Page:The Aeneid of Virgil JOHN CONINGTON 1917 V2.pdf/281

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might rather be the sport of lying terrors, and thou, who
canst, lead back thy counsels by a better road!"

This said, from the lofty sky she shot forthwith, driving
storm before her through the air and girt with the rain-cloud,
and sought the army of Ilium and the camp of 5
Laurentum. Then, as goddesses may, she fashions a
thin, strengthless shadow of hollow cloud in the likeness
of Æneas, a marvel to the eyes, accoutres it with Dardan
weapons, and counterfeits the shield and the crest of the
god-like head, gives it empty words and tones without 10
soul, and renders to the life the step and the gait: even
as the shapes that are said to flit when death is past, or
the dreams that mock the sense of slumber. So the
phantom strides triumphant in the van, goading the enemy
with brandished weapons and defiant speech. Turnus 15
comes on, and hurls from far his hurtling spear; it turns
its back and retires. Then, when Turnus thought Æneas
flying in retreat, and snatched in the vehemence of his
soul at the empty hope: "Whither so fast, Æneas?"
cries he: "nay, leave not your promised bridal; this 20
hand shall give you the soil you have sought for the
ocean over." So with loud shouts he follows, waving his
drawn sword, nor sees that the winds are bearing off his
triumph. It chanced that a ship was standing moored to
the edge of a lofty rock, its ladder let down, its bridge 25
ready to cross—the ship which had carried king Osinius
from the borders of Clusium. Hither, as in haste, the
semblance of the flying Æneas plunged for shelter. Turnus
follows as fast, bounds over all obstacles, and springs
across the high-raised bridge. Scarce had he touched the 30
prow when Saturn's daughter breaks the mooring and
sweeps the sundered ship along the receding flood. Æneas
meanwhile is claiming the combat with his absent foe,
and sending down to death many a warrior frame that
crosses his way. Then the airy phantom seeks shelter no 35
longer, but soaring aloft blends with the murky atmosphere,
while Turnus is borne by the wind down the middle
of the tide. Ignorant of the event, and unthankful for