Aeneid

Virgil

Vergil. The Aeneid of Virgil. Williams, Theodore, C, translator. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1910.

  1. First in his path was Lagus, thither led
  2. by evil stars; whom, as he tried to lift
  3. a heavy stone, the shaft of Pallas pierced
  4. where ribs and spine divide: backward he drew
  5. the clinging spear; But Hisbo from above
  6. surprised him not, though meaning it; for while
  7. (In anger blind for friend unpitying slain)
  8. at Pallas' face he flew:—he, standing firm,
  9. plunged deep into that swelling breast the sword.
  10. Then Sthenius he slew; and next Anchemolus
  11. of Rhoetus' ancient line, who dared defile
  12. his step-dame's bridal bed. And also ye,
  13. fair Thymber and Larides, Daucus' twins,
  14. fell on that Rutule field; so like were ye,
  15. your own kin scarce discerned, and parents proud
  16. smiled at the dear deceit; but now in death
  17. cruel unlikeness Pallas wrought; thy head
  18. fell, hapless Thymber, by Evander's sword;
  19. and thy right hand, Larides, shorn away,
  20. seemed feeling for its Iord; the fingers cold
  21. clutched, trembling, at the sword. Now all the troop
  22. of Arcady, their chief's great action seen,
  23. and by his warning roused, made at their foes,
  24. spurred on by grief and shame. Next Pallas pierced
  25. the flying Rhoetus in his car; this gained
  26. for Ilus respite and delay, for him
  27. the stout spear aimed at; but its flight was stopped
  28. by Rhoetus, as in swift retreat he rode,
  29. by the two high-born brothers close pursued,
  30. Teuthras and Tyres: from his car he rolled,
  31. making deep furrows with his lifeless heels
  32. along the Rutule plain. Oft when the winds
  33. of summer, long awaited, rise and blow,
  34. a shepherd fires the forest, and the blaze
  35. devours the dense grove, while o'er the fields,
  36. in that one moment, swift and sudden spread
  37. grim Vulcan's serried flames; from some high seat
  38. on distant hill, the shepherd peering down
  39. sees, glad at heart, his own victorious fires:
  40. so now fierce valor spreads, uniting all
  41. in one confederate rage, 'neath Pallas' eyes.
  42. But the fierce warrior Halaesus next
  43. led on the charge, behind his skilful shield
  44. close-crouching. Ladon and Demodocus
  45. and Pheres he struck down; his glittering blade
  46. cut Strymon's hand, which to his neck was raised,
  47. sheer off; with one great stone he crushed the brows
  48. of Thoas, scattering wide the broken skull,
  49. bones, brains, and gore. Halaesus' prophet-sire,
  50. foreseeing doom, had hid him in dark groves;
  51. but when the old man's fading eyes declined
  52. in death, the hand of Fate reached forth and doomed
  53. the young life to Evander's sword; him now
  54. Pallas assailed, first offering this prayer:
  55. “O Father Tiber, give my poising shaft
  56. through stout Halaesus' heart its lucky way!
  57. The spoil and trophy of the hero slain
  58. on thine own oak shall hang.” The god received
  59. the vow, and while Halaesus held his shield
  60. over Imaon, his ill-fated breast
  61. lay naked to th' Arcadian's hungry spear.