480
VIRGIL's
Æn. V.
O Goddess-born, and you Dardanian Host,
Mark with Attention, and forgive any Boast:
Learn what I was, by what remains; and know 635
From what impending Fate, you sav'd my Foe.
Sternly he spoke; and then confronts the Bull;
And, on his ample Forehead, aiming full,
The deadly Stroke descending, pierc'd the Skull.
Down drops the Beast; nor needs a second Wound: 640
But sprawls in pangs of Death; and spurns the Ground.
Then, thus: In Dares stead I offer this;
Eryx, accept a nobler Sacrifice:
Take the last Gift my wither'd Arms can yield,
Thy Gauntlets I resign; and here renounce the Field.
This done, Æneas orders, for the close, 646
The strife of Archers, with contending Bows.
The Mast, Sergesthus shatter'd Gally bore,
With his own Hands, he raises on the Shore:
A flutt'ring Dove upon the Top they tye, 650
The living Mark, at which their Arrows fly.
The rival Archers in a Line advance;
Their turn of Shooting to receive from Chance.
A Helmet holds their Names: The Lots are drawn,
On the first Scroll was read Hippocoon: 655
The People shout; upon the next was found
Young Mnestheus, late with Naval Honours crown'd.
The third contain'd Eurytion's Noble Name,
Thy Brother, Pandarus, and next in Fame:
Mark with Attention, and forgive any Boast:
Learn what I was, by what remains; and know 635
From what impending Fate, you sav'd my Foe.
Sternly he spoke; and then confronts the Bull;
And, on his ample Forehead, aiming full,
The deadly Stroke descending, pierc'd the Skull.
Down drops the Beast; nor needs a second Wound: 640
But sprawls in pangs of Death; and spurns the Ground.
Then, thus: In Dares stead I offer this;
Eryx, accept a nobler Sacrifice:
Take the last Gift my wither'd Arms can yield,
Thy Gauntlets I resign; and here renounce the Field.
This done, Æneas orders, for the close, 646
The strife of Archers, with contending Bows.
The Mast, Sergesthus shatter'd Gally bore,
With his own Hands, he raises on the Shore:
A flutt'ring Dove upon the Top they tye, 650
The living Mark, at which their Arrows fly.
The rival Archers in a Line advance;
Their turn of Shooting to receive from Chance.
A Helmet holds their Names: The Lots are drawn,
On the first Scroll was read Hippocoon: 655
The People shout; upon the next was found
Young Mnestheus, late with Naval Honours crown'd.
The third contain'd Eurytion's Noble Name,
Thy Brother, Pandarus, and next in Fame:
