372
VIRGIL's
Æn. II.
Look where, in Arms, Imperial Juno stands, 830
Full in the Scæan Gate, with loud Commands;
Urging on Shore the tardy Grecian Bands.
See Pallas, of her snaky Buckler proud,
Bestrides the Tow'r, refulgent through the Cloud:
See Jove new Courage to the Foe supplies, 835
And Arms against the Town, the partial Deities.
Haste hence, my Son; this fruitless Labour end:
Haste where your trembling Spouse, and Sire attend!
Haste, and a Mother's Care your Passage shall befriend.
She said: and swiftly vanish'd from my Sight, 840
Obscure in Clouds, and gloomy Shades of Night.
I look'd, I listen'd; dreadful Sounds I hear,
And the dire Forms of hostile Gods appear.
Troy sunk in Flames I saw, nor could prevent;
And Ilium from its old Foundations rent. 845
Rent like a Mountain Ash, which dar'd the Winds;
And stood the sturdy Stroaks of lab'ring Hinds:
About the Roots the cruel Ax resounds,
The Stumps are pierc'd, with oft repeated Wounds.
The War is felt on high, the nodding Crown 850
Now threats a Fall, and throws the leafy Honours down.
To their united Force it yields, though late;
And mourns with mortal Groans th'approaching Fate:
The Roots no more their upper load sustain; 854
But down the falls, and spreads a ruin thro' the Plain.
Descending thence, I scape through Foes, and Fire:
Before the Goddess, Foes and Flames retire.
Full in the Scæan Gate, with loud Commands;
Urging on Shore the tardy Grecian Bands.
See Pallas, of her snaky Buckler proud,
Bestrides the Tow'r, refulgent through the Cloud:
See Jove new Courage to the Foe supplies, 835
And Arms against the Town, the partial Deities.
Haste hence, my Son; this fruitless Labour end:
Haste where your trembling Spouse, and Sire attend!
Haste, and a Mother's Care your Passage shall befriend.
She said: and swiftly vanish'd from my Sight, 840
Obscure in Clouds, and gloomy Shades of Night.
I look'd, I listen'd; dreadful Sounds I hear,
And the dire Forms of hostile Gods appear.
Troy sunk in Flames I saw, nor could prevent;
And Ilium from its old Foundations rent. 845
Rent like a Mountain Ash, which dar'd the Winds;
And stood the sturdy Stroaks of lab'ring Hinds:
About the Roots the cruel Ax resounds,
The Stumps are pierc'd, with oft repeated Wounds.
The War is felt on high, the nodding Crown 850
Now threats a Fall, and throws the leafy Honours down.
To their united Force it yields, though late;
And mourns with mortal Groans th'approaching Fate:
The Roots no more their upper load sustain; 854
But down the falls, and spreads a ruin thro' the Plain.
Descending thence, I scape through Foes, and Fire:
Before the Goddess, Foes and Flames retire.
Arriv'd
