Nor with less rage Euryalus employs

The wrathful sword, or fewer foes destroys:

But on th' ignoble crowd his fury flew:

He Fadus, Hebesus, and Rhotus slew.

Oppress'd with heavy sleep the former fall,

But Rhœtus wakeful, and observing all:
Behind a spacious jar he slink'd for fear:

The fatal iron found and reach'd him there;

For, as he rose, it pierc'd his naked side,、

460

465

And, reeking, thence return'd in crimson dy'd. 469 The wound pours out a stream of wine and blood: The purple soul comes floating in the flood.

Now, where Messapus quarter'd, they arrive. The fires were fainting there, and just alive:

The warrior horses, tied in order, fed.

Nisus observ'd the discipline, and said:

"Our eager thirst of blood may both betray;

And see the scatter'd streaks of dawning day,
Foe to nocturnal thefts. No more, my friend:

Here let our glutted execution end.

475

479

A lane through slaughter'd bodies we have made." The bold Euryalus, though loth, obey'd.

Of arms, and arras, and of plate, they find
A precious load; but these they leave behind.
Yet, fond of gaudy spoils, the boy would stay
To make the rich caparison his prey,

Which on the steed of conquer'd Rhamnes lay.
Nor did his eyes less longingly behold
The girdle-belt, with nails of burnish'd gold.
This present Cædicus the rich bestow'd

485

On Remulus, when friendship first they vow'd, 490
And, absent, join'd in hospitable ties:

He, dying, to his heir bequeath'd the prize;.
Till, by the conqu'ring Ardean troops oppress'd,
He fell; and they the glorious gift possess'd.
These glitt'ring spoils (now made the victor's gain)

He to his body suits, but suits in vain.
Messapus' helm he finds among the rest,

And laces on, and wears the waving crest.
Proud of their conquest, prouder of their prey,

494

They leave the camp, and take the ready way. 500 But far they had not pass'd, before they spy'd Three hundred horse, with Volscens for their guide. The queen a legion to king Turnus sent:

But the swift horse the slower foot prevent,

And now, advancing, sought the leader's tent. 505 They saw the pair; for, through the doubtful shade, His shining helm Euryalus betray'd,

On which the moon with full reflection play'd. "'Tis not for nought," cry'd Volscens from the crowd, "These men go there:" then rais'd his voice aloud: "Stand! stand! why thus in arms? and whither bent? From whence, to whom, and on what errand sent? Silent they scud away, and haste their flight To neighb'ring woods, and trust themselves to

night.

The speedy horse all passages belay,

515

And
spur their smoking steeds to cross their way;
And watch each entrance of the winding wood.
Black was the forest: thick with beech it stood,
Horrid with fern, and intricate with thorn:

Few paths of human feet, or tracks of beasts, were

worn.

The darkness of the shades, his heavy prey,

And fear, misled the younger

from his way.

But Nisus hit the turns with happier haste,

520

VOL. IV.

And, thoughtless of his friend, the forest pass'd,

And Alban plains (from Alba's name so call'd) 525

Where king Latinus then his oxen stall'd;

Till, turning at the length, he stood his ground,

And miss'd his friend, and cast his

eyes around. "Ah wretch!" he cry'd—“where have I left behind Th' unhappy youth? where shall I hope to find? 530 Or what way take?" Again he ventures back, And treads the mazes of his former track. He winds the wood, and, list'ning, hears the noise Of trampling coursers, and the riders' voice.

The sound approach'd; and suddenly he view'd
The foes inclosing, and his friend pursu❜d,
Forelay'd and taken, while he strove in vain
The shelter of the friendly shades to gain.

534

What should he next attempt? what arms employ,

What fruitless force, to free the captive boy?
Or desp❜rate should he rush, and lose his life,
With odds oppress'd, in such unequal strife!
Resolv'd at length, his pointed spear he shook;
And, casting on the moon a mournful look,
"Guardian of groves, and goddess of the night!

540

544

Fair queen!" he said, "direct my dart aright.
If e'er my pious father, for my sake,

Did grateful off'rings on thy altars make,
Or I increas'd them with my silyan toils,

And hung thy holy roofs with savage spoils,

Give me to scatter these." Then from his ear

550

He pois'd, and aim'd, and launch'd the trembling

spear.

The deadly weapon, hissing from the grove,

Impetuous on the back of Sulmo drove;

Pierc'd his thin armour, drank his vital blood, 555

And in his body left the broken wood.

He staggers round: his eyeballs roll in death;
And with short sobs he gasps away his breath.
All stand amaz'd:-a second jav❜lin flies

559

With equal strength, and quivers through the skies.
This through thy temples, Tagus, forc'd the way,
And in the brain-pan warmly bury'd lay.
Fierce Volscens foams with rage, and, gazing round,
Descry'd not him who gave the fatal wound,

Nor knew to fix revenge: "But thou," he cries,

"Shalt pay for both," and at the pris❜ner flies

564