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even as when haply flocks of birds have settled down in a
lofty grove, or on the fishy stream of Padusa hoarse swans
make a noise along the babbling waters, "Ay, good citizens,"
cries Turnus, seizing on his moment, "assemble
your council and sit praising peace; they are rushing on 5
the realm sword in hand." Without further speech he
dashed away and issued swiftly from the lofty gate.
"You, Volusus," he cries, "bid the Volscian squadrons arm,
and lead out the Rutulians. You, Messapus, and you,
Coras[o] and your brother, spread the horse in battle array 10
over the breadth of the plain. Let some guard the inlets
of the city and man the towers; the rest attack with me in
the quarter for which I give the word." At once there is
a rush to the ramparts from every part of the city: king
Latinus leaves the council and the high debate unfinished, 15
and wildered with the unhappy time, adjourns to another
day, ofttimes blaming himself that he welcomed not with
open arms Æneas the Dardan, and bestowed on the city
a husband for the daughter of Latium. Others dig
trenches before the gates or shoulder stones and stakes. 20
The hoarse trumpet gives its deathful warning for battle.
The walls are hemmed by a motley ring of matrons and
boys: the call of the last struggle rings in each one's ear.
Moreover the queen among a vast train of Latian mothers
is drawn to the temple, even to Pallas' tower on the height, 25
with presents in her hand, and at her side the maid Lavinia,
cause of this cruel woe, her beauteous eyes cast down.
The matrons enter the temple and make it steam with
incense, and pour from the august threshold their plaints
of sorrow: "Lady of arms, mistress of the war, Tritonian[o] 30
maiden, stretch forth thy hand and break the spear of the
Phrygian freebooter, lay him prostrate on the ground,
and leave him to grovel under our lofty portals." Turnus
with emulous fury arms himself for the battle. And now
he has donned his ruddy corslet, and is bristling with 35
brazen scales; his calves have been sheathed in gold, his
temples yet bare, and his sword had been girded to his
side, and he shines as he runs all golden from the steep