Aeneid
Virgil
Vergil. The Aeneid of Virgil. Williams, Theodore, C, translator. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1910.
- The hearts of the Rutulian host stood still
- in panic, and Messapus terrified
- his trembling horses reined; the sacred stream
- of Father Tiber, harshly murmuring,
- held back his flood and checked his seaward way.
- But Turnus' courage failed not; he alone
- his followers roused, and with reproachful words
- alone spoke forth: “These signs and prodigies
- threaten the Trojan only. Jove himself
- has stripped them of their wonted strength: no more
- can they abide our deadly sword and fire.
- The Trojan path to sea is shut. What hope
- of flight is left them now? The half their cause
- is fallen. The possession of this land
- is ours already; thousands of sharp swords
- Italia's nations bring. Small fear have I
- of Phrygia's boasted omens. What to me
- their oracles from heaven? The will of Fate
- and Venus have achieved their uttermost
- in casting on Ausonia's fruitful shore
- yon sons of Troy. I too have destinies:
- and mine, good match for theirs, with this true blade
- will spill the blood of all the baneful brood,
- in vengeance for my stolen wife. Such wrongs
- move not on Atreus' sons alone, nor rouse
- only Mycenae to a righteous war.
- Say you, ‘Troy falls but once?’ One crime, say I,
- should have contented them; and now their souls
- should little less than loathe all womankind.
- These are the sort of soldiers that be brave
- behind entrenchment, where the moated walls
- may stem the foe and make a little room
- betwixt themselves and death. Did they not see
- how Troy's vast bulwark built by Neptune's hand
- crumbled in flame? Forward, my chosen brave!
- Who follows me to cleave his deadly way
- through yonder battlement, and leap like storm
- upon its craven guard? I have no need
- of arms from Vulcan's smithy; nor of ships
- a thousand strong against our Teucrian foes,
- though all Etruria's league enlarge their power.
- Let them not fear dark nights, nor coward theft
- of Pallas' shrine, nor murdered sentinels
- on their acropolis. We shall not hide
- in blinding belly of a horse. But I
- in public eye and open day intend
- to compass their weak wall with siege and fire.
- I'll prove them we be no Pelasgic band,
- no Danaan warriors, such as Hector's arm
- ten years withstood. But look! this day hath spent
- its better part. In what remains, rejoice
- in noble deeds well done; let weary flesh
- have rest and food. My warriors, husband well
- your strength against to-morrow's hopeful war.”
- Meanwhile to block their gates with wakeful guard
- is made Messapus' work, and to gird round
- their camp with watchfires. Then a chosen band,
- twice seven Rutulian chieftains, man the walls
- with soldiery; each leads a hundred men
- crested with crimson, armed with glittering gold.
- Some post to separate sentries, and prepare
- alternate vigil; others, couched on grass,
- laugh round the wine and lift the brazen bowls.
- The camp-fires cheerly burn; the jovial guard
- spend the long, sleepless night in sport and game.
- The Trojans peering from the lofty walls
- survey the foe, and arm for sure defence
- of every point exposed. They prove the gates
- with fearful care, bind bridge with tower, and bring
- good store of javelins. Serestus bold
- and Mnestheus to their labors promptly fly,
- whom Sire Aeneas bade in time of stress
- to have authority and free command
- over his warriars. Along the walls
- the legions, by the cast of lots, divide
- the pain and peril, giving each his due
- of alternating vigil and repose.
- Nisus kept sentry at the gate: a youth
- of eager heart for noble deeds, the son
- of Hyrtacus, whom in Aeneas' train
- Ida the huntress sent; swift could he speed
- the spear or light-winged arrow to its aim.
- Beside him was Euryalus, his friend:
- of all th' Aeneadae no youth more fair
- wore Trojan arms; upon his cheek unshorn
- the tender bloom of boyhood lingered still.
- Their loving hearts were one, and oft in war
- they battled side by side, as in that hour
- a common sentry at the gate they shared.
- Said Nisus: “Is it gods above that breathe
- this fever in my soul, Euryalus?
- or is the tyrant passion of each breast
- the god it serves? Me now my urgent mind
- to battles or some mighty deed impels,
- and will not give me rest. Look yonder, where
- the Rutuli in dull security
- the siege maintain. Yet are their lights but few.
- They are asleep or drunk, and in their line
- is many a silent space. O, hear my thought,
- and what my heart is pondering. To recall
- Aeneas is the dearest wish to-night
- of all, both high and low. They need true men
- to find him and bring tidings. If our chiefs
- but grant me leave to do the thing I ask
- (Claiming no reward save what honor gives),
- methinks I could search out by yonder hill
- a path to Pallanteum.” The amazed
- Euryalus, flushed warm with eager love
- for deeds of glory, instantly replied
- to his high-hearted friend: “Dost thou refuse,
- my Nisus, to go with me hand in hand
- when mighty deeds are done? Could I behold
- thee 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 thee
- have I proved craven, since we twain were leal
- to great Aeneas, sharing all his doom.
- In this breast also is a heart which knows
- contempt 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 have
- one 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 turn
- to adverse, 't is my fondest prayer that thou
- shouldst live the longer of us twain. Thy years
- suit better with more life. Oh! let there be
- one mourner true to carry to its grave
- my corpse, recaptured in the desperate fray,
- or ransomed for a price. Or if this boon
- should be—'t is Fortune's common way—refused,
- then pay the debt of grief and loyal woe
- unto my far-off dust, and garlands leave
- upon an empty tomb. No grief I give
- to any sorrowing mother; one alone,
- of many Trojan mothers, had the heart
- to follow thee, her child, and would not stay
- in great Acestes' land.” His friend replied:
- “Thou weavest but a web of empty words
- and reasons vain, nor dost thou shake at all
- my heart's resolve. Come, let us haste away!”
- He answered so, and summoned to the gate
- a neighboring watch, who, bringing prompt relief,
- the sentry-station took; then quitted he
- his post assigned; at Nisus' side he strode,
- and both impatient sped them to the King.
- Now in all lands all creatures that have breath
- lulled care in slumber, and each heart forgot
- its load of toil and pain. But they who led
- the Teucrian cause, with all their chosen brave,
- took counsel in the kingdom's hour of need
- what action to command or whom dispatch
- with tidings to Aeneas. In mid-camp
- on long spears leaning and with ready shield
- to 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 gave
- a 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 worth
- of what we bring. Yon Rutule watch is now
- in drunken sleep, and all is silent there.
- With our own eyes we picked out a good place
- to steal a march, that cross-road by the gate
- close-fronting on the bridge. Their lines of fire
- are broken, and a murky, rolling smoke
- fills all the region. If ye grant us leave
- by this good luck to profit, we will find
- Aeneas and the walls of Palatine,
- and after mighty slaughter and huge spoil
- ye soon shall see us back. Nor need ye fear
- we wander from the way. Oft have we seen
- that city's crest loom o'er the shadowy vales,
- where we have hunted all day long and know
- each winding of yon river.” Then uprose
- aged Aletes, crowned with wisdom's years:
- “Gods of our fathers, who forevermore
- watch over Troy, ye surely had no mind
- to blot out Teucria's name, when ye bestowed
- such courage on young hearts, and bade them be
- so steadfast and so leal.” Joyful he clasped
- their 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 prize
- will come from Heaven and your own hearts. The rest
- Aeneas will right soon bestow; nor will
- Ascanius, now in youth's unblemished prime,
- ever forget your praise.” Forthwith replied
- Aeneas' son, “By all our household gods,
- by great Assaracus, and every shrine
- of venerable Vesta, I confide
- my hopes, my fortunes, and all future weal
- to your heroic hearts. O, bring me back
- my father! Set him in these eyes once more!
- That day will tears be dry; and I will give
- two silver wine-cups graven and o'erlaid
- with clear-cut figures, which my father chose
- out of despoiled Arisbe; also two
- full talents of pure gold, and tripods twain,
- and ancient wine-bowl, Tyrian Dido's token.
- But if indeed our destiny shall be
- to vanquish Italy in prosperous war,
- to seize the sceptre and divide the spoil, —
- saw you that steed of Turnus and the arms
- in which he rode, all golden? That same steed,
- that glittering shield and haughty crimson crest
- I will reserve thee, e'er the lots are cast,
- and, Nisus, they are thine. Hereto my sire
- will add twelve captive maids of beauty rare,
- and slaves in armor; last, thou hast the fields
- which 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 be
- inseparable peers: nor will I seek
- renown and glory, or in peace or war,
- forgetting thee: but trust thee from this day
- in deed and word.” To him in answer spoke
- euryalus, “O, may no future show
- this heart unworthy thy heroic call!
- And may our fortune ever prosperous prove,
- not adverse. But I now implore of thee
- a single boon worth all beside. I have
- a mother, from the venerated line
- of Priam sprung, whom not the Trojan shore
- nor King Acestes' city could detain,
- alas! from following me. I leave her now
- without farewell; nor is her love aware
- of my supposed peril. For I swear
- by darkness of this night and thy right hand,
- that all my courage fails me if I see
- a mother's tears. O, therefore, I implore,
- be thou her sorrow's comfort and sustain
- her solitary day. Such grace from thee
- equip me for my war, and I shall face
- with braver heart whatever fortune brings.”
- With sudden sorrow thrilled, the veteran lords
- of Teucria showed their tears. But most of all
- such likeness of his own heart's filial love
- on fair Iulus moved, and thus he spoke:
- “Promise thyself what fits thy generous deeds.
- Thy mother shall be mine, Creusa's name
- alone not hers; nor is the womb unblest
- that bore a child like thee. Whate'er success
- may follow, I make oath immutable
- by my own head, on which my father swore,
- that all I promise thee of gift or praise
- if home thou comest triumphing, shall be
- the glory of thy mother and thy kin.”
- Weeping he spoke, and from his shoulder drew
- the golden sword, well-wrought and wonderful,
- which once in Crete Lycaon's cunning made
- and sheathed in ivory. On Nisus then
- Mnestheus bestowed a shaggy mantle torn
- from a slain lion; good Aletes gave
- exchange of crested helms. In such array
- they 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 soul
- beyond his years, gave them in solemn charge
- full many a message for his sire, but these
- the hazard of wild winds soon scattered far,
- and flung them fruitless on the darkening storm.
- Forth through the moat they climb, and steal away
- through midnight shades, to where their foemen lie
- encamped 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 chariots
- stood tilted on the shore, 'twixt rein and wheel
- the drivers dozed, wine-cups and idle swords
- strewn round them without heed. The first to speak
- was Nisus. “Look, Euryalus,” he cried,
- “Now boldly strike. The hour to do the deed
- is here, the path this way. Keep wide-eyed watch
- that no man smite behind us. I myself
- will mow the mighty fieid, and lead thee on
- in a wide swath of slaughter.” With this word
- he shut his lips; and hurled him with his sword
- on haughty Rhamnes, who lay propped at ease
- on pillows huge, and from his heaving breast
- poured slumber loud: of royal stem was he
- and honored of King Turnus for his skill
- in augury; yet could no augur's charm
- that bloody stroke forefend. And Nisus slew
- three slaves near by, that lay in reckless sleep
- upon their spears; then him that bore the shield
- of Remus, then the driver of his car
- close to the horses caught; his sword cut through
- their prostrate necks; then their great master's head
- he lifted high, and left decapitate
- the huge corpse spilling forth its crimson gore
- o'er couch and ground. Like stroke on Lamus fell
- and Lamyrus, with young Serranus, who
- had gamed the midnight through and sleeping lay,
- his fair young body to the wine-god given;
- but happier now had that long-revelling night
- been merry till the dawn! Thus round full folds
- of sheep a famished lion fiercely prowls;
- mad hunger moves him; he devours and rends
- with bloody, roaring mouth, the feeble flock
- that trembles and is dumb. Nor was the sword
- of 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 awake
- saw every stroke, and crouched in craven fear
- behind a mighty wine-bowl; but not less
- clean through his bare breast as he started forth
- the youth thrust home his sword, then drew it back
- death-dripping, while the bursting purple stream
- of life outflowed, with mingling blood and wine.
- Then, flushed with stealthy slaughter, he crept near
- the followers of Messapus, where he saw
- their camp-fire dying down, and tethered steeds
- upon the meadow feeding. Nisus then
- knew the hot lust of slaughter had swept on
- too far, and cried, “Hold off! For, lo,
- the monitory dawn is nigh. Revenge
- has fed us to the full. We have achieved
- clean passage through the foe.” Full many a prize
- was left untaken: princely suits of mail
- enwrought with silver pure, huge drinking-bowls,
- and broideries fair. Yet grasped Euryalus
- the blazonry at Rhamnes' corselet hung,
- and belt adorned with gold: which were a gift
- to Remulus of Tibur from the store
- of opulent Caedicus, who sued from far
- to be a friend; and these in death he gave
- to his son's son, who slain in battle fell,
- and proud Rutulians seized them with the spoil.
- Euryalus about his shoulder strong
- this booty slung—unprofitable gain! —
- and fitted on a gorgeous, crested helm
- which once Messapus wore. So from the camp,
- escaping danger, the two champions ran.