Complete Works of Virgil

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Complete Works of Virgil Page 192

by Virgil


  smote both on Teucrian and Rutulian ear:

  “O Teucrians, fear not for the sure defence

  of all the ships, nor arm your mortal hands.

  Yon impious Turnus shall burn up the seas

  before my pine-trees blest. Arise! Be free,

  ye goddesses of ocean, and obey

  your mother’s mighty word.” Then instant broke

  the hawsers of the sterns; the beaked prows

  went plunging like great dolphins from the shore

  down to the deeps, and, wonderful to tell,

  the forms of virgin goddesses uprose,

  one for each ship, and seaward sped away.

  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 prostra
te 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

 

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