Complete Works of Virgil

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Complete Works of Virgil Page 179

by Virgil


  of our ancestral hearth; and join with these

  the gods of good Acestes. Presently,

  when the ninth dawn shall bring its beam benign

  to mortal men, and show the radiant world,

  or all my Teucrian people I ordain

  a holiday of games; the flying ships

  shall first contend; then swiftest runners try

  a foot-race; after that the champions bold

  who step forth for a cast of javelins,

  or boast the soaring arrow; or fear not

  the boxing-bout, with gauntlet of thick thongs.

  This summons is for all; let all have hope

  to earn some noble palm! And from this hour

  speak but well-boding words, and bind your brows

  with garlands green.” So saying, he twined a wreath

  of his own mother’s myrtle-tree, to shade

  his sacred brow; the hero Helymus,

  and King Acestes for his tresses gray,

  like coronals took on; Ascanius

  and all the warrior youth like emblems wore.

  Then in th’ attendant throng conspicuous,

  with thousands at his side, the hero moved

  from place of council to his father’s tomb.

  There on the ground he poured libation due,

  two beakers of good wine, of sweet milk two,

  two of the victim’s blood — and scattered flowers

  of saddest purple stain, while thus he prayed:

  “Hail, hallowed sire! And hail, ye ashes dear

  of him I vainly saved! O soul and shade

  of my blest father! Heaven to us denied

  to find together that predestined land

  of Italy, or our Ausonian stream

  of Tiber — ah! but where?” He scarce had said,

  when from the central shrine a gliding snake,

  coiled seven-fold in seven spirals wide,

  twined round the tomb and trailed innocuous o’er

  the very altars; his smooth back was flecked

  with green and azure, and his changeful scales

  gleamed golden, as the cloud-born rainbow flings

  its thousand colors from th’ opposing sun.

  Aeneas breathless watched the serpent wind

  among the bowls and cups of polished rim,

  tasting the sacred feast; where, having fed,

  back to the tomb all harmless it withdrew.

  Then with new zeal his sacrifice he brings

  in honor of his sire; for he must deem

  that serpent the kind genius of the place,

  or of his very father’s present shade

  some creature ministrant. Two lambs he slew,

  the wonted way, two swine, and, sable-hued,

  the yoke of bulls; from shallow bowl he poured

  libation of the grape, and called aloud

  on great Anchises’ spirit, and his shade,

  from Acheron set free. Then all the throng,

  each from his separate store, heap up the shrines

  with victims slain; some range in order fair

  the brazen cauldrons; or along the grass,

  scattered at ease, hold o’er the embers bright

  the spitted flesh and roast it in the flames.

  Arrived the wished-for day; through cloudless sky

  the coursers of the Sun’s bright-beaming car

  bore upward the ninth morn. The neighboring folk

  thronged eager to the shore; some hoped to see

  Aeneas and his warriors, others fain

  would their own prowess prove in bout and game.

  Conspicuous lie the rewards, ranged in sight

  in the mid-circus; wreaths of laurel green,

  the honored tripod, coronals of palm

  for conquerors’ brows, accoutrements of war,

  rare robes of purple stain, and generous weight

  of silver and of gold. The trumpet’s call

  proclaimed from lofty mound the opening games.

  First, side by side, with sturdy, rival oars,

  four noble galleys, pride of all the fleet,

  come forward to contend. The straining crew

  of Mnestheus bring his speedy Pristis on, —

  Mnestheus in Italy erelong the sire

  of Memmius’ noble line. Brave Gyas guides

  his vast Chimaera, a colossal craft,

  a floating city, by a triple row

  of Dardan sailors manned, whose banks of oars

  in triple order rise. Sergestus, he

  of whom the Sergian house shall after spring,

  rides in his mighty Centaur. Next in line,

  on sky-blue Scylla proud Cloanthus rides —

  whence thy great stem, Cluentius of Rome!

  Fronting the surf-beat shore, far out at sea

  rises a rock, which under swollen waves

  lies buffeted unseen, when wintry storms

  mantle the stars; but when the deep is calm,

  lifts silently above the sleeping wave

  its level field, — a place where haunt and play

  flocks of the sea-birds, Iovers of the sun.

  Here was the goal; and here Aeneas set

  a green-leaved flex-tree, to be a mark

  for every captain’s eye, from whence to veer

  the courses of their ships in sweeping curves

  and speed them home. Now places in the line

  are given by lot. Upon the lofty sterns

  the captains ride, in beautiful array

  of Tyriao purple and far-flaming gold;

  the crews are poplar-crowned, the shoulders bare

  rubbed well with glittering oil; their straining arms

  make long reach to the oar, as on the thwarts

  they sit attentive, listening for the call

  of the loud trumpet; while with pride and fear

  their hot hearts throb, impassioned for renown.

  Soon pealed the signal clear; from all the line

  instant the galleys bounded, and the air

  rang to the rowers, shouting, while their arms

  pulled every inch and flung the waves in foam;

  deep cut the rival strokes; the surface fair

  yawned wide beneath their blades and cleaving keels.

  Not swifter scour the chariots o’er the plain,

  sped headlong from the line behind their teams

  of mated coursers, while each driver shakes

  loose, rippling reins above his plunging pairs,

  and o’er the lash leans far. With loud applause

  vociferous and many an urgent cheer

  the woodlands rang, and all the concave shores

  back from the mountains took the Trojan cry

  in answering song. Forth-flying from his peers,

  while all the crowd acclaims, sped Gyas’ keel

  along the outmost wave. Cloanthus next

  pushed hard upon, with stronger stroke of oars

  but heavier ship. At equal pace behind

  the Pristis and the Centaur fiercely strive

  for the third place. Now Pristis seems to lead,

  now mightier Centaur past her flies, then both

  ride on together, prow with prow, and cleave

  long lines of foaming furrow with swift keels.

  Soon near the rock they drew, and either ship

  was making goal, — when Gyas, in the lead,

  and winner of the half-course, Ioudly hailed

  menoetes, the ship’s pilot: “Why so far

  to starboard, we? Keep her head round this way!

  Hug shore! Let every oar-blade almost graze

  that reef to larboard! Let the others take

  the deep-sea course outside!” But while he spoke,

  Menoetes, dreading unknown rocks below,

  veered off to open sea. “Why steer so wide?

  Round to the rock, Menoetes!” Gyas roared, —

  ag
ain in vain, for looking back he saw

  cloanthus hard astern, and ever nearer,

  who, in a trice, betwixt the booming reef

  and Gyas’ galley, lightly forward thrust

  the beak of Scylla to the inside course,

  and, quickly taking lead, flew past the goal

  to the smooth seas beyond. Then wrathful grief

  flamed in the warrior’s heart, nor was his cheek

  unwet with tears; and, reckless utterly

  of his own honor and his comrades, lives,

  he hurled poor, slack Menoetes from the poop

  headlong upon the waters, while himself,

  pilot and master both, the helm assuming,

  urged on his crew, and landward took his way.

  But now, with heavy limbs that hardly won

  his rescue from the deep, engulfing wave,

  up the rude rock graybeard Menoetes climbed

  with garment dripping wet, and there dropped down

  upon the cliff’s dry top. With laughter loud

  the Trojan crews had watched him plunging, swimming,

  and now to see his drink of bitter brine

  spewed on the ground, the sailors laughed again.

  But Mnestheus and Sergestus, coming last,

  have joyful hope enkindled in each heart

  to pass the laggard Gyas. In the lead

  Sergestus’ ship shoots forth; and to the rock

  runs boldly nigh; but not his whole long keel

  may pass his rival; the projecting beak

  is followed fast by Pristis’ emulous prow.

  Then, striding straight amidships through his crew,

  thus Mnestheus urged them on: “O Hector’s friends!

  Whom in the dying hours of Troy I chose

  for followers! Now stand ye to your best!

  Put forth the thews of valor that ye showed

  in the Gaetulian Syrtes, or that sea

  Ionian, or where the waves race by

  the Malean promontory! Mnestheus now

  hopes not to be the first, nor do I strive

  for victory. O Father Neptune, give

  that garland where thou wilt! But O, the shame

  if we are last! Endure it not, my men!

  The infamy refuse!” So, bending low,

  they enter the home-stretch. Beneath their stroke

  the brass-decked galley throbs, and under her

  the sea-floor drops away. On, on they fly!

  Parched are the panting lips, and sweat in streams

  pours down their giant sides; but lucky chance

  brought the proud heroes what their honor craved.

  For while Sergestus furiously drove

  his ship’s beak toward the rock, and kept inside

  the scanty passage, by his evil star

  he grounded on the jutting reef; the cliffs

  rang with the blow, and his entangled oars

  grated along the jagged granite, while

  the prow hung wrecked and helpless. With loud cry

  upsprang the sailors, while the ship stood still,

  and pushed off with long poles and pointed iron,

  or snatched the smashed oars from the whirling tide.

  Mnestheus exults; and, roused to keener strife

  by happy fortune, with a quicker stroke

  of each bright rank of oars, and with the breeze

  his prayer implored, skims o’er the obedient wave

  and sweeps the level main. Not otherwise

  a startled dove, emerging o’er the fields

  from secret cavern in the crannied hill

  where her safe house and pretty nestlings lie,

  soars from her nest, with whirring wings — but soon

  through the still sky she takes her path of air

  on pinions motionless. So Pristis sped

  with Mnestheus, cleaving her last stretch of sea,

  by her own impulse wafted. She outstripped

  Sergestus first; for he upon the reef

  fought with the breakers, desperately shouting

  for help, for help in vain, with broken oars

  contriving to move on. Then Mnestheus ran

  past Gyas, in Chimaera’s ponderous hulk,

  of pilot now bereft; at last remains

  Cloanthus his sole peer, whom he pursues

  with a supreme endeavor. From the shore

  burst echoing cheers that spur him to the chase,

  and wild applause makes all the welkin ring.

  The leaders now with eager souls would scorn

  to Iose their glory, and faint-hearted fail

  to grasp a prize half-won, but fain would buy

  honor with life itself; the followers too

  are flushed with proud success, and feel them strong

  because their strength is proven. Both ships now

  with indistinguishable prows had sped

  to share one prize, — but with uplifted hands

  spread o’er the sea, Cloanthus, suppliant,

  called on the gods to bless his votive prayer:

  “Ye gods who rule the waves, whose waters be

  my pathway now; for you on yonder strand

  a white bull at the altar shall be slain

  in grateful tribute for a granted vow;

  and o’er the salt waves I will scatter far

  the entrails, and outpour the flowing wine.”

  He spoke; and from the caverns under sea

  Phorcus and virgin Panopea heard,

  and all the sea-nymphs’ choir; while with strong hand

  the kindly God of Havens rose and thrust

  the gliding ship along, that swifter flew

  than south wind, or an arrow from the string,

  and soon made land in haven safe and sure.

  Aeneas then, assembling all to hear,

  by a far-sounding herald’s voice proclaimed

  Cloanthus victor, and arrayed his brows

  with the green laurel-garland; to the crews

  three bulls, at choice, were given, and plenteous wine

  and talent-weight of silver; to the chiefs

  illustrious gifts beside; the victor had

  a gold-embroidered mantle with wide band

  of undulant Meliboean purple rare,

  where, pictured in the woof, young Ganymede

  through Ida’s forest chased the light-foot deer

  with javelin; all flushed and panting he.

  But lo! Jove’s thunder-bearing eagle fell,

  and his strong talons snatched from Ida far

  the royal boy, whose aged servitors

  reached helpless hands to heaven; his faithful hound

  bayed fiercely at the air. To him whose worth

  the second place had won, Aeneas gave

  a smooth-linked golden corselet, triple-chained,

  of which his own victorious hand despoiled

  Demoleos, by the swift, embattled stream

  of Simois, under Troy, — and bade it be

  a glory and defence on valor’s field;

  scarce might the straining shoulders of two slaves,

  Phegeus and Sagaris, the load endure,

  yet oft Demoleos in this armor dressed

  charged down full speed on routed hosts of Troy.

  The third gift was two cauldrons of wrought brass,

  and bowls of beaten silver, cunningly

  embossed with sculpture fair. Bearing such gifts,

  th’ exultant victors onward moved, each brow

  bound with a purple fillet. But behold!

  Sergestus, from the grim rock just dragged off

  by cunning toil, one halting rank of oars

  left of his many lost, comes crawling in

  with vanquished ship, a mockery to all.

  As when a serpent, on the highway caught,

  some brazen wheel has crushed, or traveller

  with heavy-smiting blow left half alive


  and mangled by a stone; in vain he moves

  in writhing flight; a part is lifted high

  with hissing throat and angry, glittering eyes;

  but by the wounded part a captive still

  he knots him fold on fold: with such a track

  the maimed ship labored slow; but by her sails

  she still made way, and with full canvas on

  arrived at land. Aeneas then bestowed

  a boon upon Sergestus, as was meet

  for reward of the ship in safety brought

  with all its men; a fair slave was the prize,

  the Cretan Pholoe, well taught to weave,

  and twin boy-babes upon her breast she bore.

  Then good Aeneas, the ship-contest o’er,

  turned to a wide green valley, circled round

  with clasp of wood-clad hills, wherein was made

  an amphitheatre; entering with a throng

  of followers, the hero took his seat

  in mid-arena on a lofty mound.

  For the fleet foot-race, now, his summons flies, —

  he offers gifts, and shows the rewards due.

  The mingling youth of Troy and Sicily

  hastened from far. Among the foremost came

  the comrades Nisus and Euryalus,

  Euryalus for beauty’s bloom renowned,

  Nisus for loyal love; close-following these

  Diores strode, a prince of Priam’s line;

  then Salius and Patron, who were bred

  in Acarnania and Arcady;

  then two Sicilian warriors, Helymus

  and Panopes, both sylvan bred and born,

  comrades of King Acestes; after these

  the multitude whom Fame forgets to tell.

  Aeneas, so surrounded, thus spake forth:

  “Hear what I purpose, and with joy receive!

  of all your company, not one departs

  with empty hand. The Cretan javelins

  bright-tipped with burnished steel, and battle-axe

  adorned with graven silver, these shall be

  the meed of all. The three first at the goal

  shall bind their foreheads with fair olive green,

  and win the rewards due. The first shall lead,

  victorious, yon rich-bridled steed away;

  this Amazonian quiver, the next prize,

  well-stocked with Thracian arrows; round it goes

  a baldrick broad and golden, — in its clasp

  a lustrous gem. The third man goes away

  taking this helmet from the Argive spoil.”

  They heard, and took their places. The loud horn

  gave signal, and impetuous from the line,

  swift as a bursting storm they sped away,

  eyes fixed upon the goal. Far in advance

  Nisus shot forward, swifter than the winds

  or winged thunderbolt; the next in course,

  next, but out-rivalled far, was Salius,

 

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