Page:Aeneid (Conington 1866).djvu/285

Rh But great Anchises, princely tall,

Was more than Priam, more than all.

With boyish zeal I schemed and planned

To greet the chief, and grasp his hand.

I ventured, and with eager zest

To Pheneus brought my honoured guest.

A Lycian quiver he bestowed

At parting, with its arrowy load,

A gold-wrought scarf, and bridle reins

Of gold, which Pallas still retains.

So now the troth you ask I plight,

And soon as morning lends her light

A troop shall lead you on your way

And ample stores your need purvey.

Meanwhile, since happy chance invites

Your presence, share these annual rites

Which Heaven forbids us to postpone,

And make our friendly boards your own.'

Once more he calls for wine and meats,

And sets the chiefs on grassy seats,

Æneas first on maple throne

With lion's shaggy hide bestrown;

While youths attendant on the priest

Bring roasted flesh of victim beast,

Wrought Ceres' gifts in baskets pile,

And make the cups with Bacchus smile.

So, plied with food, the strangers dine

On entrails and on bullock's chine.

When hunger's rage at length was stayed,

And craving appetite allayed,

Evander speaks: 'This solemn day,

The feast we serve, the rites we pay,

Not these the freaks of fancy strange,

Blind to the past and bent on change:

No, Trojan guest; deliverance wrought

From direful ill the lesson taught: