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Notes Display Latin text | translated by Theodore C. Williams Book IX Chapter 2: The attack on the camp starts | Next chapter Return to index Previous chapter |
Soon o'er the spreading fields in proud array the gathered legions poured; no lack was there of steeds all fire, and broidered pomp and gold. Messapus led the van; in rearguard rode the sons of Tyrrheus; kingly Turnus towered from the mid-column eminent: the host moved as great Ganges lifting silently his seven peaceful streams, or when the flood of fructifying Nile from many a field back to his channel flows. A swift-blown cloud of black, uprolling dust the Teucrians see o'ershadowing the plain; Caicus calls from lofty outpost: O my countrymen, I see a huge, black ball of rolling smoke. Your swords and lances! Man the walls! To arms! The foe is here! What ho! With clamors loud the Teucrians through the city-gates retire, and muster on the walls. For, wise in war, Aeneas, ere he went, had left command they should not range in battle-line, nor dare, whate'er might hap, to risk in open plain the bold sortie, but keep them safe entrenched in mounded walls. So now, though rage and shame prick to a close fight, they defensive bar each portal strong, and, patient of control, from hollow towers expect th' encircling foe. |
25-46 Iamque omnis campis exercitus ibat apertis diues equum, diues pictai uestis et auri; Messapus primas acies, postrema coercent Tyrrhidae iuuenes, medio dux agmine Turnus: ceu septem surgens sedatis amnibus altus per tacitum Ganges aut pingui flumine Nilus cum refluit campis et iam se condidit alueo. hic subitam nigro glomerari puluere nubem prospiciunt Teucri ac tenebras insurgere campis. primus ab aduersa conclamat mole Caicus: 'quis globus, o ciues, caligine uoluitur atra? ferte citi ferrum, date tela, ascendite muros, hostis adest, heia!' ingenti clamore per omnis condunt se Teucri portas et moenia complent. namque ita discedens praeceperat optimus armis Aeneas: si qua interea fortuna fuisset, neu struere auderent aciem neu credere campo; castra modo et tutos seruarent aggere muros. ergo etsi conferre manum pudor iraque monstrat, obiciunt portas tamen et praecepta facessunt, armatique cauis exspectant turribus hostem. |