That self-same day with aspect terribleAeneas girt him in the wondrous armshis mother gave; made sharp his martial steel,and roused his heart to ire; though glad was heto seal such truce and end the general war.Then he spoke comfort to his friends; and soothedIulus' fear, unfolding Heaven's intent;but on Latinus bade his heralds layunyielding terms and laws of peace impose.

Soon as the breaking dawn its glory threwalong the hills, and from the sea's profoundleaped forth the horses of the sun-god's car,from lifted nostrils breathing light and fire,then Teucrian and Rutulian measured outa place for duel, underneath the wallsof the proud city. In the midst were setaltars of turf and hearth-stones burning brightin honor of their common gods. Some broughtpure waters and the hallowed flame, their thighsin priestly skirt arrayed, and reverend browswith vervain bound. Th' Ausonians, spear in hand,out from the city's crowded portals movedin ordered column: next the Trojans all,with Tuscan host in various martial guise,equipped with arms of steel, as if they heardstern summons to the fight. Their captains, too,emerging from the multitude, in prideof gold and purple, hurried to and fro:Mnestheus of royal stem, Asilas brave;and Neptune's offspring, tamer of the steed,Messapus. Either host, at signal given,to its own ground retiring, fixed in earththe long shafts of the spears and stacked the shields.Then eagerly to tower and rampart flythe women, the infirm old men, the throngof the unarmed, and sit them there at gaze,or on the columned gates expectant stand.

But Juno, peering from that summit proudwhich is to-day the Alban (though that timenor name nor fame the hallowed mountain knew),surveyed the plain below and fair arrayof Trojan and Laurentine, by the wallsof King Latinus. Whereupon straightwaywith Turnus' sister she began converse,goddess with goddess; for that nymph divineo'er Alba's calm lakes and loud rivers reigns;Jove, the high monarch of th' ethereal sky,gave her such glory when he stole awayher virgin zone. “O nymph“, she said, “who artthe pride of flowing streams, and much belovedof our own heart! thou knowest thou alonehast been my favorite of those Latin maidsthat to proud Jove's unthankful bed have climbed;and willingly I found thee place and sharein our Olympian realm. So blame not me,but hear, Juturna, what sore grief is thine:while chance and destiny conceded aughtof strength to Latium's cause, I shielded wellboth Turnus and thy city's wall; but nowI see our youthful champion make his warwith fates adverse. The Parcae's day of doomimplacably impends. My eyes refuseto Iook upon such fight, such fatal league.If for thy brother's life thou couldst be boldto venture some swift blow, go, strike it now!'T is fit and fair! Some issue fortunatemay tread on sorrow's heel.” She scarce had said,when rained the quick tears from Juturna's eyes.Three times and yet again her desperate handsmote on her comely breast. But Juno cried,“No tears to-day! But haste thee, haste and findwhat way, if way there be, from clutch of deathto tear thy brother free; arouse the war;their plighted peace destroy. I grant thee leavesuch boldness to essay.” With this commandshe left the nymph dismayed and grieving sore.

Meanwhile the kings ride forth: Latinus first,looming tall-statured from his four-horse car;twelve rays of gold encircle his bright brow,sign of the sun-god, his progenitor;next Turnus, driving snow-white steeds, is seen,—two bread-tipped javelins in his hand he bears;Aeneas, of Rome's blood the source and sire,with star-bright shield and panoply divine, far-shining comes; Ascanius by his side—of Roman greatness the next hope is he. To camp they rode, where, garbed in blameless white,with youngling swine and two-year sheep unshorn,the priest before the flaming altars drovehis flock and offering: to the rising sunall eyes are lifted, as with careful handthe salted meal is scattered, while with knivesthey mark each victim's brow, outpouring winefrom shallow bowls, the sacrifice to bless.

Then good Aeneas, his sword drawn, put forththis votive prayer: “O Sun in heaven; and thou,Italia, for whom such toils I bear,be witness of my orison. On thee,Father omnipotent, I call; on thee,his Queen Saturnia,—now may she bemore gracious to my prayer! O glorious Mars,beneath whose godhead and paternityall wars begin and end, on thee I call;hail, all ye river-gods and haunted springs;hail, whatsoever gods have seat of awein yonder distant sky, and ye whose poweris in the keeping of the deep, blue sea:if victory to Ausonian Turnus fall,then let my vanquished people take its wayunto Evander's city! From these plainsIulus shall retire—so stands the bond;nor shall the Trojans with rebellious swordbring after-trouble on this land and King.But if on arms of ours success shall shine,as I doubt not it shall (may gods on hightheir will confirm!), I purpose not to chainItalian captive unto Teucrian lord,nor seek I kingly power. Let equal lawsunite in federation without endthe two unconquered nations; both shall sharemy worshipped gods. Latinus, as my sire,shall keep his sword, and as my sire receiveinviolable power. The Teucriansshall build my stronghold, but our citadelshall bear forevermore Lavinia's name.”