The hearts of the Rutulian host stood stillin panic, and Messapus terrifiedhis trembling horses reined; the sacred streamof Father Tiber, harshly murmuring,held back his flood and checked his seaward way.But Turnus' courage failed not; he alonehis followers roused, and with reproachful wordsalone spoke forth: “These signs and prodigiesthreaten the Trojan only. Jove himselfhas stripped them of their wonted strength: no morecan they abide our deadly sword and fire.The Trojan path to sea is shut. What hopeof flight is left them now? The half their causeis fallen. The possession of this landis ours already; thousands of sharp swordsItalia's nations bring. Small fear have Iof Phrygia's boasted omens. What to metheir oracles from heaven? The will of Fateand Venus have achieved their uttermostin casting on Ausonia's fruitful shoreyon sons of Troy. I too have destinies: and mine, good match for theirs, with this true bladewill spill the blood of all the baneful brood,in vengeance for my stolen wife. Such wrongsmove not on Atreus' sons alone, nor rouseonly Mycenae to a righteous war.Say you, ‘Troy falls but once?’ One crime, say I,should have contented them; and now their soulsshould little less than loathe all womankind.These are the sort of soldiers that be bravebehind entrenchment, where the moated wallsmay stem the foe and make a little roombetwixt themselves and death. Did they not seehow Troy's vast bulwark built by Neptune's handcrumbled in flame? Forward, my chosen brave!Who follows me to cleave his deadly waythrough yonder battlement, and leap like stormupon its craven guard? I have no needof arms from Vulcan's smithy; nor of shipsa thousand strong against our Teucrian foes,though all Etruria's league enlarge their power.Let them not fear dark nights, nor coward theftof Pallas' shrine, nor murdered sentinelson their acropolis. We shall not hidein blinding belly of a horse. But Iin public eye and open day intendto compass their weak wall with siege and fire.I'll prove them we be no Pelasgic band,no Danaan warriors, such as Hector's armten years withstood. But look! this day hath spentits better part. In what remains, rejoicein noble deeds well done; let weary fleshhave rest and food. My warriors, husband wellyour strength against to-morrow's hopeful war.”Meanwhile to block their gates with wakeful guardis made Messapus' work, and to gird roundtheir camp with watchfires. Then a chosen band,twice seven Rutulian chieftains, man the wallswith soldiery; each leads a hundred mencrested with crimson, armed with glittering gold.Some post to separate sentries, and preparealternate vigil; others, couched on grass,laugh round the wine and lift the brazen bowls.The camp-fires cheerly burn; the jovial guardspend the long, sleepless night in sport and game. The Trojans peering from the lofty wallssurvey the foe, and arm for sure defenceof every point exposed. They prove the gateswith fearful care, bind bridge with tower, and bringgood store of javelins. Serestus boldand Mnestheus to their labors promptly fly,whom Sire Aeneas bade in time of stressto have authority and free commandover his warriars. Along the wallsthe legions, by the cast of lots, dividethe pain and peril, giving each his dueof alternating vigil and repose.
Nisus kept sentry at the gate: a youthof eager heart for noble deeds, the sonof Hyrtacus, whom in Aeneas' trainIda the huntress sent; swift could he speedthe spear or light-winged arrow to its aim.Beside him was Euryalus, his friend:of all th' Aeneadae no youth more fairwore Trojan arms; upon his cheek unshornthe tender bloom of boyhood lingered still.Their loving hearts were one, and oft in warthey battled side by side, as in that houra common sentry at the gate they shared.Said Nisus: “Is it gods above that breathethis fever in my soul, Euryalus?or is the tyrant passion of each breastthe god it serves? Me now my urgent mindto battles or some mighty deed impels,and will not give me rest. Look yonder, wherethe Rutuli in dull securitythe siege maintain. Yet are their lights but few.They are asleep or drunk, and in their lineis many a silent space. O, hear my thought,and what my heart is pondering. To recallAeneas is the dearest wish to-nightof all, both high and low. They need true mento find him and bring tidings. If our chiefsbut grant me leave to do the thing I ask(Claiming no reward save what honor gives),methinks I could search out by yonder hilla path to Pallanteum.” The amazedEuryalus, flushed warm with eager lovefor deeds of glory, instantly repliedto his high-hearted friend: “Dost thou refuse,my Nisus, to go with me hand in handwhen mighty deeds are done? Could I beholdthee venturing alone on danger? Nay!Not thus my sire Opheltes, schooled in war,taught me his true child, 'mid the woes of Troy
and Argive terrors reared; not thus with theehave I proved craven, since we twain were lealto great Aeneas, sharing all his doom.In this breast also is a heart which knowscontempt of life, and deems such deeds, such praise,well worth a glorious death.” Nisus to him:“I have not doubted thee, nor e'er could haveone thought disloyal. May almighty Jove,or whatsoe'er good power my purpose sees,bring me triumphant to thy arms once more!But if, as oft in doubtful deeds befalls,some stroke of chance, or will divine, should turnto adverse, 't is my fondest prayer that thoushouldst live the longer of us twain. Thy yearssuit better with more life. Oh! let there beone mourner true to carry to its gravemy corpse, recaptured in the desperate fray,or ransomed for a price. Or if this boonshould be—'t is Fortune's common way—refused,then pay the debt of grief and loyal woeunto my far-off dust, and garlands leaveupon an empty tomb. No grief I giveto any sorrowing mother; one alone,of many Trojan mothers, had the heartto follow thee, her child, and would not stayin great Acestes' land.” His friend replied:“Thou weavest but a web of empty wordsand reasons vain, nor dost thou shake at allmy heart's resolve. Come, let us haste away!”He answered so, and summoned to the gatea neighboring watch, who, bringing prompt relief,the sentry-station took; then quitted hehis post assigned; at Nisus' side he strode,and both impatient sped them to the King. Now in all lands all creatures that have breathlulled care in slumber, and each heart forgotits load of toil and pain. But they who ledthe Teucrian cause, with all their chosen brave,took counsel in the kingdom's hour of needwhat action to command or whom dispatchwith tidings to Aeneas. In mid-campon long spears leaning and with ready shieldto leftward slung, th' assembled warriors stood.Thither in haste arrived the noble pair,brave Nisus with Euryalus his friend,and craved a hearing, for their suit, they said,was urgent and well-worth a patient ear.Iulus to the anxious striplings gavea friendly welcome, bidding Nisus speak.The son of Hyrtacus obeyed: “O, hear,Princes of Teucria, with impartial mind,nor judge by our unseasoned youth the worthof what we bring. Yon Rutule watch is nowin drunken sleep, and all is silent there.With our own eyes we picked out a good placeto steal a march, that cross-road by the gateclose-fronting on the bridge. Their lines of fireare broken, and a murky, rolling smokefills all the region. If ye grant us leaveby this good luck to profit, we will findAeneas and the walls of Palatine,and after mighty slaughter and huge spoilye soon shall see us back. Nor need ye fearwe wander from the way. Oft have we seenthat city's crest loom o'er the shadowy vales,where we have hunted all day long and knoweach winding of yon river.” Then uproseaged Aletes, crowned with wisdom's years:“Gods of our fathers, who forevermorewatch over Troy, ye surely had no mindto blot out Teucria's name, when ye bestowedsuch courage on young hearts, and bade them beso steadfast and so leal.” Joyful he claspedtheir hands in his, and on their shoulders leaned,his aged cheek and visage wet with tears.“What reward worthy of such actions fair,dear heroes, could be given? Your brightest prizewill come from Heaven and your own hearts. The restAeneas will right soon bestow; nor willAscanius, now in youth's unblemished prime,ever forget your praise.” Forthwith repliedAeneas' son, “By all our household gods,by great Assaracus, and every shrineof venerable Vesta, I confidemy hopes, my fortunes, and all future wealto your heroic hearts. O, bring me backmy father! Set him in these eyes once more!That day will tears be dry; and I will givetwo silver wine-cups graven and o'erlaidwith clear-cut figures, which my father choseout of despoiled Arisbe; also twofull talents of pure gold, and tripods twain,and ancient wine-bowl, Tyrian Dido's token.But if indeed our destiny shall beto vanquish Italy in prosperous war,to seize the sceptre and divide the spoil, —saw you that steed of Turnus and the armsin which he rode, all golden? That same steed,that glittering shield and haughty crimson crestI will reserve thee, e'er the lots are cast,and, Nisus, they are thine. Hereto my sirewill add twelve captive maids of beauty rare,and slaves in armor; last, thou hast the fieldswhich now Latinus holds. But as for thee,to whom my youth but binds me closer still,thee, kingly boy, my whole heart makes my own,and through all changeful fortune we shall beinseparable peers: nor will I seekrenown and glory, or in peace or war,forgetting thee: but trust thee from this dayin deed and word.” To him in answer spokeeuryalus, “O, may no future showthis heart unworthy thy heroic call!And may our fortune ever prosperous prove,not adverse. But I now implore of theea single boon worth all beside. I havea mother, from the venerated lineof Priam sprung, whom not the Trojan shorenor King Acestes' city could detain,alas! from following me. I leave her nowwithout farewell; nor is her love awareof my supposed peril. For I swearby darkness of this night and thy right hand,that all my courage fails me if I seea mother's tears. O, therefore, I implore,be thou her sorrow's comfort and sustainher solitary day. Such grace from theeequip me for my war, and I shall facewith braver heart whatever fortune brings.”With sudden sorrow thrilled, the veteran lordsof Teucria showed their tears. But most of allsuch likeness of his own heart's filial loveon fair Iulus moved, and thus he spoke:“Promise thyself what fits thy generous deeds.Thy mother shall be mine, Creusa's namealone not hers; nor is the womb unblestthat bore a child like thee. Whate'er successmay follow, I make oath immutableby my own head, on which my father swore,that all I promise thee of gift or praiseif home thou comest triumphing, shall bethe glory of thy mother and thy kin.”Weeping he spoke, and from his shoulder drewthe golden sword, well-wrought and wonderful,which once in Crete Lycaon's cunning madeand sheathed in ivory. On Nisus thenMnestheus bestowed a shaggy mantle tornfrom a slain lion; good Aletes gaveexchange of crested helms. In such arraythey hastened forth; and all the princely throng,young men and old, ran with them to the gates,praying all gods to bless. Iulus then,a fair youth, but of grave, heroic soulbeyond his years, gave them in solemn chargefull many a message for his sire, but thesethe hazard of wild winds soon scattered far,and flung them fruitless on the darkening storm. Forth through the moat they climb, and steal awaythrough midnight shades, to where their foemen lieencamped in arms; of whom, before these fall,a host shall die. Along the turf were seen,laid low in heavy slumber and much wine,a prostrate troop; the horseless chariotsstood tilted on the shore, 'twixt rein and wheelthe drivers dozed, wine-cups and idle swordsstrewn round them without heed. The first to speakwas Nisus. “Look, Euryalus,” he cried,“Now boldly strike. The hour to do the deedis here, the path this way. Keep wide-eyed watchthat no man smite behind us. I myselfwill mow the mighty fieid, and lead thee onin a wide swath of slaughter.” With this wordhe shut his lips; and hurled him with his swordon haughty Rhamnes, who lay propped at easeon pillows huge, and from his heaving breastpoured slumber loud: of royal stem was heand honored of King Turnus for his skillin augury; yet could no augur's charmthat bloody stroke forefend. And Nisus slewthree slaves near by, that lay in reckless sleepupon their spears; then him that bore the shieldof Remus, then the driver of his carclose to the horses caught; his sword cut throughtheir prostrate necks; then their great master's headhe lifted high, and left decapitatethe huge corpse spilling forth its crimson goreo'er couch and ground. Like stroke on Lamus felland Lamyrus, with young Serranus, whohad gamed the midnight through and sleeping lay,his fair young body to the wine-god given;but happier now had that long-revelling nightbeen merry till the dawn! Thus round full foldsof sheep a famished lion fiercely prowls;mad hunger moves him; he devours and rendswith bloody, roaring mouth, the feeble flockthat trembles and is dumb. Nor was the swordof fair Euryalus less fatal found;but fiercely raging on his path of death,he pressed on through a base and nameless throng,Rhoetus, Herbesus, Fadus, Abaris;surprising all save Rhoetus, who awakesaw every stroke, and crouched in craven fearbehind a mighty wine-bowl; but not lessclean through his bare breast as he started forththe youth thrust home his sword, then drew it backdeath-dripping, while the bursting purple streamof life outflowed, with mingling blood and wine.Then, flushed with stealthy slaughter, he crept nearthe followers of Messapus, where he sawtheir camp-fire dying down, and tethered steedsupon the meadow feeding. Nisus thenknew the hot lust of slaughter had swept on too far, and cried, “Hold off! For, lo,the monitory dawn is nigh. Revengehas fed us to the full. We have achievedclean passage through the foe.” Full many a prizewas left untaken: princely suits of mailenwrought with silver pure, huge drinking-bowls,and broideries fair. Yet grasped Euryalusthe blazonry at Rhamnes' corselet hung,and belt adorned with gold: which were a giftto Remulus of Tibur from the storeof opulent Caedicus, who sued from farto be a friend; and these in death he gaveto his son's son, who slain in battle fell,and proud Rutulians seized them with the spoil.Euryalus about his shoulder strongthis booty slung—unprofitable gain! —and fitted on a gorgeous, crested helmwhich once Messapus wore. So from the camp,escaping danger, the two champions ran.