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 shield, and the scarlet crest I will set apart from the lot, and count it, Nisus, yours already. Moreover, my sire shall give you twelve matron captives of choicest beauty, male prisoners too, each with his armour, and, to crown all, the portion of domain held by king Latinus     5 himself. But you, whose years are followed at nearer distance by my own, revered youth, I take at once to my heart, and fold you there, my comrade for whatever betides. Never will I seek glory for my own estate apart from you: whether I have peace or war on hand, yours     10 shall be my utmost confidence in deed and in word." To him spoke Euryalus in reply: "No length of time shall find me false to the promise of my bold essay: let but fortune speed and not thwart us. But one boon I would ask of you beyond all others: I have a mother of Priam's     15 ancient house, whom not the land of Ilium, not the city of king Acestes, could keep, poor soul, from going with me. Her I am now leaving, ignorant of this peril, be it what it may, with no word of greeting—Night and your right hand are my witnesses—because I could not bear a parent's     20 tears. But you, I pray, comfort her need and support her lonely age. With this trust in you to bear along with me, I shall meet all that happens with a bolder spirit." Touched to the heart, the children of Dardanus broke into tears—chief of all the fair Iulus, as the picture     25 of his own filial love flashed upon his soul. Thus he speaks: "Assure yourself that all shall be done that your mighty deeds deserve. Yes, she shall be my own mother, nought wanting but the name to make her Creusa's self; to have borne you lays up no mean store of gratitude. 30 Whatever the fortune that attends your endeavour, I swear by this my head, by which my father has been wont to swear, all that I promise to you in the event of your prosperous return, shall remain in its fulness assured to your mother and your house." This he says weeping, and     35 unbelts from his shoulder a gilded sword wrought with rare art by Lycaon of Crete, and fitted for use with a scabbard of ivory. To Nisus Mnestheus gives a skin, a lion's