Page:Aeneid (Conington 1866).djvu/81

57 His ancient armour, long laid by,

Around his palsied shoulders throws,

Girds with a useless sword his thigh,

And totters forth to meet his foes.

Within the mansion's central space,

All bare and open to the day,

There stood an altar in its place,

And, close beside, an aged bay,

That drooping o'er the altar leaned,

And with its shade the home-gods screened.

Here Hecuba and all her train

Were seeking refuge, but in vain,

Huddling like doves by storms dismayed,

And clinging to the Gods for aid.

But soon as Priam caught her sight,

Thus in his youthful armour dight,

'What madness,' cries she, 'wretched spouse,

Has placed that helmet on your brows?

Say, whither fare you? times so dire

Bent knees, not lifted arms require:

Could Hector now before us stand,

No help were in my Hector's hand.

Take refuge here, and learn at length

The secret of an old man's strength:

One altar shall protect us all:

Here bide with us, or with us fall.'

She speaks, and guides Iris trembling feet

To join her in the hallowed seat.

See, fled from murdering Pyrrhus, runs

Polites, one of Priam's sons:

Through foes, through javelins, wounded sore,

He circles court and corridor,

While Pyrrhus follows in his rear

With outstretched hand and levelled spear;