Page:Aeneid (Conington 1866).djvu/358

334 Up then, and soon as morn shall rise

Array for fight your bold allies,

And take your shield,' of Vulcan's mould,

Invincible and rimmed with gold.

The morn shall see ('tis truth I speak),

Yon plains with Rutule carnage reek.'

She ceased, and parting, to the bark

A measured impulse gave;

Like wind-swift arrow to its mark

It darts along the wave.

The rest pursue. In wondering awe

The chief revolves the things he saw,

Yet cheers him, and with lifted eyes

Thus makes petition to the skies:

'Blest Mother of the heavenly train,

Whom Dindymus delights,

Who lov'st the lions at thy rein,

The city's tower-crowned heights,

Do thou the first my arms bestead;

Confirm the sign revealed;

Draw near us with auspicious tread,

Thy Phrygians' help and shield.'

He spoke: and now the waxing day

Was climbing up the etherial way,

Close on the skirts of night;

He bids the allies obey the call,

Awake their courage, one and all,

And gird them for the fight.

And now there dawn upon his ken

His leaguered camp, his gallant men,

As on the stern he stands;

At once he rears his shield on high:

With shouts the Trojans rend the sky:

Fast and more fast their darts they ply:

Hope nerves their drooping hands.