Page:The Aeneid of Virgil JOHN CONINGTON 1917 V2.pdf/334

 and on his quickened ears smote the sound of the city's turmoil and the noise not of joy. "Alas! what is this mighty agony that shakes the walls? what these loud shouts pouring from this quarter and that?" So he cries, and drawing his bridle halts bewildered. His sister, just            5 as she stood in guise of Metiscus the driver, guiding car, horse, and reins, thus meets his question: "Proceed we still, Turnus, to chase the Trojans, where victory's dawn shows us the way: others there are whose hands can guard the city: Æneas bears down on the Italians and                10 stirs up the battle: let us send havoc as cruel among his Teucrians: so shall your slain be as many and your martial fame as high." Turnus answered: "Sister, I both knew you long since, when at first you artfully disturbed the truce and flung yourself into our quarrel, and now               15 you vainly hide the goddess from my eyes. But tell me by whose will you are sent from Olympus to cope with toils like this? Is it that you may look on the cruel end of your hapless brother? For what can I do? what chance is there left to give me hope of safety? With my               20 own eyes I saw Murranus die, his giant frame laid low by a giant wound: he called me by name, he, than whom I had no dearer friend. Dead, too, is ill-starred Ufens, all because he would not see me disgraced: his body and his arms are the Teucrians' prize. Am I to let the nation's           25 homes be razed to the ground, the one drop that was wanting to the cup, and not rather with my own right hand give Drances' words the lie? Shall I turn my back? shall this land see Turnus flying? is death after all so bitter? Be gracious to me, gentle powers of the grave,               30 since the gods above are against me! Yes, I will come down to you a stainless spirit, guiltless of that base charge, worthy in all my acts of my great forefathers."

Scarce had he spoken, when lo! there flies through the midst of the foe, on a foaming steed, Saces, with an arrow           35 full in his face: up he spurs, imploring Turnus by name: "Turnus, our last hope is in you: have compassion on your army. Æneas thunders with sword and spear, and