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 .Viftf ^if <?«. dap-&i ^le U/%^ chi^ us hud-
 
 "by 
 
 witli 
 WM.SH's life of the ArTH&E, 
 
 s/urt. at once jke seized tJi'' rent . 
 
 f ondon : 
 
 ENGRAVEU FOa 30TS'S ENGLISH CLASSICS.
 
 CZTTZ^i^^ 4^ 
 
 THE /J-' t^ tT. 
 
 WORKS OF VIRGIL, 
 
 TRANSLATED 
 
 BY JOHN DRYDEN. 
 
 \ 
 
 I SEQOrrORQCE FATREM NOX PASSIBIS /EQVIS. 
 
 LONDON : 
 VRFNTED FOR SCOTT, WEBSTER, AND GEARY, 
 
 (successors to MR. DOVE) 
 36, CHARTERHOUSE SQUARE.
 
 THE LIFE 
 
 OF 
 
 PUBLIUS VIRGILIUS MARO. 
 
 BY WILLIAM WALSH. 
 
 Virgil was born at ^antna, which city was built 
 no less than three hundred years before Rome, and 
 was the capital of the New Hetruria, as himself, no 
 less antiquary than poet, assures us. His birth is said 
 to have happened in the first consulship of Pompey 
 the Great, and Licinius Cras.sus : but.siuce the relater 
 of t'hfs presently after contradicts himself ; andVirgil's 
 manner of addressing Octavius implies a greater dif- 
 ference of age than that of seven years, as appears 
 by his first Pastoral, and other places ; it is reasonable 
 to set the date of it something backward : and the 
 writer of his life, having no certain memorials to work 
 upon, seems to have pitched upon the two most illus- 
 trious consuls he could find about that time, to sig- 
 nalize the birth of so eminent a man. Butit isbeyond 
 all question, that he was born on or near the fifteenth 
 of October ; which day was kept festival in honour of 
 his memory, by the Latin, as the birthday of Homer 
 was by the Greek, poets. And so near a resemblance 
 there is betwixt the lives of these two famous epic 
 writers, that Virgil seems to have followed tlie fortune 
 of the other, as well as the subject and manner of his 
 writing. For Homer issaidto havebeen of very mean 
 parents, such as got their bread by day-labour ; so is 
 Virgil. Homer is said to be base born ; so is Virgil. 
 The former to haye been born in the open air, in a 
 ditch, or by the bank of a river ; so is the latter. There 
 was a poplar planted near the place of Virgil's birth, 
 which suddenly grew up to an unusual height and 
 bulk, and to which the superstitious neighbourhood 
 
 20561G3
 
 4 LIFE OF VIRGIL. 
 
 attributed marvellous virtue. Homer had his poplar 
 too, as Herodotus relates, wliich was visited with great 
 veneration. Homer is described by one of the ancieuts 
 to have been of a slovenly and neglected mien and 
 habit ; so was Virgil. Both were of a very delicate 
 and sickly constitution ; both addicted to travel, and 
 the study of astrology : both had their compositions 
 usurped by others: both were envied and traduced dur- 
 ing their lives. We know not so much as the true names 
 of either of them with any exactness : for the critics 
 are not yet agreed how the word Viryil should be 
 written ; and of Homer's name there is no certainty 
 at all. Whosoever shall consider this parallel in so 
 many particulars (and more might be added), would 
 be inclined to think, that either the same stars ruled 
 strongly at the nativities of them both; or, what is a 
 great deal more probable, that the Latin grammarians, 
 wanting materials for the former part of Virgil's life, 
 after the legendary fasliion, supplied it out of Herodo- 
 tus ; and, like ill face painters, not being able to hit 
 the true features, endeavour to make amends by a 
 great deal of impertinent landscape and drapery. 
 
 Without troubling the reader with needless quota- 
 tions now or afterward, the most probable opinion is, 
 that Virgil was the son of a servant or assistant to a 
 wandering astrologer, who practised physic ; for medi- 
 cua, majus, as Juvenal observes, usually went together: 
 and this course of life was followed by a great many 
 Greeks and Syrians ; of one of which nations it seems 
 not improbable that Virgil's father was. Nor could a 
 man of that profession have chosen a fitter place to 
 settle in, than that most superstitious tract of Italy, 
 which by her ridiculous ritfs and ceremonies, as much 
 enslaved the Romans, as the Romans did the Hetru- 
 rians by their arms. This man, therefore, having got 
 together some money, which stock he improved by his 
 skill in planting and husbandry, had the good fortune, 
 at last, to marry his master's daughter, by whom he 
 had Virgil; and this woman seems, by her mother's 
 side, to have been of good extraction ; for she was 
 nearly related to Quinctilius Varus, whom Paterculus 
 assures us to have been of an illustrious, though not
 
 LIFE OP VIRGIL. 5 
 
 patrician family : and there is honourable mention 
 made of it in the history of the second Carthaginian 
 war. It is certain that they gave him a very good edu- 
 cation ; to which they were inclined, not so much by 
 the dreams of his mother, and those presages which 
 Donatns relates, as by the early indications which he 
 gave of a sweet disposition and excellent wit. He 
 pa.s.sed the first seven years of his life at Mantua — not 
 seventeen, as Scaliger miscorrecTs his author; for the 
 initio cetuHs can hardly be supposed to extend so far. 
 From thence he removed to Cremona, a noble Roman 
 colony, and afterward to Milan ; in all which places he 
 prosecuted his studies with great application: he read 
 over all the best Latin and Greek authors : for which 
 he had convenience by the no remote distance of Mar- 
 seilles, that famous Greek colony, which maintained its 
 politeness, and purity of language, in the midst of all 
 tliose barbarous nations amongst which it was seated : 
 and some tincture of the latter seems to have descended 
 from them down to the modern French. He frequented 
 the most eminent professors of the Epicurean philo- 
 sophy, which was th^-n much in vogue, and will be 
 always in declining and sickly states. But finding no 
 satisfactory account from his master Syron, he passed 
 over to the Academic school, to which he adhered the 
 rest of his life, and deserved, from a great emperor, 
 the title of the Plato of Poets. He composed at leisure 
 hours a great number of verses on various subjects ; 
 and, desirous rather of a great than early fame, he 
 permitted his kinsman and fellow student Varus to 
 derive the honour of one of his tragedies to himself. 
 Glory, neglected in proper time and place, returns often 
 with large increase : and so he found it ; for Varus 
 afterward proved a great instrument of his ri^^e. In 
 short, it was here that he formed the plan, and col- 
 lected the materials, of all those excellent pieces which 
 he afterward finished, or was forced to leave less per- 
 fect by his death. But whether itwerethe unwhole- 
 someness of his native air, of which he somewhere 
 complains, — or his too great abstinence, and night- 
 watchings at his study, to which he was always ad- 
 dicted, as .Augustus observes — or pos.sibly the hopes
 
 LIFE OF VIRGIL. 
 
 of improving himself by travel, — he resolved to remove 
 to the most southern tract of Italy ; and it was hardly 
 possible for hiui not to take Rome in his way, as is 
 evident to any one who shall cast an eye on the map 
 of Italy, And therefore the last French editor of 
 his works is mistaken, when he asserts that he never 
 saw Rome, till he came to petition for his estate. He 
 gained the acquaintance of the master of the horse to 
 Octavius, and cured a great many diseases of horses, 
 by methods they had never heard of. It fell out, at 
 the same time, that a very fine colt, which promised 
 Sreat strength and speed, was presented to Octavius : 
 Virgil assured them that he came of a faulty mare, 
 and would prove a jade : upon trial, it was found as 
 lie had said. His judgment proved right in several 
 other instances; which was the more surprising, be- 
 cause the Romans knew least of natural causes of any 
 civilized nation in the world : and those meteors and 
 prodigies, which cost them incredible sums to expiate, 
 might easily have been accounted for, by no very pro- 
 found naturalist. It is no wonder, therefore, that 
 Virgil was in so great reputation as to be at last intro- 
 duced to Octavius himself. That prince was then at 
 variance with Marc Antony, who vexed him with a 
 great many libelling letters, in which he reproaches 
 him with the baseness of his parentage ; that he came 
 of a scrivener, a ropemaker, and a baker, as Suetonius 
 tells us. Octavius, finding that Virgil had passed so 
 exact a judgment upon the breed of dogs and horses, 
 thought that he possibly might be able to give some 
 light concerning his own. He took him into his closet, 
 where they continued in private a considerable time. 
 Virgil was a great mathematician ; which, in the sense 
 of those times, took in astrology : and — if there be 
 any thing in that art (which I can hardly believe) — if 
 that be true which the ingenious De la Chambre asserts 
 confidently, that, from the marks on the body, thecon- 
 figuration of the planets at a nativity may be gathered, 
 and the marks might be told by knowing the nativity 
 — never had one of those artists a f'airer opportunity 
 to shew his skill, than Virgil now had ; for Octavius 
 had moles upon his body exactly resembling the con-
 
 LIFE OF VIRGIL. 7 
 
 stellation called the Ursa Major. But Virgil had otber 
 helps : the predictions of Cicero and Catullus,* and that 
 vote of the senate, had gone abroad, that no child, born 
 at Rome in the year of his nativity, should be bred up, 
 because the seers assxired them that an emperor was 
 born that year. Besides this, Virgil had heard of the 
 Assyrian and Egyptian prophecies (which, in truth, 
 were no other but the Jewish), that about that time a 
 great king was to come into the worll. Himself takes 
 notice of them, JEn. vi. where he uses a very signifi- 
 cant word (now in all liturgies), kujus in adventum; 
 eo in another place, adventu proyiore Dei. 
 
 At his foreseen approach, already quake 
 
 Assyrian kinj^doms, and Maeotis' lake. 
 
 Nile hears him knocking at his sev'a-fold gates — 
 
 Every one knows whence this was taken. It was 
 rather a mistake than impiety in Virgil, to r.pply these 
 prophecies, which belonged to the Saviour of the world , 
 to tlie person of Octavius; it being a usual piece of 
 flattery, for near a hundred years together, to attribute 
 them to their emperors and other great men. Upon 
 the whole matter it is very probable that Virgil pre- 
 dicted to bim the empire at this time. And it will 
 appear yet the more, if we consider that he assures 
 him of his being received into the number of the gods, 
 in his first Pastoral, long before the thing came to pass; 
 which prediction seems grounded upon his former mis- 
 tike. This was a secret, not to be divulged at that 
 time ; and therefore it is no wonder that the slight 
 story in Donatus was given abroad to palliate the 
 matter. But certain it is, that Octavius dismissed 
 him With great marks of esteem, and earnestly recom- 
 mended the protection of Virgil's affairs to Pollio, then 
 lieutenant of the Cis Alpine Gaul, where Virgil's patri- 
 mony lay. This Pollio, from a mean original, became 
 one of the most considerable persons of his time : a 
 good general, orator, statesman, historian, poet, and 
 favourer of learned men ; above all, he was a man of 
 honour in those critical times. He had joined with Oc- 
 tavius and Antony in revenging the barbarous assas- 
 sination of Julius Caesar : when they two were at va- 
 * Sci Suetonius, Liie of Octavius, chap. Oi.—Fd,
 
 8 LIFE OF VIRGIL. 
 
 riance, he would neither follow Antony, whose courses 
 he detested, nor join with Octavius against him, out of 
 a grateful sense of some former obligations. Augustus, 
 ^Fho thought it his interest to oblige men of principle, 
 notwithstanding this, received him afterward into fa- 
 vour, and promoted him to the highest honours. And 
 thus much I thought fit to say of Pollio, because he 
 was one of Virgil's greatest friends. Being th refore 
 eased of domestic cares, he pursues his journey to 
 Naples. The charming situation of that place, and 
 ■\iew of the beautiful villas of the Roman nobility, 
 equalling the magnificence of the greatest kings; the 
 neighbourhood of Baia;, whither the sick resorted for 
 recovery, and the statesman when he was politicly sick; 
 whither the wanton went for pleasure, and witty men 
 for good company ; the wholesomeness of the air, and 
 improving conversation, the best air of all, contributed 
 not only to the re-establishing his health, but to the 
 forming of his style, and rendering him master of that 
 happy turn of verse, in which he much surpasses all 
 the Latins, and, in a less advantageous language, 
 equals even Homer himself. He proposed to use his 
 talent in poetry, only for scaffolding to build a conve- 
 nitut fortune, that he might prosecute, with less inter- 
 ruption, those nobler studies to which his elevated ge- 
 nius led him, and which he describes in these admira- 
 ble lines : — 
 
 Me vero primum dulces ante omnia Musse, 
 Qiianim sacra fero inyenti percussus amore, 
 Accipiant; ccelique vias, et sidera, raonstrent, 
 Defeptiis Solis varios, Lunxque laborcs ; 
 Uiide tremor terris, &c. 
 
 But the current of that martial age, by some strange 
 antiperistasis, drove so violently towards poetry, that he 
 was at last carried down with the stream ; for not only 
 the young nobility, but Octavius and Pollio, Cicero in 
 his old age, Julius Cajsar, and the stoical Brutus, a 
 little before, would needs be tampering with the Muses. 
 7'lie two latter had taken great care to have their poenis 
 curiously bound, and lodged in the most famous li- 
 braries: but neither the sacredness of those places, 
 nor the greatness of their names, could preserve ill 
 poetry. Quitting therefore the study of the law, after
 
 LIFE OF VIRGIL. 9 
 
 havinc; pleided bat one cause with indifferent success, 
 he resolved to push his fortune this way ; which he 
 seems to have discontinued for some time ; and that 
 may be the reason why the ' Culex,' his first pastoral 
 now extau: has little besides the novelty of the sub- 
 ject, and the mural of the fable, which contains an ex- 
 hortation to gratitude, to recommend it. Had it been 
 as correct as his other pieces, nothing more proper 
 and pertinent could have at that time been addressed 
 to the young Octavius : for the year in which ha pre- 
 sented it, probably at Baiee, seems to be the very same 
 in which that prince consented (though with seeming 
 reluctance) to the death of Cicero, under whose con- 
 sulship he was bom, the preserver of his life, and chief 
 instrument of his advancement. There is no reason 
 to question its being genuine, as the late French editor 
 does : its meanness, in comparison of Virgil's other 
 works (which is that writer's only objection), confutes 
 himself; for Martial, who certainly saw the true copy, 
 speaks of it with contempt : and yet that pastoral 
 equals, at lea>t, the address to the Dauphin, which is 
 prefixed to the late edition. Octavius, to unbend his 
 mind from application to public business, took fre- 
 quent tarns to Baiae, and Sicily, where he composed 
 his poem called ' Sicelides,' which Virgil seems to allude 
 to in the pastoral beginning ' .Sicelides Musje.' This 
 gave him an opportunity of refreshing that prince's 
 memory of him; and about that time he wrote his 
 * ^tna.' Soon after he seems to have made a voyage 
 to Athens, and at his return presented his ' Ceiris,' a 
 more elaborate piece, to the noble and eloquent Me?- 
 sala. The forementioned author groundlessly taxes 
 this as supposititious : for, besides other critical marks, 
 there are no less than fifty or sixty verses, altered in- 
 deed and polishe.'i, which he inserted in the Pastorals, 
 according to his fashion : and from thence tliey were 
 called Eclogues, or Select Bucolics : we thought fit to 
 use a title more intelligible, the reason of the other 
 being ceased ; and we are supported by Virgil's own 
 authority, whoexpressly calls them carmina pastorum. 
 The French editor is again mistaken, in asserting that 
 the Ceiris is borrowed from the ninth of Ovid's Meta- 
 A 2
 
 10 LIFE OF VIRGIL, 
 
 uiorphoses: he might have more reasonably conjectured 
 it to be taken from Parthenius, the Greek poet, from 
 whom Ovid borrowed a great part of his work. But 
 it is indeed taken from neither, but from that learned, 
 unfortunate poet, ApoUonius Rhodius, to whom Vir- 
 gil is more indebted than to any other Greek writer, 
 excepting Homer. The reader will be satisfied of this, 
 if he consults that author in his own language ; for 
 the translation is a great deal more obscure than the 
 origin «1. 
 
 Whilst Virgil thus enjoyed the sweets of a learned 
 privacy, the troubles of Italy cut off his little subsist- 
 ence; but, by a strange turn of human aflfairs, which 
 ought to keep good men from ever despairing, the loss 
 of his estate proved the effectual way of making his 
 fortune. The occasion of it was this: Octavius, as 
 himself relates, when he was but nineteen years of 
 a^e,by a masterly stroke of policy had gained the ve- 
 teran legions into his service (and by that step out- 
 witted all the republican senate): they grew now very 
 clamorous for their pay : the treasury being exhaust- 
 ed, he was forced to make assignments of land ; and 
 none but in Italy itself would content them. He 
 pitched upon Cremona, as the most distant from Rome ; 
 but, that not sufficing, he afterward threw in part of 
 the state of Mantua. Cremona was a rich and noble 
 colony settled a little before the invasion of Hannibal. 
 During that tedious and bloody war, they had done 
 several important services to the commonwealth ; and, 
 when eighteen other colonies, pleading poverty and 
 depopulation, refused to contribute money or to raise 
 recruits, they of Cremona voluntarily paid a double 
 quota of both. But past services are a fruitless plea : 
 civil wars are one continued act of ingratitude. In 
 vain did the miserable mothers, with their famishing 
 infants in their arms, fill the streets with their num- 
 bers, and the air with lamentations; the craving le- 
 gions were to be satisfied at any rate. Virgil, involved 
 in the common calamity, had recourse to his old patron, 
 Poliio ; but he was, at this time, vmder a cloud ; how- 
 ever, compassionating so worthy aman, not of amake 
 to struggle through the world, he did what he couUl,
 
 LIFE OP VIRGIL. 11 
 
 aud recommended him to Meecenas, with whom he still 
 kept a private correspondence. The name of this great 
 man being much better known than one part of his 
 character, the reader, I presume, will not be displeased 
 if I supply it in this place. 
 
 Though he was of as deep reach, and easy dispatch 
 of business, as any in his time, yet he designedly lived 
 beneath his true character. Men had oftentimes med- 
 dled in public affairs, that they might have more abi- 
 lity to furnish for their pleasures : Meecenas, by the 
 honestest hypocrisy that ever was, pretended to a life 
 of pleasure, that he might render more effectual ser- 
 vice to his master. He seemed v. holly to amuse him- 
 self with the diversions of the town, but under that 
 mask, was the greatest minister of his age. He would 
 be carried in a careless, effeminate posture through 
 the streets in his chair, even to the degree of a proverb : 
 and yet there was not a cabal of ill-disposed persons 
 which he had not early notice of ; and that too in a 
 city as large as London and Paris, and perhaps two 
 or three more of the most populous, put together. No 
 man better understood that art so necessary to the 
 gre^t — the art of declining envy. Being but of a gen 
 tieman's family, not patrician, he would not provoke 
 the nobility by accepting invidious honours, but wisely 
 satisfied himself that he had the ear of .Augustus, and 
 the secret of the empire. He seems to have committed 
 but one great fault, which was, the trusting a secret of 
 high consequence to his wife : but his master, enough 
 uxorious himself, made his own frailty more excus- 
 iible.by generously forgiving that of his favourite : he 
 kept, in all his greatness, exact measures with his 
 friends ; and, choosing them widely, found, by expe- 
 rience, that good sense and gratitude are almost inse- 
 parable. This appears in Virgil and Horace. The 
 former, besides the honour he did him to all posterity, 
 returned his liberalities at bis death ; the other, whom 
 Maecenas recommended with his last breath, was too 
 generous to stay behind, and enjoy the favour of Augus- 
 tus : he only desired a place in his tomb, and to mingle 
 his ashes with those of his deceased benefactor. But 
 this was seventeen hundred years ago. Virgil, thus
 
 12 LIFE OF VIRGIL. 
 
 powerfully supported, thought it mean to petition for 
 himself alone, hut resolutely solicits the cause of his 
 whole country, and seems, at first,, to have met with 
 some encouragement : but, the matter cooling, he was 
 forced to sit down contented with the grant of his own 
 estate. He goes therefore to Mantua, produces his 
 warrant to a captain of foot, whom he found in his* 
 house. Arrius, who had eleven points of the law, and 
 fierce of the services he had rendered to Octavius, was 
 80 far from yielding possession, that words growing 
 betwixt thera, he wounded him dangerously, forced 
 him to fly, and atlast to swim the river Mincius to save 
 his life. Virgil, who used to say that no virtue was 
 so necessary as patience, was forced to drag a sick 
 body half the length of Italy, back again to Rome; 
 and by the way probably composed his ninth Pastoral, 
 which may seem to have been made up in haste out 
 of the fragments of some other pieces ; and naturally 
 enough represents the disorder of the poet's mind, by 
 its disjointed fa.-ihion, though there be another reason 
 to be given elsewhere of its want of connexion. He 
 handsomely states his case in that poem, and with the 
 pardonable resentments of injured innocence, not cnly 
 claims Octavius's promise, but hints to him the uncer- 
 tainty of human greatness and glory. All was taken 
 in good part by that wise prince : at last effectual or- 
 ders wore given. About this time, he composed that 
 admirable poem, which is set first, out of respect to 
 Cassar : for he does not seem either to have had lei- 
 sure, or to have been in the humour of making so so- 
 lemn an acknowledgment, till he was possessed of the 
 benefit. And now he was in so great reputation and 
 interest, that he resolved to give up his land to his 
 parents, and himself to the court. His Pastorals were 
 in such esteem, that Pollio, now again in high favour 
 with Caesar, desired him to reduce them into a volume. 
 Some modern writer, that has a constant flux of verse, 
 would i^tand amazed how Virgil could employ three 
 whole years in revising five or six hundred verses, 
 most of which, probably, were made some time before : 
 but there is more reason to wonder how he could do it 
 so soon in such perfection A coarse stone is presently
 
 LIFE OF VIRGIL. 13 
 
 fashioned ; but a diamond, of not many karats, is mar.y 
 ■\7eeks in sawing, and, in polishing, many more. He 
 who put Virgil upon this, had a politic good end in it. 
 The continued civil wars had laid Italy almost 
 waste ; the ground was uncultivated and unstocked; 
 upon which ensued such a famine and insurrection, 
 that Csesar hardly escaped being stoned at Rome ; his 
 ambition being looked upon by all parties as the prin- 
 cipal occasion of it. He set himself therefore with 
 great industry to promote country improvements; and 
 Virgil was serviceable to his design, sui the good keeper 
 of the bees, Georg iv. 
 
 Tinnit usque cie, et Matris quale cymbala circum. 
 Ipbse coii»ideat. 
 
 That emperor afterward thought it matter worthy a 
 public inscription — 
 
 REDIT CULTUS AGRIS— 
 
 which seems to be the motive that induced Macenas 
 to put him upon writing his Ge orgies, or books of hus- 
 bandry — a design as new in Latin verse, as pastorals, 
 before Virgil's, were in Italy : which work to< k up 
 seven of the most vigorous years of his life ; for he was 
 now at least thirty-four years of age : and here Virgil 
 shines in his meridian, A great part of this work 
 seems to have been rough-drawn before be left INIantua; 
 for an ancient writer has observed, that the rules of 
 husbandry laid down in it, are better calculated for the 
 soil of Mantua, than for the more sunny climate of 
 Naples ; near which place, and in Sicily, he finished 
 it: but, lest his genius should be depressed by appre- 
 hensions of want, he had a good estate settled upon 
 him, and a house in the pleasantcst part of Rome; the 
 principal furniture of which wasa well chosen library, 
 which stood open to all comers of learning and merit : 
 and what recommended the situation of it most, was 
 the neighbourhood of hLs Maecenas ; and thus he could 
 either visit Rome, or return to his privacy at Naples, 
 through a pleasant road adorned on each side with 
 pieces of antiquity, of which he was so great a lover, 
 and, in the intervals of them, seemed almost one con- 
 tinued street of three days' journey.
 
 11 LIFE OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Cassar, haTing now vanquished Sextus Pompeius, 
 (.i -ipiing-tide of prosperities breaking in upon bim, 
 before he was ready to receive them as he ought) fell 
 sick of the intperial evil, the desire of being thought 
 something more tlian man. Ambition is an infinite 
 folly : when it has attained to the utmost pitch of hu- 
 man greatness, it soon falls upon making pretensions 
 upon heaven. The crafty Livia would needs be drawn 
 in the habit of a priestess by the shrine of the new 
 god : and this became a fashion not to be dispensed 
 ■with amongst the ladies. The devotion was wohdrou.s 
 great amongst the Romans ; for it was their interest, 
 and (which sometimes avails more) it was the mode. 
 Virgil, though he despised the heathi-n superstitions, 
 and is so bold as to call Saturn and Janus by no better 
 a name than that of old men, and might deserve the 
 title of subverter of superstitions, as well as Varro, 
 thought fit to follow the maxim of Plato his master, 
 that every one should serve the gods after the usage 
 of his ov/n country ; and therefore was not the last to 
 present his incense, which was of too rich a composi- 
 t!!)n for such an altar ; and, by his address to Cccsar 
 on this occasion, made an unhappy precedent to Luc;m 
 and other poets which came after him, Georg. i. and 
 iii. And this poem being now in great forwardness, 
 Cccsar, who, in imitation of his predecessor Julius, 
 never intermitted his studies in the camp, and nmcb 
 less in other places, refreshing himself by a short stay 
 in a pleasant \illage of Campania, would needs be en- 
 tertained with the rehearsal of some part of it. Virgil 
 recited with a marvellous grace, and sweet accent of 
 voice ; but his lungs failing him, Msecenas himself sup- 
 plied his place for what remained. Such a piece of 
 condescension would now be very surprising; but it 
 was no more than customary amongst friends wheii 
 learning passed for quality. Lffilius, the second man 
 of Rome, in bis time, had done as much for that poet 
 out of whose dross Virgil would sometimes pick gold, 
 as himself said, when one found him reading Ennius : 
 (the like he did by some verses of Varro, and Pacu- 
 vius, Lucretius, and Cicero, which he inserted into 
 his works.) But learned men then lived easy and 
 familiarly with the great : Augustus himself w ould
 
 LIFE OF VIRGIL. l.', 
 
 sometimes sit down betwixt Virgil and Horace, and 
 say, jestingly, that he sate betwixt sighing and tears, 
 alluding to the asthma of one, and rheumatic eyes of 
 the other. He would frequently correspond with them, 
 and never leave a letter of theirs unanswered: nor 
 were they under the constraint of formal superscrip- 
 tions in the beginning, nor of violent superlatives at 
 the close, of their letter: the invention of these is a 
 modern refinement; in which this may be remarked, 
 in passing, that 'humble servant' is respect, but 
 'friend' an affront; which, notwithstanding, implies 
 the former and a great deal more. Kor does true 
 greatness lose by such familiarity; and those who have 
 it not, as Maecenas and Pollio had, are not to be ac- 
 counted proud, but rather very discreet, in their re- 
 serves. Some playhouse beauties do wisely to be seen 
 at a distance, and to have the lamps twinkle betwixt 
 them and the spectators. 
 
 But now Caesar, who, though he were none of the 
 greatest soldiers, was certainly the greatest traveller, 
 of a prince, that had ever been, (for which Virgil so 
 dexterously compliments him, ^neid, vi.) takes a 
 voyage to Egypt, and, having happily finished the war, 
 reduces that mighty kingdom into the form of a pro- 
 vince; over which he appointed Gallus his lieutenant. 
 This is the same person to whom Virgil addresses his 
 tenth Pastoral: changing, in compliance to his re- 
 quest, his purpose of limiting them to the number of 
 the Muses. The praises of this Gallus took up a con- 
 siderable pan of the fourth book of the Georgics, ac- 
 cording to the general consent of antiquity: but Csesar 
 would tiave it put out ; and yet the seam in the poem is 
 still to be discerned ; and the matter of Aristaeus's re- 
 covering his bees might have been dispatched in less 
 compass, without fetching the causes so far, or interest- 
 ing so many gods and goddesses in that aftair. Per- 
 haps some readers may be inclined to think this, though 
 very mich laboured, not the most entertaining part of 
 that work: so hard it is for the greatt'st masters to 
 paint against their inclination. But Casar was con- 
 tented that he should bementionedin the last Pastoral, 
 becau.-^e it might be taken for a satirical sort of com- 
 mendation : and the character he there stands under.
 
 la LIFE OF VIRGIL. 
 
 might help to excuse his cruelty, in putting an old 
 servant to death for no very great crime. 
 
 And now having ended, as he begins hi.>! Georgics, 
 with solemn mention of Csjsar (an argument of his de- 
 votion to him), he begins his ' ^Eneis,' according to 
 the common account, being now turned of forty. But 
 that work had been, in truth, the subject of much 
 earlier meditation. Whilst he was working upon the 
 first book of it, this passage, so very remarkable in 
 history, fell out, in which Virgil had a great share. 
 
 Caesar, about this time, either cloyed with glijr3',or 
 terrified by the example of his predecessor, or to gain 
 the credit of moderation with the people, or possibly 
 to feel the pulse of his friends, deliberated whether 
 he should retain the sovereign power, or restore the 
 commonwealth. Agrippa, who was a very honest 
 man, but whose view was of no great extent, advised 
 him to the latter; but Maecenas, who had thoroughly 
 studied his master's temper, in an eloquent oration 
 gave contrary advice. That emperor was too politic to 
 commit the oversight of Cromwell, in a deliberation 
 something resembling this. Cromwell had never been 
 more desirous of the power, than he was afterward of 
 tlie title, of king ; and there was nothing in which the 
 heads of the parties, who were all his creatures, would 
 not comply with him: but, b}- too vehement allegation 
 of arguments again?t it, he, who had outwitted every 
 body besides, at last outwitted himself by too deep dis- 
 simulation ; for his council, thinking to make their 
 court by assenting to his judgment, voted unanimousK* 
 for him against his inclination ; which surprised and 
 troubled him to such a degree, that, as soon as he had 
 got into his coach, he fell into a swoon. But Cccsar 
 knew his people better; and, his council being thus 
 divided, he asked Virgil's advice. Thus a poet had 
 the honour of determining the greatest point that ever 
 was in debate, betwixt the son in-law and favourite of 
 Cssar. Virgil delivered his opinion in words to this 
 effect : ' The change of a popular into an absolute go- 
 vernment has generally been of very ill consequence ; 
 for, betwixt the hatred of the people and injustice of 
 the prince, it of necessity comes to pass that they live 
 in distrust, and mutual apprehensions. But, if the
 
 LIFE OP VIRGIL. 17 
 
 coHimoQs knew a just person, whom they entirely 
 confided in, it would be for the advantage of all par- 
 ties that such a one should be their sovereign : where- 
 fore, if you shall continue to administer justice impar- 
 tially, as hitherto you have done ,your power willprove 
 safe to yourself, and beneficial to mankind.' This ex- 
 cellent sentence, which seems taken out of Plato (with 
 whose writings the grammarians were not much ac- 
 quainted, and therefore cannot reasonably be suspected 
 of forgery in this matter) contains the true state of 
 affairs at that time : for the commonwealth maxims 
 were now no longer practicable ; the Romana had only 
 the haughtiness of the old commonwealth ieft, without 
 one of its virtues. And this sentence we find, almost 
 in the same word.>«, in the first book of his ' i^neis,' 
 which at this time he was writing ; and one might 
 wonder that none of his commentators have taken 
 notice of it. He compares a tempest to a popular in- 
 surrection, as Cicero had compared a sedition to a 
 storm, a little before — 
 
 Ac veluti, magno in populo, cnm saepe coorta est 
 Seditio, saevitque aiiimW igiiobile valgus, 
 Jarnq. faces, et saxa volant; furor arraa ministrat: 
 Turn pietate gravem ac uieritis si forte virura queia 
 Coiispesere, silent, arrectlsqr.e auiibus adstant : 
 Ille regit Uictis aninio?, etpectora miilcet. 
 
 Piety and merit were the two great virtties which 
 Virgil every where attributes to Augustus, and in 
 which that prince, at least politicly, if not so truly, 
 fixed his character, as appears by the Marmor Ancyr. 
 and several of his medals. Freinshemiiis, the learned 
 supplementor of Livy, has inserted this relation into 
 his history ; nor is there any good reason, why Ruaens 
 should account it fabulous. The title of a poet intho.se 
 days did not abate, but heighten, the character of the 
 greatest senator. Virgil was one of the best and wisest 
 men of his time ; and in so popular esteem, that one 
 hundred thousand Romans rose when he came into 
 the theatre, and paid him the same respect they u?ed 
 to Caesar himself, as Tacitus assures us. And, if Au- 
 gustus invited Horace to assist him in writinghis letters 
 (and every body knows that the Rescripta Imperato- 
 rum were the laws of the empirie), Virgil might well 
 deserve a place in the c;ibiuct-council.
 
 18 LIFE OF VIRGIL. 
 
 And now Virgil prosecutes bis j^nei;;, which luul 
 anciently the title of the ' Imperial Poem,' or ' Iloraau 
 Historj',' and deservedly ; for, though he were too art- 
 ful a writer to set down events in exact historical order, 
 for which Lucan is justly blamed ; yet are all the most 
 considerable affairs and persons of Rome comprised in 
 thi:f poem. Ho deduces the history of Italy from be- 
 fore Saturn to the reign of king Latinus ; and reckons 
 up the successors of iEneas, who reigned at Alba, for 
 the space of three hundred years, down to the birth 
 of Romulus; describes the persons and principrl ex- 
 ploits of all the kings, to their expulsion, and the set- 
 tling of the commonwealth. After this, he touches 
 promiscuously the most remarkable occurrences at 
 home and abroad, but insists more particularly upon 
 the exploits of Augustus. Insomuch that, though this 
 assertion may appear at first a little surprising, he has 
 in his works deduced the history of a considerable part 
 of the world from its original, through the fabulous 
 and heroic ages, through the monarchy and common- 
 wealth of Rome, for the space of four thousand years, 
 down to within less than forty of our Saviour's time, 
 of whom he has preserved a most illustrious prophecv. 
 Besides this, he points at many remarkable passages 
 of history under feigned names : the destruction of 
 Alba and Veii, under that of Troy: the star Venus, 
 which, Varro says, guided ^neas in his voyage to 
 Italy, in that verse, 
 
 Matre dea monstrante viara. 
 
 Romulus's lance taking root and budding, is described 
 
 in that passage concerning Polydorus.^n, ill. 
 
 Confixum ftrrratexit 
 Telorum seges, et j.icnlis increvjt acutis— 
 
 the stratagem of the Trojans boring holes in their ships, 
 and sinking them, lest the Latins should burn them, 
 under that fable of their being transformed into sea- 
 nymphs : and therefore the ancients had no such rea- 
 son to condemn that fable as groundless and absurd. 
 Codes swimming the river Tyber, after the bridge was 
 broken down behind him, is exactly painted in the 
 four last verses of the ninth book, under the character 
 of Turnus : Marius hiding himself in the morass of 
 llinturnae, under the person of Siuon :
 
 LIFE OF VIRGIL. 19 
 
 Limosque lacu ptr noctem obscurus in ulva 
 
 Dtliuii. 
 Those verses in the second book concerning Priam, 
 
 ^jacet ingens litore truiiciis, Sec. 
 
 seem originally made \ipon Pompey the Great. He 
 seems to touch the imperious and intriguing humour 
 of the empress Livia, under the character of Juno. 
 The irresolute and wea^. Lepidus is well represented 
 under the person of King La.tinus; Augustus, with the 
 character of Pont. Max. under that of ^Eneas; and 
 the rash courage ^'always unfortunate in Virgil) of 
 Marc Antony, in Turnus. The railing eloquence of 
 Cicero in his ' Philippics,' is well imitated in the ora- 
 tion of Drances; the dull faithful Agrippa, under the 
 person of .Achates; accordingly- this character is flat: 
 Achates kills but one man, and himself receives one 
 slight wound, but neither says nor does any thing very 
 considerable in the whole poem. Curio, who sold his 
 country for about two hundred thousand poxinds, is 
 stigmatised Id that verse: 
 
 Verididit hie aaro patriam, doiuinamque potentem 
 
 Iniposuit. 
 Livy relates, that presently after the death of the 
 two Scipios in Spain, when Marcius took upon him 
 tLe command, a blazing nieteorshone aroundhis head, 
 to the astonishment of his soldiers. Virgil transfers 
 this to ^neas. 
 
 Laetasque vomunt duo tempora flammas. 
 It is strange that the commentators have not taken 
 notice of this. Thus the ill omen which happened a 
 little before the battle of Thrasynien, when ?ome of 
 the centurions' lances took fire miraculously, is hinted 
 in the like accident which betel Acestes, before the 
 burning of the Trojan fleet in Sicily. The reader will 
 ea>ily find many more such instances. In other 
 writers, there is often well covered ignorance ; in 
 % irgil, concealed learning. 
 
 His silence of some illustrious persons is no less 
 worth observation. He says nothing of Sceevola, be- 
 cause he attempted to assassinate a king, though a 
 declared enemy ; nor of the younger Brutus, for he 
 effected what the other endeavoured ; nor of the 
 younger Cato, because he was an implacable enemy
 
 20 LIFE OF VIRGIL. 
 
 of Julius Caesar, nor could the mention of biui be 
 pleasing to Augustus ; and that passage. 
 
 His dantem jura Catoneui — 
 may relate to his office, as he was a very severe censor. 
 Nor would he name Cicero, when the occasion of 
 mentioning him came full in his way, when he speaks 
 of Catiline; becausehe afterwardapproved the murder 
 of Caesar, though the plotters were too wary to trust 
 the orator with their design. Some other poets knew 
 the art of speaking well ; but Virgil, beyond this, knew 
 the admirable secret of being eloquently silent. What- 
 soever was most curious in Fabius Pictor, Cato the 
 elder, Varro, in the Egyptian antiquities, in the form 
 of sacrifice, in the solemnities of making peace and 
 war, is preserved in this poem. Rome is still above 
 ground, and flourishing in Virgil. And all this be 
 performs with admirable brevity. The .i^.neis was 
 once near twenty tiroes bigger than he left it ; so that 
 he spent as much time in blotting out, as some mo- 
 derns Lave done in writing whole volumes. But not 
 one book has his finishing strokes. The sixth seems 
 one of the most perfect ; the which, after long entreaty 
 and sometimes threats of Augustus, he was at last pre- 
 vailed upon to recite. This fell out about four years 
 before his own death : that of Marcellus, whom Caesar 
 designed for his successor, happened a little before this 
 recital; Virgil, therefore, v/ith his usual dexterity, in- 
 serted his funeral panegyric in those admirable lines, 
 beginning 
 
 O iiate, ingentem luctum ne qusere tuorum, &c. 
 His mother, the excellent Octavia, the best wife of the 
 worst husband that ever was, to divert her grief would 
 be of the auditory. The poet artificially deferring the 
 naming Marcelius, till their passions were raised to 
 the highest; but the mention of it put both her and 
 Augustus into such a passion of weeping, that they 
 commanded him to proceed no farther! Virgil an- 
 swered that he had already ended that passage. Some 
 relate that Octavia fainted away: but afterward she 
 presented the poet with two thousand one hundred 
 poimds, odd nioney — a round sum for twenty-seven 
 verses; but they were Virgil's, .\nothcr writer says.
 
 LIFE OF VIRGJL. 21 
 
 that, witli a royal miinificence,she ordered him massy 
 plate, unweighed, to a great value. 
 
 And now be took up a resolution of travelling into 
 Greece, there to set the last hand to his work; pro- 
 posing to devote the rest of his life to philosophy, 
 which had been always his principal passion. He 
 justly thought it a foolish figure, for a grave man to 
 be overtaken by death whilst he was weighing the 
 cadence of words and measuring verses, unless ne- 
 cessity should constrain it, from which he was well 
 secured by the liberality of that learned age. Bnt he 
 was not aware, that, whilst he allotted three years 
 for the revising of his poem, he drew bills upon a fail- 
 ing bank • for, unhappily meeting Augustus at Athens, 
 he thought himself obliged to wait upon him into Italy; 
 but being desirous to see all he could of the Greek an- 
 tiquities, he fell into a languishing distemper at Me- 
 gara. This, neglected at first, proved mortal. The 
 agitation of the vessel (for it was now autumn, near 
 the time of his birth) brought him so low, that he 
 could hardly reach Brindisi. In his sickness, he fre- 
 quently, and with great importunity, called for his 
 scrutoire, that he might bum his ^neis ; but, Augustus 
 interposing by his royal authority, he made his last 
 will (of which something shall be said afterward) ; 
 and, considering probably how much Homer had been 
 disfigured by the arbitrary compilers of his works, 
 obliged Tucca and Varius to add nothing, nor so much 
 as fill up the breaks he left in his poem. He ordered 
 that his bones should be carried to Naples, in which 
 place he had peissed the most agreeable part of his life. 
 Augustus, not only as executor and friend, but accord- 
 ing to the duty of the Pont. Max, when a funeral hap- 
 pened in his family, took care himself to see the will 
 punctually executed. He went out of the world with 
 all that calmness of mind with which the ancient 
 writer of his life says he came into it : making the 
 inscription of his monument himself; for he began and 
 ended his poetical compositions with an epitaph. And 
 this he made, exactly according to the law of his maister 
 Plato on such occasions, without the least ostentatiim: 
 
 I sun? flocks, tillage, heroes : Mantua pave 
 Me liie, Brunduiium death, Naples a grave.
 
 22 LIFE OF VIRGIL. 
 
 A SHORT ACCOUNT OF HIS 
 
 PERSON, MANNERS, AND FORTUNE. 
 
 He was of a very swarthy complexion, which ruii;lit 
 proceed from the southern extraction of his father : 
 taU and wide shouldered, so that he may be thought 
 to have described himself under the character of Mu- 
 easus, whom he calls the best of poets — 
 
 Medium nam, plurima turha 
 Hunc habet, atque humeris exstaiitem siispicit a!tis. 
 His sickliness, studies and the troubles he mtt 
 with, turned his hair gray before the usual time. He 
 bad a hesitation in his speech, as many other great 
 men ; it being rarely found that a very fluent elocu- 
 tion, and depth of judgment, meet in the same per- 
 son : his aspect and behaviour rustic, and ungraceful ; 
 and this defect was not likely to be rectified in the 
 place where he first lived, nor afterward, because the 
 weakness of his stomach would not permit him to 
 use his exercises. He was frequently troul)led with 
 the headache, and spitting of blood ; spare of diet, 
 and hardly drank any wine. Bashful to a fault, and 
 when people crowded to see him, be would slip into 
 the next shop or by-passage to avoid them. As this 
 character could not recommend him to the fair sex, 
 he seems to have as little consideration for them as 
 Euripides himself. There is hardly the character of 
 one good woman to be found in his poems : he uses 
 the word mulier but once in the whole .Eneis, then, too, 
 by way of contempt, rendering literally a piece of 
 a verse out of Homer. In his Pastorals, he is full of 
 invectives against love : in the Genrgics, he appro- 
 priates all the rage of it to the females. He makes 
 Dido, who never deserved that character, lustful and 
 revengeful to the utmost degree; so as to die devoting 
 her lover to destruction; so changeable, that tlie Des- 
 tinies themselves could not fix the time of her death, 
 but Iris, the emblem of inconstancy, must determine 
 it. Her sister is something worse. He is so far from 
 passing such a compliment upon Helen, as the grave 
 old counsellor in Homer does, after nine years' war, 
 when, upon the sight of her, he breaks out into this 
 rapture in the presence of king Priam :
 
 LIFE OF VIRGIL. 23 
 
 5oue can the cause of tliese lon^ wars despise; 
 The cost bears no proportion to the iirii^'- ; 
 Majestic charms in every feature shiue, 
 Her air, her port, her accent is ditiiie. 
 However, lei the fatal beauty ro, Sec. 
 
 Virgil is so far from this complaisant humonr, that 
 his hero falls into an unmanly and ill-timed delibera- 
 tion, whether he should not kill her in a church ; 
 which directly contradicts what Deiphobus says of 
 her, JEneid, vi. in that place where every body tells 
 the truth. He transfers the dogged silence of Ajax's 
 ghost to that of Dido ; though that be no very natural 
 character to an injured lover or a woman. He brings 
 in the Trojan matrons setting their own fleet on fire, 
 and running afterward like witches on their subbaf, 
 into the wooJs. He bestows indeed some ornaments 
 on the character of Camilla : but soon abates his fa- 
 vour, by calling her aspera and horrenda lii-go : he 
 places her in the front of the line for an ill-omen of 
 the battle, as one of the ancients has observed. We 
 may observe on this occasion, it is an art peculiar to 
 Virgil, to intimate the event by some preceding acci- 
 dent. He hardly ever describes the rising of the sun, 
 but with some circumstance which fore-signifies the 
 fortune of the day. For instance, when j^neas leaves 
 Africa and queen Dido, he thus describes the fatal 
 morning : 
 
 Tithoni croceum linquens Aurora cubile. 
 [And, for the remark, we stand indebted to the cu- 
 rious pencil of Pollio.] The ' Mourning Fields' (.Uneid, 
 vi.) are crowded with ladies of a lost reputation ; 
 hardly one man gets admittance; and thatis Caeneus, 
 for a very good reason. Latinus's queen is turbulent 
 and ungovernable, and at last hangs herself; and the 
 fair Lavinia is disobedient to the oracle, and to the 
 king, and looks a little flickering after Turnus. I 
 wonder at this the more, because Livy represents her 
 as an excellent person, and who behaved herself with 
 great wisdom in her regency during the minority of 
 her son ; so that the poet has done her wrong, and it 
 reflects on her posterity. His goddesses make as ill 
 a figure ; Juno is always in a rage, and the fury of 
 heaven : Venus grows so unreasonably confident, as 
 to ask her husband to forge arras for her bastard son :
 
 2t LIFE OP VIRGIL. 
 
 which were er)r>U)3h to provoke one of a more phleg- 
 matic temper than Vulcan was. Notwitb.standing 
 all this raillery of Virgil's, be was certainly of a very 
 amorous disposition, and has described all that is most 
 delicate in the passion of love ; but he conquered his 
 natural inclination by the help of philosophy, and re- 
 fined it into friendship, to which he was extremely sen- 
 sible. The reader will admit of or reject the following 
 conjecture, with the free leave of the writer, who will 
 be equally pleased either way, Virgil had too great an 
 opinion of the influence of the heavenly bodies; and, 
 as an ancient writer says, he was born under the sign 
 of Virgo; with which nativity he much pleased him- 
 self, and would exemplify her virtues in his life. Per- 
 haps it was thence that he took his name of Virgil, 
 and Parthenias, which does not necessarily signify 
 base-born. Donatus and Servius, very good gram- 
 marians, give a quite contrary sense of it. He seems 
 to make allusion to this original of his name in that 
 l»assage : 
 
 illo Vir^ilium me tempore dulcis aleb:U 
 Parthenope. 
 
 And tliis may serve to illustrate his compliment to 
 Ca?sar, in which he invites him to his own coustel- 
 latioa : 
 
 Where, in the void of heav'n, a place is free. 
 Betwixt the Scorpion and the Maid, for thee— 
 
 thus placing him betwixt justice and power, and in 
 a neighbour mansion to his own ; for Virgil supposed 
 souls to ascend again to their proper and congenial 
 stars. Being therefore of this humour, it is no won- 
 der that he refused the embraces of the beautiful 
 Plotia, when his indiscreet friend almost threw her 
 into his arms. 
 
 But, however he stood affected to the ladies, there 
 is a dreadful accusation brought against him for the 
 most unnatural of all vices, which, by the malignity 
 of human nature, has found more credit in latter 
 times than it did near his own. This took not its rise 
 so much from the ' Alexis,' in which pastoral there is 
 not one immodest word, as from a sort of ill-nature 
 that will not let any one be without the imputation 
 of some vice ; and principally because he was so strict
 
 LIFE OF YIIIGIL. 25 
 
 a follower of Socrates and Plato. la order therefore to 
 his vindication, I shall take the matter a little higher. 
 The Cretans were anciently much addicted to navi- 
 gation, insomuch that it became a Greek proverb 
 (though omitted, I think, by the industrious Erasmus), 
 a ' Cretan that does not know the sea.' Their neigh- 
 bourhood gave them occasion of frequent commerce 
 with the Phoenicians, that accursed people, who in- 
 fected the western world with endless superstitions 
 and gross immoralities. From them it is probable 
 that the Cretans learned this infamous passion, to 
 which they were so much addicted, that Cicero re- 
 marks, in his book * De Rep.' that it was 'a disgrace 
 for a young gentleman to be without lovers.' Socra- 
 tes, who was a great admirer of the Cretan constitu- 
 tions, set his excellent wit to find out some good 
 cause and use of this evil inclination, and therefore 
 gives an account wherefore beauty is to be loved, in 
 the following passage; for I will not trouble the 
 reader, weary perhaps already, with a long Greek quo- 
 tation. 'There is but one eternal, immutable, uni- 
 form beauty ; in contemplation of which, cur sovereign 
 happiness does consist; and therefore a true lover 
 considers beauty and proportion as so many steps and 
 degrees, by which he may ascend from the particular 
 to the general, from all that is lovely of feature, or 
 regular in proportion, or charming in sound, to the 
 general fountain of all perfection. And if you are so 
 much transported with the sight of beautiful persons, 
 as to wish neither to eat nor drink, but pass your 
 whole life in their conversation ; to what ecstacy 
 would it raise you to behold the original beauty, not 
 filled up with flesh and blood, or varnished v.ith a 
 fading mixture of colours, and the rest of mortal trifles 
 and fooleries, but separate, unmixed, uniform, and 
 divine,' &c. Thus far Socrates, in a strain much be- 
 vond the * Socrate Chretien' of Mr, Balzac : and thus 
 that admirable man loved his PhEedon, hid Charmides, 
 and Theaetetus ; and thus Virgil loved his Alexander 
 and Cebes, under the feigned name of Alexis: he re- 
 ceived them illiterate, but returned them to their mas- 
 ters, the one a good poet, and the other an excellent 
 B 
 
 J
 
 20 LIFE OF VIRGIL. 
 
 grammarian. And, to prevent all possible misrepre- 
 sentations, be warily inserted, into the liveliest epi- 
 sode in the whole jl^neis, these words: 
 
 Nisus amore pio piieri — 
 and in the sixth, Quique pii vafes. He seems fond of 
 the words castas, j)ius, virgo, and the compounds of 
 it; and sometimes stretches the use of that word fur- 
 ther than one would think he reasonably should have 
 done, as when he attributes it to Pasiphae herself. 
 
 Another vice he is taxed with, is avarice; because 
 he died rich; and so indeed he did, in comparison of 
 modern wealth. His estate amounted to near seventy- 
 five thousand pounds of our money : but Donatus 
 does not take notice of this as a thing extraordinary; 
 nor was it esteemed so great a matter, when the cash 
 of a great part of the world lay at Rome, Antony 
 himself bestowed at once two thousand acres of land 
 in one of the best provinces in Italy, upon a ridicu- 
 lous scribbler, who is named by Cicero and Virgil. A 
 late cardinal used to purchase ill flattery at the ex- 
 pense of a hundred thousand crowns a year. But, 
 besides Virgil's other benefactors, he was much in 
 favour with Augustus, whose bounty to him had no 
 limits, but such as the modesty of Virgil prescribed 
 lo it. Before he had made his own fortune, he set- 
 tled his estate upon his parents and brothers ; sent 
 them yearly large sums, so that they lived in great 
 plenty and respect; and, at his death, divided his 
 estate betwixt duty and gratitude, leaving one half 
 to his relations, and the other to Mcccenas, to Tucca, 
 and Varius, and a considerable legacy to Augustus, 
 who had introduced a politic fashion of being in every 
 body's will ; which alone was a fair revenue for a 
 prince. Virgil shews his detestation of tliis vice, by 
 placing in the front of the damned those who did not 
 relieve their relations and friends ; for the Romans 
 hardly ever extended their liberality further; and 
 therefore I do not remember to have met, in all the 
 Latin poets, one character so noble as that short one 
 in Homer — 
 
 ^i\oQ 6' nv aiSpcoTTOiert, 
 Tlavrag yap <pi\fe<TK€v,
 
 LIFE OF VIRGIL. 27 
 
 On the other hand, he gives a very advanced place 
 in Elysium to good patriots, &c. observing, in all his 
 poem, that rule so sacred amongst the Romans, ' That 
 there should be no art allowed, which did not tend to 
 the improvement of the people in virtue.' And this 
 ■was the principle too of our excellent Mr. Waller, 
 who used to say, thai he would rase any line out of 
 his poem, which did not imply some motive to virtue : 
 but he was unhappy in the choice of the subject of 
 his admirable vein in poetry. The Countess of Car- 
 lisle was the Helen of her country. There is nothing 
 in pagan philosophy more true, more just, aud regu- 
 lar, than Virgil's ethics ; and it is hardly possible to 
 sit down to the serious perusal of his works, but a 
 man shall rise more disposed to virtue and goodness, 
 as well as most agreeably entertained. The contrary 
 to which disposition may happen sometimes upon the 
 reading of Ovid, of Martial, and several other second- 
 rate poets. But of the craft, and tricking part of 
 life, with which Homer abounds, there is nothing to 
 be found in Virgil ; and therefore Plato, who gives 
 the former so many good words, perfumes, crowns, 
 but at last complimentally banishes him his common- 
 wealth, would have entreated Virgil to sfay with him 
 (if they had lived in the same age), and entrusted him 
 with some important charge in his government. Thu.s 
 was his life as chaste as his style ; and those who can 
 criticise his poetry, can never find a blemish in his naan- 
 ners ; and one would rather wi^h to have that purity 
 of mind, which the satirist himself attributes to him; 
 that friendly disposition, and evenness of temper, and 
 patience, which he was master of in so eminent a de- 
 gree, than to have the honour of being author of the 
 ^ne'is, or even of the Georgics themselves. 
 
 Having therefore so little relish for the usual 
 amusements of the world, he prosecuted his studies 
 without ai y considerable interruption, during the 
 whole course of his life, which one may reasonably 
 conjecture to have been something longer than fifty- 
 two years : and therefore it is no wonder that he be- 
 came the most general scholar that Rome ever bred, 
 unless some one should except Varro. Besides the 
 exact knowledge of rural affairs, he understood mtdi-
 
 28 LIFE OF VIRGIL. 
 
 oine, to \vhich profession he was designed by hi.s pa- 
 rents. A curious florist ; on which subject one would 
 wish he had writ, as he once intended : so profound 
 a naturalist, that he has solved more phenomena of 
 nature upon sound principles, than Aristotle in hig 
 Physics : he studied geometry, the most opposite of 
 all sciences to a poetic genius, and beauties of a lively 
 imagination ; but this promoted the order of his nar- 
 rations, his propriety of language, and clearness of 
 expression, for which he was justly called the ' pillar 
 of the Latin tongue.' This geometrical spirit was the 
 cause, that, to fill up a verse, he would not insert one 
 superfluous word ; and therefore deserves that cha- 
 racter which a noble and judicious writer has given 
 him, ' That be never says too little, nor too much.'* 
 Nor could any one ever fill up the verses he left im- 
 perfect. There is one supplied near the beginning of 
 the first book : Virgil left the verse thus : 
 
 -Hie illius arma. 
 
 Hie currus fiiit 
 
 the rest is none of his. 
 
 He was so good a geographer, that he has not only 
 left us the finest description of Italy that ever was, 
 but, besides, was one of the few ancients who knew 
 the true system of the earth, its being inhabited round 
 about, under the torrid zone, and near the poles. Me- 
 trodorus, in his five books of the ' Zones,' justifies him 
 from some exceptions made against hira by astrono- 
 mers. His rhetoric was in such general esteem, that 
 lectures were read upon it in the reign of Tiberius, and 
 the subject of declamations taken out of him. Pollio 
 himself, and many other ancients, commented him. 
 His esteem degenerated into a kind of superstition. 
 The known story of Mr. Cowley, is an instance of it. 
 But the soites Virgiliancp were condemned by St. 
 Austin, and other casuists. Abienus, by an odd de- 
 sign, put all Virgil and Livy into Iambic verse; and 
 the pictures of those two were hung in the most ho- 
 nourable place of public libraries ; and the design of 
 taking them down, and destroying Virgil's works, 
 was looked upon as one of the most extravagant 
 amongst the many brutish frensies of Caligula. 
 ♦ ' Essay of i'octry,' by tlie Manjiiis of Norraauby.
 
 PASTORAL I. 
 
 TirVRDS AND MBLIBCEUS. 
 
 Trie occasion of the first Pastoral was this. When Aii^jitslus 
 had settled himself in the Roman empire, that he niisrht re- 
 ward his \eteran troops for their pai^t service, he distributed 
 among them all the lacds that lay about Cremona and Man- 
 tua ; turninjr out the right owners' for having- sided with his 
 enemies. Virsil was a sufferer among llie rest: who after- 
 wards recovered his estate by Maecenas's intercession, and, as 
 an instance of his gratitude, composed the following pastoral, 
 where he sets out his own good fortune in the person of 7it>- 
 ns, and the calamities of his Mantuan neighbours iu the cha- 
 racter of Melibceus. 
 
 MELIBCEUS. 
 
 Beneath the shade which beechen boughs diffuse, 
 You, Tityrus, entertain your sylvan muse. 
 Round the wide world in banishment we roam, 
 Forced from our pleasing fields and native home ; 
 While, stretch'd at ease, you sing your happy loves. 
 And Amaryllis fills the shady groves. 6 
 
 T1TYR0S. 
 
 Those blessings, friend, a deity bestow'd : 
 
 For never can I deem him less than god. 
 
 The tender firstlings of my woolly breed 
 
 Shall on his holy altar often bleed. 10 
 
 He gave my kine to graze the flow'ry plain. 
 
 And to my pipe renew'd the rural strain. 
 
 MELIBCEfS. 
 
 I envy not your fortune, but admire. 
 
 That, while the raging sword and wasteful fire 
 
 Destroy the wretched neighbourhood around, 15 
 
 No hostile arms approach your happy ground. 
 
 Far difTrent is my fi>te : my feeble goats 
 
 With pains 1 drive from their forsaken cotes. 
 
 And this, you see, I scarcely drag along, 
 
 Who, yeaning, on the rocks has left her young ; *20 
 
 The hope and promise of my failing fold, 
 
 My loss, my dire portents, the gods foretold ; 
 
 For, had I not been blind, I might have seen : — 
 
 You riven oak, the fairest of the green.
 
 30 THE WORKS OP VIRGIL. 
 
 And the hoarse raven, on the blasted bough, 23 
 
 By croaking from the left.presag'd the coming blow. 
 But tell me, Tityrus, what heav'nly power 
 Preserv'd your fortunes in that fatal hour ? 
 
 TITYRUS. 
 
 Fool that I was, I thought imperial Rome, 
 
 Like ]\Iantua, where on market-days we come, 30 
 
 And thither drive our tender lambs from home. 
 
 So kids and whelps their sires and dams express, 
 
 And so the great I measur'd by the less. 
 
 But country towns, corapard with her, appear 
 
 Like shrubs, when lofty cypresses are near. 35 
 
 MELIBCEUS. 
 
 What great occasion call'd you hence to Rome ? 
 
 TITYRUS. 
 
 Freedom, which came at length, though slow to come. 
 
 Mor did my search of liberty begin, 
 
 Till my black hairs were changed upon my chin; 
 
 Nor Amaryllis would vouchsafe a look, 4(> 
 
 Till Galatea's meaner bonds I broke. 
 
 Till then a helpless, hopeless, homely swain, 
 
 I sought not freedom, nor aspired to gain: 
 
 Though mmy a victim from my folds was bought, 
 
 And many a cheese to country markets brought, 10 
 
 Yet all the little that I got, I spent. 
 
 And still return'd as empty as I went. 
 
 MELIBCEUS. 
 
 We stood amaz'd to see your mistress mourn. 
 
 Unknowing that she pin'd for your return : 
 
 We wonder'd why she kept her fniit so long, .OO 
 
 For whom so late th' ungather'd apples hung. 
 
 But now the wonder ceases, since I see. 
 
 She kept them only, Tityrus, for thee. 
 
 For thee the bubbling springs appear'd to mourn, 
 
 And whisp'ring pines made vows for thy return. 55 
 
 TITYRUS. 
 
 What should I do? — ^Vhile here I was enchaia'd. 
 No glimpse of godlike liberty remain'd : 
 Nor could I hope, in any place but there. 
 To And a god so present to my pray'r.
 
 PASTORAL I. 31 
 
 There first the youth of heavenly birth I view'd, 60 
 
 For whom our monthly victims are rencv'd. 
 
 He heard my vows, and graciously decreed 
 
 My grounds to be restor'd, my former flocks to feed. 
 
 MELIBCECS. 
 
 O fortunate old man ! whose farm remains — 
 
 For you sufficient— and requites your pains ; 05 
 
 Though rushes overspread the neigbb'ring plains. 
 
 Though here the marshy grounds approach your fields. 
 
 And there the soil a stony harvest yields. 
 
 Your teeming ewes shall no strange meadows try. 
 
 Nor fear a rot from tainted company. 70 
 
 Behold! yon bordering fence of sallow-trees 
 
 Is fraught with flow'rs; the flow'rs are fraught with 
 
 The busy bees, with a soft murmuring strain, [bees : 
 
 Invite to gentle sleep the lab'ring swain. 
 
 While from the neighb'ring rock, with rural songs, 73 
 
 The pruner's voice the pleasing dream prolongs, 
 
 Stock doves and turtles tell their am'rous pain. 
 
 And, from the lofty elms, of love complain. 
 
 TITYUUS. 
 
 Th' inhabitants of seas and skies shall change. 
 
 And fish onshore, and stags in air, shall range, 80 
 
 The bauish'd Parthian dwell on Arar's brink. 
 
 And the blue German shall the Tigris drink. 
 
 Ere I, forsaking gratitude and truth, 
 
 Forget the figure of that godlike youth. 
 
 MF.LIBCEUS. 
 
 But we must beg our bread in climes unknown, 85 
 
 Beneath the scorching or the freezing zone: 
 
 And some to far Oasis shall be sold. 
 
 Or try the Libyan heat or Scythian cold ; 
 
 The rest among the Britons be confined ; 
 
 A race of men from all the world disjoin'd. 90 
 
 O ! must the wretclied exiles ever mourn, 
 
 Nor, after length of rolling years, return ? 
 
 Are we condemn'd by fate's unjust decree. 
 
 No more our houses and o"r homes to see ? 
 
 Or shall we mount again the rural throne, »5 
 
 And rule the country kingdoms, once our own?
 
 32 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Did we for these barbarians plant and sow? 
 
 On these, on these, our happy fields bestow? 
 
 Good heav'n ! what dire effects from civil discord flow I 
 
 Now let me graff my pears, and prune the viae ; 100 
 
 The fruit is theirs, the labour only mine. 
 
 Farewell, my pastures, my paternal stock. 
 
 My fruitful fields, and my more fruitful flock ! 
 
 No more, my goats, shall I behold you climb 
 
 The steepy cliffs, or crop the flow'ry thyme ! 105 
 
 No more, extended in the grot below, 
 
 Shall see you browzing on the mountain's brow 
 
 The prickly shrubs, and after on the bare. 
 
 Lean down the deep abyss, and hang in air! 
 
 No more my sheep shall sip the morning dew ; 110 
 
 No more my song shall please the rural crew ; 
 
 Adieu, my tuneful pipe ! and all the world, adieu ! 
 
 TITYRUS. 
 
 This night, at least, with me forget your care ; 
 Chesnuts, and curds, and cream, shall be your fare; 
 The carpet-ground shall be with leaves o'erspread ; 
 And boughs shall weave a covering for your head. IIG 
 For, see, yon sunny hill the shade extends ; 
 And curling smoke from cottages ascends. 
 
 PASTORAL II.— ALEXIS. 
 
 The commentators can by no means agree on the person of 
 Alexis, but are all of opinion iliat some beuuiiful youth i* 
 meant by him, to whom Virgil here makes love, in Corydon's 
 lana:uaa;e and simplicily. His way of conrishipis wholly pas- 
 toral : he complains of the boy's coyness; recommends him- 
 seir for his beauty and skill in piping- ; invitee the youth into 
 the country, where he promises him the diversions of the 
 place, with a suitable present of nuts and apples. But when 
 he finds nothings will prevail, he resolves to quit his trouble- 
 some amour, and betake himself again to his former business. 
 
 Young Corydon, tli' unhappy shepherd swain, 
 
 The fair Alexis lov'd, but lov'd in vain ; 
 
 And underneath the beeclien shade, alone. 
 
 Thus to the woods and mountains made his moan : — 
 
 Is this, unkind Alexis, my reward ? 5 
 
 And must I die un pitied, and unheard ? 
 
 Now the green lizard in the grove is laid; 
 
 The .sheep enjoy the coolness of the shade -.
 
 PASTORAL II. 33 
 
 Arid Thestylis vnli thyme and garlic beats, 
 For harvest hinds, o'erspent with toil and heats ; 10 
 While in the scorching sun I trace in vain 
 Thy flying footsteps o'er the burning plain. 
 Tbe erecting locusts with my voice conspire. 
 They fried with heat, and I with fierce desire. 
 How much more easy was it to sustain 15 
 
 Proud Amaryllis, and her haughty reign ; 
 The scorns of young Menalcas, once my care. 
 Though he was black, and thou art heavenly fair ! 
 Trust not too much to that enchanting face ; 
 Beauty's a charm; but soon the charm will pass. 2U 
 White lilies lie neglected on the plain. 
 While dusky hyacinths for use remain. 
 My passion is thy scorn ; nor wilt thou know 
 What wealth I have, what gifts I can bestow; 
 What stores my dairies and my folds contain — 25 
 A thousand lambs that wander on the plain. 
 New milk that, all the winter, never fails. 
 And, all the summer, overflows the pails. 
 Amphion sung not sweeter to his herd, 
 When summon'd stones the Theban turrets rear'd. 30 
 Nor am I so deform'd : for late I stood 
 Upon the margin of the briny flood ; 
 The winds were still; and, if the glass be true, 
 With DaphnLs J may vie, though judg'd by you. 
 O leave the noisy town : O come and see 35 
 
 Our country cots, and live content with me! 
 To wound the flying deer, and from their cotes 
 With me to drive a-field thebrowzing goats; 
 To pipe and sing, and, in our country strain, 
 lo copy, or perhaps contend with. Pan. 40 
 
 Pan taught to join with wax unequal reeds; 
 Pan loves the shepherds, and their flocks he feeds. 
 Nor scorn the pipe : Amyntas, to be taught. 
 With all his kisses would my skill have bought. 
 Of seven smooth joints a mellow pipe I have, 4.'5 
 
 Which with his dying breath Damoetas gave. 
 And said, ' This, Corydon, I leave to thee ; 
 For only thou deserv'st it after me.' 
 His eyes Amyutas durst not upward lift; 
 For much he grudg'd the praise, but more the gift. 50 
 B2
 
 U THE WORKS GF VIRGIL, 
 
 Besides, two kids, that in the valley stray'd, 
 I found by chance, and to my fold convey'd ; 
 They drain two bagging udders every day; 
 And these shall be companions of thy play: 
 Both fleck'd with white, the true Arcadian strain 55 
 Which Thestylis had often begg'd in vain : 
 And she shall have them, if again she sues. 
 Since you the giver and the gift refuse. 
 Come to ray longing arms, my lovely care! 
 And take the presents which the nymphs prepare. 60 
 White lilies in full canisters they bring, 
 With all the glories of the purple spring. 
 The daughters of the flood have search'd the mead 
 For violets pale, and cropp'd the poppy's head, 
 The short narcissus and fair daffodil, (55 
 
 Pansies to please the sight, and cassia sweet to smell : 
 And set soft hyacinths with iron-blue. 
 To shade marsh marigolds of shining hue; 
 Some bound in order, others loosely strew'd, 
 To dress thy bow'r, and trim thy new abode. 70 
 
 ^lyself will search our planted grounds at home, 
 For downy peaches and the glossy plum : 
 And thrash the chesnuts in the neighb'ring grove, 
 Such as my Amaryllis used to love. 
 The laurel and the myrtle sweets agree; 75 
 
 And both in nosegays shall be bound for thee. 
 Ah, Corydon ! ah poor unhappy swain ! 
 Alexis will thy homely gifts disdain ; 
 Nor, shouldst thou offer all thy little store, 
 Will rich lolas yield, but offer more. 80 
 
 What have I done, to name that wealthy swain? 
 So powerful are his presents, mine so mean I 
 The boar amidst my crystal streams I bring : 
 And southern winds to blast my flowery spring. 
 Ah, cruel creature ! whom dost thou despise ? 85 
 
 The gods, to live in woods, have left the skies: 
 And godlike Paris, in th' Idaean grove, 
 To Priam's wealth preferr'd Ginone's love- 
 in cities, which she built, let Pallas reign ; 
 Tow'rs are for gods, but forests for the swain. OC 
 
 The greedy lioness the wolf pursues. 
 The wolf the kid, the wanton kid the browze ;
 
 PASTOR.IL III. 35 
 
 Alexis, thou art cbas'd by Corydon : 
 
 All follow sev'ral games, and each his own. 
 
 See, from afar the fields no longer smoke ; 05 
 
 The sweating steers, unharness'd from the yoke, 
 
 Bring, as in triumph, back the crooked plough ; 
 
 The shadows lengthen as the sun goes low ; 
 
 Cool breezes now the raging heats remove : 
 
 Ah! cruel Heav'n, that made no cure for love! 100 
 
 I wish for balmy sleep, but wish in rain : 
 
 Love has no bounds in pleasure, or in pain. 
 
 What frenzy, shepherd, has thy soul possess'd ? 
 
 Thy vineyard lies half prun'd, and half undress'd. 
 
 Quench, Corydon, thy long unanswer'd fire, 105 
 
 Mind what the common wants of life require: 
 
 On willow twigs employ thy weaving care; 
 
 And find an easier love, though not so fair. 
 
 PASTORAL in— PAL.^MON 
 
 MENALCAS, DAMCETAS, PALiEMOX. 
 
 Damoetas and Menalcas, after some smart strokes of country 
 raillery, resolve to try who has the most skill at song-; and 
 accordingly make their neighbour Paiaemon judge of tlieir per- 
 formances ; who, after a full hearing of both parties, declares 
 himself unfit for the decision of so weigl.ty a coatroversy, and 
 leaves the victory undetermined. 
 
 MENALCAS. 
 
 Ho, swain ! what shepherd owns those ragged sheep ? 
 
 DAMCETAS. 
 
 ^Egon's they are: he gave them me to keep. 
 
 MENALCAS. 
 
 Unhappy sheep of an unhappy swain! 
 
 While he Neaera courts, but courts in vain, 
 
 And fears that I the damsel shall obtain, 5 
 
 Thou, varlet, dost thy master's gains devour ; 
 
 Tbou miik'st his ewes, and often twice an hour , 
 
 Of grass and fodder thou dofraud'st the dams. 
 
 Arid of their mother's dugs the starving Iambs. 
 
 DAMCETAS. 
 
 Good words, young catamite, at least to men. 10 
 
 We know who did your bus'ness, how, and when ;
 
 30 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 And in what chapel too you play'd your prize, 
 And what the goats observ'd with leering eyes : — 
 The nymphs were kind, and laugh'd: and there your 
 safety lies. 
 
 MENALCAS. 
 
 Yes, when T cropt the hedges of the leas, 15 
 
 Cut Micon's tender vines, and stole the stays! 
 
 DAMCETAS. 
 
 Or rather, when beneath yon ancient oak, 
 
 The how of Daphnis, and the shafts, you broke. 
 
 When the fair boy receiv'd the gift of right; 
 
 And, but for mischief, you had died for spite. 20 
 
 MENALCAS. 
 
 What nonsense would the fool thy master prate. 
 
 When thou, his knave, canst talk at such a rate! 
 
 Did I not see you, rascal, did I not. 
 
 When you lay snug to snap young Damon's goat? 
 
 His mongrel bark'd: I ran to his relief, 25 
 
 And cried, 'There, there he goes ! stop, stop the thief." 
 
 Discover'd, and defeated of your prey. 
 
 You skulk'd behind the fence, and sneak'd away. 
 
 DAMCETAS. 
 
 An honest man may freely take his own : 
 
 The goat was mine, by singing fairly won. 3C 
 
 A solemn match was made : he lost the prize. 
 
 Ask Damon, ask, if lie the debt denies. 
 
 I think he dares not : if he does, he lies. 
 
 MENALCAS. 
 
 Thou sing with him ? thou booby ! — Never pipe 
 Was so profan'd to touch that blubber'd lip. 35 
 
 Dunce at the best ! in streets but scarce allow'd 
 To tickle, on thy straw, the stupid crowd. 
 
 DAMCETAS. 
 
 To bring it to the trial, will you dare 
 
 Our pipes, our skill, our voices to compare ? 
 
 My brinded heifer to the stake I lay : 40 
 
 Two thriving calves she suckles twice a day. 
 
 And twice bCvsidcs her beestings never fail 
 
 To store the dairy with a brimming pail. 
 
 Now back your singing with an equal stake.
 
 PASTORAL III. 37 
 
 MEN A LC AS. 
 
 Tiiat should be seen, if I had one to make, 45 
 
 You know too well, I feed my father's flock : 
 
 What can I wager from the common stock ? 
 
 A step-dame too I have, a cursed she, 
 
 W)io rules my hen-peck 'd sire, and orders me. 
 
 Both number twice a day the milky dams ; 50 
 
 And once she takes the tale of all the lambs. 
 
 But, since you will be mad, and since you may 
 
 Suspect my courage if I should not lay ; 
 
 The pawn I proffer shall be full as good : 
 
 Two bowls I have, well turn'd of beechen wood ; .')5 
 
 Both by diTine Alcimedon were made : 
 
 To neither of them yet the lip is laid. 
 
 The lids are ivy : grapes in clusters lurk 
 
 Beneath the carving of the curious work. 
 
 Two figures on the sides emboss'd appear — 60 
 
 Conon, and what's his name who made the spear. 
 
 And shew'd the seasons of the sliding year. 
 
 Instructed in his trade the lab'ring swain. 
 
 And when to reap, and when to sow the grain ? 
 
 DAMCETAS. 
 
 And I have two, to match your pair, at home ; 65 
 The wood the same ; from the same hand they come 
 (The kimbo handles seem with bear's foot carv'd), 
 And never yet to table have been serv'd ; 
 Where Orpheus on his lyre laments his love. 
 With beasts encompass'd, and a dancing grove. 70 
 But these, nor all the proffers you can make, 
 Are worth the heifer which I set to stake. 
 
 SIENALCAS. 
 
 No more delays, vain boaster, but begin ! 
 
 I prophecy before hand I shall win. 
 
 Paiasmon shall be judge how ill you rhyme : 75 
 
 I'll teach you how to brag another time. 
 
 D/MCETAS. 
 
 Rhymer, come on ! and do the worst you can. 
 
 I fear not you, nor yet a better man. 
 
 With silence, neighbour, and attention wait: 
 
 For 'tis a bus'ness of a high debate. 80
 
 38 THE WORKS 01' VIRGIL. 
 
 Sing, then : the shade affords a proper place ; 
 
 The trees are cloth'd with leaves, the fields with grass; 
 
 The blossoms blow; the birds on bushes sing; 
 
 And Nature has accomplish'd all the spring. 
 
 The challenge to Damoetas shall belong ; 85 
 
 Menalcas shall sustain his under song : 
 
 Each iu his turn, your tuneful numbers bring : 
 
 By turns the tuneful Muses love to sing. 
 
 DAMCETAS. 
 
 From the great father of the gods above 
 My muse begins : for all is full of Jove ; 90 
 
 To Jove the care of heaven and earth belongs; 
 My flocks he blesses, and he loves my songs. 
 
 MENALCAS. 
 
 Me Phoebus loves ; for he my muse inspires ; 
 And, in her songs, the warmth he gave, requires. 
 For him, the god of shepherds and their sheep, 95 
 My blushing hyacinths and my bays I keep. 
 
 PAMCETAS. 
 
 My Phyllis me with pelted apples plies : 
 Then tripping to the woods the wanton hies, 
 And wishes to be seen before she flies. 
 
 MENALCAS. 
 
 But fair Amyntas comes unask'd to me, 100 
 
 And ofiers love, and sits upon my knee: 
 Not Delia to my dogs is known so well as he. 
 
 DAUCETAS. 
 
 To the dear mistress of my love-sick mind. 
 
 Her swain a pretty present has design'd : 
 
 I sav/ two stock-doves billing, and ere long 105 
 
 Will take the nest; and her's shall be the young. 
 
 MENALCAS. 
 
 Ten ruddy wildings in the wood T found. 
 
 And stood on tip toes, reaching from the ground : 
 
 I sent Amyntas all my present store ; 
 
 And will, to-morrow, send as many more. 110 
 
 DAMCETAS. 
 
 The lovely maid lay panting in my arms ; 
 And all she said and did was full of charms.
 
 PASTORAL III. 39 
 
 Winds ! on your wings to heav'n her accents bear ; 
 Such words as heav'n alone is fit to hear. 
 
 MENALCAS. 
 
 Ah ! what avails it me, my love's delight, 115 
 
 To call you mine, when absent from my sight ? 
 1 bold the nets, while yon pursue the prey ; 
 And must not share the dangers of the day, 
 
 DAMOETAS. 
 
 I keep my birth-day : send my Phyllis home : 
 
 At shearing-time, lolas, you may come. 12'i 
 
 MENALCAS. 
 
 With Phyllis I am more in grace than you : 
 Her sorrow did my parting steps pursue : 
 ' Adieu, my dear !' she said, ' a long adieu ." 
 
 DAMCETAS. 
 
 The nightly wolf is baneful to the fold. 
 
 Storms to the wheat, to buds the bitter cold ; 125 
 
 But from my frowning fair, more ills 1 find, 
 
 Than from the wolves, and storms, and winter-wind. 
 
 MENALCAS. 
 
 The kids with pleasure browze the bushy plain ; 
 The show'rs are grateful to the swelling grain : 
 To teeming ewes the sallow's tender tree ; 130 
 
 But, more than all tlie world, my love to me. 
 
 DAMCETAS, 
 
 Pollio my rural verse vouchsafes to read ; 
 A heifer. Muses, for your patron breed. 
 
 MENALCAS. 
 
 My Pollio writes himself : a bull he bred. 
 
 With spurning heels, and with a butting head 13.5 
 
 DAMCETAS. 
 
 Who Pollio loves, and who liis muse admires, 
 Let Pollio's fortune crown his full desires. 
 Let myrrh in.-tead of thorn his fences fill. 
 And show'rs of honey from his oaks distil. 
 
 MES'ALCAS. 
 
 Who hates not living Bavius, let him be 140 
 
 (Dead Msevius I) damn'd to love thy works and thee! 
 The same ill taste of sense would serve to join 
 Dogfoxes in the 3oke, and shear the swine.
 
 40 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 DAMCETAS. 
 
 Ye boys, who pluck, the flow'rs, and spoil the spring, 
 Beware the secret snake that shoots a sting. 145 
 
 MENALCAS. 
 
 Graze not too near the banks, my jolly sheep : 
 The ground is false ; the running streams are deep : 
 See, they have caught the father of the flock, 
 Who dries his fleece upon the neighb'ring rock. 
 
 DAMCETAS. 
 
 From rivers drive the kids, and sling your hook : 150 
 Anon I'll wash them in the shallow brook. 
 
 MENALCAS. 
 
 To fold, my flock ! — When milk is dried with heat, 
 In vain the milk-maid tugs an empty teat. 
 
 DAMCETAS. 
 
 How lank my bulls from plenteous pasture come ! 
 But love, that drains the herd, destroys the groom. 
 
 MENALCAS. 
 
 My flocks are free from love, yet look so thin, 156 
 Their bones are barely cover'd with their skin. 
 What magic has bewitch'd the woolly dams. 
 And what ill eyes beheld the tender lambs ? 
 
 DAMCETAS. 
 
 Say.where the round of heav'n, which all contains. 
 To three short ells on earth our sight restrains : ICl 
 Tell that, and rise a Phoebus for thy pains. 
 
 MENALCAS. 
 
 Nay, tell me first, in what new region springs 
 A flow'r, that bears inscrib'd the names of kings ; 
 And thou shalt gain a present as divine 165 
 
 As Phoebus' self; for Phyllis shall be thine. 
 
 PALjEMON. 
 
 So nice a difference in your singing lies, 
 
 That both have won, or both deserv'd, the prize. 
 
 Rest equal happy both ; and all who piove 
 
 The bitter sweets, and pleasing pains, of love. 170 
 
 Now^ dam the ditches, and the floods restrain : 
 
 Their moisture has already drench'd the plain.
 
 PASTORAL IV. 11 
 
 PASTORAL IV.— POLLIO. 
 
 The poet ctlehratp-; the birth-day of Saloninus, the son of I'oUio 
 bom in tlie consulship of his father, after the taking of Silonse, 
 a rity in Oalmatia. Many of the verses are translat'^il from 
 one o'f the Sibyls, who prophesied of our Saviour's birtn. 
 
 Sicilian muse, begin a loftier strain! 
 
 Though lowly shrubs, and trees that shade the plain. 
 
 Delight not all; Sicilian muse, prepare 
 
 To make the vocal woods deserve a consul's care. 
 
 The last great age, foretold by sacred rhymes, 5 
 
 Renews its finish'd course : Saturnian times 
 
 Roll round again; and mighty years, began 
 
 From their first orb, in radiant circles run. 
 
 The base degen'rate iron ciTspring ends ; 
 
 A golden progeny from lieav'n descends. 10 
 
 O chaste Lucina ! speed the mother's pains ; 
 
 And haste the glorious birth I thy own Apollo reigns ! 
 
 The lovely boy, with his auspicious face. 
 
 Shall Poilio's consulship and triumph grace : 
 
 Majestic months set out with him to their appointed 
 
 The father banish'd virtue shall restore ; [race. 15 
 
 And crimes shall threat the guilty world no more. 
 
 The son shall lead the life of gods, and be 
 
 By gods and heroes seen, and gods and heroes see. 
 
 The jarring nations he in peace shall bind, 2<J 
 
 And with paternal virtues rule mankind. 
 
 Unbidden earth shall wreathing ivy bring. 
 
 And fragrant herbs (the promises of spring). 
 
 As her first oflTrings to her infant king. 24 
 
 The goats with strutting dugs shall homeward speed, 
 
 And lowing herds secure from lions feed. 
 
 His cradle shall with rising flow'rs be crown'd : 
 
 The serpent's brood shall die; the sacred ground 
 
 Shall weeds and pois'nous plants refuse to bear ; 
 
 Each common bush shall Syrian roses wear. 30 
 
 But when heroic verse his youth shall raise. 
 
 And form it to hereditary praise, 
 
 Unlabour'd harve.'=ts shall the fields adorn. 
 
 And cluster'd grapes shall blush on every thorn ; 
 
 The knotted oaks shall show'rs of honey woep, .'i5 
 
 AndthrougUthematledgrassthcliiiuidgoldsballcreep.
 
 42 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Yet, of old fraud some footsteps shall remain : 
 The merchant still shall plough the deep for gain ; 
 Great cities shall with walls be compass'J round ; 
 And .-iharpen'd shares shall vex the fruitful ground; 
 Another T^'phis shall new seas explore ; 41 
 
 Another Argo land the chiefs upon th' Iberian shore ; 
 Another Helen other wars create, 
 And great Achilles urge the Trojan fate. 
 But when to ripen'd manhood he shall grow, 45 
 
 The greedy sailor shall the seas forego : 
 No keel shall cut the waves for foreign ware ; 
 For ev'ry soil shall every product bear. 
 The lab'ring hind his oxen shall disjoin; [vine; 
 
 No plough shall hurt the glebe, nor pruning-hook the 
 Nor wool shall in dissembled colours shine; 51 
 
 But the luxurious father of the fold. 
 With native purple and unborrow'd gold, 
 Beneath his pompous fleece shall proudly sweat; 
 And under Tyrian robes the lamb shall bleat. 55 
 
 The Fates, when they this happy web have spun, 
 Shall bless the sacred chie, and bid it smoothly run. 
 Mature in jears, to ready honours move, 
 O of celestial seed ! O foster-son of Jove! 
 See, lab'ring Nature calls thee to sustain 60 
 
 The nodding frame of heav'n, and earth, and main! 
 See to their base restor'd, earth, seas, and air; [pear. 
 And jojful ages, from behind, in crowding ranks ap- 
 To sing thy praise, would heav'n my breath prolong, 
 Infusing spirits worthy such a song, 65 
 
 Not Thracian Orpbeus should transcend my lays, 
 Nor Linus crown'd with never-fading bays; 
 Though each his heav'nly parent should inspire ; 
 The muse instruct the voice, and Phoebus tune the lyre. 
 Should P.in contend in verse, and thou my theme, 70 
 Arcadian judges should their god condemn. 
 Begin, auspicious boy ! to cast about [out. 
 
 Thy infant eyes, and, with a smile, thy mother single 
 Thy mother well deserves that short delight, 
 The nauseous qualms of ten long months and travail 
 to requite. 75 
 
 TJien smile! the frowning infant's doom is read: 
 No god shall crown the board, aor goddess bless the bed.
 
 PASTORAL V. 43 
 
 PASTORAL v.— DAPHNIS. 
 
 Mipsus and Menalcas, two very expert shepherds at a son?, heg'n 
 one by consent to the memory of Daijhnis, who is snpposed by 
 the best critics to represent Julius Ciesar. Mopsus lainenls 
 Ins death; Menalcas proclaims his divinity ; the whole eclogue 
 consisting of an elegy and an apotheosis. 
 
 MENALCAS. 
 
 Since on the downs our Hocks together feed. 
 And since my voice can match your tuneful reed, 
 Why sit we not beneath the grateful shade 
 Which hazels, iutermtx'd with elras, have made ; 
 
 JIOPSCS. 
 
 Whether you please that sylvan scene to take, 5 
 
 Where whistling winds uncertain shadows make; 
 Or will you to the cooler cave succeed, 
 Whose mouth the curling vines have overspread? 
 
 MENALCAS. 
 
 Your merit and your years command the choice : 
 Amyntas only rivals you in voice. 10 
 
 MOPSUS. 
 
 What will not that presuming shepherd dare, 
 Who thinks his voice with Phoebus meiy compare ? 
 
 MENALCAS. 
 
 Begin you first ; if either Alcon's praise, 
 
 Or dying Phyllis have inspir'd your lays : 
 
 If her you mourn, or Codnis you commend, 15 
 
 Begin ; and Tityrus your flock shall tend. 
 
 MOPStJS. 
 
 Or shall I rather the sad verse repeat. 
 
 Which on the beech's bark I latel y writ ? 
 
 I writ, and sung betwixt. Now bring the swain 
 
 Whose voice you boast, and let him try the strain. 20 
 
 MENALCAS. 
 
 Such as the shrub to the tall olive shews. 
 Or the pale sallow to the blushing rose; 
 Such is his voice, if I can judge aright, 
 Compar'd to thine, in sweetness and in height. 
 
 MOPSUS. 
 
 No more, but sit and hear the promis'd lay : 25 
 
 Tue gloomy grotto makes a doubtful day.
 
 44 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 The nymphs about the breathless body wait 
 Of Daphnis, and lament his cruel fate. 
 The trees and floods were witness to their tears: 
 At length the rumour reach'd his mother's ears. 30 
 The wretched parent, with a pious haste, 
 Came running, and his lifeless limbs embrac'd. 
 She sigh'd, she sobb'd; and, furious with despair, 
 She rent her garments, and she tore her hair. 
 Accusing all the gods, and ev'ry star. 35 
 
 The swains forgot their sheep, nor near the 
 
 brink 
 Of running waters brought their herds to drink. 
 The thirsty cattle, of themselves, abstain'd 
 From water, and their grassy fare disdain'd. 
 The death of Daphnis woods and hills deplore ; 40 
 They cast the sound to Libya's desert shore ; 
 The Libyan lions hear, and hearing roar. 
 Fierce tigers Daphnis taught the yoke to bear. 
 And first with curling ivy dress'd the spear. 
 Daphnis did rites to Bacchus first ordain, 45 
 
 And holy revels for his reeling train. 
 As vines the trees, as grapes the vines adorn. 
 As bulls the herds, and fields the yellow corn : 
 So bright a splendoxir, so divine a grace. 
 The glorious Daphnis cast on his illustrious race. 50 
 When envious Fate the godlike Daphnis took. 
 Our guardian gods the fields and plains for.sook; 
 Pales no longer swell'd the teeming grain, 
 Nor Phoebus fed his oxen on the plain ; 
 No fruitful crop the sickly fields return ; 55 
 
 But oats and darnel choke the rising corn. 
 And where the vales with violets once were crown'd. 
 Now knotty burrs and thorns disgrace the ground. 
 Come, shepherds, come, and strew with leaves the 
 
 plain ; 
 Suchfun'ral rites your Daphnis did ordain. 60 
 
 With cypress boughs the crystal fountains hide. 
 And .softly let the running waters glide. 
 A lasting monument to Daphnis raise. 
 With this inscription to record his praise : 
 ' Daphnis, the fields' delight, the shepherds' love, fiS 
 Renown'd on earth, and deify'd above ;
 
 PASTORAL V. 15 
 
 Whose flock excell'd the fairest on the plains, 
 But less than he himself surpass'd the swains,' 
 
 MF.NALCAS. 
 
 O heav'nly poet ! such thy verse appears, 
 
 So sweet, so charming to my ravish'd ears, 70 
 
 As to the weary swain, with cares opprest, 
 
 Beneath the sylvan shade, refreshing rest ; 
 
 As to the fev'rish traveller, when first 
 
 He finds a crystal stream to quench his thirst. 
 
 In singing, as in piping, you excel ; 7.T 
 
 And scarce your master could perform so well. 
 
 O fortunate young man ! at least your lays 
 
 \re next to his, and claim the second praise. 
 
 Such as they are, my rural songs I join. 
 
 To raise our Daphcis to the pow'rs divine ; 80 
 
 For Daphnis was so good, to love whate'er was mine. 
 
 MOPSUS. 
 
 How is my soul with such a promise rais'd ; 
 
 For both the boy was worthy to be prais'd. 
 
 And Stimicon has often made me long 
 
 To hear, like him, so soft, so sweet a song. S5 
 
 MENALCAS. 
 
 Daphnis, the guest of heav'n, with woud'ring eyes 
 
 Views, in the milky way, the starry skies, 
 
 And far beneath him, from the shining sphere. 
 
 Beholds the moving clouds, and rolling year. 
 
 For this, with cheerful cries the woods resound ; 90 
 
 The purple spring arrays the various ground : 
 
 The nymphs and shepherds dance : and Pan himself 
 
 is crown 'd. 
 The wolf no longer prowls for nightly spoils. 
 Nor birds the springes fear, nor stags the toils ; 
 For Daphnis reigns above, and deals from thence 95 
 His mother's milder beams, and peaceful influence. 
 The mountain-tops unshorn, the rocks, rejoice ; 
 The lowly shrubs partake of human voice. 
 Assenting Nature, with a gracious nod, 99 
 
 Proclaims him, and salutes the new-admitted god. 
 Be still propitious, ever good to thine ! 
 Behold ! lour hallow'd altars we design ;
 
 46 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 And two to thee, and two to Phoebus rise ; 
 On both is offef'd annnal sacrifice. 
 The holy priests, at each returning year, 105 
 
 Two bowls of milk, and two of oil, shall bear; 
 And I myself the guest with friendly bowls will cheer. 
 Two goblets will I crown with sparkling wine, 
 The gen'rous vintage of the Chian vine, 109 
 
 Th^se will I pour to thee, and make the nectar thine. 
 In winter shall the genial feast be made 
 Before the fire; by summer, in the shade. 
 Damcetas shall perform the rites divine ; 
 And Lyctian ^gon in the song shall join. 
 Alphesiboeus tripping .shall advance, 115 
 
 And mimic satyrs in his antic dance. 
 When to the nymphs our annual rites we pay. 
 And when our fields with victims we survey; 
 While savage boars delight in shady woods. 
 And finny fish inhabit in the floods ; 120 
 
 While bees on thyme, and locusts feed on dew ; 
 Thy grateful swains these honours shall renew. 
 Such honours as we pay to pow'rs divine. 
 To Bacchus and to Ceres, shall be thine. 
 Such annual honours shall be giv'n; and thrm 125 
 Shalt hear, and shalt condemn thy suppliants to their 
 vow. 
 
 MOPSUS. 
 
 What present, worth thy verse, can Mopsiis find? 
 Not the soft whispers of the southern wind. 
 That play through trembling trees, delight me more; 
 Nor murm'ring billows on the sounding shore; 130 
 Nor winding streams, that through the valley glide, 
 And the scarce-cover'd pebbles gently chide. 
 
 MENALCAS. 
 
 Receive you first this tuneful pipe, the same 
 
 That play'd my Corydon's unhappy flame ; 
 
 The same that sung Neaera's conquering eyes, 135 
 
 And, had the judge been just, had won the prize. 
 
 Accept from me this sheep-hook in exchange 
 The handle brass ; the knobs in equal range.
 
 PASTORAL Vf. 47 
 
 ^ntigencs, with kisses often tried 
 
 To beg this present in his beauty's pride, HO 
 
 "^A hen youth and love are hard to be denied. 
 
 Rut what I could refuse to his request. 
 
 Is yours uaask'd ; for you deserve it best. 
 
 PASTORAL VL— SILENUS. 
 
 Two youn^ shepherds, Chromis and Mnasylus ha^inar been often 
 pmnjised a song by Silenus, chance to catch him asleep in this 
 t'astoral ; where tl.ev bind him hund and foot, and then claim 
 his promise. Silenns, findin;j they would be piU off no lonztr, 
 begins his son°r, in which he describes the tormaiion of the 
 universe, and the original of animals, accordiiitr to tiie Epi- 
 curean philosophy ; and then runs thro'/?h the most surprisii)^ 
 transformations \ihich have happened in Nature since her birth. 
 This Pastoral was designed as a complimei.t to Syron the Epi- 
 curean, who instructed Vir°:il and Varus in the principles of 
 that philosophy. Silcnus acts as tutor, Chromis and Mnasylus 
 as the two pupils. 
 
 I FIRST transferr'd to Rome Sicilian strains; 
 Nor blush'd the Doric muse to dwell on Mantuan 
 
 plains. 
 But when I tried her tender voice, too young. 
 And fighting kings and bloody battles s^ung, 
 Apollo check'd my pride, and bade me feed 5 
 
 My fatt'ning flocks, nor dare beyond the reed, 
 Admonish'd thus, while ev'ry pen prepares 
 To write thy praises. Varus, and thy wars, 
 My past'ral muse her humble tribute brings ; 
 And yet not wholly uninspir'd she sings; 10 
 
 For all wno read, and, reading not disdain 
 These rural poems, and their lowly strain, 
 The name of Yarns oft inscrib'd shall see 
 In ev'ry grove, and ev'ry vocal tiee ; 
 And all the sylvan reign shall sing of thee : 15 
 
 Thy name, to Phoebus and the muses known, 
 Shall in the front of evry page he shewn ; 
 For he who sings thy praise secures his own. 
 Proceed, my musel — Two satyrs, on the ground, 
 Stretch'd at his ease, their sire Silenus found. 'iO 
 
 Doz'd with his fumes, and heavy with his load. 
 They found him snoring in his dark abode, 
 And seiz'd with youthful arms the drunken god.
 
 48 THE WORKS OF VIRGlL. 
 
 His rosy wreath was dropt not long before, 2} 
 
 Borne by the tide of wine, and floating on the floor. 
 
 His empty can, with ears half worn away, 
 
 Was hung; on high to boast the triumph of the day. 
 
 Invaded thus, for want of better bands, 
 
 His garland they unstring, and bind his hands; 
 
 For, by the fraudful god deluded long, 30 
 
 They now resolve to have their proruis'd song. 
 
 JEgle came in, to make their party good. 
 
 The fairest Nais of the neighb'ring flood; 
 
 And, while he stares around with stupid eyes. 
 
 His brows with berries, and his temples, dyes. .'i."; 
 
 He finds the fraud, and, with a smile, demands 
 
 On what design the boys had bound his hands. 
 
 ' Loose me,' he cried : ' 'twas impudence to find 
 
 A sleeping god ; 'tis sacrilege to bind. 
 
 To you the promis'd poem I will pay; 40 
 
 The nymph shall be rewarded in her way.' 
 
 He rais'd his voice ; and soon a num'rous throng 
 
 Of tripping satyrs crowded to the song ; 
 
 And sylvan fauns, and savage beasts, advanc'd ; 
 
 And nodding forests to the numbers danc'd. 4"! 
 
 Not by Hsemonian hills the Thracian bard. 
 
 Nor awful Phoebus, was on Pindus heard 
 
 With deeper silence or with more regard. 
 
 He sung the secret seeds of Nature's frame ; 
 
 How seas, and earth, and air, and active flame, .*>0 
 
 Fell through the mighty void, and, in their fall, 
 
 Were blindly gather'd in this goodly ball. 
 
 The tender soil then, stiff'ning by degrees, 
 
 Shut from the bounded earth the bounding seas. 
 
 Then earth and ocean various forms disclose; !i5 
 
 And a new sun to the new world arose ; 
 
 And mists, condens'd to clouds, obscure the sky; 
 
 And clouds, dissolv'd, the thirsty ground supply. 
 
 The rising trees the lofty mountains grace : 
 
 The lofty mountains feed the savage race, 00 
 
 Yet few, and strangers, in th' unpeopled place. 
 
 From thence the birth of man the song pursued. 
 
 And how the world was lost, and how renew 'd : 
 
 The reign of Saturn, and the golden age : 
 
 Prometheus' theft, and Jove's avenging rage ; 05
 
 PASTORAL VI. 49 
 
 The cries of Argonauts for Hylas drown'd, 
 With whose repeated name the shores resound ; 
 Then mourns the madness of the Cretan queen ; 
 Happy for her, if herds had never heen. 
 What fury, wretched woman, seiz'd thy breast? 70 
 The maids of Argos (though, with rage possess'd, 
 Their imitated lowings fiU'd the grove) 
 Yet shunn'd the guilt of thy prepost'rous love, 
 Nor sought the youthful husband of the herd. 
 Though lab'ring yokes on their own necks theyfear'd. 
 And felt for budding horns on their smooth foreheads 
 rear'd. 76 
 
 Ah, wretched queen ; you range the pathless wood, 
 While on a flow'r^ bank he chews the cud, 
 Or sleeps in shades, or through the forest roves. 
 And roars with anguish for his absent loves. 80 
 
 *Ye nymphs, with toils his forest-walk surround. 
 And trace his wand'ring footsteps on the ground. 
 But, ah! perhaps my passion he disdains. 
 And courts the milky mothers of the plains. 
 We search th' ungrateful fugitive abroad, 85 
 
 Wliile they at home sustain his happy load.' 
 He sung the lover's fraud; the longing maid, 
 With golden fruit, like all the sex, betray'd; 
 The sisters mourning for their brother's loss; 
 Their bodies hid in bark, and furred with moss : 00 
 How each a rising alder now appears. 
 And o'er the Po distils her gummy tears : 
 Then sung, how Gallus, by a muse's hand, 
 Was led and welcom'd to the sacred strand ; 
 The senate rising to salute their guest; 95 
 
 And Linus thus their gratitude express'd : 
 ' Receive this present, by the muses made, 
 The pipe on which th' Ascrsean pastor play'd ; 
 With which of old he charm'd the savage train, 
 And call'd the mountain ashes to the plain. 100 
 
 Sing thou, on this, thy Phoebus ; and the wood 
 Where once his fane of Parian marble stood : 
 On this his ancient oracles rehearse ; 
 And with new numbers grace the god of verse.' 
 Why should I sing the double Scylla's fate ? 135 
 
 The first by love transform'd, the last by hate — 
 C
 
 50 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 A beauteous maid above; but magic arts 
 
 With barking dogs deform'd her nether parts : 
 
 What vengeance on the passing fleet she pour'd, 
 
 The master frighted and the mates devour'd. 110 
 
 Then ravish'd Philomel the song exprest ; 
 
 The, crime reveal'd ; the sisters' cruel feast; 
 
 And how ia fields the lapwing Tereus reigns. 
 
 The warbling nightingale in woods complains ; 
 
 While Procne makes on chimney tops her moan, 115 
 
 And hovers o'er the palace once her own. 
 
 Whatever songs besides the Delphian god 
 
 Had taught the laurels, and the Spartan flood, 
 
 Silenus sung : the vales his voice rebound, 
 
 And carry to the skies the sacred sound. 1'20 
 
 And now the setting sun had wara'd the swain 
 
 To call his counted cattle from the plain ; 
 
 Yet still th' unwearied sire pursues the tuneful strain, 
 
 Till,unperceiv'd, the heav'ns with stars were hung, 
 
 And sudden night surpris'd the yet unfinish'd song. 
 
 PASTORAL VII.— MELIBGEUS. 
 
 Melibceus here pives us the relation of a sharp poetical contest 
 between Thyrsis and Corydon, at which he himself and Daph- 
 iiis were present ; who both declared for Corydon, 
 
 Beneath a holm, repair'd two jolly swains 
 
 (Their sheep and goats together graz'd the plains), 
 
 Both young Arcadians, both alike inspir'd 
 
 To sing, and answer as the song requir'd. 
 
 Daphnis, as umpire, took the middle seat ; 5 
 
 And fortune thither led my weary feet 
 
 For, while I fenced my myrtles from the cold. 
 
 The father of my flock had wander'd from the fold : 
 
 Of Daphnis 1 inquir'd : he smiling said, 
 
 ' Dismiss your fear,' and pointed where he fed : 10 
 
 * And if no greater cares disturb your mind. 
 
 Sit here with us, in covert of the wind. 
 
 Your lowing heifers, of their own accord. 
 
 At wat'ring time will seek the neighb'ring ford. 
 
 Here wanton Mincius winds along the meads, 15 
 
 And shades his happy banks with bending reeds.
 
 PASTORAL VII. 
 
 And see, from yon old oak that mates the skies. 
 How black the clouds of swarming bees ari:Je.' 
 What should I do ? nor was Alcippe nigh. 
 Nor absent Phyllis could my care supply, 
 To house, and feed by hand, my weaning lambs, 
 And drain the strutting udders of their dams. 
 Great was the strife betwixt the singing swains : 
 And I preferrd my pleasure to my gains. 
 Alternate rhyme the ready champions chose : 
 These Corydon rehears'd, and Thyrsis those. 
 
 Ye muses, ever fair, and ever young, 
 Assist my numbers, and inspire my song. 
 With all pjy Codnis, O ! inspire my breast; 
 For Codrus, after Phoebus, sings the best. 
 Or, if my wishes have presumed too high. 
 And stretch'd their bounds beyond mortality, 
 The praise of artful numbers I resign. 
 And hang my pipe upon the sacred pine. 
 
 Arcadian swains, your youthful poet crown 35 
 
 With ivy-wreaths; though surly Codrus frown. 
 
 Or, if he blast my muse with envious praise, 
 
 Then fence my brows with amulets of bayg, 
 
 Lest his ill arts or his malicious tongue 
 
 Should poison or bewitch my growing song. 40 
 
 CORYDOX. 
 
 These branches of a stag, this tasky boar 
 
 (The first essay of arms untried before,) 
 
 Young Micon offers, Delia, to thy shrine. 
 
 But speed his hunting with thy pow'r divine; 
 
 Thy statue then of Parian stone shall stand; lo 
 
 Thy legs in buskins with a purple band. 
 
 This bowl of milk, these cakes (our country fare). 
 
 For thee, Priapus, yearly we prepare. 
 
 Because a little garden is thy care. 
 
 But, if the f.iUing lambs increase my fold, 50 
 
 Thy marble statue shall be tum'd to gold.
 
 52 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 CORYDON. 
 
 Fair Galatea, with thy silver feet, 
 
 O, whiter than the swan, and more than Hybla sweet! 
 
 Tall as a poplar, taper as the bole ! 
 
 Come, charm thy shepherd, and restore my soul. .05 
 
 Come, when my lated sheep at night return ; 
 
 And crown the silent hours, and stop the rosy morn. 
 
 THVRSIS. 
 
 May I become as abject in thy sight, 
 
 As sea-weed on the shore, and black as night ; 
 
 Rough as a burr, deform'd like him who chaws CO 
 
 Sardinian herbage to contract his jaws; 
 
 Such and so monstrous let thy swaiu appear. 
 
 If one day's absence looks not like a year. 
 
 Hence from the field, for shame 1 the flock deserves 
 
 No belter feeding, while the shepherd starves. f>5 
 
 Ye mossy springs, inviting ea-sy sleep, [keep. 
 
 Ye trees whose leafy shades those mo.ssy fountains 
 Defend my flock ! The summer heats are near. 
 And blossoms on the swelling vines appear. 
 
 THYRSIS. 
 
 With heapy fires our cheerful hearth is crown'd ; 70 
 And firs for torches in the woods abound : 
 We fear not more the winds, and wintry cold. 
 Than streams the banks, or wolves the bleating fold. 
 
 CORYDON. 
 
 Our woods with juniper and chesnuts crown'd, 
 With falling fruits and berries paint the ground; 75 
 And lavish Nature laughs, and strews her stores 
 
 around. 
 But, if Alexis from our mountains fly, 
 Ev'n running rivers leave their channels dry. 
 
 THYRSIS. 
 
 Parch'd are the plains, and frying is the field, 
 Nor with'ring vines their juicy vintage yield. 80 
 
 But, if returning Phyllis bless the plain. 
 The grass revives ; the woods are green again 
 And Jove descends in show'rs of kindly rain.
 
 PASTORAL VIII. 53 
 
 CORYDON. 
 
 The poplar is by great AJcides worn ; 
 
 The brows of Phoebus his own bays adorn ; 85 
 
 The branching vine the jolly Bacchus loves : 
 
 The Cyprian queen delights in myrtle groves; 
 
 With hazel Phyllis crowns her flowing hair : 
 
 And, while she loves that common wreath to wear, 
 
 Nor bays, nor myrtle boughs, with hazel shall compare. 
 
 THYRSIS. 
 
 The tow'ring ash is fairest in the woods ; 91 
 
 In gardens pines, and poplars by the floods ; 
 
 But, if my Lycidas will ease my pains, 
 
 And often visit our forsaken plains, 
 
 To him the tow'ring ash shall yield in woods, &.5 
 
 In gardens pines, and poplars by the floods. 
 
 SIELIBCECS. 
 
 These rhymes I did to memory commend. 
 When vanquish'd Thyrsis did in vain contend ; 
 Since when, 'tis Corydon among the swains ; 
 Young Corydon without a rival reigns. 100 
 
 PASTORAL VIII.— PHARMACEUTRIA. 
 
 Tliis Pastoral contains the son^s of Damon aud Alphesibneos. 
 The first of them bewails the loss of his mistress, and repines 
 ai the success of his rival Mopsus. The other repeats the 
 charms of some enchantress, who endeavoured by her .-pells 
 and magic to make Daphois iii love with her. 
 
 The mournful muse of two despairing swains. 
 The love rejected, and the lover's pains ; 
 To which the savage lynxes list'ning stood ; [flood ; 
 The rivers stood on heaps, and stopp'd the running 
 The hungry herd their needftil food refuse — 5 
 
 Of two despairing swains, I sing the mournful muse. 
 
 Great Pollio ! thou for whom thy Rome prepares 
 The ready triumph of thy finish'd wars. 
 Whether Timavus or th' Illyrian coast. 
 Whatever land or sea thy presence boast : 10 
 
 Is there an hour in fate reserv'd for me. 
 To sing thy deeds in numbers worthy thee 1 
 Id numbers like to thine, could I rehearse 
 Thy lofty tragic scenes, thy labour'd verse;
 
 54 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 The world another Sophocles in tUee, 15 
 
 Another Homer should behold in me. 
 
 Amidst thy laurels let this ivy twine: 
 
 Thine was ray earliest muse ; my latest shall be thine. 
 
 Scarce from the world the shades of night withdrew, 
 Scarce were the flocks refresh'd with morning dew. 
 When Damon, stretch'd beneath an olive shade, 21 
 And wildly staring upwards, thus inveigh'd 
 Against the conscious gods, and curs'd the cruel maid : 
 * Star of the morning, why dost thou delay 1 
 Come, Lucifer, drive on the lacfging day, 2't 
 
 While I my Nisa's perjur'd faith deplore — 
 Witness, ye pow'rs, by whom she falsely swore ! 
 The gods, alas ! are witnesses in vain : 
 Yet shall my dying breath to heav'n complain. 29 
 Begin with rae, my flute, the sweet Maenalian strain. 
 
 ' The pines of Maenalus, the vocal grove, 
 Are ever full of verse, and full of love; 
 They hear the hinds, they hear their god complain. 
 Who sufl'er'd not the reeds to rise in vain. 
 Begin with me, my flute, the sweet Maenalian strain. 
 
 ' Mopsus triumphs: he weds the willing fair! 3t> 
 When such is Nisa's choice, what lover can despair? 
 Now griffons join with mares; another age 
 Shall see the hound and hind their thirst assuage. 
 Promiscuous at the spring. Prepare the lights, 40 
 O Mopsus ! and perform the bridal rites. 
 Scatter thy nuts among the scrambling boys : 
 Thine is the night, and thine the nuptial joys. 
 For thee the sun declines : O happy swain ! 44 
 
 Begin with me, my flute, the sweet Maenalian strain. 
 
 ♦ O Nisa! justly to thy choice condemn'd! 
 Whom hast thou taken, whom hast thou contemn'd? 
 For him thou hast refus'd my browzing herd, 
 Scorn'd my thick eye-brows and my shaggy beard. 
 Unhappy Damon sighs and sings in vain, 50 
 
 While Ni.sa thinks no god regards a lover's pain. 
 Begin with me, my flute, the .sweet Msnalian strain. 
 
 ' I view'd thee first (how fatal was the view !) 
 And led thee where the ruddy wildings grew. 
 High on the planted hedge, and wet with morning 
 dew.
 
 PASTORAL VIII. 5", 
 
 Then scarce the bending branches I conld win ; 50 
 
 The callow down began to clothe my chin. 
 
 I saw ; I perish'd ; yet indulg'd my pain. 
 
 Begin with me, my flute, the sweet Mtenalian strain. 
 
 ' I know thee, Love ! in deserts thou wertbred, 60 
 And at the dugs of savage tigers fed; 
 Alien of birth, usurper of the plains ! 
 Begin with me, my flute, the sweet Msenalian strains. 
 
 ' Relentless Love the cruel mother led 
 The blood of her unhappy babes to shed : 65 
 
 Love lent the sword ; the mother struck the blow ; 
 Inhuman she ; but more inhuman thou; 
 Alien of birth, usurper of the plains ! 
 Begin with me, my flute, the sweet Manalian strains. 
 
 ' Old doting Nature, change thy course anew ; 70 
 And let the trembling lamb the wolf pursue : 
 Let oaks now glitter with Hesperian fruit, 
 And purple daffodils from alder shoot; 
 Fat amber let the ttmaarisk distil, 
 
 And hooting owls contend with swans in skill ; 75 
 Hoarse Tityrus strive with Orpheus in the woods. 
 And challenge fara'd Arion on the floods. 
 Or, oh ! let Nature cease, and Chaos reign! 
 Begin with me, my flute, the sweet Msenalian strain. 
 
 ' Let earth be sea ; and let the whelming tide 80 
 The lifeless limbs of luckless Damon hide : 
 Farewell, ye secret woods, and shady groves. 
 Haunts of my youth, and conscious of my loves ! 
 From yon high cliff I plunge into the main : 
 Take the last present of thy dying swain : 85 
 
 And cease, my silent flute, the sweet Maenalian strain.' 
 
 Now take your turns, ye Muses to rehearse 
 His friend's complaints and mighty magic verse, 
 * Bring running water: bind those altars round 
 With fillets, and with vervain strew the ground : 90 
 Make fat with frankincense the sacred fires. 
 To re-inflame my Daphnis with desires. 
 'Tis done ; we want but verse. Restore, my charms. 
 My ling'ring Daphnis to my longing arms. 
 ' Pale Phoebe, drawn by verse, from heaven de- 
 scends : 
 And Circe changed with charms Llysses' friends. 95
 
 5G THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Verse breaks the ground, and penetrates the bi ake. 
 And in the winding cavern splits the snake. 
 Verse fires the frozen veins. Restore, my charmj, 
 My ling'ring Daphnis to my longing arms. 100 
 
 • Around his waxen image first I wind 
 Three woollen fillets, of three colours join'd ; 
 Thrice bind about his thrice-devoted head, 
 Which round the sacred altar thrice is led. 
 Unequal numbers please the gods. My charms, l(i5 
 Restore my Daphnis to my longing arms. 
 
 ' Knit with three knots the fillets : knit them strait: 
 Then say, "These knots to Love I consecrate '" 
 Haste, Amaryllis, baste ! Restore, my charms. 
 My lovely Daphnis to my longing arms. 110 
 
 • As fire this figure Ivardens, made of clay. 
 And this of wax with fire consumes away ; 
 Such let the soul of cruel Daphnis be — 
 Hard to the rest of women, soft to me. 
 
 Crumble the sacred mole of salt and corn : 115 
 
 Next in the fire the bays with brimstone burn : 
 
 And, while it crackles in the sulphur, say, 
 
 " This I for Daphnis burn ; thus Daphnis burn away! 
 
 This laurel is his fate." Restore, my charms. 
 
 My lovely Daphnis to my longing arms. 120 
 
 • As when the raging heifer, through the grove. 
 Stung with desire, pursues her wand'ring love ; 
 Faint at the last, she seeks the weedy pools, 
 
 To quench her thirst, and on the rushes rolls. 
 Careless of night, unmindful to return ; 125 
 
 Such fruitless fires perfidious Daphnis burn, 
 While I so scorn his love ! Restore, my charms. 
 My ling'ring Daphnis to my longing arms. 
 
 ' These garments once were his, and left to me, 
 The pledges of his promis'd loyalty, 130 
 
 Which underneath my threshold I bestow. 
 These pawns, O sacred earth ! to me my Daphnis owe. 
 As these were his, so mine is he. My charms. 
 Restore their ling'ring lord to my deluded arms. 
 
 • These pois'nous plants, for magic use design'd 135 
 (The noblest and the best of all the baleful kind), 
 Old Moeris brought me from the Pontic strand, 
 And cuU'd the mischief of a bounteous land.
 
 PASTORAL IX. 57 
 
 Smear'd with these powerful juices, on the plain 
 He howls a wolf among the hungry train ; 1 10 
 
 And oft the mighty necromancer boasts. 
 With these to call from tombs the stalking ghosts. 
 And from the roots to tear the standing corn, 
 Which, whirl'd aloft, to distant fields is borne : 144 
 Such is the strength of spells. Restore, my charnu, 
 My ling'ring Daphnis to my longing arms. 
 
 * Bear out these ashes ; cast them in the brook ; 
 Cast backwards o'er your head ; nor turn your look: 
 Since neither gods nor godlike verse can move, [love. 
 Break out, ye smother'd fires, and kindle smother'd 
 Exert your utmost pow'r, my ling'ring charms ; 151 
 And force my Daphnis to my longing arms. 
 
 ' See, while my last endeavours I delay. 
 The walking ashes rise, and round our altars play ! 
 Run to the threshold, Amaryllis — hark! 155 
 
 Our Hylas. opens, and begins to bark. 
 Good heav'n ! may lovers what they wish believe? 
 Or dream their wishes, and those dreams deceive 1 
 No more ! my Daphnis comes ! no more, my charms ! 
 He comes, he runs, he leaps to my desiring arms.' 
 
 PASTORAL IX. 
 
 LYCIDAS AND MCERIS. 
 When Virgil, by the favour of Augustus, hadrecovered his patri- 
 mony near >lautua, and went in hope to take possession, he 
 was in danger to be slain by Arius the centurion, to whom those 
 lands were assigned by the emperor, in reward of his service 
 against Brutus and Cassius. Ibis Pastoral therefore is filled 
 with complaints of his hard usage: and the persons introduced 
 are the bailiff of Virgil, Moeris, and bis friend Lycidas. 
 
 LYCIPAS. 
 
 Ho, Moeris! whither on thy way so fast? 
 This leads to town. 
 
 UCERIS. 
 
 O Lyridas ! at last 
 The time is come I never thought to see, 
 (Strange revolution for my farm and me!) 
 When the grim captain in a surly tone 
 Cries out,' Pack up, ye rascals, and te gone.' 
 C 2
 
 5S THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Kick'd out, we set the best face on't we could; 
 And these two kids, t' appease his angry mood, 
 I bear, — of which the Furies give him good ! 10 
 
 LYCIDAS. 
 
 Your country friends were told another tale — 
 That, from the sloping mountain to the vale. 
 And dodder'd oak, and all the banks along, 
 Menalcas sav'd his fortune with a song. 14 
 
 MCERIS. 
 
 Such was the news, indeed; but songs and rhymes 
 
 Prevail as much in these hard iron times, 
 
 As would a plump of trembling fowl, that rise 
 
 Against an eagle sousing from the skies. 
 
 And, had not Phoebus warn'd me, by the croak 
 
 Of an old raven from a hollow oak, 20 
 
 To shun debate, Menalcas had been slain. 
 
 And Moeris not sarviv'd him, to complain. 
 
 LYCIDAS. 
 Now heav'n defend, could barb'rous rage induce 
 The brutal son of Mars t' insult the sacred muse? 24 
 Who then should sing the nymphs? or who rehearse 
 The waters gliding in a smoother verse 1 
 Or Amaryllis praise that heav'nly la}*. 
 That shorten 'd, as we went, our tedious way — 
 * O Tityrus, tend my herd, and see them fed, 
 To morning pastures, ev'ning waters led ; 30 
 
 And 'ware the Libyan ridgil's butting head.' 
 
 MCERIS. 
 
 Or what unfinish'd he to Varus read — 
 ' Thy name, O Varus (if the kinder pow'rs 
 Preserve our plains, and shield the Mantuan tow'rs. 
 Obnoxious by Cremona's neighb'ring crime), 35 
 
 The wings of swans, and stronger-pinion'd rhyme. 
 Shall raise aloft, and soaring bear above — 
 Th' immortal gilt of gratitude to Jove.' 
 
 LYCIDAS. 
 
 Sing on, sing on : for I can ne'er be cloy'd. 
 So may thy swarms the baleful yew avoid: 40 
 
 So may thy cows their burden'd bags distend. 
 And trees to goats their willing branches bend.
 
 PASTORAL iX. 59 
 
 Mean as I am, yet have the muses made 
 
 Me free, a member of the tuneful trade : 
 
 At least the shepherds seem to like my lays, 45 
 
 Bat I discern their flatt'ry from their praise : 
 
 I nor to Cinna's ears, nor Varus', dare aspire. 
 
 But gabble, like a goose, amidst the swan-like choir. 
 
 MCERIS. 
 
 'Tis what I have been conning in my mind ; 
 
 Nor are thy verses of a vulgar kind. 50 
 
 * Come, Galatea! come ! the seas forsake ! 
 
 What pleasures can the tides with their hoarse mur- 
 murs make ? 
 See, on the shore inhabits purple spring; 
 Where nightingales their love-sick ditty sing : 
 See, meads with purling streams, with flow'rs the 
 ground, 55 
 
 The grottoes cool, with shady poplars crown'd, 
 And creeping vines on arbours weav'd around. 
 Come then, and leave the waves' tumultuous roar : 
 Let the wild surges vainly beat the shore.' 
 
 LYCIDAS. 
 
 Or that sweet song I heard with such delight ; 60 
 The same you sung alone one starry night. 
 The tune I still retain, but not the words. 
 
 MCEBIS. 
 
 * Why, Daphnis, dost thou search in old records. 
 To know the seasons when the stars arise ? 
 
 See, Caesar's lamp is lighted in the skies — 65 
 
 The star, whose rays the blushing grapes adorn, 
 
 And swell the kindly rip'ning ears of com. 
 
 Under this influence, graft the tender shoot ; 
 
 Thy children's children shall enjoy the fruit.' 
 
 The rest I have forgot; for cares and time 70 
 
 Change all things, and untune my soul to rhyme. 
 
 I could have once sung down a summer's sun : 
 
 But now the chime of poetry is done : 
 
 My voice grows hoarse ; I feel the notes decay, 
 
 As if the wolves had seen me first to-day. 75 
 
 But these, and more than I to mind can bring, 
 
 Menalcas has not yet forgot to sing.
 
 CO THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 LYCIDAS. 
 
 Thy faint excuses but inflame me more: 
 
 And now the waves roll silent to the shore ; 
 
 Husht winds the topmost branches scarcely bend, 80 
 
 As if thy tuneful song they did attend : 
 
 Already we have half our way o'ercome; 
 
 Far off I can discern Bianor's tomb. 
 
 Here, where the lab'rers' hands have form'd a bow'r 
 
 Of wreathing trees, in singing waste an hour. 85 
 
 Rest here thy weary limbs : thy kids lay down : 
 
 We've day before us yet, to reach the town ; 
 
 Or if, ere night, the gath'rjng clouds we fear, 
 
 A song will help the beating storm to bear. 
 
 And, that thou may'st not be too late abroad, 90 
 
 Sing, and I'll ease thy shoulders of thy load. 
 
 MCERIS. 
 
 Cease to request me ; let us mind our way : 
 
 Another song requires another day. 
 
 When good Menalcas comes, if he rejoice. 
 
 And find a friend at court, I'll find a voice. 95 
 
 PASTORAL X.— GALLTJS. 
 
 Gallus, a great patron of Virgil, and an excellent poet, was vtay 
 deeply in love with one Cytheris, whom he calls Lycoris, and 
 who had forsaken biiu for the company of a soldier. The poet 
 therefore supposes his friend Gallus retired, in his height of 
 melancholy, into the solitudes of Arcadia (the celebrated scene 
 of pastorals), where he represents him in a very lanpisishinpr 
 condition, with all the rural deities-. about him, pity inf[ his hard 
 usage, and condoling his misfortune. 
 
 Thy sacred succour, Arethusa, bring. 
 
 To crown my labour ('tis the last I smg), 
 
 Which proud Lycoris may with pity view : — 
 
 The muse is motirnful, though the numbers few. 
 
 Refuse me not a verse, to grief and Gallus due. 5 
 
 So may thy silver streams beneath the tide, 
 
 Unmix'd with briny seas, securely glide. 
 
 Sing then my Gallus, and his hopeless vows ; 
 
 Sing while my cattle crop the tender browze. 
 
 The vocal grove shall answer to the sound, 10 
 
 And echo, from the vales, the tuneful voice rebound.
 
 PASTORAL X. CI 
 
 What lawns or woods withheld you from his aid, 
 Ye nymphs, when Gallus was to love betray'd, 
 To love, unpitied by the cniel maid? 
 Not steepy Pindus could retard your course, 15 
 
 Nor cleft Parnassus, nor th' Aonian source: 
 Nothing that owns the muses, could suspend 
 Your aid to Gallus : — Gallus is their friend. 
 For him the lofty laurel stands ia tears. 
 And hung with humid pearls the lowly shrub ap- 
 pears, 20 
 Msenalian pines the god-like swain bemoan. 
 When, spread beneath a rock, he sigh'd alone ; 
 And cold Lycseus wept from every dropping stone. 
 The sheep surround their shepherd as he lies : 
 Blush not, sweet poet, nor the name despise : 25 
 Along the streams, his flock Adonis fed ; 
 And yet the queen of beauty blest his bed. 
 The swains and tardy neat-herds came, and last 
 Menalcas, wet with beating winter-mast. 29 
 Wond'ring, they ask'd from whence arose thy flarae. 
 Yet more amaz'd, thy own Apollo came. 
 Flush'd were his cheeks, and glowing were bis eyes : 
 ' Is she thy care? Is she thy care V he cries. 
 
 • Thy false Lycoris flies thy love and thee, 
 
 And, for thy rival, tempts the raging sea, 35 
 
 The forms of horrid war, and heav'u's inclemency.' 
 Silvanus came : his brows a country crown 
 Of fennel, and of nodding lilies, drown. 
 Great Pan arriv'd ; and we beheld him too, 
 His cheeks and temples of vermilion hue. 40 
 
 ' Why, Gallus, this immod'rate grief ?' he cried : 
 ' Think'st thou that love with tears is satisfied ? 
 The meads are sooner drunk with morning dews. 
 The bees with flowery shrubs, the goats with browze.' 
 Unmov'd, and with dejected eyes, he mourn'd : 45 
 He paus'd, and then these broken words return'd : 
 
 * 'Tis past ; and pity gives me no relief: 
 
 But you, Arcadian swains, shall sing my grief, 
 
 And on your hills my last complaints renew : 
 
 So sad a song is only worthy you. 50 
 
 How light would lie the turf upon my breast, 
 
 If you my sufferings in your songs exprest !
 
 62 THE WORKS OP VIRGIL. 
 
 Ah! that your birth and business had been mine — 
 
 To pen the sheep, and press the swelling vine ! 
 
 Had Phyllis or Arayntas caus'd my pain, 55 
 
 Or any nyraph or shepherd on the plain, 
 
 (Though Phyllis brown, though black Arayntas were, 
 
 Are violets not sweet, because not fair ?) 
 
 Beneath the sallows and the shady vine. 
 
 My loves had mix'd their pliant limbs with mine : 60 
 
 Phyllis with myrtle wreaths had crown'd my hair, 
 
 And soft Amyntas sung away my care. 
 
 Come, see what pleasures in our plains abound ; 
 
 The woods, the fountains, and the flow'ry ground. 
 
 As you are beauteous, were you half so true, 61 
 
 Here could I live, and love, and die, with only you. 
 
 Now I to fighting fields am sent afar, 
 
 And strive in winter camps with toils of war; 
 
 While you, (alas, that I should find it so !) 
 
 To shun my sight, your native soil forego, 7(> 
 
 And climb the frozen Alps, and tread th' eternal snow. 
 
 Ye frosts and snows, her tender body spare ! 
 
 Those are not limbs for icicles to tear. 
 
 For me, the wilds and deserts are my choice ; 74 
 
 The muses, once my care; my once harmonious 
 
 Toice. 
 There will I sing, forsaken and alone : 
 The rocks and hollow caves shall echo to my moan. 
 The rind of ev'ry plant her name shall know ; 
 And, as the rind extends, the love shall grow. 
 Then on Arcadian mountains will I chase 80 
 
 (Mix'd with the woodland nymphs) the savage race; 
 Nor cold shall hinder me, with horns and hounds 
 To thrid the thickets, and to leap the mounds. 
 And now methinks o'er steepy rocks I go. 
 And rush through sounding woods, and bend the Par- 
 thian bow ; 85 
 As if with sports my suff'rings I could ease, 
 Or by my pains the god of love appease. 
 My frenzy changes : I delight no more 
 On mountain tops to chase the tusky boar: 
 No game but hopeless love my thoughts pursue : 90 
 Once more, ye nymphs, and songs, and sounding 
 woods, adieu !
 
 PASTORAL X. r.3 
 
 Love alters not for us his hard decrees. 
 
 Not though beneath the Thracian clime we freeze. 
 
 Or ftaly's indulgent heaven forego, 
 
 And in mid-winter tread Sithonian snow ; 95 
 
 Or, when the barks of elms are scorch'd, we keep 
 
 On Meroe's burning plains the Libyan sheep. 
 
 In hell, and earth, and seas, and heaven above. 
 
 Love conquers all; and we must yield to Lotc' 
 
 My muses, here your sacred raptures end: lOO 
 
 The verse was what I ow'd my suflPring friend. 
 Thus while I sung, my sorrows I deceiv'd. 
 And bending osiers into baskets weav'd. 
 The song, because inspir'd by you, shall shine ; 
 And Gallus v,ill approve, because 'tis mine — 105 
 Gallus, for whom my holy flames renew, 
 Each hour, and ev'ry moment rise in view ; 
 As alders, in the spring, their boles extend, 
 And heave so fiercely, that the bark they rend. 
 Now let us rise; for hoarseness oft invades 110 
 
 The singer's voice, who sings beneath the shades. 
 From juniper unwholesome dews distil. 
 That blast the sooty corn, the with'ring herbage kill : 
 Away, my goats, away, for you have browz'd your fill.
 
 GEORGICS. 
 
 BOOK I. 
 
 The poet, in the besriniiiug of this booli, propounds the general 
 design of each Gebrgic : and, after a solemn invocation of all 
 the gods who are any way related tn his subject, he addresses 
 himself in particular to Augustus, whom he compliments with 
 divinity ; and after strikes into his business. He shews the dif- 
 ferent Kinds of tillage proper to different soils, traces out the 
 original of agriculture, gives a catalogue of the husbandman's 
 tools, specifies the employratnts peculiar to each season, de- 
 scribes the changes of the weather, with the signs in heaven and 
 earth that forebode them ; instances many of ihe prodigies that 
 happened near the time of Ji'lius Csesar's death; and shuts up 
 all with a supplication to the gods for the safely ol Augustus, 
 and the preservation of Kome. 
 
 What makes a plenteous harvest, when to turn 
 
 The fruitful soil, and when to sow the corn ; 
 
 The care of sheep, of oxen, and of kiue ; 
 
 And how to raise on elms the teeming vine ; 
 
 The birth and genius of the frugal bee ; 5 
 
 I sing, Maecenas, and I sing to thee. 
 
 Ye deities ! who fields and plains protect, 
 Who rule the seasons, and the year direct, 
 Bacchus and fost'ring Ceres, pow'rs divine, 
 Who gave us corn for mast, for water wine — 10 
 
 Ye Fauns, propitious to the rural swains. 
 Ye Nymphs that haunt the mountains and the plains, 
 Join in my work, and to my numbers bring 
 Your needful succour ; for your gifts I sing. 
 And thou, whose trident struck the teeming earth, 15 
 And made a passage for the courser's birth ; 
 And thou, for whom the Cean shore sustains 
 The milky herds that graze the fiow'ry plains; 
 And thou, the shepherds' tutelary god. 
 Leave, for a while, O Pan! thy lov'd abode ; 20 
 
 And, if Arcadian fleeces be thy care, 
 From fields and mountains to my song repair. 
 Inventor, Pallas, of the fatt'ning oil. 
 Thou founder of the plough, and ploughman's toil ; 
 And thou, whose hands the shroud-like cypress rear :
 
 GEORGICS, I. (5 
 
 Come, all ye gods and goddesses, that wear 2G 
 
 The rural honours, and increase the year; 
 You, who supply the ground with seeds of grain ; 
 And you, who swell those seeds with kindly rain ; 
 And chiefly thou, whose undetermin'd state 30 
 
 Is yet the hus'ness of the gods' debate, 
 "Whether in after-times to be declar'd 
 The patron of the world, and Rome's peculiar guard. 
 Or o'er the fruits and seasons to preside. 
 And the round circuit of the year to guide — 35 
 
 Pow'rful of blessings, which thou strew'st around. 
 And with thy goddess-mother's myrtle crown'd. 
 Or wilt thou, Caesar, choose the waf ry reign, 
 To smooth the surges, and correct the main ? 
 Then mariners, in storms, to thee shall pray ; 40 
 
 E'en utmost Thule shall soon thy pow'r obey; 
 And Neptune shall resign the fasces of the sea. 
 The wat'ry virgins for thy bed shall strive. 
 And Tethys all her waves in dow'ry give. 
 Or wilt thou bless our summers with thy rays, 15 
 And, seated near the Balance, poise the days. 
 Where, in the void of heav'n, a space is free. 
 Betwixt the Scorpion and the Maid, for thee? 
 The Scorpion, ready to receive thy laws, 
 Yields half his region, and contracts his claws. 50 
 Whatever part of heav'n thou shalt obtain 
 (For let not hell presume of such a reign ; 
 Nor let so dire a thirst of empire move 
 Thy mind, to leave thy kindred gods above ; 
 Though Greece admires Elysium's blest retreat, 56 
 Though Proserpine affects her silent seat. 
 And, importun'd by Ceres to remove. 
 Prefers the fields below to those above). 
 Be thou propitious, Caesar! guide my course. 
 And to my bold endeavours add thy force : 60 
 
 Pity the poet's and the ploughman's cares ; 
 Int'rest thy greatness in our mean affairs. 
 And use thyself betimes to hear and grant our pray'rs. 
 While yet the spring is young, while earth unbinds 
 Her frozen bosom to the western winds; 65 
 
 While mountain snows dissolve against the suH; 
 And streams, yet new, from precipices run :
 
 GO THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Ev'n in this early dawniug of the year. 
 
 Produce the plough, and yoke the sturdy steer. 
 
 And goad him till he groans beneath his toil, 70 
 
 Till the bright share is buried in the soil. 
 
 That crop rewards the greedy peasant's pains. 
 
 Which twice the sun and twice the coid sustains. 
 
 And bursts the crowded barns with more than promis'd 
 
 But, ere we stir the yet unbroken ground, [gains. 
 
 The various course of seasons must be found; 7(i 
 
 The weather, and the setting of the winds. 
 
 The culture suiting to the several kinds 
 
 Of seeds and plants, and what will thrive and rise. 
 
 And what the genius of the soil denies. 80 
 
 This ground with Bacchus, that with Ceres, suits : 
 
 That other loads the trees with happy fruits ; 
 
 A fourth, with grass unbidden, decks the ground. 
 
 Thus Tmolus is with yellow saffron crown'd : 
 
 India black ebon and white ivory bears; 85 
 
 And soft Idume weeps her odrous tears. 
 
 Thus Pontus sends her beaver-stones from far; 
 
 And naked Spaniards temper steel for war: 
 
 Epirus, for th' Elean chariot, breeds 
 
 (In hopes of palms) a race of running steeds. 90 
 
 This is th' original contract; these the laws 
 
 Impos'd by Nature, and by Nature's cause. 
 
 On sundry places, when Deucalion hurl'd 
 
 His mother's entrails on the desert world; 
 
 Whence men, a hard laborious kind, were born. 95 
 
 Then borrow part of winter for thy corn, 
 
 And early, with thy team, the glebe in furrows turn; 
 
 That, while the turf lies open and unbound, 
 
 Succeeding suns may bake the mellow ground. 
 
 But, if the soil be barren, only scar 100 
 
 The surface, and but lightly print the share, 
 
 When cold Arcturus rises v, ith the sun : 
 
 Lest wicked weeds the corn should overrun 
 
 In wafry soils ; or lest the barren sand 
 
 Should suck the moisture from the thir.-^ty land. lO.j 
 
 Both these unhappy soils the swain forbears. 
 
 And keeps a sabbath of alternate years, 
 
 That the spent earth may gather heart again, 
 
 And, better'd by cessation, bear the grain. lOU
 
 GEORGICS, I. 07 
 
 At least where vetches, pulse, and tares, have stood. 
 
 And stalks of lupines grew (a stubborn wood), 
 
 Tb* ensuing season, in return, may bear 
 
 The bearded product of the golden year : 
 
 For flax and oats will burn the tender fieM, 
 
 And sleepy poppies harmful harvests yield. 1 15 
 
 But sweet vicissitudes of rest and toil 
 
 Make easy labour, and renew the soil. 
 
 Yet sprinkle sordid ashes all around. 
 
 And load with fatt'ning dung thy fallow ground. 
 
 Thus change of seeds for meagre soils is best ; 120 
 
 And earth manur'd, not idle, though at rest. 
 
 Long practice has a sure improvement found. 
 With kindled fires to bum the barren ground. 
 When the light stubble, to the flames resign'd. 
 Is driv'n along, and crackles in the wind. 1*25 
 
 S^'hether from hence the hollow womb of earth 
 Is warm'd with secret strength for better birth ; 
 Or, when the latent vice Ls cur'd by fire. 
 Redundant humours through the pores expire ; 129 
 Or that the warmth distends the chinks, and makes 
 New breathings, whence new nourishment she takes ; 
 Or that the heat the gaping ground constrains. 
 New-knits the surface, and new strings the veins ; 
 Lest soaking show'rs should pierce her secret seat. 
 Or freezing Boreas chill her geuial heat, 13.5 
 
 Or scorching suns too violently beat. 
 
 Nor is the profit small the peasant makes. 
 Who smooths with harrows, or who pounds with 
 
 rakes. 
 The crumbling clods ; nor Ceres from on high 
 Regards his labours with a grudging eye; 140 
 
 Nor his, who ploughs across the furrow'd grounds. 
 And on the back of earth inflicts new wounds ; 
 For he, with frequent exercise, commands 
 Th' unwilling soil, and tames the stubborn lands. 
 
 Ye swains, invoke the pow'rs who rule the sky. 
 For a moist summer, and a winter dry ; 146 
 
 For winter drought rewards the peasant's pain, 
 And broods indulgent on the buried grain. 
 Hence Mysia boasts her harvests, and the tops 
 Of Gargarus admire their happy crops. 150
 
 68 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 When first the soil receives the fruitful seed, 
 
 Make no delay, but cover it with speed : 
 
 So fenc'd from cold, the pliant furrows break, 
 
 Before the surly clod resists the rake ; 
 
 And call the floods from high, to rush amain 155 
 
 With pregnant streams, to swell the teeming grain. 
 
 Then, when the fiery suns too fiercely play, 
 
 And shrivell'd herbs on with'ring stems decay. 
 
 The wary ploughman, on the mountain's brow, 
 
 TJndams his watery stores — huge torrents flow, 1(10 
 
 And, rattling down the rooks, large moisture yield, 
 
 Temp'ring the thirsty fever of the field : 
 
 And, lest the stem, too feeble for the freight, 
 
 Should scarce sustain the head's unwieldy weight, 
 
 Sends in his feeding flooks betimes, t' invade 163 
 
 The rising bulk of the luxuriant blade. 
 
 Ere yet, th' aspiring off"spring of the grain 
 
 O'ertops the ridges of the furrow'd plain : 
 
 And drains the standing waters, when they yield 
 
 Too large a bev'rage to the drunken field : 170 
 
 But most in autumn, and the show'ry spring, 
 
 When dubious months uncertain weather bring; 
 
 When fountains open, when impetuous rain 
 
 Swells hasty brooks, and pours upon the plain ; 
 
 When earth with slime and mud is cover'd o'er, 175 
 
 Or hollow places spew their watery store. 
 
 Nor yet the ploughman, nor the lab'ring steer. 
 
 Sustain alone the hazards of the year: 
 
 But glutton geese, and the Strymonian crane. 
 
 With foreign troops invade the tender grain ; 180 
 
 And tow'ring weeds malignant shadows yield ; 
 
 And spreading succ'ry chokes the rising field. 
 
 The sire of gods and men, v/ith hard decrees. 
 
 Forbids our plenty to be bought with ease. 
 
 And wills that mortal men, inur'd to toil, 185 
 
 Should exercise, with pains, the grudging soil : 
 
 Himself invented first the shining share. 
 
 And whetted human industry by care ; 
 
 Himself did handicrafts and arts ordain. 
 
 Nor sutter'd sloth to rust his active reign. 190 
 
 Kre this, no peasant vex.'d the peaceful ground, 
 
 Which only turfs and greens for altars found :
 
 GEORGICS, I. G9 
 
 No fences parted fields, nor marks nor bounds 
 
 Distingiiish'd acres of litigious grounds : 
 
 But all was common ; and the fruitful earth 105 
 
 Was free to give her unexacted birth. 
 
 Jove added venom to the viper's brood. 
 
 And swelPd, -with raging storms, the peaceful flood ; 
 
 Commission'd hungry Tfolves t' infest the fold, 
 
 And shook from oaken leaves the liquid gold ; 200 
 
 Remov'd from human reach the cheerful fire, 
 
 And from the rivers bade the wine retire ; 
 
 That studious need might useful arts explore; 
 
 From fiirrow'd fields to reap the foodful store. 
 
 And force the veins of clashing flints t' expire 205 
 
 The lurking seeds of their celestial fire. 
 
 Then first on seas the hollow'd alder swam ; 
 
 Then sailors quarter'd heav'n, and found a name 
 
 For ev'ry fix'd and ev'ry wand'ring star — 
 
 The Pleiads, Hyads, and the Northern Car. 21ft 
 
 Then toils for beasts, and lime for birds, were found. 
 
 And deep-mouth'd dogs did forest walks surround; 
 
 And casting nets were spread in shallow brooks, 
 
 Drags in the deep, and baits were hung on hooks. 
 
 Then saws were toolh'd, and sounding axes made 
 
 (For wedges first did yielding wood invade); 216 
 
 And various arts in order did succeed. 
 
 (What cannot endless labour, urg'd by need!) 
 
 First Ceres taught, the ground with grain to sow, 
 And arm'd with iron shares the crooked plough ; 210 
 When now Dodonian oaks no more supplied 
 Their mast, and trees their forest fruit denied. 
 Soon was his labour doubled to the swain. 
 And blasting mildews blacken'd all his grain ; 2'24 
 Tough thistles chok'd the fields, and kill'd the corn, 
 And an unthrifty crop of weeds was born : 
 Then burs and brambles, an unbidden crew 
 Of graceless guests, th' unhappy fields subdue ; 
 And oats unblest, and darnel domineers. 
 And shoots its head above the shining ears ; 2^0 
 
 So that, unless the land with daily care 
 Is exercis'd, and, with an iron war 
 Of rakes and harrows, the proud foes expell'd. 
 And birds with clamours frighted from the field —
 
 70 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Unless the boughs are lopp'd that shade the plain, 235 
 And heav'n invok'd with vows for fruitful rain — 
 On others' crops you may with envy look, 
 And shake for food the long-abai don'd oak. 
 Nor must we pass untold what a.ms they wield, 
 Who labour tillage and the furrow'd field; •2 40 
 
 Without whose aid the ground her corn denies, 
 And nothing can be sown, and nothing rise — 
 The crooked plough, the share, the tow'ring 
 
 height 
 Of waggons, and the cart's unwieldy weight, 
 The sled, the tumbril, hurdles, and the flail, 245 
 
 The fan of Bacchus, with the flying sail — 
 These all must be prepar'd, if ploughmen hope 
 The promis'd blessing of a bounteous crop, 
 Young elms, with early force, in copses bow. 
 Fit for the figure of the crooked p'ough. 2;"i0 
 
 Of eight feet long a fasten'd beam prepare : 
 On either side the head, produce an ear ; 
 And sink a socket for the shining share. 
 Of beech the plough tail, and the bending yoke, 
 Or softer linden harden'd in the smoke. 2^ ."J 
 
 I could be long in precepts ; but I fear 
 So mean a subject might offend your ear. 
 Delre of convenient depth your threshing-floor: 
 With temper'd clay then fill and face it o'er; 
 And let the weighty roller run the round, 260 
 
 To smooth the surface of th' unequal ground : 
 Lest, crack'd with summer heats, the flooring flies, 
 Or sinks, and through the crannies weeds arise : 
 For sundry foes the rural realm surround : 
 The field-mouse builds her garner under ground 205 
 For gather'd grain; the blind laborious mole 
 In winding mazes works her hidden hole ; 
 In hollow caverns vei-min make abode — 
 The hissing serpent, and the swelling toad : 
 The corn-devouring weasel here abides, 270 
 
 And the wise ant her wintry store provides. 
 
 Mark well the flow'ring almonds in the wood : 
 If od"rous blooms the bearing branches load. 
 The glebe will answer to the sylvan reign ; 
 Great heats will follow, and large crops of grain. 275 
 
 I 
 
 I
 
 GEORGICS, I. 71 
 
 But, if a wood of leaves o'ershade the tree, 
 
 Such and so barren will thy harvest be : 
 
 Tu vain the hind shall vex the threshing-floor. 
 
 For empty chaff and straw will be thy store. 
 
 Some steep their seed, and some in cauldrons boil. 
 
 With vig'rous nitre, and with lees of oil, 2S1 
 
 O'er gentle fires, th' exub'rant juice to drain. 
 
 And swell the flatt'ring husks with fruitful grain. 
 
 Yet is not the success for years assur'd, 
 
 Though chosen is the seed, and fully cur'd, 283 
 
 L'nless the peasant, with his annual pain, 
 
 Renews his choice, and culls the largest grain. 
 
 Thus all below, whether by Nature's curse. 
 
 Or Fate's decree, degen'rate still to worse. 
 
 So the boat's brawny crew the current stem. 290 
 
 And slow advancing, struggle with the stream : 
 
 But, if they slack their hands, or cease to strive. 
 
 Then down the flood with headlong haste they drive. 
 
 Nor mnst the ploughman less observe the skies. 
 When the Kids, Dragon, and Arcturus, rise, 295 
 
 Then sailors homeward bent, who cut their way [sea. 
 Through Helle's stormy straits, and oyster-breeding 
 But, when Astrea's Balance hung on high, 
 Betwixt the nights and days divide the sky. 
 Then yoke your oxen, sow your winter-grain, 300 
 Till cold December comes with driving rain. 
 Linseed and fruitful poppy bury warm, 
 In a dry season, and prevent the storm. 
 Sow beans and clover in a rotten soil, 
 And millet rising from your annual toil, 30-j 
 
 When with his golden horns, in full career, 
 The Bull beats down the barriers of the year. 
 And Argo and the Dog forsake the northern sphere. 
 
 But if your care to wheat alone extend. 
 Let Maia with her sisters first descend, 310 
 
 And the bright Gnossian diadem downward bend. 
 Before you trust in earth your future hope, 
 Or else expect a listless lazy crop. 
 Some swains have sown before; but most have found 
 A husky harvest from the grudging ground, 315 
 
 Vile vetches would you sow, or lentils lean, 
 The growth of Egypt, or the kidney-bean.
 
 72 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Begin when the slow Waggoner descends : 
 
 Nor cease your sowing till mid-winter ends, 310 
 
 For this, through twelve bright signs Apollo guidci 
 
 The year, and earth in several climes divides. 
 
 Five girdles bind the skies: the tnrrid zone 
 
 Glows with the passing and repassing suu ; 
 
 Far on the right and left, th' extremes of heav'n 
 
 To frosts and snows and bitter blasts are giv'n ; 32') 
 
 Betwixt the midst and these, the gods assiga'd 
 
 Two habitable seats for human kind; 
 
 And, 'cross their limits, cut a sloping way. 
 
 Which the twelve signs in beauteous order sway, 
 
 Two poles turn round the globe: one seen to rise 330 
 
 O'er Scythian hills, and one in Libyan skies; 
 
 The first sublime in heav'n, the last is whirl'd 
 
 Below the regions of the nether world. 
 
 Around our pole the spiry Dragon glides, 
 
 And, like a winding stream, the Bears divides — 335 
 
 The less and greater, who by Fate's decree 
 
 Abhor to dive beneath the northern sea. 
 
 There, as they say, perpetual night is found 
 
 In silence brooding on ih' unhappy ground : 
 
 Or, when Aurora leaves our northern sphere, 340 
 
 She lights the downward heav'n, and rises there ; 
 
 And, when on us she breathes the living light, 
 
 Red Vesper kindles there the tapers of the night. 
 
 From hence uncertain seasons we may know. 
 
 And when to reap the grain, and when to sow ; 31.5 
 
 Or when to fell the furzes ; when 'tis meet 
 
 To spread the flying canvass for the fleet. 
 
 Observe what stars arise cr disappear ; 
 
 And the four quarters of the rolling year. 
 
 But, when cold weather, and continued rain 350 
 
 The lab'ring husband in his house restrain. 
 
 Let him forecast his work with timely care, 
 
 Which else is huddled, when the skies are fair : 
 
 Then let him mark the sheep, or whet the shining 
 
 share. 
 Or hollow trees for boats, or number o'er 355 
 
 His sacks, or measure his increasing store, 
 Or sharpen stakes, or head the forks, or twine 
 The sallow twigs to tie the straggling vine ;
 
 GEORGICS.I. 73 
 
 Or wicker baskets weave, or air the com, 
 
 Or grinded grain, betwixt two marbles turn 3Gn 
 
 No laws, divine or human, can restrain 
 
 From necessary works the lab'ring swain. 
 
 Even holy-days and feasts permission yield 
 
 To float the meadows, or to fence the field, 
 
 Tcfire the brambles, snare the birds, and steep 36i 
 
 In wholesome waterfalls the woolly sheep. 
 
 And oft the drndging ass isdriv'n, with toil. 
 
 To neighb'ring towns with apples and with oil ; 
 
 Returning, late and loaden, home with gain 
 
 Of barter'd pitch, and hand-mills for the grain. Sfi 
 
 The lacky days, in each revolving moon. 
 For laboxir choose : the fifth be sure to shun ; 
 That gave the Furies and pale Pluto birth, 
 And arm'd, against the skie-, the sons of earth. :j7-4 
 With mountains pil'd on mountains, thrice they strove 
 To scale the steepy battlements of Jove; 
 And thrice his lightning an.f red thunder play'd, 
 And their demolish'd works in ruin laid. 
 Thesev'nth is, next the tenth, the best to join 
 Young oxen to the yoke, and plant the vine. 380 
 
 Then, weavers, stretch your stays upon the weft. 
 Thr? ninth is good for travel, bad for theft. 
 Some works in dead of night are better done, 
 Or when the morning dew prevents the sun. 
 Parch'd meads and stubble mow by Phoebe's light, SS5 
 Which both require the coolness of the night: 
 For moisture then abounds, and pearly rains 
 Descend in silence to refresh the pi »ins. 
 The wife and husband equally conspire 
 To work by night, and rake the winter fire : 300 
 
 He sharpens torches in the glimm'ring room; 
 She shoots the flying shuttle through the loom. 
 Or boils in kettles must of wine, and skims 
 With leaves, the dregs that overflow the brims : 
 And, till the watchful cock awakes the day, 3P5 
 
 She sings, to drive the tedious hours away. 
 But, in warm weather, when the skies are clear, 
 By day-light reap the product of the year; 
 And in the sun your golden grain display, 
 And thrash it out, and winnow it by day, 4rt0 
 
 D
 
 7t THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Plough naked, swain, and naked sow the hmil; 
 
 For lazy winter numbs the lab'ring hand. 
 
 In genial winter, swains enjoy their store. 
 
 Forget their hardships and recruit for more. 
 
 The farmer to full bowls invites his friends, 4 03 
 
 And, what he got with pains, with pleasure spends, 
 
 So sailors, when escap'd from stormy seas, 
 
 First, crown their vessels, then indulge their ease. 
 
 Yet that's the proper time to thrash the wood 
 
 For mast of oak, your fathers' homely food; 410 
 
 To gather laurel-berries, and the spoil 
 
 Of bloody myrtles, and to press your oil: 
 
 For stalking cranes to set the guileful snare : 
 
 T' inclose the stags in toils, and hunt the hare ; 
 
 With Balearic slings, or Gnossian bow, 415 
 
 To persecute from far the flying doe. 
 
 Then, when the fleecy skies new-clothe the wood. 
 
 And cakes of rustling ice come rolling down the flood. 
 
 Now sing we stormy stars, when autumn weighs 
 The year, and adds to nights, and shortens days, 420 
 And suns declining shine with feeble rajs ; 
 What cares must then attend the toiling swain : 
 Or when the low'ring spring, with lavish rain, 
 Beats down the slender stem and bearded grain, 
 While yet the head is green, or, lightly swell'd 42"> 
 With milky moisture, overlooks the field. 
 Ev'n when the farmer now secure of fear. 
 Sends in the swains to spoil the finish'd year, 
 Ev'n while the reaper fills his greedy hands, 
 And binds the golden sheaves in brittle bands, 43o 
 Oft have I seen a sudden storm arise. 
 From all the warring winds that sweep the skies : 
 The heavy harvest from the root is torn, 
 And, whirl'd aloft, the lighter .stubble borne: 
 With such a force the flying rack is driv'n, 435 
 
 And such a winter wears the face of heav'n : 
 And oft whole sheets descend of sluicy rain, 
 Suck'd by the spongy clouds from off the main : 
 The lofty skies at once come pouring down. 
 The promis'd crop and golden labours drown, 440 
 
 The dikes are fiU'd ; and, with a roaringsound. 
 The rising rivers float the nether ground; 
 And rocks the bellowing voice of boiling seas rebound.
 
 GEORGICS, I. 75 
 
 The father of the gods his glory shrouds, 
 
 Involv'd in tempests, and a night of cloud? ; -1 i:. 
 
 And, from the middle darkness flashing out. 
 
 By firs he deals his fiery holts about. 
 
 Earth feels the motions of her angry god : 
 
 Her entrails tremble, and her mountains nod; 
 
 And flying beasts in forests seek abode: ATtV 
 
 Deep horror seizes ev'ry human breast ; 
 
 Their pride is humbled, and their fear confess'd. 
 
 While he from high his rolling thunder throws, 
 
 And fires the mountains with repeated blows; 
 
 The rocks are from their old foundations rent ; 455 
 
 The winds redouble, and the rains augment: 
 
 The waves on heaps are dash'd against the shore ; 
 
 And now the woods, and now the billows, roar. 
 
 In fear of this, observe the starry signs, 
 Where Saturn houses, and where Hermes joins. 400 
 But first to heav'n thy due devotions pay. 
 And annual gifts on Ceres' altars lay. 
 When winter's rage abates, when cheerful hours 
 Awake the spring, the spring awakes the flowVs, 
 On the green turf thy careless limbs display, 4».'5 
 
 And Celebrate the mighty Mother's day : 
 For then the hills with pleasing shades are 
 
 crown'd. 
 And sleeps are sweeter on the silken ground: 
 With milder beams the sun serenely shines : 
 Fat are the lambs, and luscious are the wines. 470 
 Let ev'ry swain adore her pow'r divine. 
 And milk and honey mix with sparkling wine : 
 Let all the choir of clowns attend the show, 
 In long procession, shouting as they go : 
 Invoking her to bless their yearly stores, 475 
 
 Inviting plenty to their crowded floors. 
 Thus in the spring, and thus in summer's heat. 
 Before the sickles touch the rip'ning wheat. 
 On Ceres call , and let the lab'ring hind 
 With oaken wreaths his hollow temples bind : 480 
 On Ceres let him call, and Ceres praise, 
 With uucouth dances, and with country lays. 
 
 And that by certain signs we may presage' 
 Of heata and rains, and winds impetuous rage.
 
 76 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 The sov'reign of the heav'ns has set on high 48.'j 
 
 The moon, to mark the changes of the sky ; 
 
 V/hen southern blastsshould cease, and when the swain 
 
 Should near their folds his feeding flocks restrain. 
 
 For, ere the rising winds begin to roar, 
 
 The working seas advance to wash the shore ; 490 
 
 Soft whispers run along the leafy woods ; 
 
 And mountains whistle to the murmuring foods. 
 
 Ev'n then the doubtful billows scarce abstain 
 
 From the toss'd vessel on the troubled main ; 
 
 When crying cormorants forsake the sea, 4:>5 
 
 And, stretching to the covert, wing their way; 
 
 When sportful coots run skimming o'er the strand ; 
 
 When watchful herons leave their wat'ry stand. 
 
 And mounting upward with erected flight. 
 
 Gain on the skies, and soar above the sight. 50C 
 
 And oft, before tempestuous winds arise, 
 
 The seeming stars fall headlong from the skies. 
 
 And, shooting through the darkness, gild the night 
 
 With sweeping glories, and long trails of light ; 
 
 And chaff with eddy winds is whirl'd around, 505 
 
 And dancing leaves are lifted from the ground; 
 
 And floating feathers on the waters play. 
 
 But, when the winged thunder takes his way 
 
 Prom the cold north, and east and west engage, 
 
 And at their frontiers meet with equal rage, 510 
 
 The clouds are crush'd : a glut of gather'd rain 
 
 The hollow ditches fills, and floats the plain ; 
 
 And sailors furl their drooping sheets amain. 
 
 Wet weather seldom hurts the most unwise ; 
 
 So plain the signs, such prophets are the skies. 515 
 
 The wary crane foresees it first, and sails 
 
 Above the storm, and leaves the lowly vales : 
 
 The cow looks up, and from afar can find 
 
 The change of heav'n, and snuffs it in the wind : 
 
 The swallow skims the river's wat'ry face : 520 
 
 The frogs renew the croaks of their loquacious race : 
 
 The careful ant her secret cell forsakes. 
 
 And drags her eggs along the narrow tracks : 
 
 At either horn the rainbow drinks the flood : 
 
 Huge flocks of rising rooks forsake their food, 5V5 
 
 And, crying, seek the shelter of the wood.
 
 GEORGICS, r. 77 
 
 Besides, the sev'ral sorts of wat'ry fowls, 
 
 Tbat swim the seas, or haunt the standing pools, 
 
 The swans that sail along the silver flood, 559 
 
 And dive with stretching necks to search their food. 
 
 Then lave their backs with sprinkling dews in vain. 
 
 And stem the stream to meet the promis'd rain. 
 
 The crow with clam'rous cries the shower demands, 
 
 And single stalks along the desert sands. 
 
 The nightly virgin, while her wheel she plies, 535 
 
 Foresees the storm impending in the skies. 
 
 When sparkling lamps their sputt'ring light advance, 
 
 And in the sockets oily bubbles dance. 
 
 Then, after show'rs, 'tis easy to descry 
 Returning suns, and a serener sky : 540 
 
 The stars shine smarter ; and the moon adorns, 
 As with unborrow'd beams, her sharpen'd horns. 
 The filmy gossamer now flits no more. 
 Nor halcyons bask on the short sunny shore : 
 Their litter is not toss'd by sows unclean; 513 
 
 Bat a blue droughty mist descends upon the plain ; 
 And owls, that mark the setting sun, declare 
 A star-light ev'ning, and a morning fair. 
 Tow'ring aloft, avenging Nisus flies, 
 While, dar'd, below the guilty Scylla lies. 550 
 
 Wherever frighted Scylla flies away, 
 Swift Nisus follows, and pursues his prey : 
 Where injur'd Nisus takes his airy course, 
 Thence trembling Scylla flies, and shuns his force. 
 This punishment pursues th" unhappy maid, 555 
 
 And thus the purple hair is dearly paid ; 
 Then, thrice the ravens rend the liquid air, 
 And croaking notes proclaim the settled fair. 
 Then round the airy palaces they fly, 
 To greet the sun; and seiz'd with secret joy, 5^0 
 
 When storms are over blown, with food repair 
 To their forsaken nests, and callow care. 
 Not that I think their breasts with heav'nly souls 
 Inspir'd, as man, who destiny controuls : 
 But, with the changeful temper of the skies, 365 
 
 As rains condense, and sunshine rarefies. 
 So turn the species in their alter'd minds, 
 Compos'd by calms, and discumpos'd by winds.
 
 78 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 From hence proceeds the birds' harmonious voice ; 
 
 From hence the cows exult, and frisking lambs rejoice. 
 
 Observe the daily circle of the sun, 571 
 
 And the short year of each revolving moon : 
 
 By them thou shalt foresee the following day ; 
 
 Nor shall a starry night thy hopes betray. 
 
 When first the moon appears, if then she shrouds 575 
 
 Her silver crescent lipp'd with sable clouds, 
 
 Conclude she bodes a tempest on the main, 
 
 And brews for fields impetuous floods of rain. 
 
 Or, if her face with fiery flushing glow, 
 
 Expect the rattling winds aloft to blow. 5S0 
 
 But, four nights old (,for that's the surest sign), 
 
 With sharpen'd horns if glorious then she shine, 
 
 Next day, not only that, but all the moon, 
 
 'Till her revolving race be wholly run, 
 
 Are void of tempests, both by land and sea; 585 
 
 And sailors in the port their promis'd vow shall pay. 
 
 Above the rest, the sun, who never lies, 
 
 Foretels the change of weather in the skies : 
 
 For, if he rise unwilling to his race. 
 
 Clouds on his brow, and spots upon his face : 590 
 
 Or if through mists he shoots his sullen beams, *■• 
 
 Frugal of light, in loose and straggling streams : 
 
 Suspect a drizzling day, with southern rain. 
 
 Fatal to fruits, and flocks, and promis'd grain. 
 
 Or if Aurora, with half open'd eyes, 595 
 
 And a pale sickly cheek, salute the skies : 
 
 How shall the vine, with tender leaves, defend 
 
 Her teeming clusters when the storms descend, 
 
 W^hen ridgy roofs and tiles can scarce avail 
 
 To bar the ruin of the rattling hail ? 600 
 
 But, more than all, the setting sun survey. 
 
 When down the steep of heav'n he drives the day : 
 
 For oft we find him finishing his race, 
 
 W^ith various colours erring on his face. 
 
 If fiery red his glowing globe descends, 005 
 
 High winds and furious tempests he portends : 
 
 But, if his cheeks are swoU'n with livid blue, 
 
 He bodes wet weather by his wat'ry hue : 
 
 If dusky spots are varied on his brow. 
 
 And, streak'd with red, a troubled colour show ; 010
 
 GEORGICS, I. 79 
 
 That sullen mixture shall at once declare, 
 
 Winds, rain, and storms, and elemental war. 
 
 What desp'rate madman then would venture o'er 
 
 The frith, or haul his cables from the shore ? 
 
 But, if with purple rays he brings the light, 615 
 
 And a pure heav'n resigns to quiet night, 
 
 No rising winds, or falling storms are nigh ; 
 
 But northern breezes through the forests fly, 
 
 And drive the rack, and purge the ruffled sky. 
 
 Th' unerring sun by certain signs declares, G20 
 
 What the late ev'n or early morn prepares, 
 
 And when the south projects a stormy day. 
 
 And when the clearing north will puff the clouds away. 
 
 The sun reveals the secrets of the sky ; 
 And who dares give the source of light the lie ? G20 
 The change of empires often he declares, 
 Fierce tumults, hidden treasons, openwn:. 
 He first tl.e fate of Caesar did foretel, 
 And pitied Rome, when Rome in Caesar fell ; 
 In iron clouds conceal'd the public light ; 630 
 
 And impious mortals fear'd eternal night. 
 
 Nor was the fact fwetold by him alone : 
 Nature herself stood forth, and seconded the sun. 
 Earth, air, and seas, with prodigies were sign'd; 
 And birds obscene, and howling dogs, divin'd. 63j 
 What rocks did .(Etna's bellowing mouth expire 
 From her torn entrails .' and what floods of fire! 
 What clanks were heard, in German skies afar. 
 Of arms, and armies, rushing to the war ! 
 Dire earthquakes rent the solid Alps below, 640 
 
 And from their summits shook th' eternal snow : 
 Pale spectres in the close of night were seen : 
 And voices heard of more than mortal men. 
 In silent groves : dumb sheep and oxen spoke ; 6-M 
 And streams ran backward, and their beds forsook; 
 The yawning earth disclos'd th' abyss of hull : 
 The weeping statues did the wars foretel ; 
 And holy sweat from brazen idols fell. 
 Then, rising in his might, the king of floods 
 Rush'd through the forests, tore the lofty woods, 6o(t 
 And, rolling onward, with a sweeping sway, 
 Bore houses, herds, and lab'ring hinds away.
 
 80 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Blood sprang from wells ; wolves howl'd in towns by 
 And boding victims did the priests aflViglit. [night; 
 Such peals of thunder never pour'd from high, 655 
 Nor forky lightnings flush'd from such a sullen sky. 
 Red meteors ran across th' ethereal space ; 
 Stars disappear'd, and comets took their place. 
 For this, th' Emathian plains once more were strow'd 
 With Roman bodies, and just heav'n thought good 
 To fatten twice those fields with Roman blood. 601 
 Then, after length of time, the lab'ring swains, 
 Who turn the turfs of those unhappy plains, 
 Shall rusty piles from the plough'd farrows take. 
 And over empty helmets pass the rake — CG.'i 
 
 Amaz'd at antique titles on the stones, 
 And mighty reliques of gigantic bones. 
 
 Ye home-born deities of mortal birth ! 
 Thou father Romulus and mother Earth, 
 Goddess unmov'd! whose guardian arms extend 670 
 O'er Tuscan Tiber's course, and Roman tow'rs defend ; 
 With youthful Caesar your joint pow'rs engage, 
 Nor hinder him to save the sinking age. 
 O I let the blood, already spilt, atone 
 For the past crimes of curs'd Laomedon! 67.5 
 
 Heav'n wants thee there ; and long the gods, we know, 
 Have grudg'd thee, Ceesar, to the world below. 
 Where fraud and rapine, right and wrong confound, 
 Where impious arms from ev'ry part resound, 07!) 
 And monstrous crimes in ev'ry shape are crown'd. 
 The peaceful peasant to the wars is press'd ; 
 The fields He fallow in inglorious rest; 
 The plain no pasture to the flock affords ; 
 The crooked scythes are straighteu'dinto swords : 
 And there Euphrates her soft offspring arms, 685 
 
 And here the Rhine rebellows with alarms; 
 The neighb'ring cities range on sev'ral sides; 
 Perfidious Mars long- plighted leagues divides. 
 And o'er the wasted world in triumph rides. 
 So four fierce coursers, starting to the race, 690 
 
 Scour through the plain, and lengthen ev'ry pace ; 
 Nor reins, nor curbs, nor threat'ning cries, they fear, 
 But force along tan trembling charioteer.
 
 GEORGICS, H, 81 
 
 BOOK II. 
 
 The subject of the follovrin? book is plantin? : in handling of 
 which argnment the pot-t >hew> all the different method* of 
 raising trtes, describes their varieiy, and gi^ e? rules for the ma- 
 nagement of each in particular. He then points out the soils 
 in which the several planU thri\e best, and thence takes occa- 
 sion to run out into the praises or ItAly ; after which, he gives 
 some directions for discovering the nature of e^ery soil, pre- 
 scribes rules for dressin? of vines, olives, vVc. and concludes the 
 Georgic with a panegyric on a country life. 
 
 Thi's far of tillage, and of heavenly signs : 
 Now sing, my muse, the growth of gen'rous vines, 
 The ?hady groves, the woodland progeny. 
 And the slow product of Minerva's tree. 
 
 Great father Bacchus, to my song repair ; 5 
 
 For clust'ring grapes are thy peculiar care: 
 For Ibee, large bunches load the bending vine ; 
 And the last blessings of the year are thine. 
 To thee his joys the jolly Autumn owes, 
 When the fermenting juice the vat o'erflows. 10 
 
 Corae, strip with me, my god ! come drench all o'er 
 Thy limbs in must of wine, and drink at every pore. 
 
 Some trees their birth to bounteous Nature owe ; 
 For some, without the pains of planting, grow. 
 With osiers thus the banks of brooks abound, 15 
 
 Sprung from the wat'ry genius of the ground. 
 From the same principles gray wiUows come, 
 Herculean poplar, and the tender broom. 
 But some, from seeds enclos'd in earth, ari.-se ; 
 For thus the mastful chesnut mates the skies. 20 
 
 Hence rise the branching beech and vocal oak. 
 Whore Jove of old oraculottsly spoke. 
 Some from the root a rising wood disclose ; 
 Thus elms, and thus the savage cherry grows : 
 Thus the green bay, that binds the poet's brows, 25 
 Shoots, and is shelter'd by the mother's boughs. 
 
 These ways of planting Nature did ordain. 
 For trees and shrubs, and all the sylvan reign. 
 Others there are, by late experience found: 
 Some cut the shoots, and plant in fnrrowd ground ; 
 Soma cover rooted stalks in deeper mould; 31 
 
 Some, cloven stakes; and (wondrous to behold ) 
 D 2
 
 S2 THE WORKS OP VIRGIL. 
 
 Their sbarpen'd ends in earth their footing place ; 
 
 And the dry poles produce a living race. 
 
 Some bow their vines, which buried in the plain, 35 
 
 Their tops in distant arches rise again. 
 
 Others no root require ; the lab'rer cats 
 
 YoTing slips, and in the soil securely puts. 
 
 Ev'q stumps of olives, bar'd of leaves, and dead, 
 
 Revive, and oft redeem their witherd head. 40 
 
 Tis usual now an inmate graflF to see 
 
 "^Vith insolence invade a foreign tree: 
 
 Thus pears and quinces from the crab- tree come : 
 
 And thus the ruddy cornel bears the plum. 
 
 Then let the learned gard'ner mark with care 45 
 The kinds of stock, and what those kinds will bear ; 
 Explore the nature of each sev'ral tree, 
 And, known, improve with artful industry ; 
 And let no spot of idle earth be found : 
 But cultivate the genius of the ground : 50 
 
 For open Ismarus will Bacchus please ; 
 Taburnus loves the shade of olive-trees. 
 
 The virtues of the sev'ral soils 1 sing. 
 Maecenas, now thy needful succour bring! 
 O thou! the better part of my renown, 55 
 
 Inspire thy poet, and thy poem crown : 
 Embark with me, while I new tracts explore, 
 With flying sails and breezes from the shore: 
 Not that my song, in such a scanty space. 
 So large a subject fully can embrace — CO 
 
 Not though I were supplied with iron lungs, 
 A hundred mouths, fill'd with as many tongues : 
 But steer my vessel with a steady hand, 
 And coast along the shore in sight of land. 
 Nor will I tire thy patience with a train 65 
 
 Of preface, or what ancient poets feign. 
 The trees, which of themselves advance in air, 
 Are barren kinds, but strongly built and fair. 
 Because the vigour of the native earth 
 Maintains the plant, and makes a manly birth. 70 
 Yet these, receiving graffs of other kind, 
 Or thence transplanted, change their savage minil, 
 Their wildness lose, and, quitting nature's part, 
 Obey the rules and discipline of art.
 
 GEORGICS, II. 83 
 
 Tbe same do trees, that spniug from barren roots, 75 
 
 111 open fields transplanted bear their fruits. 
 
 For, where they grow '.ntir native energy 
 
 Turns all into the suustance of the tree, 
 
 Starves and destroys the fruit, is only made 
 
 For brawDy bulk, and for a barren shade. 80 
 
 The plant that shoots from seed, a sullen tree, 
 
 At leisure grows, for late po.sterity ; 
 
 The gen'rons fl.ivour lost, the fruits decay, 
 
 And savage grapes are made the birds* ignoble 
 
 prey. 
 Much labour is required in trees, to tame 85 
 
 Their wild disorder, and in ranks reclaim. 
 Well must the ground be digg'd, and better dress'd, 
 Isew soil to make, and meliorate the rest. 
 Old stakes of olive-trees in plants revive; 
 By the same method Paphian myrtles live : 90 
 
 But nobler vines by propagation thrive. 
 From roots hard hazels, and from scions, rise 
 Tall ash, and taller oak that mates the skies ; 
 Palm, poplar, fir, descending from the steep 
 Of hills, to try the dangers of the deep. 95 
 
 The thin-leav'd arbute hazel grafFs receive.-?; 
 And planes huge apples bear, that bore but leaves. 
 Thus mastful beech the bristly chesnut bears. 
 And the wild ash is white with blooming pears. 
 And greedy swine from grafted elms are fed 100 
 
 With falling acorns, that on oaks are bred. 
 
 But various are the ways to change the state 
 Of plants, to bud, to graff, t' inoculate. 
 For, where the tender rinds of trees disclose 
 Their shooting gems, a swelling knot there grows : 
 Just in that space a narrow slit we make ; 100 
 
 Then other buds from bearing trees we take ; 
 Inserted thus, the wounded rind we close. 
 In whose moist womb tli' admitted infant grows. 
 But, when the smoother bole from notes is free, 110 
 We make a deep incision in the tree. 
 And in the solid wood the slip enclose; 
 The batt'ning bastard shoots again and grows ; 
 And in short space the laden boughs arise, 
 With happy fruit advancing to the skies. 115
 
 81 THE WORKS OP VIRGIL. 
 
 Tho niotlier {ilant admires tlie leaves unknown 
 Of alien trees, ami apples not ber own. 
 
 Of vegetable woods are various kinds ; 
 And the same species arc of sev'ral minds. 
 Lotes, willows, elms, have different forms allow'd ; 120 
 So fun'ral cypress, rising like a shroud. 
 Fat olive trees of sundry sorts appear, 
 Of sundry shapes their unctuous hemes bear. 
 Radii long olives, Orchites round produce, 
 And bitter Pausia pounded for the juice. 125 
 
 Aloinbus' orchard various apples bears : 
 Unlike are bergamots and pounder pears. 
 Nor our Italian vines produce the shape. 
 Or taste, or flavour, of the Lesbian grape. 
 The Thasian vines in richer soils abound ; 1 30 
 
 The Mareotic grow in barren ground. 
 The Psythian grape we dry : Lagean juice 
 Will stamm'ring tongues and stagg'ring feet produce. 
 Rath ripe are some, and some of later kind ; 
 Of golden some, and some of purple rind. 135 
 
 How shall I praise the Rhajtian grape di\ ine, 
 Which yet contends not with Falernian wine ? 
 Th' Aminean many a consulship survives, 
 And longer than the Lydian vintage lives, 
 Or high Phanseus, king of Chian growth : 140 
 
 But, for large quantities and lasting, both, 
 The less Argitis bears the prize away. 
 The Rhodian, sacred to the solemn day. 
 In second services is pour'd to Jove, 
 And best accepted by the gods above, 145 
 
 Nor must Bumastus his old honours lose. 
 In length and largeness like the dugs of cows. 
 I pass the rest, whose every race and name, 
 And kinds, are less material to my theme ; 149 
 
 Which who would learn, as soon may tell the sands, 
 Driv'n by the western wind on Libyan lands. 
 Or number, when the blust'ring Eurus roars, 
 The billows beating on Ionian shores. 
 
 Nor ev'ry plant on ev'ry soil will grow . 
 The sallow loves the wat'ry ground, and low ; 155 
 The marshes, alders: Nature seems t' firdain 
 The rocky cliff for the wild ash's reign ;
 
 GECTRGICS, II. s5 
 
 The baleful yew to northern blasts assigns, 
 To shores the myrtles, aud to mounts tlie vines. 
 
 Regard th' extremest cultivated coast, IGO 
 
 From hot Arabia to the Scythian frost: 
 All sorts of trees their sev'ral countries know ; 
 Black ebon only will in India grow. 
 And od'rous frankincense on the Sabsean bough. 
 Balm slowly trickles through the bleeding veins 165 
 Of happy shrubs in Iduniaean plains. 
 The green Egyptian thorn, for medcine good. 
 With iEthiops' hoary trees and woolly wood, 
 Let others tell ; and how the Seres spin 
 Their fleecy forests ia a slender twine ; 170 
 
 With mighty tniuks of trees on Indian shores, 
 Whose height above the feather'd arrow soars. 
 Shot from the toughest bow, and, by the brawn 
 Of expert archers, with vast vigour drawn. 
 Sharp-tasted citrons Median climes produce 175 
 
 (Bitter the rind, but gen'rous is the juice), 
 A cordial fruit, a present antidote 
 Against the direful stepdame's deadly draught. 
 Who, mixing wicked weeds with words impure. 
 The fate of envied orphans would procure. 130 
 
 Large is the plant, and like a laurel grows. 
 And, did it not a diflF'rent scent disclose, 
 A laurel were: the fragrant flow'rs contemn 
 The stormy winds, tenacious of their stem. 
 With this, the Medes to lab'ring age bequeath 185 
 New lungs, and cure the sourness of tlie breath. 
 
 But neither Median woods (a plenteous land). 
 Fair Ganges, Hermus rolling golden sand. 
 Nor Bactria, nor the richer Indian fields, 
 Nor all the gummy stores Arabia yields-, 19b 
 
 Nor any foreign earth of greater name. 
 Can with sweet Italy contend in fame. 
 No bulls, whose nostrils breathe a living flame. 
 Have tum'd our turf; no teeth of serpents here 
 "Were sown, an armed host and iron crop to bear. WS 
 But fruitful vineS; and the fai olive's freight. 
 And harvests heavy with their fruitful weight. 
 Adorn our fields ; and on the cheerful green 
 The grazing flocks and lowing herds are seen.
 
 86 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 The warrior horse, here bred, is taught to train : 200 
 
 There flows Clitumnus tlirough theflow'ry plain. 
 
 Whose wares, for triumphs after prosp'rous war, 
 
 The victim ox and snowy sheep prepare. 
 
 Perpetual spring our happy climate sees : 
 
 Twice breed the cattle, and twice bear the 
 
 trees ; 205 
 
 And summer stms recede by slow degrees. 
 Our land is from the rage of tigers freed, 
 
 Nor nourishes the lion's angry seed ; 
 
 Nor pois'nous aconite is here produc'd, 
 
 Or grows unknown, or is, when known, refus'd : 210 
 
 Nor in so vast a lengtli our serpents glide. 
 
 Or raised on such a spiry volume ride. 
 Next add our cities of illustrious name, 
 
 Their costly labour and stupendous frame, 
 
 Our forts on steepy hills, that far below 215 
 
 See wanton streams in winding valleys How; 
 
 Our two-fold seas, that, washing either side, 
 
 A rich recruit of foreign stores provide ; 
 
 Our spacious lakes; thee, Larius, first; and next 
 
 Benacus, with tempestuous billows vex'd. 220 
 
 Or shall I praise thy ports, or mention make 
 
 Of the vast mound that binds the Lucrine lake 1 
 
 Or the disdainful sea, that, shut from thence, 
 
 Hoars round tlie structure, and invades the fence. 
 
 There, where secure the Julian waters glide, 225 
 
 Or where Avernus' jaws admit the Tyrrhene tide? 
 
 Our quarries, deep in earth, were fam'd of old 
 
 For veins of silver, and for ore of gold. 
 
 Th' inhabitants themselves their country grace; 
 
 Hence rose the Mar.-ian and Sabellian race, 230 
 
 Strong-limb'd and stout, and to the wars inclin'd. 
 
 And hard Ligurians, a laborious kind. 
 
 And Volsci.ms arm'd with iron-headed darts. 
 
 Besides — an offspring of undaunted hearts — 
 
 The Decii, Marii, great Camillus, came 235 
 
 From hence, and greater Scipio's double name. 
 
 And mighty Cassar, whose victorious arms 
 
 To farthest Asia carry fierce alarms. 
 
 Avert unwarlike Indians from his Rome, 
 
 Triumph abroad, secure our peace at home. 240
 
 GEORGICS, II. h7 
 
 Hail, sweet Saturnian soil! of fruitful grain 
 Great parent, greater of illustrious men ! 
 For thee, my tuneful accents will I raise. 
 And treat of arts disclos'd in ancient days, 
 Once more unlock for thee the sacred spring, 245 
 
 And old Ascrsean verse in Roman cities sing. 
 
 The nature of the sev'ral soils now see, 
 Their strength, their colour, their fertility : 
 And first for heath, and barren hilly ground. 
 Where meagre clay and flinty stones abound. 250 
 Where the poor soil all succour seems to want — 
 Yet this suffices the Paliadian plant. 
 Undoubted signs of such a soil are found , 
 For here wild olive-shoots o'erspread the ground, 
 And heaps of berries strew the fields around. 255 
 
 But, where the soil, with fatt'ning moisture fill'd, 
 Is cloth'd with grass, and fruitful to be till'd. 
 Such as in cheerful vales we view from high. 
 Which dripping rocks with rollinij streams 
 
 supply, 
 And feed with ooze ; where rising hillocks run 260 
 In length, and open to the southern sun ; 
 Where fern succeeds, ungrateful to the plough — 
 That gentle ground to gen'rous grapes allow. 
 Strong stocks of vines it will in time produce. 
 And overflow the vats with friendly juice, 265 
 
 Such as our priests in golden goblets pour 
 To gods, the givers of the cheerful hour. 
 Then when the bloated Tuscan blows his horn. 
 And reeking entrails are in chargers borne. 
 
 If herds or fleecy flocks be more thy care, 270 
 
 Or goats that graze the field, and burn it bare, 
 Then seek Tarentum's lawns, and farthest coast. 
 Or such a field as hapless Mantua lost, 
 Where silver swans sail down the wat'ry road, 
 And graze the floating herbage of the flood. 2r5 
 
 There crystal streams perpetual tenor keep, 
 Nor food nor springs are wanting to thy sheep; 
 For, what the day devours, the nightly dew 
 Shall to the morn in pearly drops renew. 
 Fat crumbling earth is fitter for the plough, 280 
 
 Putrid and loose above, and black below ,
 
 S3 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 For ploughing is an imitative toil, 
 
 Resembling n:iture in an easy soil. 
 
 No land for seed like this; no fields afford 
 
 So large an income to the village lord : 285 
 
 No toiling teams from harvest- labour come 
 
 So late at night, so heavy-laden home. 
 
 The like of forest land is understood, 
 
 From whence the surly ploughman grubs the wood, 
 
 Which had for length of ages idle stood. "290 
 
 Then birds forsake the ruins of their seat, 
 
 And, flying from their nests, their callow young 
 
 forget. 
 The coarse lean gravel, on the mountain-sides, 
 Scarce dewy bev'rage for the bees provides; 294 
 
 Nor chalk, nor crumbling stones, the food of snakes, 
 That work in hollow earth their winding tracks. 
 The soil exhaling clouds of subtile dews, 
 Imbibing moisture which with ease she spews, 
 Which rusts not iron, and whose mould is clean. 
 Well cloth'd with cheerful grass, and ever green, 3P0 
 Is good for olives, and aspiring vines. 
 Embracing husband elms in am'rous twines : 
 Is fit for feeding cattle, fit to sow. 
 And equal to the pasture and the plough. 
 Such is the soil of fat Campanian fields; 305 
 
 Such large increase the land that joins Vesuvius yields ; 
 And such a country could Acerrae boast. 
 Till Clanius overflow'd th' unhappy coast. 
 
 1 teach thee next the diff' ring soils to know. 
 The light for vines, the heavier for the plough. 310 
 Choose first a place for such a purpose fit : 
 There dig the solid earth, and sink a pit; 
 Next fill the hole with its own earth again. 
 And trample with thy feet, and tread it in: 
 Then, if it rise not to the former height .SI5 
 
 Of superfice, conclude that soil is light, 
 A proper ground for pasturage and vines. 
 But, if the sullen earth, so press'd, repines 
 Within its native mansion to retire, 
 And stays without, a heap of heavy mire, 320 
 
 'Tis good for arable, a glebe that asks 
 Tough teams of oxen, and laborious tasks.
 
 GEORGICS, II. 89 
 
 Salt eaitU r.nd bitter are not fit to sow, 
 Nor will be tam'd and mended by the ploiigb. 324 
 Sweet grapes degen'rate there; and fruits, declin'd 
 From tb^ir first flav'rous taste, renounce their kind- 
 This truth by sure experiment is tried; 
 For first an osier colander provide 
 Of twigs thick wrought (such toiling peasants twine. 
 When through strait passages they strain their wine): 
 In this close vessel place that earth accurs'd, 331 
 
 But fill'd brimful] with wholesome water first; 
 Then run it through : the drops will rope around, 
 And, by the bitter taste, disclose the ground. 
 The fatter earth by handling we may find, sar- 
 
 With ease distinguish'd from the meagre kind : 
 Poor soil will crumble into dust ; the rich 
 Will to the fingers cleave like clammy pitch : 
 Moist earth produces corn and grass, but both 
 Too rank and too luxuriant in their growth, 340 
 
 Let not my land so large a promise boast. 
 Lest the lank ears in length of stem be lost. 
 The heavier earth is by her weight betray'd ; 
 The lighter in the poising hand is weigh'd. 
 'Tis easy to distinguish by the sight 345 
 
 The colour of the soil, and black from white. 
 But the cold ground is difficult to know ; 
 Vet this the plants, that prosper there, will shew — 
 r.lack ivy, pitch-trees and the baleful yew. 
 These rules consider'd well, with early care 3.50 
 
 The vineyard destin'd for thy vines prepare : 
 But long before the planting dig the ground, 
 With furrows deep that cast a rising mound. 
 The clods, espos'd to winter winds, will bake; 
 For putrid earth will best in vineyards take ; 355 
 
 And hoary frosts, after the painful toil 
 Of delving hinds, will rot the mellow soil. 
 
 Some peasants, not t' omit the nicest care. 
 Of the same soil their nursery prepare. 
 With that of their plantation ; lest the tree, SCO 
 
 Translated, should not with the soil agree. 
 Beside, to plant it as it was, they mark 
 The heav'n's four quarters on the tender b;irk. 
 And to the north or south restore the side, 
 Which at their birth did heat or cold abide; o6a
 
 90 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 So strong is custom ; such eflfects can use 
 In tender souls of pliant plants produce. 
 
 Choose next a province for thy vineyard's reigff, 
 On hills above, or in the lowly plaiu. 
 If fertile fields or valleys be thy choice, 370 
 
 Plant thick ; for bounteous Bacchus will rejoice 
 In close plantations there : but, if the Tine 
 On rising ground be plac'd, or hills supine. 
 Extend thy loose battalions largely wide, 
 Op'ning thy ranks and files on either side, 375 
 
 But marsball'd all in order as they stand ; 
 And let no soldier straggle from his band. 
 As legions in the field their front dLsplay, 
 To try the fortune of some doubtful day. 
 And move to meet their foes with sober pace, 380 
 Strict to their figure, though in wider space, 
 Before the battle joins, while from afar 
 The field yet glitters with the pomp of war, 
 And equal Mars, like an impartial lord. 
 Leaves all to fortune, and the dint of sword — 385 
 So let thy vines in intervals be set, 
 But not their rural discipline forget : 
 Indulge their width, and add a roomy space. 
 That their extremest lines may scarce embrace ; 
 Nor this alone t' indulge a vain delight, 390 
 
 And make a pleasing prospect for the sight ; 
 But, for the ground itself, this only way 
 Can equal vigour to the plants convey. 
 Which, crowded, want the room, their branches to dis- 
 play. 304 
 
 How deep they must be planted wouldst thou know? 
 In shallow furrows vines securely grow. 
 Not so the rest of plants; for Jove's own tree, 
 That holds the woods in awful sov'reignty. 
 Requires a depth of lodging in the ground, 
 And, next the lower skies, a bed profound : 4(I0 
 
 High as his topmast boughs to heav'n ascend. 
 So low his roots to hell's dominion tend. 
 Therefore, nor winds, nor winter's rage, o'erthrows 
 His bulky body : but unmov'd he grows: 
 For length of ages lasts his happy reign ! 405 
 
 And lives of mortal man contend in vain. 
 Full in the midst of his own strength he stands. 
 
 i
 
 GEORGICS, II. 91 
 
 Stretching his brawny arms, and leafy hands; 
 His shade protects the plains; his head the hills com- 
 mands. 
 
 The hurtful hazel in thy vineyard shun ; 410 
 
 Nor plant it to receive the setting sun; 
 Nor break the topmost branches from the tree, 
 Nor prune, with blunted knife, the progeny. 
 Root up wild olives from thy labour'd lands ; 
 For sparkling fire, from hinds" unwary hands, 415 
 Is often scatter'd o'er their unctuous rinds. 
 And after spread abroad by raging winds ; 
 For first the smould'ring flame the trunk receives ; 
 Ascending thence, it crackles in the leaves : 
 At length victorious to the top aspires, 42r 
 
 Involving all the wood in smoky fires; 
 But most, when driv'n by winds, the flaming storm 
 Of the long files destroys the beauteous form. 
 Ill ashes then th' unhappy vineyard lies ; 
 Nor will the blasted plants from ruiu rise ; 42.5 
 
 Nor will the wither'd stock be green again; [phiin. 
 Uut the wild olive shoots, and shades th' ungrateful 
 Be not seduc'd with wisdom's empty shows. 
 To stir the peaceful ground when Boreas blows. 
 When winter frosts constrain the field with cold, 43C 
 The fainty root can take no steady hold. 
 But when the golden spring reveals the year, 
 And the white bird returns, whom serpents fear> 
 That season deem the best to plant thy vines : 
 Next that, is when autumnal warmth decUnes, 435 
 Ere heat is quite decay'd, or cold begun, 
 Or Capricorn admits the winter sun. 
 
 The spring adorns the woods, renews the leases ; 
 The womb of earth the genial seed receives : 
 For then almighty Jove descends, and pours 44<» 
 
 Into his buxom bride his fruitful show'rs ; 
 And, mixing his large limbs with her's, he feeds 
 Her births with kindly juice, and fosters teeming seed:'. 
 'J'hen joyous birds frequent the lonely grove. 
 And beasts, by nature stung, renew their love. 445 
 Then fields the blades of buried corn disclose ; 
 And, while the balmy western spirit blows. 
 Earth to the Ireath her bcyom dares expose.
 
 92 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 With kindly moisture then the plants abound ; 
 
 The grass securely springs above the ground; 450 
 
 The tender twig shoots upward to the skies, 
 
 And on the faith of the new sun relies. 
 
 The swerving vines on the tall elms prevail; 
 
 Unhurt by southern show'rs or northern hail, 454 
 
 They spread their gems, the genial warmth to share, 
 
 And boldly trust their buds in open air. 
 
 In this soft season (let me dare to sing) 
 
 The world was hatch'd by heav'n's imperial king — 
 
 In prime of all the year, and holy-days of spring. 
 
 Then did the new creation tirst appear ; 4ti0 
 
 Nor other was the tenor of the year, 
 
 When laughing heav'n did the great birth attend, 
 
 And eastern winds their wintry breath suspend : 
 
 Then sheep first saw the sun in open fields; 
 
 And savage beasts were sent to stock the wilds ; 4G5 
 
 And golden stars flew up to light the skies ; 
 
 And man's relentless race from stony quarries rise. 
 
 Nor could the tender new creation bear 
 
 Th' excessive heats or coldness of the year. 
 
 But, chill'd by winter, or by summer fir'd, 470 
 
 The middle temper of the spring requir'd. 
 
 When warmth and moisture did at once abound, 
 
 And heav'n's indulgence brooded on the ground. 
 
 For what remains, in depth of earth secure 
 Thy cover'd plants, and dung with hot manure ; 475 
 And shells and gravel in the ground enclose; 
 For thro\igh their hollow chinks the water flows. 
 Which, thus imbib'd, returns in misty dews. 
 And, steaming up, the rising plant renews. 
 Some husbandmen, of late, have found the way, 4a8 
 A hilly heap of stones above to lay. 
 And press the plants with shards of potters' clay. 
 This fence against immod'rate rain they found. 
 Or when the Dog star cleaves the thirsty ground. 
 
 Be mindful, when thou hast entomb'd the shoof, 
 With store of earth around to feed the root; 4k6 
 
 With iron teeth of rakes and prongs, to move 
 The crusted earth, and loosen it above. 
 Then exercise thy sturdy steers to plough 
 Betwixt thy vines, aud teach the feeble row -itO
 
 GEORGICS, II. f'3 
 
 To raoTint on reeds, and wands, and, upward led, 
 
 On ashen poles to raise their forky head. 
 
 On these new cratches let tliein learn to walk, 
 
 Till, swerving upwards with a stronger stalk, 
 
 They brave the winds, and, clinging to their guide, 
 
 On tops of elms at length triumphant ride. 406 
 
 But in their tender nonage, while they spread 
 
 Their springing leaves, and lift their infant head. 
 
 And upward while they shoot in open air, 
 
 Indulge their childhood, and the nurselings spare ; 
 
 Nor exercise thy rage on newborn life : 60 i 
 
 But let thy hand supply the pruning knife. 
 
 And crop luxuriant stragglers, nor be loth 
 
 To strip the branches of their leafy growth. 
 
 But when the rooted vines, wlch steady hold, 505 
 
 Can clasp their elms, then, husbandman, be bold 
 
 To lop the disobedient boughs, that stray'd 
 
 Beyond their ranks : let crooked steel invade 
 
 The lawless troops, which discipline disclaim, 
 
 And their superfluous growth with rigour tame. 310 
 
 Next, fenc'd with hedges and deep ditches round, 
 
 Exclude th' encroaching cattle from thy ground. 
 
 While yet the tender germs but just appear, 
 
 Unable to sustain th' uncertain year ; 
 
 Whose leaves are not alone foul winter's prey, 5ir> 
 
 But oft by summer suns are scorch'd away. 
 
 And, worse than both, become th' unworthy browze 
 
 Of buffaloes, salt goats, and hungry cows. 
 
 For not December's frost, that burns the boughs, 
 
 Nor dog-days' parching heat that splits the rocks, 520 
 
 Are half so harmful as the greedy flocks. 
 
 Their venom'd bite, and scars indented on the stocks. 
 
 For this, the malefactor goat was laid 
 
 On Bacchus' altar, and his forfeit paid. 
 
 At .4th ens thus old comedy began, 5 '25 
 
 When round the streets the reeling actors ran, 
 
 In country villages, and crossing ways. 
 
 Contending for the prizes of their plays; 
 
 And, glad with Bacchus on the grassy soil, 
 
 Leap'd o'er the skins of goats besmear'd with oil. 530 
 
 Thus Roman youth, deriv'd from ruin'd Troy, 
 
 In rude Saturnian rhymes express their joy ;
 
 94 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 With taunts and laughter loud, their audience please, 
 
 Deforra'd with vizards cut from barks ot" trees ; 
 
 In jolly hymns they praise the god of wine, SS/i 
 
 Whose earthen images adorn the pine, 
 
 And there are hung on high, in honour of the vine. 
 
 A madness so devout the vineyard fills : 
 
 In hollow valleys, and on rising hills, 
 
 On whate'er side he turns his honest face, .^40 
 
 And dances in the wind, those fields are in bis 
 
 grace. 
 To Bacchus therefore let ns tnne our lays, 
 And in our mother-tongue resound his praise. 
 Thin cakes in chargers, and a guilty goat, 
 Dragg'd by the horns, be to his altars brought : CiiS 
 Whose offer'd entrails shall his crime reproach, 
 And drip their fatness from the hazel broach. 
 To dress thy vines, new labour is requir'd; 
 Nor must the painful husbandman be tir'd : 
 For thrice, at least, in compass of the year, .'jO 
 
 Thy vineyard must employ the sturdy steer 
 To turn the glebe, besides thy daily pain 
 To break the clods, and make the surface plain, 
 T' unload the branches, or the leaves to thin. 
 That suck the vital moisture of the vine. S/JS 
 
 Thus in a circlo runs the peasant's pain, 
 And the year rolls within itself again. 
 Ev'n in the lowest months when storms have shed 
 From vines the hairy honours of their head, 
 Not then the drudging hind his labour ends, !H)0 
 
 But to the coming year his care extends. 
 Ev'n then the naked vine he persecutes ; 
 His pruning knife at once reforms and cuts. 
 Be first to dig the groimd : be first to burn 
 The branches lopt; and first the props return 50) 
 Into thy house, that bore the burden'd vines ; 
 But last to reap the vintage of thy vines. 
 Twice in the year luxuriant leaves o'ershade 
 Th' encumber'd vine; rough brambles twice invade : 
 Hard labour both [ — Commend the large excess .'iro 
 Of spacious vineyards ; cultivate the less. 
 Besides, in woods the shrubs of prickly thorn, 
 Sallows and reads on banks of rivers born,
 
 GEORGICS, II. 95 
 
 Remain to cut— for vineyards, useful foaud 
 
 To stay thy vines, and fence thy fruitful ground. .575 
 
 Nay, when thy tender trees at length are bound ; 
 
 When peaceful vines from pruninghoolis are free. 
 
 When husbands have survey'd the last degree, 
 
 And utmost file* of plants, and order'd ev'ry tree ; 
 
 Ev'n when they sing at ease in full content, 580 
 
 Insulting o'er the toils they underwent ; 
 
 Yet still they find a future task remain ; 
 
 To turn the soil, and break the clods again : 
 
 And, after all, their joys are unsincere 
 
 While falling rains on ripning grapes they fear. 58.% 
 
 Quite opposite to these are olives found : 
 
 No dressing they require, and dread no wound. 
 
 Nor rakes nor harrows need : but, fix'd below. 
 
 Rejoice in open air, and unconcem'dly grow. 
 
 The soil itself due nourishment supplies: .590 
 
 Plough but the furrows, and the fruits arise. 
 
 Content with small endeavours, till they spring. 
 
 Soft peace they fizure, and sweet plenty bring : 
 
 Then olives plant, and hymns to Pallas sing. 
 
 Thus apple-trees, whose trunks are strong to bear 
 Their spreading boughs, exert themselves in air, 59G 
 Want no supply, but stand secure alone. 
 Not trusting foreign forces, but their own. 
 Till with the ruddy freight the bending branches groan. 
 
 Thus trees of nature, and each common bush, fioo 
 Uncultivated thrive, and with red berries blush. 
 Vile shrubs are shorn for browze : the tow'ring height 
 Of unctuous trees are torches for the night. 
 And shall we donbt (indulging easy^sloth) 
 To sow, to set, and to reform their growth ? 005 
 
 To leave the lofty plants — the lowly kind 
 Are for the shepherd or the sheep design'd. 
 Ev'n humble broom and osiers have their use, 
 And shade for sheep, and food for flocks, produce : 
 Hedges for com, and honey for the bees, 610 
 
 Besides the pleasing prospect of the trees> 
 How goodly looks Cytorus, ever green 
 With boxen groves ! with what delight are seen 
 Narycian woods of pitch, whose gloomy shade 
 Seems for retreat of heav'nly muses made ! Cl"i
 
 96 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 But much more pleasing are those fields to see, 
 That need not ploughs, nor Luman industry. 
 Ev'n cold Caucasian rocks with trees are spread. 
 And wear green forests on their hilly head. 
 Though bending from the blast of eastern storms, 020 
 Though shent their leaves, and shatter'd are their 
 
 arms, 
 Yet heav'n their various plants for use designs — 
 For houses, cedars — and, for shipping, pines — 
 Cypress provides for spokes and wheels of wains. 
 And all for keels of ships, that scour the wat'ry plain-. 
 Willows in twigs are fruitful, elms in leaves ; &2>j 
 The war, from stubborn myrtle, shafts receives — 
 From cornels, jav'lius ; and the tougher yew 
 Receives the bending figure of a bow. 
 Nor box, nor limes, without their use are made, 63o 
 S looth-grain'd, and proper for the turner's trade : 
 Which curious hands may carve, and steel with ease 
 Light alder stems the Po's impetuous tide, [iuvado. 
 And bees in hollow oaks their honey hide. 
 Now, balance, with these gifts, the fumy joys 63.^ 
 Of wine, attended with eternal noise. 
 Wine urg'd to lawless lust the Centaurs' train : 
 Through wine the.v quarrell'd, and through wine were 
 O happy, if he knew his happy state, [slain. 
 
 The swain, who, free from bus'ness and debate, 640 
 Receives his easy food from Nature's hand, 
 And just returns of cultivated land ! 
 No palace, with a lofty gate, he wants, 
 T' admit the tides of early visitants, 
 With eager eyes devouring, as they pass, 64.7 
 
 The breathing figures of Corinthian brass, 
 No statues threaten, from high pedestals; 
 No Per.siHU arras hides his houieiy walls. 
 With antic vests, which, through their shady f.>lJ, 
 Betray the streaks of ill -dissembled gold : 630 
 
 He boasts no wool, whose native white is dy'd 
 With purple poison of As.syrian pride : 
 No costly drugs of Araby defile. 
 With foreign scents, the sweetness of his oil • 
 But easy quiet, a secure retreat, C.T.'i 
 
 A harmless life that knows not how to cheat.
 
 GEORGICS, II. 97 
 
 With borsie-bred plenty, the rich owner bless; 
 
 Ami rural pleasures crown his happiness. 
 
 I'nvex'd with quarrels, undisturL'd with noi=e, 
 
 The country king his peaceful realm enjoys — G60 
 
 Cool grots, and living lakes, the flow'ry pride 
 
 Of meads, and streams that through the valley 
 
 glide. 
 And shady groves that easy sleep invite. 
 And, after toilsome days, a sweet repose at night. 
 Wild beasts of nature in his woods abound; 605 
 
 And youth of labour patient, plough the ground, 
 Jnnr'd to hardship, and to homely fare. 
 Nor venerable age is wanting there. 
 In great examples to the youthful train ; 
 Nor are the gods ador'd with rites profane. 670 
 
 From hence Astreea took her flight, and here 
 The prints of her departing steps appear. 
 
 Ye sacred muses I with whose beauty fir'd, 
 My soul is ravish'd, and my brain inspir'd — 
 Whose priest I am, whose holy fillets wear — 67.5 
 Would you your poet's first petition hear ; 
 Give me the ways of wand'ring stars to know, 
 The depths of heav'n above, and earth below : 
 Teach me the various labours of the moon, 
 And whence proceed th' eclipses of the sun ; 680 
 
 Why flowing tides prevail upon the main. 
 And in what dark recess they shrink again ; 
 What shakes the snlid earth ; what cause delays 
 The summer nights, and shortens winter days. 
 But if my heavy blood restrain the flight es.*) 
 
 Of my free soul, aspiring to the height 
 Of nature, and unclouded fields of light — 
 My next desire is, void of care and strife. 
 To lead a soft, secure, inglorious life — 
 A country cottage near a crystal flood, 600 
 
 A winding valley, and a lofty wood. 
 Corae god conduct me to the sacred shades. 
 Where Bacchanals are sung by Spartan maids. 
 Or lift me high to Haemus' hilly crown, 
 Or in the plains of Tempe lay me down, G9."> 
 
 Or lead me to some solitary place. 
 And cover my retreat from human race. 
 E
 
 98 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Happy the man, who, studying Nature's laws, 
 Through known effects can trace the secret cause — 
 His mind possessing in a quiet state, 7(Hi 
 
 Fearless of Fortune, and resign'd to Fate ! 
 And happy too is he, who decks the bow'rs 
 Of sylvans, and adores the rural powrs — 
 Whose mind, unmov'd, the bribes of courts can 
 
 see. 
 Their glitt'ring baits, and purple slavery — 705 
 
 Nor hopes tlie people's praise, nor fears their 
 
 frown, 
 Nor, when contending kindred tear the crown, 
 Will set up one, or pull another down. 
 
 Without concern he hears, but liears from far, 
 Of tumults, and descents, and distant war ; 710 
 
 Nor with a superstitious fear is aw"d. 
 For what befals at home or what abroad. 
 Nor envies he the rich their happy store. 
 Nor his own peace disturbs with pity for the poor. 
 He feeds on fruits, which of their own accord, 715 
 The willing ground and laden trees afford. 
 From his lov'd home no lucre him can draw ; 
 The senate's mad decrees he never saw : 
 Nor heard, at bawling bars, corrupted law. 
 Some to the seas, and some to camps, resort ; 720 
 And some with impudence invade the court : 
 In foreign countries, others seek renown; 
 With wars and taxes, others waste their own. 
 And houses burn, and household gods deface. 
 To drink in bowls which glitt'ring gems enchase, 725 
 To loll on couches, rich with citron steds, 
 And lay their guilty limbs in Tyrian beds. 
 This wretch In earth entombs his golden ore, 
 Hov'ring and brooding on his buried store. 
 Some patriot fools to pop'lar praise aspire 730 
 
 Of public speeches, which worse fools admire. 
 While, from both benches, with redoubled sounds, 
 Th' applause of lords and commoners abounds. 
 Some, through ambition, or through thirst of gold, 
 Have slain their brothers, or their country sold, T.ij 
 And, leaving their sweet homes, in exile run 
 To lands that lie beneath another sun.
 
 GEORGICS, ir. 99 
 
 The peasant, innocent of all these ills, 
 VVith crooked ploui;hs the fertile fallows tills, 
 And the round year with daily labour fills: 710 
 
 And hence the country markets are supplied : 
 Enough remains for household charge beside. 
 His wife and tender children to sustain. 
 And gratefully to feed his dumb deserving train. 
 Nor cease his labours till the yellow field 745 
 
 A full return of bearded harvest yield — 
 A crop so plenteous, as the land to load, 
 O'errome the crowded bams, and lodge on ricks 
 
 abroad, 
 Thus ev'ry sev'ral season is employ'd. 
 Some spent in toil, and some in ease enjoy'd, 750 
 The yearning ewes prevent the springing year: 
 The laden boughs their fruits in autumn bear : 
 'Tig then the vine her liquid harvest yields, 
 Bak'd in the sunshine of ascending fields. 
 The winter comes; and then the falling mast 755 
 For greedy swine provides a full repast : 
 Then olives, ground in mills, their fatness boast. 
 And winter fruits are mellow'd by the frost. 
 His cares are eas'd with intervals of bliss; 
 His little children, climbing for a kiss, 760 
 
 Welcome their father's late return at night; 
 His faithful bed is crown'd with chaste delight. 
 His kine with swelling udders ready stand. 
 And, lowing for the pail, invite the milker's hand. 
 His wanton kids, with budding horns prepar'd, 763 
 Fight harmless battles in his homely yard : 
 Himself in rustic pomp, on holy days, 
 To rural pow'rs a just oblation pays. 
 And on the green his careless limbs displays. 7C0 
 
 The heartli is in the midst : the herdsmen, round 
 The cheerful fire, provoke his health in goblets crown'd. 
 He calls on Bacchus, and propounds the prize : 
 The groom his fell-jw groom at butts defies. 
 And bends, and levels with his eyes, 
 Or stript for wrestling, smears his limbs with oil, 
 And watches, with a trip, his foe to foil. 770 
 
 Such was the life the frugal Sabines led : 
 So ilemus and his brother-god were bred,
 
 100 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 From whom tli' auHtere Etrurian virtue rose ; 
 
 And this rude Ufe our homely fathers chose. 7^0 
 
 Old Rome from such a race deriv'd her birth 
 
 (The seat of empire, and the conquer'd earth). 
 
 Which now on sev'n high hills triumphant reigns. 
 
 And in that compass all the world contains. 
 
 Ere Saturn's rebel son usurp'd the skies, 785 
 
 When beasts v/ere only slain for sacrifice. 
 
 While peaceful Crete enjoy'd her ancient lord, 
 
 Ere sounding hammers forg'd th' inhuman sword, 
 
 Ere hollow drums were beat, before the breath 
 
 Of brazen trumpets rung the peals of death, 790 
 
 The good old god his hunger did assuage 
 
 With roots and herbs, and gave the golden age. 
 
 IJut, over-labour'd with so long a course, 
 
 'Tis time to set at ease the smoking horse. 
 
 BOOK in. 
 
 This bor.k begins with the invocation of some rural deitirs, and 
 a compliment to All)ru^tus : after which Virgil directs himself 
 to Msi'cenas, au'l enters on his subject. He lays down rules 
 for the breeding and management of horses, oxen, sheep, 
 goats, and doffs ; and interweaves several pleasant descrip- 
 tions of a charioi-race, of the battle of the bulls, of the force 
 of love, and of the Scythian winter. In the latter part of the 
 book, he relates the diseases incident to cattle : and ends with 
 the description of a fatal murrain that formerly raged among 
 the Alps. 
 
 Thy fields, propitious Pales, I rehearse ; 
 And sing thy pastures in no vulgar verse, 
 Amphrysian shepherd ! The Lycaean woods, 
 Arcadia's flow'ry plains, and pleasing floods. 
 
 All other themes, that careless minds invite, 5 
 
 Are worn with use, unworthy me to write. 
 Busiris' altars, and the dire decrees 
 Of hard Eurystheus, ev'ry reader sees : 
 Hylas the boy, Latona's erring isle. 
 And Pelops' iv'ry shoulder, and his toil 10 
 
 For fair Hippodame, with all the rest 
 Of Grecian tales, by poets are express'd. 
 New ways I must attempt, my grov'ling name 
 To raise aloft, and wing my flight to fame.
 
 GEORGICS, III. 101 
 
 I, first of Romans, shall in triumph come. 15 
 
 From conquer'd Greece, and bring her trophies 
 
 home. 
 AV'ith foreign spoils adorn my native place. 
 And with Idume's palms my Mantua grace. 
 Of Parian stone a temple w ill I raise. 
 Where the slow Miacius through the valley strays, 
 Where cooling streams invite the flocks to drink, 21 
 And reeds defend the winding water's brink. 
 Full in the midst shall mighty Caesar standi 
 Hold the chief honours, and the dome command. 
 Then I, conspicuous in my Tyrian gown 21 
 
 (Submitting to his godhead my renown), 
 A hundred coursers from the goal will drive : 
 The rival chariots in the race shall strive. 
 All Greece shall flock from far, my games to see ; 
 The whorlbat, and the rapid race, shall be 30 
 
 Reserv'd for Cajsar, and ordain'd by me. 
 Myself, with olive crown'd, the gifts will bear. 
 Ev'n now methinks the public shouts I hear ; 
 The passing pageants and the pomps appear. 
 I to the temple will conduct the crew, 35 
 
 The sacrifice and sacrificers view. 
 From thence return, attended with my train. 
 Where the proud theatres disclose the scene, 
 W^hich interwoven Britons seem to raise, 
 And shew the triumph which their shame displays. 
 High o'er the gate, in elephant and gold, 41 
 
 The crowd shall Ca;sars Indian war behold: 
 The Nile shall flow beneath ; and on the side 
 His shatter'd ships on brazen pillars ride. 
 Next him Niphates, with inverted urn, 45 
 
 And drooping sedge, shall his Armenian mourn ; 
 And Asian cities in our triumph borne. 
 W'ith backward bows the Parthians shall be there, 
 And, spurring from the fight, confess their fear. 
 A double wreath shall crown our Ca-sar's brows — 
 Two difi"ring trophies, from two ditf'reut foes. 51 
 Europe with Afric in his fame shall join ; 
 But neither shore his conquests shall cojifine. 
 The Parian marble there shall seem to move 
 111 breathing statues, not unworthy Jove, 55
 
 102 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Resembling heroes, whose ethereal root 
 
 Is Jove himself, and Ceesar is tVie fruit. 
 
 Tros and his race the sculptor shall employ ; 
 
 And he, the god who built the walls of Troy. 
 
 Envy herself at last, grown pale and dumb CO 
 
 (By Caesar combated and overcome), 
 
 Shall give her hands, and fear the curling snakes 
 
 Of lashing Furies, and the burning lakes ; 
 
 The pains of famish'd Tantalus shall feel. 
 
 And Sisyphus, that labours up the hill 6.i 
 
 The rolling rock in vain ; and curst Ixion's wheel. 
 
 Meantime we must pursue the sylvan lands 
 (Th' abode of nymphs), untouch'd by former hands: 
 For such, Maecenas, are thy hard commands. 
 Without thee, nothing lofty can I sing. 70 
 
 Come then, and, with thyself, thy genius bring, 
 With which inspir'd, I brook no dull delay : 
 Cithaeron loudly calls me to my way ; 
 Thy hounds, Tayg'tus, open, and pursue their prey. 
 High Epidaurus urges on my speed, 75 
 
 Fam'd for his hills, and for his horses' breed: 
 From hills and dales the cheerful cries rebound ; 
 For Echo hunts along, and propagates the sound. 
 
 A time will come, when my maturer muse. 
 In Cesar's wars, a nobler theme shall choose, 80 
 
 And tlirough more ages bear my sov'reign's praise, 
 Than have from Tithon past to Caesar's days. 
 
 The gen'rous youth, who, studious of the prize, 
 The race of running coursers multiplies, 
 Or to the plough the sturdy bullock breeds, 85 
 
 May know that from the dam the worth of each pro- 
 ceeds. 
 The mother cow must wear a lowering look. 
 Sour-headed, strongly neck'd, to bear the yoke. 
 Her double dewlap from her chin descends, 
 And at her thighs the pondrous burden ends. 90 
 
 Long are her sides, and large ; her limbs are great; 
 Rough are her ears, and broad her horny feet. 
 Her colour shining black, Init fleck'd with white ; 
 She tosses from the yoke ; provokes the fight: 
 She rises in her guit, is free from fears, 95 
 
 And in her face a bull's resemblance bears :
 
 GEORGICS, III. 103 
 
 Her ample forehead with a star is crown'd; 
 
 And with her length of tail ?he sweeps the ground, 
 
 The bull's insult at four she may sustain ; 
 
 But, after ten, from nuptial rites refrain. 100 
 
 Six seasons use •, but then release the cow. 
 
 Unfit for love, and for the lab'riug plough. 
 
 Now, while their youth is fiU'd with kindly fire, 
 Submit thy females to the lusty sire : 
 Watch the quick motions of the frisking tail ; 105 
 Then serve their fury with the rushing male. 
 Indulging pleasure, lest the breed should fail. 
 
 In youth alone, unhappy mortals live; 
 But, ah ! the mighty bliss is fugitive : 
 Discolour'd sickness, anxious labour, come, 110 
 
 And age, and death's inexorable doom. 
 
 Yearly thy herds in vigour will impair. 
 Recruit and mend them with thy yearly Cire : 
 Still propagate ; for still they fall away : 
 'Tis prudence to prevent th' entire decay. 115 
 
 Like diligence requires the courser's race, 
 In early choice, and for a longer space. 
 The colt that for a stallion is design'd. 
 By sure presages shews his gen'rous kind : 
 Of able body, sound of limb and wind, 120 
 
 Upright he walks, on pasterns firm and straight; 
 His motions easy ; prancing in his gait ; 
 The first to lead the way, to tempt the flood, [wood ; 
 To pass the bridge unknown, nor fear the trembling 
 Dauntless at empty noises; lofty-neck'd ; 125 
 
 Sharp-headed, barrel-bellied, broadly-back'd : 
 Brawny his chest, and deep ; his colour gray ; 
 For beauty, dappled ; or the brightest bay : 
 Faint white and dun wUl scarce the rearing pay. 
 
 The fiery courser, when he hears from far 130 
 
 The sprightly trumpets, and the shouts of war. 
 Pricks up his ears ; and trembles with delight. 
 Shifts place, and paws, and hopes the promis'd fight. 
 On his right shoulder his thick mane reclin'd, 
 Ruffles at speed, and dances in the wind. 135 
 
 His horny hoofs are jetty black, and round; 
 His chine is double : starting with a bound 
 He tarns the turf, and shakes the solid ground.
 
 104 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Fire from bis eyes, clouds from his nostrils flow ; 
 He bears his rider headlong on the foe. 1 iO 
 
 Such was the steed in Grecian poets fam'd, 
 Proud Cyllarus, by Spartan Pollux tam'd ; 
 Such coursers bore to fight the god of Thrace ; 
 And such, Achilles, was thy warlike race. 
 In such a shape, grim Saturn did restrain 145 
 
 His heav'nly limbs, and flow'd with such a mane. 
 When, half-surpris'd, and fearing to be seen, 
 The lecher gallop'd from his jealous queen. 
 Ran up the ridges of the rocks amain, Hi) 
 
 And with shrill neighings fiU'd the neigbb'ring plain. 
 
 But worn with years, when dire diseases come. 
 Then hide his not ignoble age at home. 
 In peace t' enjoy his former palms and pains; 
 And gratefully be kind to his remains. 
 For, when his blood no youthful spirits move. 155 
 He languishes and labours in his love ; 
 And, wheu the sprightly steed should swiftly conje. 
 Dribbling he drudges, and defrauds the womb. 
 In vain he burns, like hasty stubble fires, 
 And in himself his former self requires. 160 
 
 His age and courage weigh ; nor those alone ; 
 But note his father's virtues and his own : 
 Observe, if he disdains to yield the prize, 
 Of loss impatient, proud of victories. 
 
 Hast thou beheld, when from the goal they start, 
 The youthful charioteers with heaving heart 166 
 
 Rush to the race ; and, panting, scarcely bear 
 Th' extremes of fev'rish hope and chilling fear ; 
 Stoop to the reins, and lash with all their force 1 
 The Hying chariot kindles in the course : 170 
 
 And now alow, and now aloft, they fly, 
 As borne through air, and seem to touch the sky. 
 No stop, no stay : but clouds of sand arise, 
 Spuru'd and cast backward on the followers' eyes. 
 The hindmost blows the foam upon the first: 175 
 
 Such is the love of praise, an honourable thirst. 
 
 Bold Ericthoiiius was the first who join'd 
 Four horses for the rapid race desigu'd, 
 And o'er the dusty wheels presiding sate : 
 The Lapithu3, to chariots, add the state 1«0
 
 GEOR(iICS, III. 105 
 
 Of bits :ind bridles ; taught the steed to bound. 
 To run tiie ring, and trace the mazy round ; 
 To stop, to flj-, the rules of war to know ; 
 T' obey the rider, and to dare the foe. 
 
 To choose a youthful steed vith courage fird, 185 
 To breed him, break him, back him, are requir'd 
 Experienc'd masters ; and in sundry ways, 
 Their labours equal, and alike their praise. 
 Bat, once again, the batter'd hr.rse beware : 
 The weak old stallion v.ill deceive thy care, lf)0 
 
 Though famous in his youth for force and speed, 
 Or was of Argos or Epirian breed. 
 Or did from Neptune's race, or from himself proceed. 
 
 These things premis'd, when now the nuptial time 
 Approaches for the stately steed to climb, 190 
 
 With food enable him to make his court ; 
 Distend his chine, and pamper him for sport: 
 Feed him with herbs, whatever thou canst find. 
 Of gen'rous warmth, and of salacious kind; 
 Then water him, and (drinking what he can) 200 
 Encourage him to thirst again, with bran. 
 Instructed thus, produce him to the fair, 
 And join in wedlock to the longing mare. 
 For, if the sire be faint, or out of case. 
 He will be copied in his famish'd race, 20.'> 
 
 And sink beneath the pleasing task assign'd : 
 (For all's too little for the craving kind). 
 
 A.S for the females, with industrious care 
 Take down their mettle, keep them lean and bare : 
 When conscious of their past delight, and keen '21fi 
 To take the leap, and prove the sport again. 
 With scanty measure then supply their food; 
 And, when athirst, restrain them from the flood : 
 Their bodies harass ; sink them when they run ; 
 And fry their melting marrow in the sun. 215 
 
 Starve them, when barns beneath their burden 
 
 groan, 
 And winnow'd chaff by western winds is blown; 
 For fear the rarikness of the swelling womb 
 Should scant the passage, and confine the room : 
 Lest the fat furrows should the sense destroy 220 
 
 Of genial lust, and dull the seat of joy. 
 E2
 
 lOG THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Rut let them suck the seed with greedy force, 
 And close involve the vigour of the liorse. 
 
 The male has done: Tby care must now proceed 
 To teeming females, and the promis'd breed. v25 
 
 First let them run at large, and never know 
 The taming yoke, or draw the crooked plough. 
 Let them not leap the ditch, or swim the flood, 
 Or lumber o'er the meads, or cross the wood; 
 But range the forest, by the silver side 230 
 
 Of some cool stream, where nature shall provide 
 Green grass and fatt'ning clover for their fare. 
 And mossy caverns for their noontide lair. 
 With rocks above, to shield the sharp nocturnal air. 
 
 About th' Alburnian groves, with holly green, "idS 
 Of winged insects mighty swarms are seen : 
 This flying plague (to mark its quality) 
 CEstros the Grecians call — Asylus, we — 
 A fierce loud-buzzing breeze — their stings draw 
 
 blood, 
 And drive the cattle gadding through the wood, 240 
 Seiz'd with unusual pains, they loudly cry : 
 Tanagrus hastens thence, and leaves his channel dry. 
 This curse the jealous Juno did invent. 
 And first employ'd for lo's pimishment. 
 To shun this ill, the cunning leach ordains, 245 
 
 In summer's sultry heats (for then it reigns), 
 To feed the females ere the sun arise. 
 Or late at night, when stars adorn the skies. 
 When she has calv'd, then set the dam aside, 
 And for the tender progeny provide. 250 
 
 Distinguish all betimes with branding fire, 
 To note the tribe, the lineage, and the sire ; 
 Whom to reserve for husband of the herd; 
 Or who shall be to sacrifice preferr'd ; 
 Or whom thou shalt to turn thy glebe allow, 255 
 
 To smooth the furrows, and sustain the plough : 
 The rest, for whom no lot is yet decreed, 
 May run in pastures, and at pleasure feed. 
 The calf, by nature and by genius made 
 To turn the glebe, breed to the rural trade. 2<j0 
 
 Set him betimes to school ; and let him be 
 Instructed there in rules of husbandry.
 
 GEORGICS, III. 107 
 
 While yet his youth is flexible and green, 
 
 Nor bad examples of the world has seen. 
 
 Early begin the stubborn child to break ; 2C5 
 
 For his soft neck, a supple collar make 
 
 Of bending osiers ; and (with time and care 
 
 Inur'd that easy servitude to bear) 
 
 Thy flatt'ring method on the youth pursue : 
 
 Join'd with his school-fellows by two and two, 270 
 
 Persuade them first to lead an empty wheel. 
 
 That scarce the dust can raise, or they can feel : 
 
 In length of time produce the lab'ring yoke, 
 
 And shining shares, that make the furrow smoke. 
 
 Ere the licentious youth be thus restrain'd, 275 
 
 Or moral precepts on their minds have gain'd, 
 
 Their wanton appetites not only feed 
 
 With delicates of leaves, and marshy weed, 
 
 But with thy sickle reap the rankest land. 
 
 And minister the blade with bounteous liand : 280 
 
 Nor be with harmful parsimony won 
 
 To follow what our homely sires have done. 
 
 Who lill'd the pail with beestings of the cow ; 
 
 But all her udder to the calf allow. 
 
 If to the warlike steed thy studies bend, 285 
 
 Or for the prize in chariots to contend. 
 Near Pisa's flood the rapid wheels to guide. 
 Or in Olympian groves aloft to ride, 
 The gen'rous labours of the courser, first, 289 
 
 Must be with sight of arms and sounds of trumpets 
 Inur'd the groaning axle-tree to bear ; [nurs'd ; 
 
 And let him clashing whips in stables hear. 
 Soothe him with praise, and make him understand 
 The loud applauses of his master's hand : 
 This, from his weaning, let him well be taught ; 295 
 And then betimes in a soft snaffle wrought, 
 Before his tender joints with nerves are knit. 
 Untried in arms, and trembling at the bit. 
 But, when to four full springs his years advance, 
 Teach him to run the ground, with pride to prance. 
 And (rightly manag'd) equal time to beat, 301 
 
 To turn, to bound in measure, and curvet. 
 Let him to this, with easy pains be brouglit, 
 And seem to labour, when he labours not.
 
 lOS THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Thus form'd for speed, be challenges the wind, 305 
 ^nd leaves the Scythian arrow far behind : 
 He scours along the iield, with loosen'd reins, 
 And treads so light, be scarcely prints the plains 
 Like Boreas in his race, when, rushing forth. 
 He sweeps the skies, and clears the cloudy north : 
 The waving harvest bends beneath his blast; 311 
 The forest shakes ; the groves their honours cast ; 
 He flies aloft, and with impetuous roar 
 Pursues the foaming surges to the shore. 
 Thus, o'er th' Elean plains, thy well-breath'd horse 
 Impels the flying car^ and wins the course ; 31t5 
 
 Or, bred to Belgian waggons, leads the way, 
 Untir'd at night, and cheerful all the day. 
 
 When once he's broken, feed him full and high; 
 Indulge his growth, and his gaunt sides supply. 320 
 Before his training, keep him poor and low ; 
 For his stout stomach with his food will grow : 
 The pamper'd colt will di.-?cipline disdain. 
 Impatient of the lash, and restiff to the rein. 324 
 
 Wouldst thou their courage and their strength ira- 
 Too soon they must not feel the stings of love, [prove, 
 Whether the bull or courser be thy care. 
 Let him not leap the cow, or mount the mare. 
 The youthful bull must wander in the wood 
 Behind the mountain or beyond the flood, 339 
 
 Or in the stall at home his fodder find, 
 Far from the charms of that alluring kind. 
 AVith two fair eyes his mistress burns his breast : 
 He looks, and languishes, and leaves his rest. 
 Forsakes his fond, and, pining for the lass, SSS 
 
 Is joyless of the grove, and spurns the growing grass. 
 The soft seducer, with enticing looks, 
 The bellowing rivals to the fight provokes. 
 
 A beauteous heifer in the wood is bred : 
 The stooping warriors, aiming head to head, 340 
 
 Engage their clashing horns : with dreadful sound 
 The forest rattles, and the rocks rebound ; 
 They fence, they push, and, pushing, loudly roar : 
 Their dewlaps and their sides arc bathed in gore. 
 Nor, when the war is over, is it peace ; 
 Nor will the vauquish'd bull his claim release :
 
 GEORGICS, III. 109 
 
 But, feeding in bis breast his ancient fires, 
 And cursing fate, from his proud foe retires. 
 Driv'n frora bis native land to foreign grounds, 
 He with a gcn'rous rage, resents his wounds, 350 
 
 His ignominious flight, the victor's boast, [lost. 
 
 And, more than both, the loves which unreveng'd he 
 Often he turns his eyes, and, with a groan, 
 Surveys the pleasing kingdoms, once his own : 
 And therefore to repair his strength he tries, 355 
 
 Hard'ning his limbs with painful exercise ; 
 And rough upon the flinty rock he lies. 
 On prickly leaves and on sharp herbs he feeds, 
 Then to the prelude of a war proceeds. 
 His horns yet sore, he tries against a tree, 360 
 
 And meditates his absent enemy. 
 He snuffs the wind; his heels the sand excite ; 
 But, when he stands collected in his might. 
 He roars, and promises a more successful light. 
 Then, to redeem tis honour at a blow, 365 
 
 He moves his camp, to meet his careless foe. 
 Not with more madness, rolling from afar. 
 The spumy waves proclaim the wat'ry war. 
 And mounting upwards, with a mighty roar, 
 March onwards and insult the rocky shore. 370 
 
 They mate the middle region with their height. 
 And fall no less than with a mount;iin's weight; 
 The waters boil, and, belching from below. 
 Black sands, as from a forceful engine, throw. 
 
 Thus ev'ry creature, and of ev'ry kind, 375 
 
 The secret joys of sweet coition find. 
 Not only man's imperial race, but they 
 That wing the liquid air, or swim the sea. 
 Or haunt the desert, rush into the flame: 
 For Love is lord of all, and is in all the same. 380 
 
 'Tis with this rage, the mother lion stung. 
 Scours o'er the plain, regardless of her young; 
 Demanding rites of love, she sternly stalks. 
 And hunts her lover in his lonely walks. 
 'Tis then the shapeless bear his den forsakes ; 385 
 In woods and fields, a wild destruction makes: 
 Boars with their tusks ; to battle tigers move, 
 Eurag'd with hunger, more enrag'd with love.
 
 110 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Then woe to him, that, in the desert land 
 
 Of Libya, travels o'er the burning sand! 390 
 
 The stallion snuffs the well-known scent afar, 
 
 And snorts and trembles for the distant mare ; 
 
 Nor bits nor bridles can his rage restrain ; 
 
 And rugged rocks are interpos'd in vain : 
 
 He makes his way o'er mountains, and contemns 395 
 
 Unruly torrents, and unforded streams. 
 
 The bristled boar, who feels the pleasing wound. 
 
 New grinds his aiming tusks, and digs the ground. 
 
 The sleepy lecher shuts his little eyes ; 
 
 Aliout his charming chaps the frothy bubbles rise: 
 
 He rubs his sides against a tree, prepares 401 
 
 And hardens both his shoulders for the wars. 
 
 What did the youth when Love's unerring dart, 
 
 Transfixed his liver, and inllam'd his heart? 
 
 Alone, by night, his wat'ry way he took : 405 
 
 About him, and above, the billows broke : 
 
 The sluices of the sky were open spread ; 
 
 And rolling thunder rattled o'er his head. 
 
 The raging tempests call'd him back in vain, 
 
 And ev'ry boding omen of the main: 41 
 
 Nor could his kindred, nor the kindly force 
 
 Of weeping parents, change his fatal course ; 
 
 No not the dying maid, who must deplore 
 
 His floating carcase on the Sestian shore. 
 
 I pass the wars that spotted lynxes make 4 IT) 
 
 With their fierce rivals for the female's sake. 
 The howling wolves', the mastiffs' am'rous rage ; 
 When ev'n the fearful stag dares for his hind engage. 
 But, far above the rest, the furious mare, 
 Barr'd from the male, is frantic with despair : 420 
 For, when her pouting vent declares her pain, 
 She tears the harness, and she rends the rein. 
 For this (when Venus gave them rage and pow'r), 
 Their master's mangled members they devour. 
 Of love defrauded in their longing hour. 42.5 
 
 For love they force through thickets of the wood, 
 They climb the steepy hills and stem the flood. 
 
 When at the spring's approach their marrow 
 burns 
 (For with the spring their genial warmth rcturn.s),
 
 GEORGICS, in. Ill 
 
 The mares to cliffs of ragged rock.-; repiiir, 4.: ! 
 
 And with wide nostrils snuff the western air : 
 
 When (wondrous to relate !) the parent wind. 
 
 Without the stallion, propagates the kind. 
 
 Then, lir'd with ara'rous rage, they take their flight 
 
 Through plains, and mount the hills' unequal height I 
 
 Nor to the north, nor to the rising sun, 430 
 
 Kor southward to the rainy regions, mn, 
 
 But boring to the west, and hov'riug there. 
 
 With gaping mouths, they draw prolific air, 
 
 V/ith which impregnate, from their groins they shed 
 
 A slimy juice, by false conception bred, 4-h 
 
 The shepherd knows it well, and calls by name 
 
 Hippomanes, to note the mother's flame. 
 
 This gather'd in the planetary hour,» 
 
 With noxious weeds, and spell'd with words of 
 
 pow'r, 443 
 
 Dire stepuames in the magic bowl infuse, 
 And mix, for deadly draughts, the pois'nous juice. 
 
 But time is lost, which never will renew. 
 While we too far tiie pleasing path pursue, 
 Surveying nature with too nice a view. 450 
 
 Let this sufiice for herds ; our following care 
 Shall woolly flocks and shaggy goats declare. 
 Nor can I doubt what toil I must bestow 
 To raise my subject from a ground so low ; 
 And the mean matter, which my theme affords, 4.ij 
 T' embellish with magnificence of words. 
 But the commanding muse ray chariot guides. 
 Which o'er the dubious cliff securely rides ; 
 And pleas'd I am, no beaten road to take. 
 But first the way to new discov'ries make. 400 
 
 Now, sacred Pales, in a lofty strain 
 I sing the rural honours of thy reign. 
 First, with assiduous care, from winter keep. 
 Well fodder'd in the stalls, thy tender sheep : 
 Then spread with straw the bedding of the fold, 463 
 With fern beneath to 'fend the bitter cold; 
 That free from gouts thou may'st preserve thy care. 
 And clear from scabs, produc'd by freezing air. 
 Next let thy goats ofliciously be uurs'd. 
 And led to living streams, to quench their thirst. 470
 
 112 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Feed tliem with winter browze; and, for tlieir lair, 
 
 A cote, that opens to the south, prepare; 
 
 Where basking in the sunshine they may lie. 
 
 And the short remnants of his heat enjoy. 
 
 This during winter's drisly reign be done, 47'3 
 
 Till the new Ram receives th' exalted sun : 
 
 For hairy goats of equal profit are 
 
 With woolly sheep, and ask an equal care. 
 
 'Tis true, the fleece, when drunk with Tyrian juice, 
 
 Is dearly sold ; but not for needful use; 480 
 
 For the salacious goat increases more. 
 
 And twice as largely yields her milky store. 
 
 The still-distended udders never fail. 
 
 But, when they seem exhausted, swell the pail. 
 
 Meantime the pastor shears their hoary beards, 485 
 
 And eases of their hair the loaden herds. 
 
 Their cam'lots, warm in tents, the soldier hold. 
 
 And shield the shiv'riug mariner from cold. 
 
 On shrubs they browze, and on tlie bleaky top 
 Of rugged hills, the thorny bramble crop. 490 
 
 Attended with their bleating kids, they come 
 At night, unask'd, and mindful of their home; 
 And scarce their swelling bags the threshold over- 
 come. 
 So much the more thy diligence bestow 
 In depth of winter, to defend the snow, 495 
 
 By how much less the tender helpless kind. 
 For their own ills, can fit provision find. 
 Then minister the browze with bounteous hand; 
 And open let thy stacks all winter stand. 
 But, when the western winds with vital pow'r ."iOO 
 Call forth the tender grass and budding flow'r, 
 Then, at the last, produce in open air 
 Both flocks : and send them to their summer fare. 
 Before the sun while Hesperus appears. 
 First let them sip from herbs the pearly tears 505 
 
 Of morning dews, and after break their fast 
 On green -sward ground — a cool and grateful taste. 
 But when the day's fourth hour has drawn the dews, 
 And the sun's sultry heat their thirst renews; 
 When creaking grasshoppers on shrubs complain, 510 
 Then lead them to their wat'ring troughs again.
 
 GEORGICS.llI. Hi 
 
 In summer's heat, some bending valley find, 
 
 Clos'd from the sun, but open to the wind ; 
 
 Or seek some ancient oak, whose arms extend 
 
 In ample breadth, thy cattle to defend ; 515 
 
 Or solitary grove, or gloomy glade, 
 
 To shield them with its venerable shade. 
 
 Once more to wat'ring lead ; and feed agaiii 
 
 When the low sun is sinking to the main. 
 
 When rising Cynthia sheds her silver dews, 520 
 
 And the cool ev'ning-bree/e the meads renews, 
 
 When linnets fill the woods with tuneful sound. 
 
 And hollow shores the halcyon's voice rebound. 
 
 Why should my muse enlarge on Libyan swr.ins. 
 Their scatter'd cottages, and ample plains, 5-25 
 
 Where oft the flocks without a leader stray, 
 Or through continu'd deserts take their way, 
 And, feeding, add the length of night to day ? 
 Whole months they wander, grazing as they go ; 
 Nor folds nor hospitable harbour know ; 530 
 
 Such an extent of plains, so vast a space 
 Of wilds unknown, and of untasted gra:<s. 
 Allures their eyes : the shepherd last appears, 
 And with him all his patrimony bears. 
 His house, and household gods, his trade of war, 535 
 His bow and quiver, and his trusty cur. 
 Thus, under heavy arms, the youth of Rome 
 Their long laborious marches overcome, 
 Cheerly their tedious travels undergo. 
 And pitch their sudden camp before the foe. 540 
 
 Not so the Scythian shepherd tends his fold. 
 Nor he who bears in Thrace the bitter cold, 
 Nor he who treads the bleak Meeotian strand. 
 Or where proud ister rolls his yellow sand. 
 Early they stall their flocks and herds; for there 545 
 No grass the fields, no leaves the forests, wear : 
 The frozen earth, lies buried there, below, 
 A hilly heap, sev'n cubits deep in snow; 
 And all the west allies of stormy Boreas blow. 
 
 The sun from far peeps with a sickly face, 550 
 Too weak, the clouds and mighty fogs to chase, 
 When up the skies he shoots his rosy head. 
 Or in the ruddy ocean j-eeks his bed.
 
 lU THE WORKS OV VIRGIL. 
 
 S wift rivers are with sudden ice constrain'd ; 
 And studded wheels are on its back sustain'd ; 555 
 A hostry now for waggons, which before 
 Tall ships of burden on its bosom bore. 
 The brazen cauldrons with the frost are flaw'd; 
 The garment, stiff with ice, at hearths is thaw'd ; 
 "With axes first they cleave the wine; and thence, 
 By weight, the solid portions they dispense. 561 
 
 From locks uncomb'd, and from the frozen beard. 
 Long icicles depend, and crackling sounds are heard. 
 Meantime perpetual sleet, and driving snow. 
 Obscure the skies, and hang on herds below ; 5G5 
 The starving cattle perish in their stalls ; 
 Huge oxen stand enclos'd in wintry walls 
 Of snow congeal'd ; whole herds are buried there 
 Of mighty stags, and scarce their horns appear. 
 The dext'rous huntsman wounds not these afar 570 
 With shafts or darts, or makes a distant war 
 With dogs, or pitches toils to stop their flight. 
 But close engages in unequal fight : 
 And, while thej' strive in vain to make their way 
 Through hills of snow, and pitifully bray, 575 
 
 Assaults with dint of sword, or pointed spears, 
 And homeward, on his back, the joyful burden bears. 
 The men to subterranean caves retire, 
 Secure from cold, and crowd the cheerful fire : 
 With trunks of elms and oaks the hearth they load, 
 Nor tempt th' inclemency of heav'n abroad. 581 
 
 Their jovial nights in frolics and in play 
 They pass, to drive the tedious hours away, 
 And their cold stomachs with crown'd goblets cheer 
 Of windy cider, and of barmy beer. 585 
 
 Such are the cold Ripheean race, and such 
 The savage Scythian, and unwarlike Dutch, 
 Where skins of beasts the rude barbarians wear, 
 The spoils of foxes, and the furry bear. 
 
 Is wool thy care, let not thy cattle go 590 
 
 Where bushes are, where burs and thistles grow ; 
 TSIor in too rank a pasture let them feed : 
 Then of the purest white select thy breed. 
 Ev'n though a snowy ram thou shalt behold. 
 Prefer bim not in haste, for husband to thy fold : 595
 
 GEOKGICS, III. 115 
 
 But searcli his mouth ; and if a swarthy tongue 
 
 Is underneath his humid palate hung^. 
 
 Reject him, lest he darken all the flock ; 
 
 And substitute another from thy stock. 
 
 'Twas thus, with fleeces milky-white, (if we COO 
 
 May trust report) Pan, god of Arcady, 
 
 Did bribe thee, Cynthia ; nor didst thou disdain, 
 
 When call'd in woody shades, to cure a lover's pain. 
 
 If milk be thy design, with plenteous hand 
 Bring clover-grass; and from the marshy land 60.5 
 Salt herbage for the fodd'ring rack provide. 
 To fill their bags and swell the milky tide. 
 These raise their thirst, and to the taste restore 
 The savour of the salt on which they fed before. 609 
 
 Some, when the kids their dams too deeply drain. 
 With gags and muzzles their soft mouths restrain. 
 Their morning milk the peasants press at night; 
 Their ev'ning meal, before the rising light, 
 To market bear; or sparingly they steep 
 With seas'ning salt, and stor'd for winter keep. 615 
 
 Nor, last, forget thy faithful dogs : but feed 
 With fatfning whey the mastiff's genrous breed. 
 And Spartan race, who for the fold's relief, 
 Will persecute with cries the nightly thief. 
 Repulse the prowling wolf, and hold at bay G'20 
 
 The mountain robbers rushing to the prey. 
 With cries of hounds, thou may'st pursue the fear 
 Of flying hares, and chase the fallow deer, 
 Rouse from their desert dens the bristled rage 
 Of boars, and beamy stags in toils engage. C'io 
 
 With smoke of burning cedar scent thy walls. 
 And fume with stinking galbanum thy stalls, 
 With that rank odour from thy dwelling place 
 To drive the viper's brood, and all the veuom'd race. 
 For often, xmder stalls unraov'd they lie 630 
 
 Obicure in shades, and shunning heuv'n's broad eye : 
 And snakes, familiar to the hearth succeed, 
 Disclose their eggs, and near the chimney breed— 
 Whether to roofy houses they repair. 
 Or sun themselves abrotid in open air, 635 
 
 In all abodes of pestilential kind 
 To sheep aud oxen, and the painful hind.
 
 116 THE WORKS OP VIRGIL. 
 
 Take, shepherd, take a plant of stuhborn oak. 
 
 And labour Lim with many a sturdy stroke ; 
 
 Or with hard stones demolish from afar C40 
 
 His haughty crest, the seat of all the war; 
 
 Invade his hissing throat, and winding spires; 
 
 Till, stretch'd in length, th' unfolded foe rethes. 
 
 He drags his tail, and for his head provides. 
 
 And in some secret cranny slowly glides ; GiU 
 
 But leaves expos'd to blows his back and batter'd sides. 
 
 In fair Calabria's woods a snake is bred. 
 With curling crest, and with advancing head : 
 Waving he rolls, and makes a winding track ; 
 His belly spotted, burnish'd is his back ; CoO 
 
 While springs are broken, while the southern ait 
 And dropping heav'ns the moisten'd earth rt-pair, 
 He lives on standing lakes and trembling bogs, 
 And fills his maw with fish, or with loquacious frogs: 
 But when in muddy pools the water sinks, 053 
 
 And the chapp'd earth is furrow'd o'er with chiuks, 
 He leaves the fens, and leaps upon the ground, 
 And, hissing, rolls his glaring eyes around. 
 With thirst inflam'd, impatient of the heats, CSS 
 
 He rages in the fields, and wide destruction threats. 
 O ! let not sleep my closing eyes invade 
 In open plains, or in the secret shade. 
 When he, renew'd in all the speckled pride 
 Of pompous youth, has cast his slough aside, 
 And in his summer liv'ry rolls along, 065 
 
 Erect and brandishing his forky tongue, 
 Leaving his nest, and his imperfect young, 
 And, thoughtless of his eggs, forgets to rear. 
 The hopes of poison for the following year. 
 
 The causes and the signs shall next be told, (i/O 
 Of ev'ry sickness that infects the fold. 
 A scabby tetter on their pelts will stick. 
 When the raw rain has pierc'd them to the qui. k, 
 Or searching frosts have eaten through the skin. 
 Or burning icicles are lodg'd within ; 67.5 
 
 Or, when the fleece is shorn, if sweat remains 
 Unwash'd, and soaks into their empty veins ; 
 When their defenceless limbs the brambles tear, 
 Short of their wool, and naked from the shear. 6r9
 
 GE0RGIC3, III. 117 
 
 Good shepherds, after shearing, drench their sheep: 
 And their flock's fatber (forc'd from high to leap) 
 Swims down the stream, and plunges in the deep. 
 They oint their naked limbs with mother'd oil ; 
 Or, from the founts where living sulphurs boil. 
 They mix a nied'cine to foment their limbs, C35 
 
 With scum that on the molten silver swims : 
 Fat pitch, and black bitumen, add to these, 
 Besides the waxen labour of the bees. 
 And hellebore, and squills deep-rooted in the seas. 
 Receipts abound ; but, searching all thy store, 699 
 The best is still at hand, to lance the sore. 
 And cut the head ; for, till the core be found. 
 The secret vice is fed, and gathers ground. 
 While, making fruit'ess moan, the shepherd stands. 
 And when the lancing-knife requires his hands, 695 
 Vain help, with idle pray'rs, from heav'n demands. 
 Deep in their bones when fevers fix their seat, 
 And rack their limbs, and lick the vital heat. 
 The ready cure to cool the raging pain 
 Is underneath the foot to breathe a vein. 700 
 
 This remedy the Scythian shepherds found ; 
 Th' inhabitants of Thracia's hilly ground. 
 And Gelons use it, when for drink and food 
 They mix their curdled milk with horses' blood. 
 
 But, where thou seest a single sheep remain 705 
 In shades aloof, or couch'd upon the plain. 
 Or listlessly to crop the tender grass. 
 Or late to lag behind with truant pace ; 
 Revenge the crime, and take the traitor's head, 709 
 Ere in the faultless flock the dire contagion spread. 
 
 On winter seas we fewer storms behold. 
 Than foul diseases that infect the fold. 
 Nor do those ills on single bodies prey, 
 But oft'ner bring the nation to decay, 714 
 
 And sweep the present stock and future hope away. 
 
 A dire example of this truth appears. 
 When, after such a length of rolling yeara. 
 We see the naked Alps, and thin remains 
 Of scatter'd cots, and yet unpeopled plains, 
 Once fiU'd with grazing flocks, the shepherds* happy 
 reisns. 720
 
 118 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Here, from the vicious aii and sickly skies, 
 A plague did on the dumb creation rise ; 
 During th' autumnal heats th' infection grew. 
 Tame cattle and the beasts of nature slew, 
 Pois'ning the standing lakes, and pools impure ; 7*25 
 Nor was the foodful grass in fields secure. 
 Strange death ! for, when the thirsty fire had drunk 
 Their vital blood, and the dry nerves were shrunk. 
 When the contracted limbs were cramp'd, ev'n then 
 A wat'rish humour sweil'd and ooz'd again, 730 
 
 Converting into bane the kindly juice, 
 Ordain'd by Nature for a better use. 
 The victim ox, that was for altars prest, 
 Trimm'd with white ribands, and with garlands 
 
 drest. 
 Sunk of himself, without the gods' command, 73.'5 
 Preventing the slow sacrificer's hand. 
 Or, by the holy butcher if he fell, 
 Th' inspect'd entrails could no fates foretel; 
 Nor, laid on altars, did pvire flames arise ; 
 But clouds of smould'ring smoke forbade the sacrifice. 
 Scarcely the knife was reddeu'd with his gore, 741 
 Or the black poison stain'd the sandy floor. 
 The thriven calves in meads their food forsake. 
 And render their sweet souls before the plenteous rack. 
 The fawning dog runs mad ; the wheezing swine 7 15 
 With coughs is chok'd, and labours from the chine. 
 The victor horse, forgetful of his food. 
 The palm renounces, and abhors the flood. 
 He paws the ground : and on his hanging ears 
 A doubtful sweat ia clammy drops appears : 7S0 
 
 Parch'd is his hide, and rugged are his hairs. 
 Such are the symptoms of the young disease; 
 But, in time'.s process, when his pains increase. 
 He rolls his mournful eyes ; he deeply groans 
 With patient sobbing, and with manly moans. 7.''>5 
 He heaves for breath ; which from his lungs supplied. 
 And fetch'd from far, distends his lab'ring side. 
 To his rough palate his dry tongue succeeds ; 
 And ropy gore he from his nostrils bleeds. 
 A drench of wine has with success been us'd, 7G0 
 And through a horn the gen'rousjuice iufus'd,
 
 GEORGICS, Iir. 119 
 
 Which, timely taken, op'd his closinjj jaws, 
 
 r.iu, if too late, the patient's death did cause: 
 
 For the too vigorous dose too fiercely wrought. 
 
 And raided fury to the strength it brought. 7. 55 
 
 Recruited into rage, he grinds his teeth 
 
 In his own flesh, and feeds approaching death. 
 
 Ye gods, to better fate good men dispose, 
 
 And turn that impious error on our foes ! 
 
 The steer, who to the yoke was bred to bow 770 
 (Studious of tillage, and the crooked plough). 
 Falls down and dies ; and, dying, spews a flood 
 Of foamy madness, raix'd with clotted blood. 
 The clown, who, cursing Providence, repines, 
 His mournful fellow from the team disjoins; 775 
 
 With many a groan forsakes his fruitless care, 
 And in th' nnnnish'd furrow leaves the share. 
 The pining steer, nor shades of lofty wr.od<. 
 Nor fliw'ry meads, can ease, nor crystal floods 
 RoU'd from the rock : his flabby flanks decrease ; 780 
 His eyes are settled in a stupid peace; 
 His bulk too weighty for his thighs is grown ; 
 And his unwieldy neck hangs drooping down. 
 Now what avails his well- descrTing toil 
 To turn the glebe, or smooth the rugged soil 1 783 
 
 And yet he never supp'd in solenon state 
 (Nor undigested feasts did urge his fate^, 
 Nor day to night luxuriously did join. 
 Nor surfeited on rich Campanian wine. 
 Simple his bev'rage, homely was his food, 790 
 
 The wholesome herbage and the running flood: 
 No dreadful dreams awak'd him with affright; 
 His pains by day secur'd his rest by night. 
 
 'Twas then that buffaloes, ill-pair 'd, were seen 
 To draw the car of Jove's imperial queen, 795 
 
 For want of oxen ; and the lab'ring swain 
 Scratch'd with a rake, a furrow for his grain. 
 And cover'd with his hand the shallow seed again. 
 He yokes himself, and up the hilly height, 799 
 
 With his own shoulders, draws the waggon's weight. 
 
 The nightly wolf, that round th' inclosure prowl'd 
 To leap the fence, now plots not on the fold, 
 Tam'd with a sharper pain. The fearful doe, 
 And flying stag, amidst the greyhounds go,
 
 120 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Aud round tlie dwellings roam of man, their fiercer 
 
 foe. Sf:r> 
 
 The scaly nations of the sea profound. 
 Like shipwreck'd carcases, are driv'n pgrniind. 
 And mighty plioca?, never seen before 
 In shallow streams, dre stranded on the shore. 
 The viper dead within her hole is found : 810 
 
 Defenceless was the shelter of the ground. 
 The water-snake, whom fish and paddocks fed. 
 With staring scales lies poison'd in his bed : 
 To birds their native heav'ns contagious prove; 814 
 From clouuo they fall, and leave their souls above. 
 
 Besides, to change their pasture 'tis in viin, 
 Or trust to physic : physic is their bane. 
 The learned leeches in despair depart. 
 And shake their heads, despondinjj of their art. 
 
 Tisiphone, let loose from under ground, S20 
 
 Majestically pale, now treads the round, 
 Before her drives diseases and affright, 
 And ev'ry moment rises to the sight, 
 Aspiring to the skies, encroaching en the light. 
 The rivers, and their banks, and hills around, 82.5 
 With lowings and with dying bleats resound. 
 At length, she strikes a universal blow : 
 To death at once whole herds of cattle go : 
 Sheep, oxen, horses, fall ; and heap'd on high, 
 The difTring species in confusion lie, 830 
 
 Till, warn'd by frequent ills, the way they found 
 To lodge their loathsome carrion under ground : 
 For useless to the currier were their hides; 
 Nor could their tainted flesh with ocean tide.* 
 Be freed from filth ; nor could Vulcanian flame SM 
 The stench abolish, or the savour tame. 
 Nor safely could they shear their fleecy store 
 (iVIade drunk with pois'nous juice, and stifl" with 
 
 gore). 
 Or touch the web : but if the vest they wear. 
 Red blistCTs rising on their paps appear, S Ui 
 
 And flaming carbuncles, and noisome sweat. 
 And clammy dews, that loathsome lice beget; 
 Till the slow creeping evil eats his way, 
 Consumes the parching limbs, and makes the life his 
 prey.
 
 GEORGICS, IV. 121 
 
 BOOK IV, 
 
 Virgil has t*Rcn care to raise the subject of each Georgic. Fn 
 the first, he has only de^id matter on which to work. In the 
 secoiitl, he just steps on the world of life, and describes t!iat 
 decree of it which is to be found in vegetables. In the third, 
 he advances to animals: and, in the last, he singrles out the 
 bee, which may be reckoned the most sagacions of them, for 
 his subject. 
 
 In this Georgic, he shew? os what station is most proper for the 
 bees, and when tliey begin to gather honey ; how to call them 
 home when they swarra ; and how to part them when they 
 are engaged in battle. From hence be taiies occasion to dis- 
 cover their different kinds ; and, after an excursion, relates 
 their prudent and pf^Ulic administration of affairs, and the seve- 
 ral diseases that often rage in their hives, with the proper 
 symptoms and remedies of each disease. In the last place 
 he lays down a method of repairing tiieir kind, supposing iheir 
 whole breed lost ; and gives at large the iiistory of its inven- 
 tion. 
 
 The gifts of HeaT'n my follow^ing song pursnes, 
 Aerial honey, and ambrosial dews, 
 Ma?cenas, read this other part, that sings 
 Embattled squadrons and advent'rous kings — 
 A mighty pomp, though made of little thing?. 5 
 
 Their arms, their arts, their manners, I disclose, 
 And how they war, and whence the people rose. 
 Slight is the subject, but the praise not small. 
 If Heav'n assist, and Phoebus hear my call. 
 
 First, for thy bees a quiet station find, 10 
 
 And lodge them under covert of the wind 
 (For winds, when homeward they return, will drive 
 The loaded carriers from their evning hive). 
 Far from the cows' and goats' insulting crew. 
 That trample down the liow'rs, and brush the dew. 15 
 The painted lizard, and the birds of prey. 
 Foes of the frugal kind, be far away — 
 The titmouse, and the pecker's hungry brood. 
 And Procne, with her bosom stain'd in blood : 
 These rob the trading citizens, and bear 20 
 
 The trembling captives through the liquid air. 
 And for their callow young a cruel feast prepare. 
 But near a living stream their mansion place, 
 Edg'd round with moss, and tufts of matted grass : 
 And plant (the winds' impetuous rage to stop) 25 
 
 Wild olive trees, or palms, before the busy shop ;
 
 122 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 That, when the youthful prince, with proud alarm. 
 
 Calls out the vent'rous colony to swarm — 
 
 When first their way through yielding air they wing, 
 
 New to the pleasures of their native spring — 30 
 
 The banks of brooks may make a cool retreat 
 
 For the raw soldiers from the scalding heat. 
 
 And neighb'ring trees with friendly shade invite 
 
 The troops, unus'd to long laborious flight. 
 
 Then o'er the running stream, or standing lake, 35 
 
 A passage for thy weary people make; 
 
 With osier floats the standing water strow; 
 
 Of massy stones make bridges, if it flow ; 
 
 That basking in the sun thy bees may lie, 
 
 And resting there, their flaggy pinions dry, 40 
 
 When late returning home, the laden host 
 
 By raging winds is wreck'd upon the coast. 
 
 \^^ild thyme and sav'ry set around their cell, 
 
 Sweet to the taste, and fragrant to the smell: 
 
 Set rows of rosemary with flow'ring stem, 45 
 
 And let the purple vi'lets drink the stream. 
 
 Whether thou build the palace of thy bees 
 With twisted osiers, or with barks of trees. 
 Make but a narrow mouth : for, as the cold 
 Congeals into a lump the liquid gold, 50 
 
 So 'tis again dissolv'd by summer's heat ; 
 And the sweet labours both extremes defeat. 
 And therefore, not in vain, th' industrious kind 
 With dauby wax and flow'rs the chinks havelin'd, 
 And, with their stores of gather'd glue, contrive 55 
 To stop the vents and crannies of their hive. 
 Not birdlime, or Id«an pitch, produce 
 A more tenacious mass of clammy juice. 
 
 Nor bees are lodg'd in hives alone, but found 
 In chambers of their own beneath the ground : CO 
 Their vaulted roofs are bung in pumices, 
 And in the rotten trunks of hollow trees. 
 
 But plaster thou the chinky hives with clay. 
 And leafy branches o'er their lodgings lay: 
 Nor place them where too deep a water flows, C5 
 
 Or where the yew, their pois'nous neighbour, grow;: : 
 Nor roast red crabs, t' offend theniceness of their
 
 GEORGICS, IV. 123 
 
 Nor near tbe steaming stencb of mnddy gronnd ; 
 
 Nor hollow rocks, that render back the sound. 
 
 And double images of voice rebound. 70 
 
 For what remains, when golden suns appear. 
 And under earth have driv'n the winter year, 
 The winged nation wanders through the skie.^. 
 And o'er the plains and shady forest flies : 
 Then, stooping on the meads and leafy bow'rs, 75 
 They skim the floods, and sip the purple flow'rs. 
 Exalted hence, and drunk with secret joy. 
 Their young succession all their cares employ ; 
 They breed, they brood, instruct, and educate. 
 And make provision for the future state : 80 
 
 They work their waxen lodgings in their hives. 
 And labour honey to sustain their lives. 
 But when thou seest a swarming cloud arise, 
 That sweeps aloft, and darkens all the skies, 
 The motions of their hasty flight attend ; 8.'> 
 
 And know, to floods or woods, their airy march they 
 Then melfoil beat, and honey-suckles pound; [bend. 
 With these alluring savours strew the ground; 
 And mix with tinkling brass the cymbal's droning 
 
 sound. 
 Straight to their ancient cells, recall'd from air, 90 
 The reconcil'd deserters will repair. 
 But, if intestine broils alarm the hive 
 (For two pretenders oft for empire strive), 
 The vulgar in divided faction.s jar ; 
 And murm'ring sounds proclaim the civil war- 93 
 Inflam'd with ire, and trembling with disdain. 
 Scarce can their limbs their mighty souls contain. 
 With shouts, the coward's courage they excite. 
 And martial clangors call them out to fight : 
 With hoarse alarms the hollow camp rebounds, ICO 
 That imitate the trumpet's angry sounds : 
 Then to their common standard they repair ; 
 The nimble horsemen scour the fields of air; 
 In form of battle drawn, they issue forth. 
 And ev'ry knight is proud to prove his worth. lO.i 
 Prest for their country's honour and their king's. 
 On their sharp beaks they whet their pointed stings. 
 And exercise their arms, and tremble with their wings.
 
 124 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Full ia the midst the haughty monarchs rule ; 
 
 The trusty gn.irds come up, and close the side ; 110 
 
 With shouts the daring foe to battle is defied. 
 
 Thus in the season of unclouded spring, 
 
 To war they follow their undaunted king ; 
 
 Crowd through their gates ; and, in the fields of light, 
 
 The shocking squadrons meet in mortal fight. 115 
 
 Headlong they fall from high, and wounded wound ; 
 
 And heaps of slaughter'd soldiers bite the ground. 
 
 Hard hail stones lie not thicker on the plain ; 
 
 Nor shaken oaks such show'rs of acorns rain. 110 
 
 With gorgeous wings, the marks of sov'reign sway, 
 
 The two contending princes make their way ; 
 
 Intrepid through the midst of danger go. 
 
 Their friends encourage, and amaze the foe. 
 
 With mighty souls in narrow bodies prest, 
 
 They challenge and encounter breast to breast; 125 
 
 So fix'd on fame, unknowing how to fly. 
 
 And obstinately bent to win or die. 
 
 That long the doubtful combat they maintain, 
 
 Till one prevails— for only one can reign. 
 
 Yet all these dreadful deeds, this deadly fray, 130 
 
 A cast of scatter'd dust will soon allay, 
 
 And undecided leave the fortune of the day. 
 
 When both the chiefs are sunder'd from the fight, 
 
 Then to the lawful king restore his right ; 
 
 And let the wasteful prodigal be slain, 135 
 
 That he, who best deserves, alone may reign. 
 
 With ease distinguish'd is the regal race : 
 
 One monarch wears an honest open face : 
 
 Shap'd to his size, and godlike to behold, 
 
 His royal body shines with specks of gold, 140 
 
 And ruddy scales ; for empire he design'd, 
 
 Is better born, and of a nobler kind. 
 
 That other looks like nature in disgrace : 
 
 Gaunt are his sides, and sullen is his face ; 14t 
 
 And like their grisly prince appear his gloomy race. 
 
 Grim, ghastly, rugged, like a thirsty train 
 
 That long hare travell'd through a desert plain , 
 
 And spit from their dry chaps the gather'd dust again. 
 
 The better brood, unlike the bastard crew. 
 
 Are mark'd with royal streaks of shining hue ; 150
 
 GEORGICS, IV. 1J5 
 
 Glitt'ring and ardent, though in body less: 
 
 From these, at 'pointed seasons, hope to press 
 
 Huge heavy honeycombs, of golden juice. 
 
 Not only sweet, but pure, and fit for use. 
 
 T' allay the strength and hardness of the wiue, 155 
 
 And with old Bacchus new metheglin join. 
 
 But when the swarms are eager of their play. 
 And loathe their empty hives, and idly stray. 
 Restrain the wanton fugitives, and take 
 A timely care to bring the truants back. 160 
 
 The task is easy — but to clip the wings 
 Of their high flying arbitrary kings. 
 At their command, the people swarm away : 
 Confine the tyrant, and the slaves will stay. 
 
 Sweet gardens, full of satiron flow'rs, invite 165 
 The wand'ring gluttons, and retard their flight — 
 Besides the god obscene, who frights away. 
 With his lath sword, the thieves, and birds of prey. 
 With his own hand, the guardian of the bees 
 For slips of pines may search the mountain trees, ITO 
 And with wild thyme and sav'ry plant the plain. 
 Till his hard homy fingers ache with pain ; 
 And deck with fruitful trees the fields around. 
 And with refreshing waters drench the ground. 
 
 Now, did I not so near my labour's-end 175 
 
 Strike sail, and hast'ning to the harbour tend, 
 My song to flow'ry gardens might extend — 
 To teach the vegetable arts, to sing 
 The Peestan roses, and their double spring ; 
 How succ'ry drinks the running streams, and how 
 Green beds of parsley near the river grow; 181 
 
 How cucumbers along the surface creep, 
 With crooked bodies, and with bellies deep — 
 The late narcissus, and the winding trail 
 Of bear's-foot, myrtles green, and ivy pale: 185 
 
 For, where with stately tow'rs Tarentum stands. 
 And deep Galaesus soaks the yellow sands, 
 I chanc'd an old Corycian swain to know, 
 Lord of few acres, and those barren too, 
 Unfit for sheep or vines, and more unfit to sow ; 190 
 Yet, lab'ring well his little spot of ground. 
 Some scatt'ring pot-herbs here and there he found,
 
 126 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Which cultivated with his daily care. 
 
 And bruis'd with vervain, were his frugal fare. 
 
 Sometimes white lilies did their leaves afford, 195 
 
 With wholesome poppy flow'rs to mend his homely 
 
 For, late returning home, he supp'd at ease, [board 
 
 And wisely deem'd the wealth of monarchs less : 
 
 The little of his own, because his own did please. 
 
 To quit his care, he gather'd first of all, 200 
 
 In spring the roses, apples in the fall ; 
 
 And, when cold winter split the rocks in twain , 
 
 And ice the running rivers did restrain, 
 
 He stripp'd the bear's foot of its leafy growth. 
 
 And, calling western winds, accus'd the spring of 
 
 sloth. 205 
 
 He therefore first among the swains was found 
 To reap the product of his labour'd ground, 
 And squeeze the combs with golden liquor crown'd : 
 His limes were first in flow'rs ; his lofty pines. 
 With friendly shade, sectir'd his tender vines : 210 
 For ev'ry bloom his trees in spring afford. 
 An autumn apple was by tale restor'd. 
 He knew to rank his elms in even rows. 
 For fruit the grafted pear-tree to dispose, 
 And tame to plums the sourness of the sloes. '215 
 
 With spreading planes he made a cold retreat. 
 To shade good fellows from the summer's heat. 
 ButjStraighten'd in my space, I must forsarke 
 This task, for others afterwards to take. 
 
 Describe we next the nature of the bees, 220 
 
 Bestow'd by Jove for secret services, 
 When, by the tinkling sound of timbrels led. 
 The king of heav'n in Cretan caves they fed. 
 Of all the race of animals, alone 
 The bees have common cities of their own, 22/5 
 
 And common sons ; beneath one law they live. 
 And with one common stock they traflQc drive. 
 Each has a certain home, a sev'ral stall : 
 All is the state's ; the state provides for all. 
 Mindful of coming cold, they share the pain, 230 
 
 And hoard, for winter's use, the summer's gain. 
 Some o'er the public magazines preside: 
 And some are sent new forage to provide.
 
 GEORGICS, IV. 127 
 
 These drudge in fields abroad; and those at home 
 
 Lay deep foundations for the labour'd comb, 235 
 
 With dew, narcissus-leaves, and clammy gum. 
 
 To pitch the waxen flooring some contrive ; 
 
 Some nurse the future nation of the hive : 
 
 Sweet honey some condense ; some purge the grout ; 
 
 The rest, in cells apart, the liquid nectar shut: 240 
 
 All, with united force, combine to drive 
 
 The lazy drones from the laborious hive : 
 
 With envy stung, they view each other's deeds: 
 
 With diligence the fragrant work proceeds. 
 
 As when the Cyclops at th' almighty nod, 245 
 
 New thunder hasten for their angry god, 
 
 Subdu'd in fire the stubborn metal lies : 
 
 One brawny smith the puffing bellows plies, 
 
 And draws and blows reciprocating air : 
 
 Others to quench the hissing mass prepare • 250 
 
 With lifted arms they order ev'ry Llow, 
 
 And chiriie their sounding hammers in a row : 
 
 With labour'd anvils ^tna groans below. 
 
 Strongly they strike; huge flakes of flames expire; 
 
 With tongs tliey turn the steel, and vex it in the fire : 
 
 If little things with great v.e may compare, 256 
 
 Such are the bees, and such their busy care ; 
 
 Studious of honey each in his degree. 
 
 The youthful swain, the grave experienced bee — 
 
 That in the field ; this, in aff"-drs of state 260 
 
 Employ'd at home, abides within the gate, 
 
 To fortify the combs, to build the wall. 
 
 To prop the ruins, lest the fabric fall. 
 
 But, late at night, with weary pinions come 
 
 The lab'ring youth, and heavy laden, home. 265 
 
 Plains, meads, and orchards, all the day he plies ; 
 
 The gleans of yellow thyme extend his thighs : 
 
 He spoils the saff"ron flow'rs: he sips the bhies 
 
 Of vi'lets, wilding blooms, and willow dews. 
 
 Their toil is common ; common is their sleep ; 270 
 
 They shake their wings when morn begins to peep; 
 
 Rush through the city gates without delay ; 
 
 N'or ends their work, but with declining day. 
 
 Then, having spent the last remains of light, 
 
 They give their bodies due repose at night, 275
 
 128 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 When hollow murmurs of their ev'niog bells [cells. 
 Dismiss their sleepy swains, and toll them to their 
 When once in beds their weary limbs they steep, 
 No buzzing sounds disturb their golden sleep. 
 'Tis sacred silence all. Nor dare they stray, 28v> 
 
 When rain is promis'd, or a stormy day; 
 But near the city walls their wat'ring late. 
 Nor forage far, but short excursions make. 
 
 And as, when empty barks on billows float. 
 With sandy ballast sailors trim the boat ; 285 
 
 So bees bear gravel-stones, whose poising weight 
 Steers through the whistling winds their steady flight. 
 
 But (what's more strange) their modest appetites, 
 Averse from Venus, fly the nuptial rites. 
 No lust enervates their heroic mind, 290 
 
 Nor wastes their strength on wanton woman-kind ; 
 But in their mouths reside their genial pow'rs : 
 They gather children from the leaves and flow'rs. 
 Thus make they kings to fill the regal seat, 
 And thus their little citizens create, 293 
 
 And waxen cities build, the palaces of state. 
 And oft on rocks their tender wings they tear. 
 And sink beneath the burdens which they bear: 
 Such rage of honey in their bosom beats ; 
 And such a zeal they have for flow'ry sweets. 300 
 Thus through the race of life they quickly run. 
 Which in the space of sev'n short years is done : 
 Th' immortal line in sure succession reigns ; 
 The fortune of the family remains : 
 And grandsires' grandsires the long list contains. 305 
 
 Besides, not Egypt, India, Media, more 
 With servile awe their idol king adore : 
 While he survives, in concord and content 
 The commons live, by no divisions rent; 
 But the great monarch's death dissolves the govern- 
 ment. 310 
 All goes to ruin ; they themselves contrive 
 To rob the honey, and subvert the hive. 
 The king presides, his subjects' toil surveys. 
 The servile rout their careful Caesar praise : 
 Him they extol ; they worship him alone ; 315 
 They crowd his levees, and support his throne :
 
 GEORGICS, IV. 129 
 
 Tkey raise hira on their phoulders with a shout; 
 
 And, -when their sov'reign's quarrel calls them out, 
 
 His foes to mortal combat they defy. 
 
 And think it honour at liis feet to die. 320 
 
 Induc'd by such examples, some have taught 
 
 That bees have portions of ethereal thought — 
 
 Endu'd with particles of heav'nly fires ; 
 
 For god the whole created mass inspires. 
 
 Thro' heav'n, and earth, and ocean's depth, he throws 
 
 His influence round, and kindles as he goes. 326 
 
 Hence flocks and herds, and men, and beasts, and 
 fowls. 
 
 With breath are quicken'd, and attract their souls ; 
 
 Hence take the forms his prescience did ordain, 
 
 And into him at length resolve again. 330 
 
 No room is left for death ; they mount the sky. 
 
 And to their own congenial planets fly. 
 
 Now, when thou hast decreed to seize their stores. 
 
 And by prerogative to break their doors. 
 
 With sprinkled water first the city choke, 335 
 
 And then pursue the citizens with smoke. 
 Two honey-harvests fall in ev'ry year: 
 
 First, when the pleasing Pleiades appear. 
 And, springing upward, spurn the briny seas : 
 Again, when their affrighted choir surveys 340 
 
 The wat'ry Scorpion mend his pace behind. 
 With a black train of storms and winter wind. 
 They plunge into the deep and safe protection find. 
 Prone to revenge, the bees, a wrathful race. 
 When once provok'd, assault th' aggressor's face, 345 
 And through the purple veins a passage find ; 
 There fix their stings, and leavo their souls behind. 
 
 But, if a pinching winter thoii foresee. 
 And wouldst preserve thy famish'd family ; 
 With fragrant thyme the city fumigate, 3.'50 
 
 And break the waxen walls to save the state. 
 For lurking lizards often lodge, by stealth. 
 Within the suburbs, and purloin their wealth ; 
 And worms that shun the light, a dark retreat 
 Have found in combs, and undermin'd the seat ; 3j5 
 Or lazy drones, without their share of pain, 
 In winter-quarters, free, devour the gain ; 
 F i
 
 130 THE WORKS OP VIRGIL. 
 
 Or wasps infest the camps with loud abirms. 
 
 And mix in battle with unequal arms ; 
 
 Or secret moths are there in silence fed : 36G 
 
 Or spiders in the vault their snary wehs have spread. 
 
 The more oppress'd by foes, or famine pin'd, 
 The more increase thy care to save the sinking kind : 
 With greens and flow'rs recruit their empty hives, 
 And seek fresh forage to sustain their lives, 365 
 
 But, since they share with man one common fate. 
 In health and sickness, and in turns of state, — 
 Observe the symptoms. When they fall away. 
 And languish with insensible decay. 
 They change their hue ; with haggard eyes they stare : 
 Lean are tlieir looks, and shagged is their hair : a?! 
 And crowds of dead, that never must return 
 To their lov'd hives, in decent pomp are borne: 
 Their friends attend the hearse ; the next relations 
 
 mourn. 
 The sick, for air, before the portal gasp, 375 
 
 Their feeble legs within each other clasp, 
 Or idle in their empty hives remain, 
 Benumb'd with cold, and listless of their gain. 
 Soft whispers then, and broken sounds are heard. 
 As when the woods by gentle winds are stirr'd ; 3»U 
 Such stifled noise as the close furnace hides. 
 Or dying murmurs of departing tides. 
 This when thou seest, gaibaneau odours use, 
 And honey in the sicldy hive infuse. 
 Through reeden pipes convey the golden flood, 385 
 T' invite the people to their wonted food. 
 Mix it with thicken'd juice of sodden wines, 
 And raisins from the grapes of Psythian vines : 
 To these add pounded galls, and roses dry, 3S9 
 
 And, with Cecropian thyme, strong-scented centu;iry. 
 
 A flow'r there is, that grows in meadow-ground, 
 Amellus call'd, and easy to be found j 
 For, from one root, the rising stem bestows 
 A wood of leaves, and vi'let-purple boughs : • 
 The flow'r itself is glorious to behold, 39;") 
 
 And shines on altars like refulgent gold — 
 Sharp to the taste — by shepherds n ear t he_sheani 
 Of Mella foQod ; and thence they gave th*". name.
 
 GEORGICS, IV. 131 
 
 Boil this restoring root in generous w ine. 
 
 And set beside the door, the sickly stock to dine. 400 
 
 But, if the lab'ring kind be wholly lost, 
 
 And not to be retriev'd with care or cost ; 
 
 'lis time to touch the precepts of an art, 
 
 Th' Arcadian master did of old impart; 
 
 And how he stock'd his empty hives agaioj 405 
 
 Renew'd with putrid gore of oxen >lain. 
 
 An ancient legend I prepare to sing, 
 
 AnE^pward follow Fame'.? immortal spring : 
 
 For, where with aev'n fold horns mysterious Nile 
 Surrounds the skirts of Egypt's fruitful isle, 410 
 
 And where in pomp the sun-burnt people ride. 
 On painted barges, o'er the teeming tide, 
 Which, pouring down from Ethiopian lands. 
 Makes green the soil with slime, and black prolific 
 
 sands — 
 That length of region, and large tract of ground, 41.1 
 In this one art a sure relief have found. 
 First, in a place by nature close, they build 
 A narrow flooring, gutter'd, wall'd, and tild. 
 In this, four windows are contriv'd, that strike, 
 To the four winds oppos'd, their beams oblique. 4'2(» 
 A steer of tv/o years old they take, whose head 
 Now first with bumish'd horns begins to spread : 
 They stop his nostrils, while he strives in vain 
 To breathe free air, and struggles with his pain. 
 Knock'd down, he dies: his bowels, bruis'd withiu. 
 Betray no wound on his unbroken skin. 426 
 
 Extended thus, in this obscene abode 
 They leave the beast ; but first sweet flow'rs are 
 
 strow'd 
 Beneath his body, broken boughs and thyme, 
 And pleasing cassia just renew'd in prime. 430 
 
 This must be done ere spring makes equal day. 
 When western winds on curling waters play ; 
 Ere painted meads produce their flow'ry crops. 
 Or swallows twitter on the chimnej-tops. 
 The tainted blood, in this close prison pent, 435 
 
 Begins to boil, and through the bones ferment. 
 Then (wondrons to behold) new creatures rise, 
 A moving mass at first, and short of thighs ;
 
 132 THE WORKS OF VIRCIL. 
 
 Till, shooting out with legs, and imp'd with wings, 
 
 The grubs proceed to bees with pointed stings, 44(> 
 
 And, more and more affecting air, they try 
 
 Their tender pinions, and begin to fly: 
 
 At length, like summer-storms from spreading clouds, 
 
 That burst at once, and pour impetuous floods — 
 
 Or flights of arrows from the Parthian bows, 445 
 
 When from afar they gall embattled foes — 
 
 With such a tempest through the skies they steer; 
 
 And such a form the winged squadrons bear. 
 
 What god, O muse ! this useful science taught ? 
 Or by what man's experience was it brought? 450 
 
 Sad Aristffius from fair Tempe fled — 
 His bees with famine or diseases dead : 
 On Peneus's banks he stood, and near his holy head; 
 And, while his falling tears the stream supplied. 
 Thus, mourning, to his mother-goddess cried : 455 
 
 ' Mother CjTene ! mother, whose abode 
 Is in the depth of this immortal flood ! 
 What boots it, that from Phoebus' loins I spring. 
 The third, by him and thee, from heav'n'shigh king ? 
 O ! where is all thy boasted pity gone, 460 
 
 And promise of the skies to thy deluded son? 
 Why didst thou me, unhappy me, create. 
 Odious to gods, and born to bitter fate ? 
 Whom scarce my sheep, and scarce my painful plough, 
 The needful aids of human life allow : 465 
 
 So wretched is thy son, so hard a mother thou ! 
 Proceed, inhuman parent, in thy scorn ; 
 Root up my trees; with blights destroy my cora : 
 My vineyards ruin, and my sheepfolds burn. 
 Let loose thy rage ; let all thy spite be shewn, 47;i 
 Since thus thy hate pursues the praises of thy son.' 
 But, from her mossy bow'r below the ground. 
 His careful mother heard the plaintive sound — 
 Eucompass'd with her sea-green sisters round. 
 One common work they plied ; their distaffs full 475 
 With carded locks of blue Milesian wool. 
 Spio, with Drymo brown, and Xantho fair. 
 And sweet Phyllodoce with long dishevell'd hair; 
 Cydippe with Lycorias, once a maid. 
 And one that once had call'd Lucina's aid ; 4^0
 
 CEORGICS, IV. 13S 
 
 Clio aud Beroe, from one father both ; 
 
 Both girt with gold, and clad in particolour'd cloth ; 
 
 Opis the meek, and Deiopeia proud ; 
 
 Nissea lofty, with Ligea loud : 
 
 Thalia joyous, Ephyre the sad, 485 
 
 Aad Arethusa, once Diana's maid. 
 
 But now (her quiver left) to love betray'd. 
 
 To these Clymene the sweet theft declares 
 
 Of Mars ; and Vulcan's unavailing cares ; 
 
 And all the rapes of gods, and ev'ry love, 400 
 
 From ancient Chaos down to youthful Jove. 
 
 Thus while she sings, the sisters turn the wheel, 
 Empty the woolly rack, and fill the reel. 
 A mournful sound again the mother hears ; 49-1 
 
 Again the mournful sound invades the sisters' ears. 
 Starting at once from their green seats, they rise — 
 Fear in their heart, amazement in their eyes. 
 But Arethusa, leaping from her bed, 
 First lifts above the waves her beauteous head. 
 And, crying from afar, thus to Cyrene said : SCO 
 
 ' O sister, not with causeless fear possest ! 
 No stranger voice disturbs thy tender breast. 
 'Tis AristKus, 'tis thy darling son. 
 Who to his careless mother makes his moan. 
 Near his paternal stream he sadly stands, 50.5 
 
 With downcast eyes, wet cheeks, and folded hands. 
 Upbraiding heav'a, from whence his lineage came. 
 And cruel calls the gods, and cruel thee, by name.' 
 
 Cyrene, mov'd with love, and seized with fear. 
 Cries out, ' Conduct my son, conduct him here : 5iO 
 Tis lawful for the youth, deriv'd from god.s. 
 To view the secrets of our deep abodes.' 
 At once she wav'd her hand on either side; 
 At once the ranks of swelling streams divide. 
 Two rising heaps of liquid crystal stand, :■ 1 3 
 
 And leave a space betwis.t of empty sand. 
 Thus safe receiv'd, the downward track he treads, 
 Which to his mother's wat'ry palace leads. 
 With wond'ring eyes he views the secret store 
 Of lakes, that, pent in hollow caverns, roar : 520 
 
 lie hears the crackling sounds of coral woods. 
 And sees the secret source of subterranean floods ;
 
 134 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 And where, distinguish'd in their sev'ral cells, 
 The fount of Phasis, and of Lycus, dwells; 
 Where swift Enipens in his bed appears, 525 
 
 And Tyber his majestic forehead rears : 
 Whence Anio flows, and Hypanis profound 
 Breaks through th' opposing rocks with raging 
 
 sound : 
 Where Po first issues from his dark abodes, 
 And, awful in his cradle, rules the floods : 530 
 
 Two golden horns on his large front he wears, 
 And his grim face a buU's resemblance bears : 
 With rapid course iie seeks the sacred main, 
 And fattens, as he runs, the fruitful plain. 
 
 Now, to the court arriv'd, th' admiring son 533 
 Beholds the vaulted roofs of pory stone, 
 Now to his mother-goddess tells hia grief, 
 Which she with pity hears, and promises relief. 
 Th' officious nymphs, attending in a ring. 
 With waters drawn from their perpetual spring, 540 
 From earthly dregs his body purify, 
 And rub his temples, with fine towels, dry; 
 Then load the tables with a lib'ral feast, 
 And honour with full bowls their friendly guest. 
 The sacred altars are involv'd in smoke ; 545 
 
 And the bright choir their kindred gods invoke. 
 Two bowls the mother fills with Lydian wine ; 
 Then thus : ' Let these be pour'd with rites divine, 
 To the great authors of our wat'ry line — 
 To father Ocean, this; and this,' she said, 550 
 
 ' Be to the nymphs his sacred sisters paid, 
 Who rule the wat'ry plains, and hold the woodland 
 
 shade.' 
 She sprinkled thrice, with wine, the Vestal fire, 
 Thrice to the vaulted roofs the flames aspire. 
 Rais'd with so blest an omen, she begun, 5rj5 
 
 With words like these, to cheer her drooping son ; 
 * In the Carpathian bottom, makes abode 
 The shepherd of the seas, a prophet, and a god. 
 High o'er the main in wat'ry pomp he rides. 
 His azure car and finny coursers guides — i6o 
 
 Proteus his name. — To his Pallenian port 
 I see from far the weary god resort.
 
 GL:oRGICS, lY. !.).) 
 
 Him, not alone, we river-gods, adore, 
 Uut aged Nereus hearkens to bis lore. 
 With sure foresight, and with unerring doocj, 365 
 He sees what is, and was, and is to come. 
 This Neptune gave him, when he gave to keep 
 His scaly flocks, that graze the wat'ry deep. 
 Implore his aid; for Proteus only knows 
 The secret cause, and cure, of all thy woes. 570 
 
 But first the wily wizard must be caught : 
 For, unconstrain'd, he nothing tells for nought; 
 Nor is with pray'rs or bribes, or flattery bought. 
 Surprise him first, and with hard fetters bind; 
 Then all his frauds will vanish into wind. .ViS 
 
 I will myself conduct thee on thy way: 
 When next the southing sun inflames the day, 
 When the dry herbage thirsts for d^ws in vain. 
 And sheep, in shades, avoid the parching plain ; 
 Then will I lead thee to his secret seat, 5S0 
 
 When, weary with hi:? toil, and scorch'd with beat. 
 The wayward sire frequents his cool retreat. 
 His eyes with heavy slumber overcast — 
 With force invade his limbs, and bind him fast. 
 Thus surely bound, yet be not over-bold ! 585 
 
 The slipp'ry god will try to loose his hold. 
 And various forms assume, to cheat thy sight, 
 And with vain images of beasts aff'right; 
 With foamy tusks will seem a bristly boar. 
 Or imitate the lion's angry roar ; 590 
 
 Break out in crackling flames to shun thy snare. 
 Or hiss a dragon, or a tiger stare ; 
 Or, with a wile thy caution to betray, 
 In fleeting streams attempt to slide away. 
 But thou, the more he varies forms, beware 595 
 
 To strain his fetters with a stricter care, 
 Till, tiring all his arts, he turns again 
 To hLs true shape, in which he first was seen. 
 This said, with nectar she her son anoints; 
 Infusing vigour through his mortal joints; 600 
 
 Down from his head the liquid odours ran. 
 He breath'd of heav'n, and look'd above a man. 
 Within a mountain's hollow vv omb there lies, 
 A large recess, conceal'd from human eyes, 60 i
 
 13G THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Where heaps of billows, driv'n by wind and tide, 
 
 In form of war, their wat'ry ranks divide, 
 
 And there, like sentries set, without the mouth abide: 
 
 A station safe for ships, when tempests roar, 
 
 A silent harbour, and a cover 'd shore. 
 
 Secure within resides the various god, CIO 
 
 And draws a rock upon his dark abode. 
 
 Hither with silent steps, secure from sight, [light : 
 
 The goddess guides her son, and turns him from the 
 
 Herself, involv'd in clouds, precipitates her flight. 
 
 Twas noon; the sultry Dog-star from the sky 015 
 Scorch'd Indian swaias : the rivel'd grass was dry ; 
 The sun with flaming arrows pierc'd the flood, 
 And, darting to the bottom, bak'd the mud; 
 When weary Proteus, from the briny waves, 
 lletir'd for shelter to his wonted caves. 620 
 
 His finny flocks about their shepherd play, 
 And, rolling round him, spirt the bitter sea. 
 Uuwieldily they wallow first in ooze, 
 Then in the shady covert seek repose. 
 Himself, their herdsman, on the middle mount, 625 
 Takes of his muster'd flocks a just account. 
 So, seated on a rock, a shepherd's groom 
 Surveys his ev'ning flocks returning home, 
 When lowing calves and bleating lambs from far, 
 Provoke the prowling wolf to nightly war. G30 
 
 Th' occasion offers, and the youth complies : 
 For scarce the weary god had closed his eyes. 
 When, rushing on with shouts, he binds in chains, 
 The drowsy prophet, and his limbs constrains. 
 He, not unmindful of his usual art, 03't 
 
 First in dissembled fire attempts to part : 
 Then roaring beasts, and running streams, he tries. 
 And wearies all his miracles of lies : 
 But, having shifted ev'ry form to 'scape, 
 Convinc'd of conquest, he resumd his shape, 040 
 
 And thus, at length, in human accent spoke: 
 ' Audacious youth ! what madness could provoke 
 A mortal man t' invade a sleeping god ? 
 What bus'ness brought thee to my dark abode?' 
 
 To this th'audacious youth: 'Thou know'st full well 
 My name and bus'ness, god , nor need I to!!. 01(3
 
 CEORGICS, IV. 1:^7 
 
 No man can Proteus cheat: but, Proteus, leave 
 
 Thy fraudful arts, and do not thou deceive. 
 
 Following the gods' command, I come t' implore 
 
 Thy help, my perish'd people to restore.' 050 
 
 The seer, who could not yet his wrath assuage, 
 
 RoH'd his green eyes, that sparkled with his rage, 
 
 And gnash'd his teeth, and cried, ' No vulgar god 
 
 Pursues thy crimes, nor with a common rod. 
 
 Thy great misdeeds have met a due reward ; 655 
 
 And Orpheus' dying pray'rs at length are heard. 
 
 For crimes not his, the lover lost his life, 
 
 And at thy hands requires his murder'd wife : 
 
 Nor (if the Fates assist not) canst thou 'scape 
 
 The just revenge of that intended rape. GOO 
 
 To shun thy lawless lust, the dying bride, 
 
 Unwary, took along the river's side, 
 
 Nor at her heels perceiv'd the deadly snake. 
 
 That kept the bank, iii covert of the brake. 
 
 But all her fellow-nymphs the mountains tear GC^j 
 
 With loud laments, and break the yielding air : 
 
 The realms of Mars re-murmur all around. 
 
 And echoes to th' Athenian shores rebound. 
 
 Th' unhappy husband, husband now no more. 
 
 Did on his tuneful harp his loss deplore, 070 
 
 And sought his mournful mind with music to restore. 
 
 On thee, dear wife, in deserts all alone, 
 
 He call'd, sigh'dj sung : his griefs with day begun. 
 
 Nor were they finish'd with the setting sun. 
 
 Ev'n to the dark dominions of the night t73 
 
 He took his way, through forests void of light. 
 
 And dar'd amidst the trembling ghosts to sing, 
 
 And stood before th' inexorable king. 
 
 Th' infernal troops like passing shadows glide, 
 
 And, list'ning, crowd the sweet musician's side — 680 
 
 (Not flocks of birds, when driv'n by storms or niyht, 
 
 Stretch to the forest with so thick a flight) — 
 
 Men, matrons, children, and th' unmarried maid, 
 
 Tlie mighty hero's more majestic shade, 
 
 And youths, on fun'ral piles before their parents 
 
 laid. 0?j 
 
 S31. — This whole line is token from tlie marquis u! 
 >onaaiiby'# transUiiioii. — Z>»yrfc/i.
 
 138 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Ail these Cocytus bounds with squalid reeds, 
 With muddy ditches, and with deadly weeds; 
 And baleful Styx, encompasses around. 
 With nine slow-circling streams, th' unhappy 
 
 ground. 
 Ev'n from the depths of hell the damn'd advance ; 
 Th' infernal mansions, nodding, seem to dance : 691 
 The gaping three-mouth'd dog forgets to snarl ; 
 The Furies hearken, and their snakes uucurl ; 
 Ixion seems no more his pain to feel. 
 But leans attentive on his standing wheel. C9j 
 
 All dangers past, at length the lovely bride 
 In safety goes, with her melodious guide. 
 Longing the common light again to share. 
 And draw the vital breath of upper air — 
 He first; and close behind him foUow'd she; 7U<! 
 
 For such was Proserpine's severe decree — 
 When strong desires th' impatient youth invade, 
 By little caution and much love betray'd : 
 A fault, which easy pardon might receive, 
 Were lovers judges, or could hell forgive: TO."! 
 
 For near the confines of ethereal light. 
 And longing for the glimmering of a sight, 
 Th' unwary lover cast his eyes behind. 
 Forgetful of the law, nor master of his mind. 
 Straight all his hopes exhal'd in empty smoke ; 710 
 And his long toils were forfeit for a look. 
 Three flashes of blue lightning gave the sign 
 Of cov'nants broke ; three peals of thunder join. 
 Then thus the bride : ' What fury seiz'd on thee, 
 Unhappy man ! to lose thyself and me 1 715 
 
 Dragg'd back again by cruel Destinies, 
 An iron slumber shuts my swimming eyes. 
 And now farewell ! Involv'd in shades of night. 
 For ever I am ravish'd from thy sight. 
 In vain I reach my feeble hands to join 720 
 
 In sweet embraces — ah ! no longer thine !' 
 She said: and from his eyes the fleeting fair, 
 Retir'd like subtile smoke dissolv'd in air. 
 And left her hopeless lover in despair. 
 In vain, with folding arms, the youth essay'd 725 
 
 To stop her flight, and strain the flying shade :
 
 GEORGICS, IV. 13'J 
 
 He prays ; he rares, all means in vain he tries. 
 With rage inflarad, astonish'd with surprise : 
 But she retum'd no more, to bless his longing eyes. 
 Nor would th' infernal ferryman once more 730 
 
 Be brib'd to waft him to the farther shore. 
 What should he do, who twice had lost his love ? 
 What notes invent t what new petitions move ? 
 Her soul already was consign'd to Fate, 
 And shiv'ring in the leaky sculler sate. 765 
 
 For sev'n continued months, if Fame say true, 
 The wretched swain his sorrows did renew : 
 By Strymon's freezing streams he sate alone : 
 The rocks were mov'd to pity with his moan : 
 Trees bent their heads to hear him sing his wrongs : 
 Fierce tigers couch'd around, and loll'd their fawning 
 tongues. 741 
 
 So, close in poplar shades, her children gone. 
 The mother nightingale laments alone. 
 Whose nest some prying churl had found, and thence 
 By stealth, convey'd th' unfeather'd innocence. 745 
 But she supplies the night with mournful strains ; 
 And melancholy music fills the plains. 
 Sad Orpheus thus his tedious hours employs. 
 Averse from Venus, and from nuptial joys. 
 Alone he tempts the frozen clouds, alone 7.50 
 
 Th' unhappy climes, where spring was never known : 
 He moum'd his wretched wife, in vain restor'd. 
 And Pluto's unavailing boon deplor'd. 
 The Thracian matrons — who the youth accus'd 
 Of love disdain'd, and marriage-rites refus'd — 735 
 With furies and nocturnal orgies fir'd, 
 At length against his sacred life conspir'd. 
 Whom ev'n the savage beasts had spar'd, they killd. 
 And strew'd the mangled limbs about the field. 
 Then, when his head, from his fair shoulders torn, 
 Wash'd by the waters, was on Hebrus borne, 7GI 
 
 Ev'n then his trembling tongue invoked his bride; 
 With his last voice, *' Eurydice,'' he cried, 
 " Eurydice," the rocks and river-ban-ks replied.' 
 
 This answer Proteus gave ; nor more he said, 765 
 Bat in the billows plung'd liis hoary head ; [spread. 
 And, where he leap'd, the waves in circles widely
 
 140 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 The nympli return'd, her drooping son to cheer. 
 And bide him b;inish his superfluous fear : 
 * For now,' said she, ' the cause is known, from whence 
 Thy woe succeeded, and for what offence. 771 
 
 The nymphs, companions of th' unhappy maid. 
 This punishment upon thy crimes have laid ; 
 And sent a plague among thy thriving bees. — 
 With vows and suppliant pray'rs their pow'rs 
 
 appease : 775 
 
 The soft Napsean race will soon relent 
 Their anger, and remit the punishment. 
 The secret in an easy method lies ; 
 Select four brawny bulls for sacrifice. 
 Which on Lycseus graze without a guide ; 780 
 
 Add four fair heifers yet in yoke untried. 
 For these, four altars in their temple rear. 
 And then adore the woodland pow'rs with pray'r. 
 From the slain victims pour the streaming blood, 
 And leave their bodies in the shady wood : 785 
 
 Nine mornings thence, Lethsan poppy bring, 
 T' appease the manes of the poet king, 
 And, to propitiate his offended bride, 
 A fatted calf and a black ewe provide : 
 This finish'd, to the former woods repair.' 790 
 
 His mother's precepts he performs with care ; 
 The temple visits, and adores with pray'r; 
 Four altars raises; from his herd he culls, 
 For slaughter, four the fairest of his bulls : 
 Four heifers from his female store he took, 795 
 
 All fair, and all unknowing of the yoke. 
 Nine mornings thence, with sacrifice and pray'rs, 
 The pow'rs aton'd, he to the grove repairs. 
 Behold a prodigy ! for, from within 
 The broken bowels and the bloated skin, 800 
 
 A buzzing noise of bees his ears alarms; 
 Straight issue through the sides assembling swarms. 
 Dark as a cloud, they make a wheeling flight. 
 Then on a neighb'ring tree, descending, light : 
 Like a large cluster of black grapes they shew, 805 
 And make a large dependance from the bough. 
 
 Thus have I sung of fields, of flocks, and trees, 
 And of the waxen work of lab'riug bees :
 
 GEORGICS, IV, in 
 
 While mighty Capsar, thund'ring from afar, 
 
 Seeks on Euphrates' banks the spoils of war ; 810 
 
 With conqu'ring arts asserts his country's cause, 
 
 With arts of peace the willing people draws; 
 
 On the glad earth the golden age renews, 
 
 And bis great father's path to heav'n pursues; 
 
 While I at Naples pass my peaceful days, 815 
 
 Affecting studies of less noisy praise ; 
 
 And, bold through youth, beneath the beechen shade, 
 
 The lays of shepherdii, and their loves, have play'd.
 
 ^NEIS. 
 
 BOOK I. 
 
 The Trojans, after a seven years' voyage, set sail for Italy, but 
 are overtaken by a dreadful storin, which iEolus raises -.it 
 Juno's request. The tempest sinks one ship and scatters the 
 rest. Neptune drives off the wluds, and calms the sea. ^neas 
 with his own ship and sis more, arrives safe at an African port. 
 Venus complains to Jupiter of her son's misfortunes. Jupiter 
 comforts her, and sends Mercury to procure him a kind recep- 
 tion among the Carthaginians. iEneas, goin^ out to discover 
 the country, meets his mother in the shape of a huntress, who 
 conveys him in a cloud to Carthage, where he sees his friends 
 whom' he thought lost, and receives a kind entertainment from 
 the queen. Dido, by a device of Venus, begins to have a pas- 
 sion for him, and after some discourse with him, desires the 
 history of his adventures since the siege of Troy, which is the 
 subject of the two followir.g books. 
 
 Arms, and the man I sing, who, forc'd by Fate, 
 
 And haughty Juno's unrelenting hate, 
 
 Expell'dand exil'd, left the Trojan shore. 
 
 Long labours, both by sea and land,. he bore. 
 
 And in the doubtful war, before he won 5 
 
 The Latian realm, and built the destin'd town ; 
 
 His banish'd gods restor'd to rites divine, 
 
 And settled sure succession in his line, 
 
 From whence the race of Alban fathers come, 
 
 And the long glories of majestic Rome. lo 
 
 O muse! the causes and the crimes relate ; 
 What goddess was provok'd, and whence her hate; 
 For what offence the queen of heaven began 
 To persecute so brave, so just a man ; 
 Involv'd his anxious life in endless cares, 15 
 
 Expos'd to wants, and hurried into wars! 
 Can heav'nly minds, such high resentment shew, 
 Or exercise their spite in human woe? 
 
 Against the Tyber's mouth, but far away. 
 An ancient town was seated on the sea — 20 
 
 A Tyrian colony — the people made 
 Stout for the war, and studious of their trade: 
 Carthage the name — belov'd by Juno more 
 Than her own Argos, or the Samian shore.
 
 .ENEIS, I. 113 
 
 Here stood her chariot; here, if Heav'n were kiml, 
 
 The seat of awful empire she design'd, 20 
 
 Yet she had heard an ancient rumour fly 
 
 (Long cited by the people of the sky). 
 
 That times to come should see the Trojan race 
 
 Her Carthage ruin, and her tow'rs deface ; 30 
 
 Nor thus confin'd, the yoke of sov'reign sway 
 
 Should on the necks of all the nations lay. 
 
 She ponder'd this, and fear'd it was in fate ; 
 
 Nor could forget the war she wag'd of late. 
 
 For conqu'ring Greece, against the Trojiin state. 35 
 
 Besides, long causes working in her mind. 
 
 And secret seeds of envy, lay behind : 
 
 Deep graven in her heart the doomremain'd 
 
 Of partial Paris, and her form disdain'd ; 
 
 The grace bestow'd on ravish'd Ganymed, 40 
 
 Electra's glories, and her injur'd bed. 
 
 Each was a cause alone ; and all combin'd 
 
 To kindle vengeance in her haughty mind. 
 
 For this, far distant from the Latian coast, 
 
 She drove the remnants of the Trojan host ; 45 
 
 And seven long years th' unhappy wand'ring train 
 
 Were toss'd by storms, and scattered through the 
 
 main. 
 Sach time, such toil, required the Roman name, 
 Such length of labour for so vast a frame. 
 
 Now scarce the Trojan fleet, with sails and oars, 
 Had left behind the fair Sicilian shores, 51 
 
 Eot'ring with cheerful shouts the wat'ry reign, 
 And ploughing frothy furrows in the main ; 
 When, lab'ring still with endless discontent. 
 The queen of heav'n did thus her fury vent — 55 
 
 • Then am I vanquish'd 1 must I yield V said she : 
 • And must the Trojans reign in Italy? 
 So Fate will have it ; and Jove adds his force ; 
 Nor can my pow'r divert their happy course. 
 Could angry Pallas, with revengeful spleen, 60 
 
 The Grecian navy bum, and drown the men? 
 She, for the fault of one offending foe. 
 The bolts of Jove himself presum'd to throw : 
 With whirlwinds from beneath she toss'd the ship, 
 And bare expos'd the bosom of the deep • 05
 
 Hi THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Then— as an eagle gripes the trembling game — 
 
 The wretch, yet liissing with her father's flame, 
 
 She strongly seiz'd, and, with a burning wound 
 
 Transfix'd and naked, on a rook she bound. 
 
 But I, who walk in awful state above, 70 
 
 The majesty of heav'n, the sister-wife of Jove, 
 
 For length of years my fruitless force employ 
 
 Against the thin remains of ruia'd Troy ! 
 
 What nations nosv to Juno's pow'r will pray. 
 
 Or ofTrings on my slighted altars lay ? 7 > 
 
 Thus rag'd the goddess, and, with fury fraught, 
 The restless regions of the storms she sought, 
 Where, in a spacious cave of living stone, 
 Tlie tyrant ^^olus, from his airy throne. 
 With pow'r imperial curbs the struggling winds, 80 
 And sounding tempests in dark prisons binds. 
 This way, and that, th' impatient captives tend. 
 And, pressing for release, the mountains rend. 
 High in his hall th' undaunted monarch stands. 
 And shakes his sceptre, and their rage commands ; 8;) 
 Which did he not, their unresisted sway 
 Would sweep the world before them in their way ; 
 Earth, air, and seas, through empty space would roll. 
 And heav'n would fly before the driving soul. 
 In fear of this, the father of the gods 90 
 
 Confin'd their fury to those dark abodes, [loads; 
 
 And lock'd them safe within, oppress'd with mountain 
 Impos'd a king with arbitrary sway, 
 To loose their fetters, or their force allay ; 94 
 
 To whom the suppliant queen her prayers address'd. 
 And thus the tenor of her suit express'd. 
 ' O jEoIus ! — for to thee the king of heav'n 
 The power of tempests and of winds has giv'n ; 
 Thy force alone their fury can rcsfrain, 90 
 
 And smooth the waves or swell tlie troubled main — 
 A race of wand'ring slaves, abhorr'd by me. 
 With prosperous passage cut the Tuscan sea ! 
 To fruitful Italy their course they steer. 
 And, for their vanquish'd gods, design new temples 
 
 there. 104 
 
 Raise all thy winds; with night involve the skies; 
 Sink or disperse my fatal enemies.
 
 iENEIS, I. Un 
 
 Twice sev'n, the charming daughters of the main — 
 Around my person wait, and bear my train; 
 Succeed my wish, and second my design. 
 The fairest, Deiopeia, shall be thine, 110 
 
 And make thee father of a happy line.' 
 
 To this the god — • 'Tis yours, O queen ! to will 
 The work, which duty binds me to fulfil. 
 These airy kingdoms, and this wide command. 
 Are all the presents of your bounteous hand! 1 1.5 
 
 Yours is my sov'reign's grace ; and, as your guest, 
 I sit with gods at their celestial feast. 
 Raise tempests at your pleasure, or subdue ; 
 Dispose of empire, which I hold from you.' 
 
 He said, and hurl'd against the mountain-side 120 
 His quiv'riug spear, and all the god applied. 
 The raging winds rush through the hollow wound. 
 And dance aloft in air, and skim along the ground ; 
 Then, settling on the sea, the surges sweep, 
 Raise liquid mountains, and disclose the deep. 125 
 South, East, and West, with mix'd confusion roar, 
 And roll the foaming billows to the shore. 
 The cables crack ; the sailors' fearful cries 
 Ascend, and sable night involves the skies; 
 And beav'n itself is ravish'd from their eyes. 130 
 
 Loud peals of thunder from the poles ensue ; 
 Then flashing fires the transient light renew : 
 The face of tilings a frightful image bears ; 
 And present death in various forms appears. 
 Struck with unusual fright, the Trojan chief 135 
 
 With lifted hands and eyes, invokes relief; 
 And, ' Thrice and four times happy those,' he 
 
 cried, 
 ' That under Ilian walls, before their parents, died I 
 Tydides, bravest of the Grecian train ! 
 Why could not I by that strong arm be slain, 140 
 
 And lie by noble Hector on the plain ; 
 Or great Sarpedon, in those bloody fields, 
 W^here Simois rolls the bodies and the shields 
 Of heroes, whose dismember'd bands yet bear 
 The dart aloft, and clench the pointed spear?' nr> 
 
 Thus while the pious prince his fate bewails, 
 Fierce Boreas drove against his flying sails, 
 G
 
 lie THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 And rent the sheets, the raging billows rise, 
 Aud mount the tossing vessel to the skies : 
 Nor can the shiv'ring oars sustain the hU)\v ; 1 ;: 
 
 The galley gives her side, and turns her prow; 
 While those astern, descending dov^n the stt-ep, 
 Through gaping waves behold the boiling deep. 
 Three ships were hurried by the southern blast. 
 And on the secret shelves with fury cast. IC^ 
 
 Those hidden rocks th' Ausonian sailors knew ; 
 They call'd them Altars, when they rose in view, 
 And shew'd their spacious backs above the flood. 
 Three more fierce Eurus, in his angry mood, 
 Dash'd on the shallows of the moving sand, ICO 
 
 And in mid ocean left them moor'd aland. 
 Orontes* bark, that bore the Lycian crew, 
 (A horrid sight) ev'n in the hero's view, 
 From stem to stern by waves was overborne : 
 The trembling pilot, from his rudder torn, 105 
 
 Was headlong hurl'd ; thrice round the ship was 
 
 toss'd, 
 Then bulg'd at once, and in the deep was lost; 
 And here and there above the waves were seen 
 Arms, pictures, precious goods, and floating men. 
 The stoutest vessel to the storm gave way, 170 
 
 And suck'd through loosen'd planks the rushing 
 
 sea. 
 Ilioneus was her chief: Aletes old, 
 Achates faithful. Abas young and bold, 
 Endur'd not less: their ships, with gaping seams, 
 Admit the deluge of the briny streams. 175 
 
 Meantime imperial Neptune heard the sound 
 Of raging billows breaking on the ground. 
 Displeas'd, and fearing for his watery reign. 
 He rear'd his awful head above the main. 
 Serene in majesty, — then roU'd his eyes 180 
 
 Around the space of earth, and seas, and skies. 
 He saw the Trojan fleet dispers'd, distress'd. 
 By stormy winds and wintry heav'n oppress'd. 
 Full well the god his sister's envy knew, 
 And what her aims and what her arts pursue. 1S5 
 He summon'd Eurus and the western blast. 
 And first an angry glance on both ho cast.
 
 ^NEIS, I. 147 
 
 Then thus rebuk'd — ' Audacious -winds ! from whence 
 
 This bold attempt, this rebel insolence 1 
 
 Is it for you to ravage seas and land, 190 
 
 Lnanthoris'd by my supreme command ? 
 
 To raise such mountains on the troubled main T 
 
 Whom I but first 'tis fit the billows to restrain ; 
 
 And then you shall be taught obedience to my reipn. 
 
 Hence ! to your lord my royal mandate bear — 15^5 
 
 The realms of ocean and the fields of air 
 
 Are mine, not his. By fatal lot to rue 
 
 The liquid empire fell, and trident of the sea. 
 
 His pow'r to hollow caverns is confin'd ; 
 
 There let him reign the jailor of the wind, 200 
 
 With hoarse command his breathing subjects call, 
 
 And boast and bluster in his empty hall.' 
 
 He spoke — and, while he spoke, he smooth'd the sea, 
 
 Dispell'd the darkness, and restor'd the day. 
 
 Cymothoe, Triton, and the sea-green train 205 
 
 Of beauteous nymphs, the daughters of the main, 
 
 Clear from the rocks the vessels with their hands; 
 
 The god himself with ready trident stands. 
 
 And opes the deep, and spreads the moving sands; 
 
 Then heaves them off the shoals. — Where'er he guides 
 
 His finny coursers, and in triumph rides, 211 
 
 The waves unruffle, and the sea subsides. 
 
 As, when in tumults, rise th' ignoble crowd. 
 
 Mad are their motions, and their tongues are loud; 
 
 And stones and brands in rattling volleys fly, 215 
 
 And all the rustic arms that fury can supply: 
 
 If then some grave and pious man appear. 
 
 They hush their noise, and lend a list'ning ear : 
 
 He soothes with sober words their angry mood, 
 
 And quenches their innate desire of blood : 220 
 
 So, when the father of the flood appears. 
 
 And o'er the seas his sov'reign trident rears. 
 
 Their fury falls : he skims the liquid plains. 
 
 High on his chariot, and, with looaen'd reins. 
 
 Majestic moves along, and awful peace maintains. 
 
 The weary Trojans ply their shatter'd oars 22G 
 
 To nearest land, and make the Libyan shores. 
 
 Within a long recess there lies a bay: 
 An island shades it from the rolling sea.
 
 148 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 And forms a. port secure for suips to ride; '.'-30 
 
 Broke by the jutting land, on either side, 
 In double streams the briny waters glide, 
 Betwixt two rows of rocks : a sylvan scene 
 Appears above, and groves for ever green : 
 A grot is form'd beneath, with mossy seats, 235 
 
 To rest the Nereids, and exclude the heats. 
 Down through the crannies of the living walls. 
 The crystal streams descend in murrn'ring falls. 
 No halsers need to bind the vessels here. 
 Nor bearded anchors; for no storms they fear. 210 
 Sev'n ships within this happy harbour meet. 
 The thin remainders of the scatter'd fleet. 
 The Trojans, worn with toils, and spent with woes. 
 Leap on the welcome land, and seek their wish'd re- 
 pose. 
 First, good Achates, with repeated strokes 215 
 
 Of clashing flints, their hidden fire provokes : 
 Short flame succeeds: a bed of wither'd leaves 
 The dying sparkles in their fall receives ! 
 Caught into life, in fiery fumes they rise, 
 And, fed with stronger food, invade the skies. 250 
 The Trojans, dropping wet, or stand around 
 The cheerful blaze, or lie along the ground. 
 Some dry their corn infected with the brine. 
 Then grind with marbles, and prepare to dine, 
 jl^neas climbs the mountain's airy brow, 255 
 
 And takes a prospect of the seas below. 
 If Capys thence, or Antheus, he could spy, 
 Or see the streamers of Ca'icus fly. 
 No vessels were in view : but, on the plain, 
 Three beamy stags command a lordly train 2C0 
 
 Of branching heads : the more ignoble thiong 
 Attend their stately steps, and slowly graze along. 
 He stood; and, while secure they fed below, 
 He took the quiver and the trusty bow 
 Achates us'd to bear : the leaders first 2f35 
 
 He laid along, and then the vulgar pierc'd ; 
 Nor ceas'd his arrows, till the shady plain 
 Sev'n mighty bodies with their blood distain. 
 For the sev'n ships he made an equal share, 209 
 
 And to the port retum'd triumphant from the war.
 
 ^NEIS, I. 113 
 
 The jars of gen'rous wine (Aoestes' gift, 
 Wlien his Trinacrian shores the naTy left) 
 He set abroach, and for the feast prepar'd, 
 In equal portions with the ven'son shar'd. 
 Thus while he dealt it round, the pious chief '275 
 With cheerful words allay'd the common grief; 
 ' Endure, and conquer ! Jove will soon dispose 
 To future good our past and present woes. 
 With me, the rocks of Scylla you have tried ; 
 Th' inhuman Cyclops, and his den, defied. 280 
 
 What greater ills hereafter can you bear ? 
 Resume your courage, and dismiss your care. 
 An hour will come, with pleasure to relate 
 Your sorrows past, as benefits of Fate, 
 Through various hazards and events, we move '2S5 
 To Latium, and the realms foredooni'd by Jove. 
 Call'd to the seat (the promise of the skies) 
 Where Trojan kingdoms once again may rise, 
 Endure the hardships of your present state ; 
 Live and reserve yourselves for better fate.' '290 
 
 These words he spoke, but spoke not from the heart ; 
 His outward smiles conceal'd his inward smart. 
 The jolly crew, unmindfal of the past, 
 The quarry share, their plenteous dinner haste. 
 Some strip the skin ; some portion out the spoil ; 295 
 The limbs, yet trembling, in the caldrons boil ; 
 Some on the fire the reeking entrails broil. 
 Stretch'd on the grassy turf, at ease they dine. 
 Restore their strength with meat, and cheer their souls 
 
 with wine. 
 Their hunger thus appeas'd, their care attends 300 
 The doubtful fortune of their absent friends : 
 Alternate hopes and fears their minds possess, 
 Whether to deem them dead, or in distress. 
 Above the rest ^Eneas mourns the fate 
 Of brave Orontes, and th' uncertain state 303 
 
 Of Gyas, Lycus, and of Amycus. — 
 The day, but not their sorrows, ended thus : 
 When, from aloft, almighty Jove sxirveys 
 Earth, air, and shores, and navigable seas: 
 At length on Libyan realms he fix'd his eyes — 310 
 Whom, poad'ring thus on human miseries,
 
 150 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 When Venus saw, she with a lowlj' look, 
 
 Not free from tears, her heav'nly sire bespoke : 
 
 • O king of gods and men ! whose awful hand 
 
 Disperses thunder on the seas and land ; 315 
 
 Disposes all with absolute command; 
 
 How could my pious son thy pow'r incense ? 
 
 Or what, alas! isvanish'd Troy's offence? 
 
 Our hope of Italy not only lost, 
 
 On various seas by various tempests toss'd, 320 
 
 But shut from ev'ry shore, and barr'd from everj' coast. 
 
 You promis'd once, a progeny divine. 
 
 Of Romans, rising from the Trojan line, 
 
 In after-times should hold the world in awe. 
 
 And to the land and ocean give the law. 325 
 
 How is your doom revers'd, which eas'd my care 
 
 When Troy was ruin'd in that cruel war? 
 
 Then fates to fates I could oppose : but now. 
 
 When Fortune still pursues her former blow. 
 
 What can I hope ? What worse can still succeed ? 330 
 
 What end of labours has your will decreed ? 
 
 Antenor, from the midst of Grecian hosts. 
 
 Could pass secure, and pierce th' lUyrian coasts. 
 
 Where, rolling down the steep, Timavus raves, 334 
 
 And through nine channels disembogues his waves. 
 
 At length he founded Padua's happy seat, 
 
 And gave his Trojans a secure retreat ; 
 
 There fix'd their arms, and there renew'd their name, 
 
 And there in quiet rules, and crown'd with fame. 
 
 But we, descended from your sacred line, 3 10 
 
 Entitled to your heav'n and rites divine. 
 
 Are banish'd earth, and, for the wrath of one, 
 
 Remov'd from Latium, and the promis'd throne. 
 
 Are these our sceptres ? these our due rewards? 344 
 
 And is it thus that Jove his plighted faith regards ?' 
 
 To whom the father of th' immortal race. 
 Smiling with that serene indulgent face 
 With which he drives the clouds and clears the skies. 
 First gave a holy kiss ; then thus replies — 
 ' Daughter, dismiss thy fears : to thy desire, 350 
 
 The fates of thine are fix'd, and stand entire. 
 Thou shalt behold thy wish'd Lavinian walls ; 
 yVnd, ripe for heav'n, when Fate i^iieas calb.
 
 ^NEIS, I. 151 
 
 Then shalt thou bear him up sublime to rae: 
 
 No counsels have revcrs'd ray firm decree. 355 
 
 And, lest new fears disturb tliy happy state. 
 
 Know, I have search'd the mystic rolls of Fate : 
 
 Thy son (nor is th' appointed season far) 
 
 In Italy shall wage successful war. 
 
 Shall tame fierce nations in the bloody field, 300 
 
 And sov 'reign laws impose, and cities build, 
 
 Till, after ev'ry foe subdu'd,the sun 
 
 Thrice through the signs his annual race shall run : 
 
 This is his time prefix'd. Ascanius then. 
 
 Now caird liilus, shall begin his reign. 365 
 
 He thirty rolling years the crown shall wear. 
 
 Then from Lavinium shall the seat transfer. 
 
 And, with hard labour, Alba-longa build. — 
 
 The throne with his succession shall be fill'd. 
 
 Three hundred circuits more : then shall be seen 370 
 
 Ilia the fair, a priestess and a queen. 
 
 Who, full of Mars, in time, with kindly throes. 
 
 Shall at a birth two goodly boys disclose. 
 
 The royal babes a tawny wolf shall drain : 
 
 Then Romulus his grandsire's throne shall gain, 375 
 
 Of martial tow'rs the founder shall become. 
 
 The people Romans call, the city Rome. 
 
 To them no bounds of empire I assign. 
 
 Nor term of years to their immortal line. 
 
 Ev'n haughty Juno, who, with endless broils, 380 
 
 Earth, seas, and heav'n, and Jove himself, turmoils. 
 
 At length aton'd, her friendly pow'r shall join. 
 
 To cherish and advance the Trojan line. 
 
 The subject world shall Rome's dominion own, 384 
 
 And, prostrate, shall adore the nation of the gown. 
 
 An age is rip'ning in revolving fate. 
 
 When Troy shall overturn the Grecian state. 
 
 And sweet revenge her conqu'ring sons shall call 
 
 To crush the people that conspir'd her fall. 
 
 Then Caesar from the Julian stock shall rise, 390 
 
 Whose empire ocean, and whose fame the skies. 
 
 Alone shall bound ; whom, fraught with eastern spoils, 
 
 Our heav'n, the just reward of human toils. 
 
 Securely shall repay, with rites divine ; 391 
 
 A nd incense shall ascend before his sacred sLriue,
 
 152 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Then dire debate, and impious war, shall cease. 
 
 And the stern age be soften'd into peace : 
 
 Then banish'd Faith shall once again return. 
 
 And Vestal fires in hallovv'd temples burn ; 
 
 And Remus, with Quirinus shall sustain 4D0 
 
 The righteous laws, and fraud and force restrain. 
 
 Janus himself before his fane shall wait, 
 
 And keep the dreadful issues of his gate 
 
 With bolts and iron bars : within remains 
 
 Imprison'd Fury, bound in brazen chains : 405 
 
 High on a trophy rais'd, of useless arms, 
 
 He sits, and threats the world with vain alarms.' 
 
 He said, and sent Cjllenius with command 
 To free the ports, and ope the Punic land 
 To Trojan guests; lest ignorant of fate, 410 
 
 The queen might force them from her town and 
 
 state. 
 Down from the steep of heav'n Cyllenias flies, 
 And cleaves with all his wings the yielding skies. 
 Soon on the Libyan shore descends the god, 
 Performs his message, and displays his rod. 415 
 
 The surly murmurs of the people cease : 
 And, as the Fates reqtiir'd, they give the peace. 
 The queen herself suspends the rigid laws. 
 The Trojans pities, and protects their cause. 
 
 Meantime, in shades of night .(Eneas lies : 420 
 
 Care seiz'd his soul, and sleep forsook his eyes. 
 But when the sun restor'd the cheerful day, 
 He rose, the coast and country to survey, 
 Anxious and eager to discover more. — 
 It look'd a wild uncultivated shore : 425 
 
 Rut, whether human kind, or beasts alone, 
 Possess'd the new-found region, was unknown. 
 Beneath a ledge of rocks his fleet he hides: 
 Tall trees surround the moimtain's shady sides : 
 The bending brow above, a safe retreat provides. 435 
 Arm'd with two pointed darts, he leaves his friends; 
 And true Achates on his steps attends. 
 Lo ! in the deep recesses of the wood, 
 Before his eyes his goddess-mother stood — 
 A huntress in her habit and hev mien .: 435 
 
 Her dress a maid, her air confess'd a queen.
 
 ^NEIS, I. J53 
 
 Bare were her knees, and knots her garments bind ; 
 Loose was her hair, and wanton'd in the wind ; 
 Her hand sustain'd a bow ; her quiver hung behind. 
 She seem'd a virgin of the Spartan blood : 440 
 
 With such array Harpalyce bestrode 
 Her Thracian courser, and out-stripp'd the rapid 
 
 flood. 
 ' Ho ! strangers ! have you lately seen,' she said, 
 ' One of my sisters, like myself array 'd, 
 Who cross'd the lawn, or in the forest stray'd ; 445 
 A painted quiver at her back she bore ; 
 Varied with spots, a lynx's hide she wore ; 
 And at full cry pursu'd the tusky boar.' 
 Thus Venus : thus her son replied again : 
 
 * None of your sisters have we heard or seen, 450 
 O virgin ; or what other name you bear 
 
 Above that style — O more than mortal fair ! 
 
 Your voice and mien celestial birth betray. 
 
 If, as you seem, the sister of the day. 
 
 Or one at least of chaste Diana'? train, 4.'i5 
 
 Let not an humble suppliant sue in vain : 
 
 But tell a stranger, long in tempests toss'd. 
 
 What earth we tread, and who commands the coast ; 
 
 Then on your name shall wretched mortals call. 
 
 And offer'd victims at your altars fall.' — 460 
 
 * I dare not,' she replied, ' assume the name 
 Of goddess, or celestial honours claim : 
 
 For Tyrian virgins bows and quivers bear, 
 And purple buskins o'er their ancles wear. 
 Know, gentle youth, in Libyan lands you are — 4ij5 
 A people rude in peace, and rough in war. 
 The rising city, which from far you see. 
 Is Carthage, and a Tyrian colony. 
 Phoeoician Dido rules the growing state. 
 Who fled from Tyre, to shun her brother's hate. 4ro 
 Great were her wrongs, her story full of fate ; 
 Which I will sum in short. Sichaeus, known 
 For wealth, and brother to the Punic throne, 
 Possess'd fair Dido's bed ; and either heart 
 At once was wounded with an equa dart. AT Tt 
 
 Her father gave her, yet a spotless maid; 
 Pygmalion then the Tyrian sceptre sway'd— 
 G 2
 
 751 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Oue who contemu'd divine and human laws. 
 
 Then strife ensu'd, and cursed gold Ihe cause 
 
 The monarch, blinded with desire of wealth, 480 
 
 With steel invades his brother's life by stealth ; 
 
 Before the sacred altar made him bleed, 
 
 And long from her conceal'd the cruel deed. 
 
 Some tale, some new pretence, he daily coin'd. 
 
 To snothe his sister, and delude her mind. 5;-5 
 
 At length, in dead of night, the ghost appears 
 
 Of her unhappy lord : the spectre stares. 
 
 And, with erected eyes, his bloody bosom barey. 
 
 The cruel altars, and his fate, he tells. 
 
 And the dire secret of his house reveals ; 49;> 
 
 Then warns the widow, and her household gods, 
 
 To seek a refuge in remote abodes, 
 
 Last, to support her in so long a way, 
 
 lie shews her where his hidden treasure lay. 
 
 Admoniah'd thus, and seiz'd with mortal fright, Jflj 
 
 The queen provides companions of her flight : 
 
 They meet, and all combine to leave the state. 
 
 Who hate the tyrant, or who fear his hate. 
 
 They seize a fleet, which ready rigg'd they find, 
 
 Kor is Pygmalion's treasure left behind. ioo 
 
 The vessels, heavy laden, put to sea 
 
 With prosp'rous winds: a woman leads the way. 
 
 1 know not, if by stress of weather driv'n, 
 
 Or was their fatal course dispos'd by Heav'n ; 
 
 At last they landed, where from far your eyes 5o') 
 
 May view the turrets of new Carthage rise ; 
 
 Tliere bought a space of ground, which (Byrsa cali'J, 
 
 From the bull's hide) they first enclos'd and wall'd. 
 
 But whence are you? what country claims your 
 
 birth? 
 What seek you, strangers, on our Libyan earth?' 510 
 
 To whom, with sorrow streaming from his eyes, 
 And deeply sighing, thus her son replies : 
 ' Could you with patience hear, or I relate, 
 O nymph ! the tedious annals of our fate, 
 Through such a train of woes if I should run, uI5 
 The day would sooner than the tale be done. 
 From ancient Troy, by force expell'd, we came — 
 If you by chance have heard the Trojan name.
 
 ^ENEIS, I. 155 
 
 On various seas by various tempests toss'd. 
 At length -we landed on yoiu- Libyan coast, 520 
 
 The good iEneas ani I call'd — a name. 
 While Fortune favovir'd, not nnknown to fame. 
 My household gods, companions of my woe.s. 
 With pious care I rescu'd from our foe*. 
 To fruitful Italy my course was bent ; 525 
 
 And from the king of heav'n is my descent. 
 With twice ten sail I cross'd the Phrygian sea. 
 Fate and my mother-goddess led my way. 
 Scarce sev'n, the thin remcunders of my fleet, 5>9 
 From storms preserv'd, within your harbour meet. 
 Myself distress'd, an exile, and unknown, 
 Debarr'd from Europe, and from Asia thrown, 
 In Libyan deserts wander thus alone.' 
 
 Hia tender parent could no longer bear, 
 But, interposing, sought to soothe his care. 535 
 
 ' Whoe'er you are — notunbslov'd by Heav'n, 
 Since on our friendly shore your ships are driv'n — 
 Have courage : to the gods permit the rest, 
 And to the queen expose your just reque.st. 
 Now take tiiis earnest of success for more : 540 
 
 Your scattered fleet is jnin'd npon the shore ; 
 The winds are chang'd, your friends from danger free; 
 Or I renounce my skill in augury. 
 Twelve swans behold in beauteous order move. 
 And stoop with closing pinions from above ; 545 
 
 Whom late the bird of Jove had driv'n along. 
 And through the clouds porsu'd the scatt'ring throng ; 
 Now, all united in a goodly team. 
 They skim the ground, and seek the quiet stream. 
 As they, with joy returning, clap their v% ings, 550 
 And ride the circuit of the skies in rings ; 
 Kot otherwise your ships, and ev'ry friend, 
 Already hold the port, or with swift sails descend. 
 No more advice is needful ; but pursue 
 The path before 50U, and the town in view.' 555 
 
 Thus having said, she tum'd, and made appear 
 Her neck refulgent and dishevell'd hair, 
 W hich, flowing from her shoulders, reach'd the 
 
 ground, 
 And widely spread ambrosial scents around.
 
 156 THE WORKS OP VIRGIL. 
 
 In length of train descends her sweeping gown ; .IG© 
 
 And, by her graceful walk, the queen of love is known. 
 
 The prince pursu'd the parting deity 
 
 With words like these : ' Ah ! whither do yon fly ? 
 
 Unkind and cruel ! to deceive your son 
 
 In borrow'd fbapes, and his embrace to shun ; 565 
 
 Never to bless my sight, but thus unknown ; 
 
 And still to speak in accents not your own.' 
 
 Against the goddess these complaints he made, 
 
 But took the path, and her commands obey'd. 
 
 They march obscure : for Venns kindly shrouds, 570 
 
 With mists, their persons, and involv'd in cloiids, 
 
 That, thus unseen, their passage none might stay. 
 
 Or force to tell the causes of their way. 
 
 This part performed, the goddess flies sublime, 
 
 To visit Paphos and her native clime, 575 
 
 Where garlands, ever green and ever fair. 
 
 With vows are offer'd, and with solemn pray'r : 
 
 A hundred altars in her temples smoke : 
 
 A thousand bleeding hearts her pow'r invoke. 
 
 They climb the next ascent, and, looking down, 589 
 Now at a nearer distance view the town. 
 The prince with wonder sees the stately tow'rs 
 (Which late were huts, and shepherds' homely bow'rs). 
 The gates and streets ; and hears, from ev'ry part. 
 The noise and busy concourse of the mart. 585 
 
 The toiling Tyrians on each other call. 
 To ply their labour : some extend the wall ; 
 Some build the citadel ; the brawny throng 
 Or dig, or push unwieldy stones along. 
 Some for their dwellings choose a spot of grouna, 550 
 Which, first design'd, with ditches they surround. 
 Some laws ordain ; and some attend the choice 
 Of holy senates, and elect by voice. 
 Here some design a mole, while others there 
 Lay deep foundations for a theatre, 59f> 
 
 From marble quarries mighty columns hew 
 For ornaments of scenes, and future view. 
 Such is their toil, and such their busy pains, 
 As exercise the bees in flow'ry plains, 
 When wint.'ir pa^t, and summer scarce begun, COO 
 
 Invites them forth to labour in the sun :
 
 ^NEIS, I. irj7 
 
 Snme lead their youth abroad, while some condense 
 
 Their liquid store, and some in cells dispense ; 
 
 Some at the gate stand ready to receive 
 
 The golden burden, and their friends relieve : 605 
 
 All, with united force, combine to drive 
 
 The lazy drones from the laborious hive ; 
 
 With envy stung, they view each other's deeds ; 
 
 The fragrant work with diligence proceeds. 
 
 • Thrice happy you, whose walls already rise !' 610 
 
 .ffineas said, and view'd, with lifted eyes. 
 
 Their lofty tow'rs: then ent'ring at the gate 
 
 ConceaVd in clouds (prodigious to relate). 
 
 He mix'd, unmark'd, among the busy throng. 
 
 Borne by the tide, and pass'd unseen along. 615 
 
 Full in the centre of the town there stood. 
 
 Thick set with trees, a venerable wood : 
 
 The Tyrians, landing near this holy ground, 
 
 And digging here, a prosp'rous omen found ; 
 
 From under earth a courser's bead they drew, 620 
 
 Their growth and future fortune to foreshew : 
 
 This fated sign their foundress Juno gave. 
 
 Of a soil fruitful, and a people brave. 
 
 Sidonian Dido here with solemn state 
 
 Did Juno's temple build, and consecrate, t32J 
 
 Enrich'd with gifts, and with a golden shrine ; 
 
 But more the goddess made the place divine. 
 
 On brazen steps the marble threshold rose, 
 
 And brazen plates the cedar beams enclose : 
 
 The rafters are with brazen coVrings crown'd ; 630 
 
 The lofty doors on brazen hinges sound. 
 
 What first .^neas in this place beheld, 
 
 Reviv'd his courage, and his fears expell'd. 
 
 For, while, expecting there the queen, he rais'd 
 
 His wond'ring eyes, and round the temple gaz'd, 655 
 
 Admird the fortune of the rising town. 
 
 The striving artists, and their art's renown — 
 
 He saw, in order painted on the wall. 
 
 Whatever did unhappy Troy befal — 
 
 The wars that fame around the world had blown, &10 
 
 All to the life, and ev'ry leader known. 
 
 There Agamemnon, Priam here, he spies. 
 
 And fierce Achilles, who both kings defies
 
 1,38 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 lie stopp'd, and weeping said, ' O friend ! cv'n here 
 
 The monuments of Trojan woes appear I (H5 
 
 Our known disasters fill even foreign lands; 
 
 See there, where old unhappy Priam stands ! 
 
 Ev'n the mute walls relate the warriors' fame. 
 
 And Trojan griefs the Tyrians' pity claim.' 
 
 He said — (his tears a ready passage find) — C50 
 
 Devouring what he saw so well design'd ; 
 
 And with an empty picture fed his mind ; 
 
 For there be saw the fainting Grecians yield. 
 
 And here the trembling Trojans quit the field, 
 
 Pursu'd by fierce Achilles through the plain, (555 
 
 On his high chariot driving o'er the slain. 
 
 The tents of Rhesus next his grief renew. 
 
 By their white sails betray'd to nightly view; 
 
 And wakeful Diomede, whose cruel sword G59 
 
 The sentries slew, nor spar'd their slumb'ring lord. 
 
 Then took the fiery steeds, ere yet the food 
 
 Of Troy they taste, or drink the Xanthian flood. 
 
 Elsewhere he saw where Tro'ilus defied 
 
 Achilles, and unequal combat tried : 6iA 
 
 Then, where the boy disarm'd, with loosen'd reins. 
 
 Was by his horses hurried o'er the plains. 
 
 Hung by the neck and hair ; and, dragg'd around. 
 
 The hostile spear, yet sticking in his wound, 
 
 With tracks of blood inscrib'd the dusty ground. G(39 
 
 Meantime the Trojan dames, oppress'd with woe, 
 To Pallas' fane in long procession go. 
 In hopes to reconcile their heav'nly foe : 
 They weep; they beat their breasts ; they rend their 
 And rich embroider'd vests for presents bear; [hair, 
 But the stern goddess stands unmov'd with pray'r. 
 Thrice round the Trojan walls Achilles drew C7G 
 
 The corpse of Hector, whom in fight he slew. 
 Here Priam sues ; and there, for sums of gold. 
 The lifeless body of his son is sold. 
 So sad an object, and so well express'd, 080 
 
 Drew sighs and groans from the griev'd hero's breast. 
 To see the figure of his lifeless friend. 
 And his old sire his helpless hands extend. 
 Himself he saw amidst the Grecian train, 
 Mix'd iu the bloody battle on the plain : 08ft
 
 ^NEIS, r. 109 
 
 And s^rarthy Memnon in bis arms he knew. 
 
 His pompous ensigns, and his Indian crew, 
 
 Penthesilea there, with haughty grace. 
 
 Leads to the wars an Amazonian race : 
 
 In their right hands a pointed dart they wield ; G90 
 
 The left, for ward, sustains the lunar shield. 
 
 Athwart her hreast a golden belt she throws, 
 
 Amidst the press alone provokes a thousand foes, 
 
 And dares her maiden arms to manly force oppose. 
 
 Thus while the Trojan prince employs his eyes, GS5 
 
 Fix'd on the walls with wonder and surprise. 
 
 The beauteous Dido, with a num'rous train. 
 
 And pomp of guards, ascends the sacred fane. 
 
 Such on Eurotas' banks, or Cynthus' height, 
 
 Diana seems ; and so she charms the sight, 7C0 
 
 When in the dance tlie graceful goddess leads 
 
 The choir of nymphs, and overtops their heads. 
 
 Known by her quiver, and her lofty mien. 
 
 She walks majestic, and she looks their queen : 
 
 Latona sees her shine above the rest, 705 
 
 And feeds with secret joy her silent breast, 
 
 Sxich Dido was ; with such becoming state. 
 
 Amidst the crowd, she walks serenely great. 
 
 Their labour to her future sway she speeds. 
 
 And passing with a gracious glance proceeds, 710 
 
 Then mounts the throne, high plac'd before the 
 
 shrine : 
 In crowds around the swarming people join. 
 She takes petitions, and dispenses laws. 
 Hears aud determines ev'ry private cause; 
 Their tasks in equal portions she divides, 715 
 
 And, where unequal, there by lot decides. 
 Another way by chance ^^neas bends 
 His eyes, and unexpected sees his friends, 
 Antheus, Sergestus brave, Cioauthus strong. 
 And at their backs a mighty Trojan throng. 720 
 
 Whom late the tempest on the billows toss'd. 
 And widely scatter'd on another coast. 
 The prince, unseen, snrpris'd with wonder stands, 
 And longs, with joyful haste, to join their hands; 
 But, doubtful of the wish'd event, he stays, i'i.'i 
 
 Aud from the hollow cloud his friends surveys.
 
 IGO THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Impatient, till they told their present state, 
 And where they left their ships, and what their 
 
 fate. 
 And why they came, and what was their request : 
 For these were sent commission 'd by the rest, 730 
 To sue for leave to land their sickly men. 
 And gain admission to the gracious queen. 
 Ent'ring, with cries they fill'd the holy fane ; 
 Then thus, with lowly Toice, Ilioneus began : 
 * O queen ! indulg'd by favour of the gods 735 
 
 To found an empire in these new abodes ; 
 To build a town ; with statutes to restrain 
 The wild inhabitants beneath thy reign — 
 We wretched Trojans toss'd on ev'ry shore. 
 From sea to sea, thy clemency implore. 741) 
 
 Forbid the fires our shipping to deface ! 
 Receive th' unhappy fugitives to grace, 
 And spare the remnant of a pious race ! 
 We come not with design of wasteful prey. 
 To drive the country, force the swains away : 745 
 
 Nor such our strength, nor such is our desire ; 
 The vanquish'd dare not to such thoughts aspire. 
 A land there is, Hesperia nam'd of old — 
 The soil is fruitful, and the men are bold — 
 Th' ffiuotrians held it once — by common fame 750 
 Now call'd Italia, from the leader's name. 
 To that sweet region was our voyage bent. 
 When winds and ev'ry warring element 
 Disturb'd our course, and, far from sight of land, 
 Cast our torn vessels on the moving sand : 755 
 
 The sea came on; the South, with mighty roar, 
 Dispers'd and dash'd the rest upon the rocky 
 
 shore. 
 Those few you see escap'd the storm, and fear. 
 Unless you interpose, a shipwreck here. 
 What men, what monsters, what inhuman race, 760 
 What laws, what barb'rous customs of the place, 
 Shut tip a desert shore to drowning men, 
 And drive us to the cruel seas again ! 
 If our hard fortune no compassion draws. 
 Nor hospitable rites, nor human laws, 705 
 
 The gods are just, and will revenge our cause.
 
 ^iNEIS, I. ICl 
 
 jl^neas was our prince — a juster lord, 
 Or noble warrior, never drew a sword — 
 Obserrant of tLe right, religions of his word. 
 If yet he lives, and draws this vital air, 770 
 
 Nor we his friends of safety shall despair. 
 Nor yon, great queen, these ofSces repent, 
 Which he will equal, and perhaps augment. 
 "VVe want not cities, nor Sicilian coasts. 
 Where king Acestes Trojan lineage boas-ts. 775 
 
 Permit our ships a shelter on your shores. 
 Refitted from your woods with planks and oars. 
 That, if our prince be safe, we may renew 
 Our destin'd course, and Italy pursue. 
 But if, O best of men ! the Fates ordain 7S0 
 
 That thou art swallow'd in the Libyan main. 
 And if our young Ililus be no more. 
 Dismiss our navy from your friendly shore. 
 That we to good Acestes may return. 
 And with our friends our common losses mourn. 785 
 TTius spoke Ilioneus : the Trojan crew 
 With cries and clamours his request renew. 
 The modest queen awhile, with downcast eyes, 
 Ponder'd the speech, then briefly thus replies: 
 ' Trojan.sl dismiss your fears : my cruel fate, 790 
 
 And doubts attending an unsettled state, 
 "Force me to guard my coast from foreign foe.^. 
 Who has not heard the story of your woes. 
 The name and fortune of your native place. 
 The fame and valour of the Phrygian race 1 795 
 
 We Tyrians are not so devoid of sense. 
 Nor so remote from Phoebus' influence. 
 Whether to Latian shores your course is beat. 
 Or, driv'n by tempest from your first intent, 
 Yoa seek the good Acestes' government, 800 
 
 Your men shall be receiv'd, your fleet repair'J, 
 And sail, with ships of convoy for your guard: 
 Or, would you stay, and join jour friendly pow'rs 
 To raise and to defend the Tyrian tow'rs, 
 !My wealth, my city, and myself, are yours. 805 
 
 And would to heav'n the storm you felt v.ould 
 
 bring 
 On Carthaginian coasts your waad'ring king,
 
 Iu2 THE WORKS OP VIRGIL. 
 
 My people shall, by luy command, explore 
 
 The ports and creeks of ev'ry winding shore, 
 
 And towns, and wilds, and shady woods, in quest 810 
 
 Of so renown'd, and so desir'd a guest.' 
 
 Rais'd in his mind the Trojan hero stood. 
 And long'd to break from out his ambient cloud : 
 Achates found it, and thus urg'd his way : 
 ' From whence, O goddess-bom, this long delay ? 815 
 What more can you desire, your welcome sure. 
 Your fleet in safety, and your friends secure? 
 One only wants, and him we saw in vain 
 Oppose the storm, and swallow'd in the main. 
 Orontes in his fate our forfeit paid : 820 
 
 The rest agrees with what your mother said.' 
 Scarce had he spoken, when the cloud gave way. 
 The mists flew upward, and dissolv'd in day. 
 The Trojan chief appear'd in open sight, 
 August in visage, and serenely bright. 825 
 
 His mother-goddess, with her hands divine, [shine. 
 Had form'd his curling locks, and made his temples 
 And giv'n his rolling eyes a sparkling grace, 
 And breath'd a youthful vigour on his face; 
 Like polish'd iv'ry, beauteous to behold, 830 
 
 Or Parian marble, when enchas'd in gold: 
 Thus radiant from the circling cloud he broke ; 
 And thus with manly modesty he spoke : 
 * He whom you seek am I ; by tempests toss'd, 
 And sav'd from shipwreck on your Libyan coast ; 835 
 Presenting, gracious queen, before your throne, 
 A prince that owes his life to you alone. 
 Fair majesty ! the refuge and redress 
 Of those whoin Fate pursues, and wants oppress ! 
 You, who your pious offices employ 910 
 
 To save the relics of abandon'd Troy ; 
 Receive the shipwreok'd on your friendly shore. 
 With hospitable rites relieve the poor ; 
 Associate in your town a wand'ring train. 
 And strangers in your palace entertain. 845 
 
 What thanks can wretched fugitives return. 
 Who scatter'd through the world in exile mourn ? 
 The gods (if gods to goodness are inclin'd — 
 If acts of mercy touch their heav'nly mind),
 
 iENEIS, r. 1G3 
 
 And, more tban all the goda, your gen'rous Leart, 
 Conscious of worth, requite its own desert ! 851 
 
 In you this age is happy, and this earth; 
 And parents niore than mortal gaTe you birth. 
 While roiling rivers into seas shall run. 
 And round the space of heav'n the radiant sun ; S'-S 
 While trees the mountaiu-tops with shades supply, 
 Your honour, name, and praise, shall never die. 
 Whate'er abode my fortune has assign 'd. 
 Your image shall be present in my mind.' 
 Thus having said, he turn'd with pious haste, SCO 
 
 And joyful his expecting friends embrac'd ; 
 With his right hand, llioneus he grac'd: 
 Sergestus with his left ; then to his breast 
 Cloanthus and the noble Gyas press'd ; 
 And so by turns descended to the rest, 865 
 
 The Tyrian queen stood fix'd upon his face, 
 Pleas'd with his motions, ravish'd with his grace ; 
 Admir'd his fortunes, more admir'd the man : 
 Then re-collected stood; and thus began ; 
 ' What fate, O goddess-born ! what angry pow'rs 870 
 Have cast you shipwreck'd on our barren shores ? 
 Are you the great ^Eneas, known to fame. 
 Who from celestial seed your lineage claim ? 
 The same ^Eneas, whom fair Venus bore 
 To fam'd Anchises on th' Idaean shore 1 873 
 
 It calls into my mind, though then a child. 
 When Teucercame, from Salamis exil'd. 
 And sought my fatiier's aid, to be restor'd : 
 ■My father Belus then, with fire and sword. 
 Invaded Cyprus, made the region bare, 880 
 
 And, conqu'ring, finish'd the successful war. 
 From him the Trojan siege I understood. 
 The Grecian chiefs, and your illustrious blood. 
 Yovir foe himself the Dardan valour prais'd. 
 And his own ancestry from Trojans rais'd. 885 
 
 Enter, my noble gJiest ! and you sh ill find, 
 If not a costly welcome, yet a kind: 
 For I myself, like you, have been distress'd, 
 Till Heav'n afforded me this place of rest. 
 Like you, an alien in a land unknown, 890 
 
 I learn to pity woe3 so like my own.'
 
 164 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 She said, and to the palace led her guest, 
 
 Then olfer'd incense, and proclaim'd a feast. 
 
 Nor yet less careful for her absent friends, 
 
 Twice ten fat oxen to the ships she sends: 833 
 
 Besides a hundred boars, a hundred lambs, 
 
 With bleating cries, attend their milky dams; 
 
 And jars of gen'rous wine, and spacious bowls. 
 
 She gives, to cheer the sailors' drooping souls. 
 
 Now purple hangings clothe the palace walls, !)no 
 
 And sumptuous feJists are made in splendid 
 
 halls : 
 On Tyrian carpets, richly wrought, they dine ; 
 With loads of massy plate the sideboards shine, 
 And antique vases, all of gold cmboss'd, 
 (The gold itself inferior to the cost 90.^ 
 
 Of curious work) where on the sides were seen 
 The fights and figures of illustrious men, 
 From their first founder to the present queen. 
 
 The good i?!^neas, whose paternal care 
 lulus' absence could no longer bear, OiO 
 
 Dispatch'd Achates to the ships in haste, 
 To give a glad relation of the past. 
 And, fraught with precious gifts, to bring the boy, 
 Snatch'd from the ruins of unhappy Troy — 
 A robe of tissue, stiff with golden wire ; 915 
 
 An upper vest, once Helen's rich attire. 
 From Argos by the fam'd adultress brought, 
 With golden flow'rs and winding foliage wrought — 
 Her mother Leda's present, when she came 
 To ruin Troy, and set the world on flame; 920 
 
 The sceptre Priam's eldest daughter bore. 
 Her orient necklace, and the crown she wore 
 Of double texture, glorious to behold; 
 One order set with gems, and one with gold. 
 Instructed thus, the wise Achates goes, 925 
 
 And, in his diligence, his duty shews. 
 
 But Venus, anxious for her son's affairs, 
 New coiinsels tries, and new designs prepares : 
 That Cupid should assume the shape and face 
 Of sweet Ascanius, and the sprightly grace; 030 
 
 Should bring the presents in her nephew's stead, 
 And in Eliza's veins the gentle poison shed :
 
 iENEIS, I. 1G5 
 
 For lunch she fear'd the Tyrians, double-tongxi*d, 
 And knew the town tn Jano's care belong'd. 934 
 
 These thoughts by night her golden slumbers broke ; 
 And thus, alarm'd, to winged Love she spoke : 
 ' My son, my strength, whose mighty pow'r alone 
 Controls the Thund'rer on his awful throne. 
 To thee thy much-afflicted mother flies, 
 And on thy succour and thy faith relies. 940 
 
 Thou know'st, my son, how Jove's revengeful wife. 
 By force and fraud, attempts thy brother's life: 
 And often hast thou mourn'd with me his pains. 
 Him Dido now with blandishment detains; 
 But I suspect the town where Juno reigns. 0;5 
 
 For this, 'tis needful to prevent her art. 
 And fire with love the proud Phoenician's heart — 
 A love so violent, so strong, so sure, 
 That neither age can change, nor art can cure. 
 How this may be perform'd, now take my mind : 950 
 Ascanius by his father is design'd 
 To come, with presents laden, from the port. 
 To gratify the queen, and gain the court. 
 I mean to plunge the boy in pleasing sleep. 
 And, ravish'd, in Idalian bow'rs to keep. 955 
 
 Or high Cythera, that the sweet deceit 
 IVIay pass unseen, and none prevent the cheat. 
 Take thou his form and shape. I beg the grace, 
 But only for a night's revolving space. 
 Thyself a boy, assume a boy's dissembled face ; CCO 
 That when, amidst the fervour of the feast, 
 The Tyrian hugs and fonds thee on her breast. 
 And with sweet kisses in her arms constrains. 
 Thou may'st infuse thy venom in her veins.' 
 The god of love obeys, and sets aside 965 
 
 His bow and quiver, and his plumy pride : 
 He walks Ililus in his mother's sight. 
 And in the sweet resemblance takes delight. 
 The goddess then to young Ascanius flies. 
 And in a pleasing slumber seals his eyes : 970 
 
 LuU'd in her lap, amidst a train of Loves, 
 She gently bears him to her blissful groves. 
 Then with a Avreath of myrtle crowns hid head. 
 And softly lays him on a flow'ry bed.
 
 IGG THE WORKS OP VIRGIL. 
 
 Cupid tneantinie assuni'd liis form and face, f)7.'i 
 
 Following Achates with a shorter pace, 
 
 And brought the gifts. The queen already sato 
 
 Amidst the Trojan lords, in shining state. 
 
 High on a golden bed : her princely guest 
 
 Was next her side; in order sate the rest. 980 
 
 Then canisters with bread are heap'd on high : 
 
 Th' attendants water for their hands supply, 
 
 And, having wash'd, with silken towels dry. 
 
 Next fifty handmaids in long order bore 
 
 The censers, and with fumes the gods adore; 985 
 
 Then youths and virgins, twice as many, join 
 
 To place the dishes, and to serve the wine. 
 
 The Tyvian train, admitted to the feast. 
 
 Approach, and on the painted couches rest. 
 
 All on the Trojan gifts with wonder gaze, 900 
 
 But view the beauteous boy with more amaze. 
 
 His rosy-coloured cheeks, his radiant eyes. 
 
 His motions, voice, and shape, and all the god's dis 
 
 Nor pass unprais'd the vest and veil divine, [guise; 
 
 Which wand'ring foliage and rich flow'rs entwine. 
 
 But, far above the rest, the royal dame 9§6 
 
 (Already doom'd to love's disastrous flame), 
 
 With e^es insatiate, and tumultuous joy. 
 
 Beholds the presents, and admires the boy. 
 
 The guileful god, about the hero long, 1000 
 
 With children's play, and false embraces, hung ; 
 
 Then sought the queen ; she took him to her arms 
 
 With greedy pleasure, and devour'd his charms. 
 
 Unhappy Dido little thought what guest. 
 
 How dire a god, she drew so near her breast. 1005 
 
 But he, not mindless of his mother's pray'r, 
 
 Works in the pliant bosom of the fair. 
 
 And moulds her heart anew, and blots her former care. 
 
 The dead is to the living love resign'd; 
 
 And all iEneas enters in her mind. 1010 
 
 Now, when the rage of hunger was appeas'd. 
 The meatremov'd, and ev'ry guest waspleas'd. 
 The golden bowls with sparkling wine are crown'd, 
 And through the palace cheerful cries resound. 
 From gilded roofs depending lamps display lOlJ 
 
 Nocturnal beams, that emulate the day.
 
 .?^.NEIS, I. 1G7 
 
 A golden bowl, that shone with gemsdivino. 
 The queen commanded to be crown'd with wine— 
 The bowl that Behis us'd, and all the Tyrian line. 
 Then, silence through the hall proclaim'd, she 
 
 spoke : 1020 
 
 ' O hospitable Jove ! we thus invoke. 
 With solemn rites, thy sacred name andpow'r: 
 Rless to both nations this auspicious hour ! 
 So may the Trojan and the Tyrian line 
 In lasting concord from this day combine. 1025 
 
 Thou, Bacchus, god of joys and friendly cheer. 
 And gracious Juno, both be present here ! 
 And you, my lords of Tyre, your vows address 
 To heav'n, with mine, to ratify the peace.' 
 The goblet then she took, with nectar crown'd, 103O 
 (Sprinkling the first libations on the ground) 
 And rais'd it to her mouth with sober grace. 
 Then, sipping, ofFer'd to the next in place. 
 'Twas Bitias whom she call'd — a thirsty soul : 
 He took the challenge, and embrac'd the bowl, 10.3-> 
 With pleasure swill'd the gold, nor ceas'd to draw. 
 Till he the bottom of the brimmer .saw. 
 The goblet goes around : Ibpas brought 
 H is golden lyre, and sung what ancient Atlas taught — 
 The various labours of the wand'ring moon, 1040 
 
 And whence proceed th' eclipses of the sun ; 
 Th" original of men and beasts ; and whence 
 The rains arise, and fires their warmth dispense. 
 And fix'd and erring stars dispose their influence ; 
 What shakes the solid earth ; what cause delays 104.'5 
 The summer nights, and shortens winter days. 
 With peals of shouts the Tyrians praise the song ; 
 Those peals are echoed by the Trojan throng. 
 Th" unhappy queen with talk prolong'd the night. 
 And drank large draughts of love with vast delight; 
 Of Priam much inquir'd, of Hector more; 1051 
 
 Then ask'd what arms the swarthy Memnon wore ; 
 What troops he landed on the Trojan shore ; 
 (The steeds of Diomede varied the discourse. 
 And fierce Achilles, with his matchless force) ; 1055 
 At length, as Fate and her ill stars requir'd. 
 To hear the series of the war desir'd.
 
 IGS THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 'Relate at large, ray godlike gtiest,' she said, 
 
 ' The Grecian stratagems, the town betray'd : 
 
 The fatal iesue of so long a war, 1000 
 
 Your flight, your wand'rings, and your woes declare : 
 
 For, since on ev'ry sea, on every coast, 
 
 Your men have been distress'd, your navy toss'd, 
 
 Sev'n times the sun has either tropic view'd. 
 
 The winter banish'd, and the spring renew'd.' 1065 
 
 BOOK II. 
 
 ^neas relates how the city of Troy was taken, after a ten 
 yrars' t>ie?e, by the treachery of Sinon, and the stratagem 
 of a wooden horse. He declares the fixed resolution he 
 had taken, not to survive the fuin of his country, and the 
 varions adventures he n»et with in the defence of it. At last, 
 havins: been before advised by Hector's ^host, and now by the 
 appearance of his mother Venus, he is prevailed upon to leave 
 the town, and settle his household g-ods in another country. 
 In order to this, he carries off his father on his shoulders, 
 and leads his little son by the hand, his wife following him be- 
 hind. When he comes to the place appointed for the general 
 rendezvous, he finds a great confluence of people, but misses 
 liis wife, whose ghost afterward appears to liim, and tells him 
 the land which was desJo:ned for hira. 
 
 All were attentive to the godlike man. 
 
 When from his lofty couch he thus began : 
 
 • Great queen, what you command me to relate, 
 
 Renews the sad remembrance of our fate ; 
 
 An empire from its old foundations rent, 5 
 
 And ev'ry woe the Trojans underwent ; 
 
 A peopled city made a desert place ; 
 
 All that I saw, and part of which I was ; 
 
 Not ev'n the hardest of our foes could hear. 
 
 Nor stern Ulysses tell, without a tear. 10 
 
 And now the latter watch of wasting night. 
 
 And setting stars, to kindly rest invite ; 
 
 But since you take such int'rest in our woe. 
 
 And Troy's disastrous end desire to know, 
 
 I will restrain my tears, and briefly tell 15 
 
 What in our last and fatal night befel. 
 
 ' By destiny compell'd, and in despair. 
 The Greeks grew weary of the tedious war. 
 And by Minerva's aid, a fabric rear'd. 
 Which like a steed of monstrous height appear'd : 20
 
 iENEIS, II. 160 
 
 The sides were plank'd with pine : they feign'd it made 
 For their return, and this the vow they paid. 
 Thus they pretend ; but in the hollow side 
 Selected numbers of their soldiers hide: 
 With inward arms the dire machine they load ; 25 
 And iron bowels stuff the dark abode. 
 In sight of Troy lies Tenedos, an isle 
 /"While Fortune did on Priam's empire smile) 
 Renown'd for wealth; but, since, a faithless bay, 
 A\'here ships expos'd to wind and weather lay. 30 
 There was their fleet conceal'd. We thought, for 
 
 Greece 
 Their sails were hoisted, and our fears release. 
 The Trojans, coop'd within their walls so long. 
 Unbar their gates, and issue in a throng, 
 Like swarming bees, and with delight stirvey 3.5 
 
 The camp deserted, where the Grecians lay : 
 The quarters of the sev'ral chiefs they shew'd — 
 Here Phoenix, here Achilles, made abode; 
 Here join'd the battles ; there the navy rode. 
 Part on the pile their wond'ring eyes employ — 40 
 The pile by Pallas rais'd to ruin Troy. 
 Thymoetes first ('tis doubtful whether hir'd, 
 Or so the Trojan destiny requir'd) 
 Mov'd that the ramparts might be broken down. 
 To lodge the monster fabric in the town. 4.'» 
 
 But Capys, and the rest of sounder mind, 
 The fatal present to the flames design'd, 
 Or to the watery deep ; at least to bore 
 The hollow sides, and hidden frauds explore. 
 The giddy vulgar, as their fanfcies guide, 50 
 
 With noise say nothing, and in parts divide. 
 Laocoon, follow'd by a num'rous crowd. 
 Ran from the fort, and cried, from far, aloud : 
 " O wretched countrymen ! what fury reigns? 54 
 What more than madness has possess'd your brains? 
 Think you the Grecians from your coasts are gone ? 
 And are Ulysses' arts no better known 1 
 This hollow fabric either must inclose. 
 Within its blind recess, our secret foes ; 
 Or 'lis an engine rais'd above the town, 60 
 
 T' o'erlook the walls, and then to batter down. 
 H
 
 170 THE WORKS OP VIRGIL. 
 
 Somewhat is sui'e designed by fraud or force-- • 
 
 Trust not their presents, nor admit the horse. " 
 
 Thus having said, against the steed he threw 
 
 His forceful spear, which, hissing as it flew, O." 
 
 Pierc'd through the yielding planks of jointed wood, 
 
 And trembling in the hollow belly stood. 
 
 The sides, transpierc'd, return a rattling sound ; 
 
 And groans of Greeks inclos'd come issuing through 
 
 the wound. 
 And, had not Heav'n the fall of Troy design'd, 70 
 Or had not men been fated to be blind. 
 Enough was said and done, t' inspire a better mind. 
 Then had our lances pierc'd the treacherous wood. 
 And Ilian tow'rs and Priam's empire stood. 74 
 
 ' iMeantime, with shouts, the Trojan shepherds bring 
 A captive Greek in bands, before the king — 
 Taken, to take — who made himself their prey, 
 T' impose on their belief, and Troy betray ; 
 Fix'd on his aim, and obstinately bent 
 To die undaimted, or to circumvent. 80 
 
 About the captive, tides of Trojans flow; 
 All press to see, and some insult the foe. 
 Now hear how well the Greeks their wiles disguis'd. 
 Behold a nation in a man compris'd. 84 
 
 Trembling the miscreant stood; unarm'd and bound. 
 He star'd, and roll'd his haggard eyes around, 
 Then said, " Alas ! what earth remains, what sea 
 Is open to receive unhappy me 1 
 What fate a wretched fugitive attends, 
 Scorn'd by my foes, abandon'd by my friends?" 90 
 He said, and sigli'd, and cast a rueful eye : 
 Our pity kindles, and our passions die. 
 We cheer the youth to make his own defence, 
 And freely tell us what he was, and whence: 
 What news he could impart we long to know, 9rt 
 And what to credit from a captive foe. 
 
 ' His fear at length dismiss'd, he said, " Whate'er 
 My fate ordains, my words shall be sincere: 
 1 neither can nor dare my birth disclaim : 
 Greece is my country, Sinon is my name. 100 
 
 Though plung'd by Fortune's pow'r in misery, 
 'Tis not in Fortune's pow'r to make me lie.
 
 .-ENEIS, II. 171 
 
 If any chance has hither brought the name 
 
 Of Palamedes, not unknown to fame. 
 
 Who siiffer'd from the malice of the times, 1J5 
 
 Accus'd and sontenc'd for pretended crimes. 
 
 Because the fatal wars he would prevent; 
 
 Whose death the wretched Greeks too late lament — 
 
 Me, then a boy, my father, poor and bare 
 
 Of other means, committed to his care, 110 
 
 His kinsman and companion in the war. 
 
 While Fortune favour'd, while his arms support 
 
 The cause, and rul'd the counsels of the court. 
 
 I made some fijjure there; nor was my namo 
 
 Obscure, nor I without my share of fame. ll/S 
 
 But when Ulysses, wiih fallacious arts. 
 
 Had made impression in the people's hearts. 
 
 And forg'd a treason in my patron's name 
 
 (T speak of things too far divulg'd by fame). 
 
 My kinsman fell. Then I, without support, 120 
 
 In private mourn'd bis loss, and left the court. 
 
 Mad as I was, I could not bear his fate 
 
 With silent grief, but loudly blam'd the state. 
 
 And curs'd the direful author of my woes — ^ 
 
 *Twas told again; and hence my ruin rose. 125 
 
 I threaten'd, if indulgent Heav'n once more 
 
 Would land me safely on my native shore. 
 
 His death with double vengeance to restore. 
 
 This mov'd the murderer's hate ; and soon ensu'd 
 
 Th' effects of malice from a man so proud. 130 
 
 Ambiguous rumours through the camp he spread. 
 
 And sought, by treason, my devoted head; 
 
 New crimes invented ; left untiim'd no stone. 
 
 To make my guilt appear, and hide his own ; 134 
 
 Till Caichas was by force and threat'ning wrought — 
 
 But why, why dwell I on that anxious thought! 
 
 If on my nation just revenge you seek. 
 
 And 'tii t* appear a foe, t' appear a Greek; 
 
 Already you my name and country know ; 139 
 
 Assuage your thirst of blood, and strike the blow : 
 
 My death will both the kingly brothers please. 
 
 And set insatiate Ithacus at ease." 
 
 This fair unfinish'd tale, these broken starts, 
 
 Rais'd expectations in our longing hearts ; 
 
 Unknowing as we were in Grecian arts. HS
 
 172 THE WORKS OP VIRGIL. 
 
 His former trembling once again renew'd, 
 
 With acted fear, the villain thus pursu'd : 
 
 " Long had the Grecians (tir'd with fruitless care, 
 
 And wearied with an unsuccessfnl war) 
 
 Resolv'd to raise the siege, and leave the town : 150 
 
 And, had the gods permitted, they had gone. 
 
 But oft the wintry seas, and southern winds, 
 
 Withstood their passage home, and chang'd their 
 
 minds. 
 Portents and prodigies tkeir souli amaz'd ; 
 But most, when this stupendous pile was raisd : 155 
 Then flaming meteors, hung in air, were seen. 
 And thunders rattled through a sky serene. 
 Dismay'd, and fearful of some dire event, 
 Eurypylus, t* inquire their fate, was sent. 
 He from the gods this dreadful answer brought: 160 
 ' O Grecians, when the Trojan shores you sought. 
 Your passage with a virgin's blood was bought : 
 So must your safe return be bought again ; 
 And Grecian blood once more atone the main.' 
 The spreading rumour round the people ran ; 165 
 
 All fear'd, and each believ'd himself the man. 
 Ulysses took th' advantage of their fright ; 
 Call'd Calchas, and produc'd in open sight. 
 Then bade him name the wretch, ordain'd by fate 
 The public victim, to redeem the state. 170 
 
 Already some presag'd the dire event. 
 And saw what sacrifice Ulysses meant. 
 For twice five days the good old seer withstood 
 Th' intended treason, and was dumb to blood. 
 Till, tir'd with endless clamours, and pursuit 175 
 
 Of Ithacus, he stood no longer mute. 
 But, as it was agreed, pronounc'd that I 
 Was destin'd by the wrathful gods to die. 
 All prais'd the sentence, pleas'd the storm should 
 
 fall 
 On one alone, whose fury threaten'd all. 180 
 
 The dismal day was come: the priests prepare 
 Their leaven'd cakes, and fillets for my hair. 
 I follow'd nature's laws, and must avow, 
 I broke my bonds, and fled the fatal blow. 
 Hid in a weedy lake all night I lay, 185 
 
 Secure of safety when they sail'd away.
 
 ^NEIS, II. 175 
 
 But now what further hopes for me remain. 
 
 To see my friends or native soil again ; 
 
 My lender infants, or my careful sire. 
 
 Whom they returning will to death require; 190 
 
 Will perpetrate on them their first design, 
 
 And take the forfeit of their heads for mine? 
 
 \\'hich, O ! if pity mortal minds can move. 
 
 If there be faith below, or gods above. 
 
 If innocence and truth can claim desert, 103 
 
 Ye Trojans, from an injur'd wretch avert." 
 
 • False tears true pity move : the king commands 
 To loose his fetters, and unbind his hands. 
 Then adds these friendly words : " Dismiss thy 
 
 fears : 
 Forget the Greeks ; be mine as thou wert theirs : 'iOO 
 But truly tell, was it for force or guile. 
 Or some religious end, you rais'd the pile?" 
 Thus said the king. He, full of fraudful arts. 
 This well-invented tale for truth imparts : 
 " Ye lamps of heav'n I'" he said, and lifted high 205 
 His hands, now free, — " thou venerable sky ! 
 Inviolable pow'rs, ador'd with dread! 
 Ye fatal fillets, that once bound this head! 
 Ye sacred altars, from whose flames I tied I 
 Be all of you adjur'd; and grant I may, 210 
 
 Without a crime th' ungrateful Greeks betray, 
 Reveal the secrets of the guilty state. 
 And justly punish whom I justly hate! 
 But youj O king, preserve the faith you gave. 
 If I, to save myself, your empire save. 21.5 
 
 The Grecian hopes, and all th' attempts they made. 
 Were only founded on Minerva's aid. 
 But from the time when impious Diomede, 
 And false Ulysses, that inventive head. 
 Her fatal image from the temple drew, 220 
 
 The sleeping guardians of the castle slew. 
 Her virgin statue with their bloody hands 
 Polluted, and profan'd her holy bands; 
 From thence the tide of fortune left their shore. 
 And ebb'd much faster than it flow'd before : 225 
 
 Their courage languish'd, as their hopes decay d : 
 And Pallas, now averse, refus'd her aid.
 
 174 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Nor did the goddess doubtfully declare 
 
 Her alter'd mind, and alienated care. 
 
 When first her fatal image touch'd the ground, 230 
 
 She sternly cast her glaring eyes around. 
 
 That sparkled as they roll'd, and seem'd to threat : 
 
 Her heav'nly limbs distill'd a briny sweat. 
 
 Thrice from the ground she leap'd, was seen to 
 
 wield 
 Her brandish'd lance, and shake her horrid shield. 
 Then Calchas bade our host for flight prepare, 230 
 And hope no conquest from the tedious war, 
 Till first they sail'd for Greece ; with pray'rs besought 
 Her injur'd pow'r, and better omens brought. 
 And now their navy ploughs the wat'ry main, 210 
 Yet soon expect it on your shores again. 
 With Pallas pleas'd; as Calchas did ordain. 
 But first to reconcile the blue ey'd maid 
 For her stol'n statue and her tower betray'd, 
 Warn'd by the seer, to her offended name 245 
 
 We rais'd and dedicate this wond'rous frame, 
 So lofty, lest through your forbidden gates 
 It pass, and intercept our better fates : 
 For once admitted there, our hopes are lost; 
 And Troy may the^i a new Palladium boast : 250 
 
 For so religion and the gods ordain. 
 That, if you violate with hands profane 
 Minerva's gift, your town in flames shall burn; 
 (Which omen, O ye gods, on Graecia turn .') 
 But if it climb, with your assisting hands, 255 
 
 The Trojan walls, and in the city stands ; 
 Then Troy shall Argos and Mycenas burn. 
 And the reverse of fate on us return." 
 
 ' With such deceits he gain'd their easy hearts. 
 Too prone to credit his perfidious arts. 2€0 
 
 What Diomede,nor Thetis' greater son, 
 A thousand ships, nor ten years' siege had dc 
 False tears and fawning words the city won. 
 
 ' A greater omen, and a worse portent. 
 Did our unwary minds with fear torment. 
 Concurring to produce the dire event. 
 Laoco"6n, Neptune's priest by lot that year, 
 With solemn pomp then sacrific'd a steer;
 
 ^NEIS, II. 175 
 
 When (dreadful to behold !) from sea we spied 
 Two serpents, rank'd abreast, the seas divide, 270 
 And smoothly sweep along the swelling tide. 
 Thtir flaming crests above the waves they shew : 
 Their bellies seem to bum the seas below : 
 i'heir speckled tails advance to steer their course, 271 
 And on the sounding shore the flying billows force. 
 And now the strand, and now the plain, they held. 
 Their ardent eyes with bloody streaks were fill'd : 
 Their nimble tongues they brandish'd as they came, 
 Andlick'd their hissing jaws, that sputter'd flame. 
 We fled amaz'd ; their destin'd way they take, 280 
 And to Laocobn and his children make : 
 And first around the tender boys they wind, 
 Then with their sharpen'd fangs their limbs and 
 
 bodies grind. 
 The wretched father, running to their aid 
 ^Yitll pious haste, but vain, they next invade ; 285 
 Twice round his waist their winding volumes roU'd ; 
 And twice about his gasping throat they fold. 
 The priest thus doubly chok'd — their crests divide. 
 And tow'ring o'er his head in triumph ride. 
 With both bis hands he labours at the knots ; 290 
 His holy fillets the blue venom blots : 
 His roaring fills the flitting air around. 
 Thus, when an ox receives a glancing wound. 
 He breaks his bands, the fatal altar flies, 294 
 
 And with loud bellowings breaks the yielding skies. 
 Their ta.<ka perform'd, the serpents quit their prey, 
 And to the tow'r of Pallas make their way : 
 Couch"d at her feet, they lie protected there 
 By her large buckler, and protended spear. 
 Amazement seizes all : the gen'ral cry 300 
 
 Proclaims Laocobn justly doom'd to die. 
 Whose hand the will of Pallas had withstood. 
 And dar'd to violate the sacred wood. 
 All vote t' admit the steed, that vows be paid. 
 And incense ofl'er'd, to th' offended maid. 303 
 
 A spacious breach is made : the town lies bare : 
 Some hoisting levers, some the wheels, prepare. 
 And fasten to the horse's feet : the rest 
 With cables haul along th' unwieldy beast.
 
 176 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL, 
 
 Each on his fellow for assistance calls : 310 
 
 At length the fatal fabric mounts the walls. 
 
 Big with destruction. Boys with chaplets crownM, 
 
 And choirs of virgin^;, sing and dance around. 
 
 Thus rais'd aloft, and then descending down. 
 
 It enters o'er our heads, and threats the town. 315 
 
 O sacred city, built by hands divine! 
 
 O Taliant heroes of the Trojan line ! 
 
 Four times he struck : as oft the clashing sound 
 
 Of arms. was heard, and inward groans rebound. 
 
 Yet, mad with zeal, and blinded with our fate, 320 
 
 We haul along the horse in solemn state : 
 
 Then place the dire portent within the tow'r. 
 
 Cassandra cried, and cnrs'd th' xinhappy hour; 
 
 Foretold our fate ; but, by the god's decree. 
 
 All heard, and none believ'd, the prophecy. 323 
 
 With branches we the fanes adorn, and waste. 
 
 In jollity, the day ordain'd to be the last. 
 
 Meantime the rapid heav'us roU'd down the light, 
 
 And on the shaded ocean rush'd the night: 
 
 Our men secure, nor guards nor sentries held ; 330 
 
 But easy sleep their weary limbs compell'd. 
 
 The Grecians had embark'd their naval pow'rs 
 
 From Tenedos, and sought our well-known shores. 
 
 Safe under covert of the silent night, 
 
 And guided by th' imperial galley's light; 335 
 
 When Sinon, favour'd by the partial gods, 
 
 Unlock'd the horse, and op'd his dark abodes ; 
 
 Restor'd to vital air our hidden foes. 
 
 Who joyful from their long confinement rose. 
 
 Thessander bold, and Sthenelus their guide, Siu 
 
 And dire Ulysses, down the cable slide : 
 
 Then Thoas, Athamas, and Pyrrhus, haste ; 
 
 Nor was the Podalirian hero last. 
 
 Nor injur'd Menelaiis, nor the fam'd 
 
 Epeus, who the fatal engine fram'd. 345 
 
 A nameless crowd succeed; their forces join 
 
 T' invade the town, oppress'd with sleep and wine. 
 
 Those few they find awake, first meet their fate ; 
 
 Then to their fellows they unbar the gate. 
 
 ' 'Twas in the dead of night, when sleep repairs 350 
 Our bodies, worn with toils, our minds with caresj
 
 iENEIS, II. 177 
 
 When Hector's ghost before my sight appears : 
 A bloody shroud he seem'd, and bath'd in tears ; 
 Such as he was, when, by Pelides slain, 
 Thessalian coursers dragg'd him o'er the plain. 535 
 Swoln were his feet, as when the thongs were 
 
 thrust 
 Through the bor'd holes : his body blaok with dust ; 
 Unlike that Hector who retum'd, from toils 
 Of war, triumphant in ^acian spoils, 
 Or him who made the fainting Greeks retire, 3C0 
 
 And launch'd against their navy Phrygian fire. 
 His hair and beard stood stiffen'd with his gore ; 
 And all the wounds he for his country bore 
 Now stream'd afresh, and with new purple ran. 
 I wept to see the visionary man, 365 
 
 And, while my trance continud, thus began : 
 " O light of Trojans, and support of Troy, 
 Thy father's champion, and thy country's joy ! 
 O, long expected by thy friends ! from whence 
 Art thou so late retum'd for our defence ? 370 
 
 Do we behold thee, wearied as we are 
 With length of labours, aad with toils of war 1 
 After so many fun'rals of thy own, 
 Art thou restor'd to thy declining town ? 
 But say, what wounds are these 1 what new disgrace 
 Deforms the manly features of thy face!" 376 
 
 ' To this the spectre no reply did frame. 
 But answer'd to the cause for which he came ; 
 And, groaning from the bottom of his breast. 
 This warning, in these mournful words, express'd: 
 " O goddess-bom ! escape, by timely flight, 381 
 
 The flames and horrors of this fatal night. 
 The foes already have possess'd the wall : 
 Troy nods from high, and totters to her fall. 
 Enough is paid to Priam's royal name, 385 
 
 Mere than enough to duty and to fame. 
 If by a mortal hand my father's throne 
 Could be defended, 'twas by mine alone. 
 Now Troy to thee commends her future state, 
 And gives her gods companions of thy fate : 399 
 
 From their assistance, happier walls expect, 
 Which, wand'ring long, at last thou shall erect.'' 
 H 2
 
 17S THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 He said, and brought me, from tbeir blest abodes, 
 
 The venerable statues of the gods, 
 
 AVith ancient Vesta from the sacred choir, 395 
 
 The wreaths, and reliques of th' immortal fire. 
 
 • Now peals of shouts came thund'ring from afar, 
 Cries, threats, and loud laments, and mingled war : 
 The noise approaches, though our palace stood 
 Aloof from streets, encompass'd \\ ith a wood. 400 
 
 Louder, and yet more loud, I hear th' alarms 
 Of human cries distinct, and clashing arms. 
 Fear broke my slumbers ; I no longer stay. 
 But mount the terrace, thence the town survey. 
 And hearken what the frightful sounds convey. 405 
 Thus, when a flood of fire by wind is borne. 
 Crackling it rolls, and mows the standing corn ; 
 Or deluges, descending on the plains, 
 Sweep o'er the yellow year, destroy the pains 
 Of lab'ring oxen, and the peasant's gains ; 410 
 
 Unroot the forest oaks, and bear away 
 Flocks, folds, and trees, an undistinguish'd prey — 
 The shepherd climbs the cliff, and sees from far 
 The wasteful ravage of the wat'ry war. 
 Then Hector's faith was manifestly clear'd ; 415 
 
 And Grecian frauds in open light appear'd. 
 The palace of De'iphobus ascends 
 In smoky flames, and catches on his friends'. 
 Uciilegon burns next: the seas are bright 41!) 
 
 With splendour not their own, and shine with Trojan 
 ]^ew clamours and new clangors now arise, [light. 
 The sound of trumpets mis.'d with fighting-cries. 
 V/ith frenzy seiz'd, I run to meet th' alarms, 
 Resolv'd on death, resolved to die in arms. 
 But first to gather friends, with them t' oppose 425 
 (If Fortune favourM) and repel the foes — 
 Spurr'd by my courage — by my country fir'd. 
 With sense of honour and revenge inspir'd. 
 
 ' Panthus, Apollo's priest, a sacred name, 4'2!) 
 
 Had 'scap'd the Grecian swords, and pass'd the flame : 
 With reliques loaden, to my doors he fled, 
 And by the hand liis tender grandson led. 
 " What hope, O Panthus? whither can we run ? 
 Where make a stand ? and what may yet be done?"
 
 .5:NEIS, II. 179 
 
 Scarce had I said, when Panthua, with a groan, 435 
 
 " Troy is no more, and Ilium was a town ! 
 
 The fatal day, th' appointed hour is come. 
 
 When wrathful Jove's irrevocable doom 
 
 Transfers the Trojan state to Grecian hands, 
 
 The tire consumes the town, the foe commands; 440 
 
 And armed hosts, an unexpected force. 
 
 Break from the boweLs of the fatal horse. 
 
 Within the gate, proud Sinon throws about 
 
 The flames ; and foes, for entrance, press without. 
 
 With thousand others, whom I fear to name, 145 
 
 More than from Argos or Mycenaj came. 
 
 To sev'ral posts their parties they divide; 
 
 Some block the narrow streets, some scour the wide: 
 
 The bold they kill, th' unwary they surprise: 
 
 Who fights 6nds death, aad death finds him who flies. 
 
 The warders of the gate but scarce maintain 451 
 
 Th' unequal combat, and resist in vain." 
 
 ' I heard ; and heav'n, that well-born souls inspires. 
 Prompts me, through lifted swords and rising fires 
 To x\\n, where clashing arms and clamour calls, 455 
 And rush undaunted to defend the walls. 
 Riphens and Iphitus by my side engage. 
 For valour one renown'd, and one for age. 
 Dymas and Hypanis by moonlight knew 
 My motions and my mien, and to my piity drew ; 
 W^ith young Choroebus, who by love was led 461 
 
 To win renown, and fair Cassandra's bed ; 
 And lately brought his troops to Priam's aid, 
 Forewarn'd in vain by the prophetic maid ; 
 W^hom when I saw resolv'd in arms to fall, 4o3 
 
 And that one spirit animated all, 
 
 " Brave souls!" said I — " but brave, alas! in vavii — 
 Come, finish what our cruel fates ordain. 
 You see the desp'rate state of our afiairs ; 
 And Heav'n's protecting pow'rs are deaf to pray'r.<!. 
 The passive gods behold the Greeks defile 471 
 
 Their temples, and abandon to the spoil 
 Their own abodes; we, feeble few, conspire 
 To save a sinking town, involv'd in fire. 
 Then let us fall, but fall amidst our foes: i73 
 
 Despair of life the means of living shews."
 
 ISO THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 So bold a speech encourag'd their desire 
 Of death, and added fael to their fire. 
 
 'As hungry wolvea, with raging appetite, 479 
 
 Scour through the fields, nor fear the stormy night — 
 Their whelps at home expect the promis'd food. 
 And long to temper their dry chaps in blood — 
 So rush'd we forth at once. Resolv'd to die, 
 Resolv'd.in death, the last extremes to try. 
 We leave the narrow lanes behind, and dare 485 
 
 Th' unequal combat in the public square : 
 Night was our friend ; our leader was despair. 
 What tongue can tell the slaughter of that night? 
 W hat eyes can weep the sorrows and affright { 
 An ancient and imperial city falls ; 490 
 
 The streets are fill'd with frequent funerals: 
 Houses and holy temples float in blood ; 
 And hostile nations make a common flood. 
 Not only Trojans fall ; but, in their turn. 
 The vanquish'd triumph, and the -victors mourn. 495 
 Ours take new courage from despair and night ; 
 Confus'd the fortune is, confus'd the fight. 
 All parts resoiind with tumults, plaints, and fears; 
 And grisly death in sundry shapes appears. 
 Androgeos fell among »is, with his band, .'jOO 
 
 Who thought us Grecians newly come to land. 
 " From whence," said he, " my friends, this long 
 
 delay ? 
 You loiter^ while the spoils are borne away : 
 Our ships are laden with the Trojan store ; 
 And you, like truants, come too late ashore.'* 505 
 
 He said, but soon corrected his mistake. 
 Found by the doubtful answers v;hich we make. 
 Amaz'd, he would have shunn'd th' unequal nght; 
 But we, more num'rous, intercept his flight. 
 As when some peasant in a bushy brake 510 
 
 Has with unwary footing press'd a snake ; 
 He starts aside, astonish'd, when he spies 
 His rising crest, blue neck, and rolling eyes; 
 So, from our arms, surpris'd Androgeos flies — 
 In vaiu : for him and his we compass round, 515 
 
 Possess'd with fear, unknowing of the ground ; 
 And of their lives an easy conquest found.
 
 ^NEIS, II. 1:^1 
 
 Thus Fortune on our first endeavour smil'd. 
 Choroebus then, with youthful hopes bcguil'd, 
 Swoln with success, and of a daring mind, 520 
 
 This new invention fatally designd. 
 " My friends," said he, "since Fortune shews the 
 
 way, 
 'Tis fit we should th' auspicious guide obey. 
 For what has she these Grecian arms bestow'd, 
 But their destruction, and the Trojans' good? 525 
 
 Then change we shields, and their devices bear; 
 Let fraud supply the want of force in war. 
 They find us arms." This said, himself he dress'd 
 In dead Androgeos' spoils, his upper vest. 
 His painted buckler, and his plumy crest. 530 
 
 Thus Ripheus, Dymas, all the Trojan train, 
 Lay down their own attire, and strip the slain. 
 IVHx'd with the Greeks, we go with ill presage, 
 Flatter'd with hopes to glut our greedy rage ; 
 Unknown, assaulting whom we blindly meet, 533 
 And strew, with Grecian carcases, the street. 
 Thus while their straggling parties we defeat. 
 Some to the shore and safer ships retreat; 
 And some, oppressed with more ignoble fear, 539 
 
 Remount the hollow horse, and pant in secret there. 
 
 * But, ah .' what use of valour cau be made. 
 When Heav'n's propitious pow'rs refuse their aid ; 
 Behold the royal prophetess, the fair 
 Cassandra, dragg'd by her dishevell'd hair, 
 Whom not Minerva's shrine, nor sacred bands, 545 
 In safety could protect from sAcrilegious hands: 
 On heav'n she cast her eyes, she sigh'd, she cried — 
 Twas all she could — her tender arms were tied. 
 So sad a sight Chorosbus could not bear; 
 But, fir'd with rage, distracted with despair, 550 
 
 Amid the barb'rous ravishers he flew. 
 Our leader's rash example we pursue : 
 But storms of stones, from the proud temple's height. 
 Pour down, and on our batter'd helms alight : 
 We from our friends receiv'd this fatal blow, 555 
 
 Who thought us Grecians, as we seem'd in show. 
 They aim at the mistaken crests, from high ; 
 And ours beneath the pond'rous ruin lie.
 
 Ib2 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Then mov'd with anger and disdain, to see 
 
 Their troops dispers'd, the royal virgin free, 5Ci) 
 
 The Grecians rally, and their pow'rs unite. 
 
 With fury charge us, and renew the fight. 
 
 The brother-kings with Ajax join their force. 
 
 And tiie whole squadron of Thessalian horse. 
 
 ' Thus, when the rival winds their quarrel try, 565 
 Contending for the empire of the sty. 
 South, East, and West, on airy coursers borne — 
 The whirlwind gathers, and the woods are torn ; 
 Then Nereus strikes the deep : the billows rise. 
 And, raix'd with ooze and sand, pollute the skies. .570 
 The troops we squander'd tirst, again appear 
 From sev'ral quarters, and inclose the rear. 
 They first observe, and to the rest betray, 
 Our diff 'rent speech ; our borrow'd arms survey. 
 Oppress'd with odds, we fall; Choroebus first, 575 
 At Pallas' altar, by Peneleus pierc'd ; 
 Then Ripheus follow'd, in th' unequal fight ; 
 Just of his word, observant of the right : 
 Heav'n thought not so. Dymas their fate attends, 
 With Hypanis, mistaken by their friends. 580 
 
 Nor, Pan thus, thee thy mitre nor the bands 
 Of awful Phoubus sav"d from impious hands. 
 Ye Trojan flames ! your testimony bear, 
 What I perforci'd and what I sulfer'd there. 
 No sword avoiding in the fatal strife, 5S5 
 
 Expos'd to death, and prodigal of life. 
 Witness, ye heav'ns ! I live not by my fault : 
 1 strove to have deserv'd the death I sought. 
 But, when I could not fight, and would have died, 
 Borne off to distance by the growing tide, 590 
 
 Old Iphitus aud I were hurried thence. 
 With Pelias wounded, and without defence. 
 New clamours from th' invested palace ring : 
 We run to die, or disengage the king. 
 So hot th' assault, so high the tumult rose, 595 
 
 While ours defend, and while the Greeks oppose, 
 As all the Dardan and Argolic race 
 Had been contracted in that narrow space , 
 Or as all Ilium else were void of fear, 
 y\u<l tumult, war, and slaughter, only there
 
 i 
 
 ^NEIS, II. \b3 
 
 Their targets in a tortoise cast, the foes. 
 
 Secure advancing, to the turrets rose : 
 
 Some mount the scaling ladders ; some, more bold. 
 
 Swerve upwards, and by posts and pillars hold, 
 
 Their left hand gripes their bucklers in th' ascent, 605 
 
 While with the right they seize the battlement. 
 
 From the demolish'd tow'rs, the Trojans throw 
 
 Huge heaps of stones, that, falling, crush the foe : 
 
 And heavy beams and rafters from the sides 
 
 (Such arms their last necessity provides!) GIO 
 
 And gilded roofs come tumbling from on high. 
 
 The marks of state and ancient royalty. 
 
 The guards below, fix'd in the pass, attend 
 
 The charge undaunted, and the gate defend. 
 
 Renew'd ia courage with recover'd breath, 615 
 
 A second time we ran to tempt our death. 
 
 To clear the palace from the foe, succeed 
 
 The weary living, and revenge the dead. 
 
 ' A postern door, yet unobserv'd and free, 
 Join'd by the length of a blind gallery, 620 
 
 To the king's closet led — a way well known 
 To Hector's wife, while Priam held the throne — 
 Through which she brought Astyanax, unseen. 
 To clieer his grandsire, and his grandsire's queen. 
 Through this we pass, and mount the tow"r, from 
 
 whence 6i5 
 
 With unavailing arms the Trojans make defence. 
 From this the trembling king had oft descried 
 The Grecian camp, and saw their navy ride. 
 Beams from its lofty height with swords we hew. 
 Then, wrenching with our hands, th' assault re- 
 new ; 630 
 And, where the rafters on the columns meet, 
 We push them headlong with our arms and feet. 
 The lightning flies not swifter than the fall ; 
 Nor thunder louder than the ruin'd wall : 
 Down goes the top at once ; the Greeks beneath 63.1 
 Are piecemeal torn, or pounded into death. 
 Yet more succeed, and more to death are sent : 
 We cea.se not from above, nor they below relent. 
 Before the gate stood Fyrrhas, threat'ning loud, 
 With glitt'ring arms conspicuous in the crowd. 64ii
 
 184 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 So shines, renew'd in yonth, the crested snake 
 
 Who slept the winter in a thorny brake, 
 
 And, casting oif his slough when spring returns 
 
 Now looks aloft, and with new glory burns, 
 
 Restor'd with pois'nous herbs : his ardent sides 6 !5 
 
 Reflect the sun; and, rais'd on spires, he rides 
 
 High o'er the grass : hissing he rolls along, 
 
 And brandishes by fits his forky tongue. 
 
 Proud Periphas, and fierce Automedon, 
 
 His father's charioteer, together run C50 
 
 Tu force the gate: the Scyrian infantry 
 
 Rush on in crowds, and the barr'd passage free. 
 
 Ent'ring the court, with shouts the skies they rend; 
 
 And flaming firebrands to the roofs ascend. 
 
 Himself among the foremost, deals his blows, 655 
 
 And with his axe repeated strokes bestows 
 
 On the strong doors : then all their shoulders ply, 
 
 Till from the posts the brazen hinges fly. 
 
 He hews apace : the double bars at length 
 
 Yield to his axe, and unresisted strength. COO 
 
 A mighty breach is made; the rooms conceal'd 
 
 Appear, and all the palace is reveal'd — 
 
 The halls of audience, and of public state. 
 
 And where the lonely queen in secret sate. 
 
 Arm'd soldiers now by trembling maids are seen. C05 
 
 With not a door, and scarce a space, between. 
 
 The house is fiU'd with loud laments and cries ; 
 
 And shrieks of women rend the vaulted skies. 
 
 The fearful matrons run from place to place. 
 
 And kiss the thresholds, and the posts embrace, 070 
 
 The fatal work inhuman Pyrrhus plies ; 
 
 And all his father sparkles in his eyes. 
 
 No bars nor fighting guards his force sustain : 
 
 The bars are broken, and the guards are slain. 
 
 In rush the Greeks, and all th' apartments fill ; 675 
 
 Those few defendants whom they find, they kill. 
 
 Not with so fierce a rage the foaming flood 
 
 Roars, when he finds his rapid course withstood ; 
 
 Bears down the dams with unresisted sway. 
 
 And sweeps the cattle and the cots away. CSO 
 
 These eyes beheld him, when he niarch'd between 
 
 The brother-kings : I saw th' unhappy queen.
 
 ^NEIS, IT. 1S5 
 
 The hundred wives, and where old Priam stood. 
 
 To stain his hallow'd altar with his blood. 
 
 The fifty nuptialbeds (such hopes had he, 685 
 
 So large a promise of a progeny), 
 
 The posts of plated gold, and hung with spoils, 
 
 Fell the reward of the proud victor's toils. 
 
 Where'er the raging fire had left a space. 
 
 The Grecians enter, and possess the place. 690 
 
 ' Perhaps you may of Priam's fate inquire. 
 He — when he saw his regal town on fire. 
 His ruin'd palace, and his ent'ring foes. 
 On ev'ry side inevitable woes — 
 
 In arms disus'd invests his limbs, decay'd, 695 
 
 Like thena, with age ; a late and useless aid. 
 His feeble shoulders scarce the weight sustain: 
 Loaded, not arm'd, he creeps along with pain. 
 Despairing of success, ambitious to be slain ! 
 Uncover'd but by heaven, there stood in view 700 
 
 An altar: near the hearth a laurel grew, 
 Dodder'd with age, whose boughs encompass round 
 The household gods, and shade the holy ground. 
 Here Hecuba, with all her helpless train 
 Of dames, for shelter sought^ but sought in vain. 705 
 Driv'n like a flock of doves along the sky. 
 Their images they hug, and to their altars fly. 
 The queen, when she beheld her trembling lord. 
 And hanging by his side a heavy sword, 
 " What rage," she cried, '• has seiz'd my husband's 
 mind? 710 
 
 What arms are these, and to what use design'd ? 
 These times want other aids ! Were Hector here, 
 Ev'n Hector now in vain, like Priam, would appear. 
 With us, one common shelter thou shalt find, 
 Or in one common fate with us be join'd." 715 
 
 She said, and with a l-ist salute embraced 
 The poor old man, and by the laurel plac'd. 
 Behold! Polites, one of Priam's sons, 
 Pursu'd by Pyrrhus, there for safety runs. 719 
 
 Through sworJs and foes, amaz'd and hurt, he flies ; 
 Through empty courts, and open galleries. 
 Him Pyrrhus, urging with his lance, pursues, 
 And often reaches, and his thaists renews.
 
 186 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 The youth, trausfix'd, with lamentable cries 
 
 Expires before his wretched parents' eyes: 7ir> 
 
 Whom gasping at his feet when Priam saw, 
 
 The fear of death gave place to Nature's law ; 
 
 And, shaking more Avith anger than with age, 
 
 ** The gods," said he, " requite thy brutal rage ! 
 
 As sure they will, barbarian, sure they must, 730 
 
 If there be gods in heav'n, and gnds be just — 
 
 Who tak'st in wrongs an insolent delight; 
 
 With a son's death t' infect a father's sight. 
 
 Not he, whom thou and lying Fame conspire 
 
 To call thee his — not he, thy vaunted sire, 73.'> 
 
 Thus us'd my wretched age; the gods hefear'd, 
 
 The laws of nature and of nations heard. 
 
 He clieer'd my sorrows, and for sums of gold. 
 
 The bloodless carcase of my Hector sold ; 
 
 Pitied the woes a parent underwent, 740 
 
 And sent me back in safety from his tent." 
 
 ' This said, his feeble hand a jav'lin threw. 
 Which, fiutt'ring, seem'd to loiter as it flew : 
 Just, and but barely, to the mark it held. 
 And faintly tinkled on the brazen shield, 745 
 
 ' Then Pyrrhus thus : " Go thou from nie to fate. 
 And to my father my foul deeds relate. 
 Now die !"— With that he dragg'd the trembling sire, 
 Slidd'ring through clotter'd blood and holy mire 
 (The mingled paste his murder'd son had made), 710 
 Haul'd from beneath the violated shade, 
 And on the sacred pile the royal victim laid. 
 His right hand held his bloody falchion bare ; 
 His left he twisted in his hoary hair : 
 Then, with a speeding thrust his heart he found : 755 
 The lukewarm blood came rushing through the wound, 
 And sanguine streams distain'd the sacred ground. 
 Thus Priam fell, and shar'd one common fate 
 With Troy in ashes, and his ruin'd state — 
 He who the sceptre of all Asia sway'd, 700 
 
 Whom monarchs like domestic slaves obey'd : 
 On the bleak shore now lies th' abandon 'd king, 
 A headless carcase, and a nameless thing. 
 
 763 This whole Hue is taken from Sir John Deiihaii!.— ii/;/</.".
 
 .^NEIS, II. 187 
 
 ' Then, not before, I felt my cradled blood 
 Congeal'd with fear : my hair with horror stood : 7G5 
 My father's image filVd my pious mind, 
 Lest equal years might equal fortune find. 
 Again I thought on my forsaken wife. 
 And trembled for my son's abandon'd life. 
 I iookd about, but found myself alone, 770 
 
 Deserted at my need ! My friends were gone. 
 Some spent with toil, some with despair oppress'd, 
 Leap'd headlong from the heights; the flames con- 
 som'd the rest. 
 
 * Thus wandring in my way without a guide. 
 The graceless Helen in the porch I spied 77.1 
 
 Of Testa's temple ; there she lurk'd alone ; 
 Muffled she sate, and, what she could, unknown : 
 But, by the flames that cast their blaze around, 
 That common bane of Greece and Troy I found. 
 For Ilium burnt, she dreads the Trojan sword; 780 
 More dreads the vengeance of her injurd lord ; 
 Ev'n by those gods, who refag'd her, abhorr'd. 
 Trembling with rage, the strumpet I regard, 
 Resclv'd to give her guilt the due reward. 
 " Shall she triumphant sail before the wind, 785 
 
 And leare in flames unhappy Troy behind ? 
 Shall she her kingdom and her friends review. 
 In state attended with a captive crew. 
 While unreveng'd the good old Priam falls. 
 And Grecian fires consume the Trojan walls? 790 
 For this the Phrygian fields and Xanthian flood 
 Were swell'd with bodies, and were drunk with 
 
 blood ? 
 •Tis true, a soldier can small honour gain. 
 And boast no conquest, from a woman slain : 
 Yet shall the fact not pass without applause, 795 
 
 Of vengeance taken in so just a cause. 
 The punish'd crime shall set my soul at ease. 
 And mtirm'ring manes of my friends appease." 
 Thus while I rave, a gleam of pleasing light 799 
 
 Spread o'er the place ; and, shining heavnly bright, 
 My mother stood reveal'd before my sight — 
 (Never so radiant did her eyes appear; 
 Not her own star confess'd a light so clear) —
 
 188 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Great in her charms, as when on gods above 
 
 She looks, and breathes herself into their love. 805 
 
 She held my hand thedestin'd blow to break; 
 
 Then from her rosy lips began to speak : 
 
 •' My son 1 from whence this madness, this neglect 
 
 Of my commands, and those whom I protect? 
 
 Why this unmacly rage ? Recal to mind 810 
 
 Whom you forsake, what pledges leave behind. 
 
 Look if your helpless father yet survive, 
 
 Or if Ascanius or Crelisa live. 
 
 Around your house the greedy Grecians err ; 
 
 And these had perish'd in the nightly war, 815 
 
 But for my presence and protecting care. 
 
 Not Helen's face, nor Paris, was in fault : 
 
 But by the gods was this destruction brought. 
 
 IS'ow cast your eyes around, while I dissolve 
 
 The mists and films that mortal eyes involve, 8'20 
 
 Purge from your sight the dross, and make you see 
 
 The shape of each avenging deity. 
 
 Enlighten'd thus, my just commands fulfil. 
 
 Nor fear obedience to your mother's will. 
 
 Where yon disorder'd heap of ruin lies, 825 
 
 Stones rent from stones — where clouds of dust arise, — 
 
 Amid that smother, Neptune holds his place, 
 
 Below the wall's foundation drives his mace. 
 
 And heaves the building from the solid base. 
 
 Look where, in arms, imperial Juno stands 830 
 
 Full in the Scasan gate, with loud commands 
 
 Urging on shore the tardy Grecian bands. 
 
 See ! Pallas, of her snaky buckler proud, 
 
 Bestrides the tow'r, refulgent through the cloud ; 
 
 See ! Jove new courage to the foe supplies, 835 
 
 And arms against the town the partial deities. 
 
 Haste hence, my son ! this fruitless labour end: 
 
 Haste, where your trembling spouse and sire attend ; 
 
 Haste! and a mother'scare your passageshall befriend." 
 
 She said, and swiftly vanish'd from my sight, 810 
 
 Obscure in clouds, and gloomy shades of night. 
 
 I look'd, I listen'd : dreadfjil sounds I hear; 
 
 And the dire forms of hostile gods appear. 
 
 Troy sunk in flames I saw (nor could prevent), 
 
 And Ilium from its old foundations rent — 845
 
 ^NEIS, II. 18Q 
 
 Rent like a mountain-ash, which dar'd the wind.^ 
 And stood the sturdy strokes of lab'ring hinds. 
 About the roots the cruel axe resounds : 
 The stumps are pierc'd with oft-repeated wounds : 
 The war is felt on high : the nodding crown 850 
 
 Now threats a fall, and throws the leafy honours 
 
 down. 
 To their united force it 3rields, though late, 
 And mourns with mortal groans th' approaching fate : 
 The roots no more their upper load sustain : 
 But down she falls, and spreads a ruin through the 
 
 plain. 8'<5 
 
 * Descending thence, I 'scape through foes and fire: 
 Before the goddess, foes and flames retire. 
 Arriv'd at home, he, for whose only sake. 
 Or most for his, such toils I undertake — 
 The good Anchises — whom, by timely flight, S'>.» 
 
 I purpos'd to secure on Ida's height — 
 Refus'd the journey, resolute to die, 
 And add his fun'rals to the fate of Troy, 
 Rither than exile and old age sustain. 
 " Go you, whose blood runs warm in ev'ry vein. 86') 
 Had Heav'n decreed that I should life enjoy, 
 Heav'n had decreed to save unhappy Troy. 
 *Tis, sure, enough, if not too much, for one, 
 Twice to have seen our Ilium overthrown. 
 Make haste to save the poor remaining crew ; 870 
 And give this useless corpse a long adieu. 
 These weak old hands suffice to stop my breath : 
 At least the pitying foes will aid my death. 
 To take my spoils, and leave my body bare : 
 As for my sepulchre, let Heav'n take care. S"5 
 
 'Tislong since I, for my celestial wife, 
 Loath'd by the gods, have dragg'd a ling'ring life : 
 Since ev'ry hour and moment I expire. 
 Blasted from heav'n by Jove's avenging fire." 
 This oft repeated, he stood fix'd to die : 8S0 
 
 Myself, my wife, my sou, my family, 
 Intreat, pray, bog, and raise a doleful cry — 
 " What ! will he still persist, on death resolve. 
 And in his ruin all his house involve V 
 He still persists his reasons to maintain ; 885 
 
 Oar pray'rs, our tears, our loud laments are vain.
 
 190 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 * Urg'd by despair, again I go to try 
 The fate of arms, resolv'd in fight to die. 
 What hope remains, but what ray death must give ? 
 " Can I without so dear a father live 1 890 
 
 You term it prudence, what I baseness call : 
 Could such a word from such a parent fall ? 
 If fortune please, and so the gods ordain, 
 That nothing should of ruin'd Troy remain, 
 And you conspire with Fortune to be slain; 895 
 
 The way to death is wide, th' approaches near : 
 For soon relentless Pyrrhus will appear. 
 Reeking with Priam's blood — the wretch who slew 
 The son (inhuman) in the father's view, 
 And then the sire himself to the dire altar drew. 900 
 
 goddess mother ! give me back to Fate ; 
 Your gift was uudesir'd,and came too late. 
 Did you, for this, unhappy me convey 
 Through foes and fires, to see my house a prey 1 
 Shall I my father, wife, and son, behold, 905 
 Welt'ring in blood, each other's arms infold? 
 
 Haste ! gird my sword, though spent and overcome : 
 'Tis the last summons to receive our doom. 
 
 1 hear thee. Fate ! and I obey thy call ! 
 
 Not unreveng'd the foe shall see my fall. 910 
 
 Restore me to the yet unfinish'd fight : 
 
 My death is wanting to conclude the night." 
 
 Arm'd once again, my glitt'ring sword I wield. 
 
 While th' other hand sustains my weighty shield ; 
 
 And forth I rush to seek th' abandon'd field, 915 
 
 I went : but sad Creiisa stopp'd my way, 
 
 And 'cross the threshold in my passage lay, 
 
 Embrac'd my knees, and, when I would have gone, 
 
 Shew'd me my feeble sire, and tender son. 
 
 " If death be your design — at least," said she, 920 
 
 " Take us along, to share your destiny. 
 
 If any farther hopes in arms remain, 
 
 This place, these pledges of your love, maintain. 
 
 To whom do you expose your father's life. 
 
 Your son's, and mine, your now forgotten wife?" 925 
 
 While thus she fills the house with clam'rous cries, 
 
 Our hearing is diverted by our eyes : 
 
 For, while I held my son, in the short space 
 
 Betwixt our kisses and our last embrace.
 
 ^NEIS, II. 191 
 
 (Straiige to relate !) from young llilus' head 1)30 
 
 A lambent flame arose, which gently spread 
 
 Around his brows, and on his temples fed. 
 
 Amaz'd, with running water we prepare 
 
 To quench the sacred lire, and slake his hair ; 
 
 But old Anchises, vers'd in omens, rear'd 935 
 
 His hands to heav'n, and this request preferr'd : 
 
 " If any vows, almighty Jove, can bend 
 
 Thy will— if piety can pray'rs commend — [send." 
 
 Confirm the glad presage which thou art pleas'd to 
 
 Scarce had he said, when on our left we hear 910 
 
 A peal of rattling thunder roll in air : 
 
 There shot a streaming lamp along the sky. 
 
 Which on the winged lightning seem'd to fly : 
 
 From o'er the roof the blaze began to move, 
 
 And, trailing, vanish'd in th' Idajan grove. 945 
 
 It swept a path in heav'n, and shone a guide. 
 
 Then in a steaming stench of sulphur died. 
 
 ' The good old man with suppliant hands implor'd 
 The gods' protection, and their star ador'd. 
 " Now, now," said he, " my son, no more delay! 9.50 
 I yield, I follow where Heav'n shews the way. 
 Keep (O my country gods !) our dwelling place. 
 And guard the relique of this Trojan race. 
 This tender child ! — The.se omens are your own, 
 And you can yet restore the ruin'd town. 955 
 
 At least accomplish what your signs foreshew : 
 I stand resign'd, and am prepar'd to go." 
 
 ' He said— the crackling flames appear on high ; 
 And driving sparkles dance along the sky. 
 With Vulcan's rage the rising winds conspire, 960 
 And near our palace roll the flood of fire. 
 " Haste, my dear father ! ('tis no time wait,) 
 And load my shoulders with a willing freight. 
 Whate'er befalls, your life shall be my care ; 
 One dcAth, or one deliv'rance we will share. 9fi5 
 
 My hand shall lead our little son ; and you. 
 My faithful consort, shall our steps pursue. 
 Next, you, my servants, heed my strict commands : 
 Without the walls a ruin'd temple stands. 
 To Ceres hallow'd once : a cypress nigh 970 
 
 Shoots up her venerable bead on high.
 
 102 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 lly long religion kept : there bend your feet ; 
 
 And m divided parties let as meet. 
 
 Our country gods, the reliques, and the bands, 
 
 Hold you, nj3' father, in your guiltless hands; 875 
 
 In me 'tis impious, holy things to bear, 
 
 Red as I am with slaughter, new from war, 
 
 Till in some living stream I cleanse the guilt 
 
 Of dire debate, and blood in battle spilt." 
 
 Thus ord'ring all that prudence could provide, 980 
 
 1 clothe my shoulders with a lion's hide, 
 
 And yellow spoils ; then, on my bending back. 
 
 The welcome load of my dear father take ; 
 
 While on my better hand Ascanius hung, 
 
 And with unequal paces tript along. 935 
 
 Creiisa kept behind : by choice we stray 
 
 Through ev'ry dark and ev'ry devious M'ay. 
 
 I, who so bold and dauntless, just before, 
 
 The Grecian darts and shock of lances borp, 
 
 At ev'ry shadow now am seiz'd with fear, 990 
 
 Not for myself, but for the charge I bear ; 
 
 Till, near the ruio'd gate arriv'd at last, 
 
 Secure, and deeming all the danger past, 
 
 A frightful noise of trampling feet we hear. 
 
 My father, looking through the shades with fear, 995 
 
 Cried out, " Haste, haste, my son ! the foes are nigh ; 
 
 Their swords and shining armour I descry." 
 
 Some hostile god, for some unknown oflfence, 
 
 Had sure bereft my mind of better sense ; 'J99 
 
 For, while through winding ways I took my flight, 
 
 And sought the shelter of the gloomy night, 
 
 Alas ! I lost Creiisa : hard to teil 
 
 If by her fatal destiny she fell. 
 
 Or weary sate, or wander'd with aflVight ; 
 
 But she was lost for ever to my sight. 1005 
 
 I knew not, or reflected, till I meet 
 
 My friends at Ceres' now-deserted seat. 
 
 We met; not one was wanting ; only she 
 
 Deceiv'd her friends, her son, and wretched me. 
 
 What mad expressions did my tongue refuse? 1010 
 
 Whom did I not of gods or men accuse? 
 
 This was the fatal blow, that pain'd me more 
 
 Thau all I felt from ruin'd Troy before.
 
 .-EXEIS, II. lUS 
 
 StuBg ^vitli my loss, and raving with despair. 
 Abandoning my now-forgotten care, 1015 
 
 Of counsel, comfort, and of hope, bereft. 
 My sire, my son, my country gods, I left. 
 In shining armour once again I sheath 
 My limbs, not feeling wounds, nor fearing death. 
 Then headlong to the burning walls I run, 1020 
 
 And see£rtbe danger I was forc'd to shun. 
 I tread my former tracks, through night explore 
 Each passage, ev'ry street I cross'd before. 
 All things were full of horror and affright. 
 And dreadful ev'n the silence of the night. 1025 
 
 Then to my fathers bouse I make repair. 
 With some small glimpse of hope to find her there. 
 Instead of her, the cruel Greeks I met ; 
 The hou.^e was fill'd with foes, with flames beset. 
 Driv'n on the wings of winds, whole sheets of fire, 
 Through air transported, to the roofs aspire. Ui31 
 
 From thence to Priam's palace I resort. 
 And search the citadel, and desert court. 
 Then, unobserv'd, I pass by Juno's church : 
 A guard of Grecians had possess'd the porch ; 1035 
 There Phoenix and Ulysses watch the prey. 
 And thither all the wealth of Troy convey — 
 The spoils which they from ransack'd houses brought. 
 And golden bowls from burning altars caught. 
 The tables cf the gods, the purple vests, 1010 
 
 The people's treasure, and the pomp of priests. 
 A rank of wretched youths with pinion'd hands, 
 And captive matrons, in long order stands. 
 Then, with ungovem'd madness, I proclaim, 
 Through all the silent streets, Creiisa's name : 1045 
 Creiisa still I call : at length she hears, 
 And sudden, through the shades of night, appears — 
 Appears, no more Creiisa, nor my wife. 
 But a pale spectre, larger than the life. 
 Aghast, astonish'd and struck dumb with fear, 1050 
 I stood : like bristles rose my stiffen'd hair. 
 Then thus the ghost began to soothe my grief : 
 " Nor tears, nor cries, can give the dead relief. 
 Desist, my much-lov'd lord, t' indulge yonr pain ; 
 You bear no more than what the gods ordain. I05S 
 I
 
 ii)4 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 My fates permit me not from hence to fly; 
 Nor he, the great controller of the sky. 
 Long wand'ring ways for you the pow'rs decree- 
 On land hard labours, and a length of sea. 
 Then, after naany painful years are past, lOGO 
 
 On Latium's happy shore you shall be cast. 
 Where gentle Tyber from his bed beholds 
 The flow'ry meadows, and the feeding folds. 
 There end your toils ; and there your fates proride 
 A quiet kingdom, and a royal bride : IOCS 
 
 There Fortune shall the Trojan line restore ; 
 Ani you for lost Crelisa weep no more. 
 Fear not that I shall watch, with servile shame, 
 Th' imperious looks of some proud Grecian dame, 
 Or, stooping to the victor's lust, disgrace 107C 
 
 My goddess-mother, or my royal race. 
 And now, farewell ! the parent of the gods 
 Restrains my fleeting soul in her abodes. 
 I trust our common issue to your care.'' 
 She said, and gliding pass'd unseen in air. 1075 
 
 I strove to speak : but horror tied my tongue ; 
 And, thrice about her neck my arms I flung. 
 And, thrice deceiv'd, on vain embraces hung. 
 Light as an empty dream at break of day, 
 Or as a blast of wind, she rush'd away. 1080 
 
 * Thus having pass'd the night in fruitless pain, 
 1 to my longing friends return again — 
 Amaz'd th' augmented number to behold, 
 Of men and matrons mix'd, of young and old — 
 A wretched exil'd crew together brought, 1085 
 
 With arms appointed, and with treasure fraught, 
 Resolv'd, and willing, under my command. 
 To run all hazards both of sea and land. 
 The Morn began, from Ida, to display 
 Her rosy cheeks ; and Phosphor led the day : 1090 
 Before the gates the Grecians took their post. 
 And all pretence of late relief was lost. 
 I yield to Fate, unwillingly retire. 
 And, loaded, up the hill convey my sire.
 
 ^NEIS, III. 195 
 
 BOOK III. 
 
 jf neas proceeds in his relation : he gives an account of the fleet 
 with which he sailed, and the success of his first voyage to 
 Thrace. From thence he directs liis course to Delos. and a.-ks 
 tlie oracle what place the gods had appointed for his habita- 
 tion ! By a mistalie cf the oracle's answer, he settles in Crete. 
 His household gods give him the true sense of the oracle in a 
 dream. H- follows tlieir advice, and makes the best of his 
 way for Italy. He is cast on several sliores, and meets witli 
 very surprising adventures, till at length tie lands on Sicily, 
 where his fitlier Anchises dies. This is the place w.iich he was 
 sailing from when the tempest rose, and threw him upon the 
 Carthaginian coast. 
 
 ' When Heav'n had overturn'd the Trojan state, 
 And Priam's throne, by too severe a fate; 
 When ruin'd Troy became the Grecian's prej', 
 And Ilium's lofty tow'rs in ashes lay ; 
 Warn'd by celestial omens, we retreat, 5 
 
 To seek in foreign lands a happier seat. 
 Near old Antandros, and at Ida's foot, 
 The timber of the sacred groves we cut, 
 And build our fleet — uncertain yet to find 
 What place the gods for our repose assign'd. 10 
 
 Friends daily flock; and scarce the kindly spring 
 Began to clothe the ground, and birds to sing. 
 When old Anchises sutnmon'd all to sea : 
 The crew my father and the Fates obey. 
 With sighs and tears I leave my native slmre, 15 
 
 And empty fields, where Ilium stood before. 
 My sire, my son, our less and greater gods, 
 All sail at once, and cleave the briny floods. 
 ' Against oar coast appears a spacious land, 
 Which once the fierce Lycurgus did command 20 
 (Thracia the name — the people bold in war — 
 Vast are their fields, and tillage is their care), 
 A hospitable realm, while Fate was kind. 
 With Troy in friendship and religion join'd. 
 I land with luckless omens; then adore 25 
 
 Their gods, and draw a line along the shore: 
 I lay the deep foundations of a wall, 
 And ^nos, n im'd from me, the city call. 
 To Dionrean Venus vows are paid, 
 And all the pow'rs that rising labours aid ; 30 
 
 A bull on Jove's imperial altar laid.
 
 196 THE WORKS OP VIRGIL. 
 
 Not far, a rising hillock stood in view : 
 
 Sharp myrtles ou the sides, and cornels grew. 
 
 There, while 1 went to crop the sylvan scenes, 
 
 And shade our altar with their leafy greens, . 35 
 
 I pull'd a plant — with horror I relate 
 
 A prodigy so strange, and full of fate — 
 
 The rooted fibres rose ; and from the wound, 
 
 Black, bloody drop^ distill'd upon the ground. 
 
 Mute and aniaz'd, my hair with terror stood ; 49 
 
 Fear shrunk my .sinews, and congeal'd my 
 
 blood. 
 Mann'd once again, another plant I try; 
 That other gush'd with the same sanguine dye. 
 Then fearing guilt for some offence unknown. 
 With pray'rs and vows the Dryads I atone, 45 
 
 With all the .sisters of the woods, and most 
 The god of arms, who rules the Thracian coast — 
 That they, or he, these omens would avert. 
 Release our fears, and better signs impart. 
 Clear'd, as I thought, and fully lix'd at length .'iO 
 
 To learn the cause, I tugg'd with all my strength ; 
 I bent my knees against the ground: once more 
 The violated myrtle ran with gore. 
 Scarce dare I tell the sequel : from the womb 
 Of wounded earth, and caverns of the tomb, 55 
 
 A groan, as of a troubled ghost, renew'd 
 My fright, and then these dreadful words eosu'd : 
 " Why dost thou thus my buried body rend? 
 O! spare the corpse of thy unhappy friend! 
 Spare to pollute thy pious hands with blood : fiO 
 
 The tears distil not from the wounded wood ; 
 But ev'ry drop this living tree contains. 
 Is kindred blood, and ran in Trojan veins. 
 O ! fly from this unhospitable shore, 
 Warn'd by my fate ; for I am Polydore ! 65 
 
 Here loads of lances, in my blood embru'd, 
 Again shoot upward, by my blood renew'd." 
 
 ' My falt'ring tongue and shiv'ring limbs declare 
 My horror; and in bristles rose my hair. 
 When Troy with Grecian arms was closely pent, 70 
 Old Priam, fearful of the war's event. 
 This hapless Polydore to Thracia sent ;
 
 iEXEIS, in. 197 
 
 Loaded with gold he sent his darling, far 
 From noise and tumults, and destructive war. 
 Committed to the faithless tyrant's care ; 75 
 
 Who, when he saw the pow'r of Troy decline, 
 Forsook the weaker, with the strong to join — 
 Broke ev'ry bond of nature and of truth, 
 And murder'd, for his wealth, the royal youth. 
 
 sacred hunger of pernicious gold! SO 
 What bands of faith can impious lucre hold ? 
 
 Now, when my soul had shaken off her fears, 
 
 1 call my father, and the Trojan peers — 
 Relate the prodigies of hear'n — require 
 
 What he commands, and their advice desire. 85 
 
 All vote to leave that execrable shore. 
 
 Polluted with the blood of Polydore; 
 
 But, ere we sail, his fun'ral rites prepare. 
 
 Then to his ghost, a tomb and altars rear. 
 
 In mournful pomp the matrons walk the round, SO 
 
 With baleful cypress and blue fillets srownM, 
 
 With eyes dejected, and with hair unbound. 
 
 Then bowls of tepid milk and blood we pour, 
 
 And thrice invoke the soul of Polydore. 
 
 ' Now, when the raging storms no longer reign, 95 
 But southern gales invite us to the main, 
 We launch our vessels, with a prosprous wind, 
 And leave the cities and the shores behind. 
 
 ' An island in th' jEgeean main appears : 
 Neptune and wat'ry Doris claim it theirs. 100 
 
 It floated once, till Phoebus fis'd the sides 
 To rooted earth ; and now it braves the tides. 
 Here, borne by friendly winds, we come ashore. 
 With needful ease our weary limbs restore, 
 And tlie Sun's temple and his town adore. lO.i 
 
 ' Anius, the priest and king, with laurel crown'd, 
 His hoary locks with purple fillets bound. 
 Who saw my sire the Delian shore ascend. 
 Came forth with eager haste to meet his friend ; 
 Invites him to his palace ; and, in sign 1 10 
 
 Of ancient love, their plighted hands they join. 
 Then to the temple of the god I went. 
 And thus, before the shrine, ray vows present : 
 " Give, O ThymbrcBus! give a resting-place 
 To the sad reliques of the Trojan race— 115
 
 VJS THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 A seat secure, a region of tlieir own, 
 
 A lasting empire, and a happier town. 
 
 Where shall we fix ? where shall our labours end f 
 
 Whom shall we follow, and what fate attend? 
 
 Let not my pray'rs a doubtful answer find; liO 
 
 iiiit in clear auguries unveil thy mind." 
 
 Scarce had I said : he shook the holy ground, 
 
 The laurels, and the lofty hills around ; 
 
 And from the tripos rush'd a bellowing sound. 
 
 Prostrate we fell; confess'd the present god, liri 
 
 Who gave this answer from his dark abode : 
 
 " Undaunted youths! go, seek that mother earth 
 
 From which your ancestors derive their birth. 
 
 The soil that sent you forth, her ancient race, 
 
 In her old bosom, shall again embrace. 130 
 
 Through the wide world the ^Eneian house shall 
 
 reign, 
 And children's children shall the crown sustain." 
 Thus Phoebus did our future fates disclose; 
 A mighty tumult, mix'd with joy, arose. 
 All are concern'd to know what place the god 135 
 Assigu'd, and where determin'd our abode. 
 My father, long revolving in his mind 
 The race and lineage of the Trojan kind. 
 Thus answer'd their demands : " Ye princes, hear 
 Your pleasing fortune, and dispel your fear. 140 
 
 The fruitful isle of Crete, well known to fame. 
 Sacred of old to Jove's imperial name. 
 In the mid ocean lies, with large command ; 
 And on its plains a hundred cities stand. 
 Another Ida rises there ; and we 145 
 
 From thence derive our Trojan ancestry. 
 From thence, as 'tis divulgd by certain fame. 
 To the Rhoetean shores old Teucer came ; 
 There fix'd, and there the seat of empire chose. 
 Ere Ilium and the Trojan tow'rs arose. 150 
 
 In humble vales they built their soft abodes ; 
 Till Cybele, the mother of the gods, 
 With tinkling cymbals cliarm'd th' Idean woods. 
 She secret rites and ceremonies taught, 
 And to the yoke the savage lions brought. 15 j 
 
 Let us the laud, which Heav'n appoints, explore; 
 Appease the winds, and seek the Gnossian shore.
 
 iENEIS, III. iS9 
 
 If Jove assists the passage of our fleet. 
 
 The third propitious dawn discovers Crete." 
 
 Tbus having said, the sacrifices, laid IGO 
 
 On smoking altars, to the gods he paid — 
 
 A bull to Neptune, an oblation due. 
 
 Another bull to bright Apollo, slew — 
 
 A milk-white ewe, the western winds to please. 
 
 And one coal-black, to calm the stormy seas. 163 
 
 Ere this, a filing rumour had been spread. 
 
 That fierce Idomeneus from Crete was fled, 
 
 Expell'd and exil'd; that the coast was free 
 
 From foreign or domestic enemy. 
 
 We leave the Delian ports, and put to sea : 170 
 
 By Naxos, fam'd for vintage, make our w ay ; 
 
 Then green Dcnysa pass ; and sail in sight 
 
 Of Paros' isle, with marble quarries white. 
 
 We pass the scattered isles of Cyclades, 
 
 That, scarce distinguish'd, seem to stud the seas. 175 
 
 The shouts of sailors double near the shores ; 
 
 They stretch their canvas, and tliey ply their oars. 
 
 "All hands aloft! for Crete! for Crete!" they 
 
 cry. 
 And swiftly through the foamy billows fly. 
 FuU on the promis'd land at length we bore, ISO 
 
 With joy descending on the Cretan shore. 
 With eager haste a rising town I frame. 
 Which from the Trojan Pergamus I name : 
 The name itself was grateful: — I exhort 
 To found their houses, and erect a fort. 185 
 
 Our ships are haul'd upon the yellow strand: 
 The youth begin to till the labour'd hsud ; 
 And I myself new marriages promote, 
 Give laws; and dwellings I divide by lot; 
 When rising vapours choke the wholesome air, 190 
 And blasts of noisome winds corrupt the year: 
 The trees devouring caterpillars burn : 
 Parch'd was tlie grass, and blighted was the corn : 
 Nor 'scape the beasts: for Sirius, from on high, 
 With pestilential heat infects the sky : 195 
 
 My men — some fall, the rest in fevers fry. 
 Again my father bids me seek the shore 
 Of sacred Delos, and the god implorf.
 
 200 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 To learn wliat end of woes we might expect, 
 
 And to what clime our weary course direct. 200 
 
 ' 'Twas night, when ev'ry creature, void of cares. 
 The common gift of balmy slumber shares : 
 Tlie statues of my gods (for such they seem'd). 
 Those gods whom I from flaming Troy redeem'd, 
 Before me stood, majestically bright, 205 
 
 Full in the beams of Phosbe's ent'ring light. 
 Then thus they spoke, and eas'd my troubled mind : 
 " What from the Delian god thou go'st to find, 
 He tells thee here, and sends us to relate. 
 Those pow'rs are we, companions of thy fate, 210 
 Who from the burning town by thee were brought. 
 Thy fortune follow'd, and thy safety wrought. 
 Through seas and lands as we thy steps attend. 
 So shall our care thy glorioiis race befriend. 
 An ample realm for thee thy fates ordain, 215 
 
 A town, that o'er the conquer'd world shall reign. 
 Thou, mighty walls for mighty nations build; 
 Nor let thy weary mind to labours yield : 
 But change thy seat; for not the Delian god, 
 Nor we, have giv'n thee Crete for our abode. 220 
 
 A land there is, Hesperia call'd of old 
 (The soil is fruitful, and the natives bold — 
 Th' CEuotrians held it once), by later fame, 
 Ts'ow call'd Italia, from the leader's came, 
 lasius there, and Dardanus, were born : 225 
 
 From thence we came, and thither must return. 
 Rise, and thy sire with these glad tidings greet, — 
 Search Italy; for Jove denies thee Crete." 
 
 ' Astonish'd at their voices and their sight, 
 (Nor were they dreams, but visions of the night : 230 
 I saw, I knew their faces, and descried. 
 In perfect view, their hair with fillets tied) 
 I started from my couch: a clammy sweat 
 On all my lirabs, and sbiv'ring body, sate. 
 To heav'n I lift my hands with pious haste, 235 
 
 And sacred incense in the flames I cast. 
 Thus to the gods their perfect honours done, 
 More cheerful to my good old sire I run, 
 And tell the pleasing news. In little space 
 He found his error of the double race, 240
 
 ^.NEIS, III. 201 
 
 Not, as before he deem'd, deriv'd from Crete ; 
 
 No more deluded by the doubtful seat ; 
 
 Then said, " son, turmoil'd in Trojan fate ! 
 
 Such things as these Cassandra did relate. 
 
 This day revives within my mind, what she 213 
 
 Foretold of Troy renew'd in Italy, 
 
 And Latian lands : but who could then have thought 
 
 That Phrygian gods to Latium should be brought, 
 
 Or who believ'd what mad Cassandra taught? 
 
 Now let us go, where Phoebus leads the way."' 2o0 
 
 He said; and we with glad consent obe^'. 
 
 Forsake the seat ; and, leaving few behind, 
 
 W'e spread our sails before the willing wind. 
 
 Now from the sight of land our galleys move, 
 
 With only seas around, and skies above; 235 
 
 When o'er our heads descends a burst of rain. 
 
 And night with sable clouds involves the main : 
 
 The rulBiug winds the foamy billows raise : 
 
 The scatter'd fleet is forc'd to eev'ral ways : 
 
 The face of heav'n is ravish'd from our eyes ; 2C0 
 
 And in redoubled peals the roaring thunder flics. 
 
 Cast from our course, we wander in the dark ; 
 
 No stars to guide, no point of land to mark. 
 
 Ev'n Palinurus no distinction found 
 
 Betwixt the night and day; such darkness reign'd 
 
 around. 2Go 
 
 Three starless nights the doubtful navy strays 
 Without distinction, and three sunless days : 
 The fourth renews the light ; and from our shrouds 
 We view a rising land, like distant clouds;: 
 The mountain-tops confirm the pleasing sight, 270 
 And curling smoke ascending from their height. 
 The canvas fall.s ; their oars the sailors ply : 
 From the rude strokes the whirling waters fly. 
 At length I land upon the Strophades, 
 Safe from the danger of the stormy sea.s. 27.5 
 
 Those isles are compass'd by th' Ionian main 
 The dire abode where the foul Harpies reign, 
 Forc'd by the winged warriors to repair 
 To their old homes, and leave their costly fare. 
 Monsters more fierce offended Heav'n ne'er stnt 280 
 From hell's abyss, for human punishment — 
 I 2
 
 202 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 With virgin-faces, but with wombs obscene, 
 Foul paunches, and with ordure still unclean ; 
 With claws for hands, and looks for ever lean. 
 
 * We landed at the port, and soon beheld 2S5 
 
 Fat herds of oxen graze the flovv'ry field : 
 And wanton goats without a keeper stray'd. — 
 With weapons we the welcome prey invade. 
 Then call the gods for partners of our feast. 
 And Jove himself, the chief invited guest. 290 
 
 We spread the tables on the greensward ground : 
 We feed with hunger ; and the bowls go round ; 
 W^hen from the mountain-tops, with hideous cry. 
 And clatt'ring wings, the hungry Harpies fly : 
 They snatch the meat, defiling all they find, 2P') 
 
 And, parting, leave a loathsome stench behind. 
 Close by a hollow rock, again we sit, 
 ?s'ew-dress the dinner, and the beds refit. 
 Secure from sight, beneath a pleasing shade. 
 Where tufted trees a native arbour made. 3ti0 
 
 Again the holy fires on altars burn ; 
 And once again the rav'nous birds return. 
 Or from the dark recesses where they lie, 
 Or from another quarter of the sky — 
 With filthy claws their odious meal repeat, 305 
 
 And mix their loathsome ordures with their meat. 
 I bid my friends for vengeance then prepare, 
 And with the hellish nation wage the war. 
 They, as commanded, for the fight provide. 
 And in the grass their glittering weapons hide: 310 
 Then, when along the crooked shore we hear 
 Their clatt'ring wings, and saw the foes appear, 
 Misenus sounds a charge: we take th' alarm, 
 And our strong hands with swords and bucklers arm. 
 In this new kind of combat, all employ 315 
 
 Their utmost force, the monsters to destroy — 
 In vain : the fated skin is proof to wounds ; 
 And from their plumes the shining sword rebound^;. 
 At length rebuff'd, they leave their mangled prey. 
 And tlieir stretch'd pinions to the skies display, 320 
 Yet one remain'd — the messenger of Fate, 
 High on a craggy cliff Celseno sate, 
 And thus her dismal errand did relate :
 
 ^NEIS, III. 203 
 
 " What! not contented with our oxen slain, 
 
 Dare you with Hea?'n an impious war maintain, 325 
 
 And drive the Harpies from their native reign ? 
 
 Heed therefore what I say ; and keep in mind 
 
 What Jove decrees, what Phoebus has design'd. 
 
 And I, the Furies' queen, from both relate — 
 
 You seek th' Italian shores, foredoom'd by Fate : 330 
 
 Th' Italian shores are granted you to find. 
 
 And a safe passage to the port assign'd. 
 
 But know, that, ere your promis'd walla you build. 
 
 My curses shall severely be fulfill'd. 
 
 Fierce famine is your lot — for this misdeed, 335 
 
 Reduc'd to grind the plates on which you feed." 
 
 She said, and to the neighb'ring forest flew. 
 
 Our courage fails us, and our fears renew. 
 
 Hopeless to win by war, to pray'rs we fall. 
 
 And on th' offended Harpies humbly call, 340 
 
 And (whether gods or birds obscene they were) 
 
 Our vows, for pardon, and for peace, prefer. 
 
 But old Anchises, off'ring sacrifice. 
 
 And lifting up to heav'n his hands and eyes, 
 
 Ador'd the greater gods — " Avert," said he, 3-15 
 
 " These omens ! render vain this prophecy. 
 
 And from th' impending curse a pious people free." 
 
 Thus having said, he bids us put to sea : 
 
 We loose from tihore our halsers, and obey. 
 
 And soon with swelling sails pursue our wat'ry way. 
 
 Amidst our course, Zacjnthian woods appear; 3."j1 
 
 And next by rocky Neritos we steer: 
 
 We fly from Ithaca's detested shore. 
 
 And curse the land which dire Ulysses bore. 
 
 At length Leucate's cloudy top appears, 3.")5 
 
 And the Sun's temple, which the sailor fears. 
 
 Resolv'd to breathe awhile from labour past. 
 
 Our crooked anchors from the prow we cast. 
 
 And joyful to the little city haste. 
 
 Here, safe beyond our hopes, our vows we pay 300 
 
 To Jove, the guide and patron of our way. 
 
 The customs of our country we pursue. 
 
 And Trojan games on Actian shores renew. 
 
 Our youth their naked limbs besmear with oil, 
 
 And exercLje the wrestlers' noble toil — 3:;o
 
 204 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL, 
 
 PleasM to have sail'd so long before the wind. 
 
 And left so many Grecian towns behind. 
 
 The sun had now fulfilled his annual course, 
 
 And Boreas on the seas display'd his force : 
 
 I fix'd upon the temple's lofty door 370 
 
 The brazen shield which ranquish'd Abas bore : 
 
 The verse beneath my name and action speaks : 
 
 " These arms j^neas took from conqu'ring Greeks." 
 
 Then I command to weigh : the seamen ply 
 
 Their sweeping oars: the smoking billows fly. 375 
 
 The sight of high Phaeacia soon we lost. 
 
 And skimm'd along Epirus' rocky coast. 
 
 Then to Chaonia's port our course we bend, 
 
 And, landed, to Buthrotus' heights ascend. 
 
 Here wondrous things were loudly blaz'd by 
 
 Fame — SSO 
 
 How Kelenus reviv'd the Trojan name, 
 And reign'd in Greece ; that Priam's captive son 
 Succeeded Pyrrhus in his bed and throne ; 
 And fair Andromache, restor'd by Fate, 
 Once more was happy in a Trojan mate. 385 
 
 I leave my galleys riding in the port, 
 And long to see the new Dardanian court. 
 By chance, the mournful queen before the gate. 
 Then solemniz'd her former husband's fate. 
 Green altars, rais'd of turf, with gifts sh« crown'd; 
 And sacred priests in order stand around, 3S1 
 
 And thrice the name of hapless Hector sound. 
 The grove itself resembles Ida's wood ; 
 And Simois seem'd the well-dissembled flood. 
 But v/hen, at nearer distance, she beheld 395 
 
 My shining armour and my Trojan shield, 
 Astonish'd at the sight, the vital heat 
 Forsakes her limbs, her veins no longer beat : 
 She faints, she falls, and scarce recov'ring strength. 
 Thus, with a falt'riug tongue, she speaks at length : 
 " Are you alive, O goddess-born ?" she said, 401 
 
 " Or, if a ghost, then where is Hector's shade ?" 
 At this she cast a loud and frightful cry. — 
 With broken words I made this brief reply : 
 " All of me that remains, appears in sight; 4i") 
 
 I live ; if living be to loathe the light —
 
 .5iXEIS, in. 20~J 
 
 No phantom ; but I drag a wretched life ; 
 
 ;>ry fate resembling that of Hector's wife. 
 
 What have you suffer'd since you lost yonr lord ? 
 
 By what strange blessing are you now restor'd? 440 
 
 Still are you Hector's? or is Hector fled. 
 
 And his remembrance lost in PjTrhus' bed]" 
 
 With eyes dejected, in a lowly tone, 
 
 After a modest pause, she thus begun : 
 
 " O only happy maid of Priam's race, 413 
 
 Whom death deliver'd from the foe's embrace ! 
 
 Commanded on Achilles' tomb to die, 
 
 lifot forc'd, like us, to hard captivity. 
 
 Or in a haughty master's arms to lie. 
 
 In Grecian ships, imhappy we were borne, 420 
 
 Endnr'd the victor's lust, sustain'd the scorn : 
 
 Thus I submitted to the lawless pride 
 
 Of Pyrrhus, more a handmaid than a bride. 
 
 CJloy'd with possession, he forsook my bed, 
 
 And Helen's lovely daughter sought to wed; 425 
 
 Then me to Trojan Helenus resign'd, 
 
 And his two slaves in equal marriage join'd : 
 
 Till young Orestes, pierc'd with deep despair, 
 
 And longing to redeem the promis'd fair, 
 
 Before Apollo's altar slew the ravisher. 430 
 
 By Pyrrhus' death the kingdom we regain'd : 
 
 At least one half with Helenus remain'd. 
 
 Our part, from Chaon, he Chaonia calls. 
 
 And names, from Pergamus, his rising walls. 
 
 But you what fates have landed on our coast? 435 
 
 What god.s have sent you, or what storms have 
 
 toss'd ? 
 Does young Ascanius life and health enjoy? 
 Sav'd from the ruins of unhappy Troy ? 
 O ! tell me how his mother's loss he bears. 
 What hopes are promis'd from his blooming years. 
 How much of Hector in his face appears." 431 
 
 She spoke ; andmix'd her speech with mournful cries; 
 And fruitless tears came trickling from her eyes. 
 At length her lord descends upon the plain, 
 In pomp, attended with a num'rous train ; 445 
 
 Receives hi.-; friends, and to the city leads. 
 And tears of joy amidst his welcome sheds.
 
 20G THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Proceeding on, another Troy I see. 
 
 Or, in less compass, Troy's epitome. 
 
 A riv'let by the name of Xanthus ran ; 450 
 
 And I embrace the Scasan gate again. 
 
 My friends in porticoes were entertain'd; 
 
 And feasts and pleasures through the city reignd. 
 
 The tables fill'd the spacious hall around ; 
 
 And golden bowls with sparkling wine were 
 
 crown'd. 4r}3 
 
 Two days we pass'd in mirth, till friendly gales. 
 Blown from the south, supplied our swelling sails. 
 Then to the royal seer I thus began: 
 '* O thou who know'st, beyond the reach of man, 
 The laws of heav'n, and what the stars decree, 4G0 
 When Phoebus taught unerring prophecy, 
 From his own tripod, and his holy tree — 
 Skill'd in the wing'd inhabitants of air, 
 What auspices their notes and flights declare — 
 O ! say — for all religious rites portend 4G5 
 
 A happy voyage, and a prosp'rous end ; 
 And ev'ry power and omen of the sky 
 Direct my course for destin'd Italy ; 
 But only dire Celasno, from the gods, 
 A dismal famine fatally forebodes — 470 
 
 O! say, what dangers I am first to shun. 
 What toils to vanquish, and what course to run." 
 
 ' The prophet first with sacrifice adores 
 The greater gods ; their pardon then implores ; 
 Unbinds the fillet from his holy head ; 47') 
 
 To Phoebus, next, my trembling steps lie led. 
 Fall of religious doubts and awful dread. 
 Then, with his god possess'd, before the shrine, 
 These words proceeded from his moixth divine: 
 " O goddess born ! (for Heav'n's appointed will, ISO 
 With greater auspices of good than ill, 
 Foreshews thy voyage, and thy course directs; 
 Thy fates conspire, and Jove himself protects), 
 Of many things, some few I shall explain. 
 Teach them to shun the dangers of the main, 48) 
 And how at length the promis'd shore to gain. 
 The rest the Fates from Helenus conceal, 
 And Juno's angry pow'r forbids to tell.
 
 yENEIS, III. 107 
 
 First, tben, that happy shore, that seems so nigh, 
 
 Will far from your deluded wishes fly; 49l» 
 
 Long tracts of seas divide your hopes from Italy; 
 
 For you must cniise along Sicilian shores, 
 
 And stem the cun-ents with your struggling oars ; 
 
 Then round th' Italian coast your nary steer ; 
 
 And, after this, to Circe's island veer ; 495 
 
 And, last, before your new foundations rise. 
 
 Must pass the Stygian lake, and view the nether 
 
 skies. 
 Now mark the signs of future ease and rest ; 
 And bear them safely treasur'd in thy breast. 
 When, in the shady shelter of a wood, 5 00 
 
 And near the margin of a gentle flood, 
 Thou shalt behold a sow upon the ground. 
 With thirty sucking young encompass'd round ; 
 The dam and ofiVpring white as falling snow — 
 These on thy city shall their name bestow, 505 
 
 And there shall end thy labours and thy woe. 
 Nor let the threaten'd famine fright thy mind; 
 For Phoebus will assist ; and Fate the way will 
 
 find. 
 Let not thy course to that ill coast be bent, 
 WTiich fronts from far th' Epiriaa continent : 5 10 
 
 Those parts are all by Grecian foes possess'd. 
 The savage Locrians here the shores infest : 
 There fierce Idomeneus his city builds. 
 And guards with arms the Salentinian fields ; 
 And on the mountain's brow Petilia stands, S!.") 
 
 Which Philoctetes with his troops commands. 
 Ev'n when thy fleet is landed on the shore. 
 And priests with hollow tows the gods adore. 
 Then with a purple tcII involve your eyes, 
 Lest hostile faces blast the sacrifice. 5'iO 
 
 These rites and customs to the rest commend. 
 That to your pious race they may descend. 
 
 ' " When, parted hence, the wind that ready waits 
 For Sicily, shall bear you to the straits 
 Where proud Pelorus opes a wider way, 52."' 
 
 Tack to the larboard, and stand off to sea; 
 Veer starboard sea and land. Th' Italian shore. 
 And fair Sicilia's coa^t, were one, before
 
 208 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 An earthquake caus'd the flow : the roaring tides 
 
 The passage hroke, that land from land divides; 530 
 
 And, where the lands retir'd, the rushing ocean rides. 
 
 Distinguish'd by the straits, on either hand, 
 
 Now rising cities in long order stand. 
 
 And fruitful fields: — so much can time invade S.34 
 
 The mould'ring work, that beauteous Nature made. — 
 
 Far on the right, her dogs foul Scj'lla hides : 
 
 Charybdis roaring on the left presides. 
 
 And in her greedy whirlpool sucks the tides ; 
 
 Then spouts them from below; with fury driv'n, /iSO 
 
 The waves mount up, and wash the f ice of heav'n. 
 
 But Scylla from her den, with open jaws. 
 
 The sinking vessel in her eddy draws. 
 
 Then dashes on the rocks. — A human face, 
 
 And virgin bosom, hide her tail's disgrace : 
 
 Her parts obscene below the waves descend, 545 
 
 With dogs enclos'd ; and in a dolphin end. 
 
 'Tis safer, then, to bear aloof to sea. 
 
 And coast Pachynus, though with more delay. 
 
 Than once to view mis-shapen Scylla near. 
 
 And the loud yell of wat'ry wolves to hear. 5o0 
 
 •" Besides, if faith to Helenus be due. 
 And if prophetic Phoebus tell me true. 
 Do not this precept of your friend forget, 
 Which therefore more than once I must repeat. 
 Above the rest, great Juno's name adore: 555 
 
 Pay vows to- Juno ; Juno's aid implore. 
 Let gifts be to the mighty queen design'd : 
 And mollify with pray'rs her haughty mind. 
 Thus, at the length, your passage shall be free. 
 And you shall safe descend on Italy. 5G0 
 
 Arriv'd at Cumse, when you view the flood 
 Of black Avernus, and the sounding wood. 
 The mad prophetic Sibyl you shall find, 
 Dark in a care, and on a rock reclin'd, 
 She sings the fates, and, in her frantic fits, 565 
 
 The notes and names, inscrib'd, to leaves commits. 
 What she commits to leaves, in order laid, 
 Before the cavern's entrance are display'd : 
 Unmov'd they lie : but, if a blast of wind 
 Without, or vapours issue from behind, 570
 
 ^NEIS, III. 2'^9 
 
 Tbe leaves are borne aloft in liquid air ; 
 
 And she resumes no more her museful care. 
 
 Nor gathers from the rocks her scatter'd verse. 
 
 Nor sets in order what the winds disperse. 
 
 Thus, many not succeeding, most upbraid 5 7,'; 
 
 The madness of the visionary- maid, 
 
 And with loud curses, leave the mystio shade. 
 
 * " Think it not loss of time awhile to stay, ' 
 Though thy companions chide thy long delay ; .'tTO 
 Though summon 'd to the seas, though pleasing gales 
 Invite thy course, and stretch thy swelling sails : 
 But beg the sacred priestess to relate 
 
 With willing words, and not to write, thy fate. 
 The fierce Italian people she will shew, 
 And all thy wars, and all thy future woe, ri85 
 
 And what thou may'st avoid, and what mast un- 
 dergo. 
 She shall direct thy course, instruct thy ir.ind. 
 And teach thea how the happy shores to find. 
 This is what Heav'n allows me to relate: 
 Now part in peace ; pursue thy better fate, 590 
 
 And raise, by strength of arms, the Trojan state." 
 
 * This when the priest with friendly voice declar'd, 
 lie gave me license, and rich gifts prepar'd : 
 Bounteous of treasure, he supplied my want 
 
 With heavy gold, and polish'd elephant, 595 
 
 Then Dodonasan caldrons put on board. 
 And ev'ry ship with sums of silver stor'd. 
 A trusty coat of mail to me he sent, 
 Thrice cbain'd with gold, for use and oraament ; 
 The helm of P>TThu3 added to the rest, 600 
 
 That flourish'd with a plume and waving crest. 
 Nor was my sire forgotten, nor my friends : 
 And large r?cruitshe to my navy sends — 
 Men, horses, captains, arms, and warlike stores; 
 Supplies new pilots, and new sweeping oars. G05 
 
 •Meantime, my sire commands to hoist our sails, 
 Lest we should lose the first auspicious gales. 
 The prophet bless'd the parting crew, and last, 
 With words like these, his ancient friend embrac'd : 
 " Old happy man, the care of gods above, 610 
 
 Whom hcav'nly Venus honoiu'd with her love.
 
 210 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 And twice prcserv'd tbylife when Troy was lost ! 
 
 Behold from far the wish'd Ausonian coast : 
 
 There land ; but take a larger compass round ; 
 
 For that before is all forbidden ground. (i|5 
 
 The shore that Phoebus has design'd for you. 
 
 At farther distance lies, conceal'd from view. 
 
 Go happy hence, and seek your new al)odes, 
 
 Bless'd in a son, and favour'd by the gods ; 
 
 For I with useless words prolong your stay, 620 
 
 When southern gales have summon'd you away." 
 
 ' Nor less the queen our parting thence deplor'd, 
 Nor was less bounteous than her Trojan lord. 
 A noble present to my son she brought, 
 A robe with flow'rs on golden tissue wrought. CylS 
 A Phrygian vest ; and loads with gifts beside 
 Of precious texture, and of Asian pride. 
 *' Accept," she said, " these monuments of love. 
 Which in my youth with happier hands I wove: 
 Regard these trifles for the giver's sake : 630 
 
 'Tis the last present Hector's wife can make. 
 Thou call'st my lost Astyanax to mind : 
 Jn thee, his features and his form I find. 
 His eyes so sparkled with a lively flame; 
 Such were his motions ; such was all his frame ; 635 
 And, ah ! had Heav'n so pleas'd, his years had been 
 the same." 
 
 * With tears I took my last adieu, and said, 
 " Your fortune, happy pair, already made. 
 Leaves you no farther wish. My different state. 
 Avoiding one, incurs another fate. 640 
 
 To you a quiet seat the gods allow : 
 You have no shores to search, no seas to plough, 
 Nor fields of flying Italy to chase — 
 Deluding visions and a vain embrace! 
 You see another Simois, and enjoy 615 
 
 The labour of your hands, another Troy, 
 AVith better auspice than her ancient tow'rs. 
 And less obnoxious to the Grecian pow'rs. 
 If e'er the gods, whom I with vows adore. 
 Conduct my steps to Tyber's happy shore — 650 
 
 If ever I ascend the Latiau throne. 
 And build a city 1 may call my own —
 
 ^NEIS, ill. 211 
 
 As both of us our birth from Troy derive, 
 
 So let cur kindred lines in concord live, 
 
 And both in acts of equal friendship strive. C^.5 
 
 Our fortunes, good or bad, shall be the same; 
 
 The double Troy shall differ but in name; 
 
 That wliat we now begin, may never end. 
 
 But long to late posterity descend." 
 
 ' Near the Ceraunian recks our course we 
 
 bore — 600 
 
 The shortest passage to th' Italian shore. 
 Now had the sun withdrawn his radiant light, 
 And hills were hid in dusky shades of night : 
 We land, and, on the bosom of the ground, 
 A safe retreat and a bare lodging found. 655 
 
 Close by the shore we lay ; the sailors keep 
 Their •watches, and the rest securely sleep. 
 The night, proceeding on with silent pace, 
 Stood in her noon, and view'd with equal face 
 Her steepy rise, and her declining race. 670 
 
 Then wakeful Palinurus rose, to spy 
 The face of heav'n, and the nocturnal sky : 
 And listen'd ev'ry breath of air to try ; 
 Observes the stars, and notes their sliding coarse. 
 The Pleiads, Hyads, and their wat'ry force; 675 
 
 And both the Bears is careful to behold, 
 And bright Orion, arm'd with burnish'd gold. 
 Then, when he saw no threatening tempest nigh. 
 But a sure promise of a settled sky. 
 He gave the sign to weigh ; we break our sleep, 680 
 Forsake the pleasing shore, and plough the deep. 
 And now the rising morn with rosy light 
 Adorns the skies, and puts the stars to flight: 
 When we from far, like bluish mists, descry 
 The hills, and then theplainsof Italy. Os.5 
 
 Achates first pronounced the joyful sound ; 
 Then " Italy ;" the cheerful crew rebound. 
 My sire Anchises crown'd a cup with wine. 
 And, off'ring, thus implor'd the pow'rs divine ; 
 " Ye gods, presiding over lands and seas, 6'JO 
 
 And you who raging winds and waves appease, 
 lireathcon our swelling sails a pro.sp'rous wind, 
 And smooth our passage to the port assigu'd."
 
 212 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 The gentle gales their flagging force renew ; 
 
 And now the happy harbour is in view. 695 
 
 Minerva's temple then salutes our sight, 
 
 Plac'd as a land-mark on the mountain's height. 
 
 We furl our sails, and turn the prows to shore; 
 
 The curling waters round the galleys roar. 
 
 The land lies open to the raging East, 700 
 
 Tlien, bending like a bow, with rocks compress'd. 
 
 Shuts out the storms ; the winds and waves complain , 
 
 And vent their malice on the cliffs in vain. 
 
 The port lies hid within ; on either side. 
 
 The tow'ring rocks the narrow mouth divide. 705 
 
 The temple^ which aloft we view'd before, 
 
 To distance flies, and seems to shun the shore. 
 
 Scarce landed, the first omens I beheld 
 
 Were four white steeds, that cropp'd the flow'ry 
 
 field. 
 " War, war is threaten'd from this foreign ground 710 
 (My father cried), where warlike steeds are found. 
 Yet since, reclaim'd, to chariots they submit. 
 And bend to stubborn yokes, and champ the bit. 
 Peace may succeed to war." — Our way we bend 
 To Pallas, and the sacred hill ascend; 715 
 
 There prostrate to the fierce virago pray. 
 Whose temple was the land-mark of our way. 
 Each with a Phrygian mantle veil'd his head. 
 And all commands of Helenas obey'd. 
 And pious rites to Grecian Juno paid. 720 
 
 These dues perform'd, we stretch our sails, and stand 
 To sea, forsaking that suspected land. 
 From hence Tarentuin's bay appears in view. 
 For Hercules renown'd, if fame be true. 
 Just opposite, Lacinian Juno stands ; 725 
 
 Caulonian tow'rs, and Scylactean strands 
 For shipwrecks fear'd. Mount ^tna thence we spy. 
 Known by the smoky flames which cloud the sky. 
 Far off" we hear the waves with surly sound 
 Invade the rocks, the rocks their groans rebound. 730 
 The billows break upon the sounding strand. 
 And roll the rising tide, impure with sand. 
 Then thus Anchises, in experience old; 
 •• 'Tis that Charybdis wbich the seer foretold,
 
 .^NEIS. HI. 213 
 
 Aud thoic the proniis'd rocks ! Bear off to sea !" 735 
 
 With haste the frighted mariners obey. 
 
 First Palinurus to the larboard veer'd ; 
 
 Then all the fleet by his example steer'd. 
 
 To heav'n aloft on ridgy waves we ride, 
 
 Then down to hell descend, when they divide : 710 
 
 And thrice our galleys knock'd the stony ground. 
 
 And thrice the hollow rocks return the sound. 
 
 And thrice we saw the stars that stood with dews 
 
 around. 
 The flagging winds forsook us, with the sun : 
 And, wearied, on Cyclopian shores we run. 743 
 
 The port, capacious and secure from wind. 
 Is to the foot of thuud'ring iEtna join'd. 
 By turns a pitchy cloud she rolls on high : 
 By turns hot embers from her entrails fly. 
 And flakes of mountain flames, that lick the sky, 750 
 Oft from her bowels massy rocks are thrown, 
 And, shiver'd by the force, come piece-meal down. 
 Oft liquid lakes of burning salphur flow. 
 Fed from the fiery springs that boil below. 
 Enceladus, they say, transfix'd by Jove, 755 
 
 With blasted limbs came tumbling from above ; 
 And, where he fell, th' avenging father drew 
 This flaming hill, aud on his body threw. 
 As often as he turns his weary sides. 
 He shakes the solid isle, and smoke the heavens 
 
 hides. 760 
 
 In shady woods we pass the tedious night, 
 Where bellowing sounds and groans our souls affright. 
 Of which no cause is oflfer'd to the sight. 
 For not one star was kindled in the sky ; 
 Nor could the moon her borrow'd light supply ; 735 
 For misty clouds involv'd the firmament ; 
 The stars were muffled, and the moon was pent. 
 Scarce had the rising sun the day reveal'd ; 
 Scp.rce bad his heat the pearly dews dispell'd ; 769 
 When from the woods there bolts, before our sight. 
 Somewhat betwixt a mortal and a sprite, 
 So thin, so ghastly meagre, and so wan. 
 So bare of flesh, he scarce resembled man. 
 This thing, all tatter'd, seem'd from far t' implore 
 Our piouo aid, and pointed to the shore. 775
 
 214 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 We look behind ; then view his shaggy beard : 
 His clothes were tagg'd with thorns, and filth his 
 
 limbs besuiear'd : 
 The rest, in mien, in habit, and in face, 
 Appear'd a Greek : and such indeed he was. 
 He cast on ns, from far, a frightful view, 78i 
 
 Whom soon for Trojans and for foes he knew — 
 Stood still, and paus'd ; then all at once began 
 To stretch his limbs, and trembled as he ran. 
 Soon as approach'd, upon his knees he falls, 
 And thus with tears and sighs for pity calls : 78i 
 " Now, by the pow'rs above, and what we share 
 From nature's common gift, this vital air, 
 
 Trojans, take me hence ! I beg no more; 
 But bear me far from this unhappy shore. 
 
 'Tis true, I am a Greek, and farther own, 7C^ 
 
 Among your foes besieg'd tlv' imperial town. 
 
 For such demerits if my death be due. 
 
 No more for this abandon'd life I sue : 
 
 This only favour let my tears obtain. 
 
 To throw me headlong in the rapid main ; 791 
 
 Since nothing more than death my crime demands, 
 
 1 die content, to die by human hands." 
 
 He said, and on his knees my knees embrac'd : 
 
 I bade him boldly tell his fortune past. 
 
 His present state, his lineage, and liis name, 8G< 
 
 Th' occasion of his fears, and whence he came. 
 
 The good Anchises rais'd liim with his hand ; 
 
 Who thus encourag'd, answer'd our demand ; 
 
 " From Ithaca, my native soil, I came 
 
 To Troy ; and Achaemenides my name. ?(l. 
 
 Me my poor father with Ulysses sent ; 
 
 (O ! had I staid, with poverty content') 
 
 But, fearful for themselves, my countrymen 
 
 Left me forsaken in the Cyclops' den. S '■: 
 
 The cave, though large, was dark; the dismal fi; i 
 
 Was pav'd with mangled limbs and putrid gore. 
 
 Our monstrous host, of more than human size. 
 
 Erects his head, and stares within the skies, 
 
 Bellowing his voice, and horrid is his hue. 
 
 Ye gods, remove this plague from mortal view I Pi; 
 
 The joints of slaughter'd wretches are his food ; 
 
 And for his wine he quaffs the streaming blood. 
 
 I
 
 iENEIS, in. 215 
 
 These eyes beb<?li1, wLen with his spacious hand 
 He seiz'd two captives of our Grecian band; 
 Stretch'd on bis back, he dash'd against the stones 
 Their broken bodies, and their crackling bones ; 821 
 With spouting blood the purple pavement swiras. 
 While the dire glutton grinds the trembling limbs. 
 Not unreveng'd Ulysses bore their fate. 
 Nor thoughtless of his own unhappy state ; 825 
 
 For, gorg'd with flesh, and drunk with human wine, 
 While fast asleep the giant lay supine. 
 Snoring aloud, and belching from his maw 
 His indigested foam, and morsels raw — 
 We pray ; we cast the lots, and then surround 830 
 The monstrous body stretch'd along the ground : 
 Each, as he could approach him, lends a hand 
 To bore his eye-ball with a flaming brand. 
 Beneath his frowning forehead lay his eye ; 
 For only one did the vast frame supply — 835 
 
 But that a globe so large, his front it fill'd. 
 Like the sun's disk, or like a Grecian shield. 
 The stroke succeeds ; and down the pupil bends : 
 This vengeance follow'd for our slaughtered friends — 
 But haste, unhappy wretches ! haste to fly ! 840 
 
 Your cables cut, and on your oars rely ! 
 Such, and so vast as Polypheme appears, 
 A hundred more this hated island bears : 
 Like him, in caves they shut their woolly sheep ; 
 Like him, their herds on tops of mountains keep; 
 Like him, with mighty strides, they stalk from steep 
 to steep. 846 
 
 And now three moons their sharpen'd horns renew. 
 Since thus in woods and wilds, obscure from view, 
 I drag my loathsome days v/ith mortal fright, 
 And in deserted caverns lodge by night ; 850 
 
 Oft from the rocks a dreadful prospect see 
 Of the huge Cyclops, like a walking tree: 
 From far I hear his thund'ring voice resound, 
 And trampling feet that shake the solid ground. 
 Cornels and savage berries of the wood, 855 
 
 And roots and herbs have been my meagre food. 
 While all around my longing eyes I cast, 
 I saw your happy ships appear at last.
 
 216 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 On those I fix'd my hopes, to these I run : 
 
 'Tis all I ask, this cruel race to shun : SCO 
 
 What other death you please, yourselves bestow." 
 
 Scarce had he said, when on the mountain's brow 
 
 We saw the giant-shepherd stalk before 
 
 His following flock, and leading to the shore — 
 
 A monstrous bulk, deform'd, depriv'd of sight ; 8Co 
 
 His staff a trunk of pine, to guide his steps aright. 
 
 His pond'rous whistle from his neck descends ; 
 
 His woolly care their pensive lord attends : 
 
 This only solace his hard fortune sends. 
 
 Soon as he reach'd the shore, and touch'd the waves, 
 
 From his bor'd eye the gutt'riug blood he laves : 871 
 
 He gnash'd his teeth, and groan'd : through seas he 
 
 strides ; 
 And scarce the topmost billows touch'd his sides. 
 
 * Seiz'd with a sudden fear, we run to sea, 
 The cables cut, and silent haste away; 875 
 
 The well- deserving stranger entertain ; 
 Then, buckling to the work, our oars divide the main. 
 The giant hearken'd to the dashing sound : 
 But, when our vessels out of reach he found, 
 He strided onward, and in vain essay'd 880 
 
 Th' Ionian deep, and durst no farther wade. 
 With that he roar'd aloud : the dreadful cry 
 Shakes earth, and air, and seas ; the billows fly. 
 Before the bellowing noise, to distant Italy. 
 The ueighb'ring ^Etna trembling all around, 885 
 
 The winding caverns echo to the sound. 
 His brother Cyclops hear the yelling roar. 
 And, rushing down the mountains, crowd the shore. 
 We saw their stern distorted looks, from far, 889 
 
 And one-ey'd glance, that vainly threaten'd war — 
 A dreadful council ! with their heads on high 
 (The misty clouds about their foreheads flj) 
 Not yielding to the tow'riug tree of Jove, 
 Or tallest cypress of Diana's grove. 
 New pangs of mortal fear our minds assail ; 895 
 
 We tug at ev'ry oar, and hoist up ev'ry sail. 
 And take th' advantage of the friendly gale. 
 Forewarn'd by Helenus, we strive to shun 
 Charybdis' gulf, nor dare to Scylla run.
 
 ^NEIS, III. 217 
 
 An equal fate on either side appears : 900 
 
 We, tacking to the left, are free from fears : 
 For, from Pelorus' point, the North arose. 
 And drove iis back where swift Pantagias flovrs^. 
 His rocky mouth we pass ; and make our way 
 By Thapsns, and Megara's winding bay. QO/i 
 
 This passage Achasmenides had shewn. 
 Tracing the course which he before bad run. 
 Right o'er against Plemmyrium's vrat'tj strand. 
 There lies an isle, once call'd th' Ortygian land, 
 Alpheiis, as old Fame reports, has found 910 
 
 From Greece a secret passage under gronud, 
 By love to beauteous Arethusa led ; 
 And, mingling here, they roll in the same sacred bed. 
 As Helenus enjoin"d, we next adore 
 Diana's name, protectress of the shore. 015 
 
 With prosp'rous gales we pass the quiet sounds 
 Of still Helorus, and his fruitful bounds. 
 Then, doubling cape Pacliynus, we survey 
 The rocky shore extended to the sea. 
 The town of Camarine from far we see, 9?.9 
 
 And fenny lake, undrain'd by Fate's decree. 
 In sight of the Geloan fields we pass. 
 And the large walls, where mighty Gela was ; 
 Then Agragas, with lofty summits crowu'd. 
 Long for the race of warlike steeds renowu'd. 925 
 We pass'd Selinus, and the palmy land. 
 And widely shun the Liiybeean strand. 
 Unsafe, for secret rocks and moving sand. 
 At length on shore the weary fleet arriv'd. 
 Which Drepanum's unhappy port receiv'd. g.^rv 
 
 Here, after endless labours, often toss'd 
 By raging storms, and driven on ev'ry coast, 
 My dear, dear father, spent with age, I lost — 
 Ease of my cares, and solace of my pain, 
 Sav'd through a thousand toils, but sav'd in vain. 035 
 The prophet, who ray future woes reveal'd. 
 Yet this, the greatest and the worst conceal'd : 
 And dire Cela;no, whose foreboding skill 
 Denounc'd all else, was silent of this ill. 
 This my last labour was. Some friendly ^od 10 
 
 From thence convey'd us to your blest abode." 
 K
 
 218 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Thus to the list'ning queen, the royal guest 
 His wand'ring course and all his toils express'd, 
 And here concluding, he retir'd to rest. 
 
 BOOK IV. 
 
 D,<lo discovers to her sister her passion for ^neas, and her 
 thoughts of marrying him. She prepares a hunting-match for 
 hid entertainment. Juno, by Venus's consent raises a storm, 
 which separates the hunters, and drives ^neas and Uido iata 
 the same cave, where their marriage is supposed to be com- 
 pleted. Jupiter dispatches Mercury to /Eneas, to warn him 
 from Carthage. /Eneas secretly prepares for his voyage. 
 Dido finds out his design, and, to put a stop to it, makes use 
 of her own and lier sister's entreaties, and discovers all the 
 variety of passions that are incident to a neglected lover. 
 When nothing would prevail upon him, she contrives her own 
 death, with which this book concludes. 
 
 But anxious cares already seiz'd the queen ; 
 
 She fed within her veins a flame unseen : 
 
 The hero's valour, acts, and birth, inspire 
 
 Her soul with love, and fan the secret fire. 
 
 His words, his looks, imprinted in her heart, 6 
 
 Improve the passion, and increase the smart. 
 
 Now, when the purple morn had chas'd away 
 
 The dewy shadows, and restor'd the day. 
 
 Her sister first with early care she sought, 
 
 And thus in mournful accents eas'd her thought : 10 
 
 * My dearest Anna! what new dreams affright 
 
 My lab'ring soul! what visions of the night 
 
 Disturb my quiet, and distract my breast 
 
 With strange ideas of our Trojan guest ! 
 
 His worth, his actions, and majestic air, 15 
 
 A man descended from the gods declare. 
 
 Fear ever argues a degen'rate kind ; 
 
 His birth is well asserted by his mind. 
 
 Then, what he suffer'd, when by Fate betray'd! 
 
 What brave attempts for falling Troy he made ! 20 
 
 Such were his looks, so gracefully he spoke. 
 
 That, were I not resolv'd against the yoke 
 
 Of hapless marriage — never to be curs'd 
 
 With second love, so fatal was my first — 
 
 To this one error I might yield again : 25 
 
 For, since Sicha?ns was untimely slain.
 
 ^NE[.S, IV. 219 
 
 This only man is able to subvert 
 The fix'd fouodations of my stubborn heart. 
 And, to confess my frailty, to my shame, 
 Somewhat I find within, if not the same, 30 
 
 Too like the sparkles of my former tlame. 
 But first let yawning earth a passage rend. 
 And let me through the dark abyss descend — 
 First let avenging Jove, with flames from high, 
 Drive dovvn this body to the nether sky, 35 
 
 Condemned ivith ghosts in endless night to lie — 
 Before I break the plighted faith I gave! 
 No ! he who had my vows, shall ever have ; 
 For, whom I lov'd on earth, I worship in the 
 grave.' 
 She said : the tears ran gushing from her eyes, 40 
 And stopp'd her speech. Her sister thus replies : 
 * O dearer than the vital air I breathe ! 
 Will you to grief your blooming years bequeath, 
 Condemn'd to waste in woes your lonely life. 
 Without the joys of mother or of wife ? 45 
 
 Think you these tears, this pompons train of woe, 
 Are known or vahied by the ghosts below ? 
 I grant, that, while your sorrows yet were green. 
 It well became a woman, and a queen, 
 The vows of Tyrian princes to neglect, 50 
 
 To scorn larbas, and his love reject. 
 With all the Libjan lords of mighty name : 
 Bat will you fight against a pleasing flame ? 
 This little spot of land, which heav'n bestows, 
 On ev'ry side is hemm'd with warlike foes: 55 
 
 Gsetulian cities here are spread around. 
 And fierce Numidians there your frontiers bound 
 Here lies a barren waste of thirsty land ; 
 And there the Syrtes raise the moving sand : 
 Barcffian troops besiege the narrow shore: 00 
 
 And from the sea Pygmalion threatens more. 
 Propitious beav'n, and gracious Juno, lead 
 This wand'ring navy to your needful aid ; 
 How will your empire spread, your city rise, 
 From such a union, and with such allies I 65 
 
 Implore the favour of the pow'rs above ; 
 And leave the conduct of the rest to love.
 
 220 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Continue still your hospitable way 
 
 And still invent occasions of their stay. 
 
 Till storms and winter winds shall cease to tlireat, 7P 
 
 And planks and oara repair their sbatter'd fleet.' 
 
 These words, which from a friend and sister 
 came. 
 With ease resolv'd the scruples of her fame. 
 And added fury to the kindled flame. 
 Inspir'd with hope, the project they pursue ; 75 
 
 On ev'ry altar sacrifice renew : 
 A chosen ewe of two years' old they pay 
 To Ceres, Bacchus, and the god of day. 
 Preferring Juno's pow'r (for Juno ties 
 The nuptial knot, and makes the marriage-joys,) 80 
 The beauteous queen before her altar stands, 
 And holds the golden goblet in her hands. 
 A milk-white heifer she with flow'rs adorns, 
 And pours the ruddy wine betwixt her horns : 
 And, while the priests with pray'rs the gods invoke, 85 
 She feeds their altars with Sabaean smoke. 
 With hourly care the sacrifice renews. 
 And anxiously the panting entrails views, 
 What priestly rites, alas ! what pious art. 
 What vows avail to cure a bleeding heart? OD 
 
 A gentle fire she feeds within her veins, 
 Where the soft god secure in silence reigns. 
 
 Sick with desire, and seeking him she loves, 
 From street to street the raving Dido roves. 
 So, when the watchful shepherd, from the blind, 95 
 Wounds with a random shaft the careless hind. 
 Distracted with her pain she flies the woods, 
 Bounds o'er the lawn, and seeks the silent floods — 
 With fruitless care; for still the fatal dart 
 Sticks in her side, and rankles in her heart. 100 
 
 And now she leads the Trojan chief along 
 The lofty walls, amidst the busy throng ; 
 Displays her Tyrian wealth, and rising town, 
 Which love, without his labour, makes his own. 
 This pomp she shews, to tempt her wand'ring guest ; 
 Her falt'ring tongue forbids to speak the rest. IOC 
 
 W^hen day declines, and feasts renew the night, 
 Still on his face she feeds her famish'd sight;
 
 iENEiS, IV. 2?.l 
 
 She longs again to hear the prince relate 
 
 His own adventures, and the Trojan fate. 110 
 
 He tells it o'er and o'er; but still in vain ; 
 
 For still she begs to hear it once again. 
 
 The hearer on the speaker's mouth depends ; 
 
 And thus the tragic storj' never ends. 114 
 
 Then, when they part, when Phoebe's paler light 
 Withdraws, and falling stars to sleep invite. 
 She last reraains, when ev'ry guest is gone. 
 Sits on the bed he press'd, and sighs alone; 
 Absent, her absent hero sees and hears; 
 Or in her bosom young Ascanius bears, 120 
 
 And seeks the father's image in the child, 
 If love by likeness might be so beguil'd. 
 
 Meantime the rising tow'rs are at a stand ; 
 No labours exercise the youthful band. 
 Nor use of arts, nor toils of arms they know : 1'25 
 
 The mole is left unfinished to the foe ; 
 The mounds, the works, the walls neglected lie. 
 Short of their promis'd height, that seem'd to threat 
 
 But when imperial Juno, from above, [the sky. 
 
 Saw Dido fetter'd in the chains of Love, 130 
 
 Hot with the venom which her veins inflam'd, 
 And by no sense of shame to be reclaim'd. 
 With soothing words to Venus she begun ; 
 ' High praises, endless honours, you have won, 
 And mighty trophies, with your worthy son! 135 
 
 Two gods a silly woman have undone I 
 Nor am I ignorant, you both suspect 
 This rising city, which my hands erect ; 
 But shall celestial discord never cease 1 
 'Tis better ended in a lasting peace. 140 
 
 You staod possess'd of all your soul desir'd ; 
 Poor Dido with consuming love is fir'd. 
 Your Trojan with my Tyrian let us join ; 
 So Dido shall be yours, yEneas mine — 
 One common kingdom, one united line. 115 
 
 Eliza shall a Dardan lord obey, 
 And lofty Carthage for a dow'r convey.' 
 Then Venus (who her hidden fraud discried. 
 Which would the sceptre of the world misguide 
 To Libyan shores) thus artfully replied: 150
 
 222 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 * Who, but a fool, would wars with Juno choose, 
 And such alliance and such gifts refuse. 
 If fortune with our joint desires comply? 
 The doubt is all from Jove, and destiny ; 
 Lest he forbid, with absolute command, 155 
 
 To mix the people in one common land — 
 Or will the Trojan and the Tyrian line. 
 In lasting leagues and sure succession, join. 
 But you, the partner of his bed and throne, 
 May move his mind: — my wishes are your own.' 160 
 ' Mine,' said imperial Juno, ' be the care: — 
 Time urges now : — to perfect this aff>«ir. 
 Attend my counsel, and the secret share. 
 When next the Sun his rising light displays, 
 And gilds the world below with purple rays. 105 
 
 The queen, Mueas, and the Tyrian court. 
 Shall to the shady woods, for sylvan game re- 
 sort. 
 There, while the huntsmen pitch their toils around, 
 And cheerful horns, from side to side, resound, 
 A pitchy cloud shall cover all the plain ITO 
 
 With hail, and thunder, and tempestuous rain : 
 The fearful train shall take their speedy flight, 
 Dispers'd, and all involv'd in gloomy night : 
 One cave a grateful shelter shall afford 
 To the fair princess and the Trojan lord. 17'> 
 
 I will myself the bridal bed prepare. 
 If ycu, to bless the nuptials, will be there : 
 So shall their loves be crown'd with due delights, 
 And Hymen shall be present at the rites.' 
 The queen of love consents, and closely smiles ISO 
 At her vain project, and discover'd wiles. 
 
 The rosy morn was risen from the main. 
 And horns and hounds awake the princely train : 
 They issue early through the city gate. 
 Where the more wakeful huntsmen ready wait, 185 
 With nets, and toils, and darts, beside the force 
 Of Spartan dogs, and swift Massylian horse. 
 The Tyrian peers and officers of state. 
 For the slow queen, in antechambers wait. 
 Her lofty courser, in the court below 100 
 
 (Who his majestic rider seems to know),
 
 .^ENEIS, IV. 223 
 
 Proud of bis purple trappings, paws the ground. 
 And champs the golden bit, and spreads the foam 
 
 around. 
 The queen at length appears : on either hand, 
 The brawny guards in martial order stand. 195 
 
 A flow'r'd cymar with golden fringe she wore, 
 And at her back a golden quiver bore : 
 Her flowing hair a golden caul restrains ; 
 A golden clasp the Tyrian robe sustains. 
 Then young Ascanius, with a sprightly grace, 200 
 Leads on the Trojan youth to view the chase. 
 But far above the rest in beauty sliines 
 The great JEaea^, when the troop he joins ; 
 Like fair Apollo, when he leaves the frost 
 Of wint'ry Xanthus, and the Lyeian coast, 205 
 
 AVhen to his native Delos he resorts, 
 Ordains the dances, and renews the sports : 
 Where painted Scythians, mix'd with Cretan bands, 
 Before the joyful altars join their hands : 
 Himself, on Gynthns walking, sees below 210 
 
 The merry madness of the sacred show. 
 Green wreaths of bays his length of hair inclose : 
 A golden fillet binds his awful brows : 
 His quiver sounds. — Not less the prince is seen 
 In manly presence, or in lofty mien. 215 
 
 Now had they reach'd the hills, and storm'd the seat 
 Of savage beasts, in dens, their last retreat. 
 The cry pursues the mountain-goats : they bound 
 From rock to rock, and keep the craggy ground : 
 Quite otherwise the stags, a trembling train, 220 
 
 In herds unsingled, scour the dusty plain, 
 And a long chase, in open view, maintain. 
 The glad Ascanius, as his courser guides. 
 Spurs through the vale, and these and those outrides. 
 His horse's flanks and sides are forced to feel 225 
 The clanking lash, and goring of the steel. 
 Impatiently he views the feeble prey, 
 Wishing some nobler beast to cross his way. 
 And rather would the tusky boar attend, 
 Or see the tawny lion downward bend. 23y 
 
 Meantime, the gath'ring clouds obscure the skies : 
 From pole to pole the forky lightning flies;
 
 224 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 The rattling thunders roll ; and Juno pours 
 
 A wintry deluge down, and sounding show'rs. 
 
 The company, dispersed, to coverts ride, 235 
 
 And seek the homely cots, or mountain's hollow side. 
 
 The rapid rains, descending from the hills. 
 
 To rolling torrents raise the creeping rills. 
 
 The queen and prince, as Lore or Fortune guides, 
 
 One common cavern in her bosom hides. 240 
 
 Then first the trembling earth the signal gave ; 
 
 And flashing fires enlighten all the cave : 
 
 Hell from below, and Juno from above. 
 
 And howling nymphs, were conscious to their love. 
 
 From this illomen'd hour, in time arose 2 'u> 
 
 Debate and death, and all succeeding woes. 
 
 The queen, whom sense of honour could not move. 
 No longer made a secret of her love. 
 But call'd it marriage, by that specious name ' 
 To veil the crime, and sanctify the shame. 2"0 
 
 The loud report through Libyan cities goes. 
 Fame, the great ill, from small beginnings grows — 
 Swift from the first; and ev'ry moment brings 
 New vigour to her flights, new pinions to her wings. 
 Soon grows the pigmy to gigantic size ; 2-55 
 
 Her feet on earth, her forehead in the skies. 
 Earag'd against the gods, revengeful Earth 
 Prodnc'd her, last of the Titanian birth — 
 Swifc is her walk, more swift her winged haste — 
 A monstrous phantom, horrible and vast. 2C0 
 
 As many plumes as raise her lofty flight. 
 So many piercing eyes enlarge her sight: 
 Jiillions of op'ning mouths to Fame belong ; 
 And ev'ry mouth is furnish'd with a tongue; 264 
 
 And round with list'ning ears the flying plague is hung. 
 She fills the peaceful universe with cries : 
 No slumbers ever close her wakeful eyes: 
 By day, from lofty tow'rs her head she shews. 
 And spreads thro' trembling crowds disastrous news; 
 With court-informers haunts, and royal spies ; 2ri> 
 Things done relates ; not done she feigns : and tiiii- 
 
 gles truth with lies. 
 Talk is her bus'ness; and her chief deliglit 
 To tell of prodigies, and cause affright.
 
 ^NEIS, IV. 2'25 
 
 She fills the people's ears with Dido's name, 
 
 Who, ' lost to honour and the sense of shame, 275 
 
 Admits into her throne and nnptial bed 
 
 A wand'ring guest, who from his country fled: 
 
 M hole days with him she passes in delights. 
 
 And wastes in luxury long winter nights, 
 
 Forgetful of her fame, and royal trust, 2=0 
 
 Dissolv'd in ease, abandoned to her lust.' 
 
 The goddess widelj- spreads the loud report, 
 And flies at length to king larbas' court. 
 When first possess'd with this unwelcome news. 
 Whom did he not of men and gods accuse ? 28.1 
 
 This prince, from ravish"d Garamantis born, 
 A hundred temples did with spoils adorn, 
 In Ammon's honour, his celestial sire; 
 A hundred altars fed with wakeful fire ; 289 
 
 And, through his vast dominions, priests ordain'd. 
 Whose watchful care these holy rites maintain'd. 
 The gates and columns were with garlands croTrnM, 
 And blood of Tictim beasts enrich'd the grounri. ^ 
 
 He, when he heard a fugitive could move 
 The Tyrian princess, who disdain'd his love, 205 
 
 His breast with fury burn'd, his eyes with fire — 
 Mad with despair, impatient with desire — 
 Then on the sacred altars pouring wine. 
 He thus with pray'rs iniplor'd his sire divine ; 
 ' Great Jove, propitious to the Moorish race, 3;i'J 
 
 Who feast on painted beds, with oflfrings grace 
 Thy temples, and adore thy pow'r divine 
 With blood of victims, and with sparkling wine ; 
 Seest thou not this 1 or do we fear in vain 
 Thy boasted thunder, and thy thoughtless reign ? 30.3 
 Do thy broad hands the forty lightnings lance? 
 Thine are the bolts, or the blind work of chance ? 
 A wand'ring woman, builds, within our state, 
 A little town, bought at an ea?y rate ; 
 She pays me homage — (and my grants allow olo 
 
 A narrow space of Libyan lands to plough :) 
 Yet scorning me, by passion blindly led. 
 Admits a baoisli'd Trojan to her bed ! 
 And now this other Paris, with his train 
 Of conquer'd cowards, must in Afric reign ' .315 
 
 K 2
 
 226 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 (Whom, what they are, their looks and garb confess, 
 Their locks with oil perfum'd, their Lydian dress.) 
 He takes the spoil, enjoys the princely dame; 
 And I, rejected I, adore an empty name!' 
 
 His TOWS, in haughty terms, he thus preferr'd, 320 
 And held his altar's horns : the mighty Thund'rer 
 
 heard. 
 Then cast his eyes on Carthage, where he found 
 The lustful pair in lawless pleasure drcwn'd. 
 Lost in their loves, insensible of shame. 
 And both forgetful of their better fame. 3"2.j 
 
 He calls Cyllenius; and the god attends; 
 By whom this menacing command he sends : 
 ' Go, mount the western winds, and cleave the 
 
 sky; 
 Then, with a quick descent, to Carthage fly : 
 There find the Trojan chief, who wastes hin days 330 
 In slothful riot and inglorious ease, 
 Nor minds the future city, giv'n by Fate. 
 To him this message from my mouth relate : 
 Not so fair Venus hop'd, when twice she won 
 Thy life with pray'rs; nor promis'd such a son. SS."* 
 Her's was a hero, destin'd to command 
 A martial race, and rule the Latian land ; 
 Who should his ancient line from Teucer draw ; 
 And on the conquer'd world impose the law. 
 If glory cannot move a mind so mean, 1: i^ 
 
 Nor future praise from fading pleasure wean. 
 Yet why should he defraud his son of fame, 
 And grudge the Romans their immortal name ? 
 What are his vain designs? what hopes he more 
 From his long ling'ring on a hostile shore, 315 
 
 Regardless to redeem his honour lost. 
 And for his race to gain th' Ausonian. coast ? 
 Bid him with speed the Tyrian court forsake : 
 With this command the slumb'ring warrior wake.' 
 
 Hermes obeys; with golded pinions binds 350 
 
 His flying feet, and mounts the western winds : 
 And, whether o'er the seas or earth he flies, 
 With rapid force they bear hira down the skies. 
 But first he grasps within his awful hand 
 The mark of sovereign pow'r, his magic wand ; 3.55 
 
 I
 
 ^iNEIS, IV. 227 
 
 Wiih this he draws the ghosts from hollow graves; 
 With this he drives them down the Stygian waves ; 
 With this he seals in sleep the wakeful sight, 
 And eyes, though clos'd in death, restores to light. 
 Thus arm'd, the god begins his airy race, 360 
 
 And drives the racking clouds along the liquid space ; 
 Now sees the top of Atlas, as he ilies, 
 Whose brawny back supports the starry skies — 
 Atlas, whose head, with piny forests crown'd, 3fi4 
 Is beaten by the winds— with foggy vapours bound. 
 Snows hide his shoulders : from beneath his chin 
 The founts of rolling streams their race begin : 
 A beard of ice on his large breast depends, — 
 Here, pois'd upon his wings, the god descends : 
 Then, rested thus, he from the tow'ring height 370 
 PJung'd downward with precipitated flight. 
 Lights on the seas, and skims along the flood. 
 As water fowl, who seek their fishy food. 
 Less, and yet less, to distant prospect shew; 
 13y turns they dance aloft, and dive below : 375 
 
 Like these, the steerage of his wings he plies. 
 And near the siirface of the water flies. 
 Till, having pass'd the seas, and cross'd the sands. 
 He clos'd his wings, and stoop'd on Libyan lands, 
 Where shepherds once were hous'd in homely sheds. 
 Now tow'rs within the clouds advance their heads. 331 
 Arriving there, he found the Trojan prince 
 New ramparts raising for the town's defence, 
 A purple scarf, with gold embroider'd o'er 
 (Queen Dido's gift), about his waist he wore; 385 
 A sword, with glitt'ring gems diversified. 
 For ornament, not use, hung idly by his side. 
 Then thus, with winged words, the god began, 
 Resuming his own shape — ' Degen'rate man ! 
 Thou woman's property ! what mak'st thou here, 390 
 These foreign walls and Tyrian tow'rs to rear. 
 Forgetful of thy own ? AU-pow'rful Jove, 
 AV'ho sways the world below and heav'n above. 
 Has sent me down with this severe command : 
 What means thy ling'ring in the Libyan land T 395 
 If glory cannot move a mind so mean. 
 Nor future praise from flitting pleasure wean.
 
 228 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 llegard the fortunes of thy rising heir : 
 
 The promis'd crown let young Ascanius wear, 
 
 To whom th' Ausonian sceptre, and the state 403 
 
 Of Rome's imperial name, is owed by Fate.' 
 
 So spoke the god ; and, speaking, took his flight, 
 
 Involv'd in clouds; and vanish'd out of sight. 
 
 The pious prince was seiz'd with sudden fear: 
 Mute was his tongue, and upright stood his hair. 405 
 Revolving in his mind the stern command. 
 He longs to fly, and loathes the charming land. 
 What should he say? or how should he begin ? 
 What course, alas ! remains, to steer between 
 Th' offended lover and the pow'rful queen? 410 
 
 This way, and that, he turns his anxious mind, 
 And all expedients tries, and none can find. 
 Fix'd on the deed, but doubtful of the means — 
 After long thought, to this advice he leans : 
 Three chiefs he calls, commands them to repair 41-5 
 The fleet, and ship their men, with silent care : 
 Some plausible pretence he bids them find. 
 To colour what in secret he design'd. 
 Himself, meantime, the softest hours would choose. 
 Before the love-sick lady heard the news, 420 
 
 And move her tender mind, by slow degrees. 
 To suffer what the sov'reign pow'r decrees : 
 Jove vv'ill inspire him, when, and what to say, — 
 They hear with pleasure, and with haste obey. 
 
 But soon the queen perceives the thin disguise : 42.'j 
 (What arts can blind a jealous woman's eyes?) 
 She was the first to find the secret fraud, 
 Before the fatal news v/as blaz'd abroad. 
 Love the first motions of the lover hears. 
 Quick to presage, and ev'n in safety fears. 430 
 
 Nor impious Fame was Vvanting, to report 
 The ships repair'd, the Trojans' thick resort 
 And purpose to forsake the Tyrian court. 
 Frantic with fear, impatient of the wound, 
 And impotent of mind, she roves the city round. 435 
 Less wild the Bacchanalian dames appear, 
 When, from afar, their nightly god they hear, 
 And howl about the hills, and shake the wreathy 
 sptur. 

 
 ^NEIS, IV. 229 
 
 At length she finds tho dear perfidious man; 
 
 Prevents his form'd excuse, and thus began : 4 10 
 
 ' Base and ungrateful! could yon hope to fly, 
 
 And undiscover'd 'scape a lover's eye ? 
 
 Nor could my kindness your compassion move. 
 
 Nor plighted vows, nor dearer bands of love? 
 
 Or is the death of a despairing queen 445 
 
 Not worth preventing, though too well foreseen? 
 
 Ev'n when the wint'ry winds command your stay, 
 
 You dare the tempests, and defy the sea. 
 
 False as you are, suppose you were not bound 
 
 To lands unknown, and foreign coasts to sound; 450 
 
 Were Troy restor'd, and Priam's happy reign, 
 
 Now durst you tempt, for Troy, the raeinj main ? 
 
 See, whom you fly ! am I the foe you shun ? 
 
 Now, by those holy vows, so late begun. 
 
 By this right hand (since i have nothing more 455 
 
 To challenge, but the faith you gave before), 
 
 I beg yoa by these tears too truly shed, 
 
 By the new pleasures of our nuptial bed; 
 
 If ever Dido, when you most were kind, 459 
 
 Were pleasing iu yotir eyes, or touch'd your ciind; 
 
 By these my pray'rs, if pray'rs may yet have 
 
 place. 
 Pity the fortunes of a falling race ! 
 For you I have provok'd a tyrant's hate, 
 Incens'd the Libyan and the Tyrian state ; 
 For you alone, I suffer in my fame, 4<]o 
 
 Bereft of honour, and expos'd to shame ! 
 Whom have I now to trust, ungrateful guest ? 
 •ClTiat only name remains of all the rest .'; 
 What have I left ? or whither can I fly ? 
 Must I attend Pygmalion's cruelty, 470 
 
 Or till larbas shall in triumph lead 
 A queen, that proudly scom'd his profferd bed? 
 Ha>i you deferred, at least, your hasty dight. 
 And left behind some pledge of our delight. 
 Some babe to bless the mother's mournful sight, 475 
 Some young iEneas to supply your place. 
 Whose features might express his father's face ; 
 1 should not then complain to live bereft 
 Of all my husband, or be wholly left.' 473
 
 2S0 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Here paus'd the queen. IJnmov'd he holds his eyes, 
 By Jove's command ; nor suflferd love to rise, 
 Tho' heaving in his heart; and thus at length replies : 
 • Fair queen, you never can enough repeat 
 Your boundless favours, or I own my debt ; 
 Nor can my mind forget Eliza's name, 485 
 
 While vital breath inspires this mortal frame. 
 This only let me speak in my defence — 
 I never hop'd a secret flight from hence. 
 Much less pretended to the lawful claim 
 Of sacred nuptials, or a husband's name. 4ii(t 
 
 For, if indulgent Heav'n would leave me free. 
 And not submit my life to Fate's decree, 
 My choice would lead me to the Trojan shore. 
 Those reliques to review, their dust adore, 
 And Priam's ruin'd palace to restore. 4y5 
 
 But now the Delphian oracle commands, 
 And Fate invites me to the Latian lands. 
 That is the promis'd place to which I steer ; 
 And all my vows are terminated there. 
 If you, a Tyrian and a stranger born, 500 
 
 With walls and tow'rs a Libyan town adorn, 
 Why may not we — like you, a foreign race — 
 Like you, seek shelter in a foreign place? 
 As often as the night obscures the skies 
 With humid shades, or twinkling stars arise, 5(i5 
 
 Anchises' angry ghost in dreams appears. 
 Chides my delay, and fills my soul with fears : 
 And young Ascanius justly may complain, 
 Defrauded of his fate and destiu'd reign. 
 Ev'n now the herald of the gods appear'd — :>',() 
 
 Waking I saw him, and his message heard. 
 From Jove he came commission'd, heav'nly brigiit 
 With radiant beams, and manifest to sight 
 (The sender and the sent I both attest) : 
 These walls he enter'd, and those words express'd. 
 Fair queen, oppose not what the gods command : 5 Jo 
 Forc'd by my fate, I leave your happy land.' 
 
 Thus while he spoke, already she began 
 With sparkling eyes to view the guilty man, 
 From head to foot survey'd his person o'er, 520 
 
 Nor longer these outrageous threats forbore . 
 
 I
 
 iENEIS, IV. 231 
 
 ' False as tbou art, and more than false, forsworn ! 
 
 Not sprung from noble blood, nor goddess-born. 
 
 But hewn from harden'd entrails of a rock! 
 
 And rough Hyrcanian tigers gave thee suck I 525 
 
 Why should I fawn ? what hare I worse to fear T 
 
 Did he once look, or lend a listenins; ear, 
 
 Sigh'd when I sobb'd, or shed one kindly tear? 
 
 All symptoms of a base ungrateful mind. 
 
 So foul, that, which is worse, 'tis hard to find. 53C 
 
 Of man's injustice why should I complain ? 
 
 The gods, and Jove himself, behold in vain 
 
 Triumphant treason: yet no thunder flies ; 
 
 Nor Juno views my wrongs with equal eyes : 
 
 Faithless is earth, and faithless are the skies ! 535 
 
 Justice is fled, and truth is now no more! 
 
 I sav'd the shipwreck'd exile on my shore; 
 
 With needful food his hungry Trojans fed : 
 
 I took the traitor to my throne and bed; 
 
 Fool that I was — 'tis little to repeat 5 i<) 
 
 The rest — I stor'd and riggd his ruin'd fleet. 
 
 I rave, I rave ! A god's command he pleads. 
 
 And makes Heav'n accessory to his deeds. 
 
 Now Lycian lots, and now the Delian god, 
 
 Now Hermes is employ'd from Jove's abode, 543 
 
 To warn him hence ; as if the peaceful state 
 
 Of heav'nly pow'rs were touch'd with human fate ! 
 
 But go ! thy flight no longer I detain — 
 
 Go ! seek thy promis'd kingdom through the main ! 
 
 Yet, if the heav'ns will hear my pious vow, .050 
 
 The faithless waves, not half so false as thou. 
 
 Or secret sands, shall sepulchres afford 
 
 To thy proud vessels, and their perjur'd lord. 
 
 Then shalt tliou call on injurd Dido's name : 
 
 Dido shall come in a black sulph'ry flame, 5.'5 
 
 When death has once dissolv'd her mortal frame — 
 
 Shall smile to see the traitor vainly weep : 
 
 Her angry ghost, arising from the deep, 
 
 Shall haunt thee waking, and disturb thy sleep. 
 
 At least my shade thy punishment shall know ; 5G0 
 
 And Fame shall spread the pleasing news below.' 
 
 Abruptly here she stops, then turns away 
 Her leathiug eyes, and shuns the sight of day.
 
 232 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Amaz'd he stood, revolving in his mind 
 
 What speech to frame, and what excuse to find. f>65 
 
 Her fearful maids their fainting mistress led, 
 
 And softly laid her on her iv'ry bed. 
 
 But good ^neas, though he much desir'd 
 To give that pity which her grief requir'd — 
 Though much he mourn'd, and labour'd with his 
 
 lore — , 570 
 
 Resolv'd at length, obeys the will of Jove ; 
 Reviews his forces : they with early care 
 Unmoor their vessels, and for sea prepare. 
 The fleet is soon afloat, in all its pride ; 
 And well-caulk'd galleys in the harbour ride. .ITS 
 
 Then oaks for oars they fell'd ; or, as they stood, 
 Of its green arms despoil'd the growing wood. 
 Studious of flight. The beach is cover'd o'er 
 With Trojan bands, that blacken all the shore : 
 On ev'ry side are seen, descending down, 580 
 
 Thick swarms of soldiers, loaden from the town. 
 Thus, in battalia, march embodied ants. 
 Fearful of winter, and of future wants, 
 T' invade the corn, and to their cells convey 
 The pi under 'd forage of their yellow prey. 585 
 
 The sable troops, along the narrow tracks. 
 Scarce bear the weighty burden on their backs : 
 Some set their shoulders to the pond'rous grain ; 
 Some guard the spoil ; some lash the lagging train ; 
 All ply their sev'ral tasks, and equal toil sustain. 590 
 What pangs the tender breast of Dido tore. 
 When, from the tow'r, she saw the cover'd shore, 
 And heard the shouts of sailors from afar, 
 Mix'd witli the murmurs of the wat'ry war ! 
 All pow'rfiil Love! what changes canst thou cause 
 In human hearts, subjected to thy laws ! 50G 
 
 Once more her haughty soul the tyrant bends : 
 To pray'rs and mean submissions she descends. 
 No female arts or aids she left untried, 
 Nor counsels unexplor'd, before she died. COO 
 
 ' Look, Anna! look ! the Trojans crowd to sea ; 
 They spread their canvas, and their anchors weigh. 
 The shouting crew their shijis with garlands bind, 
 Invoke the sea-gods, and invite the wind. CO l
 
 ^NEIS, IV. 233 
 
 Could I have thought this threat'ning blow so near. 
 
 My tender soul had been forewam'd to bear. 
 
 But do not you my last request deny ; 
 
 With yon perfidious man your int'rest try. 
 
 And bring me news, if I must live or die. 
 
 You are his fav'rite : you alone can find CIO 
 
 The dark recesses of his inmost mind • 
 
 In all his trusted secrets you have part. 
 
 And know the soft approaches to his heart. 
 
 Haste, then, and humbly seek my haughty foe ; 
 
 Tell him, I did not with the Grecians go, 615 
 
 Nor did my fleet against his friends employ. 
 
 Nor swore the ruin of unhappy Troy, 
 
 Nor mov'd with hands profane his father's dust : 
 
 Why should he then reject a suit so just? 
 
 Whom does he shun ? and whither would he fly? 020 
 
 Can he this last, this only pray'r deny? 
 
 Let him at least his daog'rous flight delay. 
 
 Wait better winds, and hope a calmer sea. 
 
 The nuptials he disclaims, I urge no more : 
 
 Let him pursue the promis'd Latian shore. G25 
 
 A short delay is all I ask him now — 
 
 A pause of grief, an interval from woe. 
 
 Till my soft soul be temper'd to sustain 
 
 Accustom'd sorrows, and inur'd to pain. 
 
 If you in pity grant this one request, 630 
 
 My death shall glut the hatred of his breast.' 
 
 This mournful message pious Anna bears. 
 
 And seconds, with her own, her sister's tears : 
 
 But all her arts are still employ'd in vain : 
 
 Again she comes, and is refus'd again. 63.'' 
 
 His harden'd heart nor pray'rs nor threat'nings 
 
 move ; 
 Fate, and the god, had stopp'd his ears to love. 
 
 As when the winds their airy quarrel try, 
 Ju5tling from cv'ry quarter of the sky. 
 This way and that the mountain o;.k they bend; fi40 
 His boughs they shatter, and his branches rend; 
 Wirh leaves and falling mast they .spread the ground ; 
 The hollow valleys echo to the sound ; 
 T'nmov'd, the royal plant their fury mocks, 
 Or, shaken, clings more closely to the rocks : G 16
 
 2U THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Far as he shoots his tow'ring head on high, 
 
 So deep in earth his fix'd foundations lie : 
 
 No less a storm the Trojan hero bears, 
 
 Thick messages and loud complaints he hears. 
 
 And bandied words, still beating on his ears. 6j(» 
 
 Sighs, groans, and tears, proclaim his inward pains; 
 
 But the firm purpose of his heart remains. 
 
 The wretched queen, pursu'd by cruel Fate, 
 Begins at length the light of heav'n to hate, 
 And loathes to live. Then dire portents she sees, 655 
 To hasten on the death her soul decrees — 
 Strange to relate ! for when, before the shrine, 
 She pours in sacrifice the purple wine, 
 The purple wine is turn'd to putrid blood ; 
 And the white offer'd milk converts to mud. c-JO 
 
 This dire presage, to her alone reveal'd, 
 From all, and ev'n her sister, she conceal'd. 
 A marble temple stood within the grove. 
 Sacred to death, and to her murder'd love ; 
 That honour'd chapel she had hiing around GC*5 
 
 With snowy fleeces, and with garlands crown'd : 
 Oft, when she visited this lonely dome, 
 Strange voices issu'd from her husband's tomb : 
 She thought she heard him summon her away. 
 Invite her to his grave, and chide her stay. 070 
 
 Hourly 'tis heard, when with a boding note 
 The solitary screech-owl strains her throat, 
 And, on a chimney's top, or turret's height. 
 With songs obscene, disturbs the silence of the night. 
 Besides, old prophecies augment her fears ; 675 
 
 And stem iEneas in her dreams appears. 
 Disdainful as by day: she seems, alone. 
 To wander in her sleep, through ways unknown, 
 Guideless and dark; or, in a desert plain. 
 To seek her subjects, and to seek in vain — 6S0 
 
 Like Pentheus, when, distracted with his fear, 
 He saw two suns, and doable Thebes, appear; 
 Or mad Or&stes, when his mother's ghost 
 Full in his face inftrnal torches toss'd, 
 And shook her snaky locks : he shuns the sight, 685 
 Flies o'er the stage, surpris'd with mortal fright; 
 The Furies guard the door, and intercept his flight.
 
 iENEIS, IV. 235 
 
 Now, sinking underneath a load of grief. 
 From death alone she seeks her last relief: 
 The time and means resolv'd within her breast, 690 
 She to herraoiirnful sister thus address'd 
 (Dissembling hope, her cloudy front she clears, 
 And a false vigour in her eyes appears): 
 * Rejoice !' she said, 'instructed from above, 
 ]\Iy lover I shall gain, or lose my love. C93 
 
 Nigh rising Atlas, nex.t the falling sun. 
 Long tracts of Ethiopian climates run : 
 There a Massylian priestess I have found, 
 Honour'd for age, for magic arts renown'd : 
 Th' Hesperian temple was her trusted care ; 700 
 
 'Twas she supplied the wakeful dragon's fare. 
 She poppy-seeds in honey taught to steep, 
 Reclaim'd his rage, and sooth'd him into sleep : 
 She watch'd the golden fruit. Her charms 
 
 unbind 
 The chains of love, or fix them on the mind : 705 
 
 She stops the torrents, leaves the channel dry, 
 Repels the stars, and backward bears the sky. 
 The yawning earth rebellows to her call ; 
 Pale ghosts ascend ; and mountain ashes fall. 
 Witness, ye gods, and thou my better part, 710 
 
 How loth I am to try this impious art ! 
 Within the secret court, with silent care, 
 Erect a lofty pile, expos'd in air : 
 Hang on the topmost part the Trojan vest, 
 Spoils, arms, and presents, of my faithless guest. 715 
 Next, under these, the bridal bed be plac'd. 
 Where I my ruin in his arms ^mbrac'd. 
 All rehques of the wretch are doom'd to fire ; 
 For so the priestess and her charms require.' 
 Thus far she saiJ, and farther speech forbears, 720 
 A mortal paleness in her face appears : 
 Yet the mistrustless Anna could not find 
 The secret fun'ral, in these rites de^ ign'd ; 
 Nor thought so dire a rage possess'd her mind. 
 Unknowing of a train conceal'd so well, 725 
 
 She fear'd no worse than when Sichaeus fell ; 
 Therefore obeys. The fatal pile they rear, 
 Within the secret court, expos'd in air.
 
 236 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 The cloven holms and pines are lieap'd on high ; 
 
 And garlands on the hollow spaces lie. 730 
 
 Sad cypress, vervain, yew, compose the wreath ; 
 
 And ev'ry baleful green denoting death. 
 
 The queen, determin'd to the fatal deed. 
 
 The spoils and sword he left, in order spread, 
 
 And the man's image on the nuptial bed. 733 
 
 And now (the sacred altars plac'd around) 
 The priestess enters, with her hair unbound, 
 And thrice invokes the pow'rs below the grounda 
 Night, Erebus, and Chaos, she proclaims, 
 And threefold Hecat, with her hundred names, 740 
 And three Dianas : next she sprinkles round. 
 With feign'd Avernian drops, the hallow'd ground ; 
 Culls hoary simples, found by Phoebe's light, 
 "With brazen sickles reap'd at noon of night : 
 Then mixes baleful juices in the bowl, 745 
 
 And cuts the forehead of a newborn foal. 
 Robbing the mother's love. — The destin'd queen 
 Observes, assisting at the rites obscene : 
 A leaven'd cake in her devoted hands 
 She holds : and next the highest altar stands : 750 
 One tender foot was shod, her other bare ; 
 Girt was her gather'd gown, and loose her hair. 
 Thus dress'd, she summon'd, with her dying breath. 
 The heav'ns and planets conscious of her death. 
 And evTy pow'r, if any rules above, 755 
 
 Who minds or who revenges injur'd love. 
 
 'Twas dead of night, uhen weary bodies close 
 Their eyes in balmy sleep, and soft repose : 
 The winds no longer whisper through the woods. 
 Nor murm'ring tides disturb the gentle floods. THO 
 The stars in silent order mov'd around : [ground. 
 
 And Peace, with downy wings, was brooding on the 
 The flocks and herds, and particolour'd fowl? 
 Which haunt the woods or swim the weedy pool, 
 Stretch'd on the quiet earth, securely lay, 705 
 
 Forgetting the past labours of the day. 
 All else of Nature's common gift partake: 
 Unhappy Dido was alone awake. 
 Nor sleep nor ease the furious queen can find : 
 Sleep fled her eyes, as quiet fled her mind. 770
 
 JENEIS, IV. 2:i7 
 
 Despair, aad rage, and love, divide her heart; 
 Despair and rage had^some, but love the greater part. 
 
 Til en thus she said within her secret mind : 
 ' What shall I do? what sucrour can I f:ad ? 
 Become a suppliant to larbas' pride, 7/5 
 
 And take my turn to court and be denied ? 
 Shall I with this ungrateful Trojan go, 
 Forsake an empire, and attend a foe ? 
 Himself I refug'd, and his train reliev'd — 
 'Tis true — but am I sure to be receiv'd ? 730 
 
 Can gratitude in Trojan souls have place 1 
 Laomedon still lives in all his race ! 
 Then shall I seek alone the churlish crew. 
 Or with my fleet their flying sails pursue ? 
 What force have I but those, whom scarce before 785 
 I drew reluctant from their native shore? 
 Will they again embark at my desire. 
 Once more sustain the seas, and quit their second 
 
 Tyre? 
 Rather with steel thy guilty breast invade. 
 And take the fortune thou thyself hast made. 790 
 
 Your pity, sister, first seduc'd my mind. 
 Or seconded too well what I design'd. 
 These dear-bought pleasures had I never known — 
 Had I continued free, and still my own — 
 Avoiding love, I had not found despair, 7S3 
 
 But shar'd with savage beasts the common air. 
 Like them, a lonely life I might have led. 
 Not mourn'd the living, nor disturb'd the dead.' 
 These thoughts she brooded in her anxious breast. — 
 On board, the Trojan found more easy rest. 800 
 
 Resolv'd to sail, in sleep he pass'd the night ; 
 And order'd all things for his early flight. 
 To whom once more the winged god appears : 
 His former youthful mien and shape he wears, 
 And with this new alarm invades his ears: 805 
 
 ' Sleep'st thou, goddess-bom ? and canst thou drown 
 Thy needful cares, so near a hostile town, 
 Beset with foes ; nor hear'st the western gales 
 Invite thy passage, and inspire thy sails ? 
 She harbours in her heart a furious hate SIO 
 
 (And thou shalt find the dire eflects too late).
 
 238 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Fix'd on revenge, and obstinate to die. 
 
 Haste swiftly hence, while thou hast power to fly. 
 
 The sea with ships will soon be cover'd o'er, 
 
 And blazing firebrands kindle all the shore. 815 
 
 Prevent her rage, while night obscures the skies ; 
 
 And sail before the purple morn arise. 
 
 Who knows what hazards thy delay may bring ? 
 
 Woman's a various and a changeful thing.' 
 
 Thus Hermes in the dream ; then took his flight, 820 
 
 Aloft in air unseen, and mix'd with night. 
 
 Twice waru'd by the celestial messenger, 
 The pious prince arose with hasty fear; 
 Then rous'd his drowsy train without delay : 
 ' Haste to your barks! your crooked anchors weigh. 
 And spread your flying sails, and stand to sea ! 826 
 A god commands : he stood before my sight, 
 And urg'd us once again to speedy flight. 
 O sacred pow'r ! what pow'r soe'er thou art, 
 To thy bless'd orders I resign my heart. 830 
 
 Lead thou the way ; protect thy Trojan bands ; 
 And prosper the design thy will commands.' 
 He said ; and, drawing forth his flaming sword. 
 His thundering arm divides the many-twisted cord. 
 Au emulating zeal inspires hi:? train : 835 
 
 They run ; they snatch ; they rush into the main. 
 With headlong hqste they leave the desert shores. 
 And brush the liquid seas with lab'ring oars. 
 
 Aurora now had left her saffron bed, 
 And beams o/ early light the heav'ns o'ersprcad, 840 
 When, from a tow'r, the queen, with wakeful 
 
 eyes. 
 Saw day point upward from the rosy skies. 
 She look'd to seaward: but the sea was void. 
 And scarce in ken the sailing ships descried. 
 Stung with despite, and furious with despair, 845 
 
 She struck her trembling breast, and tore her hair. 
 ' And shall tb' ungrateful traitor go (she said). 
 My land forsaken, and my love betray'd ? 
 Shall we not arm ? not rush from ev'ry street, 
 To follow, sink, and burn, his perjurd fleet ? 830 
 
 Haste ! haul my galleys out ; pursue the foe ! 
 Bring flaming brands : set sail, and swiftly row i
 
 JESEIS, IV. 23D 
 
 V\"hat have I said ? Where am I ? Fary turns 
 
 jMy braiu ; and my distemper'd bosom burns. 
 
 Then, when I gave my person and my throne, 855 
 
 This hate, this rage, had been more timely shewn. 
 
 See now the promis'd faith, the Taunted name. 
 
 The pious man, who, rushing through the flame, 
 
 Preserv 'd hir^ gods, and to the Phrygian shore 
 
 The burden of his feeble father bore ! 830 
 
 I should have torn him piecemeal — strew'd in flo.xls 
 
 Hi.s scatter'd limbs, or left expos'd in woods — 
 
 Destroy'd his friends and son — and from the fire 
 
 Have set the reeking boy before the sire. 
 
 Events are doubtful, which on battle wait ; 805 
 
 Yet Where's the doubt, to souls secure of fate ? 
 
 I^Iy Tyrians, at their injur'd queen's command. 
 
 Had toss'd their fires amid the Trojan band ; 
 
 At once extinguish'd all the faithless name ; 
 
 And I myself, in vengeance of my shame, 870 
 
 Had fall'n iipon the pile, to mend the fun'ral flame. 
 
 Thou Sun, who viewst at once the world below ! 
 
 Thou Juno, guardian of the nuptial vow ! 
 
 Thou Hecat, hearken from thy dark abodes I 
 
 Ye Furies, fiends, and violated gods ! 875 
 
 Allpow'rs invok'd with Dido's dying breath, 
 
 Attend her curses, and avenge her death ! 
 
 If so the Fates ordain, and Jove commands, 
 
 Th' ungrateful wretch should find the Latian lauls, 
 
 Yet let a race untam'd, and haughty foes, £30 
 
 His peaceful entrance with dire arms oppose : 
 
 Oppress'd with numbers in th' unequal field, 
 
 His men discourag'd, and himself espell'd. 
 
 Let him for succour sue from place to phice, 
 
 Tom from his subjects, and his son's embrace, S^5 
 
 First let him see his friends in battle slain, 
 
 And their untimely fate lament in vain : 
 
 And when, at length, the cruel war shall cease, 
 
 On hard conditions may he buy his peace : 
 
 Is or let him then enjoy supreme command ; (^20 
 
 But fall, untimely, by some hostile hand, 
 
 And lie unburied on the barren sand I 
 
 These are my pray'rs, and this my dying will : 
 
 And you, my Tyrians, ev'ry curse fulfil.
 
 240 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Perpetual hate and mortal wars proclaim . 895 
 
 Against the prince, the people, and the name. 
 
 These grateful ofF'rings on my grave bestow; 
 
 Nor league, nor love, the hostile nations know ! 
 
 Now, and from hence, in ev'ry future age. 
 
 When rage excites your arms, and strength supplies 
 
 the rage, 900 
 
 Rise some avenger of our Libyan blood — 
 With fire and sword pursue the perjur'd brood — 
 Our arms, our seas, our shores, oppos'd to theirs— 
 And the same hate descend on all our heirs !' 
 
 This said, within her anxious mind she weighs 005 
 The means of cutting short her odious days. 
 Then to Sichseus' nurse, she briefly said 
 (For, when she left her country, her's was dead), 
 ' Go, Barce, call my sister. Let her care 
 The solemn rites of sacrifice prepare ; S!0 
 
 The sheep, and all th' atoning oflfrings, bring ; 
 Sprinkling her body from the crystal spring 
 With Uving drops : then let her come ; and thou 
 With sacred fillets bind thy hoary brow. 
 Thus will I pay my vows to Stygian Jove, 915 
 
 And end the cares of my disastrous love ; 
 Then cast the Trojan image on the fire ; 
 And, as that burns, my passion shall expire.' 
 
 The nurse moves onward with officious care. 
 And all the speed her aged limbs can bear. 92v') 
 
 But furious Dido, with dark thoughts involv'd, 
 Shook at the mighty mischief she resolv'd. 
 With livid spots distinguish'd was her face; 
 Red were her rolling eyes, and discompos'd her pace : 
 Ghastly she gaz'd ; with pain she drew her breath ; 
 And nature shiver'd at approaching death. 920 
 
 Then swiftly to the fatal place shepass'd. 
 And mounts the fun'ralpile with furious haste : 
 Unsheaths the sword the Trojan left behind, 
 (Not for so dire an enterprise design 'd.) 930 
 
 B'.it M hen she view'd the garments loosely spread, 
 Wliich once he wore, and saw the conscious bed, 
 She paus'd, and, with a sigh, the robes embrac'd; 
 Tiien on the couch her trembling body cast, 
 Repress'd the ready tears, and spoke her last: 935
 
 illNEIS, IV. i;4i 
 
 * Dear pledges of my love, while heav'n so pleas'd, 
 Receive a soul, of mortal anguish eas'd. 
 My fatal coarse is finish'd ; aod I go, 
 A glorious name, among the ghosts below. 
 A lofty city by my hands is rais'd ; 940 
 
 Pygmalion punish'd, and my lord appeas'd. 
 What could my fortune have afforded more, 
 Had the false Trojan never touch'd my shore V 
 Then kiss'd the couch ; and ' Must I die,' she said, 
 'And unrevenged? 'tis doubly to be dead! 945 
 
 Yet ev'n this death with pleasure I receive : 
 On any terms, 'tis better than to live. 
 These flames, from far, may the false Trojan view; 
 These boding omens his base flight pursue !* 
 She said, and struck ; deep enter'd in her side 950 
 The piercing steel, with reeking purple dyed ; 
 Clogg'd in the wound the cruel weapon stands ; 
 The spouting blood came streaming on her hands. 
 Her sad attendants saw the deadly stroke. 
 And with loud cries the sounding palace shook. 955 
 Distracted from the fatal sight they fled, 
 And through the town the dismal rumour spread. 
 First from the frighted court the yell began ; 
 Redoubled, thence from house to house it ran : 
 The groans of men, with shrieks, laments, and cri? s 
 Of mixing women, mount the vaulted skies. 901 
 
 Not less the clamour, than if — ancient Tyre, 
 Or the new Carthage, set by foes on fire — 
 The rolling ruin, with their lov'd abodes, 
 Involv'd the blazing temple of their gods. 9(55 
 
 Her sister hears : and furious with despair. 
 She beats her breast, and rends her yellow hair. 
 And, calling on Eliza's name aloud. 
 Runs breathless to the place, and breaks the crowd. 
 ' Was all that pomp of woe for this prepar'd, 970 
 
 These fires, this fun'ral pile, these altars rear'd ? 
 Was all this train of plots contrived (said she) 
 All only to deceive unhappy me? 
 Which is the worst ? Didst thou in death pretend 
 To scorn thy sister, or delude thy friend? 975 
 
 Thy summon'd sister and thy friend had come : 
 One sword had serv'd us both, one common tomb: 
 L 
 
 J
 
 242 THE WORKS OF ViRGIL. 
 
 Was I to raise the pile, the pow'rs invoice, 
 
 Not to be present at the fatal stroke ? 
 
 At once thou hast destroy'd thyself and me, 9SK) 
 
 Thy town, thy senate, and thy colony ! 
 
 Bring water ! bathe the wound ; while I in death 
 
 Lay close my lips to hers, and catch the flying breath.' 
 
 This said, she mounts the pile with eager haste, 
 
 And in her arms the gasping queen embrac'd ; 985 
 
 Her temples chaf'd; and her own garments torp. 
 
 To stanch the streaming blood, and cleanse the gore. 
 
 Thrice Dido tried to raise her drooping head, 
 
 And, fainting, thrice fell grov'lling on the bed ; 
 
 Thrice op'd her heavy eyes, and saw the light, 990 
 
 But, having found it, sicken'd at the sight, 
 
 And clos'd her lids at last in endless night. 
 
 Then Juno, grieving that she should sustain 
 
 A death so ling'ring, and so full of pain, 
 
 Sent Iris down to free her from the strife 995 
 
 Of lab'ring nature, and dissolve her life. 
 
 For since she died, not doom'd by Heav'u's decree, 
 
 Or her own crime, but human casualty. 
 
 And rage of love, that plung'd her in despair, 
 
 The Sisters had not cut the topmost hair, 1000 
 
 Which Proserpine and they can only know ; 
 
 Nor made her sacred to the shades below. 
 
 Downward the various goddess took her flight, 
 
 And drew a thousand colours from the light ; 
 
 Then stood above the dying lover's head, 1005 
 
 And said, ' I thus devote thee to the dead. 
 
 This oft^ring to th' infernal gods 1 bear.' 
 
 Thus while she spoke, she cut the fatal hair : 
 
 The struggling soul was loos'd.and life dissolv'd in air. 
 
 
 I
 
 .EiVEIS, V. 2 IS 
 
 BOOK V. 
 
 Cueas, setting sail from Afric,is driven by a storm on the coasts 
 of Sicily, where he is hospitably received by his friend Acestes, 
 kin» of part of the island, and born of Trojan parentage. He 
 applies himself to celebrate the memory of his father with 
 divine honours, and accordingly institutes funeral games, and 
 appoints prizes for those who should conquer in them. While 
 these ceremonies were performing, Juno sends Iris to per- 
 suade the Trojan women to burn the ships, who, upon her in- 
 stigation, set nre to tiiem; which burned four, and would have 
 consumed the rest, had not Jupiter by a mir.iculous shower 
 extinguished it. Upon this, ^neas, by the advice of one of 
 his generals, and a vision of his father, builds a citv for the 
 women, old men, and others, who were either unfit' for war, 
 or weary of the voyage, and sails for Italy. Venus procures 
 of Neptune a safe voyage for him and all his men, excepting 
 only his pilot Palinurus, who was unfortunately lost. 
 
 Meantime the Trojan cuts his wat'ry way, 
 
 Fix'd on his voyage, through the curling sea ; 
 
 Then, casting back his eyes, with dire amaze, 
 
 Sees on the Punic shore the mountain blaze. 
 
 The cause unknown; yet his presaging mind 5 
 
 The fate of Dido from the fire divin'd. 
 
 He knew the stormy souls of woman-kind ; 
 
 What secret springs their eager passions move, 
 
 How capable of death for injur'd love. 
 
 Dire auguries from hence the Trojans draw ; Itt 
 
 Till neither fires nor shining shores they saw. 
 
 Now seas and skies their prospect only bound — 
 
 An empty space above, a floating field around. 
 
 But soon the heav'ns with shadows were o'erspreail ; 
 
 A swelling cloud hung hov'ring o'er their head : 10 
 
 Livid it look'd — the threat'ning of a storm : 
 
 Then night and horror ocean's face deform. 
 
 The pilot, Palinurus, cried aloud, 
 
 * What gusts of weather from that gath'ring clotid 
 
 My thoughts presage! Ere yet the tempest roars, 20 
 
 Stand to your tackle, mates, and stretch your oars ; 
 
 Contract your swelling sails, and lufF to wind.' 
 
 The frighted crew perform the task assign'd. 
 
 Then, to his fearless chief, ' Not Heav'n (said he). 
 
 Though Jove himself should promise Italy, 25 
 
 Can stem the torrent of this raging sea.
 
 24-1 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Mark, how the shifting winds from west arise, 
 
 And what collected night involves the skies ! 
 
 Nor can our shaken vessels live at sea, 
 
 Much less against the tempest force their way, 30 
 
 'Tis Fate diverts our course ; and Fate we must obey. 
 
 Not far from hence, if I observ'd aright 
 
 The southing of the stars, and polar light, 
 
 Sicilia lies, whose hospitable shores 
 
 In safety we may reach, with struggling oars.' 35 
 
 ^neas then replied : ' Too sure I lind 
 
 We strive in vain against the seas and wind : 
 
 Now shift your sails: what place can please me more 
 
 Than what you promise, the Sicilian shore. 
 
 Whose hallow'd earth Anchises' bones contains, 4() 
 
 And where a prince of Trojan lineage reigns 1* 
 
 The course resolv'd, before the western wind 
 
 They scud amain, and make the course assign'd. 
 
 Meantime Acestes, from a lofty stand. 
 Beheld the fleet descending on the land; 45 
 
 And, not unmindful of his ancient race, 
 Down from the clifl'he ran, with eager pace. 
 And held the hero in a strict embrace. 
 Of a rough Libyan bear the spoils he wore ; 
 And either hand a pointed jav'lin bore. 50 
 
 His mother was a dame of Dardan blood; 
 His sire Crinisus, a Sicilian flood. 
 He welcomes his returning friends ashore 
 With plenteous country cates, and homely store. 
 
 Now, when the following morn had chas'd away ^5 
 The flying stars, and light restor'd the day, 
 iEneas call'd the Trojan troops around, 
 And thus bespoke them from a rising ground : 
 * Ofispring of heav'n, divine Dardanian race! 
 The sun, revolving through th' ethereal space, 60 
 The shining circle of the year has fiU'd, 
 Since first this isle my father's ashes held: 
 And now the rising day renews the year — 
 A day for ever sad, for ever dear. 
 This would I celebrate with annual games. C5 
 
 With gifts on altars pil'd, and holy flames. 
 Though banish'd to Gaetulia's barren sands. 
 Caught on the Grecian seas, or hostile lands : 
 
 AJI
 
 .5:NEIS, V. 245 
 
 But, since this happy storm our fleet has driv'n 
 f Not, as I deem, without the will of heav'n) 70 
 
 Upon these friendly shores and flow'ry plains. 
 Which hide Anchises, and his blest remair.s; 
 Let us with joy perform his honours due, 
 And pray for prosp'rous winds, our voyage to rene\7 — 
 Pray, that, in towns, and temples of our own, 75 
 The name of great Anchises may be known ; 
 And yearly games may spread the god's renown. 
 Our sports Acestes, of the Trojan race. 
 With royal gifts ordain'd, is pleas'd to grace ; 
 Two steers on ev'ry ship the king bestows : 80 
 
 His gods and ours shall share your equal tows. 
 Besides, if, nine days hence, the rosy morn 
 Shall with unclouded light the skies adorn, 
 That day with solemn sports I mean to grace: 
 Light galleys on the seas shall run a wat'ry race : 6^> 
 Some shall in swiftness for the goal contend, 
 And others try the twanging bow to bend; 
 The strong, with iron gauntlets arm'd, shall stand 
 Oppos'd in combat on the yellow sand. 
 Let all be present at the games prepard; SO 
 
 And joyful victors wait the just reward. 
 But now assist the rites with garlands crown'd.' 
 He said, and first his brows with myrtle bound. 
 Then Helymus, by his example led, 
 And old Acestes, each adorn'd his head ; 95 
 
 Thus young Ascanius, with a sprightly grace. 
 His temples tied, and all the Trojan race. 
 JEneas then advanc'd amidst the train, 
 By thousands follow'd through the flow'ry plain, 
 To great Anchises' tomb; which when he found, 100 
 He pour'd to Bacchus, on the hallow'd ground. 
 Two bowls of sparkling wine, of milk two more. 
 And two (from ofl'er'd bulls) of purple gore. 
 With roses then the sepulchre he strow'd. 
 And thus his father's ghost bespoke aloud : 105 
 
 ' Hail, ye holy manes! hail again. 
 Paternal ashes, now reviv'd in vain ! 
 The gods permitted not, that you with me 
 Should reach the promis'd shores of Italy, 
 Or Tyber's flood, what flood soe'er it be.' 110
 
 246 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Scarce bad be finish'd, when, with speckled pridi 
 A serpent from the tomb began to glide ; 
 His hugy bulk on sev'n high volumes roll'd : [gold : 
 Blue was his breadth of back, but streak'd with scaly 
 Thus riding on his curls, he seem'd to pass, 115 
 
 A rolling tire along, and singe the grass. 
 More various colours through his body run. 
 Than Iris when her bow imbibes the sun. 
 Betwixt the rising altars, and around, 
 The sacred monster shot along the ground ; 120 
 
 With harmless play amidst the bowls he pass'd. 
 And with his lolling tongue assay'd the taste : 
 Thus fed with holy food, the wondrous guest 
 Within the hollow tomb retir'd to rest. 
 The pious prince, surpris'd at what he view'd, 123 
 The fun'ral honours with more zeal renew'd. 
 Doubtful if this the place's genius were. 
 Or guardian of his father's sepulchre- 
 Five sheep, according to the rites, he slew ; 
 As many swine, and steers of sable hue: 130 
 
 New gen'rous wine he from the goblets pour'd. 
 And call'd his father's ghost, from hell restor'd. 
 The glad attendants in long order come, 
 OfF'ring their gifts at great Anchises' tomb : 
 Some add more oxen ; some divide the spoil; 135 
 Some place the chargers on the grassy soil: 
 Some blow the fires, and offer'd entrails broil. 
 
 Now came the day desir'd. The skies were bright 
 With rosy lustre of the rising light : 
 The bord'ring people, rous'd by sounding fame 140 
 Of Trojan feasts and great Acestes' name, 
 The crowded shore with acclamations fill. 
 Part to behold, and part to prove their skill. 
 And first the gifts in public view they place, 144 
 
 Green laurel-wreaths, and palm — the victors' grace : 
 Within the circle, arms and tripods lie. 
 Ingots of gold and silver heap'd on high. 
 And vests embroider'd, of the Tyrian dye. 
 The trumpets' clangor then the feast proclaims; 
 And all prepare for their appointed games. 150 
 
 Four galleys first, which equal rowers bear. 
 Advancing, in the wat'ry lists appear.
 
 ^NEIS, V. 247 
 
 The speedy Dolphin, that outstrips the wind, 
 Bore Mnestheus, author of the Memmian kind ; 
 Gy;is the vast Chimera's bulk commands, 155 
 
 Which rising like a tow'ring city stands : 
 Three Trojans tug at ev'ry lab'ring oar; 
 Three banks in three degrees the sailors bore ; 
 Beneath their sturdy strokes the billows roar. 
 Sergestus, who began the Sergian race, 160 
 
 In the great Centaur took the leading place ! 
 Cloanthus on the sea-green Scylla stood ; 
 From whom Cluentius draws his Trojan blood. 
 
 Far in the sea, against the foaming shore. 
 There stands a rock: the raging billows roar 105 
 
 Above his head in storms ; but, when 'tis clear. 
 Uncurl their ridgy backs, and at his foot appear. 
 In peace below the gentle waters nin : 
 The cormorants above lie basking in the sun. 
 On this the hero fix'd an oak in sight, 170 
 
 The mark to guide the mariners aright. 
 To bear with this, the seamen stretch their oars : 
 Then round the rock they steer, and seek the former 
 The lots decide their place. Above the rest, [shores. 
 Each leader shining in his Tyrian vest; 175 
 
 The common crew, with wreaths of poplar boughs. 
 Their temples crown, and shade their sweaty brows : 
 Besmear'd with oil, their naked shoulders shine. 
 All take their seats, and wait the sounding sign : 
 They gripe their oars; and ev'ry panting breast 180 
 Is rais'd by turns with hope, by turns with fear de- 
 The clangor of the trumpet gives the sign : [press'd. 
 At once they start, advancing in a line : 
 ■\\'ith shouts the sailors rend the starry skies ; 
 Lash'd with their oars, the smoky billows rise ; 1S5 
 Sparkles the briny main, and the vex'd ocean fries. 
 Exact in time, with equal stroke they row ; 
 At once the brushing oars and brazen prow 
 Dash up the sandy waves, and ope the depths below. 
 Not fiery coursers, in a chariot-race, 190 
 
 Invade the field with half so swift a pace ; 
 Not the fierce driver with more fury lends 
 The sounding lash, and, ere the stroke descends. 
 Low to the wheels his pliant body bends.
 
 213 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Tiie partial crowd their hopes and fears divide, 155 
 And aid, with eager shouts, the favour'd side. 
 Cries, murmurs, clamours, with a mixing sound, 
 From woods to woods, from hills to hills rebound. 
 
 Amidst the loud applauses of the shore, 
 Gyas outstripp'd the rest, and sprung before: 200 
 
 Cloanthus, better mann'd, pursu'd him fast ; 
 But his o'er-masted galley check'd his haste. 
 The Centaur and the Dolphin brush the brine 
 With equal oars, advancing in a line : 
 And now the mighty Centaur seems to lead, 2()fi 
 
 And now the speedy Dolphin gets ahead : 
 Now board to board the rival vessels row ; 
 The billows lave the skies, and ocean groans below. 
 They reach'd the mark. Proud Gyas and his train 
 In triumph rode, the victors of the main : 210 
 
 But, steering round, he charg'd his pilot — ' Stand 
 More close to shore, and skim along the sand! 
 Let others bear to sea.' — Menoetes heard; 
 But secret shelves too cautiously he fear'd, 
 And, fearing, sought the deep; andstill aloof he steer'd. 
 With louder cries the captain call'd again : 215 
 
 * Bear to the rocky shore, and shun the main.' 
 He spoke, and speaking, at his stern he saw 
 The bold Cloanthus near the shelvings draw. 
 Betwixt the mark and him the Scylla stood, 22t) 
 
 And in a closer compass plough'd the flood: 
 He pass'd the mark ; and, wheeling, got before : — 
 Gyas blasphemed the gods, devoutly swore, 
 Cried out for anger, and his hair he tore. 
 Mindless of others' lives (so high was grown 225 
 
 His rising rage), and careless of his own, 
 The trembling dotard to the deck he drew. 
 And hoisted up, and overboard he threw : 
 This done, he seiz'd the helm; his fellows cheer'd ; 
 Turn'd short upon the shelves, and madly steer'd. 230 
 
 Hardly his head the plunging pilot rears, 
 Clogg'd with his clothes, and cumber'd witb his years : 
 Now drooping wet, he climbs the cliff with pain. 
 The crowd that sav/ him fall, and float again, 23} 
 Shout from the distant shore; and loudly laugh'd, 
 To see his heaving breast disgorge the briny draught.
 
 ^NEIS, V. 249 
 
 The following Centaur, and the Dolpbin's crew. 
 
 Their vanish'd hopes of victory renew: 
 
 While Gyas lags, they kindle in the race. 
 
 To reach the mark. Sergestus takes the place : 240 
 
 Mnestheus pursues ; and, while around they 
 
 ■wind. 
 Comes up, not half his galley's length behind ; 
 Then on the deck, amidst his mates , appear'd, 
 And thus their drooping courages he cheer'd : 
 ' My friends, and Hector's followers heretofore, 245 
 Exert your vigour; tug the lab'ring oar; 
 Stretch to your strokes, my still uuconquer'd crew. 
 Whom from the flaming walls of Troy I drew : 
 In this our common int'rest, let me find 
 That strength of hand, that courage of the mind, 2.'>0 
 As when you stemm'd the strong Malean flood. 
 And o'er the Syrtes' broken billows row'd. 
 I seek not now the foremost palm to gain; 
 Though yet — but, ah ! that haughty wish is vain ! 
 Let those enjoy it whom the gods ordain. 2')5 
 
 But to be last, the lags of all the race ! — 
 Redeem yourselves and me from that disgrace.' 
 Now, one and all, they tug amain; they row 
 At the full stretch, and shake the brazen prow. 
 The sea beneath them sinks; their lab'ring sides 260 
 Are sweird, and sweat runs gutt'ring down in tides. 
 Chance aids their daring with unhop'd success : — 
 Sergestus, eager with his beak to press 
 Betwixt the rival galley and the rock, 
 Shuts up th' unwieldy Centaur in the lock. 265 
 
 The vessel struck; and, with the dreadful shock. 
 Her oars she sbiver'd, and her head she broke. 
 The trembling rowers from their b-.nks arise. 
 And, anxious fur themselves, renounce the prize. 
 With iron poles they heave her off the shores, '270 
 And gather from the sea their floating oars. 
 The crew of Mnesthens, with elated minds. 
 Urge their success, and call the willing winds. 
 Then ply their oars, and cut their liquid v.-ay 
 In larger compass on the roomy sea. 275 
 
 As, when the dove her rocky hold forsakes, 
 Uous'd in a fright, her sounding wings she shakes ; 
 L2
 
 250 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Tlic cavern rings with clatt'ring ; out sbe flits, 
 
 And leaves her callow care, and cleaves the skies: 
 
 At first she flutters; but at length she springs 280 
 
 To smoother flight, and shoots upon her wings : 
 
 So Mnestheus in the Dolphin cuts the sea; 
 
 And, fljing with a force, that force assists his way. 
 
 Sergestus in the Centaur soon he pass'd, 
 
 Wedged in the rocky shoals, and sticking fast. '2b5 
 
 In vain the victor he with cries implores. 
 
 And practises to row with shatter'd oars. 
 
 Then Mnestheus bears with Gyas and outflies : 
 
 The ship, without a pilot, yields the prize. 
 
 Unvauquish'd Scylla now alone remains : 2!)0 
 
 Her he pursues ; and all his vigour strains. 
 
 Shouts from the fav'ring multitude arise : 
 
 Applauding Echo to the shouts replies ; [skies. 
 
 Shouts, wishes, and applause, run rattling through the 
 
 These clamours with disdain the Scylla heard, I'Xi 
 
 Much grudg'd the praise, but more the robb'd reward : 
 
 Resolv'd to hold their own, they mend their pace, 
 
 All obstinate to die, or gain the race. 
 
 Rais'd with success, the Dolphin swiftly ran — 
 
 For they can conquer, who believe they can. — 3(iO 
 
 Both urge their oars : and Fortune both supplies ; 
 
 (And both perhaps had shar'd an equal prize) 
 
 When to the seas Cloanthus holds his hands, 
 
 And succour from the wat'ry Pow'rs demands : 
 
 * Gods of the liquid realms on which I row ! oOJ 
 
 If, giv'n by you, the laurel bind my brow 
 
 (Assist to make me guilty of my vow !) 
 
 A snow-white bull shall on your shores be slain : 
 
 His offcr'd entrails cast into the main, 
 
 And ruddy wine, from golden goblets thrown, :;i.i 
 
 Your grateful gift and my return shall own.' 
 
 Tlie choir of nymphs, and Phorcus, from below, 
 
 Wi'th virgin Panopea, heard his vow ; 
 
 And old Portunus, with his breadth of hand, 
 
 Push'd on and sped the galley to the land. '-W". 
 
 Swift as a shaft, or winged wind, she flies, 
 
 And, darting to the port, obtains the prize. 
 
 The herald summons all, and then proclaims 
 Cloanthus conqu'ror of the naval games.
 
 ^NEIS, V. 251 
 
 The prince with laurel crowns the victor's head ; 320 
 
 And three fat steers are to his vessel led — 
 
 The ship's reward — with gen'rous wine beside. 
 
 And sums of silver, which the crew divide. 
 
 The leaders are distinguish'd from the rest; 
 
 The victor honour'd with a nobler vest, 325 
 
 Where gold and purple strive in equal rows, 
 
 And needle-work its happy cost bestows. 
 
 There Gan^Tuede is wrought with living art. 
 
 Chasing throagh Ida's groves the trembling hart : 
 
 Breathless he seems; yet eager to pursue; 330 
 
 When from aloft descends, in open view. 
 
 The bird of Jove, and, sousing on his prey, 
 
 With crooked talons bears the boy away. 
 
 In vain, with lifted hands and gazing eyes. 
 
 His guards behold him soaring through the skies, 335 
 
 And dogs pursue his flight, with imitated cries. 
 
 Mnestheus the second victor was declar'd; 
 And, sunimon'd there, the second prize he shar'd — 
 A coat of mail, which brave Demoleus bore. 
 More brave ^neas from his shoulders tore, 340 
 
 In single combat on the Trojan shore. 
 This was ordain'd for Mnestheus to possess- 
 In war for his defence, for ornament in peace. 
 Rich was the gift and glorious to behold. 
 But yet so pond'rous with its plates of gold, 3 15 
 
 That scarce two servants could the weight sus- 
 tain: 
 Yet, loaded thus, Demoleus o'er the plain 
 Pursn'd, and lightly seiz'd, the Trojan train. 
 The third, succeeding to the last reward, 
 Two goodly bowls of massy silver shar'd, 3.")0 
 
 With figures prominent, and richly wrought. 
 And two brass caldrons from Dodona brought. 
 
 Thus all, rewarded by the hero's hands. 
 Their conqu'ring temples bound with purple bauds. 
 And now Sergestus, clearing from the rock, 3o5 
 
 Brought back his galley shatter'd with the shock. 
 Fiirlorn she look'd, without an aiding oar, 
 And, hooted by the vulgar, made to shore* 
 As when a snake, surprLi'd upon the road, 
 Is crush'd athwart her body by the loud 300
 
 252 THE WORKS OP VIRGIL. 
 
 Of heavy \vheels; or with a mortal wound 
 
 Her belly bruis'd, and trodden to the ground — 
 
 In vain, with loosen'd curls, she crawls along; 
 
 Yet, fierce above, she brandishes her tongue ; 364 
 
 Glares with her eyes, and bristles with her scales ; 
 
 J^ut, grov'lling in the dust, her parts unsound she trails: 
 
 So slowly to the port the Centaur tends, 
 
 Eut, what she wants in oars, with sails amends. 
 
 Yet, for his galley sav'd, the grateful prince 
 
 Is pleas'd th' unhappy chief to recompense: 370 
 
 Pholoe, the Cretan slave, rewards his care, 
 
 Beauteous herself, with lovely twins as fair. 
 
 From thence his way the Trojan hero bent 
 Into the neighb'ring plain, with mountains pent, 
 Whose sides were shaded with surrounding wood. 
 Full in the midst of this fair valley, stood 376 
 
 A native theatre, which, rising slow 
 By just degrees, o'erlook'd the ground below. 
 High on a sylvan throne the leader sate; 
 A num'rous train attend in solemn state. 380 
 
 Here those that in the rapid course delight. 
 Desire of honour, and the prize, invite. 
 The rival runners without order stand ; 
 The Trojaus, niix'd with the Sicilian band. 
 First Nisus, with Euryalus, appears — 385 
 
 Euryalus a boy of blooming years. 
 With sprightly grace and equal beauty crown'd — 
 Nisus, for friendship to the youth, renown'd. 
 Diores next, of Priam's royal race. 
 Then Salius, join'd with Patron, took their place; 
 (But Patron in Arcadia had his birth, 391 
 
 And Salius, his from Acarnanian earth;) 
 Then two Sicilian youths — the names of these 
 Swift Helymus, and lovely Pannpes; 
 (Both jolly huntsmen, both in forests bred, 39.5 
 
 And owning old Acestes for their head ;) 
 With sev'ral others of ignobler name. 
 Whom time has not deliver'd o'er to fame. 
 
 To these the hero thus his thoughts explain'd. 
 In words which gen'ral approbation gain'd : 400 
 
 ' One common largess is for all design'd 
 (The vanquish'd and the victor shall be join'd);
 
 .ENEIS, V. 253 
 
 Two dart3 of polish 'd steel and Gnossian wood, 
 
 A silver-studded axe, alike bestow'd. 
 
 The foremost three have olive-wreaths decreed : 405 
 
 The first of these obtains a stately steed 
 
 Adorn'd with trappings; and the next in fame, 
 
 The quiver of an Amazonian dame, 
 
 With feather'd Thracian arrows well supplied: 
 
 A golden belt shall gird his manly side, 410 
 
 Which with a sparkling diamond shall be tied. 
 
 The third this Grecian helmet shall content.' 
 
 He said. To their appointed base they went; 
 
 With beating hearts th' expected sign receive. 
 
 And, starting all at once, the barrier leave. 415 
 
 Spread out, as on the winged winds, they flew. 
 
 And seiz'd the distant goal with greedy view. 
 
 Shot from the crowd, swift Nisiis all o'er pass'd ; 
 
 Nor storms, nor thunder, equal half his haste. 
 
 The next, but, though the next, yet far disjoin'd, 420 
 
 Came Salius ; and Euryalus behind ; 
 
 Then Helymus, whom young Diores plied. 
 
 Step after step, and almost side by side. 
 
 His shoulders pressing — and, in longer space, 
 
 Had won, or left at least a dubious race. 42; 
 
 Now, spent, the goal they almost reach at last, 
 When eager Nisus, hapless in his haste, 
 Slipp'd lirst, and slipping fell upon the plnin, 
 Soak'd with the blood of oxen newly slain. 
 The careless victor had not mark'd his way; 430 
 
 But, treading where the treach'rous puddle lay, 
 His heels flew up; and on the grassy floor 
 He fell, besmear'd with filth and holy gore. 
 Not mindless then, Euryalus, of thee. 
 Nor of the sacred bonds of amity, 435 
 
 He strove th' immediate rival's hope to cross, 
 And caught the foot of Salius as he rose: 
 So Salius lay extended on the plain : 
 Euryalus springs out, the prize to gain, 
 And leaves the crowd : — applauding peals attend 440 
 The victor to the goal, who vanquish'd by his 
 
 friend, 
 Next Helymus ; and then Diores came. 
 By two misfortunes made the third in fame.
 
 254 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 But Salius enters, and, exclaiming loud 
 For justice, deafens and disturbs the crowd : 445 
 
 Urges his cause may in the court be heard ; 
 And pleads the prize is wrongfully conferr'd. 
 But favour for Euryalus appears; 
 His blooiniug beauty, with his tender years. 
 Had biib'd the judges for the promis'd prize ; 450 
 
 Besides, Diores fills the court with cries, 
 Who vainly reaches at the last reward. 
 If the first palm on Salius be conferr'd. 
 Then thus the prince : ' Let no disputes arise : 
 "Where Fortune plac'd it, I award the prize. 455 
 
 But Fortune's errors give me leave to mend. 
 At least to pity my deserving friend.' 
 He said, and, from among the spoils, he draws 
 (Pond'rous with shaggy mane and golden paws) 
 A lion's hide : to Salius this he gives : 4Cvl 
 
 Nisus with envy sees the gift, and grieves. 
 ♦ If such rewards to vanquish'd men are due 
 (He said), and falling is to rise by you, 
 What prize may Nisus from your bounty claim. 
 Who merited the first rewards and fame ? 465 
 
 In falling, both an equal fortune tried ; 
 Would Fortune for my fall so well provide!' 
 With this he pointed to his face, and shew'd 
 His hands and all his habit smear'd with blood. 
 Th' indulgent father of the people smil'd, 4ro 
 
 And caus'd to be produc'd an ample shield. 
 Of wondrous art, by Didymaon wrought. 
 Long since from Neptune's bars in triumph brought. 
 This giv'n to Nisus, he divides the rest. 
 And equal justice in his gifts express'd. 475 
 
 The race thus ended, and rewards bestow'd. 
 Once more the prince bespeaks th' attentive crowd : 
 ' If there be here, whose dauntless courage dare 
 In gauntlet fight, with limbs and body bare 
 His opposite sustaiin in open view, 4i'0 
 
 Stand forth the champion, and the games renew. 
 Two prizes I propose, and thus divide — 
 A bull with gilded horns, and fillets tied. 
 Shall be the portion of the conqu'riug chief: 
 A sword and helm shall cheer the loser's grief.' 4S5
 
 iENEIS, V. 2j5 
 
 Then haughty Dares in the li.^ts appears : 
 Stalking he strides, his head erected bears: 
 His nervous amis the weighty gauntlet wield ; 
 And loud applauses echo through the field. 
 Dares alone in combat us'd to stand 490 
 
 The match of mighty ParLs, hand to hand; 
 The same, at Hector's fun'rals, undertook 
 Gigantic Butcs, of th' Amycian stock. 
 And, by the stroke of his resistless hand, 
 Stretch'd the vast bulk upon the yellow sand. -l'.»5 
 Such Dares was, and such he strode along. 
 And drew the wonder of the gazing throng. 
 His brawny back and ample breast he shews ; 
 His lifted arms around his head he throws, 
 And deals, in whistling air, his empty blows. SsiO 
 
 His match is sought; but through the trembling 
 
 band. 
 Not one dares answer to the proud demand. 
 Presuming of his force, with sparkling eyes 
 Already he devours the promis'd prize. 
 He claims the bull with awless insolence, 505 
 
 And, having seiz'd his horns, accosts the prince : 
 * If none my matchless valour dares oppose. 
 How long shall Dares wait his dastard foes t 
 Permit me, chief, permit, without delay. 
 To lead this uncontended gift away.' 5[it 
 
 The crowd assents, and with redoubled cries, 
 For the proud challenger demands the prize. 
 
 Acestes, fir'd with just diedain, to see 
 The plain usurp'd without a victory, 
 Reproach'd Entellus thus, who sate b&side, .')!.3 
 
 And heard and saw, unmov'd, the Trojan's pride : 
 ' Once, but in vain, a champion of renown. 
 So tamely can you bear the ravish'd crown, 
 A prize in triun.ph borne before your sight. 
 And shun for fear the danger of the fight? 520 
 
 A\'here is your Eryx now, the boasted name, 
 The god who taught your thund'ring arm the game ? 
 Where now your baiHed honour ? where the spoil 
 Th.it fiU'd your hotise, and fauie that filld our isle J' 
 Entelhis thus : • My soul is still the sime, .025 
 
 Unmov'd with fear, and mov'd with martial fame :
 
 256 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 But my chill blood is curdled in my veins; 
 
 And scarce the shadow of a man remains. 
 
 Oh ! could I turn to that fair prime again, 
 
 That prime of which this boaster is so vain, 530 
 
 The brave, who this decrepit age defies, 
 
 Should feel my force without the promis'd prize.' 
 
 He said ; and, rising at the word, he threw 
 
 Two pond'rous gauntlets down in open view — 
 
 Gauntlets which Eryx wont in fight to wield, 535 
 
 And sheath his hands with, in the listed field. 
 
 With fear and wonder seiz'd, the crowd beholds 
 
 The gloves of death, with sev'n distinguish'd folds 
 
 Of tough bull-hides; the space within is spread 
 
 With iron, or with loads of heavy lead. 540 
 
 Bares himself was daunted at the sight, 
 
 Kenounc'd his challenge, and refus'd to fight. 
 
 Astonish'd at their weight the hero stands. 
 
 And pois'd the pond'rous engines in his hands. 
 
 •What had your wonder (said Entellus) been, 545 
 
 Had you the gauntlets of Alcides seen. 
 
 Or view'd the stern debate on this unhappy green 1 
 
 These, which 1 bear, your brother Eryx bore. 
 
 Still mark'd with batter'd brains and mingled gore. 
 
 With these he long sustain'd th' Herculean arm ; 550 
 
 And these I wielded while my blood was warm. 
 
 This languish'd frame while better spirits fed. 
 
 Ere age unstrung my nerves, or time o'ersnow'd my 
 
 But if the challenger these arms refuse, [head. 
 
 And cannot wield their weight, or dare not use; 555 
 
 If great Apneas and Acestes join 
 
 In his request, these gauntlets I resign : 
 
 Let us with equal arms perform the fight ; 
 
 And let him leave to fear, since I resign my right.' 
 
 This said, Entellus for the strife prepares ; 560 
 
 Stripp'd of his quilted coat, his body bares : 
 
 Compos'd of mighty bones and brawn, he stands, 
 
 A goodly tow'ring object on the sands. 
 
 Then just yEneas equal arms supplied. 
 
 Which round their shoulders to their wrists they 
 
 tied. 565 
 
 Both on the tiptoe stand, at full extent. 
 Their arms aloft, their bodies inly bent;
 
 iEXElS, V. 257 
 
 Their heads from aiming blows they bear afar; 
 
 With clashing gauntlets then proToke the war. 
 
 One on his youth and pliant limbs relies; 570 
 
 One on his sinews, and his giant size. 
 
 The last is stiff with age, his motion slow ; 
 
 He heaves for breath ; he staggers to and fro; 
 
 And clouds of issuing smoke his nostrils loudly blow. 
 
 Yet equal in success, they ward, they strike ; 575 
 
 Their ways are difl"rent, but their art alike. 
 
 Before, behind, the blows are dealt; around 
 
 Their hollow sides the rattling thumps resound. 
 
 A storm of strokes, well meant, with fury flies. 
 
 And errs about their temples, ears, and eyes — 550 
 
 KoT always errs ; for oft the gauntlet draws 
 
 A sweeping stroke along the crackling jaws. 
 
 Heavy with age, Entellus stands his ground. 
 
 But with his warping body wards the wound. 
 
 His hand and watchful eye keep even pace; 565 
 
 ^^'hile Dares traverses, and shifts his place, 
 
 And, like a captain who beleaguers round 
 
 Some strong built castle on a rising ground. 
 
 Views all th' approaches with observing eyes ; 
 
 This and that other part in vain he tries, 590 
 
 And more on industry than force relies. 
 
 With hands on high, Entellus threats the foe ; 
 
 But Dares watchd the motion from below, [blow. 
 
 And slipp'd aside, and shunn'd the long-descendin-r 
 
 Entellus wastes his forces on the wind, 505 
 
 And, thus deluded of the stroke design'd. 
 
 Headlong and heavy fell : his ample breast. 
 
 And weighty limbs, his ancient mother press'd. 
 
 So falls a hollow pine, that long had stood 
 
 On Ida's height, or Erymanthus' wood, 600 
 
 Torn from the roots. The diff'ring nations rise; 
 
 And shouts and mingled nmrmurs rend the skies. 
 
 Acestes runs with eager haste, to raise 
 
 The fall'n companion of his youthful days. 
 
 Dauntless he rose, and to the fight retum'd : 605 
 
 With shame his glowing cheeks, his eyes with fury, 
 
 bum'd. 
 Disdain and conscious virtue fir'd his breast; 
 And with redoubled force his foe be presb'd.
 
 258 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 He lays on load with either hand, amain, 
 
 And headlong drives the Trojan o'er the plain; CIO 
 
 Kor rttops, nor stays ; nor rest nor breath allows ; 
 
 Rut storms of strokes descend about his brows, 
 
 A rattling tempest, and a hail of blows. 
 
 Rut now the prince, who saw the wild increase 
 
 Of wounds, commands the combatants to cease, (315 
 
 And bounds Entellus' wrath, and bids the peace. 
 
 First to the Trojan, spent with toil, he came. 
 
 And sooth'd his sorrow for the suffer'd shame. 
 
 ' What fury seiz'd my friend 1 The gods (said he), 
 
 To him propitious, and averse to thee, U20 
 
 Have giv'n his arm superior force to thine. 
 
 'Tis madness to contend with strength divine.' 
 
 The gauntlet-fight thus ended, from the shore 
 
 His faithful friends unhappy Dares bore : 
 
 His mouth and nostrils pour'd a purple flood ; 6i5 
 
 And pounded teeth came rushing with his blood. 
 
 Faintly he stagger'd through the hissing throng, 
 
 And hung his head, and trail'd his legs along. 
 
 The sword and casque are carried by his train ; 
 
 Rut with his foe the palm and ox remain. (J30 
 
 The champion, then, before ^neas came. 
 Proud of his prize, but prouder of his fame ; 
 ' goddess-born, and you, Dardanian host, 
 Mark with attention, and forgive my boast : 
 Learn what I was, by what remains! and know, (135 
 From what impending fate you sav'd my foe.' 
 Sternly he spoke ; and then confronts the bull ; 
 And, on his ample forehead aiming full. 
 The deadly stroke, descending, pierc'd the skull, 
 Down drops the beast, nor needs a second wound, 6 10 
 Rut sprawls in pangs of death, and spurns the 
 
 ground. 
 Then thus : < In Dares' stead I offer this. 
 Eryx ! accept a nobler sacrifice : 
 
 Take the last gift my wither'd arms can yield : 64 4 
 Thy gauntlets I resign, and here renounce the field.' 
 
 This done, ^Eneas orders, for the close. 
 The strife of archers, with contending bows. 
 The mast Sergestus' shatter'd galley bore. 
 With his own hands he raises on the shore.
 
 ^NEIS, V. 25'> 
 
 A flutt'ling dove upon the top tbey tie, 659 
 
 Tlie living luaik at which their arrows fly. 
 The rival archers in a line advance. 
 Their turn of shootiug to receive from chance. 
 A helmet holds their names : the lots are drawn ; 
 On the first scroll was read Hippocobn : 0.05 
 
 The people shout. Upon the next was found 
 Young Mnestheus, late with naval honours 
 
 crown'd. 
 The third contain'd Eurytion's noble name, 
 Thy brother, Pandarus, and next in fame. 
 Whom Pallas urg'd the treaty to confound, C(50 
 
 And send among the Greeks a fearherd wound. 
 Acestes, in the bottom, last remain'd, 
 Whom not his age from youthful sports restrain'd. 
 Soon all with vigour bend their trusty bows ; 
 And from the quiver each his arrow chose. 665 
 
 Hippocoon's was the first : with forceful sway 
 It flew, and, whizzing, cut the liquid way. 
 Fix'd in the mast the featherd weapon stands : 
 The fearful pigeon flutters in her bands ; 
 And the tree trembled ; and the shouting cries 670 
 Of the pleas'd people rend the vaulted skits. 
 Then Mnestheus to the head his arrow drove. 
 With lifted eyes, and took his aim above, 
 But made a glancing shot, and miss'd the dove, 
 Yet miss'd so narrow, that he cut the cord, 675 
 
 Which fasten'd, by the foot, the flitting bird. 
 The captive, thus releas'd, away she flies. 
 And beats, with clapping wings, the yielding skies. 
 His bow already bent. Eurytion stood ; 
 And, having first invok'd his brother-god, 680 
 
 His winged shaft with eager haste he sped. 
 The fatal message reach'd her as she fled ; 
 She leaves her life aloft; she strikes the ground. 
 And renders back the weapon in the wound. 
 Acestes, grudging at his lot, remains eS-i 
 
 Without a prize to gratify his pains. 
 Y'et, shooting upward, sends his shaft, to shew 
 An archer's art, and boast his twanging bow. 
 The feather'd arrow gave a dire portent : 
 And latter augurs judge from this event. 69J
 
 2G0 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Chaf'd by the speed, it fir'd ; and, as it flew, 
 A train of following flames, ascending, drew : 
 Kindling thej' mount, and mark the shiny way ; 
 Across the skies as falling meteors play, 
 And vanish into wind, or in a blaze decay. 035 
 
 The Trojans, and Sicilians wildly stare. 
 And trembling, turn their wonder into pray'r. 
 The DarJan prince put on a smiling face. 
 And strain'd Acestes with a close embrace ; 
 Then hon'ring him with gifts above the rest, : i 
 
 Turn'd the bad omen, nor his fears confess'd. 
 ' The gods,' said he, ' this miracle have wrought. 
 And order'd you the prize without the lot. 
 Accept this goblet, rough with figur'd gold. 
 Which Thracian Cisseus gave my sire of old : 70;" 
 
 This pledge of ancient amity receive, 
 Which to my second sire I justly give.' 
 He said, and, with the trumpet's cheerful soimd, 
 Proclaim'd him victor, and with laurel crown'd. 
 Nor good Eurytion envied him the prize, 710 
 
 Though he transfix'd the pigeon in the skies. 
 Who cut the line, with second gifts was grac'd ; 
 The third was his whose arrow pierc'd the mast. 
 The chief, before the games were wholly done, 
 Call'd Periphantes, tutor to his son, 715 
 
 And whisper'd thus: ' With speed Ascanius find ; 
 And, if his childish troop be ready join'd, 
 On horseback let him grace his grandsire's day, 
 And lead his equals arm'd in just array.' 
 He said ; and, calling out, the cirque he clears. 720 
 The crowd withdrawn, an open plain appears. 
 And now the noble youths, of form divine, 
 Advance before their fathers, in a line: [shine. 
 
 The riders grace the steeds ; the steeds with glory 
 Thus marching on in military pride, 725 
 
 Shouts of applause resound from side to side. 
 Their casques adorn'd with laurel wreaths they v.'car. 
 Each brandishing aloft a cornel spear. 
 Some at their backs their gilded quivers bore ; 
 Their chains of burnish'd gold hung down before. 730 
 Three graceful troops they form'd upon the green ; 
 Three graceful leaders at their head were seen i
 
 iENElS, V. 2GI 
 
 Twelve follow'd ev'ry cbief, and left a splice between 
 
 The first yonug Priam led — a lovely boy, 
 
 Whose giaudsire was th* unhappy king of Troy ; 737 
 
 (His race in after times was known to fame, 
 
 New honours adding to the Latian name) — 
 
 And well the royal boy hisThracian steed became. 
 
 White were the fetlocks of his feet before ; 
 
 And on his front a snowy star he bore. 740 
 
 Then beauteous Atys, with liilus bred. 
 
 Of equal age, the second squadron led. 
 
 The last in order, but the first in grace. 
 
 First in the lovely features of his face, 
 
 Rode fair Ascanius, on a fiery steed, 745 
 
 Queen Dido's gift, and of the T3rrian breed. 
 
 Sure coursers for the rest the king ordains. 
 
 With golden bits adorn'd, and purple reins. 
 
 The pleas'd spectators, peals of shouts renew, 
 And all the parents in the children view; 750 
 
 Their make, their motions, and their sprightly grace. 
 And hopes and fears alternate in their face. 
 
 Th' untledg'd commanders, and their martial tr^iu, 
 First make the circuit of the sandy plain 
 Around their sires, and, at th' appointed sign, 755 
 
 Drawn up in beauteous order, form a line. 
 The second signal sounds : the troop divides 
 In three distinguish'd parts, with three distinguish' 1 
 
 guides. 
 Again they close, and once again disjoin : 
 In troop to troop oppos'd, and line to line, 7G0 
 
 They meet; they wheel; they throw their darts 
 
 afar. 
 With harmless rage, and well-dissembled war. 
 Then in a round the mingled bodies run ; 
 Flying they follow, and pursuing shun : 
 Broken, they break ; and, rallying, they renew 765 
 In other forms the niilitary show. 
 At l?-st, in order undiscem'd they join, 
 And march together in a friendly line. 
 And, as the Cretan labyrinth of old. 
 With wand'ring ways, and many a winding fold, 770 
 Involv'd the weary feet without redress, 
 In a round error, which denied recess ;
 
 262 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 So fought the Trojan boys in warlike play, 
 Turn'd and return'd, and still a difPrent way. 
 Thus dolphins in the deep each other chase 77.5 
 
 In circles, when they swim around the wat'ry race. 
 This game, these carousals, Ascanins taught; 
 And, building Alba, to the Latins brought, 
 Shew'd what he learn'd : the Latin sires impart 
 To their succeeding sons the graceful art: 780 
 
 From these imperial Rome receiv'd the game, 
 Which Troy, the youths the Trojan troop, they 
 
 name. 
 Thus far the sacred sports they celebrate : 
 But Fortune soon resum'd her ancient hate : 
 For, while they pay the dead his annual dues, TDS 
 Those envied rites Satumian Juno views ; 
 And sends the goddess of the various bow, 
 To try new methods of revenge below ; 
 Supplies the winds to wing her airy way. 
 Where in the port secure the navy lay. 700 
 
 Swiftly fair Iris down her arch descends. 
 And, undiscern'd, her fatal voyage ends. 
 She saw the gath'ring crowd; and, gliding thencp. 
 The desert shore, and fleet without defence. 
 The Trojan matrons, on the sands alone, "»1J 
 
 With sighs and tears Anchises' death bemoan : 
 Then, turning to the sea their weeping eyes. 
 Their pity to themselves renews their cries. 
 * Alas!' said one, ' what oceans yet remain 
 For us to sail! what labours to sustain !' 6<>0 
 
 All take the word, and, with a gen'ral groan, 
 Implore the gods for peace, and places of their own. 
 The goddess, great in mischief, views their pains, 
 And in a woman's form her heav'nly limbs restrains. 
 In face and shape, old Beroe she became, 80/; 
 
 Doryclus' wife, a venerable dame, 
 Once bless'd with riches, and a mother's name. 
 Thus chang'd, amidst the crying crowd she ran, 
 Mix'd with the matrons, and these words began: 
 ' O wretched we ! whom not the Grecian pow'r, 810 
 Nor flames, destroy'd, in Troy's unhappy hour ! 
 O wretched we! reserv'd by cruel Fate, 
 Beyond the ruins of the sinking state !
 
 yENEIS, V. 2C3 
 
 Nr.w sev'n revolting j'ears are wholly run. 
 
 Since this iinpro.sp'rous voyage we begun ; 815 
 
 Since, toss'd from shores to shores, from lands to lands, 
 
 Inhospitable rocks, and barren sands, 
 
 Wand'ring in exile, through the stormy sea, 
 
 We search in vain for flying Italy, 
 
 Now cast by Fortune on this kindred land, 820 
 
 What should our rest and rising walls withstand. 
 
 Or hinder here to fix our banished band? 
 
 O country lost, and gods redeem'd in vain, 
 
 If still in endless exile we remain I 
 
 Shall we no more the Trojan walls renew, 825 
 
 Or streams of some dissembled Simois view 1 
 
 Haste ! join with me ! th' unhappy fleet consume I 
 
 Cassandra bids; and I declare her doom. 
 
 In sleep I saw her ; she supplied my hands 829 
 
 (For this I more than dreamt) with flaming brands*. 
 
 " With these (said she) these wand'ring ships destroy : 
 
 These are your fatal seats, and this your Troy." 
 
 Time calls you now : the precious hour employ ; 
 
 Slack not the good presage ; while Heav'n inspires 
 
 Our minds to dare, and gives the ready fires. 83.5 
 
 See ' Neptune's altars minister their brands : 
 
 The god is pleas'd ; the god supplies our hands.' 
 
 Then, from the pile, a flaming fir she drew. 
 
 And, toss'd in air, amidst the galleys threw. 
 
 Rapt in amaze, the matrons wildly stare ; 840 
 
 Then Pyrgo, rev'renc'd for her hoary hair, 
 
 Pyrgo, the nurse of Priam's num'rous race, 
 
 ' No Beroe this, though she belies her face! 
 
 What terrors from her frowning front arise ! 
 
 Behold a goddess in her ardent eyes ! 845 
 
 What rays around her heav'nly face are seen I 
 
 Mark her majestic voice, and more than mortal mien ! 
 
 Beroe but now I left, whom, pin'd with pain, 
 
 Her age and anguish from these rites detain.' 
 
 She said. The matrons, seiz'd with new amaze, SjO 
 
 Roll their malignant eyes, and on the navy gaze. 
 
 They fear, and hope, and neither part obey : 
 
 They hope the fated land, but fear the fatal way. 
 
 The goddess, having done her task below. 
 
 Mounts up on equal wings, and bends her painted bow.
 
 2G4 THE WORKS OP VIRGIL. 
 
 Struck with the sight, and seiz'd with rage divine, 
 
 The matrons prosecute their mad design; 
 
 They shriek aloud : they snatch, v/ith impious hands, 
 
 The food of altars : firs and flaming brands, 859 
 
 Green boughs and saplings, mingled in their haste. 
 
 And smoking torches, on the ships they cast. 
 
 The flame, unstopp'd at first, more fury gains ; 
 
 And Vulcan rides at large with looseu'd reins : 
 
 Triumphant to the painted stern he soars, 
 
 And seizes, in his way, the banks and cracklinjx 
 
 oars, 86.5 
 
 Eumelus was the first, the news to bear. 
 While yet they crowd the rural theatre. 
 Then what they hear, is witness'd by their eyes : 
 A storm of sparkles, and of flames, arise. 
 Ascanius took th' alarm, while yet he led 870 
 
 His early warriors on his prancing steed. 
 And spurring on, his equals soon o'erpass'd ; 
 Nor could his frighted friends reclaim his haste. 
 Soon as the royal youth appear'd in view, 
 He sent his voice before him as he flew : S75 
 
 • What madness moves you, matrons ! to destroy 
 The last remainders of unhappy Troy ? 
 Not hostile fleets, but your owu hopes, you burn, 
 And on your friends your fatal fury turn. 
 Behold your own Ascanius !' — While he said, 830 
 He drew his glitt'ring helmet from his head, 
 In which the youths to sportful arms he led. 
 By this Maeas and his train appear; 
 And now the women, seiz'd with shame and fear, 
 Dispers'd, to woods and caverns take their flight, 883 
 Abhor their actions, and avoid the light; 
 Their friends acknowledge, and their error find. 
 And shake the goddess from their alterM mind. 
 
 Not so the raging fires their fury cease, 
 But, larking in the seams, with seeming peace, 890 
 Work on their way amid the smould'ring tow. 
 Sure in destruction, but in motion slow. 
 The silent plague througli the green timber eats. 
 And vomits out a tardy flame by fits. 
 Down to the keels, and upward to the sails, 895 
 
 The fire descends or mounts, but dtill prevails ;
 
 ^NEIS, V. 2C5 
 
 Nor bucketg pour'd, Bor strength of biinian hand. 
 Can the Tictorious element withstand. 
 
 The pious hero rends his robe, and throws 809 
 
 To heav'n his hands, and, with his hands, his vows. 
 ' O Jove !' he cried, ' if pray'rs can yet have ^lace ; 
 If thou abhorr'st not all the DarJan race ; 
 If any spark of pity still remain ; 
 If gods are gods, and not invok'd in vain ; 
 Yet spare the reliques of the Trojan train ! 905 
 
 Yet from the flames our burning vessels free, 
 Or let thy fury fall alone on me ; 
 At this devoted head thy thunder throw, 
 And send the willing sacrifice below.' 909 
 
 Scarce had he said, when southern storms arise ; 
 From pole to pole the forky lightning fiies : 
 Loud rattling shakes the mountains and the plain : 
 Heav'n bellies downward, and descends in rain. 
 Whole sheets of water from the clouds are sent. 
 Which, hissing through the planks, the flames pre- 
 vent, 915 
 And stop the fiery pest. Four ships alone 
 Burn to the waist, and for the fleet atone. 
 
 But doubtful thoughts the hero's heart divide. 
 If he should still in Sicily reside, 
 Forgetful of his fates, — or tempt the main, 920 
 
 In hope the promis'd Italy to gain. 
 Then Nautes, old and wise — to whom alone 
 The will of Heav'n by Pallas was for^shewn — 
 Vers'd in portents, experienc'd, and inspir'd 
 To tell events, and what the Fates requir'd — 02.5 
 Thus while he stood, to neither part inclin'd, 
 With cheerful words reliev'd his lab'ring mind : 
 ' O goddess-born ! resign'd in ev'ry state, 
 With patience bear, with prudence push your fate. 
 By suff'ring well, our fortune we subdue ; 930 
 
 Fly, when she frowns, and when she calls, pursu'i. 
 Your friend Acestes is of Trojan kind : 
 To him disclose the secrets of your mind : 
 Trust in his hands your old and useless train. 
 Too num'rous for the ships which yet remain — 933 
 The feeble, old, indulgent of their ease. 
 The dames who dread the dangers of the seas, 
 M
 
 266 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 With all the dastard crew who dare not stand 
 
 The shock of battle with yorir foes by land. 
 
 Here you may build a common town for all, 940 
 
 And, from Acestes' name, Acesta call.' 
 
 The reasons, with his friend's experience join'd, 
 
 Encourag'd much, but more disturb'd his mind. 
 
 'Twas dead of night; when, to his slumb'ring eyes, 
 
 His father's shade descended from the skies; 94'5 
 
 And thus he spoke: ' O more than vital breath, 
 
 Lov'd while I liv'd, and dear ev'n after death ! 
 
 O son, in various toils and troubles toss'd ! 
 
 The king of heav'n employs my careful ghost 
 
 On his commands — the god who sav'd from fire 950 
 
 Your flaming fleet, and heard your just desire. 
 
 The wholesome counsel of your friend receive, 
 
 And here the coward train and women leave : 
 
 The chosen youth, and those who nobly dare, 
 
 Transport, to tempt the dangers of the war. 955 
 
 The stem Italians will their courage try ; 
 
 Rough are their manners, and their minds are high. 
 
 But first to Pluto's palace you shall go, 
 
 And seek my shade among the blest below: 
 
 For not with impious ghosts my soul remains, 96i) 
 
 Nor suffers, with the damn'd, perpetual pains. 
 
 But breathes the living air and soft Elysian plains. 
 
 The chaste Sibylla shall your steps convey. 
 
 And blood of offer'd victims free the way. 964 
 
 There shall yen know what realms the gods assign. 
 
 And learn the fates and fortunes of your line. 
 
 But now farewell! I vanish with the night. 
 
 And feel the blast of Heav'n's approaching light.' 
 
 He said, and mix'd with shades, and took his airy flight. 
 
 ' Whither so fast V the filial duty cried ; 970 
 
 ' And why — ah! why the wish'd embrace denied'.' 
 
 He said, and rose : as holy zeal inspires, 
 
 He rakes hot embers, and renews the fires ; 
 
 His country gods and Vesta then adores 
 
 With cakes and incense, and their aid implores. 975 
 
 Next, for his friends and royal host he sent, 
 
 Reveal'd his visions, and the god's intent. 
 
 With his own purpose. — All, without delay, 
 
 The will of Jove, and his desires, obey.
 
 i^NEIS, V, 2f>7 
 
 They list with ■v^onien each degen'rate name, 980 
 
 Who dares not hazard life for future fame. 
 
 These they cashier. The brave remaining few 
 
 Oars, banks, and cables, half consum'd, renew. 
 
 The prince designs a city with the plough : 
 
 The lots their sev'ral tenements allow. 985 
 
 This part is nam'd from Ilium, that from Troy; 
 
 And the new king ascends the throne with joy; 
 
 A chosen senate from the people draws ; 
 
 Appoints the judges, and ordains the laws. 
 
 Then, on the top of Eryx, they begin 990 
 
 A rising temple to the Paphian queen, 
 
 Anchises, last, is honour'd as a god: 
 
 A priest is added, annual gifts bestow'd ; 
 
 And groves are planted round his blest abode. 994 
 
 Nine days they pass in feasts, their temples crown'd ; 
 
 And fumes of incense in the fanes abound. 
 
 Then from the south arose a gentle breeze, 
 
 That curl'd the smoothness of the glassy seas : 
 
 The rising winds a naffling gale afford. 
 
 And call the merry ruariners aboard. 1000 
 
 Now loud laments along the shores resound. 
 Of parting friends in close embraces bound. 
 The trembling women ; the degen'rate train 
 Who shunn'd the frightful dangers of the main, 
 Ev'n those desire to sail, and take their share 1005 
 Of the rough passage, and the promis'd war : 
 Whom good ^neas cheers : and recommends 
 To their new master's care his fearful friends. 
 On Eryx' altars three fat calves he lays ; 
 A lamb now fallen to the stormy seas ; 1010 
 
 Then slips his halsers.and his anchors weighs. 
 High on the deck the godlike hero stands. 
 With olive crown'd; a charger in his hands; 
 Then cast the reeking entrails in the brine. 
 And pour'd the sacrifice of purple wine. 1015 
 
 Fresh gales arise : with equal strokes they vie, 
 And brush the bnxom seas, and o'er the billows fly. 
 
 Meantime the mother goddess, full of fears, 
 To Neptune thus address'd, with tender tears : 
 ' The pride of Jove's imperious queen, the rage, in- o 
 The malice, which no sufferings can assuage.
 
 268 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Compel nie to these pray'rs; since neither fate, 
 
 Nor time, nor pity, can remove her hate. 
 
 Ev'n Jove is thwarted by his haughty wife ; 
 
 Still vanquish'd, yet she still renews the strife. 102.'5 
 
 As if 'twere little to consume the town 
 
 Which aw'd the world, and wore th' imperial crown. 
 
 She prosecutes the ghost of Troy with pains. 
 
 And gnaws, ev'n to the bones, the last remains. 
 
 Let her the causes of her hatred tell; lOSO 
 
 But you can witness its effects too well. 
 
 You saw the storm she rais'd on Libyan floods. 
 
 That mix'd the mountain billows with the clouds; 
 
 When, bribing ^olus, she shook the main. 
 
 And mov'd rebellion in your wat'ry reign : 103-5 
 
 With fury she possess'd the Dardan dames, 
 
 To burn their feet with execrable flames, 
 
 And forc'd j^neas, when his ships were lost. 
 
 To leave his followers on a foreign coast. 
 
 For what remains, your godhead I implore, 1040 
 
 And trust my son to your protecting pow'r. 
 
 If neither Jove's nor Fate's decree withstand, 
 
 Secure his passage to the Latian land.' 
 
 Then thus the mighty ruler of the main : 1044 
 
 ' What may not Venus hope from Neptune's reign? 
 My kingdom claims your birth : my late defence 
 Of your endanger'd fleet may claim your confidence. 
 Nor less by lands than sea my deeds declare, 
 Ho%v much your lov'd .^neas is my care. 
 Thee, Xanthus ! and thee, Simo'is ! I attest — 1050 
 Your Trojan troops when proud Achilles press'd. 
 And drove before him headlong on the plain. 
 And dash'd against the walls the trembling train; 
 When floods were fill'd with bodies of the slain ; 
 When crimson Xanthus, doubtful of his way, 105.5 
 Stood up on ridges to behold the sea 
 (New heaps came tumbling in, and chok'd his way ;) 
 When your ^Eneas fought, but fought with odds 
 Of force unequal, and unequal gods ; 
 I spread a cloud before the victor's sight, 1050 
 
 Sustain'd the vanquish'd, and secur'd his flight — 
 Ev'n then secur'd him, when I sought with joy 
 The vow'd destruction of ungrateful Troy.
 
 iENEIS, V. 269 
 
 My will's the same : fair goddess ! fear no more, 
 Your fleet shall safely gain the Latian shore : 1065 
 Their lives are giv'n : one destin'd head alone 
 Shall perish, and for multitudes atone.' 
 Thus having arm'd with hopes her anxious mind, 
 His finny team Satumian Neptune join'd. 
 Then adds the foamy bridle to their jaws, 1070 
 
 And to the loosen'd reins permits the laws. 
 High on the waves his azxtte car he guides : 
 Its axles thunder ; and the sea subsides ; 
 And the smooth ocean rolls her silent tides. 
 The tempests fly before their father's face ; 1075 
 
 Trains of inferior gods his triumph grace; 
 And monster whales before their master play. 
 And choirs of Tritons crowd the wat'ry way. 
 The marshall'd powrs in equal troops divide 
 To right and left : the gods his better side lOSO 
 
 Inclose ; and, on the worse, the Xymphs and Nereids 
 Now smiling hope, with sweet vicissitude, [ride. 
 Within the hero's mind his joys renew'd. 
 He calls to raise the masts, the sheets display; 
 The cheerful crew with diligence obey ; 1085 
 
 They scud before the wind, and sail in open sea. 
 A-head of all the master pilot steers ; 
 And, as he leads, the fullowing navy veers. 
 The steeds of Night had travell'd half the sky ; 
 The drowsy rowers on their benches lie; 10 90 
 
 When the soft god of sleep, with easy flight. 
 Descends, and draws behind a trail of light. 
 Thou, Palinurus, art his destin'd prey ; 
 To thee alone he takes his fatal way. 
 Dire dreams to thee, and iron sleep, he bears ; 1095 
 And, lighting on thy prow, the form of Phorbas wears. 
 Then thus the traitor-god began his tale : 
 ' The winds, my friend, inspire a pleasing gale; 
 The ships, without thy care, securely sail. 
 Now steal an hour of sweet repose; and I llcO 
 
 Will take the rudder, and thy room supply.' 
 To whom the yawning pilot, half asleep : 
 • Me dost thou bid to trust the treach'rous deep. 
 The harlot-smiles of her dissenibhng face, 
 And to her faith commit the Trojan race ? 1105
 
 270 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Shall I bolieve the Siren South again, 
 
 And, oft betray'J, not know the monster main?' 
 
 He said : his fasteu'd hands the rudder keep; 
 
 And, fix'd on heav'n, his eyes repel invading sleep. 
 
 The god was wroth, and at his temples threw 1110 
 
 A branch in Lethe dipp'd, and drunk with Stygian 
 
 The pilot, vanquish'd by the pow'r divine, [dew : 
 
 Soon clos'd his swimming eyes, and lay supine. 
 
 Scarce were his limbs extended at their length ; 
 
 The god, insulting with superior strength, 1115 
 
 Fell heavy on him, plungd him in the sea, 
 
 And, with the stern, the rudder tore away. 
 
 Headlong he fell, and, struggling in the main. 
 
 Cried out for helping hands, but cried in vain. 
 
 The victor daemon mounts obscure in air; 1120 
 
 While the ship sails without the pilot's care. 
 
 On Neptune's faith the floating fleet relies: 
 
 But what the man forsook, the god supplies; 
 
 And, o'er the dang'rous deep, secure the navy flies ; 
 
 Glides by the Sirens' cliff's, a shelfy coast, lVi'> 
 
 Long infamous for ships and sailors lost, 
 
 And white with bones Th' impetuous ocean roars. 
 
 And rocks rebellow from the sounding shores. 
 
 The watchful hero felt the knocks, and found 
 
 The tossing vessel sail'd on shoaly ground. 1130 
 
 Sure of his pilot's loss, he takes himself 
 
 The helm, and steers aloof, and shuns the shelf. 
 
 Inly he griev'd, and, groaning from the breast, 
 
 Deplor'd his death ; and thus his pain express'd : 1 134 
 
 • For faith repos'd on seas, and on the flatt'ring sky, 
 
 Thy naked corpse is doom'd on shores unknown to lie.' 
 
 BOOK VI. 
 
 The Sibyl foretels ^ncas the adventures he should meet with 
 in Italy. She attends him to hell ; describing to him the v.i- 
 rious scenes of tb;it place, and conducting him to his father 
 Anchises, who instructs him in those sublime mysteries of the 
 soul of the world, and the transmigration ; and shews him that 
 Pflorious race of heroes, which was to descend from him and 
 his posterity. 
 
 H E said and wept ; then spread his sails before 
 The winds, and reach'd at length the Cuman shore ; 
 Their anchors dropp'd, his crew the vessels moor.
 
 ^NEIS, VI. 271 
 
 Tliey turn their heads to sea, their sterns to land. 
 
 And greet with greedy joy th' Italian strand. 5 
 
 Some strike from clashing flints their fiery seed ; 
 
 Some gather sticks, the kindled flames to feed. 
 
 Or search for hollow trees, and fell the woods. 
 
 Or trace through valleys the discover'd floods. 
 
 Thus while their sev'ral charges they fulfil, 10 
 
 The pious prince ascends the sacred hill 
 
 Where Phoebus is ador'd ; and seeks the shade, 
 
 Which hides from sight his venerable maid. 
 
 Deep in a cave the Sibyl makes abode; 
 
 Thence full of fate returns, and of the god. 15 
 
 Through Trivia's grove they walk ; and now 
 
 behold, 
 And enter now, the temple roofd with gold. 
 When Daedalus, to fly the Cretan shore, 
 His heavy limbs on jointed pinions bore 
 (The first who sail'd in air), 'tis sung by Fame, 20 
 To the Cumaean coast at length he came, 
 And here alighting, built this costly frame, 
 luscrib'd to Phoebus, here he hung on high 
 The steerage of his wings, that cut the sky : 
 Then, o'er the lufcy gate, his art emboss'd 15 
 
 Androgeos' death, and (offrings to his ghost.) 
 Sev'n youths from Athens yearly sent, to meet 
 The fate appointed by revengeful Crete. 
 And next to these the dreadful urn was plac'd, 
 In which the destiu'd names by lots were cast : 30 
 The mournful parents stand around in tears ; 
 And rising Crete against their shore appears. 
 There too, in living sculpture, might be seen 
 The mad aifection of the Cretan queen; 
 Then how she cheats her bellowing lover's eye ; 35 
 The rushing leap, the doubtful progeny — 
 The lower part a beast, a man above — 
 The monument of their polluted love. 
 Not far from thence he grav'd the wond'rous maze, 
 A thousand doors, a thousand winding ways ; 40 
 
 Here dwells the monster, hid from human view, 
 hot to be found, but by the f;iithful clue ; 
 Till the kind artist, mov'd with pious grief. 
 Lent to the loving maid this last relief.
 
 272 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 And all those erring paths describ'd so well, 45 
 
 That Theseus conquer'd, and the monster fell. 
 Here hapless Icarus had found his part, 
 Had not the father's gjrief restrain'd his art. 
 He twice essay'd to cast his son in gold ; 
 Twice from his hands he dropp'd the forming 
 
 mould. 50 
 
 All this with wond'ring eyes ^ncas view'd : 
 Each varying object his delight renew'd. 
 
 Eager to read the rest Achates came. 
 
 And by his side the mad divining dame, 
 
 The priestess of the god, Deiphobe her name. 55 
 
 • Time suffers not,' she said, • to feed your eyes 
 With empty pleasures: haste the sacrifice. 
 Sev'n bullocks, yet imyok'd, for Phoebus choose, 
 And for Diana sev'n unspotted ewes.' 
 
 This said, the servants urge the sacred rites, GO 
 
 While to the temple she the prince invites. 
 
 A spacious cave, within its farmost part. 
 
 Was hew'd and fasbion'd by laborious art. 
 
 Through the hill's hollow sides ; before the place, 
 
 A hundred doors a hundred entries grace ; 65 
 
 As many voices issue, and the sound 
 
 Of Sibyl's words as many times rebound. 
 
 Now to the mouth they come. Aloud she cries, 
 
 'This is the time ! inquire your destinies ! 
 
 He comes ! behold the god!' Thus while she said 70 
 
 (And shiv'ring at the sacred entry staid). 
 
 Her colour chang'd; her face was not the same; 
 
 And hollow groans from her deep spirit came. 
 
 Her hair stood up ; convulsive rage possess'd 74 
 
 Her trembling limbs, and heav'd her lab'ring breast. 
 
 Greater than human kind she seem'd to look. 
 
 And, with an accent more than mortal, spoke. 
 
 Her staring eyes with sparkling fury roll; 
 
 When all the god came rushing on her soul. 
 
 Swiftly she tum'd, and, foaming as she spoke. 8i> 
 
 * Why this delay V she cried — ' the pow'rs invoice. 
 Thy pray'rs alone can open this abode. 
 
 Else vain are my demands, and dumb the god.' 
 She said no more. The trembling Trojans hear, 
 O'erspread with a damp sweat, and holy fear. 85
 
 yENEIS, VI. 273 
 
 The prince himself, with awful dread possess'd, 
 His vows to ^eat Apollo thus address'd : 
 ' Indulgent god! propitious pow'r to Troy, 
 Swift to relieve, unwilling to destroy I 
 Directed by whose hand, the Dardan dart 90 
 
 Pierc'd the proud Grecian's only mortal part ! 
 Thus far, by Fate's decrees and thy commands. 
 Through ambient seas and through devouring 
 
 sands, 
 Oar exil'd crew has sought th' Ansonian ground: 
 And now, at length, tlie flying coast is found. 95 
 
 Thus far the Fate of Troy, from place to place, 
 With fury has pursu'd her wand'ring race. 
 Here cease, ye pow'rs, and let your vengeance 
 
 end: 
 Troy is no more, and can no more offend. 
 And thou, O sacred maid, inspir'd to see 100 
 
 Th' event of things in dark futurity ! 
 Give me what Heavn has promis'd to my fate, 
 Tg conquer and command the Latian state ; 
 To fix my wand'riug gods, and find a place 
 For the long exiles ot the Trojan race. 105 
 
 Then shall my grateful hands a temple rear 
 To the twin gods, with vows and solemn pray'r ; 
 And annual rites, and festivals, and games, 
 Shall be perform'd to their auspicious names. 
 Nor shalt thou want thy honours in my land : 110 
 For there thy faithful oracles shall stand, 
 Preserv'd in shrines: and ev'ry sacred lay, 
 Which, by thy mouth, Apollo shall convey — 
 All shall he treasur'd by a chosen train 
 Of holy priests, and ever shall remain. 115 
 
 But. oh ! commit not thy prophetic mind 
 To flitting leaves, the sport of ev'ry wind. 
 Lest they disperse in air our empty fate : 
 Write not, but, what the pow'rs ordain, relate.' 
 
 Struggling in vain, impatient of her load, ViO 
 
 And lab' ring underneath the pond'rous god. 
 The more she strove to shake him from her breast. 
 With more and far superior forc'd he pressd ; 
 Commands his entrance, and, without control. 
 Usurps her organs, and inspires her soul. 1'25 
 
 M '1
 
 274 THE WORKS OF VIRGiL. 
 
 Now, with a furious blast, the hundred doors 
 Ope of thetijselves ; a rushing whirlwind roars 
 Within the cave, and Sibyl's voice restores : 
 • Escap'd the dangers of the wat'ry reign, 
 Yet more and greater ills by land remain. 130 
 
 The coast so long desir'd (nor doubt th' event), 
 Thy troops shall reach, but, having reach'd, repent. 
 Wars, horrid wars, I view — a field of blood. 
 And Tiber rolling with a purple flood. 
 Simois nor Xanthus shall be wanting there : 135 
 
 A new Achilles shall in arms appear. 
 And he, too, goddess-born. Fierce Juno's hate, 
 Added to hostile force, shall urge thy fate. 
 To what strange nations shalt not thou resort, 
 Driv'n to solicit aid at ev'ry court! 110 
 
 The cause tlie same which Ilium once oppress'd — 
 A foreign mistress, and a foreign guest. 
 UiU thou, secure of soul, unbent with woes. 
 The more thy fortune frowns, the more oppose. 
 The dawnings of thy safety shall be shewn, 115 
 
 From — whence thou least shalt hope — a Grecian 
 town.' 
 Thus, from the dark recess, the Sibyl spoke ; 
 And the resisting air the thunder broke ; 
 The cave rebellow'd, and the temple shook. 
 Th' ambiguous pod, who rul'd her lab'ring breast, 150 
 In these mysterious words his mind express'd : 
 Some truths reveal'd, in terms involv'd the rest. 
 At length her fury fell: her foaming ceas'd. 
 And, ebbing in her soul, the god decreasd. 
 Then thus the chief : ' No terror to my view, 155 
 
 No frightful face of danger, can be new. 
 Inur'd to suffer, and resolv'd to dare, 
 The Fates, withoutmypow'r,shallbewithoutmy c.re. 
 This let me crave — since near your grove the road 
 To hell lies open, and the dark abode ISO 
 
 Which Acheron surrounds, th' innavigable flood — 
 Conduct me through the regions void of light, 
 And lead me longing to my father's sight. 
 For him, a thousand dangers I have sought. 
 And, rushing where the thickest Grecians fought, 1<5J 
 Safe on my back the sacred burden brought.
 
 ^NEIS, VI. 275 
 
 He for my sake, the raging ocean tried, 
 
 And wrath of Heav'n (my still auspicious guide), 
 
 And bore, beyond the strength decrepit age supplied. 
 
 Oft, since he breath'd his last, in dead of night, 170 
 
 His rev'rend image stood before my sight ; 
 
 Enjoin'd to seek, below, his holy shade — 
 
 Conducted there by your unerring aid. 
 
 But you, if pious minds by pray'rs are won, 
 
 Oblige the father, and protect the son. 175 
 
 Yours is the pow'r ; nor Proserpine in vain 
 
 Has made you priestess of her mighty reign. 
 
 If Orpheus, arm'd with his enchanting lyre. 
 
 The ruthless king with pity could inspire. 
 
 And from the shades below redeem his wife : 180 
 
 If Pollux, ofF'ring his alternate life, 
 
 Could free his brother, and can daily go 
 
 By turns aloft, by turns descend below; — 
 
 Why name I Theseus, or his greater friend, 
 
 Who trod the downward path, and upward could 
 
 ascend? — 185 
 
 Not less than theirs, from Jove my lineage came ; 
 My mother greater, my descent the same.' 
 So pray'd the Trojan prince, and, whUe he pray'd, 
 His hand upon the holy altar laid. 
 Then thus replied the prophetess divine : 190 
 
 ' O goddess-bom, of great Anchises* line ! 
 The gates of hell are open night and day : 
 Smooth the descent, and easy is the way : 
 But to return, and view the cheerful skiea — 
 In this the task and mighty labour lies. lt>5 
 
 To few great Jupittr imparts this grace. 
 And those of shining worth, and heav'nly race, 
 Betwixt those regions and our upper light, 
 Deep forests and impenetrable night 
 Possess the middle space : th' infernal bounds 200 
 
 Cocytus, with his sable waves, surrounds. 
 But, if so dire a love your soul invades. 
 As twice below to view the trembling shades ; 
 If you so hard a toil will undertake, 
 As twice to pass th' innavigable lake ; '2ii3 
 
 Receive my counsel. In theneighb'ring grove 
 There stands a tree ; the queen of Stygian Jove
 
 276 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Claims it her own ; thick woods and gloomy night 
 Conceal the happy plant from human sight. 
 One bough it bears; but (wond'rous to behold!) 210 
 The ductile rind and leaves of radiant gold : 
 This from the vulgar branches must be torn. 
 And to fair Proserpine the present borne. 
 Ere leave be giv'n to tempt the nether skies. 
 The first thus rent, a second will arise ; 215 
 
 And the same metal the same room supplies. 
 Look round the wood, with lifted eyes, to see 
 The lurking gold upon the fatal tree : 
 Then rend it off, as holy rites command : 
 The willing metal will obey thy hand, 220 
 
 Following with ease, if favour'd by thy fate. 
 Thou art foredoom'd to view the Stygian state : 
 If not, no labour can the tree constrain ; 
 And strength of stubborn arms, and steel, are vain. 
 Besides, you know not, while you here attend, 225 
 Th' unworthy fate of your unhappy friend : 
 Breathless he lies ; and his unburied ghost, 
 Depriv'd of fun'ral rites pollutes your host. 
 Pay first his pious dues : and, for the dead. 
 Two sable sheep around his hearse be led ; 230 
 
 .Then, living turfs upon his body lay: 
 This done, securely take the destin'd way. 
 To find the regions destitute of day.' 
 She said, and held her peace. — ^Eneas went 
 Sad from the cave, and full of discontent, 2.'i5 
 
 Unknowing whom the sacred Sibyl meant. 
 Achates, the companion of his breast. 
 Goes grieving by his side, with equal cares op- 
 
 press'd. 
 Walking, they talk'd, and fruitlessly divin'd, 
 What friend the priestess by those words design'd. 
 But soon they found an object to deplore : 241 
 
 Misenus lay extended on the shore — 
 Son of the god of winds: — none so renown'd, 
 The warrior-trumpet in the fields to sound; 
 With breathing brass to kindle fierce alarms, 21.') 
 
 And rouse to dare their fate in honourable arras. 
 He serv'd great Hector, and was ever near, 
 Kot with his trumpet only, but his spear.
 
 .5NEIS, VI. 277 
 
 Bat, by Pelides' arm when Hector fell, 
 
 He chose ^■Eneas ; and he chose as well. 250 
 
 Swoln with applause, and aiming stil! at more, 
 
 He now provokes the sea-gods from the shore, 
 
 With envy, Triton heard the martial sound. 
 
 And the bold champion, for his challenge, 
 
 drcwn'd ; 
 Then cast his mangled carcase on the strand. — 255 
 The gazing crowd around the body stand. 
 Ail weep ; but most ^'Eneas mourns his fate. 
 And hastens to perform the fun'ral state. 
 In altar-wise, a stately pile they rear; 
 The basis broad below, and top advanc'd in air. 260 
 An ancient wood, fit for the work design'd 
 (The shady covert of the savage kind). 
 The Trojans found : the sounding axe is plied : 
 Firs, pines, and pitch-trees, and the tow'ring pride 
 Of forest ashes, feel the fatal stroke ; 265 
 
 And piercing wedges cleave the stubborn oak. 
 Huge trunks of trees, fell'd from the steepy crowu 
 Of the bare mountains, roll with ruin down. 
 Arm'd like the rest the Trojan prince appears. 
 And, by hU pious labour, urges theirs. 270 
 
 Thus while he wrought, revolving in his mind 
 The ways to compass what his wish design'd. 
 He cast his eyes upon the gloomy grove. 
 And then with vows implor'd the queen of love : 
 ' O ! may thy power, propitious still to me, 275 
 
 Conduct my steps to find the fatal tree. 
 In this deep forest ; since the Sibyl's breath 
 Foretold, alas! toj true, Misenus" death.' 
 Scarce had he said, when, full before his sight. 
 Two doves, descending from their airy iiight, 2S0 
 
 Secure upon the grassy plain alight. 
 He knew his mother's birds; and thus he pray'd: 
 • Be you ray guides, with your auspicious aid. 
 And lead my footsteps, till the branch be found, 
 Whose glitt'ring shadow gilds the sacred ground. 285 
 And thou, great parent ! with celestial care. 
 In this distress, be present to my pray'r.' 
 Thus having said, he stopp'd, with watchful sight 
 Observing still the motions of their flight,
 
 278 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 What course they took, what happy signs they 
 
 shew. "200 
 
 They fed, and, flatt'ring, by degrees withdrew 
 Still farther from the place; but still in view; 
 Hopping and flying thus, they led him on 
 To the slow lake ; whose baleful stench to shun, 
 They wing'd their flight aloft; then, stooping low, 29't 
 Perch'd on the double tree that bears the golden bough. 
 Through the green leaves the glitt'ring shadows glow ; 
 As, on the sacred oak, the wint'ry niisletoe. 
 Where the proud mother views her precious brood. 
 And happier branches, which she never sow'd. 300 
 
 Such was the glitt'ring: such the ruddy rind. 
 And dancing leaves, that wanton'd in the wind. 
 He seiz'd the shining bough with griping hold. 
 And rent away with ease, the ling'ring gold; 
 Then to the Sibyl's palace bore the prize. .305 
 
 aieantime, the Trojan troops, with weeping eyes. 
 To dead Miseuus pay his obsequies. 
 First, from the ground, a lofty pile they rear, 
 Of pitch trees, oaks, and pines, and unctuous fir: 
 The fabric's front with cypress twigs they strew, 310 
 And stick the sides with boughs of baleful yew. 
 Tlie topmast part his glitt'ring arms adorn ; 
 Warm waters, then, in brazen caldrons borne. 
 Are pour'd to wash his body, joint by joint; 
 And fragrant oils the stiffen'd limbs anoint. 315 
 
 With groans and cries Misenus they deplore : 
 Then on a bier, with purple cover'd o'er. 
 The breathless body, thus bewail'd, they lay. 
 And fire the pile, their faces tum'd away, 
 (Such rev'rent rites their fathers us'd to pay.) 3'iO 
 Pure oil and incense on the fire they throw, 
 And fat of victims, which his friends bestow. 
 These gifts the greedy flames to dust devour : 
 Then, on the living coals, red wine they pour ; 
 And, last, the reliques by themselves dispose, 3i5 
 
 Which in a brazen urn the priests inclose. 
 Old Corynjeus compass'd thrice the crew. 
 And dipp'd an olive-branch in holy dew ; ' 
 Which thrice he sprinkled round ; and thrice aloud 
 Invok'd the dead, and then dismiss'd the crowd. 3C')
 
 ^NEIS, VI. 279 
 
 But good iEneas order'd on the shore 
 A stately tomb, whose top a trumpet bore, 
 A soldier's falchion , and a seaman's oar. 
 Thus WH3 his friend interr'd : and deathless fame 
 Still to the lofty cape consigns his name. 33.5 
 
 These rites performd. the prince, without delay, 
 Hastes to the nether world, his destin'd way. 
 Deep was the cave; and, downward as it went 
 From the wide mouth, a rocky rough descent; 
 And here th' access a gloomy grove defends ; 340 
 
 And here th' innavigable lake extends. 
 O'er whose unhappy waters, void of light. 
 No bird presumes to steer his airy flight ; 
 Such deadly stenches from the depth arise. 
 And steaming sulphur, that infects the skies. 313 
 
 From hence the Grecian bards their legends make. 
 And give the name Averous to the lake. 
 Four sable bullocks, in the yoke untaught, 
 For sacrifice the pious hero brought. 
 The priestess pours the wine betwixt their horns; 350 
 Then cuts the curling hair; that first oblation 
 
 burns, 
 Invoking Hecat hither to repair — 
 A pow'rful name in hell and upper air. 
 The sacred priests, with ready knives, bereave 
 The beasts of life, and in full bowls receive 355 
 
 The streaming blood : a lamb to Hell and Night 
 (The sable wool without a streak of white) 
 i^neas offers : and, by Fate's decree, 
 A barren heifer, Proserpine, to thee ! 
 With holocausts he Pluto's altar fills : 360 
 
 Sev'n brawny bulls with his own hand he kills: 
 Then, on the broiling entrails, oil he pours ; 
 Which, ointed thus, the raging flame devours. 
 Late the nocturnal sacrifice begun. 
 Nor ended till the next returning sun, SOU 
 
 Then earth began to bellow, trees to dance, 
 And howling dogs in glimru'ring light advance. 
 Ere Hecat came. — ' Far hence be souls profane ' 
 The Sibyl cried — * and from the grove abstain ! 
 Now, Trojan, take the way thy Fates afibrd ; 370 
 
 Assume thy courage, and unsheath thy sword.'
 
 280 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL, 
 
 She said, and pass'd along Ibe gloomy space : 
 The prince pursu'd her steps with equal pace. 
 
 Ye realms, yet unreveal'd to human sight ! 
 Ye gods, who rule the regions of the night ! 375 
 
 Ye gliding ghosts ! permit me to relate 
 The mystic wonders of your silent state. 
 
 Obscure they went through dreary shades, that led 
 Along the waste dominions of the dead. 
 Thus wander travellers in woods by night, 880 
 
 By the moon's doubtful and malignant light. 
 When Jove in dusky clouds involves the skies. 
 And the faint crescent shoots by fits before their eyes. 
 
 Just in the gate, and in the jaws of hell. 
 Revengeful Cares and sullen Sorrows dwell, 3H5 
 
 And pale Diseases, and repining Age, 
 AYant, Fear, and Famines unresisted rage; [Sleep, 
 Here Toils, and Death, and Death's half-brother, 
 (Forms terrible to view), their sentry keep ; 
 With anxious Pleasures of a guilty mind, 39U 
 
 Deep Frauds before, and open Force behind ; 
 The Furies' iron beds ; and Strife, that shakes 
 Her his.sing tresses, and unfolds her snakes. 
 Full in the midst of this infernal road, 
 An elm displays her dusky arms abroad : 395 
 
 7 he god of sleep there hides his heavy head ; 
 And empty dreams on ev'ry leaf are spread. 
 Of various forms unnumber'd spectres more. 
 Centaurs, and double shapes, besiege the door. 
 Before the passage, horrid Hydra stands, 400 
 
 And Briareus with all his hundred hands ; 
 Gorgons, Geryou with his triple frame ; 
 And vain Chimgera vomits empty flame. 
 The chief unsheath'd his shining steel, prepar'd. 
 Though seiz'd with sudden fear, to force the guard, 
 Off'ring bis brandish'd weapon at their face ; 406 
 
 Had not the Sibyl stopp'd his eager pace, 
 And told him what those empty phantoms were — 
 Forms without bodies, and impassive air. 
 Hence to deep Acheron they take their way, 410 
 
 Whose troubled eddies, thick with ooze and clay, 
 Are whirl'd aloft, and in Cocytus lost : 
 There Charon stands, who rules the dreary coast —
 
 /ENEIS, VI. 2S1 
 
 A sordid god ; down from his hoary chin 
 A length of beard descends, uncorab'd, unclean : 415 
 His eyes, like hollow furnaces on fire ; 
 A girdle, foul with grease, binds his obscene attire. 
 He spreads his cauTas ; with bis pole he steers; 
 The freights of flitting ghosts in his thin bottom 
 
 bears. 
 He look'd in years : yet, in his years, were seen 420 
 A youthful vigour, and autumnal green. 
 An airy crowd carae rushing where he stood. 
 Which fiU'd the margin of the fatal flood — 
 Husbands and wives, boys and unmarried maids, 
 And mighty heroes' more majestic shades. 425 
 
 And youths, intomb'd before their fathers' eyes. 
 With hollow groans, and shrieks, and feeble cries. 
 Thick as the leaves in autumn strew the woods. 
 Or fowls by winter forc'd, forsake the floods. 
 And wing their hasty flight to happier lands — 430 
 Such, and so thick, the shiv'ring army stands. 
 And press for passage with extended hands. 
 
 Now these, now those, the surly boatman bore : 
 The rest he drove to distance from the shore. 
 The hero, who beheld, with wond'ring eyes, 43j 
 
 The tumult mix'd with shrieks, laments, and cries, 
 Ask'd of his guide, what the rude concourse meant ? 
 Why to the shore the thronging people bent? 
 What forms of law among the ghosts were us'd ? 
 Why some were ferried o'er, and some refus'd ? 440 
 ' Son of Anchises ! offspring of the gods ! 
 (The Sibyl said), you see the Stygian floods. 
 The sacred streams which Heavn's imperial state 
 Attests in oaths, and fears to violate. 
 The ghosts rejected are th' unhappy crew 445 
 
 Depriv d of sepulchres and fun'ral due ; 
 The boatman, Charon : those, the buried host. 
 He ferries over to the farther coast ; 
 Nor dares his transport vessel cross the waves 4 10 
 With such whose bones are not compos'd in gravels. 
 A hundred years they wander on the shore ; 
 At length, their penance done, are wafted o'er.' 
 The Trojan chief his forward pace repressed. 
 Revolving anxious thoughts within his breast. iVl
 
 282 THE WORKS OP VIRGIL. 
 
 He saw Lis friends, who, whelm'd beneath the waves, 
 
 Their fuu'ral honours claim'd, and ask'd their quiet 
 
 The lost Leucaspis in the crowd he knew, [graves. 
 
 And the brave leader of the Lycian crew. 
 
 Whom on the Tyrrhene seas, the tempests met ; 
 
 The sailors master'd, and the ship o'erset. 460 
 
 Amidst the spirits, Palinurus press'd, 
 
 Yet fresh from life, a new admitted guest. 
 
 Who, while he steering view'd the stars, and bore 
 
 His course from Afric to the Latian shore. 
 
 Fell headloD"^ down. The Trojan fix'd his yiew, 485 
 
 And scarcely through the gloom the sullen shadow 
 
 knew. 
 Then thus the prince : * What envious pow'r, O friend ! 
 Brought your lov'd life to this disastrous end? 
 For Phoebus, ever true in all he said, 
 Has in your fate alone my faith hetray'd. 470 
 
 The god foretold you should not die before 
 You reach'd, secure from seas, th' Italian shore. 
 Is this th' unerring pow'r?' — The ghost replied : 
 ' Nor Phoebus flatter'd, nor his answers lied : 
 Nor envious gods have sent me to the deep ; 475 
 
 But, while the stars and course of heav'n I keep, 
 My wearied eyes were seiz'd with fatal sleep. 
 I fell ; and, with my weight, the helm constrain'd 
 W^as drawn along, which yet my gripe retained. 
 Now by the winds and raging waves I swear, 4S'} 
 Your safety, more than mine, was then my care : 
 Lest, of the guide bereft, the rudder lost. 
 Your ship should run against the rocky coast. 
 Three blust'ring nights, borne by the southern blast, 
 I floated, and discover'd land at last : 480 
 
 High on a mounting wave my head I bore, 
 Forcing my strength, and gath'ring to the shore. 
 Panting, but past the danger, now I seiz'd 
 The craggy cliffs, and my tir'd members eas'd. 
 W^hile, curaber'd with my dropping clothes, I lay, 4S0 
 The cruel nation, covetous of prey, 
 Stain'd with my blood th' unhospitable coast : 
 And now, by winds and waves, my lifeless limbs are 
 Which, O ! avert, by yon ethereal light, [tossM : 
 
 Which I have lost for this eternal night : 495
 
 ^NEIS.VI. 283 
 
 Or, if by dearer ties you may be won, 
 
 By your dead sire, or by your liviug son. 
 
 Redeem from this reproach my wand'ring ghost. 
 
 Or with your navy seek the Yelin coast. 
 
 And in a peaceful grave my corpse compose ; TiOO 
 
 Or, if a nearer way your mother shews 
 
 (Without whose aid, you durst not undertake 
 
 This frightful passage o'er the Stygian lake). 
 
 Lend to this wretch your hand, and waft him o'er 
 
 To the sweet banks of yon forbidden shore.' 505 
 
 Scarce had he said ; the prophetess began : 
 
 ' What hopes delude thee, miserable man ? 
 
 Think'st thou, thus uniutomb'd to cross the floods. 
 
 To view the Furies and infernal gods. 
 
 And visit, without leave, the dark abodes 1 510 
 
 Attend the term of long revolving years : 
 
 Fate, and the dooming gods, are deaf to tears. 
 
 This comfort of thy dire misfortune take — 
 
 The wrath of Heav'n, inflicted for thy sake. 
 
 With vengeance shall pursue th' inhuman coast, 315 
 
 Till they propitiate thy ofi'ended ghost. 
 
 And raise a tomb, with vows and solemn pray'r; 
 
 And Palinurus' name the place shall bear.' 
 
 This calm'd his cares— soothd with his future fame, 
 
 And pleas'd to hear his propagated name. biO 
 
 Now nearer to the Stygian lake they draw : 
 Whom, from the shore, the surly boatman saw ; 
 Observ'd their passage through the shady wood. 
 And mark'd their near approaches to the flood : 
 Then thus he call'd aloud, inflam'd with wrath: 525 
 * Mortal, whate'er, who this forbidden path 
 In arms presum'st to tread ! I charge thee, stand. 
 And teJl thy name, and bus'ness in the land. 
 Know, this the realm of night — the Stygian shore ; 
 My boat conveys no living bodies o'er : 530 
 
 Nor was I pleas'd great Theseus once to bear 
 (Who forc'd a passage with his pointed spear). 
 Nor strong Alcides— men of mighty fame; 
 And from th' immortal gods their lineage came. 
 In fetters one the barking porter tied, 535 
 
 And took him trembling from his sovereign's side : 
 Two sought by force to seize his beauteous bride.'
 
 281 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 To whom the Sibyl thus : ' Compose thy mind : 
 
 Nor frauds are here contriv'd, nor force design'd. 
 
 Still may the dog the wand'ring troops constrain 540 
 
 Of airy ghosts, and rex the guilty train ; 
 
 And with her grisly lord his lovely queen remain. 
 
 The Trojan chief, whose lineage is froiu Jove, 
 
 Much fam'd for arms, and more for filial love, 
 
 Is sent to seek his sire in your Elysian grove. 545 
 
 If neither piety, nor Heav'n's command, 
 
 Can gain his passage to the Stjgian strand, 
 
 This fatal present shall prevail at least.' — [vest. 
 
 Then shew'd the shining bough, conceal'd within her 
 
 Nor more was needful: for the gloomy god 550 
 
 Stood mute with awe, to see the golden rod; 
 
 Admir'd the destin'd off'ring to his queen — 
 
 A venerable gift, so rarely seen. 
 
 His fury thus appeas'd, he puts to land : 
 
 The ghosts forsake their seats at his command: 555 
 
 He clears the deck, receives the mighty freight ; 
 
 The leaky vessel groans beneath the weight. 
 
 Slowly she sails, and scarcely stems the tides : 
 
 The pressing water pours within her sides. 
 
 His passengers at length are wafted o'er, 560 
 
 Expos'd, in muddy weeds, upon the miry shore. 
 
 No sooner landed, in his den they found 
 
 The triple porter of the Stygian sound. 
 
 Grim Cerberus, who soon began to rear 
 
 His crested snakes, and arm'd his bristling Lair. .505 
 
 The prudent Sibyl had before prepar'd 
 
 A sop, in honey steep'd, to charm the guard ; 
 
 Which, mix'd with pow'rful drugs, she cast before 
 
 His greedy grinning jaws, just op'd to roar. 569 
 
 With three enormous mouths he gapes ; and straight. 
 
 With hunger press'd, devours the pleasing bait. 
 
 Long draughts of sleep his monstrous limbs enslave ; 
 
 He reels, and, falling, fills the spacious cave. 
 
 The keeper charm'd, the chief without delay 
 
 Pass'd on, and took th' irremeable way. C>7r> 
 
 Before the gates, the cries of babes new-born. 
 
 Whom Fate had from their tender mothers torn. 
 
 Assault his ears : then those, whom form of laws 
 
 Condemn'd to die, when traitors judg'd their cause.
 
 ^NEIS, Vr. 2S5 
 
 Nor want they lots, nor judges to review 580 
 
 The \\Tongful sentence, and award a new. 
 
 ]\rinos, the strict inquisitor, appears ; 
 
 And lives and crimes, with his assessors, hears. 
 
 Round, in his urn, the blended balls he rolls, 
 
 Absolves the just, and dooms the guilty souls. 585 
 
 The next, in place and punishment, are they 
 
 Who prodigally threw their souls away — 
 
 Fools, who, repining at their wretched state, 
 
 And loathing anxious life, suborn'd their fate. 
 
 With late repentance, now they would retrieve 590 
 
 The bodies they forsook, and wish to live ; 
 
 Their pains and poverty desire to bear. 
 
 To view the light of heay'n, and breathe the vital 
 
 air: 
 But Fate forbjds ; the Stygian floods oppose, 
 And, with nine circling streams, the captive souls in- 
 close. fi95 
 Not far from thence, the Mournful Fields appear, 
 So call'd from lovers that inhabit there. 
 The souls whom that unhappy flame invades, 
 In secret solitude and myrtle shades, 
 Make endless moans, and, pining with desire, 600 
 Lament too late their unextinguish'd fire. 
 Here Procris, Eriphyle here he found 
 Baring her breast, yet bleeding with the wound 
 Made by her son. He saw Pasipha'e there, 
 IV'ith Phaedra's ghost, a foul incestuous pair. 605 
 There Laodamia, with Evadne, moves — 
 Unhappy both, but loyal in their loves: 
 Caeneus, a woman once, and once a man. 
 But ending in the sex she first began. 
 Not far from these Phoenician Dido stood, 610 
 Fresh from her wound, her bosom bath'd in blood ; 
 Whom when the Trojan hero hardly knew. 
 Obscure in shades, and with a doubtful view 
 (Doubtful as he who sees, through dusky niglit. 
 Or thinks he sees, the moon's uncertain light), 015 
 With tears he first approach'd the sullen shade; 
 And, as his love inspir'd him, thus he said : 
 ' Unhappy queen ! then is the common breath 
 Of rumour true, in your reported death,
 
 286 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 And I, alas! the cause? — By Heav'n, I vow, 620 
 And all the pow'rs that rule the realms below, 
 Unwilling I forsook your friendly state, 
 Commanded by the gods, and forc'd by Fate — 
 Those gods, that Fate, whose unresisted might 
 Have sent me to these regions void of light, 625 
 
 Through the vast empire of eternal night. 
 Nor dar'd I to presume, that, pressd with grief, 
 My flight should urge you to this dire relief. 
 Stay, stay your steps, and listen to icy vows ! 
 'lis the last interview that Fate allows !' C.iO 
 
 In vain he thus attempts her mind to move 
 With tears and pray'rs, and late repenting love. 
 Disdainfully she look'd; then turning round. 
 She fix'd her eyes unmov'd upon the ground, 
 And, what he says and swears, regards no more 635 
 Than the deaf rocks, when the loud billows roar ; 
 But whirl'd away, to shun his hateful sight, 
 Hid in the forest, and the shades of night; 
 Then sought Sichseus through the shady grove, 
 Who answer'd all her cares, and equali'd all her 
 
 love. 640 
 
 Some pious tears the pitying hero paid. 
 And foUow'd with his eyes the flitting shade. 
 Then took the forward way, by Fate ordain'd. 
 And, with his guide, the farther fields attain'd. 
 Where, sever'd from the rest, the warrior souls re- 
 
 main'd. 645 
 
 Tydeus he met, with Meleager's race, 
 The pride of armies, and the soldiers' grace; 
 And pale Adrastus with his ghastly face. 
 Of Trojan chiefs he view'd a num'rous train. 
 All much lamented, all in battle slain — 650 
 
 Glaucus and Medon, high above the rest, 
 Antenor'a sons, and Ceres' sacred priest, 
 And proud Idaeus, Priam's charioteer, 
 Who shakes his empty reins, and aims his airy 
 
 spear. 
 The gladsome ghosts, in circling troops, attend, 655 
 And with unwearied eyes behold their friend ; 
 Delight to hover near, and long to know 
 What bus'ness brought him to the realms below.
 
 ^NEIS, A'l. 2S7 
 
 But Argive chiefs, and Agamemnon'a train. 
 When his tefolgent arms flaah'd through the shady- 
 plain, GGO 
 Fled from his well-known face, with wonted fear, 
 As when his thund'ring sword and pointed spear 
 Drove headlong to their ships, and glean'd the routed 
 
 rear. 
 They rais'd a feeble cry, with trembUng notes : 
 But the weak, voice deceiv'd their gasping throats. G6o 
 Here Priam's son, De'iphobus, he found. 
 Whose face and limbs were one continu'd wound. 
 Dishonest, with lopp'd arms, the youth appears, 
 Spoil'd of his nose, and shorten'd of his ears. 
 He scarcely knew him, striving to disown 670 
 
 His blotted form, and blushing to be known ; 
 And therefore first began : ' O Teucer's race ! 
 Who durst thy faultless figure thus deface? 
 What heart could wish, what hand inflict, this dire 
 
 disgrace ? 
 'Twas fam'd, that, in our last and fatal night, G75 
 Your single prowess long sustain'd the tight, 
 Till tir'd, not forc'd, a glorious fate you chose, 
 And fell upon a heap of slaughter'd foes. 
 But, in remembrance of so brave a deed, 
 A tomb and fun'ral honours I decreed ; CSO 
 
 Thrice call'd your manes on the Trojan plains: 
 The place your armour and your name retains. 
 Your body too I sought, and, had I found, 
 Design'd for burial in your native ground.' 
 
 The ghost replied : ' Your pietj? has paid GSj 
 
 AU needful rites to rest my wand'ring shade : 
 But cruel Fate, and my more cruel wife. 
 To Grecian swords betray'd my sleeping life. 
 These are the monuments of Helen's love — 
 The shame I bear below, the marks I bore above. 090 
 You know in what deluding joys we past 
 The night, that was by Heav'n decreed our last. 
 For, when the fatal horse, descending down. 
 Pregnant with arms, o'erwhelm'd th' unhappy 
 
 town, 
 She feign'd nocturnal orgies; left my bed, G'j') 
 
 And, mix'd with Trojan dames, the dances led;
 
 288 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Then, waving high her torch, the signal made. 
 Which rous'd the Grecians from their ambuscadt\ 
 With watching over-worn, with cares oppressed, 
 Unhappy I had laid me down to rest; ; 
 
 And heavy sleep my weary limbs possess'd, 
 Meantime my worthy wife our arms mislaid, 
 And, from beneath my head, my sword convey'd; 
 The door nnlatch'd, and, with repeated calls, 
 Invites her former lord wilhin my walls. /i 
 
 Thus in her crime her confidence she placM, 
 And with new treasons would redeem the past. 
 What need I more t Into the room they ran. 
 And meanly murder'd a defenceless man. 
 Ulysses, basely born, first led the way. — 'i 
 
 Avenging pow'rs! with justice if I pray, 
 That fortune be their own another day! 
 But answer you; and in your turn relate, 
 What brought you, living, to the Stygian state. 
 Driv'n by the winds and errors of the sea, < 
 
 Or did you Heav'n's superior doom obey? 
 Or tell what other chance conducts your way. 
 To view, with mortal eyes, our dark retreats, 
 Tumults and torments of th' infernal seats.' 
 
 While thus, in talk, the flying hours they pass, 1 
 The sun had finish'd more than half his race : 
 And they, perhaps, in words and tears had spent 
 The little time of stay which heav'n had lent : 
 But thus the Sibyl chides their long delay : / 
 
 * Night rushes down, and headlong drives the day: 
 'Tis here, in di9''rent paths, the way divides : 
 The right to Pluto's golden palace guides : 
 The left to that unhappy region tends 
 Which to the depth of Tartarus descends — 
 The seat of night profound, and punish'd fiends.' 3 
 Then thus Deiphobus : ' O sacred maid! 
 Forbear to chide ; and be your will obey'd. 
 Lo ! to the secret shadows I retire. 
 To pay my penance till my years expire. 
 Proceed, auspicious prince, with glory crowu'd, 7 
 And born to better fates than I have found.' 
 He said; and while he said, his steps he tnrn'd 
 To secret shadows, and in silence mourn'd.
 
 ^NEIS, VI. 259 
 
 The hero, looting on the left, espied 
 A lofty tow'r. and strong on ev'ry side 740 
 
 With treble walls, which Phlegethon surrounds. 
 Whose fiery flood the burning empire bounds : 
 And, press'd betwixt the rocks, the bellowing nol^e 
 
 resounds. 
 Wide is the fronting gate, and rais'd on high 
 With adamantine columns, threats the sky. 713 
 
 Vain is the force of man, and heav'n's as vain, 
 To crush the pillars which the pile sustain. 
 Sublime on these, a towr of steel is rear"d ; 
 And dire Tisiphone there keeps the ward. 
 Girt in her sanguine gown, by night and day, 7J0 
 Observant of the souls that pa.ss the downward way. 
 From hence are heard the groans of ghosts, the pains 
 Of sounding lashes, and of dragging chains. 
 The Trojan stood astonish'd at their cries, 754 
 
 And ask'd his guide, from whence those yells arise ; 
 And what the crimes, and what the tortures were, 
 And loud laments that rent the liquid air. 
 She thus replied : ' The chaste and holy race 
 Are ail forbidden this polluted place. 
 But Hecat, when she gave to rule the woods, 760 
 
 Then led me trembling through these dire abodes. 
 And taught the tortures of th' avenging gods. 
 These are the realms of unrelenting Fate ; 
 And awful Rhadamanthus rules the state : 
 He hears and judges each committed crime; 765 
 
 Inquires into the manner, place, and time. 
 The conscious wretch must all his acts reveal 
 (Loth to confess, unable to conceal). 
 From the first moment of his vital breath. 
 To hL-5 last hour of unrepenting death. 770 
 
 Straight o'er the guilty ghost, the Fury shakes 
 The sounding whip, and brandishes her snakes. 
 And the pale sinner, with her sisters, takes. 
 Then, of itself , unfolds th' eternal door : 
 With dreadfi.'l sounds the brazen hinges roar. "".5 
 
 You see, bef re the gate, what stalking ghost 
 Commands the giiard, what sentiies keep the fo.-t. 
 More formidable Hydra stands within, 
 H'ho=;^'jaws with iron teeth severelv grin. 
 N
 
 390 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 The gapiny gulf low to the centre lies, 780 
 
 And twice as deep, as earth is distant from the skies. 
 
 The rivals of the gods, the Titan race, [space. 
 
 Here, sing'd with lightning, roll within th' unfathoni'd 
 
 Here lie ih' Alo'ean twins (I saw them both). 
 
 Enormous bodies, of gigantic growth, 78.1 
 
 Who dar'd in fight the Thunderer to defy. 
 
 Affect his heav'n, and force him from the sky. 
 
 Salraoneus, suff'ring cruel pains, I found, 
 
 For emulating Jove with rattling sound 
 
 Of niinjir, thunder, and the glitt'ring blaze 790 
 
 Of pointed lightnings, and their forky rays. 
 
 Through E'.is, and the Grecian towns, he flew: 
 
 Th' audacious wretch four fiery coursers drew : 
 
 He wav'd a tortth aloft, and, madly vain, 
 
 Sought godlike worship from a servile train. 705 
 
 Ambitious fool! with horny hoofs to pass 
 
 O'er hollow arches of resounding brass, 
 
 To rival thunder in its rapid course, 
 
 And imitate inimitable force ! 
 
 But he, the king of heav'n, obscure on high, 800 
 
 Bar'd his red arm, and, launching from the sky 
 
 His writhen bolt, not shaking empty smoke, 
 
 Down to the deep abyss the flaming felon struck. 
 
 There Tityus was to see, who took his birth 
 
 From heav'n, his nursing from the foodfal earth. HO."} 
 
 Here his gigantic limbs, with large embrace, 
 
 Infold nine acres of infernal space. 
 
 A rav'nous vulture, in his open'd side, 
 
 Her crooked beak and cruel talons tried ; 
 
 Still for the growing liver digg'd his breast : 810 
 
 The growing liver still supplied the feast; 
 
 Still are his entrails fruitful to their pains : 
 
 Th' immortal hunger lasts, th* immortal food remains. 
 
 Ixion and Pirithoiis I could name. 
 
 And more Thessalian chiefs of mighty fame. 815 
 
 High o'er their heads a mould'ring rock is plac'd. 
 
 That promises a fall, and shakes at ev'ry blast. 
 
 They lie below, on golden beds displayed; 
 
 And genial feasts with regal pomp are made. 
 
 The* queen of Furies by their sides is set, 820 
 
 And snatches from their mouths th' uutasted meat,
 
 ^NEIS, VI. 291 
 
 Which if they touch, her hissing snakes she reaTS, 
 
 Tossintr her torch, and thund'ring in their ears. 
 
 Then they, wVio brothers' better claim disown. 
 
 Expel their parents, and usurp the throne; 825 
 
 Defraud their clients, and, to lucre sold. 
 
 Sit brooding on unprofitable gold — 
 
 Who dare not give, and ev'n refuse to lend. 
 
 To their poor kindred, or a wanting friend — 
 
 Vast is the throng of these ; nor less the train 830 
 
 Of lustful youths, for foul adult'ry slain — 
 
 Hosts of deserters, who their honour sold, 
 
 And basely broke their faith for bribes of gold. 
 
 All these within the dungeon's depth remain, 
 
 Despairing pardon, and expecting pain. 835 
 
 Ask not what pains ; nor farther seek to know 
 
 Their process, or the forms of law below. 
 
 Some roll a mighty stone ; some, laid along, [hung. 
 
 And bound with burning wires, on spokes of wheels are 
 
 Unhappy Theseus, doom'd for ever there, 840 
 
 Is fix'd by Fate on his eternal chair : 
 
 And wretched Phlegyas warns the world with cries 
 
 (Could warning make the world more just or wise), 
 
 * Learn righteousness, and dread th' avenging deities.' 
 
 To tjrrants others have their country sold 845 
 
 Imposing foreign lords, for foreign gold : 
 
 Some have old laws repeal'd, new statutes made, 
 
 Not as the people pleas'd, but as they paid. 
 
 With incest some their daughters' bed profan'd. 
 
 All dar'd the worst of ills, and, what they dar'd, 
 
 attain'd. 850 
 
 Had I a hundred mouths, a hundred tongues. 
 And throats of brass, inspir'd with iron lungs, 
 I could not half those horrid crimes repeat, 
 Nor half the punishments those crimes have met. 
 But let us haste our voyage to pursue: 855 
 
 The walls of Pluto's palace are in view. 
 The gate, and iron arch above: — it stands — 
 On anvils labour'd by the Cyclops' hands. 
 Before our farther way the Fates allow, 
 Here must we fix on high the golden bough.' 8Q0 
 She said : and through the gloomy shades they pa.>-t. 
 And chose tlip middle path. — Arriv'd at la.st.
 
 292 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 The prince, with living water, sprinkled o'er 
 
 His limbs and body ; then approach'd the door, 
 
 Possess'd the porch, and on the front above 8C5 
 
 He fix d the fatal bough, requir'd by Pluto's love. 
 
 These holy rites perform'd, they took their way 
 
 Where long extended plains of pleasure lay. 
 
 The verdant fields with those of heav'n may vie, 
 
 With ether vested, and a purple sky — 870 
 
 The blissful seats of happy souls below : 
 
 Stars of their own, and their own suns, they know. 
 
 Their airy limbs in sport they exercise, 
 
 And, on the green contend the wrestler's prize. 
 
 Some, in heroic verse, divinely sing : 875 
 
 Others in artful measures lead the ring. 
 
 The Thracian bard, surrounded by the rest, 
 
 There stands conspicuous in his flowing vest. 
 
 His flying fingers, and harmonious quill, [fill. 
 
 Strike sev'n distinguish'd notes, and sev'n at once they 
 
 Here found they Teucer's old heroic race, SSI 
 
 Born better tiroes and happier years to grace. 
 
 Assaracus and Ilus here enjoy 
 
 Perpetual fame, with him who founded Troy. 
 
 The chief beheld their chariots from afar, 885 
 
 Their shining arms, and coursers train'd to war. 
 
 Their lances fix'd in earth— their steeds around, 
 
 Free from their harness, graze the flow'ry ground. 
 
 The love of horses which they had alive. 
 
 And care of chariots, after death survive. 890 
 
 Some cheerful souls were feasting on the plain : 
 
 Some did the song, and some the choir, maintain. 
 
 Beneath a laurel shade, where mighty Po 
 
 Mounts up to woods above, and hides his head below. 
 
 Here patriots live, who, for their country's good, 895 
 
 In fighting fields, were prodigal of blood : 
 
 Priests of unblemish'd lives here make abode, 
 
 And poets worthy their inspiring god; 
 
 And searching wits, of more mechanic parts. 
 
 Who grac'd their age with new invented arts; 910 
 
 Those who to worth their bounty did extend, 
 
 And those who knew that bounty to commend. 
 
 The heads of these with holy fillets bound, 
 
 And all their temples were with garlands crown'J.
 
 .?:NEIS, VI. 293 
 
 To these the Sibyl thus her speech address'd, 905 
 And first to him surrounded by the rest — 
 (Tow'ring his height, and ample was his breast) — 
 ' Say, happy souls ! divine Musaeus! say. 
 Where lives Anchises, and where lies our way 
 To find the hero, for whose only sake 910 
 
 We sought the dark abodes, and cross'd the bitter lake V 
 To this the sacred poet thvis replied : 
 ' In nofix'd place the happy souls reside. 
 In groves we live, and lie on mossy beds, 914 
 
 By crystal streams, that murmur through the meads: 
 But pass yon easy hill, and thence descend ; 
 The path conducts you to your journey's end. 
 This said, he led them up the mountain's brow, 
 And shews them all the shining fields below. 919 
 
 They wind the hill, and through the blissful meadows 
 But old Anchises, in a flow'ry vale, [go. 
 
 Review'd his muster'd race, and took the tale — 
 Those happy spirits which, ordain'd by Fate, 
 For future being and new bodies wait — 9'24 
 
 With stu;lious thought observ'd th' illustrious throng, 
 In nature's order, as they pass along — 
 Their names, their fates, their conduct, and their care, 
 In peaceful senates, and successful war. 
 He, when ^neas on the plain appears. 
 Meets him with open arms, and falling tears. 930 
 
 ' Welcome,' he said, ' the gods' undoubted race! 
 long expected to my dear embrace ! 
 Once more 'tis giv'n me to behold your face! 
 The love and pious duty which you pay, 
 Have pass'd the perils of so hard a way. 935 
 
 'Tis true, computing times, I now believ'd 
 The happy day approach'd ; nor are my hopes decei v'd. 
 What length of lands, what oceans have you pass'd. 
 What storms sustain'd,and on what shores been cast! 
 How have I fear'd your fate ! but fear'd it most, 940 
 When Love assail'd you on the Libyan coast.' 
 To this, the filial duty thus replies: 
 ' Your sacred ghost, before my sleeping eyes, 
 Appear'd, and often urg'd this painful enterprise. 
 After long tossing on the Tyrrhene sea, 945 
 
 My navy rides at anchor in the bay.
 
 294 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 But reach your band, oh parent shade ! nor shun 
 
 The dear embraces of your longing son!' 
 
 He said ; and falling tears his face bedew : 
 
 Then thrice, around his neck, his armshe threw; 950 
 
 And thrice the flitting shadow slipp'd away. 
 
 Like winds, or empty dreams that fly the day. 
 
 Now, in a secret vale, the Trojan sees 
 
 A sep'rate grove, through which a gentle breeze 
 
 Plays with a passing breath, and whispers through 
 
 the trees; 955 
 
 And, just before the confines of the wood, 
 The gliding Lethe leads her silent flood. 
 About the boughs an airy nation flew, 
 Thick as the humming bees, that hunt the golden dew 
 In summer's heat ; on tops of lilies feed, 960 
 
 And creep within their bells, to suck the balmy seed : 
 The winged army roams the field around : 
 The rivers and the rocks remurmur to the sound, 
 ^neas wond'ring stood, then ask'd the cause, 
 Which to the stream the crowding people draws. 9G3 
 Then thus the sire : * The souls that throng the flood 
 Are those, to whom, by Fate, are other bodies ow'd: 
 In Lethe's lake they long oblivion taste. 
 Of future life secure, forgetful of the past. 
 Long has my soul desir'd this time and place, 970 
 To set before your sight your glorious race, 
 That this presaging joy may fire your ujind. 
 To seek the shores by destiny design'd.' — 
 ' O father ! can it be, that souls sublime 
 Return to visit our terrestrial clime, 975 
 
 And that the gen'rous mind, releas'd by death. 
 Can covet lazy limbs, and mortal breath V 
 Anchises then, in order, thus begun 
 To clear those wonders to his godlike son : 
 ' Know, first, that beav'n, and earth's compacted frame, 
 And flowing waters, and the starry flame, 981 
 
 And both the radiant lights, one common soul 
 Inspires and feeds — and animates the whole. 
 This active mind, infus'd through all the space. 
 Unites and mingles with the mighty mass. 985 
 
 Hence men and beasts the breath of life obtain, 
 And birds of air, and monsters of the main.
 
 iENEIS, VI. 2(6 
 
 Th" ethereal vigour is in all the same : 
 
 And ev'ry soul is iill'd with equal flame — 
 
 As much as earthly limbs and gross allay 990 
 
 Of mortal members subject to decay, 
 
 Blunt not the beams of heav'n and edge of day. 
 
 From this coarse mixture of terrestrial parts. 
 
 Desire and fear by turns possess their hearts. 
 
 And grief, and joy : nor can the grov'lling miad, 995 
 
 In the dark dungeon of the limbs confin'd. 
 
 Assert the native skies, or own its heav'nlj- kind: 
 
 Nor death itself can wholly wash their stains ; 
 
 But long contracted filth ev'n in the soul remains. 
 
 The reliques of invet'rate vice they wear; 1000 
 
 And spots of sin obscene in ev'ry face appear. 
 
 For this are various penances enjoin'd ; 
 
 And some are hung to bleach upon the wind, 
 
 Some plung'd in waters, others purg'd in fires. 
 
 Till all the dregs are drain'd, and all the rust 
 
 expires. 1005 
 
 Ail have their manes, and those manes bear : 
 The few, so cleans'd, to these abodes repair, 
 And breathe, in ample fields, the soft Elysian air. 
 Then are they happy, when by length of time 1009 
 The scurf is worn away, of each committed crime ; 
 No speck is left of their habitual stains; 
 But the pure ether of the soul remains. 
 But, when a thousand rolling years are past 
 (So long their punishments and penance last), 
 Whole droves of minds are, by the dri\ing god, 1015 
 Compell'd to drink the deep Letheean flood, 
 In large forgetful draughts to steep the cares 
 Of their past labours and their irksome years. 
 That, unrememb'ring of its former pain. 
 The soul may suffer mortal flesh again.' 1020 
 
 Thus having said, the father spirit leads 
 The priestess and his son through swarms of shades. 
 And takes a rising ground, from thence to see 
 The long procession of his progeny. 
 ' Survey (pursu'd the sire) this airy throng, 1025 
 
 As, oflfer'd to the view, they pass along. 
 These are th' Italian names, which Fate wil! join 
 With ours, and grafi"upon the Trojan Une.
 
 296 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Observe the youth who first appears in sight, 
 
 And holds the nearest station to the light, 1030 
 
 Already seems to snuff the vital air, 
 
 And leans just forward on a shining spear : 
 
 Silvius is he, thy last-begotten race, 
 
 But first in order sent, to fill thy place — 
 
 An Alban name, but niix'd with Dardan blood : 1035 
 
 Born in the covert of a shady wood. 
 
 Him fair Lavinia, thy surviving wife. 
 
 Shall breed in groves, to lead a solitary life. 
 
 In Alba he shall fix his royal seat. 
 
 And, born a king, a race of kings beget; — 1040 
 
 Then Procas, honour of the Trojan name, 
 
 Capys,and Numitor, of endless fame. 
 
 A second Silvius after these appears — 
 
 Silvius ^Eneas, for thy name he bears — 
 
 For arms and justice equally renown'd; 1045 
 
 Who, late restor'd, in Alba shall be crown'd. 
 
 How great they look ! how vig'rously they wield 
 
 Their weighty lances ! and sustain the shield ! 
 
 But they, who crown'u with oaken wreaths appear. 
 
 Shall Gabian walls and strong Fidenae rear; 10.50 
 
 Nomentum, Bola, with Pometia, found; 
 
 And raise Collatian tow'rs on rocky ground. 
 
 All these shall then be towns of mighty fame, [name. 
 
 Though now they lie obscure, and lands without a 
 
 See Romulus the great, born to restore 1055 
 
 The crown that once his injur'd grandsire wore. 
 
 This prince a priestess of our blood shall bear ; 
 
 And like his sire in arms he shall appear. 
 
 Two rising crests his royal head adorn : 
 
 Born from a god, himself to godhead born, 1060 
 
 His sire already signs him for the skies. 
 
 And marks his seat amidst the deiries. 
 
 Auspicious chief! thy race, in times to come, 
 
 Shall spread the conquests of imperial Rome — 
 
 Rome, whose ascending tow'rs shall heav'n invade. 
 
 Involving earth, and ocean in her shade; 1066 
 
 High as the mother of the gods in place. 
 
 And proud, like her, of an immortal race. 
 
 Then, when in pomp she makes the Phrygian round. 
 
 With golden turrets on her temples crown'd ; l()7n
 
 .EN EI S, VI. 2«j7 
 
 A hundred gods her sweeping train supply. 
 Her offspring all; and all command the sky. 
 Now fix your sight, and stand intent, to see 
 Your Roman race, and Julian progeny. 
 There mighty Caesar waits his vital hour, lOr."* 
 
 Impatient for the world, and grasps his prumis'd pow'r. 
 But next behold the youth of form divine — 
 Caesar himself, exalted in his line — 
 Augustus, promis'd oft, and long foretold. 
 Sent to the realm that Saturn rul'd of old; 1080 
 
 Born to restore a better age of gold. 
 Afric and India shall his pow'r obey; 
 He shall extend his propagated sway 
 Beyond the solar year, without the starry way, 
 Where Atlas turns the rolling heav'ns around, 1085 
 And his broad shoulders with their lights arecrown'd. 
 At his foreseen approach, already quake 
 The Caspian kingdoms and Mseotian lake. 
 Their seers behold the tempest from afar ; 
 And threat'ning oracles denounce the war. lODO 
 
 Nile hears him knocking at his sev'n-fold gates, 
 And seeks his hidden spring, and fears his nephev^'s 
 Nor Hercules more lands or labours knew, [fates. 
 Not though the brazen-footed hind he slew. 
 Freed Erymanthus from the foaming boar, 1095 
 
 And dipp'd his arrows in Lernaean gore; 
 Nor Bacchus, turning from his Indian war, 
 By tigers drawn triumphant in his car. 
 From Nysa's top descending on the plains. 
 With curling vines around his purple reins. I H'O 
 
 And doubt we yet through dangers to pursue 
 The paths of honour, and a crown in view ? 
 But what's the man who from afar appears. 
 His head with olive crown'd, his hand a censer bears f 
 His hoary beard and holy vestments bring 1105 
 
 His lost idea back : I know the Roman king. 
 He shall to peaceful Rome new laws ordain, 
 Call'd from his mean abode, a sceptre to sustain. 
 Him Tullus next in dignity succeeds, 
 An active prince, and prone to martial deeds. 1110 
 He shall his troops for fighting-fields prepare, 
 Disus'd to toils, and triumphs of the war 
 N 2
 
 2<J8 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 By dint of sword his crown he shall increase, 
 
 And scour his armour from the rust of peace. 
 
 Whom Ancus follows, with a fawning air, 1115 
 
 But vain within, and proudly popular. 
 
 Next view the Tarquin kings, th' avenging sword 
 
 Of Brutus, justly drawn, and Rome restor'd. 
 
 He first renews the rods and axe severe. 
 
 And gives the consuls royal robes to wear. ll'/O 
 
 His sons, who seek the tyrant to sustain. 
 
 And long for arbitrary lords again. 
 
 With ignominy scourg'd in open sight. 
 
 He dooms to death deserv'd, asserting public right. 
 
 Unhappy man ! to break the pious laws 1 125 
 
 Of nature, pleading in his children's cause ! 
 
 Howe'er the doubtful fact is understood, 
 
 'Tis love of honour, and his country's good : 
 
 The consul, not the father, sheds the blood. 
 
 Beliold Torquatus the same tract pursue ; 1 i3<) 
 
 And, next, the two devoted Decii view — 
 
 The Drusian line, Camillus loaded home 
 
 With standards well redeem'd, and foreign foes 
 
 o'ercome. 
 The pair you see in equal armour shine. 
 Now, friends below, in close embraces join ; I i35 
 
 But, when they leave the shady realms of night, 
 And, cloth'd in bodies, breathe your upper light. 
 With mortal hate each other shall pursue : 
 What wars, what wounds, what slaughter, shall 
 
 ensue ! 
 From Alpine heights the father first descends : 1 l-io 
 His daughter's husband in the plain attends : 
 His daughter's husband arms his eastern friend-;. 
 Embrace again, my sons ! be foes no more ; 
 Nor stain your country with her children's gore I 
 And thou, the first, lay down thy lawless claim, I l-irt 
 Thou, of my blood, who bear'st the Julian name .' 
 Another comes, who shall in triumph ride. 
 And to the Capitol his chariot guide. 
 From conquer'd Corinth, rich with Grecian spoils. 
 And yet another, fam'd for warlike toils, 1150 
 
 On Argos shall impose the Roman laws. 
 And, on the Greeks, revenge the Trojan cause ;
 
 .ENEIS, VI. 299 
 
 Shall drag in chains their Achillean race ; 
 Shall vindicate his ancestors' disgrace. 
 And Pallas, for her violated place. 1 155 
 
 Great Cato there, for gravity renown'd, 
 And conqu'ring Cossus goes with laurels crown'd. 
 Who can omit the Gracchi] who declare 
 The Scipios' worth, those thunderbolts of war, 
 The double bane of Carthage ? Who can see, 1160 
 Without esteem for virtuous poverty. 
 Severe Fabricius, or can cease t* admire 
 The ploughman consul in his coarse attire I 
 Tir'd as I am, my praise the Fabii claim ; 
 And thou, great hero, greatest of thy name, 1 165 
 
 Ordain'd in war to save the sinking state, 
 And, by delays, to put a stop to fate ! 
 Let others better mould the running mass 
 Of metals, and inform the breathing brass. 
 And soften into flesh a marble face ; 1170 
 
 Plead better at the bar; describe the skies. 
 And wheu the stars descend, and when they rise. 
 But, Rome! 'tis thine alone, with awful sway, 
 To rule mankind, and make the world obey, 
 Disposing peace and war thy own majestic way; 1175 
 To tame the proud, the fetter'd slave to free: — 
 These are imperial arts, and worthy thee.* 
 He paus'd — and, while with wond'ring eyes they view'd 
 The passing spirits, thus his speech renew'd : 
 ' See great Marcellus ! how, untir'd in toils, 1180 
 
 Removes with manly grace, how rich with regal spoils! 
 He, when his country (threaten 'd with alarms) 
 Requires his courage and his conqu'ring arms, 
 Shall more than once the Punic bands aflfrigbt ; 
 Shall kill the Gaulish king in single fight ; 11S5 
 
 Then to the Capitol in triumph move : 
 And the third spoils shall grace Feretrian Jove.' 
 J?lneas here beheld, of form divine, 
 A godlike youth in glitt'ring armour shine, 
 W"ith great Marcellus keeping equal pace : llfii) 
 
 But gloomy were his eyes, deiected was his face. 
 He saw, and, wond'ring, ask'd his airy guide 
 What and of whence ■was he, who pressd the hero's 
 side?
 
 300 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 ' His son, or one of his illustrious name ? 
 
 How like the former, and almost the same ! 1 195 
 
 Observe the crowds that compass him around: 
 
 All gaze and all admire, and raise a shouting sound: 
 
 But hov'ring mists around his brows are spread ; 
 
 And night, with sable shades, involves his head.' 
 
 ' Seek not to know (the ghost replied with tears) 
 
 The sorrows of thy sons in fnture years. 1201 
 
 This youth (the blissful vision of a day) 
 
 Shall just be shewn on earth, and snatch'd away. 
 
 The gods too high had rais'd the Roman state. 
 
 Were but their gifts as permanent as great. 12W5 
 
 What groans of men shall fill the Martian field ! 
 
 How fierce a blaze his flaming pile shall yield ! 
 
 What fun'ral pomp shall floating Tiber see. 
 
 When, rising from his bed, he views the sad 
 
 solemnity ! 
 No youth shall equal hopes of glory give, 1210 
 
 No youth afford so great a cause to grieve. 
 The Trojan honour, and the Roman boast, 
 Admir'd when living, and ador'd when lost! 
 Mirror of ancient faith in early youth! 
 Undaunted worth, inviolable truth ! 121.5 
 
 No foe, unpuuish'd, in the fighting field 
 Shall dare thee, foot to foot, with sword and shield, 
 Much less in arms oppose thy matchless force, 
 When thy sharp spurs shall urge thy foaming horse. 
 Ah ! conldst thou break through Fate's severe decree, 
 A new Marcellus shall arise in thee! 1221 
 
 Full canisters of fragrant lilies bring, 
 Mix'd with the purple roses of the spring : 
 Let me with fun'ral flow'rs his body strew : 
 This gift which parents to their children owe, 1225 
 This unavailing gift, at least, I raaj' bestow !' 
 Thus having said, he led the hero round 
 The confines of the blest Elysian ground ; 
 Which when Anchises to his son had shewn, 1229 
 
 And tir'd his mind to mount the promis'd throne, 
 He tells the future wars, ordain'd by Fate; 
 The strength and customs of the Latian state ; 
 The prince and people ; and fore arms his care 
 With rules, to pu;;h his fortune, or to bear.
 
 ^NEIS, Vir. 301 
 
 Two gates the silent house of Sleep adorn ; \-i35 
 Of polish'd iv'ry this, that of transparent bom : 
 True visions through transparent horn arise ; 
 Through pulish'd iv'ry pass deluding lies. 
 Of various things discoursing as he pass'd, 
 Anchises hither bends his steps at last. '. 240 
 
 Then, through the gate of iv'ry, he dismiss'd 
 His valiant offspring, and divining guest. 
 Straight to the ships iEneas took, his way, 
 Embark'd his men, and skimm'd along the sea, 
 Still coasting, till he gain'd Caieta's bay. 1245 
 
 At length on oozy ground his galleys moor : 
 Their heads are tum'd to sea, their stems to shore. 
 
 BOOK VII. 
 
 KiD? La linus entertains iEiieas,aud promises him his only daugh- 
 ter Laviaia, the heiress of his crown. Turnus, being in love 
 with her, favoured by her mother, and stirred i!p by Juno and 
 Alecto, breaks the treaty which was made, and engages in his 
 quarrel Mezentias, Camilla, Missapus, and many other of the 
 ueighbouriiiif princea ; whose forces, and the names of their 
 commanders, are particularly related. 
 
 And thou, matron of immortal fame ! 
 
 Here dying, to the shore hast left thy name : 
 
 Caieta still the place is call'd from thee, 
 
 The nurse of great Eneas' infancy. 
 
 Here rest thy bones in rich Hesperia's plains : 5 
 
 Thy name ('tis all a ghost can have) remains. 
 
 Now, when the prince her fun'ral ritts iiad paid. 
 He plough'd the Tyrrhene seas with sails display'd. 
 From land a gentle breeze arose by night : 
 Serenely shone the stars ; the moon was bright ; 10 
 And the sea trembled with her silver light. 
 Now near the shelves of Circe's shores they run 
 (Circe the rich, the daughter of the sun), 
 A dang'rous coast 1 — The goddess wastes her days 
 Id joyous songs; the rocks resound her lays. l."* 
 
 In spinning, or the loom, she spends the night ; 
 And cedar-brands supply her father's light. 
 From hence were heard, rebellowing to the luaiii, 
 The roars of lions that refuse the chain.
 
 302 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 The grunts of bristled boars, aud groans of bears, 20 
 And herds of howlicg wolves that stun the sailors' 
 These from their caverns, at the close of night, [ears. 
 Fill the sad isle with horror and affright. 
 Darkling they mourn their fate, whom Circe's pow'r 
 (That watch'd the moon and planetary hour), 25 
 
 With words and wicked herbs, from human kind 
 Had alter'd, and in brutal shapes confin'd. 
 Which monsters lest the Trojans' pious host 
 Should bear, or touch upon th' enchanted coast. 
 Propitious Neptune steer'd their course by night, 30 
 With rising gales, that sped their happy flight. 
 Supplied with these, they skim the sounding shore. 
 And hear the swelling surges vainly roar. 
 Now, when the rosy morn began to rise. 
 And wav'd her saffron streamer through the skies. 
 When Thetis blush'd in purple, not her own, 36 
 
 And from her face the breathing winds were blown, 
 A sudden silence sate upon the sea. 
 And sweeping oars, with struggling, urge their way. 
 
 The Trojan, from the main, beheld a wood, 40 
 
 Which thick with shades, and a brown horror, stood : 
 Betwixt the trees the Tiber took his course. 
 With whirlpools dimpled ; and with downward force 
 That drove the sand along, he took his way. 
 And roU'd his yellow billows to the sea. 45 
 
 About him, and above, and round the wood. 
 The birds that haunt the borders of the flood. 
 That bath'd within, or bask'd upon his side. 
 To tuneful songs their narrow throats applied. 
 The captain gives command; the joyful train 50 
 
 Glide through the gloomy shade, and leave the main. 
 
 Now, Erato! thy poet's mind inspire. 
 And till his soul with thy celestial fire. 
 Relate what Latium was; her ancient kings: 
 Declare the past and present state of things, 55 
 
 When first the Trojan fleet Ausonia sought. 
 And how the rivals lov'd, and how they fought. 
 These are my theme, and how the war began, 
 And how concluded by the godlike man ; 
 For I shall sing of battle?;, blood, and ratje, fiO 
 
 Which princes aud their people did engage ;
 
 .i:NEIS, Ml. 303 
 
 And haugbty snuls, that, moT'd with mutual hate, 
 lu fighting fields pursu'd and found their fate; 
 That rous'd the Tyrrhene realm with loud alarms, 
 And peaceful Italy involv'd in arras. 6> 
 
 A larger scene of action is display'd ; 
 And, rising hence, a greater work is weigh'd. 
 
 Latinus, old and mild, had long possess'd 
 The Latian sceptre, and his people bless'd : 
 His father Faunus ; a Laurentian dame 7C 
 
 His mother; fair Marica was her name. 
 But Faunus came from Picus: Picus drew 
 His birth from Saturn, if records be true. 
 Thus king Latinus, in the third degree. 
 Had .Saturn author of his family. 75 
 
 But thi? old peaceful prince, as Heav'n decreed. 
 Was bless'd with no male issue to succeed: 
 His sons in blooming youth were snatch'd by fate : 
 One only daughter heir'd the royal state. 
 Fir'd with her love, and with ambition led, 80 
 
 The neighbTing princes court her nuptial bed. 
 Among the crowd, but far above the rest. 
 Young Turnus to the beauteous maid address'd. 
 Tnmus, for high descent and graceful mien, 
 Was first, and favour d by the Latian queen : 85 
 
 With him she strove to join LavLnia's hand ; 
 But dire portents the purpos'd match withstand. 
 
 Deep in the palace, of long growth, there stood 
 A laurel's trunk, a venerable wood ; 
 Where rites divine were paid ; whose holy hair 90 
 Was kept and cut with superstitious care. 
 This plant Latinus, when his town he wall'd. 
 Then found, and from the tree Lanrentum call'd ; 
 And last, in honour of his new abode, 
 He vow'd the laurel to the laurel's god. 95 
 
 It happen'd once, (a boding prodigy!) 
 A swarm of bees, that cut the liquid sky 
 (Unkncvvn from whence they took their airy flight), 
 Uyon the topmost branch in clouds alight ; 
 There, with their clasping feet, together clung, 100 
 And a long cluster from the laurel hiuag. 
 An ancient augur prophesied from hecce: 
 ' Behold on Latian shores a foreign prince!
 
 304 THE WORKS OP VIRGIL. 
 
 From the saiiio parts of heav'n his navy stands, 
 To the same parts on earth: his array l;mds: 105 
 
 The town he conquers, and the tow'r commands.' 
 Yet more, when fair Lavinia fed the fire 
 Before the gods, and stood beside her sire, 
 (Strange to relate !) the flames, involv'd in 
 
 smoke 
 Of incense, from the sacred altar broke, 110 
 
 Caught her dishevell'd hair, and rich attire : 
 Her crown and jewels crackled in the fire : 
 From thence the fuming trail began to spread, 
 And lambent glories danc'd about her head. 
 This new portent the seer with wonder views, 115 
 Then pausing, thus his prophecy renews : 
 * The nymph, who scatters flaming fires around. 
 Shall shine with honour, shall herself be crown'd ; 
 But, caus'd by her irrevocable fate, 
 War shall the country waste, and change the 
 
 state.' 120 
 
 Latinus, frighted with this dire ostent. 
 For counsel to his father Faunus went. 
 And sought the shades renown'd for prophecy. 
 Which near Albunea's sulph'rous fountain lie. 
 To those the Latian and the Sabine land 125 
 
 Fly, when distress'd ; and thence relief demand. 
 The priest on skins of off'rings takes his ease, 
 And nightly visions in his slumber sees : 
 A swarm of thin aerial shapes appears, 
 And, flutt'ring round his temples, deafs his eara. 130 
 These he consults, the future fates to know. 
 From pow'rs above, and from the fiends below. 
 Here, for the god's advice, Latinus flies, 
 Off"ring a hundred sheep for sacrifice : 
 Their woolly fleeces, as the rites requir'd, 135 
 
 He laid beneath him, and to rest retir'd. 
 No sooner were his eyes in slumber bound. 
 When, from above, a more than mortal sound 
 Invades his ears; and thus the vision spoke: 
 ' Seek not, my seed, in Latian bands to yoke }•»•') 
 
 Our fair Lavinia, nor the gods provoke. 
 A foreign son upon the shore descends. 
 Whose martial fame from pole to pole extendw.
 
 .ENEIS, VII. 305 
 
 II i3 race, in arras and arts of peace renown'd, 
 
 Not Latiuni shall contain, nor Europe bound: 145 
 
 'Tis theirs whate'er the sun sur^-eys around.' 
 
 These answers, in the silent night receiv'd, 
 
 The king himself divulg'd, the land believ'd : 
 
 The fame through all the neighb'ring nations flew, 
 
 When now the Trojan navy was in view. 150 
 
 Beneath a shady tree, the hero spread 
 His table on the turf, with cakes of bread ; 
 And, with his chiefs, on forest fruits he fed. 
 They sate; and (not without the god's command), 
 Their homely fare dispatch'd, the hungry band 15.^ 
 Invade their trenchers next, and soon devour. 
 To mend the scanty raeal, their cakes of flour. 
 A.«canius this observ'd, and, smiling, said, 
 * See ! we devour the plates on which we fed.' 
 The speech had omen, that the Trojan race IflO 
 
 Should find repose, and this the time and place. 
 ^neas took the word, and thus replies — 
 (Confessing fate with wonder in his eyes): 
 'All hail, O earth! all hail, my household gods I 
 Behold the destin'd place of your abodes! 105 
 
 For thus Anchises prophesied of old, 
 And thLs our fatal place of rest foretold: 
 " When on a foreign shore, instead of meat, 
 By famine forc'd, your trenchers you shall cat. 
 Then ease your weary Trojans will attend, 170 
 
 And the long labours of your voyage end. 
 Remember on that happy coast to build : 
 And with a trench inclose the fruitful field." 
 This was that famine, this the fatal place. 
 Which ends the wand'ring of our ^il'd race. 17.5 
 
 Then, on to-morrow's dawn, your care employ. 
 To search the land, and where the cities lie, 
 And what the men : but give this day to joy. 
 Now pour to Jove ; and, after Jove is blest, 
 Call great .Anchises to the genial feast : 130 
 
 Crov.'n high the goblets with a cheerful draught: 
 Enjoy the present hour ; adjourn the future 
 thought.' 
 
 Thus having said, the hero bound his brows 
 With leafy branches, then perform'd his vows;
 
 306 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Adoring first the genius of the place, 185 
 
 Then Earth, the mother of the heav'nly race. 
 The nvmphs, and native godheads yet unknown. 
 And Night, and all the stars that gild her sable throne, 
 And ancient Cybel, and Idaean Jove, 189 
 
 And last his sire below, and mother-queen above. 
 
 Then heav'n's high monarch thunder'd thrice aloud; 
 And thrice he shook aloft a golden cloud. 
 Soon through the joyful camp a rumour ilew, 
 The time was come their city to renew. 
 Then ev'ry brow with cheerful green is crown'd; 195 
 The feasts are doubled, and the bowls go round. 
 
 When next the rosy morn disclos'd the day, 
 The scouts to sev'ral parts divide their way, 
 To learn the native's names, their towns explore. 
 The coasts, and trendings of the crooked shore : 200 
 Here Tiber flows, and here Numicus stands; 
 Here warlike Latins hold the happy lands. 
 
 The pious chief, who sought by peaceful ways 
 To found his empire, and his town to raise, 
 A hundred youths from all his train selects, 205 
 
 And to the Latian court their course directs 
 (The spacious palace where their prince resides), 
 And all their heads with wreaths of olive hides. 
 They go commission'd to require a peace, 
 And carry presents to procure access. 210 
 
 Thus while they speed their pace, the prince designs 
 The new-elected seat, and draws the lines. 
 The Trojans round the place a rampire cast. 
 And palisades about the trenches plac'd. 
 
 Meantime the train, proceeding on their way, 21.'> 
 From far the town and lofty tow'rs survey ; 
 At length approach the walls. Without the gate. 
 They see the boys and Latian youth debate 
 The martial prizes on the dusty plain : 
 Some drive the cars, and some the coursers rein ; 220 
 Some bend the stubborn bow for victory : 
 And some with darts their active sinews try. 
 A posting messenger, dispatch'd from hence. 
 Of this fair troop advis'd their aged prince. 
 That foreign men, of mighty stature, came; 225 
 
 Uncouth their habit, and unknown their n^.nie.
 
 /ENEIS, VII. 3U7 
 
 The king ordains their entrance, a:jd ascends 
 
 His regal seat, surrounded by his friends. 
 
 Tiie palace built by Picns, vast and proud. 
 
 Supported by a hundred pillars stood, 230 
 
 And round encompass'd with a rising wood. 
 
 The pile o'erlook'd the town, and drew the sight, 
 
 Surpris'd at once with rev'rence and delight. 
 
 There kings received the marks of sov'reign pow'r : 
 
 In state the monarchs niarch'd ; the lictors bore 235 
 
 Their awful axes and the rods before. 
 
 Here the tribunal stood, the house of pray'r ; 
 
 And here the sacred senators repair; 
 
 All at large tables, in long order set, 
 
 A ram their oflTring, and a ram their meat. 240 
 
 Above the portal, carv'd in cedar wood, 
 
 Plac'd in their ranks, their godlike grandsires .stood — 
 
 Old Saturn, with his crooked scythe on high; 
 
 And Italus, that led the colony ; 
 
 And ancient Janus, with his double face, 245 
 
 And bunch of keys, the porter of the place. 
 
 Their stood Sabinus, planter of the vines; 
 
 On a short pruning-hook his head reclines. 
 
 And studiously surveys his gen'rous wines ; 
 
 Then warlike kings, who for their country fought, 250 
 
 And honourable wounds from battle brought. 
 
 Around the posts hung helmets, darts, and spears. 
 
 And captive chariots, axes, shields, and bars. 
 
 And broken beaks of ships, the trophies of their wars. 
 
 Above the rest, as chief of all the band, 25.1 
 
 Was PicTX-s plac'd : a buckler in his hand ; 
 
 His other wav'd a long divining wand. 
 
 Girt in his Gabine gown the hero sate, 
 
 Yet could not with his art avoid his fate : 
 
 For Circe long had lov'd the youth in vain, 260 
 
 'Till love, refus'd, converted to disdain : 
 
 Then, mixing pow'rful herbs, with magic art, 
 
 She chang'd his form, who could not change his 
 
 heart ; 
 Constrain'd him in a bird, and made him fly, 
 With particolour'd plumes, a chatt'ring pie. '2 ^5 
 
 In this high temple, on a chair of state. 
 The seat of atidience, old Latinus sate ;
 
 SOS thp: works of virgil. 
 
 Then gave admission to the Trojan train ; 
 
 And thus with pleasing accents he began : 
 
 ' Tell me, ye Trojans — for that name you own; 270 
 
 Nor is your course upon our coasts unknown — 
 
 Say what you seek, and whither were you bound ? 
 
 Were you by stress of weather cast a-ground? 
 
 (Such dangers of the sea are often seen. 
 
 And oft befal to miserable men): 275 
 
 Or come, your shipping in our ports to lay, 
 
 Spent and disabled in so long a way ? 
 
 Say what jou want : the Latians you shall find 
 
 Not forc'd to goodness, but by will inclin'd; 
 
 For, since the time of Saturn's holy reign, 280 
 
 His hospitable customs we retain. 
 
 I call to mind (but time the tale has worn), 
 
 Th' Aurunci told, that Dardanus, though born 
 
 On Latian plains, yet sought the Phrygian shore. 
 
 And Samothracia, Samos call'd before. 2S5 
 
 From Tuscan Corythum he claim'd his birth : 
 
 But after, when exempt from mortal earth. 
 
 From thence ascended to his kindred skies, 
 
 A god, and, as a god, augments their sacrifice.' 
 
 He said. — Ilioneus made this reply : 290 
 
 ' O king, of Faunus' royal family ! 
 
 Nor wintry winds to Latium forc'd our way, 
 
 Nor did the stars our wand'ring course betray. 
 
 Willing we sought your shores; and, hither bound. 
 
 The port, so long desir'd, at length we found ; 29.5 
 
 From our sweet homes and anck-nt realms expellM; 
 
 Great as the greatest that the sun beheld. 
 
 The god began our line, who rules above ; 
 
 And, as our race, our king descends from Jove : 
 
 And hither are we come, by his command, 300 
 
 To crave admission in your happy land. 
 
 How dire a tempest, from Myceuaj pour'd, 
 
 Our plains, our temples, and our town devour'd; 
 
 What was the waste of war, what fierce alarms 
 
 Shook Asia's crown with European arms ; 305 
 
 Ev'n such have heard, if any such there be, 
 
 Whose earth is bounded by the frozen sea ; 
 
 And such as, born beneath the burning sky 
 
 And sultry sun, betwixt the tropics lie.
 
 ^NEIS, VII. 309 
 
 From that dire deluge, through the wat'ry waste 310 
 
 (Such length of ye^irs, such various perils, past), 
 
 At last escap'd, to Latium we repair, 
 
 To beg what you without your want may spare — 
 
 The common water, and the common air ; 
 
 Sheds which ourselves will build, and mean abodes, 
 
 Fit to receive and serve our bani<h'd gods. 316 
 
 Nor our admission shall your realm disgrace, 
 
 Nor length of time our gratitude eflface — 
 
 Besides what endless honour you shall gain. 
 
 To save and shelter Troy's unhappy train. 32© 
 
 Now, by my sov'reign, and his fate, I swear — 
 
 Renown'd for faith in peace, for force in war — 
 
 Oft our alliance other lands desir'd, 
 
 And, what we seek of you, of us requir'd. 
 
 Despise not then, that in our hands we bear 325 
 
 These holy boughs, and sue with words of pray'r. 
 
 Fate and the gods, by their supreme command. 
 
 Have doom'd our ships to seek the Latian land. 
 
 To these abodes our fleet Apollo sends ; 
 
 Here Dardanus was born, and hither tends; 330 
 
 Where Tuscan Tiber rolls with rapid force. 
 
 And where Nnmicus opes his holy source. 
 
 Besides, our prince presents, with his request. 
 
 Some small remains of what his sire possess'd. 
 
 This golden charger, snatch'd from burning Troy, S3r> 
 
 Anchises did in sacrifice employ : 
 
 This royal robe and this tiara wore 
 
 Old Priam, and this golden sceptre bore, 
 
 In full assemblies, and in solemn games : 
 
 These purple vests were weav'd by Dardan 
 
 dames.' 340 
 
 Thus while he spoke, Latinus roU'd around 
 His eyes, and fix'd awhile upon the ground. 
 Intent he seem'd, and anxious in his breast ; 
 Not by the sceptre mov'd, or kingly vest, 
 Butpond'ring future things of wondrous weight — 3\'i 
 Succession, empire, and his daughter's fate. 
 On these he mus'd within his thoughtful mind; 
 And then revolv'd what Faunus had divin'd. 
 This was the foreign prince, by fate decreed 
 To share his sceptre, and Laviuia's bed: 50
 
 310 THE WORKS OP VFRGIL. 
 
 This wag the race that sure portents foreshew 
 
 To sway the world, and land and sea subdue. 
 
 At length he rais'd his cheerful head, and spoke: 
 
 ' The pow'rs,' said he, ' the pow'rs we both invoke, 
 
 To you, and yours, and mine, propitious be, 355 
 
 And firm our purpose with their augury ! 
 
 Have what you ask : your presents I receive: 
 
 Land, where and when you please, with ample leave 
 
 Partake and use my kingdom as your own : 
 
 All shall be yours, while 1 command the crown. 360 
 
 And, it" my wish'd alliance please your king. 
 
 Tell him he should not send the peace, but bring: 
 
 Then let him not a friend's embraces fear ; 
 
 The peace is made, when I behold him here. 
 
 Besides this answer, tell my royal guest, 365 
 
 I add to his commands my own leqnest: 
 
 Only one daughter heirs my crown and state. 
 
 Whom notour oracles, nor Heav'n, nor fate. 
 
 Nor frequent prodigies, permit to join 
 
 With any native of th' Ausonian line. 370 
 
 A foreign son-in law shall come from fnr 
 
 (Such is our doom), a chief renown'd in war, 
 
 Whose race shall bear aloft the Latian name, 
 
 And through the conquer'd world diffuse our fame. 
 
 Himself to be the man the Fates require, 375 
 
 I firmly judge, and what I judge desire.' 
 
 He said, and then on each bestow'd a steed. 
 
 Three hundred horses, in high stables fed, 
 
 Stood ready, shiniug all, and smoothly dress"d: 
 
 Of these he chose the fairest and the best, 3H0 
 
 To mount the Trojan troop. At his command, 
 
 The steeds caparison'd with purple stand. 
 
 With golden trappings, glorious to behold. 
 
 And champ betv^•ixt their teeth the foaming gold. 
 
 Then to his absent guest the king decreed 385 
 
 A pair of coursers, born of heav'nly breed. 
 
 Who from their nostrils breath'd ethereal fire; 
 
 Whom Circe stole from her celestial sire, 
 
 By substituting mares produc'd on earth. 
 
 Whose wombs conceiv'd a more than mortal birth. 390 
 
 These draw the chariot which Latiuus sends ; 
 
 And the rich present to the prince commends.
 
 .'ESBIS, VII. 
 
 311 
 
 Tr-vjaiw lK»m«, 
 >j-jt return. 
 
 . sight. 
 
 :, ^'.'h •jfi'i'TT*''! •'iT'f^, -MO 
 
 .ryhead, 
 ^_, . : .;i.d: 
 
 ' O liat«o artftFpnne; o( tay Vur^^tAix Uxat i 
 O fat«* of Trw, irbkb Jono'o fatw» oj»p<»«c ! 405 
 
 r ■ ! iiop>tw:4 om tbn" pUia, 
 
 ;:nd, takien, '«cape si^am t 
 . -oy to asihtis Uy, 
 7... . . : ;< ^ud »wtn6s and seas tbey forc<<i tfaeir 
 
 i ;.•:>-< .a;. ) .ub'd itmo must in rarin ctmUiui, 
 H«rr rsige (JUarm'd, ber empire at an eod ! 
 Breaithi'-- sr'i •;r'd, i- a!! m-.- f-ir" *r<?att 
 
 IU> 
 
 I tbro ,: 
 
 Bat billow* roarV 
 
 On 7. 
 
 Mar» could in tnu' 
 And Jar*: birr - ' 
 Wbosentff. 
 
 What^rr::.- 
 
 iTQtT 
 
 Tic*:; 
 
 ly main: 
 rsi?'d in Tain. 
 -. done, 
 'ley libonf 
 
 iiiuti'i babe! 
 '.entaurs t/atlie; 
 
 • ;;. 8 wraib, 
 
 one !; 
 
 "(fol war, 
 
 - -ain baretoil'd, 
 
 rtai man at leogtb am foil'd '. 
 'r rff^f'i n'rt, •'••all I doubt 
 .. without? 
 -e* d«ny, 
 ^ fid Jcrre supply. 
 
 430
 
 312 THE WORKS OP VIRGIL. 
 
 Grant that the Fates have firm d, by their decree. 
 
 The Trojan race to reign in Italy ; 435 
 
 At least I can defer the nuptial day, 
 
 And, with protracted wars, the peace delay : 
 
 With blood the dear alliance shall be bought. 
 
 And both the people near destruction brought. 
 
 So shall the son-in-law and father join, 410 
 
 With ruin, war, and waste of either line. 
 
 O fatal maid! thy marriage is endow'd 
 
 With Phrygian, Latian, and Rutulian blood! 
 
 Bellona leads thee to thy lover's hand ; 
 
 Another queen brings forth another brand, 415 
 
 To burn with foreign fires another land; 
 
 A second Paris, diff'ring but in name, 
 
 Shall fire his country with a second flame.' 
 
 Thus having said, she sinks beneath the ground 
 With furious haste, and shoots the Stygian sound. 
 To rouse Alecto from th' infernal seat 451 
 
 Of her dire sisters, and their dark retreat. 
 This Fury, fit for her intent, she chose ; 
 One who delights in wars, and human woes. 
 Ev'n Pluto hates his own mis shapen race ; 455 
 
 Her sister Furies fly her hideous face ; 
 So frightful are the forms the monster takes, 
 So fierce the hissings of her speckled snakes. 
 Her Juno finds, and thus inflames her spite : 
 ' O virgin daughter of eternal Night, 460 
 
 Give me this once thy labour, to sustain 
 My right, and execute my just disdain. 
 Let not the Trojans, with a feign'd pre*cnce 
 Of proffer'd peace, delude the Latian prince ; 
 Expel from Italy that odious name, 405 
 
 And let not Juno suffer in her fame. 
 •Tis thine to ruin realms, o'ertum a state, 
 Betwixt the dearest friends to raise debate, 
 And kindle kindred blood to mutual hate. 
 Thy hand o'er towns the fun'ral torch displays, 470 
 And forms a thousand ills ten thousand ways. 
 Now shake, from out thy fruitful breast, the seed.s 
 Of envy, discord, and of cruel deeds ; 
 Confound the peace establish'd, and prepare 
 Their souls to hatred, and their hands to war.' 47a
 
 /ENEIS. VII. a 13 
 
 Sniear'd as she was with bLick. Gorgoneau blood. 
 The Fury sprang above the Stygian flood ; 
 And on her wicker wing3, sublime through night. 
 She to the Latian palace took ffer flight; 
 There sought the queen's apartment, stood before 430 
 The peaceful- threshold, and besieg'd the door. 
 Restless Amata lay, her swelling breast 
 Fir'd with disdain for Turnus dispossess'd. 
 And the new nuptials of the Trojan guest. 
 From her black bloody locks the Fury shakes 485 
 Her darling plague, the fav'rite of her snakes : 
 With her full force she thre"v the pois"nous dart. 
 And fis'd it deep within Amata's heart. 
 That, thus envenora'd, she might kindle rage. 
 And sacrifice to strife her house and husband's age. 
 Unseen, unfelt, the fiery serpent skims 491 
 
 Betwixt her linen and her naked limbs. 
 His baneful breath inspiring as he glides. 
 Now like a chain around her neck he rides. 
 Now like a fillet to her head repairs, 495 
 
 And with his circling volumes folds her hairs. 
 At first the silent venom slid with ease. 
 And seiz'd her cooler senses by degrees; 
 Then, ere th' infected mass was fir'd too far. 
 In plaintive accents she began the war, 500 
 
 And thus bespoke her husband : ' Shall,' she said, 
 ' A ^vand'ring prince enjoy Lavinia's bed: 
 If nature plead not in a parent's heart. 
 Pity my tears, and pity her desert. 
 I know, iHy dearest lord, the time will come, 505 
 
 You would, in vain, reverse your cruel doom : 
 The faithless pirate soon will set to sea, 
 And bear the royal virgin far away ! 
 A guest like him, a Trojan guest, before. 
 In show of friendship, sought the Spartan shore, 510 
 And ravish'd Helen from her husband bore. 
 Think on a king's inviolable word; 
 And think on Turnus, her once plighted lord. 
 To this false foreigner you give your throne. 
 And wrong a friend, a kinsman, and a son. 515 
 
 Resume your ancient care ; and, if the god 
 Your sire, and you, resolve on foreign blood, 
 O
 
 314 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Know all are foreign, in a larger sense, 
 Not born your subjects, or deriv'd from hence. 
 Then, if the line of Turnus you retrace, 5 
 
 He springs from Inachus of Argive race.' 
 But, when she saw her reasons idly spent, 
 And could not move him from his fix'd intent, 
 She tlew to rage : for now the snake possess'd 
 Her vital parts, and poison'd all her breast. 5 
 
 She raves, she runs with a distracted pace. 
 And fills, with horrid howls, the public place. 
 And, as young striplings whip the top for sport, 
 On the smooth pavement of an empty court; 
 The wooden engine flies and whirls about, 5 
 
 Admir'd, with clamours, of the beardless rout : 
 They lash aloud ; each other they provoke, 
 And lend their little souls at ev'ry stroke : 
 Thus fares the queen ; and thus her fury blows 
 Amidst the crowd, and kindles as she goes. 5 
 
 Not yet content, she strains her malice more. 
 And adds new ills to those contriv'd before : 
 She flies the town, and, mixing with the throng 
 Of madding matrons, bears the bride along, 
 Wand'ring through woods and wilds, and devious 
 ways, 5 
 
 And with these arts the Trojan match delays. 
 She feign'd the rites of Bacchus; cried aloud. 
 And to the buxom god the virgin vow'd. 
 ' Evoe I Bacchus!' thus began the song ; 
 And • Evoe!' answer'd all the female throng. 5 
 
 * O virgin worthy thee alone !' she cried ; 
 ' O worthy thee alone!* the crew replied. 
 ' For thee she feeds her hair, she leads thy dance. 
 And with thy winding ivy wreaths her lance.' 
 Like fury seiz'd the rest: the progress known, 5 
 All seek the moimtains, and forsake the town : 
 All, clad in skins of beasts, the jav'lin bear, 
 Give to the wanton winds their flowing hair ; 
 And shrieks and shoutings rend the suff"ring air. 
 The queen herself, inspir'd with rage divine, ,^ 
 
 Shook high above her head a flaming pine. 
 Then roU'd her haggard eyes around the throng. 
 And sung, in Turnus' name, the nuptial song :
 
 iENEIS, VII. 315 
 
 ' lb ! ye Latian dames, if any here 
 
 Hold your uuhappy queen, Aniata, dear ; 500 
 
 If there be here,' she said, ' who dare maintain 
 
 My right, nor think the name of mother vain ; 
 
 Unbind your fillets, loose your flowing hair. 
 
 And orgies and nocturnal rites prepare.* 
 
 Amata's breast the Fury thus invades, 565 
 
 And fires with rage, amid the sylvan shades. 
 
 Then, when she found her venom spread so far, 
 
 The royal house embroil'd in civil war, 
 
 Rais'd on her dusky wings, she cleaves the skies, 
 
 And seeks the palace where young Turnus lies. 570 
 
 His town, as fame reports, was built of old 
 
 By Danii'e, pregnant with almighty gold, 
 
 Who fled her father's rage, and, with a train 
 
 Of following Argives, through the stormy main 
 
 Driv'n by the southern blasts, weis fated here to 
 
 reign. ri75 
 
 'Twas Ardua once : now Ardea's name it bears; 
 Once a fair city, now consum'd with years. 
 Here, in his lofty palace, Turnus lay, 
 Betwixt the confines of the night and day. 
 Secure in sleep. — The Fury laid aside 580 
 
 Her looks and limbs, and with new methods tried 
 The foulness of th' infernal form to hide. 
 Propp'd on a staff, she takes a trembling mien : 
 Her face is furrow'd, and her front obscene ; 
 Deep-tinted wrinkles on her cheek she draws; 585 
 Sunk are her eyes, and toothless are her jaws; 
 Her hoary hair with holy fillets bound, 
 Her temples with an olive wreath are crown'd. 
 Old Chalybe, who kept the secret fane 
 Of Juno, now she seem'd, and thus began, 590 
 
 Appearing in a dream, to rouse the careless man : 
 ' Shall Turnus then such endless toil sustain 
 In fighting-fields, and conquer towns in vain? 
 Vv'in, for a Trojan head to wear the prize. 
 Usurp thy crown, enjoy thy victories? t)Oj 
 
 The bride and .'^ceptre, which thy blood has bought, 
 The king transfers; and foreign heirs are sought I 
 Go now, deluded man, and seek again 
 New toils, new dangers, on the dusty plain !
 
 816 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Repel the Tuscan foes; their city seize ; G<'ii 
 
 Protect the Latians in luxurious ease ! 
 
 This dream all-pow'rful Juno sends : I bear 
 
 Her mighty mandates; and her words you hear. 
 
 Haste ! arm your Ardeans ; issue to the plain ; 
 
 With faith to friend, assault the Trojan train : 605 
 
 Their thoughtless chiefs, their painted ships that lie 
 
 In Tiber's mouth, with fire and sword destroy. 
 
 The Latian king, unless he shall submit, 
 
 Own his old promise, and his new forget— 
 
 Let him, in arms, the pow'r of Tiirnus prove, 610 
 
 And learn to fear whom he disdains to love. 
 
 For such is heav'n's command.' — The youthful prince 
 
 With scorn replied, and made this bold defence: 
 
 • You tell me, mother, what I knew before, 
 
 The Phrygian fleet is landed on the shore. 615 
 
 I neither fear nor will provoke the war : 
 My fate is Juno's most peculiar care. 
 But time has made you doat, and vainly tell 
 Of arms imagin'd in your lonely cell. 
 Go ! be the temple and the gods your care : 620 
 
 Permit to men the thought of peace and war." 
 These haughty words Alecto's rage provoke : 
 And frighted Turnus trembled as she spoke. 
 Her eyes grow stiffen'd, and with sulphur burn ; 
 Her hideous looks and hellish form return : 625 
 
 Her curling snakes with hissings fill the place, 
 And open all the furies of her face : 
 Then, darting fire from her malignant eyes, 
 She cast him backward as he strove to rise. 
 And ling'ring sought to frame some new replies. 630 
 High on her head she rears two twisted snakes : 
 Her chains she rattles, and her whip she shakes ; 
 And, churning bloody foam, thus loudly speaks : 
 
 • Behold whom time has made to dote, and tell 
 
 Of arms imagin'd in her lonely cell ! 635 
 
 Behold the Fates' infernal minister ! 
 
 War, death, destruction, in my hand I bear.' 
 
 Thus having said, her smould'ring torch, impress'd 
 With her full force, she plung'd into his breast. 
 Aghast he wak'd; and starting from his bed, 640 
 
 Cold sweat, in clammy drops, his limbs o'erspread.
 
 ^NEIS, VII. 317 
 
 ' Arms ! arms!' he cries: ' my sword and shield pre- 
 pare !' 
 He breathes defiance, blood, and mortal war. 
 So, when with crackling flames a caldron fries. 
 The bubbling waters from the bottom rise : &45 
 
 Above the brims they force their fiery way; 
 Black vapours climb aloft, and cloud the day. 
 
 The peace polluted thus, a chosen band 
 He first commissions to the Latian land. 
 In threat'ning embassy ; then rais'd the rest, G50 
 
 To meet in arms th' intruding Trojan guest. 
 To force the foes from the Lavinian shore, 
 And Italy's endanger'd peace restore. 
 Himself alone an equal match he boasts. 
 To fight the Phrygian and Axisonian hosts. 655 
 
 The gods invok'd, the Rutnli prepare 
 Their arms, and warm each other to the war. 
 His beauty these, and those his blooming age. 
 The rest his house, and his own fame, engage. 
 
 While Turnus urges thus his enterprise, GGO 
 
 The Stygian Fury to the Trojans flies; 
 New frauds invents, and takes a steepy stand 
 Which overlooks the vale with wide command ; 
 Where fair Ascanius and his youthful train. 
 With horns and hounds a hunting match ordain, 660 
 And pitch their toils around the shadj' plain. 
 The Fury fires the pack ; they snuff, they vent. 
 And feed their hungry nostrils with the scent. 
 'Twas of a well-grown stag, whose antlers rise 
 High o'er his front, his beams invade the skies. 6*0 
 From this light cause, th' infernal maid prepares 
 The country churls to mischief, hate, and wars. 
 
 The stately beast the two Tyrrhidas bred, 
 Snatch'd from his dam, and the tame youngling fed. 
 Their father Tyrrheus did his fodder bring, 675 
 
 Tyrrheus chief ranger to the Latian king : 
 Their sister Silvia cherish'd with her care 
 The little wanton, and did wreaths prepare 
 To hang his budding horns, with ribbons tied 
 His tender neck, and corab'd his silken hide, 63!» 
 
 And bath'd his body. Patient of command 
 In time he grew, and, growing us'd to hand,
 
 318 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 He waited at his master's board for food ; 
 Then sought his savage kindred in the wood, 
 Where grazing all the day, at night he came 685 
 
 To his known lodgings, and his country dame. 
 This household beast, that us'd the woodland 
 
 grounds, 
 Was view'd at first by the young hero's hounds. 
 As down the stream he swam, to seek retreat 
 In the cool waters, and to quench his heat. 690 
 
 Ascanius, young, and eager of his game, 
 Soon bent his bow, uncertain in his aim : 
 But the dire fiend the fatal arrow guides, 
 Which pierc'd his bowels through his panting sides. 
 The bleeding creature issues from the floods, G95 
 
 Possess'd with fear, and seeks his known abodes, 
 His old familiar hearth, and household gods. 
 He falls; he fills the house with heavy groans. 
 Implores their pity, and his pain bemoans. 
 Young Silvia beats her breast, and cries aloud 700 
 For succour from the clownish neighbourhood: 
 The churls assemble ; for the fiend, who lay 
 In the close woody covert, urg'd their way. 
 One with a brand yet burning from the flame, 
 Arra'd with a knotty club another came : 705 
 
 Whate'er they catch, or find without their care, 
 Their fury makes an instrument of war. 
 Tyrrheus, the foster-f<ither of the beast, 
 Then clench'd a hatchet in his horny fist, 
 But held his hand from the descending stroke, 710 
 And left his wedge within the cloven oak. 
 To whet their courage, and their rage provoke. 
 And now the goddess, exercisd in ill. 
 Who watch'd an hour to work her impious will. 
 Ascends the roof, and to her crooked horn, 71.5 
 
 Such as was then by Latian shepherds borne, 
 Adds all her breath. The rocks and woods around, 
 And mountains, tremble at th' infernal sound. 
 The sacred lake of Trivia from afar. 
 The Veline fountains, and sulphureous Nar, 720 
 
 Shake at the baleful blast, the signal of the war. 
 Young mothers wildly stare, with fear possess'd. 
 And strain their helpless infants to their breast.
 
 .^NEIS, VII. 319 
 
 The clowns, a boist'rous, rude, ungovern'd 
 crew. 
 With furious haste to the loud summons flew. 725 
 The pow'rs of Troy, then issuing on the plain. 
 With fresh recruits their youthful chief sustain : 
 Nor theirs a raw and unexperienc'd train, 
 But a firm body of embattled men. 
 At first, while fortune favour'd neither side, 730 
 
 The fight with clubs and burning brands was tried: 
 But now, both parties reinforc'd, the fields 
 Are bright with flaming swords and brazen shields. 
 A shining harvest either host displays. 
 And shoots against the sun with equal rays. 73j 
 
 Thus, when a black-brow'd gust begins to rise, 
 White foam at fir:«t on the curl'd ocean fries ; 
 Then roars the main, the billows mount the skies; 
 Till, by the fury of the storm full blown. 
 The muddy bottom o'er the clouds is thrown. 710 
 
 First .'Vlmon falls, old Tyrrheus' eldest care, 
 Pierc'd with an arrow from the distant war : 
 Fix'd in his throat the flying weapon stood. 
 And stopp'd his breath, and drunk his vital blood. 
 Huge heaps of slain around the body rise : 745 
 
 Among the rest, the rich Galesus lies; 
 A good old man, while peace he preach'd in vain, 
 Amidst the madness of th' unruly train : 
 Five herds, five bleating flocks, his pastures fill'd : 
 His lands a hundred yoke of oxen till'd. 750 
 
 Thus, while in equal scales their fortunes stood. 
 The Fury bath'd them in each other's blood ; 
 Then, having fix'd the fight, exulting flies. 
 And bears fulfill'd ber promise to the skies. 
 To Juno thus she speaks : ' Behold ! 'tis done, 755 
 The blood already drawn, the war begun; 
 The discord is complete ; nor can they cease 
 The dire debate, nor you command the peace. 
 Now, since the Latian and the Trojan brood 
 Have tasted vengeance, and the sweets cf blood; 760 
 Speak, and my pow'r shall add this office more : 
 The neighb'ring nations of th' Ausonian shore 
 Shall hear the dreadful rumour from afar. 
 Of arm'd iuvasioo, and embrace the war.'
 
 320 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Then Juno thus : ' The grateful work is done, 765 
 
 The seeds of discord sow'd, the war begun : 
 
 Frauds, fears, and fury, have possess'd the state, 
 
 And fix'd the causes of a lasting hate. 
 
 A bloody Hymen shall th' alliance join 
 
 Betwixt the Trojan and Ausonian line : 770 
 
 But thou with speed to night and hell repair ; 
 
 For not the gods, nor angry Jove, will bear 
 
 Thy lawless wand'ring walks in upper air. 
 
 Leave what remains to me.' Saturnia said : 
 
 The suilen fiend her sounding wings display'd, 775 
 
 Unwilling left the light, and sought the nether shade. 
 
 In midst of Italy, well known to fame. 
 There lies a lake (Arasanctus is the name): 
 Below the lofty mounts on either side, 
 Thick forests the forbidden entrance hide. 7S0 
 
 Full in the centre of the sacred wood 
 An arm arises of the Stygian flood. 
 Which, breaking from beneath with bellowing sound. 
 Whirls the black waves and rattling stones around. 
 Here Pluto pants for breath from out his cell, 78.') 
 And opens wide the grinning jaws of hell. 
 To this infernal lake the Fury flies; 
 Here hides her hated head, and frees the lab'ring 
 Saturnian Juno now, with double care, [skies. 
 
 Attends the fatal process of the war. 790 
 
 The clowns, return'd from battle, bear the slain. 
 Implore the gods, and to their king complain. 
 The corps of Almon, and the rest, are shewn : 
 Shrieks, clamours, murmurs, fill the frighted town. 
 Ambitious Turnus in the press appears, TO^j 
 
 And, aggravating crimes, augments their fears ; 
 Proclaims his private injuries aloud, 
 A solemn promise made, and disavow'd; 
 A foreign son is sought, and a mix'd mongrel brood. 
 Then they, whose mothers, frantic with their fear. 
 In woods and wilds the flags of Bacchus bear, 801 
 And lead his dances with dishevell'd hair. 
 Increase the clamour, and the war demand 
 (Such was Araata's int'rest in the land). 
 Against the public sanctions of the peace, 835 
 
 Against all omeus of their ill success.
 
 ^NEIS, VII. 321 
 
 With fates averse, the rout in arms resort, 
 
 To force their monarch, and insult the court. 
 
 But, lite a rock unmov'd, a rock that braves 
 
 The raging tempest and the rising waves — SIO 
 
 Propp'd on himself he stands : his solid sides 
 
 Wash off the sea weeds, and the soundinij tides — 
 
 So stood the pious prince unmov'd, and long 
 
 Sustain'd the madness of the noisy throng. 
 
 But, when he found that Juno's pow'r prevail'd, 815 
 
 And all the methods of cool counsel fail'd, 
 
 He calls the gods to witness their offence. 
 
 Disclaims the war, asserts his innocence. 
 
 ' Hurried by fate,' he cries, ' and borne before 
 
 A furious wind, we leave the faithful shore ! 820 
 
 more than madmen! you yourselves shall bear 
 The guilt of blood and sacrilegious war : 
 Thou, Turnus, shalt atone it by thy fate. 
 
 And pray to Heav'n for peace, but pray too late. 
 For me, my stormy voyage at an end, 825 
 
 1 to the port of death securely tend. 
 
 The fun'ral pomp which to your kings you pay. 
 
 Is all I want, and all you take away.' 
 
 He said no more, but, in his walls confm'd, 
 
 Shut out the woes which he too well divin'd; S30 
 
 Nor with the rising storm would vainly strive, 
 
 But left the helm, and let the vessel drive. 
 
 A solemn custom was observ'd of old. 
 Which Latium held, and now the Romans hold. 
 Their standard when in fighting-fields they rear 835 
 Against the fierce Hyrcanians, or declare 
 The Scythian, Indian, or Arabian war — 
 Or from the boasting Parthians would regain 
 Their eagles, lost in Carrie's bloody plain. 
 Two gates of steel (the name of Mars they bear, 840 
 And still are worshipp'd with relidous fear; 
 Before his temple stand : the dire abode. 
 And the fear'd issues of the furious god. 
 Are fencd with brazen bolts ; without the gates. 
 The wary guardian Janus doubly waits. 845 
 
 Then, when the sacred senate votes the wars. 
 The Roman consul their decree declares, 
 And in his robes the aonnding gates unbars, 
 2
 
 322 THE WORKS OF VmciL. 
 
 The youth iu military shouts arise, 
 
 And the loud trumpets break the yielding skies. SoO 
 
 These rites of old by sov'reign princes us'd. 
 
 Were the king's office ; but the king refus'd. 
 
 Deaf to their crimes, nor would the gates unbar 
 
 Of sacred peace, or loose th' imprison'd war; 
 
 But hid his head, and, safe from loud alarms, 855 
 
 Abhorr'd the wicked ministry of arm? 
 
 Then heav'n's imperious queen shot down from high ; 
 
 At her approach the brazen hinges fly; 
 
 The gates are forc'd, and ev'ry falling bar ; 
 
 And, like a tempest, issues out the war. 860 
 
 The peaceful cities of th' Ausonian shore, 
 
 Luird in their ease, and undisturb'd before. 
 
 Are all on fire; and some with studious care. 
 
 Their restive steeds in sandy plains prepare; 
 
 Some their soft limbs in painful marches try ; 865 
 
 And war is all their wish, and arms the gen'ral cry. 
 
 Part scour their rusty shields with seam ; and part 
 
 New-grind the blunted axe, and point the dart ; 
 
 With joy they view the waving ensigns fly. 
 
 And hear the trumpet's clangor pierce the sky. 870 
 
 Five cities forge their arms — th' Atinian pow'rs, 
 
 Antemnffi, Tibur with her lofty tow'rs, 
 
 Ardea the proud, the Crustumerian town : 
 
 All these of old were places of renown. 
 
 Some hammer helmets for the fighting-field ; 875 
 
 Some twine young sallows to support the shield; 
 
 The corslet some, and some the cuishes mould, 
 
 With silver plated, and with ductile gold. 
 
 The rustic honours of the scythe and share 879 
 
 Give place to swords, and plumes, the pride of war. 
 
 Old falchions are uew-temper'd in the fires : 
 
 The sounding trumpet ev'ry soul inspires. 
 
 The word is giv'n; with eager speed they lace 
 
 The shining head piece, and the shield embrace. 
 
 The neighing steeds are to the chariots tied ; 885 
 
 The trusty weapon sits on ev'ry side. 
 
 And, now the mighty labour is begun, 
 Ye muses, open all your Helicon. 
 Sing you the chiefs that sway'd th' Ausonian land. 
 Their arms, and armies under their command ; 890
 
 /ENEIS, VII. 323 
 
 What warriors in oxir ancient clime were bred; 
 
 What soliiiers follow'd, and v.'hat heroes led. 
 
 For well you know, and can record alone, 
 
 What fame to future times conveys but darkly down. 
 
 Mezentius first appear'd upon the plain : 895 
 
 Scorn sate upon his brows, and sour disdain, 
 Defying earth and heav'n. Etruria lost. 
 He brings to Tumus' aid his baffled host. 
 The charming Lausus, full of youthful fire. 
 Rode in the rank, and next his sullen sire ; 900 
 
 To Turnns only second in the grace 
 Of manly mien, and features of the face. 
 A skilful horseman, and a huntsman bred, 
 With fates averse a thousand men he led : 
 His sire unworthy of so brave a son ; 9(»5 
 
 Himself well worthy of a happier throne. 
 
 Next Aventinus drives his chariot round 
 The Latian plains, with palms and laurels crown'd. 
 Proud of his steeds, he smokes along the field ; 
 His father's hydra fills his ample shield ; 910 
 
 A hundred serpents hiss about the brims : 
 The son of Hercules he justly seems. 
 By his broad shoulders and gigantic limbs — 
 Of heav'nly part, and part of earthly blood, 
 A mortal woman mixing with a god. 915 
 
 For strong Alcides, after he had slain 
 The triple Geryon, drove from conquer'd Spain 
 His captive herds ; and, thence in triumph led. 
 On Tuscan Tiber's dow'ry banks they fed. 
 Then, on mount Aventine, the son of Jove O-in 
 
 The priestess Rhea found, and forc'd to love. 
 
 For arms, his men long piles and javlins bore, 
 And poles with pointed steel their foes in battle 
 
 gore. 
 Like Hercules himself, his son appears 
 In savage pomp: a lion's hide he wears; (»25 
 
 About his shoulders hangs the shaggy skin ; 
 The teeth and gaping jaws severely griu. 
 Thus, like ths god his father, homely drest, 
 He strides into the hall, a horrid guest. 
 
 Then two twin brothers from fair Tiber came 9.W 
 (Which from their brother Tibers took the name),
 
 324 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL 
 
 Fierce Coras and Catillus, void of fear : 
 
 Arm'd Argive horse they lead, and in the front appear. 
 
 Like cloud born Centaurs, from the mountain's 
 
 height 
 With rapid course descending to the fight ; 935 
 
 They rush along, and rattling woods give way ; 
 The branches bend before their sweepy sway. 
 
 Nor was Prasneste's founder wanting there, 
 Whom fate reports the son of Mulciber: 
 Found in the fire, and foster'd in the plains, 940 
 
 A shepherd and a king at once he reigns, 
 And leads to Turnus' aid hi-; country swains. 
 His own Pr^neste sends a chosen band, 
 With those who plough Saturnia's Gabine land : 
 Besides the succour which cold Anien yields, 945 
 
 The rocks of Hernicus, and dewy fields, 
 Anagnia fat, and father Amasene — 
 A num'rous rout, but all of naked men : 
 Nor arms they wear, nor swords and bucklers wield. 
 Nor drive the chariot through the dusty field, 950 
 But whirl from leathern slings huge balls of lead ; 
 And spoils of yellow v/olves adorn their head : 
 The left foot naked, when they march to fight ; 
 But in a bull's raw hide they sheath the right. 
 
 Messapus next (great Neptune was his sire), 9.^5 
 Secure of steel, and fated from the fire. 
 In pomp appears, and with his ardour warms 
 An heartless train, uuexercis'd in arms: 
 The just Faliscanshe to battle brings, 
 And those who live where lake Ciminius springs; 
 And where Feronia's grove and tsmple stands, 901 
 Who till Fescennian or Flavinian lands; 
 All these in order march, and marching sing 
 The warlike actions of their sea-born king : 
 Like a long team of snowy swans on high, 905 
 
 Which clap their wings, and clftave the liquid sky. 
 When, homeward from their wat'ry pastures borne. 
 They sing, and Asia's lakes their notes return. 
 Not one who heard their music from afar. 
 Would think these troops an army train'd to war, 970 
 But flo.cks of fowl, that, when the tempests roar. 
 With their hoarse gabbling seek the silent shore.
 
 ^NEIS, VII. 325 
 
 Then Clausus came, who led a nmn'rous band 
 Of troops embodied from the Sabine land. 
 And, in himself alone, an anny brought. 973 
 
 'Twas he the noble Claudian race begot. 
 The Claudian race, ordain'd, in times to come, 
 To share the greatness of imperial Rome. 
 He led the Cures forth of old renowna, 
 Matuscans from their olive-bearing town, 980 
 
 And all th' Eretian pow'rs ; besides a band 
 That follow'd from Velinum's dewy land. 
 And Amitarniau troops, of mighty fame. 
 And mountaineers, that from Severus came, 
 And from the craggy cliflfs of Tetrica, 985 
 
 And those where yellow Tiber takes his way, 
 And where Himella's wanton waters play. 
 Casperia sends her arms, with those that lie 
 By Fabaris, and fruitful Foruli: 
 The warlike aids of Horta next appear. 990 
 
 And the cold Nursians come to close the rear, 
 Mix'd with the natives bom of Latine blood, 
 Whom Allia washes with her fatal flood. 
 Not thicker billows beat the Libyan main. 
 When pale Orion sets in wint'ry rain, 905 
 
 Nor thicker harvests on rich Hermus rise. 
 Or Lycian fields, when Phosbus bums the skies. 
 Than stand these troops : their bucklers nog around ; 
 Their trampling turns the turf, and shakes the solid 
 ground. 
 
 High in his chariot then Halesns came, IfJOO 
 
 A foe by birth to Troy's unhappy name : 
 From Agamemnon born — to Turnus' aid, 
 A thousand men the youthful hero led. 
 Who till the Massic soil, for wine renowu'J, 
 And fierce Auruncans from their hilly ground, 1005 
 And those who live by Sidicinian shores, 
 And where with shoaly fords Vultumus roars. 
 Gales' and Osca's old inhabitants. 
 And rough Saticulans, inur'd to wants. 
 Light demi-lances from afar they throw, 1010 
 
 Fasten'd with leathern thongs, to gall the foe. 
 Short crooked swords in closer fight they wear, 
 And on their warding arm light bucklers bear.
 
 32G THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Nor, OEbalus, shalt thou be left unsung, 
 From nymph Sebethis and old Telon sprung, 1015 
 Who then in Seleboan Capri reign'd ; 
 But that short isle th' ambitious youth disdain'd. 
 And o'er Campania stretch'd his ample sway, 
 Where swelling Sarnus seeks the Tyrrhene sea — 
 O'er Batulum, and where Abella sees, 1(120 
 
 From her high tow'rs, the harvest of her trees. 
 And these (as was the Teuton use of old) 
 Wield brazen swords, and brazen bucklers hold ; 
 Sling weighty stones when from afar they fight ; 
 Their casques are cork, a cov'ring thick and light. 
 
 Next these in rank, the warlike Ufens went, 1020 
 And led the mountain troops that Nursia sent. 
 The rude ^quiculre his rule obey'd ; 
 Hunting their sport, and plund'ring was their trade. 
 In arms they plough'd, to battle still prepar'd : 1030 
 Their soil was barren, and their hearts were hard. 
 
 Umbro the priest the proud Marrubians led, 
 By king Archippxis sent to Turnus' aid ; 
 And peaceful olives crown'd his hoary head. 
 His wand and holy words, the viper's rage, 1035 
 
 And venom'd wounds of serpents, could assuage. 
 He, when he pleas'd with pow'rful juice to steep 
 Their temples, shut their eyes in pleasing sleep. 
 But vain were Marsian herbs, and magic art. 
 To cure the wound giv'n by the Dardan dart. 1('40 
 Yet his untimely fate th' Angitian woods 
 In sighs remurmur'd to the Fucine floods. 
 The son of fam'd Hippolytus was there, 
 Fam'd as his sire, and, as his mother, fair ; 
 Wliom in Egerian groves Aricia bore, l<i45 
 
 And nurs'd his youth along the marshy shore. 
 Where great Diana's peaceful altar's flame. 
 In fruitful fields ; and Virbius was his name. 
 Hippolytus, as old records have said, 
 Was by his stepdame sought to share her bed: 1050 
 But, when no female arts his mind could move, 
 She turn'd to furious hate her impious love. 
 Torn by wild horses on the sandy shore, 
 Another's crimes th' unhappy hunter bore ; 
 Glutting his father's eyes with guiltless gore. 1055
 
 ^NEIS, VII. 327 
 
 But chaste Diana, who his death deplor'd. 
 
 With iEsculapian herbs his life restor'd : 
 
 When Jove, who saw from high, with jost disdain, 
 
 The dead inspir'd with T?ital breath again, 
 
 Strnck to the centre, with his flaming dart, 1060 
 
 Th' unhappy founder nf the godlike art. 
 
 But Trivia kept in secret shades alone 
 
 Her care, Hippolytus, to fate unknown ; 
 
 And call'd him Virbins in th' Egerian grove, 1064 
 
 Where then he livd obscure, but safe from Jove. 
 
 For this, from Trivia's temple and her w<«jd 
 
 Are coursers driv'n, who shed their master's blood, 
 
 Affrighted by the monsters of the flood. 
 
 His son, the second Virbins, yet retain'd 
 
 His father's art ; and warrior steeds he rein'd. juro 
 
 Amid the troops, and like the leading god. 
 High o'er the rest in arms, the graceful Turnus rod ■ ; 
 A triple pile of plumes his crest adom'd, 
 On which with belching flames Chimaera bum'd : 
 The more the kindled combat rises high'r, 1075 
 
 The more with fury burns the blazing fire. 
 Fair lo grac'd his shield : but lo now 
 With horns exalted stands, and seems to low — 
 A noble charge ! Her keeper by her side. 
 To watch her walks, his hundred eyes applied; KtSO 
 And on the brims her sire, the wat'ry god, 
 RoU'd from his silver urn his crystal flood. 
 
 A cloud of foot succeeds, and fills the fields 
 With swords, and pointed spears, and clatt'ringshields; 
 Of Argive, and of eld Sicanian bands, lOoo 
 
 And those who plough the rich Rutulian lands ; 
 Auruncan youth, and those Sacrana yields, 
 And the proud Labicans, with painted shields. 
 And those who near Numician streams reside, 
 And those whom Tiber's holy forests hide ; 1090 
 
 Or Circe's hills from the main land divide; 
 Where Ufens glides along the lowly lands. 
 Or the black water of Pomptina stands. 
 
 Last, from the Volscians fair Camilla came. 
 And led her warlike troops, a warrior dame: 1065 
 Unbred to .spinning, in the loom unskill'd. 
 She chose the nobler Pallas of the field.
 
 32S THE WORKS OP VIRGIL. 
 
 Mix'd with the first, the fierce Virago fought, 
 Sustain'd the toils of arms, the danger sought, 
 Outstripp'd the winds in speed upon the plain, 1 100 
 Flew o'er the field, nor hurt the hearded grain : 
 She swept the seas, and, as she skirom'd along, 
 Her flying feet unbath'd on billows hung. 
 Men, boys, and women, stupid with surprise, 
 Where'er she passes, fix their wond'ring eyes : 1105 
 Longing they look, and gaping at the sight. 
 Devour her o'er and o'er %vith vast delight ; 
 Her purple habit sits with such a grace 
 On her smooth shoulders, and so suits her face ; 
 Her head with ringlets of her hair is crown'd ; 1110 
 And in a golden caul the curls are bound. 
 She shakes her myrtle jav'lin ; and, behind. 
 Her Lycian quiver dances in the wind. 
 
 BOOK VIII. 
 
 The war being now begun, both the generals make all possible 
 preparations. Turnus sends to Diomedes. jEneas g:(>es in 
 person to beg succours from Evander and the Tuscans. 
 Evander receives him kindly, furnishes him with men, and 
 sends his son Pallas with him. Vulcan, at the request of 
 Venus, makes arms for her son jtneas, and draws on his 
 shield the most memorable actions of his posterity. 
 
 When Turnus had assembled all his pow'rs. 
 
 His standard planted on Laurentum's tow'rs. 
 
 When now the sprightly trHr\ipet, from afar, 
 
 Had giv'n the signal of approaching war, 
 
 Had rous'd the neighing steeds tc scour the fields, 5 
 
 While the fierce riders clatter'd on their shields, 
 
 Trembling with rage, the Latian youth prepare 
 
 To join th' allies, and headlong rush to war. 
 
 Fierce Ufens, and Messapus, led the crowd. 
 
 With bold Mezentius, who blasphem'd aloud, 10 
 
 These through the country took their wasteful course, 
 
 The fields to forage, and to gather force. 
 
 Then Venulus to Diomede they send. 
 
 To beg his aid Ausonia to defend. 
 
 Declare the common danger, and inform IT) 
 
 The Grecian leader of the growing storm :
 
 ^NEIS, VIII. 329 
 
 ' yEneas, landed on the Latian coast. 
 
 With banish'd gods, and with a baffled host, 
 
 Yet now aspir'd to conquest of the state. 
 
 And claim'd a title from the gods and fate ; 20 
 
 What nuni'rous nations in his quarrel came, 
 
 And how they spread his formidable name- 
 
 What he design'd, what mischiefs might arise, 
 
 If fortune favour'd his first enterprise. 
 
 Was left for him to weigh, whose equal fears 25 
 
 And common int'rest, was involv'd in theirs.' 
 
 While Turnus and th' allies thus urge the war 
 
 The Trojan, floaring in a flood of care. 
 
 Beholds the tempest which his foes prepare. 
 
 This way and that he turns his anxious mind ; 30 
 
 Thinks, and rejects the counsels be design'd; 
 
 Explores himself in vain, in ev'ry part. 
 
 And gives no rest to his distracted heart. 
 
 So when the sun by day, or moon by night. 
 
 Strike on the polish'd brass their trembling light, 3j 
 
 The glitt'ring species here and there divide. 
 
 And cast their dubious beams from side to side ; 
 
 Now on the walls, now on the pavement play. 
 
 And to the ceiling flash the glaring day. 
 
 'Twas night : and weary nature lull'd asleep 40 
 The birds of air, and fishes of the deep. 
 And beasts, and mortal men. The Trojan chief 
 Was laid on Tiber's banks, oppress'd with grief, 
 And found in silent slumber late relief. 
 Then, through the shadows of the poplar wood, 45 
 Arose the father of the Roman flood ; 
 An azure robe was o'er his body spread, 
 A wreath of shady reeds adorn'd his head : 
 Thus manifest to sight, the god appear'd. 
 And with these pleasing words his sorrow cheer'd i 5(i 
 ' Undoubted oflspring of ethereal race, 
 O long expected in this promis'd place ! 
 Who, through the foes, hast borne thy banish'd gods, 
 Restor'd them to their hearths, and old abodes — 
 This is thy happy home, the clime where fate 55 
 
 Ordains thee to restore the Trojan state. 
 Fear not! The war shall end in lasting peace, 
 And all the rage of haughty Juno cease.
 
 :?30 THE WORKS OP VIRGIL. 
 
 And that this nightly vision may not seem 
 
 Til' effect of fancy, or an idle dream, 00 
 
 A sow beneath an oak shall lie along. 
 
 All white herself, and white her thirty young. 
 
 When thirty rolling years have run their race, 
 
 Thy son Ascanius, on this empty space. 
 
 Shall build a royal town, of lasting fame, 65 
 
 Which from this omen shall receive the name. 
 
 Time shall approve the truth. — For what remains, 
 
 And how with sure success to orown thy pains, 
 
 With patience next attend. A banish'd band, 
 
 Driv'n with Evander from th' Arcadian land, 70 
 
 Have planted here, and plac'd on high their walls: 
 
 Their town the founder Pallanteum calls, 
 
 Deriv'd from Pallas, his great grandsire's name • 
 
 But the fierce Latians old possession claim, 
 
 With war infesting the new colony. 75 
 
 These make thy friends, and on their aid rely. 
 
 To thy free passage I .submit my streams. 
 
 Wake, son of Venus, from thy pleasing dreams ; 
 
 And when the setting stars are lost in day, 
 
 To Juno's pow'r thy just devotion pay; 80 
 
 With sacrifice the wrathful queen appease : 
 
 Her pride at length shall fall, her fury cease. 
 
 When thou return'st victorious from the v/ar, 
 
 Perform thy vows to me with grateful care. 
 
 The god am I, whose yellow water flows 85 
 
 Around these fields, and fattens as it goes : 
 
 Tiber my name — among the rolling floods, 
 
 Renown'd on earth, esteem'd among the gods. 
 
 This is my certain seat. In times to come, 
 
 lily waves shall wash the walls of mighty Rome.' 90 
 
 He said ; and plung'd below. While yet he spoke, 
 
 His dream .(Eueas and his sleep forsook. 
 
 He rose, and, looking up, beheld the skies 
 
 With purple blushing, and the day arise. 
 
 Then water in his hollow palm he took 95 
 
 From Tiber's flood, and thus the pow'rs bespoke : 
 
 ' Laurentian nymphs, by whom the streams are fed. 
 
 And father Tiber, in thy sacred bed 
 
 Receive .^neas, and from danger keep. 
 
 Whatever fount, whatever holy deep, 100
 
 .ENEIS, VIII. 331 
 
 Conceals thy wHt'ry stores — where'er they rise, 
 
 And, babbling from below, salute the skies— 
 
 Thou, king of homed floods, whose plenteous urn 
 
 Suffices fatness to the fruitful corn. 
 
 For this thy kind compassion of our woes, 105 
 
 Shalt share my morning song, and ev'ning tows. 
 
 But, oh! be present to thy people's aid, 
 
 And firm the gracious promise thou hast made.' 
 
 Thus haTing said, two galleys, from his stores. 
 
 With care he chooses, mans, and tits with oars. 110 
 
 Now on the shore the fatal swine is found — 
 
 Wondrous to tell! — She lay along the ground : 
 
 Her well-fed offspring at her udders hung; 
 
 She white herself, and white her thirty young. 
 
 .^neas takes the mother and her brood; 11.5 
 
 And all on Juno's altar are bestow'd. 
 
 The following night, and the succeeding day. 
 
 Propitious Tiber smooth'd his wat'ry way: 
 
 He roll'd his river back, and pois'd he stood, 
 
 A gentle swelling, and a peaceful flood. 120 
 
 The Trojans mount their ships; they put from shore. 
 
 Borne on the waves, and scarcely dip an oar. 
 
 Shouts from the land give omen to their course 
 
 And the pitch'd vessels glide with easy force. 
 
 The woods and waters wonder at the gleam 1-2.5 
 
 Of shields, and painted ships that stem the stream. 
 
 One summer's night and one whole day they pass 
 
 Betwixt the green-wood shades, and cut the liquid 
 
 The fiery sun had finish'd half his race, [glass. 
 
 Look'd back and doubted in the middle space, 130 
 
 When they from far beheld the rising tow'rs. 
 
 The tops of sheds, and shepherds' lowly bowrs, 
 
 Thin as they stood, which then of homely clay, 
 
 Now rise in marble, from the Roman sway. 
 
 These cots (Evander's kingdom, mean and poor) 135 
 
 The Trojan saw, and turn'd his ships to shore. 
 
 'Twas on a solemn day: th' Arcadian states, 
 
 The king and prince, without the city gates, 
 
 Then paid their off 'rings in a sacred grove 
 
 To Hercules, the warrior son of Jove. 140 
 
 Thick clouds of rolling smoke involve the skies ; 
 
 And fat of entrails on his altar fries.
 
 332 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Bat when they saw the ships that stemm'd the flood, 
 And glitter'd through the covert of the wood. 
 They rose with fear, and left th' unfinish'd feast, 145 
 Till dauntless Pallas reassur'd the rest 
 To pay the rites. Himself without delay 
 A jav'lin seiz'd, and singly took his way, 
 Then gain'd a rising ground, and call'd from far : 
 ' Resolve me, strangers, whence and what you are; 
 Your bus'ness here, and bring you peace or war V 
 High on the stem ^neas took his stand, 152 
 
 And held a branch of olive in his hand, 
 While thus he spoke : ' The Phrygians' arms you 
 
 see, 
 Expell'd from Troy, provok'd in Italy 155 
 
 By Latian foes, with war unjustly made — 
 At first affianc'd, and at last betray'd. 
 This message bear: The Trojans and their chief 
 Bring holy peace, and beg the king's relief.' 
 .Struck with so great a name, and all on fire, 160 
 
 The youth replies : ' Whatever you require, 
 Your fame exacts. Upon our .shores descend 
 A welcome guest, and, what you wish, a friend.' 
 He said, and, downward hasting to the strand, IG I 
 Embrac'd the stranger-prince, aad join'd his hand. 
 Conducted to the grove, ^neas broke 
 The silence first, and thus the king bespoke : 
 ' Best of the Greeks ! to whom, by Fate's command, 
 I bear these peaceful branches in my hand — 
 Undaunted I approach you, though 1 know iro 
 
 Your birth is Grecian, and your land my foe : 
 From Atreus though your ancient lineage came, 
 And both the brother -kings your kindred claim : 
 Yet, my self-conscious worth, your high renown, 
 Your virtue, through the neighb'ring nations blown. 
 Our fathers' mingled blood, Apollo's voice, 176 
 
 Have led me hither, less by need than choice. 
 Our father Dardanus, as fame has sung. 
 And Greeks acknowledge, from Electra sprung : 
 Electra from the loins of Atlas came — 180 
 
 Atlas, whose head sustains the starry frame. 
 Your sire is Mercury, whom long before 
 ()u cold Cylleue's top fair Maia bore.
 
 'EXEiS, VIII. 333 
 
 Maia the fair, on fame if we rely, 
 
 Was Atlas' daughter, who sustains the sky. 185 
 
 Thus from one common source our streams divide : 
 
 Ours is the Trojan, yours th' Arcadian side. 
 
 Rais'd by these hopes, I sent no news before, 
 
 Nor ask'd your leave, nor did your faith implore; 
 
 But come, without a pledge, my own ambassador. 
 
 The same Rutulians, -who with arms pursue 191 
 
 The Trojan race, are equal foes to you. 
 
 Our host expeli'd, what f;vrther force can stay 
 
 The victor troops from universal sway 1 
 
 Then will they stretch their pow'r athwart the 
 
 land. 
 And either sea from side to side command. 196 
 
 Receive our offer'd faith, and give us thine : 
 Ours is a gen'rous and experienc'd line : 
 We want not hearts nor bodies for the war ; 
 In council cautious, and in fields we dare.' 200 
 
 He said : and, while he spoke, with piercing eyes 
 Evander view'd the man with vast surprise — 
 Pleas'd with his action, ravish'd with his face ; 
 Then answer'd briefly with a royal grace : 
 ' O valiant leader of the Trojan line, 205 
 
 In whom the features of thy father shine ! 
 How I recall Anchises I how I see 
 His motions, mien, and all my friend, in thee ! 
 Long though it be, 'tis fresh within my mind. 
 When Priam to his sister's court design'd 210 
 
 A welcome visit, with a friendly stay. 
 And through th' Arcadian kingdom took his way. 
 Then, past a boy, the callow down began 
 To shade my chin, and call me first a man. 
 I saw the shining train with vast delight; 215 
 
 And Priam's goodly person pleas'd my sight : 
 But great Anchises, far above the rest. 
 With awful wonder fir'd my youthful breast. 
 I long'd to join, in friendship's holy bands, 
 Our mutual hearts, and plight our mutual hands. 220 
 I first accosted him : I sued, I sought, 
 And with a loving force, to Pheneus brought. 
 He gave me, when at length constrain'd to go, 
 A Lycian quiver and a Gnossian bow,
 
 33i THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 A vest embroider'd, glorious to behold, 225 
 
 And two rich bridles, wirh their bits of gold, 
 
 Which my son's coursers in obedience hold. 
 
 The league you ask, I ofier, as your right ; 
 
 And, when to morrow's sun reveals the light, 
 
 With swift supplies you shall be sent away. 230 
 
 Now celebrate, with us, this solemn day, 
 
 Whose holy rites admit no long delay. 
 
 Honour our annual feast ; and take your seat, 
 
 With friendly welcome, at a homely treat.' 
 
 Thus having said, the bowls (remov'd for fear) 235 
 
 The youths replac'd, and soon restor'd the cheer. 
 
 On sods of turf he set the soldiers round : 
 
 A maple throne, rais'd higher from the ground, 
 
 Receiv'd the Trojan chief; and, o'er the bed, 
 
 A lion's shaggy hide, for ornament, they spread. 210 
 
 The loaves were serv'd in canisters ; the wine 
 
 In bowls ; the priest renew 'd the rites divine : 
 
 Broil'd entrails are their food, and beef's continued 
 
 chine. 
 But, when the rage of hunger was repress'd, 
 Thus spoke Evander to his royal guest : 245 
 
 ' These rites, these altars, and this feast, king, 
 From no vain fears or superstition spring, 
 Or blind devotion, or from blinder chance, 
 Or heady zeal, or brutal ignorance : 
 But, sav'd from danger, with a grateful sense, 250 
 The labours of a god we recompense. 
 See, from afar, yon rock that mates the sky ; 
 About whose feet such heaps of rubbish lie ; 
 Such indigested ruin; bleak and bare. 
 How desert now it stands, esposd in air ! 255 
 
 'Twas once a robber's den, enclos'd around 
 With living stone, and deep beneath the ground. 
 The monster Cacus, more than half a beast. 
 This hold, impervious to the sun,possess'd. 
 The pavement ever foul with human gore ; 260 
 
 Heads, and their mangled members, hung the door. 
 Vulcan this plague begot : and, like his sire. 
 Black clouds he belch'd, and flakes of livid fire. 
 Time, long expected, eas'd us of our load, 
 And brought the needful presence of a god. 265
 
 ^NEIS, VIII. 335 
 
 Th' avenging force of Hercules from Spain. 
 
 Arriv'd in triuniph, from Geryon slain : — 
 
 Thrice liv'd the giant, and thrice liv'd in vain. 
 
 His prize, the lowing herds, Alcides drove 
 
 Near Tiber's? banks, to graze the shady grove. 270 
 
 AUur'd with hope of plunder, and intent 
 
 By force to rob, by fraud to circumvent. 
 
 The brutal Cacus, as by chance they stray'd. 
 
 Four oxen thence, and four fair kine, convey'd. 
 
 And, lest the printed footsteps might be seen, 275 
 
 He dragg'd them backwards to his rocky den. 
 
 The tracks averse a lying notice gave. 
 
 And led the searcher backward from the cave. 
 
 Meantime the herdsman-hero shifts his place. 
 
 To find fresh pasture, and untrodden grass, 280 
 
 The beasts, who miss'd their mates, fill'd all around 
 
 With bellowings; and the rocks restor'd the sound. 
 
 One heifer, who had heard her love complain, 
 
 Roar'd from the cave, and made the project vain. 
 
 Mcides found the fraud : with rage he shook, 235 
 
 And toss'd about his head his knotted oak. 
 
 Swift as the winds, or Scythian arrows' flight, 
 
 He clomb, with eager haste, th' aerial height. 
 
 Then first we saw the mons*er mend his pace : 
 
 Fear in his eyes, and paleness in his face, 290 
 
 Confess'd the god's approach. Trembling he springs, 
 
 As terror had increas'd his feet with wings ; 
 
 Nor stay'd for stairs ; but down the depth he threw 
 
 His body : on his back the door he drew — 
 
 (The door, a rib of living rock : with pains 295 
 
 His father hew'd it out, and bound with iron chains) : 
 
 He broke the beavy links, the mountain clos'd. 
 
 And bars and levers to his foe oppos'd. 
 
 The wretch had hardly made his dungeon fast; 
 
 The fierce avenger came with bounding haste*. 300 
 
 Survey'd the mouth of the forbidden hold , 
 
 And here and there his raging eyes he roll'd. 
 
 He gnash'd his teeth ; and thrice he compass'd 
 
 round 
 With winged speed the circuit of the ground. 
 Thrice at the cavern's mouth he pull'd in vain, 305 
 And, panting, thrice desisted from his pain.
 
 33G THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 A pointed flinty rock, a\\ bare and black. 
 
 Grew gibbous from beliiud the mountain's back ; 
 
 Owls, ravens, all ill omens of the night, 309 
 
 Here built their nests, and hither wing'd their flight. 
 
 The leaning head hung threat'ning o'er the flood. 
 
 And nodded to the left. The hero .stood 
 
 Averse, with planted feet, and, from the right, 
 
 Tugg'd at the solid stone with all his might. 
 
 Thus heav'd, the fix'd foundations of the rock 315 
 
 Gave way : heav'n echoed at the rattling .shock. 
 
 Tumbling, it chok'd the flood : on either side 
 
 The banks leap backward, and the streams divide : 
 
 The uky shrunk upward with unusual dread ; 
 
 And trembling Tiber div'd beneath his bed. 320 
 
 The court of Cacus stands reveal'd to sight; 
 
 The cavern glares with new-admitted light. 
 
 So the pent vapours, with a rumbling sound, 
 
 Heave from below, and rend the hollow ground; 
 
 A sounding flaw succeeds ; and, from on high, 3i.'> 
 
 The gods with hate behold the nether sky : 
 
 The ghosts repine at violated night. 
 
 And curse th' invading sun, and sicken at the sight. 
 
 The graceless monster, caught in open day, 
 
 Enclos'd, and in despair to fly away, 330 
 
 Howls horrible from underneath, and fills 
 
 His hollow palace with unmanly yells. 
 
 The hero stands above, and from afar 
 
 Plies him with darts, and stones, and distant war. 
 
 He, from his nostrils and huge mouth, expires 335 
 
 Black clouds of smoke, amidst his father's fires, 
 
 Gath'ring, with each repeated blast, the night. 
 
 To make uncertain aim, and erring sight. 
 
 The wrathful god then plunges from above. 
 
 And, where in thickest waves the sparkles drove, 340 
 
 There lights ; and wades through fumes, and grapes his 
 
 way. 
 Half sing'd, half stifled, till he grasps his prey. 
 The monster, spewing fruitless flames, he found ; 
 He squeez'd his throat; he writh'd his neck around. 
 And in a knot his crippled menjbers bound ; 345 
 
 Then, from their sockets, tore his burning eyes ; 
 Roll'd on a heap the breathless robber lies.
 
 ;ENEIS, VIII. ?.37 
 
 The doors, unbarr'd, receiv'd the rushing day ; 
 
 Aud thorough liglits dii;close the ravish'd prey. 
 
 The btiUs, redeem'd, breathe open air again. 350 
 
 Next, by the feet, they drag him from his den. 
 
 The wond'ring neighbourhood, witli glad surprise. 
 
 Beheld his shagged breast, his giant size, 
 
 His mouth that flames no more, and his extiuguish'd 
 
 eyes. 
 From that auspicious day, -with rites divine, 355 
 
 We worship at the hero's holy shrine. 
 Potitius first ordain'd these annual vows : 
 As priests, were added the Pinarian house. 
 Who rais'd this altar in the sacred shade. 
 Where honours, ever due, for ever shall be paid. 360 
 For these deserts, and this high virtue shewn. 
 Ye warlike youths, your heads with garlands crown : 
 Fill high the goblet.s with a sparkling flood ; 
 And with deep draughts invoke our common god.' 
 This said, a double wreath Evander twin'd ; .305 
 
 And poplars black and white his temples bind. 
 Then brims his ample bowl. With like design 
 The rest invoke the gods, with sprinkled wine. 
 Meantime the sun descended from the skies. 
 And the bright ev'ning-star began to rise. 370 
 
 And now the priests, Potitius at their head. 
 In skins of beasts involv'd, the long procession leu ; 
 Held high the flaming tapers in their bands, 
 As custom had prescrib'd their holy bands ; 
 7'hen with a second course the tables load, 375 
 
 And with full chargers ofl'er to the god. 
 The Salii sing, and 'cense his altars round 
 With Saban smoke, their heads with poplar bound — 
 One choir of old, another of the young. 
 To dance, and bear the burden of the song. 3S0 
 
 The lay records the labours, and the praise. 
 And all th' immortal acts of Hercixles : 
 First, how the mighty babe, when swatli'd in bands, 
 The serpents strangled with his infant hands : 
 Then as in years and matchless force he grew, 3,S5 
 Th' Qrlchalian walls, and Trojan, overthrew. 
 Besides a thousand hazards they relate, 
 Procnr'd by Juno's and Eurvsthfus' hate. 
 P
 
 338 THE WORKS OF VIROIL. 
 
 •' Thy bands, unconquer'd hero, conkl subdue 
 
 The cloud born Centaurs, and the monster-crew : 30(i 
 
 Nor thy resistless arm the bull withstood. 
 
 Nor he, the roaring terror of the wood. 
 
 The triple porter of the Stygian seat, 
 
 With lolling tongue, lay fawning at thy feet. 
 
 And, seiz'd with fear, forgot his mangled meat. 3U5 
 
 Th' infernal waters trembled at thy sight ; 
 
 Thee, god ! no face of danger could affright ; 
 
 Not huge Typh'deus, nor th' unnumber'd snake, 
 
 Increas'd with hissing heads in Lerna's lake. 
 
 Hail, Jove's undoubted son ! an added grace 400 
 
 To heav'n and the great author of thy race ! 
 
 Recei^'e the grateful off'rings which we pay, 
 
 And smile propitious on thy solemn day!' 
 
 In numbers thus they sung : above the rest. 
 
 The den and death of Cacus* crown the feast. 40.") 
 
 The woods to hollow vales convey the sound ; 
 
 The vales to hills ; and hills the notes rebound. 
 
 The rites perform'd, the cheerful train retire. 
 
 Betwixt young Pallas and his aged sire. 
 
 The Trojan pass'd, the city to survey; 410 
 
 And pleasing talk beguil'd the tedious way. 
 
 The stranger cast around his curious eyes. 
 
 New objects viewing still with new surprise; 
 
 With greedy joy inquires of various things. 
 
 And acts and monuments of ancient kings. -iir* 
 
 Tljen thus the founder of the Roman tow'rs : 
 
 ' These woods were first the seat of Sylvan pow'rs, 
 
 Of nymphs and fauns, and savage men who took 
 
 Their birth from trunks of trees and stubborn oak. 
 
 Nor laws they knev>?, nor manners, nor the care 4'2'> 
 
 Of lab'ring oxen, nor the shining share, 
 
 Nor arts of gain, nor what they gain'd to spare. 
 
 Tiieir exercise the chase : the nmning flood 
 
 Supplied their thirst : the trees supplied their food. 
 
 Then Saturn came, who fled the pow'r of Jove, 4-^.") 
 
 Robb'd of his realms, and banish'd from above. 
 
 The men, dispers'd on hills, to towns he brought, 
 
 And laws ordain'd, and civil customs taught, 
 
 And Latium call'd the land where safe he lay 
 
 From his unduteous son, and his usurping sway. 430
 
 iENEIS, Vlil. 339 
 
 With his mild empire, peace and plenty came; 
 
 And hence the golden times deriv'd their name. 
 
 A more degen'rate and discolour'd age 
 
 Succeeded this, with avarice and rage, 
 
 Th' Ausonians then, and bold Sicanians, came; 435 
 
 And Saturn's empire often chang'd the name. 
 
 Then kings — gigantic Tibris, and the rest — 
 
 With arbitrary sway the land oppress'd : 
 
 For Tiber's flood was Albula before, 
 
 Till, from the tyrant's fate, Lis name it bore. 440 
 
 I last arriv'd, driven from my native home ^ 
 
 I5y fortune's pow'r, and fate's resistless doom. 
 
 Long toss'd on seas, I sought this happy land, 
 
 Warn'd by my mother-nymph, and call'dby Heaven's 
 
 command,' 444 
 
 Thus, walking on, he spoke, and shew'd the gate, 
 Since call'd Carmen tal by the Roman state; 
 Where stood an altar, sacred to the name 
 Of old Carmenta, the prophetic dame, 
 Who to her son foretold th'.^nean race, 
 Sublime in frame, and Rome's imperial place ; — 450 
 Then shews the forests, which, in after- times. 
 Fierce Romulus, for perpetrated crimes, 
 A sacred refuge made : — with this, the shrine 
 Where Pan below the rock had rites divine ; — 
 Then tells of Argus' death, his raurdcr'd guest, 4").') 
 Whose grave and tomb his innocence attest. 
 Thence, to the steep Tarpeian rock he leads — 
 Now roof'd with gold, then thatch'd with homely 
 
 reeds. 
 A rev'rent foar (such superstition reigns 
 Among the rude) ev'n then posses "d the swains. 4f30 
 Some god they knew — what god, they could notteli — 
 Did there amidst the sacred horror dwell. 
 Th' Arcadians thouj^ht him Jove : and naid they saw 
 The mighty Thund'rer with majestic awe, 
 Who shook his shield, and dealt his bolts around, if).! 
 And scatter'd tempests on the teeming ground. 
 Then saw two heaps of ruins (once they stood 
 Two stately to^rns, on either side the flood), 
 Saturnia's and Janiculum's remains ; 
 And either place the founder's name retains. 4ro
 
 340 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Discoursing thus together, they resort 
 Where poor Evander kept his country court. 
 They view'd the ground of Rome's litigious hall — 
 (Once oxen low'd, where now the lawyers bawlj : 
 Then stooping, through the narrow gate they 
 
 press'd, ^75 
 
 When thus the king bespoke his Trojan guest 
 ' Mean as it is, this palace, and this door, 
 Receiv'd Alcides, then a conqueror. 
 Dare to be poor : accept our homely food. 
 Which feasted him ; and emulate a god.' 4H0 
 
 Then underneath a lowly roof he led 
 The weary prince, and laid him on a bed ; 
 The stuffing leaves with hides of bears o'erspread. 
 
 Now Night had shed her silver dews around. 
 And with her sable wings embrac'd the ground. 4?'i 
 When love's fair goddess, anxious for her son 
 (New tumults rising, and new wars begun), 
 Couch'd with her husband in his golden bed, 
 With these alluring words invokes his aid— 480 
 
 And, that her pleasing speech his mind may move, 
 Inspires each accent with the charms of love. 
 ' While cruel Fate conspir'd with Grecian pow'rs, 
 To level with the ground the Trojan tow'rs, 
 I ask'd not aid th' unhappy to restore, 
 Nor did the succour of thy skill implore; 40j 
 
 Nor urg'd the labours of my lord in vain, 
 A sinking empire longer to sustain. 
 Though much I ow'd to Priam's house, and more 
 The danger of ^neas did deplore. 
 But now by Jove's command, and fate's decree, 500 
 His race is doom'd to reign in Italy; 
 With humble suit I beg thy needful art, 
 O still propitious pow'r, that rul'st my heart ! 
 A mother kneels a suppliant for her son. 
 By Thetis and Aurora thou wert won .'505 
 
 To forge inpenetrable shields, and grace 
 With fated arms a less illustrious race. 
 Behold what haughty nations are combin'd 
 Against the reliques of the Phrygian kind. 
 With fire and sword ray people to destroy, 510 
 
 And conquer Venus twice, in conqu'ring Troy.'
 
 .ENEIS, VIII. 311 
 
 She said ; and straight her arms, of snowy line. 
 
 About her iin resolving husband threw. 
 
 Her soft embraces soon infuse desire : 
 
 His bones and marrow sudden warinih inspire ! 5 1j 
 
 And all the godhead feels the wonted fire. 
 
 Not half so swift the rattling thunder flies. 
 
 Or forky lightnings flash along the skies. 
 
 The goddess, proTid of her successful wilos, 
 
 And conscious of her foi-tu, in secret smiles. 520 
 
 Then thus the pow'r, obnoxious to her charms, 
 
 Panting, and half dissolving in her arms : 
 
 • Why seek you reasons for a cause so just. 
 
 Or your own beauties or my love distrust? 
 
 Long since, had you requir'd my helpful hand, 523 
 
 Th' artificer and art you might command. 
 
 To labour arms for Troy : nor Jove, nor Fate, 
 
 Coohn'd their empire to so short a date. 
 
 And, if you now desire new wars to wage, 
 
 My skill I promise, and my pains engage. 530 
 
 Whatever melting metals can conspire. 
 
 Or breathing bellows, or the forming fire, 
 
 Is freely yours : your anxious fears remove. 
 
 And think no task is difficult to love.' 
 
 Trembling he spoke ; and, eager of her charms, 535 
 
 He snatch'd the willing goddess to his arms ; 
 
 Till, in her lap infus'd, he lay po-sess'd 
 
 Of full desire, and sunk to pleasing rest. 
 
 Now when the night her middle race had rode. 
 
 And his first slumber had refresh'd the god — 540 
 
 The time when early housewives leave the bed. 
 
 When living embers on the hearth they spread. 
 
 Supply the lamp, and call the maids to rise ; — 
 
 W^ith yawning mouths, and with half-open'd 
 
 eyes, 
 They ply the distaff by the winking light, 545 
 
 And to their daily labotir add the night : 
 Thus frugally they earn their children's bread, 
 And uncorrupted keep their nuptial bed — 
 Not less concern'd, nor at a later hour. 
 Rose from his downy couch the forging Pow'r. 550 
 
 Sacred to Vulcan's name, an isle there lay, 
 Betwixt Sicilia's coasts and Lipare,
 
 342 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Rais'd high on smoking rocks : and, deep below, 
 
 In hollow caves the fires of JEtasi glow. 
 
 The Cyclops here their heavy hammers deal: 555 
 
 Loud strokes, and hissing of tormented steel. 
 
 Are heard around : the boiling waters roar; 
 
 And smoky flames through fuming tunne Issoar. 
 
 Hither the father of the fire, by night. 
 
 Through the brown air precipitates his flight. .'i6'J 
 
 On their eternal anvils here he found 
 
 The brethren beating, and the blows go round: 
 
 A load of pointless thunder now there lies 
 
 Before their hands, to ripen fur the skies : 
 
 Tlie=e darts, for angry Jove, they daily cast — 5{i5 
 
 Consum'd on mortals with prodigious waste. 
 
 Three rays of writhen rain, of fire three more. 
 
 Of winged southern winds and cloudy store 
 
 As many parts, the dreadful mixture frame; 
 
 And fears are added, and avenging flame. 570 
 
 Inferior ministers, for Mars, repair 
 
 His broken axle-trees, and blunted war. 
 
 And send him forth again with furbish'd arms, 
 
 To wake the lazy war, with trumpet's loud alarms. 
 
 The rest refresh the scaly snakes that fold 67^ 
 
 The shield of Pallas, and renew their gold. 
 
 Full on the crest the Gorgon's head they place. 
 
 With eyes that roll in death, and with distorted face. 
 
 ' My sons !' said Vulcan, ' set your ta:^ks aside : 
 Your strength and master-skill must now be tried. 
 Arms for a hero forge — arms that require 581 
 
 Your force, your speed, and all your forming fire.' 
 He said. They set their former work aside. 
 And their new toils with eager haste divide. 
 A flood of molten silver, brass, and gold, 585 
 
 And deadly steel, in the large furnace roll'd: 
 Of this, their artful hands a shield prepare, 
 Alone sufficient to sustain the war. 
 Sev'n orbs within a. spacious round they close. 
 One stirs the fire, and one the bellows blows. 590 
 
 The hissing steel is in the smithy drown'd ; 
 The grot with beaten anvils groans around. 
 By turns their arms advance in equal time ; 
 By turns, their hands descend, and hammers chime 
 
 li
 
 AINEIS, VIII. a 
 
 They turn the glowing mass wirh crooked tongs : C 
 The fiery work proceeds, with rustic songs. 
 ^^'hile, at the Lemnian god's connuand. they urge 
 Their labours thus, and ply th' .5i^c.li;in forge. 
 The cheerful mom salutes Evander's eyes. 
 And songs of chirping birds invite to rise. 6 
 
 He leaves his lowly bed : his buskins meet 
 -A Love his ancles ; sandals sheathe his feet: 
 He sets his trusty sword upon his side, 
 And o'er his shoulder throws a panther's hide. 
 Two menial dogs before their master press'd. C 
 
 Thus clad, and guarded thus, he seeks his kinij'.y 
 
 guest. 
 Mindful of promis'd aid, he mends his pace, 
 But meets ^neas in the middle space. 
 Young Pallas did his father's steps attend ; 
 And true Achates waited on his friend. C 
 
 They join their hands: a secret seat they choose; 
 Th' Arcadian first their former talk renews: 
 • Undaunted prince ! 1 never can believe 
 'I'he Trojan empire lost, while you survive. 
 Command th* assistance of a faithful friend : C 
 
 Rut feeble are the succours I can send, 
 Our narrow kingdom here the Tiber bounds : 
 That other sids the Latian state surrounds. 
 Insults our walls, and wastes our fruitful grounds. 
 Bur mighty nations I prepare to join t 
 
 Their arms with yours, and aid your just design. 
 You come, as by your better genius sent- 
 And Fortune seems to favour your intent. 
 Not far from hence there stands a hilly town, 
 Of ancient building, and ot high renown, 6 
 
 Torn from the Tuscans by the Lydian race. 
 Who gave the name of Caere to the place, 
 Once Agyllina call'd. It Hourish'd long. 
 In pride of wealth and warlike people strong. 
 Till curs'd Mezentius, in a fatal hour, C 
 
 Assum'd the crown, with arbitrary pow'r. 
 What words can paint those execrable times, 
 The subjects* sufifrings, and the tyrant's crimes? 
 That blood, those murders, O ye gods! replace 
 Ofl his own head, and on his impious race .' 6
 
 Si4 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 The living aud the dead, at liis command, 
 
 Were coupled face to face, and hand to hand, 
 
 Till, chok'd with stench, in loath'd embraces tied, 
 
 The ling'ring wretches pin'd away and died. 
 
 Thus plung'd in ills, and meditating more — 040 
 
 The people's patience, tried, no longer bore 
 
 The raging monster ; but with arms beset 
 
 His house, aud vengeance and destruction threat. 
 
 They fire his palace : while the flame ascends, 
 
 They force his guards, and execute his friends. C15 
 
 He cleaves the crowd, and favour'd by the night, 
 
 To Turnus' friendly court directs his flight 
 
 By just revenge the Tuscans set on fire. 
 
 With arms, their king to punishment require : 649 
 
 Their num'rous troops, now muster'd on the strand, 
 
 My counsel shall submit to your command. 
 
 Their navy swarms upon the coasts : they cry 
 
 To hoist their anchors, but the gods deny. 
 
 An ancient augur, skill'd in future fate, 
 
 With these foreboding words restrains their hate : G55 
 
 ' Ye brave in arms ye Lydian blood, the flow'r 
 
 Of Tuscan youth, and choice of all their pow'r. 
 
 Whom just revenge against Mezentius arms. 
 
 To seek your tyrant's death by lawful arms ! 
 
 Know this : no native of our land may lead CGO 
 
 Tliis pow'rful people : seek a foreign head.' 
 
 A v/'d with these words, in camps they still abide, 
 And wait with longing looks their promis'd guide. 
 Tarchon, the Tuscan chief, to me has sent 
 Their crown, and ev'ry regal ornament : 66.5 
 
 The people join their own with his desire; 
 And all my conduct, as their ting, require. 
 But the chill blood that creeps witliin ray veins, 
 And age, and listless limbs unfit for pains, 
 And a soul conscious of its own decay, t>70 
 
 Have forc'd me to refuse imperial sway. 
 My Pallas were more fit to mount the throne. 
 And should, but he's a Sabine mother's son. 
 And half a native : but, in you, combine 
 A manly vigour and a foreign line. ti7:j 
 
 Where Fate and smiling Fortune shew the way. 
 Pursue the ready path to sov'reign sway.
 
 .^NEIS, VIII. 315 
 
 The staff of my declining days, my son, 
 
 Sliall make your good or ill success his own ; 
 
 lu figbting-fields, from you shall learn to dare, G60 
 
 And serve the hard apprenticeship of war ; 
 
 Your matchless courage and your conduct view ; 
 
 And early shall begin t' admire and copy you. 
 
 Besides, two hundred horse he shall command — 
 
 Though few, a warlike and wel'.-chosen band. 685 
 
 These in my name are listed; and my son 
 
 As many more has added in hi.s own,' 
 
 Scarce had he said ; Achates and his guest. 
 
 With downcast eyes, their silent grief express'd; 
 
 Who, short of succours, and in deep despair, tiOO 
 
 Shook at the dismal prospect of the war. 
 
 But his bright mother, from a breaking cloud, 
 
 To cheer her issue, thunder'd thrice aloud : 
 
 Thrice forky lightning flash'd along the sky ; 69 1 
 
 And Tyrrhene trumpets thrice were heard on high. 
 
 Then gazing up, repeated peals they hear; 
 
 And, in a heav'n serene, refulgent arms appear: 
 
 Redd'ning the skies, and glitt'ring all around, 
 
 The temper'd metals clash, and yield a silver sound. 
 
 The rest stood trembling : struck with awe divine, 700 
 
 j^aeas only, conscious to the sign, 
 
 Presag'd the event, and joyful view'd, above, 
 
 Th' accomplish'd promise of the queen of love. 
 
 Then to th' Arcadian king : ' This prodigy 
 
 (Dismi.ss your fear) belongs alone to me. 705 
 
 Heav'n calls me to the war: th' expected sign 
 
 Is giv'n of promis'd aid, and arms divine. 
 
 My goddess-mother, whose indulgent care 
 
 Foresaw the dangers of the growing war. 
 
 This omen gave, when bright Vulcanian arms, 710 
 
 Fated from force of steel by Stygian charms, 
 
 Suspended, shone on high : then she foreshew'd 
 
 Approaching fights, and fields to float in blood. 
 
 Turnus shall dearly pay for faith forsworn : 711 
 
 And corps, and swords, and shields on Tiber borne. 
 
 Shall choke his flood : now sound the loud alarms ; 
 
 And, Latian troops, prepare yourperjur'd arms.' 
 
 He said, and, rising from his homely throne. 
 The oolemu rites of Hercules beeun, 
 P 2
 
 346 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Aud on liis altars wak'd the sleeping lires ; 720 
 
 Then cheerful to Lis household gods retires ; 
 
 There offers chosen sheep. Th' Arcadian king 
 
 And Trojan youth the same oblations bring. 
 
 Next, of his men and ships he makes review ; 
 
 Draws out the best and ablest of the crew. 72.'} 
 
 Down with the falling stream the refuse run, 
 
 To raise with joyful news his drooping son. 
 
 Steeds are prepar'd to mount the Trojan band, 
 
 Who wait their leader to the Tyrrhene land. 
 
 A sprightly courser, fairer than the rest, 730 
 
 The king himself presents his royal gueat. 
 
 A lion's hide his back and limbs infold. 
 
 Precious with studded work, and paws of gold. 
 
 Fame through the little city spreads aloud 
 
 Th' intended march: amid the fearful crowd, 735 
 
 The matrons beat thtir breasts, dissolve in tears, 
 
 And double their devotion in their fears 
 
 The war at hand appears with more affright, 
 
 And rises ev'ry moment to the sight. 739 
 
 Then old Evander, with a close embrace, [face. 
 
 Strain'd his departing friend; and tears o'erflow his 
 
 ' Would Heav'n (said he) my strength and youth recal, 
 
 Such as I was beneath Prasneste's wall — 
 
 Then when I made the foremost foes retire. 
 
 And set whole heaps of conquer'd shields on fiie ; 745 
 
 When Herilus in single fight I slew. 
 
 Whom with three lives Feronia did endue ; 
 
 And thrice I sent him to the Stygian shore, 
 
 Till the last ebbing soul return'd no more — 
 
 Such if I stood renew'd, not these alarms, 750 
 
 Nor death, should rend me from my Pallas' arms; 
 
 Nor proud Mezentius thus, unpunish'd, boast 
 
 His rapes and murders on the Tuscan coast. 
 
 Ye gods ! and mighty Jove ! in pity bring 
 
 Relief, and hear a father and a king ! 755 
 
 If Fate and you reserve these eyes, to see 
 
 My .«on return'd with peace and victory; 
 
 If the lov'd boy shall bless his father's sight; 
 
 If we shall meet again with more delight; 
 
 Then draw my life in length : let me sustain, 7C0 
 
 In hopes of his embrace, the worst of pain.
 
 i^NEIS, VIII. 317 
 
 Bnt, if your bard decrees — which, O ! I dread — 
 
 Hiive doom'd to death his undeserving head ; 
 
 This, ! this very moment, let me die, 
 
 \\ hile hopes and fears in equal balance lie; 765 
 
 While, yet possess'd of all his youthful charms, 
 
 I strain him close within these aged arms — 
 
 Before that fatal news my soul shall wound !' 
 
 He said, and swooning, sunk upon the ground. 
 
 His servants bore him off, and softly laid 770 
 
 His languish'd limbs upon his homely bed. 
 
 The horsemen march ; the gates are open'd 
 wide ; 
 iEneas at their head, Achates by his side. 
 Next these the Trojan leaders rode along : 
 Last, follows in the rear th' Arcadian throng. 775 
 Young Pallas shone conspicuous o'er the rest; 
 Gilded his arms, embroider'd was his vest. 
 So, from the seas, exerts his radiant head 
 The star by whom the lights of heav'n are led ; 
 Shakes from his rosy locks the pearly dews, 7S0 
 
 Dispels the darkness, and the day renews. 
 The trembling wives the walls and turrets crowd. 
 And follow, with their eyes, the dusty cloud, 
 Which winds disperse by fits, and shew from far 
 The blaze of arms, and shields, and shining war. 7S5 
 The troops, drawn up in beautiful array, 
 O'er heathy plains pursue the ready way. 
 Repeated peals of shouts are heard around : 
 The neighing coursers answer to the sound. 
 And shake with horny hoofs the solid ground. 790 
 
 A green wood shade, long for religion known. 
 Stands by the streams that wash the Tuscan town. 
 Encompass'd roimd with gloomy hills above. 
 Which add a holy horror to the grove. 
 The first inhabitants, of Grecian blood, 7'J3 
 
 I'hat sacred forest to Silvanus vow'd. 
 The guardian of their flocks and telds — and pay 
 ! heir due devotions on this annual day. 
 Not far from hence, along the river's side, 
 la ttats secure, the Tuscan troops abide, 800 
 
 By Tarchon led. Now, from a rising ground, 
 .-Eocas cast hii wjnd'ring eyes around,
 
 348 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Aiul all the Tyrrhene army had in sight. 
 Stretch'd on the spacious plain from left to right. 
 Thither his warlike train the Trojan led, 805 
 
 Refresh'd his men, and wearied horses fed. 
 
 Meantime theinother-goddess,crown'd with charms, 
 Breaks through the clouds, and brings the fated 
 
 arms. 
 Within a winding vale she finds her son. 
 On the cool river's banks, retir'd alone. 810 
 
 She shows her heav'nly form without disguise. 
 And gives herself to his desiring eyes. 
 ' Behold (she said) perform'd in ev'ry part. 
 My promise made, and Vulcan's labour'd art. 
 Now seek, secure, the Latian enemy, 815 
 
 And haughty Turnus to the field defy.' 
 She said: and, having first her son embrac'd, 
 The radiant arms beneath an oak she plac'd. 
 Proud of the gift, he roll'd his greedy sight 
 Around the work, and gaz'd with vast delight, 820 
 He lifts, he turns, he poises, and admires 
 The crested helm, that vomits radiant fires : 
 His hands the fatal sword and corslet hold. 
 One keen with lemper'd steel, one stiff with gol.l ; 
 Both ample, flaming both, and beamy bright. 826 
 So shines a cloud, when edged with adverse light. 
 He shakes the pointed spear, and longs to try 
 The plaited cuishes on his manly thigh ; 
 But most admires the shield's mysterious mould, 
 And Roman triumphs rising on the gold ; 830 
 
 For there, eraboss'd, the heav'nly smith had wrought 
 (Not in the rolls of future fate untaught) 
 The wars in order, and the race divine 
 Of warriors issuing from the Julian line. 
 The cave of Mars was dress'dwith mossy greens : 835 
 There, by the wolf, were laid the martial twins. 
 Intrepid on her swelling dugs they hung : 
 The foster-dam loU'd out her fawning tongue: 
 They suck'd secure, while, bending back her head, 
 She lick'd their tender limbs, and form'd them as 
 
 they fed. 840 
 
 Not far from thence new Rome appears, with games 
 Projected for the rape of Sabine dames.
 
 .^NEIS, VIIT. 34'J 
 
 The pit resounds with shrieks : a war succeeds. 
 
 For breach of public faith, aud unexampled deeds. 
 
 Here foi revenge the Sabine troops contend : 845 
 
 The Romans there with arms the prey defend. 
 
 Wearied with tedious war, at length they cease; 
 
 And both the kings and kingdoms plight the peace. 
 
 The friendly chiefs before Jove's altar stand, 
 
 Both arm'd, with each a charger in his hand : SJO 
 
 A fatted sow for sacrifice is led, 
 
 With imprecations on the perjur'd head. 
 
 Near this, the traitor Metius, siretch'd between 
 
 Four fiery steeds, is dragg'd along the green, 
 
 By Tuilus' doom : the brambles drink his blood ; 855 
 
 And his torn limbs are left, the vulture's food. 
 
 There, Porsena to Rome proud Tarquin brings, 
 
 And would by force restore the banish'd kings. 
 
 One tyrant for his fellow-tyrant tights : 
 
 The Roman youth assert their native rights. 860 
 
 Before the town the Tuscan army lies. 
 
 To win by famine, or by fraud surprise. 
 
 Their king, half threat'ning, half disdaining, stood, 
 
 While Codes broke the bridge, and stemm'd the flond. 
 
 The captive maids there tempt the raging tide, 865 
 
 'Scap'd from their chains, with Cloelia for their guide. 
 
 High on a rock heroic Manlius stood, 
 To guard the temple, and the temple's god. 
 Then Rome was pour ; and there you might behold 
 The palace thatch'd with straw, now roof 'd with gold. 
 The silver goose before the shining gate 871 
 
 There flew, and, by her cackle, sav'd the state. 
 She told the Gauls' approach: th' approaching Gauis, 
 (ibscure in night, ascend, and seize the we.lls. 
 The gold dissembled well their yellow hair ; 875 
 
 And golden chains on their white necks they wear. 
 Gold are their vests : long Alpine spears they wield ; 
 And their left arm sustains a length of shield. 
 Hard by, the leaping Salian priests advance: 879 
 
 Aud naked through the streets the mad Liiperci dance. 
 In caps of wool : the targets drop from heav'u. 
 Here modest matrons, in soft litters driv'n. 
 To pay their vows in solemn pomp appear ; 
 And od'rous gums in their chaste hands they bear.
 
 850 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Far hence removM, tlie Stygian seats are seen ; Bi^:y 
 
 Pains of the dainn'd ; and punish'd Catiline, 
 
 Hung on a rock — the traitor; and, around. 
 
 The Furies hissing from the nether ground. 
 
 Apart from these, the happy souls he draws. 
 
 And Cato's holy ghost dispensing laws. SOU 
 
 Betwixt the quarters, flows a golden sea ; 
 
 But foaming surges there iu silver play. 
 
 The dancing dolphins with their tails divide 
 
 I'he glitt'ring waves, and cut the precious tide. 
 
 Amid the main, two mighty fleets engage — 895 
 
 Their brazen beakrt oppos'd with equal rage. 
 
 Actium surveys the well-disputed prize : 
 
 Leucate's wat'ry plain with foamy billows fries. 
 
 Young Cffisar, on the stern, in armour bright, 
 
 Here leads the Romans and their gods to fight: 9(i0 
 
 His beamy temples shoot their flames afar; 
 
 And o'er his bead is hung the Julian star. 
 
 Agrippa seconds him, with prosp'rous gales. 
 
 And, wiih propitious gods, his foes assails. 
 
 A naval crown, that binds his manly brows, 905 
 
 The happy fortune of the fight foreshews. 
 
 Rangd on the line oppos'd, Antonius brings 
 IJarbarian aids, and troops of eastern kings, 
 Th' Arabians near, and Bactrians from afar. 
 Of tongues discordant, and a mingled war : 910 
 
 And, rich in gaudy robes, amidst the strife. 
 His ill fate follows him — th' Egyptian wife. 
 Moving they fight : with oars and forky prous, 
 The froth is gather'd, and the water glows. 
 It seems as if the Cyclades again 915 
 
 Were rooted up, and justled in the main ; 
 Or floating mountains floating mountains meet ; 
 Such is the fierce encounter of the fleet. 
 Fire-balls are thrown, and pointed jav'lins fly : 
 The fields of Neptune take a purple dye. 920 
 
 The queen herself, amidst the loud alarms, 
 With cymbals toss'd, her fainting soldiers warms — 
 Fool as she was ! who had not yet divin'd 
 Her cruel fate; nor saw the snakes behind. 
 Her country gods the monsters of the sky. 
 Great Neptune, Pallas, and love's queen defy.
 
 -^1:NKIS, VIII. 331 
 
 The dog Anubis barks, but barks in vain, 
 
 Nor longer dares oppose th' ethereal train 
 
 Sfars.ia the middle of the shining shield, 
 
 Is grav'd, and strides along the liquid field. 9 
 
 The Dtrae sowse from heav'n with swift descent; 
 
 And Discord, dyed in blood, with garmentjireut. 
 
 Divides the prcise : her steps Bellona treads. 
 
 And shakes her iron rod above their heads. 
 
 This seen, Apollo, from his Actian height, Sj.! 
 
 Pours down his arrows ; at whose winged flight 
 
 The trembling Indians and Egyptians yield. 
 
 And soft Sabaeans quit the wat'ry field. 
 
 Tiie fatal mistress hoists her silken sails. 
 
 And, shrinking from the fijht, invokes the gales. 940 
 
 Aghast she looks, and heaves her breast for breath. 
 
 Panting, and pale with fear of future death. 
 
 The god had fignr'd her, as driv'n along 
 
 By w inds and waves, and scudding through the throng. 
 
 Just opposite, sad Nilus opens wide 945 
 
 HLs arms and ample bosom to the tide. 
 
 And spreads his mantle o'er the winding coast, 
 
 In which he wraps his queen, and hides the flying 
 
 host. 
 The victor to the gods his thanks express'd, 
 And Rome triumphant with his presence bless'd O^jO 
 Three hundred temples in the town he plac'd ; 
 \\ ith spoils and altars ev"ry temple grac'd. 
 Three shining nights, and three succeeding days. 
 The fields resound with shouts, the streets with prai.-e. 
 The domes with songs, the theatres with plays. O.'io 
 All altars flame : before each altar lies, 
 Drench'd in his gore, the destin'd sacrifice. 
 Great Ca?sar sits sublime upon his throne, 
 Before Apollo's porch of Parian stone ; 
 Accepts the presents vowd for victory, 060 
 
 And hangs the monumental crowns on high. 
 Vast crowds of vanquish'd nations march along. 
 Various in arms, in habit, and in tongue. 
 Here, Mulciber assigns the proper place 
 For Carians, and th' ungirt Numidian race ; 965 
 
 Then rank^ the Thracians in the second row. 
 With Scythians, expert in the dart and bow.
 
 352 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 And here the tam'd Euphrates humbly glide.-; ; 
 And there the Rhine submits her swelling tides. 
 And proud Araxes, whom no bridge could bind. 
 The Danes' unconquer'd offspring march behind : 
 And Morini, the last of human kind. 
 
 These figures, on the shield divinely wrought, 
 By Vulcan labourd, and by Venus brought, 
 With joy and wonder fill the hero's thought. 
 Unknown the names, he yet admires the grace, 
 And bears aloft the fame and fortune of his race. 
 
 BOOK IX. 
 
 Turnus takes advantage of ^neasN absence, fires seme of his 
 ships Cwliich are traiisform'd into seanyuiphs), and assaiilLs 
 his camp. The Trojans, reduced to tlie la>.t extremities, send 
 Nisus and Eiiryaliia to recall ^neas ; which furnishes the poet 
 with that admirable episode of their friendship, generosity, 
 and the conclusion of their adventures. 
 
 While these affairs in distant places pass'd, 
 
 The various Iris Juno sends with haste, 
 
 To find bold Turnus, who, with anxious thought. 
 
 The secret shade of his great grandsire sought. 
 
 Retir'd alone she found the daring man, 5 
 
 And op'd lier rosy lips, and thus began: 
 
 ' What none of all the gods could grant thy vows — 
 
 That, Turnus, this auspicious day bestows. 
 
 iEneas, gone to seek th' Arcadian prince, 
 
 Has left the Trojan carup without defence; 10 
 
 And, short of succours there, employs his pains 
 
 In parts remote to raise the Tuscan swains. 
 
 Now snatch an hour that favours thy designs ; 
 
 Unite thy forces, and attack their lines.' 
 
 This said, on equal wings she pois'd her weight, 15 
 
 And form'd a radiant rainbow in her flight. 
 
 The Daunian hero lifts his hands and eyes, 
 And thus invokes the goddess as she flies : 
 * Iris, the grace of heav'n ! what pow'r divine 19 
 
 Has sent thee down, through dusky clouds to shine ? 
 See, they divide : immortal day appears. 
 And glitt'ring planets dancing in their .spheres ! 
 With joy these happy omens I obey. 
 And follow, to the war, the god that leads the way.'
 
 .^NEIS, IX. S53 
 
 Tbu5 having said, as by the brook he stood, '25 
 
 He scoop'd the w;iter from the crystal flood; 
 Then With his hands the drops to heav'n he throws. 
 And loads the pow'rs above with ofi'er'd vows. 
 
 Now march the bold confed'rates through the pUtin, 
 Well hors'd, well clad, a rich and shining train. 30 
 Messapus leads the van ; and, in the rear. 
 The sons of Tyrrheus in bright arms appear. 
 In the main battle, with his flaming crest, 
 The mighty Turnus tow'rs above the rest. 
 Silent they move, majestically slow, 35 
 
 Like ebbing Nile, or Ganges in his flow. 
 The Trojans view the dusty cloud from far. 
 And the dark menace of the distant war. 
 Caicus from the ranipire saw it rise, 
 Black'ning the fields, and thick'ning through the skie.-*. 
 Then to his fellows thus aloud he calls : 4! 
 
 ' What rolling clouds, my friends, approach the walls? 
 Arm ! arm ! and man the works ! prepare your spears, 
 And pointed darts ! the Latian host appears.' 
 
 Thus warn'd, they shut their gates ; with shouts 
 
 ascend 4j 
 
 The bulwarks, and, secure, their foes attend : 
 For their wise gen'ral, \vith foreseeing care. 
 Had charg'd them not to tempt the doubtful war. 
 Nor, though provok'd, in open fields advance, 
 But close within their lines attend their chance. 50 
 Unwilling, yet they keep the strict command, 
 And sourly wait in arms the hostile band. 
 The fiery Turnus flew before the rest : 
 A piebild steed of Thracian strain he press'd; 54 
 
 His helm of massy gold ; and crimson was his crest. 
 With twenty horse to second his designs. 
 An unexpected foe, he fac'd the lines. 
 ' Is there (he said) in arms who bravely dare 
 His leader's honour and his danger share I' 
 Then spurring on, his brandish'd dart he threw, 60 
 In sign of war : — applauding shouts ensue. 
 
 Amaz'd to find a dastard race that run 
 Behind the rampires, and the battle shun. 
 He rides around the camp with rolling eyes, 
 And stops at ev'ry port, and ev'ry passagetr
 
 H54 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 So roarus the nightly wolf about the fold : 
 
 Wet with descending show'rs, and stiff' with cold, 
 
 Ho howls for hunger, and he grins for pain 
 
 (His gnashing teeth are exercis'd in vain); 
 
 And, impotent of anger, finds no way 3 
 
 In his distended paws to grasp tlie prey. 
 
 The mothers listen ; but the bleating lambs 
 
 Securely swig the dug, beneath the dams. 
 
 Thus ranges eager Tiirnus o'er the plain. 
 
 Sharp with desire, and furious with disdain; 7 
 
 Surveys each passage with a piercing sight, 
 
 To force his foes in equal field to fight. 
 
 Thus while he gazes round, at length be spies, 
 
 Where, fenc'd with strong redoubts, their navy lies 
 
 Close underneath the walls: the washing tide g 
 
 Secures from all approach this weaker side. 
 
 He takes the wish'd occasion, fills his hand 
 
 W^ith ready fires, and shakes a flaming brand. 
 
 Urg'd by his presence, ev'ry soul is warm'd. 
 
 And ev'ry hand with kindled fires is arm'd. g 
 
 From the fir'd pines the scatt'ring sparkles fly : 
 
 Fat vapours, mix'd with flames, involve the sky. 
 
 What pow'r, O Muses, could avert the flame, 
 
 Which threaten'd, in (he fleet, the Trojan name? 
 
 Tell: for the fact, through length of time obscure, 9 
 
 Is hard to faith ; yet shall the fame endure. 
 
 'Tis said, that, when the chief prepar'd his flight. 
 And fell'd his timber froju mount Ida's height, 
 The grandame goddess then approach'd her son, 
 And with a mother's majesty begun : S 
 
 ' Grant me (she said) the sole request I bring. 
 Since cimquer'd heav'n has own'd you for its king. 
 On Ida's brows, for ages past there stood, 
 With firs and maples fill'd, a shady wood : 
 And on the summit rose a sacred grove, 10 
 
 Where I was worshipp'd with religious Inve. 
 These woods, that holy grove, my long delight, 
 I gave the Trojan prince, to speed his flight. 
 Now, fill'd with fear, on their behalf I come ; 
 Let neitlier winds o'erset, nor waves entomb, 10, 
 
 The floating forests of the sacred pine : 
 But let it be their safety to be mine.'
 
 .>ENEIS, IX. ;'55 
 
 Then thus replied her awful son, who rolls 
 Tlie radiant stars, and heav n aud earth control.- : 
 ' How dare you, mother, endless date demand, 110 
 For vessels moulded by a jnortal hand ? 
 What then is fate? Shall bold ^ueas ride. 
 Of safety certain, on th' uncertain tide i 
 Yet, what lean, 1 grant; when, waf:ed o'er, 
 The chief is landed on the Latian shore, 115 
 
 Whatever ships escape the raging storms. 
 At my coramaud sliall change their fading forms 
 To nymphs divine, and plough the wat'ry way. 
 Like Doto and the daughters of the sea.' 
 
 To seal the sacred vow, by Styx he swore, 120 
 
 The lake of liquid pitch, the dreary shore, 
 And Phlegethon's innavigable flood, 
 And the bluck rejrions of his brother god. 
 He said; aud shook ilip skies with his imperial nod. 
 
 And now at length the nuraber'd hours were coiue 
 Prefix'd by Fate's irrevocable doom, l-i6 
 
 When the great motlier of the gods was free 
 To save ber ships, and finish Jove's decree. 
 First, from the quarter of the mom, there sprung 
 A light that sign'd the heav'ns, and shot along : 130 
 Then from a cloud, fring'd round with golden tires. 
 Were timbrels heard, and Berecynthian choirs ; 
 And, last, a voice, with more than mortal souuds, 
 Both hosts, in arras oppos'd, with equal horror 
 
 wounds : 
 • O Trojan race ! your needless aid forbear ; 13."i 
 
 And know my ships are my peculiar care. 
 V. ith greater ease the bold Rutulian may. 
 With hissing brands, attempt to burn the sea, 
 Than singe my sacred pines. But you, my charge, 
 Loos'd from yonr crooked anchors, launch at large. 
 Exalted each a nymph: forsake the sand, 141 
 
 And swim the seas, at Cybele's command.' 
 No sooner had the goddess ceas'd to speak. 
 When, lo ! th' obedient ships their halsers break; 
 And, strange to tell, like dolphins, in the main 14.i 
 They plunge their prows, and dive, and spring again: 
 As many beauteous maids the billows sweep. 
 As rode before tall vessels on the deep.
 
 350 THE WORKS OP VIRGIL. 
 
 The foes, surpris'd with wonder, stood aghast : 
 
 Messapus curb'd his fiery courser's haste ; 150 
 
 Old Tiber roar'd, and, raising up his head, 
 
 Call'd back his waters to their oozy bed. 
 
 Turnus alone, undaunted, bore the shock, 
 
 And with these words his trembling troops bespoke : 
 
 * These monsters for the Trojans' fate are meant, 155 
 
 And are by Jove for black presages sent. 
 
 He takes the cowards' last relief away ; 
 
 For fly they cannot, and, constrain'd to stay. 
 
 Must yield unfought,a base inglorious prey. 
 
 The liquid half of all the globe is lust ; 160 
 
 Heav'n shuts the seas ; and we secure the coast. 
 
 Theirs is no more than that small spot of ground, 
 
 Which myriads of our martial men surround. 
 
 Their fates I fear not, or vain oracles. 
 
 'Twas giv'n to Venus, they shall cross the seas, 1G5 
 
 And land secure upon the Latian plains : 
 
 Their promis'd hour is pass'd, and mine remains. 
 
 'Tis in the fate of Turnus, to destroy, 
 
 With sword and fire, the faithless race of Troy. 
 
 Shall such affronts as these, alone, inflame 170 
 
 The Grecian brothers, and the Grecian name ! 
 
 My cause and theirs is one : a fatal strife. 
 
 And final ruin, for a ravish'd wife. 
 
 Was't not enough, that, punish'd for the crime, 
 
 They fell — but will tliey fall a second time? 175 
 
 One would have thought they paid enough before. 
 
 To curse the costly sex, and durst offend no more. 
 
 Can they securely trust their ferlde wall, 
 
 A slight partition, a thin interval, \70 
 
 Betwixt their fate and them ; when Troy, though built 
 
 By hands divine, yet perish'd by their guilt? 
 
 Lend me for once, my friends, your valiant hands, 
 
 To force from out their lines these dastard bands. 
 
 Less than a thousand ships will end this war: 
 
 Nor Vulcan needs his fated arms prepare. 1S5 
 
 Let all the Tuscans, all th' Arcadians, join ; 
 
 Nor these, nor those, shall frustrate my design. 
 
 Let them not fear the treasons of the night. 
 
 The robb'd Palladium, the pretended flight: 
 
 Our onset shall be made in open light. l!>0
 
 /ENEfS, IX. 3.5T 
 
 No wooden engine shall thfir town betray : 
 
 Fires they shall have aroiiml. but fires by day. 
 
 No Grecian babes before their camp appear. 
 
 Whom Hector's anws detain'd to the tenth tardy year. 
 
 "Sow, since the sun is rolling to the west, 195 
 
 Give we the silent night to needful rest: 
 
 Refresh your bodies, and your arms prepare: 
 
 The morn shall end the small remains of war.' 
 
 The post of honour to Messapus falls, 
 To keep the nightly guard; to watch the walls; 200 
 To pitch the fires at distances around, 
 And close the Trojans in their scanty ground. 
 Twice sev'n Rutulian captains ready stand ; 
 And twice sev'n hundred horse these chiefs command ; 
 All clad in shining arms the works inrest; 203 
 
 Each with a radiant helm, and waving crest, 
 Stretch'd at their length, they press the gra.ssy ground ; 
 They laugh ; they sing — (the jolly bowls go round; — 
 With lights and cheerful fires renew the day, 
 And pass the wakeful night in feasts and play. 210 
 
 The Trojans, from above, their foes beheld, 
 And with arm'd legions all the rampires fill'd. 
 Seiz'd with affright, their gates they first explore ; 
 Join works to works with bridges^ tow'r to tow'r : 
 Thus all things needful for defence abound: 21. "J 
 
 Mnestheus and brave Serestus walk the round, 
 Commission'd by their absent prince to .share 
 The common danger, and divide the care. 
 The soldiers draw their lots, and, as they fall. 
 By turns relieve each other on the wall. 220 
 
 Nigh where the foes their utmost guards advance. 
 To watch the gate was warlike Nisus' chance. 
 His father Hyrtacus, of noble blood ; 
 His mother was a huntress of the wood, 
 And sent him to the wars. Well could he bear 2*>.'j 
 His lance in fight, and dart the flying spear. 
 But better skill'd unerring shafts to send. 
 Beside him siood Euryalus, his friend — 
 Euryalus, than whom the Trojan host 
 No fairer face, or sweeter air, could boast. 230 
 
 Scarce had the down to shade his cheeks begun. 
 One was their care, and their delight was one.
 
 358 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 One coTnmon hazard in tho war they shar'd ; 
 And now were both by choice upon the guard. 
 
 Then Nisus thus: ' Or do the gods inspire 
 This warrath, or make ve gods of our desire ? 
 A geii'rous ardour boils within my breast, 
 Eager of action, enemy to rest ; 
 This urges me to fight, and fires my mind. 
 To leave a memorable name behind. 
 Thou seest the foe secure : how faintly shine 
 Their scatter'd fires : the most, in sleep supine 
 Along the ground, an easy conquest lie : 
 The wakeful few the fuming flaggon ply: 
 All hush'd around. Now hear what I revolre- 
 A thought unripe— and scarcely yet resolve. 
 Our absent prince both camp and council 
 
 mourn ; 
 By message both would hasten his return : 
 If they confer what I demand, on thee 
 (For fame is recompense enough for me), 
 Methinks, beneath yon hill, I have espied 
 A way that safely will my passage guide.' 
 Enryakis stood list'ning while he spoke; 
 With love of praise and noble envy struck ; 
 Then to his ardent friend expos'd his mind : 
 ' All this, alone, and leaving me behind ! 
 Am I unworthy, Nisus, to be join'd? 
 Think'st thou I can my share of glory yield. 
 Or send thee unassisted to the field? 
 Not so my father taught my childhood arms — 
 Born in a siege, and bred among alarms. 
 Nor is my youth unworthy of my friend. 
 Nor of the heav'n-born hero I attend. 
 The thing call'd life with ease I can disclaim. 
 And think it over-sold to purchase fame.' 
 
 Then Nisus thus : ' Alas ! thy tender years 
 Would minister new matter to my fears. 
 So may the gods, who view this friendly strife. 
 Restore me to thy lov'd embrace with life, 
 Coudemn'd to pay my vows (as sure I trust), 
 This thy request is cruel and unjust. 
 But if some ciiance — as many chances are, 
 And doubtful hazards, in the deeds of war —
 
 .ENE[S. IX. 3.59 
 
 If one should reach my bead, there let it f.ill, 
 
 And spare thy life: I would not perit;h all, -27.3 
 
 Tliy blooming youth deserves a longer date: 
 
 Live thou to mourn thy love's unhappy fate, 
 
 To bear my mangled body from the foe, 
 
 Or buy it back, and fun'ral rites bestow. 
 
 Or, if hard fortune shall those dues deny, 280 
 
 Thou canst at least an empty tomb supply. 
 
 O ! let not me the widow's tears renew ; 
 
 Nor let a mother's curse my name pursue — 
 
 Thy pious parent, who, for love of thee. 
 
 Forsook the coasts of friendly Sicily, 28.'; 
 
 Her age committing to the seas and wind, 
 
 When ev'ry weary matron staid behind.' 
 
 To this, Euryalus : ' You plead in vain. 
 
 And but protract the cause you cannot gain. 
 
 No more delays! but haste !' With that, he 
 
 wakes 290 
 
 The nodding watch > each to his office takes. 
 The guard relieved, the gen'rous couple went 
 To tind the council at the royal tent. 
 All creatures else forgot their daily care. 
 And sleep, the common gift of nature, share ; 20.1 
 
 Except the Trojan peers, who wakeful sate 
 In nightly council for th' endanger'd state. 
 They vote a mes.^age to their absent chief. 
 Shew their distress, and beg a swift relief. 
 Amid the camp a silent seat they chose, 300 
 
 Remote from clamour, and secure from fees ; 
 On their left arms their ample shields they bear. 
 Their right reclin'd upon the bending spear. 
 Now Nisus and his friend approach the guard, 
 And beg admission, eager to be heard — 305 
 
 Th' affair important, not to be deferr'd. 
 Ascanius bids them be conducted in, 
 Ord'ring the more experienc'd to begin. 
 Then Nisus thus : ' Ye fathers, lend your ears ; 
 Nor judge our bold attempt beyond our years. 310 
 The foe, securely dreuch'd in ^leep and wine. 
 Neglect their watch; the fires but thinly shine; 
 And where the smoke in cloudy vapours Hies, 
 Cov'ring the plain, and curling to the skies.
 
 SCO THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Betwixt two paths which at the gate divide, 31.^ 
 
 Chise by the sea, a passage we have spied. 
 
 Which will our way to great ^neas guide. 
 
 Expect each hour to see him .safe again, 
 
 Leaded with spoils of foes in battle slain. 
 
 Snatch we the lucky minute while we may : 320 
 
 Nor can we be mistaken in the way: 
 
 For, hunting in the vales, we both have seen 
 
 The rising turrets, and the stream between ; 
 
 And know the winding course, with ev'ry for].' 
 
 He ceas'd : and old Aletes took the word. 325 
 
 * Our country gods, in whom our trust we place. 
 
 Will yet from ruin save the Trojan race, 
 
 While we behold .such dauntless worth appear 
 
 In dawning youth, and souls so void of fear.' 
 
 Then into tears of joy the father broke : 330 
 
 Eacli in his longing arms by turns he took : 
 
 Panted and paus'd : and thus again he spoke : 
 
 ' Ye brave young men, what equal gifts can we, 
 
 In recompense of such desert, decree? 
 
 The greatest, sure, and best you can receive, 335 
 
 The gods and your own conscious worth will give. 
 
 The rest our grateful gen'ral will bestow. 
 
 And joung Ascanius, till his manhood, owe.' 
 
 ' And I, whose welfare in my father lies,' 
 
 Ascanius adds, ' by the great deities, 340 
 
 By my dear country, by my household gods. 
 
 By hoary Vesta's rites and dark abodes. 
 
 Adjure you both — (on you my fortune stands : 
 
 That and my faith I plight into your hands) — 
 
 Make me but happy in his safe return, 345 
 
 Whose wanted presence I can only mourn ; 
 
 Your common gifts shall two large goblets be 
 
 Of silver, wrought with curious imag'ry. 
 
 And high emboss'd, which, when old Priam reign'd. 
 
 My conqu'ring sire at sack'd Arisba gain'd ; 350 
 
 And, more, two tripods cast in antique mould, 
 
 With two great talents of the finest gold ; 
 
 Beside a costly bowl engrav'd with art. 
 
 Which Dido gave, when first she gave her heart. 
 
 But, if in conquer'd Italy we reign, 355 
 
 AVhen .spoils by lot the victor shall obtain —
 
 ^NEIS, IX. 3G1 
 
 Thou saw'st the courser by proud TurnTis press'd, 
 That, Nisus, and his arms, and nodding crest, 
 And shield, from chance exempt, shall be thy share ; 
 Twelve lab'ring slaves, twelve handmaids young and 
 fair, 3G0 
 
 All clad in rich attire, and train'd with care; 
 And, last, a Latian field with fruitful plains, 
 And a large portion of the king's domains. 
 But thou, whose years are more to mine allied. 
 No fate my vow'd affection shall divide 365 
 
 From thee, heroic youth ! Be wholly mine : 
 Take full possession : all my soul is thine. 
 One faith, one fame, one fate, shall both attend : 
 My life's companion, and my bosom friend — 
 My peace shall be committed to thy care ; 370 
 
 And, to thy conduct, my concerns in war.' 
 Then thus the young Euryalus replied : 
 ' Whatever fortune, good or bad, betide. 
 The same shall be my age, as now my youth : 
 !No time shall find me wanting to my trath. 375 
 
 This only from your goodness let me gain 
 (And, this ungranted, all rewards are vain): — 
 Of Priam's royal race my mother came — 
 And sure the best that ever bore the name — 
 Whom neither Troy nor Sicily could hold 380 
 
 From me departing, but, o'erspent and old. 
 My fate she follow'd. Ignorant of this 
 (Whatever) danger, neither parting kiss 
 Nor pious blessing taken , her I leave, 
 And in this only act of all my life deceive. 385 
 
 By this right band, and conscious night I swear. 
 My soul so sad a farewell could not bear. 
 Be you her comfort ; fill my vacant place — 
 (Permit me to presume so great a grace); 
 Support her age, forsaken and distress'd. 390 
 
 That hope alone will fortify my breast 
 Against the worst of fortunes and of fears.' 
 He said. The niov'd assistants melt in tears. 
 Then thus Ascanius, wonder-struck to see 
 That image of his filial piety : 3©5 
 
 ' So great beginnings, in so green an age, 
 Exact the faith which I again engage. 
 Q
 
 362 THE WORKS OK VIRGIL. 
 
 Thy mother all the dues shall justly claim, 
 
 Creiisa had, and only want the name. 
 
 Whate'er event thy bold attempt shall ha\e, 400 
 
 'lis merit to have borne a son so brave. 
 
 Now by my head, a sacred oath, 1 swear 
 
 (My father us'd it), what, returning here 
 
 Crown'd with success, I for thyself prepare. 
 
 That, if thou fail, shall thy lov'd mother share.' 405 
 
 He .said, and, weeping while he spoke the word. 
 From his broad belt he drew a shining sword, 
 Magnificent with gold. Lycaon made, 
 And in an iv'ry scabbard sheath'd the blade. 409 
 
 This was his gift. Great Mnestheus gave his friend 
 A lion's hide, his body to defend ; 
 And good Aletes furnish'd him, beside, 
 With his own trusty helm, of temper tried. 
 
 Thus arm'd they went. The noble Trojans wait 
 Their issuing forth, and follow to the gate 4ir> 
 
 W'ith pray'rs and vows. Above the rest appears 
 Ascanius, manly far beyond his years. 
 And messages committed to their care. 
 Which all in winds were lost, and iiitting air. 419 
 
 The trenches first they pass'd ; then took their way 
 Where their proud foes in pitch'd pavilions lay : 
 To many fatal, ere themselves were slain. 
 They found the careless host dispers'd upon the plain, 
 Who, gorg'd, and drunk with wine, supinely snore. 
 Unharness'd chariots stand along the shore : 42.'» 
 
 Amidst the wheels and reins, the goblet by, 
 A medley of debauch and war, they lie. 
 Observing Nisus shew'd his friend the sight ; 
 * Behold a conquest gain'd without a fight. 
 Occasion oflfers; and I stand prepar'd : 430 
 
 Their lies our way : be thou upon the guard. 
 And look around, while I securely go. 
 And hew a passage through the sleeping foe.' 
 Softly he spoke: then striding took his waj-. 
 With his drawn sword, where haughty Rhamneslay ; 
 His head rais'd high on tapestry beneath, 4SG 
 
 And heaving from his breast, he drew his breath— 
 A king and prophet, by king Turnus lov'd : 
 But fate by prescience cannot be remo\ 'd.
 
 ^NF.IS. IX. 3fi3 
 
 Him and his sleeping slaves he slew : then spies 440 
 Where Remus, with his rich retinue, lies. 
 His armour-bearer first, and next he kills 
 His charioteer, intrench'd betwixt the wheels 
 And his lov'd horses; last invades their lord : 
 Full on his neck he drives the fatal sword; 445 
 
 The gasping head flies off; a purple flood 
 Flows from the trunk, that welters in the blood. 
 Which, by the spurning heels dispersed around. 
 The bed b sprinkles, and bedews the ground. 
 Lamus the bold, and Lamyrus the strong, 450 
 
 He slew, and then Sarranus fair and young. 
 From dice and wine the youth retir'd to rest. 
 And pufl^d the fumy god from out his breast : 
 Ev'n then he dreamt of drink and lucky play — 
 More lucky, had it lasted till the day. 45 5 
 
 The famish'd lion thus, with hunger bold, 
 O'erleaps the fences of the nightly fold. 
 And tears the peaceful flocks : with silent awe 
 Trembling they lie, and pant beneath his paw. 
 
 Nor with less rage Euryalus employs ■• 4G0 
 
 Tlie wrathful sword, or fewer foes destroys : 
 But on th' ignoble crowd his fury flew : 
 He Fada'*, Hebesus, and Rhoetus, slew. 
 Oppress'd with heavy sleep the former fall. 
 But Rhoetus wakeful, and observing all, 405 
 
 Behind a spacious jar he slink'd for fear : 
 The fatal iron found and reach'd him there ; 
 For, as he rose, it pierc'd his naked side. 
 And, reeking, thence ret-irn'd in crimson dyed. 
 The wound pours out a stream of wine and blood : 4'0 
 The purple soul comes floating in the flood. 
 
 Now, where Messapus quarter'd, they arrive. 
 The fires were fainting there, and just alive: 
 The warrior-horses, tied in order, fed. 
 Niius observ'd the discipline, and said : 475 
 
 ' Our eager thirst of blood may botli betray : 
 And see, the 8catter'd streaks of dawning day. 
 Foe to nocturnal thefts ! No more, my friend : 
 Here let our glutted execution end. 
 A lane through slaughter'd bodies we have made." 480 
 The bold Euryalus, though loth, obey"d.
 
 364 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Of arms, and arras, and of plate, they find 
 
 A precious load ; but these they leave behind. 
 
 Yet, fond of gaudy spoils, the boy would stay 
 
 To make the rich caparison his prey, 435 
 
 Which on the steed of conquer "d Rhamnes lay. 
 
 Nor did his eyes less longingly behold 
 
 The girdle-belt, with nails of burnishVl gold. 
 
 Tiiis present Caedicus the rich bestow'd 
 
 On Remulus, when friendship first they vow'd, 400 
 
 And, absent, join'd in hospitable ties: 
 
 He, dying, to his heirbeqaeath'd the prize; 
 
 Till, by the conqii'ring Ardean troops oppress'd^ 
 
 He fell ; and they the glorious gift possess'd. 491 
 
 These glitt'ring spoils (now made the victor's gain) 
 
 He to his body suits, but suits in vain. 
 
 Messapus' helm he finds among the rest, 
 
 And laces on, and wears the waving crest. 
 
 Proud of their conquest, prouder of their prey, 
 
 They leave the camp, and take the ready way. 500 
 
 But far they had not pass'd, before they spied 
 Three hundred horse, with Volscens for their guide. 
 The queen a legion to king Turnus sent: 
 But the swift horse the slower foot prevent. 
 And now, advancing, sought the leader's tent. .'305 
 They saw the pair ; tor through the doubtful shade. 
 His shining helm Euryalus betray'd. 
 On which the moon with full reflection play'd. 
 
 * 'Tis not for nought,' cried Volscens from the crowd, 
 
 ' These men go there:' then rais'd his voice aloud : 5in 
 
 * Stand ! stand I why thus in arms! and whither benf? 
 From whence, to whom, and on what errand sent V 
 Silent they scud away, and haste their flight 
 
 To neighb'ring v/oods, and trust themselves to night. 
 The speedy horse all passages belay, 515 
 
 And spur their smoking steeds to cross their way ; 
 And watch each entrance of the winding wood. 
 Black was the forest: thick with beech it stood. 
 Horrid with fern, and intricate with thorn : 
 Few paths of human feet, or tracks of beasts, were 
 
 worn. 5 '20 
 
 The darkness of the shades, his heavy prey, 
 And fear, misled the younger from his way.
 
 iENEIS, IX. 2C5 
 
 But Nisus bit the turns with happier haste. 
 And, thoughtless of his friend, the forest pass'd. 
 And Alban plains (from Alba's name so call'd) 523 
 Wliere king Latinus then his oxen stall'd ; 
 Till, turning at the length, he stood his ground. 
 And nsiss'd his friend, and cast his eyes around. 
 ' Ah wretch !' he oried — ' where have I left behicd 
 Th' unhappy youth ! where shall I hope to find? 530 
 Or what way take?' Again he ventures back, 
 And treads the mazes of his former track. 
 He winds the wood, and, list'ning, hears the noise 
 Of trampling coursers, and the riders' Toice. 
 The sound approach'd; and suddenly he Tiew'd 535 
 The foes enclosing, and his friend pursu'd, 
 Forelay'd and taken, while he strove in vain 
 The shelter of the friendly shades to gain. 
 What should he next attempt? what arms employ. 
 What fruitless force, to free the captive boy ? 540 
 
 Or desp'rate should he rush, and lose his life, 
 With odds oppress'd in such unequal strife ? 
 Resolv'd at length, his pointed spear he sliook : 
 And, casting on the moon a mournful look, 
 ' Guardian of groves, and goddess of the night ! 5 15 
 Fair queen !' he said, ' direct my dart aright. 
 If e'er my pious father, for my sake. 
 Did grateful oflPrings on thy altars make. 
 Or I increas'd them with my sylvan toils, 
 And hung thy holy roofs with savage spoils, 550 
 
 Give me to scatter these.' Then from his ear 
 He pois'd, and aim'd, and launch'd the trembling 
 The deadly weapon, hissing from the grove, [spear. 
 Impetuous on the back of Sulmo drove ; 
 Pierc'd his thin armour, drank his vital blood, 5j5 
 And in his body left the broken wood. 
 He staggers round: his eyeballs roll in death ; 
 And with short sobs he gasps away his breath. 
 All stand amaz'd : — a second jav'lin flies 559 
 
 With equal strength, and quivers through the skies. 
 This through thy temples, Tagxis, forc'd the way. 
 And in the brain-pan warmly buried lay. 
 Fierce Volsceus foams with rage, and gazing round. 
 Descried not him who gave the deadly wound,
 
 3G6 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Nor knew to fix revenge : * But thou,' he cries, 505 
 ' Shall pay for both,' and at the pris'ner Hies 
 With his drawn sword. Then, struck with deep 
 
 despair. 
 That cruel sight the lover could not bear ; 
 But froru his covert rush'd in open view, 
 And sent his voice before him as he flew : ''7i) 
 
 ' Me ! me !' he cried — ' turn all your swords alone 
 On me — the fact confess'd, the fault my own. 
 He neither could nor durst, the guiltless youth — 
 Ye moon and stars, bear witness to the truth! 
 His only crime (if friendship can offend) 575 
 
 Is, too much love to his unhappy friend.' 
 Too late he speaks : — the sword, which fury guides, 
 Driv'n with full force, had pierc'd his tender sides. 
 J^own fell the beauteous youth : the yawning wound 
 Gush'd out a purple stream, and stain'd the ground. 
 His snowy neck reclines upon his breast, 581 
 
 Like a fair flow'r by the keen share oppress'd — 
 Like a white poppy sinking on the plain, 
 Whose heavy head is overcharg'd with rain. 
 Despair, and rage, and vengeance justly vow'd, 585 
 Drove Nisus headlong on the hostile crowd. 
 Volscens he seeks; on him alone he bends: 
 Borne back and bord by his surrounding friends, 
 Onward hepress'd, and kept him still in sight, 
 Then whirl'd aloft his sword with all bis might : 590 
 Th' unerring steel descended while he spoke, 
 Pierc'd his wide mouth, and through his weazon 
 
 broke. 
 Dying, he slew ; and stagg'ring on the plain, 
 With swimming eyes he sought his lover slain : 
 Then quiet on his bleeding bosom fell, 5 95 
 
 Content, in death, to be reveng'd so well. 
 
 O happy friends ! for, if my verse can give 
 Immortal life, your fame shall ever live, 
 I'ix'd as the Capitol's foundation lies. 
 And spread, where'er the Roman eagle flies. (:( ;> 
 
 The conqu'ring party first divide the prey. 
 Then their slain leader to the camp convey. 
 W^ith wonder, as they went, the troops were fiU'd, 
 To see such numbers whom so few had kill'd.
 
 ^NEiS, IX. 3G7 
 
 SirrauiLs, Rliamnes, and the rest, they found : fiOj 
 Vast crowd:j the dying and the dead surround ; 
 And the yet reeking blood o'erflows the ground. 
 All knew the helmet which Messapus lost, 
 But niourn'd a purchase that so dear had cost. 
 Now ro<e the ruddy mom from Tithon's bed, 610 
 
 And with the dawn of day the skies o'erspread ; 
 Nor long the sun his daily course withheld. 
 But added colours to the world reveal'd ; 
 When early Tiirnus, wak'ning with the light, 
 All clad in armour, calls his troops to fight. 613 
 
 His martial men with fierce harangues he fir'd, 
 And his own ardour in their souls inspir'd. 
 This done — to give new terror to his foes. 
 The heads of Nisus and his friend he shews 
 Rais'd high on pointed spears — a ghastly sight ! 620 
 Loud peals of shouts ensue, and barbarous delight. 
 Meantime the Trojans run, where danger calls ; 
 They line their trenches, and they nian tLiir walls. 
 Ill front extended to the left they stood : 
 Safe was the right, surrounded by the flood. 625 
 
 But, casting from their tow'rs a frightful view, 
 They saw the faces which too well they knew. 
 Though then disguis'd in death, and smear'd all o'er 
 With fihh obscene, and dropping putrid gore. 
 Soon hasty fame through the sad city bears 630 
 
 The mournful message to the mother's ears. 
 An icy cold benumbs her limbs ; she shakes: 
 Her cheeks the blood, her hand the web, forsakes. 
 She runs the rampires round, amidst the war. 
 Nor fears the flying darts : she rends her hair, 635 
 And fills with loud laments the liquid air. 
 ' Thus, then, my lov'd Euryalus appears! 
 Thus looks the prop of my declining years! 
 Was't on this face my famish'd eyes I fed? 
 Ah! how unlike the living is the dead! frlO 
 
 And could'st thou leave me, cruel, thus alone 
 Not one kind kiss from a departing son ! 
 No look, no last adieu, before he went. 
 In an ill-boding hour to slaughter sentl 
 Cold on the ground, and pressing foreign clay, 645 
 To Latiuu dogs and fowls he lies a prey !
 
 36S THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Nor was I near to close his dying eyes, 
 
 To wash Lis wounds, to weep his obsequies. 
 
 To call about his corpse his crying friends, 
 
 Or spread the mantle (made for other ends) 6o0 
 
 On his dear body, which I wove with care. 
 
 Nor did my daily pains or nightly labour spare. 
 
 Where shall I find his corpse ? what earth sustains 
 
 His trunk dismember'd, and his cold remains? 
 
 For this, alas ! I left my needful ease, 655 
 
 Expos'd my life to winds, and winter seas! 
 
 If any pity touch Rutulian hearts. 
 
 Here empty all your quivers, all your darts : 
 
 Or, if they fail, thou, Jove, conclude my woe, 
 
 And send me thunder-struck to shades below !' 66» 
 
 Her shrieks and clamours pierce the Trojans' ears, 
 Unman their courage, and augment their ftars ; 
 Nor young Ascaaius could the sight sustain, 
 Nor old Ilioneus his tears restrain, 
 But Actor and Idaeus jointly sent, 665 
 
 To bear the madding mother to her tent. 
 And now the trumpets terribly, from far, 
 With rattling clangor, rouse the sleepy war. 
 The soldiers' shouts succeed the brazen sounds ; 669 
 And heav'n, from pole to pole, the noLse rebounds. 
 The Volscians bear their shields upon their head. 
 And, rushing forward, form a moving shed. 
 These fill the ditch : those pull the bulwarks down : 
 Some raise the ladders ; others scale the town. 
 But, where void spaces on the walls appear, 675 
 
 Or thin defence, they pour their forces there. 
 With poles and missive weapons, from afar. 
 The Trojans keep aloof the rising war. 
 Taught by their ten years' siege, defensive fight, 679 
 They roll down ribs of rocks, an unresisted weight. 
 To break the penthouse with the pond'rous blow, 
 Which yet the patient Volscians undeigo — 
 But could not bear th' unequal combat long: 
 For, where the Trojans find the thickest throng. 
 The ruin falls : their shatter'd shields give way, 685 
 And their crush'd heads become an easy prd 
 They shrink for fear, abated of their rage. 
 Nor longer dare in a blind fight engage^ -
 
 iiiNEIS, IX. 309 
 
 Contented novsr to gall them from below 
 
 With darts and slings, and with the distant bow. 69'J 
 
 Elsewhere Mezentius, terrible to view, 
 A blizing pine within the trenches threw. 
 I^ut brave Messapus, Neptune's warlike son, 
 liroke down the palisades, the trenches won. 
 And loud for ladders calls, to scale the town. 685 
 
 Calliope, begin ! Ye sacred Nine, 
 Inspire your poet in his high design. 
 To sing what slaughter manly Turnus made, 
 What souls he sent below the Stygian shade. 
 What fame the soldiers with their captain share, 700 
 And the vast circuit of the fatal war : 
 For you, in singing martial facts, excel; 
 You best remember, and alone can tell. 
 
 There stood a tow'r, amazing to the sight, 
 Built up of beams, and of stupendous height : 705 
 
 Art, and the nature of the place, conspir'd 
 To furnish all the strength that war requir'd. 
 To level this, the bold Italians join : 
 The wary Trojans obviate their design : 709 
 
 With weighty stones o'erwhelm their troops below, 
 Shoot through the loop-holes, and sharp jav'lins 
 
 throw. 
 Turnus, the chief, toss'd'from his thund'ring hand, 
 Against the wooden walls, a flaming brand: 
 It stuck, the fiery plague : the winds were high ; 
 The planks were season'd, and the timber dry. 715 
 Contagion caught the posts ; it spread along, 
 Scorchd, and to distance drove, the scatter'd throng. 
 The Trojans fled ; the fire pursu'd amain, 
 Still gath'ricg fast upon the trembling train : 
 Till, crowding to the corners of the wall, 720 
 
 Down the defence and the defenders fall. 
 The mighty flaw makes heav'n itself resound : 
 The dead and dying Trojans strew the ground. 
 The tow'r, that follow'd on the falling crew, 724 
 
 Whelmd o'er their heads, and buried whom it slew ! 
 Some stuck upon the darts themselves had sent ; 
 All the same equal ruin underwent. 
 
 Young Lycus and Helenor only 'scape; 
 Savd — how, they know not — from the steepy leap.
 
 3:0 THE WORKS OP VIRGIL. 
 
 Helenor, elder of tlie two ; by birtb, 730 
 
 On one side royal, one a son of earth. 
 
 Whom, to the Lydian king, Licymnia bare. 
 
 And sent her boasted bastard to the war — 
 
 (A privilege which none but freemen share). 
 
 Slight were his arms, a sword and silver shield : 735 
 
 No marks of honour charg'd its empty field. 
 
 Light as he fell, so light the youth arose. 
 
 And, rising, found himself amidst his foes ; 
 
 Nor flight was left, nor hopes to force his way. 
 
 Embolden'd by de.spair, he stood at bay ; 740 
 
 And, like a stag, whom all the troop surrounds 
 
 Of eager huntsmen and invading hounds — 
 
 Resolv'd on death, he dissipates his fears. 
 
 And bounds aloft against the pointed spears : 
 
 So dares the youth, secure of death, and throws 745 
 
 His dying body on his thickest foes. 
 
 But Lycus, swifter of his feet by far, 
 Runs, doubles, winds, and turns, amidst the war ; 
 Springs to the walls, and leaves his foes behind, 
 And snatches at the beam he first can find ; 750 
 
 Looks up, and leaps aloft at all the stretch, 
 In hopes the helping hand of some kind friend to 
 
 reach. 
 But Turnus follow'd hard his hunted prey 
 (His spear Jhad almost reach'd him in the way. 
 Short of his reins, and scarce a span behind) : Z.jS 
 
 ' Fool!' said the chief, ' though fleeter than the wind, 
 Could'st thou presume to 'scape when I pursue?' 
 He said, and downward by the feet he drew 
 The trembling dastard : at the tug he falls : 759 
 
 Vast ruins come along, rent from the smoking walls. 
 Thus on some silver swan, or tim'rous hare, 
 Jove's bird comes sowsing down from upper air ; 
 Her crooked talons truss the fearful prey : 
 Then out of sight she soars, and wings her way. 
 So seizes the grim wolf the tender lamb, 765 
 
 In vain lamented by the bleating dam. 
 
 Then rushing onward with a barb'rous cry, 
 The troops of Turnus to the combat fly. 
 The ditch with faggots fiU'd, the daring foe 
 To.ss'd firebrands to the steepy turrets throw. T.'^d
 
 J^NEIS, IX. 371 
 
 Ilioueus, as bold Lucetins came 
 To force the gate, and feed the kiadling flame, 
 Roll'd di)wn the fragment of a rock so right, 
 It crnsh'd hira double underneath the weight. 
 Two more young Liger and Asylus slew: 775 
 
 To bend the bow young Liger better knew; 
 Asylas best the pointed jav'lin threw. 
 Brave Ceeneus laid Ortygius on the plain; 
 The victor Cteneus was by Turn us sluin. 
 By the same hand Clonius and Itys fall, 780 
 
 Sagar, and Idas standing on the wall. 
 From Capys' arms his fate Priveruns found : 
 Hurt by Temilla first — but slight the wound — 
 His shield thrown by, to mitigate the smart 
 He clapp'd his hand upon the wounded part : 78-1 
 
 The second shaft came swift and unespy'd. 
 And pierc'd his hand, and nail'd it to his side, 
 Transfix'd his breathing lungs, and beating heart : 
 The soul came issuing out, and hiss'd against the ddrt. 
 
 The sou of Arcens ahone amid the rest, TviO 
 
 In glitt'ring armour and a purple vest, 
 (Fair was his face, his eyes inspiring love) — 
 Bred by his father in the Martian grove. 
 Where the fat altars of Palicus flame. 
 And sent in arms to purchase early fame. 7y."« 
 
 Him when he spied from far, the Tuscan king 
 Laid by the lance, and took him to the sling. 
 Thrice whirl'dthe thong around his head, and threw : 
 The heated lead half melted as it flew : 
 It pierc'd bis hollow temples and his brain : 800 
 
 The youth came tumbling down, and spuru'd the i)hiin. 
 
 Then young Ascanius, who, before this day, 
 Was wont in woods to shoot the savage prey. 
 First bent in martial strife the twanging bow. 
 And exercis'd against a human foe — 805 
 
 With this bereft Numanus of his life, 
 Who Turnus' younger sister took to wife. 
 Proud of his realm, and of his royal bride, 
 Vauntingbeforehistroops.andlengtheu'd with a stride. 
 In these insulting terms the Trojans he defied : 810 
 • Twice-conquer'd cowards! now your shame is shewn — ■ 
 Coop'd up a second time witliiu your town !
 
 372 THE WORKS OP VIRGIt. 
 
 Who dare not issne forth iu open field. 
 But hold your walls before you for a shield. 
 Thus threat you war? thus our alliance force ? 8I.j 
 What gods, what madness, hither steer'd your course 'i 
 You shall not find the sons of Atreus here. 
 Nor need the frauds of sly Ulysses fear. 
 Strong from the cradle, of a sturdy brood, 
 We bear our newborn infants to the flood; 820 
 
 Tiiere bath'd amid the stream, (jur boys we hold. 
 With winter harden'd, and inur'd to cold. 
 They wake before the day to range the wood. 
 Kill ere they eat, nor taste unconquer'd food. 
 No sports, but what belong to war, they know — 825 
 To break the stubborn colt, to bend the bow. 
 Our youth, of labour patient, earn their bread; 
 Hardly they work, with frugal diet fed. 
 From ploughs and harrows sent to seek renown, 
 They fight in fields, and storm the shaken town, 830 
 No part of life from toils of war is free. 
 No change in age, or difF'rence in degree. 
 We plough and till in arms; our oxen feel, 
 Instead of goads, the spur and pointed steel : 
 Th' inverted lance makes furrows in the plain. 8;^5 
 Ev'n time, that changes all, yet changes us in vain — 
 The body, not the mind — nor can control 
 Th' immortal vigour, or abate the soul. 
 Our helms defend the young, disguise the gray ; 
 We live by plunder, and delight in prey. 840 
 
 Your vests embroider'd with rich purple shine ; 
 In sloth you glory, and in dances join. 
 Your Tt^ts have sweeping sleeves : with female prido 
 Your turbans underneath your chins are tied. 
 Go, Phrygians, to your Dindymus again ! 8-15 
 
 Go, less than women, in the shapes of men ! 
 Go ! mix'd with eunuchs in the mother's rites, 
 (Where with unequal sound the flute invites) 
 Sing, dance, and howl, by turns, in Ida's shade: 
 Re.sign the war to men, who know the martial trade.' 
 This foul reproach Asoanius could not hear 851 
 With patience, or a vow'd revenge forbear. 
 At the full stretch of both his hands, he drew, 
 And almost joia'd, the horns of the tough yew. 
 
 I
 
 -ENEIS, IX. 3?3 
 
 But, first, before the throne of Jove he stood, 855 
 
 And thus with lifted hands invok'd the god: 
 
 ' My first attempt, great Jupiter, succeed! 
 
 An annual oflfring in thy grove shall bleed, 
 
 A snow-white steer, before thy altar led. 
 
 Who, like his mother, bears aloft his head, 860 
 
 Butts with his threat'ning brows, and bellowing stand-^, 
 
 And dares the fight, and spurns the yellow sands.' 
 
 Jove bow'd the heav'ns, and lent a gracious ear, 
 And thunder'd on the left, amidst the clear. 
 Sounded at once the bow ; and swiftly flies 865 
 
 The feather'd death, and hisses through the skies. 
 The steel through both his temples forc'd the way : 
 Extended on the ground, Numanus lay. 
 ' Go now, vain boaster I and true valour scorn : 869 
 The Phrygians, twice subdu'd, yet make this third re- 
 Ascanius said no more. The Trojans shake [turn.' 
 The heav'ns with shouting, and new vigour take. 
 
 Apollo then bestrode a golden cloud, 
 To view the feats of arms, and fighting crowd ; 
 And thus the beardless victor he bespoke aloud : 873 
 ' Advance, illustrious youth! increase in fame. 
 And wide from east to west extend thy name — 
 Offspring of gods thyself : and Rome shall owe 
 To thee a race of demigods below. 
 
 This is the way to heav'n : the pow'rs divine 880 
 
 From this beginning date the Julian line. 
 To thee, to them, and their victorious heirs. 
 The conqner'd war is due ; and the vast world is theirs. 
 Troy is too narrow for thy name.' He said. 
 And plunging downward shot his radiant head ; 885 
 Dispell'd the breathing air, that broke his flight : 
 Shorn of his beams, a man to mortal sight. 
 Old Butes' form he took, Anchises' squire. 
 Now left, to rule Ascanius, by his sire : 
 His wrinkled visage, and his hoary hairs, 890 
 
 His mien, his habit, and his arms, he wears. 
 And thus salutes the boy, too forward for his years : 
 * Suffice it thee, thy father's worthy son. 
 The warlike prize thou hast already won. 
 The god of archers gives thy youth a part 895 
 
 Of his own praise, nor envies equal art.
 
 S7i THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Now tempt the war no more.' He said, and liew 
 
 Obscure in air, and vanish'd f:om their view. 
 
 The Trojans, by his arms, their patron know, 
 
 And hear the twanging of his heav'nly bow. 900 
 
 Then duteous force they use, and Phoebus's name, 
 
 To keep from fight the youth too fond of fame. 
 
 Undaunted, they themselves no danger shun : 
 
 From wall to wall the shouts and clamours run : y'j4 
 
 They bend their bows, they whirl their siings around : 
 
 Heaps of spent arrows fall, and strew the ground ; 
 
 And helms, and shields, and rattling arms, resound, 
 
 The combat thickens, like the storm that flies 
 
 From westward, when the show'ry Kids arise; 
 
 Or patt'ring hail comes pouring on the main, 910 
 
 When Jupiter descends in hardened rain. 
 
 Of bellowing clouds burst with a stormy sound, 
 
 And with an armed winter strew the ground. 
 
 Pand'rus and Bitias, thunderbolts of war. 
 Whom Hiera to bold Alcanor bare 915 
 
 On Ida's top — two youths of height and size 
 Like firs that on their mother mountain rise — 
 Presuming on their force, the gates unbar. 
 And of tlieir own accord invite the war, 
 "With fates averse, against their king's command. 920 
 Arm'd on the right and on the left they stand, 
 And flank the passage : shining steel they wear, 
 And waving crests above their heads appear. 
 Thus two tall oaks, that Padus' banks adorn. 
 Lift up to heav'n their leafy heads unshorn, Uij 
 
 And, overpress'd with nature's heavy load. 
 Dance to the whistling winds, and at each other 
 nod. 
 
 In flows a tide of Latians, when they see 
 The gate set open, and the passage free : 
 Bold Quercens, with rash Tmarus, rushing on, 930 
 Aquicolus, that in bright armour shone. 
 And Haemou first : but soon repuls'd they fly, 
 Or in the well- defended pass they die. 
 Tliese with success are fir'd, and those with rage ; 
 And each on equal terms at length engage. oa j 
 
 Drawn from their lines, and issuing from the plaiu. 
 The Troi aus haud to hand the fight maintain.
 
 .^NEIS, IX. 375 
 
 Fierce Tnrnns in another qaarter fought, 
 When suddenly th' unhop'd for news was brought. 
 The foes had left the fastness of their place, I/IO 
 
 Prevail'd in light, and had his men in chase. 
 He quits th' attack, and to prevent their fate. 
 Runs, where the giant brothers giiard the gate. 
 The first he met, Antiphates the brave 
 (But base-begotten on a Theban slave — 9lo 
 
 Sarpedon's son), he slew : the deadly dart 
 Fotmd passage through his breast, and pierc'd his heart. 
 Fix'd in the wound the Italian cornel stood, 
 Warm'd in his lungs, and in his vital blood. 
 Aphidnus next, and Erymanthns dies, 950 
 
 And Meropes, and the gigantic size 
 Of Bitias, threat'ning with his ardent eyes. 
 Not by the feeble dart he fell oppress'd 
 (A dart were lost within that roomy breast). 
 But from a knotted lance, large, heavy, strong, y."5 
 Which roar'd like thunder as it whirl'd along : 
 Not two bull-hides th' impetuous force withhold. 
 Nor coat of double mail, with scales of gold. 
 Down sunk the monster-bulk, and press'd the ground, 
 (His arms and clatt'ring shield on the vast body sound) 
 Not with less ruin than the Baian mole, 901 
 
 Kais'd on the seas, the surges to control — 
 At once comes tumbling down the reeky wall ; 
 Prone to the deep, the stones disjointed fall 
 Of the vast pile ; the scatter'd ocean flies ; 905 
 
 Black sands, discolour'd froth, and mingled mud, 
 
 arise : 
 The frighted billows roll, and seek the shores; 
 Then trembles Prochyta, then Ischia roars : 
 Typhoeus, thrown beneath by Jove's command, 
 Astonish'd at the flaw that shakes the land, 070 
 
 Soon shifts his weary sile, and, scarce awake. 
 With wonder feels the weight press lighter on his back. 
 
 The warrior god the Latian troops iDspir'd, 
 New-strung their sinews, and their courage fir'd, 
 But chills the Trojan hearts with cold affright: 975 
 Then black despair precipitates their flight. 
 
 When Pandarus beheld his brother kill'd. 
 The town with fear and wild confusion fill'd,
 
 37G THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 He turns the hinges of the heavy gate 
 
 With both his hands, and adds his shoulders to the 
 
 weight ; USD 
 
 Some happier friends within the walls inclos'd ; 
 The rest shut out, to certain death expos'd ; 
 Fool as he was, and frantic in his care, 
 T' admit young Tumus, and include the war ! 
 He thrust amid the crowd, securely bold, 985 
 
 Like a fierce tiger pent amid the fold. 
 Too late his blazing buckler they descry, 
 And sparkling fires that shot from either eye. 
 His mighty members, and his ample breast, 
 His rattling armour, and his crimson crest. 090 
 
 Far from that hated face the Trojans &y, 
 All but the fool who sought his destiny. 
 Mad Pandarus steps forth, with vengeance vow'd 
 For Bitias' death, and threatens thus aloud: 
 ' These are not Ardea's walls, nor this the town 905 
 Amata proflers with Lavinia's crown : 
 'Tis hostile earth you tread. Of hope bereft. 
 No means of safe return by flight are left.' 
 I'o whom, with count'nance calm, and soul sedate. 
 Thus Tumus : ' Then begin, and try thy fate : lOCO 
 My message to the ghost of Priam bear; 
 Teil him a new Achilles sent thee there.' 
 
 A lance of tough ground-ash the Trojan threw, 
 Rough in the rind, and knotted as it grew : 
 With his full force he whirl'd it first around ; 1005 
 But the soft yielding air receiv'd the. wound : 
 Imperial Juno turn'd the course before, 
 And fixd the wand'ring weapon in the door. 
 
 ' But hope not thou,' said Tumus, ' when I strike. 
 To shun thy fate : our force is not alike, 1010 
 
 Nor thy steel temper'd by the Lemuian god.' 
 Then rising, on his utmost stretch he stood. 
 And aim'd from high : the full descending blow, 
 Cleaves the broad front and beardless cheeks in two. 
 Down sinks the giant with a thund ring sound ; 1015 
 His pond'rous limbs oppress the trembling ground ; 
 Blood, brains, and foam, gush from the gaping wound. 
 Scalp, face, and shoulders, the keen steel divides : 
 And the shar'd visage hangs on equal sides.
 
 ^.NEIS, IX. 377 
 
 The Trojans fly from their approaching fate : 1020 
 
 And, had the -victor then secured the gate. 
 
 And to bis trcops without uaclos"d the bars. 
 
 One lucky day had ended all his wars. 
 
 But boiling youth, and blind desire of bleed. 
 
 Push on his fury, to pursue the crowd. 1025 
 
 Hamstring'd behind unhappy Gyges died ; 
 
 Then Phalaris is added to his side. 
 
 Tiie pointed ja-v'lins from the dead he drew. 
 
 And their friends' arms against their fellows threw. 
 
 Strong Halys stands in vain ; weak Phegeus flies ; 
 
 Satumia, still at hand, new force and fire supplies. 
 
 Then Halius, Prytanis, Alcander fall — 103-2 
 
 Engag'd against the foes who scal'd the wall : 
 
 But whom they fear'd without, they found within. 
 
 At last, though late, by Lynceus he was seen. 103.^ 
 
 He calls new succours, and assaults the prince : 
 
 But weak his force, and vain is their defence. 
 
 Tum'd to the right, his sword the hero drew. 
 
 And at one blow the wild aggressor slew. 1039 
 
 He 'sjoints the neck : and, with a stroke so strong. 
 
 The helm flies off, and bears the head along. 
 
 Next him the huntsman Amycus he kill'd. 
 
 In darts envenom'd and in poison skill'd. 
 
 Then Clytius fell beneath his fatal spear. 
 
 And Crerheus, whom the INIuses held so dear: 1045 
 
 He fought with courage, and he sung the tight : 
 
 Arms were his bus'ness, verses his delight. 
 
 1'he Trojan chiefs behold with rage and grief, 
 
 Tlieir slaughter'd friends, and hasten their relief, 
 
 Bold Mnestheus rallies first the broken train, 1050 
 
 Whom brave Serestus and his troop sustain. 
 
 To save the living, and revenge the dead. 
 
 Against one warrior's arms all Troy they led, 
 
 • O void of sense and courage !' JInestheus cried, 
 
 ' Where can you hope your coward heads to hide J 
 
 Ah ! where beyond these rair.pires can you run ? 105G 
 
 One man and in your camp inclos'd you shun ! 
 
 Shall tlicn a single sword such slaughter boast. 
 
 And pass unpunish'd, from a num'rous host ? 
 
 Forsaking honour, and renouncing fame, 
 
 Your gods, your country, and your king, yon shame !'
 
 b78 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 This just reproach their virtue does excite : 
 They stand, they join, they thicken to the fight. 
 
 Now Turnus doubts, and yet disdains to yield, 
 But with slow paces measures back the field, 1C65 
 And inches to the walls, where Tiber's tide, 
 Washing the camp, defends the weaker side. 
 The more he loses, they advance the more. 
 And tread in e^'ry step he trod before. 
 They shout ; they bear him back : and, whom by 
 
 might 1070 
 
 They cannot conquer, they oppress with weight. 
 
 As, compass'd with a wood of spears around. 
 The lordly lion still maintains his ground ; 
 Grins horrible, retires and turns again ; 1074 
 
 Threats his distended paws, and shakes his mane; 
 He loses while in vain he presses on, 
 Kor will his courage let him dare to run : 
 So Turnus fares, and unresolv'd of flight, 
 Moves tardy back, and just recedes from fight. 
 Yet twice, enrag'dj the combat he renews, 1080 
 
 Twice breaks, and twice his broken foes pursues. 
 But now they swarm, and with fresh troops sup- 
 plied. 
 Come rolling on, and rush from ev'ry side : 
 Nor Juno, who sustain'd his arms before, 1084 
 
 Dares with new strength suffice th' exhausted store ; 
 For Jove, with sour commands, sent Iris down. 
 To force th' invader from the frighted town. 
 With labour spent, no longer can he wield 
 The heavy falchion, or sustain the shield. lOSO 
 
 O'erwhelm'd with darts, which from afar they Hirj^; ; 
 The weapons round his hollow temples ring: 
 The golden helm gives way, with stony blows 
 Batter'd and flat, and beaten to his brows. 
 His crest is rash'd away ; his ample shield 
 Is falsified, and round with jav'lins fill'd. M/Oj 
 
 The foe, now faint, the Trojans overwhelm; 
 And Mnestheus lays hard load upon his helm. 
 Sick sweat succeeds ; he drops at ev'ry pore ; 
 With driving dust his cheeks are pasted o'er ; 
 Shorter and shorter ev'ry ga.sp he takes; 1100 
 
 And vain eflbrts and hurtless blows he makes.
 
 ^NEIS, X. '670 
 
 Arva'd as he was, at length he leap'd from high, 
 IMung'd iQ the flood, and made the waters fly. 
 The yellow god the welcome burden bore, 1104 
 
 And Tvip'd the sweat, and wash'd away the grsre; 
 Then gently waft-s him to the farther coast. 
 And sends him safe to cheer his acxious host. 
 
 BOOK X. 
 
 Jupitfir, callin? a conncll of the gods, forbids them to enjaje in 
 either pJr'v. At j€ne:is' return there is a bloody battle : 
 ■| urniis killiag Pall is : ^neas, Lausus and Mez< iiti'us. Me- 
 z» ndus is described as nn atheist, Lausus as a pious and vir- 
 tiic-us youth. Tlie different actions and deaih of the^e two are 
 the subject of a noble episode. 
 
 The gates of Heav'n unfold: Jove summons all 
 
 The gods to council in the common hall. 
 
 Sublimely seated, he surveys from far 
 
 The fields, the camp, the fortune of the war. 
 
 And all th' inferior world. From first to last, 5 
 
 Th' sov'reign senate in degrees are plac'd. 
 
 Then thus th' almighty sire began : * Ye gods, 
 Natives or denizens of blest abodes ! 
 From whence these murmurs, and this change of mind, 
 This backward fate from what was first designed I 10 
 Why this protracted war, when my commands 
 Pronounc'd a peace, and gave the Latian lands ! 
 What fear or hope on either part divides 
 Our heav'ns, and arms our pow'rs on diflF'rent sides ? 
 A lawful time of war at length will come 15 
 
 (Nor need your haste anticipate the doom). 
 When Carthage shall contend the world with Rome ; 
 Shall force the rigid rocks and Alpine chains, 
 And, like a flood, come pouring on the plains. 
 Then is your time for faction and debate, Ui 
 
 For partial favour, and permitted hate. 
 Let now your immature dissension cease : 
 Sit quiet and compose your souls to peace.' 
 
 Thus Jupiter in few unfolds the charge . 
 But lovely Venus thus replies at large : 'io 
 
 « O pow'r immense ! eternal energy • 
 (For to what eke protection can we fly ?J
 
 380 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Scest thou the proud Rutulians, how they dare 
 
 In fields, unpunish'd, and insult my care ? 
 
 How lofty Turnus vaunts amidst his train, 30 
 
 In shining arms triumphant on the plain ? 
 
 Ev'n in their lines and trenches they contend ; 
 
 And scarce their walls the Trojans troops defend : 
 
 The town is fill'd with slaughter, and o'erfloats, 
 
 With a red deluge, their increasing moats. 35 
 
 ^neas, ignorant and far from thence, 
 
 Has left a camp expos'd without defence. 
 
 This endless outrage shall they still sustain ? 
 
 Shall Troy renew'd, be forc'd and fir'd again ? 
 
 A second siege my banish'd issue fears : 40 
 
 And a new Diomede in arms appears. 
 
 One more audacious mortal will be found ; 
 
 And I thy daughter, WEiit another wound. 
 
 Yet if, with fates averse, without thy leave. 
 
 The Latian lands my progeny receive, 45 
 
 Bear they the pains of violated law, 
 
 And thy protection from their aid withdraw : 
 
 But, if the gods their sure success foretel — 
 
 If those of heav'n consent with those of hell, 
 
 To promise Italy : who dare debate 50 
 
 The pow'r of Jove, or fix another fate ? 
 
 What shoiild I tell of tempests on the main, 
 
 Of j^olus usurping Neptune's reign ; 
 
 Of Iris sent, with Bacchanalian heat 
 
 T' inspire the matrons, and destroy the fleet ? 55 
 
 Now Juno to the Stygian sky descends. 
 
 Solicits hell for aid, and arms the fiends. 
 
 That new example v/anted yet above — 
 
 An act that well became the wife of Jove I 
 
 Alecto, rais'd by her, with rage inflames 60 
 
 The peaceful bosoms of the Latian dames. 
 
 Imperial sway no more exalts my mind — 
 
 (Such hopes I had indeed, while Heav'n was 
 
 kind;— 
 Now let my happier foes possess my place. 
 Whom Jove prefers before the Trojan race: 6.5 
 
 And conquer they, whom you with conquest grace. 
 Since you can spare from all your wide command. 
 No spot of earth, no hospitable land,
 
 .SNEIS, X. 381 
 
 Which may ray waud'ring fugitives receive 
 
 (Since haughty- Juno will not give you leave) , 70 
 
 Then, father (if I still may use that name). 
 
 By ruin'd Troy, yet smoking from the flame, 
 
 I beg you, let Ascanius, by my care, 
 
 Be freed from danger, and dbmiss'd the Trar : 
 
 Inglorious let him live, without a crown : 75 
 
 The father may be cast on coasts unknown. 
 
 Struggling with fate ; but let me save the son. 
 
 Mine is Cythera, mine the Cyprian tow'rs: 
 
 In those recesses, and those sacred bow'rs, 
 
 Obscurely let him rest; his right resign SO 
 
 Topromis'd empire, and his Julian line. 
 
 Then Carthage may th' Ausonian towns destroy. 
 
 Nor fear the race of a rejected boy. 
 
 What profits it my son, t' escape the fire, 
 
 Arm'd with his gods, and loaded with his sire ; 8.1 
 
 To pass the perils of the seas and wind ; 
 
 Evade the Greeks, and leave the war behind ; 
 
 To reach th' Italian shores ; if. after all. 
 
 Our second Pergamus is doom'd to fall? 
 
 Much better had he curb"d his high desires, SO 
 
 And hover'd o'er his illextinguish'd fires. 
 
 To Simois' banks the fugitives restore. 
 
 And give them back to war, and all the woes before.' 
 
 Deep indignation swell'd Saturnia's heart: 
 ' And must I own,' she said , ' my secret smart — 95 
 What with more decence were in silence kept, 
 And, but for this unjust reproach, had slept? 
 Did god or man your fav'rite son advise, 
 With war unhop'd the Latiansto surprise ? 
 By fate, you boast, and by the gods' decree, 100 
 
 He left his native land for Italy ! 
 Confess the truth ; by mad Cassandra, more 
 Than Heav'n, inspir'd, he sought a foreign shore. 
 Did I persuade to trust his second Troy 
 To the raw conduct of a beardless boy, I'lj 
 
 With walls unfinish'd, which himself forsakes. 
 And through the waves a wand'ring voyage takes ? 
 When have I urg'd him meanly to demand 
 The Tuscan aid, and arm a quiet land ? 
 Did I or Iris give this mad advice I liO 
 
 Or made the fool himself the fatal choice i
 
 882 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 You think it bard the Latiins should destroy 
 With swords your Trojans, and with fires your 
 
 Troy : 
 Hard and unjust indeed, for men to draw 
 Their native air, nor take a foreign law! 
 That Turnus is permitted still to live. 
 To whom his birth a god and goddess give ! 
 But yet 'tis just and lawful for your line 
 To drive their fields, and force with fraud to join ; 
 Realms, not your own, among your clans divide, 
 And from the bridegroom tear the promis'd bride; 
 Petition, while you public arms prepare ; 
 Pretend a peace, and yet provoke a war ! 
 'Twas giv'n to you, your darling son to shroud, 
 To draw the dastard from the fighting crowd. 
 And, for a man, obtend an empty cloud. 
 From flaming fleets you turn'd the fire away, 
 And chang'd the ships to daughters of the sea. 
 But 'tis my crime — the queen of heav'n offends, 
 If she presume to save her suflT'ring friends! 
 Your son, not knowing what his foes decree. 
 You say, is absent; absent let him be. 
 Yours is Cythera, yours the Cyprian tow'rs. 
 The soft recesses and the sacred bow'rs. 
 Why do you then these needless arras prepare. 
 And thus provoke a people prone to war ? 
 Did I with fire the Trojan town deface. 
 Or hinder from return your exil'd race 1 
 Was I the cause of mischief, or the man 
 Whose lawless lust the fatal war began ? 
 Think on whose faith th' ad\ilt'rous youth relied ; 
 Who promis'd, who procur'd, the Spartan bride ? 
 When all th' united states of Greece combin'd. 
 To purge the world of the perfidious kind, 
 Then was your time to tear the Trojan fate : — 
 Your quarrels and complaints are now too late.' 
 Thus Juno, Murmurs rise, with mix'd ap- 
 plause. 
 Just as they favour or dislike the caiise. 
 So winds, when yet unfledg'd in woods they lie. 
 In whispers first their tender voices try, 
 Then issue on the main with bellowing rage. 
 And storms to trembling mariners presage.
 
 ^NEIS, X. 383 
 
 Then thus to both replied th' injperial god, 
 \\'ho shakes heav'n's axles with bis awful nod. 
 i' When he begins, the silent senate stand, 155 
 
 ^Vith rev'reuce list'ning to the dread command : 
 The clouds dispel : the winds their breath restrain : 
 And the hosh'd waves lie flatted on the main.) 
 ' Celestials ! your attentive ears incline ! 
 Since (said the god) the Trojans must not join 169 
 In wish'd alliance with the Latian line — 
 yince endless jarrings and immortal hate 
 Tend but to discompose our happy state — 
 The war henceforward be resign'd to fate : 
 Each to his proper fortune stand or fall : IGa 
 
 Equal and unconcern'd I look on all. 
 Rutulians, Trojans, are the same to me; 
 And both shall draw the lots their Fates decree. 
 Let these assaiilt, if Fortune be their friend ; 
 And, if she favours those, let those defend : ITO 
 
 The Fates will find their way.' The Thund'rer said. 
 And shook the sacred honours of his head. 
 Attesting Styx,th' inviolable flood, 
 And the black regions of his brother- god. 
 Trembled the poles of heav'n ; and earth confess'd 
 
 the nod. 175 
 
 This end the sessions had : the senate rise. 
 And to his palace wait their sov'rejgn through the skies. 
 
 Meantime, intent upon their siege, the foes 
 V.'ithiu their walls the Trojan host inclose : 
 They wound, they kill, they watch at every gate ; ISO 
 Renew the fires, and urge their happy fate. 
 
 Th' .^neans wish in vain their wanted chief. 
 Hopeless of flight, more hopeless of relief. 
 Tbia on the tow'rs they stand ; and ev'n those few, 
 A feeble, fainting, and dejected crew. 185 
 
 Yet in the face of danger some there stood : 
 The two bold brothers of Sarpedon's blood, 
 Asius, and Acmon ; both th' Assaraci: 
 Young Haemon, and, though young, resolv'd to ale. 
 With these were Clarus and Thymoetes joind; 130 
 Thymbris and Castor, both of Lycian kind. 
 From Acmon's hands a rolling stone there came. 
 So large, it half deserv'd a mountaiu's name '.
 
 384 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Strong-sinew'd was the youth, and big of bone : 
 
 His brother Mnestheus could not more have done, 105 
 
 Or the great father of th' intrepid son. 
 
 Some firebrands throw, some flights of arrows send ; 
 
 And some with darts, and some with stones, defend. 
 
 Amid the press appears the beauteous boy, 
 
 The care of Venus, and the hope of Troy. 200 
 
 His lovely face unarm'd, his head was bare ; 
 
 In ringlets o'er his shoulders hung his hair. 
 
 His forehead circled with a diadem ; 
 
 Distinguish'd from the crowd, he shines a gem, 
 
 Enchas'd in gold, or polish'd iv'ry set, '205 
 
 Amidst the meaner foil of sable jet'. 
 
 Nor Ismarus was wanting to the war. 
 Directing ointed arrows from afar, 
 And death with poison arm'd — in Lydiaborn, 
 Where plenteous harvests the fat fields adorn ; '210 
 Where proud Pactolus floats the fruitful land.s. 
 And leaves a rich manure of golden sands. 
 There Capys, author of the Capuan name. 
 And there was Mnestheus too, increas'd in fame. 
 Since Turnus from the camp he cast with shame. 215 
 
 Thus mortal war was wag'd on either side. 
 Meantime the hero cuts the nightly tide; 
 For, anxious from Evander when he went, 
 He sought the Tyrrhene camp, and Tarchon's tent; 
 Expos'd the cause of coroing to the chief; 220 
 
 His name and country told, and askd relief: 
 Propos'd the terms; his own small strength declar'd ; 
 What vengeance proud Mezentius had prepar'd ; 
 What Turnus, bold and violent, design'd ; 
 Then shew'd the slipp'ry state of human-kind, 2'25 
 And fickle fortune ; warn'd him to beware, 
 And to his wholesome counsel added pray'r. 
 Tarchon, without delay, the treaty signs. 
 And to the Trojan troops the Tuscan joins. 
 
 They soon set sail; nor now the Fates with- 
 stand; 230 
 Their forces trusted with a foreign hand, 
 ^neas leads ; upon his stern appear 
 Two lions carv'd, which rising Ida bear — 
 Ida, to wand'ring Trojans ever dear.
 
 UuJer their grateful sbade iEueas sate, '2.'« 
 
 Revolving war's events, and varioutj fate. 
 ^His left young Pallas kept, fix'd to his side, 
 And oft of winds inquir'd, and of the tide; 
 Oft of the stars, and of their wat'rj- way ; 
 And what he suffer'd both by land and sea. 240 
 
 Now, sacred sisters, open all your spring ! 
 The Tuscan leaders, and their army sing, 
 Which follow'd great ^Eneas to the war : 
 Their arms, their numbers, and their names, declare. 
 
 A thousand youths brare Massicus obey, 245 
 
 Borne in the Tiger through the foaming sea: 
 From Clusium brought, and Cosa, by his care : 
 For arms, light quivers, bows and shafts, they bear. 
 Fierce Abas next : his men bright armour wore : 
 His stern Apollo's golden statue bore. 250 
 
 Six hundred Populonia sent along. 
 All still'd in martial exercise, and strong. 
 Three hundred more for battle Ilva joins, 
 An isle renown'd for steel, and unexhausted mines. 
 Asylas on his prow the third appears, 2.'>5 
 
 Who heav'n interprets, and the v/and'ring stars ; 
 From offer'd entrails, prodigies expounds. 
 And peals of thunder, with presaging sounds. 
 A thousand spears in warlike order stand. 
 Sent by the Pisans under his command. 2(50 
 
 Fair Astur follows in the wat'ry field. 
 Proud of his manag'd horse, and painted shield. 
 Gravisca, noisome from the neighb'ring fen. 
 And his own Csere, sent three hundred men. 
 With those which Minio's fields, and Pyrgi gave ; iff', 
 All bred in arms, unanimous and brave. 
 
 Thou, muse, the name of Cinyras renew. 
 And brave Cupavo follow'd but by few; 
 Whose helm confess'd the lineage of the n)an. 
 And bore, with wings display'd, a silver swan. 2*0 
 Love was the fauln of his fam'd ancestry. 
 Whose forms and fortunes in his ensign fly. 
 For Cycnus lov'd unhappy Phaethon, 
 And sung his loss in poplar groves alone. 
 Beneath the sister-shades, to soothe his grief. 27.0 
 
 Heav'a heard his song, and hasten'd his relief. 
 R
 
 386 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 And chang'd to snowy plumes his hoary hair, 
 
 And wing'd his flight, to chant aloft in air. 
 
 His son Cupavo brush'd the briny flood : 
 
 Upon his stern a brawny Centaur stood, 280 
 
 Who heav'd a rock, and, threat'ning still to throw, 
 
 With lifted hands alarni'd the seas below: 
 
 They seem'd to fear the formidable sight. 
 
 And roU'd their billows on, to speed his flight. 
 
 Genus was next, who led his native train -2S5 
 
 Of hardy warriors through the wat'ry plain — 
 The son of Alanto, by the Tuscan stream. 
 From whence the Mantuan town derives the nanie — 
 An ancient city, but of mix'd descent : 
 Three sev'ral tribe.^ compose the government ; 290 
 
 Four towns are under each ; but all obey 
 The Mantuan laws, and own the Tuscan sway. 
 
 Hate to Mezentins arm'd five hundred more. 
 Whom Mincius from his sire Benacus bore — 
 Mincius witn wreaths of reeds his forehead cover'd 
 
 o'er. 'i:>5 
 
 These grave Aulestes leads : a hundred sweep 
 With stretching oars at once the glassy deep. 
 Him, and his martial train, the Triton bears: 
 High on bis poop the sea-green god appears : 
 Frowning he seems his crooked shell to sound ; .^00 
 And at the blast the billows dance around. 
 A hairy man above the waist he shows ; 
 A porpoise-tail beneath his belly grows ; 
 And ends a fish : his breast the waves divides: 3^ I 
 And froth and foam augment the murm'ring tides. 
 
 Full thirty ships transport the chosen train. 
 For Troy's relief, and scour the briny main. 
 
 Now was the world forsaken by the sun, 
 And Phoebe half her nightly race had run. 
 The careful chief, who never clos'd his eyes, 810 
 
 Himself the rudder holds, the sail supplies. 
 A choir of Nereids meet him on the flood, 
 Once his own galleys, hewn from Ida's wood; 
 But now, as many nymphs, the sea they sweep, 
 As rode before tall vessels on the deep. 3ir> 
 
 They know him from afar ; and in a ring 
 Inclose the ship that bore the Trojan king.
 
 -^XEIS, X. 387 
 
 Cymodoce, whose Toice esreU'il the rest, 
 Above the waves advanc'd her snowy breast; 
 Her right haud stops the stern ; her left divides 320 
 The curling ocean, and corrects the tides. 
 She spoke for all the choir, and thus begaa 
 With pleasing words to warn th' unknowing man : 
 • Sleeps our lov'd lord? O goddess-bom ! awake ! 
 Spre;id ev'ry sail, pursue your wat'ry track, 325 
 
 And haste your course. Your navy cnce were we, 
 From Ida's height descending to the sea ; 
 Till Turnus, as at anchor fix'd we stood, 
 Presunid to violate our holy wood. 
 Then, loos'd from shore, we fled his fires profane 330 
 (Unwillingly we broke our mastor's chain), 
 And since have sought you through the Tuscan main. 
 The mighty Mother chang'd our forms to these. 
 And gave us life immortal ia the seas. 
 But young Ascanius, in his canip distress'd, 335 
 
 By your insulting foes i? hardly pressed. 
 Th' Arcadian horsemen, and Etrurian host. 
 Advance in order on the Latian coast : 
 To cut their way the Daunian chief designs. 
 Before their troops can re^ich the Trojan lines. 310 
 Thou, when the rosy morn restores the light. 
 First arm thy soldiers for th' ensuing fight; 
 Thyself the fated sword of Vulcan wield, 
 And bear aloft th' impenetrable shield. 
 To-morrow's sun, unless my skill be rain, 315 
 
 Shall see huge heaps of foes in battle slain.' 
 Parting, she spoke; and with immortal force 
 Push'd on the vessel in her wat'ry course ; 
 For well she knew the way. Impell'd behind. 
 The ship flew forward, and outstript the wind. 350 
 The rest make up. Unknowing of the cause. 
 The chief admires their speed, and happy omens 
 draws. 
 Then thus he pray'd, and fix'd on heav'n his eyes : 
 ' Hear thou, great Mother of the deities. 
 With turrets crown'd ! (oa Ida's holy hill, 356 
 
 Fierce tigers, rein'd and curb'd, obey thy will.) 
 Firm thy own omens; lead us on to figlit; 
 And let thy Phrygians conquer iu thy right.'
 
 3S8 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 He said no more. And now renewing d;iy 
 Had chas'd the shadows of the night away. SCO 
 
 He charg'd the soldiers, with preventing care, 
 Their flags to follow, and their arras prepare ; [r.ar. 
 Warn'd of th' ensuing fight, and bade them hope the 
 
 Now, from his lofty poop, he view'd below 
 His camp encompass'd, and th' inclosing foe. 305 
 
 His blazing shield, enibrac'd, he held on high ; 
 The camp receive the sign, and with loud shouts reply. 
 Hope arms their courage : from their tow'rs they fhro^v 
 Their darts with double force, and drive the foe. 
 Thus, at the signal giv'n, the cranes arise 370 
 
 Before the stormy south, and blacken all the skies. 
 
 King Turnus wonder'd at the fight renew'd, 
 Till, looking back, the Trojan fleet he siew'd. 
 The seas with swelling canvas cover'd oer. 
 And the swift ships descending on the shore. 37.5 
 
 The Latians saw from far, with dazzled eyes. 
 The radiant crest that seemd in flames to rise, 
 And dart difl'usive fires around the field. 
 And the keen glitt'ring of the golden shield. 370 
 
 Thus threat'ning comets, when by night thev rise. 
 Shoot sanguine streams, and sadden all the skies : 
 So Sirius, flashing forth sinister lights. 
 Pale human kind with plagues and with dry famine 
 
 frights. 
 Yet Turnus, with undaunted mind, is bent 
 To man the shores, and hinder their descent, 3S5 
 
 And tlius awakes the courage of his fiiends ; 
 ' What you so long have wish'd, kind Fortunesends — 
 In ardent arms to meet th' invading foe : 
 You, find, and find him at advantage now. 
 Yours is the day ; you need but only dare ; 3iK) 
 
 Your swords will make you masters of the war. 
 Your sires, your sons, your houses, and your lands, 
 And dearest wives, are all within your bands ; 
 Be mindful of the race from whence you came, 
 And emulate in arms your fathers' fame. ."'•'i 
 
 Now take the time, while stagg'ring yet they stand 
 Vv'ith feet unfirm ; and prepossess the strand : 
 Fortune befriends the bold.' No more he said, 
 But balanc'd, whom to leave, and whom to lead;
 
 .ENEIS, X. 389 
 
 Then these elects, the landing to prevent ; 400 
 
 And those he leaves, to keep the city pent. 
 
 Meantime the Trojan sends his troops ashore : 
 Some are in boats espos'd, on bridges more. 
 With lab'ring oars thej- bear along the strand. 
 Where the tide languishes, and leap aland. 405 
 
 Tarchon observes the coast with careful eyes. 
 And, where no ford he finds, no water fries, 
 Nor billows with unequal murmurs roar. 
 But smoothly slide along, and swell the shore. 
 That course he steer'd, and thus he gave commaiid : 
 ' Here ply your oars, and at all hazard land : 411 
 
 Force on the vessel, that her keel may wound 
 This hated soil, and furrow hostile ground. 
 Let rae securely land — I ask no more ; 
 Then sink my ships, or shatter on the shore.' 415 
 
 1 his fiery speech inflames his fearful friends : 
 They tug at ev'ry car: and ev'ry stretcher bends: 
 They run their ships aground : the vessels knock 
 (Thus forc'd ashore), and tremble with the shock. 
 Tarchon's alone was lost, and stranded stcod : 420 
 Stuck on a bank, and beaten by the flood, 
 She breaks her back; the loosen"d sides give way. 
 And plunge the Tuscan soldiers in the sea. 
 Their broken oars and floating planks withstand 
 Their passage, while they labour to the land; 425 
 
 And ebbing tides bear back upon th' uncertain sand. 
 
 Now Turnus leads his troops without delay, 
 Advancing to the margin of the sea. 
 The trumpets sound : jJIneas first assail'd 
 The clowns new-rais'd and raw; and soon pre- 
 
 vail'd. 430 
 
 Great Theron fell, an umeo of the fight — 
 Great Theron, large of limbs, of giant height. 
 He first in open fields defied the prince ; 
 But armour scal'd with gold was no defence 
 Against the fated sword, which open'd wide 435 
 
 His plated shield, and pierc'd his naked side. 
 
 Next Lichas fell, who, not like others born, 
 Was from his wretched mother ripp'd and torn ; 
 Sacred, O Phoebus! from his birth to thee; 
 For his beginning life from biting steel was free. 440
 
 390 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Not far from him was Gyas laid along, 
 
 Of monstrous bulk ; with Cisseus fierce and strong ; 
 
 Vain bulk and strength! for, v/hcn the chief assaii'd, 
 
 Nor valour nor Herculean arms avail'd. 
 
 Nor their fam'd father, wont in war to go 445 
 
 With great Alcides, while he toil'd below. 
 
 The noisy Pharos next receiv'd his death: 
 
 Tineas writh'd his dart, and stopp'dhis bawling breath. 
 
 Then wretched Cydon had receiv'd his doom. 
 
 Who courted Clytius in his beardless bloom, 4.'iO 
 
 And sought with lust obscene polluted joys — 
 
 The Trojan sword had cur'd his love of boys. 
 
 Had not his sev'n bold brethren stopp'd the course 
 
 Of the fierce champion, with united force. 454 
 
 Sev'n darts were thrown at once; and some rebound 
 
 From his bright shield, some on his helmet sound: 
 
 The rest had reach'd him ; but his mother's care 
 
 Prevented those, and tum'd aside in air. 
 
 The prince then call'd Achates, to supply 
 The spears, that knew the way to victory — 4ti0 
 
 ' Those fatal weapons, which, inur'd to blood. 
 In Grecian bodies under Ilium stood : 
 Not one of those my hand shall toss in vain 
 Against our foes, on this contended plain.' 
 He said; then seized a mighty spear, and threw; 405 
 Which, wing'd with fate, througli Maeon's buckler flew, 
 Pierc'd all the brazen plates, and reach'd his heart : 
 He stagger'd with intolerable smart. 
 Alcanor saw ; and reach'd, but reach'd in vain. 
 His helping hand, his brother to sustain. 470 
 
 A second spear, which kept the former course. 
 From the same hand, and sent with equal force. 
 His right arm pierc'd, and, holding on, bereft 
 His use of both, and pinion'd down his left. 
 Tben Numitor from his dead brother drew 475 
 
 Th' ill omen'd spear, and at the Trojan threw: 
 Preventing fate directs the lance awry, 
 Which, glancing, only mark'd Achates' thigh. 
 
 In pride of youth the Sabine Clausus came, 
 And, from afar, at Drjops took his aim. 4S0 
 
 The spear flew hissing through the middle space, 
 And pierc'd his throat, directed at his face :
 
 yENEIS, X. 391 
 
 It stopp'd at once the piissage of hid wind, 
 And the free soul to flitting air resign'd ; 
 His forehead was the first that struck the ground ; 485 
 Life-blood and life nishd mingled through the wound. 
 He slew three brothers of the Borean race. 
 And three, whom Ismarus, their native place, 
 Had sent to war, but all the sons of Thrace. 
 Kalesus, next, the bohl Aurunci leads: 490 
 
 The son of Neptune to his aid succeeds. 
 Conspicuous on his horse. On either hand, 
 These fight to keep, and those to win, the land. 
 With mutual blood th' Ausonian soil is dyed, 
 While on its borders each their claim decide. 495 
 
 As wint'ry winds, contending in the sky. 
 With equal force of lungs their titles trj' : 
 They rage, they roar ; the doubtful rack of heav'n 
 Stands without motion, and the tide undriv'n ; 
 Each bent to conquer, neither side to yield, 500 
 
 They long suspend the fortune of the field. 
 Both armies thus perform what courage can , 
 Foot ?et to foot, and mingled, man to man. 
 
 But, in another part, th' Arcadian horse 
 With ill success engage the Latian force : .'iO.> 
 
 For, where th' impetuous torrent, rushing down. 
 Huge craggy stones and rooted trees had thrown. 
 They left their coursers, and, unus'd to fight 
 On foot, were scatter'd in a shameful flight. 
 Pallas, who, with disdain and giief, had vieWd 510 
 His foes pursuing and his friends pursu'd, 
 Us'd threat'nings mix'd withpray'rs,his last resource, 
 With these to move their minds, with those to fire 
 
 their force. 
 * Which way, companions ? whither would you run < 
 By you yourselves, and mighty battles won, 515 
 
 By my great sire, by his estabhsh'd name. 
 And early promise of my future fame ; 
 By my youth, emulous of equal right 
 To share his honours — shun ignoble flight ! 519 
 
 Trust not your feet : your hands must hew your wny 
 Through yon black body, and that thick array : 
 'Tis through that forward path that we must come : 
 Their lies our way, and that our passage home.
 
 392 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Nor pow'rs above, nor destinies below, 
 Oppress our arms : with equal strength we go, 525 
 With mortal hands to meet a mortal foe- 
 See on what foot we stand ! a scanty shore — 
 The sea behind, our enemies before : 
 No passage left, unless we swim the main ; 
 Or, forcing these, the Trojan trenches gain,' 530 
 
 This said, he strode with eager haste along, 
 And bore amidst the thickest of the throng. 
 Lagus, the first he met, with fate to foe, 
 Had heav'd a stone of mighty weight, to throw : 
 Stooping, the spear descended on his chine, 53o 
 
 Just where the bone distinguish'd either loin ; 
 It stuck so fast, so deeply buried lay. 
 That scarce the victor forc'd the steel away. 
 
 Hisbo carne on : but, while he mov'd too slow 
 To wish'd revenge, the prince prevents his blow; 540 
 For, warding his at once, at once he press'd. 
 And plung'd the fatal weapon in his breast. 
 Then lewd Anchemolus he laid in dust. 
 Who stain'd his stepdame's bed with impious lust. 
 And, after him, the Daunian twins were slain, 515 
 Laris and Thymbrus, on the Latian plain; 
 So wondrous like in feature, shape, and size. 
 As caus'd an error in their parents' eyes — 
 Grateful mistake ! but soon the sword decides 
 The nice distinction, and their fate divides : .'>50 
 
 For Thymbrus' head was lopp'd ; and Laris' hand, 
 Dismember'd, sought its owner on the strand : 
 The trembling fingers yet the falchion strain, 
 And threaten still th* extended stroke in vain. 
 
 Now, to renew the charge, th' Arcadians came : 555 
 Sight of such acts, and sense of honest shame, 
 And grief, with anger mix'd, their minds inflame. 
 Then, with a casual blow was Rhoeteus slain. 
 Who chanc'd, as Pallas threw, to cross the plain: 
 The flying spear was after Ilus sent; 560 
 
 But Rhoeteus happen'd on a death unmeant: 
 From Teuthras and from Tyres while he fled. 
 The lance, athwart his body, laid him dead : 
 lloll'd from his chariot with a mortal wound. 
 And intercepted fate, he spurn'd the ground. 5»»5
 
 ^.NEIS, X. 393 
 
 As when, in summer, welcome winds arise. 
 The watchful shepherd to the forest flies. 
 And fires the jiiidmost plants ; contagion spreads, 
 Aud catching flames infect the neighb'ring heads : 
 Around the forest flies the furious blast, 570 
 
 And all the leafy nation sinks at last ; 
 And Vulcan rides in triumph o'er the waste ; 
 The pastor, pleas'd with his dire victory, 
 Beholds the satiate flames in sheets ascend the 
 
 fky :- 
 So Pallas' troops their scatter'd strength unite, 575 
 And, pouring on their foes, their prince delight, 
 
 Halesus came, tierce with desire of blood : 
 But first collected in his arms he stood : 
 Advancing then, he plied the spear so well, 
 LaJon, Demodocus, aud Pheres, fell. 580 
 
 Around his head he toss'd his glitt'ring brand, 
 And from Strymonius hewd his better hand. 
 Held up to gu;ird his throat; then hurl'd a stoi e 
 At Thoas' am])le front, and pierc'd the bone: 
 It struck beneath the space of either eye; 585 
 
 And blood, and mingled brains, together fly. 
 Deep skill'd in future fates, Halesus' sire 
 Did with the youth to lonely groves retire; 
 But, when the father's mortal race was run, 
 Dire destiny laid hold upon the son. 590 
 
 And haul'd him to the war, to iind, beneath 
 Th' Evandrian spear, a memorable death, 
 Pallas th' encounter seeks, but, ere he throws. 
 To Tuscan Tiber thus addressd his vows : 
 ' O sacred stream I direct my flying dart, 595 
 
 And give to pass the proud Halesus' heart: 
 His arms and spoils thy holy oak shall bear- 
 Pleased with the brile.the god receiv'd his pray'r; 
 For, while his shield protects a friend distress'd, 
 The dart came driving on, and pierc'd his breast. 600 
 
 But Lausus, no small portion of the war, 
 Permits not panic fear to reign too far, 
 Causd by the death of so renownd a knight; 
 But by his own example cheers the fight. 
 Fierce Abas first he slew — Abas, the stay G05 
 
 Of Trojan hopes, and hindrance of the dav. 
 11 2
 
 394 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Tlie Phrygian troops escap'd the Greeks in vain : 
 They, and their mix'd allies, now load the plain. 
 
 To the rude shock of war both armies came ; 
 Their leaders equal, and their strength the same. 610 
 The rear so press'd the front, they could not wield 
 Their angry v/eapons, to dispute the field. 
 Here Pallas urges on, and Lausus there : 
 Of equal youth and beauty both appear, 614 
 
 But both by fate forbid to breathe their native air. 
 Their congress in the field great Jove withstands— 
 Both doom'd to fall, but fall by greater hands. 
 
 Meantime Juturna warns the Datmian chief 
 Of Lausus' danger, urging swift relief. 
 With his driv'n chariot he divides the crowd, 620 
 
 And, making to his friends, thus calls aloud: 
 ' Let none presume his needless aid to join : 
 Retire, and clear the field ; the fight is mine : 
 To this right hand is Pallas only due : 
 Oh ! were his father here, uiy just revenge to 
 
 view!* 625 
 
 From the forbidden space his men retir'd.' 
 Pallas their awe, and his stern words, admir'd; 
 Survey'd him o'er and o'er with wond'ring sight. 
 Struck with his haughty mien and tow'ring height; 
 Then to the king : • Your empty vaunts forbear : 630 
 Success I hope ; and fate I cannot fear. 
 Alive, or dead, I shiCll deserve a name: 
 Jove is impartial, and to both the same.' 
 He said, and to the void advanc'd his pace. 
 Pale horror sat on each Arcadian face. C35 
 
 Then Turnus, from his chariot leaping light, 
 Address'd himself on foot to single fight. 
 And, as a lion — when he spies from far 
 A bull that seems to meditate the war. 
 Bending his neck, and spuming back the san.l — 010 
 Runs roaring downward from his hilly stand: 
 Imagine eager Turnus not more slow 
 To rush fiom high on his unequal foe. 
 
 Young Pallas, when he saw the chief advance 
 Within due distance of his flying lance, 645 
 
 Prepares to charge him first— resolv'd to try 
 If Fortune would his want of force supply ;
 
 ^NEIS, X. 395 
 
 And tliiii to heav'n and Hercules address'd: 
 ' Alcide3, once on earth Evander's guest ! 
 His son adjures thee by those holy rites, 650 
 
 That hospitable board, those genial nights ; 
 Assist my great attempt to gain this prize. 
 And let proud Turnus view, with dying eyes, 
 His raviih'd spoils:' 'Twas heard, the vain request; 
 Alcides moum'd, and stifled sighs within his breast. 
 Then Jove, to soothe his sorrow, thus began : 653 
 
 ' Short bounds of life are set to mortal mau : 
 'Tis virtue's work alone to stretch the narrow span. 
 So many sons of gods, in bloody fight 
 Around the walls of Troy have lost the light : 6d0 
 
 My own SavpedoD fell beneath his foe ; 
 Nor I, his mighty sire, could ward the blow. 
 Ev'n Turnus shortly shall resign his breath. 
 And stands already on the verge of death.' 
 This said, the god permits the fatal fight, CGj 
 
 But from the Latian fields averts his .sight. 
 
 Now with full force his spear young Pallas threw ; 
 And, having thrown, his shining falchion drew. 
 The steel just graz'd along the shoulder joint. 
 And mark'd it slightly with the glancing point. 670 
 Fierce Turnus fir.st to nearer distance drew. 
 And pois'd his pointed spear, before he threw : 
 Then, as the winged weapon whizz'd along, 
 ' See now,' said he, ' whose arm is better strung.' 
 The spear kept on the fatal course unstay'd 675 
 
 By platesof ir'n, which o'er the shield were laid : 
 Through folded brass, and tough bull-hides it 
 
 pass'd. 
 His cors'let pierc'd, and reach'd his heart at last. 
 In vain the youth tugs at the broken wood : 
 The soul comes issuing with the vital blood ; OSO 
 
 He falls : his arms upon bis body sound; 
 And with his bloody teeth he bites the ground. 
 
 Turnus bestrode the corpse : • Arcadians, hear,' 
 Said he : ' my message to your master bear: 
 Such as the sire deserv'd, the son I send ; csS 
 
 It costs him dear to be the Phrygian's frieud. 
 The lifeless body, tell him, I bestow 
 I'uask'd, to rest his wanu'ring ghoit below.'
 
 3% THE WORKS OP VIROIL. 
 
 lie said, and trampled down, with all the force 
 
 Of his left foot, and spnrn'dthe wretched coipse ; C'JO 
 
 Theusnatch'd the shining belt, v/ith gold inlaid — 
 
 The belt Eurytion's artful hands had made. 
 
 Where fifty fatal brides, express'd to sight, 
 
 All, in the compass of one mournful night, 
 
 Depriv'd their bridegrooms of returning light. 695 
 
 In an ill hour insulting Tumus tore 
 Those golden spoils, and in a worse hti wore. 
 O mortals ! blind of fate, who never know 
 To bear high fortune, or endure the low ! 
 The time shall come, when Turnus, but in vain, 700 
 Shall wish untouch'd the trophies of the slain — 
 Shall wish the fatal belt were far away. 
 And curse the dire remembrance of the day. 
 
 The sad Arcadians, from th' unhappy field. 
 Bear back the breathless body on a shield. 705 
 
 O grace and grief of war ! at once restor'd, 
 With praises, to thy sire, at once deplor'd. 
 One day first sent thee to the fighting field, 
 Beheld whole heaps of foes in battle kiU'd ; 709 
 
 One day beheld thee dead, andborne upon thy shield. 
 This dismal news, not from uncertain fame. 
 But sad spectators, to the hero came: 
 His friends upon the brink of ruin stand, 
 Unless reliev'd by his victorious hand. 
 He whirls his s'^ord around, without delay, 715 
 
 And hews through adver.-e foes an ample way, 
 To find fierce Turnus, of his conquest proud. 
 Evander, Pallas, all that friendship ow'd 
 To large deserts, are present to his eyes — 
 His plighted hand, and hospitable ties. 720 
 
 Four sons of Sulnio, four whom Ufens bred, 
 He took in fight, and living victims led. 
 To please the ghost of Pallas, and expire. 
 In sacrifice, before his fun'ral fire. 
 At Magus next he threw ; he stoop'd below 725 
 
 The Hying spear, and shunn'd the promis'd blow. 
 Then, creeping, clasp'd the hero's knees, and pray'd : 
 ' By young lulus, by thy father's shade, 
 O ! spare my life, and send me back to see 
 My longing sire, and tender progeny. 7'M) 
 
 I
 
 ^NEIS, X. 3<J7 
 
 A lofty house I have, and wealth untold. 
 In silver inqots, and in bars of gold : 
 All these, and suras besides, which see no daj-, 
 The ransom of this one poor life shall pay. 
 If I survive, will Troy the less prevail? 735 
 
 A single soul's too light to turn the scale.* 
 He said. The hero steruly thus replied: 
 •Thy bars and ingots, and the sums beside, 
 Leave for thy children's lot. Thy Turaus broke 
 All rules of war by one relentless stroke, 740 
 
 When Pallas fell : so deems, nor deems alone. 
 My father's shadow, but my living son.' 
 Thus having said, of kind remorse bereft, 
 He seiz'd his helm, and dragg'd him with his left ; 
 Then with his right hand, while hisneckhe wreath 'd. 
 Up to the hilts his shining falchion sheath'd. 746 
 
 Apollo's priest, Heemonides, was near : 
 His holy fillets on his front appear ; 
 Glitt'ring in arms, he shone amidst the crowd. 
 Much of his gnd, more of his purple, proud. 750 
 
 Him the fierce Trojan follow'd through the field: 
 The holy coward fell ; and, forc'd to yield. 
 The prince stood o'er the priest, and, at one blow, 
 Sent him an oflfring to the shades below. 
 His arms Serestus on his shoulders bears, 755 
 
 Design'd a trophy to the god of wars. 
 
 Vulcanian Calculus renews the fi^ht, 
 And Umbro born upon the mountain's height. 
 The champion cheers his troops t' encounter those, 
 .And seeks revenge him.self on other foes. 7tJ0 
 
 At Anxur's shield he drove, and, at the blow. 
 Both shield and arm to ground together go. 
 Anxur had boasted much of magic charms. 
 And thought he wore impenetrable arms, 764 
 
 So made by mutter'd spells ; and, from the spheres, 
 Had life secur'd, in vain, for length of years. 
 Then Tarquitus the field in triumph trod ; 
 A nymph his mother, and his sire a god. 
 Exulting in bright arms, he braves the prince : 
 With his protended lance he mikes defence ; 770 
 
 Bears back his feeble foe ; then, pressing on, 
 Arrests his better hand, and drags him down ;
 
 398 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Stands o'er the prostrate wretch, and (as he laj-. 
 Vain tales inventing, and prepar'd to pray) 
 Mows oft' his head : the trunk a moment stood, Tri 
 Then sunk, and roll'd along the sand in blood. 
 
 The vengeful victor thus upbraids the slain : 
 • Lie there, proud man, unpitied on the plain : 
 Lie there, inglorious, and without a tomb, 
 Far from thy mother, and thy native home, 7&0 
 
 Ex.pos'd to savage beasts, and birds of prey. 
 Or thrown for food to monsters of the sea.' 
 
 On Lucas and Antaeus next he ran. 
 Two chiefs of Turnus, and who led his van. 
 They fled for fear ; with these he chas'd along 785 
 Camers the yellowlock'd, and Numa strong. 
 Both great in arms ; and both were fair and 
 
 young. 
 Camers was son to Volscens lately slain. 
 In wealth surpassing all the Latian train, 
 And in Am yds fix'd his silent easy reign. 790 
 
 And, as JEgxon, when with heav'n he strove, 
 Stood opposite in arms to mighty Jove ; 
 Mov'd all his hundred hands, provok'd the war, 
 Defied the forky lightning from afar ; 
 At fifty mouths his flaming breath expires, 795 
 
 And fla>5h for flash returns, and fires for fires ; 
 In his right hand as many swords he wields, 
 And takes the thunder on as many shields: 
 With strength like his, the Trojan hero stood : 799 
 And soon the fields with falling corps were strew 'd. 
 When once his falchion found tiie ttiste of blood. 
 
 With fury scarce to be conceiv'd, be flew 
 Against Niphgeus, whom four coursers drew. 
 They, when they see the fiery chief advance, 
 Aad pushing at their chests his pointed lance, 805 
 Wheel'd with so swift a motion, mad with fear. 
 They threw their master headlong from the chair. 
 They stare, they start, nor stop their course before 
 They bear the bounding chariot to the shore. 
 
 Now Lucagus and Liger scour the plains, 810 
 
 With two white steads ; but Liger holds the 
 
 reins. 
 And Lucagus the lofty seat maintains —
 
 yENEIS, X. 300 
 
 Bold brethren both. The former wav'd in air 
 
 His flanung sword; ^neas coucb'd his spear, 
 
 I'aus'd to threats, and more unus'd to fear. bI5 
 
 Then Liger thns : * Thy confidence is vain 
 
 To 'scape from hence, as from the Trojan plain : 
 
 Nor these the steeds which Diomede bestrode. 
 
 Nor this the chariot where Achilles rode : 
 
 Nor Venns' veil is here, nor Neptune's shield; S'>:) 
 
 Thy fatal hour is come ; and this the field.' 
 
 Thus Liger vainly vaunts : the Trojan peer 
 
 Returnd his answer with his flying spear. 
 
 As Lucagus, to lash his horses, bends, 
 
 Prone to the wheels, and his left foot protends, 825 
 
 Prepar'd for fight — the fatal dart arrives, 
 
 And through the border of his buckler drives, 
 
 Pass'd through, and pierc'd his groin. The deadly 
 
 wound. 
 Cast from his chariot, roU'd him on the ground ; 830 
 Whom thus the chief upbraids with scornful spite : 
 ' Blame not the slowness of your steeds in flight : 
 Vain shadows did not force their swift retreat; 
 But you yourself forsake your empt^' seat.' 
 He said, and seiz'd at once the loosen'd rein : 
 For Liger lay already on the plain 835 
 
 By the same shock : then, stretching out his hands, 
 The recreant thus his wretched life demands: 
 ' Now, by thyself, O more than mortal man ! 
 By her and him from whom thy breath began, 
 Who form'd thee thus divine, I beg thee, spare 810 
 This forfeit life, and hear thy suppliant's pray'r.* 
 Thus much he spoke, and more he would have said ; 
 But the stern hero tum'd aside his head, 
 And cut him short; ' 1 hear another man : 
 You talk'd not thus before the fight began. 845 
 
 Now take your turn ; and, as a brother should. 
 Attend your brother to the Stygian flood.' 
 Then through his breast the fatal sword he sent ; 
 And the soul issued at the gaping vent. 849 
 
 As storms the skies, and torrents tear the ground, 
 Tluis rag'd the prince, and scattered deaths around. 
 
 At length Ascanius, and the Trojan train. 
 Broke from the camp, so long besiegd in vain.
 
 400 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Meantime the king of gods and mortal man 
 
 Held conf'rence with his queen, and thus began : HjS 
 
 * My ifistergoddess, and well- pleasing wife, 
 
 Still think you Venus' aid supports the strife — 
 
 Sustains her Trojans — or theuaselves, alone, 
 
 With inborn valour force their fortune on? 
 
 How fierce in fight, with courage undecay'd ! 860 
 
 Judge if such warriors want immortal aid.* 
 
 To whom the goddess with the chMrming eyes. 
 
 Soft in her tone, submissively replies: 
 
 ' Why, O my sov'reign lord, whose frown I feiir, 
 
 And cannot, unconcern'd, your anger bear — 8G5 
 
 Why urge you thus my grief? when, if I still 
 
 (As once 1 was) were mistress of your will. 
 
 From your almighty pow'r your pleasing wife 
 
 Might gain the grace of length'ning Turnus' life, 
 
 Securely snatch him from the fatal fight, 870 
 
 And give him to his aged father's sight. 
 
 Now let him perish, since you hold it good. 
 
 And glut the Trojans with his pious blood. 
 
 Yet, from our lineage he derives his name, 874 
 
 And, in the fourth decree, from god Pilumnus came ; 
 
 Yet he devoutly pays you rites divine. 
 
 And offers daily incense at your shrine.' 
 
 Then shortly thus the sov'reign god replied : 
 ' Since in my pow'r and goodness you confide, 
 If, for a little space, a lengthen'd span, 880 
 
 You beg reprieve for this expiring man, 
 I grant jou leave to take your Turnus hence 
 From instant fate, and can so far dispense. 
 But, if some secret meaning lies beneath, 
 To save the short-liv'd youth from destin'd death, 885 
 Or, if a farther thought you entertain. 
 To change the fates ; you feed your hopes in vain." 
 
 To whom the goddess thus, with weepin:r eyes: 
 ' And what if that request your tongue denies, 889 
 Your heart should grant — and not a short reprieve, 
 But length of certain life, to Turnus give? 
 Now speedy death attends the guiltless youth, 
 If my presaging soul divines with truth ; 
 Which, O! I wish might err, through ceaseless fears, 
 And you (for you have pow'r) prolong his years!' 895
 
 .ENEIS, X. 401 
 
 Thus having said, involvM in clouds, she flies. 
 And drives a storm before her through the skies. 
 Swift she descends, alighting on the plain. 
 Where the fierce foes a dubious fight maintain. 
 Of air condens'd, a spectre soon she made; 900 
 
 And, what ^neas was, sach seem'd the shade. 
 Adorn'd with Dardan arms, the phantom bore 
 His head aloft ; a plumy crest he wore : 
 This hand appear'd a shining sword to v.'ield, 
 And that sustain'd an imitated shield. 905 
 
 With manly mien he stalk'd along the ground. 
 Nor wanted voice belied, nor vaunting sound. 
 (Thus haunting ghosts appear to waking sight, 
 Or dreadful visions in our dreams by night.) 
 The spectre seems the Daunian chief to dare, 910 
 And flourishes his empty sword in air. 
 At this, advancing, Turnus hurl'd his spear : 
 The phantom wheel'd, and seem'd to fly for fear. 
 Deluded Turnus thought the Trojan fled. 
 And with vain hopes his haughty fancy fed. Ol."} 
 
 ' Wliither, O coward V (thus he calls aloud. 
 Nor found be spoke to wind, and chas'd a cloud:) 
 ' Why thus forsake your bride ? Receive from ine 
 The fated land you sought so long by sea.' 
 He said, and, brandishing at once his blade, 920 
 
 With eager pace pursu'd the flying shade. 
 By chance a ship was fasten'd to the shore. 
 Which from old Clusium king Osinius bore : 
 The plank was ready laid for safe ascent; 
 For shelter there the trembling shadow bent, 925 
 
 And skipp'd and skulk'd, and under hatches 
 
 went. 
 Exulting Turnus, with regardless haste, 
 Ascends the plank, and to the galley pass'd. 
 Scarce hi>d he reach'd the prow ; Saturnia's hand 
 The halsers cuts, and shoots the ship from l;ind. 931- 
 With wind in poop, the vessel ploughs the sea. 
 And measures back with speed her former way. 
 Meantime yEneas seeks his absent foe, 
 And sends his slaughter'd troops to shades below. 
 
 The guileful phantom now forsook the shroud, 935 
 And flew sublime, and vauish'd iu a cloud.
 
 402 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Too late youug Turnus the delusion found, 
 
 I'ar on the sea, still making frcm the ground. 
 
 Then, thankless for a life redeem'd by shame. 
 
 With sense of honour stung, and forfeit fame, 940 
 
 Fearful besides of what in fight had pass'd, 
 
 His hands and haggard eyes to heav'n he cast. 
 
 * O Jove !' he cried — ' for what offence have I 
 
 Deserv'd to bear this endless infamy? 
 
 Whence am I forc'd, and whither am I borne ? Vi.fi 
 
 How, and with what reproach shall I return ? 
 
 Shall ever I behold the Latiau plain. 
 
 Or see Laurentum's lofty tow'rs again ? 
 
 AVhat will they say of their deserting chief? 
 
 The war was mine: I fly from their relief I O.-O 
 
 I led to slaughter, and in slaughter leave ; 
 
 And ev'n from hence their dying groans receive. 
 
 Here, over-match'd in fight, in heaps they lie ; 
 
 There, scatter'd o'er the fields, ignobly fly. 
 
 Gape wide, O earth, and draw me down alive ! 9j3 
 
 Or, oh! ye pitying winds, a wretch relieve ! 
 
 On sands or shelves the splitting vessel drive ; 
 
 Or set me siiipwreck'd on some desert shore, " 
 
 Where no Rutulian eyes may see me more — 
 
 Unknown to friends, or foes, or conscious fame, 06i) 
 
 Lest she should follow, and my flight proclaim.' 
 
 Thus Turnus rav'd, and various fates revohM : 
 The choice was doubtful, but the death resolv'd. 
 And now the sword, and now the sea, took place — 
 That to revenge, and this to purge disgrace. 903 
 
 Sometimes he thought to swim the stormy main, 
 Ry stretch of arms the distant shore to g^in. 
 Thrice he the sword essay'd, and thrice the flood : 
 But Juno, mov'd with pity, both withstood, 
 And thrice repress'd his rage : strong gales supplied. 
 And push'd the vessel o'er the swelling tide. 971 
 
 At length she lauds him on his native shores, 
 And to his father's longing arms restores. 
 
 Meantime, by Jove's impulse, Mezentius arm'd, 
 Succeeding Turnus, with his ardour warm'd 97.') 
 
 His fainting frietds, reproach'd their shameful 
 
 flight, 
 Rcpell'd the victors, and renew'd the fight
 
 ^NEIS, X. 103 
 
 Against their king the Tuscan troops conspire : 
 
 Such is their hate, aad such thtir fierce dtsire 
 
 Of wish'd revenge — on him, and him aloue, 0>0 
 
 All hands employ'd, and all their darts are thro-Au. 
 
 He, like a solid rock by seas inclos'd, 
 
 To raging winds and roaring waves oppos'd. 
 
 From his proud summit looking down, disdains 
 
 Their empty menace, and unmoved remains. 985 
 
 Beneath his feet fell haughty Hebrus dead, 
 Then Latagus, and Palmus as he fled. 
 At Latagus a weighty stone he flung: 
 His face was flatted, and his helmet rung. 
 But Palmus from behind receives his wound : 990 
 Hamstring'd he falls, and grovels on the ground : 
 His crest and armour, from his body torn. 
 Thy shoulders, Lausus, and thy head, adorn. 
 Evas and Mimas, both of Troy, he slew. 
 Mimas his birth from fdir Theano drew — <>05 
 
 Born on that fatal night, when, big with fire, 
 Tlie queen produc'd young Paris to his sire. 
 But Paris in the Phrygian fields was slain, 
 Unthinking Mimas on the Latian plain. 
 
 And, as a savage boar, on mountains bred, 1000 
 With foredt mast and fatt'ning marshes fed, 
 \\'hen once he sees himself in toils inclos'd, 
 By huntsmen and their eager hounds oppos'd. 
 He whets his tusks, and turns, and dares the war : 
 Th' invaders dart their jav'lins from afar: 1005 
 
 All keep aloof, and safely shout around; 
 But none presumes to give a nearer wound : 
 He frets and froths, erects his bristled hide, 
 And shakes a grove of lances from his side : 
 Not otherwise the troops, witli hate inspir'd, 1010 
 
 And just revenge against the tyrant fir'd. 
 Their darts with clamour at a distance drive, 
 And only keep the languid war alive. 
 
 From Corythus came .\eron to the fight, 10,14 
 
 Wholefthisspousebetroth'd.andunconsummate night. 
 Mezentius sees him through the squadron ride. 
 Proud of the purple favours of his bride. 
 Then, as a hungry lion, who beholds 
 A gamesome goat who frisks about the folds.
 
 404 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Or beamy stag that grazes on the plain — lO'iO 
 
 He runs, he roars, he shakes his rising mane ; 
 He grins, and opens wide his greedy jaws : 
 The prey lies panting underneath his paws : 
 He fills his famish'd maw; his mouth runs o'er 
 With unchew'd morsels, while he churns the gore : 
 So proud Mezentius rushes on his toes, 1016 
 
 And first unhappy Acron overthrows: 
 Stretch'd at his length, he s])urns the swarthy ground ; 
 The lance, besniear'd with blood, lies broken in the 
 wound. 
 
 Then with disdain the haughty victor view'd 1030 
 Orodes flying, nor the wretch pursu'd, 
 Nor thought the dastard's back deserv'd a wound, 
 But, running, gain'd th' advantage of the ground : 
 Then turning short, he met him face to face, 
 To give his victory the better grace. lOSS 
 
 Orodes falls, in equal fight oppress'd: 
 Mezentius fis.'d his foot upon his breast, 
 And rested lance; and thus aloud he cries: 
 ' Lo ! here the champion of my rebels lies !' 
 The fields around with ' lb Psean !' ring; l(i4i) 
 
 And peals of shouts applaud the conqu'ring king. 
 At this the Tanquish'd, with his dying breath. 
 Thus faintly spoke, and prophesied in death : 
 * Nor thou, proud man, unpunish'd shalt renuiin ; 
 Like death attends thee on this fatal plain.' lO-l.'i 
 
 Then sourly smiling, thus the king replied : 
 ' For what belongs to me, let Jove provide; 
 But die thou first, whatever chance ensue.' 
 He said, and from the wound the weapon drew. 
 A hov'ring mist came swimming o'er his sight, 1050 
 And seal'd his eyes in everlasting night. 
 
 By Cffidicus, Alcatiibus was slain: 
 Sacratorlaid Hydaspes on the plain: 
 Orses the strong to greater strength must yield ; 
 He, with Parthenius, was by Rapo kill'd. 105,i 
 
 Then brave Messapus Ericetes slew, 
 Who from Lycaon's blood his lineage drew. 
 But from his headstrong horse his fate he found, 
 \\ ho threw his master, as he made a bound: 
 The chief, alighting, struck him to the ground ; V^-iyt
 
 Then Cloniu3, hand to hand, on foot assails: 
 The Trojan sinks, and Neptune's son prevails. 
 Agis tl»e Lycian, stepping forth with pride, 
 To single fight the boldest foe defied ; 
 \\'hom Tuscan Valerus by force o'ercame, 10G5 
 
 And not belied his mighty father's fame. 
 Sdlius to death the great Authronius sent : 
 Bat the same fate the victor underwent, 
 Slain by Nealces' hand, well skill'd to throw 
 The flying dart, and draw the far deceiving bow. 1070 
 
 Thus equal deaths are dealt with equal cnance: 
 By turns they quit their ground, by turns advance, 
 Victors and vanqui.sh'd in the various field, 
 Nor wholly overcome, nor wholly yield. 
 The gods from heav'n survey the fatal strife, 1075 
 
 And mourn the miseries of human life. 
 Above the rest, two goddesses appear 
 Concern'd for each : here Venus, Juno there. 
 Amidst the crowd, infernal Ate shakes 
 Her scourge aloft, and crest of hissing snakes. 1080 
 
 Once more the proud Mezentius, with disdain, 
 Erandish'd his spear, and rush'd into the plain. 
 Where tow'ring in the midmost ranks he stood, 
 Like till Orion stalking o'er the flood — 
 (When with his brawny breast he ruts the waves. 
 His shoulders scarce the topmast billow laves), lir" ; 
 Or like a mountain ash, whose roots are spread. 
 Deep fix'd in earth — in clouds he hides his head. 
 
 The Trojan prince beheld him from afar. 
 And dauntless undertook the doubtful war. lOfiO 
 
 Collected in his strength and like a rock 
 Pois'd on liis base, Mezentius stood the shock. 
 He stood, and, meas'ring first with careful eyes 
 The space his spear could reach, aloud he cries : 
 ' My strong right hand, and sword, assist my stroke! 
 (Those only gods Mezentius will invoke) : l<i9G 
 
 His armour from the Trojan pirate torn, 
 By my triumphant Lausus shall be worn.' 
 He said ; and with his utmost force he threw 
 The massy spear, which, hissing as it flew, 1100 
 
 Reach'd the celestial shield : that stopp'd the rour.'^e; 
 But, glaucing thence, the yet unbroken force
 
 406 THE WORKS OF VIRGI! . 
 
 Took a new bent obliquely, nud, betwixt 
 
 The side and bowels, fam'd Antoresfix'd. 
 
 Antores had from Argos travell'd far, liori 
 
 Alcides' friend, and brother of the war; 
 
 Till, tir'd with toils, fair Italy he chose, 
 
 And in Evander's palace sought reiiose. 
 
 Now falling by another's wound, his eyes 
 
 He casts to heav'n, on Argos thinks, and dies. 1110 
 
 The pious Trojan then his jav'lin sent : 
 The shield gave way : through triple plates it went 
 Of solid brass, of linen triply roll'd. 
 And three bull hides which round the buckler 
 
 roll'd. 
 All these itpass'd, resistless in the course, 1115 
 
 Transpierc'd his thigh, and spent its dying force. 
 The gaping wound gush'd out a crimson flood 
 The Trojan, glad with sight of hostile blood. 
 His falchion drew, to closer fight address'd. 
 And with new force his fainting foe oppress'd. ll^!* 
 
 His father's peril Lausus Tiew'd with grief : 
 He sigh'd, be wept, he ran to his relief. 
 And here, heroic youth, 'tis here I must 
 To thy immortal memory be just. 
 And sing an act so noble and so new, 11^5 
 
 Posterity will scarce believe 'tis true. 
 Pain'd with his wound, and useless for the fight, 
 The father sought to save himself by flight : 
 Encumber'd, slow he dragg'd the spear along, 
 Which pierc'd his thigh, and in liis buckler hung. 
 The pious youth, resolv'd on death, below 11?,1 
 
 The lifted sword, springs forth to face the foe ; 
 Protects his parent, and prevents the blow. 
 Shouts of applause run ringing through the field. 
 To see the son the vanquish'd father shield. 1135 
 
 All, fir'd with gen'rous indigna?ion, strive, 
 And.Mith a s'orm of darts, to distance drive 
 The Trojan chief, who, held at bay from far, 
 On his Vulcanian orb sustain'd the war. 1139 
 
 As when thick hail comes rattling in the wind, 
 The ploughman, passenger, and lab'riog hind. 
 For shelter to the neighb'ring covert fly. 
 Or, hous'd, or safe in hollow caverns, lie ;
 
 ^NEIS, X. 407 
 
 Fut (bat o'erblnwn, when heaT'n above them sn:iles. 
 
 Return to travail, and renew their toils : 1145 
 
 ^neas thus, o'erwhelni'd on ev'ry side, 
 
 The storm of darts, undaunted, did abide : 
 
 And thus to Lausus loud wiih friendly tbreat'ning 
 
 cried : 
 ' Why vrilt thou rush to certain death, and rage 
 In rash attempts, beyond thy tender age, ll'O 
 
 Betray'd by pious love V — Nor, thus forborne, 
 The youth desists, but with insulting scorn 
 Provokes the ling'ring prince, whose patience, tir'd, 
 Ga^e place; and all his breast with fury fir'd. llo4 
 For now the Fates prepar'd their sharpen'd shear? ; 
 And lifted high the flaming sword appears. 
 V\'hich, full descending with a frightful sway. 
 Through shield and corslet forc'd th' impetuous way. 
 And buried deep in his fair bosom lay. 1150 
 
 The purple streams through the thin armour strove. 
 And drencu'd th' embroider'd coat his mother wove! 
 And life at length forsook his heaving heart, 
 Loth from so sweet a mansion to depart. 
 
 But when, with blood and paleness all o'erspread. 
 The pious prince beheld young Lausus dead, 11C5 
 
 He griev'd ; be wept (the sight an image brought 
 Of his own filial love — a sadly-pleasing thought); 
 Then stretch'd his hand to bold him up, and said: 
 ' I'oor hapless youth ! what praises can be paid 
 To love so great, to such transcendent store 1 170 
 
 Of early worth, and sure presage of more 1 
 Accept whate'er i^^neas can afford : 
 Untouch'd thy arms, uiitaken be thy sv.ord ; 
 And ;ill that pleas'd the living, still remain 
 Inviolate, and sacred to the slain. 1175 
 
 Thy body on thy parents I bestow. 
 To rest thy soul, at least, if shadows know. 
 Or have a sense of human things below. 
 There to thy fellow-ghosts with glory tell, 
 'Twas by the great ^^Eneas' hand I fell.' 1180 
 
 With this, his distant friends he beckons near; 
 Provokes their duty, and prevents their fear ; 
 Himself assi.«<ts to lift him from the ground, [wound. 
 With clotted locks, and blood that weli'd from out the
 
 408 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Meantime, his father, now no father, stooil, 1 185 
 And wash'd his wounds, by Tiber's yellow flood : 
 Oppre.ss'd with anguish, panting, and o'crspent, 
 His fainting limbs against an oak he leant. 
 A bough his brazen helmet did sustain ; 
 His heavier arms lay scatter'd on the plain : \ !i)0 
 
 A cViosen train of youth around him stand ; 
 His drooping head was rested on his hand; 
 His grisly beard his pensive bosom .sought ; 
 And all on Lausus ran his restless thought. 
 Careful, couceru'd his danger to prevent, 1!9.5 
 
 He much inquir'd, and many a message sent 
 To warn him from the field — alas ! in vain ! 
 Behold his mournful followers bear him slain : 
 O'er his broad shield still gush'd the yawning wound, 
 And drew a bloody train along the ground. 120(i 
 
 Far off he heard their cries, far off divin'd 
 The dire event with a foreboding mind. 
 With dust he sprinkled first his hoary head ; 
 Then both his lifted hands to heav'n he spread ; 
 Last, the dear corpse embracing, thus he said : li05 
 ' What joys, alas ! could this frail being give, 
 Tliat I have been so covetous to live 1 
 To see ray son, and such a son, resign 
 His life a ransom for preserving mine ? 
 And am I then preserv'd, and art thou lost! 1*2 1 1» 
 
 How much too dear has that redemption cost ! 
 'Tis now my bitter banishment I feel : 
 This is a wound too deep for time to heal. 
 My guilt thy growing virtues did defame: 
 l\Iy blackness blotted thy unblemish'd name. V>\r> 
 
 Chas'd from a throne, abandon'd, and exil'd 
 For foul misdeeds, were punishments too mild : 
 I ow"d my people these, and, from their hate. 
 With less resentment could have borne my fate. 
 And yet I live, and yet sustain the sight 12'20 
 
 Of hated men, and of more hated light — 
 But will not long.' With that he rais'd from 
 
 ground 
 His fainting limbs that stagger'd with his wound : 
 Yet, with a mind resolv'd, and unappall'd 
 With pains or perils, foi his courser call'd — l'i>ri
 
 iEN'EIS. X. 409 
 
 Well-moath'd, well-manag'd, whom himself did 
 
 dress 
 With daily care, and mounted with success — 
 His aid in arms, his ornament in peace. 
 
 Soothing his courage with a gentle stroke, 
 The steed seem'd sensible, while thus he spoke : 1230 
 ' O Rhocbus I we have liv'd too long for me — 
 If life and long were terms that could agree. 
 This day thou either shalt bring back the head — 
 And bloody trophies of the Trojan dead — 
 This day thou either shalt revenge my woe, 1235 
 
 For murderd Lausus, on his cruel foe; 
 Or, if inexorable Fate deny 
 Our conquest, with thy conquer'd master die : 
 For after such a lord, I rest secure, 1239 
 
 Thou v/ilt no foreign reins, or Trojan load endure.' 
 Ke said : and straight th' officious courser kneels. 
 To take his wonted weight. His hand he fills 
 "With pointed jav'lins: on his head he lac'd 
 His glitt'ring helm, which terribly was grac'd 
 With waving horse hair nodding from afar : 1245 
 
 Then spurr'd his thund'ring steed amidst the war. 
 Love, anguish, wrath, and grief, to madness wrought. 
 Despair, and secret shame, and conscious thou[:ht 
 Of inborn worth, his lab'ring soul oppress'd, 
 Roll'd in his eyes, and rag'd within his breast. 1250 
 Then loud he call'd ^neas thrice by name; 
 The loud repeated voice to glad ^neas came. 
 ' Great Jove,' he said, ' and the far-shooting god. 
 Inspire thy mind to make thy challenge good!' 
 He spoke no more, but hasten'd, void of fear, 125.5 
 And threaten'd with his long protended spear. 
 
 To whom Mezeutius thus : 'Thy vaunts are 
 vain. 
 My Lausus lies extended on tlje plain : 
 He's lost ! thy conquest is already won ; 
 The wretched sire is murdcr'd in the son. 1260 
 
 ^o^ fate I fear, but all the gods defy. 
 Forbear thy threats : my bus'ness is to die ; 
 But first receive this parting legacy.' 
 He said; and straight a whirling dart he sent : 
 Another after, and another, went. 1265 
 
 S
 
 410 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Round in a spacious ring be rides the field, 
 
 And vainly plies th' impenetrable shield. 
 
 Thrice rode he round ; and thrice iEneas wheeVd, 
 
 Turn'd as he tum'd : the golden orb withstood 
 
 The strokes, and bore about an iron wood. 1-270 
 
 Impatient of delay, and weary grown, 
 
 Still to defend, and to defend alone. 
 
 To wrench the darts which in his buckler light, 
 
 Urg'd, and o'erlabour'd in unequal fight — 
 
 At length resolv'd, he throws with all his force, 1275 
 
 Full at the temples of the warrior horse. 
 
 Just where the stroke was aim'd, th' unerring spear 
 
 Made way, and stood transfix'd through either ear. 
 
 Seiz'd with unwonted pain, surpris'd with fright, 
 
 The wounded steed curvets, and, rais'd upright, 1280 
 
 Lights on his feet before : his hoofs behind 
 
 Spring up in air aloft, and lash the wind. 
 
 Down comes the rider headlong from his height, 
 
 His horse came after with unweildy weight, 
 
 And flound'ring forward, pitching on his head, 128.'i 
 
 His lord's encumber'd shoulder overlaid. 
 
 From either host, the mingled shouts and cries 
 Of Trojans and Rutulians rend the skies: 
 i^neas hast'ning, wav'd his fatal sword 
 High o'er his head, with this reproachful word: 1290 
 ' Now! where are now the vaunts, the fierce 
 
 disdain, 
 Of proud Mezentius, and the lofty strain V 
 
 Struggling, and wildly staring on the .skies 
 With scarce-recover'd sight, he thus replies : 1294 
 • Why these insulting words, this waste of breath. 
 To souls undaunted, and secure of death? 
 'Tis no dishonour for the brave to die : 
 Nor came I here with hopes of victory: 
 Nor ask I life, nor fought with that design. 
 As I had us'd my fortune, use thou thine. 1300 
 
 My dying son contracted no such band: 
 The gift is hateful from his murd'rer's hand. 
 For this, this only favour, let me sue ; 
 If pity can to conquer'd foes be due. 
 Refuse it not; but let my body have .305 
 
 Vhe last retreat of human-kind, a grave.
 
 ^NEIS, XI. Ill 
 
 Too well I know tb' insulting people's hate : 
 Protect me from their vengeance after fate : 
 This refage for my poor remains provide ; 
 And lay my mnch-lov'd Lausus by my side.' 13l( 
 He said, and to the sword his throat applied. 
 The crimson stream distain'd his arms around, 
 And the disdainful soul came rushiog through the 
 wound. 
 
 BOOK XI. 
 
 JEneas erects a trophy of tne spoils of Mezentius, grants a tmce 
 for bur)iD^ the dead, and sends home llic bod> of" Pallas with 
 great solemnity. Laiiniis CilN a council to propose offers of 
 peace to ^ne'as; \»luc(i occasions great aninjo-ity betwist 
 Tiirnus and Drance>. Id ihi- mean time there is a'>hdr(> en- 
 gagement of the liorsp, wherein Caniiiia si^iializts herself, U 
 killed; and the Latin tr'.xips are entirely defeated. 
 
 Scarce had the rosy morning rais'd her head 
 
 Above the waves, and left her wat'ry bed; 
 
 The pious chief, whom double cares attend 
 
 For his unburied soldiers and bis friend. 
 
 Yet first to heav'n perform'd a victor's vows : 5 
 
 He b..r'd an ancient oak of all her boughs; 
 
 Tlien on a rising ground the trunk he plac'd 
 
 Which witli the spoils of his de«d foe he gracd. 
 
 The coat of arms by proud Mezentius worn, 
 
 Now on a naked snag in triumph borne, 10 
 
 Was hung on high, and gliiter'd from afar, 
 
 A trophy sacred to the god of war. 
 
 Above his arms, tis.'d on the leaiiess wood, 
 
 Appear'd his plumy crest, besmear'd with blood. 
 
 His brazen bucklor on the left was seen : 15 
 
 Truncheons of shiver'd lances hung between; 
 
 And on the right was placd his corselet, bor'd ; 
 
 And to thu neck was tied his unavailing sword. 
 
 A crowd of chiefs inclose the godlike man, 
 
 Who thus, conspicuous in the mid^t, began : 20 
 
 ' Our toils, my friends, are crown'd with sure success; 
 
 The greater part perform'd, achieve the less. 
 
 Now follow cheerful to the trembling town : 
 
 Press but an entrance, and presume it won.
 
 412 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Fear is no more : for fierce Mezentius lies, 25 
 
 As the first fruits of war, a sacrifice. 
 
 Turnus shall fall, extended on the plain. 
 
 And, in this omen, is already slain. 
 
 Prepar'd in arms, pursue your happy chance ; 
 
 That none unwarn'd my plead his ignorance, 30 
 
 And I, at Heav'n's appointed hour may find 
 
 Your warlike ensigns waving in the wind. 
 
 Meantime the rites and fun'ral pomps prepare. 
 
 Due to your dead companions of the war — 
 
 The last respect the living can hestow, 35 
 
 To shield their shadows from contempt below. 
 
 That conqusr'd earth be theirs, for which they fought. 
 
 And which for us with their own blood they bought. 
 
 But first the corpse of our unhappy friend 
 
 To the sad city of Evander send, 4(i 
 
 Who, not inglorious, in his age's bloom 
 
 Was hurried hence by too severe a doom.' 
 
 Thus, weeping while he spoke, he took his way 
 Where, new in death, lamented Pallas lay. 
 Acoetes watch'd the corpse, whose youth deserv'd 43 
 The father's trust ; and now the son he serv'd 
 With equal faith, but less auspicious care. 
 Th' attendants of the slain his sorrow share. 
 A troop of Trojans mix'd with these appear. 
 And mourning matrons with dishevell'd hair. 5-3 
 
 Soon as the prince appears, they raise a cry ; 
 All beat their breasts, and echoes rend the sky. 
 They rear his drooping forehead from the ground : 
 But, when ^neas view'd the grisly wound 
 Which Pallas in his manly bosoin bore, r,:, 
 
 And the fair flesh distain'd with purple gore : 
 First, melting into tears, the pious man 
 Deplor'd so sad a sight, then thus began: 
 ' Unhappy youth ! when Fortune gave the rest 
 Of my full wishes, she refus'd the best ! 60 
 
 She came ; but brought not thee along, to bless 
 My longing eyes, and share in my success : 
 She grudg'd thy safe return, the triumphs due 
 To prosp'rous valour, in the public view. 
 Not thus I promis'd, when thy father lent 65 
 
 Thy needless succoiir v.ith a sad consent ;
 
 yENEIS, XI. 413 
 
 Enibrac'd me, parting for tb' Etrurian land. 
 And sent me to posriess a large command. 
 He waro'd, and from his own experience told, 
 Our foes were warlike, disciplin'd, and bold, 70 
 
 And now, perhaps, in hopes of thy return. 
 Rich odours on his loaded altars bum. 
 While we, with vain ofl&cious pomp, prepare 
 To send him back his portion of the war, 
 A bloody breathless body, which can owe 75 
 
 Is'o farther debt, but to the pow'rs below. 
 Tlie wretched father, ere his race is run. 
 Shall view the fun'ral honours of his son ! 
 These are ray triumphs of the Latian war. 
 Fruits of my plighted faith and boasted care ! SO 
 
 And yet, unhappy sire, thou shalt not see 
 A son, whose death disgrac'd his ancestry: 
 Thou shalt not blush, old man, however griev'd : 
 Thy Pallas no dishonest wound receiv'd. 
 He died no death to make thee wish, too late, 85 
 
 Thou hadst not liv'd to see his shameful fate. 
 But what a champion has th' Ausonian coast. 
 And what a friend bast thou, Ascaniiis, lost!' 
 
 Thus having mourn'd, he gave the word arounJ, 
 To raise the breathless body from the ground ; i>0 
 
 And chose a thousand horse, the flow'r of all 
 His warlike troops, to wait the funeral. 
 To bear him back, and share Evander's grief — 
 A well-becoming, but a weak relief. 
 Of oaken twigs they twist an easy bier, &5 
 
 Then on their shoulders the sad burden rear. 
 The body on this rural hearse is borne : 
 Strew'd leaves and fun'ral greens the bier adorn. 
 All pale he lies, and looks a lovely liow'r, 
 New cropt by virgin hands, to dress the bow'r ; 1»0 
 Unfaded yet, but yet, unfed below. 
 No more to mother Earth or the green stem shall owe. 
 Then two fair vests, of wondrous work and cost. 
 Of purple woven, and with gold emboss'd, 
 For ornament the Trojan hero brought, 105 
 
 Which with her hands Sidonian Dido wrought. 
 One vest array'd the corpse ; and one they spread 
 O'er his clos'd eyes, and wrapp'd around his bead.
 
 414 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 That, when the yellow hair in flame should fall, 
 
 The catching fire might burn the golden caul. llo 
 
 Besides, the spoils of foes in bittle slain. 
 
 When he descended on the Latian plain — 
 
 Arms, trappings, horses, — by the hearse are led 
 
 In long array — th* achievements of the dead : 
 
 Then, pinion'd with their hands behind, appear 115 
 
 Th' unhappy captives, marching in the rear, 
 
 Appointed oflTrings in the victor's name, 
 
 To sprinkle with their blood the fun'ral flame. 
 
 Inferior trophies by the chiefs are borne ; 
 
 Gauntlets and helms their loaded liands adorn; 120 
 
 And fair inscriptions fix'd, and titles read 
 
 Of Latian leaders conquer'd by the dead. 
 
 Acoetes on his pupil's corpse attends. 
 With feeble steps, supported by his friends. 
 Pausing at ev'ry pace, in sorrow drown'd, 125 
 
 Betwixt their arms he sinks upon the ground ; 
 Where grov'lling while he lies in deep despair. 
 He beats his breast, and rends his hoary hair. 
 The champion's chariot next is seen to roll, 129 
 
 Besmear'd with hostile blood, and honourably fou!. 
 To close the pomp, ^Ethon, the steed of state, 
 Is led, the fun'rals of his lord to wait. 
 Stripp'd of his trappings, with a sullen pace 
 He walks, and the big tears run rolling down his face. 
 The lance of Pallas, and the crimson crest, 135 
 
 Are born behind ;— the victor seiz'd the rest. 
 The march begins : the trumpets hoarsely sound : 
 The pikes and lances trail along the ground. 
 Thus while the Trojan and Arcadian horse 
 To Palantean tow'rs direct their course, 140 
 
 In long procession rank'd; the pious chief 
 Stopp'd in the rear, and gave a vent to grief. 
 * The public care,' he said, ' which war attends, 
 Diverts our present woes, at least suspends. 
 Peace with the manes of great Pallas dwells! 145 
 
 Hail, holy reliques ! and a last farewell !' 
 He said no more, but, inly though he mourn'd, 
 Restrain'd his tears, and to the camp return 'd. 
 
 Now suppliants, from Laurentum sent, demand 
 A truce, with olive-branches in their hand : l.M)
 
 .«NEIS, XI. 415 
 
 Obtest his clemency, and from the plain 
 
 Beg leave to draw the bodies of their slain. 
 
 They plead, that none those common rites deny 
 
 To conquer'd foes, that in fair battle die. 
 
 All cause of hate was ended in their death : 165 
 
 Nor could he war with bodies void of breath. 
 
 A king, they hop'd, would hear a king's request. 
 
 Whose son he once was call'd, and once his guest. 
 
 Their suit, which was too just to be denied. 
 The hero grants, and farther thus replied '. 100 
 
 ' O Latian princes ! how severe a fate. 
 In causeless quarrels has involv'd your state. 
 And arm'd against an unoffending man, 
 Who sought your friendship ere the war began ! 
 You beg a truce, which I would gladly ^ve, 165 
 
 Not only for the slain, but those who live. 
 I come not hither but by Heav'u's command. 
 And sent by fate to share the Latian land. 
 Nor wage I wars unjust : your king denied 
 My proffer'd friendship and my promis'd bride : 170 
 Left me for Turnus. Turnus then should try 
 His cause in arms, to conquer or to die. 
 My right and his are in dispute : the slain 
 Fell without fault, our quarrel to maintain. 
 In equal arms let us alone contend ; 175 
 
 And let him vanquish, whom his fates befriend. 
 This is the way (so tell him) to possess 
 The royal virgin, and restore the peace. 
 Bear this my message back — with ample leave 
 That your slain friends may fun'ral rites receive.' 180 
 
 Thus having said — th' ambassadors, amaz'd. 
 Stood mute awhile, and om each other gaz'd. 
 Drances, their chief, who harbour'd in his breast 
 Long hate to Turnus, as his foe profess'd. 
 Broke silence first, and to the godlike man, 185 
 
 With graceful action bowing, thus began : 
 
 ' Auspicious prince, in arms a mighty name. 
 But yet whose actions far transcend your fame ! 
 Would I your justice or your force express. 
 Thought can but equal; and all words are less. 190 
 Your answer we shall thankfully relate. 
 And favours granted to the Latian state.
 
 416 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 If wish'd success our labours shall attend. 
 
 Think peace concluded, and the king your friend : 
 
 Let Turnus leave the realm to your command; 195 
 
 And seek alliance in some other land : 
 
 Build you the city which your fates assign; 
 
 We shall be proud in the great work to join^' 
 
 Thus Drauces; and his words so well persuade 
 
 Tlie rest empow'r'd, that soon a truce is made. 200 
 
 Twelve days the term allow'd ; and, during those, 
 
 Latians and Trojans, now no longer foes, 
 
 Mix'd in the woods, for fun'ral piles prepare 
 
 To fell the timber, and forget the war. 
 
 Loud axes through the groaning groves resound: 20.5 
 
 Oak, mountain-ash, and poplar, spread the ground ; 
 
 Firs fall from high ; and some the trunks receive 
 
 In loaden wains ; with wedges some they cleave. 
 
 And now the fatal news by Fame is blown 
 Through the short circuit of th' Arcadian town, 210 
 Of Pallas slain — by Fame, which just before 
 Hi.s triumph on distended pinions bore. 
 Rushing from out the gate, the people stand, 
 Each with a fun'ral flambeau in his hand, 
 Wildly they stare, distracted with amaze : 215 
 
 The fields are lighten'd with a fiery blaze, 
 That casts a sullen splendour on their friends — 
 The marching troop which their dead prince 
 
 attends. 
 Both parties meet: they raise a doleful cry : 
 The matrons from the walls with shrieks reply : 220 
 And their mix'd mourning rends the vaulted sky. 
 The town is fiU'd with tumult and with tears. 
 Till the loud clamours reach Evander's ears: 
 Forgetful of his state, he runs along, 
 W'ith a disorder'd pace, and cleaves the throng; 223 
 Falls on the corpse ; and groaning there he lies. 
 With silent grief, that speaks but at his eyes. 
 Short sighs and sobs succeed ; till sorrow breaks 
 A passage, and at once be weeps and speaks : 
 
 ' O Pallas ! thou liast fail'd thy plighted word ! 230 
 To fight with caution, not to tempt the sword, 
 1 warn'd thee, but in vain ; for well I knew 
 What perils youthful ardour would pursue —
 
 ^NEIS, XI. 417 
 
 Tliat boiling blood would carry tbee too far, 
 
 Young as thoii wert in dangers, raw to war! 235 
 
 O curst essay of arms! disastrous doom I 
 
 Prelude of bloody fields, and fights to come ! 
 
 Hard elements of inauspicious war ! 
 
 Vain vows to heav'n, and unavailing care' 
 
 Thrice happy thou, dear partner of my bed ! 
 
 Whose holy soul the stroke of Fortune fled — 2!0 
 
 Praescious of ills, and leaving me behind. 
 
 To drink the dregs of life by fate assign'd. 
 
 Beyond the goal of nature I have gone : 
 
 My Pallas late set out, but reach'd too soon. 215 
 
 If, for my league against th' Ausoniau state, 
 
 Amidst their weapons I had found my fate 
 
 (Deserv'd from them), then I had been return'd 
 
 A breathless victor, and my son had mourn'd. 
 
 Yet will 1 not my Trojan friend upbraid, 250 
 
 Nor grudge th' alliance I so gladly made. 
 
 'Twas not his fault, my Pallas fell so young, 
 
 But my own crime for having liv'd too long. 
 
 Yet, since the gods had destin'd him to die, 
 
 At least, he led the way to victory : '205 
 
 First for his friends he won the fatal shore, 
 
 And sent whole herds of slaughter'd foes before — 
 
 A death too great, too glorious to deplore. 
 
 Nor will I add new honours to thy grave. 
 
 Content with these the Trojan hero gave — 2'J!} 
 
 That fun'ral pomp thy Phrygian friends design'd, 
 
 In which the Tuscan chiefs and armyjoin'd. 
 
 Great spoils and trophies, gain'd by thee, they bear : 
 
 Then let thy own achievements be tliy share. 
 
 Ev'n thou, O Tumus, hadst a trophy stood, 265 
 
 Whose mighty trunk had better grac'd the wood. 
 
 If Pallas had arriv'd, with equal length 
 
 Of years, to match thy bulk with equal strength. 
 
 Bat why, unhappy man I dost thou detain 
 
 These troops, to view the tears thou shedd'st in 
 
 vain ♦ '270 
 
 Go, friends ! this message to your lord relate : 
 Tell him, that, if I bear my bitter fate. 
 And, after Pallas' death, live ling'ring on, 
 'lis to behold his vengeance for my son. 
 S 2
 
 418 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 I stay for Turn us, whose devoted head 275 
 
 Is owing to the living and the dead. 
 
 My son and 1 expect it from his band, 
 
 'Tis all that he can give, or we demand. 
 
 Joy is no more : hut I would gladly go. 
 
 To greet my Pallas with such news below. 280 
 
 The mom had now dispell'd the shades of night, 
 Restoring toils, when she restor'd the light. 
 The Trojan king, and Tuscan chief, command 
 To raise the piles along the winding strand. 
 Their friends convey the dead to fun'ral fires; 28-5 
 Black smould'ring smoke from the green wood expires ; 
 The light of heav'u is chok'd, and the new day retires. 
 Then thrice around the kindled piles they go 
 (For ancient custom had ordain'd it so) : 
 Thrice horse and foot about the fires are led ; 290 
 
 And thrice with loud laments they hail the dead. 
 Tears, trickling down their breasts, bedew the ground; 
 And drums and trumpets mix their mournful sound. 
 Amid the blaze, their pious brethren throw 
 The spoils, in battle taken from the foe — 29.5 
 
 Helms, bits emboss'd, and swords of shining steel : 
 One casts a target, one a chariot-wheel: 
 Some to their fellows their own arms restore — 
 The falchions which in luckless fight they bore, 209 
 Their bucklers pierc'd, their darts bestow'd in vain. 
 And shiver'd lances gather'd from the plain. 
 Whole herds of oflFer'd bulls, about the fire. 
 And bristled bo irs, and woolly sheep, expire. 
 Around the piles a careful troop attends. 
 To watch the wasting flames, and weep their burning 
 friends — 30.5 
 
 Ling'ring along the shore, till dewy night 
 New decks the face of heav'n with starry light 
 
 The conquer'd Latians, with like pious care. 
 Piles without number for their dead prepare. 
 Part, in the places where they fell, are laid: 310 
 
 And part are to the neighb'ring fields convey'd. 
 The corps of kings and captains of renown, 
 Borne ofl" in state, are buried in the town; 
 The rest, unhonour'd, and without a name, 
 Are cast a common heap to feed the flame. 3i.'>
 
 vENEIS, XI. 419 
 
 Trojans and Latians vie tvith like desires 
 Tu make the field of battle shine with fires ; 
 And the promiscuous blaze to heav'n aspires. 
 
 Now had the morning thrice renew'd the liglit, 
 And thrice dispell'd the shadows of the night, 320 
 When those who round the wasted fires remain, 
 Perform the last sad office to the slain. 
 They rake the yet warm ashes from below ; 
 These, and the bones unburn'd, in earth bestow : 
 These reliques with their country rites they grace, 325 
 And raise a mount of turf to mark the place. 
 
 But, in the palace of the king, appears 
 A scene more solemn, and a pomp of tears. 
 Maids, matrons, widows, mix their common moans : 
 Orphans their sires, and sires lament their sons. 330 
 All in that universal sorrow share, 
 And curse the cause of this unhappy war — 
 A broken league, a bride unjustly sought, 
 A crown usurp'd, which with their blood is bought ; 
 These are the crimes, with which they load the 
 
 name 333 
 
 Of Tumus, and on him alone exclaim : 
 ' Let him, who lords it o'er th' Ausonian land, 
 Engage the Trojan hero hand to hand : 
 His is the gain ; our lot is but to serve : 
 'Tis just, the sway he seeks, he should deserve." 310 
 This Drances aggravates ; and adds, with spite, 
 ' His foe expects, and dares him to the fight.' 
 Nor Turnus wants a party to support 
 His cause and credit in the Latian court. 
 His former acts secure his present fame ; 34,> 
 
 And the queen shades him with her mighty name. 
 
 \Vhile thus their factious minds with fury burn. 
 The legates from th' ^tolian prince return : 
 Sad news they bring, that, after all the cost 
 And care eniploy'd, their embassy is lost ; 3"iO 
 
 That Diomede refus'd his aid in war, 
 Unmovd with presents, and as deaf to pray'r. 
 Some new alliance must elsewhere be sought. 
 Or peace with Troy on hard conditions bought. 
 
 Latinus, sunk in sorrow, fimls too late, 3.")5 
 
 A foreign son is pointed out by fate ;
 
 420 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 And, till yEneas shall Lavinia wed, 
 The wrath of heav'a is hov'ring o'er his head. 
 The gods, he saw, espous'd the juster side. 
 When late their titles in the field were tried : 360 
 
 Witness the fresh laments, and fun'ral tears uq- 
 dried. 
 
 Thus full of anxious thought, he summons all 
 The Latian senate to the council hall. 
 The princes come, commanded by their head, 
 And crowd the paths that to the palace le.id. 385 
 
 Supreme in pow'r, and rev'rencd for his years, 
 He takes the throne, and in the midst appears. 
 Majestically sad, he sits in state, 
 And bids his envoys their success relate. 
 
 When Venulus began, the murm'ring sound .3*0 
 Was hush'd, and sacred silence reign'd around. 
 ' We have,' said he, 'perform'd your high command, 
 And pass'd with peril a long tract of land : 
 We reach'd the place desir'd; with wonder fill'd, 
 The Grecian tents and rising tow'rs beheld. S7;ji 
 
 Great Diomede has compass'd round with walls 
 The city, which Argyripa he calls. 
 From his own Argos nam'd. We touch'd, with joy, 
 The royal hand that raz'd unhappy Troy. 
 When introduc'd, our presents first we bring, 3M 
 Then crave an instant audience from the king. 
 His leave obtain'd, our native soil we name. 
 And tell th' important cause for which we came. 
 Attentively he heard us, while we spoke ; 
 Then, with soft accents, and a pleasing look, 3S5 
 
 Made this return : " Ausonian race, of old 
 Renown'd for peace, and for an age of gold. 
 What madness has your alter'd minds possess'd. 
 To change for war hereditary rest, 
 Solicit arms unknown, and tempt the sword — 300 
 A needless ill, your ancestors abhorr'd? 
 We — for myself I speak, and all the name 
 Of Grecians, who to Troy's destruction came 
 (Omitting those who were in battle slain, 
 Or borne by rolling Simo'is to the main) — .i. 3 
 
 Not one but sufFer'd, and too dearly bought 
 The prize of honour which in arms he sought.
 
 iENElS> XI. 121 
 
 Some doom'd to death, and some in exile driv'n, 
 Outcasts, aiiandon'd by the care of Heav'n — 
 So worn, so wretched, so despis'd a crew, 400 
 
 As evn old Priam might with pity Tiew. 
 Witness the -vessels by Jlinerva toss'd 
 In storms — the vengeful Capharean coast — 
 Th' Euboean rocks — the prince, whose brother led 
 Our armies to revenge his injur'd bed, 405 
 
 In Egypt lost. Ulysses with his men, 
 Have 3een Charybdis, and the Cyclops' den. 
 Why should I name Idomeneus, in vain 
 Restor'd to sceptres, and expell'd again 1 
 Or young Achilles, by his rival slain ? 410 
 
 Ev'n he, the king of men, the foremost name 
 Of all the Greeks, and most renown'd by fame. 
 The proud revenger of another's wife, 
 Vet by his own adult'ress lost his life — 
 Fell at his threshold : p.nd the spoils of Troy 415 
 
 The foul polluters of his bed enjoy. 
 The gods have envied me the sweets of life. 
 My much-lov'd country, and my more lov'd wife : 
 Banish'd from both, I mourn ; while in the sky, 
 Transform'd to birds, my lost companions fly ; 4'20 
 
 Hov'ring about the coasts they make their moan. 
 And cuff the cliffs with pinions not their own. 
 What squalid spectres, in the dead of night, 
 Break my short sleep, and skim before my sight ! 
 I might have promis'd to myself those harms, 425 
 
 Mad as I was, when I, with mortal arms, 
 Presum'd against immortal pow'rs to move. 
 And violate with wounds the queen of love. 
 Such arms this hand shall never more employ. 
 No hate remains with me to ruin'd i'roy. 430 
 
 I war not with its dust ; nor am I glad 
 To think of past events, or good or bad. 
 Your presents I return ; whate'er you bring 
 To buy my friendship, send the Trojan king. 
 We met in fight : I know him, to my cos«^ : 435 
 
 With what a whirling force his lance he toss'd ! 
 Heav'ns I what a spring was in his arm, to throve ! 
 How high he held his shield, and rose at ev'ry 
 blow !
 
 422 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL, 
 
 Had Troy prodnc'd two more his match in might, 
 
 They would have chang'd the fortune of the fight ; 440 
 
 Th' invasion of the Greeks have been return'd, 
 
 Our empire wasted, and our cities bum'd. 
 
 The long defence the Trojan people made. 
 
 The war protracted, and the siege delay'd. 
 
 Were due to Hector's and this hero's hand: 445 
 
 Both brave alike, and equal in command ; 
 
 JEacas, not inferior in the field, 
 
 In pious rev'rence to the gods excell'd. 
 
 Make peace, ye Latians, and avoid with care 
 
 Th' impending dangers of a fatal war." 450 
 
 He said no more ; but with tliis cold excuse, 
 
 Refus'd th' alliance, and advis'd a truce.' 
 
 Thus Venulus concluded his report. 
 A jarring murmur fiU'd the factious court : 
 As, when a torrent runs with rapid force, 455 
 
 And dashes o'er the stones that stop the course. 
 The flood contrain'd within a scanty space. 
 Roars horrible along th' iineasy race ; 
 White foam in gath'ring eddies floats around ; 
 The rocky shores rebellow to the sound. 400 
 
 The murmur ceas'd : then from his lofty throne 
 The king invok'd the gods, and thus begun : 
 ' 1 wish, ye Latians, what ye now debate 
 Had been resolv'd before it was too late. 
 Much better had it been for you and me, 405 
 
 Unfnrc'd by this our last necessity. 
 To have been earlier wise, than now to call 
 A council when the foe surrounds the wall. 
 O citizens ! wo wage unequal war. 
 With men, not only Heav'u's peculiar care, 4T0 
 
 But Heav'n's own race — uuconquer'd in the field. 
 Or, conquer'd, yet unknowing bow to yield. 
 What hopes you had in Diomede, lay down ; 
 Our hopes must centre on ourselves alone. 
 Yet those how feeble, and, indeed, how vain, 475 
 
 You see too well ; nor need my words explain — 
 Vanquish'd without resource— laid flat by fate — 
 Factions within, a foe without the gate ! 
 Not but I grant that all perform'd their parts 
 With manly force, and with undaunted hearts: 480
 
 ^\EIS, XI. 42S 
 
 With our united strength the war we wag'd ; 
 
 With equal numbers, equal arms, engag'd: 
 
 You see th' event. — Now hear what I propose, 
 
 To save our friends and satisfy our foes. 
 
 A tract of land the Latians have possess'd 48;i 
 
 Along the Tiber, stretching to the west, 
 
 Which now Rutulians and Aunincans till; 
 
 And their mix'd cattle graze the fruitful hill. 
 
 Those mountains fiU'd with firs, that lower land 
 
 If you consent, the Trojans shall command, 490 
 
 Call'd into part of what is ours; and there. 
 
 On terms agreed, the common country share. 
 
 There let them build and settle, if they please ; 
 
 Unless they choose once more to cross the seas. 
 
 In search of seats remote from Italy, 495 
 
 And from unwelcome inmates set iis free. 
 
 Then twice ten galleys let us build with speed, 
 
 Or twice as many more, if more they need, 
 
 Materials are at hand ; a well-grown wood 
 
 Runs equal with the margin of the flood : 500 
 
 Let them the number and the form assign : 
 
 The care and cost of all the stores be mine, 
 
 To treat the peace, a hundred senators 
 
 Shall be commission'd hence with ample pow'rs, 
 
 With olive crown'd : the presents they shall bear, 505 
 
 A purple robe, a royal iv'ry chair, [wear. 
 
 And all the marks of sway that Latian monarchs 
 
 And sums of gold. Among yourselves debate 
 
 This great aflfair, and save the sinking state.' 
 
 Then Drances took the word, who grudg'd long since, 
 The rising glories of the Daunian prince. 511 
 
 Factious and rich, bold at the council-board, 
 But cautious in the field, he shunn'd the sword — 
 A close cabdller, and tongue-valiant lord. 
 Noble his mother was, and near the throne : 515 
 
 But, what his father's parentage, unknown. 
 He rose, and took th' advantage of the times. 
 To load young Tiimus with invidious crimes. 
 • Such truths, king,' said he, ' your words contain. 
 As strike the sense, and all replies are vain ; 5'iO 
 
 Nor are your loyal subjects now to seek 
 What common needs require ; but fear to speak.
 
 424 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Let him give leave of speech, that hauglity man, 
 Whose pride this inauspicious war began ; 
 For whose ambition (let me dare to say, 525 
 
 Fear set apart, though death is in my way), 
 The plains of Latium run with blood around ; 
 So many valiant heroes bite the ground ; 
 Dejected grief in ev'ry face appears ; 
 A town in mourning, and a land in tears ; 530 
 
 While he, th' undoubted author of our harms. 
 The man who menaces the gods with arms, 
 Yet after all his boasts, forsook the fight. 
 And sought his safety in ignoble flight. 
 Now, best of kings, since you propose to send 535 
 Such bounteous presents to your Trojan friend; 
 Add yet a greater at our joint request. 
 One which he values more than all the rest: 
 Give him the fair Lavinia for his bride: 
 With that alliance let the league be tied, 540 
 
 And for the bleeding land a lasting peace provide. 
 Let insolence no longer awe the throne ; 
 But, with a father's right, bestow your own. 
 For this maligner of the gen'ral good, 
 If still we fear his force, he must be woo'd : 545 
 
 His haughty godhead we with prayers imploie. 
 Your sceptre to release, and our just rights 
 restore. 
 
 cursed cause of all our ills ! must we 
 Wage wars unjust, and fall in fight, for thee 1 
 What right hast thou to rule the Latian state, 550 
 And send us out to meet our certain fate ? 
 
 Tis a destructive war : from Turnus' hand 
 
 Our peace and public safety we demand. 
 
 Let the fair bride to the brave chief remain : 
 
 If not, the peace, without the pledge is vain. 355 
 
 Turnus, I know you think me not your friend. 
 
 Nor will I much with your belief contend : 
 
 1 beg your greatness not to give the law 
 In other realms, but beaten to withdraw. 
 
 Pity your own, or pity our estate ; 560 
 
 Nor twist our fortunes with your sinking fate. 
 Your int'rest is, the war should never cease ; 
 But we have felt enough to wish the peace —
 
 iENEIS, XI. 425 
 
 A land exhausted to the last remfiias. 
 Depopulated towns, and driven plains. 565 
 
 Yet, if desire of fame, and thirst of pow'r, 
 A beauteous princess, with a crown iu dnw'r, 
 So fire your mind, in arms assert your right, 
 And meet your foe, who dares you to the fight. 
 Mankind, it seems, is made for you alone ! 370 
 
 We, but the slaves who mount you to the throne — 
 A base ignoble crowd, without a name, 
 Unwept, unworthy of th' fun'ral flame. 
 By duty bound to forfeit each his life, 
 That Txirnus may possess a royal wife! 575 
 
 Permit not, mighty man, so mean a crew 
 Should share such triumphs, and detain froni you 
 The post of honour, your undoubted due. 
 Rather alone your matchless force employ. 
 To merit what alone you must enjoy.' 580 
 
 These words, so full of malice mix'd with art, 
 Inflam'd with rage the youthful hero's heart. 
 Then groaning from the bottom of his breast. 
 He heav'd for wind, and thus his words express'd : 
 * You, Drances, never want a stream of words, 585 
 Then, when the public need requires cur swords; 
 First in the council hall to steer the state. 
 And ever foremost in a tongue-debate, 
 While our strong walls secure us from the foe. 
 Ere yet with blood our ditches overflow ; 690 
 
 But let the potent orator declaim. 
 And with the brand of coward blot my name; 
 Free leave is giv'n him, when his fatal hand 
 Has cover'd with more corps the sanguine strand, 
 And high as mine his tow'ring trophies stand. 5D5 
 If any doubt reaiair.s who dares the most. 
 Let us decide it at the Trojans' cost. 
 And issue both abreast, where honour calls — 
 (Foes are not far to seek without the walls) ; 
 Unless his noisy tongue can only fight, 600 
 
 And feet were giv'n him bat to speed his flight. 
 I beaten from the field, I forc'd away. 
 Who, but so known a distard, dares to say ? 
 Had he but ev'n beheld the fight, his eyes 
 Had witness'd for me what his tongue denies — (jifj
 
 426 THE WORKS OP VIRGIL. 
 
 What heaps of Trojans by this hand were slain, 
 
 And how the bloody Tiber swell 'd the main. 
 
 All saw, buthe, th' Arcadian troops retire 
 
 In scatter'd squadrons, and their prince expire. 
 
 The giant brothers, in their camp, have found, 610 
 
 I was not forc'd with ease to quit my ground. 
 
 Not such the Trojans tried me, when, inclos'd, 
 
 I singly their united arms oppos'd — 
 
 First furc'd an entrance through their thick array, 
 
 Then, glutted with their slaughter, freed my way. 615 
 
 'Tis a destructive war? So let it be. 
 
 But to the Phr3gian pirate, and to thee ! 
 
 Meantime proceed to fill the people's ears 
 
 With false reports, their minds with panic fears ; 
 
 Extol the strength of a twice conquer'd race ; 020 
 
 Our foes encourage, and our friends debase. 
 
 Believe thy fables, and the Trojan town 
 
 Triumphant stands; the Grecians are o'erthrown ; 
 
 Suppliant at Hector's feet Achilles lies ; 
 
 And Diomede from fierce j?ineas flies ! (J25 
 
 Say, rapid Aufidus with awful dread 
 
 Runs backward from the sea, and hides his head, 
 
 When the great Trojan on his bank appears : 
 
 For that's as true as thy dissembled fears 
 
 Of my revenge : dismiss that vanity : C3fl 
 
 Thou, Drauces, art below a death from me. 
 
 Let that vile soul in that vile body rest. 
 
 The lodging is well worthy of the guest. 
 
 Now, royal father, to the present state 
 
 Of our affairs, and of this high debate — 635 
 
 If in your arms thus early you diffide. 
 
 And think your fortune is already tried; 
 
 If one defeat has brought us down so low. 
 
 As never more in fields to meet the foe ; 
 
 Then I conclude for peace; 'tis time to treat, 640 
 
 And lie like vassals at the victor's feet. 
 
 But, oh ! if any ancient blood remains, 
 
 One drop of all our fathers, in our veins. 
 
 That man would I prefer before the rest. 
 
 Who dar'd his death with an undaunted breast; 645 
 
 Who comely fell by no dishonest wound. 
 
 To shun that sight, and, dying, gnaw'd the ground.
 
 -/ENEIS, XI. 427 
 
 But, if we still have fresh recruits in store, 
 If OTir omfed'rates can afford us more ; 
 If the contended field we bravely fought; 650 
 
 And not a bloodless yictory whs bought ; 
 Their losses equall'd ours; and, for tlieir slain, 
 With equal fires they filld the shiniug plain ; 
 Why thus, ixnforc'd, should we so tamely yield, 
 And, ere the trumpet sounds, resign the field? 655 
 Good unexpected, evils unforeseen. 
 Appear by turns, as Fortune shifts the scene, 
 Some rais'd al< ft, come tumbling down amain : 
 Then fall so hard, they bound and rise again. 
 If Diomede refuse his aid to lend, 660 
 
 The great ilessapus yet remains our friend : 
 Toluninius, who foretels events, is ours ; 
 Th' Italian chiefs, and princes, join their pow'rs: 
 Nor least in number, nor in name the last, 664 
 
 Your own brave subjects have our cause embrac'd. 
 Above the rest, the Volscian Amazon 
 Contains an army in herself alone, 
 And heads a squadron, terrible to sight, 
 TS'lth glitt'ring shields, in brazen armour bright. 
 Yet if the foe a single fight demand, 07'> 
 
 And 1 alone the public peace withstand; 
 If you consent, he shall not be lefus'd, 
 Nor find a hand to victory unus'd. 
 This new Achilles, let him take the field, 
 With fatal armour, and Vulcanian shield ! 675 
 
 For you, my royal father, and my fame, 
 I, Turnus, not the least of all my name. 
 Devote my soul. He calls me hand to hand 
 And I alone will answer his demand. 
 Drances shall rest secure, and neither shnre 680 
 
 The danger, nor divide the prize, of war.' 
 
 While they debate, nor these nor those will yield, 
 ^neas draws his forces to the field. 
 And moves his camp. The scouts with flying speed 
 Return, and through the frighted city spread 6S5 
 
 Th' uupleasing news. ' The Trojans are descried, 
 In battle marching by the river-side, 
 And bending to the town.' They take th' alarm : 
 Some tremble ; some are bold: all in confusion arm.
 
 428 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Th' impetuous youth press forward to tlie field ; 690 
 They clash the sword, and clatter on the shield : 
 The fearful matrons raise a screaniinj? cry ; 
 Old feeble men with fainter groans reply : 
 A jarring sound results, and mingles in tlie sky, 
 Like that of swans remurm'ring to the floods, 6P5 
 Or birds of ditf'ring kinds in hollow woods. 
 Turnus th' occasion takes, and cries aloud : 
 ' Talk on, ye quaint haranguers of the crowd; 
 Declaim in praise of peace, when danger calls. 
 And the fierce foes in arms approacVi the walls.* 7D3 
 He said, and, turning short with speedy pace, 
 Casts back a scornful glance, and quits the place. 
 ' Thou, Volusus, the Volscian troops command 
 To mount; and lead thyself our Ardean band. 
 Messapus, and Catillus,post your force 705 
 
 Along the fields, to charge the Trojan horse. 
 Some guard the passes ; others man the wall ; 
 Drawn up in arms, the rest attend my call.' 
 
 They swarm from ev'ry quarter of the town, 
 And with disorder'd haste the rampires crown. 710 
 Good old Latinus, when he saw, too late, 
 The gath'ring storm just breaking on the state, 
 Dismiss'd the council till a fittter time, 
 And own'd his easy temper as his crime, 
 Who, forc'd against his reason, had complied 715 
 
 To break the treaty for the promis'd bride. 
 
 Some help to sink new trenches ; others aid 
 To ram the stones, or raise the palisade. 
 Hoarse trumpets sound th' alarm : around the walls 
 Ruus a distracted orew, whom their last labour 
 
 calls. 720 
 
 A sad procession in the streets is seen. 
 Of matrons that attend the mother queen : 
 High in her chair she sits, and, at her side. 
 With down-cast eyes, appears the fatal bride. 724 
 
 They mount the clitf, where Pallas' temple stands; 
 Pray'rs in their mouths, and presents in their hands. 
 With censers first tbey fume the sacred shrine. 
 Then in this common supplication join : 
 ' O patrone.ss of arms ! unspotted maid ! 
 Propitious hear, and lend thy Latins aid .' 730
 
 i^\EIS, XI. 429 
 
 Break short the pirate's lance ; pronounce his fate ; 
 And lay the Phrygian low before the gate.' 
 
 Now Turnus arms for fight. His back and breast 
 Well-temper'd steel and scaly brass invest: 
 The cuishes, which his brawny thighs in^ld, 735 
 
 Are mingled metal damask'd o'er with gold. 
 His faithful falchion sits upon his side; 
 Nor casque, nor crest, his manly features hide ; 
 But, bare to view, amid surrounding friends. 
 With godlike grace, he from the tow'r descends. 740 
 Exulting in his strength, he seems to dare 
 His absent rival, and to promise war. 
 
 Freed from his keepers, thus, with broken reins. 
 The wanton courser prances o'er the plains. 
 Or in the pride of youth o'erleaps the mounds, 745 
 And snuffs the females in forbidden grounds; 
 Or seeks his wat'ring in the well-known flood, 
 To quench his thirst, and cool his fiery blood : 
 He swims luxuriant in the liquid plain. 
 And o'er his shoulder flows his waving mane : 750 
 He neighs, he snorts, he bears his head on high ; 
 Before his ample chest the frothy waters fly. 
 
 Soon as the prince appears without the gate. 
 The Volscians, and their virgin leader, wait 754 
 
 His last commands. Then, with a graceful mien. 
 Lights from her lofty steed the warrior-queen : 
 Her squadron imitates, and each descends ; 
 Whose common suit Camilla thus commends : 
 ' If sense of honour, if a soul secure 
 Of inborn worth that can ail tests endure, 760 
 
 Can promise aught, or on itself rely, 
 Greatly to dare to conquer or to die ; 
 Then, I alone, sustain'd by these, will meet 
 The Tyrrhene troops, and promise their defeat. 
 Ours be the danger, ours the sole renown : 7d5 
 
 You, gen'ral, stay behind, and guard the town.' 
 Turnus awhile stood mute with glad surprise. 
 And on the fierce virago fix'd his eyes. 
 Then thus retum'd : ' O grace of Italy I 
 With what becoming thaijks can I reply ? 770 
 
 Not only words lie lab'ring in my breast ; 
 But thought itself is by thy praise oppress'd.
 
 430 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Yet rob me not of all ; but let me join 
 
 My toils, my hazard, and ray fame, witU thine. 
 
 The Trojan, not in stratagem unskill'd, 775 
 
 Sends his light horse before to scour the field : 
 
 Himself, through steep ascents and thorny brakes, 
 
 A lartjer compass to the city takes. 
 
 This news my scouts confirm : and I prepare 
 
 To foil his cunning, and his force to dare ; 7fi0 
 
 With chosen foot his passage to forelay, 
 
 And place an ambush in the winding way. 
 
 Thou, with thy Volscians, face the Tuscan horse : 
 
 The brave Messapus shall my troops inforce 
 
 With those of Tibur, and the Latian band, 7S5 
 
 Subjected all to thy supreme command.' 
 
 This said, he warns Messapus to the war ; 
 Then ev'ry chief exhorts with equal care. 
 All thus encourag'd, his own troop he joins. 
 And hastes to prosecute his deep designs, 790 
 
 Inclos'd with hills, a windmg valley lies, 
 Ey nature form'd for fraud, and fitted for surprise. 
 A narrow track, by human steps untrode, 
 Leads, through perplexing thorns, to this obscure abode. 
 High o'er the vale a steepy mountain stands, 705 
 
 Whence the surveying sight the nether ground com 
 The top is level — an offensive seat [mands. 
 
 Of war .: and from the war a safe retreat : 
 For, on the right and left, is room to press 
 The foes at hand, or from afar distress ; 800 
 
 To drive 'em headlong downward ; and to pour. 
 On their descending backs, a stony show'r. 
 Thither young Turnus took the well-known way, 
 Possess'd the pass, and in blind ambush lay. 
 
 Meantime, Latonian Phoebe, from the skies, 8;)5 
 Beheld th' approaching war with hateful eyes. 
 And call'd the light-foot Opis to her aid. 
 Her most belov'd and ever- trusty maid; 
 Then with a sigh began ; ' Camilla goes 
 To meet her death amidst her fatal foes — 810 
 
 The nynaph I lov'd of all my mortal train. 
 Invested with Diana's arms, in vain. 
 Nor is my kindness for the virgin new : 
 Twas born with her ; and with her years it grew.
 
 ^NEIS, Xf. 431 
 
 Her father Metabus, when forc'd away 813 
 
 From old Prirernum for tyrannic sv/ay, 
 Snatch'd up, and sav'd from his prevailing foes, 
 This tender babe, companion of his woes. 
 Casmilla was her mother: but he drown'd 
 One hissing letter in a softer sound, 820 
 
 And call'd Camilla. Through the woods he flies : 
 WrappM in his robe the royal infant lies. 
 His foes in sight, he mends his weary pace ; 
 With shouts and clamours they pursue the chase. 
 The banks of Amasene at length he gains ; 825 
 
 The raging flood his farther flight restrains, 
 Rais'd o'er the borders with unusnal rains. 
 Prepar'd to plunge into the stream, he fears. 
 Not for himself, but for the charge he bears. 
 Anxious, he stops awhile, and thinks in haste, 830 
 Then, desp'rate in distress, resolves at last. 
 A knotty lance of well-boil'd oak he bore ; 
 The middle part with cork he cover'd o'er : 
 He clos'd the child within the hollow space; 
 With twigs of bending osier bound the case, 835 
 
 Then pois'd the spear, heavy with human weight. 
 And thus invok'd my favour for the freight, 
 " Accept, great goddess of the woods (he said), 
 Sent by her sire, this dedicated maid ! 
 Through air she flies a suppliant to thy shrine ; 840 
 And the first weapons that she knows are thine." 
 He said, and with full force the spear he threw : 
 Above the sounding waves Camilla flew. 
 Then, press'd by foes, he stemm'd the stormy tide, 
 And gain'd, by stress of arms, the farther side. 845 
 His fasten'd spear he puU'd from out the ground. 
 And, victor of his vows, his infant nymph un- 
 bound : 
 Nor, after that, in towns which walls inclose. 
 Would trust his hunted life amidst his foes; 
 But, rough, in open air he close to lie : S/iO 
 
 Earth was his couch ; his cov'ring was the sky. 
 On hills unshorn, or in a desert den, 
 He shunn'd the dire society of men. 
 A shepherd's solitary life he led : 
 His daughter with the milk of mares he fed. S5r,
 
 432 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 The dugs of bears, and ev'ry savage beast. 
 
 He drew, and through her lips the liquor press'J, 
 
 The little Amazon could scarcely go — 
 
 He loads her with a quiver and a bow ; S.ig 
 
 And, that she might her stagg'ring steps command, 
 
 He with a slender jav'lin fills her hand. 
 
 Her flowing hair no golden fillet bound ; 
 
 Nor swept her trailing robe the dusty ground. 
 
 Instead of these, a tiger's hide o'erspread 
 
 Her back and shoulders, fasten'd to her head. 665 
 
 The flying dart she first attempts to fling. 
 
 And round her tender temples toss'd the sling; 
 
 Then, as her strength with years increas'd, began 
 
 To pierce aloft in air the soaring swan, 
 
 And from the clouds to fetch the heron and the 
 
 crane. 870 
 
 The Tuscan matrons with each other vied 
 To bless their rival sons with such a bride : 
 But she disdains their love, to share with me 
 The sylvan shades, and vow'd virginity. 
 And, oh ! I wish, contented with my cares 875 
 
 Of savage spoils, she had not sought the wars : 
 Then had she been of my celestial train. 
 And shunn'd the fate that dooms her to be slain. 
 But since, opposing heav'n's decree, she goes 
 To find her death among forbidden foes, 8S0 
 
 Haste with these arms, and take thy steepy flight. 
 Where, with the gods averse, the Latins fight. 
 This bow to thee, this quiver, I bequeath. 
 This chosen arrow, to revenge her death : 
 By whate'er hand Camilla shall be slain, S85 
 
 Or of the Trojan or Italian train. 
 Let him not pass unpnnish'd from the plain. 
 Then, in a hollow cloud, myself will aid 
 To bear the breathless body of my maid : 
 Unspoil'd shall be her arms, and unprofan'd 990 
 
 Her holy limbs with any human hand. 
 And in a marble tomb laid in her native land.' 
 She said. The faithful nymph descends from 
 high 
 With rapid flight, and cuts the sounding sky : 
 Black clouds and stormy winds around her body fly.
 
 iENEIS, XI. 4?.'i 
 
 By this, the Trojan and the Tuscan horse, 8i '> 
 
 Drawn up in squadrons, with united force 
 Approach the walls: the sprightly coursers bound, 
 Press forward on their bits, and shift their ground. 
 Shields, arms, and spears, flash horribly from far; 
 And the fields glitter with a waving war. 901 
 
 Oppos'd to these, come on with furious force 
 Messapus, Coras, and the Latian horse ; 
 These in the body pLic'd, on either hand 
 Sustain'd and clos'd by fair Camilla's band. 905 
 
 Advancing in a line, they couch their spears ; 
 And less and less the middle space appears. 
 Thick smoke obscures the field ; and scarce are seen 
 The neighing courstrs, and the shouting men. 
 In distance of their darts they stop their course ; 9l(t 
 Then man to man they rush, and horse to horse. 
 The face of heav'n their flying jav'lins hide ; 
 And deaths unseen are dealt on either side. 
 Tyrrhenus, and Acouteus void of fear. 
 By mettled coursers borne in full career, 91. "i 
 
 Meet first oppos'd ; and, with a mighty shock. 
 Their horses' heads against each other knock. 
 Far from his steed is fierce Aconteus cast. 
 As with an engine's force, or lightning's blast : 
 He rolls along in blood, and breathes his last. 9'20 
 
 The Latin squadrons take a sudden fright, [ilight. 
 And sling their shields behind, to save their backs in 
 Spurring at speed, to their own walls they drew : 
 Close in the rear the Tuscan troops pursue, 
 And urge their flight ; Asylas leads the chase ; 925 
 Till, seiz'd with shame, they wheel about, and face. 
 Receive their foes, and raise a thrcat'ning cry. 
 The Tuscans take their turn to fear and fly. 
 
 So swelling surges, with a thundring roar, 
 Driv'n on each other's backs insult the shore, 930 
 Bound o'er the rocks, encroach upon the land. 
 And far upon the beach eject the sand ; 
 Then backward, with a swing, they take their way, 
 Repuls'dfromupperground, and seek their mother sea; 
 With equal hurry quit th' invaded shore, 93.i 
 
 And swallow back the sand and stones they spew'd 
 before. 
 
 T
 
 434 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Twice -were the Tuscans masters of the field. 
 
 Twice by the Latins, in their turn, repeli'd. 
 
 Asham'd at length, to the third charge they ran — 
 
 Both hosts resoiv'd, and mingled man to man. 940 
 
 Now dying groans are heard ; the fields are strew'd 
 
 With falling bodies, and are drunk with blood. 
 
 Arms, horses, men, on heaps together lie; 
 
 Confus'd the fight, and more confus'd the cry. 
 
 Orsiloclius, who durst not press too near 945 
 
 Strong Remulus, at distance drove his spear, 
 
 And struck the steel beneath his horse's ear. 
 
 The fiery steed, impatient of the wound. 
 
 Curvets, and, springing upward with a bound, 
 
 His helpless lord cast backward on the ground. OSO 
 
 Catillus pierc'd Tolas first ; then drew 
 
 His reeking lance, and at Herminius threw. 
 
 The mighty champion of the Tuscan crew. 
 
 His neck and throat unarm'd, his head was bare. 
 
 But shaded with a length of yellow hair : 955 
 
 Secure, he fought, expos'd on ev'ry part, 
 
 A spacious mark for swords, and for the flying dart. 
 
 Across the shoulders came the feather'd wound; 
 
 Transfix'd, he fell, and doubled to the ground. 
 
 The sands with streaming blood are sanguine dyed. 
 And death with honour, sought on either side. 961 
 
 Resistless, through the war Camilla rode, 
 In danger unappall'd, and pleas'd with blood. 
 One side was bare for her exerted breast ; 
 One shoulder with her painted quiver press'd. 965 
 Now from afar her fatal jav'lins play; 
 Nov/ with her axe's edge she hews her way : 
 Diana's arms upon her shoulders sound. 
 And when, too closely press'd, she quiis the ground. 
 From her bent bow she sends a backward wound. 970 
 Her maids in martial pomp, on either side, 
 Larina, Tulla, fierce Tarpeia, ride — 
 Italians all — in peace their queen's delight. 
 In war, the bold companions of the fight. 
 
 So march'd the Thracian Amazons of old, 9T5 
 
 When Thermodon with bloody billows roU'd : 
 Such troops as these in shining arms were seen. 
 When Theseus met in fight their maiden queen :
 
 iENEIS, XI. 435 
 
 Such to the field Penthesilea led, 
 
 From the fierce virgin when the Grecians fled ; 980 
 
 With such return'd triumphant from the war. 
 
 Her maids with cries attend the lofty car ; 
 
 They clash with manly force their moony shields : 
 
 With female shouts resound the Phrygian fields. 
 
 Who foremost, and who last, heroic maid, 9S5 
 
 On the cold earth were by thy courage laid ? 
 Thy spear, of mountain-ash, Eunaeus first, 
 With fury driv'n, from side to side transpierc'd : 
 A purple stream came spouting from the wound ; 
 Bath'd in his blood he lies, and bites the ground. 990 
 Liris and Pagasus at once she slew : 
 The former, as the slaclien'd reins he drew. 
 Of his faint steed — the latter, as he stretchd 
 His arm to prop his friend — the javlin reach'd. 
 By the same weapon, sent from the same hand, 995 
 Both fall together, and both spurn the sand. 
 Amastrus next is added to the slain : 
 The rest in rout she follows o'er the plain : 
 Tereus, Harpalycus, Demophoon, 
 And Chromis, at full speed her fury shun. 1000 
 
 Of all her deadly darts, not one she lost ; 
 Each was attended with a Trojan ghost. 
 Young Omytus bestrode a hunter-steed, 
 Swift for the chase, and of Apulian breed. 
 Him, from afar, she spied in arms unknown: 1005 
 O'er his broad back an ox's hide was thrown ; 
 His helm a wolf, whose gaping jaws were spread 
 A cov'ring for his cheeks, and grinnd around his head. 
 He clench'd within his hand an iron prong, long 
 
 And tow'r'd above the rest, conspicuous in the throng. 
 Him soon she singled from the flying train. 
 And slew with ease : then thus insults the slain : 
 ' Vain hunter ! didst thou think through woods to chase 
 The savage herd, a vile and trembling race? 
 Here cease thy vaunts, and own my victory : 1015 
 A woman warrior was too strong for thee. 
 Yet, if the ghosts demand the conqu'ror's name. 
 Confessing great Camilla, save thy shame.' 
 Then Butes and Orsilochus she slew, 
 The bulkiest bodies of the Trojan crew — 1020
 
 436 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 But Butes treast to breast: the spear descends 
 
 Above the g'^rget, where his helmet ends, 
 
 And o'er the shield which his left side defend:?. 
 
 Orsilochu', imd she, their coursers ply : 
 
 He seems to follow, and she seems to fly. lOio 
 
 But in a narrower ring she makes the race ; 
 
 And then he flies, and she pursues the chase. 
 
 Gath'ring at length on her deluded foe, 
 
 She swings her axe, and rises to the blow : 
 
 Full on the helm behind, with such a sway lOaO 
 
 The weapon falls, the riven steel gives way : 
 
 He groans, he roars, he sues in vain for grace : 
 
 Brains, mingled with his blood, besmear his face. 
 
 Astonish'd Aunus just arrives, by chance. 
 
 To see his fall, nor farther dares advance ; 1035 
 
 But, fixing on the horrid maid his eye, 
 
 He stares, and shakes, and finds it vain to fly; 
 
 Yet, like a true Ligurian, born to cheat 
 
 (At least while Fortune favour d his deceit), 1033 
 
 Cries out aloud, ' What courage have you shewn, 
 
 Who trust your courser's strength, and not your own ? 
 
 Forego the 'vantage of your horse; alight; 
 
 And then on equal terms begin the fight : 
 
 It shall be seen, weak woman, what you can. 
 
 When foot to foot, you combat with a man.' 1045 
 
 He said. She glows with anger and disdain. 
 
 Dismounts with speed to dare him on the plain. 
 
 And leaves her horse at large among her train ; 
 
 \7ith her drawn sword defies him to the field, 
 
 And, marching, lifts aloft her maiden shield. 1050 
 
 The youth, who thought his cunning did succeed. 
 
 Reins round his horse, and urges all bis speed: 
 
 Adds the remembrance of the spur, and hides 
 
 The goring rowels in his bleeding sides. 
 
 ' Vain fool, and coward !' said the lofty maid ; 1055 
 
 ' Caught in the train which thou thyself hast laid ! 
 
 On others practise thy Ligurian arts : 
 
 Thin stratagems, and tricks of little hearts. 
 
 Are lost on me: nor shalt thou safe retire. 
 
 With vaunting lies, to thy fallacious sire.' 1060 
 
 At this, so fast her flying feet she sped. 
 That so on she strain'd beyond ttis horsse's head ;
 
 iENEIS, XI. 437 
 
 Then turning short, at once she seiz'd the rein, 
 And laid the boaster grov'Uing on the plain. 
 Not with more ease, the falcon, from above, 1065 
 
 Trusses in middle air, the trembling dove, 
 Then plumes the prey, in her strong pounces bound : 
 The feathers, foul with blood, come tumbling to the 
 Now migbty Jove, from his superior height, [ground. 
 With his broad eye surveys th' unequal fight. lOrtf 
 He fires the breast of Tarchon with disdain. 
 And sends him to redeem th' abandon'd plain. 
 Between the broken ranks the Tuscan rides. 
 And these encourages, and those he chides ; 
 Recals each leader, by his name, from flight ; 1075 
 Renews their ardour, and restores the fight. 
 * What panic fear has seiz'd your souls t O shame, 
 O brand perpetual of th' Etrurian name ! 
 Cowards incurable ! a woman's hand 
 Drives, breaks, and scatters, your ignoble band! 1080 
 Now cast away the sword, and quit the shield! 
 What u.se of weapons which you dare not wield ? 
 Not thus you fly your femalfe foes by night. 
 Nor shun the feast when the full bowls invite; 
 When to fat otTrings the glad augur calls, 10S5 
 
 And the shrill hom-pipe sounds to bacchanals. 
 These are your studied cares, your lewd delight — 
 Swift to debauch, but slow to manly fight.' 
 Thus having said, he spurs amidst the foes. 
 Not managing the life he meant to lose. 1090 
 
 The first he found he seiz'd, with headlong haste. 
 In his strong gripe, and clasp'd around the waist: 
 'Twas Venulus, whom from his horse he tore, 
 And (laid athwart his own) in triumph bore. 
 Loud shouts ensue : the Latins turn their eyes, 1095 
 And view th' unusual sight with vast surprise. 
 The fiery Tarchon flying o'er the plains, 
 Press'd in his arms the pond'rous prey sustains, 
 Then, with his shorten'd spear, explores around 
 His jointed arms, to fix a deadly wound, 1190 
 
 Nor less the captive struggles for his life; 
 He writhes his body to prolong the strife. 
 And, fencing for his naked throat, exerts 
 His utmost vigour, and the point averts.
 
 438 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL.- 
 
 So stoops the yellow eagle from on high, 1 10.5 
 
 And bears a speckled serpent through the sky, 
 Fast* niug his crooked talons on the prey : 
 The pris'ner hisses through the liquid way; 
 Resists the royal hawk ; and, though oppress'd. 
 She fights in volumes, and erects her crest ; 1110 
 
 Turn'd to her foe, she stiffens ev'ry scale. 
 And shoots her forky tongiie, and whisks her threat- 
 
 'ning tail. 
 Against the victor, all defence is weak : 
 Th' imperial bird still plies her with his beak ; 
 He tears her bowels, and her breast he gores, 1115 
 Then claps his pinions, and securely soars. 
 
 Thus, through the midst of circling enemies. 
 Strong Tarchon snatch'd, and bore away his prize. 
 The Tyrrhene troops, that shrunk before, now press 
 The Latins, and presume the like success. ll'iO 
 
 Then Arruus, doom'd to death, his arts essay'd 
 To murder, unespied, the Volscian maid : 
 This way and that his winding course he bends. 
 And, wheresoe'er she turns, her steps attends. 
 When she retires victorious from the chase, 1125 
 
 He wheels about with care, and shifts his place: 
 When, rushing on, she seeks her foes in fight, 
 He keeps aloof, but keeps her still in sight ; 
 He threats, and trembles, trying ev'ry way 
 Unseen to kill, and safely to betray. 1 1 {.l 
 
 Chloreus, the priest of Cybele, from far, 
 Glitt'ring in Phrygian arms amidst the war. 
 Was by the virgin view'd. The steed he press'd 
 Was proud with trappings ; and his brawny chest 
 With scales of gilded brass was cover'd o'er : 1135 
 
 A robe of Tyrian dye the rider wore. 
 With deadly wounds he gall'd the distant foe ; 
 Gnossian his shafts, and Lycian was his bow : 
 A golden helm his front and head surrounds ; 
 A gilded quiver from his shoulder sounds. 1140 
 
 Gold, weav'd with linen, on his thighs he wore, 
 Withflow'rs of needle-work distinguish'd o'er. 
 With golden buckles bound, and gather'd up before. 
 Him the fierce maid beheld with ardent eyes. 
 Fond and ambitious of so rich a prize, 1 1 15
 
 ^NEIS, XI. i:i9 
 
 Or that the temple might his trophies hold. 
 
 Or else to shiae herself in Trojan gold. 
 
 Blind in her haste, she chases him alone, 
 
 And seeks his life, regardless of her own. 
 
 This lucky moment the sly traitor chose; 1150 
 
 Then, starting from his ambush, up he rose, 
 
 And threw, but first to heav'n address'd his vows : 
 
 * O patron of Soracte's high abodes ! 
 
 Phoebus, the ruling pow'r among the gods! 
 
 Whom first we serve, whole woods of unctuous pine 
 
 Are fell'd for thee, and to thy glory shine; 1156 
 
 By thee protected, with our naked soles. 
 
 Through flames unsinged we march, and tread the 
 
 kindled coals. 
 Give me, propitious pow'r, to wash away 
 The stains of this dishonourable day : 1 160 
 
 Nor spoils, nor triumph, from the fact I claim ; 
 But with my future actions trust my fame. 
 Let me, by stealth, this female plague o'ercome, 
 And from the field return inglorious home.' 
 
 Apollo heard, and, granting half his pray'r, 1165 
 Shuffled in winds the rest, and toss'd in empty air. 
 He gives the death desir'd ; his safe return 
 By southern tempests to the seas is borne. 
 
 Now, when the jav'lln whizz'd along the skies, 
 Both armies on Camilla turn'd their eyes, 1170 
 
 Directed by the sound. Of either host, 
 Th' unhappy virgin, though concern'd the most. 
 Whs only deaf; so greedy was she bent 
 On golden spoils, and on her prey intent ; 
 Till in her pap the winged weapon stood 1175 
 
 Infix'd, and deeply drunk the purple blood. 
 Her sad attendants hasten to sustain 
 Their dying lady drooping ou the plain. 
 Far from their sight the trembling Arruns flies. 
 With beating heart, and fear confus'd with joys ; 1 180 
 Nor dares he farther to pursue his blow. 
 Or ev'n to bear the sight of his expiring foe. 
 
 As, when the wolf has torn a bullock's hide 
 At unawares, or ranch'd a shepherd's side, 
 Conscious of his audacious deed, he flies, 1 185 
 
 And claps his quiv'ring tail between his thighs :
 
 410 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 So, speeding once, the wretch no more attends, 
 But, spurring forward, herds among his friends. 
 She wrench'd the jav'lin with her dying hands : 1190 
 But wedg'd within her breast the weapon stands; 
 The wood she draws, the steely point remains : 
 She staggers in her seat with agonizing pains — 
 (A. gath'ring mist o'erclouds her cheerful eyes ; 
 And from her cheeks the rosy colour flies) — 
 Then turns to her, whom, of her female train, 1195 
 She trusted most, and thus she speaks with pain : 
 ' Acca, 'tis past! he swims before my sight. 
 Inexorable Death, and claims his right* 
 Bear my last words to Turnus : fly with speed. 
 And bid him timely to my charge succeed, 1200 
 
 Repel the Trojans, and the town relieve : — 
 Farewell ! and in this kiss my parting breath receive.' 
 She said, and, sliding, sunk upon the plain : 
 Dying, her open'd hand forsakes the rein : 120-i 
 
 Short, and more short, she pants : by slow degrees 
 Her mind the passage from her body frees. 
 She drops her sword ; she nods herplumy crest, 
 Her drooping head declining on her breast; 
 In the last sigh her struggling soul expires, 
 And, murm'ring with disdain, to Stygian sounds re- 
 tires. 1*210 
 
 A shout, that struck the golden stars, ensu'd ; 
 Despair and rage, and languish 'd tight reneWd. 
 The Trojan troops, and Tuscans, in a line. 
 Advance to charge; the mix'd Arcadians join. 
 
 But Cynthia's maid, high seated, from afar 1215 
 Surveys the field, and fortune of the war, 
 Unmov'd a while, till, prostrate on the plain, 
 Welt'ring in blood, she sees Camilla slain, [triin. 
 
 And, round her corpse, of friends and foes a fighting 
 Then, from the bottom of her breast, she drew 1220 
 A mournful sigh, and these sad words ensue : 
 ' Too dear a fine, ah much lamented maid! 
 For warring with the Trojans thou hast paid: 
 Nor aught avail'd, in this unhappy strife, 
 Diana's sacred arms, to save thy life. 1225 
 
 Yet unreveng'd thy goddess will not leave 
 Her vot'ry's death, nor with vain sorrow grieve.
 
 ^NEIS, XI. 141 
 
 Branded the wretch, and be his name abhorr'il; 
 But after-ages shall thy praise record 1229 
 
 Th' inglorious coward soon shall press the plain : 
 Thus vows thy queen, and thus the Fates ordnin.' 
 
 High o'er the field, there stood a hilly mound — ■ 
 Sacred the place, and spread with oaks around — 
 Where, in a marble tomb, Dercennus lay, 
 A king that once in Latium bore the sway. 1235 
 
 The beauteous Opis thither bent her flight. 
 To mark the traitor Arruns from the height. 
 Him in refulgent arms she soon espied, 
 Swoln with success ; and loudly thus she cried : 
 'Thy backward steps, vain boaster, are too late; 1240 
 Turn, like a man, at length, and meet thy fate. 
 Charg'd with my message, to Camilla go, 
 And say I sent thee to the shades below — 
 An honour undeserv'd from Cynthia's bow.* 
 
 She said, and from her quiver chose with speed 
 The winged shaft, predestin'd for the deed ; 1246 
 
 Then to the stubborn yew her strength applied, 
 Till the far-distant horns approach'd on either hide. 
 The bow-string touch'd her breast, so strong she 
 
 drew ; 
 Whizzing in air the fatal arrow flew. 1250 
 
 At once the twanging bow and sounding dart 
 The traitor heard, and felt the point within his heart. 
 Him, beating with his heels in pangs of death, 
 His flying friends to foreign fields bequeath. 
 The conqu'ring damsel, with expanded wings, 1255 
 The welcome message to her mistress brings. 
 
 Their leader lost, the Volscians quit the field ; 
 And, unsustain'd, the chiefs of Turnus yield. 
 The frighted soldiers, when their captains fly, 
 More on their ypeed than on their strength rely. 
 Confus'd in flight, they bear each other down, 1261 
 And spur their horses headlong to the town. 
 Driv'n by their foes, and to their fears rcsign'd, 
 Not once fhej' turn, but take their wounds behind. 
 These drop the shield, and those the lance forego. 
 Or on their shoulders bear the slacken'd bow. 1266 
 The hoofs of horses, with a rattling sound. 
 Beat short and thick, and .shake the rotten ground. 
 T2
 
 142 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Black clouds of dust come lolliDg in the sky, 
 And o'er the darken'd walls and rampires fly. I'iTO 
 The trembling matrons, from their lofty stands, 
 Rend heav'n with female shrieks, and wring their 
 All pressing on, pursuers and purs'i'd, [hands. 
 
 Are crush'd in crowds, a mingled multitude. 
 Some happy few escape: the throng too late \i75 
 Rush on for entrance, till they choke the gate. 
 Ev'n in the sight of home, the wretched sire 
 Looks on, and sees his helpless son expire. 
 Then, in a fright, the folding gates they close. 
 But leave their friends excluded witli their foes. 1-iSO 
 The vanquish'd cry ; the victors loudly shout : 
 'Tis terror all within, and slaughter all without. 
 Blind in their fear, they bounce against the wall, 
 Or, to the moats pursu'd, precipitate their fall. 
 
 The Lntian virgins, valiant with despair, 1285 
 
 Arm'd on the tow'rs, the common danger share: 
 So much of zeal their country's cause iuspir'd ; 
 So much Camilla's great example fir'd. 
 Poles, sharpen'd in the flames, from high they throw, 
 AVith imitated darts to gall the foe. 1*^90 
 
 Their lives for godlike freedom they bequeath. 
 And crowd each other to be first in death. 
 Meantime to Turnus, ambush'd in the shade, 
 With heavy tidings came th' unhappy maid : 
 * The Volscians overthrown — Camilla kill'd — 1295 
 The foes, entirely masters of the field. 
 Like a resistless flood, come rolling on : 
 The cry goes oflf the plain, and thickens to the town. 
 
 Inflamd with rage (for so the Furies fire 
 The Dauniau's breast, and so the Fates require), 1300 
 He leaves the hilly pass, the woods in vain 
 Possess'd, and downward issues on the plain. 
 Scarce was he gone, when to the straits, now freed 
 From secret foes, the Trojan troops succeed. 
 Through the black forest and the ferny brake, l^O.! 
 Unknowingly secure, their way they take. 
 From the rough mountains to the plain descend. 
 And there, in order drawn, their line extend. 
 Both armies now in open fields are seen; 
 Not far the distance of tlie space between. )(;^10
 
 V ^NEIS, XII. 413 
 
 Both to the city bend. .-Eneas sees, 
 
 Through smoking fields, his hast'ning enemies . 
 
 And Turnus Tiews the Trojans in array, 
 
 And hears th' approaching horses proudly neigh. 
 
 Soon had their hosts in bloody battle join'd; 1315 
 
 But westward to the sea the sun declin'd. 
 
 Intrench'd before the town both armies lie, 
 
 While night with sable wings involves the sky. 
 
 BOOK XII. 
 
 Turnuschallenges iEneas to a single combat; articles are agreed 
 oil, but broken by the Rutuli, vrbo wound ^neas. He is mi- 
 raculously cured by Venus, forces Turnus to a duel, and con- 
 cludes the poem with his death. 
 
 When Turnus saw the Latians leave the field. 
 Their armies broken, and their courage quell'd. 
 Himself become the mark of public spite. 
 His honour question'd for the promis'd fight— 
 The more he was with vulgar hate oppress'd, j 
 
 The more his fury boil'd within his breast : 
 He rous'd his vigour for the last debate. 
 And rais'd his haughty soul, to meet his fate- 
 As, when the swains the Libyan lion chase, 
 He makes a sour retreat, nor mends his pace; 19 
 
 But, if the pointed jav'lin pierce his side, 
 The lor Jly beast returns with double pride : 
 He wrenches out the steel; he roars for pain ; 
 His sides he lashes, and erects his mane : 
 So Turnus fares : his eye-balls flash with fire ; 15 
 
 Through his wide nostrils clouds of smoke expire. 
 Trembling with rage, around the court he ran; 
 At length approach'd the king, and thus began : 
 • No more excuses or delays: I stand 
 In arms prepar'd to combat, hand to hand, 20 
 
 This base deserter of his native land. 
 The Trojan, by his word, is bound to take 
 The same conditions which himself did make. 
 Renew the truce : the solemn rites prepare, 
 And to my single virtue trust the war. 25 
 
 The Latians unconcern'd, shall see the fight: 
 Thi^ arm unaided ehall assert your right :
 
 444 THE WORKS OF VIRGiL. 
 
 Then, if my prostrate body press the plaiu. 
 
 To him the crown and beauteous bride remain.' 
 
 To whom the king sedately thus replied : SO 
 
 " Brave youth ! the more your valour has been tritd 
 The more becomes it us, with due respect 
 To weigh the chance of war, which ycu neglect. 
 You want not wealth, or a successiye throne, 
 Or cities which your arms have made your own : ^5 
 My towns and treasures are at your command ; 
 And stor'd with blooming beauties is my land : 
 Laurentum more than one Lavinia sees. 
 Unmarried, fair, of noble families. 
 Now let me speak, and you with patience ]io;ir, 40 
 Things which perhaps may grate a lover's ear. 
 But sound advice, proceeding from a heart 
 Sincerely yours, and free from fraudful art. 
 Tbe gods, by signs, have manifestly shewn, 
 No prince, Italian born, should heir my throne: 45 
 Oft have our augurs, in prediction skill'd, 
 And oft our priests, a foreign son reveal'd. 
 Yet, won by worth that cannot be withstood, 
 Brib'd by my kindness to my kindred blood, 
 Urg'd byiuy wife, who would not be denied, 50 
 
 I promis'd my Lavinia for your bride : 
 Her from her plighted lord by force T took ; 
 All ties of treaties, and of honour, broke : 
 On your account I wag'd an impious war — 
 With what success, 'tis needless to declare ; !i5 
 
 I and my subjects feel ! and you have had your share. 
 Twice vanquish'd while in bloody fields we strive. 
 Scarce in our walls we keep our hopes alive : 
 The rolling flood runs warm with human gore ; 
 The bones of Latians blanch the neighb'ring shore. CO 
 Why put I not an end to this debate. 
 Still unresolv'd, and still a slave to fate ? 
 If Turnus' death a lasting peace can give. 
 Why should I not procure it whilst you live? 
 Should I to doubtful arms your youth betray, 65 
 
 W'hat would my kinsmen, the Rutulians, say ? 
 And, should you fall in fight (which Heav'n defend!) 
 How curse the cause, which hasten'd to his end 
 The daughter's lover, and the father's friend ?
 
 .ENEIS, XII. 415 
 
 VVeigh in your mind the various chance of war ; 70 
 Pity your parent's age ; and ease Lis care.' 
 
 Such balmy words he pour'd, but all in vain : 
 The proflfer'd med'cine but provok'd the pain. 
 The wrathful youth, disdaining the relief. 
 With intermitting sobs thus vents his grief: 75 
 
 ' The care, O best of fathers' which you take 
 For my concerns, at my desire forsake. 
 Permit me not to languish out my days, 
 Bat make the best exchange of life for praise. 
 This arm, this lance, can well dispute the prize : SO 
 And the blood follows where the weapon flies. 
 His goddess-mother is not near, to shroud 
 The flying coward with an empty cloud.' 
 
 But now the queen, who fear'd for Turnus' life, 
 And loath'd the hard conditions of the strife, 83 
 
 Held him by force ; and, dying in his death, 
 Tn these sad accents gave her sorrow breath : 
 ' Turnus ! I adjure thee by these tears. 
 And whate'er price Amata's honour bears 
 Within thy breast, since thou art all my hope, 90 
 
 My sickly mind's repose, my sinking age's prop — 
 Since on the safety of thy life alone 
 Depends Latinus, and the Latian throne — 
 Refuse me not this one, this only pray'r. 
 To waive the combat, and pursue the war. 25 
 
 Whatever chance attends this fatal strife. 
 Think it concludes, in thine, Amata's life. 
 I cannot live a slave, or see my throne 
 Usurp'd b> strangers, or a Trojan son.' 
 
 At this, a flood of tears Lavinia shed ; 100 
 
 A crimson blush her beauteous face o'erspread. 
 Varying her cheeks by turns with white and red. 
 The driving colours, never at a stay. 
 Run here and there, and flush and fade away. 
 Delightful change ! Thus Indian iv'ry shows, lOJ 
 
 Which with the bord'ring paint of purple glows; 
 Or lilies damask'd by the neighb'ring rose. 
 The lover gaz'd, and, burning with desire. 
 The more he look'd, the more he fed the fire : 
 Revenge, and jealous rage, and secret spite, lid 
 
 Roll in his breast, and rouse him to the tight.
 
 446 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Then fixing on the queen his ardent eyes, 
 Firm to iiis first intent, he thus replies : 
 ' O mother ! do not by your tears prepare 
 Such boding omens, and prejudge the war: 115 
 
 Resolv'd on fight, I am no longer free 
 To shun my death, if Heav'n my death decree.' — 
 Then turning to the herald, thus pursues : 
 ' Go greet the Trojan with ungrateful news: 
 Denounce from me, that, when to-morrow's light 120 
 Shall gild the heav'ns, he need not urge the fight: 
 The Trojan and Rutulian troops no more 
 Shall dye with mutual blood, the Latian shore: 
 Our single swords the quarrel shall decide ; 
 And to the victor be the beauteous bride.' 125 
 
 He said, and, striding on, with speedy pace. 
 He sought his coursers of the Thracian race. 
 At his approach they toss their heads on high, 
 And, proudly neighing, promise victory. 
 Tlie sires of these Orithyia sent from far, 130 
 
 To grace Pilumnus, when he went to war. 
 The drifts of Thracian snows were scarce so white. 
 Nor northern winds in fleetness match'd their flight. 
 Officious grooms stand ready by his side ; 134 
 
 And some with combs their flowing manes divide. 
 And others stroke their chests, and gently sootiie their 
 pride. 
 
 He sheath'd his limbs in arms ; a temper'd n»ass 
 Of golden metal those, and mountain-brass. 
 Then to his head his glitt'riug helm he tied. 
 And girt his faithful falchion to his side. 110 
 
 In his ^tnteau forge, the god of fire 
 That falchion labour'd for the hero's sire. 
 Immortal keenness on the blade bestow'd. 
 And plung'd it hissing in the Stygian flood. 
 Propp'd on a pillar, which the ceiling bore, 
 Was plac'd the lance Auruncan Actor wore ; 
 \V hich with such force he brandish'd in his hand, 
 The tough ash trembled like an osier-wand : 
 Then cried, ' O pond'rous spoil of Actor slain, 
 And never yet by Turnus toss'd in vain ! ISO 
 
 Fail not this day thy wonted force ; but go. 
 Sent by this hand, to pierce the Trojan foe ;
 
 ^NEIS, XII. 447 
 
 Give me to tear Lis corselet from his breast. 
 And from that eunuch head to rend the crest ; 
 Dragg'd in the dust, his frizzled hair to soil, 15.5 
 
 Hot from the vexing ir'n, and smear'd with fragrant 
 oil.' 
 
 Thus while he raves, from his wide nostrils flies 
 A fiery steam, and sparkles from his eyes. 
 So fares the bull in his lov'd female's sight : 
 Proudly be bellows, and preludes the light : 160 
 
 He tries his goring horns against a tree. 
 And meditates his absent enemy : 
 He pushes at the winds ; he digs the strand 
 With his black hoofs, and spurns the yellow sand. 
 
 Nor less the Trojan, in his Lemnian arms. IGo 
 
 To future fight his manly courage warms : 
 He whets his fury, and with joy prepares 
 To terminate at once the lingring wars ; 
 To cheer his chiefs and tender son, relates 160 
 
 VVhat Heav'n had promi.s'd, and expounds the fates. 
 Then to the Latian king he sends, to cease 
 The rage of arms, and ratifj the peace. 
 
 The morn ensuing, from the mountain's height, 
 Had scarcely spread the sky with rosy light ; 
 Th' ethereal coursers bounding from the sea, 17.^> 
 
 From out their flaming nostrils breath'd the day ; 
 When DOW the Trojan and Rutulian guard. 
 In friendly labour join'd, the list prepar'd. 
 Beneath the walls, they measure out the space ; 
 Then sacred altars rear, on sods of grass, 180 
 
 Wliere with religious rites, their common gods they 
 In pure.st white, the priests their heads attire, [place. 
 And living waters bear, and holy fire: 
 And o'er their linen hoods and shaded hair, 
 Long twisted wreaths of sacred vervain wear. 185 
 
 In order issuing from the town, appears 
 The Latin legion, arm'd with pointed spears ; 
 And from the fields, advancing on a line. 
 The Trojan and the Tuscan forces join : 
 Their various arms afford a plea.sing sight : 190 
 
 A peaceful train they seem, in peace prepar'd for fight. 
 
 Betwixt the ranks the proud commanders ride, 
 Glitt'riag with gold, and vests in purple dy'd —
 
 448 THE WORKS OP VIRGIL. 
 
 Here Mnestheus, author of the Memmian line, 
 And there Messapus, born of seed divine. ia5 
 
 The sign is giv'n ; and round the listed space. 
 Each man in order fills his proper place. 
 Reclining on their ample shields they stand, 
 And fix their pointed lances in the sand. 
 Now, studious of the sight, a num'rous throng 200 
 Of either sex promiscuous, old and young, 
 Swarm from the town : by those who rest behind, 
 The gates and walls, and houses' tops, are lin'd. 
 
 Meantime the queen of heav'n beheld the sight. 
 With eyes unpleas'd, from mount Albany's heiglit ; 
 ^Since call'd Albano by succeeding fame, 206 
 
 But then an empty hill, without a name.) 
 She thence surveyed the field, the Trojan pow'rs. 
 The Latian squadrons, and Laurentine tow'rs. 
 Then thus the goddess of the skies bespake, 210 
 
 With sighs and tears, the goddess of the lake. 
 King Turnus' sister, once a lovely maid, 
 Ere to the lust of lawless Jove betray'd — 
 Compress'd by force, but, by the grateful god, 
 Now made the Nais of the neighb'ring flood. 215 
 
 ' O nymph, the pride of living lakes ! (said she ;) 
 
 most reuown'd, and most belov'd by me ! 
 Long hast thou known, nor need I to record. 
 The wanton sallies of my wand'ring lord. 
 
 Of ev'ry Latian fair, whom Jove misled 220 
 
 To mount by stealth my violated bed. 
 To thee alone I grudg'd not his embrace. 
 But gave a part of heav'n, and an unenvied place. 
 Now learn from ine thy near-approaching grief. 
 Nor think my wishes want to thy relief. 225 
 
 While Fortune favour'd, nor heav'n 's king denied 
 To lend my succour to the Latian side, 
 
 1 sav'd thy brother, and the sinking state ; 
 But now he struggles with unequal fate. 
 
 And goes with gods averse, o'ermatch'd in might, 280 
 
 To meet inevitable death in fight; 
 
 Nor must I break the truce, nor can sustain the 
 
 sight. 
 Thou, }f thou dar'st, thy present aid supply : 
 It well becomes a sister's care to try.'
 
 -ENEIS, Xli. 449 
 
 At this the loTely nymph, with grief oppress'd, 235 
 Thrice tore her hair, and beat her comely breast. 
 To whom Satnrnia thus: ' Thy tears are hite : 
 Haste, snatch him, if he can be snatch'd, from 
 
 fate; 
 New tumults kindle; violate the truce. 239 
 
 Who knows what changeful Fortune may produce? 
 'Tis not a crime t' attempt what I decree ; 
 Or, if it were, discharge the crime on me.' 
 She said, and sailing on the winged wind. 
 Left the sad nymph suspended in her mind. 
 
 And now in pomp the peaceful kings appear : 245 
 Four steeds the chariot of Latin us bear : 
 Twelve golden beams around his temples play, 
 To mark his lineage from the god of day. 
 Two snowy coursers Tumus' chariot yoke, 
 And in Lis hand two massy spears he shook. 250 
 
 Then issu'd from the camp, in arms divine, 
 ^neas, author of the Roman line ; 
 And by his side Ascanius took his place. 
 The second hope of Rome's immortal race. 
 Adornd in white, a rev'rend priest appears, 255 
 
 And ofTrings to the flaming altars bears — 
 A porket, and a lamb that never suffer'd shears. 
 Then to the rising sun he turns his eyes, 
 And strews the beasts, design'd for sacrifice. 
 With salt and meal: with like officious care 260 
 
 He marks their foreheads, and he clips their hair. 
 Betwixt their horns the purple wine he sheds ; 
 With the same gen'rous juice the flamo be feeds. 
 JEneas then unsheath'dhis shining sword. 
 And thus with pious pray'rs the gods ador'd : 260 
 
 ' All-seeing sun ! and thou, Ausonian soil. 
 For which I hare sustain'd so long a toil ! 
 Thou, king of heav'n ! and thou, the queen of air. 
 Propitious now, and reconcil'd by pray'r ; 
 Thou, god of war, whose unresisted sway 2^0 
 
 The labours and events of arms obey ! 
 Ye livingfountaius, and ye nanning floods ! 
 All pow'rs of ocean, all ethereal gods ! 
 Hear, and bear record : if I fall in field. 
 Or. recreant ia the fight, to Tumus yield, '2T5
 
 450 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 My Trojans shall increase Evander's town ; 
 
 Ascanius shall renounce tli' Ausonian crown : 
 
 All claims, all questions of debate, shall cease ; 
 
 Nor he, nor they, with force infringe the peace. 
 
 But, if my juster arms prevail in fight 250 
 
 (As sure they shall, if I divine aright). 
 
 My Trojans shall not o'er th' Italians reign : 
 
 Both equal, both unconquer'd, shall remain, 
 
 Join'd in their laws, their lands, and their abodes -' 
 
 I ask but altars for my weary gods. 285 
 
 The care* of those religious rites be mine : 
 
 The crown to king Latinus I resign : 
 
 His be the sov'reign sway. Nor will I share 
 
 His pow'r in peace, or hi.s command in war. 
 
 For me, my friends another town shall frame, 2:»0 
 
 And bless the rising tow'rs with fair Lavinia's name.' 
 
 Thus he. Then with erected eyes and hands. 
 The Latian king before his altar stands. 
 ' By the same heav'n (said he), and earth, and main. 
 And all the pow'rs that all the three contain : 29J 
 
 By hell below, and by that upper god, [nod ; 
 
 Whose thunder signs the peace, who seals it with his 
 So let Latona's double offspring hear. 
 And double-fronted Janus, what I swear ; 
 I touch the sacred altars, touch the flames, 300 
 
 And all these pow'rs attest, and all their names . 
 Whatever chance befal on either side. 
 No term of time this union shall divide ; 
 No force, no fortune, shall my vows unbind, 
 Or shake the steadfast tenor of my mind ; 3C.> 
 
 Not, though the circling seas should break their bound, 
 O'erflow the shores, and sap the solid ground; 
 Not, though the lamps of heav'n their spheres forsake, 
 Hiirl'd down, and hissing in the nether lake : 
 Ev'n as this royal sceptre' (for he bore 310 
 
 A sceptre in his hand) ' shall never more 
 Shoot out in branches, or renew the birth — 
 An orphan now , cut from the mother earth 
 By the keen axe, dishonour'd nf its hair, 
 And cas'd in brass, for Latian kings to bear." 31i 
 
 When thus in public view the peace was tied 
 With solemn vows, and sworn on either side, 
 
 I
 
 .^NEIS, XII. 451 
 
 All dues perform'd which holy rites require, 
 1 he victim beasts are slain before the fire, 
 J'he trembling entrails from their bodies torn, 320 
 
 And to the fatten'd flames in chargers borne. 
 
 Already the Rutulians deem'd their mau 
 O'ermatch'd in arms, before the fight began. 
 First rising fears are whisper'd through the crowd; 
 Then, gath'ring sound, they murmur more aloud. 3-25 
 Now, side to side, they measure with their eyes 
 The champions' bulk, their sinews, and their size ; 
 The nearer they approach, the more is known 
 Th' apparent disadvantage of their own. 
 Turnus himself appears in public sight 330 
 
 Conscious of fate, desponding of the fight. 
 Slowly he moves, and at his altar stands 
 With eyes dejected, and with trembling hands: 
 And, while he mutters undistinguish'd pray'rs, 
 A livid deadness in his cheeks appears. 335 
 
 With anxious pleasure when Juturna view'd 
 Th' increasing fright of the mad multitude. 
 When their short sig'us and thick'ning sobs she heard, 
 And found their ready minds for change prepar'd ; 
 Dissembling her immortal form, she took 310 
 
 Camertes' mien, his habit, and his look — 
 A chief of ancient blood : — in arms well known 
 \\"as his great sire, and he his greater son. 
 His shape assum'd, amid the ranks she ran. 
 And humouring their first motions, thus began : 34.i 
 ' For shame, Rutulians! can you bear the sight 
 Of one expos'd for all, in single fight? 
 Can we, before the face of Heaven, confess 
 Our courage colder, or our numbers less ? 
 View all the Trojan host, th' Arcadian band, s.'iO 
 
 And Tuscan ;irmy ; count them as they stand : 
 Undaunted to the battle if we go. 
 Scarce ev'ry second man will share a foe. 
 Turnus, 'tis true, in this unequal strife. 
 Shall lose, with honour, his devoted life, 3'ij 
 
 Or change it rather for immortal fame. 
 Succeeding to the gods, from whence he came : 
 But you, a servile and inglorious band. 
 For foreign lords shall sow your native land.
 
 452 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Those fruitful fields your fighting fathers gaiu'd, 360 
 Which have so long their lazy sons sustain'd.' 
 
 With words like these, she carried her design. 
 A rising murmur runs along the line. 
 Then ev'n the city troops, and Latians, tir'd 
 With tedious war, seem with new souls inspir'd : 3G5 
 Their champion's fate with pity they lament, 
 And of the league, so lately sworn, repent. 
 
 Nor fails the goddess to foment the rage 
 With lying wonders, and a false presage; 
 But adds a sign, which, present to their eyes, 370 
 Inspires new courage, and a glad surprise. 
 For, sudden, in the fiery tracts above. 
 Appears in pomp th' imperial bird of Jove : 
 A plump of fowl he spies, that swim the lakes, 37A 
 And o'er their heads his sounding pinions shakes; 
 Then, stooping on the fairest of the train. 
 In his strong talons truss'd a silver swan. 
 Th' Italians wonder at th' nnusual sight : 
 But, while he lags, and labours in his flight, 
 Behold the dastard fowl return anew, 380 
 
 And with united force the foe pursue: 
 Clam'rous around the royal hawk they fly. 
 And, thick'ning in a cloud, o'ershade the sky. 
 They cuflf, they scratch, they cross his airy course; 
 Nor can th' encumber'd bird sustain their force ; 335 
 But, vex'd, not vanquish'd, drops the pond'rous prey, 
 And, lighten'd of his burden, wings his way. 
 
 Th' Ausonian bands with shouts salute the sight, 
 Eager of action, and demand the fight. 
 Then king Tolumnius, vers'd in augurs' arts, 390 
 
 Cries out, and thus his boasted skill imparts : 
 * At length 'tis granted, what I long desir'd I 
 This, this is what my frequent vows requir'd. 
 Ye gods! I take your omen, and obey. — 394 
 
 Advance, my friends, and charge! I lead the way. 
 These are the foreign foes, whose impious band. 
 Like that rapacious bird, infest our land : 
 But soon, like him, they shall be forc'd to sea 
 By strength united, and forego the prey. 
 Your timely succour to your country bring ; 4ii0 
 
 Haste to the rescue, and redeem your king.'
 
 ^NEIS, XII. 45:5 
 
 Ke said; and pressing onward through tl;e r.vcw, 
 Pois'd in his lifted arm, his lance he threw. 
 The winged weapon, whistling in the wind, 
 Came driving on, nor miss'd the mark design 'd. 40j 
 At once the cornel rattled in the skies ; 
 At once tumultuous shouts and clamours rise. 
 Nine brothers in a goodly hand there stood, 
 Bom of Arcadian mix'd with Tu.scan blood, 
 Gylippus' sons : the fatal jav'lin flew, 410 
 
 Aim'd at the midmost of the friendly crew ; 
 A passage through the jointed arms it found, 
 Just where the belt was to the body hound, 
 And struck the gentle youth extended on the ground. 
 Then, fir'd with pious rage, the gen'rous train 415 
 Run madly forward to revenge the slain. 
 And some with eager haste their jav'lins throw; 
 And some with sword in hand assaiilt the foe. 
 
 The wish'd insult the Latine troops embrace. 
 And meet their ardour in the middle space. 420 
 
 The Trojans, Tuscans, and Arcadian line. 
 With equal courage obviate their design. 
 Peace leaves the violated fields ; and hate 
 Both armies urges to their mutual fate : 
 With impious haste their altars are o'erturn'dj 42.'i 
 The sacrifice half broil'd, and half unburn' J. 
 Thick storms of steel from either army fly, 
 And clouds of clashing darts obscure the sky : 
 Brands from the fire are missive weapons made, 
 With chargers, bowls, and all the priestly trade. 4jH 
 Latinus, frighted, hastens from the fray. 
 And bears his unregarded gods away. 
 These on their horses vault; those yoke the car; 
 The rest, with swords on high, run headlong to the war. 
 
 Messapus, eager to confound the peace, 435 
 
 Spurr'd his hot courser through the fighting prease, 
 At king Aulestes, by his purple known 
 A Tuscan prince, and by his regal crown ; 
 And with a shock encount'ring. bore him down. 
 Backward he fell; and, as his fate design'd, 110 
 
 The ruins of an altar were behind: 
 There pitching on his shoulders and his head. 
 Amid the scatt'ring fires he lay supinely spread.
 
 454 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 The beamy spear descending from above. 
 
 His cuirass pierc'd, and through his body drove. 4 15 
 
 Then, with a scornful smile the victor cries : 
 
 ' The gods have found a fitter sacrifice.' 
 
 Greedy of spoils, th' Italians strip the dead 
 
 Of his rich armour, and uncrown his head. 
 
 Priest CorynEeus arm'd his better hand, 450 
 
 From his own altar, with a blazing brand ; 
 And, as Ebusus with a thund'ring pace 
 Advanc'd to battle, dash'd it on his face : 
 His bristly beard shines out with sudden fire? : 
 The crackling crop a noisome scent expires, 4'».5 
 
 Following the blow, he seiz'd his curling crown 
 With his left hand ; his other cast him down. 
 The prostrate body with his knees he press'd. 
 And plung'd his holy poniard in his breast. 
 
 While Podalirius, with his sword, pursu'd 460 
 
 The shepherd Alsus through the flying crowd, 
 Swiftly he turns, and aims a deadly blow 
 Full on the front of his unwary foe. 
 The broad axe enters with a crashing sound, 
 And cleaves the chin with one continued wound ; 
 Warm blood, and mingled brains, besmear his arms 
 
 around ; 466 
 
 An iron sleep his stupid eyes oppress'd, 
 And seal'd their heavy lids in endless rest. 
 But good ^neas rush'd amid the bands: 
 Bare was his head, and naked were his hands, 470 
 In sign of truce : then thus he cries aloud : 
 • What sudden rage, what new desire of blood, 
 Inflames your alter'd minds? O Trojans! cease 
 From impious arms, nor violate the peace. 
 By human sanctions, and by laws divine, 47.5 
 
 The terms are all agreed ; the war is mine. 
 Dismiss your fears, and let the fight ensue ; 
 This hand alone shall right the gods and you : 
 Our injur'd altars, and their broken vow, 479 
 
 To this avenging sword the faithless Turnus owe.' 
 
 Thus while he spoke, unmindful of defence, 
 A winged arrow struck the pious prince. 
 But, whether from some human hand it came, 
 Oi hostile god, is left unknown by fame ;
 
 ^NEIS, XII. 4o5 
 
 No human hand, or hostile god, was found, 483 
 
 To boast the triumph of so base a wound. 
 
 When Turnns saw the Trojan quit the plain. 
 His chiefs dismay'd, his troops a fainting train, 
 Th' unhop'd event his heighten'd soul inspires: 
 At once his arras and coursers he requires ; liK) 
 
 Then, with a leap, his lofty chariot gains. 
 And with a ready hand assumes the reins. 
 He drives impetuous, and, where'er he goes. 
 He leayes behind a lane of slaughter'd foes. 
 These his lance reaches ; over those he rolls 403 
 
 His rapid car, and crushes out their souls. 
 In vain the vanquish'd fly ; the victor sends 
 The dead men's weapons at their living friends. 
 
 Thus, on the bants of Hebrus' freezing flood. 
 The god of battles, in his angry mood, 500 
 
 Clashing his sword against his brazen shield. 
 Lets loose the reins and scours along the field : 
 Before the wind his fiery coursers fly ; 
 Groans the sad earth, resounds the rattling sky. 
 Wrath, Terror, Treason, Tumult, and Despair 505 
 (Dire faces, and deform'd) surround the car — 
 Friends of the god, and followers of the war. 
 
 With fury not unlike, nor less disdain, 
 Eculting Turnus flies along the plain ; 
 His smoking horses, at their utmost speed, 510 
 
 He lashes on ; and urges o'er the dead. 
 Their fetlocks run with blood ; and, when they 
 
 bound, 
 The gore and gath'ring dust are dash'd around. 
 Tham>Tis and Pholus, mjisters of the war. 
 He kill'd at hand ; but Sthenelus afar : 515 
 
 From far the sons of Imbrasus he slew, 
 Glaucus and Lades of the Lycian crew — 
 Both taught to fight on foot, in battle join'd. 
 Or mount the courser that outstrips the wind. 
 
 Meantime Eumedes, vaunting in the field, 520 
 
 New fir'd the Trojans, and their foes repell'd. 
 This son of Dolon bore his grandsire's name, 
 But emulated more his father's fame — 
 His guileful father, sent a nightly spy. 
 The Grecian camp and order to descry — 525
 
 456 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Hard enterprise ! and well he might require 
 Achilles' car aad horses for his hire : 
 But, met upon the scout, th' Etolian prince 
 In death bestow'd a juster recompense. 
 
 Fierce Turnus view'd the Trojan from afar, 553 
 And launch'd his jav'lin from his lofty car, 
 Then lightly leaping down, pursu'd the blow, 
 And, pressing with his foot his prostrate foe, 
 Wrench'd from his feeble hold the shining sword, 
 And plung'd it in the bosom of its lord. 535 
 
 ' Possess,' said he. * the fruit of all thy pains, 
 And measure, at thy length, our Latian plains. 
 Thus are my foes rewarded by ray hand : 
 Thus may they build their town, and thus enjoy the 
 land !' 
 
 Then Dares, Butes, Sybaris, he slew, .O-Ut 
 
 Whom o'er his neck the flound'ring courser throw. 
 As when loud Boreas, with his blust'ring train. 
 Stoops from above, incumbent on the main ; 
 Where'er he flies he drives the rack before, 
 And rolls the billows on th' ^gean shore : .')45 
 
 So, where resistless Turnus takes his course. 
 The scatter'd squadrons bend before his force ; 
 His crest of horse's hair is blown behind 
 With adverse air, and rustles in the wind. 
 
 This haughty Phegeus saw with high disdain, 550 
 And, as the chariot roU'd along the plain 
 Light from the ground he leapt, and seiz'd the rein. 
 Thus hung in air, he still retain'd his hold, 
 The coursers frighted, and their force controll'd. 
 The lance of Turnus reach'd him as he hung, 5.16 
 
 And pierc'd his plated arms, but pass'd along. 
 And only raz'd the skin. He turn'd, and held 
 Against his threat'ning foe his ample shield. 
 Then call'd for aid, but, while he cried in vain. 
 The chariot bore him backward on the plain. 560 
 
 He lies revers'd ; the victor king descends. 
 And strikes so justly where his helmet ends, 
 He lops the head. The Latian fields are drunk 
 With streams that issue from his bleeding trunk. 
 
 While he triumphs, and while the Trojans yield. 
 The wounded prince is forc'd to leave the field : 5C« 
 
 i
 
 .^KNEIS, XII. 457 
 
 Strong Mneslheus, and Achates often tried. 
 
 And young Ascanitis, weeping by his side. 
 
 Conduct him to his tent. Scarce can he rear 
 
 His limbs from earth, supported on his spear. 570 
 
 Resolv'd in mind, regardless of the smart. 
 
 He tugs with both his hands, and breaks the dart. 
 
 The steel remains. No readier way he found 
 
 To draw the weapon, than t' enlarge the v/ound. 
 
 Eager of fight, impatient of delay, 575 
 
 He begs : and his unwilling friends obey, 
 
 lapis was at hand to prove his art. 
 Whose blooming youth, so fir'd Apollo's heart. 
 That, for his love, he profFer'd to bestow 
 His tuneful harp, and his unerring bow : 580 
 
 The pious youth, more studious how to save 
 His aged sire, now sinking to the grave, 
 Preferr'd the pow'r of plants, and silent praise 
 Of healing arts, before Phoebean bays. 
 
 Propp'd on his lance the pensive hero stood, 5S5 
 And heard and saw, unmov'd, the mourning crowd. 
 The fam'd physician tucks his robes around 
 With ready hands, and hastens to the wound. 
 With gentle touches he performs his part, 
 This way and that soliciting the dirt, 590 
 
 And exercises all bis heav'nly art. 
 All soft'ning simples, known of sov'reign use, 
 He presses out, and pours their noble juice. 
 These first infus^'d to lenify the pain — 
 He tugs with pincers, but he tugs in vain, 595 
 
 Then to the patron of his art he pray'd ; 
 The patr.in of his art refus'dhis aid. 
 
 Meantime the war approaches to the tents : 
 Th' alarm grows hotter, and the noise augments : 
 The diiving dust proclaims the danger near; COO 
 
 And first their friends and then their foes appear ; 
 Their friends retreat ; their foes pursue the rear. 
 The camp is fill'd with terror and affright : 
 The hissing shafts within the trench alight: 604 
 
 An undistinguish'd noise ascends the sky — [die. 
 
 The shouts of those who kill, and groans of those who 
 
 But now the goddess-mother, uiov'd with grief, 
 And pierc'd with pity, hastens for relief. 
 U
 
 458 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 A branch of healing dittany she brought. 
 Which in the Cretan fields with care she sought — 010 
 (Rough is the stem, which woolly leaves surround ; 
 The leaves with flow'rs, the flow'rs with purple 
 
 crown'd), — 
 Well known to wounded goats ; a sure relief 
 To draw the pointed steel, and ease the grief. 
 This Venus brings, in clouds involv'd, and brews CI 5 
 Th' extracted liquor with ambrosian dews, 
 And od'rous penacee. Unseen she stands, 
 Temp'ring the mixture with her heav'niy hands, 
 And pours it in a bowl, already crown'd 
 With juice of medVual herbs prepared to bathe the 
 
 wound. (i20 
 
 The leech, unknowing of superior art 
 Which aids the cure, with this foments the part; 
 And in a moment ceas'd the raging smart. 
 Staunch'd is the bloot^. and in the bottom stands: 
 The steel, but scarcely touch'd with tender hands, (i-25 
 Moves up, and follows of its own accord ; 
 And health and vigour are at once restor'd. 
 I'fipis first perceiv'd the closing wound ; 
 And first the footsteps of a god he found. 
 'Arms! arms !' he cries, ' the sword and shield prepare, 
 And send the willing chief, renew'd, to war. «i.U 
 
 This is no mortal work, no cure of mine, 
 Nor art's effect, but done by hands divine. 
 Some god our gen'ral to the battle sends ; 
 Some god preserves his life for greater ends.' 035 
 
 The hero arms in haste : his hands infold 
 His thighs with cuishes of refulgent gold : 
 Inflam'd to fight, and rushing to tlie field, 
 That hand sustaining the celestial shield, 
 This gripes the lance, and with such vigour shakes, 
 That to the rest the beamy weapon quakes. <<4l 
 
 Then with a close embrace ho strain'd his son, 
 And, kissing through his helmet, thus begun : 
 ' My son I from my example learn the war, 
 In camps to suffer, and in fields to dare : 615 
 
 But happier chance than mine attend thy care I 
 This day my hand thy tender age shall shield. 
 And crown with honours of the conquer'd field :
 
 ^NEIS, XII. 459 
 
 Thou, when thy riper years shall send thee forth 
 To toils of war, be mindful of my worth : G/iO 
 
 Assert thy birthright, and in arras be known 
 For Hector's nephew, and Eneas' son.' 
 
 He said ; and, striding, issu'd on the plain. 
 Antheus and Mnestheus, and anum'rous train. 
 Attend his steps : the rost their weapons take, e.OS 
 And, crowding to the field, the camp forsake. 
 A cloud of blinding dust is rais'd around ; 
 Labours beneath their feet the trembling ground. 
 
 Now Turnus, posted on a hill, from far 
 Beheld the progress of the moving war : 6(30 
 
 Witlihim the Latins view'd the cover'd plains ; 
 And the chill blood run backward in their veins. 
 Juturna saw th' advancing troops appear, 
 And heard the hostile sound, and fled for fear. 
 jEneas leads ; and draws a sweeping train, (Ki.'5 
 
 Clos'd in their ranks, and pouring on the plain. 
 As when a whirlwind, rushing to the shore 
 From the mid ocean, drives the waves before; 
 The painful hind with heavy heart foresees 
 The flatted fields, and slaughter of the trees : 670 
 
 With such impetuous rage the prince appears, 
 I'efore his double front; nor less destruction bears. 
 And now both armies shock in open field : 
 Osiris is by strong Thymbrseus kill'd. 
 Archetius, Ufens, Epulon, are slain 675 
 
 (All fara'd in arms, and of the Latian train) 
 By Gyas', Mnestheus', and Achates' hand. 
 The fatal augur falls, by whose command 
 The truce was broken , and whose lance, embru'd 
 With Trojan blood, th' unhappy fight renew'd. C80 
 Loud shouts and clamours rend the liquid sky; 
 And o'er the field the frighted Latins fl^^. 
 The prince disdains the dastards to pursue. 
 Nor moves to meet in arms the fighting few. 
 Turnus alone, amid the dusky plain, 6S5 
 
 He seeks, and to the combat calls in vain. 
 Juturna heard, and, seiz'd with mortal fear, 
 Forc'd from the beam her brother's charioteer ; 
 Assumes his shape, his armour, and his mien. 
 And, like Aletiscus, in his seat is seen. 601)
 
 460 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 As the black swallow near the palace plies ; 
 O'er eniptj' courts, and under arches, flies ; 
 Now hawks aloft, now skims along the flood, 
 To furnish ^er loquacious nest with food : 
 So drives the rapid goddess o'er the plains ; 695 
 
 The smoking horses run with loosen'd reins. 
 She steers a various course among the foes; 
 Now here, now there, her conqu'ring brother 
 
 shews ; 
 Now with a straight, now with a wheeling flight, 
 She turns and bends, but shuns the single fight. 700 
 iEoeas, fir'd with fury, breaks the crowd. 
 And seeks his foe, and calls by name aloud; 
 He runs within a narrower ring, and tries 
 To stop the chariot, but the chariot flies. 
 If he but gain a glimpse, Juturna fears, 705 
 
 And far away the Daunian hero bears. 
 
 What should he do ? Nor arts nor arms avpil; 
 And various cares in vain his mind assail. 
 The great Messapus, thund'ring through the field. 
 In his left hand two pointed jaVlins held; 710 
 
 Eucount'ring on the prince, one dart he drew. 
 And with unerring aim, and utmost vigour, threw, 
 ^neas saw it come, and, stooping low 
 Beneath his buckler, shunn'd the threat'ning 
 
 blow. 
 The weapon biss'd above his head, and tore 715 
 
 The waving plume, which on his helm he wore. 
 Forc'd by tliis hostile act, and fir'd with spite, 
 That flying Turnus still declin'd the fight. 
 The prince, whose piety had long repell'd 
 His inborn ardour, now invades the field; 720 
 
 Invokes the pow'rs of violated peace. 
 Their rites and injur'd altars to redress ; 
 Then, to his rage abandoning the rein. 
 With blood and slaughter'd bodies fills the plain. 
 
 What god can tell, what numbers can display, 725 
 The various labours of that fatal day 1 
 What chiefs and champions fell on either side. 
 In combat slain, or by what deaths they died? 
 Whom rumus, whom the Trqian hero kill'd ? 
 Who shar'd the fame and fortune of the field ? 73 n
 
 iENEIS, XII. 401 
 
 Jove ! could'st tliou view, and not avert thy sis'at, 
 Two jarring nations join'd in cruel figbt. 
 Whom league? of lasting love so shortly shall 
 unite ? 
 
 ^neas first Rntnlian Sucro found, 73/5 
 
 Whose valour made the Trojans quit their ground ; 
 Betwixt his ribs the jav'lin drove so just, 
 It reach'd his heart, nor needs a second thrust. 
 Now Tuinus, at two blows, two brethren slew : 
 First from his horse iierce Amycus he threw; 
 Then, leaping on the ground, on foot assail'd 740 
 
 Diores, and in equal fight prevail'd. 
 Their lifeless trunks he leaves upon the place ; 
 Their heads, distilliug gore, his chariot grace. 
 
 Three cold on earth the Trojan hero threw, 
 Whom without respite at one charge he slew ; 745 
 Cetbegus, Tana'is, Talus, fell oppress'd, 
 And sad Onytes, added to the rest — 
 Of Tiieban blood, whom Peridia bore. 
 
 Turnus two brothers from the Lycian shore, 
 And from Apollo's fane to battle sent, 730 
 
 O'erthrew ; nor Phoebus could tbeir fate prevent. 
 Peaceful Menoetes after these he kill'd. 
 Who long had shunn'd the dangers of the field : 
 On Lerna's lake a silent life he led. 
 And v.ith his nets and angle earn'd his bread, 7.^5 
 Nor pompous cares, nor palaces, he knew. 
 But wisely from th' infectious world withdrew. 
 Poor was his house : his father's painful hand 
 Discharg'd his rent, and plough'd another's land. 
 
 As flames among the lofty woods are thrown 760 
 On dilf'rent sides, and both by winds are blown : 
 The laurels crackle in the sputt'ring fire; 
 The frighted sylvans from tbeir shades retire: 
 Or as two neighb'ring torrents fall from high, 
 Rapid they run; the foamy waters fry; 765 
 
 They roll to sea with unresisted force, 
 And down the rocks precipitate their course: 
 Not with less rage the rival heroes take 
 Their diS^rent ways ; nor less destruction make. 
 With spears afar, withswords at hand, they strike : 
 And zeal of slaughter fires their souls alike. 771
 
 -1G2 THE WORKS OP VIRGIL. 
 
 l^ike tbem, their dauntless men maintain the field : 
 And hearts are pierc'd, unknowing how to yield : 
 They blou' for blow return, and wound for wound; 
 And heaps of bodies raise the level ground. 773 
 
 Afurrhanus, boasting of bis blood, that springs 
 From a long royal race of Latian kings, 
 Is by the Trojan from his chariot thrown, 
 Crush'd with the weight of an unwieldy stone: 
 Betwixt the wheels he fell ; the wheels, that bore 780 
 His living load, his dying body tore. 
 His starting steeds, to shun the glitt'ring sword, 
 Paw down his trampled limbs, forgetful of their lord. 
 
 Fierce Hyllus threaten'd high, and, face to face, 
 Affronted Turnus in the middle space : 785 
 
 The prince encounter'd him in full career, 
 And at his temples aim'd the deadly spear : 
 So fatally the flying weapon sped, 
 That through his brazen helm it pierc'd his head. 
 Nor, Cisseus, could'st thou 'scape from Turnus' hand, 
 In vain the strongest of th' Arcadian band: 791 
 
 Nor to Cupencus could his gods afford 
 Availing aid against th' ^nean sword. 
 Which to his naked heart pursu'd the course ; 
 Nor could his plated shield sustain the force. 79.5 
 
 Iblas fell, whom not the Grecian pow'rs. 
 Nor great subverter of the Trojan tow'rs, 
 Were doom'd to kill, while Heav'nprolong'd his date: 
 But who can pass the bounds prefis'd by Fate? 
 In high Lymessus, and in Troy, he held 800 
 
 Two palaces, and was from each expell'd : 
 Of all the mighty man, the last remains 
 A little spot of foreign earth contains. 
 
 And now both hosts their broken troops unite 
 In equal ranks, and mix in mortal fight. 805 
 
 Serestus and undaunted Mnestheus join 
 The Trojan, Tuscan, and Arcadian line : 
 Sea-born Messapus, with Atinas, heads 
 The Latin squadrons, and to battle leads. 
 They strike; they push; they throng the scanty 
 
 space, SiO 
 
 Resolv'd on death, impatient of disgrace; 
 And where one fails, another fills his place.
 
 iENlilS, Xir. 4G3 
 
 The Cyprian goddess now inspires her son 
 To leave th' unanish'd fight, and storm the town ; 
 For, while he rolls his eyes around the pi liu 815 
 
 In quest of Turnus, whom he seeks in vnln. 
 He views th' unguarded city from afar. 
 In careless quiet, and secure of war. 
 Occasion offers, and excites his mind 
 To dare beyond the task he first de^igu'd. 8*20 
 
 Resolv'd, he calls his chiefs ; they It- ave the fight : 
 Attended thus, he takes a neighb'ring height : 
 The crowding troops about their gen'ral stand. 
 All under arms, and wait his high command. 
 Then thus the lofty prince: ' Hear and obey, 825 
 Ye Trojan bands, without the least delay. 
 Jove is with us; and what I have decreed, 
 Requires our utmost vigour, and our speed. 
 Your instant arms against the town prepare, 
 The source of mischief, and the seat of -war. 830 
 
 This day the Latian tow'rs, that mate the sky, 
 Shall, level with the plain, in ashes lie : 
 The people shall be slaves, unless in time 
 1 hey kneel for pardon, and repent their crime. 834 
 Twice have our foes been vanquish'd on the plain : 
 Then shall I wait till Turnus will be slain ? 
 Your force against the perjur'd city bend ; 
 There it beg^n, and there the war shall end. 
 The peace profan'd our rightful arms requires : 
 Cleanse the polluted place with purging fires ' 840 
 
 He fiuish'd; and— one soul inspiring all — 
 Form'd in a wedge, the foot approach the wall. 
 Without the town an unprovided train 
 Of gaping gazing citizens are slain. 
 Some firebrands, other scaling-ladders, bear ; 845 
 
 And those they toss aloft, and these they rear: 
 The flames now launch'd, the feather'd arrows fly ; 
 And clouds of missive arms obscure the sky. 
 Advancing to the front, the hero stands. 
 And stretching out to heav'n his pious hands, 8')0 
 Attests the gods, asserts his innocence. 
 Upbraids with breach of faith th' Ausonian prince; 
 Declares the royal honour doubly staiu'd. 
 And twice the rites of holy peace profan'd.
 
 4C4 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Dissenting clamours in the town arise ; 855 
 
 Each will be heard, and all at once advise. 
 One part for peace, and one lor war, contends : 
 Some would exclude their foes, and some admit their 
 
 f.iends. 
 The helpless king is hurried in the throng, 
 And (whate'ertide prevails) is borne along. 800 
 
 Thus, when the swain, witliin a hollow rock, 
 Invades the bees with suffocating smoke, 
 They run around, or labour on their wings, 
 Disu.s'd to flight, and shoot their sleepy stings ; 
 To shun the bitter fumes, in vain they try : 865 
 
 Black vapours, issuing from the vent, involve the sk v. 
 
 But Fate and envious Fortune now prepare 
 To plunge the Latins in the last despair. 
 The queen, who saw the foes invade the town. 
 And brands on tops of burning houses thrown, 870 
 Cast round her eyes, distracted with her fear: — 
 No troops of Turuus in the field appear. 
 Once more she stares abroad, but still in vain ; 
 And tlien concludes the royal youth is slain. 
 Mad with her anguish, impotent to bear 875 
 
 The mighty grief, she loathes the vital air. 
 She calls herself the cause of all this ill, 
 And owns the dire effects of her ungovern'd will : 
 She raves against the gods; she beats Ik r breast; 
 She tears with both her hands her purple vest : 880 
 Then round a beam a running noose she tied. 
 And, fasten'd by the neck, obscenely died. 
 Soon as the fatal news by fame was blown, 
 And to her dames and to her daughter knov.?n, 
 The sad Lavinia rends her yellow hair, 8S5 
 
 And rosy cheeks: the rest her sorrow share : 
 With shrieks the palace rings, and madness of 
 
 despair. 
 The spreading rumour fills the public place ; 
 Confusion, fear, distraction, and disgrace, 
 And silent shame, are seen in ev'ry face. 800 
 
 Latin us tears his garments as he goes, 
 Both for his public and his private woes : 
 With filth his venerable beard besmears ; 
 And sordid dust deforms his silver hairs.
 
 .^NEIS, XII. 4G5 
 
 And much he blames the softness of his mind, i*'J5 
 
 Obnoxious to the charms of womaa-kiud. 
 
 And soon reduced to change what he so well designed — 
 
 To break the solemn league so long desir'd, 
 
 Nor finish what his fates, and those of Troy, reqnir'd. 
 
 Now Tiimus rolls aloof, o'er empty plains ; 900 
 
 And here and there some stragclicg foes he gleans. 
 His flying coursers please him less and less, 
 Asham'd of easy light, and cheap success. 
 Thus half contented, anxious in his mind. 
 The distant cries come driving in the wind — 905 
 
 Shouts from the walls, but shouts in murmurs 
 
 drown'd ; 
 A jarring mixture, and a boding sound. 
 ' Alas!' said he, ' what mean these dismal cries ? 
 What doleful clamours from the town arise V 
 Confus'd, he stops, and backward pulls the reins. 910 
 She, who the driver's office now sustains. 
 Replies, ' Neglect, my lord, these new alarms: 
 Here light, and urge the fortune of your arms ; 
 There want not others to defend the wall. 
 If by your rival's hand th' Italians fall, 915 
 
 So shall your fatal sword his friends oppress, 
 In honour equal, equal in success.' 
 
 To this the prince ; * O sister! — for I knew, 
 The peace infring'd proceeded first from you . 
 I knew you, when you mingled first in fight : OiO 
 
 And now in vain you would deceive my sight — 
 Why, goddess, this unprofitable care ? 
 Who sent you down from heav'n, iuvolv'd in air. 
 Your share of mortal sorrows to sustain. 
 And see your brother bleeding on the plain 1 925 
 
 For to what pow'r can Turnus have recourse. 
 Or how lesist his fate's prevailing force? 
 These eyes beheld Murrhanus bite the ground: 
 Mighty the man, and mighty was the wound. 
 I heard my dearest friend, with dying breath, 930 
 My name invoking to revenge his death. 
 Brave Ufens fell with honour on the place. 
 To shun the shameful sight of my disgrace. 
 On earth supine a manly corpse he lies ; 
 Hip vest and armour are the victor's prize. 935 
 
 U2
 
 466 THE V, ORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Tl'en, sliall I see Laurentum iu a flame, 
 Wliich only wanted, to complete my shame ? 
 How will the Latins hoot their champion's flight! 
 How Drances will insult, and point them to the 
 
 sight ! 
 Is death so hard to bear? — Ye gods below ! 910 
 
 (Since those above so small compassion shew) 
 Receive a sotil unsullied yet with shame, 
 Which not belies my great forefathers' name.' 
 
 He said : and while he spoke, with flying speed 
 Came Saces urging on his foamy steed : 94'j 
 
 Fix'd on his wounded face a shaft he bore. 
 And seeking Turnus, sent his voice before : 
 ' Turnus ! on you, on you alone, depends 
 Our last relief; — compassionate your friends ! 
 Like lightning, fierce ^neas, rolling on, 950 
 
 With arms invests, with flames invades, the town : 
 The brands are toss'd on high : the winds conspire 
 To drive along the delnge of the fire. 
 All eyes are fix'd on you : your foes rejoice ; 
 Ev'n the king staggers, and suspends his choice — 955 
 Doubts to deliver or defend the town, 
 Whom to reject, or whom to call his son. 
 The queen, on whom your utmost hopes were plac'd, 
 Herself suborning death, has breath'd her last, 
 'fis true, Messapus, fearle.«s of his fate, 960 
 
 With fierce Atinas' aid, defends the gate : 
 On ev'ry side surrounded by the foe, 
 The more they kill, the greater numbers grow; 
 An iron harvest mounts, and still remains to mow. 
 You, far aloof from your forsaken bands, 9G5 
 
 Your rolling chariot drive o'er empty sands.' 
 
 Stupid he sate, his eyes on earth declia'd. 
 And various cares revolving iu his mind : 
 Rage, boiling from the bottom of his breast, 970 
 
 And sorrow mix'd with shame, his soul oppress'd ; 
 And conscious worth laylab'ring in his thought, 
 And love by jealousy to madness wrought. 
 By slow degrees his reason drove away. 
 The mists of passion, and resum'd her sway. 
 Then, rising on his car, he turn'd his look, 975 
 
 And saw the town iuvolv'd in fire and smoke.
 
 ^NEIS, XII. 107 
 
 A wooden tow'r with flames already blaz'd, 
 
 H liich his own hands on beams and rafters rais'd, 
 
 And bridges laid above to join the space, 
 
 And wheels below to roll from place to place. 980 
 
 ' Sister! the Fates have vanquished : let ns go 
 
 The way which Heav'n and my hard fortnue .«hew. 
 
 The fight is fix'd : nor shall the branded name 
 
 Of a base coward blot your brother's fame. 
 
 Death is my choice ; but suffer me to try 9s5 
 
 My force, and vent my rage before I die.' 
 
 He said: and, leaping down without delay. 
 
 Through crowds of scatter'd foes he freed his way. 
 
 Striding he pass'd, impetuous as the wind, 
 
 And left the grieving goddess far behind. 990 
 
 As when a fragment, from a mountain torn 
 
 By raging tempests, or by torrents borne. 
 
 Or sapp'd by time, or loosen'd from the roots — 
 
 Prone through the void the rocky ruin shoots, 
 
 Rolling from crag to crag, from steep to steep : 995 
 
 Down sint, at once, the shepherds and their sheep ; 
 
 Involv'd alike, they rush to nether ground ; 
 
 Stunn'd with the shock they fall, and stunn'd from 
 
 earth rebound : 
 So Tumus, hasting headlong to the town, 999 
 
 Should'ring and shoving, bore the squadrons down. 
 Still pressing onward, to the walls he drew, 
 Where shafts and spears and darts promiscuous flew, 
 And sanguine streams the slipp'ry ground erabrue. 
 First stretching out his arm, in sign of peace, 
 He cries aloud, to make the combat cease : 1005 
 
 ' Rutulians, hold ! and, Latin troops, retire ! 
 The fight is mine ; and me the gods require. 
 'Tis just that I should vindicate alone 
 The broken truce, or for the breach atone. 
 This day shall free from war th' Ausonian state, 1010 
 Or finish my misfortunes in njy fate.* 
 
 Koth armies from their bloody work desist. 
 And, bearing backward, form a spacious list. 
 The Trojan hero, who receiv'd from fame 1014 
 
 The welcome sound, and heard the champion's name, 
 Soon leaves the taken works and mounted walls : 
 Greedy of war where greater glory calls, 
 
 1
 
 468 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 He springs to fight, exulting in his force ; 
 
 His jointed arnicur rattles in the course. 
 
 Like Eryx, or like Athos, great he shews, 1020 
 
 Or father Apennine, when, white with snows, 
 
 His head divine ohscure in clouds he hides. 
 
 And shakes the sounding forest on his sides. 
 
 The nations over-aw'd, surcease the fight ; 
 Immoveable their bodies, fix'd their sight ; 1025 
 
 Ev'n death stands still; nor from above' they throw 
 Their darts, nor drive their batt'riug rams below. 
 In silent order either army st inds, 
 And drop their swords, unknowing from their hands. 
 Th' Ausonian king beholds, with wond"ring sight. 
 Two mighty champions match'd in single fight, 1031 
 Born under climes remote, and brought by fate, 
 With swords to try their titles to the state. 
 
 Now, in clos'd field, each other from afar 
 They view : and, rushing on, begin the war. 1035 
 
 They launch their spears ; then hand to hand they 
 
 meet. 
 The trembling soil resounds beneath their feet : 
 Their bucklers clash ; thick blows descend from high. 
 And flakes of fire from their hard helmets fly. 103y 
 Courage conspires with chance; and both engage 
 With equal fortune yet, and mutual rage. 
 
 As, when two bulls for their fair female fight 
 In SiUi's shades, or on Taburnus' height, 10-13 
 
 With horns adverse they meet : the keeper flies: 
 Mute stands the herd; the heifers roll their eyes. 
 And wait th' event — which victor they shall bear. 
 And who shall be the lord, to rule the lusty year : 
 With rage of love the jealous rivals burn, 104S 
 
 And push for push, and wound for wound, return : 
 Their dewlaps gor'd, their sides are lav'd in blood . 
 Loud cries and roaring sounds rebellow through th.; 
 
 wood : 10r>l 
 
 Such was the combat in the listed ground : 
 So clash their swords, an' so l'\f>ir shields resound. 
 
 Jove sets the beam : in either scale he lays 
 The champion's fate, and each exactly weighs. 10,')5 
 On tills side, life, and lucky chance, ascends: 
 lioaded with death, that other scale descends.
 
 .^NEIS.Xir. 400 
 
 Rai.s'd on the stretch, young Turnus aims a blow 
 
 Full <m the htlni of his unguarded foe: 
 
 Shrill shouts and clamours ring on either side, 1000 
 
 As hopes and fears their panting hearts divide. 
 
 But ail in pieces flies the traitor sword. 
 
 And, in the middle stroke, deserts his lord. 
 
 Now 'tis but death or llight: disarm'd he flies, 
 
 When in his hand an unknown hilt he spies. 1065 
 
 Fame says that Turnus, when his steeds he joiu'd, 
 
 Hurrying to war, disorder'd in his mind, 
 
 Snatch'd the first weapon which his haste could find. 
 
 'Twas not the fated sword his father bore. 
 
 But that his charioteer Metiscus wore. 1070 
 
 This, while the Trojans fled, the toughness held : 
 
 But, vain against the great Vulcanian shield. 
 
 The mortal teraper'd steel deceiv'd his hand : 
 
 The shiver'd fragments .shone amid the sand. 
 
 Surpris'd with fear, ha fled along the field, 1075 
 And now forthright, and now in orbits wheel'd : 
 For here the Trojan troops the list surround. 
 And there the pass is clos'd with pools and marshy 
 
 ground. 
 ^5Ineas hastens, though with heavier pace — 
 His wound, so newly knit, retards the chase, 1080 
 And oft his trembling knees their aid refuse — 
 Yet, pressing foot by foot, his foe pursues. 
 
 Thus, when a fearful stag is clos'd around 
 With crimson toils, or in a river found, 1084 
 
 High on the bank the deep-mouth'd hound appears. 
 Still op'ning, following still, where'er he steers ; 
 The persecuted creature, to and fro. 
 Turns here and there, t' escape his Umbrian foe : 
 Steep is ti«' ascent, and, if he gains the land. 
 The purple death is pitch'd along the strand : 1090 
 His eager foe, determiu'd to the chase, 
 Stretch'd at his length, gains ground at ev'ry pace : 
 Now to his beamy head he makes his way. 
 And now he holds, or thinks he holds, his prey ; 
 Just at the pinch, the stag springs out with fear: 10!}5 
 He bites the Avind, and fills his .sounding jaws with air: 
 The rocks, the lakes, the meadows, ring with cries; 
 The mortal tumult mounts, and thunders in the skies.
 
 470 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Thus flies the Daunian prince, and, flying, blames 
 His tardy troops, and, calling by their names, 1)00 
 Demands his trusty sword. The Trojan threats 
 The realm with ruin, and their ancient seats 
 To lay in ashes, if they dare supply, 
 With arms or aid, his vanqnish'd enemy; 
 Thus menacing, he still pursues the course 1 105 
 
 With vigour, though diminish'd of his force. 
 Ten times already, round the listed place. 
 One chief had fled, and t' ether giv'n the chase : 
 No trivial prize is play'd; for, on the life 
 Or death of Tuvnus, now depends the strife. 1 1 1() 
 
 Within the space, an olive-tree had stood, 
 A sacred shade, a venerable wood. 
 For vows to Faunus paid, the Latins' guardian god. 
 Here hung the vests, and tablets were engrav'd. 
 Of sinking mariners from shipwreck sav'd. 1115 
 
 With heedless hands the Trojans fell'd the tree. 
 To make the ground inclos'd for combat free. 
 Deep in the root, whether by fate, or chance, 
 Or erring baste, the Trojan drove his lance ; 
 Then stopp'd, and tugg'd with force immense, to 
 
 free 1120 
 
 Th' encumber'd spear from the tenacious tree : 
 That, whom his fainting limbs pursued in vain. 
 His flying weapon might from far attain. 
 
 Confus'd with fear, bereft of human aid, 1124 
 
 Then Turnus to the gods, and first to Faunus pray'd : 
 ' O Faunus! pity! and thou, mother Earth, 
 Where I thy foster-son receiv'd my birth. 
 Hold fast the steel ! If my religious hand 
 Your plant has honour'd, which your foes profau'd, 
 Propitious hear my pious pray'r !' He said, 1130 
 
 Nor with successless vows invok'd their aid. 
 Th' incumbent hero wrench'd, and puU'd, and strain'd ; 
 But still the stubborn earth the steel detain'd. 
 Juturna took her time : and, while in vain 
 He strove, assum'd Metiscus' form again, 1135 
 
 And, in that imitated shape, restor'd 
 To the despairing prince, his Daunian sword. 
 The queen of love — who, with disdain and grief. 
 Saw the bold nymph afl'ord this prompt relief —
 
 ^NEIS, XH. 471 
 
 T' assert her offspring with a greater deed, 1140 
 
 From the tough root the ling'ring weapon freed. 
 
 Once more erect, the rival chiefs advance: 
 One trusts the sword, and one the pointed lance; 
 And both resolv'd alike, to try their fatal chance. 
 
 Meantime imperial Jove to Juno spoke, 1145 
 
 Who from a shining cloud beheld the shock : 
 ' What new arrest, queen of heav'n ! is sent 
 To stop the Fates now lab'ring in th' event ? 
 W hat further hopes are left thee to pursue ? 
 Divine .^neas (and thou know'st it too), nr.o 
 
 Foredoom'd to these celestial seats is due. 
 What more attempts for Tumus can be made, 
 That thus thou ling'rest in this lonely shade ? 
 Is it becoming of the due respect 
 
 And awful honour of a god elect, 1155 
 
 A wound unworthy of our state to feel. 
 Patient of human hands, and earthly steel ? 
 Or seems it just, the sister should restore 
 A second sword, when one was lost before, 1159 
 
 And arm a conquer'd wretch against his conqueror? 
 For what without thy knowledge and avow, 
 Nay more, thy dictate, durst Jutuma do 1 
 At last, in def'rence to my love, forbear 
 To lodge within thy soul this anxious care : 
 Reclin'd upon my breast, thy grief unload : Hfitj 
 
 Who should relieve the goddess, bat the god ? 
 Now all things to their utmost issue tend, 
 Push'd by the fates to their appointed end. 
 While leave was giv'n thee, and a lawful hour 
 For vengeance, wrath, and unresisted po>v'r, 1170 
 Toss'd on the seas thou could'st thy foes distress. 
 And, driv'n ashore, with hostile arms oppress: 
 Deform the royal house; and, from the side 
 Of the just bridegroom, tear the pligl.ted bride : — 
 Now cease at my command.' The thund'rer said : 1175 
 And, with dejected eyes, this answer Juno made : 
 ' Because your dread decree too well i knew, 
 From Turnus and from earth unwilling I with- 
 drew. 
 Else should you not behold me here, alone, 
 Involv'd in empty clouds, ray friends bemoan, US9
 
 472 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL 
 
 But, girt with vengeful flames, in open sight, 
 
 Engag'd against my foes in mortal fight. 
 
 'Tis true, Juturna mingled in the strife 
 
 By my command, to save her brother's life, 
 
 At least to try; but (by the Stygian lake - 11S5 
 
 The most religious oath the gods can take) 
 
 With this restriction, not to bend the bow, 
 
 Or toss the spear, or trembling dart to throw. 
 
 And now, resign'd to your superior might. 
 
 And tir'd with fruitless toils, I loathe the fight. 1190 
 
 This let me beg (and this no fates withstand) 
 
 Both for myself and for your father's land : 
 
 That, when tlie nuptial bed shall bind the peace 
 
 (Which 1, since you ordain, consent to bless). 
 
 The laws of either nation be the same ; 1195 
 
 But let the Latins still retain their name. 
 
 Speak the same language which they spoke before. 
 
 Wear the same habits which their grandsires wore. 
 
 Call them not Trojans ; perish the renown 
 
 And name of Troy, with that detested town. TiOO 
 
 Latium be Latium still; let Alba reign, 
 
 And Rome's immortal majesty remain.' 
 
 Then thus the founder of mankind replies — 
 (Unruffled was his front, serene his eyes) : 
 ' Can Saturn's issue, and heav'n's other heir, 1205 
 Such endless anger in her bosom bear? 
 Be mistress, and your full desires obtain: 
 But quench the choler you foment in vain. 
 From ancient blood, th' Ausonian people, sprung. 
 Shall keep their name, their habit, and their 
 
 tongue: 1210 
 
 The Trojans to their customs shall be tied, 
 I will, myself, their common rites provide : 
 The natives shall command, the foreigners subside. 
 All shall be Latium ; Troy without a name ; 
 And her lost sons forget from whence they came. 
 From blood so mix'd, a pious race shall flow, 1216 
 Equal to gods, excelling all below. 
 No nation more respect to you shall pay. 
 Or greater ofF'rings on your altars lay.' 
 Juno consents, well pleas'd that her desires 12'ii) 
 
 Had found success, and from the cloud retires.
 
 ^NEIS, XII. 473 
 
 Tlie peace thus made, the thunii'rer next prepjire.s 
 To force tLe wat'ry goddess from the wars. 
 Deep in the dismal regions void of light, 1224 
 
 Three daughters, at a birth, were bom to Nigh* : 
 These their brown mother, brooding on her care, 
 Indu'd with windy wings, to flit in air, 
 W ith serpents girt alike, and crown'd with hissing hair. 
 In heav'n the Dirae call'd : and still at hand, 
 Before the throne of angry Jove they stand, 1230 
 
 His ministers of wrath, and ready still 
 The minds of mortal men with fears to fill. 
 Whene'er the moody sire, to wreak his hate 
 On realms or tovms deserving of their fate. 
 Hurls down diseases, death, and deadly care, 1235 
 And terrifies the guilty world with vvar. 
 One sister plague of these from heav'n he sent. 
 To fright Juturna with a dire portent. 
 The pest comes whirling down : by far more slow 
 Springs the swift arrow from the Parthian bow, 12-JO 
 Or Cydon yew, when, traversing the skies, [flies. 
 
 And drench'd in pois'nous juice, the sure destruction 
 With such a sudden, and unseen a flight, 
 Shot through the clouds the daughter of the Night. 
 Soon as the field inclos'd she had in view, 1215 
 
 And from afar her destin'd quarry knew — 
 Contracted, to the boding bird she turns, 
 Which haunts the riiin'd piles and hallow'd urns, 
 And beats about. the tombs with nightly wines. 
 Where songs obscene on sepulchres she sings. 12."0 
 Thus lessen'd in her form, with frightful cries 
 The Fury round unhappy Turnus flies. 
 Flaps on his shield, and flutters o'er his eyes. 
 
 A lazy chiliness crept along his blood ; 1254 
 
 Chok'd was his voice ; his hair with horror stord. 
 Juturna from afar beheld her fly. 
 And knew th' ill-omen, by her screaming cry. 
 And stridor of her wing. Amaz'd with fear, [hair. 
 Her beauteous breast she beat, and rent her flowing 
 ' Ah me !' she cries—' in this unequal strife, 1260 
 
 What can thy sister more to save thy life ! 
 Weak as I am, can I, alas! contend 
 In arms with that inexorable liend ?
 
 474 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Now, now, I quit the field ! forbear to fright 
 My tender soul, ye baleful birds of night ! 1205 
 
 The lashing of your wings I know too well, 
 The sounding flight, and fun'ral ucreams of hell I 
 These are the gifts you bring from haughty Jove, 
 The worthy recompense of ravish'd love ! 
 Did he for this exempt my life from fate ? r27() 
 
 O hard conditions of immortal state ! 
 Though born to death, not privileg'd to die. 
 But forc'd to bear impos'd eternity ! 
 Take back your envious bribes, and let me go 
 Companion to my brother's ghost below ! 1275 
 
 The joys are ranish'd : nothing now remains 
 Of life immortal, but immortal pains. 
 What earth will open her devouring womb, 
 To rest a weary goddess in the tomb V 
 She drew a length of sighs ; nor more she said, 12.^0 
 But in her azure mantle wrapp'd her head. 
 Then plung'd into her stream, with deep despair; 
 And her last sobs came bubbling up in air 
 
 Now stem JE\ieas waves his weighty spear 
 Against his foe, and thus up )raids his tear : 1285 
 
 ' What farther subterfuge can Turnus find ? 
 What empty hopes are harbour'd in his mind ? 
 'Tis not thy swiftness can secure thy flight : 
 Not with their feet, but hands, the valiant fight. 
 Vary thy shape in thousand forms, and dare 1290 
 What skill and courage can attempt in war : 
 Wish for the wings of wind, to mount the sky ; 
 Or hid within the hollow earth to lie!' [reply : 
 
 The champion shook his head, and made this short 
 • No threats of thine my manly mind can move : 1295 
 *Tis hostile heav'n I dread, and partial Jove.' 
 He said no more, but, with a sigh, repress'd 
 The mighty sorrow in his swelling breast. 
 Then, as he roU'd his troubled eyes around, 
 An antique stone he saw, the common bound 130!) 
 Of ueighb'ring fields, and barrier of the ground — 
 So vast, that twelve strong men of modern days 
 Th' enormous weight from earth could hardly raise. 
 He heav'd it at a lift, and, pois'd on high, 
 Kan staggring on against his enemy. i;?n5
 
 ^NEIS, XII. 475 
 
 But so disorder'd, that he scarcely knew 
 
 Wis way, or what unwieldy weight he threw. 
 
 His knocking knees are bent beneath the load; 
 
 And shiv'ring cold conceals his vital blood, 13iif» 
 
 Tbe stone drops from his arras, and, falling short 
 
 For want of vigour, mocks his vain effort. 
 
 And as, when heavy sleep has clos'd the sight, 
 
 The sickly fancy labours in the night ; 
 
 We seem to run ; and, liestitute of force, 
 
 Our sinking limbs forsake us in the course : 131. "5 
 
 In vain we heave for breath ; in vain we cry: 
 
 Tho nerves, unbrac'd, their usual strength deny ; 
 
 And on the tongue the falt'ring accents die : 
 
 So Tumus far'd : whatever means he tried. 
 
 All force of arms, and points of art employ'd, 13'20 
 
 The Fury flew athwart, and made th' endeavour void. 
 
 A thousand various thoughts his soul confound : 
 He star'd about ; nur aid nor issue found ; 
 His own men stop the pass ; and his own walls sur- 
 round. 
 Once more he pauses, and looks out again, 1325 
 
 And seeks the goddess chariott'er in vain. 
 Trembling he views the thund'ring chief advance. 
 And brandishing aloft the deadly lance : 
 Amaz'd he cow'rs beneath his conqu'ring foe. 
 Forgets to ward, and waits the coming blow. 1330 
 Astoiii.sh'd while he stands, and tix'd with fear, 
 Airu'd at his shield he sees th' impending spear. 
 
 The hero measur'd first, with narrow view. 
 The destin'd mark; and, rising as he threw. 
 With its full swing, the fatal weapon flew. las."; 
 
 Not with less rage the rattling thunder falls, 
 Or stones from batt'ring engines break the walls : 
 Swift as a whirlwind, from an arm so strong. 
 The lance drove on, and bore the death along. 1339 
 Nought could his sev'nfold shield the prince avail. 
 Nor aught, beneath his arms, the coat of mail ; 
 Itpierc'd through all, and with a grisly wound 
 Transfix'd his thigh, and doubled him to ground. 
 With groans the Latins rend the vaulted sky : 
 Woods, hills, and valleyd, to the voice reply. 1345
 
 476 THE WORKS OF VIRGIL. 
 
 Now low on earth the lofty chief is laid, 
 With eyes cast upwards, and with anus display'd. 
 And, recreant, thus to the proud victor pray'd: 
 ' I know my death deserv'd, nor hope to live : 
 Use what the gods and thy good fortune give. IS'iO 
 Yet think, oh, think! if luercy may be shewn — 
 (ThoH hadst a father once, and hast a son) — 
 Pity my sire, now sinking to the grave ; 
 And, for Anchises' sakC; old Daunus save! 
 Or, if thy vow'd revenge pursue my death, 1355 
 
 Give to my friends my body void of breath ! 
 The Latian chiefs have seen me beg my life: 
 Thine is the conquest, thine the royal wife : 
 Against a yielded man, 'tis mean ignoble strife.' 
 
 In deep suspense the Trojan secm'd to stand, 1360 
 And, just prepar'd to strike, repress'd his hand. 
 He roll'd his eyes, and every moment felt 
 His manly soul with more compassion melt; 
 When, casting down a casual glance, he spied 
 The golden belt that glitter'd on his side, 1365 
 
 The fatal spoil which haughty Turnus tore 
 From dying Pallas, and in triumph wore. 
 Then rous'd anew to wrath, he loudly cries 
 (Flames,while he spoke, came flashing from his eyes), 
 * Traitor ! dost thou, dost thou to grace prs tend, 1370 
 Clad, as thou art, in trophies of my friend? 
 To his sad soul a grateful ofPriug go ! 
 'Tis Pallas, Pallas gives this deadly blow.' 
 He rais'd his arm aloft, and, at the word, 
 Deep in his bosom drove the shining sword. 1375 
 
 The streaming blood distain'd his arras around ; 
 And the disdainful soul came rushing through the 
 wound. 
 
 Priiitt-a by A. SWEETING, 13, Bartlett's BuilJin;?.^,
 
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