Story of Aeneas Part 12

Both parties meet; they raise a doleful cry; The matrons from the walls with shrieks reply; And their mixed mourning rends the vaulted sky.

DRYDEN, _AEneid_, BOOK XI.

King Evander distracted with grief, prostrated himself upon the bier, and clasping in his arms the body of his son, poured out a flood of tears, bewailing the unhappy fate which left him childless in his old age.

Meantime, AEneas and the Latian chiefs agreed upon a truce of twelve days for the burial of the dead of both armies, which lay scattered over the battle field. While this sad duty was being performed, King Latinus and his counsellors considered what was best to be done, after the truce--whether to continue the war, or to propose terms of peace.

They had sent amba.s.sadors to solicit help from Di-o-me'de, one of the Grecian heroes of the Trojan war, who, after the siege, had settled in Apulia in Italy, and built the city of Ar-gyr'i-pa, where he now resided. But Diomede refused to fight against AEneas, and he reminded the Latians that all who had raised the sword against Troy had suffered grievous punishments. "I myself," said he, "am an exile from my native country, and dire calamities have fallen upon many of my people. Ask me not, therefore, to quarrel with the Trojans. How mighty their leader is in battle I know by experience, for I have engaged him hand to hand. Had Troy produced two other such heroes, it would have fared ill with Greece. It was Hector and AEneas who held back the victory of our countrymen for ten years--both distinguished for valor and n.o.ble feats of arms, but the son of Anchises excelling in reverence for the G.o.ds. With him, therefore, men of Latium, I advise you to join in a league of friendship, if by any means you can do it.

Beware, however, of encountering him in war."

The amba.s.sadors delivered this message to King Latinus as he was sitting in his council chamber with his chief men around him. The king once more earnestly advised that they should make peace with the Trojans, and give them lands to settle on, if they still desired to dwell in Latium, or build for them a new fleet if they were willing to withdraw from Italy and seek homes in some other country. He also advised that they should send these proposals to the Trojan camp.

"To treat the peace, a hundred senators Shall be commissioned hence with ample powers, With olive crowned; the presents they shall bear, A purple robe, a royal ivory chair, And sums of gold. Among yourselves debate This great affair, and save the sinking state."

DRYDEN, _AEneid_, BOOK XI.

King Turnus was present at this council, and there was also present a Latian named Dran'ces, a very eloquent man, but not a warrior.

--Bold at the council board, But cautious in the field, he shunned the sword.

DRYDEN, _AEneid_, BOOK XI.

Drances spoke in support of the advice given by Latinus. He also said that one more gift should be sent to AEneas, namely, the fair Lavinia, since by no other means could peace be more firmly established than by a marriage between the Latian princess and the Trojan hero. Then addressing Turnus, the bold Drances reproached him with having brought upon his country all the horrors of war to gratify his ambition for the honor of a royal wife. "You Turnus," said he, "are the cause of the evils which afflict us. It is through you that so many of our chiefs have perished on the battle field, and that our whole city is in mourning. Have you no pity for your own people? Lay aside your fierceness, and give up this hopeless contest. But if you are still eager for glory in war, and must have a kingdom with your wife, then take all the risk yourself, and do not ask others to expose themselves to danger for you. AEneas has challenged you to single combat. If you have any valor, go and fight with him."

Enraged at this speech, Turnus angrily replied--"Drances, you have always many words when deeds are required. But this is not the time to fill the chamber with words, which come in torrents from you so long as you are in safety with strong walls between you and the foe. You charge me with cowardice, you, the valiant Drances, whose right hand, forsooth, has piled up so many trophies of victory on the field! There is an opportunity for you now, however, to put your valor to the proof, for we have not far to go in search of the enemy. Why do you hesitate to march against them?"

Then speaking to the king, Turnus earnestly entreated him not to give up the fight because of one defeat. "We have still," said he, "ample resources and fresh troops, and many Italian cities and nations are in alliance with us. The Trojans as well as ourselves have suffered heavy loss. Why then should we permit fear to overcome us almost at the beginning of the struggle? If the Trojans demand that I alone shall fight their leader, gladly will I advance against him, even though he prove himself as great a warrior as Achilles, and sheath himself in armor forged by the hands of Vulcan."

Turnus had scarcely finished speaking, when a messenger rushed into the palace with the alarming intelligence that the Trojan and Etrurian armies had quitted their camp on the bank of the Tiber, and were marching toward the city. Instantly all was confusion and dismay in the council.

A turmoil takes the public mind; Their pa.s.sions flame, by furious wind To conflagration blown; At once to arms they fain would fly; "To arms!" the youth impatient cry; The old men weep and moan.

CONINGTON, _AEneid_, BOOK XI.

Turnus was quick to take advantage of this altered state of affairs.

"Citizens," he exclaimed, "will you still persist in talking about peace even now that the enemy is almost at your doors?" Then, withdrawing from the council chamber, he hastened to give orders to his Rutulian chiefs to get the troops ready for immediate action--some to lead the armed hors.e.m.e.n out upon the plain, others to man the towers, others to follow him where he should command. The Latians, too, excited to ardor by the approach of the enemy, rushed to arms, and soon the whole city was in warlike commotion.

Some help to sink new trenches; others aid To ram the stones, or raise the palisade.

Hoa.r.s.e trumpets sound the alarm; around the walls Runs a distracted crew, whom their last labor calls.

DRYDEN, _AEneid_, BOOK XI.

In the midst of the excitement, Queen Amata and her daughter Lavinia, attended by a great number of matrons, repaired in procession to the temple of Minerva, and prayed to the G.o.ddess, to break the Trojan pirate's spear, and lay him prostrate in death under the city's walls.

Meanwhile, Turnus, armed for battle, went forth from the palace, and hastened towards the plain to join his brave Rutulians. At the gate he was met by the Volscian Queen Camilla, at the head of a troop of female warriors, all on horseback. The brave queen requested that she and her companions should have the honor of being the first to encounter the Trojan host. "n.o.ble heroine," replied the Rutulian chief, "how can I express my thanks? Since such is your spirit, I am willing that you should share the dangers with us. AEneas has sent his hors.e.m.e.n to scour the plain, while he himself is marching through a secluded valley with his foot soldiers to take the city by surprise.

This we learn from our scouts. Now I will beset him on the way with an armed band, and to you I a.s.sign the task of engaging the Etrurian hors.e.m.e.n. The brave Messapus and the Latian troops will be with you, and under your command."

Camilla and her troop performed prodigies of valor in the battle which now took place on the plain before the city. Many Trojan and Etrurian warriors fell, stricken down by the darts or pierced by the sword of the brave heroine. On both sides the battle was maintained with the utmost bravery. Twice the Trojans and their Tuscan allies drove the Latians flying to the walls, and twice the Latians, facing about, furiously drove back the Trojans.

Twice were the Tuscans masters of the field, Twice by the Latins, in their turn, repelled.

Ashamed at length, to the third charge they ran-- Both hosts resolved, and mingled man to man.

Now dying groans are heard; the fields are strewed, With falling bodies, and are drunk with blood.

Arms, horses, men, on heaps together lie; Confused the fight, and more confused the cry.

DRYDEN, _AEneid_, BOOK XI.

The battle continued to rage furiously, and it seemed doubtful which side would win, until Camilla was slain by the Etruscan Aruns, who had been watching for an opportunity to cast a spear at the queen.

This way and that his winding course he bends, And wheresoe'er she turns, her steps attends.

DRYDEN, _AEneid_, BOOK XI.

There was in the Trojan army a warrior, and priest of Cybele, named Chlo'reus, conspicuous on the field by the rich trappings of his horse and his own glittering arms and attire. He wore a purple robe, his helmet and the bow which hung from his shoulders were of gold; his saffron colored scarf was fastened with a gold clasp; and his tunic was embroidered with needle-work. Camilla seeing these beautiful and costly things, became eager to possess them, and so she pursued Chloreus over the field of battle.

Him the fierce maid beheld with ardent eyes, Fond and ambitious of so rich a prize, Blind in her haste, she chases him alone, And seeks his life, regardless of her own.

DRYDEN, _AEneid_, BOOK XI.

Thus she furnished the opportunity desired by Aruns, who, from a covert in which he lay concealed, hurled a dart at the queen as, heedless of danger, she rode in pursuit of Chloreus. The weapon pierced her body and she sank down lifeless.

The fortune of the day now turned to the side of the Trojans. Dismayed by the loss of their brave leader Camilla, the Volscian troops fled from the field. The Rutulian captains, also losing courage, sought safety in flight, and soon the whole Italian army was in full retreat towards the city, hotly pursued by the Trojans. At the gates many were trampled to death in the wild rush to get within, while many more were slain by the swords of the enemy pressing on behind.

Then, in a fright, the folding gates they close, But leave their friends excluded with their foes.

The vanquished cry; the victors loudly shout; 'Tis terror all within, and slaughter all without.

DRYDEN, _AEneid_, BOOK XI.

When Turnus heard that Camilla had fallen, that the Trojans had been victorious in the battle, and that all was confusion and terror within the walls, he immediately quitted the post where he had been lying in wait for AEneas, and hurried towards the city. Almost at the same moment the Trojan chief issued forth from the valley. Both armies and both leaders were now in sight of each other and both were eager for battle, but night coming on, they pitched their tents and encamped in front of the town.

But the Latians were now disheartened, and Turnus saw they were no longer willing to continue a struggle which seemed hopeless. He himself, however, was still determined not to yield, and he resolved to encounter AEneas in single combat. "With my own right hand," said he, "I shall slay the Trojan adventurer, while the Latians sit still and look on, and if he vanquish me, let him rule over us, and have Lavinia for his bride." King Latinus endeavored to dissuade him from this dangerous enterprise. "Turnus," said he, "you are heir to the kingdom of your father Daunus. There are other high-born maidens in Latium, from whom you may chose a wife. It was decreed by the G.o.ds that Lavinia should wed no prince of Italy, yet through affection for you, and yielding to the prayers of my queen, I permitted the Latians to make war against him to whom, in accordance with the will of heaven, my daughter was promised. You see what calamities have come upon us in consequence. In two great battles we have been defeated, and now we are scarce able to defend ourselves in our capital city. If upon your death I am resolved to make an alliance with the Trojans, is it not better to put an end to the war while you are still alive?"

Queen Amata also entreated Turnus not to risk his life in an engagement with the Trojan chief. "Whatever fortune awaits you, Turnus," she said, "awaits me also. I shall not live and see AEneas my son-in-law." The fair Lavinia was present during her mother's pa.s.sionate appeal, but she expressed her feeling only by tears and modest blushes.

--A flood of tears Lavinia shed; A crimson blush her beauteous face o'erspread, Varying her cheeks by turns with white and red.

Delightful change! Thus Indian ivory shows, Which with the bordering paint of purple glows; Or lilies damasked by the neighboring rose.

DRYDEN, _AEneid_, BOOK XII.

But Turnus would not listen to the advice of King Latinus or Queen Amata and so he sent his herald Idmon with a challenge to AEneas.

"Tell him," said he, "not to lead his men against the Rutulians to- morrow. Let both our armies rest, while by his sword and mine the war shall be decided." AEneas, who had himself already proposed this method of settling the quarrel, rejoiced to hear that now at length the war was to be brought to an end on such terms. He therefore gladly accepted the challenge, and early next morning preparations were made for the combat.

A s.p.a.ce of ground was measured off on the open plain in front of the city walls, and in the center were erected altars of turf. The two armies were marshalled on opposite sides of this s.p.a.ce, the Trojans and Etrurians on one side, the Rutulians and Latians on the other, and at a given signal every man fixed his spear in the earth, and laid down his shield. On the towers and house tops the women and old men crowded to witness the fight. King Latinus rode out from the city in a chariot drawn by four horses, and wearing on his head a crown with twelve rays of gold. Turnus rode in a chariot drawn by two white steeds, and he bore in each hand a javelin tipped with steel. On the other side, AEneas, brilliant in the arms which Vulcan had made, advanced from his camp into the open s.p.a.ce, accompanied by the young Iulus. Then the customary sacrifices and offerings were made at the altars, after which the Trojan chief, unsheathing his sword, prayed aloud to the G.o.ds, and pledged his people to the conditions of the combat:--

"If victory in this fight shall fall to Turnus, the Trojans shall retire to Evander's city, and no more make war on the Latians or Rutulians. But if victory fall to our side, even then I shall not compel the Italians to be subject to the Trojans, for I desire not empire for myself. Both nations shall enter into alliance on equal terms, and Latinus shall still be king. The Trojans shall build a city for me, and to it Lavinia shall give her name."

Then Latinus calling on the G.o.ds to hear his words, and laying his hand upon the altar, swore for himself and his people that they would never violate the treaty of peace, no matter how the combat of the day should result.

"By the same heaven (said he), and earth, and main, And all the powers that all the three contain; Whatever chance befall on either side, No term of time this union shall divide; No force, no fortune, shall my vows unbind, Or shake the steadfast tenor of my mind."

DRYDEN, _AEneid_, BOOK XII.

But while the solemn ceremonies were being carried out at the altars, the Rutulians began to show signs of dissatisfaction. It seemed to them that the youthful Turnus was no equal match in arms for the veteran Trojan.

Already the Rutulians deemed their man O'ermatched in arms, before the fight began.

First rising fears are whispered through the crowd; Then, gathering sound, they murmur more aloud.

Now, side to side, they measure with their eyes The champions' bulk, their sinews, and their size; The nearer they approach, the more is known The apparent disadvantage of their own.

DRYDEN, _AEneid_, BOOK XII.

Then Ju-tur'na, the sister of Turnus, knowing of the feeling among the Rutulians, resolved to bring about a violation of the truce which had been made. The G.o.ddess Juno had instigated her to do so, telling her that the combat with AEneas would be fatal to her brother, and urging her to prevent it. With this object Juturna, who, being a favorite of Jupiter, had been by him made a sea-nymph, and immortal, went into the midst of the Rutulians, and a.s.suming the form of Ca'mers, an ill.u.s.trious warrior of their nation, thus addressed them. "Is it not a shame, Rutulians, to permit one man to expose his life to danger for you all? We are greater in number than the enemy and equal in valor.

If Turnus die in this fight, he indeed shall be famous forever, but we who sit here inactive, shall, after losing our country, be the slaves of haughty masters."