358
VIRGIL's
Æn. II.
With thousand others, whom I fear to name, 445
More than from Argos, or Mycenæ came.
To sev'ral Posts their Parties they divide;
Some block the narrow Streets, some scour the wide.
The bold they kill, th' unwary they surprise; 449
Who fights finds Death, and Death finds him who flies.
The Warders of the Gate but scarce maintain
Th' unequal Combat, and resist in vain.
I heard; and Heav'n, that well born Souls inspires,
Prompts me, thro' lifted Swords, and rising Fires
To run, where clashing Arms and Clamour calls, 455
And rush undaunted to defend the Walls.
Ripheus and Iph'itas by my side engage,
For Valour one Renown'd, and one for Age.
Dymas and Hypanis by Moonlight knew 459
My Motions, and my Meen, and to my Party drew;
With young Choræbus, who by Love was led
To win Renown, and fair Cassandras Bed;
And lately brought his Troops to Priam's aid:
Forewarn'd in vain, by the Prophetic Maid.
Whom, when I saw, resolv'd in Arms to fall, 465
And that one Spirit animated all;
Brave Souls, said I, but Brave, àlas! in vain:
Come, finish what our Cruel Fates ordain.
You see the desp'rate state of our Affairs;
And Heav'ns protecting Pow'rs are deaf to Pray'rs. 470
The passive Gods behold the Greeks defile
Their Temples, and abandon to the Spoil
More than from Argos, or Mycenæ came.
To sev'ral Posts their Parties they divide;
Some block the narrow Streets, some scour the wide.
The bold they kill, th' unwary they surprise; 449
Who fights finds Death, and Death finds him who flies.
The Warders of the Gate but scarce maintain
Th' unequal Combat, and resist in vain.
I heard; and Heav'n, that well born Souls inspires,
Prompts me, thro' lifted Swords, and rising Fires
To run, where clashing Arms and Clamour calls, 455
And rush undaunted to defend the Walls.
Ripheus and Iph'itas by my side engage,
For Valour one Renown'd, and one for Age.
Dymas and Hypanis by Moonlight knew 459
My Motions, and my Meen, and to my Party drew;
With young Choræbus, who by Love was led
To win Renown, and fair Cassandras Bed;
And lately brought his Troops to Priam's aid:
Forewarn'd in vain, by the Prophetic Maid.
Whom, when I saw, resolv'd in Arms to fall, 465
And that one Spirit animated all;
Brave Souls, said I, but Brave, àlas! in vain:
Come, finish what our Cruel Fates ordain.
You see the desp'rate state of our Affairs;
And Heav'ns protecting Pow'rs are deaf to Pray'rs. 470
The passive Gods behold the Greeks defile
Their Temples, and abandon to the Spoil
