The Aeneid Part 2

The prince with wonder sees the stately tow'rs, Which late were huts and shepherds' homely bow'rs, The gates and streets; and hears, from ev'ry part, The noise and busy concourse of the mart.

The toiling Tyrians on each other call To ply their labor: some extend the wall; Some build the citadel; the brawny throng Or dig, or push unwieldly stones along.

Some for their dwellings choose a spot of ground, Which, first design'd, with ditches they surround.

Some laws ordain; and some attend the choice Of holy senates, and elect by voice.

Here some design a mole, while others there Lay deep foundations for a theater; From marble quarries mighty columns hew, For ornaments of scenes, and future view.

Such is their toil, and such their busy pains, As exercise the bees in flow'ry plains, When winter past, and summer scarce begun, Invites them forth to labor in the sun; Some lead their youth abroad, while some condense Their liquid store, and some in cells dispense; Some at the gate stand ready to receive The golden burthen, and their friends relieve; All with united force, combine to drive The lazy drones from the laborious hive: With envy stung, they view each other's deeds; The fragrant work with diligence proceeds.

"Thrice happy you, whose walls already rise!"

Aeneas said, and view'd, with lifted eyes, Their lofty tow'rs; then, entiring at the gate, Conceal'd in clouds (prodigious to relate) He mix'd, unmark'd, among the busy throng, Borne by the tide, and pa.s.s'd unseen along.

Full in the center of the town there stood, Thick set with trees, a venerable wood.

The Tyrians, landing near this holy ground, And digging here, a prosp'rous omen found: From under earth a courser's head they drew, Their growth and future fortune to foreshew.

This fated sign their foundress Juno gave, Of a soil fruitful, and a people brave.

Sidonian Dido here with solemn state Did Juno's temple build, and consecrate, Enrich'd with gifts, and with a golden shrine; But more the G.o.ddess made the place divine.

On brazen steps the marble threshold rose, And brazen plates the cedar beams inclose: The rafters are with brazen cov'rings crown'd; The lofty doors on brazen hinges sound.

What first Aeneas this place beheld, Reviv'd his courage, and his fear expell'd.

For while, expecting there the queen, he rais'd His wond'ring eyes, and round the temple gaz'd, Admir'd the fortune of the rising town, The striving artists, and their arts' renown; He saw, in order painted on the wall, Whatever did unhappy Troy befall: The wars that fame around the world had blown, All to the life, and ev'ry leader known.

There Agamemnon, Priam here, he spies, And fierce Achilles, who both kings defies.

He stopp'd, and weeping said: "O friend! ev'n here The monuments of Trojan woes appear!

Our known disasters fill ev'n foreign lands: See there, where old unhappy Priam stands!

Ev'n the mute walls relate the warrior's fame, And Trojan griefs the Tyrians' pity claim."

He said (his tears a ready pa.s.sage find), Devouring what he saw so well design'd, And with an empty picture fed his mind: For there he saw the fainting Grecians yield, And here the trembling Trojans quit the field, Pursued by fierce Achilles thro' the plain, On his high chariot driving o'er the slain.

The tents of Rhesus next his grief renew, By their white sails betray'd to nightly view; And wakeful Diomede, whose cruel sword The sentries slew, nor spar'd their slumb'ring lord, Then took the fiery steeds, ere yet the food Of Troy they taste, or drink the Xanthian flood.

Elsewhere he saw where Troilus defied Achilles, and unequal combat tried; Then, where the boy disarm'd, with loosen'd reins, Was by his horses hurried o'er the plains, Hung by the neck and hair, and dragg'd around: The hostile spear, yet sticking in his wound, With tracks of blood inscrib'd the dusty ground.

Meantime the Trojan dames, oppress'd with woe, To Pallas' fane in long procession go, In hopes to reconcile their heav'nly foe.

They weep, they beat their b.r.e.a.s.t.s, they rend their hair, And rich embroider'd vests for presents bear; But the stern G.o.ddess stands unmov'd with pray'r.

Thrice round the Trojan walls Achilles drew The corpse of Hector, whom in fight he slew.

Here Priam sues; and there, for sums of gold, The lifeless body of his son is sold.

So sad an object, and so well express'd, Drew sighs and groans from the griev'd hero's breast, To see the figure of his lifeless friend, And his old sire his helpless hand extend.

Himself he saw amidst the Grecian train, Mix'd in the b.l.o.o.d.y battle on the plain; And swarthy Memnon in his arms he knew, His pompous ensigns, and his Indian crew.

Penthisilea there, with haughty grace, Leads to the wars an Amazonian race: In their right hands a pointed dart they wield; The left, for ward, sustains the lunar shield.

Athwart her breast a golden belt she throws, Amidst the press alone provokes a thousand foes, And dares her maiden arms to manly force oppose.

Thus while the Trojan prince employs his eyes, Fix'd on the walls with wonder and surprise, The beauteous Dido, with a num'rous train And pomp of guards, ascends the sacred fane.

Such on Eurotas' banks, or Cynthus' height, Diana seems; and so she charms the sight, When in the dance the graceful G.o.ddess leads The choir of nymphs, and overtops their heads: Known by her quiver, and her lofty mien, She walks majestic, and she looks their queen; Latona sees her shine above the rest, And feeds with secret joy her silent breast.

Such Dido was; with such becoming state, Amidst the crowd, she walks serenely great.

Their labor to her future sway she speeds, And pa.s.sing with a gracious glance proceeds; Then mounts the throne, high plac'd before the shrine: In crowds around, the swarming people join.

She takes pet.i.tions, and dispenses laws, Hears and determines ev'ry private cause; Their tasks in equal portions she divides, And, where unequal, there by lots decides.

Another way by chance Aeneas bends His eyes, and unexpected sees his friends, Antheus, Sergestus grave, Cloanthus strong, And at their backs a mighty Trojan throng, Whom late the tempest on the billows toss'd, And widely scatter'd on another coast.

The prince, unseen, surpris'd with wonder stands, And longs, with joyful haste, to join their hands; But, doubtful of the wish'd event, he stays, And from the hollow cloud his friends surveys, Impatient till they told their present state, And where they left their ships, and what their fate, And why they came, and what was their request; For these were sent, commission'd by the rest, To sue for leave to land their sickly men, And gain admission to the gracious queen.

Ent'ring, with cries they fill'd the holy fane; Then thus, with lowly voice, Ilioneus began:

"O queen! indulg'd by favor of the G.o.ds To found an empire in these new abodes, To build a town, with statutes to restrain The wild inhabitants beneath thy reign, We wretched Trojans, toss'd on ev'ry sh.o.r.e, From sea to sea, thy clemency implore.

Forbid the fires our shipping to deface!

Receive th' unhappy fugitives to grace, And spare the remnant of a pious race!

We come not with design of wasteful prey, To drive the country, force the swains away: Nor such our strength, nor such is our desire; The vanquish'd dare not to such thoughts aspire.

A land there is, Hesperia nam'd of old; The soil is fruitful, and the men are bold- Th' Oenotrians held it once- by common fame Now call'd Italia, from the leader's name.

To that sweet region was our voyage bent, When winds and ev'ry warring element Disturb'd our course, and, far from sight of land, Cast our torn vessels on the moving sand: The sea came on; the South, with mighty roar, Dispers'd and dash'd the rest upon the rocky sh.o.r.e.

Those few you see escap'd the Storm, and fear, Unless you interpose, a shipwreck here.

What men, what monsters, what inhuman race, What laws, what barb'rous customs of the place, Shut up a desart sh.o.r.e to drowning men, And drive us to the cruel seas again?

If our hard fortune no compa.s.sion draws, Nor hospitable rights, nor human laws, The G.o.ds are just, and will revenge our cause.

Aeneas was our prince: a juster lord, Or n.o.bler warrior, never drew a sword; Observant of the right, religious of his word.

If yet he lives, and draws this vital air, Nor we, his friends, of safety shall despair; Nor you, great queen, these offices repent, Which he will equal, and perhaps augment.

We want not cities, nor Sicilian coasts, Where King Acestes Trojan lineage boasts.

Permit our ships a shelter on your sh.o.r.es, Refitted from your woods with planks and oars, That, if our prince be safe, we may renew Our destin'd course, and Italy pursue.

But if, O best of men, the Fates ordain That thou art swallow'd in the Libyan main, And if our young Iulus be no more, Dismiss our navy from your friendly sh.o.r.e, That we to good Acestes may return, And with our friends our common losses mourn."

Thus spoke Ilioneus: the Trojan crew With cries and clamors his request renew.

The modest queen a while, with downcast eyes, Ponder'd the speech; then briefly thus replies: "Trojans, dismiss your fears; my cruel fate, And doubts attending an unsettled state, Force me to guard my coast from foreign foes.

Who has not heard the story of your woes, The name and fortune of your native place, The fame and valor of the Phrygian race?

We Tyrians are not so devoid of sense, Nor so remote from Phoebus' influence.

Whether to Latian sh.o.r.es your course is bent, Or, driv'n by tempests from your first intent, You seek the good Acestes' government, Your men shall be receiv'd, your fleet repair'd, And sail, with ships of convoy for your guard: Or, would you stay, and join your friendly pow'rs To raise and to defend the Tyrian tow'rs, My wealth, my city, and myself are yours.

And would to Heav'n, the Storm, you felt, would bring On Carthaginian coasts your wand'ring king.

My people shall, by my command, explore The ports and creeks of ev'ry winding sh.o.r.e, And towns, and wilds, and shady woods, in quest Of so renown'd and so desir'd a guest."

Rais'd in his mind the Trojan hero stood, And long'd to break from out his ambient cloud: Achates found it, and thus urg'd his way: "From whence, O G.o.ddess-born, this long delay?

What more can you desire, your welcome sure, Your fleet in safety, and your friends secure?

One only wants; and him we saw in vain Oppose the Storm, and swallow'd in the main.

Orontes in his fate our forfeit paid; The rest agrees with what your mother said."

Scarce had he spoken, when the cloud gave way, The mists flew upward and dissolv'd in day.

The Trojan chief appear'd in open sight, August in visage, and serenely bright.

His mother G.o.ddess, with her hands divine, Had form'd his curling locks, and made his temples shine, And giv'n his rolling eyes a sparkling grace, And breath'd a youthful vigor on his face; Like polish'd ivory, beauteous to behold, Or Parian marble, when enchas'd in gold: Thus radiant from the circling cloud he broke, And thus with manly modesty he spoke:

"He whom you seek am I; by tempests toss'd, And sav'd from shipwreck on your Libyan coast; Presenting, gracious queen, before your throne, A prince that owes his life to you alone.

Fair majesty, the refuge and redress Of those whom fate pursues, and wants oppress, You, who your pious offices employ To save the relics of abandon'd Troy; Receive the shipwreck'd on your friendly sh.o.r.e, With hospitable rites relieve the poor; a.s.sociate in your town a wand'ring train, And strangers in your palace entertain: What thanks can wretched fugitives return, Who, scatter'd thro' the world, in exile mourn?

The G.o.ds, if G.o.ds to goodness are inclin'd; If acts of mercy touch their heav'nly mind, And, more than all the G.o.ds, your gen'rous heart.

Conscious of worth, requite its own desert!

In you this age is happy, and this earth, And parents more than mortal gave you birth.

While rolling rivers into seas shall run, And round the s.p.a.ce of heav'n the radiant sun; While trees the mountain tops with shades supply, Your honor, name, and praise shall never die.

Whate'er abode my fortune has a.s.sign'd, Your image shall be present in my mind."

Thus having said, he turn'd with pious haste, And joyful his expecting friends embrac'd: With his right hand Ilioneus was grac'd, Serestus with his left; then to his breast Cloanthus and the n.o.ble Gyas press'd; And so by turns descended to the rest.

The Tyrian queen stood fix'd upon his face, Pleas'd with his motions, ravish'd with his grace; Admir'd his fortunes, more admir'd the man; Then recollected stood, and thus began: "What fate, O G.o.ddess-born; what angry pow'rs Have cast you shipwrack'd on our barren sh.o.r.es?

Are you the great Aeneas, known to fame, Who from celestial seed your lineage claim?

The same Aeneas whom fair Venus bore To fam'd Anchises on th' Idaean sh.o.r.e?

It calls into my mind, tho' then a child, When Teucer came, from Salamis exil'd, And sought my father's aid, to be restor'd: My father Belus then with fire and sword Invaded Cyprus, made the region bare, And, conqu'ring, finish'd the successful war.

From him the Trojan siege I understood, The Grecian chiefs, and your ill.u.s.trious blood.

Your foe himself the Dardan valor prais'd, And his own ancestry from Trojans rais'd.

Enter, my n.o.ble guest, and you shall find, If not a costly welcome, yet a kind: For I myself, like you, have been distress'd, Till Heav'n afforded me this place of rest; Like you, an alien in a land unknown, I learn to pity woes so like my own."

She said, and to the palace led her guest; Then offer'd incense, and proclaim'd a feast.

Nor yet less careful for her absent friends, Twice ten fat oxen to the ships she sends; Besides a hundred boars, a hundred lambs, With bleating cries, attend their milky dams; And jars of gen'rous wine and s.p.a.cious bowls She gives, to cheer the sailors' drooping souls.

Now purple hangings clothe the palace walls, And sumptuous feasts are made in splendid halls: On Tyrian carpets, richly wrought, they dine; With loads of ma.s.sy plate the sideboards shine, And antique vases, all of gold emboss'd (The gold itself inferior to the cost), Of curious work, where on the sides were seen The fights and figures of ill.u.s.trious men, From their first founder to the present queen.

The good Aeneas, paternal care Iulus' absence could no longer bear, Dispatch'd Achates to the ships in haste, To give a glad relation of the past, And, fraught with precious gifts, to bring the boy, s.n.a.t.c.h'd from the ruins of unhappy Troy: A robe of tissue, stiff with golden wire; An upper vest, once Helen's rich attire, From Argos by the fam'd adultress brought, With golden flow'rs and winding foliage wrought, Her mother Leda's present, when she came To ruin Troy and set the world on flame; The scepter Priam's eldest daughter bore, Her orient necklace, and the crown she wore Of double texture, glorious to behold, One order set with gems, and one with gold.

Instructed thus, the wise Achates goes, And in his diligence his duty shows.

But Venus, anxious for her son's affairs, New counsels tries, and new designs prepares: That Cupid should a.s.sume the shape and face Of sweet Ascanius, and the sprightly grace; Should bring the presents, in her nephew's stead, And in Eliza's veins the gentle poison shed: For much she fear'd the Tyrians, double-tongued, And knew the town to Juno's care belong'd.

These thoughts by night her golden slumbers broke, And thus alarm'd, to winged Love she spoke: "My son, my strength, whose mighty pow'r alone Controls the Thund'rer on his awful throne, To thee thy much-afflicted mother flies, And on thy succor and thy faith relies.

Thou know'st, my son, how Jove's revengeful wife, By force and fraud, attempts thy brother's life; And often hast thou mourn'd with me his pains.