etreated to the
bank of the Tiber, where he took off his armor, and bathed his wound with
water. While he was thus resting from the fatigues of the battle, he was
full of anxiety for his son, and sent messenger after messenger to recall
him from the fight. But too soon a crowd of weeping warriors appeared,
carrying the corpse of Lausus in their arms. The sorrowing father divined
what had occurred from their lamentations, even before the body was
brought to him. He threw dust upon his head, he clasped the loved form in
his arms, and bedewed the pallid face with his tears. "O my son," he
exclaimed, "was I possessed with such a fond desire of life as to suffer
thee to offer thyself in my place to the relentless foe? Am I preserved at
the cost of these cruel wounds? Now, indeed, I feel the calamity of exile.
My crimes have cost thee not only thy paternal throne and sceptre, but thy
life also. It was I that owed expiation to my country, and should have
satisfied my people by a deserved death. And yet I live! yet I do not quit
the detested light! but I will quickly follow thee." Then he rose up, and
though crippled by the wound in his thigh, and suffering anguish from its
smart, he did not flinch, but ordered his attendants to bring his courser.
This was a horse famous for its speed and its prompt obedience to the
rein. When it was brought, he accosted it: "Long have we lived together,
Rhoebus, and many great deeds have we accomplished. To-day we shall either
bear away the head of AEneas and his arms all spattered with his blood, or
we shall perish together; for I am assured that thou wilt never condescend
to bear a Trojan lord." Then mounting the noble steed, he filled both
hands with darts, and dashed recklessly into the midst of the battle. His
heart swelling with rage and shame and grief, he thrice loudly summoned
AEneas to the combat. AEneas heard, and rejoiced at the challenge; and with
threatening spear advanced to meet his foe. "Barbarous wretch," cried
Mezentius, "thinkest thou to affright me with thy weapons, now that thou
hast robbed me of my son? That was the only means by which thou couldst
destroy me. I fear neither death nor the anger of any of your gods.
Forbear threats; now am I come hither to die, but first I bring you these
gifts." So saying, he rapidly hurled one dart after another at the hero,
whirling swiftly round him on his horse; but the shield framed by Vulcan's
hands received all the shafts and repelle