The works of Publius Virgilius Maro translated by John Ogilby.

THE EIGHTH BOOK OF VIRGIL'S AENEIS.

THE ARGUMENT.

Aeneas is admonish'd by a dreame To seek Evanders aide, up Tybers streame. Arcadians solemnizing annual feasts, Aeneas and the Trojans make their guests. Cacus strange storie, and Herculian rites. The King Aeneas to his court invites. Fair Venus with sweet love her husband charms, And for her son obtains Vulcanian arms. Evander Pallas sends t' Aeneas aide. A league th' Hetrurians and the Trojans made. Venus presents the arms; a golden field With Roman victories charg'd, adorn'd the shield.

AS Turnus had with warlike ensigns crown'd Laurentian towres, and made shril trumpets sound; As he the horse had rais'd, and forc'd to arms, Straight all disturb'd, great Latium in alarms Together take an oath, the fierce youth rave. Mesaphus, Ʋfens the prime conduct have;

With them Mezentius, who the gods disdains, Each where they presse, and fields deprive of swains. Venalus is sent to Diomede the great For aid, and to declare the Trojans seat In Latium: Aeneas who doth bring His conquered gods, sayes, fates decree him King: That many people to the Trojans joyn, His name in Italy spreads: what his designe, If fortune grant to him the hop'd event By war, to Diomed is more evident Then can Latinus or King Turnus find. Thus Latium stood: Aeneas in his mind All these revolv'd, tost with a flood of care, When his swift thoughts divide now here, now there, And carried divers wayes, through all things run. As waters trembling light, struck by the sun Or image of the radiant moon, gainst brasse, Now rais'd to heaven, flies wide through euery place, And to the seelings of high roofs is hurl'd.

'Twas night, when weary creatures through the world Both beasts and birds, soft slumber did relaxe; When prince Aeneas under heavens cold axe Upon the shore, his bosome fraight with cares Or the sad war, late for repose prepares. The genius of the place old Tyber rose From the glad stream amongst the pop'lar boughs: Of finest canvase was his azure weed, And his head cover'd with a shady reed. And thus his cares asswag'd. O race of gods Whem Troy hath brought from foes, to our abodes: Thou shalt for ever Pergamus protect, Laurentian soyl and Latine fields expect: Here are sure houses, here thy certain seats, Nor fear wars menacings; all the rage and threats Of gods give place.

(Nor think a dream vain fictions coyns) for thou Under wild okes shalt find a mighty sow, Pregnant, her farrow thirty, laid to rest, A white sow, a white issue, at her breast. There's certain quiet, there thy city build; Ascanius shall thrice ten years circles fill'd There great nam'd Alba raise: I speak things sure. Now by what means thou conquerour mayst procure A present ayd, list, brief I shall declare. Th' Arcadians here a race from Pallas are, Who to these coasts led by Evander came, And on these hills their city chose to frame, From Pallas Pallanteum stil'd the place. These war continuall with the Latine race. With these associate, leagues conjoyn with them. I by my banks shall guide thee up the stream, That thou with ores mayst stem the floods. Arise O goddesse son, with prayers bring sacrifice To Juno with the dawn; her wrath allay With humble vowes: Victor, me honour pay. I am whom thou beholdst, whose full stream glides Washing these banks, and fertile lands divides: Blue Tyber, heavens delight: large walls for me, And here a head to lofty seats must be.

This said, the river dives into the deep, And from Aeneas flies both night and sleep. He rose, and viewes the bright Suns Eastern beams; Then in his hollow palms takes from the streams Water, the use: thus praying to the skies. Laurentian nymphs, nymphs where these floods arise. O Tyber, father, with thy blessed wave At last receive me, and from dangers save! And wheresoere, thou pitying of our woes Shalt glide; most fair, where ere thy water flowes,

Still I shall honour, alwayes presents bring. Horn'd flood, of the Hesperian rivers king, Oh now assist and give us present aid! Two vessels from the fleet he chose, this said, And tackling fits; his mates did oars provide: When he behold! the wondrous omen spide; A white sow, with as white a farrow laid, And through the wood on a green bank survaid. To thee, to thee great Juno this he slew, And with her issue altars did imbrue. Tyber did all that night his swelling flood Appease; his flowing waves in silence stood, And his streams levels like a gentle lake, That with their oars no strugling they should make. They haste their course, up with the tide they drove, The waves admire, and th'unfrequented grove Wonders, when glittering shields far off they spide And painted galleys through the stream to glide. They haste both night and day, long reaches made, And hid with trees, cut through a pleasant shade.

Now the bright Sun had reach'd the middle sky, When they far off did scatter'd houses spy, And slender battlements with a little towre, But now to heaven advanc'd by Roman power; Then but a poor state King Evander had. Sraight prores they turn, and to the city made: By chance, th' Arcadian solemn rites that day To great Alcides and the gods did pay Before the Town, Pallas his son was there, All the prime youth, and the poor Senate beare Incense, and altars smoak with lukewarm blood.

As they tall ships saw through th' Opacus wood To haste with silent oars; frighted, they rise, And at the sight, forsook the sacrifice.

Bold Pallas all forbids to quit the board, And hastens to them with a ready sword: Then from a bank far off—Sirs, what cause made Ye tempt strange shores? or whither bound? he said: What race? whence come you? bring ye peace or war?

Then did Aenaeas from his stern declare, And in his hand the peaceful olive shewes: Trojans, and arms thou seest to Latines foes, Who us exil'd inforce with cruel war. We seek Evander; him inform, here are Troy's prime Commanders, who his aid intreat.

Pallas amaz'd, struck with a name so great; Who e're, come forth, these to the King declare, And to our countreys gods a guest repaire! Then he receives him with a strict imbrace, The grove they enter, and forsake the place. When to the King Aeneas friendly said. O best of Greeks! to whom me fortune made A suiter now, and olive boughs to beare: Nor thee, though a Greek Captain, did I feare, From both Atrides though thou draw'st thy line; But me, thy own worth, th'Oracles divine, And antient Kin, thy fame through all coasts spread, Sent me to thee; and fates the willing led. Our Grandsire Dardan, who built Ilium (As the Greeks say) did from Electra come; He sail'd to Troy; she was great Atlas strain, Whose shoulders the actherial orbs sustain: Mercurie thy father is, whom Maia faire Conceiving, on Cylenes cold tops bare. But Atlas Maia, (if we credit fame) That Atlas got, supports heavens starry frame, So from one blood the stocks of both divide. This trusting, I no messenger imploy'd,

Nor try'd thee first by art, but my self came, And life adventuring, here now suppliant am. The same Rutilians which with cruel wars Presse thee, when we're expell'd think nought debars, But all Hesperia shall their yoak obey, Or whatsoere is washt by either Sea. Let us joyn leagues; we have stout men of war, And valiant youth that long experienc'd are. Aeneas thus, whilst he all ore survaid The Trojan, then Evander briefly said.

Bold Dardan know, how I accept thy choice, And meet thy love! how I thy fathers voice And face recall, and have in memorie When Priam went Hesione to see, And Salamina view his sisters court, They did to cold Arcadian shores resort. Then budding youth had first my cheeks attir'd With a soft doun; I Trojan Chiefs admir'd, With wonder youthful Priam me possest: But most Anchises, taller then the rest, With great affection did my mind excite To know the man, and joyn right hand to right; Joyfull I led him round our battlements: He a fair quiver, Lycian shafts presents And a rich cloak to me, taking his leave, With golden reins, which since I Pallas gave Therefore I grant thy suit, and leagues conjoine; And when the morn with purple light shall shine, I will dismisse you both with aid and gold. Mean while (since friends you're here) these annuals hold, A sinne now to neglect; and keep our feast, Making your selves to friends a welcome guest. Then he commands to bring full bowls, and meat, And plac'd the Trojans on a grassie seat;

But to a bed a Lyons rough skin grac'd He brought their Prince, and in a chair he plac'd. The Priest, and chosen youth then altars spread With beasts fat entrails, serv'd with purest bread, And rich wine fill: The Trojans and their Chief Feast with rich offerings, and huge chines of beef.

Hunger appeas'd, and feasted to the height, Evander said: On us this solemn rite By superstition, nor by ignorance came To be impos'd. From dangers sav'd, we do Yearly these honours (noble guest) renew.

First on that hanging Rock with torne clifts look, And far-off scatter'd heaps, that house forsook Stands on the hill, whose tops such ruines have, 'Twas there the monster Cacus had his cave, And in those vast recesses his dire face Alwayes he hid, the sun nere pierc'd that place; Steeming with slaughters fresh on his proud dore Pale heads of men hung in their loathsom gore. Vulcan the monsters father, fire still flies Black from his mouth, he of a dreadful size. But time brought aid, and one of mighty fame. For the revenger great Alcides came, Proud with the triple Gerions death, and spoile: The conquerour drove his cattel to this soile, His herds possest the vale and rivers side. But furious Cacus, lest he ought untride Of wickednesse or villany should leave, Four stately oxen from their stalls did drive, As many well-shap'd heifers; these he hales, Lest tracts should be discovered by the tailes, Into his den, and in the dark rock hid, Nor any footstep to the cave did lead.

But when great Hercules remov'd his herd, Leaving those grounds, and to be gone prepar'd; Departing, loud they bellow, clamour fills The neighbouring woods, they mourning leave the hills: One cow makes answer, and from hidden caves Aloud complains, and Cacus hope deceives. But here great rage Alcides did provoke; He arms, and takes a ponderous knotty oke, And to the top of the high mountain flies. Now first we saw fear Cacus to surprise, And his look chang'd; he, then East-winds more fleet Hastes to his cave, for terror wing'd his feet; Shuts himself up, and down a huge stone flung With broken chains, which Vulcans art had hung With steel, and the strong gates guards with a bar. Soon Herc'les came, and raging every where Sought entrance, gnashing of his teeth he turns Now here, now there: thrice, whilst with rage he burns, Aventine sought, thrice did in vain assaile The marble dore, as oft rests in the vale. A rising sharp rock with torne clifts there was Behind the cave, a fit and lofty place Where birds of prey might build: this as it stood To the left hand, and leaning to the flood, He on the right hand shoves, and at the last Tears from the root, then down it headlong casts. At which great crack the lofty skies did thunder. Th' aftrighted streams retire, banks flie asunder: Then the huge cave, and Cacus courts appear, The dismal caverns all discover'd were.

As when the ground torn with an earthquake, shewes Infernal seats, and doth sad realms disclose Hatefull to deities, and all hell in sight, Then pale ghosts tremble at the sent-in light.

Now he surpriz'd with unexpected day, Shut up in's cave, Alcides did assay With weapons from above, all arms he tries, And him with trees and mighty milstones plies. He (when he could not from the danger break) Vomits huge smoak, and (wonderfull to speak) Darkens the place with mist, blinding the sight, And mix'd with fire, thickens black shades of night.

Nor did Alcides hold, but in he broke Amidst the flame, and rush'd through waving smoke; The den with vapour steem'd: he Cacus took, In darknesse belching fire, and in the lock He whirls him round, thrown down, he on him lies Grasping his throat and squeezing out his eyes. The dark house straight with open doors displaid, Back were the cattel, and base stealth convaid; Out by the feet the ugly corps he drew, On's dreadful eyes enough they could not view, The monsters hairy breast, and horrid brow, And fire within his mouth extinguish'd now.

These rites, this day, posterity maintain Ere since, which first Potitius did ordain; And Hercules priests Penarians did seat This altar in these groves, which alwayes great Is stil'd by us, and great shall still remain. Therefore, brave Youth, in such high praise ordain Boughs for your hair, your right hands cups extend, Implore the common god, wine freely spend. Mixt-colour'd Poplar with Herculean shade. His tresses vail'd and bound with leaves; this said, A sacred bowl fills his right hand; straight all Glad powre on Tables, and the gods do call.

Mean while the night falls from heavens spangled arch, When all the priests and first Potitius march,

Girt as they use with skins, and torches beare. Feasts they renew, and second course prepare, Tables they load, the Salii then dance round About the altars to sweet musick, crown'd With poplar boughs: here young men, there the old, Who far-ram'd Hercules brave deeds extol'd, And his twelve labours sung. How first he takes His step-dames monsters, kills her double snakes: How Troy, Ochalia, famous towns had been By him orethrown: what toyls by Juno's spleen And King Euristheus he did undergo. Thou cloud-born Hyleus, Pholus didst orethrow, Thou the dire Cretian monsters didst subdue, And at Nemea the huge Lyon slew. At thee shook Stygian lakes, hells porter then On gnawn bones lying in his bloody den, No form, not huge Typhaeus could confound, Though arm'd, nor Flydra though his heads charge round. Hail Joves true race, an honour to the skies, T'us be propitious and thy sacrifice. Such things they sang: but Ca us cause in higher Notes they resound, and how he breath'd out fire: The groves did ring, the hills with eccho storm'd.

Thence, all divine solemnities perform'd, Homewards they all unto the city bent, And King Evander with the foremost went, With whom Aenaeas and his son did walk: And going, ease the way with various talk.

Aeueas taken with those parts, admires, His quick eyes viewing all things round, inquires, And glad would hear records of former men. Evander, rounder of Rome's Palace then.

Nymphs, native Fauns, these groves inhabited; Men, trunks of trees produc'd, and hard oke bred,

Who nor for law, tillage nor oxen care, Nor knew to gather riches, nor to spare: But these fierce hunting, and wild fruit reliev'd. When from Olympus Saturn first arriv'd, Who from Joves arms and his lost kingdom fled, He the fierce Nation in high mountains bred Reduc'd, and gave them Lawes: this Latium styl'd, Because these shores in safety him conceal'd. They said the golden age was when he reign'd, Since in such peace his kingdom he maintain'd. Then baser ages by degrees succeed, Which rage of war, and love of riches breed: Ausonian bands then, and Sycanians came, And oft Saturnian fields have lost their name: Thence Kings, and Tyber gyant like, whence we Have Tyber call'd this stream of Italie; The true old name of Albula is lost. Forc'd through all feas, expulst my native coast, All-conquering fate, and fortunes powerfull hand Have plac'd me here, and the severe command Of my blest mother the Nymph Carmens sent, And great Apollo's strict admonishment.

Scarce said, he shews an altar as they came, And the Carmental gates, a Roman name, Which ancient honour Nymphs did dedicate To Carmens, skilful of ensuing fate, Who first declar'd the Trojans should be great, And Pallanteum a renowned seat. Next, a huge grove which valiant Romulus chose For sanctuary, he Lupercal shews To Pan was under cold rocks consecrate, After the manner of th' Athenian state. Then t' Argiletums sacred grove he led, And told the place where his guest Argus dy'd.

Tarpeia and the Capitol he shew'd, Now golden, then dark with a horrid wood. Dread of the place, then did the shepherds move, And oft they trembled at the rock and grove. This wood (he said) this mountains leavy brow A god inhabited, but uncertain who. Arcadians, here, think Jove himself they spide, Shaking his shiel, and on the winds to ride. These two dismantled towns thou dost behold, Are but sad reliques of the men of old: This, father Janus, that, Saturnus fram'd; Janiculum this, that was Saturnius nam'd.

With these discourses, neer the Court they drew Of poor Evander, where they cattel view Lowing i'th' Roman change, and lofty streets. As to the gates they came he said, These seats Alcides enter'd, here he kept his court: Sir, wealth despise, and now thy self deport As did the god, with homely fare content. This said, he strait with great Aeneas went Under low roofs, and him on couches plac'd Softned with leaves, and with a Bears skin grac'd.

Night fell, and with black wings the earth did hide; But Venus mind not vainly terrifide With Laurent threats, and with sad stirs dismaid, To Vulcan in his golden bed she said, And with sweet language divine love inspires. Whilst the Greek Kings with war and hostile fires Raz'd destin'd Troy, and her high towres distrest; No ayd nor arms did I for them request Made by thy art or power; nor thee, dear love, Would I to exercise vain labours move. Though much I owe to Priams high descent, And oft Aeneas hard toyls might lament.

Now by Joves will Rutilian shores they plant. O my blest power! I come a suppliant, A mother for a son craves arms. Dear Love, Thetis, Aurora thee with tears could move: Behold what realms conspire, what cities joyn Councel, by war to ruine me and mine.

The Goddesse here round with her snowyarms In soft imbraces him consulting warms. Straight he takes fire, and through his marrow came Accustom'd heat, and did his blood inflame. So from a fiery breach crupted flies Shining with flame, bright thunder through the skies. Glad, straight she finds her plot, and beauty take. When bound with lasting love, thus Vulcan spake:

What needs such far-fetch'd stories, goddesse? where 's Your confidence of me? had you such care, The Trojans then I might with arms supplide; Nor Jove, nor fate, that Troy should stand denide, And Priam ten years more to have remain'd. If you resolve, and have a war ordain'd, I promise both my art, my power, and care, What iron and soft Electrum can prepare, What fire and bellows may. Leave to perswade, Nor doubt thy power with us. Thus having said, He wisht imbraces gave, and to sweet rest Prepares, reposing in the goddesse breast.

Then when he waken'd, after his first sleep At midnight: As a woman who doth keep Her self by spinning and Minerva's hire, Stirs up the ashes and the sleeping fire. Night adding to her work; long tasks she plies, And at her lamp her servants exercise, That chaste she might preserve her husbands bed, And her small children to supply with bread.

No drowsier at that houre Vulcan arose From his soft bed, and to his forge he goes.

Near to Sycanian coasts an Iland lifts High shoulders up, and tall with smoky clifts: Eat with Cyclopen flames, a Cave lies under, And huge Aetnean vaults, which alwayes thunder, Where mighty strokes on anvils did resound, And bars of massie steel roare under ground In water quench'd, by forges breathing flame. This Vulcans seat, Vulcania the lands name. Hither the god descended from the sky, Where sparkling heats in vast caves Cyclops ply. Brontes, Steropes, nak'd Piracmon stand, A thunder-bolt half wrought they had in hand: Of such, great store from heaven to earth are thrown By angry Jove, the rest as yet not done. Three parts of hail, three of a watery cloud, As much of fire, and three of wind allow'd; Their work with flashe, noise, and fear they mixt, And dreadful wrath, persuing flame betwixt. Here haste they Mars his chariot, and swift spokes, With which he men and mighty towns provokes: These the dread shield of angry Pallas mould, And wrought her arms with Dragons scales and gold; The goddesse crest with twisted snakes they deck, And Gorgons head dissected from her neck.

Cyclops, he said, take all these things away, Set by your tasks, and list to what I say. Arms for a bold man must be made; impart Now all your strength, and shew your greatest art, Break off delayes. Nor more he said. They hot All ply the work, and equal tasks by lot Receive; straight brasse and gold in rivers flowes, In a vast furnace hard steel liquid growes.

A mighty shield they frame, one should withstand The warlike store of all th' Ausonian land. Rounded with mighty orbs, seven orbs they make; Some with the bellows air retain and take, Others in water dip the hissing ore; The hollow vaults with beating anvils rore: They with much strength their arms in order raise, And turn with tongs the masse a thousand wayes.

Whilst in Aeolian Caverns Vulcan sweats, Hastning the work: blest morn, from humble seats Evander rais'd, and chirping birds did call Up with sweet notes under his Palace wall. The old man rose, puts on his coat, and tyde His Tyrrhen sandals on, then to his side Girds a Tegean sword, next ore he flung A Panthers skin, which from his left side hung; From the high floor his double guard descend, And on their masters steps the dogs attend. T' Aeneas chamber went; for he had not Promis'd assistance, nor his word forgot. And full as early prince Aeneas rose, Pallas with that, with this Achates goes. Met, they salute; and in the hall being plac'd, Desired conference they enjoyd at last. And first the King began.

Great Trojan prince, Thou safe, I never shall Confesse Troy vanquish'd, nor her kingdoms fall. Our aids are small for one so much renown'd; Here are we with the Tusscan river bound, There Rutils stop us, and oft storm our wall. But I great nations and rich kingdoms shall Draw to thy help; unlookt for chance presents Thee succour, and thou com'st by fates consents.

Not far from hence built on an ancient rock, Stands Agelina, where the Lydian stock Once fam'd in war, Hetrurian mountains plants. This flourishing many years, all former grants At last Mizentius by his proud commands Infring'd, and garrison'd with cruel bands. His murthers I forbear and tyrannies, The gods return the like on him and his! For he dead bodies to the living joyn'd, Puts face to face, and hand in hand combin'd: Strange torture! when foul gore and blood imbrues Their sad imbrace, and with long death persues. At last the weary subjects take up arms, And him, then raging, they with fierce alarms In's court besieg'd, his counsellors they slew, And wild-fire on his lofty palace threw. He scapes'mongst slaughters to Rutilian strands, To seek protection from kind Turnus hands. Now all Hetruria up in cruel rage, To bring their King to justice they ingage. Over their armies Ile make thee the head, Now sounding shores are with the Navy spread, Ready to fail; but their old priest withstands, Opening the fates. You choise Meonian bands Flowre of the antients, whom just griefs engage Against Mizentius with deserved rage: No 'Italian must so great a nation sway, Seck forraign Chiefs. This did th' Hetrurians stay, Affrighted by the gods admonishments. Tarchons ambassador to me presents The scepter, crown, ensigns to my commands, And would possesse me of the Tyrrhen lands. But feeble age with cold blood me retracts From such a task, too weak for valiant acts.

I would my son prefer, but that his line By's mother comes from them: Thee fates designe By blood, and years; the gods this meant for thee. Go, most bold Chief of Troy and Italy. To thee Ile Pallas joyn, my hope, and care, Thou being his master to inure to war And Mars hard toyles; thy prowesse us'd to see From's youth he may admire, and honour thee. Two hundred chosen horse well mounted all, I shall bestow, as many Pallas shall.

Scarce said, the Trojan Anchisiades And good Achates stand, with fixed eyes; Who, many sad things troubled, then divine. When from high heaven fair Venus gave a signe. For from a cloud with mighty fragor brake A flash of lightning, all things seem'd to shake; From heaven a Tyrrhen trumpet sounds alarms, And oft they hear the ratling noise of arms, And armour saw shine through a gilded cloud Amongst bright sphears, and struck to thunder loud. Others admire; but Troy's great Heroe, these Perceives to be his mother's promises. Then said, O king, what these strange portents are Seek not to know, for me the gods declare. This my blest mother told, if war should rise, She would Vulcanian arms bring through the skies For my defence. Ah what great slaughters Latium wait on thee, On Turnus how will I revenged be! When Tybers waves, shields, helms, and men involve, Let them now arm, and to break peace resolve. This said, down from his lofty throne he came, And on Herculean altars stirs the flame,

And joyfull did the last dayes rites renew, And chosen sheep, he as the custome, slew. The same, Evander and the Trojans did. Thence he his fleet and friends revisited, And from their number chose the valiantest Who in the war should follow him; the rest Go with the stream, and down the river fell, That the glad news they might Ascanius tell. Trojans are hors'd, for Tyrrhen countreys bent, A matchlesse one t' Aeneas they present, Caparison'd with a mighty Lyons skin, Which covering him, with golden clawes did shine.

Straight nimble fame through the small city flew, That troups of horse to Tyrrhen kingdoms drew: Matrons their vows redouble with their fears, And wars dire visage greater now appears. Evander then on them departing layes Weeping, his hands, and thus imbracing sayes— O Jove! wouldst thou my former youth renew, When at Preneste I the Van orethrew, And heaps of shields to ashes did compell, And with this hand King Herelus sent to hell. Three souls his mother gave him at his birth, (Strange to be told) thrice he must fall to earth, Thrice was to die: yet I not suffering harm, Took all those lives, and did as oft disarm. I then dear son not from thy'mbrace would be Depriv'd, nor should Mizentius over me Thus much insult, nor oft so neer our gate Slaughter our men, and town depopulate. But oh you gods, and greatest Jove, now bring Comfort, and pity the Arcadian King; And hear a fathers prayer, if power you have My Pallas to preserve, if fates will save!

If! may see him, and we meet again, Then life I crave, all labour I'le disdain; But him if fortune with sad chance persues, O now my wofull life now let me lose! Whilst doubtfull cares, and hopes incertain be, Whilst the sole comfort of my age, I thee Dear son infold with strict imbraces here, Before a sadder message wound my eare.

His father these at his last farewell said, Whom falne, his servants to his court convaid.

Now through the open gates the horsmen bent, Aeneas first with good Achates went, Then other Chiefs, Pallas amidst the bands In warlike habit and bright arms commands. As on the ocean Lucifer reflects, Whom Venus before other stars respects, Raising his sacred head, all darknesse flies. The fearful matrons crown the wals, their eyes The dusky cloud and glittering band persue. The troops through neerest wayes and thickets drew: A clamour rose, drawn up in rank and file, With trampling hoofs they shake the beaten soyle.

There are large groves, neer Coeris frigid wave, Sacred of old, which hollow mountains have With gloomy firre beset, and clos'd with wood. The ancient Greeks unto Sylvanus, god Of fields and heards, this grove and least did grant, Who first did in the Latine confines plant. Not far from this, safely incamped lay Tarchon and Tyrrhens, all the army they, Saw from a height possesse a spacious plain. Here bends Aeneas and his warlike train, And weary, for themselves and horse provide.

But Venus through the chrystal sphears did glide,

Fair goddesse, bearing gifts, in secret she Her son in winding vales far off did see. And thus to him her self discovering said, Behold the promis'd gift my husband made: Dear son, now fear not proud Laurentian spight, Nor to encounter Turnus in the fight. Venus thus laid, having her son imbrac'd, Against an oke the shining armour plac'd. Proud of so great an honour, each where he Roll'd his quick eye, nor satisfied could be, Trying on severall peeces, he admires The dreadful plumed helm, ejecting fires, And fatal sword, bloody habergion, Mighty and stiffe with brasse; such, when the sun Gilds a dark cloud with rayes, which far off shine. Then his soft greaves, gold, and Electrum joyne, And the rare workmanship on's spear and shield, Which Latian acts and Roman triumphs held.

Vulcan, who well could future things foresee, Had grav'd there all Ascanius progenie, And wars in order as they have been fought.

Laid in a verdant cave, Mars wolf he wrought, Fast on her teats the double off-spring sticks, Whom sporting, their kind foster-mother licks; She bending her smooth neck, delights the young By turns, and shapes their bodies with her tongue, Not far from this, Rome and the Sabine dames Rap'd from the Theater, and Circensian games; Whence to the Romans a new war arose. Here he old Tatius and stern Cures shews; After those Kings arm'd, reconciled stand Before Joves altar, goblets in their hand, And to confirm the league, a swine they slew. Not far from thence, four horses Metius drew

In sunder (but thou Alban shouldst have stood Unto thy promise) Tullus through the wood The traitors bowels with long dragging tore, And dew'd the sprinkled briers with his gore.

Porsenna next, Tarquine to re-inthrone Commands, and with strict siege begirt the town. Romans for liberty their lives contemn. Thou'dst think at once he frown'd, and threatned them; Because the bridge the valiant Cocles broke, And Cleia scap'd from bonds, the river took. Upon the top of the Tarpeian tower Manlius the Captain stood, with all his power The Temple and the Capitol to watch, And new built courts, rough with Romulean thatch; And here the silver goose through ports of gold Flying, the Gaules to be in th'entrauce told. Gaules through the shrubs did to the towre ascend, Whom the dark shade and gloomy night defend. Their beards were golden, golden was their hair, They in branch'd cassocks shine, with gold their fair Necks be adorn'd; each shook two Alpine spears, And for defence a mighty target bears.

Here dancing Salii, naked Luperci With woolly crowns those shields fell from the sky. Drawn in soft litters, here chaste matrons are Rites bearing through the city. Hence not far Hels courts and Pluto's gates he did designe, And for crimes, tortures: and thee Catiline Hung on a rock, fearing the furies jawes: The blest withdrawn, where Cato gives the Lawes. The deep seas golden image he ingraves Mongst these, but th'azure fom'd with silver waves. About the ring bright silver Dolphins glide, Brush with their sterns the deep, and waves divide.

Amidst thou mighst behold the brazen fleet, The Actian war, and all Leucates sweat, Ready to charge, prepared for the fight: Thou mighst have view'd with gold the billows bright. With him his Gods, the Peers and People came, Who standing on the stern, a double flame Darts from his brows, his fathers star appears. Agrippa there, with winds, heaven favouring, steers His squadron up, and brings his ensignes on, His brows deckt with a naval garland shon. Antonius here with strange and differing bands Both from the red sea and the Eastern strands, Forces of Egypt, and the Bactrians led, Th' Egyptian Queen (shamelesse) him followed. At once all charge, and with their labouring ores The whole sea fomes, plow'd up with thundring prores, They take the deep, thou wouldst suppose again That floating Cyclades swam upon the main, Or mountains did with mighty mountains meet, They with such force charge in the towrie fleet: Wild-fire they cast, swift steel, and darts are spread, And Neptunes fields grow with fresh slaughter red. With Egypts trumpets in the midst, the Queen Calls up her fleet, approaching snakes not seen. The barking Anubis, all the monstruous brood Of gods, 'gainst Neptune, Venus, Pallas stood Oppos'd in arms: Mars through the battel rav'd. From heaven sad furies he in steel ingrav'd; And proud of her torne garments, Discord goes; Bellona with a bloody whip persues; His bow Actian Apollo from above These viewing, bent: all with that terror drove, Egyptians, Indians, and Arabians fly, The Queen her self, with winds implor'd, to ply

Her sails appear'd, and with loos'd bolings went. Her midst the slaughters, the Ignipotent Made pale with future death, through waves to flie; Oppos'd to this did huge-limb'd Nilus lie, Spreading his garment, calls into his breast, To sheltring waves inviting the distrest. But to Rome Caesar with three triumphs rode, And on our gods immortal vowes bestow'd; Him ample fanes three hundred joyful greet, And loud applause did ring through every street, In all the Temples quires of Dames resound, Slain Steers before the altars strew the ground. He in bright porches of great Phoebus sits, And gifts of nations to proud pillars fits. Of conquer'd people, a long train proceeds; These, various all, in language, arms, and weeds. Here Vulcan fram'd Africans, Nomades, Lelegs, Cures, and dart-arm'd Gelones. Euphrates now glides softer, and Morine Furthest of Nations, double-horned Rhine: Daae Araxes, who a bridge doth scorn. Wondring how Vulcan did the shield adorn; And ignorant he glories in the frame, Then straight claps on his off-springs fate and fame.