falling Corps were strowd When once his Fauchion found the Taste of Blood With Fury scarce to be conceiv'd he flew Against Niphaeus whom four Coursers drew They when they see the fiery Chief advance And pushing at their Chests his pointed Lance Wheel'd with so swift a Motion mad with Fear They threw their Master headlong from the Chair They stare they start nor stop their Course before They bear the bounding Chariot to the Shore Now Lucagus and Liger scour the Plains With two white Steeds but Liger holds the Reins And Lucagus the lofty Seat maintains Bold Brethren both the former wav'd in Air His flaming Sword Aeneas couch'd his Spear Unus'd to Threats and more unus'd to Fear Then Liger thus Thy Confidence is vain To scape from hence as from the Trojan Plain Nor these the Steeds which Diomede bestrode Nor this the Chariot where Achilles rode Nor Venus's Veil is here nor Neptune's Shield Thy fatal Hour is come and this the Field Thus Liger vainly vaunts The Trojan Peer Return'd his answer with his flying Spear As Lucagus to lash his Horses bends Prone to the Wheels and his left Foot protends Prepar'd for Fight the fatal Dart arrives And thro' the borders of his Buckler drives Pass'd through and pierc'd his Groin the deadly Wound Cast from his Chariot rowl'd him on the Ground Whom thus the Chief upbraids with scornful spight Blame not the slowness of your Steeds in flight Vain Shadows did not force their swift Retreat But you your self forsake your empty Seat He said and seiz'd at once the loosen'd Rein For Liger lay already on the Plain By the same Shock then stretching out his Hands The Recreant thus his wretched Life demands Now by thy self O more than Mortal Man By her and him from whom thy Breath began Who form'd thee thus Divine I beg thee spare This forfeit Life and hear thy Suppliant's Pray'r Thus much he spoke and more he wou'd have said But the stern Heroe turn'd aside his Head And cut him short I hear another Man You talk'd not thus before the Fight began Now take your turn And as a Brother shou'd Attend your Brother to the Stygian Flood Then thro' his Breast his fatal Sword he sent And the Soul issu'd at the bloody Vent As Storms the Skies and Torrents tear the Ground Thus rag'd the Prince and scatter'd Deaths around At length Ascanius and the Trojan Train Broke from the Camp so long besieg'd in vain Mean time the King of Gods and Mortal Man Held Conference with his Queen and thus began My Sister Goddess and well pleasing Wife Still think you Venus's Aid supports the Strife Sustains her Trojans Or themselves alone With inborn Valour force their Fortune on How fierce in Fight with Courage undecay'd Judge if such Warriors want immortal Aid To whom the Goddess with the charming Eyes Soft in her Tone submissively replies Why O my loving Lord whose Frown I fear And cannot unconcern'd your Anger bear Why urge you thus my Grief When if I still As once I was were Mistress of your Will From your Almighty Pow'r your pleasing Wife Might gain the Grace of lengthning Turnus's Life Securely snatch him from the fatal Fight And give him to his aged Father's sight Now let him perish since you hold it good And glut the Trojans with his pious Blood Yet from our Lineage he derives his Name And in the fourth degree from God Pilumnus came Yet he devoutly pays you Rites Divine And offers daily Incense at your Shrine Then shortly thus the Sov'raign God reply'd Since in my Pow'r and Goodness you confide If for a little Space a lengthen'd Span You beg Reprieve for this expiring Man I grant you leave to take your Turnus hence From Instant Fate and can so far dispense But if some secret Meaning lies beneath To save the short-liv'd Youth from destin'd Death Or if a farther Thought you entertain To change the Fates you feed your hopes in vain To whom the Goddess thus with weeping Eyes And what if that Request your Tongue denies Your Heart shou'd grant and not a short Reprieve But length of certain Life to Turnus give Now speedy Death attends the guiltless Youth If my presaging Soul divines with Truth Which O! I wish might err thro' causeless Fears And you for you have Pow'r prolong his Years Thus having said involv'd in Clouds she flies And drives a Storm before her thro' the Skies Swift she descends alighting on the Plain Where the fierce Foes a dubious Fight maintain Of Air condens'd a Spectre soon she made And what Aeneas was such seem'd the Shade Adorn'd with Dardan Arms the Phantom bore His Head aloft a Plumy Crest he wore This Hand appear'd a shining Sword to wield And that sustain'd an imitated Shield With manly Meen He stalk'd along the Ground Nor wanted Voice bely'd nor vaunting Sound Thus haunting Ghosts appear to waking Sight Or dreadful Visions in our Dreams by Night The Spectre seems the Daunian Chief to dare And flourishes his empty Sword in Air At this advancing Turnus hurl'd his Spear The Phantom wheel'd and seem'd to fly for Fear Deluded Turnus thought the Trojan fled And with vain hopes his haughty Fancy fed Whether O Coward thus he calls aloud Nor found he spoke to Wind and chas'd a Cloud Why thus forsake your Bride Receive from me The fated Land you sought so long by Sea He said and brandishing at once his Blade With eager Pace pursu'd the flying Shade By chance a Ship was fasten'd to the Shore Which from old Clusium King Osinius bore The Planks were ready laid for safe ascent For shelter there the trembling Shadow bent And skip'd and sculk'd and under Hatches went Exulting Turnus with regardless haste Ascends the Plank and to the Gally pass'd Scarce had he reach'd the Prow Saturnia's Hand The Haulsers cuts and shoots the Ship from Land With Wind in Poop the Vessel plows the Sea And measures back with speed her former Way Mean time Aeneas seeks his absent Foe And sends his slaughter'd Troops to Shades below The guileful Phantom now forsook the shrowd And flew sublime and vanish'd in a Cloud Too late young Turnus the Delusion found Far on the Sea still making from the Ground Then thankless for a Life redeem'd by Shame With sense of Honour stung and forfeit Fame Fearful besides of what in Fight had pass'd His Hands and hagger'd Eyes to Heav'n he cast O Jove he cry'd for what Offence have I Deserv'd to bear this endless Infamy Whence am I forc'd and whether am I born How and with what Reproach shall I return Shall ever I behold the Latian Plain Or see Laurentum's lofty Tow'rs again What will they say of their deserting Chief The War was mine I fly from their Relief I led to Slaughter and in Slaughter leave And ev'n from hence their dying Groans receive Here over-match'd in Fight in heaps they lye There scatter'd o're the Fields ignobly fly Gape wide O Earth and draw
and hidden Frauds explore The giddy Vulgar as their Fancies guide With Noise say nothing and in parts divide Iaocoon follow'd by a num'rous Crowd Ran from the Fort and cry'd from far aloud O wretched Country-men what Fury reigns What more than Madness has possess'd your Brains Think you the Grecians from your Coasts are gone And are Ulysses Arts no better known This hollow Fabrick either must inclose Within its blind Recess our secret Foes Or 't is an Engine rais'd above the Town T' o'relook the Walls and then to batter down Somewhat is sure design'd by Fraud or Force Trust not their Presents nor admit the Horse Thus having said against the Steed he threw His forceful Spear which hissing as it flew Pierc'd through the yielding Planks of jointed Wood And trembling in the hollow Belly stood The sides transpierc'd return a ratling Sound And Groans of Greeks inclos'd come issuing through the Wound And had not Heav'n the fall of Troy design'd Or had not Men been fated to be blind Enough was said and done t' inspire a better Mind Then had our Lances pierc'd the treach'rous Wood And Ilian Tow'rs and Priam's Empire stood Mean time with Shouts the Trojan Shepherds bring A captive Greek in Bands before the King Taken to take who made himself their Prey T' impose on their Belief and Troy betray Fix'd on his Aim and obstinately bent To die undaunted or to circumvent About the Captive tides of Trojans flow All press to see and some insult the Foe Now hear how well the Greeks their Wiles disguis'd Behold a Nation in a Man compris'd Trembling the Miscreant stood unarm'd and bound He star'd and rowl'd his hagger'd Eyes around Then said Alas what Earth remains what Sea Is open to receive unhappy me What Fate a wretched Fugitive attends Scorn'd by my Foes abandon'd by my Friends He said and sigh'd and cast a ruful Eye Our Pity kindles and our Passions dye We chear the Youth to make his own Defence And freely tell us what he was and whence What News he cou'd impart we long to know And what to credit from a captive Foe His fear at length dismiss'd he said what e're My Fate ordains my Words shall be sincere I neither can nor dare my Birth disclaim Greece is my Country Sinon is my Name Though plung'd by Fortune's Pow'r in Misery 'T is not in Fortune's Pow'r to make me lye If any chance has hither brought the Name Of Palamedes not unknown to Fame Who suffer'd from the Malice of the times Accus'd and sentenc'd for pretended Crimes Because these fatal Wars he would prevent Whose Death the wretched Greeks too late lament Me then a Boy my Father poor and bare Of other Means committed to his Care His Kinsman and Companion in the War While Fortune favour'd while his Arms support The Cause and rul'd the Counsels of the Court I made some figure there nor was my Name Obscure nor I without my share of Fame But when Ulysses with fallacious Arts Had made Impression in the Peoples Hearts And forg'd a Treason in my Patron 's Name I speak of things too far divulg'd by Fame My Kinsman fell then I without support In private mourn'd his Loss and left the Court. Mad as I was I could not bear his Fate With silent Grief but loudly blam'd the State And curs'd the direful Author of my Woes 'T was told again and hence my Ruin rose I threatn'd if indulgent Heav'n once more Wou'd land me safely on my Native Shore His Death with double Vengeance to restore This mov'd the Murderer's Hate and soon ensu'd Th' Effects of Malice from a Man so proud Ambiguous Rumors thro the Camp he spread And sought by Treason my devoted Head New Crimes invented left unturn'd no Stone To make my Guilt appear and hide his own 'Till Calchas was by Force and Threatning wrought But why Why dwell I on that anxious Thought If on my Nation just Revenge you seek And 't is t' appear a Foe t' appear a Greek Already you my Name and Country know Asswage your thirst of Blood and strike the Blow My Death will both the Kingly Brothers please And set insatiate Ithacus at ease This fair unfinish'd Tale these broken starts Rais'd expectations in our longing Hearts Unknowing as we were in Grecian Arts. His former trembling once again renew'd With acted Fear the Villain thus pursu'd Long had the Grecians tir'd with fruitless Care And weary'd with an unsuccessful War Resolv'd to raise the Siege and leave the Town And had the Gods permitted they had gone But oft the Wintry Seas and Southern Winds Withstood their passage home and chang'd their Minds Portents and Prodigies their Souls amaz'd But most when this stupendous Pile was rais'd Then flaming Meteors hung in Air were seen And Thunders ratled through a Skie serene Dismay'd and fearful of some dire Event Eurypylus t' enquire their Fate was sent He from the Gods this dreadful Answer brought O Grecians when the Trojan Shores you sought Your Passage with a Virgin 's Blood was bought So must your safe Return be bought again And Grecian Blood once more attone the Main The spreading Rumour round the People ran All fear'd and each believ'd himself the Man Ulysses took th' advantage of their fright Call'd Calchas and produc'd in open sight Than bade him name the Wretch ordain'd by Fate The Publick Victim to redeem the State Already some presag'd the dire Event And saw what Sacrifice Ulysses meant For twice five days the good old Seer withstood Th' intended Treason and was dumb to Blood Till Tir'd with endless Clamours and pursute Of Ithacus he stood no longer Mute But as it was agreed pronounc'd that I Was destin'd by the wrathful Gods to die All prais'd the Sentence pleas'd the storm should fall On one alone whose Fury threatn'd all The dismal day was come the Priests prepare Their leaven'd Cakes and Fillets for my Hair I follow'd Natur 's Laws and must avow I broke my Bonds and fled the fatal blow Hid in a weedy Lake all Night I lay Secure of Safety when they sail'd away But now what further Hopes for me remain To see my Friends or Native Soil again My tender Infants or my careful Sire Whom they returning will to Death require Will perpetrate on them their first Design And take the forfeit of their heads for mine Which O if Pity mortal Minds can move If there be Faith below or Gods above If Innocence and Truth can claim desert Ye Trojans from an injur'd Wretch avert False Tears true Pity move the King Commands To loose his Fetters and unbind his hands Then adds these friendly words dismiss thy Fears Forget the Greeks be mine as thou wert theirs But truly tell was it for Force or Guile Or some Religious End you rais'd the Pile Thus said the King He full of fraudful Arts This well invented Tale for Truth imparts Ye Lamps of Heav'n he said and lifted high His hands now free
Scaean Gate with loud Commands Urging on Shore the tardy Grecian Bands See Pallas of her snaky Buckler proud Bestrides the Tow'r refulgent through the Cloud See Jove new Courage to the Foe supplies And arms against the Town the partial Deities Haste hence my Son this fruitless Labour end Haste where your trembling Spouse and Sire attend Haste and a Mother's Care your Passage shall befriend She said and swiftly vanish'd from my Sight Obscure in Clouds and gloomy Shades of Night I look'd I listen'd dreadful Sounds I hear And the dire Forms of hostile Gods appear Troy sunk in Flames I saw nor could prevent And Ilium from its old Foundations rent Rent like a Mountain Ash which dar'd the Winds And stood the sturdy Stroaks of lab'ring Hinds About the Roots the cruel Ax resounds The Stumps are pierc'd with oft repeated Wounds The War is felt on high the nodding Crown Now threats a Fall and throws the leafy Honours down To their united Force it yields though late And mourns with mortal Groans th' approaching Fate The Roots no more their upper load sustain But down she falls and spreads a ruin thro' the Plain Descending thence I scape through Foes and Fire Before the Goddess Foes and Flames retire Arriv'd at home he for whose only sake Or most for his such Toils I undertake The good Anchises whom by timely Flight I purpos'd to secure on Ida's height Refus'd the Journey Resolute to die And add his Fun'rals to the fate of Troy Rather than Exile and old Age sustain Go you whose Blood runs warm in ev'ry Vein Had Heav'n decreed that I shou'd Life enjoy Heav'n had decreed to save unhappy Troy 'T is sure enough if not too much for one Twice to have seen our Ilium overthrown Make haste to save the poor remaining Crew And give this useless Corps a long Adieu These weak old Hands suffice to stop my Breath At least the pitying Foes will aid my Death To take my Spoils and leave my Body bare As for my Sepulchre let Heav'n take Care 'T is long since I for my Coelestial Wife Loath'd by the Gods have drag'd a ling'ring Life Since ev'ry Hour and Moment I expire Blasted from Heav'n by Jove's avenging Fire This oft repeated he stood fix'd to die My self my Wife my Son my Family Intreat pray beg and raise a doleful Cry What will he still persist on Death resolve And in his Ruin all his House involve He still persists his reasons to maintain Our Pray'rs our Tears our loud Laments are vain Urg'd by Despair again I go to try The fate of Arms resolv'd in Fight to die To y e Right Hon ble Rob t Ld. Constable Vis nt Dunbar in y e Kingdom of Scotland AE 2. l. 915. What hope remains but what my Death must give Can I without so dear a Father live You term it Prudence what I Baseness call Cou'd such a Word from such a Parent fall If Fortune please and so the Gods ordain That nothing shou'd of ruin'd Troy remain And you conspire with Fortune to be slain The way to Death is wide th' Approaches near For soon relentless Pyrrhus will appear Reeking with Priam's Blood The wretch who slew The Son inhuman in the Father's view And then the Sire himself to the dire Altar drew O Goddess Mother give me back to fate Your Gift was undesir'd and came too late Did you for this unhappy me convey Through Foes and Fires to see my House a Prey Shall I my Father Wife and Son behold Welt'ring in Blood each others Arms infold Haste gird my Sword tho' spent and overcome 'T is the last Summons to receive our Doom I hear thee Fate and I obey thy Call Not unreveng'd the Foe shall see my Fall Restore me to the yet unfinish'd Fight My Death is wanting to conclude the Night Arm'd once again my glitt'ring Sword I wield While th' other hand sustains my weighty Shield And forth I rush to seek th' abandon'd Field I went but sad Creusa stop'd my way And cross the Threshold in my Passage lay Embrac'd my Knees and when I wou'd have gone Shew'd me my feeble Sire and tender Son If Death be your design at least said she Take us along to share your Destiny If any farther hopes in Arms remain This Place these Pledges of your Love maintain To whom do you expose your Father's Life Your Son 's and mine your now forgotten Wife While thus she fills the House with clam'rous Cries Our Hearing is diverted by our Eyes For while I held my Son in the short space Betwixt our Kisses and our last Embrace Strange to relate from young Iulus Head A lambent Flame arose which gently spread Around his Brows and on his Temples fed Amaz'd with running Water we prepare To quench the sacred Fire and shake his Hair But old Anchises vers'd in Omens rear'd His hands to Heav'n and this request preferr'd If any Vows Almighty Jove can bend Thy Will if Piety can Pray'rs commend Confirm the glad Presage which thou art pleas'd to send Scarce had he said when on our left we hear A peal of ratling Thunder rowl in Air There shot a streaming Lamp along the Sky Which on the winged Lightning seem'd to fly From o're the Roof the blaze began to move And trailing vanish'd in th' Idean Grove It swept a path in Heav'n and shone a Guide Then in a steaming stench of Sulphur dy'd The good old Man with suppliant hands implor'd The Gods protection and their Star ador'd Now now said he my Son no more delay I yield I follow where Heav'n shews the way Keep O my Country Gods our dwelling Place And guard this Relick of the Trojan Race This tender Child these Omens are your own And you can yet restore the ruin'd Town At least accomplish what your Signs foreshow I stand resign'd and am prepar'd to go To y e Right Hon ble Mary Countess Dowager of Northampton AE 2. l. 985. He said the crackling Flames appear on high And driving Sparkles dance along the Sky With Vulcan's rage the rising Winds conspire And near our Palace rowl the flood of Fire Haste my dear Father 't is no time to wait And load my Shoulders with a willing Fraight What e're befalls your Life shall be my care One Death or one Deliv'rance we will share My hand shall lead our little Son and you My faithful Consort shall our Steps purfue Next you my Servants heed my strict Commands Without the Walls a ruin'd Temple stands To Ceres hollow'd once a Cypress nigh Shoots up her venerable Head on high By long Religion kept there bend your Feet And in divided Parties let us meet Our Country Gods the Relicks and the Bands Hold you my Father in your guiltless Hands In me 't is impious holy things to bear Red as I am with Slaughter new from War 'Till in some living Stream I cleanse the Guilt Of dire Debate and Blood in Battel spilt Thus ord'ring all that Prudence cou'd
Woe 'Till my soft Soul be temper'd to sustain Accustom'd Sorrows and inur'd to Pain If you in Pity grant this one Request My Death shall leave you of my Crown possess'd This mournful message Pious Anna bears And seconds with her own her Sister's Tears But all her Arts are still employ'd in vain Again she comes and is refus'd again His harden'd Heart nor Pray'rs nor Threatnings move Fate and the God had stop'd his Ears to Love As when the Winds their airy Quarrel try Justling from ev'ry quarter of the Sky This way and that the Mountain Oak they bend His Boughs they shatter and his Branches rend With Leaves and falling Mast they spread the Ground The hollow Vallies echo to the Sound Unmov'd the Royal Plant their Fury mocks Or shaken clings more closely to the Rocks Far as he shoots his tow'ring Head on high So deep in Earth his fix'd Foundations lye No less a Storm the Trojan Heroe bears Thick Messages and loud Complaints he hears And bandy'd Words still beating on his Ears Sighs Groans and Tears proclaim his inward Pains But the firm purpose of his Heart remains The wretched Queen pursu'd by cruel Fate Begins at length the light of Heav'n to hate And loaths to live Then dire Portents she sees To hasten on the Death her Soul decrees Strange to relate for when before the Shrine She pours in Sacrifice the Purple Wine The Purple Wine is turn'd to putrid Blood And the white offer'd Milk converts to Mud. This dire Presage to her alone reveal'd From all and ev'n her Sister she conceal'd A Marble Temple stood within the Grove Sacred to Death and to her murther'd Love That honour'd Chappel she had hung around With snowy Fleeces and with Garlands crown'd Oft when she visited this lonely Dome Strange Voices issu'd from her Husband's Tomb She thought she heard him summon her away Invite her to his Grave and chide her stay Hourly 't is heard when with a bodeing Note The solitary Screech-Owl strains her Throat And on a Chimney's top or Turret's hight With Songs obscene disturbs the Silence of the Night Besides old Prophesies augment her Fears And stern Aeneas in her Dreams appears â—â—sdainful as by Day She seems alone To wander in her Sleep thro ways unknown Guidless and dark or in a Desart Plain 〈◊〉 seek her Subjects and to seek in vain 〈…〉 k Pentheus when distracted with his Fear He saw two Suns and double Thebes appear Or mad Orestes when his Mother's Ghost â—ull in his Face infernal Torches tost And shook her snaky locks He shuns the sight Flies o're the Stage surpris'd with mortal fright The Furies guard the Door and intercept his flight Now sinking underneath a load of Grief From Death alone she seeks her last Relief The Time and Means resolv'd within her Breast She to her mournful Sister thus address'd Dissembling hope her cloudy front she clears And a false Vigour in her Eyes appears Rejoice she said instructed from above My Lover I shall gain or lose my Love Nigh rising Atlas next the falling Sun Long tracts of Ethiopian Clymates run There a Massylian Priestess I have found Honour'd for Age for Magick Arts renown'd Th' Hesperian Temple was her trusted Care 'T was she supply'd the wakeful Dragons Fare She Poppy-Seeds in Honey taught to steep Reclaim'd his Rage and sooth'd him into sleep She watch'd the Golden Fruit her Charms unbind The Chains of Love or fix them on the Mind She stops the Torrents leaves the Channel dry Repels the Stars and backward bears the Sky The yawning Earth rebellows to her Call Pale Ghosts ascend and Mountain Ashes fall Witness ye Gods and thou my better part How loth I am to try this impious Art Within the secret Court with silent Care Erect a lofty Pile expos'd in Air Hang on the topmost part the Trojan Vest Spoils Arms and Presents of my faithless Guest Next under these the bridal Bed be plac'd Where I my Ruin in his Arms embrac'd All Relicks of the Wretch are doom'd to Fire For so the Priestess and her Charms require Thus far she said and farther Speech forbears A Mortal Paleness in her Face appears Yet the mistrustless Anna could not find The secret Fun'ral in these Rites design'd Nor thought so dire a Rage possess'd her Mind Unknowing of a Train conceal'd so well She fear'd no worse than when Sichaeus fell Therefore obeys The fatal Pile they rear Within the secret Court expos'd in Air. The cloven Holms and Pines are heap'd on high And Garlands on the hollow Spaces lye Sad Cypress Vervain Eugh compose the Wreath And ev'ry baleful green denoting Death The Queen determin'd to the fatal Deed The Spoils and Sword he left in order spread And the Man's Image on the Nuptial Bed And now the sacred Altars plac'd around The Priestess enters with her Hair unbound And thrice invokes the Pow'rs below the Ground Night Erebus and Chaos she proclaims And threefold Hecat with her hundred Names And three Diana's next she sprinkles round With feign'd Avernian Drops the hallow'd ground Culls hoary Simples found by Phoebe's Light With brazen Sickles reap'd at Noon of Night Then mixes baleful Juices in the Bowl And cuts the Forehead of a new-born Fole Robbing the Mother's love The destin'd Queen Observes assisting at the Rites obscene A leaven'd Cake in her devoted Hands She holds and next the highest Altar stands One tender Foot was shod her other bare Girt was her gather'd Gown and loose her Hair Thus dress'd she summon'd with her dying Breath The Heav'ns and Planets conscious of her Death And ev'ry Pow'r if any rules above Who minds or who revenges injur'd Love 'T was dead of Night when weary Bodies close Their Eyes in balmy Sleep and soft Repose To Henry Tasburgh Esq of Bodney in y e County of Norfolk AE 4. l. 730. The Winds no longer whisper through the Woods Nor murm'ring Tides disturb the gentle Floods The Stars in silent order mov'd around And Peace with downy wings was brooding on the ground The Flocks and Herds and parti-colour'd Fowl Which haunt the Woods or swim the weedy Pool Stretch'd on the quiet Earth securely lay Forgetting the past Labours of the day All else of Nature's common Gift partake Unhappy Dido was alone awake Nor Sleep nor Ease the Furious Queen can find Sleep fled her Eyes as Quiet fled her mind Despair and Rage and Love divide her heart Despair and Rage had some but Love the greater part Then thus she said within her secret Mind What shall I do what Succour can I find Become a Supplyant to Hyarba's Pride And take my turn to Court and be deny'd Shall I with this ungrateful Trojan go Forsake an Empire and attend a Foe Himself I refug'd and his Train reliev'd T is true but am I sure to be receiv'd An Exile follows whom a Queen reliev'd Can Gratitude in Trojan Souls have place Laomedon still lives in all his Race Then shall I seek alone the Churlish
aloft she strikes the Ground And renders back the Weapon in the Wound Acestes grudging at his Lot remains Without a Prize to gratifie his Pains Yet shooting upward sends his Shaft to show An Archer's Art and boast his twanging Bow The pointed Arrow gave a dire Portent And latter Augures judge from this Event Chaf'd by the speed it fir'd and as it flew A Trail of following Flames ascending drew Kindling they mount and mark the shiny Way Across the Skies as falling Meteors play And vanish into Wind or in a Blaze decay The Trojans and Sicilians wildly stare And trembling turn their Wonder into Pray'r The Dardan Prince put on a smiling Face And strain'd Acestes with a close Embrace Then hon'ring him with Gifts above the rest Turn'd the bad Omen nor his Fears confess'd The Gods said he this Miracle have wrought And order'd you the Prize without the Lot Accept this Goblet rough with figur'd Gold Which Thracian Cisseus gave my Sire of old This Pledge of ancient Amity receive Which to my second Sire I justly give He said and with the Trumpets chearsul sound Proclaim'd him Victor and with Lawrel crown'd Nor good Eurytion envy'd him the Prize Tho' he transfix'd the Pidgeon in the Skies Who cut the Line with second Gifts was grac'd The third was his whose Arrow pierc'd the Mast The Chief before the Games were wholly done Call'd Periphantes Tutor to his Son And whisper'd thus with speed Ascanius find And if his Childish Troop be ready join'd On Horsâ—-back let him grace his Grandsire's Day And lead his Equals arm'd in just Array He said and calling out the Cirque he clears The Crowd withdrawn an open Plain appears And now the Noble Youths of Form Divine Advance before their Fathers in a Line The Riders grace the Steeds the Steeds with Glory shine Thus marching on in Military Pride Shouts of Applause resound from side to fide Their Casques adorn'd with Lawrel Wreaths they wear Each brandishing aloft a Cornel Spear Some at their Backs their guilded Quivers bore Their Chains of burnish'd Gold hung down before Three graceful Troops they form'd upon the Green Three graceful Leaders at their Head were seen Twelve follow'd ev'ry Chief and left a Space between The first young Priam led a lovely Boy Whose Grandsire was th' unhappy King of Troy His Race in after times was known to Fame New Honours adding to the Latian Name And well the Royal Boy his Thracian Steed became White were the Fetlocks of his Feet before And on his Front a snowy Star he bore Then beauteous Atys with Iulus bred Of equal Age the second Squadron led The last in Order but the first in place First in the lovely Features of his Face Rode fair Ascanius on a fiery Steed Queen Dido's Gift and of the Tyrian breed Sure Coursers for the rest the King ordains With Golden Bitts adorn'd and Purple Reins The pleas'd Spectators peals of Shouts renew And all the Parents in the Children view Their Make their Motions and their sprightly Grace And Hopes and Fears alternate in their Face Th' unfledg'd Commanders and their Martial Train First make the Circuit of the sandy Plain Around their Sires And at th' appointed Sign Drawn up in beauteous Order form a Line The second Signal sounds the Troop divides In three distinguish'd parts with three distinguish'd Guides Again they close and once again dis-join In Troop to Troop oppos'd and Line to Line They meet they wheel they throw their Darts afar With harmless Rage and well dissembled War Then in a round the mingl'd Bodies run Flying they follow and pursuing shun Broken they break and rallying they renew In other Forms the Military shew At last in order undiscern'd they join And march together in a friendly Line And as the Cretan Labyrinth of old With wand'ring Ways and many a winding fold Involv'd the weary Feet without redress In a round Error which deny'd recess So fought the Trojan Boys in warlike Play Turn'd and return'd and still a diff'rent way Thus Dolphins in the Deep each other chase In Circles when they swim around the wat'ry Race This Game these Carousels Ascanius taught And building Alba to the Latins brought Shew'd what he learn'd The Latin Sires impart To their succeeding Sons the graceful Art From these Imperial Rome receiv'd the Game Which Troy the Youths the Trojan Troop they name To y e most Illustrious Prince William Duke of Glocester ct AE 5. l. 7â—â— Thus far the sacred Sports they celebrate But Fortune soon resum'd her ancient hate For while they pay the dead his Annual dues Those envy'd Rites Saturnian Juno views And sends the Goddess of the various bow To try new Methods of Revenge below Supplies the Winds to wing her Airy way Where in the Port secure the Navy lay Swiftly fair Iris down her Arch descends And undiscern'd her fatal Voyage ends She saw the gath'ring Crowd and gliding thence The desart Shore and Fleet without defence The Trojan Matrons on the Sands alone With Sighs and Tears Anchises death bemoan Then turning to the Sea their weeping Eyes Their pity to themselves renews their Cries Alas said one what Oceans yet remain For us to sail what Labours to sustain All take the Word and with a gen'ral groan Implore the Gods for Peace and Places of their own The Goddess great in Mischief views their pains And in a Woman's Form her heav'nly Limbs restrains In Face and Shape old Beroe she became Doriclus Wife a venerable Dame Once bless'd with Riches and a Mother's Name Thus chang'd amidst the crying Crow'd she ran Mix'd with the Matrons and these words began O wretched we whom not the Grecian Pow'r Nor Flames destroy'd in Troy's unhappy hour O wretched we reserv'd by Cruel Fate Beyond the Ruins of the sinking State Now sev'n revolving Years are wholly run Since this improsp'rous Voyage we begun Since toss'd from Shores to Shores from Lands to Lands Inhospitable Rocks and barren Sands Wand'ring in Exile through the stormy Sea We search in vain for flying Italy Now Cast by Fortune on this kindred Land What shou'd our Rest and rising Walls withstand Or hinder here to fix our banish'd Band O Country lost and Gods redeem'd in vain If still in endless Exile we remain Shall we no more the Trojan Walls renew Or Streams of some dissembl'd Simois view Haste joyn with me th' unhappy Fleet consume Cassandra bids and I declare her doom In sleep I saw her she supply'd my hands For this I more than dreamt with flaming Brands With these said she these wand'ring Ships destroy These are your fatal Seats and this your Troy Time calls you now the precious Hour employ Slack not the good Presage while Heav'n inspires Our Minds to dare and gives the ready Fires See Neptune's Altars minister their Brands The God is pleas'd the God supplies our hands Then from the Pile a flaming Firr she drew And toss'd in Air amidst the Gallies threw Wrap'd in a
War at hand appears with more affright And rises ev'ry Moment to the sight Then old Evander with a close embrace Strain'd his departing Friend and Tears o're-flow his Face Wou'd Heav'n said he my strength and youth recall Such as I was beneath Preneste's Wall Then when I made the foremost Foes retire And set whole heaps of conquer'd Shields on Fire When Herilus in single Fight I slew Whom with three lives Feronia did endue And thrice I sent him to the Stygian Shore Till the last Ebbing Soul return'd no more Such if I stood renew'd not these Alarms Nor Death shou'd rend me from my Pallas arms Nor proud Mezentius thus unpunish'd boast His Rapes and Murthers on the Tuscan Coast Ye Gods and mighty Jove in pity bring Relief and hear a Father and a King If Fate and you reserve these Eyes to see My Son return with peace and Victory If the lov'd Boy shall bless his Father's sight If we shall meet again with more delight Then draw my Life in length let me sustain In hopes of his Embrace the worst of Pain But if your hard Decrees which O I dread Have doom'd to death his undeserving head This O this very Moment let me die While Hopes and Fears in equal ballance lye While yet Possest of all his Youthful Charms I strain him close within these Aged Arms Before that fatal news my Soul shall wound He said and swooning sunk upon the ground His Servants bore him off And softly laid His languish'd Limbs upon his homely Bed The Horsemen march the Gates are open'd wide Aeneas at their head Achates by his side Next these the Trojan Leaders rode along Last follows in the Reer th' Arcadian Throng Young Pallas shone conspicuous o're the rest Guilded his Arms Embroider'd was his Vest So from the Seas exerts his radiant head The Star by whom the Lights of Heav'n are led Shakes from his rosie Locks the perly Dews Dispels the darkness and the Day renews The trembling Wives the Walls and Turrets crowd And follow with their Eyes the dusty Cloud Which Winds disperse by fits and shew from far The blaze of Arms and Shields and shining War The Troops drawn up in beautiful Array O're heathy Plains pursue the ready way Repeated peals of showts are heard around The Neighing Coursers answer to the sound And shake with horny Hoofs the solid ground A greenwood Shade for long Religion known Stands by the Streams that wash the Tuscan Town Incompass'd round with gloomy Hills above Which add a holy horrour to the Grove The first Inhabitants of Grecian Blood That sacred Forest to Sylvanus vow'd The Guardian of their Flocks and Fields and pay Their due Devotions on his annual day Not far from hence along the River's side In Tents secure the Tuscan Troops abide By Tarchon led Now from a rising ground Aeneas cast his wond'ring Eyes around And all the Tyrrhene Army had in sight Stretch'd on the spacious Plain from left to right Thether his warlike Train the Trojan led Refresh'd his Men and weary'd Horses fed Mean time the Mother Goddess crown'd with Charms Breaks through the Clouds and brings the fated Arms. Within a winding Vale she finds her Son On the cool Rivers ' Banks retir'd alone She shews her heav'nly Form without disguise And gives her self to his desiring Eyes Behold she said perform'd in ev'ry part My promise made and Vulcan's labour'd Art Now seek secure the Latian Enemy And haughty Turnus to the Field defy She said And having first her Son embrac'd The radiant Arms beneath an Oak she plac'd Proud of the Gift he rowl'd his greedy sight Around the Work and gaz'd with vast delight He lifts he turns he poizes and admires The Crested Helm that vomits radiant Fires His hands the fatal Sword and Corslet hold One keen with temper'd Steel one stiff with Gold Both ample flaming both and beamy bright So shines a Cloud when edg'd with adverse Light He shakes the pointed Spear and longs to try The plated Cuishes on his manly thigh But most admires the Shields Mysterious mould And Roman Triumphs rising on the Gold To Sr. Godfry Kneller Knight Principall Painter to his Majesty AE 8. l. 805 For those emboss'd the Heav'nly Smith had wrought Not in the Rolls of future Fate untaught The Wars in Order and the Race Divine Of Warriors issuing from the Julian Line The Cave of Mars was dress'd with mossy Greens There by the Wolf were laid the Martial Twins Intrepid on her swelling Dugs they hung The foster Dam loll'd out her fawning Tongue They suck'd secure while bending Back her Head She lick'd their tender Limbs and form'd them as they fed Not far from thence new Rome appears with Games Projected for the Rape of Sabine Dames The Pit resounds with Shrieks A War succeeds For breach of Publick Faith and unexampl'd Deeds Here for Revenge the Sabine Troops contend The Romans there with Arms the Prey defend Weary'd with tedious War at length they cease And both the Kings and Kingdoms plight the Peace The friendly Chiefs before Jove's Altar stand Both arm'd with each a Charger in his Hand A fatted Sow for Sacrifice is led With Imprecations on the perjur'd Head Near this the Traytor Metius stretch'd between Four fiery Steeds is dragg'd along the Green By Tullus doom The Brambles drink his Blood And his torn Limbs are left the Vulture's Food There Porsena to Rome proud Tarquin brings And wou'd by Force restore the banish'd Kings One Tyrant for his fellow Tyrant fights The Roman Youth assert their Native Rights Before the Town the Tuscan Army lies To win by Famine or by Fraud surprise Their King half threat'ning half disdaining stood While Cocles broke the Bridge and stem'd the Flood The Captive Maids there tempt the raging Tide Scap'd from their Chains with Clelia for their Guide High on a Rock Heroick Manlius stood To guard the Temple and the Temple's God Then Rome was poor and there you might behold The Palace thatch'd with Straw now roof'd with Gold The Silver Goofe before the shining Gate There flew and by her Cackle sav'd the State She told the Gauls approach Th' approaching Gauls Obscure in Night ascend and seize the Walls The Gold dissembl'd well their yellow Hair And Golden Chains on their white Necks they wear Gold are their Vests Long Alpine Spears they wield And their left Arm sustains a length of Shield Hard by the leaping Salian Priests advance And naked thro' the Streets the mad Luperci dance In Caps of Wool The Targets dropt from Heav'n Here modest Matrons in soft Litters driv'n To pay their Vows in solemn Pomp appear And odorous Gums in their chast Hands they bear Far hence remov'd the Stygian Seats are seen Pains of the damn'd and punish'd Catiline Hung on a Rock the Traytor and around The Furies hissing from the neather Ground Apart from these the happy Souls he draws And Cato's holy Ghost dispensing Laws Betwixt the Quarters flows a Golden Sea But
me down alive Or oh ye pitying Winds a Wretch relieve On Sands or Shelves the splitting Vessel drive Or set me Shipwrack'd on some desart Shore Where no Rutulian Eyes may see me more Unknown to Friends or Foes or conscious Fame Lest she should follow and my flight proclaim Thus Turnus rav'd and various Fates revolv'd The Choice was doubtful but the Death resolv'd And now the Sword and now the Sea took place That to revenge and this to purge Disgrace Sometimes he thought to swim the stormy Main By stretch of Arms the distant Shore to gain Thrice he the Sword assay'd and thrice the Flood But Juno mov'd with Pity both withstood And thrice repress'd his Rage strong Gales supply'd And push'd the Vessel o're the swelling Tide At length she lands him on his Native Shores And to his Father's longing Arms restores Mean time by Jove's Impulse Mezentius arm'd Succeeding Turnus with his ardour warm'd His fainting Friends reproach'd their shameful flight Repell'd the Victors and renew'd the Fight Against their King the Tuscan Troops conspire Such is their Hate and such their fierce desire Of wish'd Revenge On him and him alone All Hands employ'd and all their Darts are thrown He like a solid Rock by Seas inclos'd To raging Winds and roaring Waves oppos'd From his proud Summit looking down disdains Their empty Menace and unmov'd remains Beneath his Feet fell haughty Hebrus dead Then Latagus and Palmus as he fled At Latagus a weighty Stone he flung His Face was flatted and his Helmet rung But Palmus from behind receives his Wound Hamstring'd he falls and grovels on the Ground His Crest and Armor from his Body torn Thy Shoulders Lausus and thy Head adorn Evas and Mymas both of Troy he slew Mymas his Birth from fair Theano drew Born on that fatal Night when big with Fire The Queen produc'd young Paris to his Sire But Paris in the Phrygian Fields was slain Unthinking Mymas on the Latian Plain And as a salvage Boar on Mountains bred With forest Mast and fatning Marshes fed When once he sees himself in Toils inclos'd By Huntsmen and their eager Hounds oppos'd He whets his Tusks and turns and dares the War Th' Invaders dart their Jav'lins from afar All keep aloof and safely shout around But none presumes to give a nearer Wound He frets and froaths erects his bristled Hide And shakes a Grove of Lances from his Side Not otherwise the Troops with Hate inspir'd And just Revenge against the Tyrant fir'd Their Darts with Clamour at a distance drive And only keep the languish'd War alive From Coritus came Acron to the Fight Who left his Spouse betroath'd and unconsummate Night Mezentius sees him thro' the Squadrons ride Proud of the Purple Favours of his Bride Then as a hungry Lyon who beholds A Gamesom Goat who frisks about the Folds Or beamy stag that grazes on the Plain He runs he roars he shakes his rising Mane He grins and opens wide his greedy Jaws The Prey lyes panting underneath his Paws He fills his famish'd Maw his Mouth runs o're With unchew'd Morsels while he churns the Gore So proud Mezentius rushes on his Foes And first unhappy Acron overthrows Stretch'd at his length he spurns the swarthy Ground The Lance besmear'd with Blood lies broken in the wound Then with Disdain the haughty Victor view'd Orodes flying nor the Wretch pursu'd Nor thought the Dastard's Back deserv'd a Wound But running gain'd th' Advantage of the Ground Then turning short he met him Face to Face To give his Victory the better grace Orodes falls in equal Fight oppress'd Mezentius fix'd his Foot upon his Breast And rested Lance And thus aloud he cries Lo here the Champion of my Rebels lies The Fields around with Io Paean ring And peals of Shouts applaud the conqu'ring King At this the vanquish'd with his dying Breath Thus faintly spoke and prophesy'd in Death Nor thou proud Man unpunish'd shalt remain Like Death attends thee on this fatal Plain Then sourly smiling thus the King reply'd For what belongs to me let Jove provide But dye thou first whatever Chance ensue He said and from the Wound the Weapon drew A hov'ring Mist came swimming o're his sight And seal'd his Eyes in everlasting Night By Caedicus Alcathous was slain Sacrator laid Hydaspes on the Plain Orses the strong to greater Strength must yield He with Parthenius were by Rapo kill'd Then brave Messapus Ericetes slew Who from Lycaon's Blood his Lineage drew But from his headstrong Horse his Fate he found Who threw his Master as he made a bound The Chief alighting stuck him to the Ground Then Clonius hand to hand on Foot assails The Trojan sinks and Neptune's Son prevails Agis the Lycian stepping forth with Pride To single Fight the boldest Foe defy'd Whom Tuscan Valerus by Force o'recame And not bely'd his mighty Father's Fame Salius to Death the great Antronius fent But the same Fate the Victor underwent Slain by Nealces Hand well skill'd to throw The flying Dart and draw the far-deceiving Bow Thus equal Deaths are dealt with equal Chance By turns they quit their Ground by turns advance Victors and vanquish'd in the various Field Nor wholly overcome nor wholly yield The Gods from Heav'n survey the fatal Strife And mourn the Miseries of Human Life Above the rest two Goddesses appear Concern'd for each Here Venus Juno there Amidst the Crowd Infernal Atè shakes Her Scourge aloft and Crest of hissing Snakes Once more the proud Mezentius with Disdain Brandish'd his Spear and rush'd into the Plain Where tow'ring in the midmost Ranks he stood Like tall Orion stalking o're the Flood When with his brawny Breast he cuts the Waves His Shoulders scarce the topmost Billow laves Or like a Mountain Ash whose Roots are spread Deep fix'd in Earth in Clouds he hides his Head The Trojan Prince beheld him from afar And dauntless undertook the doubtful War Collected in his Strength and like a Rock Poiz'd on his Base Mezentius stood the Shock He stood and measuring first with careful Eyes The space his Spear cou'd reach aloud he cries My strong right Hand and Sword assist my Stroke Those only Gods Mezentius will invoke His Armour from the Trojan Pyrate torn By my triumphant Lausus shall be worn To S r Charles Orby Baronet of Burton Pednarden in y e County of Lincolne AE 10. l. 1125. He said and with his utmost force he threw The massy Spear which hissing as it flew Reach'd the Coelestial Shield that stop'd the course But glancing thence the yet unbroken Force Took a new bent obliquely and betwixt The Side and Bowels fam'd Anthores fix'd Anthores had from Argos travell'd far Alcides Friend and Brother of the War 'Till tir'd with Toils fair Italy he chose And in Evander's Palace sought Repose Now falling by another's Wound his Eyes He casts to Heav'n on Argos thinks and dyes The pious Trojan then his Jav'lin sent The Shield gave way Thro' treble Plates it
went Of solid Brass of Linnen trebly rowl'd And three Bull-hides which round the Buckler rowl'd All these it pass'd resistless in the Course Transpierc'd his Thigh and spent its dying Force The gaping Wound gush'd out a Crimson Flood The Trojan glad with sight of hostile Blood His Fauchion drew to closer Fight address'd And with new Force his fainting Foe oppress'd His Father's Peril Lausus view'd with Grief He sigh'd he wept he ran to his Relief And here Heroick Youth 't is here I must To thy immortal Memory be just And sing an Act so noble and so new Posterity will scarce believe 't is true Pain'd with his Wound and useless for the Fight The Father sought to save himself by Flight Incumber'd slow he drag'd the Spear along Which pierc'd his thigh and in his Buckler hung The pious Youth resolv'd on Death below The lifted Sword springs forth to face the Foe Protects his Parent and prevents the Blow Shouts of Applause ran ringing thro' the Field To see the Son the vanquish'd Father shield All fir'd with gen'rous Indignation strive And with a storm of Darts to distance drive The Trojan Chief who held at Bay from far On his Vulcanian Orb sustain'd the War As when thick Hail comes ratling in the Wind The Plowman Passenger and lab'ring Hind For shelter to the neighb'ring Covert fly Or hous'd or safe in hollow Caverns lye But that o'reblown when Heav'n above 'em smiles Return to Travel and renew their Toils Aeneas thus o'rewhelm'd on ev'ry side The storm of Darts undaunted did abide And thus to Lausus loud with friendly threat'ning cry'd Why wilt thou rush to certain Death and Rage In rash Attempts beyond thy tender Age Betray'd by pious Love Nor thus forborn The Youth desists but with insulting Scorn Provokes the ling'ring Prince Whose Patience tyr'd Gave Place and all his Breast with Fury fir'd For now the Fates prepar'd their cruel Sheers And lifted high the flaming Sword appears Which full descending with a frightful sway Thro Shield and Corslet forc'd th' impetuous Way And bury'd deep in his fair Bosom lay The purple Streams thro' the thin Armour strove And drench'd th' imbroider'd Coat his Mother wove And Life at length forsook his heaving Heart Loath from so sweet a Mansion to depart But when with Blood and Paleness all o'respread The pious Prince beheld young Lausus dead He griev'd he wept the sight an Image brought Of his own filial Love a sadly pleasing Thought Then stretch'd his Hand to hold him up and said Poor hapless Youth what Praises can be paid To Love so great to such transcendent Store Of early Worth and sure Presage of more Accept what e're Aeneas can afford Untouch'd thy Arms untaken be thy Sword And all that pleas'd thee living still remain Inviolate and sacred to the slain Thy Body on thy Parents I bestow To rest thy Soul at least if Shadows know Or have a sense of human Things below There to thy fellow Ghosts with Glory tell 'T was by the great Aeneas hand I fell With this his distant Friends he beckons near Provokes their Duty and prevents their Fear Himself assists to lift him from the Ground With clotted Locks and Blood that well'd from out the Wound Mean time his Father now no Father stood And wash'd his Wounds by Tyber's yellow Flood Oppress'd with Anguish panting and o'respent His fainting Limbs against an Oak he leant A Bough his Brazen Helmet did sustain His heavier Arms lay scatter'd on the Plain A chosen Train of Youth around him stand His drooping Head was rested on his hand His grisly Beard his pensive Bosom sought And all on Lausus ran his restless thought Careful concern'd his Danger to prevent He much enquir'd and many a Message sent To warn him from the Field Alas in vain Behold his mournful Followers bear him slain O're his broad Shield still gush'd the yawning Wound And drew a bloody Trail along the Ground Far off he heard their Cries far off divin'd The dire Event with a foreboding Mind With Dust he sprinkled first his hoary Head Then both his lifted hands to Heav'n he spread Last the dear Corps embracing thus he said What Joys alas cou'd this frail Being give That I have been so covetous to live To see my Son and such a Son resign His Life a Ransom for preserving mine And am I then preserv'd and art thou lost How much too dear has that Redemption cost 'T is now my bitter Banishment I feel This is a Wound too deep for time to heal My Guilt thy growing Virtues did defame My Blackness blotted thy unblemish'd Name Chas'd from a Throne abandon'd and exil'd For foul Misdeeds were Punishments too mild I ow'd my People these and from their hate With less Resentment cou'd have born my Fate And yet I live and yet sustain the sight Of hated Men and of more hated Light But will not long With that he rais'd from Ground His fainting Limbs that stagger'd with his Wound Yet with a Mind resolv'd and unappal'd With Pains or Perils for his Courser call'd Well mouth'd well manag'd whom himself did dress With daily Care and mounted with Success His Aid in Arms his Ornament in Peace Soothing his Courage with a gentle Stroke The Steed seem'd sensible while thus he spoke O Rhaebus we have liv'd too long for me If Life and long were Terms that cou'd agree This Day thou either shalt bring back the Head And bloody Trophees of the Trojan dead This Day thou either shalt revenge my Woe For murther'd Lausus on his cruel Foe Or if inexorable Fate deny Our Conquest with thy conquer'd Master dye For after such a Lord I rest secure Thou wilt no foreign Reins or Trojan Load endure He said And straight th' officious Courser kneels To take his wonted Weight His Hands he fills With pointed Jav'lins On his Head he lac'd His glitt'ring Helm which terribly was grac'd With waving Horse-hair nodding from afar Then spurr'd his thund'ring Steed amidst the War Love Anguish Wrath and Grief to Madness wrought Despair and secret Shame and conscious thought Of inborn Worth his lab'ring Soul oppress'd Rowl'd in his Eyes and rag'd within his Breast Then loud he call'd Aeneas thrice by Name The loud repeated Voice to glad Aeneas came Great Jove he said and the far-shooting God Inspire thy Mind to make thy Challenge good He spoke no more but hasten'd void of Fear And threaten'd with his long protended Spear To whom Mezentius thus Thy Vaunts are vain My Lausus lies extended on the Plain He 's lost thy Conquest is already won The wretched Sire is murther'd in the Son Nor Fate I fear but all the Gods defy Forbear thy Threats my Bus'ness is to dye But first receive this parting Legacy He said And straight a whirling Dart he sent Another after and another went Round in a spacious Ring he rides the Field And vainly plies th' impenetrable Shield Thrice rode he round and thrice Aeneas wheel'd Turn'd
Right bestow your own For this Maligner of the general Good If still we fear his Force he must be woo'd His haughty Godhead we with Pray'rs implore Your Scepter to release and our just Rights restore O cursed Cause of all our Ills must we Wage Wars unjust and fall in Fight for thee What right hast thou to rule the Latian State And send us out to meet our certain Fate 'T is a destructive War from Turnus Hand Our Peace and publick safety we demand Let the fair Bride to the brave Chief remain If not the Peace without the Pledge is vain Turnus I know you think me not your Friend Nor will I much with your Belief contend I beg your Greatness not to give the Law In others Realms but beaten to withdraw Pity your own or pity our Estate Nor twist our Fortunes with your sinking Fate Your Interest is the War shou'd never cease But we have felt enough to wish the Peace A Land exhausted to the last remains Depopulated Towns and driven Plains Yet if desire of Fame and thirst of Pow'r A Beauteous Princess with a Crown in Dow'r So fire your Mind in Arms assert your Right And meet your Foe who dares you to the Fight Mankind it seems is made for you alone We but the Slaves who mount you to the Throne A base ignoble Crowd without a Name Unwept unworthy of the Fun'ral Flame By Duty bound to forfeit each his Life That Turnus may possess a Royal Wife Permit not Mighty Man so mean a Crew Shou'd share such Triumphs and detain from you The Post of Honour your unquestion'd Due Rather alone your matchless Force employ To merit what alone you must enjoy These Words so full of Malice mix'd with Art Inflam'd with Rage the youthful Hero's Heart Then groaning from the bottom of his Breast He heav'd for Wind and thus his Wrath express'd You Drances never want a Stream of Words Then when the Publick Need requires our Swords First in the Council-hall to steer the State And ever foremost at a Tongue debate While our strong Walls secure us from the Foe E're yet with Blood our Ditches overflow But let the potent Orator declaim And with the brand of Coward blot my Name Free Leave is giv'n him when his fatal Hand Has cover'd with more Corps the sanguine Strand And high as mine his tow'ring Trophees stand If any Doubt remains who dares the most Let us decide it at the Trojans cost And issue both abrest where Honour calls Foes are not far to seek without the Walls Unless his noisie Tongue can only fight And Feet were giv'n him but to speed his Flight I beaten from the Field I forc'd away Who but so known a Dastard dares to say Had he but ev'n beheld the Fight his Eyes Had witness'd for me what his Tongue denies What heaps of Trojans by this Hand were slain And how the bloody Tyber swell'd the Main All saw but he th' Arcadian Troops retire In scatter'd Squadrons and their Prince expire The Gyant Brothers in their Camp have found I was not forc'd with ease to quit my Ground Not such the Trojans try'd me when inclos'd I singly their united Arms oppos'd First forc'd an Entrance thro' their thick Array Then glutted with their Slaughter freed my Way 'T is a destructive War So let it be But to the Phrygian Pirate and to thee Mean time proceed to fill the People's Ears With false Reports their Minds with panick Fears Extol the Strength of a twice conquer'd Race Our Foes encourage and our Friends debase Believe thy Fables and the Trojan Town Triumphant stands the Grecians are o'rethrown Suppliant at Hector's Feet Achilles lyes And Diomede from fierce Aeneas flies Say rapid Aufidus with awful Dread Runs backward from the Sea and hides his Head When the great Trojan on his Bank appears For that 's as true as thy dissembl'd Fears Of my Revenge Dismiss that Vanity Thou Drances art below a Death from me Let that vile Soul in that vile Body rest The Lodging is well worthy of the Guest Now Royal Father to the present state Of our Affairs and of this high Debate If in your Arms thus early you diffide And think your Fortune is already try'd If one Defeat has brought us down so low As never more in Fields to meet the Foe Then I conclude for Peace 'T is time to treat And lye like Vassals at the Victor's Feet But oh if any ancient Blood remains One drop of all our Father 's in our Veins That Man would I prefer before the rest Who dar'd his Death with an undaunted Breast Who comely fell by no dishonest Wound To shun that Sight and dying gnaw'd the Ground But if we still have fresh Recruits in store If our Confederates can afford us more If the contended Field we bravely fought And not a bloodless Victory was bought Their Losses equall'd ours and for their slain With equal Fires they fill'd the shining Plain Why thus unforc'd shou'd we so tamely yield And e're the Trumpet sounds resign the Field Good unexpected Evils unforeseen Appear by Turns as Fortune shifts the Scene Some rais'd aloft come tumbling down amain Then fall so hard they bound and rise again If Diomede refuse his Aid to lend The great Messapus yet remains our Friend Tolumnius who foretels Events is ours Th' Italian Chiefs and Princes joyn their Pow'rs Nor least in Number nor in Name the last Your own brave Subjects have your Cause embrac'd Above the rest the Volscian Amazon Contains an Army in her self alone And heads a Squadron terrible to sight With glitt'ring Shields in Brazen Armour bright Yet if the Foe a single Fight demand And I alone the Publick Peace withstand If you consent he shall not be refus'd Nor find a Hand to Victory unus'd This new Achilles let him take the Field With fated Armour and Vulcanian Shield For you my Royal Father and my Fame I Turnus not the least of all my Name Devote my Soul He calls me hand to hand And I alone will answer his Demand Drances shall rest secure and neither share The Danger nor divide the Prize of War While they debate nor these nor those will yield Aeneas draws his Forces to the Field And moves his Camp The Scouts with flying Speed Return and thro' the frighted City spread Th' unpleasing News the Trojans are descry'd In Battel marching by the River side And bending to the Town They take th' Allarm Some tremble some are bold all in Confusion arm Th' impetuous Youth press forward to the Field They clash the Sword and clatter on the Shield The fearful Matrons raise a screaming Cry Old feeble Men with fainter Groans reply A jarring Sound results and mingles in the Sky Like that of Swans remurm'ring to the Floods Or Birds of diff'ring kinds in hollow Woods Turnus th' occasion takes and cries aloud Talk on ye quaint Haranguers of the Crowd Declaim in praise of Peace when Danger calls And the fierce
Ground Mighty the Man and mighty Was the Wound I heard my dearest Friend with dying Breath My Name invoking to revenge his Death Brave Ufens fell with Honour on the Place To shun the shameful sight of my disgrace On Earth supine a Manly Corps he lies His Vest and Armour are the Victor's Prize Then shall I see Laurentum in a flame Which only wanted to compleat my shame How will the Latins hoot their Champion's flight How Drances will be pleas'd and point them to the sight Is Death so hard to bear Ye Gods below Since those above so small Compassion show Receive a Soul unsully'd yet with shame Which not belies my great Forefather's Name He said And while he spoke with flying speed Came Sages urging on his foamy Steed Fix'd on his wounded Face a Shaft he bore And seeking Turnus sent his Voice before Turnus on you on you alone depends Our last Relief compassionate your Friends Like Lightning fierce Aeneas rowling on With Arms invests with Flames invades the Town The Brands are toss'd on high the Winds conspire To drive along the Deluge of the Fire All Eyes are fix'd on you your Foes rejoice Ev'n the King staggers and suspends his Choice Doubts to deliver or defend the Town Whom to reject or whom to call his Son The Queen on whom your utmost hopes were plac'd Her self suborning Death has breath'd her last 'T is true Messapus fearless of his Fate With fierce Atinas Aid defends the Gate On ev'ry side surrounded by the Foe The more they kill the greater Numbers grow An Iron Harvest mounts and still remains to mow You far aloof from your forsaken Bands Your rowling Chariot drive o're empty Sands Stupid he sate his Eyes on Earth declin'd And various Cares revolving in his Mind Rage boiling from the bottom of his Breast And Sorrow mix'd with Shame his Soul oppress'd And conscious Worth lay lab'ring in his Thought And Love by Jealousie to Madness wrought By slow degrees his Reason drove away The Mists of Passion and resum'd her Sway. Then rising on his Car he turn'd his Look And saw the Town involv'd in Fire and Smoke A wooden Tow'r with Flames already blaz'd Which his own Hands on Beams and Rafters rais'd And Bridges laid above to join the Space And Wheels below to rowl from place to place Sister the Fates have vanquish'd Let us go The way which Heav'n and my hard Fortune show The Fight is fix'd Nor shall the branded Name Of a base Coward blot your Brother's Fame Death is my choice but suffer me to try My Force and vent my Rage before I dye He said and leaping down without delay Thro Crowds of scatter'd Foes he free'd his way Striding he pass'd impetuous as the Wind And left the grieving Goddess far behind As when a Fragment from a Mountain torn By raging Tempests or by Torrents born Or sapp'd by time or loosen'd from the Roots Prone thro' the Void the Rocky Ruine shoots Rowling from Crag to Crag from Steep to Steep Down sink at once the Shepherds and their Sheep Involv'd alike they rush to neather Ground Stun'd with the shock they fall and stun'd from Earth rebound So Turnus hasting headlong to the Town Should'ring and shoving bore the Squadrons down Still pressing onward to the Walls he drew Where Shafts and Spears and Darts promiscuous flew And sanguine Streams the slipp'ry Ground embrew First stretching out his Arm in sign of Peace He cries aloud to make the Combat cease Rutulians hold and Latin Troops retire The Fight is mine and me the Gods require T is just that I shou'd vindicate alone The broken Truce or for the Breach atone This Day shall free from Wars th' Ausonian State Or finish my Misfortunes in my Fate Both Armies from their bloody Work desist And bearing backward form a spacious List The Trojan Heroe who receiv'd from Fame The welcome Sound and heard the Champion's Name Soon leaves the taken Works and mounted Walls Greedy of War where greater Glory calls He springs to Fight exulting in his Force His jointed Armour rattles in the Course Like Eryx or like Athos great he shows Or Father Apennine when white with Snows His Head Divine obscure in Clouds he hides And shakes the sounding Forest on his sides The Nations over-aw'd surcease the Fight Immoveable their Bodies fix'd their sight Ev'n Death stands still nor from above they throw Their Darts nor drive their batt'ring Rams below In silent Order either Army stands And drop their Swords unknowing from their Hands Th' Ausonian King beholds with wond'ring sight Two mighty Champions match'd in single Fight Born under Climes remote and brought by Fate With Swords to try their Titles to the State Now in clos'd Field each other from afar They view and rushing on begin the War They launch their Spears then hand to hand they meet The trembling Soil resounds beneath their Feet Their Bucklers clash thick blows descend from high And flakes of Fire from their hard Helmets fly Courage conspires with Chance and both ingage With equal Fortune and with mutual Rage As when two Bulls for their fair Female fight In Sila's Shades or on Taburnus height With Horns adverse they meet the Keeper flies Mute stands the Herd the Heifars rowl their Eyes And wait th' Event which Victor they shall bear And who shall be the Lord to rule the lusty Year With rage of Love the jealous Rivals burn And Push for Push and Wound for Wound return Their Dewlaps gor'd their sides are lav'd in Blood Loud Cries and roaring Sounds rebellow thro' the Wood Such was the Combat in the listed Ground So clash their Swords and so their Shields resound Jove sets the Beam in either Scale he lays The Champions Fate and each exactly weighs On this side Life and lucky Chance ascends Loaded with Death that other Scale descends Rais'd on the Stretch young Turnus aims a blow Full on the Helm of his unguarded Foe Shrill Shouts and Clamours ring on either side As Hopes and Fears their panting Hearts divide But all in pieces flies the Traytor Sword And in the middle Stroke deserts his Lord. Now 't is but Death or Flight disarm'd he flies When in his Hand an unknown Hilt he spies Fame says that Turnus when his Steeds he join'd Hurrying to War disorder'd in his Mind Snatch'd the first Weapon which his haste cou'd find 'T was not the fated Sword his Father bore But that his Charioteer Metiscus wore This while the Trojans fled the Toughness held But vain against the great Vulcanian Shield The mortal-temper'd Steel deceiv'd his Hand The shiver'd fragments shone amid the Sand. Surpris'd with fear he fled along the Field And now forthright and now in Orbits wheel'd For here the Trojan Troops the List surround And there the Pass is clos'd with Pools and marshy Ground Aeneas hastens tho' with heavier Pace His Wound so newly knit retards the Chase And oft his trembling Knees their Aid refuse Yet pressing foot by foot