Aeneid

Virgil

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

  1. Forth through the moat they climb, and steal away
  2. through midnight shades, to where their foemen lie
  3. encamped in arms; of whom, before these fall,
  4. a host shall die. Along the turf were seen,
  5. laid low in heavy slumber and much wine,
  6. a prostrate troop; the horseless chariots
  7. stood tilted on the shore, 'twixt rein and wheel
  8. the drivers dozed, wine-cups and idle swords
  9. strewn round them without heed. The first to speak
  10. was Nisus. “Look, Euryalus,” he cried,
  11. “Now boldly strike. The hour to do the deed
  12. is here, the path this way. Keep wide-eyed watch
  13. that no man smite behind us. I myself
  14. will mow the mighty fieid, and lead thee on
  15. in a wide swath of slaughter.” With this word
  16. he shut his lips; and hurled him with his sword
  17. on haughty Rhamnes, who lay propped at ease
  18. on pillows huge, and from his heaving breast
  19. poured slumber loud: of royal stem was he
  20. and honored of King Turnus for his skill
  21. in augury; yet could no augur's charm
  22. that bloody stroke forefend. And Nisus slew
  23. three slaves near by, that lay in reckless sleep
  24. upon their spears; then him that bore the shield
  25. of Remus, then the driver of his car
  26. close to the horses caught; his sword cut through
  27. their prostrate necks; then their great master's head
  28. he lifted high, and left decapitate
  29. the huge corpse spilling forth its crimson gore
  30. o'er couch and ground. Like stroke on Lamus fell
  31. and Lamyrus, with young Serranus, who
  32. had gamed the midnight through and sleeping lay,
  33. his fair young body to the wine-god given;
  34. but happier now had that long-revelling night
  35. been merry till the dawn! Thus round full folds
  36. of sheep a famished lion fiercely prowls;
  37. mad hunger moves him; he devours and rends
  38. with bloody, roaring mouth, the feeble flock
  39. that trembles and is dumb. Nor was the sword
  40. of fair Euryalus less fatal found;
  41. but fiercely raging on his path of death,
  42. he pressed on through a base and nameless throng,
  43. Rhoetus, Herbesus, Fadus, Abaris;
  44. surprising all save Rhoetus, who awake
  45. saw every stroke, and crouched in craven fear
  46. behind a mighty wine-bowl; but not less
  47. clean through his bare breast as he started forth
  48. the youth thrust home his sword, then drew it back
  49. death-dripping, while the bursting purple stream
  50. of life outflowed, with mingling blood and wine.
  51. Then, flushed with stealthy slaughter, he crept near
  52. the followers of Messapus, where he saw
  53. their camp-fire dying down, and tethered steeds
  54. upon the meadow feeding. Nisus then
  55. knew the hot lust of slaughter had swept on
  56. too far, and cried, “Hold off! For, lo,
  57. the monitory dawn is nigh. Revenge
  58. has fed us to the full. We have achieved
  59. clean passage through the foe.” Full many a prize
  60. was left untaken: princely suits of mail
  61. enwrought with silver pure, huge drinking-bowls,
  62. and broideries fair. Yet grasped Euryalus
  63. the blazonry at Rhamnes' corselet hung,
  64. and belt adorned with gold: which were a gift
  65. to Remulus of Tibur from the store
  66. of opulent Caedicus, who sued from far
  67. to be a friend; and these in death he gave
  68. to his son's son, who slain in battle fell,
  69. and proud Rutulians seized them with the spoil.
  70. Euryalus about his shoulder strong
  71. this booty slung—unprofitable gain! —
  72. and fitted on a gorgeous, crested helm
  73. which once Messapus wore. So from the camp,
  74. escaping danger, the two champions ran.