The young Iuelus' growing empire fixt
On firm foundations, ripe was then for heaven
The Cytherean prince. Venus besought
That favor of the gods; round her sire's neck
Her arms she clasp'd--"O, father!"--she exclaim'd--
"Indulgent still, be more than ever kind:
"Grant that a deity, though e'er so low,
"AEneaes may become! who through my blood
"Claims thee as grandsire; something let him gain.
"Let it suffice, that he has once beheld
"The dreary realm; and once already past
"The Stygian stream."--The deities consent:
Nor does the heavenly queen, her forehead stern
Retain, consenting with a cheerful mien.
Then spoke the sire. "Both, daughter, merit well
"The boon celestial: what thou ask'st receive,
"Since thou desir'st it, and since he deserves."
He ceas'd. O'erjoy'd, she grateful thanks returns;
And by yok'd turtles borne through yielding air,
She seeks Laurentum's shore, where gently creep
Numicius' waters 'midst a reedy shade
Into the neighbouring main. She bids him cleanse
All of AEneaes that to death was given;
And bear him silent floating to the sea.
The horned god, what Venus bade perform'd:
All that AEneaes had of mortal mould
He purg'd away, and wash'd him with his waves.
His better part remain'd. Odours divine,
O'er his lustrated limbs, the mother pour'd;
And with ambrosia and sweet nectar touch'd
His lips, and perfect is the new-made god:
Whom Indiges, the Roman people call,
Worship with altars, and in temples place.

Alba, and Latium then beneath the rule
Of young Iuelus, call'd Ascanius, came.
Him Sylvius follow'd. Then Latinus held
The ancient sceptre, with his grandsire's name.
Alba to fam'd Latinus was the next.
Then Epitus; Capetus; Capys reign'd:
Capys before Capetus. After these
The realm was sway'd by Tiberinus; sunk
Beneath the billows of the Tuscan stream,
The waters took his name. His sons were two,
Fierce Remulus, and Acrota; the first
Pre-eminent in years, the thunder mock'd;
And by the thunder dy'd. Of meeker mind
His brother, to brave Aventinus left
The throne; who bury'd 'neath the self-same hill
Where once he reign'd, gave to the hill a name;
And Procas now the Latian people rul'd.

Beneath this monarch fair Pomona liv'd,
Than whom amongst the Hamadryad train
None tended closer to her garden's care;
None o'er the trees' young fruit more anxious watch'd;
And then