The .xiii. Bookes of Aeneidos The first twelue beeinge the woorke of the diuine Poet Virgil Maro, and the thirtenth the supplement of Maphaeus Vegius. Translated into English verse to the fyrst third part of the tenth Booke, by Thomas Phaher ... and the residue finished, and now the second time newly setforth for the delite of such as are studious in Poetrie: By Thomas Twyne [i.e. Thomas Phaer] |
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THE EIGHT BOOKE of the Æneidos of Uirgill.
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 | The .xiii. Bookes of Aeneidos |  |
THE EIGHT BOOKE of the Æneidos of Uirgill.
The Argument.
Turnus giueth a signe of war out of Laurentum castle, and ioyneth vnto him self in ayd all Latium, and the cities neare about: Venulus also is sent to Arpos vnto Diomedes to perswade him to war by likenes of the danger. Wherat Aeneas moued, & distrusting the smalnesse of his power: is admonished by Tiberinus, & brought vp along the riuer into that place where Rome was afterward builded, and there requireth ayde of king Euander, who flying forth of Arcadia: founded a citie vpon the hill Palatinus, called Pallanteum. When Euander vnderstood ye cause of Aeneas comming, he courteously receaueth him into his house, and taking him with him vnto the sacrifice and solemnities of Hercules wherin he was then busie: sheweth him the cause, and the maner of the sacrifice, and reciteth to his gest the names of the chiefest places in those quarters. The next day Aeneas being ayded with four hundred horsemen whom Pallas, Euanders only sonne did gouerne, the one part of the power he sendeth vnto his men downe the streame, him selfe with the residue goeth to Agylla, the most flourishing citie of Tyrrhens, who bare deadly hatred agaynst Mezentius, whom for his intollerable cruelty, they had driuen out of his kingdome. In this while, Vulcane entised therto by the flattery of Venus maketh armour for his son in law, which she bringeth vnto Aeneas. Who being surprised with the beutie therof: diligently wondreth at euery thinge therin, especially his Targat, wherin were curiously engrauen such noble exploytes as should be valiantly atchiued, by his worthy posteritie.
When
signe of war from Laurent towres king Turnus vp did reare,
And hornes vp blowen wt blastes, their trembling tunes full hoarce did teare,
Whē first his egre steeds, & armour clattring gan to clash:
Mens mindes molested rose, and sodenly vnbrydeled rash
The youth for madnesse runnes, all Latin townes for quaking feare
Tumultuous clustring ioyne, and league confeddring knit they sweare
Messapus and duke Vfens leaders chief, and puft with pride
Mezentius gods dispiser, power of men from euery side
They draw, and voide of tilmen wide dispeopling spoyle the shyrne.
Then to the mighty towne of Diomedes with desires
Is Venulus out sent, his needefull strength in time to call,
Instructed plaine by mouth, what thing to him declare he shall:
How Troians to Italia landes are come, and what a fleete
Aeneas bringes of ships, and how their gods that vnder feete
Were conquerd late by Greekes, he now exalting sets in fame,
And king will needes be cald, and saith him destnie giues that name.
Dilatyng more, how many nations been that ioygne their deedes
With Troy: and how the Troian name in Latium shrewdly spreedes.
What these beginnings meane, & if his chaunce should giue successe
What sequel worke he would, more manifest him self may gesse
Then either Turnus kyng, or kyng Latinus list expresse.
Such woorke in Latium land there was. All which considering great,
The Troian prince did view, and floods of care his breast did beat.
His wisdome swift now here, now there, he kest, and did deuide
In sundry thoughts his minde, and eche deuise he tost and tried.
As in some brasen cawdrons lips, where water standing streames,
When sun reflected shines, or face of Moone with quiuering beames,
The twinckling light vp leapes, eche corner seekes and flickering flits,
Now hie, now low, and tops of house, and rafters wauering hits.
Then was it night, and creatures all that weery were on ground,
Both byrds & groueling kindes of beasts deepe sleape hath setled sound:
When lorde Aeneas vnderneath colde skies in sight of stars,
Perturbed much in minde with troublous carcks of heauy wars
As on a banke he sat, sore musing sad with careful brest:
He layd him downe at last, and late his limmes he gaue to rest.
To him the god of Tiber flood, which rules that pleasant place,
In vision showed himself, vprising graue with antique face,
Among the Poppler leaues in grisell gowne of dropping weedes,
A sayle his shoulders spred, his hear beshadowed was with reedes,
Than speaking thus, Aeneas hart with comfort wordes he feedes.
O heauenly childe of gods, that Troy destroyed doost new restore,
Which bringst vs Troian wals, and lasting wealth for euermore,
Long looked for of Laurent feeldes, and townes of Latium great,
Here is thy certein house, do thou not shrinke thy certein seat,
Nor feare thee not for all these threatnings huge: all dreede and yres
Of gods appeased cease.
And now to thee (least fansie vaine this dreame thou do suppose)
A Sow of mightie sise furth with thou shalt see layd in woase
Beneth a banke, among the rootes, with thirtie sucklings out,
All white her selfe on ground, and white her brats her dugs about,
There shall thy citie stand, there is thy rest of labours last:
Where thy Ascanius prince, whan ten times three of yeres are past,
Shal famous Alba builde, and of that surname call this land.
No fables I pronounce, now of this thing thou hast in hand,
How thou shalt victour bee: giue eare in briefe I will thee tell.
A nation on these fronters cald Arcadia neare doth dwell,
From Pallants line they came, and king Euander vp they tooke,
They chase their place, and citie builded on that mountaines nooke,
Which of his grandsier Pallant slaine, now Palanteum hights.
This nation with Latinus folkes, discording dayly fights.
Take them to thy reliefe, & league with them compound and smight.
My selfe along these bancks shal thee conduct with passage light,
Against these streames with Ores, that nothing let thy speede to stay.
Arise, go to thou goddesse son, and first when stars decay
To Iuno make thy vow, her threatning moode and wrathful tene
With praiers meekely please: and when thy conquests ended bene,
Than mee thou shalt reward, for I am hee that fleeting deepe
Do straine these bancks thou seest, and pastures fat do feede and keepe,
Most ioyfull Tyber blue, best liked streame to heauens on hie,
Here is my mighty house, here cities great my head may spie.
He sayd: And sodainly his flood, he foltring mixt in lake
From sight. Aeneas eies both night and sleepe did than forsake,
He rose, and with his face vpright against the mounting sonne,
Whan first his hands he dipt in waters pure that there did ronne,
He held them vp to skies, and thus his voice he straight begonne.
O Nimphes, O Laurent Nimphes, O Queene of streams & waters cleere,
And thou O Tyber O thou blessed flood and father deere,
Receaue Aeneas now, and from these daungers last defend.
Where euer sacred lake, that pitie such doost vs extend
In our extreme distresse, what euer soyle and fountaine faire
Conteines thy holy head, vnto thy seate will I repaire.
Mine honours euer due, and euer gifts thou shalt haue good,
Hornfronted kingly god, of westerne streames Imperial flood,
Be with vs, O this time, and all thy grace do prosper full.
So spake he than, and from his fleete two barges apt doth cull,
With rancks of rowers twaine, and all his campe in armour set.
Behold, for sodenly their eyes a wondrous monster met.
For by the shore among the rootes on ground in greenewood shawe
A Sowe of syse vnseene, all colour white with broode they sawe.
Whom good Aeneas vnto thee (O Iuno most of powre)
Euen all to thee he kild, and on thine altars did auowre.
That liuelong night did Tyber flood his streames downe couch & calme
With lingring soft, that neither moouing made of waue nor walme,
But milde most like a poole, or pleasant ponde of water dull,
So setled smooth it stood, that nothing lets their Ores to pull.
Their way therfore begun with talking cherely plied they fast:
Thannoynted Firtree slides, by shelues and fourdes along they past.
The waters wondring stoode, and woods with wondring gasing made
At shining sheeldes of men, far glistring straunge of newcome trade,
They gase at gorgeous ships, and painted pups aloft that swims.
They plucking swift their Ores, that night and day do tyre their lims,
And reatches long they win, that trees with bowes do hide them oft,
And circles wide they cut in waters greene of shadowes soft,
And through the woods they wade, & gladsom groues that grow a loft.
The flaming sun his compast midst of heauen had entred in,
When towre and walles they spie, and from a far the houses thin,
Which now the Romain might to match the stars haue made so tal.
Euander king that time, that citie kept of substance small,
They swiftly turne their ships, and to the towne approching fall.
That day as fortune was, Euander king in solempne guise
His patrone feast did keepe, with honours great to gods in skies.
But vnto Hercules most chiefe, in greenewood groue vpstald
Afront the towne. His onely son with him was, (Pallas cald)
With him the chiefe of youth, and Senate counsell poore and good,
To gods encense they gaue, on smoking altars moist of blood.
When first the lofty ships they saw, and darke in shadowes lowe
So sliding through the woods, and swift with Ores so silent rowe:
With sodaine sight affraied they rose, and tables troubling reaue.
Whom Pallas bold forbids that offrings holy they not leaue,
Himselfe with sword outdrawne, against them fast to shore he flew.
Then from the banke aloof, how sirs quoth he? what causes new?
What moues you thus these waies vnknowē to serch? wher would you light?
What people? what place dwel you? bring you peace, or list you fight?
Than lord Aeneas from his pup on hie this answere told,
And Oliue braunch in hand betokening peace he forth did hold.
The men of Troy thou seest, and Troian weapons, Latins foes,
Whom they with armour proud thus wandring still to driue dispose.
Euander king we seeke, go cary this and say that knights
Of Troians strong are come, and pray with him to ioyne our mights.
At such a reuerent name, did Pallas then astonied stand.
Come forth (quoth he) O prince, what euer thou art, and here at hand
Go speake my father to, and strait his righthand clasping held,
They landing left their flood, and to the frith they came and feld.
Then lord Aeneas to the king these wordes did freendly moue.
O best of Græcian blood, to whom dame Fortune strong aboue
Compels me now to seeke, and bowes of peace and garlands beare,
I nothing fearfull was, that thou of Greekes a leader were,
And cosin neare in stocke, to twayne Atridas, Troian rods.
But mee my valiant life, and holy motions great of Gods,
Our Gransiers ioynt of blood, thy wide renoume in countreis spred
Haue knit me thus to thee, and glad by destnies here haue led.
King Dardan founder first of Troian towne and parent old,
That sun to Dame Electra was, as auncient Greekes haue told,
To Troian kingdomes came, Electras father void of doubt
Most mighty Atlas was, that heauens sustaines on shoulders stout.
Your line from Mercury proceedes, whom May most white of hew,
On olde Cilenes Mount, conceyuing bare by storie trew.
Mayes father Atlas is, if iust report hath fild our eares,
That Atlas her begat, that stars of heauen on shoulders beares,
So both one blood we bee, from one good spring our stocke departes.
These things considering I, by neither message, freend, nor artes,
Did practise thee to groape, euen I my selfe my person here
I ventred haue my head, and to thy court I sue most dere,
That nation proude of Turnus land whose warres doth thee molest,
The same doth vs likewise most deadly vexe, were we supprest
Nothing they thinke should let, but all Italia landes at eas
They may subdue with yoke, and East, and West possesse the seas.
Receaue and render faith, we lacke no brestes in battaile bolde,
Wee lacke no feruent mindes, and youth wel tried in warres of olde.
He holding still his eyes his tale did harke,
And fixed vewed his face, and lims and countenance all did marke.
Few words at last he said: Most pusaunt lord (O prince of Troy)
How glad am I of thee? how welcome here thou bringest me ioy?
How well thy parent great thou doost present? his words and voyce
Me thinkes I heare, in great Anchises face I do reioyce.
For I remember wel, when Priam king in progresse went,
To vew Hesiones his sisters lands, he was content
From Salamina coast that time this countrey colde to know,
Then flowing fresh in youth, my budding beard on cheekes did grow.
I wondred at the Troian dukes, I wondred sore in dede
Such princely states: But ouer all most hie Anchises yede,
My youthfull minde for loue did in my brest with burning sit
Till we acquainted were, and hand in hand conioyning knit.
I led him furth, and to my towne of Pheney glad him brought.
He vnto mee a quiuer riche, with arrowes finely wrought
At his departing gaue, and golden mantel brodred faire,
And bridle bits with gold (which now my Pallas keepes) a payre.
At your request therfore, confedring fast with you I cling.
And when the morning next, on earth her light shal rendring bring:
With succour home I shal you send, and aid with comfort more.
Therewhiles, this offring feast (which to differ were sin to sore)
This yerely sacrifice diuine (since here O freendes we bee)
With gladnes let performe, and celebrate this day with mee,
And your confederates fare accustom now your selfe to byde.
Whan he thus said, the deintie meates and cups withdrawen asyde,
He bids againe restore, and Troyans set on greene grasse bancke.
But chiefe, on beds bespred with Lyons hyde of heare full rancke
Aeneas he receiues, and Maple throne to him prefarres.
Than all the princely youth, and temple preest from the altar barres
Contending bring their meates, entrayles of bulles, and seruice rost,
And bread in baskets lade, and wynes they skinke with cakes compost.
Aeneas ioyntly fed, the Troian youth also did dyne
With tripes of sacred steeres, and total backes of oxen chyne.
Whan hungre staunched was, and lust of eating first gan slake,
The king Euander sayd: This cheere quod he, that here we make,
This offring deintie day, this yerely feast religious pure,
This altar great of god, no superstition vayne obscure,
Nor errour blinde began (O curteis gest) but cause extreeme,
And due deserts of him that vs from daunger did redeeme,
Deliuering free from paines, as by good signes thou shalt esteeme.
Now first behold yon rock, which hang thou seest with threatning sway,
Like halfe the mountaine falne, and stones downe wrested shew decay.
The bulwarke broken stands, whom rocks and hil down ratling drew.
A dongeon caue there was, of widnes wast, most deepe to vew,
Which vgly Cacus kept, that halfe was beast, and halfe mankinde,
A lothly lurking den, whom beames of sun could neuer finde.
Whose floore did alwaies reeke with slaughters new, and euer fresh,
His heauie gates were hung, with heads of men, and dropping flesh.
Vulcanus to this monster father was, whose flamings blacke
He spued at mouth, and where he went al things he threw to wracke.
At last also for vs long looking helpe, time comfort brought,
And ayde at last we found at god. For after conquest wrought
In Spaine, (and Gerion triple bodied kilde) with booties braue,
Most mighty Hercules here came, and herds of bulles he draue
This way, with steeres right huge of syse, this riuer side they fed.
The beasts but setled were, and brooke and vale along they spred:
But Cacus fendly sprite that nothing ment but shameles theft,
No mischiefe left vntried, no craft vnsought, but all things reft.
Foure goodly bodied bolles he from their pasture stealing tooke,
And foure of heifers large, and most of beautie faire to looke.
And lest perhaps their feete bewray them should by steps of cleaze,
He by their tailes them drew al backward plucking from their leaze.
Their treadings outward shewd, and euery path did outward guide,
And to his caue thē brought, where darke with stone he did thē hide.
Whē men shuld seke, no signe they saw, al tracts were outward tried.
This while when Hercules from hence departing would remoue,
And gathering tooke his beeues, that ful were fed fro laundes aboue,
The cattayle roaring cried, and euery wood with bellowing fild
Lamenting thence to mooue, and hils with noyse they left ylwild.
One heifer lift her voice, and loude in dongeon sounding shrill
She yelling answere gaue, and Cacus hoape dispointed yll.
Than verily sir Hercles furious minde for egre paines
Did burne with bitter gall, his armour tooles in hands he straines,
His heauy club with knobs, and vp that hill he ramps on hie.
There Cacus, shrincking furst and furst affrayed, our men did spie,
With troubled eies more swifter then than winde he trudging flings,
Straight to his caue he flew, feare to his tentoes added wings.
Whan he his lodge had lockt, and by his chaines a sunder wrong
His huge vnweldy stone downe let, that there for rampier hong
With yron and Vulcanes art, his bolts and barrs he fastening ramd,
His dongeon mouth he stopt and strong with stuffe he stifly cramd.
Behold, furthwith syr Hercles present was with flaming brest,
And entries al he vewed, now here now there his eies he kest,
For angre gnashing teeth: three times alone in feruent moode,
All Auentinus mount he compast round, and thrise he stoode
Attempting still those gates, and strong assaulting bounst therat
In vaine, and three times in this vale he weery refting sat.
A rocke right sharpe of flint there stood, with crags ofcut from sides,
Against the dongeons backe vprising hie where clouds deuides.
A nestling fortresse fit for birdes of spoyle, and foules vncleane.
That rocke where hedlong next the flood it partly low did leane,
With shoulders shooning long in vaine he tried, yet adding strength
He shogging still did striue, at last it shooke, and quite at length,
He lowsened low the rootes, than sodenly where most it swaied,
He ouerthrewt that with the throw, hie heauen rebounding braied.
The banks wt murmor brake, ye streame ran backward wild affraied.
But than the caue and Cacus vgly court disclosed cleere,
His hoale, with all his darksom dennes, and kennels close appeere.
None otherwise, than if by force whole earth should gaping cliue,
And show the infernall seates, and kingdoms pale reueling riue
Most hatefull sight should be: an endles gulfe down reatching deepe,
Should fowle apear, and crauling soules at light should quaking creepe.
When he with day vnloked for was caught, and shrinking low
His deepest den he tooke, nor neuer earst so lowde did blow:
Sir Hercles with his tooles on him did prease, and weapons all
He fearcely plied both logs of tymbre long, and milstones tall.
He grunting foule at mouth (for hope was none to scape by flight)
A cloud of stifling stinking smoke (a wondrous thing to sight)
He from his iawes outspued, that all the vaut with darknes stuft,
Depriuing eies from sight, and through the dongeon thicke he puft
His fumes as blacke as night, and mixt with mist he perbrakt fier.
That thing sir Hercles wold not bide, but hedlong down for yre,
Euen through ye flames he lept, where smolthring stremes did most redound
Of smoke, and where most boiling breth did caue most darke confound.
There Cacus black in cloud, and belching fearce his burnings vaine
He groping straitly gript, and round in knot he wound in twaine.
Then crushing necke and eyes, his thirstie throte of blood did choke.
Anone the gastly den wide ope is set with gates vpbroke,
The cattel furth are fet, then pyles of pelfe and robbery spoyles
To heauen are shewd, his carcas eke misshapen vile of foyles,
Is by the legs outdrawen, mens harts in looking take no rest.
His grisly squeased eien, his lothly face, his bristled brest,
His mongrell members rough, his quenched fier in iawes opprest.
From that time furth this honor grew, ye youth with gladsome game,
This holy day do keepe, Potitius first began the same,
And great Pinarias house, that Hercles offring euer serues
From yere to yere, and for his worship more that thus deserues
This groue and altar set, which euermore the chiefest shall
Be cald of vs, and shall in deede be euer chiefe of all.
Wherfore come of, O youth, and for the praise of so great gift
With braunches binde your heads, and cups in quaffing loke you lift
And call our general God, and skinke furth wines with glad good wils.
He said, thē twisting Poppler braunch, his crowne with leaues he hils.
With Hercles Poppler leaues (all dooble huid) his temples tide,
And sacred boll with wine in hand he gripte, then side by side
All men with feasting dranke, and bords they lade, and gods did pray.
And hornes vp blowen wt blastes, their trembling tunes full hoarce did teare,
Whē first his egre steeds, & armour clattring gan to clash:
Mens mindes molested rose, and sodenly vnbrydeled rash
The youth for madnesse runnes, all Latin townes for quaking feare
Tumultuous clustring ioyne, and league confeddring knit they sweare
Messapus and duke Vfens leaders chief, and puft with pride
Mezentius gods dispiser, power of men from euery side
They draw, and voide of tilmen wide dispeopling spoyle the shyrne.
Is Venulus out sent, his needefull strength in time to call,
Instructed plaine by mouth, what thing to him declare he shall:
How Troians to Italia landes are come, and what a fleete
Aeneas bringes of ships, and how their gods that vnder feete
Were conquerd late by Greekes, he now exalting sets in fame,
And king will needes be cald, and saith him destnie giues that name.
Dilatyng more, how many nations been that ioygne their deedes
With Troy: and how the Troian name in Latium shrewdly spreedes.
What these beginnings meane, & if his chaunce should giue successe
What sequel worke he would, more manifest him self may gesse
Then either Turnus kyng, or kyng Latinus list expresse.
Such woorke in Latium land there was. All which considering great,
The Troian prince did view, and floods of care his breast did beat.
His wisdome swift now here, now there, he kest, and did deuide
In sundry thoughts his minde, and eche deuise he tost and tried.
As in some brasen cawdrons lips, where water standing streames,
When sun reflected shines, or face of Moone with quiuering beames,
The twinckling light vp leapes, eche corner seekes and flickering flits,
Now hie, now low, and tops of house, and rafters wauering hits.
Then was it night, and creatures all that weery were on ground,
Both byrds & groueling kindes of beasts deepe sleape hath setled sound:
When lorde Aeneas vnderneath colde skies in sight of stars,
Perturbed much in minde with troublous carcks of heauy wars
As on a banke he sat, sore musing sad with careful brest:
He layd him downe at last, and late his limmes he gaue to rest.
To him the god of Tiber flood, which rules that pleasant place,
In vision showed himself, vprising graue with antique face,
Among the Poppler leaues in grisell gowne of dropping weedes,
A sayle his shoulders spred, his hear beshadowed was with reedes,
Than speaking thus, Aeneas hart with comfort wordes he feedes.
O heauenly childe of gods, that Troy destroyed doost new restore,
Which bringst vs Troian wals, and lasting wealth for euermore,
Long looked for of Laurent feeldes, and townes of Latium great,
Here is thy certein house, do thou not shrinke thy certein seat,
Nor feare thee not for all these threatnings huge: all dreede and yres
Of gods appeased cease.
And now to thee (least fansie vaine this dreame thou do suppose)
Beneth a banke, among the rootes, with thirtie sucklings out,
All white her selfe on ground, and white her brats her dugs about,
There shall thy citie stand, there is thy rest of labours last:
Where thy Ascanius prince, whan ten times three of yeres are past,
Shal famous Alba builde, and of that surname call this land.
No fables I pronounce, now of this thing thou hast in hand,
How thou shalt victour bee: giue eare in briefe I will thee tell.
A nation on these fronters cald Arcadia neare doth dwell,
From Pallants line they came, and king Euander vp they tooke,
They chase their place, and citie builded on that mountaines nooke,
Which of his grandsier Pallant slaine, now Palanteum hights.
This nation with Latinus folkes, discording dayly fights.
Take them to thy reliefe, & league with them compound and smight.
My selfe along these bancks shal thee conduct with passage light,
Against these streames with Ores, that nothing let thy speede to stay.
Arise, go to thou goddesse son, and first when stars decay
To Iuno make thy vow, her threatning moode and wrathful tene
With praiers meekely please: and when thy conquests ended bene,
Than mee thou shalt reward, for I am hee that fleeting deepe
Do straine these bancks thou seest, and pastures fat do feede and keepe,
Most ioyfull Tyber blue, best liked streame to heauens on hie,
Here is my mighty house, here cities great my head may spie.
He sayd: And sodainly his flood, he foltring mixt in lake
From sight. Aeneas eies both night and sleepe did than forsake,
He rose, and with his face vpright against the mounting sonne,
Whan first his hands he dipt in waters pure that there did ronne,
He held them vp to skies, and thus his voice he straight begonne.
O Nimphes, O Laurent Nimphes, O Queene of streams & waters cleere,
And thou O Tyber O thou blessed flood and father deere,
Receaue Aeneas now, and from these daungers last defend.
Where euer sacred lake, that pitie such doost vs extend
In our extreme distresse, what euer soyle and fountaine faire
Conteines thy holy head, vnto thy seate will I repaire.
Mine honours euer due, and euer gifts thou shalt haue good,
Hornfronted kingly god, of westerne streames Imperial flood,
Be with vs, O this time, and all thy grace do prosper full.
So spake he than, and from his fleete two barges apt doth cull,
Behold, for sodenly their eyes a wondrous monster met.
For by the shore among the rootes on ground in greenewood shawe
A Sowe of syse vnseene, all colour white with broode they sawe.
Whom good Aeneas vnto thee (O Iuno most of powre)
Euen all to thee he kild, and on thine altars did auowre.
That liuelong night did Tyber flood his streames downe couch & calme
With lingring soft, that neither moouing made of waue nor walme,
But milde most like a poole, or pleasant ponde of water dull,
So setled smooth it stood, that nothing lets their Ores to pull.
Their way therfore begun with talking cherely plied they fast:
Thannoynted Firtree slides, by shelues and fourdes along they past.
The waters wondring stoode, and woods with wondring gasing made
At shining sheeldes of men, far glistring straunge of newcome trade,
They gase at gorgeous ships, and painted pups aloft that swims.
They plucking swift their Ores, that night and day do tyre their lims,
And reatches long they win, that trees with bowes do hide them oft,
And circles wide they cut in waters greene of shadowes soft,
And through the woods they wade, & gladsom groues that grow a loft.
The flaming sun his compast midst of heauen had entred in,
When towre and walles they spie, and from a far the houses thin,
Which now the Romain might to match the stars haue made so tal.
Euander king that time, that citie kept of substance small,
They swiftly turne their ships, and to the towne approching fall.
That day as fortune was, Euander king in solempne guise
His patrone feast did keepe, with honours great to gods in skies.
But vnto Hercules most chiefe, in greenewood groue vpstald
Afront the towne. His onely son with him was, (Pallas cald)
With him the chiefe of youth, and Senate counsell poore and good,
To gods encense they gaue, on smoking altars moist of blood.
When first the lofty ships they saw, and darke in shadowes lowe
So sliding through the woods, and swift with Ores so silent rowe:
With sodaine sight affraied they rose, and tables troubling reaue.
Whom Pallas bold forbids that offrings holy they not leaue,
Himselfe with sword outdrawne, against them fast to shore he flew.
Then from the banke aloof, how sirs quoth he? what causes new?
What moues you thus these waies vnknowē to serch? wher would you light?
What people? what place dwel you? bring you peace, or list you fight?
And Oliue braunch in hand betokening peace he forth did hold.
The men of Troy thou seest, and Troian weapons, Latins foes,
Whom they with armour proud thus wandring still to driue dispose.
Euander king we seeke, go cary this and say that knights
Of Troians strong are come, and pray with him to ioyne our mights.
At such a reuerent name, did Pallas then astonied stand.
Come forth (quoth he) O prince, what euer thou art, and here at hand
Go speake my father to, and strait his righthand clasping held,
They landing left their flood, and to the frith they came and feld.
Then lord Aeneas to the king these wordes did freendly moue.
O best of Græcian blood, to whom dame Fortune strong aboue
Compels me now to seeke, and bowes of peace and garlands beare,
I nothing fearfull was, that thou of Greekes a leader were,
And cosin neare in stocke, to twayne Atridas, Troian rods.
But mee my valiant life, and holy motions great of Gods,
Our Gransiers ioynt of blood, thy wide renoume in countreis spred
Haue knit me thus to thee, and glad by destnies here haue led.
King Dardan founder first of Troian towne and parent old,
That sun to Dame Electra was, as auncient Greekes haue told,
To Troian kingdomes came, Electras father void of doubt
Most mighty Atlas was, that heauens sustaines on shoulders stout.
Your line from Mercury proceedes, whom May most white of hew,
On olde Cilenes Mount, conceyuing bare by storie trew.
Mayes father Atlas is, if iust report hath fild our eares,
That Atlas her begat, that stars of heauen on shoulders beares,
So both one blood we bee, from one good spring our stocke departes.
These things considering I, by neither message, freend, nor artes,
Did practise thee to groape, euen I my selfe my person here
I ventred haue my head, and to thy court I sue most dere,
That nation proude of Turnus land whose warres doth thee molest,
The same doth vs likewise most deadly vexe, were we supprest
Nothing they thinke should let, but all Italia landes at eas
They may subdue with yoke, and East, and West possesse the seas.
Receaue and render faith, we lacke no brestes in battaile bolde,
Wee lacke no feruent mindes, and youth wel tried in warres of olde.
He holding still his eyes his tale did harke,
And fixed vewed his face, and lims and countenance all did marke.
How glad am I of thee? how welcome here thou bringest me ioy?
How well thy parent great thou doost present? his words and voyce
Me thinkes I heare, in great Anchises face I do reioyce.
For I remember wel, when Priam king in progresse went,
To vew Hesiones his sisters lands, he was content
From Salamina coast that time this countrey colde to know,
Then flowing fresh in youth, my budding beard on cheekes did grow.
I wondred at the Troian dukes, I wondred sore in dede
Such princely states: But ouer all most hie Anchises yede,
My youthfull minde for loue did in my brest with burning sit
Till we acquainted were, and hand in hand conioyning knit.
I led him furth, and to my towne of Pheney glad him brought.
He vnto mee a quiuer riche, with arrowes finely wrought
At his departing gaue, and golden mantel brodred faire,
And bridle bits with gold (which now my Pallas keepes) a payre.
At your request therfore, confedring fast with you I cling.
And when the morning next, on earth her light shal rendring bring:
With succour home I shal you send, and aid with comfort more.
Therewhiles, this offring feast (which to differ were sin to sore)
This yerely sacrifice diuine (since here O freendes we bee)
With gladnes let performe, and celebrate this day with mee,
And your confederates fare accustom now your selfe to byde.
Whan he thus said, the deintie meates and cups withdrawen asyde,
He bids againe restore, and Troyans set on greene grasse bancke.
But chiefe, on beds bespred with Lyons hyde of heare full rancke
Aeneas he receiues, and Maple throne to him prefarres.
Than all the princely youth, and temple preest from the altar barres
Contending bring their meates, entrayles of bulles, and seruice rost,
And bread in baskets lade, and wynes they skinke with cakes compost.
Aeneas ioyntly fed, the Troian youth also did dyne
With tripes of sacred steeres, and total backes of oxen chyne.
Whan hungre staunched was, and lust of eating first gan slake,
The king Euander sayd: This cheere quod he, that here we make,
This offring deintie day, this yerely feast religious pure,
This altar great of god, no superstition vayne obscure,
Nor errour blinde began (O curteis gest) but cause extreeme,
And due deserts of him that vs from daunger did redeeme,
Now first behold yon rock, which hang thou seest with threatning sway,
Like halfe the mountaine falne, and stones downe wrested shew decay.
The bulwarke broken stands, whom rocks and hil down ratling drew.
A dongeon caue there was, of widnes wast, most deepe to vew,
Which vgly Cacus kept, that halfe was beast, and halfe mankinde,
A lothly lurking den, whom beames of sun could neuer finde.
Whose floore did alwaies reeke with slaughters new, and euer fresh,
His heauie gates were hung, with heads of men, and dropping flesh.
Vulcanus to this monster father was, whose flamings blacke
He spued at mouth, and where he went al things he threw to wracke.
At last also for vs long looking helpe, time comfort brought,
And ayde at last we found at god. For after conquest wrought
In Spaine, (and Gerion triple bodied kilde) with booties braue,
Most mighty Hercules here came, and herds of bulles he draue
This way, with steeres right huge of syse, this riuer side they fed.
The beasts but setled were, and brooke and vale along they spred:
But Cacus fendly sprite that nothing ment but shameles theft,
No mischiefe left vntried, no craft vnsought, but all things reft.
Foure goodly bodied bolles he from their pasture stealing tooke,
And foure of heifers large, and most of beautie faire to looke.
And lest perhaps their feete bewray them should by steps of cleaze,
He by their tailes them drew al backward plucking from their leaze.
Their treadings outward shewd, and euery path did outward guide,
And to his caue thē brought, where darke with stone he did thē hide.
Whē men shuld seke, no signe they saw, al tracts were outward tried.
This while when Hercules from hence departing would remoue,
And gathering tooke his beeues, that ful were fed fro laundes aboue,
The cattayle roaring cried, and euery wood with bellowing fild
Lamenting thence to mooue, and hils with noyse they left ylwild.
One heifer lift her voice, and loude in dongeon sounding shrill
She yelling answere gaue, and Cacus hoape dispointed yll.
Than verily sir Hercles furious minde for egre paines
Did burne with bitter gall, his armour tooles in hands he straines,
His heauy club with knobs, and vp that hill he ramps on hie.
There Cacus, shrincking furst and furst affrayed, our men did spie,
With troubled eies more swifter then than winde he trudging flings,
Straight to his caue he flew, feare to his tentoes added wings.
His huge vnweldy stone downe let, that there for rampier hong
With yron and Vulcanes art, his bolts and barrs he fastening ramd,
His dongeon mouth he stopt and strong with stuffe he stifly cramd.
Behold, furthwith syr Hercles present was with flaming brest,
And entries al he vewed, now here now there his eies he kest,
For angre gnashing teeth: three times alone in feruent moode,
All Auentinus mount he compast round, and thrise he stoode
Attempting still those gates, and strong assaulting bounst therat
In vaine, and three times in this vale he weery refting sat.
A rocke right sharpe of flint there stood, with crags ofcut from sides,
Against the dongeons backe vprising hie where clouds deuides.
A nestling fortresse fit for birdes of spoyle, and foules vncleane.
That rocke where hedlong next the flood it partly low did leane,
With shoulders shooning long in vaine he tried, yet adding strength
He shogging still did striue, at last it shooke, and quite at length,
He lowsened low the rootes, than sodenly where most it swaied,
He ouerthrewt that with the throw, hie heauen rebounding braied.
The banks wt murmor brake, ye streame ran backward wild affraied.
But than the caue and Cacus vgly court disclosed cleere,
His hoale, with all his darksom dennes, and kennels close appeere.
None otherwise, than if by force whole earth should gaping cliue,
And show the infernall seates, and kingdoms pale reueling riue
Most hatefull sight should be: an endles gulfe down reatching deepe,
Should fowle apear, and crauling soules at light should quaking creepe.
When he with day vnloked for was caught, and shrinking low
His deepest den he tooke, nor neuer earst so lowde did blow:
Sir Hercles with his tooles on him did prease, and weapons all
He fearcely plied both logs of tymbre long, and milstones tall.
He grunting foule at mouth (for hope was none to scape by flight)
A cloud of stifling stinking smoke (a wondrous thing to sight)
He from his iawes outspued, that all the vaut with darknes stuft,
Depriuing eies from sight, and through the dongeon thicke he puft
His fumes as blacke as night, and mixt with mist he perbrakt fier.
That thing sir Hercles wold not bide, but hedlong down for yre,
Euen through ye flames he lept, where smolthring stremes did most redound
Of smoke, and where most boiling breth did caue most darke confound.
There Cacus black in cloud, and belching fearce his burnings vaine
Then crushing necke and eyes, his thirstie throte of blood did choke.
Anone the gastly den wide ope is set with gates vpbroke,
The cattel furth are fet, then pyles of pelfe and robbery spoyles
To heauen are shewd, his carcas eke misshapen vile of foyles,
Is by the legs outdrawen, mens harts in looking take no rest.
His grisly squeased eien, his lothly face, his bristled brest,
His mongrell members rough, his quenched fier in iawes opprest.
From that time furth this honor grew, ye youth with gladsome game,
This holy day do keepe, Potitius first began the same,
And great Pinarias house, that Hercles offring euer serues
From yere to yere, and for his worship more that thus deserues
This groue and altar set, which euermore the chiefest shall
Be cald of vs, and shall in deede be euer chiefe of all.
Wherfore come of, O youth, and for the praise of so great gift
With braunches binde your heads, and cups in quaffing loke you lift
And call our general God, and skinke furth wines with glad good wils.
He said, thē twisting Poppler braunch, his crowne with leaues he hils.
With Hercles Poppler leaues (all dooble huid) his temples tide,
And sacred boll with wine in hand he gripte, then side by side
All men with feasting dranke, and bords they lade, and gods did pray.
The sun this while from skies did neere to night discending sway.
And now the seruice priests, and furst Potitius led their bands,
Of custome great in skinnes, and torches burning bare in hands.
Their banquets they renew, and ionkets courses after meates.
Their presents hie they heape, that euery boord with bourden sweates.
Than singing measure layes, at the altars burning daunsing round,
The skipping Salij were come, with poppler braunches bound,
In raye men set them selues, the yong men here, the old men there,
That Hercles praises great, and doughty deedes to heauen may beare.
How first he tender childe his stepdames monsters kild with ease
By hand, and serpents twaine to death he wringing flat did squease.
How stoutfull he by war did cities downe destroy full strong,
Both Troia, Oechalia with more, how thousand labours long
At king Euristeus request, by Iunos deepe despite,
He ouercame and bare, thou lord vnuicted most of might,
Thou slewest the mongrell beast, misshapen Centaures gotten of cloud.
Both Hileus, and Pholus foule, thou Creslies monsters proud
Didst kill with hand, and Lion bolde in Nemec rocke didst quell.
At thee did Lymbo quake, to thee the Porter huge of hell,
To thee he trembling shooke, and left his bones begonne vngnawn,
He left his murthering caue, by thee from thence he was furth drawn.
Nor was there neuer face that euer could thee make affrayde.
No not him selfe Typhœus, in burning armour vgly rayde
With hundred hands that fought, nor thee that time thy reason failde
Whan Lerna dragon thee with heapes of heads all round assailde.
Alhayle vndoubted childe of god, new ioy to saincts aboue,
Come visit vs with grace, and these thy gifts accept and loue.
And now the seruice priests, and furst Potitius led their bands,
Of custome great in skinnes, and torches burning bare in hands.
Their banquets they renew, and ionkets courses after meates.
Their presents hie they heape, that euery boord with bourden sweates.
Than singing measure layes, at the altars burning daunsing round,
The skipping Salij were come, with poppler braunches bound,
In raye men set them selues, the yong men here, the old men there,
That Hercles praises great, and doughty deedes to heauen may beare.
How first he tender childe his stepdames monsters kild with ease
By hand, and serpents twaine to death he wringing flat did squease.
How stoutfull he by war did cities downe destroy full strong,
Both Troia, Oechalia with more, how thousand labours long
At king Euristeus request, by Iunos deepe despite,
He ouercame and bare, thou lord vnuicted most of might,
Thou slewest the mongrell beast, misshapen Centaures gotten of cloud.
Both Hileus, and Pholus foule, thou Creslies monsters proud
At thee did Lymbo quake, to thee the Porter huge of hell,
To thee he trembling shooke, and left his bones begonne vngnawn,
He left his murthering caue, by thee from thence he was furth drawn.
Nor was there neuer face that euer could thee make affrayde.
No not him selfe Typhœus, in burning armour vgly rayde
With hundred hands that fought, nor thee that time thy reason failde
Whan Lerna dragon thee with heapes of heads all round assailde.
Alhayle vndoubted childe of god, new ioy to saincts aboue,
Come visit vs with grace, and these thy gifts accept and loue.
Such things in hymnes they sang, but ouer all of Cacus hoale
They mencion make, and of him selfe with breath as burning coale.
The woods with song resounds, and hils with carols aunsweres yeelde.
Than euery man whan seruice all deuine was first fulfilde,
Unto the towne them drew, the king him self of stouping age,
Aeneas next him toke for mate, his sonne him led as page,
With sundry speech of things to ease their way the time they past.
Aeneas wondring much on euery side his eyes did cast,
With euery place in minde he rauisht was, and oft enqueres
Eche thing, and monuments he gladly learnes of elder yeres.
Than king Euander spake, that first the towres of Rome did found.
The woods (quoth he) somtime both Fauns, & Nimphs, & gods of ground,
And fairy Queenes did keepe, and vnder them a nacion rough,
A people saluage strong, and borne in troncks of timber tough:
Who neither nurture knew, nor trade of life, nor bullocks taught,
Nor goods vpstore they could, nor wisely spare those things thei caught.
But bowes of trees them fed, and hunting hard them kept from cold.
Furst from Olympus mount (right neare the skies) good Saturn old,
Whan hee from Ioue did flee, and from his kingdoms outlawd stood,
Hee first that wayward skittish kinde disperst in hilles, and wood,
Did bring to thrift, and gaue them lawes, and all the land this way
Did Latium call, for saufly here long time he lurking lay.
And vnder that good king men say, the golden world did dure,
Such pleasaunt peace he taught, and peoples kept in iustice pure:
Till worser age at last, of baser sort by small and small,
With mad desier of wars, and loue to haue, corrupted all.
Than came Ausonia strength, than Sicil folkes and countreys straunge,
And oftentimes her name, Saturnus land was driuen to chaunge.
Than kings, and chiefly Tyber great with body burly tall,
By whose surname Italia folks this flood did Tiber call,
(For Albula the former name it lost forgotten quite.)
My selfe expulst from out my countrey land by wrongful might,
And folowing long the seas, with course extreame as cause did shape
Almighty fortunes lucke, and destny strong whom none can skape,
Haue planted in this place, and here my mother did mee chase
Carmenta prophet Nimph, by dredefull songs of Phœbus grace.
Skant this he said: and walking furth her altar huge of state
He shewd, and Carmentalis cald by Romain name the gate,
Which builded was, men say, for dame Carmentas mencion deere,
That prophet destnie speaker, furst that sang in dities cleere
Of great Aeneas lyne, and Pallantee that noble fort.
From thence the shirwood great, where saulf defence, and free resort,
Duke Romulus vptooke, and in the rocke full cold outhewd
Lupercal temple close, and mistryes all therof he shewd.
He shewd also the sacred groue of Argilethus heath,
Detesting in that place where Greekish gest was done to death.
From thence to Tarpey seat, and Capitoll he furth him led
All gilded now, but than with briers and brambles thicke bespred.
Euen very than, religious feare the plowmens harts did shake,
Euen than, that dredfull rocke & groue for reuerence did them quake.
This groue (quoth he) thou seest, this bushie hil so slope that clymes
(Unknowen it is what god,) here dwels a god, full often tymes
Arcadia men beleeue there Ioue they saw, whan darcksome blacke
His fearful shield he shooke, & thundring stormes there made to cracke.
These boroughs twaine besides with walles downe cast decayed yt bee
(Their ruines lo thou mayst, and monuments of old men, see)
This Ianus auncient built, that other towne Saturnus wald,
Ianiculum this was, that other than Saturnia cald.
They mencion make, and of him selfe with breath as burning coale.
The woods with song resounds, and hils with carols aunsweres yeelde.
Than euery man whan seruice all deuine was first fulfilde,
Unto the towne them drew, the king him self of stouping age,
Aeneas next him toke for mate, his sonne him led as page,
With sundry speech of things to ease their way the time they past.
Aeneas wondring much on euery side his eyes did cast,
With euery place in minde he rauisht was, and oft enqueres
Eche thing, and monuments he gladly learnes of elder yeres.
Than king Euander spake, that first the towres of Rome did found.
The woods (quoth he) somtime both Fauns, & Nimphs, & gods of ground,
And fairy Queenes did keepe, and vnder them a nacion rough,
A people saluage strong, and borne in troncks of timber tough:
Who neither nurture knew, nor trade of life, nor bullocks taught,
Nor goods vpstore they could, nor wisely spare those things thei caught.
But bowes of trees them fed, and hunting hard them kept from cold.
Furst from Olympus mount (right neare the skies) good Saturn old,
Whan hee from Ioue did flee, and from his kingdoms outlawd stood,
Hee first that wayward skittish kinde disperst in hilles, and wood,
Did bring to thrift, and gaue them lawes, and all the land this way
Did Latium call, for saufly here long time he lurking lay.
And vnder that good king men say, the golden world did dure,
Such pleasaunt peace he taught, and peoples kept in iustice pure:
Till worser age at last, of baser sort by small and small,
With mad desier of wars, and loue to haue, corrupted all.
Than came Ausonia strength, than Sicil folkes and countreys straunge,
And oftentimes her name, Saturnus land was driuen to chaunge.
By whose surname Italia folks this flood did Tiber call,
(For Albula the former name it lost forgotten quite.)
My selfe expulst from out my countrey land by wrongful might,
And folowing long the seas, with course extreame as cause did shape
Almighty fortunes lucke, and destny strong whom none can skape,
Haue planted in this place, and here my mother did mee chase
Carmenta prophet Nimph, by dredefull songs of Phœbus grace.
Skant this he said: and walking furth her altar huge of state
He shewd, and Carmentalis cald by Romain name the gate,
Which builded was, men say, for dame Carmentas mencion deere,
That prophet destnie speaker, furst that sang in dities cleere
Of great Aeneas lyne, and Pallantee that noble fort.
From thence the shirwood great, where saulf defence, and free resort,
Duke Romulus vptooke, and in the rocke full cold outhewd
Lupercal temple close, and mistryes all therof he shewd.
He shewd also the sacred groue of Argilethus heath,
Detesting in that place where Greekish gest was done to death.
From thence to Tarpey seat, and Capitoll he furth him led
All gilded now, but than with briers and brambles thicke bespred.
Euen very than, religious feare the plowmens harts did shake,
Euen than, that dredfull rocke & groue for reuerence did them quake.
This groue (quoth he) thou seest, this bushie hil so slope that clymes
(Unknowen it is what god,) here dwels a god, full often tymes
Arcadia men beleeue there Ioue they saw, whan darcksome blacke
His fearful shield he shooke, & thundring stormes there made to cracke.
These boroughs twaine besides with walles downe cast decayed yt bee
(Their ruines lo thou mayst, and monuments of old men, see)
This Ianus auncient built, that other towne Saturnus wald,
Ianiculum this was, that other than Saturnia cald.
Such talk between themselues they had, and now they entring drew
To poore Euanders house, and herds of beasts ful thick they vew
And bellowings loud they heare, where now the shambles fat of Rome
Are kept, and where the markets stands, and Iudges sit in dome.
Whan to the court they came: This gate (quoth he) this threshold small
Hath Hercules gon through, here he was lodged in this hall.
Be bold good gest, and learn to shake of pompe, and worthy deeme
Thy self by God, and with good wil our welcome poore esteeme.
He said, and to his simple hall be brought full voyd of feare
Aeneas mighty prince, and him on bed he setled theare,
On mattresse stuft with leaues, and laid with hide of boystous beare.
The night down fals, & blacke wt winges embrasing hides the ground.
To poore Euanders house, and herds of beasts ful thick they vew
And bellowings loud they heare, where now the shambles fat of Rome
Are kept, and where the markets stands, and Iudges sit in dome.
Whan to the court they came: This gate (quoth he) this threshold small
Hath Hercules gon through, here he was lodged in this hall.
Be bold good gest, and learn to shake of pompe, and worthy deeme
Thy self by God, and with good wil our welcome poore esteeme.
Aeneas mighty prince, and him on bed he setled theare,
On mattresse stuft with leaues, and laid with hide of boystous beare.
The night down fals, & blacke wt winges embrasing hides the ground.
But Venus as a mother, whom great carks did much confound
Of Laurent threatning lords, these tumults hard in brest she rolde.
To Vulcan than he spake, and in her husbandes bed of golde
She thus began, and loue deuine enspiring thus him tolde.
Such time as Greekish kings did Troian walles with fire deface
Well worthy thā to fal, and towres with warres did quite downe race,
I neuer help to them (poore soules) nor armour yet requierd,
Of thy relief or craft, (o husbande sweeteloue most desierd)
Nor thee (deere hart) could I permit that time thy selfe to straine,
Nor see thy labours lost, or cunning works to wast in vaine,
Though I to Priamus sonnes for great deserts good will did beare,
And for Aeneas labours hard I wept haue many a teare.
Now he in Rutil Realmes by Ioues commandment setled stands.
Most lowly now therefore to thee I sue, and at thy handes
Enforced craue relief, O sacred spouse most vndefilde:
A mothers part I worke, I aske but harneis for my childe.
Dame Thetis for her sonne did like request obtaine er now
Of thee, so could Aurora cleare thy minde with weepings bow.
Beholde what nations ioine, what cities wald with gates vpshut
Do whet their fighting tooles, that me and mine to wracke would put.
She said, and with her armes as white as snow his necke she heelde,
Him softly colling sweet, with tender toyes: he loth to yeelde,
At last conceiued flame, and sodenly the acquainted heate
Outran through al his bones, and mary tickling moist did sweate,
In maner like, as through some thundring cloude with rūbling ript,
The lightning shining shoots, and fire at clift outsprings vntript.
She felt her beautie work, and false her hart for gladnesse skipt.
Then father Vulcan spake, constraind with loues eternal lust.
What needs this circumstaunce far fet? where is thy stedfast trust
O lady, fled from me? If I had knowne thou hadst thus caard,
Defence for Troian walles we might that time haue wel prepaard.
For neither God almighty, neither destnies were so sore,
But Troy mought stil haue stand, and Priam liue yet ten yeare more.
And now, if warre thou wilt, and therevpon thy mind is bent,
What euer I with craft or cunning casting may inuent,
What can be wrought in steele, or siluer pliant mixt with brasse,
Looke what the fier, or breathing blastes may make (let praying passe)
Of mee, and all my strength assure thy selfe, be bolde of this,
What euer lieth in mee, vndoubtedly, thine owne it is.
These words he spake, & close imbracinge sweete his spouse he clipt,
And gaue desiers of ioy, with lap to lap relenting dipt,
Resoluing limmes at rest, and sences deepe in slomber slipt.
Of Laurent threatning lords, these tumults hard in brest she rolde.
To Vulcan than he spake, and in her husbandes bed of golde
She thus began, and loue deuine enspiring thus him tolde.
Such time as Greekish kings did Troian walles with fire deface
Well worthy thā to fal, and towres with warres did quite downe race,
I neuer help to them (poore soules) nor armour yet requierd,
Of thy relief or craft, (o husbande sweeteloue most desierd)
Nor thee (deere hart) could I permit that time thy selfe to straine,
Nor see thy labours lost, or cunning works to wast in vaine,
Though I to Priamus sonnes for great deserts good will did beare,
And for Aeneas labours hard I wept haue many a teare.
Now he in Rutil Realmes by Ioues commandment setled stands.
Most lowly now therefore to thee I sue, and at thy handes
Enforced craue relief, O sacred spouse most vndefilde:
A mothers part I worke, I aske but harneis for my childe.
Dame Thetis for her sonne did like request obtaine er now
Of thee, so could Aurora cleare thy minde with weepings bow.
Beholde what nations ioine, what cities wald with gates vpshut
Do whet their fighting tooles, that me and mine to wracke would put.
She said, and with her armes as white as snow his necke she heelde,
Him softly colling sweet, with tender toyes: he loth to yeelde,
At last conceiued flame, and sodenly the acquainted heate
Outran through al his bones, and mary tickling moist did sweate,
In maner like, as through some thundring cloude with rūbling ript,
The lightning shining shoots, and fire at clift outsprings vntript.
She felt her beautie work, and false her hart for gladnesse skipt.
Then father Vulcan spake, constraind with loues eternal lust.
What needs this circumstaunce far fet? where is thy stedfast trust
O lady, fled from me? If I had knowne thou hadst thus caard,
Defence for Troian walles we might that time haue wel prepaard.
For neither God almighty, neither destnies were so sore,
But Troy mought stil haue stand, and Priam liue yet ten yeare more.
And now, if warre thou wilt, and therevpon thy mind is bent,
What can be wrought in steele, or siluer pliant mixt with brasse,
Looke what the fier, or breathing blastes may make (let praying passe)
Of mee, and all my strength assure thy selfe, be bolde of this,
What euer lieth in mee, vndoubtedly, thine owne it is.
These words he spake, & close imbracinge sweete his spouse he clipt,
And gaue desiers of ioy, with lap to lap relenting dipt,
Resoluing limmes at rest, and sences deepe in slomber slipt.
Than first whan midnight course wt race outrun, him brake frō sleepe,
As doth some wedlocke wife, some thriuing dame yt house doth keepe,
Who life by labour seekes, and distaf worke doth weaue and spin,
Her couched harth she steeres, and sturging sparke of fire doth tin,
Encroching worke by night, and hard with taske her maydens all
By candels early plies, wherby she may her children small
Bring vp, and chaste her self mainteyne, and husband helpe withall.
In likely sort this firie puissant god, nor slacker wise
From bed full soft that time, to smithie works did earnest rise.
An Yle there is, by Sicill side vplifted large in skies,
Cald Liparen where smoke from stones to starres vpsteaming sties.
There vnder creepes a caue, and Ciclops chimne is gnawne in rockes,
Through Ætnas thundring dens, of smiting strokes & bounsing knockes
That wailes, wt sighing sounds, such battring beating through ye chinks
Far rendring aunswers ring, and yngot gads with clashing clincks,
In blustring forges blowne, where dints replied with peyse, and pithes
Done metals dinging driue, and sturdy steele they stretch on stithes.
Vulcanus house it is, and Vulcans name that land doth here.
The firy puissaunt god that time from heauen descended there,
The gyantes in that caue of wydnesse wast their tooles did plie,
Pyragmon nakedlimd, and Steropes, and Brontes hie.
A worke in hand they had vnfashiond yet, but part made bright
One thundring burnisht bolt, wt many a such from heauen doth smight.
Whan Ioue to ground them throwes, but part vnperfit did remaine.
Then store of strugling windes, & stormfull cloudes of clodded raine.
Three winterwrested showres, three firyforked flashing beames.
Three ratling tempest bals, three southwind winged lightning leames.
Now glistring blasing lights, now gastly sights mens harts to skeare,
In forging fire they shope, wt thump thump sound both noise, & feare,
They mingled through their worke, & wrangled wrathes of following flame.
Another sort for Mars a charet swift with wheeles did frame,
A charet wyld wherby the god vpsteeres both campes and townes.
A sheeld for Pallas eke, in troublous feelds full grim that frownes
All horrible, with serpent skales beset, and fine with gold
Were dragons drawen in wrethes, and poolisht pure in plated fold,
And monster Gorgons head (with necke ofchopt) amid her brest
They put, that men to stones may turne with eies to death comprest.
Set set aside all things, cast of (quoth he) your workes begon,
You Ætna lads, let studies all to this one charge now ron.
An egre man must valiaunt armour weare, now show your speede,
Now shifting hands requiers, now maisters all of craft is neede,
Breake hedlong al delayes: nor more he spake. They swiftly than
Besturring striue to stoupe, and by their lots to labour ran.
Outgushing flowes in streames both gold, and brasse, and siluer swelts,
And lumps of murthring steele, in furnies glowing softning melts.
A huge hie sheeld they shape, one sheeld alone for weapons all
Of Latines, and against all foes and force resist that shall,
Emboasid brode with hoopes, whom bars in bars entangling bindes
Seuenfolded thick. Som thrusting furth frō bellowes blasting windes
Incessaunt yeld and draw, some dips in lakes and troughes of stones
Hoat hissing gleads: All Ætna vauts with anuilds mourning grones.
They still among themselues their armes in course by force vp lift
With nūbrings iump, & grasping tough in tongs their masse they shift.
While these things hasting were by Vulcan lord in Lemnos lande,
Euander king from bed, the dawning day bad vp to stande,
And early songs of birds his roof that fild with mirthfull note.
He riseth aged man, and on his limmes he puts his coate,
And thongs in Tyrrhen guise about his feete he wrapt and tyde.
Then sword with girdle strong from shoulders down he next his side
Did girt, and baldrick wise his wreath he ware of Panthers hyde.
Two waiting dogs also that thentrie doore at threshold kept
Came furth, and matching foote by foote their maisters pace they stept.
Unto his gest Aeneas chambre straight, he softly drewe,
Remembring former talke, he of his word a lord full true.
Nor morning styrer lesse, Aeneas then abroad was stalkt.
Son Pallas with Euander, but with him Achates walkt.
They meeting ioyne right hands, and in the mids of hall downe set,
In speeche at last they fall, of causes vrgent free from let.
The king thus furst.
Most doughtie Troian guide (which while thou art aliue in helth
I neuer Troy destroyed shal thinke, nor vanquisht voyd of welth)
To such a carefull war, and for the fame of thy regard
Small succour we can geue, here Tyber streame vplocks vs hard.
On this side Rutils wring, and at our walls their harneis sounds.
But peoples huge to thee, and kingdoms rich of larger bounds
I go about to ioyne, whom very now euen chaunce vnsought
Doth show to thee, euen destnies lucke this time thee here hath brought.
Not far from hence a towne there is, with auncient stones vpfraamd,
Which Agillina hight, where people somtime Lydia naamd,
A nacion strong in war Etruria downes possesse and till.
This land that many a yere did flowing raign with welth at will,
A proude king caught at last, and long by force with armes opprest,
Mezentius lawles wretch, whose moode misecreaunt neuer ceast.
What shall I tell the furious slaughters foule? to shame to speake
That tyrants odious deeds? god on his head and seede so wreake.
Mens bodies dead he did deuise to ioyne to bodies quicke
In tortures, hands to hands, & mouthes to mouthes them binding thick.
(O plague most miserous) and them through filth, and rotting cloied
In wretched claspings vile, with lingring death most lothly stroied.
But weery long at last, when he more mad would worse haue wrought,
His subiects weaponed rose, and him in house beseiging sought.
His mates they slew, and to his rafter tops their fier they flang.
He through their slaughter throngs to Rutil realme outskaping sprang.
Where with his hoast and mate king Turnus fearce him selfe he fends,
With iust reuenge therfore Etruria land al whole ascends,
Their king by war they clayme, and him by death they minde to quit.
These milions strong of men I will to thee Aeneas knit.
Their nauy furnisht full already thicke at shore remaines,
And streamers out they crie, an auncient prophet them restraines
By destny singing. O you chosen youth of liuely lust,
You flowre of former yeres, you strength of men, whom anger iust
Prouokes to vengeaunce due, whose wrath Mezentius doth deserue,
No prince Italian borne may for this armie captaine serue,
Seeke alien lords for guides. Than all Etruria sore affright
Did setling stay them selues, and in that field their campe haue pight.
Him self embassadours to mee with crowne, and scepter sent
Duke Tarchon, and with kingly robes mee here he did present.
But vew the campe I should, and Tyrrhen kingdoms al possesse.
But mee my slouthfull colde, and worlds outworn in yeres excesse,
Enuies me now to raigne, and feeble strength to late to steere.
My son I would exhort, saue he by mother mixed neere
Of dame Sabella part that countrey drawes. But thou whose yeres,
And kinred fortune loues, whom destnies lucke and goods requeres,
Go thou O Troian, and Italian prince, most strong of might.
Besides all this I shall, our onely hope and deere delight
My son sir Pallas here to thee commit, that vnder thee
He may the feates of war as with a maister learne, and see
Most weightie works of Mars, that from his youth thy worthy deedes
He wondring may conceiue, and practise like if chaunce him needes.
Two hundred horsmen strong of freshest youth take here in hand,
So many more also shal Pallas bring of priuat band.
These words he scantly spake, and fired fast with eyes on ground
Aeneas sadly sat, so did Achates freend most sound.
Much heauie things in hart they through their brests considring waied.
Had Venus not from heauen by signe downe sent their musing staied.
For sodenly with whirling noise the skies broad open flusht,
And lightning whistling came, as round about all things had rusht,
And blast of trompet blown in welkin brim was heard to roare.
They looke: lo yet againe, and yet, two, three, great thundrings more
Bright armour through the clouds in coast of heauen most cleere of sun
Readshining rough they see, that back repulsing rombling run.
All other stood astoind, but he him selfe most valiaunt knight
Aeneas, knew that noyse, and what his mother him had hight.
Than thus he spake. Be you good hoast, be you no whit appald,
What newes these monsters meane, tis I aloft in skies am cald.
This token me from heauen my mother said she would downe send,
If warres should roughly rise, and Vulcans armes me to defend
She brings me through the clouds.
Alas, what slaughters wilde on wretched Laurents hang at hand?
What turments thee (O Turnus) must I giue? how mixt in sand
Both shields and helms of men, with many a body strong and tall
O Tyber flood with waters troul thou shalt? and many a fall
In fight susteine they must, whā truce they aske yet breake they shal.
These things when he had said, him self vplifting hie from benche,
To Hercles altars first and sleeping fiers whom night did quenche
He went them to reuiue, and seruice left since yersterday
He gladly vprestores, and houshold gods they please and pray,
Both king Euander self, and Troian youth with whole assent.
Than to his ships furthwith, to visit there his mates he went.
Among which number such as him to warfare should pursue
Most hardy practiue knights he chose, the remnant downward drue.
The groueling streme them beares, & swift they home by water dresse
To bring Ascanius newes, both of his father, and successe.
To Troians than are horses geuen, to passe to Tirrhen towne,
A royall courser for Aeneas, whom of Lion browne
One hyde al ouerspreds with guilded clawes bright pendant downe.
The rumour runnes, and through that citie small is blasid wide,
How horsemen vnto Tirrhen coast with swift course posting ride.
For dreed mens wiues with vowes do lade their gods, & more and more
Men dangers cast, and face of Mars appeares not seene so sore.
Than good Euander olde, Aeneas righthand clipping hyld,
And thus at parting spake, and weeping still could not be fyld.
O if almighty god would mee my yeres of youth restore
Euen as I was, whan at Præneste walles (my troupes before)
I fought, when heapes of conquerd sheelds I victor offring brent,
And with this right hand than, king Herilus to hell I sent,
Whose mother at his birth him gaue three liues in limmes to lag,
(A grisly thing to speake) three weapons he by course did wag,
Three times to death he must down vanquisht be, yet breathings all
This righthand him bereft, and soules, and armour thrise made fall.
Not now deere son, from thine embrasings sweete should I be pluckt,
O dulcet son: nor so Mezentius borderer, blood had suckt
Dispiting still my head, such murthering deathes had not ben seene,
Nor such asort of burgeis wiues should widowes now haue beene.
But O you glorious gods, thou chiefe in heauen that raignst on hie
Most mighty Ioue, of poore Arcadia king respect the crie,
Giue gracious eare this time, and to my prayers piteous bend.
If destnies mee by your good grace my son home saufly send,
If looking him I liue, and wee in one may meete againe:
Than craue I longer life, and glad I shal receaue all paine.
But if (as god forefend) some sore mischaunce doth fortune threat,
Now new let mee depart, and cruel life ofcasting freat,
While doubtful carck me keepes, while hope in minde vncertein is,
While thee my derling childe, mine onely ioy my parting blis,
Thus haulsing here I hold, ere tidings worse mine eares may wound.
These things his father shed at leauing last, and flat in sound
With sobbing fainting fell: his pages him to house conueyed.
As doth some wedlocke wife, some thriuing dame yt house doth keepe,
Who life by labour seekes, and distaf worke doth weaue and spin,
Her couched harth she steeres, and sturging sparke of fire doth tin,
Encroching worke by night, and hard with taske her maydens all
By candels early plies, wherby she may her children small
Bring vp, and chaste her self mainteyne, and husband helpe withall.
In likely sort this firie puissant god, nor slacker wise
From bed full soft that time, to smithie works did earnest rise.
An Yle there is, by Sicill side vplifted large in skies,
Cald Liparen where smoke from stones to starres vpsteaming sties.
There vnder creepes a caue, and Ciclops chimne is gnawne in rockes,
Through Ætnas thundring dens, of smiting strokes & bounsing knockes
That wailes, wt sighing sounds, such battring beating through ye chinks
Far rendring aunswers ring, and yngot gads with clashing clincks,
In blustring forges blowne, where dints replied with peyse, and pithes
Done metals dinging driue, and sturdy steele they stretch on stithes.
Vulcanus house it is, and Vulcans name that land doth here.
The firy puissaunt god that time from heauen descended there,
The gyantes in that caue of wydnesse wast their tooles did plie,
Pyragmon nakedlimd, and Steropes, and Brontes hie.
A worke in hand they had vnfashiond yet, but part made bright
One thundring burnisht bolt, wt many a such from heauen doth smight.
Whan Ioue to ground them throwes, but part vnperfit did remaine.
Then store of strugling windes, & stormfull cloudes of clodded raine.
Three winterwrested showres, three firyforked flashing beames.
Three ratling tempest bals, three southwind winged lightning leames.
Now glistring blasing lights, now gastly sights mens harts to skeare,
In forging fire they shope, wt thump thump sound both noise, & feare,
They mingled through their worke, & wrangled wrathes of following flame.
A charet wyld wherby the god vpsteeres both campes and townes.
A sheeld for Pallas eke, in troublous feelds full grim that frownes
All horrible, with serpent skales beset, and fine with gold
Were dragons drawen in wrethes, and poolisht pure in plated fold,
And monster Gorgons head (with necke ofchopt) amid her brest
They put, that men to stones may turne with eies to death comprest.
Set set aside all things, cast of (quoth he) your workes begon,
You Ætna lads, let studies all to this one charge now ron.
An egre man must valiaunt armour weare, now show your speede,
Now shifting hands requiers, now maisters all of craft is neede,
Breake hedlong al delayes: nor more he spake. They swiftly than
Besturring striue to stoupe, and by their lots to labour ran.
Outgushing flowes in streames both gold, and brasse, and siluer swelts,
And lumps of murthring steele, in furnies glowing softning melts.
A huge hie sheeld they shape, one sheeld alone for weapons all
Of Latines, and against all foes and force resist that shall,
Emboasid brode with hoopes, whom bars in bars entangling bindes
Seuenfolded thick. Som thrusting furth frō bellowes blasting windes
Incessaunt yeld and draw, some dips in lakes and troughes of stones
Hoat hissing gleads: All Ætna vauts with anuilds mourning grones.
They still among themselues their armes in course by force vp lift
With nūbrings iump, & grasping tough in tongs their masse they shift.
While these things hasting were by Vulcan lord in Lemnos lande,
Euander king from bed, the dawning day bad vp to stande,
And early songs of birds his roof that fild with mirthfull note.
He riseth aged man, and on his limmes he puts his coate,
And thongs in Tyrrhen guise about his feete he wrapt and tyde.
Then sword with girdle strong from shoulders down he next his side
Did girt, and baldrick wise his wreath he ware of Panthers hyde.
Two waiting dogs also that thentrie doore at threshold kept
Came furth, and matching foote by foote their maisters pace they stept.
Unto his gest Aeneas chambre straight, he softly drewe,
Remembring former talke, he of his word a lord full true.
Nor morning styrer lesse, Aeneas then abroad was stalkt.
Son Pallas with Euander, but with him Achates walkt.
They meeting ioyne right hands, and in the mids of hall downe set,
In speeche at last they fall, of causes vrgent free from let.
Most doughtie Troian guide (which while thou art aliue in helth
I neuer Troy destroyed shal thinke, nor vanquisht voyd of welth)
To such a carefull war, and for the fame of thy regard
Small succour we can geue, here Tyber streame vplocks vs hard.
On this side Rutils wring, and at our walls their harneis sounds.
But peoples huge to thee, and kingdoms rich of larger bounds
I go about to ioyne, whom very now euen chaunce vnsought
Doth show to thee, euen destnies lucke this time thee here hath brought.
Not far from hence a towne there is, with auncient stones vpfraamd,
Which Agillina hight, where people somtime Lydia naamd,
A nacion strong in war Etruria downes possesse and till.
This land that many a yere did flowing raign with welth at will,
A proude king caught at last, and long by force with armes opprest,
Mezentius lawles wretch, whose moode misecreaunt neuer ceast.
What shall I tell the furious slaughters foule? to shame to speake
That tyrants odious deeds? god on his head and seede so wreake.
Mens bodies dead he did deuise to ioyne to bodies quicke
In tortures, hands to hands, & mouthes to mouthes them binding thick.
(O plague most miserous) and them through filth, and rotting cloied
In wretched claspings vile, with lingring death most lothly stroied.
But weery long at last, when he more mad would worse haue wrought,
His subiects weaponed rose, and him in house beseiging sought.
His mates they slew, and to his rafter tops their fier they flang.
He through their slaughter throngs to Rutil realme outskaping sprang.
Where with his hoast and mate king Turnus fearce him selfe he fends,
With iust reuenge therfore Etruria land al whole ascends,
Their king by war they clayme, and him by death they minde to quit.
These milions strong of men I will to thee Aeneas knit.
Their nauy furnisht full already thicke at shore remaines,
And streamers out they crie, an auncient prophet them restraines
By destny singing. O you chosen youth of liuely lust,
You flowre of former yeres, you strength of men, whom anger iust
Prouokes to vengeaunce due, whose wrath Mezentius doth deserue,
No prince Italian borne may for this armie captaine serue,
Seeke alien lords for guides. Than all Etruria sore affright
Did setling stay them selues, and in that field their campe haue pight.
Him self embassadours to mee with crowne, and scepter sent
But vew the campe I should, and Tyrrhen kingdoms al possesse.
But mee my slouthfull colde, and worlds outworn in yeres excesse,
Enuies me now to raigne, and feeble strength to late to steere.
My son I would exhort, saue he by mother mixed neere
Of dame Sabella part that countrey drawes. But thou whose yeres,
And kinred fortune loues, whom destnies lucke and goods requeres,
Go thou O Troian, and Italian prince, most strong of might.
Besides all this I shall, our onely hope and deere delight
My son sir Pallas here to thee commit, that vnder thee
He may the feates of war as with a maister learne, and see
Most weightie works of Mars, that from his youth thy worthy deedes
He wondring may conceiue, and practise like if chaunce him needes.
Two hundred horsmen strong of freshest youth take here in hand,
So many more also shal Pallas bring of priuat band.
These words he scantly spake, and fired fast with eyes on ground
Aeneas sadly sat, so did Achates freend most sound.
Much heauie things in hart they through their brests considring waied.
Had Venus not from heauen by signe downe sent their musing staied.
For sodenly with whirling noise the skies broad open flusht,
And lightning whistling came, as round about all things had rusht,
And blast of trompet blown in welkin brim was heard to roare.
They looke: lo yet againe, and yet, two, three, great thundrings more
Bright armour through the clouds in coast of heauen most cleere of sun
Readshining rough they see, that back repulsing rombling run.
All other stood astoind, but he him selfe most valiaunt knight
Aeneas, knew that noyse, and what his mother him had hight.
Than thus he spake. Be you good hoast, be you no whit appald,
What newes these monsters meane, tis I aloft in skies am cald.
This token me from heauen my mother said she would downe send,
If warres should roughly rise, and Vulcans armes me to defend
She brings me through the clouds.
Alas, what slaughters wilde on wretched Laurents hang at hand?
What turments thee (O Turnus) must I giue? how mixt in sand
Both shields and helms of men, with many a body strong and tall
O Tyber flood with waters troul thou shalt? and many a fall
In fight susteine they must, whā truce they aske yet breake they shal.
These things when he had said, him self vplifting hie from benche,
He went them to reuiue, and seruice left since yersterday
He gladly vprestores, and houshold gods they please and pray,
Both king Euander self, and Troian youth with whole assent.
Than to his ships furthwith, to visit there his mates he went.
Among which number such as him to warfare should pursue
Most hardy practiue knights he chose, the remnant downward drue.
The groueling streme them beares, & swift they home by water dresse
To bring Ascanius newes, both of his father, and successe.
To Troians than are horses geuen, to passe to Tirrhen towne,
A royall courser for Aeneas, whom of Lion browne
One hyde al ouerspreds with guilded clawes bright pendant downe.
The rumour runnes, and through that citie small is blasid wide,
How horsemen vnto Tirrhen coast with swift course posting ride.
For dreed mens wiues with vowes do lade their gods, & more and more
Men dangers cast, and face of Mars appeares not seene so sore.
Than good Euander olde, Aeneas righthand clipping hyld,
And thus at parting spake, and weeping still could not be fyld.
O if almighty god would mee my yeres of youth restore
Euen as I was, whan at Præneste walles (my troupes before)
I fought, when heapes of conquerd sheelds I victor offring brent,
And with this right hand than, king Herilus to hell I sent,
Whose mother at his birth him gaue three liues in limmes to lag,
(A grisly thing to speake) three weapons he by course did wag,
Three times to death he must down vanquisht be, yet breathings all
This righthand him bereft, and soules, and armour thrise made fall.
Not now deere son, from thine embrasings sweete should I be pluckt,
O dulcet son: nor so Mezentius borderer, blood had suckt
Dispiting still my head, such murthering deathes had not ben seene,
Nor such asort of burgeis wiues should widowes now haue beene.
But O you glorious gods, thou chiefe in heauen that raignst on hie
Most mighty Ioue, of poore Arcadia king respect the crie,
Giue gracious eare this time, and to my prayers piteous bend.
If destnies mee by your good grace my son home saufly send,
If looking him I liue, and wee in one may meete againe:
Than craue I longer life, and glad I shal receaue all paine.
But if (as god forefend) some sore mischaunce doth fortune threat,
Now new let mee depart, and cruel life ofcasting freat,
While thee my derling childe, mine onely ioy my parting blis,
Thus haulsing here I hold, ere tidings worse mine eares may wound.
These things his father shed at leauing last, and flat in sound
With sobbing fainting fell: his pages him to house conueyed.
And now the horsmen band at open gates went out vnstayed.
Aeneas with the first, Achates trustie next his side.
Than other Troyan lords, him self in mids did Pallas ride
In glistring painted armes, and gay with cloke embroidred newe,
Like Lucifer that gracious dawning star, whom pure of hue
Dame Venus chiefly loues aboue all fiers in heauen that shine,
All darknes he resolues, and gladneth skies with face deuine.
The women stand on walles with trembling harts, and far with eyes
Pursue their glittering harneis troupes, and cloudes of dust that rise.
They through the thornie downs wher nerest way no compas makes
In armour ioyntly ryde, hie shoutes vprise, and clustring strakes.
They gallup, & vnder their trampling feete the ground with breaking quakes.
There is a groue of greenewood frith, by Cerits riuer cold,
Religious, long and broad in reuerence kept by fathers old,
Whom caues of crooked hils with dales and downs that compas sets
On euery side doth close, and woods of firtree blacke besets.
To Siluan god of beasts and fields that auncient Greekes men say
Did consecrate that place, and gaue both groue and feastfull day,
Which Greekes somtime possest of Latium countrey first the lands.
Not far from thence duke Tarchons host, and all Ætruria bands
Incamped saufly lay, and from the hill their legions strong
All plaine might now be vewed, that broad in fields outstretched long.
Aeneas to that place, and warlike youth, in minde wel pleasd
Alighting, wery went, and horses trymd, and bodies easd.
Aeneas with the first, Achates trustie next his side.
Than other Troyan lords, him self in mids did Pallas ride
In glistring painted armes, and gay with cloke embroidred newe,
Like Lucifer that gracious dawning star, whom pure of hue
Dame Venus chiefly loues aboue all fiers in heauen that shine,
All darknes he resolues, and gladneth skies with face deuine.
The women stand on walles with trembling harts, and far with eyes
Pursue their glittering harneis troupes, and cloudes of dust that rise.
They through the thornie downs wher nerest way no compas makes
In armour ioyntly ryde, hie shoutes vprise, and clustring strakes.
They gallup, & vnder their trampling feete the ground with breaking quakes.
There is a groue of greenewood frith, by Cerits riuer cold,
Religious, long and broad in reuerence kept by fathers old,
Whom caues of crooked hils with dales and downs that compas sets
On euery side doth close, and woods of firtree blacke besets.
To Siluan god of beasts and fields that auncient Greekes men say
Did consecrate that place, and gaue both groue and feastfull day,
Which Greekes somtime possest of Latium countrey first the lands.
Not far from thence duke Tarchons host, and all Ætruria bands
Incamped saufly lay, and from the hill their legions strong
All plaine might now be vewed, that broad in fields outstretched long.
Aeneas to that place, and warlike youth, in minde wel pleasd
Alighting, wery went, and horses trymd, and bodies easd.
But goddesse Venus white, from through the cloudes descending clere
Was ready there with gifts, and to her sonne approching nere,
Whan secret him she saw, far from the flood in crooked vale
She offring shewed her selfe, and thus she shortly brake her tale.
Lo here my husbands worke, my promise due, cast of thy doubt
O son, nor feare not now to coape with all proud Laurents rout,
And Turnus now to combat call, though he be ner so stout.
She said, and of her son th'embrasing sweete furthwith she fet.
Than vnderneath an oke in sight, those glistring armes she set,
He gladfull of those gifts, with minde for ioyes in myrth extolde
With sight could not be fild, but eies on eche thing stil he rolde.
He wondreth, and betweene his armes, and handes he oft vpturnes
A helme most horrible, with crests, out spitting flames that burnes.
A murthring fatall blade, a brestplate stif of bras most fine,
All bloodread, sanguine, byg, like many times whan sun doth shine,
Some blue cloud catcheth beames, & burning bright with ruddy rayes
A loofe it selfe it shewes, and streaming light likewise displayes.
Then bootes of siluer light enameld gorgeous mixt with gold.
A speare also with sheeld, whose wondrous worke can not be told.
There all Italia state, and peereles Rome with triumphes all
(Not ignoraunt of age to come, and destnies that should fall)
The firie puissaunt god had made: there all Ascanius race
In order faire was wrought, and foughten fields in euery place.
He there also had put, where greene the caue of Mars begins
A she wolfe downe was layed, and next her dugs two goodly twins,
Two daggling sucking boies, her flanks betweene they hanging plaide,
Their mammies teats they lap with hungry lips nothing affraide.
She turning round her neck, now one, now one, them sweetely lickt
Reforming soft their limmes, & soft with tong them smoothly strickt.
Nor far from thence was Rome, and Sabines virgins rashly raught
At sight of stately playes, and thence by force for wedlocks caught,
The story all there stood, and sodenly new war did rise
To Romulus and Tatius old, and lords of Sabines wise.
Within a while those kings (their all contencions quenched quite)
Before Ioues altar came, and holding bolles in armour bright
They stood, and with a swine downe slaine did leag conclud & smite.
Not far from thence was Metius torne, in quarters pluckt by steeds,
But why thou Alban to thy words accorded not thy deeds?
And of that lying lord did Tullus drag those false entrailes
Euen through the wood, that thornes & briers with blood besprinckling, hailes.
Than king Porsenna strong commaunded Romains eft restore
Their Tarquin outlawd king, and long be seiging wrang them sore.
Aeneas people fearce for freedom fast on weapons ran,
Him angrie, threatning like, you mought see chaafe disdaining than,
That Cocles durst resist while bridge behind him broken was,
And Clœlia captiue wench with broken bands the streame did pas.
Upon the Tarpey rocke, and Capitoll most lordly braue,
Stood Manlius that champion chiefe, his countrey wals to saue.
He for the temple fought, and enemies clambring downe did pull
With stubble starke of steele, the Pallas court of Rome was full.
And flickring there in golde, the siluer Gander keakyng cried
At hand, and in the Porches next the Frenchmen entring spied.
The Frenchmen entring were, and taking Towres did fearce inuade,
By bushes climing close, and kept with helpe of darke night shade.
Of Gold their Tresses were, their golden garments trim them decks,
In garded frocks they shine with roddid welts about their necks,
In partles knit with Golde, two slinging speares eche one doth lift,
In Mountaine guise, and shields of length defend theyr bodies swift.
Than came the skipping sort, in daunce disguised shaking shanks,
The Salij praunsing Priests, with mitred crownes, and coppid tancks.
The Luperts naked went, and armour holy liften aloft,
That downe from heauen did fall, the matrones chast in Charets soft
Religious led their gods, and through the towne procession brought.
Along way far from thence, the dennes of Hel most deepe wer wrought,
And louring Limbo gates, with sundry sinfull wretches pangs.
Thou Catilin wert there, on threatning rocke thy carcas hangs,
Thy turments there thou bidest, and still doost feare those fendly iawes.
But good men by them selues, and Cato them did giue their lawes.
Among all this there went the salt sea broad with swelling broth
Of Gold, but greene the frisking floods did fome with hoary froth.
And cut in siluer cleere the Dolphins swimming compas daunst,
The streams wt tailes they swept, & through ye tides they sherīg glaūst.
In mids were brasen fleetes of ships, and Actia wars at large
Men might haue seene, how battels both conioyning bent their charge.
The seas with harnies shines that boyling floods with gold did spring.
There all Italia strength Augustus Emprour prince did bring,
With commons all, with lords, wt saints, wt gods most great of might,
Aduauncing cheif in ship, whose temples twaine with flames vpright
Outsparkling spoutes a fier, his fathers siar his crowne bespreds.
Another wing with prosperous windes, and Gods in army ledes
Agrippa lofty prince, whose pendant streamers proud stands out,
His crowne couragious shines with garlond wun from topshipsnout,
On th'other part with all Barbaria force of diuerse armes
Anthonius drags his traine of nacions thick, in throngs that swarmes,
He victour late in wars, from countries far where Sun doth rise,
From peoples blacke of Inde, from red sea shore, from eastern skies,
All Ægipt and all Asia strength extreme with him he drew,
Whom proudly (fie for shame) his Gyptian wife doth next persue.
Togither all they rusht, and pluckt with ores conflicting clasht,
The waues wt wrastling fumes, & frōts to frōts their ships they crasht.
To chanell deepe they draw, a man would thinke ye mountaynes meete
In seas, or iustling woods with woods hole rocks, and Ilandes fleete.
So huge wt weight mē work: frō towres, & tops their darts down strikes
Their wildfire Okam flies, & stormes out thrown of tooles with pikes.
The clouds with cries are mixt, both ships & seas with slaughters spred,
All Neptunes flittryng feelds with bloudshed stremes are darkned red.
The Queene in mids them al with timbrell noyse her bands vpcheeres,
Nor yet two deadly serpent snakes, to her at backe appeeres,
All monstrous kinded gods, Anubys dog that barking slaue,
Against all Romain guids (both Venus, Neptune, Pallas graue)
Their weapons vp they holde, outragious Mars among them stamps,
All cut in carued steele, and hags infernall fearcely ramps.
Dame Discord through thē runs, with garments torne the ioyful skips,
Whom grim Bellona mad pursues at hand with blooddy whips.
These things beholding thus, Apollo shooting plied his bowe,
Aloft from skies, all Ægypt than, all Inde downe couched lowe,
All nations wilde of South Arabia proude for all their cracks,
All Asia scattring fled, all Sabey kingdoms turnd their backs.
The Queene her self was seene with winds aduaunst vplifting sayles
To flee, and still with slacking shrowds she more and more preuayles.
Among those slaughters, her (for death at hand) wt countenance pale,
The firie god hath made be borne with waues, and westerne gale.
But there against with body great, was Nylus mourning put,
His bosom opening broad, and calling home their course to cut.
His garment gowne he spred, and wide his lap of waters blue,
And to his lurking floods his conquerd men alluring drew.
But Cæsar through the Romain wals three times triumphant borne
To great Italia gods he payed his vowes eternall sworne.
Three hundred Mynsters chiefe along the towne wide open stands,
All streets with mirth resoūds, with games, wt sports, wt clapping hāds
In euery temple wiues, at euery altar singing queeres,
At the altars, euery floore with offring slaughters strowd of steeres.
Himself at Phœbus porch (so white as snow) in throne downe set,
Surueys al countreys gifts, and garnisht posts with present frets,
In long arayes they gon, the conquerd nacions captiue sad,
As diuerse of their tongs as in their weedes and armours clad.
Three sundry sorts of Moores had Vulcan cast, some tuckt in shyrts,
Some trayling mantels loose, or sirpleys windie wide of skyrts:
Of Cara, Lelega, by south, and archers bred in caues
Of Gelon sands, Euphrates now did fleete with softer waues.
And Flemings furthest out from men, and Rhyne with hornes in twaine,
Unconquerd Danes, and flood Araxes (bridge that did disdaine.)
Such works in Venus gift he wondring saw by Vulcans sheeld,
And knowing not the things, their figures glad he long beheeld.
At last, his childrens chaunce, and fame he did on shoulders weeld.
Was ready there with gifts, and to her sonne approching nere,
Whan secret him she saw, far from the flood in crooked vale
She offring shewed her selfe, and thus she shortly brake her tale.
Lo here my husbands worke, my promise due, cast of thy doubt
O son, nor feare not now to coape with all proud Laurents rout,
And Turnus now to combat call, though he be ner so stout.
She said, and of her son th'embrasing sweete furthwith she fet.
Than vnderneath an oke in sight, those glistring armes she set,
With sight could not be fild, but eies on eche thing stil he rolde.
He wondreth, and betweene his armes, and handes he oft vpturnes
A helme most horrible, with crests, out spitting flames that burnes.
A murthring fatall blade, a brestplate stif of bras most fine,
All bloodread, sanguine, byg, like many times whan sun doth shine,
Some blue cloud catcheth beames, & burning bright with ruddy rayes
A loofe it selfe it shewes, and streaming light likewise displayes.
Then bootes of siluer light enameld gorgeous mixt with gold.
A speare also with sheeld, whose wondrous worke can not be told.
There all Italia state, and peereles Rome with triumphes all
(Not ignoraunt of age to come, and destnies that should fall)
The firie puissaunt god had made: there all Ascanius race
In order faire was wrought, and foughten fields in euery place.
He there also had put, where greene the caue of Mars begins
A she wolfe downe was layed, and next her dugs two goodly twins,
Two daggling sucking boies, her flanks betweene they hanging plaide,
Their mammies teats they lap with hungry lips nothing affraide.
She turning round her neck, now one, now one, them sweetely lickt
Reforming soft their limmes, & soft with tong them smoothly strickt.
Nor far from thence was Rome, and Sabines virgins rashly raught
At sight of stately playes, and thence by force for wedlocks caught,
The story all there stood, and sodenly new war did rise
To Romulus and Tatius old, and lords of Sabines wise.
Within a while those kings (their all contencions quenched quite)
Before Ioues altar came, and holding bolles in armour bright
They stood, and with a swine downe slaine did leag conclud & smite.
Not far from thence was Metius torne, in quarters pluckt by steeds,
But why thou Alban to thy words accorded not thy deeds?
And of that lying lord did Tullus drag those false entrailes
Euen through the wood, that thornes & briers with blood besprinckling, hailes.
Than king Porsenna strong commaunded Romains eft restore
Their Tarquin outlawd king, and long be seiging wrang them sore.
Aeneas people fearce for freedom fast on weapons ran,
Him angrie, threatning like, you mought see chaafe disdaining than,
That Cocles durst resist while bridge behind him broken was,
And Clœlia captiue wench with broken bands the streame did pas.
Upon the Tarpey rocke, and Capitoll most lordly braue,
He for the temple fought, and enemies clambring downe did pull
With stubble starke of steele, the Pallas court of Rome was full.
And flickring there in golde, the siluer Gander keakyng cried
At hand, and in the Porches next the Frenchmen entring spied.
The Frenchmen entring were, and taking Towres did fearce inuade,
By bushes climing close, and kept with helpe of darke night shade.
Of Gold their Tresses were, their golden garments trim them decks,
In garded frocks they shine with roddid welts about their necks,
In partles knit with Golde, two slinging speares eche one doth lift,
In Mountaine guise, and shields of length defend theyr bodies swift.
Than came the skipping sort, in daunce disguised shaking shanks,
The Salij praunsing Priests, with mitred crownes, and coppid tancks.
The Luperts naked went, and armour holy liften aloft,
That downe from heauen did fall, the matrones chast in Charets soft
Religious led their gods, and through the towne procession brought.
Along way far from thence, the dennes of Hel most deepe wer wrought,
And louring Limbo gates, with sundry sinfull wretches pangs.
Thou Catilin wert there, on threatning rocke thy carcas hangs,
Thy turments there thou bidest, and still doost feare those fendly iawes.
But good men by them selues, and Cato them did giue their lawes.
Among all this there went the salt sea broad with swelling broth
Of Gold, but greene the frisking floods did fome with hoary froth.
And cut in siluer cleere the Dolphins swimming compas daunst,
The streams wt tailes they swept, & through ye tides they sherīg glaūst.
In mids were brasen fleetes of ships, and Actia wars at large
Men might haue seene, how battels both conioyning bent their charge.
The seas with harnies shines that boyling floods with gold did spring.
There all Italia strength Augustus Emprour prince did bring,
With commons all, with lords, wt saints, wt gods most great of might,
Aduauncing cheif in ship, whose temples twaine with flames vpright
Outsparkling spoutes a fier, his fathers siar his crowne bespreds.
Another wing with prosperous windes, and Gods in army ledes
Agrippa lofty prince, whose pendant streamers proud stands out,
His crowne couragious shines with garlond wun from topshipsnout,
On th'other part with all Barbaria force of diuerse armes
Anthonius drags his traine of nacions thick, in throngs that swarmes,
He victour late in wars, from countries far where Sun doth rise,
All Ægipt and all Asia strength extreme with him he drew,
Whom proudly (fie for shame) his Gyptian wife doth next persue.
Togither all they rusht, and pluckt with ores conflicting clasht,
The waues wt wrastling fumes, & frōts to frōts their ships they crasht.
To chanell deepe they draw, a man would thinke ye mountaynes meete
In seas, or iustling woods with woods hole rocks, and Ilandes fleete.
So huge wt weight mē work: frō towres, & tops their darts down strikes
Their wildfire Okam flies, & stormes out thrown of tooles with pikes.
The clouds with cries are mixt, both ships & seas with slaughters spred,
All Neptunes flittryng feelds with bloudshed stremes are darkned red.
The Queene in mids them al with timbrell noyse her bands vpcheeres,
Nor yet two deadly serpent snakes, to her at backe appeeres,
All monstrous kinded gods, Anubys dog that barking slaue,
Against all Romain guids (both Venus, Neptune, Pallas graue)
Their weapons vp they holde, outragious Mars among them stamps,
All cut in carued steele, and hags infernall fearcely ramps.
Dame Discord through thē runs, with garments torne the ioyful skips,
Whom grim Bellona mad pursues at hand with blooddy whips.
These things beholding thus, Apollo shooting plied his bowe,
Aloft from skies, all Ægypt than, all Inde downe couched lowe,
All nations wilde of South Arabia proude for all their cracks,
All Asia scattring fled, all Sabey kingdoms turnd their backs.
The Queene her self was seene with winds aduaunst vplifting sayles
To flee, and still with slacking shrowds she more and more preuayles.
Among those slaughters, her (for death at hand) wt countenance pale,
The firie god hath made be borne with waues, and westerne gale.
But there against with body great, was Nylus mourning put,
His bosom opening broad, and calling home their course to cut.
His garment gowne he spred, and wide his lap of waters blue,
And to his lurking floods his conquerd men alluring drew.
But Cæsar through the Romain wals three times triumphant borne
To great Italia gods he payed his vowes eternall sworne.
Three hundred Mynsters chiefe along the towne wide open stands,
All streets with mirth resoūds, with games, wt sports, wt clapping hāds
In euery temple wiues, at euery altar singing queeres,
At the altars, euery floore with offring slaughters strowd of steeres.
Himself at Phœbus porch (so white as snow) in throne downe set,
In long arayes they gon, the conquerd nacions captiue sad,
As diuerse of their tongs as in their weedes and armours clad.
Three sundry sorts of Moores had Vulcan cast, some tuckt in shyrts,
Some trayling mantels loose, or sirpleys windie wide of skyrts:
Of Cara, Lelega, by south, and archers bred in caues
Of Gelon sands, Euphrates now did fleete with softer waues.
And Flemings furthest out from men, and Rhyne with hornes in twaine,
Unconquerd Danes, and flood Araxes (bridge that did disdaine.)
Such works in Venus gift he wondring saw by Vulcans sheeld,
And knowing not the things, their figures glad he long beheeld.
At last, his childrens chaunce, and fame he did on shoulders weeld.
DEO GRATIAS.
Per Thomam Phaer, in foresta Kilgerran
x. Septembris. finitum. 1558. Opus xl. dierum per interualla.
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