Page:Aeneid (Conington 1866).djvu/322

298 She knows not, she, the paths I tread;

I leave her now, no farewell said;

By night and this your hand I swear,

A parent's tears I could not bear.

Vouchsafe your pity, and engage

To solace her unchilded age:

And I shall meet whate'er betide

By such assurance fortified.'

With sympathy and tender grief

All melt in tears, Iulus chief,

As filial love in other shown

Recalled the semblance of his own:

And 'Tell your doubting heart' he cries

'All blessings wait your high emprise:

I take your mother for my own,

Creusa, save in name alone,

Nor lightly deem the affection due

To her who bore a child like you.

Come what come may, I plight ray troth

By this my head, my father's oath,

The bounty to yourself decreed

Should favouring gods your journey speed,

The same shall in your line endure,

To parent and to kin made sure.'

He spoke, and weeping still, untied

A gilded falchion from his side,

Lycaon's work, the man of Crete,

With sheath of ivory complete:

Brave Mnestheus gives for Nisus' wear

A lion's hide with shaggy hair;

Aletes, old in danger grown,

His helmet takes, and gives his own.

Then to the gates, as forth they fare,

The band of chiefs with many a prayer

The gallant twain attends: