Page:Aeneid (Conington 1866).djvu/418

394 With rivulets of slaughter reeks

The stern embattled field,

While each deals havoc round, or seeks

The glory death-wounds yield.

But fierce Camilla stems the fight

With all an Amazon's delight,

One naked breast conspicuous shone

By looping of her golden zone:

And now she rains an iron shower,

Thick pouring spears on spears,

And now with unabated power

Her mighty axe she rears;

Behind her sounds her golden bow,

And those dread darts the silvans know.

Nay, should she e'en perforce retreat,

Flying she wings her arrows fleet.

Her favoured comrades round her stand,

Larina maid, her strong heart manned,

Tulla, Tarpeia, axe in hand,

Italia's daughters they,

Whom erst she chose, attendants true,

Her bidding resolute to do

In peace or battle-fray:

So on Thermodon's echoing banks

The Amazons array their ranks,

In painted arms of radiant sheen

Around Hippolyte the queen,

Or when Penthesilea's car

Triumphant breasts the surge of war;

The maidens with their moony shields

Howling and leaping shake the fields.

Who first, who last, dread maiden, died

By thy resistless blow?

How many chiefs in valour's pride

Didst thou on earth lay low?