Aeneid

have Trojan lords? Shall Phrygian marriages

debase our ancient, royal blood—and I

be spurned upon the threshold?” Then drew near

the men whose frenzied women-folk had held

bacchantic orgies in the pathless grove,

awed by Amata's name: these, gathering,

sued loud for war. Yea, all defied the signs

and venerable omens; all withstood

divine decrees, and clamored for revenge,

prompted by evil powers. They besieged

the house of King Latinus, shouting-loud

with emulous rage. But like a sea-girt rock

unmoved he stood; like sea-girt rock when surge

of waters o'er it sweeps, or howling waves

surround; it keeps a ponderous front of power,

though foaming cliffs around it vainly roar;

from its firm base the broken sea-weeds fall.

But when authority no whit could change

their counsels blind, and each event fulfilled

dread Juno's will, then with complaining prayer

the aged sire cried loud upon his gods

and on th' unheeding air: “Alas,” said he,

“My doom is shipwreck, and the tempest bears

my bark away! O wretches, your own blood

shall pay the forfeit for your impious crime.

O Turnus! O abominable deed!

Avenging woes pursue thee; to deaf gods

thy late and unavailing prayer shall rise.

Now was my time to rest. But as I come

close to my journey's end, thou spoilest me

of comfort in my death.” With this the King

fled to his house and ceased his realm to guide.

A sacred custom the Hesperian land

of Latium knew, by all the Alban hills

honored unbroken, which wide-ruling Rome

keeps to this day, when to new stroke she stirs

the might of Mars; if on the Danube's wave

resolved to fling the mournful doom of war,

or on the Caspian folk or Arabs wild;

or chase the morning far as India's verge,

ind from the Parthian despot wrest away

our banners Iost. Twin Gates of War there be,

of fearful name, to Mars' fierce godhead vowed:

a hundred brass bars shut them, and the strength

of uncorrupting steel; in sleepless watch

Janus the threshold keeps. 'T is here, what time

the senate's voice is war, the consul grave

in Gabine cincture and Quirinal shift

himself the griding hinges backward moves,

and bids the Romans arm; obedient then

the legionary host makes Ioud acclaim,

and hoarse consent the brazen trumpets blow.

Thus King Latinus on the sons of Troy

was urged to open war, and backward roll

those gates of sorrow: but the aged king

recoiled, refused the loathsome task, and fled

to solitary shades. Then from the skies

the Queen of gods stooped down, and her sole hand

the lingering portal moved; Saturnia

swung on their hinges the barred gates of war.

ausonia from its old tranquillity

bursts forth in flame. Foot-soldiers through the field

run to and fro; and mounted on tall steeds

the cavaliers in clouds of dust whirl by.

All arm in haste. Some oil the glittering shield

or javelin bright, or on the whetstone wear

good axes to an edge, while joyful bands

uplift the standards or the trumpets blow.

Five mighty cities to their anvils bring

new-tempered arms: Atina—martial name —

proud Tibur, Ardea, Crustumium,

and river-walled Antemnae, crowned with towers

strong hollow helmets on their brows they draw

and weave them willow-shields; or melt and mould

corselets of brass or shining silver greaves;

none now for pruning-hook or sacred plough

have love or care: but old, ancestral swords

for hardier tempering to the smith they bring.

Now peals the clarion; through the legions pass

the watchwords: the impatient yeoman takes

his helmet from the idle roof-tree hung;

while to his chariot the master yokes

the mettled war-horse, dons a shining shield

and golden mail, and buckles his good sword.

Virgins of Helicon, renew my song!

Instruct me what proud kings to battle flown

with following legions throng the serried plain.

Tell me what heroes and illustrious arms

Italia's bosom in her dawning day

benignant bore: for your celestial minds,

have memory of the past, but faint and low

steals glory's whisper on a mortal ear.

Foremost in fight, from shores Etrurian came

Mezentius, scornful rebel against Heaven,

his people all in arms; and at his side

Lausus his heir (no fairer youth than he,

save Turnus of Laurentum), Lausus, skilled

o break proud horses and wild beasts to quell;

who from Agylla's citadel in vain

led forth his thousand warriors: worthy he