Aeneid

of brass and gold, and, melted in fierce fiame,

the deeply-wounding steel like liquid flows.

A mighty shield took shape, its single orb

sufficient to withstand the gathered shock

of all the Latin arms; for seven times

they welded ring with ring. Some deftly ply

the windy bellows, which receive and give

the roaring blasts; some plunge in cooling pond

the hissing metal, while the smithy floor

groans with the anvil's weight, as side by side

they lift their giant arms in numbered blows

and roll with gripe of tongs the ponderous bars.

While thus the Lemnian god his labor sped

in far Aeolian isle, the cheerful morn

with voice of swallows round his lowly eaves

summoned Evander. From his couch arose

the royal sire, and o'er his aged frame

a tunic threw, tying beneath his feet

the Tuscan sandals: an Arcadian sword,

girt at his left, was over one shoulder slung,

his cloak of panther trailing from behind.

A pair of watch-dogs from the lofty door

ran close, their lord attending, as he sought

his guest Aeneas; for his princely soul

remembered faithfully his former word,

and promised gift. Aeneas with like mind

was stirring early. King Evander's son

Pallas was at his side; Achates too

accompanied his friend. All these conjoin

in hand-clasp and good-morrow, taking seats

in midcourt of the house, and give the hour

to converse unrestrained. First spoke the King:

“Great leader of the Teucrians, while thy life

in safety stands, I call not Trojan power

vanquished or fallen. But to help thy war

my small means match not thy redoubled name.

Yon Tuscan river is my bound. That way

Rutulia thrusts us hard and chafes our wall

with loud, besieging arms. But I propose

to league with thee a numerous array

of kings and mighty tribes, which fortune strange

now brings to thy defence. Thou comest here

because the Fates intend. Not far from ours

a city on an ancient rock is seen,

Agylla, which a warlike Lydian clan

built on the Tuscan hills. It prospered well

for many a year, then under the proud yoke

of King Mezentius it came and bore

his cruel sway. Why tell the loathsome deeds

and crimes unspeakable the despot wrought?

May Heaven requite them on his impious head

and on his children! For he used to chain

dead men to living, hand on hand was laid

and face on face,—torment incredible!

Till, locked in blood-stained, horrible embrace,

a lingering death they found. But at the last

his people rose in furious despair,

and while he blasphemously raged, assailed

his life and throne, cut down his guards

and fired his regal dwellings; he, the while,

escaped immediate death and fied away

to the Rutulian land, to find defence

in Turnus hospitality. To-day

Etruria, to righteous anger stirred,

demands with urgent arms her guilty King.

To their large host, Aeneas, I will give

an added strength, thyself. For yonder shores

re-echo with the tumult and the cry

of ships in close array; their eager lords

are clamoring for battle. But the song

of the gray omen-giver thus declares

their destiny: ‘O goodly princes born

of old Maeonian lineage! Ye that are

the bloom and glory of an ancient race,

whom just occasions now and noble rage

enflame against Mezentius your foe,

it is decreed that yonder nation proud

shall never submit to chiefs Italian-born.

Seek ye a king from far!’ So in the field

inert and fearful lies Etruria's force,

disarmed by oracles. Their Tarchon sent

envoys who bore a sceptre and a crown

even to me, and prayed I should assume

the sacred emblems of Etruria's king,

and lead their host to war. But unto me

cold, sluggish age, now barren and outworn,

denies new kingdoms, and my slow-paced powers

run to brave deeds no more. Nor could I urge

my son, who by his Sabine mother's line

is half Italian-born. Thyself art he,

whose birth illustrious and manly prime

fate favors and celestial powers approve.

Therefore go forth, O bravest chief and King

of Troy and Italy! To thee I give

the hope and consolation of our throne,

pallas, my son, and bid him find in thee

a master and example, while he learns

the soldier's arduous toil. With thy brave deeds

let him familiar grow, and reverence thee

with youthful love and honor. In his train