blent in battle's sea,
All Latin folk, all Dardan sons, Mnestheus, Serestus keen,
Messapus tamer of the horse, Asylas fame-beseen, 550
The Tuscan host, Evander's men, the Arcadian wings of fight,
Each for himself the warriors play, and strive with utter might;
No tarrying, no rest, they strain in contest measureless.

But now a thought his mother sent AEneas' mind to bless.
That he should wend unto the walls, and townward turn his host,
And blend amid destruction swift the Latin people lost.
For he, now marking Turnus' ways through many a company,
Hither and thither turns his eyes, and sees the city lie
At peace amid the mighty stir, unharmed amid the fight,
And image of a greater war set all his soul alight. 560
Mnestheus, Sergestus then he calls, Serestus battle-strong,
The Dukes of war; he mounts a knoll; thither the Teucrians throng
In serried ranks, yet lay not by the battle-spear and shield:
So there from off the mound he speaks amidmost of the field:

"Let none hang back from these my words, for Jove is standing by;
Let none be dull herein because it cometh suddenly:
Today the town, the cause of war, the king Latinus' home,
Unless they cry them craven men, and 'neath the yoke they come,
Will I o'erthrow; the smoking towers upon the ground will lay.
What! must I wait till Turnus grows fain of the battle-play? 570
And shall he, conquered, take his ease to fight me o'er and o'er?
O fellows, this is head and well of all the wicked war.
Haste with the torches, set we forth the troth with fire to find!"

He spake; but all they set to work, and striving with one mind
Knit close their ranks, and on the town a world of battle bear:
Unlooked-for ladders are at hand, and sudden fires appear;
While some they run unto the gates, and there the out-guards slay,
Or hurl the spears, and with their cloud dim down the light of day.
AEneas, in the front of men, lifts hand unto the walls,
And in a great and mighty voice guilt on Latinus calls, 580
And bids the Gods to witness him twice to the battle driven,
Italians twice become his foes, and twice the treaty riven.
But mid the turmoiled city-folk arose the bickering then,
Some bade unbar and open gates unto the Dardan men;
Yea, some unto the walls would drag their very king and