d them. Wearied at last of so
unequal a fight, in which he had to endure ceaseless attacks without
striking a blow, AEneas stepped forward, and hurled his spear against the
charger, piercing its skull betwixt the ears. The fiery horse reared
upward in the death agony, and then fell backward upon his rider, pressing
him to the earth. The spectators of this fierce combat uplifted their
voices in shouts, some in joy and others in sorrow, as AEneas rushed up to
the fallen warrior, and lifting his sword to deal the fatal blow, cried,
"Where is now the stern Mezentius?" The Etrurian, on the other hand,
replied, "Spiteful foe, why dost thou threaten and insult before thou
strikest? Thou wilt do me no wrong in slaying me. I sought thee expecting
nothing else, and neither I nor my son has asked mercy at thy hands. One
favor alone I implore of thee, that thou wilt give burial to my corpse. I
know well that the hate of my former subjects would pursue me after death.
Defend my remains, I entreat, from outrage, and grant me a grave along
with my son." He said no more, but extended his throat to receive the
fatal blow, which descended and drew forth his life as the blood poured
over his armor.

The shades of night were now gathering, and as the Rutulians and Latins
had quitted the field in confusion, the conflicts of that sanguinary day
were at last, ended.

AENEAS FINALLY CONQUERS THE LATINS

By Alfred J. Church

Prince Turnus was filled with rage. Even as a lion which a hunter hath
wounded breaketh the arrow wherewith he hath been stricken, and rouseth
himself to battle, shaking his mane and roaring, so Turnus arose. And
first he spake to King Latinus, saying, "I will meet this man face to
face, and slay him while ye look on; or, if the Gods will that he vanquish
me so, he shall rule over you, and have Lavinia to wife."

But King Latinus made answer, "Yet think awhile, my son. Thou hast the
kingdom of thy father Daunus; and there are other noble virgins in Latium
whom thou mayest have to wife. Wilt thou not then be content? For to give
my daughter to any husband of this nation I was forbidden, as thou
knowest. Yet did I disobey, being moved by love of thee, my wife also
beseeching me with many tears. Thou seest what troubles I and my people,
and thou more than all, have suffered from that time. Twice have we fled
in the battle, and now the city only is left to us. If I must yield me to
these men, let me yield whilst th