He quits th' attack, and, to prevent their fate, Runs where the giant brothers guard the gate. The first he met, Antiphates the brave, Fix'd in the wound th' Italian cornel stood, Not by the feeble dart he fell oppress'd But from a knotted lance, large, heavy, strong, Which roar'd like thunder as it whirl'd along: Not two bull hides th' impetuous force Their slaughter'd friends, and hasten their relief. Bold Mnestheus rallies first the broken train, 1050 Whom brave Seresthus and his troop sustain. To save the living, and revenge the dead, Against one warrior's arms all Troy they led. "O, void of sense and courage!" Mnestheus cried, "Where can you hope your coward heads to hide ? Ah! where beyond these rampires can you run? One man, and in your camp inclos'd, you shun ! Shall then a single sword such slaughter boast, And pass unpunish'd from a num'rous host? Forsaking honor, and renouncing fame, 1060 Your gods, your country, and your king you shame!" This just reproach their virtue does excite: They stand, they join, they thicken to the fight. Now Turnus doubts, and yet disdains to yield, But with slow paces measures back the field, And inches to the walls, where Tiber's tide, Washing the camp, defends the weaker THE TENTH BOOK OF THE ENEIS THE ARGUMENT Jupiter, calling a council of the gods, forbids them to engage in either party. At Eneas's return there is a bloody battle: Turnus killing Pallas; Eneas, Lausus and Mezentius. Mezentius is describ'd as an atheist; Lausus, as a pious and virtuous youth. The different actions and death of these two are the subject of a noble episode. THE gates of heav'n unfold: Jove summons all The gods to council in the common hall. |