Aeneid

Virgil

Vergil. The Aeneid of Virgil. Williams, Theodore, C, translator. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1910.

  1. Soon o'er the spreading fields in proud array
  2. the gathered legions poured; no lack was there
  3. of steeds all fire, and broidered pomp and gold.
  4. Messapus led the van; in rearguard rode
  5. the sons of Tyrrheus; kingly Turnus towered
  6. from the mid-column eminent: the host
  7. moved as great Ganges lifting silently
  8. his seven peaceful streams, or when the flood
  9. of fructifying Nile from many a field
  10. back to his channel flows. A swift-blown cloud
  11. of black, uprolling dust the Teucrians see
  12. o'ershadowing the plain; Calcus calls
  13. from lofty outpost: “O my countrymen,
  14. I see a huge, black ball of rolling smoke.
  15. Your swords and lances! Man the walls! To arms!
  16. The foe is here! What ho!” With clamors loud
  17. the Teucrians through the city-gates retire,
  18. and muster on the walls. For, wise in war,
  19. Aeneas, ere he went, had left command
  20. they should not range in battle-line, nor dare,
  21. whate'er might hap, to risk in open plain
  22. the bold sortie, but keep them safe entrenched
  23. in mounded walls. So now, though rage and shame
  24. prick to a close fight, they defensive bar
  25. each portal strong, and, patient of control,
  26. from hollow towers expect th' encircling foe.