Thither young Turnus took the well-known way, Meantime, Latonian Phœbe, from the skies, 805 810 'Twas born with her; and with her years it grew. Her father Metabus, when forced away 815 From old Privernum for tyrannic sway, One hissing letter in a softer sound, 820 And call'd Camilla. Through the woods he flies ; Wrapp'd in his robe the royal infant lies. His foes in sight, he mends his weary pace; The banks of Amasene at length he gains; 825 The raging flood his farther flight restrains, 830 835 840 845 'Accept, great goddess of the woods,' he said, 850 He shunn'd the dire society of men. A shepherd's solitary life he led : His daughter with the milk of mares he fed. 855 The dugs of bears, and ev'ry savage beast, The little Amazon could scarcely go He loads her with a quiver and a bow; And, that she might her stagg'ring steps command, 860 He with a slender jav'lin fills her hand. Her flowing hair no golden fillet bound; Nor swept her trailing robe the dusty ground. Instead of these, a tiger's hide o'erspread Her back and shoulders, fasten'd to her head. 865 And round her tender temples toss'd the sling; Then, as her strength with years increased, began To pierce aloft in air the soaring swan, And from the clouds to fetch the heron and the crane. The Tuscan matrons with each other vied 871 To bless their rival sons with such a bride: VIR. VOL. II. T But she disdains their love, to share with me The sylvan shades, and vow'd virginity. 875 And shunn'd the fate that dooms her to be slain. But since, opposing heaven's decree, she goes 880 By whate'er hand Camilla shall be slain, 885 890 She said. The faithful nymph descends from high With rapid flight, and cuts the sounding sky: Black clouds and stormy winds around her body fly. By this, the Trojan and the Tuscan horse, Drawn up in squadrons, with united force Approach the walls: the sprightly coursers bound, Press forward on their bits, and shift their ground. Shields, arms, and spears, flash horribly from far; 900 And the fields glitter with a waving war. Opposed to these, come on with furious force Messapus, Coras, and the Latian horse; These in the body placed, on either hand Sustain'd and closed by fair Camilla's band. Advancing in a line, they couch their spears; And less and less the middle space appears. 896 905 Thick smoke obscures the field; and scarce are seen In distance of their darts they stop their course ; 910 Tyrrhenus and Aconteus, void of fear, 915 Their horses' heads against each other knock. He rolls along in blood, and breathes his last. 920 The Latin squadrons take a sudden fright, And sling their shields behind, to save their backs in flight. Spurring at speed, to their own walls they drew; 925 So swelling surges, with a thund'ring roar, Driv'n on each other's backs, insult the shore, Bound o'er the rocks, encroach upon the land, 930 And far upon the beach eject the sand; before. Twice were the Tuscans masters of the field, 935 940 Now dying groans are heard; the fields are strow'd 945 Strong Remulus, at distance drove his spear, 950 Catillus pierced Iolas first; then drew His reeking lance, and at Herminius threw, The mighty champion of the Tuscan crew. But shaded with a length of yellow hair : 955 Secure, he fought, exposed on ev'ry part, A spacious mark for swords, and for the flying dart. Across the shoulders came the feather'd wound. Transfix'd he fell, and doubled to the ground. The sands with streaming blood are sanguine died, And death, with honor, sought on either side. Resistless, through the war Camilla rode, In danger unappall'd, and pleased with blood. One side was bare for her exerted breast; One shoulder with her painted quiver press'd. 961 965 Now from afar her fatal jav'lins play; Diana's arms upon her shoulder sound; And when, too closely press'd, she quits the ground, From her bent bow she sends a backward wound. 970 Her maids, in martial pomp, on either side, Larina, Tulla, fierce Tarpeia, ride- |