What fear, ye cowards, ev*ry breast controls.
Unnerves your limt^, and chills your trembUiig
foub?
Thns then, fiom me^fiief ^1 omricnttiiM band!
Gods !-^4>ut from one, and from a female han4;
Oh ! , cast i^w«y the sword, the shield and ipewj
The idle pomp and pageantry of war !-^
Yet were you never recreants to doUght,
Nor to the softer .battles of the night ;
When pipes proclaim the sacred cevels nigli»
How swid, how eager, to the feast you fly!
In the' full bowls you centre all your love ;
PIeas*d^ when the priest invites you to the gvowe^
You run, and riot in the rich repast;
The first in banquets, but in fights the last I''
He said ; and, bent on death, in deep despair*
Ru8h*d on hiii steed amidst the thickest war :
Then urg'd at Venal us his furious course, [hone,
SeizM him at onoe, and snatched him from his
Thus in his arms, with matchless stren^h, he bore^
Herce as he rode, the hapless chief, before.
His ti^ps behold the scene with strange surprise.
And peab of shouts run rattling round the skios ;
While wiih his captive, all in open view.
O'er the wide field the fiery hero flew.
The point then breaking from the warrior's dart.
The chief explores a penetrable part.
And m.editates the wound ; the strugglii^ foe
Defends his throat, and disappoints the blour.
As in0»en th' imperial eagle soars on high.
And bears some speckled serpent through the sky r
While her sharp talons gripe the bleeding prey.
In many a fold her curling volumes play ;
Her startipg brazen scales with horrour ris^ ;
The sanguine flames flash dreadful from her eye9 1 ^
She writhes, and .hisses at her foe, in vain.
Who wins ati^aae the wide aerial plain ;
With her strong hooky beak the captive plies,
Aod bears the struggling prey, triumphant through
the skies.
So with the chief the mighty Tarchon flew ;
And, kindling at the sight, the troops their prinoo
pursue.
Now Aruns on the Volscian princess waits,
(Amps the desrin'd victim of the fates)
Wheals round, and seeks with ev'ry wily art
The favouring moment to discharge the dart^ ^
Where'er the furious maid her steps inclin'd^ * •
The wretch in silence follows close behind :
When from the conquer'd foes she bends h«r
course.
Thither th' insidious warrior turns his horse ;
Oft shifts his place ; runs anxious to and fro ;
Flies round the circuit ; and, in act to throw.
Aims his sure jav'lin at the beauteous foe.
Chlorens, the priest of Cybele, from far
Shone in bright arms amid the crowded war.
Magnificently gay, he proudly press'd
A prancing steed, in stately trappings dress'd ,
Rich scales of brass and gold, inwrought with ar^
Grac'd with a mimic plumage ev'ry part.
Himself, in purple clad, amid the foe
Sf nt his swifl arrows from a Lycian bow.
Gold was the bow, that from his shoulder sounds.
And gold the helmet, that his head surrounds.
His robes, with many a rustling silken fold,
With care were gather'd, and confin'd in gold :
His crimson tunic was embroidcr'd o'er ;
And purple buskins on his legs he wore.
This chief she singles from the warring crew.
And, blind to danger, through the squadrons flew;
With the rich spoils to deck Diana's shrine ;
Or that herself in. Trojan aims may shine.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
«2^
MTPS THANSLATIGN
ATI^ all the wotnmi In herbMom rose!
For this bright prize, 8h« plung'd amid tbeiba;
When, from his Mvert, Amos lanohM his
spear $
Bnt first 10 UeaT'n preferrM his suppliant pny*r;
** O Phcebus ! guardian of Soracte*s woods,
And shndy hills ; a god above the gods !
To whom our natives pay the rites divine,
And bum whole crackling groves of ballow'd pine ',
Walk o*er the fire, in honour of thy name.
Unhurt, unsing*d, and sacred from the dame;
Give to my favoor'd arms, to clear away
The deep dark sUins of this disgraceful day.
Kor spoils nor trophies from the maid I claim;
I»Io — to my future life I trust for fame.
If by my hand this raging pest be slain,
I ask no honour; but retirp again,
Pleas'd, tho* inglorious, to my native plain.''
The god consents to half his warm request.
But m the fleeting winds dispersed the rest.
Camilla's death was granted to his pray*r;
His'safe retam was lost in empty air.
Now as the javMin sings along the skies.
All to the Volscian princess turn their eyes.
The fair rush'd on^ regardless of the sound.
Till in her pap she felt the faUl wound.
Deep, deep infixed, the pointed weapon stood
TuU in her heart, and drank the vitol blood.
Swift to her succour fly her female train,
And in their arms the sinking queen sustain ;
But Hr more swift affirighted Aruns fled.
With fear and joy, nor tum'd his guilty head:
Back he retires, all trembling and dismayed ;
Kor couM he bear, in death to view the dreadful
maid.
As when a prowling wolf, whose rage has stain
Some stately heifer, or the guardian swain.
Flies to the mountain with impetuous spewed,
Cbnfus'd, and conscious of the daring deed.
Claps close his quiv'ring tail between his thighs.
Ere 3ret the peopled country round him rise :
Kor less confused, pale Aruns took his flight;
Shunn'd ev'ry eye, and mingled in the fight
The dying queen, in agonising pain.
Tugs at the p(»inted steel, but tugs in vain.
Deep riveted within, the rankling dart
Heav'd in the wound, and panted in her heart
S>he sinks, f^he swoons, she scarcely draws her
breath,
And, all around her, swim the shades of death.
The starry splendours languish in her eyes.
And from her cheeks the rosy colour flies.
A maid she calls, the partner of her cares,
Her friend in peace, hf r sister in the war«.
*• Acca; no more : — for mortal is my wound ;
A dizzy mist of darkness swims around :
The victory was mine ; but ah 1 'tis past !
This hour, this fatal moment, is my last!
Go, and my dying words to Tui-nus bear ;
Bid him, this instant to the field repair ;
This instant, from the town the foe repel : —
And now, dear friend, a long and last farewel !"
With that the queen, expiring, droppM the rein,
And from her courser sunk ujion the plain.
In thick short sobs the vital spirit flics,
Her head declined, and dro^tpin^r as she dies !
Her radiant arms bestrew the field of fight :
Her soul, indignant, sought tliK realms of night.
Then, fnun the hosts the doubling clamours rise,
And shouts tuniultuuus echo to th« skiec
The Tnjan bnnd, a firm determniM tomft
The Tuscan chiefii, with all th' Arcadian horM,
Ruth furious to the field ; the slaughter spread:
The tnmult deepenM, and the combat bled.
Meantime fair Opis, firom a mountain's bcov.
Awhile unmov'd surveyed the fight below.
Bnt when from far she saw Camilla slain.
And, round the corse, tbe shouting hostile tniB,
Deep from her heaving ivory bosom broke
A mournful groan, and thus the goddess spoke:
" Too, too severely, much lamented maid,
For warrhig with the Trojans, thou hast paid!
In vain made sacred by thy virgin vtm
To Dian's name, and graced with Dianas bow!
Nor yet in death thy goddess will disclaim
Her favoured maid, but crown with endless fiuae!
Thy praise shall round the nations be displayed,
And to thy fate due vengeance shall be paid.
This moment will I make that vengeance good:
Tbe guilty wretch shall render blood for bloOJ.*
Beneath a hill, Dernennus* tomb Appears,
A potent Latian lord in fi>rmer years ;
A grove of venerable oaks displayed.
Wide round the monument, a gloomy shade.
Hither the goddess took her rapid flight.
And spy'd gay Arunk from the towering height
There as the youth exults, and swells with pride^
" Whither, poor dastard, wouldft thou fly?" (ihs
cry'd)
" Turn, wretch— this moment for thy gulk atone;
And tor Camilla's death receive thy own.
Go— to the shades of Hell, her victim, go—
A prize unworthy of Diana^ bow!"
She said ; and instant from the golden sheath
Drew forth the feather'd messenger of death.
Fierce in her rage, the circling horns she bends
To the full stretch, and johis the donblrag ends.
One hand approacb'dthe point ; one drew thebov,
And to her breast strain'd the tough nerve below.
At once tbe murd'rer heard the sounding dart.
And felt the steely vengeance in his henrt
He lies deserted by his social train.
Pale and expiring on a foreign plain !
While, from the field, triumphant Opis flies.
And on spread pinions mounts the golden skies.
First fled Camilla's band (their princess kill'd):
Then the RutuUans, routed, quit the field.
Atinas" self, the chiefs, and armies, ma.
And spur tlieir smoking coursers to the town.
Nor can the troops sustain, nor dare oppose
The slaught'ring swords of their victorious tort ;
Athwart their backs th' unbended bows they sluag;
And with their trampling steeds tbe souodiDf
chanipain rung.
The city now th' advancing host appals :
A cloud of dust, thick gathering to the walls.
From the tall tow'rs the trembling matrons spy;
And female shrieks, tumultuous, rend the tkj.
Mixt with their foes, rush headlong through the gatt
The Latian squadron, nor can shun their fete;
In vain for shelter to their houses fly ;
Er»n there transfixt, in heaps the wretches die^
Some '-lose the gates, exclude their social train.
Who beg admission to the town in vain.
While these defend th* endanger'd posts, andtboH
Rush on their swords, a dreadful slaughter rose.
With piercing shrieks, and lamentable cries.
The children bleed before then* parents' eyes.
While close behind advanc'd the tbund'ringfot:
Some leap down headlong to tbe toeuch below ;
Digitized by VjOOQIC
OF VIRGIUS iENEID. BOOK XIL
62S'
Some with toow reins, abaodon'd to their fate,
Sparr'd their impetuous steeds against the gate*
Bat, when Oimilla's corse appeared in view,
VTami'd by their coantry's love, the women flew,
And from the walls a storm of jav'Iins thr«;w.
With harden'd dubs th' advancing foe they dare.
And with tough staves repel the rising war.
Pierce they rush on ; they glow with martial fire,
And for their native walls with joy and pride
expire.
Meanwhile to Tumos, ambush'd in the shade,
The careful nymph the dismal news convey'd ;
That in the fight the Volscian queen was slain ;
That the proi^ foe pnrsu'd the vanquiahM train,
"Who, flush'd with full success, rush'd furious on.
And spread the g^rowing terfour to the town.
The chief, (ibr so his adverse fetes required !)
Strack with the tidings, and with anger fir'di
All headlong leaver the guarded hills again }
But scarce descended to the subject plaki,
Bre the gteat Trojan seiz'd the vacant road,
Cliinb'd the tall hill, and issu'd from the wood.
By the black clouds of dust, .Sneas found
llie Latian host embattled wide around :
And Tumus knew the Dardan chief was near.
From the loud shouts, that thickened on his ear;
l^ercBiv'd the footsteps of the trampling foe.
And heard distinct the fiery coursers blow.
Soon had the heroes joln*d the horrid fight ;
But now the Sun roll'd down the rapid light.
And plung'd, beneath the red Iberian sea.
The panting steeds that drew the burning day.
Before the city, camp th* impatient powers ;
Tbcte to defend -, and those to storm the tow'rs.
rimivs MSEiiK
BOOK Xlf*
TURII0S challenges iEneas to a single combat
Articles are agreed on, but broken t^ the Rutu-
lians, who wound .^eas. He is mhracutouRty
cured by Vemis, and forces Tumus to a duel ;
with whose death the poem concludes. *
WnaN Tornns saw the Latians, in despair,
Bink with the weight of unsuccessful war.
Himself the object of the public spite
Mark'd out, and summon'd to the promisM fight ;
The furious prince the single comlmt claims.
And conscious courage sets his soul in fiames.
As, pierc*d at distance by the hunter's dart^
The Libyan Hon rouses at the smart ;
And loudly roaring traverses the plain ;
Scourges his sides ; and rears his horrid mane ;
Tugs furious at the spear ; the foe defies ;
And grinds his teeth for rage, and to the combat
flies :
80 storm'd proud Tumos ; and in wrathful strain.
Thus to the king th» impetuous chief bfgan :
•* Where is this Trojan foe, so bold and brave ?
Would he retiuct tha challenge that he gave ?
My soul can brook no more delays ; I yield
To his own terms, and dare him to the field.
Renew the truce, perform the sacred rite ;
Thi«hour, this moment, I demand the fight.
This hand shall wipe our late disgrace away
(Our hosts may sit spectators of the day !)
This trusty sword the dastard shall destroy.
And plunge to Hell tliat fugitive of Troy.
If not — ril oWn him victor of the war.
And to his arms resign the royal fair."
So spoke the furious prince, with scornful pride,, -
The king with mild benevolence reply'd :
" The more, braTC youth, thy try'd, distinguish'^
might
And valour drive thee headlong to the fight.
The more it should concern our royal care,
, To weigh the perils and events of war ;
This food and youthful ardour to asswage
With the cool caution of considerate age.
How many vanquished cities are thy own,
Besides a fair hereditary throne !
Me too these wealthy warlike lands obey ;—
Thus both may reign with independent sway.
Our realm, brave Turnuk, other virgins grace.
Of blooming features, and illustrious race.
Then undisguisM, this truth with patience hear, .
Though harsh and wounding to a lover's ear.
All pow'rs forbid, the human and divine.
To match our daughter in the Latian line.
Won by thy birth, my consort's tears and criet.
And my own love, I broke all sacred ties ;
Robb'd the great Trojan of the plighted fair;
Then flew to arms, and wag*d an impious war.
From that dire source to tell what mischie& floi|N
Would be to mention, what too well you know :
Fights, deaths, defeaU, that speak the wrath
divine ;
Where all the sad pre-eminence is thine.
In two fierce battles routed and overthrown,
Scarce our last hopes are sheltered in the town :
Huge heaps of bones still whiten all the shore.
And the full streams of Tyber smoke with gore.
Where am I borne, irresolute and blind ?
What changeful phrensy turns my wav'ring mind?
If, on thy death, the Trojan is my friend.
Sure in thy life the stem debate may end !
How would all Italy my name disgrace !
How all my kindred of thy royal race !
Sliouldst thou (which Heaven avert!) by me be le4 .
To death, the victim of my daughter's bed !
If I should hasten to so sad an end.
My child's fond lover, and my gen'rous friend I
Think on the turns of (ate, and chance of wars; .
Pity thy rev'rend Other's silver haira.
Who mourns thy absence in thy native town.
Nor knows the danger of so dear a son !"
But no success tliese warm entreaties found :
The proflfer'd med'cine but inflam'd the wound.
Scarce could he speak for rage, disdain, and pride^
But thus at length the fiery youth reply'd :
** best of fathers ! all this needless care
For Tumus* life, at his request, forbear.
Life is a trifle I with scorn disclaim.
For the bright purchase of immortal fame.
This hand, these weapons too, are fotal found ;
And the blood flies, where Tornus deals the wound*
Nor in this combat shall bis mother shroud
The recreant Trojan in an airy cloud.
Nor shield the coward with her aid divine :-»-
This day, ye gods I this gbrtous day, is ounel***
Digitized by VjOOQIC
Q24
Bat BOW the fnmtio queen, jon tbese alanns.
Half-dead with fear, bqng trembling on his armss
*• Oh ! grant me, TuniuB, grant this one request ;
If ever love or rev'rence touchM thy breast
For lost Amata, to these sorrows yield !
Kor meet thy rival in the fatal field.
Regard, dear youth, regard my streaming tears,
Thou oQly prop of my declining years !
Our sinking house relies on thee alone ;
On thee, our fame, our empire, and the throne*
In thy misfortune must Amata join;
Her fate and welfare are involved in thine.
With thee to death, for refuge, will I ruui
N6r live a captive to a Trojan son."
With pity touch'd, the fair Lavinia hears
Her mother^s cries, and answers with her tears.
A lovely blush the modest virgin warms,
Glows in her check, and lights up all her charms.
So looks the beauteous iv'ry, stained with red:
So roses, mixt with lilies in the bed.
Blend their rich hues — then, gazing on the fair.
The hero rag*d, more eager for the war.
And thus — " O royal mother ! cease your fears.
Nor send me to the fight with boding tears.
Tis hot in mc, if Heav'n has fix'd my date.
To check th* unalterable course of fate.
Go, faithful herald, go ! and instant bear
This dreaded message to the Phrygian's ear:
'* Soon as Aurora's rays the mountain gild.
He peed not lead his forces to the field j
Our single valour shall dispute the day
(The hosts in peace the combat shall survey).
Thus sb^ll ^is death or mine the war decide,
A^d the proud victor gain the royal bride.''
He said ; and furious to the palace speeds ;
There, at his call, rush forth the fiery steeds,
Of matchless spirit, and immortal kind,
White as the snow, and swifter than the wind.
Of old, to great Pilumnus, bold and brave.
The sires of these Erectheus' daughter gave.
Before their lord the gen'rous coursers bound,
Neigh, foam, and fly, and paw the trembling ground ;
The grooms with combs their flowing manes divide,
And gently stroke their chests, and soothe their
noble pride.
Meantime the hero drew his armour on ;
With gold and burnish *d brass the cuirass shone.
The glitt'ring helmet next bis temple spread ;
The crimson crest plays dreadful o'er his head:
'He grasps the pond'rous shiold, and flaming blade^
The sword that Vulcan for his father made.
Of matchless temper ; which the fiery god
Had plung'd red>hissing in the Stygian flood.
Last the bright spear he sciz'd, large, strong, and
taU,
Propp'd on a column 'midst the lofty hall ;
The mighty Actor's spoil. The hero shook
The beamy jav'lin ; and with fury spoke :
" My trusty spear, still faithful to my hand !
* Still wing'd with death, to answer my command :
AVhich once brave Actor's arm was wont to wield I
And mine now throws ; the tcrrour of the field !
In this great moment fly, nor fly in vain,
But stretch yon Phrygian eunuch on the plain :
Oh ! give me, thro' his heart thy point to thrust.
And soil his scented tresses in the <lust.
The costly cuirass from his breast to tear.
And by one noble stroke to terminate the war !"
Thus, fir'd with fury, to the fight he flies ;
Kren flash the flames, and lighten from his eyes.
PITT'S TRANSLATION
So the fierce bull, collected in bis might,
Ro^rs for his rival, and demands the fighi j
Impatient for the war, with fory bams.
And tries on every tree bb angry horns ;
Bends his stem fa«)ws, and pwbes at the air;
And paws the flying sands, the prelude of the vac
As fierce and eager for the dire alarms^
The Trojan blazes in celestial arms ;
To meet his rival in the field prepares,
Pleas'd with the fight to terminate the wart.
He sets his sorrowing firiends and son at ease ;
Expounds the fates' unchangeable decrees ;
And instant bids the messengers report
The terms of combat to the Latian court
Scarce had the mom (all beauteous to behold !)
Tipt the blue mountains with a gleam of gold ;
The Sun's fierce steeds, high-bounding o'ert^
sea.
From their wide nostrils snort the breams of day;
When for tbe chiefii they drew a line around.
And in just limits close the listed ground :
Then verdant altars raise to all the pow'n
Of Earth or Heav'n, whom either host adores.
In linen robes, with vervahi crown'd, they bring
The sacred fire^ and water from the spring.
Here, with bright lances, all th' Ansonian trajo
Pour through the op'ning portals to the plain:
The Trcjans there, and Tuscans in array.
And ranks embattled bend their eager way.
Amid the thousands, with a grace divine.
In gold and purple gay, tbe leaders shine.
Here, tuw'riugo*er tbe troops Asylas stood ;
Great Mnestheus there, of Troy's imperial tiooi;
There, brave Messapos, of immortal strain.
Sprung from the mighty monarch of the mam.
The sign now giv'n through each impatient host,
Each chief retires to his appointed post.
At case the soldiers fall their ponderous t
And pitch their idle jav'lios inthe fields.
Old sires and matrons, with the rulgar throng,
Lean'd o'er the walls, and from tbe turrets hung.
With longing eyes the great event they wait.
And crowds on crowds press forward thro* tbe gate.
But from the fam'd Albeno's shady brows,
(Though then without a name the mountain rose)
The queen of Hcav'n the Latian town beheld.
The hosts embattled, and the crowded field.
Then to brave Turaus' sister, who presides
O'er lakes and streams, and awes the roaring tidei^
(On the fair nyiliph that province was bestow'd,
For her lost honour, by the thnnd'ring god)
Her fears the goddess of the skies expressed ;
And thus the regent of the floods address'd :
" Qtieen of the founts and streams, and hx abort
The race of Latian nymphs in Juno*s love.
Those nymphs, who, by my wand'ring lord misid,
Presumed to mount our own imperial bed ;
Yet thee I sufi'er'd in his grace to rise.
And share th' immortal honours of the skies.
With deep concern sad tidings must I bear.
What I must grieve to speak, and 3roo to besr«
The Latian state and Tumus, in thie war,
While fortune fsvour'd, were my constant cai)ew
Now his inevitable hour draws nigh i
On terms unequal is he doom'd to die.
But from the faUl field, th' appointed fighl,
Lo I I retire ; nor can I bear the sight.
If thou can'st save him vet from death, d^
Some better fate thy e&rts may atteod ;
Fly— and exert the sister and titttfoenjl''
Digitized by VjOOQIC
OF VIRGIL'S 2ENEID. BOOK XII.
629
She said ; Jutunu wept, by grief Q|)prest,
Thrice tore her hair, and b«at her ir'ry breast
« Fly!" Juno cries, " and ttop the dire debate.
Fly, fly* and snatch him, if you can, from fate !
Nor waste the hours in tears, and vain despair;
Break, break the truce, and wjike the slumbering
war.
On me discharge the crime."— »The goddess said ;
And left iuvolv'd in doubts the mournful maid.
Now came the kings : (bur stately coursers bear.
In pomp, the Latian lord^s imperial car.
Twelve golden rays around his temple shone.
To mark his glorious lineage from the Sun.
Young Tumus next appeared ; two spears he held,
And two white coursers drew him to the field.
JEneas then advauc'd, with grace divine,
^Th' illustrious father of the Roman line ;
*High in his hand the sUrry buckFer raised;
And in immortal arms the hero blaz'd.
With him his son Ascanius took his place.
The second hope of Rome's majestic race.
Slow the procession moves : the sacred priest
Stood by his altar, in the linen vest ;
A tender lanb for sacrifice preferr'd.
And a young victim from the bristly herd.
They turn their faces to the dawning day ;
The salted cakes with solemn rev'rcnce pay ;
The victims sign*d ; the foremost hairs they drew.
And on the hearth the first libations threw.
Then the great Trojan prince un»»iieatb'd his «word.
And thus with lifted hands the gods adorM :
" lliou land, for which I wage the war, and thou,
Great source of day, be witness to my vow !
Almighty king of Heav'n, and queen uf air,
(Propitious now, and reconcird.by pray'r)
Thou Mars, enthron'd on great Olympus' height.
Lord of the field, and master of the tight ;
Ye springs, ye floods, ye various pow'rs who lie
Beneath the deeps, or tread the golden sky ;
Hear, and attest ! if, victor in the fray,
The Daunian leader gains the glorious day,
My son his claim of empire shall rciease;
Jff y Trojan subjects shall depart in peace.
JSut should the conquest prove my happy lot.
(Pof so I think, and Heav'n confirm the thought !)
The Latians never shall my rule obf y ;
Already I disclaim th' imperial sway.
From fight let each nnconquer'd nation cease.
And join in leagues of everlasting peace.
To kiug Latinos I resipn the rare,
rhc pomp of state, with all concerns of war,
^nd cv'ry regal claim : — the ritps divine.
And the religious pi-ovince, shall hv mine.
For me my Trojan friends a town shall frame,
^od grace the tow'rs with feir Lavjuia's name."
Thus he. Then old larinn>* liffs his eyes,
Ind his right baud, with rev'rcncf , to the skies.
* By the same oath, by Heav'n, and earth, and
main,
Lud all the pow'rs, that all the three contain j
^toua's twins, that giace the brisht abode j
^iius, the mighty, double- Prouted ^fod !
Ti* infernal monarch, and ihr liends btlow,
itid Jove, whose bolts avenge the brokeii vow !
'© sanctify my word, behold ! I stand,
iiid on these hallow'd altars lay my hand :
I'liate'er ensues, misfortune or success,
To time shall break this solemn leajjue of peace.
Tor shake my purpose , but « ntire, and whole,
'11 keep the sacred teuour of my sk;u1 -,
No art shall wio me^ and no powV tonpel t
Not, tbo* the golden skies shoal(i plunge to Hell ; .