Aeneid

far as the hairy flanks its form is man,

but ends in fish below—the parting waves

beneath the half-brute bosom break in foam.

Such chosen chiefs in thirty galleys ploughed

the salt-wave, bringing help to Trojan arms.

Day now had left the sky. The moon benign

had driven her night-wandering chariot

to the mid-arch of heaven. Aeneas sate,

for thought and care allowed him no repose,

holding the helm and tending his own sails.

but, as he sped, behold, the beauteous train,

lately his own, of nymphs, anon transformed

by kind Cybebe to sea-ruling powers.

In even ranks they swam the cloven wave,—

nymphs now, but once as brazen galleys moored

along the sandy shore. With joy they knew

their King from far, and with attending train

around him drew. Cymodocea then,

best skilled in mortal speech, sped close behind,

with her right hand upon the stern, uprose

breast-high, and with her left hand deeply plied

the silent stream, as to the wondering King

she called: “So late on watch, O son of Heaven,

Aeneas? Slack thy sail, but still watch on!

We were the pine-trees on the holy top

of Ida's mountain. Sea-nymphs now are we,

and thine own fleet. When, as we fled, the flames

rained o'er us from the false Rutulian's hand

't was all unwillingly we cast away

thy serviceable chains: and now once more

we follow thee across the sea. These forms

our pitying mother bade us take, with power

to haunt immortally the moving sea.

Lo, thy Ascanius lies close besieged

in moated walls, assailed by threatening arms

and Latium's front of war. Arcadia,

her horsemen with the bold Etruscan joined,

stands at the place appointed. Turnus means,

with troop opposing, their advance to bar

and hold them from the camp. Arouse thee, then,

and with the rising beams of dawn call forth

thy captains and their followers. Take that shield

victorious, which for thee the Lord of Fire

forged for a gift and rimmed about with gold.

To-morrow's light—deem not my words be vain!—

shall shine on huge heaps of Rutulia's dead.”

So saying, she pushed with her right hand the stern

with skilful thrust, and vanished. The ship sped

swift as a spear, or as an arrow flies

no whit behind the wind: and all the fleet

quickened its course. Anchises' princely son,

dumb and bewildered stood, but took good heart

at such an omen fair. Then in few words

with eyes upturned to heaven he made his prayer:

“Mother of gods, O Ida's Queen benign,

who Iovest Dindymus and towns with towers,

and lion-yokes obedient to thy rein,

be thou my guide in battle, and fulfil

thine augury divine. In Phrygia's cause

be present evermore with favoring power!”

He spoke no more. For now the wheels of day

had sped full circle into perfect light,

the dark expelling. Then, for his first care,

he bade his captains heed the signal given,

equip their souls for war, and wait in arms

the coming fray. Now holds he full in view

his Trojans and their fortress, as he stands

upon his towering ship. With his left hand

he lifts his radiant shield; then from the wall

the Dardan warriors send a battle-cry

that echoes to the stars, as kindling hope

their rage renews. A flight of spears they hurl:

't was like the cranes of Strymon, through dark clouds

each other calling, when they cleave the skies

vociferous, outwinging as they fly

the swift south winds—Ioud music them pursues.

Amazement on Ausonia's captains fell

and Turnus, as they gazed. But soon they saw

ships pointing shoreward and the watery plain

all stirring with a fleet. Aeneas' helm

uplifted its bright peak,—like streaming flame

the crimson crest; his shield of orbed gold

poured forth prodigious fire: it seemed as when

in cloudless night a comet's blood-red beam

makes mournful splendor, or the Dog-star glows,

which rises to bring drought and pestilence

to hapless men, and with ill-omened ray

saddens the sky. But Turnus, undismayed,

trusted not less to hurl th' invaders back

and hold the shore against them. “Look!” he cried,

your prayer is come to pass,—that sword in hand

ye now may shatter them. The might of Mars

is in a true man's blow. Remember well

each man his home and wife! Now call to mind

the glory and great deeds of all your sires!

Charge to yon river-bank, while yet they take

with weak and fearful steps their shoreward way!

Fortune will help the brave.” With words like these,

he chose, well-weighing, who should lead the charge,

who at the leaguered walls the fight sustain.