Aeneid

Virgil

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

  1. It chanced th' Arcadian King had come that day
  2. to honor Hercules, Amphitryon's son,
  3. and to the powers divine pay worship due
  4. in groves outside the wall. Beside him stood
  5. Pallas his son, his noblest men-at-arms,
  6. and frugal senators, who at the shrines
  7. burnt incense, while warm blood of victims flowed.
  8. But when they saw the tall ships in the shade
  9. of that dark forest plying noiseless oars,
  10. the sudden sight alarmed, and all the throng
  11. sprang to its feet and left the feast divine.
  12. But dauntless Pallas bade them give not o'er
  13. the sacred festival, and spear in hand
  14. flew forward to a bit of rising ground,
  15. and cried from far: “Hail, warriors! what cause
  16. drives you to lands unknown, and whither bound?
  17. Your kin, your country? Bring ye peace or war?”
  18. Father Aeneas then held forth a bough
  19. of peaceful olive from the lofty ship,
  20. thus answering : “Men Trojan-born are we,
  21. foes of the Latins, who have driven us forth
  22. with insolent assault. We fain would see
  23. Evander. Pray, deliver this, and say
  24. that chosen princes of Dardania
  25. sue for his help in arms.” So wonder fell
  26. on Pallas, awestruck at such mighty name.
  27. O, come, whoe'er thou art,” he said, “and speak
  28. in presence of my father. Enter here,
  29. guest of our hearth and altar.” He put forth
  30. his right hand in true welcome, and they stood
  31. with lingering clasp; then hand in hand advanced
  32. up the steep woodland, leaving Tiber's wave.