And know my ships are my peculiar care. 141 Exalted each a nymph: forsake the sand, sweep, As rode before tall vessels on the deep. The foes, surpris'd with wonder, stood aghast: Old Tyber roar'd, and, raising up his head, 150 Call'd back his waters to their oozy bed. Turnus alone, undaunted, bore the shock, And with these words his trembling troops bespoke: "These monsters for the Trojan's fate are meant, And are by Jove for black presages sent. He takes the cowards' last relief away; 156 For fly they cannot, and, constrain❜d to stay, Heav'n shuts the seas; and we secure the coast. 'Twas giv'n to Venus, they should cross the seas, With sword and fire, the faithless race of Troy. 160 164 170 Was't not enough, that, punish'd for the crime, 175 To curse the costly sex, and durst offend no more. Can they securely trust their feeble wall, A slight partition, a thin interval, 179 Betwixt their fate and them; when Troy, though built By hands divine, yet perish'd by their guilt? 180 185 Lend me, for once, my friends, your valiant hands, No wooden engine shall their town betray: 190 Whom Hector's arms detain'd to the tenth tardy year. Now, since the sun is rolling to the west, Give we the silent night to needful rest: Refresh your bodies, and your arms prepare: The post of honour to Messapus falls, 195 199 To keep the nightly guard; to watch the walls; And close the Trojans in their scanty ground. Twice sev'n Rutulian captains ready stand; And twice sev'n hundred horse these chiefs command; All clad in shining arms the works invest; 205 Each, with a radiant helm, and waving crest. Stretch'd at their length, they press the grassy ground; They laugh; they sing-(the jolly bowls go round)— And pass the wakeful night in feasts and play. 210 Commission'd by their absent prince to share 215 220 Nigh where the foes their utmost guards ad vance, To watch the gate was warlike Nisus' chance. His father Hyrtacus of noble blood; His mother was a huntress of the wood, And sent him to the wars. Well could he bear 223 But better skill'd unerring shafts to send. No fairer face, or sweeter air, could boast. And now were both by choice upon the guard. 230 Then Nisus thus: "Or do the gods inspire 235 This warmth, or make we gods of our desire? A gen'rous ardour boils within my breast, Eager of action, enemy to rest: This urges me to fight, and fires my mind, To leave a memorable name behind. Thou seest the foe secure; how faintly shine 240 |