Page:The Aeneid of Virgil JOHN CONINGTON 1917 V2.pdf/148

 More than all the rest Dares is astonished, and recoils many paces; and the hero himself, Anchises' son, stands turning in his hands the massive weight and the enormous wrappers of twisted thong. Then the old man fetched from his heart words like these:—"What if any one here              5 had seen those mightier weapons, Hercules' own gauntlets, and the fatal combat on this very strand? These are the arms that Eryx, your brother, once wielded; you see on them still the stains of blood and sprinkled brains. With these he stood up against the great Alcides. These I                  10 was trained to use while fresher blood inspired me with strength, and the snows of age, my jealous rival, were not yet sprinkled on my brows. But if Dares the Trojan refuses our Sicilian weapons, and that is good Æneas' fixed wish, approved by Acestes, my backer in the fight, make               15 we the contest even. I spare you the bull-hides of Eryx—never fear—and do you put off your Trojan gauntlets." So saying, he flung off from his shoulders his double garment, and displays the giant joints of his limbs, the giant bone-work of his arms, and stands, a mighty frame, in                20 the midst of the sand.

Then Anchises' son brought out with his royal hand two pairs of equal gauntlets, and bound round the fists of the twain weapons of even force. At once each rose on tiptoe, and raised his arms undaunted to the air of heaven. They             25 draw back their towering heads out of the reach of blows, and make their fists meet in the melée, and provoke the battle. The one is better in quick movement of the foot, and youth lends him confidence; the other's strength is in brawny limbs and giant bulk, but his knees are heavy and             30 unstable, and a troubled panting shakes that vast frame. Many the blows that the champions hail on each other in vain; many are showered on the hollow side, and draw loud echoes from the chest. The fist keeps playing round ear and temple; the teeth chatter under the cruel blow. 35 Heavily stands Entellus, unmoved, in the same strained posture; his bending body and watchful eye alone withdraw him from the volley. His rival, like a general who