Page:Aeneid (Conington 1866).djvu/317

Rh Nisus was guardian of the gate,

No bolder heart in war's debate,

The son of Hyrtacus, whom Ide

Sent, with his quiver at his side,

From hunting beasts in mountain brake

To follow in Æneas' wake:

With him Euryalus, fair boy;

None fairer donned the arms of Troy;

His tender cheek as yet unshorn

And blossoming with youth new-born.

Love made them one in every thought:

In battle side by side they fought;

And now duty at the gate

The twain in common station wait.

'Can it be Heaven' said Nisus then

'That lends such warmth to hearts of men,

Or passion surging past control

That plays the god to each one's soul?

Long time, impatient of repose,

My swelling heart within me glows,

And yearns its energy to fling

On war, or some yet grander thing.

See there the foe, with vain hope flushed!

Their lights are scant, their stations hushed:

Unnerved by slumber and by wine

Their bravest chiefs are stretched supine.

Now to my doubting thought give heed

And listen where its motions lead.

Our Trojan comrades, one and all,

Cry loud, Æneas to recall,

And where, they say, the men to go

And let him of our peril know?

Now, if the meed I ask they swear

To give you—nay, I claim no share,

Content with bare renown—