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Notes Display Latin text | translated by Theodore C. Williams Book XI Chapter 18: Camilla meets Turnus | Next chapter Return to index Previous chapter |
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Across his path Camilla with her Volscian escort came, and at the city-gate the royal maid down from her charger leaped; while all her band at her example glided to the ground, their horses leaving. Thus the virgin spoke: Turnus, if confidence beseem the brave, I have no fear; but of myself do vow to meet yon squadrons of Aeneadae alone, and front me to the gathered charge of Tuscan cavalry. Let me alone the war's first venture-prove. Take station, thou, here at the walls, this rampart to defend. With fixed eyes on the terror-striking maid, Turnus replied, O boast of Italy, O virgin bold! What praise, what gratitude can words or deeds repay? But since thy soul so large of stature shows, I bid thee share my burden and my war. Our spies bring news that now Aeneas with pernicious mind sends light-armed horse before him, to alarm the plains below, while through the wilderness he climbs the steep hills, and approaches so our leaguered town. But I in sheltered grove a stratagem prepare, and bid my men in ambush at a mountain cross-road lie. Meet thou the charge of Tuscan cavalry with all thy banners. For auxiliar strength take bold Messapus with his Latin troop and king Tiburtus' men: but the command shall be thy task and care. He spoke, and urged with like instruction for the coming fray Messapus and his captains; then advanced to meet the foe. Event: Acts and death of Camilla |
498-521 Obuia cui Volscorum acie comitante Camilla occurrit portisque ab equo regina sub ipsis desiluit, quam tota cohors imitata relictis ad terram defluxit equis; tum talia fatur: 'Turne, sui merito si qua est fiducia forti, audeo et Aeneadum promitto occurrere turmae solaque Tyrrhenos equites ire obuia contra. me sine prima manu temptare pericula belli, tu pedes ad muros subsiste et moenia serua.' Turnus ad haec oculos horrenda in uirgine fixus: 'o decus Italiae uirgo, quas dicere grates quasue referre parem? sed nunc, est omnia quando iste animus supra, mecum partire laborem. Aeneas, ut fama fidem missique reportant exploratores, equitum leuia improbus arma praemisit, quaterent campos; ipse ardua montis per deserta iugo superans aduentat ad urbem. furta paro belli conuexo in tramite siluae, ut biuias armato obsidam milite fauces. tu Tyrrhenum equitem conlatis excipe signis; tecum acer Messapus erit turmaeque Latinae Tiburtique manus, ducis et tu concipe curam.' sic ait, et paribus Messapum in proelia dictis hortatur sociosque duces et pergit in hostem. |