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 ELEVENTH BOOKE of the Æneidos of Uirgill.
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 | The .xiii. Bookes of Aeneidos |  |
THE ELEVENTH BOOKE of the Æneidos of Uirgill.
The Argument.
Conquerour Aeneas setteth vp a monumēt to Mars for Mezentius slayne. Pallas corps is with great pompe sent to Euanders towne. Embassadours are dispatched from Latinus, to intreat for truce of twelue dayes, during which time they yeld the dutie of sepulture to their dead, on both parts. And this while Venulus that was sent at the beginning of ye war, to require ayd of Diomedes: returneth with denyal. Then Latinus destitute of hope calleth a counsell, and consulteth to send Embassadours to Aeneas with conditions of peace. Drances & Turnus vpon aunciēt hatred inueigh one at the other. Therwhiles Aeneas deuiding his armie in twaine: sendeth his light horsemen before directly to the towne: And he himselfe, with the rest of his power, marcheth through woods, & ouer hilles towards the hiest part of ye towne, which being once knowne within Laurentum towne, they leaue the counsell, & prepare such things as are necessary for resistāce. Then Turnus vnderstāding Aeneas intent: by spies deuideth likewise his power in twaine, and giueth Messapus, and Camilla charge of the horsemen. Himselfe taketh the straites, wherthrough Aeneas must needes passe to the towne, and there lieth in ambush. The horsemen on both sides meete, and the victory is a greatwhile vncerten. There Camilla after many slaughters, whilst vnwarely she pursueth Cloreus Cybeles priest, mooued therto by the beauty of his armour: is by Aruns stroke through with a dart. Whose death neuerthelesse Aruns bare not vnreuēged. For not long after he was stroke through likewise with an arrow, by Opis, a Nimphe of Dianas traine. The Rutilians dismaid at Camillas death: commit themselues to flight, the Troyans prepare to besiedge ye towne. These heauy tidings being told by Acca, Camillas mate vnto Turnus: leauing ye ambush he hastneth to come succour his men. Aeneas followeth after, & bycause ye might drawing on, they culd not fight: both pitch their tents before ye town.
The
dawning day thiswhile, ye Ocean sea had cleerely left.
Aeneas though some Time on those whom warres of liues had rest,
His care constraines him to employ, their graues for to prepare.
And now his minde, and senses all on funerals fixed are,
To gods yet nathelesse, at rising of the morning gray
For conquest great obtaind, his vowes, and seruice due doth pay.
A mighty Oke, whose boughes were quite shread of from euery side
Upon an hill hee pight, and armour braue theron he tide,
The duke Mezentius spoyles, a trophey mighty Mars to thee,
And fits therto his creastes, which yet with goareblood dropping bee,
And trūcheōs burst of spears, his brestplat twelue times I roughly smit
And in so many thrust through, and bucklar bright of brasse doth fit
To his lefthand, his blade with Iuery trimd hung downe his nick.
Then there his mates (for all the troupe of lords about him thick
There stoode) reioycing he exhortes and thus to them gan say.
Aeneas though some Time on those whom warres of liues had rest,
His care constraines him to employ, their graues for to prepare.
And now his minde, and senses all on funerals fixed are,
For conquest great obtaind, his vowes, and seruice due doth pay.
A mighty Oke, whose boughes were quite shread of from euery side
Upon an hill hee pight, and armour braue theron he tide,
The duke Mezentius spoyles, a trophey mighty Mars to thee,
And fits therto his creastes, which yet with goareblood dropping bee,
And trūcheōs burst of spears, his brestplat twelue times I roughly smit
And in so many thrust through, and bucklar bright of brasse doth fit
To his lefthand, his blade with Iuery trimd hung downe his nick.
Then there his mates (for all the troupe of lords about him thick
There stoode) reioycing he exhortes and thus to them gan say.
A mighty deede we ended haue, all feare expell away,
Here now remaine the spoiles, and hansell of that hautie kinge,
Mezentius loe here lies, whom to his death these hands did bring.
Next goe vnto the king we must, and to Laurentum wall,
Cheere vp your hartes to fight, and hope the war will haply fall.
Let lingring none vnwares, so soone as ensignes wee assay
At Gods commaundment to remoue, and youth from tentes conuay,
Us hindre, or els feare from purposd fact vs hartlesse stay.
Therwhiles our mates, and bodies which vnburied lie, to graue
Let vs betake, this only due departed soules do craue.
And go (quoth he) these worthy wightes which with their blood this land
For you haue bought with last rewardes to honour out of hand,
And to Euanders wofull towne let Pallas first be sent,
Whom not deuoid of courage stoute, myshap his life hath rent,
A dire, and dismold day hath drencht ful deepe in deadly lake.
Here now remaine the spoiles, and hansell of that hautie kinge,
Mezentius loe here lies, whom to his death these hands did bring.
Next goe vnto the king we must, and to Laurentum wall,
Cheere vp your hartes to fight, and hope the war will haply fall.
Let lingring none vnwares, so soone as ensignes wee assay
At Gods commaundment to remoue, and youth from tentes conuay,
Us hindre, or els feare from purposd fact vs hartlesse stay.
Therwhiles our mates, and bodies which vnburied lie, to graue
Let vs betake, this only due departed soules do craue.
And go (quoth he) these worthy wightes which with their blood this land
For you haue bought with last rewardes to honour out of hand,
And to Euanders wofull towne let Pallas first be sent,
Whom not deuoid of courage stoute, myshap his life hath rent,
A dire, and dismold day hath drencht ful deepe in deadly lake.
These thinges he weeping spake, & to the place his way doth take
Where Pallas body dead Acetes auncient sier did tend,
That was Euanders page in youth, but not vnto the end
With like goodluck alotted was companion to his sun.
About him seruantes al the rout and troupes of Troians run,
And doleful dames of Troy, with heare of custome quite vntrust.
So soone as into loftie dores him selfe Aeneas thrust,
A mighty skritch they raise vnto the skies, and breastes they beat
With woful cryes, and plaintes resoundes againe the pallaice great.
But when he saw the head of Pallas faier held vp his face,
And wound in breast so smooth, broad gapinge wide a mighty space
Which Turnus laūce had made, the trickling teares ran down his eies.
And wretched lad (quoth hee) when lucky fortune gan to rise,
Enuide she thee to mee, that thou our kingdome shouldst not see,
Nor yet vnto thy fathers coastes as victour borne to bee?
Not I this promise to Euander king thy sier did make,
When him I parting fro, in folded armes he mee did take,
And to a mighty reigne me sent, and warnd me what might fall,
The men were fierce, the nation hard that I should deale withall.
And now deceaued much with frustrate hope, and vaine desier,
Perhaps he praiers makes, and altars heapes with blood, and fier.
Unto this youth now dead, and to no goddes beholding, wee
With heauy harts do honours giue that nought auailing bee.
Unhappy man, thy deare sunnes wofull buriall shalt behold,
These are our glad returnes, and triumphes after wars so bold,
This is the trust in mee repoasd, yet sure thou shalt not see
With shameful dastard woundes thy sun (Euander) sleyne to bee.
Ne wish him dead whilst he did liue, O greefe, and sorow most,
Now great astay Ausonia, and Iulus hast thou lost?
Where Pallas body dead Acetes auncient sier did tend,
That was Euanders page in youth, but not vnto the end
With like goodluck alotted was companion to his sun.
About him seruantes al the rout and troupes of Troians run,
And doleful dames of Troy, with heare of custome quite vntrust.
So soone as into loftie dores him selfe Aeneas thrust,
A mighty skritch they raise vnto the skies, and breastes they beat
With woful cryes, and plaintes resoundes againe the pallaice great.
But when he saw the head of Pallas faier held vp his face,
And wound in breast so smooth, broad gapinge wide a mighty space
Which Turnus laūce had made, the trickling teares ran down his eies.
Enuide she thee to mee, that thou our kingdome shouldst not see,
Nor yet vnto thy fathers coastes as victour borne to bee?
Not I this promise to Euander king thy sier did make,
When him I parting fro, in folded armes he mee did take,
And to a mighty reigne me sent, and warnd me what might fall,
The men were fierce, the nation hard that I should deale withall.
And now deceaued much with frustrate hope, and vaine desier,
Perhaps he praiers makes, and altars heapes with blood, and fier.
Unto this youth now dead, and to no goddes beholding, wee
With heauy harts do honours giue that nought auailing bee.
Unhappy man, thy deare sunnes wofull buriall shalt behold,
These are our glad returnes, and triumphes after wars so bold,
This is the trust in mee repoasd, yet sure thou shalt not see
With shameful dastard woundes thy sun (Euander) sleyne to bee.
Ne wish him dead whilst he did liue, O greefe, and sorow most,
Now great astay Ausonia, and Iulus hast thou lost?
When he for all these things had wept his fill, the corps anon
He bids them vp to take, and from his army many a one
A thousand men in tale doth choose the funerall pompe to guide,
To present be at fathers teares, some comfort to prouide
Though small in his so great a griefe, which woful fathers take.
Some hurdles thicke with force do frame, the coffin some do make
Of tendre twisted twigs of trees, and slendre slips of Oke,
And on those builded beds, with boughes thick shadowes do prouoke.
Hereon the lad aloft on wad of countrey straw they lay,
Much like a flower which virgins thombe from stalke hath nipt away,
Where it were tendre violet, or dafdill withring white,
Whose glittring hue not yet is gone, nor passing beutie bright,
Though mother Tellus yeeld no sap, and strength be vaded quite.
Two mantels then with purple fine, and gold that stiffe did stand
Aeneas forth did bring, which once Queene Dido her one hand
In happy state for him had made, with web of gold ful small.
The one of these vpon the youth for honour last of all
He putteth on, and lockes that must be burnt therwith doth hide.
And many a worthy spoyle reserud since Laurent war beside
He heapes theron, and bids the spoyles be borne in long aray,
And horse, and weapons ads, which from his foes he tooke away.
And certen captiues bound for sacrifice therwith he sent
Unto th'infernall gods, whose blood the fiers should all besprent.
And truncheons great of spears, with armour tane from foes theron,
He bids the captaines beare, with foes names fastned therupon.
There goes Acetes sad (good man) with store of yeares opprest,
His face eft mangling with his nayles, eft bounsing of his brest.
With faintnes down he falles, and corps along on earth doth rest.
And charrets also forth they lead, embrued with Rutil blood.
Then Aethon next, his courser fayer, bereeud of trapping stood,
And after weeping comes, and weates his face with mighty teares.
Some beares his speare, his helmet some; the resdue Turnus weares
Since him he slew, the mournfull bands of Troyans do ensue,
And Tyrrhen capteynes, Archads eke, with weapons turnd ascue.
But when this goodly traine afar, was marched on the way,
There still Aeneas stood, and moorning wise these words gan say.
The semblant woful chaunce of war doth vs from hence withcall,
Of many another valient youth to wayle the wofull fall.
For euermore alhayle, for euer, Pallas, now adieu,
He said no more, but to the walles his steps he strait withdrue.
He bids them vp to take, and from his army many a one
A thousand men in tale doth choose the funerall pompe to guide,
To present be at fathers teares, some comfort to prouide
Though small in his so great a griefe, which woful fathers take.
Some hurdles thicke with force do frame, the coffin some do make
Of tendre twisted twigs of trees, and slendre slips of Oke,
And on those builded beds, with boughes thick shadowes do prouoke.
Hereon the lad aloft on wad of countrey straw they lay,
Much like a flower which virgins thombe from stalke hath nipt away,
Where it were tendre violet, or dafdill withring white,
Whose glittring hue not yet is gone, nor passing beutie bright,
Though mother Tellus yeeld no sap, and strength be vaded quite.
Two mantels then with purple fine, and gold that stiffe did stand
Aeneas forth did bring, which once Queene Dido her one hand
In happy state for him had made, with web of gold ful small.
The one of these vpon the youth for honour last of all
He putteth on, and lockes that must be burnt therwith doth hide.
And many a worthy spoyle reserud since Laurent war beside
He heapes theron, and bids the spoyles be borne in long aray,
And horse, and weapons ads, which from his foes he tooke away.
Unto th'infernall gods, whose blood the fiers should all besprent.
And truncheons great of spears, with armour tane from foes theron,
He bids the captaines beare, with foes names fastned therupon.
There goes Acetes sad (good man) with store of yeares opprest,
His face eft mangling with his nayles, eft bounsing of his brest.
With faintnes down he falles, and corps along on earth doth rest.
And charrets also forth they lead, embrued with Rutil blood.
Then Aethon next, his courser fayer, bereeud of trapping stood,
And after weeping comes, and weates his face with mighty teares.
Some beares his speare, his helmet some; the resdue Turnus weares
Since him he slew, the mournfull bands of Troyans do ensue,
And Tyrrhen capteynes, Archads eke, with weapons turnd ascue.
But when this goodly traine afar, was marched on the way,
There still Aeneas stood, and moorning wise these words gan say.
The semblant woful chaunce of war doth vs from hence withcall,
Of many another valient youth to wayle the wofull fall.
For euermore alhayle, for euer, Pallas, now adieu,
He said no more, but to the walles his steps he strait withdrue.
And now Embassadours were come from Latine towne so great,
With braunch of Oliue bough in hand, for licence to entreat,
Such bodies as lay dead in fieldes with mortall wounds opprest
For to require, that they in graues might take their finall rest.
Gainst conquerd wightes, & wanting breath, no fight remaines at all,
His hostes that he would daine to spare, whom fathers he once did call.
To whom then good Aeneas, since but iust, and rightfull thay
Did aske, doth licence graunt, and more vnto them thus doth say.
What fortune foule, O Latines, hath you to such warres betake,
In such rash wise and foolish sort our freendship to forsake?
And do you leaue, and licence now for men departed craue,
Whom I do wish, that liuing they the same should rather haue?
Ne had I come, but destnies here a place for vs did chuse,
Nor I against your nation fight. Your king did me refuse
To enterteyne, and rather claue vnto king Turnus might.
For whom more equall it had byn to trie this deathes despite,
If so with hand this war to end, and Troyans hence to shooue
He do prepare, in armes with mee his fatall chance to prooue,
Then he should liue whom gods, his life, or his righthand would spare.
But now depart, and foe your peoples buriall rightes prepare.
These words Aeneas spake. They stood astoind, and nothing said,
And ech on other glauncing oft their eyes, their mouthes they staid.
The auncient then that Drances hight, for crime, and iust desart
With Turnus that offended was, his wordes thus gan impart.
O peerlesse prince of great renowne, in armes of greater fame,
How shall I shew thy praise, or to the gods compare the same?
Thy land for Iustice shall we first, or martiall feates admire?
These things vnto our citie we will shew with great desire,
And thee vnto Latinus king, if fortune graunt, will ioyne,
Let Turnus in some other place for leagues anew purloyne.
And farthermore, the hugie moale of fatall walles to reare
We shalbe glad, and to that worke on shoulders stones to beare.
He ended had, with one consent the same they all alow,
And for twelue daies they Truce do take, and peace a space do vow.
The Troyans, and the Latines mixt in woods do wandre free,
And round on tops of hilles they rome, and holtes full huge that bee.
And here with stroke of mighty axe the brittle ashe doth sound,
There lofty Pynes that touch the stars, are throwne vnto the ground.
The mighty Okes, and Ceders smelling soote the wedges teare,
And sturdy Cartes do crack, full heauie lade them home that beare.
With braunch of Oliue bough in hand, for licence to entreat,
Such bodies as lay dead in fieldes with mortall wounds opprest
For to require, that they in graues might take their finall rest.
Gainst conquerd wightes, & wanting breath, no fight remaines at all,
His hostes that he would daine to spare, whom fathers he once did call.
To whom then good Aeneas, since but iust, and rightfull thay
Did aske, doth licence graunt, and more vnto them thus doth say.
What fortune foule, O Latines, hath you to such warres betake,
In such rash wise and foolish sort our freendship to forsake?
And do you leaue, and licence now for men departed craue,
Whom I do wish, that liuing they the same should rather haue?
Ne had I come, but destnies here a place for vs did chuse,
Nor I against your nation fight. Your king did me refuse
To enterteyne, and rather claue vnto king Turnus might.
For whom more equall it had byn to trie this deathes despite,
If so with hand this war to end, and Troyans hence to shooue
He do prepare, in armes with mee his fatall chance to prooue,
Then he should liue whom gods, his life, or his righthand would spare.
These words Aeneas spake. They stood astoind, and nothing said,
And ech on other glauncing oft their eyes, their mouthes they staid.
The auncient then that Drances hight, for crime, and iust desart
With Turnus that offended was, his wordes thus gan impart.
O peerlesse prince of great renowne, in armes of greater fame,
How shall I shew thy praise, or to the gods compare the same?
Thy land for Iustice shall we first, or martiall feates admire?
These things vnto our citie we will shew with great desire,
And thee vnto Latinus king, if fortune graunt, will ioyne,
Let Turnus in some other place for leagues anew purloyne.
And farthermore, the hugie moale of fatall walles to reare
We shalbe glad, and to that worke on shoulders stones to beare.
He ended had, with one consent the same they all alow,
And for twelue daies they Truce do take, and peace a space do vow.
The Troyans, and the Latines mixt in woods do wandre free,
And round on tops of hilles they rome, and holtes full huge that bee.
And here with stroke of mighty axe the brittle ashe doth sound,
There lofty Pynes that touch the stars, are throwne vnto the ground.
The mighty Okes, and Ceders smelling soote the wedges teare,
And sturdy Cartes do crack, full heauie lade them home that beare.
And now the flying fame of griefe so great, and tydings ill
Euander wofull man, his house, and all his towne doth fill,
That Pallas late in Latium land a victour did report.
Th'Archadians run vnto the gates, as is their wonted sort,
And funerall brondes do beare, the wayes along echwhere do sheene
With rankes of flambing fiers, and seuerals make the fields betweene.
The Troyan rout approching fast do ioyne their wofull lay.
Whom when the auntient Dames perceaud to court to take their way,
With wofull cries, and piteous shoutes the towne they do repleat.
No force Euander then than stay, nor reason him entreat,
But forth into the thickst he thronges, and downe him self doth lay
Upon the beare where Pallas was, and there doth weeping stay,
And scarce vnto his speach with much adoe could ope the way.
Euander wofull man, his house, and all his towne doth fill,
That Pallas late in Latium land a victour did report.
Th'Archadians run vnto the gates, as is their wonted sort,
And funerall brondes do beare, the wayes along echwhere do sheene
With rankes of flambing fiers, and seuerals make the fields betweene.
The Troyan rout approching fast do ioyne their wofull lay.
Whom when the auntient Dames perceaud to court to take their way,
With wofull cries, and piteous shoutes the towne they do repleat.
No force Euander then than stay, nor reason him entreat,
But forth into the thickst he thronges, and downe him self doth lay
Upon the beare where Pallas was, and there doth weeping stay,
And scarce vnto his speach with much adoe could ope the way.
Didst not, O Pallas, thou to mee thy sier this promise make,
That charely thou wouldst thy selfe to cruel war betake?
I knew rightwell the nouell pride, and glory first in fight,
And pleasaunt honour woon in armes how much preuaile it might.
O hard beginnings to a lad, and wofull martiall trayne,
My sacrifice, and praiers fond to gods powed forth in vayne.
And O most holy wife and Queene, by death thrise happy thee,
That hast not lieud vnto this day, this wretched sight to see.
But I by seeing this, my fatall terme haue passed quite,
That father yet remaine aliue, and see this wofull sight.
More meete had bin the Troyan armes I followed had in feeld,
And ouerwhelmd with Rutil dartes, my life to death had yeeld,
And only mee this noble pompe, not Pallas home should bring.
Ne can I you, O Troyans, blame, your league, no yet the thing
Which we wt righthands giuen on both parts swore, when in my groūd
Most faithfull harbour, and in court you in certainment found.
This chaunce vnto mine, elder yeres, I see, alotted was,
But since my sun by death vntimely from this life must pas,
I comfort take, the Troyans since to Latium in he braught,
So many thousand Volscans sleyne, his fatall end he caught.
Nor other funerall rytes shalt thou, fun Pallas, get of mee,
Then good Aeneas, Phrygians eke, and Tyrrhenes giue to thee,
Great monuments they bring of such as died by thy righthand.
And thou likewise, a mighty corps now dead in armes shoulst stand,
O Turnus, match if that his age, and equall strength to thine
His yeres had made, so much therat I should not then repine.
But why do I you Troyans now so long from battle stay?
Depart, and to Aeneas king from mee this messadge say.
That I this lothsome life endure, since Pallas now is dead
Thy righthand is the cause, which to the fathers hoary head,
And to the sun doth Turnus owe, herein thou maist deserue
Alonly well of mee, and proue thy chaunce. Not to preserue
The ioyes of life I seeke, ne doth mine age the same requier,
But to the ghostes below to beare those newes is my desier.
That charely thou wouldst thy selfe to cruel war betake?
I knew rightwell the nouell pride, and glory first in fight,
And pleasaunt honour woon in armes how much preuaile it might.
My sacrifice, and praiers fond to gods powed forth in vayne.
And O most holy wife and Queene, by death thrise happy thee,
That hast not lieud vnto this day, this wretched sight to see.
But I by seeing this, my fatall terme haue passed quite,
That father yet remaine aliue, and see this wofull sight.
More meete had bin the Troyan armes I followed had in feeld,
And ouerwhelmd with Rutil dartes, my life to death had yeeld,
And only mee this noble pompe, not Pallas home should bring.
Ne can I you, O Troyans, blame, your league, no yet the thing
Which we wt righthands giuen on both parts swore, when in my groūd
Most faithfull harbour, and in court you in certainment found.
This chaunce vnto mine, elder yeres, I see, alotted was,
But since my sun by death vntimely from this life must pas,
I comfort take, the Troyans since to Latium in he braught,
So many thousand Volscans sleyne, his fatall end he caught.
Nor other funerall rytes shalt thou, fun Pallas, get of mee,
Then good Aeneas, Phrygians eke, and Tyrrhenes giue to thee,
Great monuments they bring of such as died by thy righthand.
And thou likewise, a mighty corps now dead in armes shoulst stand,
O Turnus, match if that his age, and equall strength to thine
His yeres had made, so much therat I should not then repine.
But why do I you Troyans now so long from battle stay?
Depart, and to Aeneas king from mee this messadge say.
That I this lothsome life endure, since Pallas now is dead
Thy righthand is the cause, which to the fathers hoary head,
And to the sun doth Turnus owe, herein thou maist deserue
Alonly well of mee, and proue thy chaunce. Not to preserue
The ioyes of life I seeke, ne doth mine age the same requier,
But to the ghostes below to beare those newes is my desier.
Them [illeg.]ing cleere therwhiles to men restored had againe
The cheerfull day, that nought to them but trauailes brings, and paine.
Aeneas then, and Tarchon ioynt, the crooked shore along
Great bonefiers build, the bodies dead of all their freends the throng
As cuntries custome bids do bring, and fier therunder make,
The loftie heauen anon with thicke and smutchy smoke lookes blake.
And thrise about the burning fiers they ran in armour bright,
And thryse on horsebacke rode about the fiers with hollowing rite,
And wofull wailings forth did send, and teares let fall amaine
Upon their weapons, and vpon their harneis like the raine.
The cry of men to heauen ascendes, and ratling Trompets sound.
And some the spoyles of such as there lay sleyne of Latine ground,
Their helmets fayer into the fier, and guilden swordes they threw,
And bridles braue, and charret wheeles yet warme, wherof they knew,
By others some cast in, their shields and weapons void of lucke,
And many an oxe thernigh, they done to death, and thither plucke,
And many a brestled Beare, and cattayle store the fields throughout
They sley and fling them in the flames, then all the shore about
Their fellowes burning they behold, and bones halfbrent do keepe,
And scarce from thence can be withdrawen, till moystie night that sleepe
Prouokes, the heauen inturnd, and whole with stars replenisht had.
The cheerfull day, that nought to them but trauailes brings, and paine.
Aeneas then, and Tarchon ioynt, the crooked shore along
Great bonefiers build, the bodies dead of all their freends the throng
As cuntries custome bids do bring, and fier therunder make,
The loftie heauen anon with thicke and smutchy smoke lookes blake.
And thrise about the burning fiers they ran in armour bright,
And thryse on horsebacke rode about the fiers with hollowing rite,
Upon their weapons, and vpon their harneis like the raine.
The cry of men to heauen ascendes, and ratling Trompets sound.
And some the spoyles of such as there lay sleyne of Latine ground,
Their helmets fayer into the fier, and guilden swordes they threw,
And bridles braue, and charret wheeles yet warme, wherof they knew,
By others some cast in, their shields and weapons void of lucke,
And many an oxe thernigh, they done to death, and thither plucke,
And many a brestled Beare, and cattayle store the fields throughout
They sley and fling them in the flames, then all the shore about
Their fellowes burning they behold, and bones halfbrent do keepe,
And scarce from thence can be withdrawen, till moystie night that sleepe
Prouokes, the heauen inturnd, and whole with stars replenisht had.
Now on the otherside in semblant sort, the Latines sad
Innumerable bonefiers built, and many a body thay
In graues deepe digd bestow, and many a corps they send away
To neighbours nigh at hand, and to Lauinium towne againe.
The resdue, and the hugie heape of such as there lay slaine
Both numbrelesse, and honourlesse they burne, the fields full wide
With plenty flaming fiers bright shining shew on euery side.
The thirde day had from heauen nights chyllie shade expeld away,
When heauely the Ashes heapes which there confused lay
In vrnal pots they put, and smoultring mould theron do sling.
And now within the walled towne of ritch Latinus king,
The greatest noyse was heard, and far the wurst, and wofulst cheere,
Of mothers, daughterslaw, mixt with the plaints of sisters deere,
And babes bereft of fathers sweet, this cruell war detest,
And Turnus promist spousals, and that he aboue the rest
In single fight was sought, that he his force must trie in fight,
That for Italia scepter seekes, and honours due of right.
These things good auncient Drances fiercely telles, and record beeres
That Turnus tis alone whom Troian prince in fight requeeres,
With diuerse things besides, which many against him did dispute,
Howbeit the countnance of the Queene doth them at full refute.
Though fame of many booties tane do much his name aduaunce.
Innumerable bonefiers built, and many a body thay
In graues deepe digd bestow, and many a corps they send away
To neighbours nigh at hand, and to Lauinium towne againe.
The resdue, and the hugie heape of such as there lay slaine
Both numbrelesse, and honourlesse they burne, the fields full wide
With plenty flaming fiers bright shining shew on euery side.
The thirde day had from heauen nights chyllie shade expeld away,
When heauely the Ashes heapes which there confused lay
In vrnal pots they put, and smoultring mould theron do sling.
And now within the walled towne of ritch Latinus king,
The greatest noyse was heard, and far the wurst, and wofulst cheere,
Of mothers, daughterslaw, mixt with the plaints of sisters deere,
And babes bereft of fathers sweet, this cruell war detest,
And Turnus promist spousals, and that he aboue the rest
In single fight was sought, that he his force must trie in fight,
That for Italia scepter seekes, and honours due of right.
These things good auncient Drances fiercely telles, and record beeres
That Turnus tis alone whom Troian prince in fight requeeres,
With diuerse things besides, which many against him did dispute,
Howbeit the countnance of the Queene doth them at full refute.
Though fame of many booties tane do much his name aduaunce.
Then in these sturres, amid this tumult hot, by wondrous chaunce,
Behold, from forth the mighty towne of Diomedes king,
Embassadours with answere do returne, that they nothing
With so great trauail spent, with giftes, & gold to end haue brought,
Nor ernest prayers tane effect, new meanes there must be wrought,
Or of the Troian prince some league of peace there must be sought.
With sorow great in soundings then downe falles Latinus king,
And that Aeneas destnies there, and power of gods did bring
The wrath of gods there shewes, and graues fresh digd before his face.
Wherfore assembly great of nobles all to come in place
By wrytes he warnes, and to his princely house doth them transport.
They all do meete, and to the place ech way they thicke resort.
Latinus then in midst amongst them all, of auncienst yeares,
With carefull countnance sits, and chiefe in hand his scepter beares.
The legates there that from Ætola towne with answere came
He bids declare their charge, and orderly requires the same.
When whust was once proclaimd, & men were bid not silence breake,
Sir Venulus with duetie due, thus then began to speake.
Behold, from forth the mighty towne of Diomedes king,
Embassadours with answere do returne, that they nothing
Nor ernest prayers tane effect, new meanes there must be wrought,
Or of the Troian prince some league of peace there must be sought.
With sorow great in soundings then downe falles Latinus king,
And that Aeneas destnies there, and power of gods did bring
The wrath of gods there shewes, and graues fresh digd before his face.
Wherfore assembly great of nobles all to come in place
By wrytes he warnes, and to his princely house doth them transport.
They all do meete, and to the place ech way they thicke resort.
Latinus then in midst amongst them all, of auncienst yeares,
With carefull countnance sits, and chiefe in hand his scepter beares.
The legates there that from Ætola towne with answere came
He bids declare their charge, and orderly requires the same.
When whust was once proclaimd, & men were bid not silence breake,
Sir Venulus with duetie due, thus then began to speake.
Wee Diomede, O citizens, and Argiue tentes haue seene,
And dangers all we passed haue which in that Iorney beene.
And we that hand haue toucht wherby proud Troy to ground did fall.
His towne he Argyripe by name of natiue soyle doth call,
Which conquerour he built in Garganus Iapix land.
When in we came, and leaue we had to speake where we did stand
Our presents vp we yeeld, our names, and countrey we declare,
Who war on vs haue made, and why to Arpos come we are.
When he our message heard, with calmed speach these wordes gan say.
O happy people where Saturnus king somtime bare sway,
And auncient Auhonians, while liues in rest ye lead,
What fortune causd you then the pathes to straungy warres to tread?
So many of vs all, as Troyan fields with war did soyle,
(Such things I passe, as vnderneath the walles with woful toyle
Were done, and what kind men do vnder Simois water lye)
The same with wofull punishment throughout the world we bye,
And all of vs great penaunce for that foule offence sustaine,
Whom Priame, if he liued, now of pitie sure would daine.
This doth Mineruas cruell tempest tell, Euboia rockes,
And Capharees reuenging hill, and many deadly knockes
Against the shore, to diuerse coastes when we dispersed were.
And Menelae Atreus sun far hence is banisht, where
Done Protoes pyllers stand, right wel the Cyclops all were knowne
Unto Vlisses and his mates vnhappy thither blowne.
Neptolems realme what shall I name, and cities ouerthrowne?
Or else the Ozoly that dwell on shore of Lybie land?
Yea Agamemnon king, the leader chiefe of Graetian band,
At first his cumming home was by his spouse dispightfull slaine,
So when he Troy had raisd, Aegisthus in his seat did raigne.
And shall I shew the spite of gods my selfe I did endure?
When home I came in hope to finde my lady chast, and sure
My citie fayer that Calidona hight, now monstrous sightes
Still conuersant before mine eyes my senses much affrightes.
For why? my mates which I haue lost, the ayer wt wings haue raught,
And turnd to soules the floods do haunt, (O plagues that I am taught
To know of mine) and hollow cliffes with weeping voices fill.
And since that time all other things I doubt and feare as ill,
When like a bedlem beast, celestiall wightes with steele I smit,
And into Venus hand a greeuous wound did hastly hit.
Do not I pray you, freends, mee to such battaile euer call,
For neuer I since first great Troy downe fell by fatall fall,
With Troians would haue ought to doo, ne doth it mee delight
When of these mischeeues I do thinke, though they be finisht quite.
And dangers all we passed haue which in that Iorney beene.
And we that hand haue toucht wherby proud Troy to ground did fall.
His towne he Argyripe by name of natiue soyle doth call,
Which conquerour he built in Garganus Iapix land.
When in we came, and leaue we had to speake where we did stand
Our presents vp we yeeld, our names, and countrey we declare,
Who war on vs haue made, and why to Arpos come we are.
When he our message heard, with calmed speach these wordes gan say.
O happy people where Saturnus king somtime bare sway,
And auncient Auhonians, while liues in rest ye lead,
What fortune causd you then the pathes to straungy warres to tread?
So many of vs all, as Troyan fields with war did soyle,
(Such things I passe, as vnderneath the walles with woful toyle
Were done, and what kind men do vnder Simois water lye)
The same with wofull punishment throughout the world we bye,
And all of vs great penaunce for that foule offence sustaine,
Whom Priame, if he liued, now of pitie sure would daine.
This doth Mineruas cruell tempest tell, Euboia rockes,
And Capharees reuenging hill, and many deadly knockes
Against the shore, to diuerse coastes when we dispersed were.
And Menelae Atreus sun far hence is banisht, where
Done Protoes pyllers stand, right wel the Cyclops all were knowne
Neptolems realme what shall I name, and cities ouerthrowne?
Or else the Ozoly that dwell on shore of Lybie land?
Yea Agamemnon king, the leader chiefe of Graetian band,
At first his cumming home was by his spouse dispightfull slaine,
So when he Troy had raisd, Aegisthus in his seat did raigne.
And shall I shew the spite of gods my selfe I did endure?
When home I came in hope to finde my lady chast, and sure
My citie fayer that Calidona hight, now monstrous sightes
Still conuersant before mine eyes my senses much affrightes.
For why? my mates which I haue lost, the ayer wt wings haue raught,
And turnd to soules the floods do haunt, (O plagues that I am taught
To know of mine) and hollow cliffes with weeping voices fill.
And since that time all other things I doubt and feare as ill,
When like a bedlem beast, celestiall wightes with steele I smit,
And into Venus hand a greeuous wound did hastly hit.
Do not I pray you, freends, mee to such battaile euer call,
For neuer I since first great Troy downe fell by fatall fall,
With Troians would haue ought to doo, ne doth it mee delight
When of these mischeeues I do thinke, though they be finisht quite.
As for the presents which to me you bring from out your land,
Unto Aeneas beare them backe, with whom we hand to hand
Or this haue fought, and him against in open armes haue stand.
Beleeue me that haue tried, in shield with what force he doth rise?
And with what deadly dint his mighty speare in fight he wries?
If that besides this man two other such Troy towne had bred,
Them selues forth to Inachus towne the Troians sure had sped,
And Grætia with contrary fates should waile her heauy plight.
For what soeuer lingring time was made in Troian fight
Through Hector, and Aeneas hand the conquest still was stayd,
Wherby that war to terme of ten yeares complete was delayd.
Of valient courage both, and both in armes of worthy might,
In godlines yet this exceld, do peace with righthands smight
Whilst good occasion offred is, by all meanes do eschue
In war with him to wage, least haples hap do make you rue.
And thus sir king, the answere of that mighty prince you haue,
And of this great, and wofull war the iudgement that he gaue.
Scarse had the legates done, when mumbling mūming much doth rise.
Amongst the Latines all, as when great stones in semblaunt wise
Some riuer swift do stay, the streame within doth ratling sound,
And all the bankes about with crackling noyse againe redound.
So soone as were their mindes appeasd, and mouthes at rest did stay
The king to gods first praying from hie throne these words gan say.
Unto Aeneas beare them backe, with whom we hand to hand
Or this haue fought, and him against in open armes haue stand.
Beleeue me that haue tried, in shield with what force he doth rise?
And with what deadly dint his mighty speare in fight he wries?
If that besides this man two other such Troy towne had bred,
Them selues forth to Inachus towne the Troians sure had sped,
And Grætia with contrary fates should waile her heauy plight.
For what soeuer lingring time was made in Troian fight
Through Hector, and Aeneas hand the conquest still was stayd,
Wherby that war to terme of ten yeares complete was delayd.
Of valient courage both, and both in armes of worthy might,
In godlines yet this exceld, do peace with righthands smight
Whilst good occasion offred is, by all meanes do eschue
In war with him to wage, least haples hap do make you rue.
And thus sir king, the answere of that mighty prince you haue,
And of this great, and wofull war the iudgement that he gaue.
Scarse had the legates done, when mumbling mūming much doth rise.
Amongst the Latines all, as when great stones in semblaunt wise
And all the bankes about with crackling noyse againe redound.
So soone as were their mindes appeasd, and mouthes at rest did stay
The king to gods first praying from hie throne these words gan say.
Before this time, O Latines, to determine of this case
More meete had bin, and I my selfe therof desierous was.
And not as thus at present time, a counsell now to call,
When foes be fast at hand, and enmies round besiedge the wall.
A bootlesse war, good Citizens, with stock of gods we beare,
And with a man whose valient force no wars could euer weare
Nor weary once in fight, nor cause him leaue though he were wun.
If in Ætolian armes some hope to put you once begun
Whom now for ayd you call, henceforth looke that reposed bee
The hope of ech one in himselfe though small, as all do see.
For other things, how they on ground do lie with woful fall
Before your face you see, and in your hands are daily all.
Nor do I eny man accuse, echone hath done his best,
The bodie whole of all the realme within this war was prest.
And now at last what sentence in my doubtfull minde doth lie
I meane to shew, in few words (giue eare) I will descrie.
There lies an auncient field to Tyber riuer neare about,
Forth butting on the west, and vnto Sicilia stretching out,
Arunci, and the Rutils till the same, and hillockes smart
With ploughes they turne, and mountains sharp to pastures do cōuart.
This cuntrey whole, and hilly coast with Pines that doth abound
For Troyans freendship let vs giue, and equall leagues compound,
And make them fellowes in our land, and place vnto them yeeld,
Since that so great desier they haue, and cities let them bueeld.
But if to other coastes to cut, straunge nations to assay
They do entend, and from our land they may depart away,
Twise ten tall ships of Itail Oke to build them by and by
Or moe we may for neede, the stuffe by Tybers side doth lye:
Let them the numbre poynt, and for their ships the fashion show,
And we the keeles, and workmanship, and tacklinges will bestow.
Moreouer these our words to tell, and leagues of truce to frame,
An hundred legates forth to send to them in Latines name
I thinke it best, and Oliue boughes of peace in handes to hold,
With gifts of price of Iuery fine and talentes great of gold,
And kingly cloth of state, and mantel, badge of all our land,
To publique welth downe torne almost, set now your helping hand.
More meete had bin, and I my selfe therof desierous was.
And not as thus at present time, a counsell now to call,
When foes be fast at hand, and enmies round besiedge the wall.
A bootlesse war, good Citizens, with stock of gods we beare,
And with a man whose valient force no wars could euer weare
Nor weary once in fight, nor cause him leaue though he were wun.
If in Ætolian armes some hope to put you once begun
Whom now for ayd you call, henceforth looke that reposed bee
The hope of ech one in himselfe though small, as all do see.
For other things, how they on ground do lie with woful fall
Before your face you see, and in your hands are daily all.
Nor do I eny man accuse, echone hath done his best,
The bodie whole of all the realme within this war was prest.
And now at last what sentence in my doubtfull minde doth lie
I meane to shew, in few words (giue eare) I will descrie.
There lies an auncient field to Tyber riuer neare about,
Forth butting on the west, and vnto Sicilia stretching out,
Arunci, and the Rutils till the same, and hillockes smart
With ploughes they turne, and mountains sharp to pastures do cōuart.
This cuntrey whole, and hilly coast with Pines that doth abound
For Troyans freendship let vs giue, and equall leagues compound,
And make them fellowes in our land, and place vnto them yeeld,
Since that so great desier they haue, and cities let them bueeld.
But if to other coastes to cut, straunge nations to assay
They do entend, and from our land they may depart away,
Twise ten tall ships of Itail Oke to build them by and by
Or moe we may for neede, the stuffe by Tybers side doth lye:
Let them the numbre poynt, and for their ships the fashion show,
And we the keeles, and workmanship, and tacklinges will bestow.
Moreouer these our words to tell, and leagues of truce to frame,
An hundred legates forth to send to them in Latines name
I thinke it best, and Oliue boughes of peace in handes to hold,
With gifts of price of Iuery fine and talentes great of gold,
To publique welth downe torne almost, set now your helping hand.
Then Drances wroth (whom secret hate of Turnus fame did prick,
And fame of great exploites atchieud against him causd to kick,
In goods right ritch, but more of toongue, in war of dastard minde,
But yet in sad, and counsell graue, not far the best behinde,
Full fit sedicious seede to rayse, whom mothers noble blood
With pride had prickt, but of his sire vncerten still that stood)
Upstanding, him in wordes doth blame, and aggrauates with ire.
A thing well knowne, and no mans helpe to shew that doth require
Most mighty king you do perswade, and all do know full well
What thing the people most desier, but that they feare to tell.
But let him giue me leaue to speake, and lay apart his pride,
By whose vnhap, and dealings far from honest maners wide,
(For speake I will, though swords to mee, and cruell death he threat)
So many valient lords are slayne, and all this citie great
With mourning sits amoapte, whilst Troian tentes he doth assay,
Then takes him to his heeles, and welkin winnes with armes to fray.
Among these many giftes to Troyans which you send, one thing
Do cause moreouer likewise to be borne, O mighty king.
Let no mad rage of eny man so much your mind peruart,
But that vnto so worthy sun in law, you would impart
Your daughter bright in mariage, perpetuall peace to make.
But if such feare of Turnus in your trembling breast do ake,
Let vs entreat him ernestly and to him let vs sue,
That to our king, and cuntrey he would yeeld that is their due.
Why doost thou thus our citizens in doubtfull daunger bring
So often, thou of Latium plagues that art the only spring?
By war no sauftie sure we get, for peace we all do craue
At thy hands Turnus, and the maid Lauinia younge to haue.
And first my selfe, whom scarce (I know) thou thinkst thy freend to bee,
Nor care to bee, for pitie loe entreating come to thee.
Take pitie on thy cuntreymen, lay downe thy Peacockes traine,
Depart, since thou art vanquished, to many bodies slaine
We do already see, our broad wide fieldes forlorne do lie.
But if such great renowne, or courage bold in breast on hie
Thou doost conceaue, or princesse young thou doost desier soe,
Assay him then, and with bold hart encounter with thy foe,
That Turnus may by meanes therof enioy a Queene to wife.
Wee selly soules, vnburied sort, and vnbewayled, rife
About the fields shall lie. And thou, if eny force remaine
Or sparck of fathers valient vertue in thy breast, againe
Looke him in face that thee doth call.
And fame of great exploites atchieud against him causd to kick,
In goods right ritch, but more of toongue, in war of dastard minde,
But yet in sad, and counsell graue, not far the best behinde,
Full fit sedicious seede to rayse, whom mothers noble blood
With pride had prickt, but of his sire vncerten still that stood)
Upstanding, him in wordes doth blame, and aggrauates with ire.
A thing well knowne, and no mans helpe to shew that doth require
Most mighty king you do perswade, and all do know full well
What thing the people most desier, but that they feare to tell.
But let him giue me leaue to speake, and lay apart his pride,
By whose vnhap, and dealings far from honest maners wide,
(For speake I will, though swords to mee, and cruell death he threat)
So many valient lords are slayne, and all this citie great
With mourning sits amoapte, whilst Troian tentes he doth assay,
Then takes him to his heeles, and welkin winnes with armes to fray.
Among these many giftes to Troyans which you send, one thing
Do cause moreouer likewise to be borne, O mighty king.
Let no mad rage of eny man so much your mind peruart,
But that vnto so worthy sun in law, you would impart
Your daughter bright in mariage, perpetuall peace to make.
But if such feare of Turnus in your trembling breast do ake,
Let vs entreat him ernestly and to him let vs sue,
That to our king, and cuntrey he would yeeld that is their due.
Why doost thou thus our citizens in doubtfull daunger bring
So often, thou of Latium plagues that art the only spring?
By war no sauftie sure we get, for peace we all do craue
At thy hands Turnus, and the maid Lauinia younge to haue.
And first my selfe, whom scarce (I know) thou thinkst thy freend to bee,
Nor care to bee, for pitie loe entreating come to thee.
Take pitie on thy cuntreymen, lay downe thy Peacockes traine,
Depart, since thou art vanquished, to many bodies slaine
We do already see, our broad wide fieldes forlorne do lie.
But if such great renowne, or courage bold in breast on hie
Thou doost conceaue, or princesse young thou doost desier soe,
Assay him then, and with bold hart encounter with thy foe,
Wee selly soules, vnburied sort, and vnbewayled, rife
About the fields shall lie. And thou, if eny force remaine
Or sparck of fathers valient vertue in thy breast, againe
Looke him in face that thee doth call.
Hereat then Turnus all in rage doth boyle in burning brest,
And giues a grone, and from his hart full deepe these words doth wrest.
Great store of talke is redy, Drances, euermore with thee,
When blooddy wars do hands require, and first in place to bee
Thou wilt be sure, to parlament when Senatours resort.
But still the court must not be fild with wordes, and vaine report,
Which in abundance great from thee do flow, whilst citie wall
Betweene thee, and thine enmy stands, nor ditches blood withall
Do flow about. Wherfore as is thy wunted guise persist,
And thoundre out thy twatling talke, as long as thou shalt list,
And do of feare mee then accuse, when thy couragious hand
So many heapes hath sleyne of those that came from Troian land,
And all the fieldes about with trophies faire braue decked stand,
And there what can thy mighty manhood do thou mayst assay.
And as for foes, we neede not to goe seeke them far away,
For round the walles they do besiedge. Come on, and let vs goe,
And still through dastard cowardice continew not so sloe.
What? with thy pratling toongue alone thus alwaies wilt thou fight?
And shall thy foolish feete be prest alwaies to shamefull flight?
Was I repulst? or is there eny (wretched varlet) well
The same can proue, with Troian blood when Tyber streame to swell,
And all Euanders stock, and house to ruine brought to bee,
And all th'Archadian host, of armes, and force despoyld shal see?
Not so did Bitias find in mee, nor yet Pandarus fell.
Nor thousands, whom this righthand in one day sent downe to hell
When I was cloasd with walles, and hard with heapes of foes beset.
By war no sauftie shall we get? these vaine deuises let
Be boded to Aeneas head, and to thine owne estate.
Nor cease not still to trouble all with foolish fearfull fate,
And to extoll that nacions force, that twise was woon in fight,
And by that meanes for to debase great king Latinus might.
And now the valient peeres of Greece the Phrygian armes do dread.
Prince Diomede, and in Larrissa towne Achilles bred.
Or els Aufidas riuer swift runnes backe vnto his head.
See, this dissembler vile great feare doth fe[illeg.]ne for dread of mee,
And aggreuates the crime that it might seeme more big to bee.
But neuer thou by mee thy life shalt lose, hold thee at rest,
Let that abide with thee, and still remaine within thy brest.
Concerning thee, and those the counsels great thou doost disclose
Most mighty prince, if in our strength no trust thou do repose,
If so wee be forsane, and when our force is once subdued,
We quite away ben cast, and fortune cannot be renued,
Then let vs treate for peace, and yeelding handes to him submit.
But, O, if any iote of woonted valure bide as yit,
The same aboue the rest for happy paynes, and courage bolde,
I will extoll, in him who left the like hee should beholde,
Himself did yeelde to death, and with his teeth did teare the grounde.
But if some sparkes remaine, and youthes vntwicht may yet be founde,
And freendly townes in Italy, and peoples mayne of might:
And if our foes with losse of bloud haue woun the price in fight,
And equall slaughter they sustayne, and like lucke them attaynt,
Why should wee thus like dastards vile, at first beginning faynt?
And feare before wee do beginne to fight, thus vs appall?
Longe tract of Time, and sundrie happes, which in our life befall,
Chaunge thinges to better state, and Fortune whom she did disgrace,
Oft times agayne doth rayse, and prinkes him vp in prouder place.
Though Diomede, Arpenses eke to vs no help will bringe,
Messapus will, and happy prince in warre Tolumnius kinge.
And Dukes from many nations sent, ne is it simple prayse
Which all the mustars tane through Latium lande are like to rayse.
And from the noble Volscan blouddes the mayde Camilla hight,
A troupe of horsemen that conductes in brazen armour bright.
But if the Troyans me alone do seeke for hand to hand,
And so you please, and publique weale so much I do withstand,
So conquest (as I trust) from these handes will not part away,
That any hazard for this hope I dread for to assay.
With courage gaynst him will I go, though he Achilles pas,
And weare like armour strong, that made by hande of Vulcan was.
This life, I Turnus, to you all, and to Latinus vow,
To any of mine auncestours in prowes that will not bow.
If me alone the Phrygian prince do call, I am content,
Or if against mee (wofull wretch) the wrath of god is bent.
I would not for my sake, that Drances die, or harme sustaine,
Or if the field I win, one iote of praise get by my paine.
And giues a grone, and from his hart full deepe these words doth wrest.
Great store of talke is redy, Drances, euermore with thee,
When blooddy wars do hands require, and first in place to bee
Thou wilt be sure, to parlament when Senatours resort.
But still the court must not be fild with wordes, and vaine report,
Which in abundance great from thee do flow, whilst citie wall
Betweene thee, and thine enmy stands, nor ditches blood withall
Do flow about. Wherfore as is thy wunted guise persist,
And thoundre out thy twatling talke, as long as thou shalt list,
And do of feare mee then accuse, when thy couragious hand
So many heapes hath sleyne of those that came from Troian land,
And all the fieldes about with trophies faire braue decked stand,
And there what can thy mighty manhood do thou mayst assay.
And as for foes, we neede not to goe seeke them far away,
For round the walles they do besiedge. Come on, and let vs goe,
And still through dastard cowardice continew not so sloe.
What? with thy pratling toongue alone thus alwaies wilt thou fight?
And shall thy foolish feete be prest alwaies to shamefull flight?
Was I repulst? or is there eny (wretched varlet) well
The same can proue, with Troian blood when Tyber streame to swell,
And all Euanders stock, and house to ruine brought to bee,
And all th'Archadian host, of armes, and force despoyld shal see?
Not so did Bitias find in mee, nor yet Pandarus fell.
Nor thousands, whom this righthand in one day sent downe to hell
When I was cloasd with walles, and hard with heapes of foes beset.
By war no sauftie shall we get? these vaine deuises let
Be boded to Aeneas head, and to thine owne estate.
Nor cease not still to trouble all with foolish fearfull fate,
And to extoll that nacions force, that twise was woon in fight,
And by that meanes for to debase great king Latinus might.
And now the valient peeres of Greece the Phrygian armes do dread.
Prince Diomede, and in Larrissa towne Achilles bred.
See, this dissembler vile great feare doth fe[illeg.]ne for dread of mee,
And aggreuates the crime that it might seeme more big to bee.
But neuer thou by mee thy life shalt lose, hold thee at rest,
Let that abide with thee, and still remaine within thy brest.
Concerning thee, and those the counsels great thou doost disclose
Most mighty prince, if in our strength no trust thou do repose,
If so wee be forsane, and when our force is once subdued,
We quite away ben cast, and fortune cannot be renued,
Then let vs treate for peace, and yeelding handes to him submit.
But, O, if any iote of woonted valure bide as yit,
The same aboue the rest for happy paynes, and courage bolde,
I will extoll, in him who left the like hee should beholde,
Himself did yeelde to death, and with his teeth did teare the grounde.
But if some sparkes remaine, and youthes vntwicht may yet be founde,
And freendly townes in Italy, and peoples mayne of might:
And if our foes with losse of bloud haue woun the price in fight,
And equall slaughter they sustayne, and like lucke them attaynt,
Why should wee thus like dastards vile, at first beginning faynt?
And feare before wee do beginne to fight, thus vs appall?
Longe tract of Time, and sundrie happes, which in our life befall,
Chaunge thinges to better state, and Fortune whom she did disgrace,
Oft times agayne doth rayse, and prinkes him vp in prouder place.
Though Diomede, Arpenses eke to vs no help will bringe,
Messapus will, and happy prince in warre Tolumnius kinge.
And Dukes from many nations sent, ne is it simple prayse
Which all the mustars tane through Latium lande are like to rayse.
And from the noble Volscan blouddes the mayde Camilla hight,
A troupe of horsemen that conductes in brazen armour bright.
But if the Troyans me alone do seeke for hand to hand,
And so you please, and publique weale so much I do withstand,
So conquest (as I trust) from these handes will not part away,
That any hazard for this hope I dread for to assay.
With courage gaynst him will I go, though he Achilles pas,
And weare like armour strong, that made by hande of Vulcan was.
This life, I Turnus, to you all, and to Latinus vow,
To any of mine auncestours in prowes that will not bow.
If me alone the Phrygian prince do call, I am content,
I would not for my sake, that Drances die, or harme sustaine,
Or if the field I win, one iote of praise get by my paine.
These words among them selues they do debate of doubtfull things,
Aeneas then remooues his campe, and forth his battaill brings.
When loe, into the pallaice strait with dred, and tumult great,
A skout approching comes the towne with feare that doth repleat,
How Troyans now from Tyber shoare come fast in battaill ray,
And Tyrrhen bands in rankes there round about the fields they lay.
Then strait amazed were mens mindes, and peoples breasts with feare
Astoined, with most feruent flames of ire incensed were.
They trembling then for armour call, the youth for weapons fret,
The wofull fathers weepe, and mumbling moninge voices fet.
An hugie noise of sundry tunes into the ayer doth ryse,
None otherwise then when a shole of foules aloft that flyes,
And on a thicket lightes, or when by Padus riuer shoare
The horcey swannes do lift their lay, the bankes the same do roare.
Then Turnus taking present time, O citizens, he sayes,
Goe call a counsell now, and sitting speake of peaces prayse
Whilst foes into our realmes do run: no more therof he sayd
But flynging forth full soone him selfe out of the house conuayd.
Thou Volusus, commaund (quoth he) the Volscans, armes to take,
And thou thy self the Rutils lead, Messapus, ready make,
And with his brother Coras ioynt the coastes about to skoure,
And some go fortefie the gates, some furnish euery tower,
The rest with mee, as I haue told, into the field shal yeede.
They by and by vnto the walles do fling with flying speede.
Th'assembly then, and counsels there begun the king forsakes,
And with vnwilling mind them to another time betakes,
Himselfe much blaming then, that neuer by his owne accord
He called to the towne his sun in lawe the Troian lord.
Some trenches cast before the gates, some pyles aloft do rayse
Of wood or stone, alarme the trompets call to blooddy frayes.
Anon with sundry troupes they compas round about the wall,
The matrones with their babes, for daunger calles to labour all.
Aeneas then remooues his campe, and forth his battaill brings.
When loe, into the pallaice strait with dred, and tumult great,
A skout approching comes the towne with feare that doth repleat,
How Troyans now from Tyber shoare come fast in battaill ray,
And Tyrrhen bands in rankes there round about the fields they lay.
Then strait amazed were mens mindes, and peoples breasts with feare
Astoined, with most feruent flames of ire incensed were.
They trembling then for armour call, the youth for weapons fret,
The wofull fathers weepe, and mumbling moninge voices fet.
An hugie noise of sundry tunes into the ayer doth ryse,
None otherwise then when a shole of foules aloft that flyes,
And on a thicket lightes, or when by Padus riuer shoare
The horcey swannes do lift their lay, the bankes the same do roare.
Then Turnus taking present time, O citizens, he sayes,
Goe call a counsell now, and sitting speake of peaces prayse
Whilst foes into our realmes do run: no more therof he sayd
But flynging forth full soone him selfe out of the house conuayd.
Thou Volusus, commaund (quoth he) the Volscans, armes to take,
And thou thy self the Rutils lead, Messapus, ready make,
And with his brother Coras ioynt the coastes about to skoure,
And some go fortefie the gates, some furnish euery tower,
The rest with mee, as I haue told, into the field shal yeede.
They by and by vnto the walles do fling with flying speede.
Th'assembly then, and counsels there begun the king forsakes,
And with vnwilling mind them to another time betakes,
Himselfe much blaming then, that neuer by his owne accord
He called to the towne his sun in lawe the Troian lord.
Some trenches cast before the gates, some pyles aloft do rayse
Of wood or stone, alarme the trompets call to blooddy frayes.
Anon with sundry troupes they compas round about the wall,
The matrones with their babes, for daunger calles to labour all.
Nolesse vnto the sacred church of Pallas goddesse strait
The Queene is born, a beuie braue of dames on her doth wait.
Great giftes she bare, and next her side Lauinia bright of hue,
The cause of all the strife, and downe to ground her eies she threw.
In throng the Ladies thick, the church with incense soote doth reake,
And from their loftie thrones, with wofull voyces thus they speake.
O thou that only art of warres, Tritonia virgin, chiefe,
Confound the weapons with thy hand of this proud Troian thiefe,
And strike him dead to ground before our gates yt workes our griefe.
Kinge Turnus raging then of striues forth to the field is prest,
His braue Rutilian armour now was buckled to his brest
With brasen scales right rough, his thies with plates of gold were clad
His head as yet vnarmd, his sword to side he fitted had,
All glittring bright he shines, and from the pallaice forth he goes
Triumphing in his minde, and whole in hope hath foyld his foes.
Like as some noble horse that from the stable is start away,
And freely flinging forth in open fields, and pastures gay,
To others leaze, and heards of Mares doth headlong running dash,
Or hies him hastly to some woonted streame himself to wash,
His mane then vp he lifts aloft, and wanton runnes his way,
The crisping curling lockes vpon his necke do wauing play.
With whom Camilla meeting there with gward of Volscan rout,
Against him comes, then there the Queene her self the gates without
Downe lights, of whom did all the armed troupe example take,
And softly from their horse they leape, and thus to him she spake.
The Queene is born, a beuie braue of dames on her doth wait.
Great giftes she bare, and next her side Lauinia bright of hue,
In throng the Ladies thick, the church with incense soote doth reake,
And from their loftie thrones, with wofull voyces thus they speake.
O thou that only art of warres, Tritonia virgin, chiefe,
Confound the weapons with thy hand of this proud Troian thiefe,
And strike him dead to ground before our gates yt workes our griefe.
Kinge Turnus raging then of striues forth to the field is prest,
His braue Rutilian armour now was buckled to his brest
With brasen scales right rough, his thies with plates of gold were clad
His head as yet vnarmd, his sword to side he fitted had,
All glittring bright he shines, and from the pallaice forth he goes
Triumphing in his minde, and whole in hope hath foyld his foes.
Like as some noble horse that from the stable is start away,
And freely flinging forth in open fields, and pastures gay,
To others leaze, and heards of Mares doth headlong running dash,
Or hies him hastly to some woonted streame himself to wash,
His mane then vp he lifts aloft, and wanton runnes his way,
The crisping curling lockes vpon his necke do wauing play.
With whom Camilla meeting there with gward of Volscan rout,
Against him comes, then there the Queene her self the gates without
Downe lights, of whom did all the armed troupe example take,
And softly from their horse they leape, and thus to him she spake.
If noble harts may eny hope repose in valient hands,
O Turnus, both I dare and vow to meete the Troian bands,
And with the Tyrrhen horsmen eke encounter on the way.
Let mee the onset giue of formost fight this present day,
Still stay you heare on foote, and manfully the walles defend.
Then Turnus speaking on the virgin fierce his eyes doth bend.
O virgin flower of Latium land, what thankes to yeeld to thee,
Or kindnes to requite shall I deuise may worthy bee?
But since thy valient hart doth all aduentures great exceede,
I pleased am (O Queene) to part this paine with thee indeede.
Aeneas, as the fame and skoutes do tell, for this entent,
Before him well arayd his troupes of horsmenlight hath sent,
To sack the fertile fields, him selfe through craggy hilles on hie,
And deserts deepe, in hast vnto the towne approcheth nie.
In secret Ambush I, in yonder wood, in place not wide,
That so both waies I may besiedge, my selfe entend to hide.
Do thou vpon the Tyrrhen horsmen set with ioyned band,
With thee shall sharpe Messapus yeede, and troupes of Latine land,
And strong Tiburtus power, and take to thee the charge of all.
He said, and with like words Messapus forth to fight doth call,
Him with his captaynes all alike hee kindleth gainst their foes,
And forth him selfe anon before them all with courage goes.
There lies a vally low with crooked turnes a craftie place,
And fit for sleights of war, whom thickets blacke on ech side trace.
The sides do narow shut, a litle path therto doth lye,
And passadge passing streight, or ragged cragged entrance hie.
This plaine lyes quite vnknowne with corners saulfe to lurck within,
Where on the lifthand, or the right the battayle do begin,
Or on the Hill you list to stand, and storme of stones down cast.
By rediest way in coast well known, doth Turnus thither hast,
And quickly takes the place, and thicke in woods him selfe he hides.
O Turnus, both I dare and vow to meete the Troian bands,
And with the Tyrrhen horsmen eke encounter on the way.
Let mee the onset giue of formost fight this present day,
Still stay you heare on foote, and manfully the walles defend.
Then Turnus speaking on the virgin fierce his eyes doth bend.
O virgin flower of Latium land, what thankes to yeeld to thee,
Or kindnes to requite shall I deuise may worthy bee?
But since thy valient hart doth all aduentures great exceede,
I pleased am (O Queene) to part this paine with thee indeede.
Aeneas, as the fame and skoutes do tell, for this entent,
Before him well arayd his troupes of horsmenlight hath sent,
To sack the fertile fields, him selfe through craggy hilles on hie,
And deserts deepe, in hast vnto the towne approcheth nie.
In secret Ambush I, in yonder wood, in place not wide,
That so both waies I may besiedge, my selfe entend to hide.
With thee shall sharpe Messapus yeede, and troupes of Latine land,
And strong Tiburtus power, and take to thee the charge of all.
He said, and with like words Messapus forth to fight doth call,
Him with his captaynes all alike hee kindleth gainst their foes,
And forth him selfe anon before them all with courage goes.
There lies a vally low with crooked turnes a craftie place,
And fit for sleights of war, whom thickets blacke on ech side trace.
The sides do narow shut, a litle path therto doth lye,
And passadge passing streight, or ragged cragged entrance hie.
This plaine lyes quite vnknowne with corners saulfe to lurck within,
Where on the lifthand, or the right the battayle do begin,
Or on the Hill you list to stand, and storme of stones down cast.
By rediest way in coast well known, doth Turnus thither hast,
And quickly takes the place, and thicke in woods him selfe he hides.
Therwhiles Diana faier in lofty skies aboue that bides,
Dame Opus swift to her doth call, a chast and fellow mayd,
And one of her vntouched troupe, and thus to her she sayd
With heauy cheere. O virgin pure, Camilla forth doth pas
Unto a bloody war, armd with our tooles in vaine, alas.
Her do I loue aboue the rest, ne to Diana new
This lyking lately sprang, nor ioy in minde on sodein grew.
Pulst out through spite from natiue realme by subiectes hauty might,
When Metabus from old Priuerna towne did take his flight,
This infant vp he snatcht, when rage of war was thickst of all,
A mate in exile sharpe, and her by mothers name did call,
And of Casmilla her by shorter name Camilla hight.
Her in his armes he bare when through the desert tops his flight
Of wast forlorned hilles he tooke, and dartes about him flew,
And him on euery side, thicke troupes of Volscans did pursue.
When loe, in midst of flight Amasenus with water store
Aboue his bankes brakeout, such plentie rayne not long before
There fell, wherouer whilst anon to swim he doth assay,
He feares (alas) his burden deeere, pure loue doth cause him stay.
Then musing much in minde, at last this practise best he thaught.
A mighty speare which into hand that time by chance he caught,
When as he fought, of knotty wood shaptforth, and Oke fulstout,
To this his doughter deere in barke of tree encloasd about
He bindes, and fitly to the mids of mighty speare he ties,
And oft it shaking in his valient hand, thus loud he cries.
Diana bright and virgin pure that in these woods doost hide,
I vow a seruant here to thee, that bound vnto her side
Most humbly holding fast a speare, flies from her foes receaue
Her (goddesse) to thy charge, whom here in doubtfull case I leaue.
He said, and strait with bended arme the weapon forth he throwes,
The waters sound, aloft the riuer swift, Camilla flowes.
Dame Opus swift to her doth call, a chast and fellow mayd,
And one of her vntouched troupe, and thus to her she sayd
With heauy cheere. O virgin pure, Camilla forth doth pas
Unto a bloody war, armd with our tooles in vaine, alas.
Her do I loue aboue the rest, ne to Diana new
This lyking lately sprang, nor ioy in minde on sodein grew.
Pulst out through spite from natiue realme by subiectes hauty might,
When Metabus from old Priuerna towne did take his flight,
This infant vp he snatcht, when rage of war was thickst of all,
A mate in exile sharpe, and her by mothers name did call,
And of Casmilla her by shorter name Camilla hight.
Her in his armes he bare when through the desert tops his flight
Of wast forlorned hilles he tooke, and dartes about him flew,
And him on euery side, thicke troupes of Volscans did pursue.
When loe, in midst of flight Amasenus with water store
Aboue his bankes brakeout, such plentie rayne not long before
There fell, wherouer whilst anon to swim he doth assay,
He feares (alas) his burden deeere, pure loue doth cause him stay.
Then musing much in minde, at last this practise best he thaught.
A mighty speare which into hand that time by chance he caught,
When as he fought, of knotty wood shaptforth, and Oke fulstout,
To this his doughter deere in barke of tree encloasd about
And oft it shaking in his valient hand, thus loud he cries.
Diana bright and virgin pure that in these woods doost hide,
I vow a seruant here to thee, that bound vnto her side
Most humbly holding fast a speare, flies from her foes receaue
Her (goddesse) to thy charge, whom here in doubtfull case I leaue.
He said, and strait with bended arme the weapon forth he throwes,
The waters sound, aloft the riuer swift, Camilla flowes.
Then Metabus when now the prease began approch him nie,
The riuer strait he takes, his speare, and babe, therwith doth wrie
Out of a greengrasse turfe, a gift that great Diana sent.
No people house for harbour him, nor walled cities lent,
Nor if they eny offred had, he neuer would consent.
A sheepheards life among the sole, and saluage hils he led,
His tendre child in thickest thornes, and beds of beastes he fed
With milke of mares vnmild, and sucke of beastes were neuer caught,
And to her tendre lyps in milking, downe their dugs he raught.
But when her pretie foote she first began to set to ground,
Her hands, and euery part with sharpned darts he laded round.
A quiuer on her shoulders small he hung with crooked bow.
In steade of golden caulle, and mantell braue should hang below,
A Tygers skin downe from her head along her backe doth fall,
With litle childish dartes her handes he armes to play with all,
Or by a twisted thong about her head she whirles a sling,
Wherwith sumtime a Crade, sumtime a Swan she downe doth bring.
The riuer strait he takes, his speare, and babe, therwith doth wrie
Out of a greengrasse turfe, a gift that great Diana sent.
No people house for harbour him, nor walled cities lent,
Nor if they eny offred had, he neuer would consent.
A sheepheards life among the sole, and saluage hils he led,
His tendre child in thickest thornes, and beds of beastes he fed
With milke of mares vnmild, and sucke of beastes were neuer caught,
And to her tendre lyps in milking, downe their dugs he raught.
But when her pretie foote she first began to set to ground,
Her hands, and euery part with sharpned darts he laded round.
A quiuer on her shoulders small he hung with crooked bow.
In steade of golden caulle, and mantell braue should hang below,
A Tygers skin downe from her head along her backe doth fall,
With litle childish dartes her handes he armes to play with all,
Or by a twisted thong about her head she whirles a sling,
Wherwith sumtime a Crade, sumtime a Swan she downe doth bring.
Her many noble dames through Tyrrhen townes wheras she went
Haue wisht in vayne, their doughterlaw she were, but she content
Alone with chast Dianas grace, her selfe preserueth still
Untwight vnto her tooles, and virgins lyfe leades most at will.
Would god she had with no such fond desier of war bin cought,
When first the valyent Troyans to prouoke in fight she sought,
Her do I tendre much, and would she yet remaind with mee,
But now with destnies her, and fatall fall opprest I see.
Descend, deere Nimphe, from heauen, and Latine fields go visite streite,
Wheras with haples hap, and blooddy broile this fray they feight.
Take these, and from this quiuer, shaftes of sharpe reuenge addresse,
And whosoere her sacred corps with wound shal once oppresse,
Where he of Troy or Latium be, his blood shall that repay.
Then in an hollow cloud anon her wofull corps away,
And armour vndefilde, I to her natiue soyle will beare,
And in a worthy sepulcher my selfe interre her there.
She said, then through ye flickring aier wt wings she down ward slides,
And giues a rush, and with a tempest blacke her body hides.
Haue wisht in vayne, their doughterlaw she were, but she content
Alone with chast Dianas grace, her selfe preserueth still
Untwight vnto her tooles, and virgins lyfe leades most at will.
Would god she had with no such fond desier of war bin cought,
When first the valyent Troyans to prouoke in fight she sought,
Her do I tendre much, and would she yet remaind with mee,
But now with destnies her, and fatall fall opprest I see.
Descend, deere Nimphe, from heauen, and Latine fields go visite streite,
Wheras with haples hap, and blooddy broile this fray they feight.
Take these, and from this quiuer, shaftes of sharpe reuenge addresse,
And whosoere her sacred corps with wound shal once oppresse,
Where he of Troy or Latium be, his blood shall that repay.
And armour vndefilde, I to her natiue soyle will beare,
And in a worthy sepulcher my selfe interre her there.
She said, then through ye flickring aier wt wings she down ward slides,
And giues a rush, and with a tempest blacke her body hides.
Ther whiles the Troian bands vnto the walles approched nie.
Hetruscan captaines with their troupes of horsmen, by and bie
Them selues bestow in good aray, the palfries stamping fret
Throughout the field, and raind with sturdy bits forth softly iet
Now here now there, the field rough stands with many a pyke & launce
And from their lofty helmets far the glittring Sunbeames glaunce.
On totherside Messapus sharpe, and Latines fierce to fight,
And Coras with his brother, and Camillas winge so bright
Standforth against them in the field, and launces fast do make
Within their restes, & pointes of trembling speares fast charged shake,
Their foes abode, and noise of steedes them sore on fier do set.
But when both armies were at cast of dart togither met,
There still awhile they stayd, a shriching shout they sodeyn raise,
Their chaumping horse they harten forth, the dartes flie euery waies
Like snow that thick doth fall, black shade the heauen quite ouerlaies.
Hetruscan captaines with their troupes of horsmen, by and bie
Them selues bestow in good aray, the palfries stamping fret
Throughout the field, and raind with sturdy bits forth softly iet
Now here now there, the field rough stands with many a pyke & launce
And from their lofty helmets far the glittring Sunbeames glaunce.
On totherside Messapus sharpe, and Latines fierce to fight,
And Coras with his brother, and Camillas winge so bright
Standforth against them in the field, and launces fast do make
Within their restes, & pointes of trembling speares fast charged shake,
Their foes abode, and noise of steedes them sore on fier do set.
But when both armies were at cast of dart togither met,
There still awhile they stayd, a shriching shout they sodeyn raise,
Their chaumping horse they harten forth, the dartes flie euery waies
Like snow that thick doth fall, black shade the heauen quite ouerlaies.
And first with spitefull speares, Tyrrhenus with Acontie tall
Encountring fiercely meete, and first with mighty noyse do fall
To ground, the steedes echothers breast with breast doth squeezing iolt.
Acontie there vnhorst as swift as thickest thunderbolt,
Or like some stone by engine great of war forthflung downe lightes,
And into thin and flickring aier exhales his vitall sprites.
Incontinent the rankes are broke, and Latines put to flight
Cast backe their shieldes, and headlong horses pricke to citie right.
The Troians then, and first Asilas sharpe the chase pursue,
And now to gates they neere were come, the Latines then anew
A mighty noyse extoll, and horses neckes about do wrie.
The Troians turne their backes, and largely yeelding raynes, do flie.
Like as the sea with altring course that forth doth running freat,
Somtimes it flowes to shore, & rockes with rouling waues doth weat,
And foming on the sand and beach, along doth tumbling glide:
Somtime doth swiftly ebbe, when force doth fayle, and backe doth slide
From rockes and shore with vailing streame, and failing flood it falles.
The Tyrrhens twise the Rutils chase in fight vnto the walles,
And twise repulst looke backe, and backes with bucklars broad defend,
Encountring fiercely meete, and first with mighty noyse do fall
To ground, the steedes echothers breast with breast doth squeezing iolt.
Acontie there vnhorst as swift as thickest thunderbolt,
Or like some stone by engine great of war forthflung downe lightes,
And into thin and flickring aier exhales his vitall sprites.
Incontinent the rankes are broke, and Latines put to flight
Cast backe their shieldes, and headlong horses pricke to citie right.
The Troians then, and first Asilas sharpe the chase pursue,
And now to gates they neere were come, the Latines then anew
A mighty noyse extoll, and horses neckes about do wrie.
The Troians turne their backes, and largely yeelding raynes, do flie.
Like as the sea with altring course that forth doth running freat,
Somtimes it flowes to shore, & rockes with rouling waues doth weat,
And foming on the sand and beach, along doth tumbling glide:
Somtime doth swiftly ebbe, when force doth fayle, and backe doth slide
From rockes and shore with vailing streame, and failing flood it falles.
The Tyrrhens twise the Rutils chase in fight vnto the walles,
But when they to the fight a fresh and third assault descend,
The rankes together run, and man to man doth stifly sticke.
Then shoutes are heard of such as fall, and in the blood waxt thicke
Both men and armour deepely waultring fall, and steedes halfe dead.
The battell growes, when Orsiloch sir Remulus did dread
Himselfe to set vpon, into his horse a speare he thrust,
And vnderneath the coursers eare the head leaues sticking iust.
Then strait the steede enraged stands on end, and vp doth throw
His legs with breast erect, nor in no wise could bide the blow.
He falles vnhorst to ground, Catillus driues to earth downe right
Iolas stout of minde, of stature eke a goodly knight.
And great in armes Herminie hard, whose head with golden heare
Lies bare with shoulders bare, nor of his wounds doth stand in feare,
So great in armes he lies, ye speare prickt through his shoulders quakes
And twise through girt his backe, his deadly payne twise double makes.
Goare blood on euery side is shed, by fight are numbres slaine,
And by their wounds ech seekes a glorious death for to obtaine.
The rankes together run, and man to man doth stifly sticke.
Then shoutes are heard of such as fall, and in the blood waxt thicke
Both men and armour deepely waultring fall, and steedes halfe dead.
The battell growes, when Orsiloch sir Remulus did dread
Himselfe to set vpon, into his horse a speare he thrust,
And vnderneath the coursers eare the head leaues sticking iust.
Then strait the steede enraged stands on end, and vp doth throw
His legs with breast erect, nor in no wise could bide the blow.
He falles vnhorst to ground, Catillus driues to earth downe right
Iolas stout of minde, of stature eke a goodly knight.
And great in armes Herminie hard, whose head with golden heare
Lies bare with shoulders bare, nor of his wounds doth stand in feare,
So great in armes he lies, ye speare prickt through his shoulders quakes
And twise through girt his backe, his deadly payne twise double makes.
Goare blood on euery side is shed, by fight are numbres slaine,
And by their wounds ech seekes a glorious death for to obtaine.
And now this manly Amazon in slaughter much doth ioy
In midst of fight, whose pap, least vse of war should her anoy
Cut of vnto Camilla quiuerd was in tendre yeares.
Her slender shaftes about she shootes from quiuer which she beares.
Sometime her sharpned are vntierd she takes into her hand,
Sometime her golden bow, the tooles of chast Dianas band.
And if perchaunce repulst, she do retyre pursued in chase,
Her bowe she turnes behinde, and strikes her followers in the face.
About her chosen mates do ride, Larina, and Tulla bright
Pure virgins, with Tarpeia weilding glittring axe in fight
Italian trulles, and chast Camilla of speciall purpose those
For honours sake, for time of peace, for trustie seruice chose.
Like as Amazones of Thracie land when waters thay
Of Thermodoon beat, with armour painted passing gay,
About Hyppolita their Queene, or when the virgin stout
Penthesilea home in charret comes, the femell rout
With shritches shrill reioysing cries, and shields like moones cut out.
Whom dost thou first, whō last, O virgin fierce, by force down throw?
Or O, how many corpses slaine on ground doost lay full low?
Eumenie first of Clytie father borne, whose naked brest
Against her there that stood with launce of firtree through doth threst,
He floods of blood out spuing, falles, and earth with teeth doth teare,
And where he fell vpon his wound, lies tumbling dying there.
Next on him Lyris she, and Pegase throwes, but Lyris while
His bridell raignes he raught, from horse to ground he doth requile.
But Pegase cumming him to ayde, with feeble hand forth held,
Both ioyntly headlong wise with dubled fall to ground she feld.
To these Amastrus neare she laies, vnto Hippota sun,
And couching downe vnto her speare from far doth fetch her run
At Terreus, and Harpalisie, and Demophoon stout,
And Cronie strong, and many a captaine more of Troian rout.
And looke how many shiuering shafts forth from her side she drew,
So many carcases to ground of Troian knights she threw.
There Ornitus a far in armour straunge, and hunterwise,
Upon a proud Apulian steede about the batteyll flies,
Whose necke, and shoulders broad an hyde late hald from Oxes backe
Did couer, on his head the large wyde gaping iawes there stacke
Pluckt from a wolfe, with grinning, glittring greedy teeth full white.
A clounish club in hand he bare, he throngs in thickst of fight,
In stature all the rest by heyght of head he doth exceede.
Him she (nor was it when their foes retierd a glorious deede)
Strikes through, & thus she speakes with hateful hart as there she stood.
Thoughtst thou some beast in chase thou, Tyrrhen, hadst within a wood?
The day is come when as a womans armour shal refute
Thy boasting brags, yet no small same to this thou maist impute,
That by these hands thou dying with Camillas launce art slayne.
Orsilochus, and Butes next, two bodyes mighty mayne
Of Troian rout, but Butes her against with dart she strake,
Which forth a way betwixt his helmet braue and gorget brake
About his necke that glittring shynes, his shield hung downe his side.
And feyning from Orsilochus as though she fled, doth ryde
The Carrire round, and craftely she keepes the middle place,
And whilst he her pursues, therwhiles she followeth him in chase,
And through his armour strong, the flesh, and bones, an axe she beats
Highrising at her blowe, and whilst he twatling much entreates,
She dableth stil the wound, & with warm braines his face he weats.
Here with comes in, and at first sight astoined much he stands
Syr Aunus sun of Appenine, a martiall man of hands,
And not among the Ligures woorst, whilst fates did him permit
By subtile colourd shiftes vnto ech purpose fine to fit.
When he perceaud from fight he could no wise escape away:
By treacherous traine he thought, and gloasing guile her to assay,
And thus began. A woman thou if to a trustie steede
Thy selfe thou do commit, is it a great or valient deede?
Forsake thy horse, and match on ground thy selfe to mee betake,
And vnto equall fight on foote thee quickly ready make,
Then shalt thou know to whom this glory fond due praise shall bring.
He said, but she enraagd whom griefe with sharpe desier did sting,
Unto her mate her steede she tooke, in armes on ground she stands
With blade on foote forth drawne, and bucklar pure fast hent in hands.
The yonker then supposing thus by craft he her had quit,
Away strait swiftly pricking flies, not lingring euer a whit
His nimble steede with raignes he quickly turnes, and thence him hies,
His pearstly prauncing beast with spurres of steele apace he plies.
In midst of fight, whose pap, least vse of war should her anoy
Cut of vnto Camilla quiuerd was in tendre yeares.
Her slender shaftes about she shootes from quiuer which she beares.
Sometime her sharpned are vntierd she takes into her hand,
Sometime her golden bow, the tooles of chast Dianas band.
And if perchaunce repulst, she do retyre pursued in chase,
Her bowe she turnes behinde, and strikes her followers in the face.
About her chosen mates do ride, Larina, and Tulla bright
Pure virgins, with Tarpeia weilding glittring axe in fight
Italian trulles, and chast Camilla of speciall purpose those
For honours sake, for time of peace, for trustie seruice chose.
Like as Amazones of Thracie land when waters thay
Of Thermodoon beat, with armour painted passing gay,
About Hyppolita their Queene, or when the virgin stout
Penthesilea home in charret comes, the femell rout
With shritches shrill reioysing cries, and shields like moones cut out.
Whom dost thou first, whō last, O virgin fierce, by force down throw?
Or O, how many corpses slaine on ground doost lay full low?
Eumenie first of Clytie father borne, whose naked brest
He floods of blood out spuing, falles, and earth with teeth doth teare,
And where he fell vpon his wound, lies tumbling dying there.
Next on him Lyris she, and Pegase throwes, but Lyris while
His bridell raignes he raught, from horse to ground he doth requile.
But Pegase cumming him to ayde, with feeble hand forth held,
Both ioyntly headlong wise with dubled fall to ground she feld.
To these Amastrus neare she laies, vnto Hippota sun,
And couching downe vnto her speare from far doth fetch her run
At Terreus, and Harpalisie, and Demophoon stout,
And Cronie strong, and many a captaine more of Troian rout.
And looke how many shiuering shafts forth from her side she drew,
So many carcases to ground of Troian knights she threw.
There Ornitus a far in armour straunge, and hunterwise,
Upon a proud Apulian steede about the batteyll flies,
Whose necke, and shoulders broad an hyde late hald from Oxes backe
Did couer, on his head the large wyde gaping iawes there stacke
Pluckt from a wolfe, with grinning, glittring greedy teeth full white.
A clounish club in hand he bare, he throngs in thickst of fight,
In stature all the rest by heyght of head he doth exceede.
Him she (nor was it when their foes retierd a glorious deede)
Strikes through, & thus she speakes with hateful hart as there she stood.
Thoughtst thou some beast in chase thou, Tyrrhen, hadst within a wood?
The day is come when as a womans armour shal refute
Thy boasting brags, yet no small same to this thou maist impute,
That by these hands thou dying with Camillas launce art slayne.
Orsilochus, and Butes next, two bodyes mighty mayne
Of Troian rout, but Butes her against with dart she strake,
Which forth a way betwixt his helmet braue and gorget brake
About his necke that glittring shynes, his shield hung downe his side.
And feyning from Orsilochus as though she fled, doth ryde
The Carrire round, and craftely she keepes the middle place,
And whilst he her pursues, therwhiles she followeth him in chase,
And through his armour strong, the flesh, and bones, an axe she beats
Highrising at her blowe, and whilst he twatling much entreates,
She dableth stil the wound, & with warm braines his face he weats.
Here with comes in, and at first sight astoined much he stands
Syr Aunus sun of Appenine, a martiall man of hands,
By subtile colourd shiftes vnto ech purpose fine to fit.
When he perceaud from fight he could no wise escape away:
By treacherous traine he thought, and gloasing guile her to assay,
And thus began. A woman thou if to a trustie steede
Thy selfe thou do commit, is it a great or valient deede?
Forsake thy horse, and match on ground thy selfe to mee betake,
And vnto equall fight on foote thee quickly ready make,
Then shalt thou know to whom this glory fond due praise shall bring.
He said, but she enraagd whom griefe with sharpe desier did sting,
Unto her mate her steede she tooke, in armes on ground she stands
With blade on foote forth drawne, and bucklar pure fast hent in hands.
The yonker then supposing thus by craft he her had quit,
Away strait swiftly pricking flies, not lingring euer a whit
His nimble steede with raignes he quickly turnes, and thence him hies,
His pearstly prauncing beast with spurres of steele apace he plies.
O Ligur vaine, and to no purpose brag, and proud of hart,
In vaine sir subtile thou assayest to trie thy cuntreyes art,
No slypprie shift shall thee aliue to crafty Aunus saue.
These words the virgin spake, and fierce on foote a spring she gaue,
And swiftly soone outran the horse, and fast the raignes she raught
And at him strake, and glad on enmies blood reuenge she wraught.
Much like a fawcon faire from loftie towre his flight that takes,
And at a twigging doue aloft to cloudes swift towering makes,
When her at souse hath tane with talantes sharpe her guts pulles out,
The goarie blood, and fethers plumed flit the ayer about.
These things the father of gods and men in heauen that sits on hie
Doth heedfully behold, and warly weighes with watching eie.
Then Tyrrhen Tarchon stout to entre fight he did prouoke,
And with no gentle rage of frantike anger forth him stroke.
Wherfore in thickst of slaughters great, and rankes enforst to flie,
On horsebacke Tarchon throngs, and sundry voyces liftes on hie.
The wings he hartneth on, and by his name ech man doth call,
And such as were repulst, he makes a fresh to fighting fall.
What feare is this? that neuer will repent your foolish flight
O Tyrrhens dastards stil? what daunt within your harts doth light?
A woman stragling you pursues, and doth discomfit quight.
Unto what end these swordes and weapons do you beare in hand?
Not so at Venus games, nor warres by night you lingring stand,
Nor when God Bacchus crooked pipe to dauncing you doth call,
And vnto costly cates, and tables lade with wine to fall.
That is your ioy, that your delight, when as the prophet good
With sacrifice, and fatted ost, doth call you to the wood.
This said, into the thickest foes himself foorth thronging flinges,
And mad, he meetes with Venulus, whom chaunce against him bringes.
There raught from of the horse with his righthand he held his foe,
And forceblye him wringing to his breast, away doth goe.
A noyse vnto the heauen they rayse, the Latines turne their eyes
Upon this fact, and Tarchon swift about the field he flies
Both bearing man and armour still away, and from his speare
The head he wrested off, and euery place he searcheth wheare
A deadly wound he may bestow, he wrestling doth rebell
To saue the sword from out his throate, and force by force repell.
And as the Eagle fierce which in the ayre aloft doth flie,
When vp some snake hath snatcht that late a sleape on ground did lie,
And gript him fast within his foote, enclaspt with talents round,
The snake about him wrigling winding wreades with griefe of woūd,
And scales doth roughly rayse, and angred with her mouth doth hisse.
With crooked beake he wrestling nippes her nerethelesse for this,
And flying foorth his wayes aloft with wings the ayre doth beat.
None otherwise his pray from Tyburt oste sir Tarchon great
Triumphing beares away, their captaynes dede, and happy chaunce
The Lydians do following pursue: then swift with launce
Camilla comes, whom Aruns due to death by sleight full slie
Doth ride about, the fittest side for his behoofe to trie.
And looke through thickest rankes whereas the virgin fiercely flew,
Sir Aruns thither hies, and secretly her steppes doth view.
What way she conqueresse returnes, and foote from foes doth bend,
That way the youth by stealth his nimble reignes about doth wend.
And now this way, now that agayne, and round about the place
With fatall, certayne, speare in hand doth following after trace.
In vaine sir subtile thou assayest to trie thy cuntreyes art,
No slypprie shift shall thee aliue to crafty Aunus saue.
These words the virgin spake, and fierce on foote a spring she gaue,
And swiftly soone outran the horse, and fast the raignes she raught
And at him strake, and glad on enmies blood reuenge she wraught.
Much like a fawcon faire from loftie towre his flight that takes,
And at a twigging doue aloft to cloudes swift towering makes,
When her at souse hath tane with talantes sharpe her guts pulles out,
The goarie blood, and fethers plumed flit the ayer about.
These things the father of gods and men in heauen that sits on hie
Doth heedfully behold, and warly weighes with watching eie.
Then Tyrrhen Tarchon stout to entre fight he did prouoke,
And with no gentle rage of frantike anger forth him stroke.
Wherfore in thickst of slaughters great, and rankes enforst to flie,
On horsebacke Tarchon throngs, and sundry voyces liftes on hie.
The wings he hartneth on, and by his name ech man doth call,
And such as were repulst, he makes a fresh to fighting fall.
What feare is this? that neuer will repent your foolish flight
O Tyrrhens dastards stil? what daunt within your harts doth light?
A woman stragling you pursues, and doth discomfit quight.
Unto what end these swordes and weapons do you beare in hand?
Nor when God Bacchus crooked pipe to dauncing you doth call,
And vnto costly cates, and tables lade with wine to fall.
That is your ioy, that your delight, when as the prophet good
With sacrifice, and fatted ost, doth call you to the wood.
This said, into the thickest foes himself foorth thronging flinges,
And mad, he meetes with Venulus, whom chaunce against him bringes.
There raught from of the horse with his righthand he held his foe,
And forceblye him wringing to his breast, away doth goe.
A noyse vnto the heauen they rayse, the Latines turne their eyes
Upon this fact, and Tarchon swift about the field he flies
Both bearing man and armour still away, and from his speare
The head he wrested off, and euery place he searcheth wheare
A deadly wound he may bestow, he wrestling doth rebell
To saue the sword from out his throate, and force by force repell.
And as the Eagle fierce which in the ayre aloft doth flie,
When vp some snake hath snatcht that late a sleape on ground did lie,
And gript him fast within his foote, enclaspt with talents round,
The snake about him wrigling winding wreades with griefe of woūd,
And scales doth roughly rayse, and angred with her mouth doth hisse.
With crooked beake he wrestling nippes her nerethelesse for this,
And flying foorth his wayes aloft with wings the ayre doth beat.
None otherwise his pray from Tyburt oste sir Tarchon great
Triumphing beares away, their captaynes dede, and happy chaunce
The Lydians do following pursue: then swift with launce
Camilla comes, whom Aruns due to death by sleight full slie
Doth ride about, the fittest side for his behoofe to trie.
And looke through thickest rankes whereas the virgin fiercely flew,
Sir Aruns thither hies, and secretly her steppes doth view.
What way she conqueresse returnes, and foote from foes doth bend,
That way the youth by stealth his nimble reignes about doth wend.
And now this way, now that agayne, and round about the place
With fatall, certayne, speare in hand doth following after trace.
By chaunce vnto Cybele sacred priest, sir Chlorie hight,
From far aboue the rest in Phrygian armes did shyne full bright.
A foming courser forth he prickt, whose breast, and buttockes wide
A skinne beset with brasen studdes, and glittering gold did hide.
Himself in purple sad, and scarlet pure full fine beseene,
In Lycian bow his shaftes he shot in Creta made that beene.
His golden bow from shoulder twanges, a guilden helme he beares.
A yealow silken weede, with boughting bosomes wide he weares,
Whose lappets ratling large in knot of costly gold were tyde,
His coate with needle broidred was, his sturdie thies did hyde
A skirt of purple silke and gold in forrein countrey wrought.
The virgin him, for cause his armour braue wherin he fought,
And Troyan spoyles on temples hang she would for honours sake,
Or else herselfe in huntreswise, with gold full braue would make
With blinde desire pursues, and all incenst through thickest rout,
With greedy womans lust of spoyles, she flies the field about.
When Aruns long in wait that lay, had fit occasion spied,
A whirling dart he threw, and thus vnto the Gods he cried.
Most mighty god Apollo guyde of drad Soractis hill,
Whom we aboue the rest adore, to whom soote smellinge still
Of Pinetrees hugie flames we feede, and through whose only might
Thy seruaunts dare to walke on fiery coales hot burning bright.
O father graunt that by our tooles this shame be tane away,
Almighty since thou art: not for the virgins spoyles I pray,
Nor monument I seeke, nor pillage proude from her to take,
Some other deede hereafter this shall me right famous make.
But let this cruell plague fall downe with dint of this right hand,
And I deuoyde of fame will hence returne to natiue land.
From far aboue the rest in Phrygian armes did shyne full bright.
A foming courser forth he prickt, whose breast, and buttockes wide
A skinne beset with brasen studdes, and glittering gold did hide.
Himself in purple sad, and scarlet pure full fine beseene,
His golden bow from shoulder twanges, a guilden helme he beares.
A yealow silken weede, with boughting bosomes wide he weares,
Whose lappets ratling large in knot of costly gold were tyde,
His coate with needle broidred was, his sturdie thies did hyde
A skirt of purple silke and gold in forrein countrey wrought.
The virgin him, for cause his armour braue wherin he fought,
And Troyan spoyles on temples hang she would for honours sake,
Or else herselfe in huntreswise, with gold full braue would make
With blinde desire pursues, and all incenst through thickest rout,
With greedy womans lust of spoyles, she flies the field about.
When Aruns long in wait that lay, had fit occasion spied,
A whirling dart he threw, and thus vnto the Gods he cried.
Most mighty god Apollo guyde of drad Soractis hill,
Whom we aboue the rest adore, to whom soote smellinge still
Of Pinetrees hugie flames we feede, and through whose only might
Thy seruaunts dare to walke on fiery coales hot burning bright.
O father graunt that by our tooles this shame be tane away,
Almighty since thou art: not for the virgins spoyles I pray,
Nor monument I seeke, nor pillage proude from her to take,
Some other deede hereafter this shall me right famous make.
But let this cruell plague fall downe with dint of this right hand,
And I deuoyde of fame will hence returne to natiue land.
Apollo heard his wish, and part to graunt he was content,
And part to be disperst in flickring aire abroade he sent,
That Queene Camilla fierce with deadly wound down slayn should bee
He graunted, but with safe returne his natiue soyle to see
He did not graunt, that voyce he bid the winds abroade confound.
Then when the whirling dart forth throwne in aire had raisd a sound,
Both armies gan attend, and eyes vnto the Volscan Queene
They all do cast, she minds no whit the things thē wrought that beene,
Nor ayer, nor yet the sound, nor dart aboue full swift of flight,
Till vnderneath her sacred pap the fatall launce doth light,
And deepely entring in at full in virgins blood doth bayne.
Her fearefull female guard togeather runs, and doth sustayne
Their fainting ladies corpes, fast Aruns flies before them all,
Whom as did ioy refresh, so feare admixt did much appall.
And now he dares no more vnto her dreadfull launce to trust,
Nor yet into the sight of her agayne himself to thrust.
And like a Woolfe before the hatefull hunters him doe chase,
Unto the wast forlorned hils forth hies himselfe apace,
When he some heardsman stout, or heckfer great of grease, and lim
Deuoured hath, and guiltie of that fact, and deede full grim
His trembling tayle betweene his legges lets fal, and woods doth seeke:
Sir Aruns so him out of sight withdrawes in maner leeke,
And with his flight content amidst the thickst himselfe doth hyde.
She dying drawes the dart which in the wound did deepe abyde,
The mortall toole in wound full wide stickes fast within her syde.
Shee faintes for want of blood, her eyes to death yeeld vp their due.
Strait from her face departs the stayned cheekes, and purple hue,
And dying thus to Acca trustie virgin fellow sayes,
A virgin to Camilla true before the rest alwayes,
With whom she woonted was her cares and sorrowes all impart,
And thus to her began to speake with fayling fainting hart.
And part to be disperst in flickring aire abroade he sent,
That Queene Camilla fierce with deadly wound down slayn should bee
He graunted, but with safe returne his natiue soyle to see
He did not graunt, that voyce he bid the winds abroade confound.
Then when the whirling dart forth throwne in aire had raisd a sound,
Both armies gan attend, and eyes vnto the Volscan Queene
They all do cast, she minds no whit the things thē wrought that beene,
Nor ayer, nor yet the sound, nor dart aboue full swift of flight,
Till vnderneath her sacred pap the fatall launce doth light,
And deepely entring in at full in virgins blood doth bayne.
Her fearefull female guard togeather runs, and doth sustayne
Their fainting ladies corpes, fast Aruns flies before them all,
Whom as did ioy refresh, so feare admixt did much appall.
And now he dares no more vnto her dreadfull launce to trust,
And like a Woolfe before the hatefull hunters him doe chase,
Unto the wast forlorned hils forth hies himselfe apace,
When he some heardsman stout, or heckfer great of grease, and lim
Deuoured hath, and guiltie of that fact, and deede full grim
His trembling tayle betweene his legges lets fal, and woods doth seeke:
Sir Aruns so him out of sight withdrawes in maner leeke,
And with his flight content amidst the thickst himselfe doth hyde.
She dying drawes the dart which in the wound did deepe abyde,
The mortall toole in wound full wide stickes fast within her syde.
Shee faintes for want of blood, her eyes to death yeeld vp their due.
Strait from her face departs the stayned cheekes, and purple hue,
And dying thus to Acca trustie virgin fellow sayes,
A virgin to Camilla true before the rest alwayes,
With whom she woonted was her cares and sorrowes all impart,
And thus to her began to speake with fayling fainting hart.
Untill this time, O sister Acca deare, of force I was,
A cruell mortall wound my life abridges now, alas,
And althings round, me seemes, looke rustie dustie darke as hell.
Flie hence, and doe with speede, my message last to Turnus tell,
That he to battayle come, and keepe the Troyans from the towne.
And now farewel, and with that worde the raignes she yeelded downe,
Herselfe to earth not willing sinkes, and waxing cold, vntwynes
By smale and smale herselfe out of her corps, and then resignes
Her lithie head and neck to death, and armour doth forsake,
Her ghost flies fast with griefe and great disdayne to Lymbo lake.
Forthwith a mightie noyse the golden starres in heauen doth touch,
And since Camillas death the battell fierce encreaseth much.
They thick come running on, both all the bandes of Troyans stoute,
And Tyrrhen captaynes, with Euanders winges th'Archadian rout.
A cruell mortall wound my life abridges now, alas,
And althings round, me seemes, looke rustie dustie darke as hell.
Flie hence, and doe with speede, my message last to Turnus tell,
That he to battayle come, and keepe the Troyans from the towne.
And now farewel, and with that worde the raignes she yeelded downe,
Herselfe to earth not willing sinkes, and waxing cold, vntwynes
By smale and smale herselfe out of her corps, and then resignes
Her lithie head and neck to death, and armour doth forsake,
Her ghost flies fast with griefe and great disdayne to Lymbo lake.
Forthwith a mightie noyse the golden starres in heauen doth touch,
And since Camillas death the battell fierce encreaseth much.
They thick come running on, both all the bandes of Troyans stoute,
And Tyrrhen captaynes, with Euanders winges th'Archadian rout.
And now Dianas dearling bright, Nimph Opis sits on hie
Upon the toppe of loftiest hilles, the battayle to descrie.
And when from farre she saw in raging noyse of youthfull trayne,
With dolefull death, and wound vnworthy far Camilla slayne,
She fet a sigh, and deepe from out her brest these words she sayd.
Too deare O virgin, thou too deare a cruell price hast payde,
That thou the valient Troyans dursts prouoke in open sight.
That thou Dianas grace in woods didst serue forsaken quight
It nothing thee auailes, or that our quiuer thou didst weare,
Or glittering golden bow vpon thy tender shoulders beare.
Howbeit thy noble Queene meanes not to leaue thee voyde of fame,
Nor that thy drierie death shall lurking sleape for lack of name,
Amongst all nations farre and wide, or vnreuenged bee.
Thy corps with mortall wound that did defile, what euer hee,
With death deseru'd shalbe requit. Beneath on hill full hie
The tumbe of old Dercennus king raisd vp aloft doth lie
With mightie mount of auntient Laurent ground, an Ilex tree
With glummish darkish shade bespreads the same, that none may see.
Here first this goddesse fayre, with passing speedy course doth light,
And from this hillock farre at Aruns aimes within her sight.
Whom when she glittring saw in armes, and vainly puft with pride,
Why fliest thou hence (quoth she) approch, thy steppes do hither guide,
Come neere that now must die, and due desart receaue agayne
For Queene Camillas death, and with Dianas shafts yslayne,
So vile a wight so worthy a death for fact so foule must bide?
She said, and strait in Thracian huntreswise, from by her side
A golden flight forth of her quiuer pluckes, her bow she bendes,
And drawes him deepe vntill the nockes meete iust at both the endes,
And both her handes do leuell stand, and arrowhead doth twight
The bowhand, and the string round to her eare she drawes vp quight,
Immediately the singing shaft, and whirling aire doth crack.
Sir Aruns heard, and fast at once the shaft within him stack.
Him yeelding vp the ghost, and fetching deepe his finall grone
His mates forgetfull in the field abroade do leaue alone,
And Opis strait with winges to lofty heauen doth take her flight.
Upon the toppe of loftiest hilles, the battayle to descrie.
And when from farre she saw in raging noyse of youthfull trayne,
With dolefull death, and wound vnworthy far Camilla slayne,
She fet a sigh, and deepe from out her brest these words she sayd.
Too deare O virgin, thou too deare a cruell price hast payde,
That thou the valient Troyans dursts prouoke in open sight.
That thou Dianas grace in woods didst serue forsaken quight
Or glittering golden bow vpon thy tender shoulders beare.
Howbeit thy noble Queene meanes not to leaue thee voyde of fame,
Nor that thy drierie death shall lurking sleape for lack of name,
Amongst all nations farre and wide, or vnreuenged bee.
Thy corps with mortall wound that did defile, what euer hee,
With death deseru'd shalbe requit. Beneath on hill full hie
The tumbe of old Dercennus king raisd vp aloft doth lie
With mightie mount of auntient Laurent ground, an Ilex tree
With glummish darkish shade bespreads the same, that none may see.
Here first this goddesse fayre, with passing speedy course doth light,
And from this hillock farre at Aruns aimes within her sight.
Whom when she glittring saw in armes, and vainly puft with pride,
Why fliest thou hence (quoth she) approch, thy steppes do hither guide,
Come neere that now must die, and due desart receaue agayne
For Queene Camillas death, and with Dianas shafts yslayne,
So vile a wight so worthy a death for fact so foule must bide?
She said, and strait in Thracian huntreswise, from by her side
A golden flight forth of her quiuer pluckes, her bow she bendes,
And drawes him deepe vntill the nockes meete iust at both the endes,
And both her handes do leuell stand, and arrowhead doth twight
The bowhand, and the string round to her eare she drawes vp quight,
Immediately the singing shaft, and whirling aire doth crack.
Sir Aruns heard, and fast at once the shaft within him stack.
Him yeelding vp the ghost, and fetching deepe his finall grone
His mates forgetfull in the field abroade do leaue alone,
And Opis strait with winges to lofty heauen doth take her flight.
First at their ladies death doe flie Camillas horsemen light,
And Rutils run amoapt, and fierce Atinas flies apace,
And captaynes all are quayld, and standardbearers forst in chase
For rescue runne, and to the towne doe fast on horseback hie.
None dare the Troians stout, that following after fast do flie
With setled foote withstand, nor yet in warlike armes resist,
But bowes vnbent on shiuering shoulders beares with fainting fist,
And coursers with their hooues the rotten dustie fieldes do shake,
Unto the walles an whirlewind black with tumbling dust doth rake,
And matrones tooting out the loops their breasts there beat straitwaies
And forth a womans shritch vp to the starres in heauen they rayse.
There those that first into the open gates most swiftly prest,
The mingled enmies power in thickest routes did most molest,
Ne wofull death they doe escape, but at first entraunce in,
And euen within their citie walles, and when as housd they bin,
Throughgirt with speares they die, some shut the gates, and do debar
Free entrance to their mates, nor dare for life the doores vnspar
Though wofully without the gates they wayle, a direfull death
Amongst defendants falles, and such in armes as yeeld their breath,
And such as were shut out before their parents weeping eyes,
When cruell force constraynes, some headlong into ditches flyes,
Some blinded with the dust, and giuing spurre, and yeelding raigne,
Against the gates, and rampiers hard of poastes doe run amaine.
The matrones from the walles when they beheld Camilla dead,
Their trembling dartes cast forth (for so their countrey loue them lead)
And staues of oke ysteelde, and poales of length forebrent at end,
And dare the dread of death assay, whilst they their walles defend.
And Rutils run amoapt, and fierce Atinas flies apace,
And captaynes all are quayld, and standardbearers forst in chase
For rescue runne, and to the towne doe fast on horseback hie.
None dare the Troians stout, that following after fast do flie
With setled foote withstand, nor yet in warlike armes resist,
But bowes vnbent on shiuering shoulders beares with fainting fist,
And coursers with their hooues the rotten dustie fieldes do shake,
Unto the walles an whirlewind black with tumbling dust doth rake,
And matrones tooting out the loops their breasts there beat straitwaies
And forth a womans shritch vp to the starres in heauen they rayse.
There those that first into the open gates most swiftly prest,
Ne wofull death they doe escape, but at first entraunce in,
And euen within their citie walles, and when as housd they bin,
Throughgirt with speares they die, some shut the gates, and do debar
Free entrance to their mates, nor dare for life the doores vnspar
Though wofully without the gates they wayle, a direfull death
Amongst defendants falles, and such in armes as yeeld their breath,
And such as were shut out before their parents weeping eyes,
When cruell force constraynes, some headlong into ditches flyes,
Some blinded with the dust, and giuing spurre, and yeelding raigne,
Against the gates, and rampiers hard of poastes doe run amaine.
The matrones from the walles when they beheld Camilla dead,
Their trembling dartes cast forth (for so their countrey loue them lead)
And staues of oke ysteelde, and poales of length forebrent at end,
And dare the dread of death assay, whilst they their walles defend.
Therwhiles within the woodes, an heauy message Turnus frayes,
And to the valient youth amazing great doth Acca rayse.
How that the Volscans vanquisht are, Camilla slaine in fight,
And enmies fast approching come, and all in battaile quight
Haue ouerthrowne, that feare vnto the citie walles doth goe.
He then enraagde (for why the power of Ioue would haue it soe)
The hilles possest of late, and thickets sharpe doth strait forsake,
Who scarce was now come forth, and large abroade the fields did take,
When Lord Aeneas to the forest wide himselfe doth speede,
And hilles doth ouertrace, and from thick woods doth forth proceede.
So both vnto the walles in hast with all their power doe flie,
And both the marching troupes not many paces distant lie.
But when the smoaking fieldes with dust Aeneas did behold,
And marching bandes in battayle ray of towne Laurentum old,
And Turnus did from farre Aeneas yrefull countnance view,
And trampling of their feete, and neighing of their horses knew:
Immediately they had their armies ioynd, and battayle tried,
Had not sir Phœbus bright with purple mantle brauely died
His horses dipt in seas, and bringing night expulst the day.
They pitch their tentes before the towne, and trenches deepe do lay.
And to the valient youth amazing great doth Acca rayse.
How that the Volscans vanquisht are, Camilla slaine in fight,
And enmies fast approching come, and all in battaile quight
Haue ouerthrowne, that feare vnto the citie walles doth goe.
He then enraagde (for why the power of Ioue would haue it soe)
The hilles possest of late, and thickets sharpe doth strait forsake,
Who scarce was now come forth, and large abroade the fields did take,
When Lord Aeneas to the forest wide himselfe doth speede,
And hilles doth ouertrace, and from thick woods doth forth proceede.
So both vnto the walles in hast with all their power doe flie,
And both the marching troupes not many paces distant lie.
But when the smoaking fieldes with dust Aeneas did behold,
And marching bandes in battayle ray of towne Laurentum old,
And Turnus did from farre Aeneas yrefull countnance view,
And trampling of their feete, and neighing of their horses knew:
Immediately they had their armies ioynd, and battayle tried,
Had not sir Phœbus bright with purple mantle brauely died
His horses dipt in seas, and bringing night expulst the day.
They pitch their tentes before the towne, and trenches deepe do lay.
DEO GRATIAS.
Finitum Londini, Per Thomam Twynum 14. Iunij. 1573. Opus 20.
Dierum plus minus, per interualla.
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