Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 1.djvu/197

Rh Internal virtues are the gift of Heaven.

What poor rewards can bless your deeds on earth,

Doubtless await such young, exalted worth;

Æneas and Ascanius shall combine

To yield applause far, far surpassing mine."

Iulus then:—"By all the powers above!

By those Penates, who my country love!

By hoary Vesta's sacred Fane, I swear,

My hopes are all in you, ye generous pair!

Restore my father, to my grateful sight,

And all my sorrows, yield to one delight.

Nisus! two silver goblets are thine own,

Sav'd from Arisba's stately domes o'erthrown;

My sire secured them on that fatal day,

Nor left such bowls an Argive robber's prey.

Two massy tripods, also, shall be thine,

Two talents polish'd from the glittering mine;

An ancient cup, which Tyrian Dido gave,

While yet our vessels press'd the Punic wave:

But when the hostile chiefs at length bow down,

When great Æneas wears Hesperia's crown,

The casque, the buckler, and the fiery steed

Which Turnus guides with more than mortal speed,

Are thine; no envious lot shall then be cast,

I pledge my word, irrevocably past:

Nay more, twelve slaves, and twice six captive dames,

To soothe thy softer hours with amorous flames,