Stories from Virgil Part 8

And she spread her wings and mounted to heaven by the arch of the rainbow, and Turnus cried, "I know thee, G.o.ddess, and follow thy sign." And having first washed his hands, he prayed and vowed his vows to the G.o.ds.

[Ill.u.s.tration: IRIS APPEARING TO TURNUS.]

So the army went forth to the battle. Messapus led the first line, and the sons of Tyrrheus the rear; and in the midst was Turnus. And the men of Troy saw a great cloud of dust upon the plain, and Cacus cried from the walls, "What meaneth this cloud that I see? To arms, my friends. Climb the walls. The enemy is at hand." Then did the men of Troy shut the gates and man the walls. For so had aeneas commanded them, saying, "Fight not, whatever befall, in battle, nor trust yourselves to the plain, but defend your walls." Therefore they shut their gates, and waited till the enemy should come near. And Turnus, on a horse of Thrace, rode first, and twenty youths with him; and he cried, "Is there a man who will first venture the attack?" and he threw his javelin, making a beginning of battle, and his companions shouted aloud. Much they marvelled that the men of Troy kept them within the walls and came not forth to the battle. And Turnus ever regarded the walls, how he might enter therein. Even as a wolf prowleth round the fold at midnight, while the lambs within bleat, being safe by their mothers, but he rageth without to hear them, being mad with wrath and hunger, and his tongue is athirst for blood, even so did Turnus rage round the camp, and cast about how he might draw forth the men of Troy into the plain. And at the last he bethought him of the ships, which lay at the camp's side, and called for torches of pine, and the people followed him with a shout, and the smoke rose up to the heavens.

Then did a marvellous thing befall. Now in the days when aeneas was building his ships upon Mount Ida, Cybele, mother of the G.o.ds, spake to Jupiter, saying "Grant, my son, that these ships, which aeneas buildeth of my pine-trees,--for these have I given to him freely,--may be safe from winds and waves." But Jupiter answered, "What is this that thou askest, my mother? Wouldst thou have immortality for mortal ships? Not so. But this I grant: that whichsoever of these shall come safe to the land of Italy shall become Nymphs of the sea." And now the day was come. Wherefore there was heard an awful voice, saying, "Fear not, men of Troy; nor care to defend your ships;" and to the ships, "Go! henceforth ye are Nymphs of the sea." And lo! straightway the cables brake, and where the ships had been were the shapes of women, for each ship a woman.

Much did the Latins wonder to behold the thing, and Tiber stayed his stream to see it. But Turnus trembled not, crying, "This marvel meaneth evil for the men of Troy. Their ships abide not our attack.

Nor have they any longer that wherewith they may flee from us. And as for fate, I heed it not. It was the fate of the men of Troy that they should touch the land of Italy. It is my fate that I should destroy the accursed race. They rob me of my wife. That wrong toucheth others besides Menelaus. Surely, it had been enough to perish once. But why, then, will they sin again? It had been well had they loathed thereafter all womankind. Or do they think that this rampart shall protect them? Did they not see the walls which Neptune builded settle down in the fire? And now, who cometh with me to storm their camp? I need not arms from Vulcan's forge, or a thousand ships. Deeds of darkness and of stealth they need not fear. We will not hide us in a Horse of wood. In daylight will we burn their walls. For surely the youth of Italy is not as the youth of Greece, whom Hector kept at bay for ten years." Then he commanded that they should lay siege to the camp; and Messapus he set to watch the gate, and fourteen Rutulian chiefs, with each a hundred youths, kept guard on the walls. So all the night they watched, and feasted, and drank, and made merry.

But the men of Troy laboured meanwhile, making strong the gates and the towers of the walls. And Mnestheus and Sergestus were instant with command and exhortation, for aeneas had appointed them to this thing should any need arise, he being absent.

Now the keeper of the gate was Nisus, a valiant man of war, and with him Euryalus, the goodliest youth among the men of Troy; and great love was between them. And as they watched, Nisus said, "Whether it be a bidding of the G.o.ds, or prompting of my own heart, I know not, but I have a great desire to do somewhat this night. Seest thou how the enemy lie asleep and drunken? Can I not win some honour hence, and carry the tidings of these things to aeneas? For yonder by the hill lieth the way to the city of Evander."

Then Euryalus made answer: "Nay, but thou goest not alone, Nisus, nor leavest me. My father Opheltes trained me not to such baseness, nor have I so borne myself in thy company. And truly I should count life well lost for such honour."

Then said Nisus: "I thought not so ill of thee. So may Jupiter bring me back in safety and honour. Yet should some mischance befall I would that thou yet shouldst live, to buy my body back, or, if that may not be, to pay due honour to my spirit. Think, too, of thy mother, who, alone of all the mothers of Troy, hath, for love of thee, come to this land of Italy."

But Euryalus said: "Thou makest idle excuses, for I am steadfastly purposed to go. Let us hasten, therefore." So they woke those who should take their places at the gate, and sought speech of the chiefs.

These indeed were holding counsel, and stood leaning on their spears in the midst of the camp. And Nisus said that he had somewhat to say, and that the matter pressed. Then Iulus bade him speak; and he made answer: "The enemy lie sleeping and drunken about the walls, and the fires are extinguished. If fortune favour us we will win a way to aeneas, to the city of Evander, and slay many, and take much spoil likewise. The way indeed we know, having learnt it while we hunted in these parts." Then the old man Aletes said: "Surely, Troy hath not altogether perished, having yet such hearts as yours." And he threw his arms about them, weeping. And Iulus said, "Bring back my father, and all shall be well. And I will give you two cups of silver embossed with figures of men, which my father took from the city of Arisba. And if we subdue this land of Italy, thou, Nisus, shalt have the horses and the arms of Turnus, and twelve women-captives likewise, and twelve men with their arms, and the domain of King Latinus. And thou, Euryalus, who art nearer of age to me, shalt be next to myself in all things."

Then Euryalus made answer: "One thing I ask thee more. I have a mother, of the lineage of Priam. To her I say not farewell, not being able to endure her tears. Do thou care for her, if she be bereaved of me." And Iulus said: "She shall be as my mother to me."

Then he gave him his own sword, with its scabbard of ivory, and Mnestheus gave to Nisus a lion's skin, and Aletes a helmet. And all went with them to the gates, with many prayers and vows; also Iulus, being wise beyond his years, sent many messages to his father.

Then they crossed the moat, and came upon the enemy as they slept, Nisus being before, and Euryalus keeping watch lest any should a.s.sail them from behind. And first Nisus slew Rhamnes as he slept: an augur he was, whom Turnus most trusted, yet he knew not his own doom. Next he slew the three servants and the armour-bearer and the charioteer of Remus, and, after, Remus himself, cutting off his head. Others also he slew, and among them Serra.n.u.s, a fair youth, who had been foremost in his sport that night. It had been well for him had he prolonged it even unto dawn. Many also did Euryalus slay, all of them in their sleep, save Rhtus only, who, being awake, would fain have hidden himself behind a great jar, but could not. But when he would have a.s.sailed Messapus and his comrades, Nisus, seeing that he was mastered by the love of slaughter, cried aloud, "Cease: the day approacheth.

It is enough that we have made us a way through the enemy." Much spoil did they leave behind them; but Euryalus took a sword-belt with k.n.o.bs of gold from Rhamnes--Caedicus gave it to Remulus of Tibur, and he to his grandson, from whom Rhamnes had won it in war--and put on his head the helmet of Messapus. So they departed from the camp.

But it so chanced that three hundred hors.e.m.e.n, with Volscens their leader, were riding to the camp from the city. And as they came nigh, one of them espied, in the light of the moon, the helmet which Euryalus, being but a youth and unwary, had put on him. And Volscens cried, "Who are ye? Whither do ye go?"

[Ill.u.s.tration: NISUS AND EURYALUS.]

But they answered nothing, making haste to fly. Then Volscens commanded that they should keep the wood on every side. Very thick it was with dark ilex-trees and brambles. And Euryalus, indeed, being laden with his spoil and fearful, wandered from the way, but Nisus got himself clear. But when he came to the stalls where they kept the cattle of King Latinus, he knew himself to be alone, and looked round for his companion, but saw him not. Then returning he searched through the wood till he heard the sound of hors.e.m.e.n approaching; and lo! Euryalus was in the midst, seeking to get free, but could not.

Forthwith, having first prayed to Diana that she would help him, if perchance he might scatter this company, he cast his spear. It pierced the back of Sulmo, and pa.s.sed even through his heart. And while they all looked, lo! another spear, and it pierced the head of Tagus from temple to temple. Very wroth was Volscens to see such slaughter, and know not how it befell; and he cried, "Thou at least shalt suffer for these deeds," and flew upon Euryalus. This could not Nisus endure to see, but rushed from his hiding-place, and cried, "Lo! I am the man who wrought this slaughter. Turn your swords against me. He did not, nay, he could not do such deeds. He did but follow his friend." But not the less did the sword of Volscens pierce the side of Euryalus; and the blood gushed out over his fair body, and his head drooped, even as a flower, which the ploughshare cuts in the field, or a poppy whose stalk is broken. Then rushed Nisus into the midst, thinking only how he might slay Volscens; nor could the enemy stay him, but that he thrust his sword into his mouth and slew him. And afterwards, being pierced with many wounds, he fell dead upon the body of his friend.

But when the hors.e.m.e.n were come to the camp, they found the slaughter that had been done. And when the day dawned they set the battle in array against the men of Troy, and the heads of Nisus and Euryalus they fixed upon poles, and showed them.

But when the report of these things came to the ears of the mother of Euryalus, she threw down her distaff, and hasted through the camp; and coming to the wall, she cried, "Is it thus I see thee, my son? Why was it not granted to me to bid thee farewell? And now I may not close thine eyes or wrap thee in the garments which I have made, solacing my cares with the labours of the loom. Slay me with your spears, ye Latins; or thou, great Jupiter, smite me with thy thunder, since I may not rid me otherwise of this hateful life."

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE MOTHER OF EURYALUS RECEIVING THE NEWS OF HIS DEATH.]

But when with her wailing she touched the hearts of the men so that they forgat their valour, Ilioneus and Iulus commanded Idaeus and Actor that they should lay hands upon her and carry her to her dwelling.

CHAPTER XXI.

THE BATTLE AT THE CAMP.

And now the trumpet gave the signal for battle. First the Volscians drew near to the wall. These held their shields over their heads, joining them in close array so that they were like unto the sh.e.l.l of a tortoise, and they that bare them filled the moat and pulled down the wall. And some would have mounted the walls on ladders; while the men of Troy cast spears at them and thrust at them with poles, being indeed well used to the manner of such a fight from walls. But on the covering of shields they threw down a huge block, breaking it through and scattering the men, who would not indeed fight any more in such fashion, but cast all manner of javelins and the like against the men of Troy. And Mezentius the Tuscan came on, shaking a lighted torch of pine in his hand, and Messapus tore down the rampart and called for a scaling-ladder, that he might mount up into the breach.

Now there was a tower upon the wall, which the Italians sought to take, and the men of Troy to defend it cast stones and darts through the loopholes thereof. On to this Turnus cast a torch, setting fire to the wall, and the flame, the wind fanning it, climbed from story to story. And when they that were therein fled to the part that was yet unconsumed, lo! the whole tower fell forward, and all perished, two only escaping, Helenor and Lycus. And Helenor was the elder, and when he saw that the enemy was about him on every side, then, even as a beast which the hunters compa.s.s about with a great ring waxeth desperate and flingeth himself over the nets upon their spears, so he threw himself on the ranks of the Latins where the spears were thickest, and so died. But Lycus was very swift of foot, and won even as far as the wall, and would fain have climbed thereon. But Turnus caught him, crying, "Thinkest thou to escape me?" and he laid hands upon him as he hung from the wall, dragging down much wall likewise: even as an eagle seizes a swan or a wolf a lamb, so he seized him.

Then did the battle wax fiercer and fiercer, and many fell on this side and on that. For Ilioneus smote Lucetius when he would have set fire to the gates, and Capys slew Privernus, and Mezentius, having cast away his spear, smote the son of Arcens with a bullet of lead from his sling.

And now Iulus, having used his bow aforetime on beasts of the field only, now first drew it against a man, even against Numa.n.u.s, who had to wife the sister of Turnus. For this Numa.n.u.s, thinking himself to be some great one, stood in the front rank, and defied the men of Troy, saying, "Are ye not ashamed, ye that have already been twice conquered, now to be besieged again? What madness brought you to Italy? We are a hardy race, for our new-born babes are dipped in the stream, and our boys are hunters in the woods; and when we be men our hands are ever on the ploughshare or the sword, yea, and old age subdues us not, for when our hair is white yet do we cover it with the helmet. But ye with your mantles of purple and saffron, and sleeved tunics, and ribboned mitres, lovers of sleep and of the dance, ye men, nay rather ye women, of Phrygia, what do ye here?"

But the young Iulus endured not to hear such boasting. He fixed an arrow in his bow and drew the string, which was of horsehair, and ere he let fly, he cried to Jupiter, "Help me now, great Father, so will I bring, year by year, to thy temple a steer with gilded horns." And Jupiter heard, and thundered on the left hand. And now, together with the thunder, clanged the bow-string, sending death, and the arrow hissed in the air and smote Numa.n.u.s through the head, even from temple to temple. "This is the answer that the twice-conquered men of Troy send thee." So cried the young Iulus, and all the people shouted for joy. And Apollo, where he sat in heaven and regarded the battle, spake, "Go thou on as thou beginnest, child and father of G.o.ds: 'tis thus that the race of Troy shall hereafter bring all wars to an end."

Then he came down from heaven into the camp of Troy, and took upon himself the shape of the old man Butes: he had been aforetime the armour-bearer of Anchises, and now followed Iulus. And the G.o.d spake, saying, "It is enough that thou hast slain the boaster Numa.n.u.s. The archer Apollo envieth thee not this glory. But tempt the battle no more." So saying he vanished out of their sight. But the chiefs knew him who he was, yea, and heard the rattle of his quiver as he departed. And they suffered not Iulus to draw his bow again. But all the more the battle raged along the walls.

Now there were two youths, sons of Alcanor of Mount Ida, tall as pine-trees; and their names were Pandarus and Bitias. These having charge of the gate opened it, and standing on the right hand and on the left, even as towers, bade the enemy enter. And many of these, seeing the open gate, rushed forward, but fell slain upon the threshold. And now the men of Troy took heart, and pressed on beyond the walls.

But when Turnus heard tidings of these things he made haste to the gate. And first he slew Antiphates, who was a son of Sarpedon, and others also, and Bitias himself with them. Not with a javelin did he slay him (no javelin had done such deed), but with a great spear of Saguntum, having a point of a cubit's length. Through two bulls' hides it pa.s.sed and two folds of his coat of mail. With a great crash he fell, and his shield upon him, even as falls a great pile which men set up in the bay of Baiae. So Bitias fell; and Pandarus, his brother, seeing that things fared ill with the men of Troy, shut-to the gate, thrusting it into its place with his broad shoulders. Many of his companions he left without among their enemies, and many he shut in.

But being blind with haste and fear, he saw not that he shut in among them Prince Turnus himself. But Turnus raged for blood, as a tiger rageth among herds of cattle, and the men of Troy fled before him. But Pandarus feared not to meet him, hoping also that he should have vengeance for his brother. And he cried, "This is not thy city of Ardea, but the camp of thy enemies. Hence thou goest not forth." But Turnus made answer, "Begin, if thou hast any valour in thy heart. Thou shalt find another Achilles here." Then Pandarus cast a great spear with a knotted staff, whereon the bark was left; but Juno turned it aside, so that it fixed itself in the gate. And Turnus said, "My weapon thou escapest not thus, nor maketh my hand such error." And he lifted his sword, rising to the blow, and cleft the man's head, so that it fell divided upon his shoulders. Then, indeed, if only Turnus had bethought him to open the gate that the Latins should come in, there had come an end that day to the war and to the whole nation of Troy. But he thought not of it, caring only to slay the enemy. Many did he smite, some on the back as they fled, and some in front; among them Amycus the hunter, and Clytius the singer, whom the Muses loved.

But now the chiefs of Troy, Mnestheus and Sergestus, began to gather the people together, and to make head against Turnus. And Mnestheus cried, "Whither will ye flee? Have ye any walls beside? Shall one man work such slaughter in the city? Have you no thought, ye cowards, for your king?" Then the men of Troy took heart again, and joined themselves in close array, so that Turnus could not but give way before them. Just so a lion is driven back by a crowd of men.

Frightened is he, yet fierce withal, and his courage suffereth him not to flee, yet, so many are against him, he dareth not to stand.

Even thus did Turnus give way. Twice he turned and put the men of Troy to flight, and twice they mastered him. For the helmet on his head rang with the javelins, and was broken with stones; and the crest was stricken off, and the shield was shattered with blows; and the sweat poured off from him, and scarce could he breathe, till at the last, having now come to the river, he plunged therein, and so returned to his companions.

And still the battle grew fiercer and fiercer about the walls, and the ring of them that defended the camp grew thinner and thinner. There stood Asius, the son of Imbrasus, and Clarus and Themon, brothers of Sarpedon the Lycian, and Acmon, the brother of Mnestheus, and others with them. And in the midst stood the young Iulus, with his comely head uncovered, like to a jewel that is set in gold or ivory, or that is compa.s.sed about with boxwood or terebinth.

CHAPTER XXII.

THE BATTLE ON THE Sh.o.r.e.

In the meanwhile aeneas had made alliance with Tarchon and the Tuscans.

For when he had expounded all things to Tarchon their chief, telling him withal whence he had come, the people, believing that all things were now fulfilled as the G.o.ds would have them, followed him willingly. Now, therefore, he was returning to the camp, leading the way in his ship, on the prow whereof were two lions, and above them the image of the G.o.ddess Ida. Pallas also sat beside him, and asked him, now concerning the stars by which men guide their ways at night, and now concerning the things which he had himself endured by land and sea.

After him came Ma.s.sicus, in the Tiger, with whom were a thousand men from Clusium and Cosae; and Abas, with six hundred from Populonia; and from Ilva, rich in mines, three hundred more. Asilas also, the soothsayer, came leading a thousand men from Pisa; and Astyr, the fairest of men, with three hundred from Caere and from the corn-fields of Minio and from Pyrgi.

Also the Ligurians came, with Cinyras, son of Cycnus, who had for his crest swan feathers; and his ship was called the Centaur. And Ocnus came from Mantua in the Mincius, and five hundred with him; and Aulestes in the Triton; and the number of the ships was thirty in all.

And now the night had fallen, and as aeneas sat at the helm, for care suffered him not to sleep, lo! there appeared to him a troop of Nymphs, which once had been his ships. And one of these, by name Cymodocea, came behind and caught the stern of the ship with her right hand, swimming meanwhile with the left. Then she spake, saying, "Wakest thou, son of the G.o.ddess? We are pines of Mount Ida, once thy ships, but now changed to Nymphs when Turnus would have burned us with fire. Know that thy son is besieged in the camp. Arm thyself therefore with the arms which Vulcan hath wrought for thee. To-morrow thou shalt lay many Latins low in death." And as she spake she pushed the ship with her hand, and it sped along through the waters and the rest also with it.

And when the day was come, aeneas commanded that all should make them ready for battle. And now the camp was in his sight, as he stood on the stern and lifted in his left hand a flashing shield. Much did the men of Troy rejoice to see that sight, and shouted amain. And Turnus and his companions marvelled, till they looked behind them, and lo!

the sea was covered with ships, and in the midst was aeneas. And it was as if a flame poured forth, from his helmet and his shield, bright as is a comet when it shines in the night-time red as blood, or as the Dog Star in the hot summer-tide with baleful light bringing fevers to the race of men.

Yet did not Turnus lose heart, but would occupy the sh.o.r.e, and hinder from landing those that came. Wherefore he cried, "Now have ye that which ye wished for. Lo! the enemy hides not himself behind a wall, but meets us face to face. Remember wife and child and home and the great deeds of your fathers. Let us meet them on the sh.o.r.e ere yet their footing is firm." And he thought within himself who should watch the walls, and who should meet the enemy when he would gain the sh.o.r.e.

But in the meanwhile aeneas landed his men on gangways from the ships.

And some leapt on sh.o.r.e, having watched for the ebb of the waves, and some ran along the oars. Tarchon also, the Etrurian, having spied a place where the sea broke not in waves, commanded his men that they should beach the ships. Which indeed they did without harm. Only the ship of Tarchon himself was caught upon a ridge and the men thrown therefrom. Yet these also, after a while, got safe to the sh.o.r.e.

Then did aeneas do great deeds against the enemy. For first he slew Theron, who surpa.s.sed all men in stature, smiting through his coat of mail; and Cisseus and Gyas, who wielded clubs after the manner of Hercules. Sons were they of Melampus, who had borne Hercules company in all his labours. Then the sons of Phorcus came against him, seven in number; and they cast at him seven spears, whereof some rebounded from his shield and some grazed his body, but harmed him not. Then cried aeneas to Achates, "Give me spears enough. Spears which have slain the Greeks on the fields of Troy shall not be cast in vain against these Latins." Then of the seven he slew Maeon and Alcanor, for the spear pierced the breast-plate and heart of Maeon, and when Alcanor would have held him up, pa.s.sed through his arm and yet kept on its way. And many others fell on this side and on that, for they fought with equal fortune. On the very threshold of Italy they fought, and neither would the Italians give place nor yet the men of Troy, for foot was planted close to foot, and man stood fast by man.