Page:The Aeneid of Virgil JOHN CONINGTON 1917 V2.pdf/305

 of the citadel, bounding high with courage, and in hope already forestalls the foe: even as when a horse, bursting his tether, escapes from the stall, free at last and master of the open champaign,[o] either wends where the herds of mares pasture, or wont to bathe in the well-known river              5 darts forth and neighs with head tossed on high in wanton frolic, while his mane plays loosely about neck and shoulders. His path Camilla crosses, a Volscian army at her back, and dismounts from her horse at the gate with queenly gesture; the whole band follow her lead, quit                10 their horses, and alight to earth, while she bespeaks him thus: "Turnus, if the brave may feel faith in themselves, I promise boldly to confront the cavalry of Troy and singly ride to meet the Tyrrhene horse. Let me essay the first hazard of the combat; do you on foot remain by             15 the walls and be the city's guard." Turnus replies, gazing steadfastly on the dreadful maid: "O maiden, glory of Italy, what thanks shall I strive to speak or render? but seeing that soul of yours soars above all, partake the toil with me. Æneas, as rumour and missioned spies tell              20 me for truth, has cunningly sent on his light-armed cavalry to scour the plain, while he, surmounting the lonely steeps of the hill, is marching townward. I meditate a stratagem of war in that woodland gorge, to beset the narrow thoroughfare with an armed band. Do you in                     25 battle array receive the Tuscan horse. With you will be keen Messapus, and the Latian cavalry, and Tiburtus' troop: take your share of a general's charge." This said, he exhorts Messapus and the federate leaders with like words to the fight, and advances to meet the enemy. 30 A glen there is, narrow and winding, suited for ambush and stratagems of arms, pent in on both sides by a mountain-wall black with dense foliage; a scant pathway leads to it, with straitened gorge and jealous inlet. Above it on the mountain's watch-tower height lies a concealed                35 table-land, a post of sheltered privacy, whether one be minded to face the battle right and left, or, standing on the slope, to roll down enormous stones. Hither repairs