Aeneid
Virgil
Vergil. The Aeneid of Virgil. Williams, Theodore, C, translator. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1910.
- While thus in distant region moves the war,
- down to bold Turnus Saturn's daughter sends
- celestial Iris. In a sacred vale,
- the seat of worship at his grandsire's tomb,
- Pilumnus, Faunus' son, the hero mused.
- And thus the wonder-child of Thaumas called
- with lips of rose: “O Turnus, what no god
- dared give for reward of thy fondest vow,
- has come unbidden on its destined day.
- Behold, Aeneas, who has left behind
- the city with his fleet and followers,
- is gone to kingly Palatine, the home
- of good Evander. Yea, his march invades
- the far Etrurian towns, where now he arms
- the Lydian rustics. Wilt thou longer muse?
- Call for thy chariot and steeds! Away!
- Take yonder tents by terror and surprise!”
- She spoke; and heavenward on poising wings
- soared, cleaving as she fled from cloud to cloud
- a vast, resplendent bow. The warrior saw,
- and, lifting both his hands, pursued with prayer
- the fading glory: “Beauteous Iris, hail!
- Proud ornament of heaven! who sent thee here
- across yon cloud to earth, and unto me?
- Whence may this sudden brightness fall? I see
- the middle welkin lift, and many a star,
- far-wandering in the sky. Such solemn sign
- I shall obey, and thee, O god unknown!”
- So saying, he turned him to a sacred stream,
- took water from its brim, and offered Heaven
- much prayer, with many an importuning vow.