Page:Aeneid (Conington 1866).djvu/282

258 And gently wind thick groves between

That lend the wave a deeper green.

The sun was at his midday height,

When tower and rampire loom in sight,

And dwellings thinly strown:

Now to the skies Rome's power makes soar

That city: then 'twas scant and poor,

Evander's humble throne.

Soon as they see, to land they steer

Their ships, and to the town draw near.

The Arcadian monarch chanced that day

A high solemnity to pay

Before the city, in a grove,

To Hercules, the seed of Jove.

His rustic senators are there,

And Pallas too, his kingdom's heir,

With censers charged: the spilt life-stream

Sends up a sacrificial steam.

Soon as the gallant ships they saw

Mid the thick forest nearer draw

In still swift cadence oared,

A sudden terror takes their eyes:

In wild confusion all uprise

And quit the banquet-board.

Bold Pallas chides their panic start,

Takes in his hand a beamy dart,

And from a mound afar

'Speak, gallant youths! what cause' he cries

'Has driven you here on strange emprise?

What seek you as your journey's aim?

Say, what your home, your race, your name:

Or bring you peace, or war?'

Æneas from the lofty stern

With outstretched olive makes return: