The works of Publius Virgilius Maro translated by John Ogilby.
Virgil., Ogilby, John, 1600-1676.
Page 50
Page 54
Page 62
THE NINTH BOOK OF VIRGIL'S AENEIS.
THE ARGUMENT.
Iris commands bold Turnus to invade
The Trojans, whilst Aeneas gathers aide.
He draws the Army forth: attempts to burn
The fleet, which scape, and into Sea-Nymphs turn.
Euryalus and Nisus venture through
The enemies camp by night and many slew.
Their wofull deaths. Italians with the dawn
To storm the town are from their quarters drawn.
The Trojans sally forth; in whose retreat
Turnus engag'd is shut within their gate.
Many brave men he kils, then on he goes
Single against whole regiments of foes:
At last leaps ore the wall the river swam,
And off with all his arms in safety came.
WHilst thus affairs in severall places went,
Juno to valiant Turnus Iris sent.
Then in the sacred grove by chance he sate,
Was to his sire Pilumnus consecrate.
Page 51To whom she thus from rosie lips began.
What no god dares vouchsafe to any man,
(Turnus) behold, at length time freely sends!
Aeneas having left his fleet and friends,
Is to Evanders palace gone: nay more,
Past to the confines of the Tuscane shore;
There arms the Rusticks and the Lydian force.
What doubtst thou? now's the time; raise chariots, horse;
Break all delay, their troubled camp invade.
Thus saying, to heaven she mounts on wings displaid,
And through the great bow midst the clouds she flies.
He knows her, and his hands rais'd to the skies,
Then with such words persues her as she went.
Iris, heavens glory, who to me hath sent
Thee from above? from whence this sudden light?
I see heaven open, and behold the bright
Stars wander round the poles: the signs obey'd,
Who ere thou art, commands to arms. This said,
From chrystal streams he water takes, then plies
The Gods with prayers, and loads with vowes the skies.
And now they took the field with all their force,
Bravely appointed both in arms and horse.
The Van Messapus, Tyrrheus off-spring had
Charge of the Reare, Turnus the Battel led;
And by the shoulders arm'd he taller shews.
As in seven channels silent Ganges flowes
With gentle waves; or when the fat-stream'd Nile
Hides in himself, and leaves the fertile soile.
The Trojan camp a sudden cloud espies
Thick with black dust, and a dark smoke to rise.
Caicus first from high works calls aloud,
What body (sirs) advanceth in that cloud?
Arm, arm, stand to your arms; ascend the wall:
The foe draws nigh. Then, with great clamour all
Page 52The Trojans fill the works and bulwarks mann'd.
For the most warlike Prince gave this command
At his departing; Whatsoever chance,
Not to give battel, nor to field advance,
But keep their trenches, and their walls maintain.
Therefore though shame or danger do constrain,
They kept their gates obeyng that command;
And arm'd, on towres the foe expecting stand.
Turnus out-stripping the slow Regiments,
With twenty chosen horse, himself presents
Before the Town, on a brave Thracian born;
His golden helmet crimson plumes adorn.
Then thus he said; Who first will charge the foe?
And as he spake, did his swift javelin throw
Signal to th' fight; and bravely first rides out.
They all obey, and follow with a showt:
Admiring Trojans to such cowardise yeeld;
That men should feare to fight in open field,
And lie incamp'd. Vext he the walls survaies,
And secks to enter by obscurest waies.
As a slie wolf neer a full sheep-coat lies,
Suffering both wind and weathers injuries,
Growling till midnight, whilst the tender Lambs
Exercise bleating safe beneath their dams:
He sharp 'gainst th' absent raves; long want the cause
Of greedy hunger, and blood-thirsty jawes.
So Turnus anger burns, those warlike frames
Viewing, and sorrrw his hard bones inflames,
How to get in, and by what means to train
The Trojans forth, and draw to th'open plain
The Fleet which lay close by the Trenches side,
Round with the stream and buswarks fortifide,
He charg'd, and of his proud mates fire demands;
And fierce, a flaming pine now fills his hands.
Page 53Straight they fall on; his presence courage bred;
With black brands all the youth are furnished,
They spoile the hearths; now pitchy vapours rise,
And Vulcan mix'd with smoke, ascends the skies.
What god, O Muse, could make such flames retire?
And save the Trojan fleet from cruel fire?
Though old the fact, yet lasting is the fame.
When first Aenaeas did in Ida frame
His fleet, and rig'd to sail the mighty seas.
Cybele mother of the Deities
Bespake great Jove. Dear son, thy eare incline
To thy lov'd mothers suit, since heaven is thine.
I many yeares did love a piney wood,
There I had rites, there my high temple stood,
Dark with black fir-trees, and a maple shade.
These, when the Dardan prince his navy made,
I freely gave. Now fear me much molests.
To ease sad care, thy mother this requests:
Let them no voyage craze, nor storm orerhrow;
This grant, because they on our hills did grow.
Then spake her sonne, who rules the worlds bright fires,
Mother, why tempt'st thou fate? what's thy desire?
Shall ships by mortals built, immortal be?
And shall Aeneas safe all dangers see?
Is such power given to any deity?
But when their voyage ends, they anchor'dly
On Latian shores: What ships escape the main,
And set the Dardan on th' Ausonian plain;
Their mortal form Ile change; of the great sea
Goddesses make, as Doto, Galate,
Who foaming Pontus with their breasts divide.
This by the Stygian streams he ratifide,
Banks full of sulphur, and the horrid lakes,
Then with his nod he all Olympus shakes.
The promis'd day was come, times due by fate
Were full; when much incens'd by Turnus hate
Cybele sav'd from fire the sacred pines.
Here in their eyes a wondrous light first shines,
And from the East a cloud was seen to fly.
Idaeans dance: words dreadfull from the sky
Amaz'd the Trojans, and Rutilian bands:
Fear not, O Trojans, neither arm your hands
To save my fleet: Turnus shall burn the sea,
Before these sacred vessels. Go, be free,
And Sea-nymphs go; Cybele bids. They tore
Their anchorge then, and sodain launch'd from shore,
And with their beaks like Dolphins duck (most strange)
Dive to the bottom, and to Virgins change.
As many brazen prowes at shore did ride,
So many beauties to the Ocean glide.
All wonder fierce Messapus is dismaid,
His horse disorder'd, and swift Tyber staid
Murm'ring hoarse things, his foot from sea retreats.
But not bold Turnus confidence abates:
He cheers, now chides, then thus his men upbraids;
This th'eatens them, Jove now withdraws all aids.
Nor dare they Rutile sword nor fire abide;
And now the Ocean is to them denide;
No hope of flight, that part of help is lost,
We have the land, such thousands in our host
Of Latium arm'd; nor me those oracles daunt,
If for themselves the Phrygians any vaunt;
Enough for Venus fate, rich Italie
That they have touch'd; and there are fates for me,
This wicked nation to cut off with steel,
Rob'd of my wife; nor do th'Atrid's feel
Alone this grief, nor may Greece only arm.
It might suffice once to have fallen, to harm:
Page 55Once was enough, all women then to hate.
Whom these slight works, and this entrenched gate
Grant small delayes t'assured funerals.
Have they not seen in flames the Trojan walls
To lie, which Neptune which his hands did reare?
But valiant youth, who will with me appeare
To force the trench, and trembling can ps t'invade.
Vulcanian arms, a thousand ships for aide
We need not have: let all th'Hetrurians come.
Nor the dull theft of the Palladium
They shall not fear, the high towrs warder's slain;
Nor shall a horse dark belly us contain.
Their walls by day I will with fire surround,
Ile make them know not Argives they have found,
Young Greeks, whom Hector did ten years prevent.
But since the best part of the day is spent;
What now remains, all things being carried right,
But to refresh, and then expect to fight?
Mean while to guard the ports, and fire prepare,
To round the walls, was bold Messapus care.
Twice seven Rutilian Captains chosen, then
To keep the works; each led a thousand men,
Who did with crests of gold, and purple shine.
They scout, and watch by turns: on grasse, rich wine
Freely they drink, at fires full goblets they
Exhausted turn, the watch consume with play
The restlesse night.
All which the Trojans from their towres descride,
And struck with fear, from port to port they ride,
And arm'd, they bridges and strong bulworks joine;
Mnestheus, Serestus, hastning the designe,
Whom Prince Aeneas, should there danger fall,
Prime Leaders made, and gave the charge of all.
Page 56The squadrons watch, the danger they divide,
And take their turns, Each man his place supplide.
The gate was Nisus charge, Hyrtacus son;
Whom th'huntresse Ida sent companion
With great Aeneas, one most fierce in war,
Who well could shoot, as well could cast his spear.
Euryalus joynd; for comelinesse and grace
None was his equal 'mongst the Trojan race,
Nor better arms became; now first was seen
Soft doun to spread upon his youthful chin.
One wa their love, at once they charg'd in warre;
And now to guard the port, their common care.
When Nisus said; Doth God our mind inspire,
Or makes each man a god of's own desire?
What ere it is, I can't to rest incline,
My genius prompts me to some great designe.
Seest thou the Rutils how secure they lie,
Buried in sleep, and wine? few lights we spie,
All silent are. Therefore receive my mind
And resolution that I have design'd.
The Peers and People would recall the Prince,
And want now Spies to bring intelligence.
If what I ask, they shall conferre on thee,
(Fame of th'exploit enough shall honour me)
Under that brow I think I have espide
A passe, that will to Palanteum guide.
Euryalus struck with mighty love of praise,
Then to his earnest friend thus briefly sayes.
In so great danger dost thou me decline,
Alone thy self ingage in this designe?
Have I with thee so ill my self behav'd,
Serving our King, when seas and tempests rav'd?
Page 57Here is a soul, that values not to live;
And life, to purchase so much fame, would give.
Of thee I never harbour'd such a thought,
O my dear friend, said Nisus then; Nor ought.
No, as I hope great Jove will safely me
Or other favouring gods, bring back to thee.
But if (for such attempts great dangers wait)
That I miscarry by mischance or fate,
Thee I'de have live; of life thou worthier art,
That to my ransom'd corps thou might'st impart
Accustom'd earth; which if my chance denies,
Yet grant my shade a tomb and obsequies:
Lest to thy mother I the cause should be
Of so much grief, who only follow'd thee,
Nor great Acestes walls could her detain.
But he. Thou weak excuses fram'st in vain,
I fully am resolv'd; come, let's dispatch.
This having said, strait he relieves the watch:
All things in order, Centinels being plac'd,
He to Ascanius did with Nisus haste.
Now through the world all creatures sleep possest,
Easing their cares, their hearts from labour rest.
Prime Trojan Captains, and choice youth repairs
To hold a Councel of their State affairs,
What they should do; whom to Aeneas send.
Amidst the camp they on long javelins lean'd,
Bearing their shields. Nisus, Euryalus, crave
Without delay, they might admittance have:
Demurres in great affairs most dangerous are.
The Prince bids Nisus first their minds declare.
With thoughts unbyass'd hear you Trojan Peers,
Neither prejudge the matter by our yeers.
In wine and sleep Rutilians buried lie;
For we our selves now did a way descrie,
Page 58Parts neer the gate, which next the ocean lies.
Their fires wax dimme, black smok ascends the skies.
If now our fortune you'll to us permit,
Aeneas sought, at King Evanders seat,
With mighty slaughter and huge spoil you may
Shortly behold: nor can we misse our way;
We daily hunting in dark vales below,
Have seen the town, and the whole river know.
Then old Alethes said, You deities
In whose protection alwayes Ilium lies;
Not us t'extirp you utterly intend,
When to our youth you such true valour send.
Thus having said, he with a strict imbrace
Infolds them both, whilst tears bedew his face.
To you for such attempts, what can we give?
What shall I judge a worthy donative?
Heaven and your merits first, shall grant the best;
Pious Aeneas next, shall pay the rest:
Nor yet Ascanius in his flourishing state
Such your deservings ever shall forget.
Nisus, but I (Ascanius then replies)
Whose only safety in my father lies,
Thee by Asaracus deities desire,
And Trojan Gods, and Vesta's sacred fire;
Whatere my fortune or my counsels are,
I cast my self and them upon your care.
Recall my father, let me see his face,
And woe shall vanish in his dear imbrace.
Two silver bowls Ile give, richly ingrav'd,
Which from Arisba's sack my father sav'd:
Two triphos, two great talents of pure gold,
And Dido's gift, a cup of antient mould.
But if we Latium win, and these realms sway,
If it shall chance we conquerours share the prey.
Page 59Hast thou brave Turnus horse and arms beheld
In which he prides? his bloody plumes and shield
Shall not be shar'd; now Nisus, they are thine:
Besides, my father shall twelve Ladies joyn,
As many captive Lords compleat in arms,
With all Latina's manours, parks, and farms.
But thee, whose age mine in a neerer space
Persues, brave youth. I take in full imbrace:
Thou in all fortunes my companion be;
My deeds shall seek no glory wanting thee;
In peace or war, my actions and advice
Thou most shalt sway. Euryalus replies,
For any bold imployment no time shall
Prove me unfit, what chance soever fall.
But above all, one thing of thee I crave;
I of King Priams stock a mother have,
Whom (best of Parents!) Troy could not recall
From following me, nor King Acestes wall.
Her, unacquainted with the dangers, I
Now unsaluted leave: Night testifie,
And thy right hand, her tears I could not brook.
But thee, I pray, now help her, thus forsook:
Assure me this, and I shall bolder go
Against all chance. Then from the Trojans flow
Rivers of tears: the Prince most grief exprest,
And now his fathers love affects his breast.
And thus he said —
Worthy this great designe, I all things grant:
For she shall be my mother, only want
Creusas name: nor is her honour small,
That she bore thee, whatever chance befall.
Now by this head, by which my father swore,
What was my grant, if fortune thee restore
Page 60To us in safety, Ile thy friends afford.
Weeping he said; and straight casts off his sword,
Which with admired art Lycaon made,
And with an ivory sheath adorn'd the blade.
A lyons skin Mnestheus on Nisus prest,
And good Alethes chang'd with him his crest.
Now arm'd they march: as to the gates they bend,
Both young and old with vows and prayers attend.
And fair Ascanius, who above his age
In manly care and courage did ingage,
Many commands charg'd them to's father beare,
Which vanished and flew in empty aire.
They passe the trench; through gloomy night they go
To th' enemies camp, with a great overthrow:
Buried in wine and sleep the guards they spie,
And all along the shore their wagons lie;
Men amongst arms, wheels, reins and goblets laid,
Spread on the grasse: When thus bold Nisus said.
Now let us use our arms, th'occasion calls,
This is the path: But thou, lest any falls
Upon our reare, watch, and behind survay;
These I'le destroy, and make thee open way.
This said, he silent to proud Rhamnes went,
Who then by chance slept in his lofty tent,
And with loud snoring did his bosome move,
A King, and Prophet, Turnus most did love.
But by his skill he could not death evade:
Three of his train he slew 'mongst weapons laid,
And Rhemus squire: his charioteer he found
Amongst the horse, and pin'd him to the ground;
Then heads their Lord, and weltring in his blood
Forsakes the panting corps; a purple flood
Besmears the earth, and bed. Next Lamyrus slew
With Lamus, and sprightly Serranus, who
Page 61Most beauteous was; he all that night had plaid,
And vanquisht now in wine and sleep is laid.
Happy if he had equaliz'd his play
Unto that night, and gam'd it out till day.
As when a hungry Lion fierce invades
A flock of sheep, (dire famine much perswades)
He the poor innocent beast struck dumb with fears,
Growling with bloody jawes, devours and tears.
Slaughter no lesse Euryalus did inflame,
And many then he slew without a name.
Fadus, Hebesus Abaris he kill'd,
And Rhetus, who awake all this beheld,
He frighted, under a huge charger hid:
In open breast up to the hilts he did
Sheath his bright sword, then drew it stain'd with blood;
Dying, his soul he vomits with a flood
Of wine and gore commix'd. Then on he went
And to Messapus quarters, raging, bent:
Where now their fires almost consum'd he spy'd,
Their horses feeding, as the manner, ty'd.
Then Nisus briefly said, Let us be gone,
(Seeing him drawn with love of slaughter on;)
For th'envious dawn appears: let this suffice,
Our way is made now through the enemies.
Nor arms of beaten silver they did mind,
Rich hangings, massie plates they leave behind.
Rhamnes rich trappings, and his girts of gold,
(Which Cedicus sent to Remulus of old;
When with that present he a league conjoyn'd;
This dying, to his nephew he assign'd.
After by war Rutilians made their prize.)
Euryalus seiz'd, and on his shoulder ties,
Claps on Messapus helm, with plumes displaid;
Then left the camp, and through them safe way made.
Mean while, some horse came from Latinus seat,
Whilst the whole Legion stood, drawn up compleat,
To bring King Turnus some advertisement,
Three hundred shield-men under Volscens sent.
And now th'approach the camp, the trench drew nigh,
When far off these they on the left hand spie:
Euryalus helm through shades of gloomy night
Did him betray, reflecting back the light.
Not vainly seen, cries Volscens from the band,
Stand, Who goes there? why arm'd? your busines? stand.
They answer not again, but hasten flight
Amongst the woods, and trust themselves to night.
The horse beset the paths, all parts surround,
And with a guard the severall passes crown'd.
There was a wood shady with sable oke,
Which thick briers did and thorns with brambles choke,
Where a small path led through an obscure way;
The tangling boughs, and burthen of his prey
Euryalus stop'd, and fear his feet intraps:
Nisus went on, and from the foe escapes,
Past Alban lakes, which are from Alba nam'd,
Where king Latinus his high stables fram'd.
As for his friend, in vain he looking staid,
Ah poor Euryalus, where art thou? he said;
How shall I find thee out? Then through the maze
Of the dark wood returns, and thousand wayes
Seeks his own steps, and roves through silent briers.
Noise, horse, and sounding trumpets straight he hears,
And sudden the huge clamour understands,
And saw Euryalus, whom all the bands
With disadvantage of the night and lane
Had round beset, much striving, but in vain.
What shall he do? what arms, what forces trie
To rescue him? should he, resolv'd to die
Page 63Charge midst his foes, and for brave death advance?
Then straight, as he his arm rais'd with his lance,
To the high moon, he pray'd: Assist me now
Great goddesse, glory of the stars, and thou,
Great Queen of all the groves and forrests, aid.
If ere for me my father presents paid
At thy blest altars; or if ever I
From my own hunting did with gifts supply,
Or grac'd thy shield, or sacred pillars deckt:
Grant that I rout this troop, my spear direct.
This said, with his whole strength a lance he cast,
Through shady night the flying javelin past,
And piercing Sulmons back, the staffe there broke,
Yet through his bowels glides the knotty oke.
From's breast a warm stream vomiting, he fell,
And short breath panting, makes his bosome swell.
All look about: he takes another spear,
Cheer'd with successe, and pois'd it at his ear.
Whilst they're amaz'd, through Tagus brows and arms
Singing it flew, and in his hot brain warms.
Fierce Volscens rag'd, nor any he espide
Which threw the speare, nor knew which way to ride.
But thou, for both shalt with warm blood afford
Me satisfaction, first. This said, his sword
He drew, and at Euryalus raging flies.
But then aloud affrighted Nisus cries,
Nor longer could conceal, nor such grief beare.
At me, me; I, who did the fact am here;
At me convert your steel, Rutilians bold,
The fraud is mine; he neither durst, nor could;
This heaven, these conscious stars shall witnesse such:
He only lov'd his haplesse friend too much.
Such things he said; but the drawn sword his chest,
With violence pierc'd, and tore his snowie breast.
Page 64Dead he sinks down; bloud through his faire limbs sprung,
And his neck falling, on his shoulders hung:
As when a purple flowr cut by the plow
Langueshing dies; or heads of Poppie bow
Their weary necks, opprest with showrs that fall.
But in bold Nisus charg'd, Volscens through all
Alone he seekes, only at Volscens made;
Though round about, him enemies invade,
Wheeling his sword, no slower he rush'd on,
Till in the mouth of the Rutilian
He buried it, and dying kils his foe:
Then wounded on his friend himselfe did throw,
And there at last in quiet death did rest.
You, if my verse have power, be ever blest,
No age shall you forget whilst Trojans shall
Plant the fixd Rock, of the high Capitol,
Or Roman Fathers shall the Empire sway.
But the Rutilian conquerours share the prey,
And weeping to the Campe dead Volscens beare.
Nor was lesse griefe, Rhamnes found slaughterd there,
So many in one massackre, prime men
Serranus, Numa; mighty concourse then
Visit the corps, some not quite dead; they flore
Fresh slaughter warm'd, and full streames fresh with gore,
Messapus spoyles they know and glittering caske,
And reins recovered by so hard a taske.
And here Aurora with new light had spread
The earth, leaving Tithonius saffron bed;
Now when the Sun had shewd the world againe,
Arm'd Turnus forth did his arm'd souldiers traine,
And all the Iron rancks in order sets;
Each man his wrath with various rumours whets,
Page 65When Nisus and Euryalus heads they bring,
Fix'd on tall spears, and with loud clamouring
(A wofull sight) came on
The valiant Trojans the left hand made good,
The right side was secured with the flood.
They mighty trenches man'd with all their powers,
And sad they stood upon their lofty towers,
When well known heads they saw, t'increase the more
Their swelling grief, flowing with purple-gore.
Whilst through the fearful town flew swift-wing'd fame,
And gliding to Euryalus mother came,
Which from the wretch did straight all heat compell;
Her yarn she tumbles down, her spindle fell:
Out then with female cries, tearing her haire
Distract she runs, and did to th' works repair:
Danger of men and weapons she defies,
Where thus with loud complaints she fils the skies.
Thus view I thee, Euryalus? art thou he
That shouldst support my age? thus leavst thou me?
Nor to thy mother grant'st one complement,
Before thou wast to such great dangers sent?
Ah thou art left to dogs and birds a prey
In a strange land; nor doth thy mother pay
Thee funeral rites, nor close thine eyes, nor lave
Thy wounds, nor cover with the vest I have
Working both night and day hasten'd for thee,
Which task in my old age did comfort me.
Where shall I seek thee? in what coast remains
Thy mangled limbs? what land thy corps contains?
This the returns for all my love, dear son?
For this have I by land and sea thus gone?
Kill me, Rutilians, if you pity have,
Dart all at me, and give me first a grave!
Page 66Or thou great Jove thy self in mercy shew,
O father! this my body, hatefull now,
Unto the Stygian shade with thunder send,
Since else my woful life I cannot end.
This pierc'd their souls, a sad grone past through all:
Their courages in war undaunted, fall.
Idaeus and sad Actor, by command
Of Ilioneus, whilst she thus complain'd,
Mov'd with Ascanius tears, lead her away
By either arm, and to her house convay.
But now from far loud trumpets terrifie,
Follow'd with shouts, which eccho from the skie.
The Volsceans haste, and straight a Testude form,
Trenches to fill prepare, and works to storm;
Some entrance seek, and strive to scale the wall
Where men stood thinnest, and the guards but small.
Trojans on them all sorts of weapons throw,
And with sharp-pointed spears repell the foe,
Train'd by long war a city to defend,
Huge rocks and mighty milstones down they lend
To break their fence-work, under which they slight
All chances, and in danger take delight.
Which now not serves; for where they thickest drew,
On them a mighty heap the Trojans threw,
Which beat the Rutils down, their shield-work broke.
Nor more the hardy Volsceans undertook
T'assault with engines, but by open force
To drive them from their works:
On th'other side dreadful Mizentius came,
Brandishing fire, and casts in pitchy flame.
Messapus that brave horsman, Neptunes race,
Past trenches, and did scaling ladders place.
O thou Caliope, inspire my verse
Slaughters to sing, and funerals to rehearse
Page 67Which Turnus made! whom, each man sent to hell.
With me that wars great circumstances tell,
For this you know, and to relate have power.
With transomes vast in prospect was a tower,
A place of strength, 'gainst which th'Italians joyn
Their force: this to orethrow, their chief design.
With stones the Trojans in great flocks defend,
And from their loop-holes deadly weapons send.
A brand Prince Turnus cast, and blazing flame
Fix'd to the work; which, with the wind, the frame
Suddenly seiz'd, on burning posts fast stuck.
Amaz'd, within all shake; and whilst they flock
Contriving to escape, and make retreit
Where was no fire; the towre with mighty weight
Suddenly fell, heaven thunders with the sound.
Half dead with the vast load, they come to ground,
VVith their own weapons hurt; that cruel steel
Did guard their breasts, they in their bosoms feel.
Hardly escap'd Lycas and Helenor,
Helenor the eldest, whom Lycimnia bore,
Bondslave to the Maeoanian King did reare,
And sent to Troy unlawfull arms to beare,
With a white shield, and sword inglorious yet.
He, when he saw himself with troops beset,
And Latine bands on every side he found,
Like a wild beast which hunters do surround,
Runs on the weapons, and resolv'd to die
Leaps through the toyles upon the enemie.
So charg'd the desperate youth upon his foes,
And where he saw the thickest squadron, goes.
Lycas much swifter through the enemies
And through their arms to the high bulwark flies;
Then strives the tops of the tall works to reach,
Endeavouring his friends right hands to catch.
Page 68Whom Turnus follows with as swift a course,
And thus bespeaks: Fond, couldst thou hope our force
Thus to escape? This said, him hanging caught,
And down with great part of the bulwark brought.
A silver swan, or hare Joves eagle bear;
So through the sky, trust in his hooked sears,
Or Marses wolf takes from the flock a lambe,
Sought with much bleating of the mourning damme.
They shout, they storm, to fill the trenches haste,
And fire-works to the lofty bulwarks cast.
Ilioneus with a stone, part of a hill,
Firing the gates, did bold Lucetius kill.
Lyger, Emathion; Asylas did orethrow
Chorinaeus; This the dart us'd, that the bow.
Caeneus, Ortygius. Turnus Caenaeus slew,
Dioxe, and Ideas, as they did maintain
Their towres, Privernus was by Capys slain.
This first a slight wound got from Themella's lance;
But he his hand did to the wound advance
Fondly to bind it, when a shaft did glide
On nimble wings, and pin'd it to his side;
The breathing places of his soul it found,
And panting lungs pierc'd with a deadly wound.
In arms compleat stood Arcens gallant son,
Of Spanish dye a rich coat he had on:
A most fair youth, whom Arcens sent to have
Breeding in Atars his grove near Symeths wave,
Where pleas'd Palicus smoking altar stands.
Mizentius laying by his arms, commands
A sounding sling; then thrice about his head
He whirls it round, and with the moulten lead
He piere'd his temples through, and from his stand
He layes hun weltring on a bed of sand.
Page 69Then first in war Ascanius (as they fame)
A swift-wing'd arrow at the foe did aime:
Before accustom'd wild beasts to persue,
And stout Numanus with his own hand slew,
Stil'd Rhemulus, who lately did espouse
Turnus young sister, joyn'd to th' royal house.
Boasting things fit and unfit to relate;
Before the bands, puft up with his new state,
He struts, and on with mighty clamour came.
Again, twice captiv'd Phrygians, is't not shame
To be besieg'd, and keep out death with walls?
Behold, who seek by war our nuptials!
VVhat god, or folly, caus'd you Latium steer?
Here's no Atrides, no Ʋlysses here.
We a hard race, use infants to the stream,
In cruel ice and water harden them.
Our children hunting use, in woods resort
To break wild horse, and shooting is their sport.
Youth in toyle patient, and inur'd to want,
They plow the field; or arm'd, proud cities daunt.
We spend our age in war, and goad our steers
With our turn'd javelins: and when struck in years,
Our courage fails not, nor our strength decayes;
We crush gray hairs with helms, and still fresh preyes
Delight to take, and live by spoils of war.
You cloath'd in purple, and in scarlet are,
Are pleas'd with sloth, in wanton dances pride;
Your coats have hanging sleeves, your myters tide:
True female Phrygians; men you are not: Go
To Dyndimus, whose well-set tunes you know,
Where lutes and harps of Bericynthian Ide
Invites; and let Men war; lay arms aside.
Boasting such things, words of so dire extent
Ascanius not indur'd: his bow he bent
Page 70With a horse nerve; stretching his arms, prepares
Before Jove standing supplyant thus, with prayers,
Great Jupiter, grant my bold enterprize,
I'le to thy fanes bring solemn sacrifice;
And at thy Altars place a snowie steer,
Who lofry crests doth like his mother bear;
And buts with horns, his feet the sand doth spread.
Jove heard and from the left-side thundered
Through the clear skie; then sounds the deadly bow,
As soon through Rhemulus head the shaft did go,
And the wing'd steel did through both temples glide;
Go, now, and valour with proud words deride,
Twice captiv'd Phrygians you these answers send,
Ascanius said. Trojans with shouts attend
And loud applause, to heaven their hope advance.
Then bright-hair'd Phoebus from the skie by chance
The City and Ausonian bands survaid
Flac'd in a cloud, and to Ascanius said.
Go with new prowesse boy; so climb the stars,
From Gods sprung, Gods to get; tis just all wars
Under Assaracus house by fate should seise;
Nor Troy shall thee contain. As he said these,
He cuts the breathing aire, from heaven descends,
And in old Butes forme t'Ascanius bends.
Trojan Anchises Squire he was before,
And faithfull kept a guard still at his door,
Whom then to wait on's Son, Aeneas sent.
In all points like th'old man, Apollo went,
Such his white hair, complection, and his voice,
And dreadfull arms, ratling with mighty noise:
Who thus to fierce Ascanius then began.
Trojan enough! Numanus thou hast slain,
To thee Apollo grants thy first desire,
Nor envies equall arms; from fight retire.
Page 71Having thus said, from mortall eves he fled,
And far from thence, to thin aire vanished.
The God, and heavenly shafts, the Trojans knew,
And saw his sounding quive as he flew.
Straight from the fight Ascanius they convey,
And Phoebus power and his command obey.
But they returue again to charge the foes,
And 'gainst all dangers do their lives expose.
Then clamor rounds the wals from tower to tower,
They bend their bowes, and clouds of arrows poure.
The earth is strewd with arms, with mighty blows
Helms and Shields rattle: a huge fight arose;
As from moyst, Kids when boysterous storms assail
The yieldihg earth, and showrs commix'd with hail
Swell to a flood, the skie with rough winds loud
Drives wintry night, and tears a hollow cloud.
Pandarus and Bitias, both Alcanors seed,
Whom Nymph Hiera in loves wood did breed,
Youths like their contreys firre, and mountains tall,
Open a gate, which to the charge did fall
Of their own chief; these bold in arms did go,
And bravely challeng'd to the wals their foe;
Within, themselves on either hand they place;
And arm'd with steel, bright crests their heads did grace.
Such as sky-kissing okes by twins that grow
Near chrystall streams, or pleasant banks of Poe,
Or nigh fair Athesis, to heaven they spread,
And unlop'd boughs shake with a stately head.
Ausonians rush, seeing the open gate,
Bold Quercens then, and fair Equicolus straight
With Martial Haemon charge, and Tmarus stout,
Or with whole squadrons these would face about,
Page 72Or in the entrance of the gate expire.
The quarrell heats, and more increas'd their ire.
There Trojans gather with a mighty shout,
Fight hand to hand, dare sally further out.
A Messenger, whilst valiant Turnus fought
Bravely 'gainst other parts, these tydings brought,
Foes flesh'd with slaughter open gates afford.
He leavs all businesse then, with anger stir'd
To Dardan gates, and the proud brothers goes.
Antiphates first, (for he did first oppose)
(Sarpedons naturall son by a Theban dame)
He with his spear 'orethrew; the javelin came
Through yielding aire, and through his intrals glides,
He from the wound a purple river bleeds,
And in his lungs warm grows the sixed steel.
Then he did Merops, Erymanthus kill.
Next, Bitias with fierce eyes, and raging heart,
Not with a spear (he yields not to a dart)
With a huge Phalarick he did assail,
Like lightning sent; neither his trustie mail,
Strengthned with gold, nor two bull hides defend.
The mighty fals, the earth a grone did send:
Above his huge shield rung: As in times past
On the Euboick shores of Baia plac'd,
A stone pile sinks: which erst with mighty wals
Stood in the Sea, now with a ruine fals,
And in the shoales torn from foundations lies.
Waves mix'd with waves, and the deep sands arise;
Then high Phrochyta trembles at the sound,
And the hard bed where Jove Typhaeus bound.
Here bloody Mars, the Ausonians courage stirs,
And in their bosomes strikes his sharpest spurs:
But to the Trojans sends base fear, and flight.
Each where they charge, occasion given to fight,
Page 73The God of War inflames their minds.
As Pandarus beheld his brother slain,
And what sad fortune might for him remain,
He straight with mighty strength claps to the gates
With his broad shoulders: many of his mates
Then he shut out, and in hard conflict leavs,
But many others rushing in, receivs:
Who fond then saw not; urnus in the troupe
Boldly break in, and willingly shut up,
Like a huge Tyger 'mongst tame cattell found.
His eyes seem fierce, his dreadfull arms resound:
And on his crest tremble his bloody plumes,
Whilst from his thundring shield, bright lightning comes.
They know his hated face, and Gyant size,
Which much th'amaz'd Trojans terrines.
Then up to him straight mighty Pandarus made
And raging for his brothers slaughter said.
This not the royall portion from the Queen
Which you expect, nor are you now within
Ardea, nor your native Country (Prince.)
This the foes camp; nor shalt thou 'scape from hence.
Then Turnus smiling, calmly did reply,
If you're so stout, come and your prowesse try;
For thou shalt tell to Priam under-ground,
That here a new Achilles thou hast found.
He said, whilst Pandarus boldly did advance,
And cast at him a rough and knottie lance;
The aire receivs the wound, Juno being there
Turns it, and in the gate she fix'd the spear.
But this good sword which in my right hand I
Command with so much strength, thou shalt not flie.
Our weapons are not like, nor shall the wound.
Then with his sword raising himself from ground,
Page 74He with a mighty blow his forehead cleaves,
And on his downy cheeks a huge gash leaves.
Shook with his mighty weight earth did resound,
He stretch'd his dying limbs upon the ground;
His arms besmear'd with brain, his cloven head
On both sides hung, over each shoulder spread.
The Trojans flie, routed with trembling feare;
And if the Conqueror straight had took that care
T'have broke the bars, and let his souldiers in,
To th'war, and nation, that day last had been.
But fury, and mad love of slaughter, him
Drove raging 'gainst the foe
And first he Gyges maim'd, and Phalaris slew,
And spears from flyers snatch'd, at them he threw.
For Juno did both strength and courage yield.
Halys he kills, runs Phegeus through his shield.
Alcander, Halias, Noemon, Prytanus slew,
Whilst hot in fight, of this they nothing knew.
And Lynceus, as he charg'd, and others calls,
With his bright sword surpriz'd them on the walls:
Whose head and healmet cut off at one blow,
Tumbles far off. Amycus, then a foe
To savage beasts; none better could annoint
Weapons then he, with poison arm the point.
Clitius and Creteus next, the Muses friend,
Creteus that lov'd the Muses, verses pen'd;
Pleas'd with the Lyre, he numbers set to strings,
And still of horse, and arms, and battels sings.
At last the Trojan leaders at the fame
Of this great slaughter, in to rescue came;
And up with Mnestheus bold Serestus bends,
They saw the foe, and their amazed friends.
When Mnestheus said, Where fly you? where d'ye go?
What other strength or bulwarks do you know?
Page 75Shall one man, sirs, and round inclos'd with wals,
Escape, and make so many funerals,
And such great numbers of prime men destroy?
Base cowards! Of your selves, and haplesse Troy
Have you no pity? blush you not with shame
For your old gods, and great Aeneas fame?
With words like these encourag'd, boldly then
In a thick body they drew up agen.
But Turnus by degrees retreats from them,
Toth' river and those parts lay neer the stream.
At which more fierce the Trojans with a shout
Presse boldly on, and gather round about:
As when a troop a Lion hath beset
With cruel spears, he makes a brave retreit,
Although forbid by valour and by rage,
Nor can, though willing, 'gainst such power ingage.
So unresolv'd, bold Turnus did retire,
Whilst in his bosome boyls a flood of ire.
Yet twice, where foes were thickest, on he falls,
And twice he drove that party from the walls.
When from the Camp, in a full body made
'Gainst one, th'whole army drew; nor longer aide
T'oppose such forces, Juno durst supply.
For Jove had sent bright Iris from the sky,
Who to Saturnia carried strict commands
That Turnus should escape the Trojan bands.
Therefore his shield and strength too weak he found,
Orewhelm'd with darts, with showres of arrows drown'd;
His hollow cask which arm'd his temples, grones,
And solid brasse gives way to battering stones:
His plumes are beaten off, nor doth his targe
Sustain the blowes, nor thundring Mnestheus charge;
Whilst thick their javelins a whole army throwes,
No intermission: then a salt sweat flowes
Page 76Ore all his limbs, and a black river glides,
And faint short-breathing shakes his ample sides.
At last with all his arms a leap he gave
Into the stream, which on his silver wave
Receiv'd him, and on yielding billows bore
From slaughter cleans'd, to's friends on th'other shore.
