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.