Page:Aeneid (Conington 1866).djvu/45

Rh Sign of a nation formed for strife

And born to years of plenteous life.

A temple there began to tower

To Juno, rich, with many a dower

Of human wealth and heavenly power,

The oblation of the queen:

Brass was the threshold of the gate,

The posts were sheathed with brazen plate,

And brass the valves between.

First in that spot once more appears

A sight to soothe the traveller's fears,

Illumes with hope Æneas' eye,

And bids him trust his destiny.

As, waiting for the queen, he gazed

Around the fane with eyes upraised,

Much marvelling at a lot so blessed,

At art by rival hands expressed,

And labour's mastery confessed,

O wonder! there is Ilium's war,

And all those battles blazed afar:

Here stands Atrides, Priam here,

And chafed Achilles, either's fear.

He starts: the tears rain fast and hot:

And 'Is there, friend,' he cries, 'a spot

That knows not Troy's unhappy lot?

See Priam! aye, praise waits on worth

E'en in this corner of the earth;

E'en here the tear of pity springs,

And hearts are touched by human things.

Dismiss your fear: we sure may claim

To find some safety in our fame.'

He said; and feeds his hungry heart

With shapes of unsubstantial art,

In fond remembrance groaning deep,

While briny floods his visage steep.