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of the citadel, bounding high with courage, and in hope
already forestalls the foe: even as when a horse, bursting
his tether, escapes from the stall, free at last and master
of the open champaign,[o] either wends where the herds of
mares pasture, or wont to bathe in the well-known river 5
darts forth and neighs with head tossed on high in wanton
frolic, while his mane plays loosely about neck and shoulders.
His path Camilla crosses, a Volscian army at her
back, and dismounts from her horse at the gate with
queenly gesture; the whole band follow her lead, quit 10
their horses, and alight to earth, while she bespeaks him
thus: "Turnus, if the brave may feel faith in themselves,
I promise boldly to confront the cavalry of Troy and
singly ride to meet the Tyrrhene horse. Let me essay
the first hazard of the combat; do you on foot remain by 15
the walls and be the city's guard." Turnus replies, gazing
steadfastly on the dreadful maid: "O maiden, glory
of Italy, what thanks shall I strive to speak or render?
but seeing that soul of yours soars above all, partake the
toil with me. Æneas, as rumour and missioned spies tell 20
me for truth, has cunningly sent on his light-armed cavalry
to scour the plain, while he, surmounting the lonely
steeps of the hill, is marching townward. I meditate a
stratagem of war in that woodland gorge, to beset the
narrow thoroughfare with an armed band. Do you in 25
battle array receive the Tuscan horse. With you will
be keen Messapus, and the Latian cavalry, and Tiburtus'
troop: take your share of a general's charge." This said,
he exhorts Messapus and the federate leaders with like
words to the fight, and advances to meet the enemy. 30
A glen there is, narrow and winding, suited for ambush
and stratagems of arms, pent in on both sides by a mountain-wall
black with dense foliage; a scant pathway leads
to it, with straitened gorge and jealous inlet. Above it
on the mountain's watch-tower height lies a concealed 35
table-land, a post of sheltered privacy, whether one be
minded to face the battle right and left, or, standing on
the slope, to roll down enormous stones. Hither repairs