Page:The Aeneid of Virgil JOHN CONINGTON 1917 V2.pdf/265

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flame of war with the gales of love? Then had there been
decency in your fears for your friends; now you are rising
too late with unjust complaints, and flinging idly the language
of quarrel."

Such was the appeal of Juno: and the whole body of immortals 5
murmured assent on this side or on that, like newborn
gales when they murmur, caught in the forest, and
roll about mysterious sounds, disclosing to the sailor a
coming storm. Then begins the almighty sire, whose is
the chief sovereignty of the universe: at opening of his 10
mouth the lofty palace of the gods grows still, and earth
shakes to her foundations; silent is the height of ether; the
Zephyrs are sunk to rest, and Ocean subdues its waves to
repose. "Take then to your hearts and engrave there
these my words: since it may not be that Ausonian and 15
Teucrian should be united by treaty, and your wranglings
brook no conclusion, be each man's fortune to-day what
it may, be the span of each man's hope long or short,
Trojan or Rutulian, I will show favour to neither, whether
it be by destiny that the Italian leaguer encompasses the 20
camp, or by Troy's baneful error and the warnings of hostile
intelligence. Nor leave I the Rutulians free. Each man's
own endeavours shall yield him the harvest of labour or
fortune. Jove, as king, is alike to all. Destiny shall find
her own way." By the river of his Stygian brother, by the 25
banks that seethe with pitch and are washed by the
murky torrent, he nodded confirmation, and with his nod
made all Olympus tremble. So ended their debate.
Then from his golden throne rises Jove, and the immortals
gathering round him usher him to his chamber. 30

Meantime the Rutulians press round each and all of the
gates, eager to slaughter the soldiery and belt the ramparts
with flame. But Æneas' army is hemmed within the
leaguered encampment, without hope of escape. In unavailing
wretchedness they stand guarding the turret's 35
height, and form a thin circle round the walls. Asius son
of Imbrasus, and Hicetaon's child Thymœtes, and the two
Assaraci, and Castor and aged Thymbris are their front