Page:Aeneid (Conington 1866).djvu/65

Rh The death-day came: the priests prepare

Salt cakes, and fillets for my hair:

I fled, I own it, from the knife,

I broke my bands and ran for life,

And in a marish lay that night,

While they should sail, if sail they might.

No longer have I hope, ah me!

My ancient fatherland to see,

Or look on those my eyes desire,

My darling sons, my greyhaired sire:

Perhaps my butchers may requite

On their dear heads my traitorous flight,

And make their wretched lives atone

For this, the single crime I own.

O, by the Gods, who all things view,

And know the false man from the true,

By sacred Faith, if Faith remain

With mortal men preserved from stain,

Show grace to innocence forlorn,

Show grace to woes unduly borne!'

Moved by his tears, we let him live,

And pity crowns the boon we give:

King Priam bids unloose his cords,

And soothes the wretch with kindly words:

'Whoe'er you are, henceforth resign

All thought of Greece: be Troy's and mine:

Now tell me truth, for what intent

This fabric of the horse was meant;

An offering to your heavenly liege?

An engine for assault or siege?'

Then, schooled in all Pelasgian shifts,

His unbound hands to heaven he lifts:

'Ye slumberless, inviolate fires,

And the dread awe your name inspires!