Page:The Aeneid of Virgil JOHN CONINGTON 1917 V2.pdf/164

 Nature out of view, and the quicksands that environ their coasts—now at last our hands are on the flying skirts of Italy. Oh, let it suffice Troy's fortune to have followed us thus far! Ye too may now justly spare our nation of Pergamus, gods and goddesses all, whose eyes were     5 affronted by Troy and the great glories of Dardan land. And thou, most holy prophetess, that canst read the future as the present, grant me—I am asking for no crown that Fate does not owe me—grant a settlement in Latium to the Teucrians and their wandering gods, even the travel-tost     10 deities of Troy. Then to Phœbus and his Trivian sister I will set up a temple of solid marble, and appoint feast-days in Phœbus' name. For thee too an august shrine is in store in that our future realm. For there I will lodge thy oracles and the secret words of destiny which thou     15 shalt speak to my nation, and consecrate chosen men to thy gracious service. Only commit not thy strains to leaves, lest they float all confusedly the sport of the whirling winds. Utter them with thine own mouth, I implore thee." So his prayer ended.     20

But the prophetess, not yet Phœbus' willing slave, is storming with giant frenzy in her cavern, as though she hoped to unseat from her bosom the mighty god. All the more sharply he plies her mouth with his bit till its fury flags, tames her savage soul, and moulds her to his     25 will by strong constraint. And now the hundred mighty doors of the chamber have flown open of their own accord, and are wafting through the air the voice of prophecy: "O you whose vast perils by sea are over at length! but on land there are heavier yet in store. The sons of Dardanus     30 shall come to the realm of Lavinium—from this care set your mind at rest—but think not that they shall also have joy of their coming. War, savage war, and the Tiber foaming with surges of blood, is the vision I see. No lack for you of Simois, or Xanthus, or a Dorian[o] camp.      35 Another Achilles is reserved for Latium, he too goddess-born—nor will Juno ever be seen to quit her fastened hold on Troy—while you, a needy suppliant—what nation,