Page:The Aeneid of Virgil JOHN CONINGTON 1917 V2.pdf/320

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grant that I may lay low the emasculate Phrygian, strip
and rend his hauberk by strength of hand, and soil in the
dust those ringlets curled with hot iron and moist with
myrrh." So he rages, fury-driven: sparks flash from the
furnace of his countenance, lightnings dart from his 5
fiery eyes; as when a bull in view of a fight raises fearful
bellowing, and calls up rage into his horns by butting against
a tree's trunk, challenges the wind with his blows, and
spurns the flying sand in prelude for the fray.

With equal fierceness Æneas, clad in his mother's 10
armour, sharpens valour's edge, and lashes his heart with
wrath, joying that proffered truce should end the war.
Then he calms his comrades' fear and the grief of Iulus,
talking of destiny, and sends envoys with an answer to the
Latian king, to name the conditions of peace. 15

Scarce had the next morrow begun to sprinkle the
mountain-tops with light, at the time when the sun's
steeds first come up from the deep and breathe flakes of
radiance from their upturned nostrils, when Rutulians
and Teucrians were at work, measuring out lists for combat 20
under the ramparts of the mighty town, with hearths
in the midst, and altars of turf for their common gods.
Others were carrying fire and spring water, begirt with
aprons, vervain[o] wreaths on their brows. Forth moves
the Ausonian army, bands with lifted javelins issuing 25
from the crowded gates. From yonder quarters pours the
Trojan and Tuscan force, with the arms of their several
countries, harnessed as if summoned by the War-god's
bloody fray. In the midst of either squadrons the generals
flash along, glorious in gold and purple, Mnestheus, 30
Assaracus' seed, and Asilas the brave, and Messapus,
tamer of horses, the progeny of Neptune. At a given
signal each army retreats within its confines; spears are
fixed in the ground, and bucklers rested at ease. Matrons
in yearning eagerness, and unarmed masses, and tottering 35
old men, fill turret and roof, or stand by the lofty portals.

But Juno, from the top of the mount now styled Alban—in
those days it had no name, nor glory, nor honour—*