops he trained,  
Worthy o're's fathers empire to have reigned,  
Unworthy to be called Mezentius son.  
Next these Aventine brave due honour won,  
Son of Alcides, victour-like proceeds,  
Drawn in his chariot with his conquering steeds;  
In's hand a shield with's father's scutcheon fair,  
Wherein an hundred poisonous snakes he bore,  
Environed with Hydra's serpentine.  
Whom in Aventine mount, the priest divine,  
Rhea, by bastard birth conceived and bred,  
The victor being with the priest coupled.  
When Geryon was deceased, and Laurents lands  
Hercules had obtained with conquering hands,  
And Spanish spoils, fat beefs, had brought with him,  
And them in Tyrrhene streams had washed most trim.  
His soldiers held in hand a Roman spear,  
And hacking halberds to the field did bear,  
And fought with rapiers and Italian dart,  
Himself (to strike more terror to the heart  
Of his beholders) wore a lion's skin  
Full of rough hair, whose fangs did seem to grin  
In manner of a helm above his head.  
Thus like his father fierce apparelled,  
Feare-smiting Hercules, he stately st●ulks,  
And to king Latins court on foot he walks.  
Two brethren then, Catillus, Coras stout,  
Two gallant Grecian youths, went bravely out  
From Tybur strong, which from Tyburtus name,  
Their brother, was so called. They bravely came  
I'th' armies vanguard, hedged with weapons thick:  
Much like two cloud-begotten Centaurs quick,  
Running in rage from some hills steepy height,  
Leaving Thessalian Othrys, Homol white,  
Whose rapid race makes trees and woods give way,  
Whose furious flight huge rattling boughs obey;  
Strong Caeculus, Praeneste's founder fair,  
Was also there, whom pristine times declare  
To be black Vulcan's son, a king of kine,  
Found in the fire, with whom huge bands combine  
Of country Corydons, much men, beside,  
Of high Praeneste, and of those which 'bide  
About Gabinian Juno's pleasant plains,  
And icy Anio, and the watery trains  
Which Hernicks rocks inhabit. And the swains  
Whom rich Anagnia, Amasenus fields  
Do feed: they had not all strong arms or shields,  
Nor rattling chariots; but the greatest part  
Fought with black leaden bags, with swinging smart:  
Some others strong twohanded slings did bear,  
And on their heads rough wolfs-skin hats did wear.  
Their left legs bare, raw skins their right did hide.  
Messapus also, famous horse to ride,  
Great Neptune's son was there; whose fury great  
None could with sword or fire abate or beat.  
His peaceful people, unaccustomed  
To bloody broils, he on a sudden led  
To battle, and to handle sword instructs.  
One from Fescinium mighty troops conducts,  
From just Haliscus and Soractes towers,  
And from Flavinium fair leads forth great powers,  
And from Cyminus' mount and flowing spring,  
Capenas woods, who in array did sing  
Their princess praise, as snowy swans do use,  
When in the air themselves they broad diffuse,  
Flying from pastures, and with chattering shrill,  
Through their long throats with notes the skies they fill,  
And make Cayster and moist moors to sound,  
And Asia wide, nor could a man be found  
To think the arms of so great bands would fail,  
But that the airy clouds of swans prevail,  
Singing and swooping from the sea to shore.  
And now, behold, great Clausus adds yet more,  
Clausus from ancient Sabines sprung, who brought  
Great troops, himself a mighty troop being thought:  
From whom fair Claudias stock and race arose  
In Italy, when Romans Sabines chose.  
With him came troops from Amiternums town,  
And antique Sabines, all to reap renown;  
Eretums powers, Mutuscas might, where spring  
Olives great store: Nomentum bands did bring.  
And Velines rosean regiments were there▪  
And hilly Tetricus, and high Severe:  
From Foruli, Casperia Himells flood,  
From Tiber's and Fabaris rivers good,  
From frigid Nursia, rigid Hortines bands,  
And many troops from utmost Latins lands.  
From Allia's odious streams great armies go,  
As thick as Libyas marble floods do flow,  
When winter-waves do fierce Orion hide,  
Or standing-corne by parching sunshine dry'de,  
Or Hermus' floods in field, or Lycia's lands  
Fruitfully overflown: So martial bands,  
So clattering shields, and soldier's confluence fast,  
Make the ground grunt, and dusty clouds up cast.  
Again, great Agamemnon's Halesus,  
The Trojans ancient foe most furious,  
Drawn in a chariot, unto Turnus brought  
A thousand soldiers with warre-furie fraught:  
Who Bacchus his vine-bearing Massica  
With spades eradicate, without delay:  
And soldiers from Arunca's hills most high,  
From Sidicinums seas and Cales nigh,  
And from Vulturnus adjacent fair flood,  
And dwellers in Saticulus thick wood:  
And Hoscies powers, who with short darts do fight,  
Fitted with leather-holds, more deep to smite;  
Their left hand held a targe, their right a blade  
Or falchion fair, much like a sickle made.  
Nor may our lines in silence pretermit  
Oebalus, whom (as ancient times have writ)  
On Sebethis the nymph Telon begat,  
When aged, king of Caprea he sat.  
But when this son his father's throne rejected,  
And larger limits for his rule affected,  
He overran Sarastes people strong,  
And Sarnus, which lies seaward all along;  
And those which Rufae, Batulum, do hold,  
And all Celenna's fields and fertile mould;  
Fruitful Abella, and her walls and plains,  
Who cast a kind of dart much like Germans;  
Their heads, for hat●, covered with cork-bark light,  
Armed with swords and shields of brass most bright.  
Great Vfens also to this warfare came,  
Mountainous Nursa left, of matchless fame,  
And fortunate in fight: whose natives brave  
Themselves to arms, and hunt in forests gave:  
Their Aequiculians armed, would till their land,  
Delighted most, by furious force of hand  
To live by catching preys and robberies vile.  
Moreover, from Marrubia's ancient isle,  
King Archippus renowned Vmbro sent,  
A famous priest, who as along he went,  
Wore on his helm a branch of olive fair:  
He able was, by skill and cunning rare,  
Both with his hands and words to cast a sleep  
Vipers, and poisonous snakes from hissings deep,  
And tame their rage, and heal their stingings fierce.  
But when the Trojans lance his heart did pierce,  
He could not cure that wound, nor to that grief  
His soporiferous charms could yield relief,  
Nor herbs that grow on Marsian mountains high.  
For thee Angitias woods weep woefully,  
For thee clear floods and lakes do mourn and cry,  
Hippolytus brave son, young Virbius came  
Unto these wars, a man of Martial fame:  
Whom full of glory, nursed in savage woods  
Of fair Aegeria, near Hymettia's floods,  
Where great Diana's full fraught altars are,  
With pleasing and appeasing offerings fair,  
Aritia his most a●gust mother sent:  
For thus 'tis said, after with ill intent  
Hippolytus by's stepdame slanderous train,  
Being by his father most unjustly slain,  
By horses drawn in pieces, through the care  
Of great Diana, and the cunning rare  
Of Aesculapius, was revived again.  
But mighty jove hereat took high disdain,  
That any mortal man such power should have,  
To raise a man to life from's fatal grave:  
With thunder-smart he smote the authors rare  
Of such great art. Whereat Diana fair  
Hippolytus preserved, him closely gave  
To fair Aegeria, him i'th' woods to save,  
Where he unknown, i'th' groves of Italy  
Spent his remaining days in privacy:  
Him now therefore they fi●ly Virbius name,  
As who should say, he twice a man became.  
Hence therefore horn-hooft horses are denied  
About Diana's sacred groves to 'bide;  
For from those shores sea-monsters do affright  
Both horse and riders, putting them to flight:  
But yet his son that used great horse to ride,  
In's chariot came to th' wars with Martial pride.  
But chiefly Turnus' self amongst the best,  
Of stately stature, him to th' wars addressed,  
Armed Capape, by's head then all more tall,  
Upon whose hairy helm did seem to crawl,  
A fierce Chimaera, breathing flames of fire.  
The more it raged, and flashes did expire,  
The more the field was filled with bloody mire.  
Upon his shield in gold was portrayed  
Io into an ox transfigured,  
o'ergrown with hair, but no horns on her pate.  
The story would be tedious to relate  
Of her and Argus, with his hundred eyes,  
Her keeper, who did o'er her tyrannize:  
And now her father Inachus poured out  
A flood from's golden pitcher all about.  
A cloud of clustering footmen followed fast,  
Whose armed armies clouds of dust up cast:  
With them brave Grecian youth Aruncus bands,  
Rutulus powers, ancient Sicanus hands.  
Sacrana's troops, Labicians all proof shields,  
Tiber's banks dwellers came into the fields:  
And they which dwell by Numacks sacred shores,  
And on Cir●aean hill, and all the Boars  
Which plough Rutulian tops, and Anxur's train,  
Where mighty jove doth ever Patron reign:  
Woody Feronia, where Satyra lies  
With blackish streams, where Vfens swiftly hies  
And hides itself in sea. And with these came  
Camilla queen of Volscia, of rare fame,  
Leading strong troops of horse, and footmen brave  
Glistering in arms: herself she did behave  
Most like a warlike woman stout and stern:  
Nor did she of Minerva list to learn  
To handle flax and distaff, but was strong  
Wars to endure, and in swift razes long  
T'outstrip the rapid winds, and nimbly she  
On tops of untouched standing corn could flee,  
And ne'er press down the tender ears i'th' race:  
Or o'er the swelling waves could run a pace  
In midst o'th' sea, yet scarcely should her heel,  
Or sole o'th' foot seas superficies feel.  
All men and maids ran forth of doors to see,  
And with amazement to behold, how she  
In most majestic and most Martial guise  
Riding about her troops, most bravely ties  
Her royal purple robes on shoulders light,  
And with gold buttons did her hair unite:  
And at her back a Lycian quiver wore,  
And in her hand a strong steel spear she bore.  
An end of the seventh book of Virgil's Aeneïds.   

THE ARGUMENT of the eighth book.  
King Turnus from Laurentums tower  
Sounds war's alarm: sends for more power  
To Diomedes by Venulus,  
Who shows the cause most hazardous.  
Aeneas by advise divine,  
With King evander doth combine:  
Who lends him aid, and sends his son,  
By angry fates, in fight undone.  
And now Aeneas fitted fair  
For war, and with a harness rare,  
Procured by his mother dear,  
His fates and fortunes do him cheer.  
His arms do much delight his heart,  
Chiefly his shields admired art.  
AS soon as Turnus from Laurentums fort  
Flags of defiance hung forth, made report  
Of open war, with trumpets trembling sound:  
As soon as horse and foot fierce arms had found:  
Their hearts forthwith are flamed, all Latium strong  
In hot spurred hasty troops together throng.  
Th'unbridled youths with hairebrained rage are led:  
Captain Messapus, Vfens' first makes head,  
Mezentius great, God-scorner, next makes haste,  
Collects his powers, lays all the country waste:  
Venulus to great Diomedes was sent,  
To ask his aid to show their discontent:  
Namely that Troy built nests in Italy,  
Aeneas and his conquered deity,  
With all his fleet, was on their borders brought,  
And must (forsooth) Italia's king be thought;  
And that, by fate's decree. To which effect  
Great power to th' Trojans do themselves connect,  
That his great fame o'erspread all Latiums' land.  
And what strange structure may he take in hand,  
If fates befriend him? what event may he  
Expect from this great war? 'tis plain to see,  
That he through Turnus and Latinus lands,  
At Diomedes crown spreads forth his hands.  
And these were now Italia's fair affairs,  
Which Troy's brave prince overwhelmed with floods of cares,  
Sound surveys, his thoughts here, there, revolving,  
Distractively thinks this, that, nought resolving.  
Like as the quivering shadow of the sun,  
In a brass pan of water quick doth run,  
By suns or moons most radiant rays inspection,  
And flutters all about with quick reflection.  
Now high i'th' air it nimbly leaps and skips,  
And suddenly to tops of houses whips.  
And now 'twas night when toile-repelling rest,  
O'er all the earth, men, birds and beasts possessed;  
When grave Aeneas in the open air  
Lay on a bank perplexed with his warfare:  
Whom thus reposed, and laid in slumber sweet,  
Fair Tiber's God himself doth kindly greet.  
And from the poplar leaves the aged sire  
Seemed to ascend, clothed in grey grave attire,  
Of a sail-vail, his head arrayed with reeds  
Thus courteously to comfort him proceeds.  
Great offspring of the Gods, by whom old Troy  
And everlasting Pergame we enjoy,  
From foes preserved. O thou long looked for peer,  
To all Laurentums land and Latins dear;  
Here's thy sure seat, here thou thy Gods shalt place,  
Depart not hence, nor fear foes threatening face.  
Heaven's former fury now is laid aside,  
And now (think not vain dreams do thee deride)  
Thou shalt the mighty white sow great espy,  
With thirrie pigs under the oak-roots lie  
Upon the ground, sucking the sow's teats white,  
And there's thy city's seat, thy toils delight.  
And hence 'tis sure that thy Ascanius shall  
Within these thirty years build Alba's wall,  
And from that noble name, that country call.  
I speak but what I know: now by what course,  
What yet remains, thou victor mayst enforce,  
Observe it, and I will it briefly show.  
Th' Arcadians, who from Pallas race do grow▪  
Following their king Euanders' ensigns fair,  
Did in these parts a place select prepare;  
And built a city on the mountains small,  
Which they, from Pallant, Palanteum call.  
These with the Latins war continually;  
Make these thy mates, link in confederacy.  
Myself will thee right through my streams conduct,  
Ane with thine oars all stops to shun, instruct.  
Then rise fair Goddess son, by peep of day  
So gentle juno then discreetly pray,  
With submiss votes and treats her threats and rage  
Endeavour to evince or to assuage:  
Having thy hearts desire, pay me my rite:  
I am even he, whom there thou seest in sight  
overflowing fertile meads, by banks, smooth fleeting  
Sky-coloured Tiber, whom with kindly greeting  
The Gods embrace: Here's my large habitation,  
Here to high towers my head hath first foundation.  
This said, the river in the pool is hid,  
Sunk to the bottom: night and sleep are slid  
From grave Aeneas. Up he starteth strait,  
And Sols brave shining face doth contemplate:  
And from the stream his dipped hands lifting high,  
These words he vented to the azure sky;  
Fair nymphs, rare Laurents nymphs, whence springs do spring,  
And thou dear Tiber, rivers sacred king;  
Accept Aeneas, all his dangers end,  
Where'er thy pitying spring her streams extend,  
Where'er thy beauteous billows flow apace,  
Ever, oh ever shall my gifts thee grace.  
O thou horn-headed Italy's fair flood,  
O now propitious be, streams guider good,  
And make thy power appear. This having said,  
Two ships out of his fleet he ready made;  
His friends he fits with oars, and arms his men.  
But here, behold, in sight appeared then  
A sudden and an unseen prodigy,  
A white sow with her white pigs there did lie  
Upon the shore, under roots of a tree:  
Which good Aeneas killed, and said, To thee,  
To thee, great juno, this I sacrifice,  
And all the brood bring as thine altars prize.  
Kind Tiber all that night his floods allayed,  
And all their swelling stir most calmly stayed;  
And like a lake, or standing-water fair,  
Was a still sea, fit for their oars affair.  
A way they therefore haste with joyful no●es,  
And by the banks the pitched bark smoothly flo●ts.  
The waves and woods unused to such rare sights,  
Admire the glistering shields o'th' Trojan knights,  
And such rare carved and painted ships to see  
Float on the flood. Thus day and night they be  
All tired with rowing, and the reaches large  
They swiftly pass, and boughs oft hide their barge▪  
And thus they slice calm seas, and pass woods green.  
And now i'th' midst of sky hot Sol was seen  
Swiftly ascend: and now they gladly spy  
Walls, towers, and tops of peeping houses high,  
And Roman power, which now should equalise  
The starry sky: but now in most weak wise  
Euanders' realm and regal state did stand.  
They nimbly wind their vessels to the land,  
And to the city haste. By chance that day  
Euander unto Hercules did pay  
His honours due, a solemn sacrifice,  
In a great grove, which 'bout the city lies:  
Pallas his son was there, and there were more,  
All their choice young men, and a senate poor,  
Offering their incense, and hot streaming blood,  
Upon the altars in amaze they stood,  
Fearfully frighted at the sudden sight  
Of such tall ships entering their harbours right,  
With silent strokes of oars, and with great dread  
They in a fright, all from their ●able● fl●d.  
Whom valiant Pallas did prohibit strait  
Those sacred rites not to contaminate.  
Himself with his drawn sword to shore doth fly,  
And from the bank aloud aloof doth cry;  
Young men, what forced you to this unknown way?  
Where would ye land? what is your nation? say,  
Where do you dwell? What? bring ye peace, or war?  
Then grave Aeneas in his ship, a far  
Showed forth an olive peaceful branch in's hand,  
And friendlily thus answered his demand;  
Thou seest, brave sire, Trojans and weapons bend  
Against the Latins, whom they insolent  
Have forced to flight, by proud and unjust war.  
We seek Euander: Favour us so far,  
As to relate and tell him what I say,  
That Dardan peers are come his aid to pray.  
Pallas amazed, to hear that famous name,  
Says strait, Come forth whoever, whences'ere ye came,  
And speak yourself before my father's face,  
A welcome guest you are unto this place,  
And to our Gods. Then hands they shake and greet,  
And on the shore with kind embraces meet.  
The river left, into the wood they walk,  
And thus Aeneas to the king did talk;  
O thou far best of all the Grecian train,  
To whom my fortunes do me now ordain  
Thy humble suitor, with fair boughs of peace  
To seek to thee: and sure all fear did cease,  
Although I knew thou wast a Grecian lord,  
And that in kindred thou didst ne'er accord  
With both th' Atrida's, Troy's two deadly foes;  
Yet on mine own worth I did me repose,  
And oracles divine of destiny,  
And ancestors true consanguinity,  
And thy renown throughout all countries found,  
Have me to thee with wished good fortune bound.  
Dardan Troy's founder first, and first great king,  
(As Greeks relate) did from Electra spring,  
Great Atlas' daughter, and to Trojans came,  
Yea that most mighty Atlas, who heavens frame  
Props on his back, begat Electra fair.  
Mercury was your sire, whom Maia rare  
On Cyllens' frigid tops did generate:  
And (if we may believe what men relate)  
Atlas, even that same Atlas which doth stay  
Heavens twinkling stars, begat fair Maia.  
Thus from one stem our branches both do sprout.  
With these strong reasons armed, I thus came out,  
Sent not ambassadors, nor used acquaint art,  
To filch affection from thy friendly heart:  
But I, even I myself unto thee came  
In mine own person, submiss suits to frame.  
The same Rutulian bands which thee infest  
With cruel wars, do us as much molest:  
If us they vanquish, than they think all sure,  
To make all Italy their yoke endure:  
And all the seas that East or West do lie.  
Then take, and give us interchangeably  
Firm faith and furtherance: We have valiant hearts,  
Stout stomaches, and brave sparks to act their parts.  
Aeneas ceased. The king with steadfast eye  
Observed the speakers countenance curiously,  
His eyes, and total parts; and briefly thus  
Replies; O thou the most magnanimous  
Of Trojans brave, O how I thee embrace!  
How glad I bid thee welcome to this place!  
O how thou dost thy parents personate!  
And great Anchises amply imitate  
In face and feature, in thy words and voice!  
For I remember, and therein rejoice,  
How when king Priam in his progress went  
Unto his sister Hesions continent,  
To visit her, from Salamina past,  
To cold Arcadia's confines came at last.  
My youthful chin that time began to bud  
With hairy down, and then I wondering stood  
To see your Trojan peers, yea I admired  
Great dardan's self, and was with joy even fired,  
To see Anchises taller than the rest.  
Youthful affection boiled in my breast  
To talk with him, and hands with him to shake.  
I to him went, and joyful did him take  
Along with me to my Pheneum fair:  
And he bestowed on me a quiver rare,  
At his departure, fraught with Lycian shafts,  
And a fair mantle wrought with curious crafts,  
Richly in gold, two fair guilt bits with reins;  
Both which my young son Pallas yet retains.  
The peace therefore desired, I ratify:  
And here's my hand for firm confederacy.  
And when to morrows sun renews earth's light,  
I'll you dismiss, and aid with means and might.  
Meanwhile these annual rites (since here you are  
So friendly come) t' omit I may not dare.  
Pleaseth you them with us to celebrate,  
And at our tables us t' associate?  
This said, he bids bring back the cups and cates,  
And on grass seats, sets down the Troj●● states.  
Chiefly Aeneas on a bed he seated,  
Spread with a lion's skin, and him entreated  
Unto a stately throne. Then youths selected,  
Yea and their altars priest their charge effected;  
And busily brought in their bull-beef dressed,  
Baskets of well baked bread, wine of the best.  
Aeneas and the Trojan peers did dine  
Upon those entralls, and bull-beef divine.  
Their stomaches stayed, and hunger qualifi'de,  
Thus king evander to them testifi'de;  
This annual feast, and this accustomed cheer,  
This great God's altar, which we year by year  
Observe, is not through silly superstition,  
Or error of our antique God's condition;  
But we do this (most noble Trojan guest)  
And yearly these due honours are expressed,  
Because we were preserved from dangers great.  
For proof whereof, behold this rocky seat  
Hanging with craggy nooks, whose ruined weight,  
Of an old mount seems to precipitate.  
Here was a huge and large retiring cell,  
Wherein inhuman Cacu● used to dwell,  
Whose filthy face was in so black a plight,  
As that Sols rays could ne'er afford it light:  
Fresh murders still lay reaking on its flore,  
And heads ofmurthered men besmeared in gore  
With ghastly looks hung on the odious gates.  
Black Vulcan father was (as fame relates)  
Unto this monster belching fumie fire  
From his foul mouth, who seemed then mounts much higher.  
At last, as we desired, heaven sent us aid,  
And time thereto most fitly for us made:  
For why? Alcides' that revenger great  
Having performed his conquering retreat  
From treble-formed Geryons dire decay,  
Enriched with spoils, his beasts all brought away,  
And 'bout our fields and floods scarce had they fed,  
But Cacus with his thievish fury led,  
Whereby no fact most foul, no cunning cheat  
He feared t' effect, by force or sly deceit,  
Four of his fatted oxen stole from's stall,  
And four faire-horned heifers therewithal:  
And lest their feet the way to's den should show,  
By th' tails he pulled them backwards to and fro,  
Into his den: the cave's mouth with a stone  
He shut, whsoe way could by no search be shown.  
Mean while, when from those stalls great Hercules  
To move his full-fed herds of kine did please,  
To other parts, the beasts going on along,  
Began i'th' woods to bellow loud and strong.  
Where at the caves, beasts lowed loud again,  
And Cacus craft was thereby made most plain.  
Hereat Alcides, full of furious gall  
And griping grief, doth to his weapons fall:  
His tough and knotty club he fiercely takes,  
And with swift pace way to the mountain makes.  
Where first our men saw Cacus full of fright,  
Swiftlier than wind to's den to take his flight.  
F●●re winged his feet. When he himself had closed  
Within his cave, and the strong chain unlosed,  
The mighty stone fell down, which by the chain  
And Vulcan's art, before did fast remain,  
And with strong bolts the gate did fortify.  
Behold, great Hercules did thither high;  
With rage inflamed, observing every nook,  
He this way, that way, up and down did look,  
Gnashing his teeth, hot with intestine hate:  
Thrice through Aventines mount he doth lustrate,  
Thrice at the stony gate in vain he beats,  
And from the hill, thrice tired, he retreats.  
A flinty rock, cut sharp on every side,  
With concave back, raised high, hard by he spied;  
'Bout which were holes, and ravenous vultures nests.  
This on the streams left side, he fierce infests,  
As it lay bend unto the mountain side,  
To lose it on the right, he strongly tried;  
And shoving with his shoulders strenuously,  
At last it shook: whereat he by and by  
Put forth his strength, and roused it from the root,  
And it removed: whose movall with loud shout  
Did fill the echoing air, the river's bank,  
Leapt up and down, and fearful backward shrank.  
And then the den, and Cacus court most wide,  
Lay open, and all her dusky deeps were spied.  
Much like the earth, enforced deep to cleave,  
His bowels dark do yawn, in sunder reave,  
And show their shady cells, irksome to light,  
And upward seems of horrid hell full sight:  
And souls, the light let in, are sore affright.  
By this unlooked for light Cacus thus caught,  
And suddenly shut up i'th' stony vault,  
And made to breathe and bray with unused weight,  
Alcides still more loads doth congregate,  
And all the trash and trump'ry there about,  
And boughs and blocks, and millstones huge seeks out.  
He then (for hope of flight was quite expelled)  
Belched from his throat (most strange to be beheld)  
Huge smothering smoke, which filled the rooms with fume,  
And from their eyes all light did quite absume,  
And made the cave throughout as dark as night,  
Thick mists being mixed with fiery flashes bright.  
Which Hercules himself could not abide,  
But through the flame in rage he headlong hi'de,  
Where thickest flakes offume, dark clouds of smoke  
Did belch and boil, all in the den to choke.  
Thus Cacus in his cave evaporated  
Vain flashie vomits, fast incarcerated,  
Was by Alcides bound in griping bands,  
His fiery eyes squeezed out with his strong hands,  
And cloddy blood his chimney-throat did choke.  
Then strait the dens black doors being open broke,  
All the stolen cattle and base theeveries  
Were open laid to Sols allseeing eyes.  
The ugly carcase was by th' heels drawn out,  
And people ne'er had done to pry about  
His odious eyes, foul face, and beastlike breast,  
o'ergrown with hair, with flames his chaps oppressed.  
ere since our joyful youths did celebrate  
A day of triumph for this happy fate.  
Potitius was first founder of the same,  
And keeper of Pinarius sacred frame,  
And for him did t' Alcides' sacrifice,  
And in this grove this altars edifice  
Did fairly frame, thus stately as you see,  
Which is our best, and so shall ever be.  
Therefore brave youths, such honours due to pay,  
With boughs dress all your brows, shunning delay,  
Take your full bowls in hand, pour wine most free,  
And let our Gods in common called on be.  
This said, he with Herculean poplar boughs,  
Fair, double-coloured, decks his head and brows:  
Whose branches dangled down, and wine in's hand,  
In sacred bowls, all suddenly do stand  
About the altar, pouring plenteous wine,  
And joyful votes vent to the powers divine.  
Meanwhile the evening drew on dusky sky,  
And now the priests, Potitius specially,  
Went (as they're wont) in skins apparelled,  
With tapers in their hands, and ordered  
The banquets brave, with second courses meet,  
And load the board with store of juncates sweet.  
The singing Salii then stood round about,  
With poplar boughs their heads adorned, set out:  
The young men here, the old men there were seated,  
And Hercules his praise in songs repeated,  
And all his famous facts: First, how with ease  
His stepdame's snakes he with both hands did squeeze,  
And strangle dead: And how he did destroy  
Brave cities strong, Oechalia and old Troy:  
How in king Euristeus troublous land  
A thousand toils, by Juno's fierce command,  
He underwent. How thou, unconquered knight,  
Didst ruinate, by thy resistless might,  
Those cloud-begotten mongrel Centaurs great,  
Hylaeus and foul Pholus, and didst beat,  
Yea kill the Cretan Minotaur most fierce,  
And a huge lion mortally didst pierce,  
Upon Nemea's banks. Thou hideous hell  
Didst make to tremble, and hell's porter fell,  
Lurking in's bloody den, on bones half gnawn,  
Who by thy might was from his kennel drawn.  
Nor could misshapen shapes thee once affright,  
No nor Typheous self with armed might.  
Nor wast thou then of wit and worth devoid,  
When Lerna's dragon fiercely thee annoyed  
With horrid heaps of heads. All hail therefore  
Thou son of jove, with Gods, whom we adore,  
Accept us and our gifts: propitious be.  
And thus his praise in lays they sang most free.  
But Cacus den they chiefly memorise,  
And how from Cacus mouth the fire out flies;  
And all the woods, and hills and dales resound  
This famous fact of Hercules renowned.  
These sacrifices done, all now retreat  
Unto the town, the king in state complete,  
Full of grave years, went on, and on each side  
Aeneas and his son with him abide.  
And thus he passed, and past the time in talk.  
And good Aeneas wonders, as they walk,  
And glanced his eyes about on every sight;  
Affected with each place full of delight,  
He questions every object, and must know  
How every ancient monument did grow.  
Then king evander, Rome's great founder, said,  
In these woods Pauni and fair wood-nymphs stayed,  
And kinds of men, of trunks of trees begot,  
And of hard oaks, whom nature did allot  
No nurture good, nor customs commendable,  
And working oxen how to use, unable:  
Riches to get, or got to keep, unskilled;  
And heps and haws and hunted cheer them filled;  
Old Saturn first came from Olympus' high,  
Shunning joves' power, banished from's empery.  
He those untutored people, straggling wide  
About the woods and mountains, beautifi'de:  
He gave them laws, called their land Italy,  
For there he lived in long security.  
Under whose rule and regiment most sage,  
Was then (as men report) the golden age:  
In such sweet peace he did them regulate  
Till by degrees times did degenerate,  
And a more vicious age began to reign,  
And bloody broils, and greediness of gain.  
Then came Ausonia's powers and nations strange,  
And fair Saturnus lands name oft did change.  
Then kings came in, and Tiber's torrent main,  
From whose surname, the river did retain  
That name, by us Italians having quite  
Lost the true name of Albula most white.  
I exiled from my land, did float along  
In seas extremities, till fortune strong,  
And fierce resistless fate did fix me here,  
Moved by monitions of my mother dear,  
Goddess Carmenta, and Apollo wise,  
Whose oracles thereto did me advise.  
Scarce said he thus, when walking on in state,  
He showed her tomb, and Rome's Carmentall gate;  
Which men in honour of Carmentis fair,  
A Goddess nymph, and prophetess most rare,  
Erected had, who first did sing the praise  
Of famous Trojans, to ensuing days,  
And noble Pallant●u●. And showed us  
The mighty wood, which warlike Romulus  
Made a safeguarding sanctuary fair,  
And on a rock the lupercal most rare,  
Of Lycean Pan, unto him consecrated,  
And in th' Arcadian custom dedicated.  
Beside, he showed Argilets cursed grove,  
And against the place, disgrace (protest by jove)  
Of faithless Argus his injurious guest.  
Hence to Tarpeia's tower he us addressed,  
And the now rarely guilded Capitol,  
Which once with shady shrubs being covered all,  
Excessive fear of that affrighting place  
Did terrify the hearts o'th' Boar's most base;  
Even than they gave the rock and grove great grace.  
This grove (says he) this bushy hill so steep  
Some God (but who, uncertain 'tis) did keep.  
Th' Arcadians think they jove himself did see,  
When oft fierce storms and crackling thunder he  
Made fly about the sky. Besides, behold  
These two demolished towns, the fragments old  
And rude remains of ancient men of fame:  
Old janus this, Saturn did th'other frame.  
janiculum was this, Saturnia that.  
And thus along they passed with this kind chat,  
To poor Euanders' buildings, where they view  
About the Roman courts a scattered crew  
Of cattle, 'bout the edifices fair.  
Thus when they did unto his court repair,  
This court (says he) great Hercules did hold,  
This palace him received. Brave guest, be bold  
To spurn at worldly pelf, thyself to show  
Like a great God, not scorning fortunes low.  
He ceased: and brave Aeneas he brought in  
Into his court of princely state most thin,  
Placed him upon a leafy quilted bed,  
With a fierce Libyan beere-skin overspread.  
Dark night rushed down, whose black wings earth did hide:  
But Venus, as a mother, terrifi'de,  
And at Italia's troops sorely perplexed,  
And with Laurentums threats in mind much vexed,  
Thus from her golden bed to Vulcan speaks,  
And in love-charming words thus silence breaks;  
Whiles Grecian kings with wars well wasted Troy,  
And for men's fires did her fair towers destroy,  
I sought no succour for those woeful men,  
No arms nor art of thine to help them then,  
Nor thee (my dearest love) could I in vain,  
Nor thy rare skill, to exercise constrain,  
Though much I ought to Priam's son's relief,  
And my Aeneas toils cost me much grief.  
Now Rutuls land by joves' command him holds,  
Me therefore now (sweet heart) thy love embolds  
To supplicate: I only arms do crave,  
A mother for her child: Dame Thetis brave  
And fair Aurora could thee move with tears.  
My dearest heart, see, see, what frighting fear,  
What troops are mustered, cities up are shut,  
Sharpening their horns, at me and mine to but.  
She ceased: and with her snowy arms most white  
About the neck she clasps him soft and light.  
He seems to shrink, she clings and toys the more:  
He on a sudden felt loves honey-rore  
Soak in, and wont flames to heat his heart,  
And to o'erspread his bones and every part:  
Much like fierce thunder from clouds rumbling ripped,  
When flashie flames through th' air have nimbly skipt·  
She gladly found her fraud and face most fair  
T'have pierced her husband's heart, and cured her care.  
Then father Vulcan bound in loves sweet chains,  
Replied, and said, Sweet soul, what thee constrains  
To use such far fetched phrases unto me?  
Sweet Goddess, where's thy trust 'twixt me and thee?  
Alas dear heart, had former care been so,  
Even than we might have armed Troy from wo.  
Nor jupiter, nor fates Troy's bliss denied,  
But Priam might yet other ten years 'bide.  
Now if thou wilt to war, if here thouart bend,  
What e'er my art can add for adjument,  
What steel and iron, brass or silver plate,  
What fire and blasts can best consolidate,  
(Cease needless prayers) distrust not thine own strength,  
'Tis all for thee. This having said, at length  
He gave her long embraces, loving greets,  
And on her bosom tasted all loves sweets.  
Thus when sweet midnight's rest was past and spent,  
Like a good huswife, thrifty, provident,  
Who timely rising closely cards and spins,  
Her cinders builds, to make her fire begins,  
Blows the quick coals, working, turns night to day,  
And makes her maids their bones to work to lay,  
With toiling tasks, herself well to maintain,  
And all her charge and children to sustain:  
Even so, uxorious Vulcan, iron-tamer,  
Ignipotent, most excellent arms framer,  
Early starts up, his basking bed forsakes,  
And him to's iron instruments betakes.  
Near Sicili● an isle aloof there lies,  
Lipara and Aeolia; whence there flies  
Much fire and wind, much fume and furious din▪  
Under which lies a cave and deep within:  
The Cyclops Aetnaean forges grown i'th' rocks,  
Do through the chimneys vent such thundering knocks,  
And bouncing blows upon the anviles smit,  
And tinkering strokes with nimble hammers hit,  
As loudly echo out with clanging sound  
Of steel and iron, battered long and round  
Upon the anviles shrill, into broad plates,  
The forge-fire sputtering puffs evaporates.  
Here's Vuloans house, here's vast Vulcania town,  
Hither from heaven this fire-fierce god came down.  
In this large cave the Cyclops iron frame;  
There brangling Brontes fast does file the same:  
There streporous Steropes makes sparks to fly,  
Naked Pyracmon does at th' anvil lie.  
A yet unfinished fiery work they wrought,  
But in some part, to some perfection brought,  
Some thunderbolt, which jove from heaven did smite,  
(As on the earth do many of them light)  
Some part unpolisht was. Three clattering showers  
Of winter-hail upon the work he pours,  
And three of springtide rain, three flashes swift  
Of summer flames, three puffs of autumn drift.  
Thus at their work fierce frightful flashes fly,  
Bright rapid lightning rage, and by and by  
With fearful rumbling, thumping thwacks of art  
They beat about. Then on another part  
A chariot with swift wheels for Mars they made,  
Wherewith he town and townsmen makes afraid,  
A coat of arms for angry Pallas they  
With snakelike scales and gold did overly:  
And in the breastplate of the Goddess fair  
Serpentine Gorgon's heads in wreaths there are,  
Chopped from the neck, whose gogling glarie eyes  
Rolling in rage, beholders stupifies.  
Away (says Vulca●) lay away with speed  
All other works, you lads of Aetnaean breed,  
And hither bend your thoughts, rare arms to frame,  
For a renowned prince of matchless fame.  
Now show your strength, your nimble hands, rare art,  
Come, come, make haste. This said, each plays his part,  
And fast they fall to work, each takes his place,  
Gold, silver, brass, steel-mettals, boil apace:  
And being melted, run like streams about.  
And first a goodly targe they forged out,  
Even one against all the adverse Latin shafts,  
With fourteen folds and cross-bar turning drafts:  
Some at the bellows put in, puff out blasts;  
Some hissing hot-iron into th' water casts:  
The whole shop rings with thick quick anvil blows,  
And each his arms in order fiercely throws,  
To give his stroke, and with the tongs to turn  
The massy mettle, which red-hot doth burn.  
Whiles Vulcan in Aeolian puffy plains  
Thus busy was, the rising sun constrains  
Euander from his palace poor to rise,  
Wakened by morning-chanting birds in skies:  
Who gravely risen, and apparelled meet,  
And Tuscans sandals laced on his feet:  
Then his Arcadian blade he hangs by's side,  
Which on his left hung by a panther's hide.  
A lease of lusty dogs did on him wait,  
Guarding their master from the palace gate.  
Thus to his guest Aeneas lodgings went  
This Heroë brave, mindful of's high intent,  
And of his promised aid. With no less care  
Aeneas in the morning doth prepare.  
With Pallas young the king associated,  
Achates kind Aeneas comitated.  
Met, they shake hands, and down together sit,  
And having time for talk, and leisure fit,  
The king thus first began; Great prince of Troy,  
I ne'er shall think (whiles thou dost life enjoy)  
Troyes crowns and comforts to be brought to thrall▪  
Our forces, I confess, are too too small,  
To give so great a prince aid competent:  
On one side we by Tuscans stream are penned,  
On th' other side troops of Ru●ulians stout,  
With clattering arms our walls do hedge about:  
But I am mustering for thee mighty bands,  
A people strong, and very rich in lands:  
Which happy hap, unlooked for luck hath given,  
And thou art come, by fate's decree, from heaven.  
Not far from hence the city Agylla,  
An ancient stony basis doth display,  
Once Lydia called, famous for battles bold,  
Which once did all Etruria mountains hold.  
This land, which fairly flourished many years,  
Proud king Mezentius ruled with cruel fears.  
Why should I mention all his murders fierce?  
Or why this tyrant's facts most foul rehearse?  
The Gods repay it on his impious head!  
Besides, he bound live bodies unto dead,  
Coupling them hands to hands, and face to face,  
(Ah horrid torment) in which foul embrace,  
Them all-besmeared with putrefaction ill,  
He with a lingering death thus used to kill.  
His people tired with this tyranny,  
At last in arms him and his family,  
Plotting more impious pranks, they close surrounded,  
Slew all his mates, with fire his house confounded.  
He in these broils to Rutuls' realm did fly,  
To Turnus' harbour, for security.  
Then all Etruria in just fury came,  
Their king with arms, for due revenge, they claim.  
Thou great Aeneas, of these thousands brave  
The leading and the Martial guide shalt have.  
For all their ships stand ready ridged at shore,  
And fluttering flags do hang the decks before:  
An aged soothsayer singing secret fates,  
Does them withhold, saying, O choice Lydian mates,  
Of pristine potentates the cream and flower,  
Whom just revenge incenseth with strong power  
Against your foes, and whom Mezentius base  
Hath stimulated, with just wrath to chase:  
No native of Italia may such bands  
Conduct; then seek a captain from strange lands.  
These things did all Etruria much dismay,  
Yet still in field their ensigns they display:  
And troubled at these heavenly destinies,  
Tarchon himself sent orators most wise  
To me▪ with regal robes and presents rare,  
Desiring I would to their tents repair,  
And of great Tuscans state take tutelage.  
But me, my feeble and congealed old age,  
And faint unfitness to activity,  
Denies that proffered state and sovereignty.  
My son I would have sent: but mixed blood  
With's mother's fair Sabella, thus withstood,  
By whom part of those parts to him inclined.  
But thou, whose years, and whose heroic mind  
The fates do favour, and the Gods provide:  
O thou Troyes and Italia's valiant guide,  
Do thou assume this charge. And here my boy,  
Pallas my son, my hope and future joy,  
To thee I will commit, to thee commend,  
On thee his Martial master to attend;  
Wars burden great with thee to undergo,  
Rare feats of arms from thee to see and know,  
And from his childhood thy rare parts t' admire.  
And (as the present case doth now require)  
Two hundred brave Arcadian horsemen strong,  
All chosen youths, I give to go along:  
Pallas in's own name likewise does the same.  
Scarce to an end of's words the king yet came,  
And that Aeneas and Achates kind,  
Their eyes fixed on the ground, their troubled mind  
Full of afflicting thoughts: when suddenly  
Fair Cytherea in a serene sky,  
Gave them a sign: for why, a sudden sight  
In th' open air of wondrous glistering light,  
With rushing rattling noise, quick o'er them came,  
And seemed to shake the universal frame:  
And they supposed the Tuscan trump they heard,  
And more and more the rattling roar was reared.  
And then between the clouds in pleasant sky  
Bright-shining and loud-sounding arms they spy,  
With thundering noise, which did the rest affright:  
But Troy's brave prince discerned the sound aright,  
And thought on's sacred mothers promise made:  
And therefore to them thus at last he said;  
Kind host, fear not, nor seek what accident  
These signs fore-show, for me heaven hath them sent.  
Venus, divine creatrix of each thing,  
Promised she would this sign upon me bring,  
If wars were waged: and that for my protection,  
She'd bring me Vulcan's arms, with sweet affection.  
Alas! what woeful wars are imminent  
Unto Laurentums nation turbulent!  
What vengeance on thee, Turnus, shall I take!  
How many helms and targets shall I make,  
And bodies of brave captains, to be rolled  
About thy banks and brims, fair Tiber old!  
Thy armies making, yet still marring peace:  
This said, from farther talk he now did cease,  
And from his seat himself he raised higher;  
And first of all he kindled the sleep-fire  
On Hercules his altars, and renews,  
With joyful heart, yesterday sacred dues,  
Unto the petty Gods, and both the king  
And Trojan youths, slain sacrifices bring.  
This done, his ships and mates he goes to see:  
Amongst whose troops, those whom he found most free  
With active hearts his wars to undertake,  
He chose to him; those that would him forsake,  
Down the declining river thence he sent,  
Who without sails homeward most smoothly went▪  
To carry to Ascanius future news  
Both of his father and his facts issues.  
Then horses to the Trojans given were,  
To Tyrrhene territories them to bear,  
But to Aeneas they a choice one gave,  
Clad with a lion's skin, with gold claws brave.  
Fame quickly flew o'er all the city small,  
That to the king, through Tuscan● horsemen tall,  
Did posting ri●e. Women with extreme fear  
Did double their designs: in men appear  
Doubts of the worst and wars more open face.  
Then grave evander, with a kind embrace,  
Tears gushing out, his parting guest held fast,  
And lovingly into these speeches braced;  
O if my years of youth jove would restore,  
(As once when at Praeneste heretofore  
I routed my foes ranks, and victor stout,  
Burnt heaps of captains targets all about.  
This hand king Herils' soul sent under earth,  
Whose mother, fair Feroni●, at his birth  
Infused in him three souls (horrid to tell)  
By which three weapons he could handle well:  
And therefore must be three times vanquished,  
Thrice slain, and thrice of's arms disfurnished.)  
O then, sweet son, I'd ne'er disjoined have been  
From thy sweet greets, nor have endured t' have seen  
Mezentius proud, my bloody borderer,  
Such vaunts and villainies 'bout me t' infer,  
Such murders to have made, a town so good  
By husband's loss to weep in widowhood.  
But oh great jove, and ye the Gods on high,  
Pi●ie Arcadia's kings great misery;  
And hear a parents' prayers, and your great love  
Let me in my poor Pallas safety prove:  
And if I live to see him safe again,  
Life thus I crave, for this I'll bear all pain.  
But if, fierce fates, you threaten dire distress,  
Now, oh now end these days of wretchedness,  
Whiles thoughts are doubtful, hope of hap's unknown,  
Whiles thee, my child, my sole, sure joy alone,  
I yet may clasp in these mine aged arms,  
Before sad news my heart pierce with thy harms.  
Thus this good father these sad words poured out,  
At parting; and his tendants round about,  
Him, fainting, falling, carried in with care.  
And now Aeneas on his courser rare  
Mounted, road foremost forth, Achates kind,  
With all his Trojan peers, with cheerful mind,  
And princely Pallas in the midst of all  
In rich-wrought arms, conspicuously tall,  
With a short coat: like Lucifer most bright  
Shining upon the oceans waves at night,  
(Which Venus loves above each ignean star)  
Whose lustrous beams are the most bright. by far.  
The women on the walls stood fearfully,  
And clouds of dust, and glistering arms did eye.  
The next way they through bush-paths armed ride,  
The fields even quake with horse-hoofs prancing pride.  
Near C●rits flood a mighty wood doth lie,  
Which ancients far and near religiously  
Held in great honour, closed on every side  
With hollow banks, 'bout which thick firre-woods 'bide.  
Fame says, the ancient Greeks did sacred yield  
Unto Sylvanus, God of beasts and field,  
The grove and solemne-day, that in oldtime  
That they first held the Latins lands and clime.  
Not far from hence brave Tarchons' army stout,  
Of his Etruria troops lay campt about:  
And from a high hill he might see their bands,  
How they lay spread about their fields and lands.  
Hither Aeneas with's choice youths addressed,  
And there their weary selves and horse they rest.  
But beauteous Goddess Venus through the skies  
With her rare gifts unto Aeneas hies,  
And in a separate valley by a brook,  
As soon as on her son she cast a look,  
She to him comes, and these words uttered▪  
See here, dear son, the gifts I promised,  
By my kind husband's art thus perfected:  
Now fear no Laurent strong, nor Turnus' stout,  
In field to fight with, and to single out.  
This said, fair Venus did her son embrace,  
And under an oak the glistering arms did place.  
He overjoyed, and wondrously affected  
With such the Goddess gifts to be respected,  
And highly honoured, gluts his gazing eyes,  
And with strange wonder every parcel spies,  
And turns and winds betwixt his arms and hands,  
The horrour-striking helm, like flaming brands  
Vomiting fire, and the death-wounding blade,  
A brazen breastplate very richly made,  
Big, and blood-red of hue: like Sols bright rays,  
When its fair shine abroad itself displays  
Upon some rainbow cloud, full opposite.  
Then he admires his silver-boots most light,  
With gold and enamel wrought, and well refined,  
His lance ●nd shield most strangely stuffed and lined.  
For here Italian facts, Rome's victories,  
Fire-furious Vulcan, seen in prophecies,  
And future strange events, had graven fair:  
And here Ascanius issuing offspring rare,  
And all his famous fights, were pictured brave:  
How a great she-wolf in stout Mars his cave  
Brought forth her young, and how two chopping boys  
At mother's dugs lay dandling, mother's joys;  
Who did her fearless twins, most loving, lick,  
And with her tongue make necks and bodies slick.  
Hard by stood Rome, and ravished Sabine dames  
By troops assembled at Circean games.  
And how new wars did suddenly arise  
Unto the Romans, Cures, Tatius wise,  
And how (at last) contentions laid aside,  
Those armed kings about joves' shrine did 'bide,  
W●●h bowls in hand, and having slain a swine,  
As kind confederates, did in league combine.  
Not far from thence Metius was pictured,  
By horses torn, and quit dismembered;  
(But thou Albanus stoodst not to thy word)  
And all the bowels of that lying lord  
Tullus tore out, and dragged them through the wood,  
And all the briers besprinkled with his blood.  
How king Porsenna charged Rome to re-take.  
Their banished Tarquin, and how for his sake  
The city with a hard siege he did crush,  
When on their swords, for freedom, Romans rush.  
There you might see him rage, and threat and fret,  
'Cause Cocles durst the bridge break down and get.  
How captived Chlaelia, having broke his bands,  
Swam o'er the river stoutly with her hands.  
How on the top of high Tarpeia's tower  
Brave Manlius stood, and with undaunted power  
The temple and the Capitol defended,  
And all the reed-thatcht palace that ascended,  
Did tumble down, and the white-feathered goose  
In the guilt gallery, cackling, fluttering loose,  
Frighted the French, and their approach descried,  
Whom clambering up, thick bushes did so hide,  
And benefit of black night, aid therein,  
That they got up, and so the tower did win:  
Whom goldy locks and golden garments decks  
With purple jackets, and their milk-white necks  
With bracelets graced, in hand two Alpine spears,  
A long shield o'er his corpse each soldier bears.  
The dancing Salii, P●ns priests, naked quite,  
Wool-wearing Flamines, Numa's target slight,  
Which fell from heaven, were curiously set out,  
And how the modest matrons bore about  
In easy coaches, their most sacred rites:  
Aloof from these were horrid hell's affrights,  
Black Pluto's gates, and damned souls dire pains:  
And thou, base Catiline, hungst there in chains,  
On a steep tumbling rock, with Furies jaws  
Frighted: But Cato, giving wholesome laws,  
Sat amongst the good: in a sequestered place  
Betwixt both these, sea-waves with golden face  
Did run abroad, and boyl'd-up froth most white;  
About were dolphin's graved in silver bright,  
In circles with their tails the billows sweeping,  
And cutting through the waves, their course● keeping.  
In midst of whom you guilded ships might see:  
How Martial sports yearly solemnised be:  
How all Leucates with fierce wars did sweat,  
And waves of seas like gold to glister neat:  
And how Augustus Caesar by wars might  
With Latiums' peers and people ruled right,  
His small and great Gods his tall ship ascending,  
From his fair brows two glistering flames extending,  
And o'er his head his father's star most bright.  
On th'other side, Agrippa with great might  
With friendly Gods and gales his army led,  
His Martial ensigns being bravely spread,  
Sea-conquest garlands garnishing his head.  
How with Barbarian aid Antonius great  
In various conquests did Rome's foes defeat,  
And amongst the Indies black and Egypt long,  
By red-sea shores, and orient forces strong,  
T'increase his strength, all Asia to him drew,  
Whom Cleopatra (shameful) did pursue.  
All rushed together, the whole sea did seem,  
Wrought up with winding oars, thick froth to steam;  
The foredecks one another dashing fast:  
And to the ocean thus they get at last.  
Thou'dst think the isles roused up did swim and meet,  
That mighty mountains did high mountains greet.  
With so great strength men strenuously did strive,  
Their towering vessels close to force and drive.  
Wildfire from hands, steel-shafts from bows are sped:  
New broils on Neptune's soils do die seas red.  
The queen i'th' midst her troops with trump doth cheer,  
As yet her fatal snakes do not appear.  
But all the rout of monstrous Gods, mere fiends,  
Yea barking Anubis his weapons bends  
Against great Neptune, Pallas, Venus' fair.  
Amidst their troops mad Mars doth stamp and stare,  
Carved in a garb of steel, and horrid hags  
Sent by great jove, and Discord in torn rags  
Skips jocand amongst them: whom Bellona fierce  
Follows with bloody whips their hearts to pierce.  
Actium Apollo these things well did eye,  
Strait bend his bow, at them from heaven let fly.  
Whereat in terror all th' Egyptian rout,  
Arabians, Indians, and Sabaeans stout,  
Turned backs and fled: the queen herself also  
Was heard to wish for winds, hoist sails, and go,  
Yea fly full fast, slackening the ropes and sail.  
The black-fire furious God with Western gale  
And tydie-waves, her, looking ghastly white  
With fear of future death, amidst the fight,  
Did drive along: but yet against the same  
With mighty body weeping Nilus came,  
Opening her bosom, calling back again  
Her thus surprised and quite conquered men  
Into her livid lap and unfound springs.  
But Caesar, conqueror of these adverse things,  
Thrice born in triumph 'bout Rome's royal walls,  
His everlasting vow to mind recalls,  
To his Italian Gods doth sacrifice,  
And through the city with great joy likewise  
Three hundred temples built: the streets throughout  
Do ring with sports and people's joyful shout:  
Each temple filled with dancing matrons fair,  
About the altars singing songs most rare,  
And every altar fraught with heifers slain.  
Caesar himself i'th' temple did remain  
Of pure Apollo, in the porch most white,  
And of the nations gifts taking full sight,  
Fits the rich posts with choice of royal spoils.  
The captives conquered in the wars turmoils  
Are led along, in speech as different,  
As in their habits, arms and ornament.  
Here muddling Mulciber had cast in brass,  
Fierce Scythians and black Moors in gowns to pass:  
Here Caraeans, Lelages, Gelonians stout,  
Skilful in casting darts, he pictured out.  
And here Euphrates streams did smoothly glide,  
And French Morinians, who remote reside:  
Two-cornered Rhine, undaunted Daians' stout,  
Araxes swift o'er his bridge swelling out.  
These rarities of Vulcan in his shield,  
His mother's gift, cause of much wonder yield:  
The things unknown, the figures him affect,  
Friends fame and fates he bears with choice respect.  
An end of the eighth book of Virgil's Aeneïds.   

THE ARGUMENT of the nineth book.  
Whiles on both sides the state thus stands  
Of their affairs, Juno commands  
Turnus to hasten against his foe,  
The Trojans ships to overthrow,  
By flinging fire into the fleet:  
But Jove does with their project meet,  
And turns the ships into nymphs shapes.  
Two friends go forth, but neither 'scapes.  
Trojans their camps do bravely hold,  
A scanius kills Numanus bold.  
Pellmell they fight, but Turnus' stout  
Bitias and Pandarus puts to rout,  
And Trojans from their trenches beats:  
But tired with troops, he thence retreats.  
ANd now, whiles thus th' ●ffaires on both sides stand,  
juno from heaven sent Iris out of hand  
To supine Turnus, who took up his seat  
I'th' sacred dale of Pilumns grove most great.  
To whom Thaumantias with fair face thus said;  
Turnus, behold, what none o'th' Gods, though prayed,  
Durst ere have promised, time now proffers free.  
Aeneas leaving all behind for thee,  
C●mp, mates, and fleet, to king Euander's gone:  
Yet rests not so, but farther is passed on,  
To Corits utmost confines, Lydians strong  
With rustic wrath in arms to lead along.  
What fearest thou? 'tis high time, leave all delay,  
With horse and chariots now to make thy prey  
On their confused camp. Thus having said,  
With well-poysed wings to th' heavens herway she made;  
And in her flight she cuts her mighty bow  
Under a cloud. The young prince did her know,  
And lifting both his hands up to the skies  
After her, flying, with these words he flies;  
Fair Iris, heavens great grace, who did thee force,  
Thus from the clouds to me to have recourse?  
Whence is this sudden storm, so bright and clear?  
Me thinks I see heaven cleft i'th' midst appear;  
And straggling stars from proper pole declines:  
Who ere me call● to arms, so sacred signs  
I'll follow fast. This said, to th' stream he hastes,  
And of the water a deep draught he tastes,  
Loading his Gods with prayers and protestations.  
And now his troops to field made properations,  
Rich of rare horse, embroidered clothes and gold.  
The valiant vanguard by Messapus bold,  
The rearward by brave Tyrrhus' youths was led,  
The main battalion Turnus marshaled,  
Advancing his brave arms far 'bove the rest:  
Like flowing Ganges with seven streams addressed,  
And silent running; or like fertile Nile  
overflowing fields, yet couching close the while.  
A sudden black-dust cloud the Trojans spied,  
Growing far off, darkness the fields do hide.  
Whereat first Caicus from a cross bank cries,  
Fair friends, what cloudlike troop doth yonder rise?  
Fly to your swords and spears, get up the walls:  
Alas! our foe on us already falls,  
Hereat the Trojans raise a piteous cry,  
But close about the wall and gates they lie.  
For so, at's parting, wise Aeneas had  
His army charged, if any fortune bad  
Should them befall; and not in battle ray  
In field to try the fortune of the day,  
But keep their camp with forts and trenches strong.  
Though therefore shame and rage provoke them long,  
Battle to join; yet they do fortify  
And guard the gates, and do obsequiously  
As they were charged. Thus well prepared in arms,  
They in their forts expect their foes alarms.  
Now Turnus all his tardy troops out-●iding,  
Twenty choice knights about his body biding,  
Was on a sudden to the city nigh:  
Whom a white spotted steed most prancingly  
Of Thracian breed did bear; upon his head  
A golden helm with a crest beauteous red.  
O who is he, brave sparks, amongst you all,  
(Says he) with me first on our foes dares fall?  
With that he cast a dart into the air,  
(The onset to the fight) with courage rare;  
Entering the field himself, his mates in arms  
Following him fast with clamorous loud alarms,  
Wondering to see the Trojans cowardice,  
(As they supposed) not daring t'enterprise  
To fight the field, in arms to play the men,  
But keep their camps: he in a fury than  
Doth gallop up and down the wall about,  
For fierce assaults, a fit place to spy out.  
And as a ravening wolf all hungerbit,  
Doth roave and rave, and 'bout the sheep-fold sit,  
At midnight dark enduring wind and weather,  
To watch and catch the prey; the lambs together  
Keep with their dams, and do securely bleat;  
The wolf without rageth about for meat,  
Extremely vexed to see the sheep so penned,  
And he so long to suck their blood so bend:  
Even so Rutulian Turnus hunts about  
The walls and trenches, extreme rage flames out.  
Hate heats his heart, to know by what means best,  
To find a way the Trojans to infest▪  
And flying out of their forts, compulsively  
To force them to the field: then does he spy  
Their fleet, which did behind their camp lie sure,  
And which strong walls of waves did safe immure.  
This he assails, and all his mates desires,  
To bring in haste store of consuming fires:  
And first himself cast in a pine-board flame;  
And all his soldiers forthwith do the same.  
Their prince's presence stimulates their hearts,  
Thus all the youth with firebrands play their parts,  
And fling about fierce flames, and to the skies  
Made mighty fumes with pitch and tar arise.  
Tell me, fair Muses, what so mighty power,  
Permitted not such fierce flames to devour?  
And turned to ashes all Troy's navy great?  
Though future times may former facts repeat  
With hard belief; this facts fame ne'er shall die:  
When first in Phrygian isle most carefully  
Aeneas did a fleet for sea prepare,  
The Gods great mother, Berecynthia fair,  
Is said, her son great jove thus to entreat;  
Dear son, since thou now rul'st olympus great,  
Grant thy entreating mother this request;  
A pinetree wood long time I loved best,  
I'th' height whereof a gallant grove there stood,  
Whither were brought me sacrifices good;  
Shadowed it was with firres and maples brave:  
These to the Trojans use I freely gave,  
When they to build them ships had special need:  
Now anxious fear much care doth in me breed.  
Of this fear free me: grant me this request,  
That by no nimble course they be distressed,  
Nor overthrown by fire or furious wind,  
Let all that thence do grow this favour find.  
Her son, which rules the world and starry sky,  
Unto his mother made this brief reply;  
Whither (dear mother) wouldst thou fate incline?  
Or what request for them is this of thine?  
Can mortal things immortal states possess?  
Or can Aeneas sail free from distress?  
What God so great can in this case be free?  
Nay, when Troy's princes sailings finished be,  
When Trojans Latiums' ports and parts have gained;  
Whats'ever ships from storms shall have remained,  
I'll take from them their mortal shape and form,  
And them into sea-nymphs I will transform;  
Like Nerean Clotho, Galatea fair,  
Cutting the foamy waves with breast most bare.  
He said it, swore it, for more confirmation,  
By's brother Styxes foul floods inundation;  
By pichy streams, and Pluto's black gulfs banks,  
And nods, whose nods whole heaven affrights & blanks.  
The promised day wa● come, fates now fulfil  
The due designed time to joves' great will;  
When Turnus turbulent, injurious deed,  
Moved the great mother of the Gods, with speed  
To free her sacred ships from his fierce flame.  
Here first to sight a sudden brightness came,  
A mighty cloud from th' Eastern sky did glide,  
And all th' Idaean damsels were descried.  
Then from the skies a thundering voice was heard,  
Dear Trojans, of my ships be not afraid,  
Nor struggle ye to shield them with strong arm.  
Ere Turnus does my sacred ships lest harm,  
He sooner shall with fire burn up the seas:  
Go sea-nymphs, go (says she) swim loose at ease,  
Your mother bids you. Strait at her commands  
Each ship from shore most nimbly broke their bands;  
And presently, like dolphin's, duck and dive,  
And like so many virgins fair alive,  
(Strange to behold) in sea they all appear;  
So many ships, so many nymphs were here.  
All the Rutulians' hereat stood amazed,  
Messapus self hereat with terror gazed,  
And all his frighted horse: the stream stands still,  
Tiber retreats, and vents out voices shrill.  
Yet for all this Turnus turns all to th' best,  
His courage and his confidence are pressed:  
Boldly he cheers them, boldly chides them thus;  
These monstrous signs are surely ominous  
Unto the Trojans: jove himself, you see,  
Takes from them thus all hope and help, to flee:  
Rutulians' need not sword or fire t' infest,  
From sea-fight, sea-flight Trojans are distressed.  
Thus part of their protections from them ta'en,  
All the land-power doth in our hands remain.  
For many thousands armed in Italy  
We have: Troy's scarre-crows can't us terrify.  
If Trojans of the great Gods answers boast,  
The fates and Venus have them given the most  
They can de●ire, Latiums' fair land to see:  
On th' other side, are not my fates to me,  
That cursed stock with sword to ruinate,  
Which would a wife perforce praeoccupate.  
Nor Agamemnon's kin this sole concerns,  
Nor Greeks alone this grief due caution learns,  
To arm themselves: Enough one wrack had been,  
If they enough had held it, once to sin.  
Should not all women to them hateful be?  
What trust in trivial trenches can they see?  
Delays by ditches, thus to pride their mind?  
Which they small distances from death shall find.  
Have they not seen Troy's walls, by Neptune wrought,  
(Maugre their might) to ashes to be brought?  
But oh brave sparks! who of you will with me  
Break through their trenches, and most fiercely flee  
Upon their quaking camps? I have no need  
Of Vulcan's arms, or thousand ships ofspeed  
Against these trembling Trojans: Let them get  
All their Etrurian mates with them t' abet:  
I'll seek no shades, no shelters of dark night,  
No thievish horses paunch, by Pallas slight;  
Let them not fear their watchtowers to be slain:  
For we by day most stoutly will maintain  
The battle brave, and girt their walls with fire.  
I'll make them know, that now with Grecian ire,  
Or Greekish spirits they do not contest,  
Whom their great Hector ten years did molest.  
But now since more then half the day is past,  
What yet remains, but that with sweet repast  
Every one fit himself to play the man,  
Bravely to end what he so well began?  
Meanwhile the care of keeping watch and ward  
By Sentinels, with vigilant regard  
About the gates, is to Messapus granted,  
Who ●bout the walls with sword and fire is planted.  
Fourteen Rutulian captains were chose out,  
Each guarded with his hundred soldiers stout  
In glistering azure arms, adorned with gold:  
And these their quarters 'bout the trench must hold.  
They spread themselves, change turns, laid on the ground,  
And wine in bowls they all carouse profound,  
Making huge fires, in mirth and much delight  
Breaking their sleep, and wasting (thus) the night.  
These things the Trojans from their trenches spy,  
And armed, all do keep themselves on high:  
Yet with great care and fear the gates they guard,  
With bridges and strong barricadoes barred,  
Still armed: brave Mnestheus and Serestus stout,  
Whom in all straits and cases of great doubt,  
Aeneas o'er his youth chief guidance gave,  
And made commanders bravely them behave.  
Each band abode in watch upon the wall,  
And took his turn as dangers did them call.  
Courageous Nisus strongly kept one gate,  
Whom Ida's huntress sent, Aeneas mate,  
By Hyrtacus his father bravely bred,  
At bow and arrows well experienced.  
Next him Euryalus, his faithful friend,  
Whose beauteous countenance did him commend  
Past all the Trojans, but no arms did bear,  
For yet smooth unshaven down his chin did wear.  
Each loved alike, and each for other fought,  
Each kept the gate by course with courage stout.  
Thus then says Nisus to Euryalus;  
Dear brother, have the Gods inflamed thus  
Our hearts with love? or is man's genius high  
A God unto himself? Long time have I  
Been moved in mind, some fight or fact most great  
To enterprise; nor can I quench this heat.  
Thou seest those proud Rutulians' hopes most high,  
Their various fires, how they even buried lie  
In wine and sleep, how all all-o're is still:  
Now mark, I pray, what doubts my heart do fill,  
And whereon now I muse and meditate:  
Does not our army now expostulate?  
Both peers and people, with a joint consent,  
To call Aeneas home incontinent,  
Send men and messages of our estate,  
Him to inform. If they'll remunerate  
Thee for the fact which now I'll undertake,  
(For to myself fame shall requital make)  
Me thinks I could break through our enemies,  
And by that bank a passage enterprise  
To Pallanteum. Fair Euryalus  
Hereat astonished, yet most valorous,  
With love of la●d inflamed, says with brave mind  
To his endeared friend; My Nisus kind,  
Wouldst thou thy mate in great facts leave behind?  
Should I in such great straits leave thee alone?  
No sure, my father (as it is well known)  
Opheltes, well in wars experienced,  
Hath me not therein so absurdly bred,  
In all our Grecian terrors, Trojan toils,  
Nor hath mine honour yet received such foils,  
Following Aeneas brave in's utmost ill.  
I want not courage, no, I want not will,  
To scorn this light, yea life itself for thee,  
To welcome death, that thou mayst honoured be.  
Surely, says Nisus, never did I fear  
Such things in thee: oh no, it impious were  
So to suspect. O may great jove above  
So link me firmly to thy faithful love:  
Or any equall-sighted deity,  
Observing herein my sincerity.  
But if there should (as such things oft fall out)  
If there should happen any adverse doubt  
Or fatal danger; oh mayst thou survive  
Rather than I! worthier to rest alive:  
May one remain to snatch me from the fight,  
Or to redeem me to a funeral rite:  
Or, if this favour fortune me deny,  
Yet to me dead to frame an elegy,  
My hearse with some death-dues to dignify:  
Oh never may I to thy mother bring  
Cause of such woe, her wretched hands to wring:  
Thy mother dear, of many matrons best,  
Who durst for thee (fair youth) refuse sweet rest,  
Neglect the welcome of Troy's kind Acest.  
Euryalus replied, Thou ply'st in vain  
These vain excuses, constant I remain.  
Let's then (says he) make haste; and therewithal  
They stir about, and the next watchmen call;  
Who strait gave way, changed turns, and left their station;  
And thus with Nisus he makes properation  
To call their king. Now all the rest took rest,  
Their day-toiles (thus) with sweet sleep were redressed.  
Now Troy's prime peers, and youths of best respect,  
In council sat, state-business to direct;  
Consulting what to do, who news should bear  
Unto Aeneas. Leaning on their spear,  
They carefully do stand, in hand their shields,  
Just in the midst both of their camp and fields.  
Then Nisus and Euryalus most brave,  
Hastened unto them, and admittance crave,  
Saying they had a business great t' impart,  
Delay whereof might turn unto th●ir smart:  
Ascanius first them careful did receive,  
And unto Nisus to begin, gave leave.  
Thus than he spoke; Attend, brave Trojan peers,  
With moderate minds, and judge not by our years  
The motion we now make. Our Rutule foes  
O'ercome with wine and sleep, do them repose  
All snorting on the ground: and we have spied  
A place where we an ambush safe may hide,  
Open to th' gate which to the two-paths guides,  
The gate I say, near which the sea resides.  
Their scattered fires, huge fume and smoke upcast,  
Show that this happy hap may not be past  
Or pretermitted: and if you give way,  
T' Aeneas to Pallant'um pass we may:  
And this brave youth you'll see return again  
Enriched with spoils of foes defeated, slain:  
Nor can we (by this means) miss of our way.  
We saw and knew, by hunting every day  
I'th' bottom of deep dales, the river fair,  
And much o'th' town to which we would repair.  
Alethes, ripe in years, both grave and wise,  
Said, O our Gods, who Troy do patronise,  
As yet I see ye mind not to blot out  
Poor Trojans name, since such brave youths, so stout,  
Such valiant hearts ye still unto us raise.  
Thus speaking, on their necks his hands he lays,  
And holding both their hands, with tears of joy  
He thus says on; What praise, what prize can Troy  
Repay to you brave youths, of so rare parts?  
The Gods will best requi●e your due deserts:  
And good Aeneas will not be behind,  
Nor ripe Ascanius blot out of his mind  
Such meritorious deeds: yea and I will,  
(Says young Ascanius) for my joys ye fill,  
In my dear father's safe return to me:  
By our great Gods (Nisus) I swear to thee,  
And thy kind mate, by all our sacred kin,  
And by the aged Vesta's rites within,  
That whatsoever fate or fortune's mine,  
Into your bosoms it shall full incline:  
Call back my father; let me see his sight,  
And nothing then can me molest, affright.  
Two silver bowls richly engraven and wrought,  
Both which my father from Arisba brought,  
When it was ruined by Achilles bold:  
Two three-legged cups, two talents of pure gold,  
A basin brave, given by queen Dido fair:  
And if Italia chance to be our share,  
And we by conquest do enjoy that crown,  
And amongst us part the prey with high renown,  
Thou saw'st what horse, what arms, rich Turnus had:  
All those thou saw'st, thy valiant heart to glad:  
Assure thyself, brave Nisus shall be thine.  
Besides, my father hath twelve matrons fine,  
And captives twelve, with all their ornaments,  
And all king Latins lands and continents:  
All these my father shall bestow on thee.  
For thee, fair youth, whose years come nearest me,  
Thee in my bosom of best love I take,  
thou my companion in all states I'll make.  
No fame by facts will I without thee gain,  
In peace or war thy counsel shall be ta'en.  
To whom Euryalus made this reply;  
Fair sir, no time shall find me falsify  
My promise in such high designs as these:  
Yet fortune good or bad (as heaven shall please)  
May on us fall. But thee, this one thing I,  
'Bove all thy gifts, entreat most earnestly:  
I have a mother sprung from Priam's race,  
Whom neither Troy through its now captived case,  
Nor kind Acestes realm (poor heart) could stay,  
But with me she hath travelled all our way.  
Her I (alas!) now unsaluted leave,  
Ignorant what dire fate may to me cleave:  
By this dark night, and thy right hand I swear,  
That I could not her tender weeping bear,  
Upon our parting. ay thee therefore pray,  
In her distress to be her staff and stay,  
To help her in her need. If this request  
Thou to me grant, my heart will be at rest,  
And I the boldlier shall all hazards try.  
The Trojans hearts hereat melt instantly,  
Who fell aweeping: but Iülus chief,  
Touched at the heart, between great joy and grief,  
At this rare copy of connative love,  
Which in's affection this reply did move;  
I promise and protest, all said and done,  
Is highly worthy such an honoured son.  
Thy mother shall be mine, in all the same  
With my Creüsa, save alone in name:  
Nor such a son to have is honour small,  
Whats'ever issue do this fact befall.  
Now by this head I swear, by which before,  
My father upon oft occasions swore,  
What I thee promised, safe returned again,  
Shall to thy mother and thy kin remain.  
Thus weeping spoke he, and from's neck did take  
A rare gilt sword, which Lycaon did make  
With curious art, in ivory scabbard rare,  
Which he bestowed upon Eury'lus fair.  
To Nisus Mnestheus gave a lion's skin,  
Huge rough with hair, which had a conquest been:  
Friendly Alethes did his helm exchange.  
And thus they armed, valiantly forth range:  
Whom to the gates the Trojan gallants guide  
Both young and old, and them with prayers plied;  
Chiefly Ascanius, grave beyond green years,  
Expressing wisely manly filial fears,  
Follows them fast, with prayers and messages,  
Unto his father in their passages:  
But all (alas! they spoke) flew into th' air,  
And to the clouds in vain they vented are.  
Thus (then) gone forth, they o'er the trenches past,  
And by dark night to foes camp came at last;  
To many of them (first) dire death to bring.  
There allabout neglected lies each thing,  
The men laid on the grass, with wine and sleep  
O'er whelmed all, no watch their carts do keep.  
Men amongst horseharnesse lay: here wine-pots stood,  
There armour lay: nothing in order good.  
Nisus hereat first to Euryalus said,  
Dear friend, our way must now with blows be made:  
This way we must; and lest assaults behind  
Do us infest, have thou a watchful mind,  
And keep a distance off, wide way I'll make,  
And all these vast impediments hence take.  
This said, he silent was; and instantly  
Upon proud Rhamnes he set furiously,  
Upon a rich wrought Arras carpet stretched:  
Who in a deep-drunk sleep, his last breath fetch't:  
A king and soothsayer, which king Turnus joyed,  
But soothsaying could not this great mischief void.  
Three of whose servants lying near were slain,  
And Rhemus page and coachman quickly ta'en,  
Under his horses. Both whom he left dead,  
Cut both their throats, cut off their master's head,  
Leaving his headless trunk tumbling i'th' mire,  
Soiled with black blood his soul and breath t'expire,  
And to sigh out: the beds and ground about,  
Reaking warm fumes, with gore that gushed out:  
Besides, Lamirus, Lamus, Serranus  
A brave young spark, that night most riotous,  
With Bacchus' drunken bands his body bound:  
Happy, had he all night been playing found,  
Even until day. But ravening lion-like,  
(For famine fierce made him the sheepfold strike)  
Infesting all the flock, he tears and spoils  
The silly sheep, and chaps with blood besoiles,  
Whiles they lie mute for fear: no less also  
Euryalus with slaughter on doth go:  
And he in wrath raging, about him lays.  
And numbers of the nameless vulgars' slays:  
Hebesus, Fadus, Rhoetus, Abaris,  
He unawares did cause deaths cup to kiss.  
But Rhoetus was awake, and all this eyed,  
And (base) behind a huge bowl did him hide  
From his fierce foe: who seen, was followed fast,  
And with a fierce full wound his weapon passed  
Into his sheathing corpse, with which deep blow  
His crimson gory soul doth belching flow,  
And fly away, mixing his blood and wine:  
Thus hotly he by stealth doth on incline.  
And now unto Messapus mates he came,  
And found their fires lifting their latest flame,  
And all their horse at grass about them tied.  
Then briefly thus says Nisus (for he spied  
Euryalus to too much wrath inclined,  
And nought but blood and slaughter still to mind)  
Let's now surcease, says he, for tell-tale day  
Hastens upon us, and we must away.  
Enough revenge we now exhausted have,  
And through our foes our passage purchased brave.  
Much wealth they left behind, silver and gold,  
Rich arms, rare bowls, fair carpets to behold.  
Euryalus had from king Rhamnes ta'en  
Rich gold-bost trappings, when he had him slain,  
And golden girts, which wealthy Caedicus  
At the league linking, sent to Remulus,  
As friendly gifts; and which he dying gave  
Unto his nephew, after death to have:  
But he being dead, the Rutuls got that prey  
In war: Euryalus took these away,  
And, but in vain, upon his shoulders strong  
With courage brave bore them with him along;  
Messapus handsome helm, with comely crest,  
Fitting him well, he wore. Thus then addressed,  
They passed the camp, and on securely went.  
Meanwhile a troop of horse, which forth were sent  
Out of Latinus town, whiles all the rest  
Of th' armed bands stayed in the camp addressed,  
Passed on unto king Turnus, to declare  
The message sent: three hundred men there were,  
All bravely armed, Volscens their General.  
Who now drew near the camp approached the wall,  
When those far off did both those two perceive,  
Hastily them on the left hand to leave:  
And young Euryalus his helmet gay  
By the night's glimmering light did them betray.  
He most unmindful of the glistering brightness,  
The helmet did reflect against least lightness.  
Which fairly seen, Volscens aloud did say;  
Stay, masters, stay, why pass ye on this way?  
Why are ye armed? and whither are ye bound?  
They answered nought, but swift away they wound,  
And scud into the wood, hoping dark night  
Would them advantage, thus to scape by flight.  
The horsemen 'bout known-turning paths do lie,  
And here and there each passage fortify  
With a strong guard. The wood was wide, o'ergrown,  
Full of great oaks and prickly bushes known,  
And scratching briers and brambles: and thereby  
Ways were shut up, and paths most hard to spy,  
And shade of trees and heavy weight of spoils  
Molest Euryalus with tedious toils,  
And ignorance o'th' way did him delude.  
But Nisus got away, his foes eschewed,  
And unadvised had escaped that place,  
(Not thinking on Euryalus his case)  
Which afterward was called from Alba fair,  
Albanus, where king Latins stables rare  
Were situated. Nisus here made stay,  
And (but in vain) finding his friend away,  
O where (says he) Euryalus, have I,  
Unhappy I, thee left in misery?  
O whither should I go to follow thee?  
Strait hereupon, away he back doth flee  
Through those perplexed paths, pries all about  
The crooked woods false creeks and nooks throughout:  
Observes each passage as he backward goes,  
And through thick thickets, where no way he knows.  
Horses he hears, he hears a noise at last,  
And signs of some at heels him following fast.  
Nor was it long ere clamours came to's ears,  
Nor ere Euryalus poor case appears;  
Whom all the band (through error of the place,  
And darksome night, and coming-on apace▪  
Of th'enemy swiftly and suddenly)  
Had now surprised, yet fight valiantly.  
And what should he do now? what strength express?  
What force to free the young man from distress?  
What? should he dying rush i'th' midst of's foes?  
By honoured death make haste his life to lose?  
Advancing strait his arm, shaking his lance,  
Thus to the Moon he did his votes advance;  
Fair Goddess, thou, thou seest our present woe,  
Help us this danger great to undergo;  
O thou stars state, wood's warder, daughter fair  
Of Titan bright! if on thine altars rare  
My father Hyrtacus did e'er for me  
Presents present; if I myself to thee  
In hunting have augmented thine oblations,  
And on thy scutcheon hung due adornations,  
Great graceful gifts on sacred posts made fast:  
Grant then, I pray, I may (at least) at last  
Vex and perplex this troop most turbulent,  
Do thou my darts direct to that intent.  
Thus having said and prayed, with all his might  
He cast a dart, which pierced black shades of night,  
And flying, lighted on and broke in twain  
Great Solmons targe, piercing with mortal pain  
His vital part, his heart, he's overthrown,  
And with a deep▪ and heart-string-breaking groan  
Disgorged a flood of lukewarm blood, and strait  
He waxed cold, because inanimate.  
The soldiers divers ways do look about,  
And see a fiercer than the first fly out:  
For he by's ear levelled another dart;  
Which, whiles they troubled stood, with fatal smart  
Whistlingly flying, Tagus' temples twain  
Did penetrate, and stuck fast in his brain.  
Volscens hereat grew violent and mad,  
Not knowing th' author of these facts so bad,  
Nor upon whom deserved revenge to take.  
But as for thee (says he) I'll surely make  
Thy blood requite the death of both my friends:  
Thus at Euryalus his sword he bends.  
Strait noble Nisus thereat much molested,  
In rage cries out (seeing his friend infested,  
Himself not willing longer now to hide,  
Or so great sorrow in his friend to 'bide)  
'Twas I, Rutulians', I that did the deed:  
Here, here I am, against me, me proceed,  
And set your swords on me, revenge to take,  
My hand and heart did all this mischief make:  
He durst not do this deed, alas not he,  
Nor could he do it (by these heavens you see,  
And testifying stars, I truth protest)  
Only his love he hath too much expressed  
Unto his friend, me his unhappy friend.  
These words he spoke, but they their swords do bend  
With utmost force against Euryalus:  
And through his sides with rancour venomous  
They pierce his heart, and he falls down stark dead:  
Whose hearts gorebloud doth all his parts o'erspread.  
His neck between his shoulders doubled lay:  
Even as the plough, to make his furrowed way,  
Cuts down a violet fair, which withering dies;  
Or like tall poppy, which by showers from skies  
O'relaid, from its weak neck hangs down the head.  
But Nisus nobly shaking off all dread,  
Burst into thickest foes, and singles out,  
From all the rest, their leader Volscens stout.  
With whom alone he would the combat try:  
About both whom the total troop doth fly,  
And near at hand, still Nisus they molest,  
Who nimbly still stomach and strength expressed:  
And bravely whisked about his bloody blade,  
Till this Rutulian crying loud, dismayed,  
He sheathed his sword in's mouth, thrust down his throat,  
And made his soul sing a harsh dying note.  
Himself being wounded mortally also,  
O'er his friend's body he himself did throw,  
And so at last in pleasing rest expired,  
Both fortunate, both in their love admired.  
If my poor lays their praise could dignify,  
No age should e'er blot out their memory,  
As long as brave Aeneas kin remain,  
And Rome her Capitol shall firm sustain,  
And Romans o'er the world have empery;  
So long my lines their loves should magnify.  
The sad Rutulians' with their spoils and prey,  
(Though conquerors) unto their camp convey  
Their Volscens slain, with many a weeping eye,  
And for king Rhamnes fatal destiny,  
And for Serranus and stout Numa slain,  
As they the first assault did well maintain:  
A mighty confluence of people came  
About the corpse, flocking to see the same,  
To see their half-dead friends, the bloody place,  
And streams of foamy gore flowing apace.  
They know the spoils, Messapus helmet bright,  
The trappings fair regained with sweaty fight.  
And now Aurora rare relinquished  
Her earthly Tithonus' saffron-coloured bed,  
And with fresh light the earth had garnished gay,  
And Sol, now up▪ all hid things did display.  
Turnus completely armed, his men incites  
To arms, and to fierce skirmishes invites.  
Each soldier calls his mate, and various words  
Of those last facts whet both their hearts and swords.  
The heads beside (a woeful sight to see)  
Of Nisus and Euryalus fastened be  
To th' tops of two tall poles, and carried high  
With mighty clamours of the armies cry.  
The Trojans indefatigabely stand,  
And on the citie-walls to the left hand  
They bend their armed bands (for on the right  
The river running hedged them in with might)  
The ditches they defend, and on high towers  
In mournful manner stood their Martial powers,  
Before their eyes the men's two-heads being placed,  
(Sorrows too well known signs) both much defaced  
With filth and blood. Meanwhile doth winged fame  
Throughout the trembling town divulge the same,  
And to the mother of Euryalus  
Relates these things: she most calamitous  
Straight fell into cold sweats and shivering fears,  
Let fall her wheel and spindle, le's fall tears,  
And woefully flies out, cries out apace  
With womanish loud screeks, in piteous case  
Tearing her hair, and frantically ascending  
The citie-walls, her hasty courses bending  
To the first watch, regardless of whatsoever,  
She neither men, nor darts, nor death doth fear.  
But thus she fills the heavens with plaints and cries;  
On thee, Euryalus, cast I mine eyes?  
And art thou he shouldst be the staff and stay  
Of mine old age? and couldst thou run away,  
(Hardhearted boy) and leave me all alone?  
Might not thy woeful mother first have known  
Thy parting hence, and ta'en last sad farewell,  
Before such bitter dangers thee befell?  
Alas! thou unknown land, alas for thee,  
That thou a prey to birds and beasts shouldst be:  
I brought thee not to this sad funeral,  
Nor shed salt tears to rensh thy corpse withal,  
Thy body in pure linen clothes to lay,  
Which thriftily I wrought on night and day,  
My aged days and cares to pass away.  
Whither, dear son, shall I now follow thee?  
Tell me where thy dismembered members be.  
Where are thy parted parts, thy joints disjoined?  
Where, in what land may I thee buried find?  
Bring'st thou (my son) this woeful news to me?  
Have I for this, through sea, land, followed thee?  
You rough Rutulians', if least love you have,  
Lest pity you possess, on me, I crave,  
On me, I pray you, shower out all your darts:  
Let all your swords end all my living smarts.  
Or else do thou, great jove, now stand my friend,  
And with thy stroke, my hateful life now end,  
Since I no otherwise can end these woes.  
From her great grief, o'er all the camp arose  
An universal sorrow, loud lament,  
Their former courage now seems dull and spent.  
As thus her sorrows did incense their grief,  
Actor, Idae●s, two brave Trojans chief,  
Advised thereto by wise Ilioneus,  
And sorely weeping young Ascanius,  
Took her up strait, and in their arms her bare  
Into the house, and there of her took care.  
But now brass trumpets sounded shrill alarms,  
Cries fly to th' skies, and blustering stir to arms,  
The Volscians close their shields together knit,  
To hide their heads; and hastily them fit  
To fill the dikes, the trenches down to tear:  
For passage, some to th' walls their ladders rear,  
On that side where the army was not great,  
And where their troops were thin, and not complete.  
The nimble Trojans, on the other side,  
Accustomed long besieged br●nts to 'bide,  
Do all their engines and their arms retort,  
And with strong pikes thrust them from walls and fort.  
And with huge ponderous stones tumble them back,  
Thus, if they might, their pendhouse shields to crack,  
And break in sunder, they now having tried  
All hazards, under their thick shields to 'bide.  
But all too weak: for where most heaps collected,  
The Trojans there a powdering pile dejected:  
Which rolling, rumbling down, with wondrous weight,  
Did beat and batter the Rutulians' strait,  
Their targets tou●h and strong unbound and broke;  
Forcing Rutulians' (maugre former crack)  
To fear, forbear sight under blindfold shields:  
And leaving stratagems, i'th' open fields,  
With wingy shafts, they now with courage stout  
Contend, and from their trench to beat them out.  
On one side, proud Mezentius, with fierce look,  
His huge Etruscan flaming pine-lance shook:  
On th' other side, Messapus, rider rare,  
Whose royal race sprang from great Neptune fair,  
Broke into th'trench, for scaling ladders calls,  
To keep his hold, and to ascend the walls.  
O see fair Nine, Calliope, I pray,  
Grace with your graceful aid my warbled lay,  
That ● may sing and show what slaughters great,  
What grave heaps Turnus made in Martial heat,  
What souls he sent to hell: help me, I pray,  
These mighty battle's issues to display.  
For ye, fair ladies, can them promptly tell,  
And ye have power to express them well.  
There was a skie-topt fort, with scaffolds high,  
And situated adventagiously,  
Which the Italians with their utmost strength  
Assaulted fiercely, to o'erthrow at length;  
And which the Trojans on the other side,  
With thrown-down stones to safeguard did provide,  
And through the loopholes shooted showers of darts.  
But Turnus chiefly, and his Martial hearts,  
Fierce fire-balls threw, which against the walls did stick,  
And helped with winds, burnt up the boards most quick,  
And on the weatherbeaten posts took hold.  
The troubled Trojans hearts within waxed cold,  
And fain they would these pressing ills have fled,  
But saw in vain they all endeavoured.  
They drew up then in heaps, retreating strait,  
Whereas no fire was flung; then with huge weight  
The thus assaulted fort praecipitate,  
Came tumbling down with thundering noise to th' sky,  
In whose fierce fall with extreme misery  
Men were dashed down half dead, unto the ground,  
And their own weapons did themselves confound,  
And wooden splinters did them pierce and wound:  
Helenor only and Lycus likewise  
Did hardly scape, and from that mischief rise;  
Helenors' years him eldership allot,  
King Maeons' son, upon his maid begot,  
And by her nursed in secret; after, sent  
To Troy to th' wars, without allowed consent:  
He scaped (I say) with's naked sword, most poor,  
And on his arm a shield ignobly bore.  
Who when he saw himself surrounded quite  
With Turnus' troops and Latin bands, in bright  
And glistering arms, on both sides spread about:  
Like a wilde-beast, whom huntsmen with great shout  
Do hedge in round, seeing himself beset,  
Against their tools and toils doth rage and fret,  
And on expected death doth rudely lip,  
And desperately on snares and grins doth skip:  
So this (now) lusty lad, fearless to die,  
Into the midst of's foes doth fiercely fly;  
Even where he saw their swords and shields most thick.  
But Lycus being of foot more light and quick,  
Betook him to his heels, through thickest bands  
Fled to the walls, strove there with feet and hands  
To clamber up, hopeful of help from's friends:  
Whom Turnus following, at him fiercely bends  
A deadly dart: and like a conqueror stout  
With these like chafing terms to him cries out;  
Thou frantic fool, think'st thou our hands to flee?  
Supposest thou from us secure to be?  
And with those words (as he did upward crawl)  
He pulled him down, and with him, part o'th' wall:  
Much like an eagle preying on a hare,  
Or some white swan rising up into th' air,  
Fiercely pulled down by th' eagle's talons strong:  
Or like a ravening wolf, whose chaps do long  
To lick the blood of the poor bleating lamb,  
And therefore in the stall pulls him from's dam.  
From all parts clamours rise, assaults are made,  
With rubbish heaps the dikes are level laid.  
Fierce flaming brands to houses tops are cast.  
But as Leucetius to the gates came fast.  
To fire the same, Troy's Ilioneus brave  
With a huge stone a deadly pelt him gave:  
When valiantly Liger Emathion slew:  
Asylas made death Chorineus due;  
The one at darts, th'other at shafts excelled:  
Caeneus stout by death Ortygius quelled:  
Turnus, the victor Caenevi did slay;  
Clonius and Itys he with death did pay:  
Dioxippus and Promulus most stout,  
And Sagaris and Ida holding out  
Worthily on the wall: but Capys brave  
Privernus killed: and him Themilla gave  
A light wound with his lance, who instantly  
Threw his shield from him, and most foolishly  
Claps his hand on the wound; whereat most fierce  
A winged shaft his left-side ribs did pierce,  
And nailed his hand unto his wounded side,  
And bored his breathing lights, wherewith he died.  
Brave Arcens son stood there in battle ray,  
Clad in a coat of needlework most gay,  
Of a dark Spanish-purple colour rare,  
Himself of lovely look and countenance fair:  
Whom Arcens, his great sire, to wars had sent,  
Bred up in Mars his grove, near the current  
Of Sym●ths flood, where is the altar fair,  
And full of presents, of Palicus rare.  
Mezentius bold, his lance being laid aside,  
A whistling sling up took, with Martial pride,  
And swung it thrice most fiercely 'bout his head:  
The leaden bullet, as it swiftly fled,  
Melted i'th' air, and dashed him on the pate,  
And dead, upon the sands laid him prostrate.  
Ascanius then for his first enterprise,  
Is said to fling a shaft in Marshal wise,  
Who formerly wilde-beasts was wont to fright,  
Wherewith Numanus he did deadly smite,  
Who was surnamed Remulus: this same,  
Turnus his younger sister, a fair dame,  
Did lately wed: he in the forefront loud  
Vaunting vain and vile things with spirit proud,  
Unworthy our relation, struck with fear  
Of kindred new, the kingdom's rule to bear,  
Went up and down, boasting with haughty din,  
As if some princely pers'nage he had been:  
Twitting the Trojans thus; Base cowards all,  
Shame ye not to sit mewed up in a wall?  
To be immured in trenches now again,  
Twice captived Phrygians? think ye (but in vain)  
By walls to scape from death? I pray behold,  
What gallant lads are these, that dare be bold  
By wars to get our wives! what destiny?  
What madness great drove you to Italy?  
Here are not Greeks Atrides tired rout,  
No false Ulysses tongues to feign and flout.  
We are a people tough from rough stocks stem:  
Our children at the first we make to swim  
In frozen floods, and harden them thereby:  
Our boys are bred to rare activity;  
In hunting beasts, and them i'th' woods to tire,  
To ride great horse, is sport which they desire;  
And horny darts to cast they much affect.  
But constant at their work without neglect,  
Small wealth our youth contents; and either they  
With rakes and ploughs do make the ground obey  
Their thrifty wills, or towns with war suppress.  
Thus every age doth it to steel address:  
Yea even in peace our spears we hold in hand,  
Working our cattle ploughing up our land:  
Nor does weak old-age weaken our stout minds,  
Make valour vanish: but each gray-hairs binds  
His helm unto his head, fresh spoils and prey  
With sword and shield daily to bear away.  
But as for you, your cloathsare rich and rare,  
Of purple hues, embroidered all most fair,  
Signs of your lazy minds▪ and your delights  
In wanton dance are, fond carpet-knights:  
In jackets short, with sleeves most delicate,  
And hairlace, bongrace, most effeminate.  
Fond Phrygian females (masculines y'are none)  
Gad to your Dindyms high hills every one,  
Whereas your various-vain pipes sounds do call  
You to your wont wanton dance all:  
Your Idaean mother, Berecynthia fair,  
To make you sport, doth taber and pipe prepare:  
Let arms alone to men, touch not steel-swords.  
Him vaunting thus with bold and bitter words  
Ascanius brave no longer could forbear,  
But he his horse-hide bow strait up doth rear,  
His shaft set ready: and his arms stretched out,  
To jupiter he prays with courage stout;  
All-potent jove, my bold beginnings aid,  
And on thine altar shall vowed gifts be paid;  
A fair fat bull with gilded horns most high,  
And a young calf like his dam, lustily  
Bearing his head, whose pace makes dust to fly.  
jove heard from heaven, and from a sky most clear  
Ascanius did a prosperous thunder hear.  
Whose bow therewith set ready at full bent,  
A deadly arrow fiercely forth he sent:  
The whistling shaft through th' air took nimble flight,  
And on proud Remulus his pate did light,  
Piercing his brains: Go (says the young prince stout)  
Go on, true virtue with vain brags to flout.  
Twice-captived Phrygians send Rutulians' thus  
This answer. Thus did brave Ascanius.  
The Trojans with loud cries second the same,  
Fiercely fly on, spurred with affected fame.  
As than it happed, Apollo sagely sitting  
Upon a cloud i'th' open air befitting,  
Beheld th' Italian troops and Trojan town,  
And thus t' Iülus said, to's high renown;  
Go on, brave spark, rare virtues to augment,  
Thus fame shall raise thee to heaven's firmament:  
Fair son, and future sire of Gods most great,  
All following bloody broils most boisterous heat,  
Shall by the fates most due decree decrease  
Under great dardan's line, and end in peace:  
Troy can thee not contain. And this being said,  
Down from the skies his way he smoothly made:  
And doffing all aire-puffing vapours quite,  
He kindly came into Ascanius' sight,  
And on him took old Butes shape and face,  
(He heretofore enjoyed the honoured place  
Of Troy's Anchises page, and guardian just  
Of temple rites) and as a mate of trust  
The aged sire Ascanius' sociates.  
In every thing Apollo imitates  
An old-man right, as he along did go,  
In countenance, colour, and grey locks also,  
In rattling Martial armour dressed; and thus  
And thus he spoke t'enflamed Ascanius;  
Let it suffice thee, brave Aeneas son,  
What thou hast freely on Numanus done;  
He slain, thou safe: now then for thy first praise,  
Apollo great doth crown thee with due bays,  
And envies not thy imitating arms;  
Yet wills thee, war forbear, from future harms.  
Thus spoke Apollo; having spoke, departed,  
And from man's fight into th'clear air he darted.  
The Trojan peers knew him a God to be,  
When they his arms divine and shafts did see  
In's rattling quiver, as he flew away.  
Wherefore Apollo's words and will t'obey,  
Ascanius, fierce to fight, they all restrain,  
And to th'encounter they return again,  
Trusting their lives in dangers imminent.  
A mighty clamour through their trenches went,  
They bend their trusty bows, fierce arrows fly,  
And thick upon the ground they strewed lie:  
And shields and hollow helms make clanging sound  
With clattering shafts, whose blows from them rebound.  
And now fierce fight begins, like mighty showers  
Which boedean Western stars upon earth pours,  
And thick as clouds of hail, quick rattling down,  
When jupiter with winter storms doth frown,  
And with a thunderclap the clouds doth pierce.  
Even so the Trojans shower out shafts most fierce;  
Bitias and Pandarus, whom Hiera fair  
A wood nymph, to Idaean Alcnor bare,  
In joves' great grove, two brethren strong and stout,  
As tall as trees; as mounts, hard to hold out.  
These two were set the gate to guard, set open,  
And both well armed, they voluntarily  
Their foes with them t'encounter did defy.  
They on the right and left hand stoutly stood,  
In stead of two great bulwarks strong and good,  
Armed with their swords and glistering helms on head,  
Like two most mighty oaks with boughs o'erspread▪  
Whose unlopt tops ascend up into th' air,  
About moist Padus banks, Athesis fair.  
No sooner saw Rutulians' open way,  
But rashly they rush in without delay.  
Querceus and fair Equicolus, all armed,  
Tmarus, stout Haemon, but all sorely harmed,  
Headlong they haste with all their troops and strength:  
But either were all beaten back, at length,  
Or at the gate did gasp their latest breath,  
And, maugre all their might, were pressed to death.  
And as their rage increased, so Trojans stout  
Did valiantly assemble thereabout,  
And bravely skirmish, and adventure far:  
And as elsewhere stout Turnus hot did war,  
Fretting, affrighting them, news was him brought,  
That with fresh slaughters Trojan foes were fraught,  
And fleshed, and had their gate set open to fight.  
Hereat his work in hand forsaking quite,  
Inflamed with quenchless rage, he thither flies,  
And to the Trojan open gate he hies,  
And those proud brethren both but first of all  
(For he first met him) Antiphates tall,  
Born of a Theban dame, but the base son  
Of great Sarpedon, on whom he did run,  
And smote him with his dart, th' Italian horn  
Whistling through th' air, pierced through his corpse forlorn:  
Whose hollow wound vented much black gorebloud,  
And in his heart the warm dart fixed stood.  
Then Meropes and Erymantha strong,  
Aphidnus stout, by death he laid along▪  
Bitias, with frightful face and fretful heart,  
He then did make to taste deaths direful smart,  
Not with a sha●t (a shaft could him not kill)  
But with a mighty dart, thrown with strong skill;  
Which stuffed with wildfire, flew like lightning fierce,  
And through two tough bulls hides would stiffly pierce,  
And penetrate double steel-folds, in shields,  
Though lined with gold: herewith to death he yields.  
His mighty members ruinated fall,  
And make the earth to tremble therewithal,  
And crushed his target with a thundering din:  
Much like the stony pile, when men begin  
To build the Baian banks by Cuma's town,  
Which suddenly all tumbles headlong down:  
And all the former frame and mighty heap  
Fallen plump i'th' sea▪ makes the waves dance and leap▪  
And thus sunk down i'th' waves, it sticks and stands,  
Rowls billows up, and cleaves and heaves the sands.  
The noise whereof Prochyta's●sle ●sle made shake,  
And all the adjacent huge mounts to quake.  
Here Mars armipotent poured courage great  
Into the Latins hearts, and Martial heat;  
And filled the Trojans minds with fear and flight.  
And now they flock together to the fight,  
And now the God of war and Martial spite  
Reigns in their hearts. But now, when Pandarus  
Saw his dear brother to be conquered thus,  
How their affairs and fortune ticklish stood;  
With all the haste and struggling strength he could,  
Shoving with's shoulders, close he locks the gate,  
And bolts and bars it fast; and many a mate  
He thus locked out, and left to fatal fight:  
But others he locked in, safeguarded quite  
From rage of foes. But O how mad was he  
Which could not Turnus fiercely entering see  
Amongst them closed, not with an army great,  
But singly shut up in the thronging heat,  
Like a fierce tiger, feeble flocks to eat!  
But suddenly bright light their eyes did clear,  
And who he was did speedily appear  
By his rough rattling arms, his blood-red crest,  
And shield, which bright fire-flaming shines expressed.  
The Trojans hereat stupifi'de, did know  
His hateful face, and limbs that hugely grow.  
Then great Pandarus unto him drew near,  
Vexed for the slaughter of his brother dear,  
Thus to him said; Nay sir, good sir, I pray,  
This is no dowry of your queen Amata,  
Nor do thy native Ardean walls thee close,  
But here thou seest thouart fenced in by thy foes,  
Imprisoned in their camps and custody:  
Whence there's no hope of redeliverie.  
Turnus, with haughty heart upon him smiling,  
Says, Sir, leave off thy brags and proud reviling▪  
Do thou begin: if any heart thou hast,  
Thy spite and spirit now declare thou may'st:  
Here thou shalt tell to thy king Priamus,  
That thou hast found Achilles valorous.  
Pandarus hereat took a knotty lance,  
And with his utmost strength did it advance  
Against king Turnus; which wind turned aside:  
(For from least wounding juno did it guide)  
And missing him, it stuck fast in the gate.  
But thou (says Turnus) shalt not find the fate  
To scape the force of my fierce slicing blade:  
This wound and weapon thou shalt not evade.  
And herewithal he raised his sword on high,  
And with his sword, himself, and furiously  
In sunder cut his brainpan, with the blow,  
And chaps his chaps, where yet no hair did grow.  
With a huge gash. A noise was raised to th' air,  
The earth even trembled with the weight it bore.  
His fal'n-down limbs and arms all-soiled with blood,  
O'erspread the ground, besmeared with brainy mud▪  
And in two equal parts lay his cleft head,  
This way and that way on each shoulder spread.  
The trembling Trojans hereat fled for fear:  
And had this victor's vigilance been clear,  
T'have broke the barred doors, let in his mates,  
That day had been the last for fight and fates  
To Trojans. But rough rage and rash desire  
Of slaughter, did so set his heart on fire,  
That he fell on his foes. And first of all,  
He Phalaris and Gyges forced to fall:  
And gathering up the darts from foes that fell,  
He did them at their flying backs repel:  
For (juno did his mind and might augment)  
Against Halys next and Phegeus both he bend  
His Martial rage, and those that on the wall  
Were fight fierce, not knowing ought at all  
What he had done below, there dead he laid;  
Alcander, Halius, Prytanis, he made  
Death's underlings: and whiles that Lynceus stout  
Did bravely fight, and recollect the rout  
Of flying mates, and o'er the trenches went,  
He him with brandished sword did soon prevent,  
And hand to hand fight, with one fierce blow  
Cut off his head, and helm and corpse laid low:  
Then valiant Amycus he set upon,  
A hunter brave, than whom there was not one  
More fortunate, or of more art and skill,  
Who used wilde-beasts with poisoned darts to kill.  
And Clytius and Aeolides he slew,  
And Cretea, friend unto Parnassus' crew;  
The Muse's mate Cretea, whose delight  
Was on rare instruments his lays t' indite,  
And to his harp melodious songs to sing  
Of steeds, of wars, and facts of many a king.  
But when at last the Trojan lord did hear  
The slaughters great which amongst the soldiers were;  
Mnesth●us and stout Serestus thither went,  
And saw their men with frights and fears nigh spent,  
And yet their foe enclosed. Strait Mnestheus said;  
Sirs, whither fly ye, scud ye, thus afraid?  
What better walls or bulwarks would ye have?  
What? shall one single man you thus outbrave?  
And even within your citie-walls surrounded,  
Shall so many by slaughter be confounded  
Within your town, and he unpunished go?  
Shall he so many choice youth's overthrow?  
Shame ye not thus extremely to disgrace  
Your most unhappy woeful countrey● case!  
Your household Gods and your Aeneas great!  
Do you not blush at such a base retreat?  
The Trojans fired with these words, stand fast,  
And in great heaps conglomerate at last.  
Turnus thereat shrinks backward by degrees,  
And to that side retreats, on which he sees  
The fluent flood to run. The Trojans, they  
So much the fiercelier force him on that way;  
And with great shouts their companies augment.  
Much like a troop of men, who having penned  
A furious lion, and with swords beset,  
He therewith terrifi'de doth rage and f●e●:  
Shielding all sharp assaults, he back doth stride,  
But neither rage nor courage can abide  
To turn the back and fly, nor yet t' oppose  
(Being overcharged with troops) he hardly knows.  
This though he would and could, yet may 't not be;  
Therefore through foes and swords way forceth he:  
Directly thus doth Turnus back retire,  
With doubtful, yet undaunted steps; with ire  
His heart is heated: as thus slow he goes,  
He twice assaults the thickest of his foes:  
And twice by flight about the walls them frighted:  
But now from all their tents the troops united,  
Against whose force not Juno's self sufficed:  
jove therefore airy Iri● strait advised  
With taunting terms to tell his sister fair,  
That some should smart, if she took not quick care,  
To hasten Turnus from the Trojan towers.  
With targe therefore he could not shield the showers,  
Nor with his hand resist the Trojans blows,  
So thick flew shafts about: so hotly grows  
The fight, that arrows seem him to overwhelm,  
And tinkling tangs make on his hollow helm:  
And storms of stones his brazen cap so batter,  
And all his plumy crest so tear and shatter,  
That all the brazen bosses prove too weak,  
But that their thick quick blows it bruise and break.  
The Trojans still their rage ingeminate:  
With spear and shield Mnestheus do●h fulminate,  
And all his body o'er is on a sweat.  
Hence Turnus takes no breath from toils most great▪  
But clammy drops of pichy sweat distil,  
And all his tired joints with fainting fill:  
So that at last himself he headlong throws  
Into the river (spite of all his foes)  
Whose floods him friendly took, and smoothly glide,  
And set him safe with's mates on th' other side.  
An end of the nineth book of Virgil's Aeneïds.   

THE ARGUMENT of the tenth book.  
The Gods convoke a parliament,  
'Bout man's affairs their cares are bend.  
Rutulians' do the fight maintain.  
Aeneas now returns again  
Unto his mates, with ample aid.  
On both sides fierce assaults are made▪  
In battle Turnus Pallas slays,  
And numbers dead about him lays.  
But Juno snatcheth Turnus thence,  
Endangered by his violence.  
Aeneas with most Martial might  
Doth with Mezentius fiercely fight.  
Lausus his son him rescuing, dies:  
Mezentius self is slain likewise.  
MEanwhile olympus daylight doors stand wide,  
And now great jove, God's sire, and man's grave guide,  
A council calls in his stelliferous seat.  
From whence he views vast earth and trenches great  
Of Trojans, and the lofty Latins rout,  
As i'th' two-gated hall they sat about.  
jove thus begins; Great Gods, what mean ye so  
Against your own decrees thus cross to go?  
Why strive ye partially against our fates?  
I had forbidden Latium all debates  
Against the Trojans: then, what discontent  
Is this, thus raised against our commandment?  
What fretful fear does those, or these incense,  
To use their swords and shields with violence?  
A time will come (you need not call for it)  
For just provoked battles far more fit:  
When as cursed Carthage shall Rome sore infest,  
And with her Alpean powers her much molest;  
Then may your rage rush out, with blood imbrued:  
But now forbear, and kindly peace conclude.  
Thus briefly jove: but golden Venus' fair  
Replies more largely, being full of care.  
Great fire of mortals and of God's supernal,  
The mighty moderator, wise, eternal;  
(For, but thy power, what else may more be had?)  
Thou seest how Rutuls rage, Turnus grows mad,  
Amidst fierce troops of horse made proudly glad  
In his successful war: the Trojans all  
Scarcely secure in their enclosing wall:  
Nay even within their walls and trenches strong  
Their foes fight safely, fiercely on them throng,  
Making their ditches gorebloud inundations:  
Absent Aeneas, of these desolations  
Utterly ignorant. Ah, shall they ever  
In strict besiegements restlessely persever?  
And must their foes again spoil springing Troy,  
Another Grecian army them annoy?  
And must a second Diomedes rise  
Against my Trojans? Sure (I think) thine eyes  
Behold my wounds: yet I thy heavenborn child,  
With mortal battles am still much turmoiled.  
But if without thy leave or fates consent  
To Italy they came, as insolent;  
Then let them smart, and strip them of all aid:  
But if they have the oracles obeyed,  
Which Gods and ghosts unto them oft have given;  
Why then hath any thus against them striven  
To cross thy great decrees? new fates to find?  
O why should I our fired fleet call to mind  
In Sicils shore? or how that blustering king  
Did from Aeolia winds and tempests bring,  
And painted lady Iris forced from skies?  
And now at last she made hell's hags to rise,  
(For this way only unattempted stayed)  
And to the heavens Allecto rise she made,  
Who on a sudden through all Italy  
Did madly rage, and rouse up cruelty.  
I'm not much moved at's empire: that's well ta'en,  
While fortune smiled: Whom thou wilt, let him reign.  
But if thy froward wife no land can spare  
Unto my Trojans; yet great father fair,  
By Troy's yet smoky cinders I thee pray,  
Grant that my nephew, my Ascanius, may  
Survive in safety, free from piercing arms:  
As for Aeneas, let him feel the harms  
Of unknown tossing waves and billowing seas,  
And wander where thou wilt, if so thou please:  
But let me save his son from wars dire woes.  
I have fair cities fit for safe repose,  
Paphos and Amathus, and Cythera,  
Idalia fair, thither repair he may;  
There leaving arms, lead an ignoble life:  
Then may'st thou Carthage cause with Martial strife  
To vex all Italy: nought can oppose  
(If this may be) their Carthaginian foes.  
To what end hath he scaped wars mischiefs past?  
Why hath he fled through Grecian flames at last?  
Why hath he shunned so many dangers great,  
Which lands and swallowing seas did to him threat,  
Whiles he and his poor Trojans Latium sought,  
And Pergams' walls t'have reerected thought?  
Had it not better been t'have stayed in Troy,  
And seen their countries burning, last annoy?  
Sweet fire, let me thee for my Trojans pray,  
That they to Xanthus' streams, and Simois may  
Return again: revert, I thee Entreat,  
To Trojans poor their toils and travels great.  
Hereat queen juno grew most passionate,  
And unto Venus thus she burst out strait;  
Why from deep silence do you me constrain,  
And force me my hid griefs rip up again?  
Did any, either God or man, compel  
Your son Aeneas unto battles fell?  
Or for to make king Latin thus his foe?  
The fates (you say) to Latium forced you go:  
Well, be it so; yet I say otherwise,  
Cassandra forced him with mad fooleries.  
And yet did we him from his tents entice?  
Endangered he his life through our advice,  
By winds, at sea? did we his son incite  
Fierce war to wage, or on town-walls to fight?  
To make a league with adverse Tuscans stout,  
Or peaceful nations, thus with wars burst out?  
What God enforced this fraud? what did our might?  
Where now was juno? Iris cloudy flight?  
You say 'tis pity Italy should fire  
Your Trojan town, which did new life acquire;  
That Turnus should his native land maintain,  
Where's granfather Pilumnus once did reign▪  
And where his mother, fair Venilia  
The Goddess, dwelled. And why is't not, I pray,  
As great a pity that with bloody broil  
Your Trojans should infest our Latins soil?  
To plow in others fields, to catch the prey?  
From mother's bosoms thus to steal a way  
Betrothed virgins, wives by force t' obtain?  
Pray peace, by legates, yet wars prae-ordain?  
You could Aeneas from Greeks arms protect,  
Put for a man. a cloud; slight air inject;  
And to so many nymphs transform your fleet:  
Yet must it be supposed most unmeet  
For ours also your way, their weal to meet?  
Your son Aeneas, absent, knows not aught;  
Still may he absent be, and still know nought:  
You have a Paphos and Cythera fair,  
Why do you not then our fierce people spare?  
Whose hearts and homes are big with bloody broils,  
And once spurred up will hardly cease from spoils.  
Was't we that first o'erturned Troyes trivial treasure?  
Was't we, or he, that for his lustful pleasure  
Brought Greeks to your poor Trojans? what's the cause,  
That Europe, Asia, with wars greedy jaws  
Devour each other, marriage-rites being broke  
By filching filthy lust? did I provoke  
Th' adulterer of Troy the Spartan dame  
To force with him? did I incense the flame  
Of war with violence and venery?  
Then had it fitter been thus fearfully  
Their cases to condole: now 'tis too late  
To use such coined complaints, t' ejaculate  
Such unjust janglings. juno thus replied,  
Whose words the sacred synod did divide  
In various votes: much like the bustling wind,  
First puffing in a wood, by boughs confined,  
Makes a close rumbling murmur; whence, unknown:  
Whereby fierce following storms are seamen shown.  
jupiter then, who had prime power to speak,  
From further silence now began to break.  
Who speaking, all the court of Gods was still:  
Earth trembled, air did cease all echoing shrill:  
Fierce Western-windes, rough ocean-waves were laid.  
Mark well therefore (says he) what now is said.  
Since Trojans and Italians may not be  
With links of love, in one made to agree;  
Nor any hope we have to end your jars:  
whatever hope or hap ye have in wars,  
Enjoy the same on both sides: but to me  
Trojans, Rutulians', both alike shall be:  
So't shall be seen, whether by destiny  
The Trojans get firm ground in Italy;  
Or whether by an impious error led,  
And sinister conceits they ventured.  
I'll neither Trojans nor Rutulians' clear,  
For either side shall his own travels bear,  
And follow his own fortunes, shame or fame:  
Great jove their king will be to both the same.  
The fates will find a way. This here I vow,  
By my beloved brother's Stygian slow,  
By all those pichy floods and banks most black.  
Whereat he becked, and with a thunder-crack  
Olympus total frame extremely trembled.  
Here ceased the parley of all the Gods assembled.  
Then mighty jove rose from his golden throne,  
By all the Gods to's station tended on.  
Meanwhile the Rutules 'bout the gates were spread,  
Much men were slain, the walls were oft fired:  
Within theirtrenches Trojan bands were bound,  
And hard besieged: no hope of flight was found:  
And poorly on their forts in vain they stand,  
And fence their walls with a thin thrivelesse band.  
Asius Imbrasius son, Thymaetes stout  
Hictaons' son, two Trojans stood about;  
Two of king Tros his sons, and Caster old,  
The forefront kept, with the two brothers bold  
Of great Sarpedon; and Ethimon brave  
From Lycia land: these them attendance gave.  
Then Phrygian Acmon, son of Clytius great,  
Brother to Mnestheus, for his Martial heat  
Equal to either, with huge might and art  
Took up a mighty stone, a mounts best part.  
These strive with stones those to defend with shafts,  
With wildfire balls, and bow-mens' sinewy drafts.  
Himself i'th' midst, fair Venus' darling dear,  
Ascanius young, bareheaded did appear;  
(Much like a precious pearl fast fixed in gold,  
Gracing ones head or neck, rare to behold:  
Or as white ivory in black ebony,  
Inlaid by art, glisters resplendentlie)  
His milk-white neck with dangling locks o'erspread,  
Yet wreathed up in folds with golden thread.  
The noble nations (Ismarus) thee saw,  
With poisoned shafts mens hearts-bloud out to draw.  
Thou peerless prince, sprung from fair Lydia's land,  
Where Pactolus yields gold, a fruitful strand.  
Mnestheus was also there, whose grace was great,  
Who from their forts did Turnus lately beat.  
And Capys from Capua's town took name,  
They by fierce blows contending thus for fame.  
Aeneas crossed the foamy seas by night.  
For when he parted from Euanders' sight,  
And to Etruria came, he met the king,  
And to the king related every thing;  
His name and nation, whence and why he came,  
What strength Mezentius did unto him frame,  
King Turnus turbulence; man's fickle state;  
To shun delays, he than doth supplicate.  
Tarchon conjoins his powers, firm league doth make;  
Then they a foreign captain to them take,  
Freed from all fault therein, by destiny:  
And so a shipboard went immediately.  
Aeneas' ships the vanguard led along,  
The foredecks decked with Phrygian lions strong:  
Whose poop with Ida's painted mount was graced,  
A grateful guarding sign to Trojans chased.  
There great Aeneas sat, casting in mind,  
War's various events he's like to find.  
Prince Pallas with him sat on his left side,  
And now night stars he gazed, their ships to guide:  
Thinking what land and sea-toiles he did 'bide.  
And now set open (ye sacred Muses nine)  
Sweet Helicons fair fount, with power divine,  
To raise my lays to sing and show the might  
Which in Aeneas aid came now to fight,  
From fair Etruria bravely armed all,  
Transported over sea in ships most tall.  
Prince Massicus in's golden tiger sails:  
With him a thousand youths from Clusus dales,  
And Cosa's confines, skilful at the bow,  
Death-wounding shafts to shoot, and darts to throw.  
Fierce Abas in another vessel went,  
Whereon Apollo's figure excellent  
Glisteren with golden rays. His total rout  
Was full six hundred Martial soldiers stout,  
From Populonia their fair native soil:  
All expert youths, and fit for fight and spoil.  
From Ilva fair three hundred gallants came,  
A fertile country, metals strong to frame.  
Asylas a soothsayer the third place had,  
Whose divinations, birds and beasts were glad,  
And stars above, obediently to hear,  
And rapid lightnings all his votes to clear.  
An army of a thousand thick he led,  
At lances long and strong experienced.  
All these from fluent Alphins Pisas' came,  
A Tuscan town, ready to purchase fame:  
Next whom came on renowned Astur fair,  
Astur, for riding horses, expert, rare,  
Armed with most curious, various coloured arms.  
Three hundred of them (prompt for fierce alarms)  
Bred up in Caerets soil by Minions lands,  
Old Pyrgus and ill-aired Gravisca's strands.  
Nor may I thee omit, great Cycnus strong,  
Who bravely thy Ligurians leddest along;  
Nor thee, Cupavo, with thy army small,  
Whose helmets height was raised with swans-plumes; tall  
Your love your guilt began, and cognizance.  
For Cycnus (as 'tis said) the dire mischance  
Of his beloved Phaëthon bewailing,  
Among the poplars and the shades him vailing  
Of his dear leafie-sisters: as thus he  
Sat warbling out love-sighing melody,  
He turned was into a milk-white swan,  
Leaving the land and company of man,  
And flying up i'th' air with chattering voice.  
His son in's ships led troops of equal choice,  
And forced along with oars his centaur great,  
And thwacks the waves, and seems huge rocks to threat,  
Furrowing the mighty main with's vessel strong.  
Whom Ocnus followed with an army strong  
From's father's realm, esteemed a soothsayer wise,  
Whose birth from Tuscan river did arise,  
And Manto fair; and to his mother's fame  
The town and towers he Mantua did name;  
Mantua mighty in progenitors,  
But yet not all from lineal ancestors.  
This nation ruled three tribes, and under them  
Four mighty states made up that diadem:  
But this was the metropolis of all,  
From Tuscans blood came their original.  
And hence Mezentius against himself did arm  
●●ve hundred valiant sparks his pride to charm;  
Whom Mincius Benacs son, clothed in ripe reeds,  
In piercing pine-ships through rough seas proceeds,  
And leads along. Next went Auletes brave,  
Whose hundred branchy trees so slice each wave,  
And roll the rising floods with restless roar,  
As that they boil with foam at rocky shore.  
Him terrifying Triton strongly bare,  
Set in's sea-frighting coerule shelly chair,  
Whose upper parts from face unto the breast,  
Though rough and hairy, yet man's form expressed:  
From belly downward, a sea-monster foul,  
Who as he swims with fins, the waves doth roll  
Under his half-wilde breast, with rumbling roars,  
And foul slime-foamie billows to the shores.  
So many peers in thirty ships did sail,  
And plow the liquid soil, for Troy's avail.  
And now day spent, and night comen on apace,  
Night-gadding Cynthia with her whitely face  
Having past half the heavens in chariot fair;  
Aeneas (for he takes no rest for care)  
Sitting himself, the helm holds, sails does tend.  
And as they now i'th' midway onward bend,  
Behold the troop of sea-nymphs, once ship-mates,  
To whom fair Berecy●thi● ordinates'  
Seas sovereignty, of ships, them having made  
So many nymphs: these swimming to him, stayed;  
As many as at shore (when ships) did stand,  
So many know their king, and hand in hand  
About them dancing swim: of all which train,  
Cymodocea, ablest to explain  
And speak their minds, coming behind them all,  
With her right hand holds fast the ship most tall  
I'th' poop thereof, raising herself up●ight,  
With her left hand fleering her passage s●ight.  
Thus to him then unknown the sea-nymph spoke;  
Fair Goddess son, Aeneas, art th'awake?  
Awake then still, slacken thy ropes to sails,  
Give way to wind, enjoy these goodly gales.  
We once were sacred Ida's pine-trees fair,  
But now to nymphs we metamorphized are:  
We were thy fleet, till thy perfidious foe,  
Rutulian rough, sought us to overthrow  
With fire and sword; whereat (though against our mind)  
We broke our bonds, our safety so to find;  
And now thus through the sea we thee have sought:  
Thy tender mother on us this form wrought,  
And made us (thus) sea-nymphs, to spend our days  
Amongst the rocks in Neptune's watery ways.  
As for thy child Ascanius, he is well,  
And safe immured, i'th' town and trench doth dwell  
dwell deadly darts and Marshal Latins stout.  
Th' Arcadian troop of horsemen stirs not out  
From station set. One half of Turnus bands  
(Lest to the town they power unite) now stands  
Firmly resolved thee herein to prevent.  
Arise therefore, in haste thy mates convent,  
And set in battell-ray before sunrise;  
Thy all-proof target take to thee likewise,  
Which the ignipotent black Vulcan gave,  
Impenetrable, edged with gold most brave:  
For this next morning (if thou trust for true  
What now I say) shall see thee to imbrue  
Thy sword in blood of thick Rutulians' slain.  
Thus having said, she shoved with might and main  
His mighty ship, at her departure thence,  
In her known way, which with fierce violence  
Flew through the flood, more swift than shaft from bow,  
Or nimble dart, equalling winds that blow.  
And therewithal the ships fast after fly:  
This fact did Troyes Aeneas stupefy:  
The omen yet his heart exhilarates.  
Thus then to th' heavens he briefly supplicates;  
Fair Ida's mother of Gods, to whom poor Troy  
To save and shield is thy delight and joy;  
Who towns and towers, and lions fierce and strong  
Dost make to yield to yokes; to thee belong  
The praises of my facts, of this great fight;  
Order this augur prosperously aright;  
Stand to thy Trojans with auspicious aid,  
Fair Goddess, I thee pray. This having said,  
Meanwhile day light began now to wax clear,  
And night quite banished, all did bright appear.  
First he his mates commands wars signs to watch,  
And to their harness strong their hearts to match,  
To fit them for the fight. And now he had  
His Trojans and their camp in's sight, most glad,  
Standing aloof in's ship: whereat he raised  
With his left hand his shield, which brightly blazed.  
The Trojans from their walls, who this did spy,  
Do raise a clamour echoing to the sky:  
Hope kindlesse courage, darts i'th' air they fling,  
Like Thracian crane's descending with strong wing  
From the high clouds, all soaring in a train  
With cackling noise, fierce tempests to refrain.  
But to the Rutuls king, Italian state,  
These wonders seem, and them exanimate;  
Until at last to sea they cast their eye,  
And see the ships fast to the shore to high;  
And with tall barks the sea allover spread,  
And burning crests and helm upon his head,  
The golden bosses belching flames of fire:  
Much l●ke i'th' dewy night a comet dire  
Of hurtful blood-red hue; or dog-starres heat,  
Which drought and sickness sore to men doth threat,  
And makes the sky to lower, and dims the light.  
But none of these stout Turnus heart could fright.  
But he must first the shore anticipate,  
And these his foes from landing profligate.  
Whereto he cheers the hearts, he chides the stays  
Of all his troops, and freely thus he says;  
What ye yourselves desired, now here ye have:  
Now use your hands therefore with courage brave;  
For Mars himself the prey puts in your hands,  
Remember now your wives, your goods, your lands.  
The famous facts of ancestors recount,  
And praises due; let yours now theirs surmount,  
And let us freely them at shore assail,  
Before they land, now whiles their hearts them fail.  
Fortune befriends bold spirits. These words he spoke,  
And whom with him to lead, great care doth take,  
His sea-foes to invade, to whom to leave  
The hedg'd-in town, their hopes thus to deceive.  
Meanwhile Aeneas, with ship-bridges fair,  
To land his soldiers takes all speedy care:  
But many stayed till calm seas floods did flow;  
Some leapt on studs and stakes, thus out to go  
Upon their oars; some to the shore make haste.  
Great Tarchon up and down the sea-banks traced,  
To see if he could spy fit place to land,  
Secure from shallow shelves, or swallowing sand.  
And where no rigid surges did appear,  
But a smooth sea with swelling floods made clear,  
A harmless passage, there he suddenly  
Winding his ship, thus to his mates did cry;  
Now noble youths, ply close your slicing oars,  
Bear up your barks, cut through these adverse shores,  
And let our ship plow furrows deep in sand,  
And break my bark, so we may gain the land.  
Tarchon thus having said, his ma●es with oars,  
Through frothy seas, their ships to Latin shores  
Do bravely bring, so that their noses kiss  
Drie-land: and all secure, their aims none miss,  
Except thy ship, great Tarchon, which near land,  
Was so assailed with stubborn shelves and sand,  
As that it wavering both ways, deep stuck fast,  
And struggling long, in pieces split at last,  
Exposing all his men unto the waves:  
Whereat each one himself on splinters saves,  
Pieces of oars, and planks, and floating boards,  
Which safe assistance unto them affords:  
But oft the flowing streams their heels did trip,  
Yet thus at last they safe on land do skip.  
But all this while T●rnus●uns ●uns off delays,  
His total troops against Trojans he arrays,  
At shore them to assail the trumpets sound:  
And now Aeneas firmly set on ground,  
Himself first set upon the rural bands,  
And for first handsel, with his valiant hands  
Slaughters the Latins, Ther●n bold being slain,  
Who stoutly durst a bickering short maintain  
Against Aeneas, whom he quickly foiled,  
And through's gilt arms with his heartblood him foiled▪  
Lucas likewise he flew; who when a child,  
Was cut out of the womb of's mother mild,  
Whereof she died; though to thee, P●oebus fair,  
He, yet a young man, consecrated were,  
Yet could not scape this princes slicing blade:  
Hard by he Cysseus also slaughtered laid,  
And mighty Gyas, who with clubs did fight,  
But both he slew; Alcides' arms too slight  
Did prove, to save their lives, their hands too weak,  
And sire Melampus, though he bold did break  
Through hazards great, being Hercules his mate▪  
And Pharon, as he fond much did prate,  
He through his gaping throat pierced with a dart.  
And thou stout Cydon tasted hadst deaths smart,  
Whiles thou fair Clytius, with young douny chin  
Unfortunately followedst, him to win  
To new, but nought delights of love unchaste,  
This Trojan prince had made thee death to taste,  
Foully affecting love of youths impure,  
And thou hadst been deaths woeful subject sure,  
Had not a troop of armed brothers stout,  
All sons of Phorcus, met him in the rout,  
Being seven in number, who seven darts did throw,  
But to no end, which partly clattered so  
Upon his shield and helmet back rebounding,  
And Venus partly from his corpse least wounding  
Putting them off. Aeneas herewithal  
Unto his kind Achates thus did call;  
Bring me those darts (for none in vain he threw  
At the Rutulians') which proud Grecians slew  
In Trojan fields. Then a great spear he took,  
Which darted, flew; and flying, fiercely struck;  
And penetrating Maeons' brazen shield,  
Through corpse and corslet, he to death did yield.  
Whose brother Alcanor unto him hies,  
And held him up as he thus falling dies:  
Whose arm that stayed him pierced was also,  
The bloody spear through's brawny arm did go,  
And's right hand dangling did his death's wound show.  
Numitor then pulls out the deadly dart  
From's brother's body, and with wrathful heart  
Retorted it at Troy's Aeneas brave:  
But there it could not the least entrance have;  
And yet it wounded his Achates thigh.  
Here Lausus, full of juvenility,  
And bold, there by with troops attended came,  
And throws at Dryopes with Martial flame,  
Standing aloof, a deadly wounding lance,  
Which underneath his chin did fiercely glance,  
And pierce his throat, snatching thence voice and soul:  
Whose face fell first to ground in's gore most foul.  
Three Thracians more, of utmost Northern race,  
And three of Ida's sons and Ismar's place,  
By divers deaths he furiously did slay.  
Thither Halesus came in battell-ray  
With his Auruncian bands: and thither came  
Messapus bold, sprung from great Neptune's name,  
Famous for riding horse: All close contend,  
Now these, than those, each other to offend,  
I'th' edge of Italy. Like two fierce winds  
I'th' open air, contending in their kinds,  
With cross contrarious blasts in equal might,  
And neither they, nor clouds, nor sea in sight  
Yield to each other, doubtful, long they jar,  
And stiffly, crossly, all maintain the war:  
Thus Trojan troops and Latin bands contend,  
Thus foot to foot, thus hand to hand, they bend  
Their furious force. But on another part,  
Where pebble-stones lay all abroad most smart,  
Rolled up by waves, and boughs and bushes thick  
About the banks, most apt their feet to prick,  
And so unfit for horsemen there to fight,  
And such th' Arcadians were, not footmen light,  
Who to foot-battells unaccustomed,  
They to the Latins turned their backs and fled.  
Which Pallas spying (th' only staff in straits)  
He cries to them; some prays, and some he rates  
With bitter words, their hearts to re-incite,  
Saying, Sirs, what mean ye? whither take ye flight?  
Now by yourselves, and by your valiant acts,  
By your commanders great Euanders facts,  
And conquering name and fame, and my hopes great,  
Which emulates our country's praise complete;  
I you adjure, trust not base flying feet,  
But break through thickest troops your foes to meet,  
And with your swords assail them: for this way  
Your country wills us all our parts to play.  
No angry Gods, but mortal foes you force,  
We have as many hands and hearts to course  
And chase our foes; behold the seas also,  
Whose waves so block us up and 'bout us flow,  
That there's no hope by land away to fly,  
And will ye back to Troy by sea now high?  
And with these words, himselfi'th 'midst of all  
Doth on the thickest ranks of Rutuls fall;  
Whom Lagus first by fate unhappy meets,  
Whom as a mighty stone he pulled, he greets  
With deadly dart, which ribs and back did pierce,  
Which sticking in the bones, he pulls out fierce.  
But over him he did not Hisbon slay,  
Yet this he hoped t' have done without delay:  
For as he rushed and raged, regardless quite  
Of his mates death, him Pallas deep did smite,  
And sheathed his sword in's heart, and life forth drew,  
Thus Helen●s, Anchemolus, he slew,  
From Rhoetus ancient offspring sprung; who durst  
Defile his stepdames bed with most accursed  
Incestuous lust. You Rutuls twins most stout,  
Daucius two sons, who valiantly had fought,  
Both you he slew, Timber and Larides,  
So like by birth they were, that 'twixt both these,  
None, even their parents could no difference see,  
Nor by their persons sweet deceived be:  
But Pallas 'twixt them made a difference great,  
Even 'twixt you both: for in his Martial heat  
His sword cut off thy head, O Timber fair,  
And thy right hand pared off, Larides rare,  
Whose half-dead hand, sprawling, his sword le's go.  
Th' Arcadians, who but late retired, so  
With Pallas words and worthy deeds spurred on,  
Now rage and shame arms them to set upon  
Their fiercest foes. Then Pallas prosecutes,  
And Rhoeteus swiftly flying executes.  
Like tarriance and delay he Ilus sent:  
For as at Ilus he his strong spear bend,  
It Rhoeteus intercepts and slays by th' way:  
And there fair Teuthra, flying, it doth slay;  
And's brother Tires who from chariot reels,  
And being half dead beats the ground with's heels.  
And as the shepherd, when wished winds do ●low  
In summer, does i'th' woods his fires bestow,  
Which by their nearness fire do quickly take,  
And o'er the fields a vast combustion make:  
And while thus Vulcan's army spreads about,  
He like a victor glad, at flames doth flout:  
Thus all their mates their powers in one unite,  
Which sight to see, thee, Pallas, did delight.  
But Martial Halesus all foes defies,  
And with his shield against them his power applies.  
And Ladon soon he slays, and Phaeretus,  
Demodocus; and of Strymon●us,  
With his bright blade, he cut off the right hand,  
Threatening Halesus throat; nor still doth stand,  
But Thoas brains he dashed out with a stone,  
And mixed together blood and brains and bone.  
Halesus father his son's fate foresaw,  
Him therefore to a wood he did withdraw:  
But when old-age his life for death did fit,  
Th' impartial Parcaes from their hands commit  
Him to Euanders' darts: whom Pallas thus  
Assails; but first thus prays; Grant now to us,  
Grave father Tiber, that this dart I throw,  
May find good fortune, and the right way go,  
Through haughty Halesus obdurate breast:  
So shall thy aged oak be decked and dressed  
With this man's arms and spoils. The God did hear;  
And whiles Halesus hoped away to bear  
Imaons' spoils, a strong Arcadian dart  
Through's open breast pierced his unhapppie heart.  
But lusty Lausus did least fear disdain,  
At slaughter of so rare a prince, thus slain,  
A prime part of the war; nor would admit  
His Rutuls to be thereat dampt a whit.  
For first confronting Abas strong he slays,  
The bolt and bar of these most furious frays.  
Down fall Arcadians, down Etrurians fall,  
And Trojans thick which 'scaped from Grecian thrall.  
Both armies meet, captains and soldiers fight  
With equal force, the reeres with utmost might  
Press forward, making their approach so thick,  
That the whole army seems stone-still to stick,  
Without least motion. Pallas hereupon  
His soldiers urgeth and inciteth on.  
Here Lausus laboureth on the other side,  
Neither much different in their youthful pride,  
Both bravely beautiful; but both gainsaid  
Into their country to make retrograde,  
And hereunto jove would not condescend,  
That they in single duel should contend:  
But for a greater foe their fate now waits.  
Meanwhile juturna moves and instigates  
Her brother Turnus, Lausus strait to aid.  
Who in a wingy-chariot swiftly made  
Through thickest of their troops: and when he saw  
Both Time, and's Martial mates from fight withdraw,  
I (says he) I alone must Pallas find,  
To me alone I see his death assigned.  
I wish his father now spectator were.  
And hereupon his mates the field forbear,  
Being charged thereunto. The princely spark,  
As he the captains pride and power did mark  
In's Rutuls' quick withdrawing, stood amazed,  
And ●tupifi'de, on Turnus' stature gazed,  
With envying eyes viewing his limbs most great,  
And every part about him most complete.  
Thus then unto the king's words he replies;  
Sure I shall now get praise by this rich prize,  
Or by a noble death. My father (sure)  
Is just and wise, what fates will, to endure.  
Spare then thy brags and threats. Thus having said,  
〈◊〉 the midst o'th' Marshal list he made:  
Th' Arcadians hearts were filled with chilling fear,  
Turnus from's chariot then descending there;  
And now on foot was stately seen draw nigh,  
Like a fierce lion, who from's den doth spy  
A stout big bull fitting himself to fight,  
far off i'th' field, he to him takes his flight:  
Even such is Turnus in his fierce access.  
Whom Pallas now within the reach doth guess  
Ofhis darts-cast, Pallas doth first advance,  
Unmatched in might, but hoping happy chance.  
First thus he prays; O thou Alcides great,  
I by my father's kindness thee entreat,  
Who thee a stranger took to bed and board,  
To my designs thy mighty aid afford,  
And let my adversary half-dead see  
Himself of's bloody arms bespoiled to be:  
And let proud Turnus see with dying eye,  
Me win the field with valiant victory.  
Hercules heard the youth, and (but in vain)  
Fetched a deep sigh, which did even tears constrain.  
Then mighty jove to's son most kindly says;  
To each man's given his appointed days;  
Man's life is short, his time irrevocable,  
But fame by facts to make most memorable,  
Is virtues work indeed. Under the wall  
Of stately Troy how many sons did fall,  
Even sons of Gods! yea my Sarpedon fair,  
My son 〈◊〉 slain, the fates would him not spare:  
And Turnus hath a term and certain fate,  
And his life's period hastes to terminate.  
This said, on Rutuls' fields his eyes he bend.  
And Pallas now wi●h all his force forth sent  
A nimble spear, and from his scabbard drew  
His glistering blade. The spear most fiercely ●lew  
To Turnus' shoulder on his armour blue;  
And on the brim of's shield did glance along,  
And gave a clattering blow on's body strong.  
Turnus hereat shaking a spear of oak,  
Tipped with sharp steel, darts it, and thus he spoke  
To Pallas as it flew; Go now and see  
Whether more penetrable now ours be  
Then his. This said, through his most mighty targe  
Lined with plates of brass and iron large,  
And covered o'er with many bulls hides thick,  
With brandished blow the spear did enter quick  
Piercing his corslet, wounded deep his breast.  
He strait the bloud-w●rm'd spear in vain doth wrest;  
Striving to pluck it out, plucks out withal  
Life, blood and soul, and strait down dead does fall  
Flat on his face: in's fall his ●rms do clatter,  
The ground his gore-bloud-gushing mouth doth batter.  
Over whom T●rnus trampling, thus doth say;  
Go now Arc●di●ns, mind my words, I pray,  
Go tell Euander, This son resend  
Unto him with a welldeserving end.  
Whatever buriall-honour he can crave,  
Or full content and comfort in a grave,  
I will bestow on him, his harbourous cheer  
To his Ae●e●s, now doth cost him dear.  
Thus saying, standing on the corpse now dead,  
Spoiling him ofhi belt embroidered  
With the whole story of the impious act,  
How Danaies' daughter foully did compact  
Upon the wedding night in marriagebed  
To murder their young bridegrooms there left dead:  
Which things Eurytion had wrought thick in gold,  
This prize most rich Turnus doth joy to hold.  
Man's mind is ignorant of future fate,  
Knows not a mean, is puffed with prosperous state.  
Turnus shall see the time when he'd be glad  
This prize most dear bought, he never had  
Once touched, and when, this day and Pallas spoils  
Shall prove most hateful, and his hearts turmoils.  
But Pallas mates with sighs and fears all fraught,  
Upon a shield his corpse in troops thence brought.  
Ah, the great grief, yet grace thy sire will have,  
This day the first and last to battles gave:  
And yet about thee thou didst make remain  
A mighty heap of fierce Rutulians' slain,  
Nor now did flying fame this mischief show;  
'Twas brought t' Aeneas by a post too true,  
Who told him how distressed his soldiers were,  
How 'twas high time to help them fled for fear.  
Hereat Aeneas mows all down with's blade,  
And like a mad man he wide path-ways made  
Through thickest troops, thee, Turnus proud, to find,  
With slaughters fresh, having still in his mind  
(All came to's sight) Pallas, evander kind,  
The table spread, where first he was a guest,  
All, though a stranger, right-hand loves expressed.  
And here before him he four youths espies,  
All born at Sulmo, and four more likewise  
Trained up by Vfens, all alive he snatches,  
And as a sacrifice, them all dispatches  
To the dead ashes of his dearest friend,  
And in the fires their captive blood doth spend.  
Thence passing on, when he next dart did throw  
At Mago stout, he slyly stooping low,  
Escaped the quivering dart, which flew away.  
Whereat his knees he clasping, thus did pray;  
Now by thy father's ghost, and hopeful state  
Of thy Iülus, I thee supplicate,  
Preserve my life both to my son and me,  
And in my stately house thou hid shalt see,  
Deep in the ground, great store of silver coined,  
And much good gold, some fin'de, some unrefin'de.  
My life (alas!) stays not Troy's victory,  
Nor can I only work such jeopardy.  
This said, Aeneas presently replies;  
Those heaps of gold which thou so high dost prise,  
Keep for thy children; Turnus took away  
This quarter, when my Pallas he did slay.  
Thus thinks Iülus and Anchises dead,  
And with these words, upon his helm and head  
He lays fast hold; and as he so did pray,  
Up to the hilts his sword in's soul made way.  
Hard by he met Emonides most brave,  
Fair Phoebus and Diana's priest most grave:  
His head a sacred hood and head-bands tie,  
Glistering all-o're in arms most gorgeously.  
Whom chas'di'th ' field, and overcome i'th' fight,  
He sacrificed, and on him stood upright,  
Whose mighty shade him hid: Serestus stout  
Upon his shoulders bore his armour out,  
Thy trophy, mighty Mars. Then C●culus  
Black Vulcan's brood, and Vmbro valorous  
Of Marsies mounts, the fight afresh engage.  
But Dardanes prince doth on them fiercely rage:  
And Anxures arm his sword sliced off so round,  
That arm and shield strait fell down on the ground.  
This gallant had some lofty words given out,  
And thought perhaps time would it bring about:  
His heart was high as heaven, persuaded, sure,  
Ofhoarie hairs, and life, long to endure.  
Tarquitus proud in glistering arms him met,  
Whom Faunus did on Dryop beget,  
Who furiously a strong spear at him throws,  
Which through his harness and huge target goes.  
His head (he craving life, but to no end,  
And much about to speak) he soon did send  
From's shoulders to the ground, on'strunck he stood,  
And o'er him thus he spoke, in heat of blood;  
Lie there, thou frighter fierce, thy mother dear  
Shall never thee unto thy burial bear,  
Nor in thy native soil entomb: wilde-beasts  
Or fish i'th' sea shall on thee make them feasts.  
Antheus then and Lycus stout, who led  
King Turnus vanguard, he encountered,  
And Numa strong, sworthy Camertes stout  
Sprung from renowned Volscens race and rout:  
A mighty landed man in Italy,  
Who o'er th' Amyclians had the sovereignty;  
Men for their sparing speech of special name.  
And like Aegaeon, who (as blazeth fame)  
Had full an hundred arms and active hands,  
And fifty mouths; whence, as from firebrands,  
And fiery breasts, he flames of fire forth threw,  
As many shields held up and swords he drew  
Against joves' lightnings: so Aenea● stout  
Victoriously did fret and fume about  
As soon as once his sword waxed warm with blows:  
But then (behold!) most furiously he goes  
Against Niphaeus and his coach horse swift,  
And against his breast his fatal blade did lift:  
But they far off, as soon as ere they saw  
Him rushing, fiercely raging, against them draw,  
For fear they fly, and backward madly go,  
And in their race their rider overthrow,  
Whurrying the chariot with them to the shore.  
Mean while Lucagus also pressed on sore  
With his white coach-horse, then accomitated  
With's brother Lig●r, who thus regulated  
The coach-horse reins, Lucagus brandishing  
His glistering blade. Troy's prince not suffering  
Their bold outbraves, unto them rusheth strait,  
And against both did quick accommodate  
A mighty spear: to whom thus Liger bold;  
Thou dost not here Ac●illes coach behold,  
Nor Diomedes horse, nor Phrygian field,  
But in these plains thy life to death must yield,  
And end these broils. Thus madly loud hespake:  
But Troy's brave ●erö● no reply would make  
In words, but casts a dart at hisfierce foe.  
And as Luc●gus reaching out a blow  
With stiff intent did fetch his horse about▪  
And his left foot unto thefight set out,  
The flying spear piercing hist●●get bright,  
On his left groin did penetrating light,  
Which did him over●hr●● and deadly ●ound;  
Where he lay grovelling dead upon the ground,  
To whom in these tart terms Aeneas said;  
No ghost, Lucagus, made thy horse afraid  
And fly thy foe, nor did their paces slow  
Thee and thy coach betray unto thy foe:  
But thou thyself, leaping down from the wheels,  
Thy coach forsook'st, and triptst up thine own heels.  
Thus having said, the coach in hand he takes:  
Th'unhappy brother prostrate fallen down quakes,  
Holds up his trembling hands, thus does entreat;  
Now by thyself and by thy parents great  
Who thee begat (Troyes prince) so great so good,  
O spare thy suppliants life, spill not his blood.  
O sir, says he, these words you used not late;  
Die then, let brothers brother's sociate.  
Then with his sword his breast he opened wide,  
And from's hearts hollow caves his soul did glide.  
Thus through the fields this Trojan victor made  
Great slaughters: like fierce floods which banks invade,  
Or blustering winds, so did he rage about:  
Th'enclosed Trojans now also break out,  
And leave their camps, and young Ascanius brave  
With his green sparks, them valiantly behave,  
Though late (in vain) besieged. Things resting so,  
jove of himself does to his juno go,  
And thus says to her; See, my sister kind,  
And special spouse, most grateful to my mind;  
Venus, thou seest (even as thou didst suppose,  
Nor art deceived) supports thy Trojan foes:  
Their boldest hearts, strong hands, nor patience stout  
Wars woos t'endure, could not alone hold out.  
To whom thus humbly juno did reply;  
Why, O my Fere most dear, ah tell me, why  
Dost thou my grieved heart more grieve; which quakes,  
And at thy bitter piercing words even aches?  
O if thou lov'd'st me now as formerly,  
If (as 'twere fit) thou hadst first fervency;  
Great jove, thou this request wouldst grant to me,  
My Turnus from the fight withdrawn to see:  
That to his father Daunus him I might  
Safely restore. But let him fall i'th' fight,  
And be a pious prey to Trojans base;  
Yet is he sprung from our celestial race.  
Pilumnus was his sire, i'th' fourth descent,  
Thine altars he with hand munificent,  
And many gallant gifts enriched hath.  
To whom olympus king thus briefly saith;  
If thou desirest present deaths delay,  
And the death-marked youths dire fall to stay,  
And think'st I may the same procrastinate;  
Let Turnus fly then from his present fate.  
This only distance must thy mind suffice:  
But if thy prayers to higher hopes arise,  
And that thou think'st he may be wholly freed  
From chance of war, or what fates have decreed  
May altered be; thou but vain hopes dost feed.  
To whom thus juno full of tears replies;  
But what if jove, what he in words denies,  
Would grant in heart, and T●rnus life make sure?  
Now he most guiltless, must hard hap endure,  
Or I no truth do know: but rather I  
Could wish thou wouldst my fond fear fals●fie,  
And (as thou canst) convert all to the best.  
Thus having now each way her votes expressed,  
From heaven she forthwith flies, to earth descends:  
Storms fly before her, clouds she 'bout her bends.  
Thus through the air to Trojan bands she flew,  
And to th' Italian tents she nearer drew.  
The Goddess then in concave cloud did frame  
A forceless shade most thin to seem, the same  
With brave Aeneas shape (a most strange sight)  
And fraught it fair with Trojan arms most bright,  
A plumy helm fit for his sacred head,  
A shield which his most nearly patterned:  
Yea gives it windy words, a senseless sound,  
And goodly gate, like one walking profound.  
Much like those shapes which walk (they say) being dead,  
Or those fallacious dreams in snorting bed.  
The frolic figure brags before the bands,  
And Turnus tempts to show the strength of's hands,  
And him with speech provokes: whom Turnus strait  
Assails aloof, and with represselesse hate  
A whistling dart casts at it; instantly  
The shadow turns its back, away doth fly.  
Turnus supposing now Aeneas fled,  
Nourished vain hope, which thus he uttered;  
Aeneas, whither fliest thou? do ned forsake  
Thy spouse betrothed, to whom thou vows didst make:  
This hand of mine shall give thee lands so sought.  
And thus he follows him in word as thought,  
Brandishing his bright blade; but could not find,  
How these vain joys were but puff toys of wind.  
As thus he passed, by chance a ship he spied,  
To a rocks rigid bank most fitly tied,  
Whereto a ladder for ascent did stand,  
For a seavoyage fitted out of hand.  
In which Osinius king from Clusium came.  
Aeneas fearful figure in this same  
Cast itself quickly, there it hidden lay:  
Which Turnus following, cuts off every stay,  
Nimbly ascends the top: scarce did he take  
Footing i'th' ship, but juno quickly broke  
The fastening cable, launched the ship from shore,  
Which with full sail into the ocean bore.  
Meanwhile Aeneas with a bloody fight,  
Seeks up and down his foe thus out of sight;  
And multitudes of men him meeting slays.  
But now the nimble shade no longer stays,  
Hid in its holes, but vanished into th' air;  
And when to th' midst o'th' sea storms Turnus bare,  
Ignorant of these things, for's life ingrate;  
He looks about, to th' heavens doth elevate  
(After this manner) both his hands and heart;  
Almighty jove, deemest thou it my desert,  
To suffer such a shame, a scourge so great?  
Ah, whither go I? whence make I retreat?  
What flight is this? whom do I thus forsake?  
Shall I not once more yet myself betake  
To Laurents walls and wars? What now (alas!)  
Will to my troops of soldiers come to pass,  
Which followed me in fight? whom impious I  
Have left alone, a thousand deaths to die?  
For now, me thinks, I hear and see them all  
Dying and crying as they wounded fall▪  
What shall I do? what land me live can swallow?  
But oh ye winds, do ye me rather follow  
With pitying puffs: (this Turnus does you pray  
With gladsome mind) O cast this bark away  
On rocks or sands, where Rutuls may not see,  
Or tainted fame may never follow me.  
Thus moaning up and down, thoughts ebb and flow,  
What to resolve to do, he does not know;  
Or madly slay himself, for such disgrace,  
And in his corpse his bloody blade to case;  
Or headlong into th' sea himself to cast,  
And so by swimming to get land at last:  
And landing, to the Trojan troops to high.  
Thrice both these ways he did attempt to try;  
And thrice great juno his attempts did hinder,  
Pitying the young prince with indulgence tender.  
Thus on he sails with prosperous wind and tide,  
At last at's father Daunus town did 'bide.  
Meanwhile by joves' advice, Mezentius stout  
Comes forth to fight, and (Trojans all about  
Joining in good success) does now invade  
The Trojan troops, who to him jointly made.  
And all at once at one alone they fly,  
Their hands and hate do this one man defy.  
But he, much like a rock against mighty waves,  
Withstands the fury of winds big outbraves,  
Lays open his rigid fides'gainst billows great,  
And all the rage that seas or skies can threat,  
Itself unmoved remains: he's even so.  
And Dolichaons' son did overthrow,  
Hebrus; with whom he Latagus did slay,  
And Palmus, as he from him ran away:  
But Latagus he with a stone most great,  
Even with a mountains part, his brains out beat.  
Palmus his hams and legs he cut off quite,  
And left him there to roll in piteous plight.  
His arms he Lausus gave, on's back to bear,  
And on his head his plumy helm to wear.  
Phrygian Euantes, Mimas, Paris mate,  
And Coaetanean, he did ruinate:  
Whom to Amycus, mild Thebano bare,  
Paris being born of Hecuba most fair,  
Who dreamt she had a firebrand begot,  
And he to die in's country had the lot:  
But Mimas, ignorant of this his hap,  
Did find his grave here in Laurentums lap.  
Now as a boar hunted from mountains high  
By barking, biting dogs, (which long did lie  
Sheltered in wide pine-bearing Vesulus,  
And in Laurentums fields most copious,  
Of wood-like reeds, having been long time fed:)  
As soon as he's i'th' nets entangled,  
He stands and stairs about, his tusks does whet,  
And fretting, fiercely brissels up doth set;  
Nor is it wit or worth for any there,  
To be too busy to him to draw near,  
But off to stand, and at him darts to throw,  
And with loud clamorous shouts to tyre him so:  
So those that to Mezentius bore just spite,  
Durst not come near him hand to hand to fight;  
But with their darts far off and clamours shrill,  
They him provoke: the boar sits boldy still,  
Gnashing with foamy chaps his tusks most keen,  
And shaking off the darts from's back is seen.  
From Cerits ancient coasts came Acron stout,  
A Grecian forced from's country to fly out  
For breach of marriage; whom, when as remote,  
Mezentius saw, and seriously did note,  
Amidst the troops moving his mates to fi●ht,  
Adorned with purple plumes and scarlet bright,  
His kind contracted spouses goodly gift:  
Much like a hungry lion rambling swift  
About the mighty woods (for so indeed  
Fierce hunger forceth madly to proceed)  
If haply he some well-grown goat may spy,  
Or bravely headed stag that way to fly,  
He gapes for joy, his brissels rough erects,  
Falls close unto the prey he so affects,  
Washing his ravenous chaps in blood lukewarm.  
Thus thickest foes Mezentius fierce doth charm:  
And quickly he unhappy Acron slays,  
And him with's heels beating the ground he lays  
Low on the earth, his bloody spear unsplit.  
But he Orodes flying scorned to hit,  
Or smite to death by casting his strong dart,  
And cowardlike to wound him in's backpart:  
But he must meet his foes all face to face,  
And man to man by dreadful duels chase,  
Not pleased with pilfering, but with powerful blows.  
And thus he great Orodes overthrows,  
His foot set on his corpse, his spear at's heart,  
A man of no small worth, this wars best part.  
His mates him following, panegyrics sing,  
And of his conquests make the air to ring.  
But he expiring, ere quite dead, thus said;  
Proud conqueror, thou shalt not pass unpaid,  
Who e'er thou art, my death revenged shall be,  
Nor shalt thou long from this revenge be free:  
My fate thee follows, thou these plains shall hold.  
To whom Mezentius with a spirit bold,  
Yet smilingly replied; But thou shalt die:  
But as for me, jove, king of earth and sky,  
Will see to me. This said, the spear he pulls  
Out of his corpse: then fatal rest him lulls  
Into a deadly sleep, which closed his sight,  
Shutting his eyes up in eternal night.  
Stout Caedicus in fight slays Alcath'us,  
Sacrator kills Hidaspis'; Parthen'us  
And mighty Orsis do by Rapo die;  
Messapus fierce slays Clodius valiantly,  
And Lyaconius and Ericates,  
Whom from his skittish jade fallen with small ease  
Unto the ground, on foot a footman slew:  
Then Lycian Agis hotly to them drew,  
Whom yet Valerius, not a jot unfraught  
With sires connative nobleness, soon taught  
The way to's grave: Salius Atronius slays;  
Nealces nimble dart ends Salius days;  
Nealces, expert both at spear and dart.  
And now like heavy hap was on each part,  
And mighty Mars made equal funerals:  
Alike they fight, alike catch fatal falls:  
These conquer now, anon are conquered:  
But neither these nor those from foes have fled.  
The Gods from joves' high hall pity the plight  
Of both parts, thus overwhelmed with fruitless spite,  
And tired with troubles. This way, Venus' fair;  
juno looks that way with contrarious care.  
Pale-peevish Tisiphone with frantic heat  
Doth rage and rave between the armies great.  
And still Mezentius shakes his mighty lance,  
And furiously does to the field advance.  
Like great Orion, when with stalking feet  
He walks moist Nereus' pools and floods that fleet,  
Slicing his wavy way, whose shoulders white  
O'retop the streams: or when he does delight,  
Walking the woods, a huge old oak to bear,  
On mountains-tops his head to th' clouds to rear:  
Even thus Mezentius to the army goes,  
Whom seen far off, Aeneas to oppose  
Prepares himself. He dauntlessely doth stay,  
Waiting his mighty foes approach that way.  
In's strength he stands, watching the distance right  
Sufficient for his lances fatal flight.  
Assist me now (says he) my right hand brave,  
And brandished lance; none other Gods I have:  
And here I vow, the spoils which I shall gain  
From this great thief Aeneas, shall remain  
To thee, brave Lausus, as thy trophy due.  
And with these words at him far-off he threw  
A whistling spear, which flying fierce did glance  
Upon his shield; whence, by unhappy chance,  
It pierced Anthors noble breast and heart;  
author, Alcides' mate, who would not part  
From king evander, once from Argos sent,  
But made abode in Latins continent.  
Unhappy he died by another's wound,  
His eyes to th' skies, he thinks on's native ground.  
Then brave Aeneas cast a dart at him,  
Which flying, pierced the hollow edge or brim  
Of's threefold brazen arms with linen lined,  
And through his treble bulls hides way did find,  
Or forced through into his groin most deep,  
Nor could his strength the paining wound out keep.  
Whereat Aeneas joyed to see the blood  
Of his proud foe, draws out his falchion good  
Which hung by's side, wherewith he furiously  
Assails his trembling foe, which with quick eye  
As soon as Lausus sees, due filial love  
Doth in him, for his sire, much mourning move,  
And brinish tears provoke. Here cannot I  
In silence bury thy dire destiny,  
And famous facts (if future times will trust  
And credit what of him relate I must)  
Most memorable youth! Mezentius maimed  
Unfit for fight, the battle, slow, disclaimed;  
And in's retreat the wounding spear he bore,  
Sticking in's shield. Then strait the young man rare  
Steps in between, i'th' midst maintains the fight.  
And as Aeneas raised his hand to smite,  
Lausus his sword cross underneath it came,  
And broke the force o'th' blow, and stopped the same.  
His mates him follow with a mighty shout,  
And whiles the sire, guarded by's son, got out,  
They throw thick darts, incense their foe to fight:  
Aeneas frets, hid under's target bright.  
And as black clouds pouring down showers of hail,  
The lowns and ploughmen all without all fail  
Scud from the fields apace, themselves to hide,  
With cunning tricks, under some river's side,  
Or in some rocks deep hole, whiles it doth rain;  
That i'th' sunshine they may to work again:  
Even so Aeneas, showered on round about  
With shafts, this cloud of war strongly bears out,  
And 'bides all brunts, and chides young Lausus sore,  
And bitterly thus threatens Lausus poor;  
Wither, weak child of death, dost rush so fast?  
Why dost thou on facts past thy strength thee cast?  
Thy filial zeal doth flout thee most unwise;  
Lausus no less doth madly him despise;  
Which makes this Trojan captains rage's break out.  
And now the fatal sisters had spun out  
Lausus last thread of life; for now with ruth  
Aeneas through the body of the youth  
Made his bright blade to enter instantly,  
There wholly hid: his shield and arms do fly  
In parts, and slashed his coat wrought curiously,  
His mother's work; and filled his breast with gore:  
Wherewith his soul into the air did soar,  
And left his corpse. But when with ruthful eye  
Aeneas did his dying countenance spy,  
His countenance which waxed wondrous pale and wan,  
He deeply sighed, greatly to grieve began,  
Embraced him in his arms, and called to mind  
The tender love to sons in parents kind;  
And sons reciprocal to sires, and said;  
What honour now may worthily be paid,  
(Beloved and much lamented youth) to thee?  
What gift may to thy goodness congruent be  
From kind Aeneas? all thy arms most rare  
Wherein thou joy'dst, not mine, but thine they are,  
Thy corpse also for burial, I commit  
Unto thy sire (if he have care of it)  
Yet let this thee unhappy happifie,  
That thou by great Aeneas hands didst die.  
Then freely he his friends checks tauntingly  
For their delay; himself lifts him from ground,  
His lovely locks (i'th' fashion) comptly bound,  
Being all-besmeared with blood. In this mean space  
His father dried his wounds at a fit place,  
About fair Tiber's flood, his body he  
Makes clean with water, and against a tree  
Refreshed himself, his helmet strong of brass  
Hung on the boughs, his huge arms lay i'th' grass.  
Chief gallants 'bout him stood; he faint, takes rest,  
Eased his tired neck, his beard spread on his breast,  
Often enquiring for his Lausus dear,  
And sending oft, that he of him might hear.  
They quickly do the mournful father's will;  
And on their shields, lamenting loud and shrill,  
Brought mighty Lausus dead, with mighty wound  
Woefully slain. Which when the father found,  
His mournful mind far-off foreseeing woe,  
On his gray-hairs much dust he strait does throw,  
And both his hands unto the heavens doth heave,  
And with these words to th' corpse doth cling and cleave;  
Oh my dear son, had I such love to live,  
That thee for me I to my foe should give?  
Even thee whom I begat? must I by thee  
Survive secure, and thou thus murdered be?  
Must I live by thy death? Unhappy I,  
What now remains, but exiles misery?  
O wound most deeply driven, O my dear son,  
'Tis I have shamed thee, and thy fame undone!  
Even I, whom homebred hatred hath disthroned,  
I should have died, through envy, unbemoaned.  
I by all kinds of death most guiltily  
Should to my realm have paid this penalty▪  
Yet live I still: nor men, nor light yet leave.  
Well, now I will me of them all bereave.  
And with these words, up on's weak limbs he stood,  
And though his strength was dulled through want of blood,  
By his deep wound, yet not a jot dejected,  
He calls for's horse, his horse most high affected,  
His crown and comfort, wherewith evermore  
In all his battles he the conquest bore.  
And thus he to his mourning horse did say;  
Brave Rhebus, we now long (if long I may  
Say aught amongst men continues) lived have,  
And either we'll this day be victor's brave  
With bloody spoils and proud Aeneas head,  
And for my Lausus loss be thus well sped;  
Or else, if force no way can force or find,  
My death and thine shall be in one combin'de.  
For sure I think, stout steed, thou never yet  
To others didst, or Trojan lords submit.  
This said, he mounted; and i'th' saddle set,  
Into both hands sharp shafts he strait doth get;  
His glistering brazen helm on's head, and crest  
Fast fixed, and with most rigid horse-haire dressed.  
Thus amongst them with a fierce career addressed,  
He rushed in: his heart with shame did boil:  
Madness and mourning for his Lausus foil,  
Outrageous love, and secret sense o'th' might  
Of his fierce foe, do spur him to the fight.  
Aloud three times he now Aeneas calls,  
Aeneas knows him, glad, to prayers falls;  
So grant great jove, so grant Apollo high,  
That thou mayst now begin the fight to try.  
This said, he with a piercing spear him met.  
Whereat Mezentius, in a rageful fret,  
Cries out, Fierce wretch, why dost thou thus in vain  
Me vex, perplex? thou having my son slain,  
Thou hast the way me now to ruinate.  
And surely now to die I do not hate:  
None of thy God's regard or spare will I.  
Leave off thy threats, for here I come to die,  
But first of all, these gifts to thee I bring.  
Which said, a dart he at his foe did fling,  
And then another and another, thick  
He flings, which flies as in a circle quick.  
But yet the gold-bost shield them all abides.  
Then 'bout Aeneas standing fast, he rides  
Three light careeres, still at him throwing darts,  
And thrice Troy's prince with his brass target thwarts  
The seeming wood of shafts. But when he saw,  
And seeing shamed so many darts to draw  
Out of his shield, such long delays to use,  
And how he was constrained not to refuse  
The combat, though unequal, musing thus,  
At last with valour most magnanimous  
He rusheth on, and with resistless force  
He threw a dart which hit the warrior's horse  
Between his hollow temples, with which blow  
The horse mounts up an end, kicks to o'erthrow  
His rider; and at last does backward fall,  
Fastening his master under him withal:  
He grovelling headlong, out of joint his arm,  
Trojans and Latins raise a loud alarm  
And clamorous noise. Aeneas to him flew,  
And from his scabbard his bright falchion drew,  
And o'er him said; Where's now, Mezentius stout,  
Where's thy proud strength and stomach? all flown out?  
To whom the Tuscan, having ta'en some breath,  
Fierce bitter foe, why so dost threaten death?  
Why so insult'st thou? 'tis no crime to die:  
Nor came I to the field so cowardly,  
Nor for me with thee would my Lausus have  
Such base conditions: Only this I crave,  
(If any favour vanquished ones may get  
From victors) I thee earnestly entreat,  
Permit my body to have buriall-rite:  
For why? I know my people's hate and spite  
Stand round about me; keep me, I thee pray,  
From their great rage, and with me my son lay,  
Consorting in one grave. And with this word  
Expectedly his throat receives the sword.  
Whereat upon his arms gushed out his gore,  
And from his body forth his soul did soar.  
An end of the tenth book of Virgil's Aeneïds.   

THE ARGUMENT of the eleventh book.  
Aeneas, for these victories,  
To Mars doth trophies solemnize.  
Pallas dead corpse is sent thence strait  
To king evander, in great state.  
Truce made, to bury both their slain:  
Euanders' grief, paternal pain  
For his dead son. The soldiers dead  
Are gathered, burned, and buried.  
From Diomedes message came,  
That he these wars did quite disclaim.  
Drances and Turnus 'twixt them chide.  
Aeneas to Laurentum hide.  
Fierce fight: the day the Trojans gain:  
Unwares, Camilla there is slain.  
AVrora rising now the sea forsook.  
Aeneas (though especial care he took,  
And time, for burial of his slaughtered mates  
With sedulous intents he meditates)  
Yet first, like victor brave, by break of day  
He to the Gods his Martial votes will pay.  
Upon a hill a mighty oak he placed,  
Which lopped all o'er, with glistering arms he graced,  
Mezentius spoils (great Mars, thy trophies good)  
And fitly fixed the crest, yet dropping blood,  
Spears broken splinters, and his corslet strong,  
Which twelve times digged with darts, scarce took least wrong.  
His brazen shield to th'left hand up was tie,  
And from his neck, his ivory sheathe beside.  
Then thus his mates (for all his Martial Peers  
Had hedged him in) he with these speeches cheers;  
Brave sirs, our main work done, avaunt base fear,  
A rush for what remains: the spoils see here,  
And first-fruits of our joy, from that proud king  
Mezentius, whom these hands to ground did bring.  
Now to the King we must, to Laurents wall.  
Prepare your hearts for war, yet hope withal  
For good success; and let not lest delay  
(So soon as th' ensigns thence to pluck away  
The Gods permit, and tents their youth forsake)  
In ignorance or sloth, force you to take  
Feare-caused counsel. In the meanwhile we  
Our mates unburied corpse interred will see:  
This rite alone departed souls desire.  
Go then (says he) and carefully inquire,  
And search out all those worthy wights most rare,  
Who this fair land to purchase, did not spare  
Their dear hearts blood, for us: find them, I pray,  
And hang their hearses with last gifts most gay:  
And first unto Euanders' city sad  
Let princely Pallas noble corpse be had:  
Whom, full of valour, fatal destiny  
And bitter death drenched in extremity.  
These weeping words he spoke, and went his way  
Unto the place where Pallas body lay,  
Watched by Acetes old, Euanders' page,  
But not by happy fate to such ripe age  
Admitted his son's mate. His servants all  
About him stand, mourning their master's fall.  
The Trojan troops, and Phrygian matrons fair  
Stood weeping (as theyare wont) with unbound hair.  
But soon as e'er Aeneas entered in,  
There strait was raised a mighty mourning din,  
With loud laments, their breasts they often beat,  
Whose ruthful roars filled all the palace great.  
But when he saw Pallas white face and head,  
And th' open wound which this just sorrow bred,  
Through which th' Italian dart dire entrance made,  
With trickling tears these woeful words he said;  
Ah, woeful youth, must lot thus luckless be,  
Even then when't smiled to envy thee to me,  
Lest thou our conquered kingdoms shouldst behold,  
And brought triumphant to thy father old?  
I promised not to him these things of thee,  
When at our parting he dismissed me  
With sweet embraces, to an empire great,  
And with advice did fearfully repeat  
What furious foes we had, what people stout  
To fight withal. And now fond hopes do flout  
The good old king, who now (sure) hopes and prays,  
And for his child heapt-gifts on altars lays.  
But we esteem no gifts to th' Gods now due,  
The dead young man we vainly ' tend and rue.  
Unhappy old man, thou with grief shalt see  
Thy son by cruel fate returned to thee.  
Here's our returns of love, our spoils expected,  
Thus thy great trust in me seems quite neglected.  
Yet, grave evander, this some joy may be,  
Thou wilt not him by base wounds conquered see:  
Nor him alive, for cowardice, wish dead.  
Ah! woe is me, what fence is from me fled  
For Italy, and what a noble mate  
Hast thou Iülus lost by his dire fate?  
Thus having wept, he bids them bear away  
The woeful corpse, choosing without delay  
A thousand gallants brave from all his bands,  
To wait upon the corpse he these commands,  
As his last honour, and at hand to be,  
With his sad father, whom still as they see  
Shedding salt tears, to yield him comfort sweet  
(Although but small) to so great sorrows meet.  
Then straightway some long reeds do quickly get,  
Some make a beer whereon the corpse to set,  
With twisted twigs and oaken sprigs most tender,  
Whose hearse-like bended boughs thick shades do render▪  
Here the young prince high on the reeds they lay,  
Much like a flower by damsels cropped in May:  
Or withering hyacinth, or violet sweet,  
Not yet quite stripped of scent and semblance meet,  
Though now its mother earth affords no sap,  
Nor yields such strength, as hugged in her lap.  
Then two rare robes of purple, thick with gold,  
Aeneas strait brought forth, rich to behold,  
Queen Dido's art, which in her prosperous state  
She for him wrought, with gold-twist accurate.  
One of these robes he in most mournful wise  
Puts on the prince, last due to's obsequies;  
And therewith hides his locks for fire prepared,  
And nought of all these wars rich spoils he spared,  
But heaps them on, which in a long array  
Were born in state: great horses made a prey,  
And spears and darts all taken from their foes,  
And many a captive chained with them goes,  
Whose blood in flames must sacrificed be:  
Truncheons of broken spears commanded he  
His captains in their hands to bear along,  
And on their tops to bear foes arms most strong,  
And on them every adversaries name.  
Then aged sad Acetes onward came,  
Beating his breasts, tearing his aged face,  
Fallen faintly on the ground in piteous case.  
Along they led chariots besmeared with blood  
Of Rutuls slain. Aetho●, his courser good,  
His war-horse brave, came after all his train,  
Stripped of his trappings; nor could he refrain  
To weep, as on he went, full floods of tears:  
Then one his spear, and one his helmet bears.  
The rest of's arms the conqueror Turnus had:  
Then followed all the troops and Trojans sad,  
The Tuscan and Arcadian captains strong,  
The wrong end of their spears trailing along  
Upon the ground. Thus as in Marshal b●nds  
These gallants pass, Aeneas here still stands;  
And with a deep-fetched sigh does to them say;  
Dear mates, wars selfsame fates call us away  
To weep for others: than my Pallas dear,  
Rest safe for ever, never to be here  
Revisited, for ever then adieu.  
His speech here stopped. Then he his troops withdrew  
Unto the town and tents; where soon they saw  
King Latins legates toward them to draw,  
With olive-boughs adorned, leave to entreat,  
The scattered bodies by that battle great  
Slain in the fields, that they might seek and have,  
And gathered up, bestow on them a grave.  
Adding, No fight ought be with conquered slain;  
Praying, his once kind hosts he'd not disdain,  
Fathers in law, once called. To whose request  
Aeneas kind him flexible expressed,  
And gives them leave; adding these words beside,  
Tell me (you Latins) what unworthy guide,  
What blindfold fortune hath involved you thus  
Into this war? Why have ye flown from us  
Your vowed friends? ask ye peace for your slain?  
Entreat ye for your dead? Truly I'd fain  
far rather to your living grant the same.  
And to this place, these parts, I only came  
By fates decree. Nor war I with your land:  
Your king our love and friendship does withstand,  
And rather trusts himself to Turnus' might:  
Whereas for Turnus it had been more right  
His life to hazard. If he do intend  
By force to force us hence, this war to end;  
'Twere fit he only were to me addressed,  
And he should live, whom fates or facts made best.  
But go, poor citizens, your slain inter.  
Thus spoke Aeneas: they amazed were,  
And silent stood, gazing as men aghast  
On one another's faces, till at last  
Drances the gravest of them, evermore  
Who to young Turnus' wrath and envy bore,  
Set forth himself, and thus his words did frame;  
Brave Trojan prince, great by illustrious fame,  
Greater by virtuous facts; with what due praise  
May I thy worth unto the heavens now raise?  
I know not which, or first, or most t' admire,  
Thy justice great, or quenchless Martial fire.  
But we, thy grateful friends, these things will show  
To all our mates, and towns where'er we go:  
And if success do smile, we hope to make  
King Latin thee into his love to take:  
Let Turnus somewhere else go seek him wives,  
But when thy fate-given walls and building thrives,  
We all shall be most glad Troy's stones to bear  
Upon our shoulders, that great work to rear.  
He ceased; and what he said, all humed assent.  
Then for full twelve days they a truce indent,  
And peace a space to hold. Then up and down  
Trojans and Latins stray about the town,  
And woods and fields, without control or strife.  
And now to fell ash-trees strokes sound most rife;  
Cloud-kissing pines and good old oaks to cleave,  
To chop down cedars, which sweet scents do leave:  
And having felled them, never cease, till they  
In carts have carried them thence all away.  
And now fame, hasty sorrows harbinger,  
Sad tidings told to old king evander,  
And filled Euanders' court and country round  
With cross bad news, to that which late did sound,  
That Pallas conqueror was in Italy,  
Th' Arcadians (as old custom was) do fly  
Unto their gates, with buriall-burning light,  
Tall torches, which in long ranks shone most bright▪  
Whose shine dark fields abroad distinguished plain.  
And thus they meeting with the Trojan train,  
Unite their mourning troops: which instantly  
The maids and matrons spying, they drew nigh,  
And through the city sad raise piteous cries.  
But for Euander, nothing could suffice  
To hold him back, but to the midst he makes:  
His Pallas-bearing beer quick down he takes,  
And falling, fastening on it, weeps and wails,  
And scarce his voice, (which him with grief yet fails)  
At last he thus unlocks, thus weeping spoke;  
O my dear Pallas, ah, didst thou not make  
This promise to thy parent, that with heed  
And warienesse thou wouldst to war proceed?  
Alas, I know myself, how far new fame,  
And honeyed honour (therefore I too blame)  
I'th' first assault would spur young spirits free.  
Ah, most unhappy youths first-fruits in thee,  
Most rigid rudiments of too soon war,  
For whom my votes and vows all frustrate are!  
And thou, most sacred spouse, in death now blessed,  
Not kept to be by this great grief distressed:  
But I, chose, by life too long,  
My fates do vanquish, but myself do wrong;  
The father living, and the son thus dead,  
The Rutuls should me first have slaughtered,  
Following the Trojan troops: my blood should I  
Have sacrificed, than this solemnity  
Had been for me, not for my Pallas dear.  
But neither blame I you, brave Trojans here,  
Nor yet the league which I with you did make,  
Then ratified, when as we hands did shake;  
This grief (I see) to my grey hairs was lotted:  
But since the fates untimely death had plotted  
Against my son, some comfort it had been,  
If Volscian thousands first he slain had seen,  
And Trojans by him led victoriously,  
Ere he had died, into Italy.  
And now poor Pallas, I can give to thee  
No better buriall-rites, than here I see  
Done by Aeneas kind and Phrygians brave,  
By Tuscan Peers and troops; thus to thy grave  
Who bring rich spoils, which thou from slain didst win:  
And thou i'th' fight a mighty trunk hadst been,  
If so his years (proud Turnus) unto thine  
Had equal been: but why do I confine  
You noble Trojans, and from fight detain?  
Go with this message to your king again:  
Tell him, whereas I live, my Pallas dead,  
'Tis by his hand to be recomforted,  
In making Turnus pay the debt he owes,  
Both to the fathers and the son's great woes.  
This honour fates (I hope) reserve for thee,  
That by thy worth I may revenged be.  
I seek not sweets of life, nor fit I should,  
But that the death of Turnus may be told  
By me to my dead son. In this mean space  
Aurora rare showed forth her shining face  
To night-tyred wretches, day-toiles to renew.  
And now Aeneas grave and Tarchon drew  
Near to the shore; when fires they build apace,  
On which slain soldiers carcases they place,  
(As custom was) kindling black fuming fire,  
Whose smoke hid heaven, as it did up aspire.  
And thrice in arms they ran about the flames,  
And thrice they road about with loud exclaims,  
And trickling tears on arms and earth they spill,  
And w●th loud sounds of Martial music shrill.  
Some spoils from Latins slain obtained, do throw  
Into the fires▪ helmets, brave blades also,  
Bridles, and chariot-wheels warm with quick turning:  
And some cast in their gallant gifts, thus burning  
Their shields most strong, weapons too weak to save:  
And many oxen fat to slaughter gave:  
And briefly, boars and sheep, about the plain;  
And threw them into th' fire, the first being slain:  
And thus about the shore they see the stairs  
Of those their slaughtered soldiers burning mates;  
Whose half-burnt urns and ashes they retain:  
Nor hardly could be thence reduced again,  
Till night came on, and twinkling stars appear.  
On th' other-side, with like lamenting cheer,  
The woeful Latins many heaps do frame,  
And many corpse they partly burn i'th' flame,  
And partly bury in the fields about:  
And some they to next fields do carry out  
Unto towns adjacent: the rest, collected  
Into huge heaps, and of them less respected,  
As numberless, so honourlesse were burned,  
Promiscuously thus into ashes turned.  
Then all the fields with crackling flames did shine.  
And now the third day's light did clear decline,  
And utterly expel night's darkness i'll:  
And sadly they their urns and pots do fill  
With ashes of their bodies burned so,  
Ta'en from the bones, on which hot dust they throw,  
And now in rich king Latins town throughout,  
far greatest grief, most moan, was heard about.  
Here woeful wives, daughters in law most sad,  
Here sisters sweet do beat their breasts, too bad;  
And children fatherless do execrate  
The day of that fierce war unfortunate,  
And Turnus troublous match, wishing withal,  
That he alone which would be principal  
And sole commander of all Italy,  
Should solely with his sword the battle try.  
Old testy Drances these things aggravates,  
And testifies against him alone, to's mates,  
And counsels and encourages (as right)  
That Turnus only should be called to fight.  
Much altercation was both con and pro,  
But yet the queens great presence crossed it so,  
And so protected Turnus Martial fame,  
That to her bent she made their minds to frame.  
In midst of these commotions, tumults great,  
Behold, th' ambassadors sent (late) to treat  
With Diomedes, sadly bring back news,  
That, notwithstanding all means they could use,  
All cost and pains, they nothing could effect  
With gold or gifts, but used with disrespect,  
No preys prevailed▪ Latins must look elsewhere  
For Martial help, or else they all did fear,  
With Troy's great prince they must a peace request.  
Hereat king Latins heart great grief expressed.  
The Gods great wrath, and graves fresh 'fore their eyes,  
Made them conclude, Aeneas enterprise  
Fatal to be, and with heavens clear consent;  
Therefore in haste they call a parliament.  
Strait all the empire's Peers are called to court,  
And thither with huge confluence resort:  
The aged king Latinus, with sad look,  
In honour chief, chief place amongst them took.  
And now he bade th' ambassadors, comen late  
From fair Aetolia's town, to promulgate  
What news they brought, all plainly to explain:  
And all, to hear them, silent do remain.  
Venulus then with due observance spoke;  
Grave patriots, we a perfect view did take  
Of Diomedes and his Grecian plains,  
And safe have past all our great journeys pains:  
We kissed that hand which Troy did ruinate,  
And saw his city, Argiripa's state,  
So named from native soil, which, victor, he  
In Gargan-Iapyx plains would built should be.  
We being entered, having audience fair,  
Present our gifts, our nation, name, declare;  
Who on us warred; what us to Argos drove.  
These things thus heard, he, with a countenance grave  
And sweet, replied; O nation fortunate,  
Once Satur's throne, ancient Ausonians state:  
What froward fate your peaceful minds molests?  
And you with unknown wars so much infests?  
All we, who-e're, that Troy's fair fields did spoil,  
(I speak not of those woes which Martial toil  
Under her walls didwrack, but those rare spirits  
In Simois slain) we all have our due merits,  
Now sound smart for those impieties,  
Such as even Priam sure would sympathise:  
Witness Minerva's most tempestuous star,  
Euböian rocks, which did against us war,  
Caphares conquering banks. That warfare fierce  
Did us to divers seas and shores disperse.  
For Menelaus, Atreus' son most stout,  
To Proteus pillars hurried was about;  
Ulysses saw the Aetnean Cyclops fierce.  
Why should I Neoptolems realms rehearse?  
Idomeneus towns, and Gods destroyed?  
And Libyck Locrians woefully annoyed?  
Yea Agamemnon, Greeks great General,  
Had by his wicked wife his fatal fall,  
As soon as ere come home; and Asia ta'en,  
Adulterous Aegisthus in's throne did reign.  
Yea and even me the Gods did plainly hate,  
As my returning home did intimate;  
When I had hope my loving wife to see,  
And Calidonia from all mischief free:  
Now with prodigious visions I am vexed,  
And my dear mates (which hath my heart perplexed,  
To see their woeful state) are flown away,  
And with birds wings, as birds about do stray  
In woods and floods, filling the rocks with cries,  
And I e'er since fear such like miseries:  
For frantic I have wounded with my blade  
Celestial bodies, and a wound have made  
In Venus' hand. Move me not then, I pray,  
To more such fights, which me thus mischief may;  
Nor with the Trojans; since Troy's fall in fight  
I never will attempt, nor take delight  
To think upon their ancient misery.  
As for the gifts which ye have brought to me,  
Let them to prince Aene●s carried be;  
For we have fought and bickered hand to hand.  
And (trust me who have tried) most stout he'll stand  
Upon his shield, and fiercely whirling darts.  
If Ida had bred two more such stout hearts,  
Dardan through Graecia clearly pierced had,  
And we in woe bewailed our fates as bad.  
For whatsoever stout procrastination  
Was in Troy's furious wars continuation,  
'Twas Hector's and Aeneas Martial hand,  
That ten years made our conquest anxious stand.  
Both stout of heart, both were in arms most strong:  
But unto this did worthily belong  
Prime praise for's piety: as for you then,  
By all means make ye peace with these great men:  
But if ye will to arms, stand on your guard.  
And thus, most mighty prince, thou hast both heard  
The answer and advises to thee sent,  
Touching this mighty wars most dire event.  
Scarce had th' ambassadors thus made an end,  
But that their muttering mouths forth forthwith send  
Vast various humming noise confusedly;  
Like stones which against a rivers current lie,  
The bubbling streams against them rough ratlings make,  
And neighbouring banks of'ts dashing din partake.  
But soon as e'er their mouths and minds were still,  
The king, first having prayed, thus vents his will  
From his rich throne; At first (as 'twas most fit,  
And I, great Latins, most desired it)  
I would have settled these affairs of state;  
And not a council now necessitate,  
When foes besiege our walls. Believe me, sirs,  
We have begun represselesse, helpless stirs.  
Against God-guarded, warlike men we fight,  
In battles undefatigable quite,  
Whose hearts, though vanquished, cannot banished be  
From sword and shield. If hope of help ye see  
In stout Aetolians troops, entreated late,  
Let who sh' will trust that hope; for 'tis most straight,  
And small, or none at all, as 'tis too plain.  
For other things, ye see how they remain  
In tottering state, 'tis open in your eyes:  
And fast and loose in your own hands it lies.  
I tax not any, all have done their best,  
What might be, hath been valiantly expressed.  
But give me leave, and I will briefly show,  
What thwarting thoughts within my heart do flow.  
There is an ancient land which large doth lie  
Toward the West, to our fair Tiber nigh,  
And on Sicilia's boarders butting out;  
Which the Aruncians and Rutulians' stout  
Do plough and sow, and though much out of heart,  
Yet into pastures they do it convert:  
All this large land, and piny mountains high  
Let us give to the Trojans instantly,  
And peace compound, and fair conditions make,  
And them our friends and fellows to us take.  
And let them (if themselves do like it well)  
Amongst us build, amongst us friendly dwell.  
But if they mind to seek some other land,  
And that they will relinquish this our strand;  
Let's furnish them with twenty ships most tall,  
Of strong Italian oak: or if they shall  
Have need of more; then more we may them spare,  
For all materials by the river are  
Already ready: let themselves also  
Their vessels number, and their fashions show:  
But workmanship, and brass, and tackle strong,  
We will them give, and that to ships belong.  
Besides, I think it fit what we should send  
An hundred legates, these affairs to tend;  
And those also of noblest birth and blood,  
To show our minds, and make conditions good:  
And olive-boughs of peace to hold in hand,  
And precious presents of our wealthy land,  
And talents of good gold and ivory,  
A chair of state, and robe of majesty,  
Rites of our realm. Then let me hear, I pray,  
Your counsel, our declining state to stay.  
Then forenamed wrathful Drances, whom deep spite  
And oblique envy at great Turnus hight  
Did vex with bitter bites, most rich in state,  
Richer in words; but wars to animate  
Most cold and cowardly; yet held to be  
For solid counsel, in a prime degree;  
A seedsman of dissension (puffed with pride  
Of his nobility by th'mother's side,  
His father's stock unknown) he up does rise,  
Thus pours out words, and puts in enmities;  
Good king, thou counselest things throughly known,  
Such as will want best suffrages of none:  
Such as even all do know they feel and find,  
But what they wish, they wind up close in mind.  
Let him then give me liberty to speak,  
Let him lay by his pride, whose dealings weak,  
If not most wicked, and unhappy deeds  
(For though he death and danger threat, I needs  
Must speak my mind) so many peers have slain,  
And all our city made in tears complain:  
And whiles that he assays, scarcely assails  
The Trojan trenches, and us therein fails,  
Trusting his heels, thrusting all else in arms,  
Even frighting heaven and earth with fierce alarms.  
Let one thing more be added, I thee pray,  
To all those gifts which thou to send didst say,  
Add this one more, great king; Let not the heat  
Of any's rage make thee from this retreat;  
But give thy daughter (to conclude all strife)  
To such a son, most worthy such a wife,  
Thus mayst thou tie this peace with endless bands.  
But if thy heart on fear and trembling stands,  
We'll him entreat, and for this to him sue,  
To yield our king his right, our state its due.  
And why shouldst thou so oftentimes expose  
Our wretched natives to such certain woes?  
Thou head and heart of Latiums' misery,  
Even thou, O Turnus! no security  
Can be in battles: therefore peace we crave,  
Therefore we all firm pledge of peace would have.  
I first, whom thou indeed do●t think thy foe,  
(And much I care not, if I sure be so)  
I humbly pray thee pity our poor plight,  
Doff thy high thoughts, be gone, since put to flight.  
For we have seen too many bodies slain,  
Too many, and too great lands spoiled and ta'en.  
But, if thee fame so spur, strength so incite▪  
If in the princess thou so much delight,  
Venture thyself to combat with thy foe,  
That Turnus may a queen for's wife, get so.  
We peasants unbewailed, unburied train,  
About the fields will silently remain.  
Thou then, if any Martial spirit thou have,  
Show it against him, who now does thee outbrave.  
This speech young T●rnus rage exasperates:  
He sighs, and then these words evaporated;  
Drances, thou ever drayn'st out floods of words  
Even then when there's far greater need of swords:  
Thou wilt be foremost at a parliament;  
But talk is not for court convenient,  
Which (thou being safe) with full mouth from thee flies,  
While there's a wall 'twixt thee and th' enemies,  
And whiles with blood dikes do not overflow▪  
Thunder (as 'tis thy wont) with babbling so,  
And taunt and tax me then of cowardice,  
When Drances also hath heaped in a trice  
So many Trojan bodies, by him slain,  
And bravely can the field about maintain,  
Triumphant with rich trophies. Then thou mayst  
Thy vigorous valour try, if ought thou hast:  
Nor needst thou look far off to find thy foes,  
They stand about us, and our walls enclose.  
Let's out against them, why dost thou delay?  
What, wilt thou still Mars in thy mouth display?  
Or in those heels of thine flying like wind?  
Did I ere fly? O thou of most base mind!  
Can any truly tax me so, whose blade  
With Trojan blood Tiber o'r●flow hath made;  
Who ruined have Euanders' stock and state,  
And strongly did th' Arcadians denudate  
Of all their arms? Bitias and Pandarus,  
Though e'er so strong, (I think) ne'er found it thus;  
And all those mul●itudes whom in one day  
(Closed in their town, and hedged in every way)  
I to black Tartar sent victoriously.  
In war-fare (sure) there is no safety.  
But, frantic fool▪ go sing thy slanderous song  
To Troy's Aeneas, it does best belong  
To him and thy base state: Proceed then still  
All things with thy most impious fears to fill:  
Extol the strength of a twice vanquished nation,  
And make on th'other side, vile valuation  
Of Latins powers. And now it must be said,  
That Greeks great peers of Trojans are afraid.  
And Diomedes and Achilles stout,  
And that Aufidus fierce turns back in doubt,  
Into the Adriatic sea to fall.  
This artsmaster of lies and envious gall,  
Feigns himself fearful, all because of me,  
My fault must by his fear imbittered be.  
But (fear not, fool) such base blood ne'er shall slain  
This hand of mine; safe to thyself remain.  
But now to thee (great fire) and thine affairs,  
I glad return. If in our coasts and cares  
And future force all hope be past and spent,  
If so forlorn for one poor hard event,  
If one repulse hath us quite ruinated,  
And fortune never can be restaurated:  
Let's then pray peace in submiss trembling fear;  
Though O, I wish there yet some relics were  
Of wont valour! O, 'bove all the rest  
I him admire, most fortunate and blessed,  
For all his toils, for his renowned might,  
In that he lived not of these woes t'have fight;  
He bravely stooped to death, feared not his wound,  
But dying, conquered, when he bit the ground.  
But if we have both wealth and worth, and hearts  
Unstained with cowardice to fly from darts:  
If Latiums' towns and people can bring aid;  
If Trojans pride hath been with much blood paid,  
And that their slain, and warre-tempestuous showers  
Have (if not more) been equal full with ours:  
Why faint we at the first? i'th' door fall dead?  
Why for th' alarm, seem we thus basely fled?  
Much toil and times various vicissitude,  
Man's mutable estate do oft conclude  
In sweet content; Fortune re-smiles on them  
Whom she before threw from a diadem.  
Will neither Greeks nor Arpians us aid?  
But yet Messapus will, he's not afraid:  
Nor fortunate Tolumnius, that brave king,  
Nor all those lords which mighty troops do bring:  
Nor is't a petty praise to have choice bands  
From Italy and stout Laurentums lands.  
Then from the nation of the Volscians brave,  
The princess rare, Camilla fair, we have,  
Leading her troops of horse in armour bright:  
But if with me alone Trojans would fight,  
If this will please, if I alone withstand  
The public good, I ne'er yet found this hand  
So void of victory, that I should e'er  
For so great hope the greatest task forbear.  
I full of courage, will my foe go find;  
And though he had Achilles mighty mind,  
And had such arms as he, by Vulcan dressed,  
Yet I, even Turnus, equal to my best  
Of ancestors, am here most ready pressed,  
This life and soul of mine to consecrate  
To you my father in law, great Latins state.  
'Tis me (you say) Aeneas does defy:  
I wish it so, and pray it may be I.  
Yet, whether I survive or end my life  
By heaven's displeasure or my Martial strife,  
I this could wish, that Drances neither may  
Insult or boast i'th' gain or loss o'th' day.  
Whiles they these things contending agitate,  
Aeneas tents and troops do properate:  
And now behold, a post comes rushing in,  
Filling the court with most tumultuous din,  
Frighting the city with amazement great,  
And eagerly this news doth oft repeat,  
That Trojans were by Tiber's stream arrayed,  
And Tuscan troops o'er all those plains displayed.  
The people's hearts were dampt and much perplexed,  
And with deep wrath and rage provoked and vexed,  
Arms tremblingly they cry, arms sparks do crave;  
Much mourning, muttering is amongst old men grave▪  
And hereupon doth clamourous noise arise,  
With various votes in most contentious wise.  
Much like when i● a wood a mighty flight  
Of chattering birds on boughs and branches light;  
Or cackling swans by fishy Path●s lake,  
Whose notes the banks about loud echoing make.  
Then Turnus taking th' opportunity,  
Cries out, Well done, my friends, well done say I,  
Sat ye in council, praise peace on your seat,  
Whiles foes your kingdom foil and ruin threat.  
Without more words, forth from them all he flings,  
And swiftly leaves them treating on those things.  
And forthwith bids Volusus arm his bands  
Of Volscians brave; and instantly commands,  
And orders stout Messapus to lead forth  
His fierce Rutulian horsemen of brave worth:  
With him his brother Coras to bring on,  
And to the field forthwith for to be gone.  
Some he bids block the ways, some guard the towers,  
The rest, as I think best, shall strength my powers.  
Strait through the city to the walls they scud.  
Then from the council, king Latinus good,  
And great negotiations, doth arise,  
Deferring them in discontented wise;  
Taxing himself, that voluntarily  
He took not into his affinity,  
As his dear son in law, the prince of Troy.  
Some busily their best aid do employ  
About the walls and gates, deep dikes to cast,  
With stones and blocks the gates to damn up fast.  
The Martial trump now gives the bloody sound,  
And wives and children 'bout the walls stood round,  
All at a pinch to help the work are bound.  
Then to great Pallas tower and temple rare,  
The queen was born with troops of ladies fair,  
With sacrificing gifts: and in great state  
Virgin Lavinia did her sociate,  
('Cause of these ills) her comely eyes down cast:  
After, whom orderly the ladies past,  
The temple they perfume with frankincense,  
Thus praying sadly, at ingredience;  
Tritonian maid, arms potent patroness,  
Do thou this Phrygian filchers power suppress  
With thy strong arm, and cast him to the ground▪  
And from our gates do thou his force confound.  
And now fierce Turnus fits him to the fight,  
His rough Rutulian arms with buckles bright  
Fastened about him, with gold buskins clad,  
Not yet upon his head his helm he had;  
But at his side, his sword. Thus gorgeously  
In glistering gold he from the tower doth fly▪  
His heart with hope of hap his foe outstrips,  
As when a pampered courser nimbly skips,  
Broke out o'th' stable, now at liberty,  
Fiercely does to fair fields and meadows fly;  
And frisks about, and leaps amongst the mares,  
And in his wont waters washed, he stairs,  
And snorts and snuffs, and shakes his rough-haire main▪  
Which bolt-upright starts up, and falls again  
In wanton wise, about his neck and breast.  
Whom thus to meet, Camilla her addressed,  
Leading along her troops of Volscians stout,  
The queen alighted at the gates without:  
Whom all her troops do forthwith imitate,  
Leaving their horses, were dismounted strait.  
And thus she first began; O Turnus brave,  
If for true valour, one may duly have  
Hope of good hap, I dare adventure now,  
And Trojan troops I first t' affront do vow▪  
Yea I alone dare deal with Tuscan bands.  
Let wars first fortune fall upon my hand●▪  
Whiles thou on foot stayest here, the gatesto guar●.  
To whom thus Turnus with all due regard,  
(His eyes fast fixed on this admired maid)  
Replies; Fair virgin, who hast full displayed  
Thyself the glory of all Italy!  
What can I say, or do, to gratify  
So great desert? But now (since all I may  
Comes short of thy brave heart) let's part the prey.  
Aeneas now (since fame and scouts forth sent,  
Had made the truth of things most evident)  
A troop of light-horse fiercely first sent out,  
His foe t' outbrave, and scour the fields about.  
Himself ascends a craggy steepy hill,  
Through uncouth combring way, with Martial skill,  
And bends to th' city. I'll (says he) here lay  
An ambush strong close in this woods cross way,  
And so block up both passages most strong,  
With armed troops: do thou then lead along  
Against the Tuscan horse, thy bands combin'de,  
And fierce Messapus unto thee conjoined,  
Together with our Latin companies,  
And strong Tyburtus troops, our brave allies;  
And of a stout commander take the charge.  
And like encouragements he did enlarge  
Unto Messapus, him to th' war t' incite,  
And all his captains; and proceeds to th' fight.  
Between two hills a crooked valley lies,  
Fit for defeat and Martial policies,  
On both sides with thick shady boughs beset,  
Passage through which 'twas difficult to get,  
By narrow entrance, and dark rigid ways,  
Whose mountain-top on high, abroad displays  
An unknown plain, which safe holds for retreat,  
For left or right hands shifting the wars seat,  
Either to skirmish stiffly on the top,  
Or from on high great stones on pates to pop.  
To this vantageous place, by ways well known,  
Doth Turnus' haste, to get possession  
Of the said seat, and settles secretly  
Within those woods, his foes to damnify.  
Meanwhile Diana nimble Ops doth call,  
One of her mated maids celestial,  
And of the modest crew; and sadly said  
To this fair nymph her most officious maid;  
Fair Ops, Camilla, whom I much affect,  
Goes to this furious war vainly bedecked  
With our acoutrements: nor is this love  
Which your Diana's heart thus near doth move,  
A new affection, or an upstart sweet.  
For when as Metabus, by undiscreet  
And impious envy, and insulting might,  
Was from Privernus forced to take his flight,  
Scaping through thickest of his fiercest foes,  
With his poor exiled infant thence he goes,  
And her Camilla, from Casmilla's name,  
Her mother, named; a little changed the same.  
He in his arms his daughter with him bare  
Through long unwonted woods, with carking care:  
At whom thick storms of arrows fiercely flew,  
And troops of Volscian soldiers near him drew.  
In whose fierce flight, behold, Amasenus,  
Swiftly o'reswells his banks most copious,  
So mighty showers of rain gushed down before,  
That he prepared swiftly to swim o'er:  
But tender love unto his infant tender,  
And fear of this dear burden, did him hinder.  
As he a thousand thoughts in mind did cast,  
With much ado, he thus resolved at last;  
A mighty spear of oak in his strong fist  
By chance he caught, strengthened with knotty twist,  
And scorched about; wherein the child he laid,  
And it with bark and cork closely up made:  
And her conveniently to th' staff thus ties,  
And with strong hand it grasping, thus to th' skies  
He vents his votes; Diana, virgin fair,  
Goddess of woods, I this my child, my care,  
Do here thy servant to thee dedicate,  
Who in her hands thy spear doth elevate;  
And by me humbly prays (flying her foe)  
That as thine own, thou wouldst receive her so,  
Who now is left unto uncertain fate.  
This said, his arms laid open, he casteth strait  
The twisted spear into the streams, and they  
Making a dashing-sound, swift floats away  
Unfortunate Camilla. But her father  
Metabus, seeing foes him nearer gather  
In mighty heaps, commits himself to th' waves,  
And so by swimming, both himself he saves,  
And (victor in his votes) the child; and spear,  
Diana's gift, from a grasse-turffe doth tear.  
No harbourous house he had, nor town walled in,  
(Nor would have had though they had proffered been)  
But lived a shepherd's life i'th' woods alone,  
And here in groves and beasts dark-dens unknown  
His daughter he nursed up with a mare's dug,  
Who with her lips milk from the teats did tug:  
And when the babe began to go and stand,  
He her enured to hold a spear in hand,  
To bear a bow and quiver at her back:  
And for a cawl of gold, (which she did lack)  
And a long lovely robe, she wore behind  
A tigers skin, loose dangling in the wind:  
And pretty childish darts she used to fling,  
And 'bout her head would nimbly whisk her sling;  
Wherewith sometime a fat Strymonian crane,  
Sometime a milk-white swan were smote and slair.  
Great Tuscan dames, as she their towns passed by,  
Wished her their daughter in law, but frustrately,  
Her sole delight being in Diana's grace,  
In pure virginity to end her race:  
O that she had not war so much affected,  
Nor to provoke the Trojans been addicted!  
Then had she lived one of my damsels dear,  
But now, since she her bitter fates must bear,  
Fair nymph descend, view Latins land throughout,  
Where with unhappy hap the field is fought.  
Take these with thee, and from this quiver pull  
A dart vindicative of vengeance full;  
Which, whosoever her sacred body harms,  
Trojan, Italian, fatally it charms,  
And gives me full revenge. Afterwards I  
Will in a hollow cloud immediately  
Take up her woeful corpse, arms free from spoil,  
And her inter in her own native soil.  
This said, she fluttering flies down through the air,  
A black thick stormy cloud her body bare.  
But now meanwhile Troy's troops the walls drew nigh,  
Etrurian-leaders bands of horsemen high,  
In well-composed arrays: the steeds most stout  
Curvet, and fret, and range the field about,  
Churlishly champing (still) the kerbing reins,  
And here and there prancing about the plains:  
Steel-glistring spears the very fields affright,  
And all the camp seems fired with armour bright.  
Messapus also, on the other side,  
And lusty Latins shine in Martial pride:  
Coras and's brother and Camilla's wing,  
Their adverse armies brave to field do bring;  
And in their right hands they their spears do shake▪  
And in their rests, their lances charges make.  
And now both horse and men with fervour fret  
To meet: and both sides now together set  
In distance of a darts cast, both stand still,  
And suddenly burst out in clamours shrill,  
And cheer their snorting steeds, and thick darts throw  
From both sides, all parts like huge drifts of snow,  
Which darkly dim the air. Then instantly  
Tyrrhenus and Aconteus furiously  
With piercing spears begin a combat strong,  
Whose first affront, with overthrowing throng,  
Made mighty noise: the horses breast to breast  
Battered each other as they forward pressed:  
And down Aconteus fell unto the ground,  
Much li●● a thunderbolt with clattering sound.  
Or like ● ponderous stone from engine thrown,  
Headlong he fell, and falling gave last groan.  
The ranks are strait disranked, the Latins fly,  
Turn back their bucklers and horseheads, and hie  
Unto the city. Trojans drive them on,  
Asylas makes prime prosecution,  
And execution on the enemy,  
And chased the Latins to the city nigh;  
There suddenly with clamours loud and great  
Rein back their horses, back their foes they beat.  
The Trojans▪ strait, re-rein their horse and fly.  
Like as i'th' sea, when subalternately  
Now on each other, billows backward rush  
Fast to the shore, and with foam-waves do brus●  
And overtop rough rocks and bounding sands;  
And now again with furious countermands  
And boiling foam re-sups roll'd-pebbles small,  
Ebbing and flowing, to and fro does fall:  
Thus Tuscans twice to th' walls do Rutuls force;  
And twice beat back, their backs hid, foes they course.  
But after third encounters skirmishing,  
The whole battalions furiously begin  
Promiscuously to fight it out pelmell,  
And closely to it, man to man, they fell.  
Then groans of dying men drenched deep in gore,  
Corslets and corpse of soldiers more and more  
Tumbling down dead, mingled with half-dead horse,  
Wallowing in blood, loud screeks and cries do force:  
The fight grows fierce. Thus than Orsilochus  
(Fearing to set upon fierce Remulus)  
Darted a spear at's horse, which stuck in's care,  
Whereat the furious beast could not forbear,  
But stamps and stairs, impatient of his wound,  
And ne'er left kicking, mounting, till to th' ground  
His rider he did headlong tumble down.  
Catillus then slew, to his high renown,  
Iöla fierce, and bold Herminius,  
In corpse and courage most magnanimous,  
Who with his yellow locks bareheaded fought,  
Bare-necked, not fearing wounds or weapons stout,  
So great he was in war; yet through his neck  
A piercing spear did his bare-boldnes●e check:  
Which in his mighty shoulders stuck most fast,  
And into deadly pangs this warrior cast.  
Black floods of blood on both sides flow amain;  
By steel they die, by death they fame obtain.  
But through the thickest of these slaughters fierce  
The manly Amazonian dame doth pierce,  
Rare quiver-bearing fair Camilla stout,  
Who with one breast cut off, most fiercely fought.  
Sometimes she grasps her darts or whistling spears,  
Sometime her untyred hand a battleax bears.  
Still 'bout her neck her golden bow hangs fast,  
Diana's arms. And if by chance at last  
She forced be to fly, pursued in chase,  
Her bow turned back, she shoots in followers face.  
And still about her her choice virgins fight,  
Larina, Tulla, and Tarpëia bright,  
Her brazen bill brandishing valiantly,  
Fair Latium lasses, whom especially  
Camilla rare chose both for guard and grace,  
Affairs of peace or war t'appoint a place.  
Like th' Amazonian dames of Thracia land,  
When warring 'bout Thermodoon floods they stand  
In rich wrought arms: or 'bout Hippolyta,  
Or in her coach warlike Penthesil'a.  
Showing herself victor with voices shrill,  
And feminine out-cries, the skies that fill,  
And stately strutting with their halfmoon shields.  
O whom (fierce lady) didst thou slay i'th' fields,  
Both first and last? How many bodies slain  
And gasping souls did at thy feet remain?  
Eumenius, Clytius son, she first did slay,  
Whose naked breast open to her anger lay:  
Which with her spear she pierced, who floods of gore  
Strait vomiting, with teeth the ground he tore,  
And died in his own blood. On whom she slew  
Liris and Pegasus; the one who drew  
His reins too straight, curbing his floundring horse;  
Th'other, too weakly aiding, she did force  
To follow him, and headlong both do rush:  
Next with a spear, far-off, she fierce doth push  
At Hippodates son, Amaster strong:  
Tereus and Harpalycus ere long,  
Stout Demoph'on and Chromis, all she slew.  
And look how many shafts this lady threw,  
So many Trojans died. Ornitus stout,  
In arms most strange, did fly the fields about,  
On an Apulian beast, in hunter's pride,  
Whose shoulders broad an ox's hyde did hide,  
And for an helm on's head a fierce wolves head,  
With grinning jaws, white teeth discovered:  
He in his hand a clownish club did wield,  
In thickest troops 'bove all the rest beheld.  
Him she assailed (nor was this brave fact  
Effected when the troops retired back)  
Assaulting, slew: and wrathfully thus said;  
Proud Tuscan, didst thou (false) thyself persuade,  
That thou wast hunting wilde-beasts in a wood?  
This day shall teach thee thou hast understood  
Erroneously, and that, by female force:  
Yet tell thy father's ghost, 'tis no mean course,  
No common death, thus by Camilla's lance  
To die. This said, forthwith she did advance  
Both at Orsilachus and Butes bold,  
Two Trojans huge of body to behold:  
But fiercely she at B●tes her spear strake,  
Which 'twixt his helm and corslet way did make,  
Glistering about his neck: his target strong  
By his left side hung danglingly along:  
Orsilochus she subtly seems to fly  
On th'inner-side, circling, with policy,  
Her foolified foe; who thus again  
Her close pursues, that chases him amain.  
Then raising up herself, with battleax great  
Together armour, flesh, and all she beat:  
And on him praying, prating, double blows  
Nimbly redoubles, till at head and nose  
Warm brains gush out, and all-besmeare his face.  
Then unawares arrived in this place,  
And at first sudden sight somewhat afraid,  
The warlike son of Aunus, who long made  
Abode in Apennine▪ none of the worst  
Of Ligures lying race, whiles fates (from first)  
Permitted him to cheat: who when he saw,  
He by no slight nor flight could now withdraw  
From a sharp fight, nor turn th'affronting dame;  
He thought how he by craft some trick might frame;  
And thus begins; What so renowned a fact  
Is it, if thou, a woman, having backed  
So brave a beast, dost boast and trust him so?  
Leave thy swift horse, alight to me below,  
And hand to hand let's bicker on the ground,  
And fight on foot; then shall it soon be found,  
How fond thy flash of praise is, who'll best merit.  
He ceased. But she with hot enraged spirit,  
Inflamed with deep disdain, her horse forsakes,  
Commits him to her mate, herself betakes  
To equal arms on ground, her sword in hand  
And nimble shield, thus stoutly she doth stand.  
But now the lying lad, thinking his cheat  
Succeeded right, flies thence in frightful heat;  
He makes no stay, but turns his reins with speed,  
Sets spurs to's nimble nag, hopes (thus) he's freed.  
Whereat says she, Vain Ligur, 'tis in vain,  
That thou thy pride of heart wouldst thus maintain:  
In vain's (I say) thy country cozenage base;  
Nor shall thy fraud thee shuffle in safe case,  
To thy fallacious father Annus vile.  
Thus spoke the lady, who in this meanwhile  
With light-heeled flashy haste the horse o'ertook,  
Lays hold on's bridle, at him fiercely struck:  
And thus in's blood revenged his knavish wrong.  
Much like great Mars his bird, the falcon strong,  
Flown from a lofty rock, having in chase  
A swift aire-piercing dove in quivering case:  
Which caught, he keeps, and does with's talons tear,  
Forcing both blood and feathers fly i'th'aire.  
But jove, great founder both of Gods and men,  
With watchful eye looks from olympus then;  
And Tuscan Tarchon to this fight invites,  
And with sharp spurs of rage him soon incites.  
Then into th'midst o'th' fight and failing bands  
Tarchon doth rush, and stout on horseback stands,  
With various votes encouraging his wings,  
And every one by name about he brings,  
Re-cheering those that fled to th'fight to fall.  
And thus he says; What fear surrounds you all,  
O still dull Tyrrhons, ne'er to be lamented?  
What so great sloth hath you so circumvented?  
What, shall a woman force you to pale face?  
Shall she you up and down so hunt and chase?  
Why bear ye blades? why wear ye weapons vain?  
Ye stand not thus, fond courtesy to strain:  
Nor dreaming thus at Venus' wanton sport,  
At nightly wars: or when with thick resort  
Bacchus his bagpipe calls in companies:  
Or when with beer and cheer ye g●rmandize!  
O here's your love, here your delight most lies,  
Whiles in high groves your priest glad tidings sings,  
And to your sacrifice fat offerings brings.  
This said, his horse into the midst he spurs,  
Himself much vexed in heart, fate first him stirs  
To set on Venulus most furiously:  
Whom from his horse he pulls down instantly,  
And with main force squeezed him on his own breast.  
Then mighty clamours were to heaven expressed,  
And on him all the Latins cast their eyes:  
Thus lightning flashing Tarchon forward flies,  
Bearing down men and arms: and as he passed,  
The iron of his spear broke off at last.  
Yet still death-wounds to give all parts he pries:  
And fight, he himself doth shield likewise  
From bloody blades, and force by force defies:  
And as the lusty eagle lofty flies,  
And in his claws a snatched up dragon holds,  
Which fast in's feet he with sharp talons folds;  
But yet the pinching serpent wriggling wreathes,  
His folding limbs and scales with hideous breaths,  
And poisonous hissings, struggling sturdilie:  
Yet ne'er the less, the eagle eager  
Him pulls and pinches with his beak most strong,  
And through the air forcibly flies along:  
Even so great Tarchon from Tyburtum bands  
Triumphantly bears the prey in his hands.  
The Lydians likewise gladly imitate  
Their brave commanders pattern and good fate.  
Then Aruns, full of craft and subtlety,  
Subject himself to fatal destiny,  
Rides round about Camilla with his lance,  
His fortunes fitliest labouring to advance.  
And wheresoever in thickest troops she stood,  
Thither doth Aruns slyly prying scud:  
Where she from foes retreats a conqueress stout,  
Thither by stealth quick runs he, wreaths about:  
And this way, that way, every way doth trance,  
And round he runs, and shakes his death-sure lance.  
By chance Choreus, once a priest divine,  
In Phrygian arms 'bove all the rest did shine,  
Prancing his foaming horse, adorned fair  
With rich comparisons, brass scales most rare,  
Garnished with gold, himself most richly clad  
In fine outlandish scarlet, purple sad.  
His Cretian shafts he shot in Lycian bow,  
His bow all gilt, his shoulders hung below.  
A priests gilt helm, rich yellow coat he wore,  
Whose dangling flappes gold buttons tied before,  
A rare embroidered jacket, robe to's thighs.  
The lady him no sooner thus espies,  
But (either that she might her temple grace,  
And Trojan armour hang in special place;  
Or cloth herself in captive clothes of gold)  
This hot-spurred huntress greedily blindfold  
Through all the fight follows him eagerly;  
And fired with feminine aviditie  
And longing lust of that rich spoil and prey  
Aruns, who long in watchful ambush lay,  
At last lays hold of fit time offered,  
And casts his dart, and these votes uttered;  
Great jove, and thou Soracte's grave Apollo,  
Whom chiefly we with sacrifices follow,  
To whom a pile of oily pines still flame,  
And we, assisted by thy sacred name,  
Through midst of flames can walk and pass most free,  
Yea even barefooted, yet unhurt are we:  
O grant, great jove, my weapon may wipe out  
Our foul disgrace, too long thus born about.  
No trophies from the damsel I desire,  
No prey nor spoils in conquest I require,  
By other facts I will advance my fame:  
So I may but subdue this pestilent shame,  
I pass not, though I pass ingloriously  
Unto my home, and honourlesse there die.  
Apollo partly his request respects,  
Partly as airy stuff he it rejects:  
He grants Camilla by dire death shall die,  
But his return safe home he does deny:  
And these his words like winds he made to fly.  
Wherefore as soon as e'er the whistling lance  
Flung from his hand, did through the air advance,  
The eyes and thoughts of all the host throughout,  
Towards the Volscian queen were cast about.  
But she, nor air, nor sound, nor singing dart,  
Herd or regarded, till it pierced her heart:  
Until the spear on her seared breast fast lights,  
And drunk with damsels blood her heart it smites.  
Her maiden-mates made all about her strait,  
To stay their falling queen, in dying state.  
But Aruns chiefly makes away with speed,  
In whom much fear mixed with much joy doth breed:  
Nor longer durst he linger, more to try  
The damsels dart and spear, but fast doth fly.  
And like a wolf, who ere the adverse darts  
Do him assault, fearfully flies and starts,  
And hides himself in uncouth mountains high,  
(Some shepherd by him slain most ravenously,  
●r some brave bullock) conscious of the deed,  
Does with the tail between his legs proceed,  
And haste into the woods with fear and fright:  
So Aruns full of fear gets out of sight,  
Well pleased with flight, him in the army hides.  
The dying queen the spear, which in her 'bides,  
Strives to pluck out; but in her bones and breast  
The steely weapon fast did stick and rest;  
She wanting blood, sinks down, her dying eyes  
Shut down their lids: her red, which beautifies  
Late cherry cheeks, is lost. With dying voice  
To Acca, one of her chief maids of choice,  
(Whom 'fore the rest for her fidelity  
Camilla used in deep anxiety,  
With her her sorrows to communicate)  
Thus she her mind doth dying demonstrate;  
Hitherto, sister Acca, I was able;  
But now my mortal wound doth me disable.  
All things (me thinks) 'bout me seem dark and dim▪  
Haste hence to Turnus, and relate to him  
My last advice; wish him in any case  
To come to th' fight, Trojans from's town to chase:  
And now farewell. And with those words her rain  
Fell from her hand, and with her wounds great pain  
She fiercely falls to ground; then by degrees,  
Her corpse all natural heat doth softly lose,  
And so grows cold, and then her limber neck  
Le's lose her helpless head, to bow and beck:  
And from her hands her weapons letting fall,  
With a great groan, her struggling soul withal  
Flies to the seat of souls. Then instantly  
A wondrous clamour clambers up to th' sky.  
Camilla thus cast down, more bloody grows  
The furious fight, and thick the confluence flows,  
Of Trojan and of Tuscan captains stout,  
And of Euanders' brave Arcadian rout.  
Meanwhile, fair Ops, Diana's maid, sat high,  
Mounted upon a mount, undauntedly,  
To view the fight. As she among the sparks,  
Furiously fight sees far off and marks  
Camilla most unworthily thus slain,  
A hearty sigh these words pump out amain;  
Too dear (alas fair lady!) ah, too dear  
Thou now hast paid, by cruel death laid here,  
By war thus labouring Trojans to provoke.  
In vain thou worest in woods Diana's yoke,  
In vain thou didst our shafts and quiver wear;  
Yet no disgrace (fair queen) there shall appear  
In this thy death; nor shall it without praise  
Pass through the world: Fame thee revenged shall blaze:  
For whosoever thy corpse thus violated,  
Shall surely be by death retaliated.  
Under a steepy hill there was the grave  
Of king Dercennus raised aloft most brave,  
With heaps of earth from ancient Laurent ta'en,  
Covered with oaken boughs and branches main:  
Here the fair nymph first swiftly did alight,  
And from this hill on Aruns cast her sight.  
Whom spying richly armed puffed up with pride,  
Why fliest thou hence (says she) and turn'st aside?  
Make this thy way, come hither to thy bane,  
Take thy just guerdion for Camilla slain.  
Shalt not thou by Diana's dart now die?  
And at these words, like Thracian huntress high,  
From her gilt quiver she a sharp shaft takes,  
And fiercely bends her bow, and fitly makes  
The nock stand to the string: so strong she drew,  
That both the horn-ends meet; out swiftly flew  
The shaft from both her hands. Aruns at last  
here's the darts din, as through the air it passed:  
The steel stuck in his breast, he gasping lay,  
His mates unmindful of him, gone away,  
Left him expiring in an unknown ground:  
Ops for Olympus with her wings is bound.  
Lady Camilla slain, her left wing first  
Flies fast away, their fair array quite burst:  
The routed Rutuls run, Atinas flies,  
Their ensigns lost by captain's cowardice,  
Seeking for shelter, horsemen haste to th' town,  
The Trojans fierce by death do all beat down.  
None them withstands, none can their darts resist,  
Foes unbent bows fall from their fainting fist:  
Flying horse-hoofs shake the bemired fields,  
The way to th' town rais'd-clouds of thick dust yields▪  
Wives from the walls behold it, beat their breast,  
Womanish cries to th' skies their woes expressed.  
And those which first by flight got open the gate,  
Promiscuous might of foes doth perturbate.  
Nor scape they bitter death, even at the door,  
And at their house and homes they gasp in gore.  
Some shut the gates, shut out their mates for fear,  
And though they pray, to open are forced forbear.  
A mighty slaughter here defendance found,  
And fierce assailants find their fatal wound,  
And some shut out, 'fore weeping parents eye,  
Constrained, run headlong into th' ditch and die.  
Some fury-blinded, set spurs to their horse,  
And headlong butt the bars and gates by force.  
The women on the walls made so fierce fight,  
When dead Camilla came into their sight,  
(Such to their country was their zeal and love)  
That fearful fast they fling darts from above,  
And steely staves of oak, ●peares burnt at th' end,  
Fearless to die, their country to defend.  
Meanwhile a message sad as bad flies out,  
Which in the woods fills Turnus heart with doubt▪  
By flying Acca to this young prince brought;  
How their affairs were with confusion fraught:  
How Volscians vanquished were, Camilla slain:  
How furious foes upon them pressed amain:  
How they in all with prosperous war proceed:  
How fear within, without the town did breed.  
He fury-filled (for so joves' fierce decree  
Ordained had) the immured mounts doth free,  
Leaves the sharp thickets, scarce was out of sight,  
Hardly had pitched his camp in Martial rite;  
When brave Aeneas entered had the wood,  
And on the late forsaken mountain stood,  
And got out of the grove: when both in haste  
With all their troops unto the city passed,  
From one another not far distant lying.  
Aeneas also vigilantly eyeing  
The dusty fields and fair Laurentine bands:  
And Turnus saw where stout Aeneas stands,  
His footmen's fierce approach, his neighing horses:  
Immediately they had conjoined their forces,  
And fough●●he field, had not Sols roseal face  
With tired ●●eeds been veiled in th' end of's race,  
In Western waves, and days decay brought night;  
Before the town they therefore plant their might.  
An end of the eleventh book of Virgil's Aeneïs'.   

THE ARGUMENT of the twelfth book.  
King Turnus, now the Latins tired  
With adverse arms, once more desired  
By single combat fates to try.  
Latinus labouring urgently  
A peace to make, the peace is had.  
Juturna, Turnus sister sad,  
Disturbs the same, Camertes feigns,  
Both th' adverse bands to fight constrains.  
Aeneas wounded with a dart,  
His mother Venus cures the smart.  
The town is ta'en: queen Amata  
Then hangs herself. Turnus straightway  
The combat with Aeneas tries,  
Is slain: Aeneas wins the prize.  
WHen Turnus saw his Latins tired quite,  
And much perplexed with this unfriendly fight,  
His promise now required, himself the but  
On whom the eyes of all themselves did glut.  
With self-incensed rage he burns and blazes,  
Fury implacably his spirit raises:  
Much like the Libyan lion hunted sore,  
Who with a mortal wound molested more,  
Prepares to fight, insultingly doth shake  
His curled locks, hoping revenge to take  
On the sly-hunter, snaps the spear in's paws,  
And furious, fearless, roars with bloody jaws:  
So wrath vindicative fierce Turnus swells.  
Thus then to th' king his troubled thoughts he tells;  
In Turnus (sure) there can be no delays,  
Why turncoat Trojans should use stops and stays,  
Eating their words, refuse their promise past.  
I'll meet him: then (grave sir) about you cast,  
Secure conditions for your peace to make,  
For with this hand I'll either undertake  
That Asian fugitive to send to hell,  
(Let Latins sit and see, and note it well)  
And with my sword-salve heal this public ill:  
Or he shall conquer us, and with good will  
My fair Lavinia in due marriage have.  
The king with settled thoughts and countenance grave,  
Makes this reply; O most accomplished prince,  
By how much thou all others dost evince  
In virtue, valour; the more seriously  
Must I consult with circumspective eye,  
And cast all courses how to free our fear.  
Thou hast fair realms held from thy father dear,  
Fair warre-won towns: Lati●us still inherits  
Plenty of gold, but most and best, brave spirits:  
And Latium and Laurentum doth possess  
More virtuous virgins, full of nobleness.  
Then give me leave to speak the truth, though tart,  
Plain without flash, and fix my words in heart:  
To no old suitor I my daughter may  
In wedlock join: this fates and all men say:  
Yet won with love of thee, won by thy race,  
And floods of tears on my sad spouses' face,  
I broke all bands, infringed my promise plighted  
Unto my son in law, vile war invited.  
Meanwhile thou seest (brave Turnus) what befalls  
Both thee and me; what broils even to our walls,  
How many tiring troubles, chiefly thee  
Have overtaken: whereby we now see  
Ourselves in two set-battells vanquished,  
And we within our town scarce free from dread,  
The strength and hope of famous Italy:  
And to this day our blood doth tepefie  
Swift Tiber's torrent, still our fields look white  
With mighty heaps of bones. O why so light  
Turn I so oft? what frenzy moves my mind?  
If (Turnus slain) I make these foes friends kind,  
Why rather do I not, while he's alive,  
An end of these fierce fights with speed contrive?  
What will our kinsmen the Rutulians' say,  
Yea and all Italy, if I betray  
(Fates falsify my words) his life to grave,  
Whiles he our daughter his choice spouse doth crave?  
War's various events respect, I pray;  
With pity thy old parents grief allay,  
Whom, full of grief, Ardea's land separates.  
This speech no whit stout Turnus' rage abates,  
Whose salve doth more and more the sore infest▪  
Who soon as he could speak, it thus expressed;  
Your care of me (grave sire) pray put aside,  
And let me death for dignity abide.  
We yet cast darts, draw swords with Martial hands,  
And every wound we give, lifeblood commands.  
His Goddess mother will be absent far,  
Who in a cloud that fugitive from war  
With feminine affection used to hide,  
In pain shall he in cloudy vails abide.  
But now the queen with this new-purposed fight  
Sorely perplexed, showers tears in piteous plight,  
Her fiery son in law, ready to die,  
Embracing in her arms, with plaints doth ply;  
Dear Turnus, by these tears I thee entreat,  
(By that, if any love o'th' honour great  
Of Amata, warms thy late loving heart:  
For of our old age thou the sole staff art,  
Our sorrows solace, Latins lovely crown,  
That prop, which fa●ling, all our state falls down)  
This one thing I thee pray, Cease wars with Troy;  
For whatsoever chance doth thee annoy,  
The very same (my Turnus) me'le destroy:  
And life I'll leave, ere captived I will see  
Aeneas base, my son in law to be.  
Her mother's tongue, with tears, Lavinia knew,  
Strait crystal drops her blushing cheeks bedew,  
Whose coral colour seemed her face to flame,  
And with much heat to overspread the same.  
Much like white ivory with vermilion stained,  
Or lilies fair with much red-roses drained;  
Such was the damsels dainty coloured face.  
Love strait turns Turnus to more amorous case:  
Whose eyes fast fixed on her countenance fair,  
More eagerly for arms he does prepare.  
Thus therefore briefly to queen Amata  
He makes reply; Forbear, forbear, I pray,  
Dear mother, with your tears me to molest,  
To urge me from a lot which I love best,  
And for which I will bloodiest battles try:  
Nor is't in Turnus, life or death to fly.  
Go therefore Idmon, tell that Phrygian king,  
Show the unsavoury message thou dost bring;  
That early the next morn, so soon as e'er  
Ruddy Aurora with a countenance clear  
In purple chariot ushers in day ●ight,  
His Trojans should not Rutule● 〈…〉 fight,  
But both might rest, and both desist from arms,  
And their two's blood determine these alarms.  
This message sent, to's home he fiercely flies,  
Calls for her horses▪ which, before his eyes  
Champing with foaming mouths, him much delight:  
Even those which of a fair and prancing spirit  
Fair Orithyia to Pilumnus gave,  
For snowy colour and swift course most brave.  
The horse-keepers about them busy stand,  
Slicking their breasts, clapping them with their hand,  
To cheer them up, and comb their mains rough hair.  
Himself puts on his corslet, shining fair  
With glistering gold and streaks of tin most bright:  
His sword and shield and helmet, fits to th'fight.  
His sword (I say) which ignean Vulcan gave  
Unto his father Daunus, dipped most brave  
I'th' Stygian stream, to make it strong and bright  
Then from a pillar standing bolt-upright,  
I'th' midst o'th' room a mighty lance he takes,  
And in his hand it furiously he shakes,  
Actor Aruncus spoil: thus than he said;  
O thou my spear, which ne'er deny'dst me aid  
When I desired, the time is now at hand:  
Once mighty Actor used thee to command,  
But Turnus now thee in his hand doth hold:  
O grant, with thee I may his carcase cold  
Lay low on ground, and by thee, my brave spear,  
With my strong hand, the pulled off corslet tear  
Of that hen-hearted Phrygian, and most just,  
Smear his perfumed smelling locks i'th'dust,  
Curled and crisped with heated irons neat.  
Thus up and down with rage and fury great  
He breathes outbraves, and makes wrath-sparkles ●lie,  
And flames of indignation flash in's eye.  
As when a bull a furious fight intends,  
Aire-frighting bellows forth he forthwith sends,  
And with madhead his horns whets on the ground,  
Butts trunks of trees, to fight with winds turns round,  
Plays with the dust, ploughs up the earth in spite:  
Aeneas also fits him for the fight,  
Armed in his mother's arms, Mars invocates,  
And him to th'combat, wrath exasperates,  
Rejoicing that by this thus offered truce,  
There was good hope to peace war to reduce.  
Then sad Iülus fears, and all his mates  
He comforts by discovering all his fates:  
And bids the messengers show to their king  
The rules for peace, and truth of every thing.  
Next morn, when day with light scarce sprinkled had  
The mountain tops, so soon as Sol most glad  
Gave reins to's coursers, with a full career  
Mounting from sea, snorting out day most clear  
From their light-breathing nostrils: when with speed  
Trojans, Rutulians', busily proceed  
To bond the limits of their field to fight,  
Under the citie-walls, i'th'cities sight:  
And 'twixt them both, they fire and water brought,  
And to their Gods they grassy altars fraught,  
In linen clothed, with sacred vervine crowned.  
Thus first come forth the Latin bands renowned:  
The Trojans then and Tuscans follow fast,  
And troops with various weapons, with them past.  
As comptly, promptly armed with blades most bright,  
As if they all were instantly to fight.  
And in the midst of these their thousands bold,  
Their captains prance in scarlet and in gold.  
And Trojans brave, Mnestheus, Asyla's forces,  
And stout Messapus rider rare of horses,  
Great Neptune's offspring. All then, at the sign  
Now given, to their set-stations do incline.  
Their spears i'th'ground they pitch, their shields let fall.  
Then with desire to see, the women all  
Flock forth, and young and old, and weak and strong  
Climb turrets high, and up and down they throng:  
Some o'er house ridges stride, some on high gates:  
To all high standings each one properates.  
But Iun● from a mountain steep and tall,  
Which now adays, Albanus men do call,  
(But than was nameless, fameless, quite neglected)  
surveys the Martial field, being much affected,  
Views both the Laurent and the Trojan bands,  
And in what state the Latins city stands.  
Then to juturna, Turnus sister, she  
Thus said, Fair nymph, to whom is granted free  
Authority o'er roaring rivers swift,  
(For from above great jove gave her this gift,  
When she was stripped of her virginity)  
Rare nymph, of floods the lustrous bravery,  
To us most near and dear; thou well dost know  
Of all the Latin ladies which do go  
To mighty jupiters' ungrateful bed,  
That thee alone I kindly suffered,  
And lovingly in heaven gave thee a place:  
Learn then of me thy present piteous case,  
And do not me, juturna, henceforth blame:  
For I, as far as fates would grant the same,  
And destinies decreed, have still protected  
Latiums' affairs, Turnus' and's towns affected:  
But now I see the young prince overmatcht,  
And by fates frowning day decreed, quite catcht  
In snares ofhastning death: nor can mine eyes  
Endure this fight, and cursed confederacies.  
If therefore now thou any good canst do,  
Then for thy brother, it with speed ensue,  
As 'tis most fit: perhaps fates may afford  
Better success. Scarce had she said that word,  
When from her eyes juturna showered out tears,  
And twice or thrice her breast she beat with fears.  
Cease (strait says juno) now's no time to weep,  
Make haste, thy brother (if thou canst) to keep  
From speedy death; and or with Martial broil  
Inflame them; or, their peace begun go spoil.  
Be bold, I'll bear thee out. With these persuasions  
She leaves her cumbered with most fierce invasions  
Of wounding thoughts. Meanwhile the kings proceed;  
(Latinuses in a chariot with swift speed  
Drawn by four horses gallantly bedecked  
With twelve-fold golden wreathes, whose rare aspect  
Shone like his grandsire's glorious sunbeam bright;  
Turnus goes next, drawn with two horses white,  
Grasping in's hand two steelie-lances strong:  
Then grave Ae●eas bravely goes along,  
The basis of Rome's regal progeny,  
With's starry shield glistering refulgently,  
And heaven-given arms; with whom Ascanius came,  
The second hope, Rome's empire fast to frame)  
Thus on (I say) they to the camp proceed:  
Their priest arrayed in pure and spotless weed,  
Draws forth a brislie sows young porker fair,  
And unshorn sheep, to th'burning altars rare  
Bringing the beasts. They than their faces bend  
To the ascending sun, on the beasts spent  
Their salt and bran, and with their scissors keen  
They clip the hair, and wool their brows between,  
And on their altars pour out bowls of wine.  
Then with drawn sword Aeneas grave, divine,  
Thus vents his votes; Bright Sol, my witness be,  
And thou O Latium, who both hear and see  
Me praying, and for whom I undergo  
These mighty toils: and thou great jove also,  
Yea and Saturnian juno, whom I pray  
A kinder Goddess be, wrath laid away:  
And thou renowned Mars, who at thy will  
All wars dost regulate and order still:  
And springs and rivers all I invocate,  
And whatsoever heavens power do venerate,  
And all that in the azure floods do go.  
If on Italian Turnus chance bestow  
The victory, we vanquished, will depart  
Unto Euanders' town with ready heart.  
Iülus also shall your land quite clear,  
Nor shall our Trojans arms against you bear,  
Or ever after give you least distaste,  
Or with their swords your territories waste.  
But if to us Mars grant the victory,  
(Which I much rather hope by destiny,  
And pray the Gods would rather ratify)  
I neither will Latins subjection crave  
Unto us Trojans, nor your kingdoms have:  
But that both Trojans and Italians be  
Linked by one law in endless amity:  
I'll guide you to the Gods and sacred rites.  
Have power (great father in law) in Martial fights.  
Have and enjoy (grave sire) thy sovereignty:  
My Trojans only shall me edify  
A settled town, and call it by the name  
Of thy Lavinia, to her dateless fame.  
Thus first Aeneas, than Latinus grave,  
His hands and eyes lift up, this answer gave;  
The self same things I (great Aeneas) swear,  
Let sea and land and stars true witness bear,  
And both Latona's broods, and janus' old  
With his two brows, and hells force uncontrolled,  
And dues divine of plaguy Pluto's seat:  
And let great jove hear thus, whose thunders great  
Do truces tie; fright the fedifragous':  
And hereupon our shrines I handle thus,  
And midst o'th' flames I touch, and Gods I call,  
Of what I speak and vow, to witness all.  
No day shall Latins make this peace t'impeach,  
Nor of these coards of concord to make breach.  
Nor (whatsoever chance betide) will I  
By any force fall backward wilfully:  
No, though the seas hide earth with inundation,  
Or heaven with hell should force fierce desolation.  
And as this mace (for in his hand by hap  
A mace he bore) quite void of native sap,  
Shall never sprout or spring with branches tender,  
Nor ever any cooling shadows render,  
Cut out o'th' wood, and from the stock quite rend,  
Wanting its root, and boughs and bark all spent.  
And cut away with tools, but once a tree,  
Though now with gold it garnished you see,  
By cunning artists skill, and thus made fit  
For Latin kings to hold, in thrones that sit.  
With such like words their peace they did conclude  
Amidst the princely peers and multitude:  
And then, as custom was, their beasts they slay,  
And on the fire their sprawling inwards lay.  
But all this while, this match seems much amiss  
To all the Rutuls, muttering much at this,  
With various votes and thoughts, and so much rather,  
By how much their unequal strength they gather.  
And Turnus his slow walks and paces sad,  
And low dejected looks much fear do add,  
As he was humbly sacrificing there,  
With hollow cheeks and childish total fear.  
Which muttering whiles juturna notes right well,  
And how the people's hearts both rose and fell;  
Camertes countenance counterfeiting, she,  
(Famous for grandsires ancient pedigree,  
And father's fortitude, which far was blown,  
And he himself valiant in arms was known)  
She mixed herself amidst the thickest wings,  
And craftily acquainted with all things,  
Spread rambling rumours amongst them all, and said,  
O Rutuls, are ye not with shame overlayed?  
Thus one man's life for many's to expose  
To danger great? Equal me not our foes  
In number and in magnanimity?  
See here the Trojans and Arcadians lie,  
And fatal troop Etrurians, Turnus foes;  
And if in fight we bravely them oppose,  
They scarce have man for man. He shall indeed  
To th' Gods (whose altars he adores) proceed,  
And live by fame in all men's mouths, though dead:  
But we (our country lost) live in dire dread,  
Be slaved to supercilious lords, whiles we  
Lie lazing and permit it thus to be.  
With these like words the youths hot thoughts she fires,  
And more and more the murmur might acquires  
Through all the army. Now the Laurents stout,  
And all the Latins wheel their thoughts about,  
And they which lately looked for rest from fight,  
And safely from their sorrows, now downright  
Addicted are to arms, wish the peace marred,  
And with great grief, Turnus' hard hap regard.  
And to all this juturna jugles more,  
And from the heavens sends a sign them before,  
Which more effectually than aught else yet,  
Did mould th' Italians minds for her most fit,  
To foolifie them with a prodigy.  
For as joves' bird, the eagle, in clear sky  
Soaring along, drives little birds about,  
And frights the chattering flock and wingie rout,  
When with a sudden swoop and serious watch  
H● gliding down, a gallant swan doth catch,  
And tears in'stallons; (hereat instantly  
Th' Italians courage take) then cherpingly,  
All the birds back do fly (a most strange sight)  
And with their wings do dim the skies clear light,  
And with a clustering cloud o'er all the air,  
Their foe so much infest an overbeare,  
That forced at last by force and ponderous weight,  
He lets his prey fall into th' water strait,  
And swiftly flutters from them into th' sky.  
The Rutuls their auspicuous augury  
With clamours loud adore, to fight prepare:  
Tolumnius specially, a soothsayer rare,  
Stands forth and cries; This, this is it indeed,  
Which I long looking for, wish might succeed.  
The Gods great power I know, and glad embrace.  
Brave Rutuls, come, come follow me apace,  
Even me your captain, let your swords take place:  
Even you, whom this base straggler by fierce broils,  
Would as those weak birds fright from native soils,  
And all your shores with fire and sword invade;  
But he shall fly, and with base retrograde  
Hoist sails from hence, and haste into the main:  
You then with one consent your troops maintain,  
Double your files, and with your Martial arm  
Defend your forlorn king from fatal harm.  
This said, he running forth at's enemies  
Casts a strong dart, which whistling fiercely flies  
Clean through the air, piercing all opposites:  
And this and more a doubled din incites,  
And all the armies startles and provokes,  
And heats their hearts to fierce tumultuous strokes.  
And as the spear flew on with furious chance,  
Against nine brethren's bodies it did glance:  
All whom one modest Tuscan mother bred  
●o her Gylippus in chaste marriagebed.  
One of which nine standing i'th' midst, it hits  
Just on the place whereon his brave belt fits,  
And where a button clasps his clothes aside,  
A lovely lad, and full of Martial pride:  
And through his ribs it quickly perforated,  
And on the sands his life soon terminated.  
Hereat the other brethren's valiant band  
Inflamed with grief, take some their swords in hand,  
Some deadly darts, and furiously fly on:  
Whom to oppose and fiercely set upon,  
Laurentum troops fly out: hence instantly  
The Trojans, like an inundation high,  
Break out, and Agyllines, Arcadians bold,  
In gallant arms embroidered rich with gold.  
Thus all had one hot heart to fight it out:  
Their shrines snatched up, fierce tempests fly about  
Through all the air, and storms of deadly darts,  
And showers of slicing swords to wound their hearts.  
Their sacrificing censers thence they bear,  
And flaming fires. Latinus in great fear  
Makes haste away, unto the Gods complaining  
Of their dishonour and the peace profaning.  
Some from the chariots take their horses out,  
And nimbly backing them, do range about,  
With naked swords in hand approach the fight.  
Martial Messapus full of warlike spite,  
This late compacted peace now to confound  
Against Aulestes king, and kingly crowned:  
Over the Tuscans ran with full career,  
And to the ground him strait did overbeare.  
And headlong him on head and shoulders cast  
Flat on his back, upon an altar fast:  
Whereat Messapus fiercely to him flies  
With spear in's hand; and as for life he cries  
And much entreats, he with his beamy lance,  
On horseback strongly against him doth advance,  
And with a mortal blow, thus to him spoke;  
So, so, 'tis well, thou'lt a good offering make.  
Th' Italians close him, mangle him all-o're,  
Whereat stout Chorineus vexed full sore,  
Snatched up an altar firebrand, bravely met  
Ebusus coming in a furious fret,  
And smiting at him; whom he swift doth chase,  
And thrusts the flaming firebrand in his face:  
Which cinged his hair and broad beard all about,  
And sent a mighty stench and savour out.  
Then this his trembling foe doth with him close,  
Lugs him by's locks, and gives him more full blows,  
Forcing him on his knees, fells him to th' ground,  
And through his side his sword his heart doth wound.  
Then Podalirius with a slicing blade,  
Alsus a famous shepherd did invade,  
Pressing on forward in the vanguard brave:  
Whom Alsus such a knock with's battleax gave,  
As cloven his head to th' chin, sprinkling all-o're,  
With his deep broached and outgushing gore.  
Rough rest and steel-given sleep do shut his sight,  
And close his eyes up in eternal night.  
But great Aeneas stretched his unarmed hand,  
As he bareheaded without helm did stand,  
And calls aloud to's mates; O whither flock y●?  
Why with this creeping jar our peace thus mock ye?  
O pacify your rage; conditions fair,  
And good conclusions for us fixed are:  
'Tis I alone must now the battle try.  
O then give way to me, all false fears fly:  
For with this hand I will corroborate  
This peace, and Turnus troubles terminate.  
As he thus spoke, ere he had ended all,  
Behold a whistling dart did fiercely fall  
And light upon the prince, uncertain whence,  
From whose strong hand, what stormy violence,  
What fate, what fortune should the Rutuls raise  
To such high honour, unexpected praise.  
The glory of the fact lies raked up, yet  
Not one dares brag that he Aeneas hit.  
When Turnus saw Aeneas leave the field,  
And all his troubled troops much ground to yield,  
With hasty hope his heart begins to flame,  
He calls for horses, longs to fight for fame:  
And proudly prancing in his chariot high,  
To his loose reins gives ample liberty.  
And many a valiant soldier fiercely flying,  
He sends to Styx, and many leaves half dying:  
And either tears them with his chariot-wheel,  
Or boreas their flying backs with darts of steel.  
Like as when bloody Mars with his strong shield  
Doth check cold Heber's floods, and makes them yield;  
And waging war, his furious steeds sends out,  
Who swifte● then Westwindes flies all about  
The Martial field, and with their trampling strong  
Do shake large Thrace's confines all along,  
Frighted about with shapes of damping dread,  
Wrath, rage and plots, the God accompanied:  
Thus agile Turnus, 'midst of all the fight,  
His sweaty smoking steeds drives on, a sight  
Woeful to see, how he insulting goes,  
And gluts his sword with his thick slaughtered foes:  
Dying their horrid hoofs with dews of blood,  
Mixing both sand and gore like morter-mud.  
And now he slew Sthenelus, Thamyris,  
And Polus fierce to death he doth dismiss:  
Meeting now this, now that resisting foe  
Fight far-off; far-off he meets also  
Imbrasus sons, Lads, and Glaucus strong,  
Whom Imbrasus himself had nursed up long  
In Lycia, and alike with arms them fraught,  
And horse or foot-fight expertly them taught.  
Upon another part Eumedes stout  
Amidst the thickest ranks flies all about,  
Famous in war, by kindred of great fame,  
Stout Dolons' son, right of his grandsires name  
In strength and courage parents parallel,  
Who once in valour did so far excel,  
That he a scout to th' Grecian camp would go,  
If they'd on him Achilles' coach bestow.  
But Diomedes did his boldness pay,  
And with another price sent him away,  
Of great Achilles' chariot frustrate quite:  
Whom Turnus spying a far-off in fight,  
Ere he went far, pursued him at the heel,  
And stopped his passage with his nimble steel.  
Whereat he stays his steeds, from's coach descends,  
And to his half-dead falne-down foe he bends:  
Sets his foot on his neck, draws out his blade,  
Died it in's throat; and this moreover said;  
See, Trojan, see the land so long time sought,  
See Italy, which thou with blood hast bought,  
Now lie and meat it out. Here's all their gain,  
Which me to war thus boldly dare constrain,  
Thus to themselves a city they erect.  
A dart he then did furiously direct  
Against his mate Asbustes, Chlores next,  
Sybaris and Daretes he perplexed;  
Thersilochus, with him Thymoetes strong,  
Whose starting jade on ground laid him along.  
As when Aedonian Northern blasts do blow,  
Aegean roaring surges do o'erflow,  
Wave following wave, thick rolling to the shore,  
As puffs do push them, and i'th' skies all-o're  
Clouds sleet about▪ so Turnus turbulent  
Makes armies fly, which way soe'er he went,  
And turns troops headlong back; force makes him stout,  
And blasts his fluttering plumes do puff about.  
But Phegeus fierce no longer could abide  
His sturdy stomach and insulting pride,  
But to the coach he comes with courage bold,  
And with his hand upon the reins lays hold,  
To stay the foamy horses furious pace,  
And to divert them to some other place.  
As thus he's drawn, and on his horse-main hangs,  
A mighty spear upon his armour clangs;  
And pierced his double plated corslet brave,  
And on the top of's skin a wound him gave.  
He hereupon safe covered with his shield,  
Makes at his foe, pursues him in the field  
With his drawn-sword, for surerer safety;  
Who with the chariot wheels velocity  
And swift driven axletree, was headlong cast  
Down to the ground, whom Turnus follows fast,  
A lights, and 'twixt his helm and gorgets brim  
With his sharp sword strait way beheaded him,  
Leaving his headless carcase on the sand.  
As thus i'th'field Turnus doth victor stand,  
Mnestheus, Achates kind, Ascanius fair,  
Bleeding Aeneas bring with grief and care  
Into his tent, who walking with weak strides,  
And resting on a strong staff which him guides,  
He's sorely vexed, strives with all urgency  
The spear and head to pluck forth totally.  
Which since he could not, he desires their aid  
To take the nearest way, cure might be made,  
And with a blade the flesh to launce more wide,  
Which did the arrows head so deeply hide,  
And thus to get it out, and him again  
To send to th'field, the combat to maintain▪  
And now Iäpix came, old jasus son,  
Who with Apollo from all others won  
The praise and prize, in his most deep affection,  
Once taken with his love, by kind aspection;  
And thereupon upon him did bestow,  
Accurate arts and sciences to know,  
Hid auguries, rare music, archers praise;  
But he his bed-red-fathers' wasting days  
Long to prolong, himself did most apply  
To study physic, and plants secrecy,  
And such like silent and less honoured art.  
Aeneas still extremely vexed at heart,  
Leans on a mighty lance, with many a youth,  
And young Iülus full of fear and ruth,  
All shedding tears: but he unmoved stood.  
Then old Iäpix, like a surgeon good,  
Tying a linen apron him before,  
Of salves and physic herbs he brings forth store,  
Whose power Apollo had unto him taught,  
These faintly he appli'de; but none well wrought,  
All proved in vain, in vain he trials made,  
With hand, with pinching pinsers to give aid,  
And get the iron out. No chance finds way,  
And Phoebus' physic serves him for no stay:  
But more and more increase fierce clamours high  
About the field, and mis●hef draws more nigh.  
They see dust fly i'th' air, horsemen make speed,  
And numerous darts amongst them cast, exceed:  
And clamourous noise and cries of soldiers fight,  
And of fierce Mars, dead bodies headlong smiting.  
Then Venus vexed at her sons piteous pain,  
To cure the wound and make him well again,  
From Cretian Ide strait gathers dittanie,  
Whose stalk has little leaves, and to the eye  
Bears purple blossoms. To this well-known plant  
Wild beasts repair, when cure of wounds they want,  
When in their flesh fierce digging darts do stick.  
This Venus, hidden in a cloud most thick,  
Brought quickly thither with all secrecy,  
Steeps it in pans of water standing by,  
Compounds it with Ambrosian juice most rare,  
And odoriferous P●nax plants most fair.  
japis old not knowing what was done,  
The wound to supple now again begun  
With this compounded water; instantly  
All wont pain and smart from's wound did fly,  
All putrid blood into the wound collected,  
And out o'th' sore was carefully ejected:  
And then the steel without least molestation  
Smoothly came forth; and to their admiration,  
He instantly new strength and vigour feels,  
And old japis now his courage steels,  
And cries out, Come, come bring the prince his arms:  
Why stand ye, stay ye him from fierce alarms?  
Know (brave Aeneas) 'twas not humane will,  
Nor arts best parts that freed thee from this ill:  
Nor power or practise of mine own right hand,  
Some greater God did thus propitious stand  
By thee, and thee reserve to greater deeds.  
Aeneas (for his zeal to th'fight exceeds)  
Plucks on his buskins overspread with gold,  
Cuts off delays, his glistering lance doth hold,  
His shield and corslet on, armed capapee,  
His young Ascanius in his bosom, he  
Hugging within his arms, with kisses sweet,  
His beaver raised, thus he his son doth greet;  
Fair son, from me thy father virtue learn,  
And of true industry the gain discern;  
And fortunes power by others understand.  
As yet I'll thee safeguard with my strong hand,  
And thee exalt unto great dignity:  
But when thouart grown to full maturity,  
And strength of years, then use thou famous facts,  
And then remember me and my great acts:  
Recogitate and ruminate with spirit  
Thy fathers and thine uncle Hector's merit,  
And let their patterns stir and spur thee on.  
This said, in haste he through the gates is gone,  
Brandishing in his hand his mighty lance:  
And with huge troops, along with him advance  
Anteus, Mnestheus, and even all the rest,  
Which in their camps were for the fight addressed.  
Black clouds of dust o'er all the field o'erspread,  
And trampling thick the ground even harrowed.  
The adverse army Turnus marching saw,  
And all th' Italians▪ how they nearer draw:  
Cold fearful quake on them strait do fall,  
Chiefly juturna, amongst the Latins all,  
Observes and knows their noise, and frighted flies,  
And he with wingie speed to th'battle hies,  
Rushing on with his dust-hid armies strong.  
As when a blustering storm is for●'d along,  
Dissolving furious drops from sea to land,  
(Which the poor swains, alas! pre-understand,  
And tremblingly foresee; foreseeing, fly,  
As knowing what rough ruin by and by  
'Twill make amongst the trees and fields of corn:  
And all before it will be overborne,  
Before its blustering blasts fly to the shores  
With mighty huffring, puffing, rumbling roars,  
Even so Rhoeteius, Trojan captain stout,  
Against his foes most fiercely flies about:  
In doubled files they all conglomerated,  
Thymbraeus stout Osiris trucidated,  
Mnestheus Archetius slew, Achates brave  
To Epulo a most deep death-wound gave;  
Stout Gyas Vfens slays; Tolum●ius, he  
The soothsayer which first made them disagree,  
By throwing first his dart against his foes,  
Even he was slain A mighty clamour rose,  
And Rutuls now were put to dusty flight  
But brave Aeneas will not deign to fight  
With all he meets, nor horse or foot will slay,  
No nor on armed foe his hands will lay.  
But in the thickest throngs seeks seriously  
For Turnus; he alone his strength must try.  
Jolly juturna a Virago stout,  
In fear of this perplexed with great doubt,  
Stepped to Metiscus, Turnus waggoner,  
And 'twixt the horses reins o'returns him there,  
And leaves him fallen far from the beam o'th' wain,  
And takes his place, and checks the loosened rain;  
And rightly she resembles every way  
Metiscus, both in shape, words, weapons gay.  
Like swallows black which princes courts frequent,  
And fluttering 'bout the yards seek aliment  
For their young chattering birds left in the nest,  
Spiders, gnats, flies, as they can catch them best;  
Sometimes in galleries large, or standing lakes:  
So divers ways through foes juturna takes,  
And drives the coach through every part and place,  
And fiercely flies, and here and there does trace,  
And bring her bragging brother to and fro,  
But will by no means let him fight with's foe;  
And far enough flies from him out o'th'way.  
No less, Aeneas does by-paths assay  
To find his foe, and through the straggling bands  
Calls him with words and beckning of his hands;  
And still as he on's foe his sight doth cast,  
And thinks with's wing'd-heeled steeds to meet at last;  
So oft juturna turns the coach a wry.  
Alas! what should he do? what must he try?  
In vain with various rage his heart doth burn,  
And divers doubts his thoughts distractive turn.  
Messapus meets him, in his hand two spears  
Well tipped with steel, which he by fortune bears,  
Both light of flight, one of which darts most swift  
Griping, he flings with strait and sturdy drift.  
Aeneas stands, to him his target takes,  
Shrinks down, but yet the spear impression makes  
Upon his helm, and tears the top of's crest  
Hereat Aeneas much fierce rage expressed,  
And much incensed by this vile treachery,  
Seeing the horse fly back, coach turned awry,  
Great jove, and th' altars he to witness brings  
Of their peace broke, and many wrongful things.  
And now at last invades foe's thickest bands,  
And with successful war and conquering hands  
Makes all without all difference fall and die,  
And unto rage give reins implacably.  
My Muse cannot, O then, what supreme might  
Can help me here to set down and indite  
The many bitt●r bicker, slaughters fierce,  
And captains slain to sing in solemn verse?  
Which now by turns (as 'twere) stout Turnus slays,  
And now Troy's prince, wounded, confounded lays.  
Great jove, was this thy will that with such rage  
Those men should meet, which in ensuing age  
Should in eternal peace spend all their days?  
Aeneas now endures no long delays,  
But strikes Rutulian Sucro through the side  
(And that first blow made flying Trojans 'bide  
And bid fresh battles) and through's vital part  
Under his short-ribs wounds him to the heart.  
Turnus o'returns Amycus from his horse,  
And meets on foot Diores with great force;  
Two Trojan brethren brave, one with a lance,  
The other with a sword by fatal chance  
He slaughtered strait, cut both their heads off quite,  
And hung them on his chariot in full sight.  
The chariot sprinkled with thick drops of blood,  
Then slew he Talo and Tanais good,  
And stout Cethegus; all three met at once,  
And brave Onytes venting gasping groans,  
A Theban peer, sprung from Peridia  
His mother dear. Here doth he also slay  
Two brothers sent from Lacia and the plains  
Of great Apollo, and here dead remains  
Arcadian young Menoetes, who in vain  
To go to war did fear and much refrain:  
Whose special skill and will was fish to catch  
By Lerna's fishie banks, in house of thatch  
He poorly lived, his coin could never swarm.  
His father also hired a plow-farm.  
And as huge burnings made in divers ways,  
Amongst dry trees and squib-like crackling bays:  
Or like fierce frothy streams which down do shrill  
With rapid roaring-race, from some high hill,  
And scud to sea, and find or force their way:  
With no less force both these their parts do play.  
Aeneas brave and Turnus with great might  
Most furiously do rush about and fight:  
And now, just now, their imbred rage inflames them,  
Lest thought of being foiled, with envy shames them.  
Therefore with utmost force they fight and fell.  
Murrhanus here Aeneas sends to hell,  
Proud of his parentage and grandsires great,  
And regal race of Latin kings complete;  
He dashed him headlong down with rocky stone,  
By which fierce stony storm he's overthrown,  
And with his coach-wheels crushed and trampled hard,  
By's horse, who nought their master do regard.  
Turnus assails stout Hilus, rushing fast  
With courage bold at's gilt-armed temples, cast  
A digging dart, which furiously strait ran  
Clean through his helm, and stuck in his brainpan.  
Nor could thine arm, Creteus, Greeks brave knight,  
From Turnus thee protect, in furious fight:  
Nor could thy Gods, Cupentus, ease thy case,  
When against thee great Aeneas came in place▪  
When at his breast his steely spear he sent,  
Which (spite of's brazen shield) through's body went.  
And thee, great Aeolus, Laurentines spied  
Slain in the field, on's back the ground to hide.  
There thou layest slain, whom Grecians could not slay,  
Nor great Achilles, Priam's crowns decay.  
This was thy fate-given date, near Ida born  
Of gr●at Lyrnessus line, now laid forlorn  
In La●rents field, a sepulchre to find,  
And ●ow the total troops together wind,  
All Latins bands, and all Troy's valiant rout:  
Renowned Mnestheus and Serestus stout,  
Messapus, rare horserider, and his mate  
Asylas strong, against whom do properate  
All Tuscan troops and brave Arcadian wings,  
And every one his best assistance brings.  
No rest they take, no stay they make from fight.  
And here Aeneas mother, Venus' bright,  
Prompts her son's thoughts, that to the citie-wall  
He should make haste, and all his forces call,  
And vex the Latins with a sudden fight:  
Who whiles for Turnus he doth cast his sight  
On every troop, still prying here and there,  
Seeks up and down, but could him find no where.  
He spies the city, sitting still, at rest,  
Untouched, unstirred, no war did it molest.  
Strait hotter brands of broils in's breast flame out.  
Mnestheus, Sergestus, and Serestus stout,  
His captains brave, he to him quick doth call,  
And takes a hill; to which the Trojans all,  
And valiant troops thickly and quickly they  
Assemble close, cast not their shields away,  
Nor nimble spears; then mounted on a hill,  
Standing i'th' midst he thus declares his will;  
Let no delay (fair mates) clog my designs,  
joves' friendly face I see now on us shines.  
Though I be sudden, yet let none be slow,  
Th' imperial city, cause of all this woe,  
King Latins throne, this day I'll ruinate,  
And houses tops to th' ground aequiparate,  
Unless they take our yoke, and to us yield▪  
Shall I (forsooth) stand waiting in the field,  
Till Turnus please to meet me? and again  
Attend him, when he vanquished doth remain?  
Here is the head (brave sirs) the seat and seed,  
Which all these toils and bloody broils did breed.  
Quickly bring brands, with flames your peace demand.  
This said, they readily do his command,  
And make a warlike wedge, and wondrous quick  
They to the city flock in clusters thick.  
The scaling ladders suddenly they rais●,  
And sudden fires to mighty flames do blaze;  
Some get to th' gate, and kill the first they meet;  
Some dart their shafts, which fly so thick and fleet,  
As dims the air. Aeneas' first of all  
Holds up his hand, standing hard by the wall,  
And with loud voice Latinus he doth blame,  
And calls the Gods to testify the same;  
That he unwillingly was forced to fight,  
And that th' Italians twice used hostile might,  
And twice had covenant broke. Then amongst their foe▪  
And fearful citizens great discord rose.  
Some bade them open the gates, let Trojans in,  
And some the king himself to th' walls do win:  
Some bring their arms their city to defend.  
Much like a swarm of bees in dark rock penned,  
And by a shepherd found, who joyfully  
Fills it with choking smoke all inwardly:  
The bees afraid, fly 'bout their waxen ●ell,  
And with huge humming wax most fierce and fell:  
Black fumie stench flies out from forth the hive,  
The stones within make crackling noise, and drive  
Smoke into th' empty air. Besides all this,  
A woeful chance fell out i'th' town amiss,  
Amongst the tired Latins, which procured  
Most loud laments, woeful to be endured,  
Through all the city: for so soon as e'er  
The queen beheld the enemy draw near,  
The town-walls scaled, the houses all on flame,  
No Rutuls bands, no Turnus near to tame  
Their insolence; she thought (poor wretch) again  
Her young prince Turnus in the fight was slain.  
Her heart overwhelmed with sudden fear and grief,  
She strait cries out, that she's the cause and chief,  
The head and heart of all these miseries.  
Thus in much sad and mad perplexities  
Exclaiming, with her nails she rends and tears  
Her royal robes, ready to die with fears:  
And to a beam, a cord made fast on high,  
She hanged herself with foul indignity.  
Whereof when woeful Latins ladies heard,  
Chiefly Lavinia, mighty schreeks she reared,  
And with her nails all tears her yellow locks,  
Scratcheth her face, the folk in mighty flocks  
Rage's up and down, their houses fills with cries:  
Hence through the town the fame thereof soon flies.  
men's courage sinks, Latinus rend and torn,  
In's regal robes goes up and down forlorn,  
Mightily frighted at his queen's foul fate,  
And at his cities ruinated state,  
With dirt and soil his grave grey hairs he smears,  
Blames himself much, drenched deep in thousand fears▪  
In that at first he dardan's prince rejected,  
And as his son in law had not affected.  
Now all this while stout Turnus in the fields  
Follows a few, whose face small conquest yields,  
Poor and pale scattered stragglers, and beside  
He sees, how more and more, more slow he rides,  
His horses waxing tired. Again a noise  
He hears i'th' troubled air, which him annoys.  
Whereat he stands and listens to the same,  
And from the city various clamours came,  
And most distasteful stirs: hereat he cries,  
Alas, alas! what woeful miseries  
Are to this city come, thus to molest it?  
And that strange turmoils variously infest i●?  
This said▪ enraged, his horse rein'd-in, he stays.  
Whereat his sister who her old pranks plays,  
Seeming Metiscus, still i'th' coach remains,  
Guiding his coach and horse, ruling the reins,  
Says thus to him; Brave brother, this way haste,  
This way the Trojans first and best thou may'st  
Fully subdue, here conquest gate stands open,  
The town has troops enough with them to cope.  
Aeneas close on our Italians lies,  
And fiercely fights with all his companies.  
Let us then also, with our fury fell,  
Go send those Trojans souls in post to hell:  
So shalt thou part in equal parity,  
No less in number, nor in dignity.  
Turnus' replied; O sister, now I know,  
That thou by craft at first didst overthrow,  
Our treated truce, these wars didst work again.  
But now, fair Goddess, all thy craft's in vain:  
But pray thee tell me, who from heaven thee sent  
To undergo these troubles turbulent!  
Was it to see thy woeful brother's bane?  
For, what do I? what help can hap me gain?  
I saw before mine eyes, Murrhanus kind,  
Than whom to me more dear earth none can find.  
I heard him call me, one of mighty merit,  
Who, though now dead, yet died with dauntless spirit.  
Unhappy Vfens also slain doth lie,  
That he might not survive our infamy:  
And Trojans now his corpse and arms enjoy.  
And shall I suffer ('tis the last annoy  
Which only yet remains) our buildings flame,  
And not resist dire Drances foretold shame?  
And shall I fly? and shall this nation see,  
Turnus a turncoat fugitive to be?  
And should it now be shame in me to die?  
O ye the ghastly ghosts, which low do lie,  
Be ye propitious, for the heavens do frown,  
To you my sacred soul shall now go down,  
Untainted and unspotted of this blame.  
And still m oft worthy that my lineage came  
From ancestors of such renowned fame  
Scarce had he said, when Sages foamy horse,  
Hurrying him through his foes with windy force,  
His face all bloody with an arrows wound,  
And rushing on, at last he Turnus found:  
And calling him by name, Turnus (says he)  
Our last and best help now consists in thee;  
Pity our plight, for Troy's Aeneas thunders,  
In bloody broils unto our woes and wonders,  
And threatens ruin to our Latian towers,  
And dire destruction, by his conquering powers.  
And now, even now flames 'bout our houses fly,  
In thee the Latins hope of help doth lie;  
On thee Italians all do cast their sight,  
The king himself mutters in much despite,  
Whom he his son in law might now ordain,  
And whom in love and league to entertain.  
The queen beside, they e'er most faithful friend,  
With her own hands her woeful life did end,  
In fright hath fled the light: now at the gate  
Only Messapus and Atinas wait,  
And animate the army yet remaining:  
But round about them are thick foes, maintaining  
A furious fight, like standing-corn in fields,  
Which to steel sickles helplessely strait yields.  
And yet dost there alone in this left plain,  
Tracing thy coach about, here still remain?  
Turnus' astonished at the tottering state  
Of these affairs, like one inanimate  
Stands mute, his eyes fast fixed on the ground,  
And inward shame his boiling heart did wound;  
And what with sadness, madness, raging love,  
Conscious of adverse power, which he must prove,  
The misty vails of his dull thoughts put by,  
And sunshine of discretion shining high,  
His angry eyes to th' citie-walls he cast,  
And views the city as in's coach he past.  
And now behold, with flames the rafters fly,  
And boards between burn up unto the sky,  
Which caught hold of the tower, that tower, I say,  
Which Turnus self erected rich and gay,  
With brave crosse-beams and wheels and bridges high.  
Now, now, dear sister (says he) readily  
My fates attend me, use no further stay;  
For where my fate and fortune point the way,  
Thither I'll go, my resolution stands  
To try the strength of proud Aeneas hands,  
To 'bide worst bitterness of deaths dire smart.  
Nor shalt thou henceforth see me play the part  
Of an ignoble coward. This, I pray,  
Good sister suffer me, that now I may  
Be mad, ere I be mad: which having said,  
Leaping from's coach, most swift away he made  
Into the field, through thickest of his foes,  
And leaves his sister full of fears and woes:  
And with swift flight breaks into thickest bands.  
And as a rocky mount which headlong stands,  
And tumbles from the top, broke down by wind;  
Or by strong sowcing showers quite undermined,  
Or rotten with long years' antiquity,  
And so slips down with huge velocity,  
In broken fragments mounting on the ground,  
And woods and herds and people doth confound,  
And roll and wrap with it: Turnus even thus  
Through his dispersed troops most furious  
Runs to the citie-walls▪ where all with blood  
The ground like pools and ponds bedrenched stood,  
And whirling arrows clattered to the air;  
With hand and voice his mind he does declare  
Unto them thus; Forbear Rutulians' all,  
And Latins now your swords and shields recall;  
What ever fortune falls, 'tis mine own due,  
'Tis fitter far for me alone, than you,  
To pay the price of this thus broken peace,  
And with my sword this quarrel quite to cease.  
All strait gave back, for him i'th' midst made way:  
But brave Aeneas without all delay,  
Hearing but Turnus named, leaves towers and town,  
Breaks off all business, and comes nimbly down:  
Leaping for joy, thundering in arms most strong,  
Like Athos mount, or Eryx ste●p and long.  
Or like old Apennius raised on high  
Into the air, kissing the starry sky,  
Rattling with leaves on trees, glistering in sight,  
Proud of his tops, clothed with snow most bright.  
And now Rutulians' and the Trojans stout,  
Seriously bend their eyes and look about:  
Italians, and all those that kept the town,  
And those which would with rams the walls butt down.  
All arms they lay aside, king Latin stands  
Amazed to see two men so strong of hands,  
Of divers nations, now to meet and fight.  
The champions both beholding in their sight  
The lists made void, and space t' encounter in  
With rapid race, the combat strait begin;  
And now far off darts at each other cast,  
And to their swords and shields they come as fast:  
With dashing clashing bangs the ground even groans,  
And doubled trebled blows they give at once,  
With their bright blades: virtue and valour brave  
Seem mixed in one, in one their seat to have.  
And as two angry bulls in furious fight,  
With butting horns encountering with deep spite,  
On mighty Syla's mount, Taburnus high,  
Their fearful keepers keep close, covertly,  
The other cattle, cows and calves, stand mute,  
And with soft muttering hold a still dispute,  
Who shall their leader be, whom they shall tend.  
The bulls meanwhile each other wounds do lend,  
And gore each others sides, whose blood spurts out,  
And head and shoulders all be baths about:  
Whose bloody blows the echoing woods resound:  
No otherwise is this fierce duel found,  
'Twixt Troy's Aeneas and great Daunus prince,  
Labouring each other strongly to evince,  
With swords and shields the air with clanging filling.  
Then jove himself, to poise their fortune willing  
In equal balance, for some distance stays,  
And to them both their several fortune lays:  
Which should with toils triumph, which, fighting, die.  
Turnus himself roused up, his sword raised high,  
Hoping (untouched) to do what he did aim:  
With all his might he smote, the blow home came▪  
Whereat the Trojans cry, the Latins tremble,  
And both the bands in much amaze assemble  
To eye the issue: But the bastard blade  
In pieces broke, the blow thus frustrate made.  
Who, had he not strait fled, had dead there lain.  
As swift as wind he therefore flies amain,  
Finding in's hand a hilt, to him unknown,  
His hand now weaponless. Fame thus hath blown,  
That when he first to fight his coach ascended,  
And furiously him to the battle bended,  
'Twixt fear and fury, left his father's blade,  
And snatched Metiscus sword for it▪ and made  
Indifferent shift therewith, wh●les frightfully  
The scattered Trojans did before him fly.  
But when he minds Vulcan's strong tempered blade,  
And that this silly sword by mortals made,  
Broke strait, as brittle glass the shivers small,  
Glistering upon the ground as down they fall:  
Then like a mad man Turnus flies about  
Through all the field, here, there winds in and out:  
For all the Trojan bands had hedged him round,  
And citie-walls and mighty moorish ground.  
Aeneas also (though his late wounds pain,  
Pinching his knees, did swift pursuit restrain)  
Follows, and foot to foot, keeps to him nigh.  
Much like a huntsman, who with course and cry  
Of eager hounds, a dear hath close i'th' floods;  
Or girt with fear o'th'bloudie dart, he scuds:  
But frighted at the toils and banks most high,  
A thousand ways does turn and wind and fly;  
But yet the noble nimble Vmbrian hound,  
With breathing chaps, keeps close, doth loose noground.  
And now, even now, snaps him, yet lets him slip,  
Who from his cheated chaps doth quickly skip:  
Loud cries are raised, the brooks and banks about  
Re-echo, thunder from the skies breaks out.  
Turnus thus flying blam●s his Rutul●s all  
For his tried sword, by name doth each one call.  
On th'other side Aeneas ruin threats,  
And present death, if any at his treats  
Dares him approach, whose fear does them affright:  
Menacing much to raze their city quite;  
And thus (though wounded) he his foe draws nigh,  
And five round circling courses, eagerly,  
They finished had, leaping back here and there:  
And for no petty prize thus earnest were,  
Even for no less than Turnus' life and blood.  
By chance, a sowre-leaved olive-tree there stood,  
Devoted to God Faunus, venerable,  
To mariners once, when it stood, most stable,  
When they did shipwreck scape; whereon they placed  
The gift wherewith they L●●rents Gods had graced,  
And garments to the God were consecrated:  
This tree the Trojans had eradicated,  
Regardless of its use, that so they might  
Prepare a full and fair field for the fight,  
Here stuck Aeneas spear, by force there cast,  
And in the tender root was settled fast:  
Aeneas stays▪ ●ssayes with his strong hand  
To pluck it out, with's spear to make him stand:  
Whom he in running could not overt●●e.  
Turnus in rage and fear this prayer did make;  
Favour me, Faunus, and this goodly ground,  
Keep fast the spear, since always ye have found  
My sacred worship to your deity,  
Which Trojans wrong most sacrilegiously.  
This said, thus prayed, his prayers were not in vai;  
For why? Aeneas labouring with long pain▪  
And struggling at the stock, yet by no might  
Could make the stump let go his fastened bite.  
As thus he stirs and struggles all in vain,  
The Daunian Goddess did assume again  
Metiscus shape, the waggoner before,  
And to her brother doth his sword restore.  
Venus' being vexed, to see this nymph so bold,  
Hastes to the spear, and plucks it from its hold.  
Thus both these warriors armed with sword and spea●  
Themselves most bloodily, bravely, now they bear:  
This proud of's blade, that joyful for his lance,  
With breathless blows to th'fight they readvance.  
Meanwhile great jove, olympus sovereign high,  
From's yellow cloud casting his allseeing eye  
Upon the combatants, to juno spoke;  
Fair spouse, when meanest thou an end to make?  
What yet remains? thou knowst and dost confess  
Aeneas for to be a God, no less,  
That he belongs to heaven, stars must him hold.  
What dost thou build? what hope in clouds thus cold  
Makes thee stay here? think'st thou it fit to be,  
A sacred God with mortal wounds to see▪  
Or that his sword (for but by only thee,  
juturna nought could do) should gotten be,  
And brought to Turnus, vanquished hearts to cheer●,  
O now at length, fair juno, cease, forbear  
To press me with thy prayers, thyself to fret  
With tart intestine grief, me to beset  
With carking cares, to give thee sweet content;  
'Tis now come to the period of event.  
Thou knowst I let thee both by sea and land  
Infest the Trojans, and, at thy command,  
To wage fierce wars, his house quite to deface,  
And marriages to make in mournful case.  
Farther I now forbid to enterprise.  
jupiter ceased. juno in submiss wise  
On th'other side replied; All-sacred fere,  
Since first I knew thy mighty mind most clear,  
My Turnus and the world unwillingly  
I have relinquished; nor so sorrily  
Shouldst thou me see on this cold cloud to sit,  
Suffering so many things fit and unfit;  
But clothed in flames, standing my troops about,  
And fiercely firing all the Trojans out.  
And as for poor juturna, I confess,  
I bade her help her brother in distress,  
And for his life bade her all hazards try:  
But bow to bend or weapons to supply,  
This I ne'er bade, and to this truth I swear  
By Styxes muddy peaceless spring, the fear,  
And only sacred oath the Gods do take.  
And now I cease, and all these fights forsake.  
Yet this one thing (which fates do not gainsay)  
For Italy, grant me I humbly pray,  
And for the grace and honour of thine own;  
That when they to a peaceful pass are grown  
By marriage made (well, be it so) and when  
All rites and rules of peace are fixed by men,  
That thou'lt not change ancient Italians name,  
Nor Troy or Trojans to wear out the same;  
Let then their language and their weeds retain,  
Let Italy and Alban peers remain:  
Let Rome's rare offspring spread by Latian might:  
Troy now is dead, O let Troy's name die quite.  
jupiter smiling on her, said, most mild,  
Thou art joves' sister and Saturnus child:  
Yet can thy breast enchest such anger still?  
Well, go to then; yet now subject thy will,  
Cease thy vane rage begun: I grant thy motion,  
Willingly won herein to thy devotion.  
Italians shall old kinds and customs keep,  
And, as 'tis now, their name in fame as deep  
Still stand and grow; Trojans shall only be  
A mixed body amongst them▪ thou shalt see,  
That I religious rites will teach them all,  
And every land shall them Italians call.  
The offspring which from Latian blood shall rise,  
All men on earth, yea and the God's i'th'skies',  
Shall pass in piety; and than this nation,  
None shall bring thee so copious adoration.  
This tickled juno passing-well at heart,  
And from her cloud to heaven she did depart.  
This thus performed, great jove doth now contrive  
How he juturna might from Turnus drive.  
Two hellish hags there are called Furies fell,  
Whom dreadful night begat in horrid hell  
Both at a birth, upon Megaera black,  
Both with like serpents stings and wreathed back,  
And wings like winds. These at joves' footstool lay  
Under his throne, their angry king t'obey:  
These fears and frights, kindle in malcontents,  
When direful death or vexing punishments  
jupiter pleaseth on the bad t'impart,  
Or towns will terrify with wars desert.  
One of these furies fierce jove from him send●,  
Who to juturna, Turnus death portends.  
She flies away to earth, whirlwinds fast  
Much like a shaft from Parthian quiver cast  
All dipped in poison curable by none,  
And by some Parthian, or stout Cydon thrown;  
The dart unseen whistling through shadows, flies:  
Thus this night-imp hastes on, to earth now hies.  
Who having spied Troy's troops and Tur●us hands,  
I'th' figure of a little bird she stands▪  
As screech-owls, who are wont on graves to sit  
And dark-night walks, to screech and hollow it,  
And in this owlie shape, this fury fierce,  
In Turnus' sight doth up and down traverse,  
Making much noise, fluttring her wings about  
His shield, which lets in fear, sets courage out.  
Trembling, his hair doth stare, speechless he stood.  
But when far off, juturna understood  
The furies fluttering wings and screeching stir,  
Poor sister, ah, how it bemadded her!  
Her face she scratches with her bloody nails,  
With fists she beat her breasts, and thus she wails;  
Alas poor Turnus! pray thee speak, which way?  
What means remains whereby thy sister may  
Shield or assist thee? or ●hy life prolong?  
Ah! how can I resist this omen strong?  
Now, now foul fowls I from these armies fly.  
Cease then me trembling more to terrify;  
I know your plaguing plumes and deadly din,  
I know joves' proud prescripts; do I this win  
And nought but this, for lost virginity?  
Why gave he me life's immortality?  
Why am I freed thus from a dying state,  
Whereby I might these great griefs terminate,  
And in hell's depth with thee poor brother range?  
Am I immortal? ah, I would it change!  
For without thee, dear brother, nought can please me,  
Oh, if some earth could swallow me 't would ease me!  
Sending a Goddess down to Limbo's lake,  
These words with many tears and sighs she spoke;  
And strait her head watery grey weeds hid,  
And deep into the river down she slid.  
Meanwhile, Aeneas strongly doth oppose,  
His tree-like lance brandishing as he goes,  
And angrily thus cries; Now Turnus stout,  
What stays, delays, make thee still time it out?  
Why drawest thou back? we must not fight by flight,  
But hand to hand with furious blows downright.  
Transform thyself to shapes most variously,  
Collect thyself with magnanimity.  
To fight or by arts slight to soar i'th'aire,  
Or hid i'th'ground to cover all thy care.  
Turnus in rage shaking his head, replies,  
Thy tongue, proud Trojan, nothing terrifies  
My troubled breast, but th'angry fatal Gods  
And jupiter himself, with me at odds.  
And with these words he spied a mighty stone,  
A huge old stone, by which lands bounds were shown  
All difference to decide, left long i'th'field:  
Which twelve men scarce upon their necks could wield:  
Such proper men (I mean) as now adays  
Times do produce. This he with ease doth raise,  
And with his trembling hand cast at his foe:  
And yet this noble prince doth scarcely know  
That he himself raised high, did swiftly run,  
Took up the stone, or what else he had done:  
His knees began to faint, his blood grew i'll;  
Then on i'th'emptie a●re, the stone went still,  
But went not its full way, nor hit its mark.  
Like as, when in our dreams, at midnight dark,  
When lazy sleep tired eyelids down doth force,  
We seem sometimes to run an eager course:  
And in the midst of many a seeming act,  
We faintly fail, and vainly cease the fact;  
We talk sometimes in sleep, but faultringly  
Our forces fail, nor words, nor works comply:  
Thus 'twas with Turnus, where his power was bend,  
Fierce fates made all his facts in vain be spent:  
Then divers doubtful thoughts in's heart arise.  
Upon his Rutuls casting now his eyes,  
Now on the town, fright stays him, and deep fear  
(Even every moment) of his foes strong spear:  
Nor finds he means to fly, nor means to fight,  
Nor sees his coach, nor sister-coachmans sight.  
Aeneas having in his nimble eyes  
Fair fortune offered, doth not sluggardize,  
But brandishing his dart at's doubting foe,  
far distant, at him doth it fiercely throw  
With all his might: never flew stones so fast  
To batter walls from warlike engine cast  
With battering din, nor thunder makes more roar▪  
Like a black storm, hurrying destruction sore,  
So flies the spear, and through his corslet strong,  
And sevenfold lined shields brim glanced along  
With clanging noise, sticking fast in his thigh,  
Which strake down mighty Turnus instantly,  
Doubling his knees to th'ground. The Rutuls strait  
Raise a huge cry, which hills reverberate,  
With mighty echoes, round about the plain,  
And all abroad the woods beat back again.  
He meek and lowly raising hands and eyes,  
O now (says he) I bear my most just prize.  
I ask no favour, use thy happy fate,  
Only I pray thee to commiserate  
My aged father Daunus (if in thee  
Lest piety to parents harboured be,  
And thy Anchiseses once was such an one)  
And me (if so much favour may be shown,  
If die I must) restore my corpse to mine.  
The victory to thee I now resign:  
Our Latins see my conquered hands extended,  
La●inia is thy wife, thus fates intended,  
Let farther fury cease. Aeneas stands  
Fierce in his arms, yet still he holds his hands,  
Gazing with's eyes, and now even now began  
His speech to work compassion in the man,  
Till that unhappy belt he did espy  
Upon his shoulders hanging broad and high:  
Whose buckles known, and glistering rarely clear,  
To be young Pallases did plain appear,  
Whom Turnus with a conquering wound-had slain▪  
And 'bout him did that fatal prize retain.  
But when his eye did seriously survey  
That badge of griping grief, that piteous prey,  
Inflamed with fury, all with rage possessed,  
Ah! dos● thou hope to scape my hands thus dressed  
With my dear Pallas spoils? for Pallas sake  
This wound shall thee his due oblation make.  
And with that word, he sheathed his sword in's heart.  
Whereat death seizing on his vital part,  
His members bursen, loathed life out flies,  
And with a deep-fetched groan to Charon hies.  
An end of the twelfth book of Virgil's Aeneïds.  
Trin-uni Deo soli sit omnis gloria.  
FINIS.   

ERRATA.  
COurteous Reader, The large distance of place, and inevitable duties of my calling hindering my presence from the▪ Printers-press▪ diverse faults have escaped, which I heartily desire may with thy patience and pen be corrected, as here is directed.  
IN the life of Virgil, pag. 3. lin. 12. for shallow, read sallow▪ Aeneids. p. 5. l. 22. for Orentes, read Orontes. p. 28. l. 8. for I, read By. p. 29. l. 13. for sheep-shelter, read ship shelter. p. 35. l. 11▪ for wraths, read wreaths. p. 39 l. 21. for hiddie, read hideous. p. 40. l. 2. for wag, read way. p. 45. l. 3. for Automedon▪ read Antomedon. p. 46. l. 26. for they, read for ●he. p. 53. l. 24 for Frame. read From's. p. 61. l. 27. for save, read leave▪ p. 66. l. 8. for could, read cold. p. 68 l. 18. for grew, read drew. p. 72. l. 1. for siecie, read fierce. p. 73. l. 25. for to th' Sea by Gods, read by Sea to th' Gods. p. 77. l. 14. for Achilles, read Anchises. p. 79. l. 10. for a station, read our station p. 81. l. 22. for sighs, read fights. p. 8●. l. 17. for on, read on's. p. 83. l. 24. for au-all, read oval. p. 93. l. 30. for long, read longs. p. 95. l. 2. for fiction, read fictious. l. 6. for The, read That. l. 10. for these men's, read these in men's. l 28. for right, read rich. p. 111. l. 14. for cutting, read crossing. p. 113. l. 20. for thousands, read thousand. p. 115. l. 20. for That same, read, That the same. p. 118. l. 20. for a more, read no more. p. 121. l. 16. for Phaethons', read Phactons'. p. 124. l. 12. for or'eths ' board, read o're-board. l. 32. for power, read pour. p. 132. l. 21. for land, read laud. p. 134. l. 16. for begird, read begirts. p 139. l. 6. for partly, read party. p. 140. ●. 2. for Laborynthicke, read Labyrinthicke. l. 25. for fleets, read fleet. p. 141. l. 15. for from, read for. p. 164. l. 29. for Now, read Nor. p. 175. l. 6. for he heaven, read he did heaven. p. 177. l. 4. for these, read those. pag. 185. lin. 4. for Statutes, read Statues. pag. 194. lin. 25. for turret, read turrets. pag. 197. lin. 6. for O that, read O what. l. 24. for flight, read fight. pag. 200. l. 3. for An, read Ah. p. 204. l 7. for waves, read wives. p. 205. l. 21. for bid, read bad. p. 210. l. 21. for godly, read goodly. p. 214. l. 3. for Puton, read Puts-on. p. 217. l. 18. for grunt, read groan. p. 220. l. 23. for Numacks▪ read Numicks. p. 224. l. 29. for Ane, read And. l. 31. for So, read To. p. 227. l. 10. for sire, read Sir. p. 237. l. 6. for protest, read protests. p. 238. l. 11. for for-mens', read foeman's. p. ●57. l. 12. for flying, read fling. p. 259. l. 9 for afraid, read afeared. p. 262. l. 28. for land, read laud. p. 265. l. 30. for Italy, read Italia. p. 277. l. 20. for touch, read tough. p. 298. l. 10. for Asius, read jasius. p. 323. l. 17. for joining, read joying. p. 346. l. 5 for Adulterous, read Adulterous. p. 352. l. 14. for coasts, read costs. p. 353. l. 2. for forth ' alarm, read, fore th' alarm. p. 361. l. 23 for There, read They. p. 372. l. 12. for her, read his. p. 373. l. 3. for defendance, read defendants. l. 9 for made fight so fierce, read make furious fight. p. 379. l. 8. for And their, read Let our. p. 384 l. 21. for thus, read this. p. 386. l. 1. for me, read we. p. 392. l. 13. for sleet, read fleet. p. 398. l. 16. for give, read gives. p. 399. l. 2●. for shrill, read thrill. p. 403. l. 11. for fills, read fill. l. 32. for that, read what. p. 405. l. 26. for they, read thy. p. 406. l. 2. for there, read thou. p. 411. l. 17. for bloodily, read boldly. p. 413. l. 4. for then, read them. p. 418. l. 8. for bursen. read loosen.