Aeneid

Virgil

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

  1. Father Aeneas now, not making end
  2. of game and contest, summoned to his side
  3. Epytides, the mentor and true friend
  4. of young Iulus, and this bidding gave
  5. to his obedient ear: “Arise and go
  6. where my Ascanius has lined his troop
  7. of youthful cavalry, and trained the steeds
  8. to tread in ranks of war. Bid him lead forth
  9. the squadron in our sire Anchises' name,
  10. and wear a hero's arms!” So saying, he bade
  11. the course be cleared, and from the whole wide field
  12. th' insurging, curious multitude withdrew.
  13. In rode the boys, to meet their parents' eyes,
  14. in even lines, a glittering cavalry;
  15. while all Trinacria and the host from Troy
  16. made loud applause. On each bright brow
  17. a well-trimmed wreath the flowing tresses bound;
  18. two javelins of corner tipped with steel
  19. each bore for arms; some from the shoulder slung
  20. a polished quiver; to each bosom fell
  21. a pliant necklace of fine, twisted gold.
  22. Three bands of horsemen ride, three captains proud
  23. prance here and there, assiduous in command,
  24. each of his twelve, who shine in parted lines
  25. which lesser captains lead. One cohort proud
  26. follows a little Priam's royal name —
  27. one day, Polites, thy illustrious race
  28. through him prolonged, shall greater glory bring
  29. to Italy. A dappled Thracian steed
  30. with snow-white spots and fore-feet white as snow
  31. bears him along, its white face lifted high.
  32. Next Atys rode, young Atys, sire to be
  33. of th' Atian house in Rome, a boy most dear
  34. unto the boy Iulus; last in line,
  35. and fairest of the throng, Iulus came,
  36. astride a steed from Sidon, the fond gift
  37. of beauteous Dido and her pledge of love.
  38. Close followed him the youthful chivalry
  39. of King Acestes on Trinacrian steeds.