Aeneid

events to be (but when fulfilment came,

too late the fearful seers its warning sung):

for, soaring through the stream of cloud, his shaft

took fire, tracing its bright path in flame,

then vanished on the wind,—as oft a star

will fall unfastened from the firmament,

while far behind its blazing tresses flow.

Awe-struck both Trojan and Trinacrian stood,

calling upon the gods. Nor came the sign

in vain to great Aeneas. But his arms

folded the blest Acestes to his heart,

and, Ioading him with noble gifts, he cried:

“Receive them, sire! The great Olympian King

some peerless honor to thy name decrees

by such an omen given. I offer thee

this bowl with figures graven, which my sire,

good gray Anchises, for proud gift received

of Thracian Cisseus, for their friendship's pledge

and memory evermore.” Thereon he crowned

his brows with garland of the laurel green,

and named Acestes victor over all.

Nor could Eurytion, noble youth, think ill

of honor which his own surpassed, though he,

he only, pierced the bird in upper air.

Next gift was his whose arrow cut the cord;

last, his whose light shaft clove the lofty pine.

Father Aeneas now, not making end

of game and contest, summoned to his side

Epytides, the mentor and true friend

of young Iulus, and this bidding gave

to his obedient ear: “Arise and go

where my Ascanius has lined his troop

of youthful cavalry, and trained the steeds

to tread in ranks of war. Bid him lead forth

the squadron in our sire Anchises' name,

and wear a hero's arms!” So saying, he bade

the course be cleared, and from the whole wide field

th' insurging, curious multitude withdrew.

In rode the boys, to meet their parents' eyes,

in even lines, a glittering cavalry;

while all Trinacria and the host from Troy

made loud applause. On each bright brow

a well-trimmed wreath the flowing tresses bound;

two javelins of corner tipped with steel

each bore for arms; some from the shoulder slung

a polished quiver; to each bosom fell

a pliant necklace of fine, twisted gold.

Three bands of horsemen ride, three captains proud

prance here and there, assiduous in command,

each of his twelve, who shine in parted lines

which lesser captains lead. One cohort proud

follows a little Priam's royal name —

one day, Polites, thy illustrious race

through him prolonged, shall greater glory bring

to Italy. A dappled Thracian steed

with snow-white spots and fore-feet white as snow

bears him along, its white face lifted high.

Next Atys rode, young Atys, sire to be

of th' Atian house in Rome, a boy most dear

unto the boy Iulus; last in line,

and fairest of the throng, Iulus came,

astride a steed from Sidon, the fond gift

of beauteous Dido and her pledge of love.

Close followed him the youthful chivalry

of King Acestes on Trinacrian steeds.

The Trojans, with exultant, Ioud acclaim,

receive the shy-faced boys, and joyfully

trace in the features of the sons their sires.

After, with smiling eyes, the horsemen proud

have greeted each his kin in all the throng,

Epytides th' appointed signal calls,

and cracks his lash; in even lines they move,

then, Ioosely sundering in triple band,

wheel at a word and thrust their lances forth

in hostile ranks; or on the ample field

retreat or charge, in figure intricate

of circling troop with troop, and swift parade

of simulated war; now from the field

they flee with backs defenceless to the foe;

then rally, lance in rest—or, mingling all,

make common front, one legion strong and fair.

As once in Crete, the lofty mountain-isle,

that-fabled labyrinthine gallery

wound on through lightless walls, with thousand paths

which baffled every clue, and led astray

in unreturning mazes dark and blind:

so did the sons of Troy their courses weave

in mimic flights and battles fought for play,

like dolphins tumbling in the liquid waves,

along the Afric or Carpathian seas.

This game and mode of march Ascanius,

when Alba Longa's bastions proudly rose,

taught to the Latin people of the prime;

and as the princely Trojan and his train

were wont to do, so Alba to her sons

the custom gave; so glorious Rome at last

the heritage accepted and revered;

and still we know them for the “Trojan Band,”

and call the lads a “Troy.” Such was the end

of game and contest at Anchises' grave.