Aeneid

Virgil

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

  1. Nisus kept sentry at the gate: a youth
  2. of eager heart for noble deeds, the son
  3. of Hyrtacus, whom in Aeneas' train
  4. Ida the huntress sent; swift could he speed
  5. the spear or light-winged arrow to its aim.
  6. Beside him was Euryalus, his friend:
  7. of all th' Aeneadae no youth more fair
  8. wore Trojan arms; upon his cheek unshorn
  9. the tender bloom of boyhood lingered still.
  10. Their loving hearts were one, and oft in war
  11. they battled side by side, as in that hour
  12. a common sentry at the gate they shared.
  13. Said Nisus: “Is it gods above that breathe
  14. this fever in my soul, Euryalus?
  15. or is the tyrant passion of each breast
  16. the god it serves? Me now my urgent mind
  17. to battles or some mighty deed impels,
  18. and will not give me rest. Look yonder, where
  19. the Rutuli in dull security
  20. the siege maintain. Yet are their lights but few.
  21. They are asleep or drunk, and in their line
  22. is many a silent space. O, hear my thought,
  23. and what my heart is pondering. To recall
  24. Aeneas is the dearest wish to-night
  25. of all, both high and low. They need true men
  26. to find him and bring tidings. If our chiefs
  27. but grant me leave to do the thing I ask
  28. (Claiming no reward save what honor gives),
  29. methinks I could search out by yonder hill
  30. a path to Pallanteum.” The amazed
  31. Euryalus, flushed warm with eager love
  32. for deeds of glory, instantly replied
  33. to his high-hearted friend: “Dost thou refuse,
  34. my Nisus, to go with me hand in hand
  35. when mighty deeds are done? Could I behold
  36. thee venturing alone on danger? Nay!
  37. Not thus my sire Opheltes, schooled in war,
  38. taught me his true child, 'mid the woes of Troy
  39. and Argive terrors reared; not thus with thee
  40. have I proved craven, since we twain were leal
  41. to great Aeneas, sharing all his doom.
  42. In this breast also is a heart which knows
  43. contempt of life, and deems such deeds, such praise,
  44. well worth a glorious death.” Nisus to him:
  45. “I have not doubted thee, nor e'er could have
  46. one thought disloyal. May almighty Jove,
  47. or whatsoe'er good power my purpose sees,
  48. bring me triumphant to thy arms once more!
  49. But if, as oft in doubtful deeds befalls,
  50. some stroke of chance, or will divine, should turn
  51. to adverse, 't is my fondest prayer that thou
  52. shouldst live the longer of us twain. Thy years
  53. suit better with more life. Oh! let there be
  54. one mourner true to carry to its grave
  55. my corpse, recaptured in the desperate fray,
  56. or ransomed for a price. Or if this boon
  57. should be—'t is Fortune's common way—refused,
  58. then pay the debt of grief and loyal woe
  59. unto my far-off dust, and garlands leave
  60. upon an empty tomb. No grief I give
  61. to any sorrowing mother; one alone,
  62. of many Trojan mothers, had the heart
  63. to follow thee, her child, and would not stay
  64. in great Acestes' land.” His friend replied:
  65. “Thou weavest but a web of empty words
  66. and reasons vain, nor dost thou shake at all
  67. my heart's resolve. Come, let us haste away!”
  68. He answered so, and summoned to the gate
  69. a neighboring watch, who, bringing prompt relief,
  70. the sentry-station took; then quitted he
  71. his post assigned; at Nisus' side he strode,
  72. and both impatient sped them to the King.