s spread havoc amid the hostile ranks, and drove the forces of
Turnus back in headlong rout, so that Ascanius and those who had hitherto
been shut up in the fortifications were able to issue forth into the
field. Meanwhile Jupiter, watching from Olympus the fortunes of the day,
accosted his consort. "Thou art in the right, my cherished queen, in
alleging that Venus gives her aid to the Trojans; for without divine aid,
how would it be possible for any mortal to achieve such deeds as AEneas is
now accomplishing?" "Why," submissively answered Juno, "dost thou tease
me, who am already oppressed with anguish for the fate of the people I
befriend? Had I that share in your love which I once enjoyed, and which it
is fitting for me to possess, thou surely couldst not refuse me this much,
that I might have permission to rescue Turnus from the fate that threatens
him, and restore him safe to his father Daunus. But since that cannot be,
let him die, and glut the vengeance of the Trojan with his blood; yet his
origin is divine, and often has he piled thy altars with sacrifices." Not
unmoved, the ruler of the Gods replied, "If you plead for a respite from
immediate death, and a little breathing-time for the youth, I grant you to
bear him from the field, and for a short time to preserve him. So far I
will indulge you; but if you hope to gain any greater favor, and imagine
that the whole predetermined course of the war is to be altered at your
entreaty, you delude yourself with empty hopes." With tears Juno
responded, "What if thou shouldst grant in thy heart what in words thou
dost refuse, and continue the life of Turnus for its natural duration? I
fear much that a speedy end awaits the brave youth; but oh! I pray that I
may be misled by groundless alarms, and that thou, to whom all power
belongs, may alter thy purpose for the better."

Not daring to say more, the queen of heaven hastily descended from Olympus
towards the contending armies. Then she devised an airy phantom, wearing
armor which exactly resembled that of AEneas, and imitating to the life his
walk and mien. This shadow she caused to flutter in the forefront of the
battle, full in the view of Turnus, and to provoke him with darts and
insolent words. The enraged Rutulian eagerly pressed upon it, and from a
distance hurled against it a spear. Immediately the spectre, wheeling
about, took to flight. Turnus, imagining that in very truth it was the
Trojan chief who feared to mee