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Notes Display Latin text | translated by Theodore C. Williams Book XI Chapter 26: The killing by Camilla | Next chapter Return to index Previous chapter |
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The turn of Butes and Orsilochus came next, who were the Trojans, hugest twain: yet Butes with her javelin-point she clove from rearward, 'twixt the hauberk and the helm, just where the horseman's neck showed white, and where from shoulder leftward slung the light-weight shield. From swift Orsilochus she feigned to fly, through a wide circle sweeping, craftily taking the inside track, pursuing so her own pursuer; then she raised herself to her full height, and through the warrior's helm drove to his very skull with doubling blows of her strong battle-axe, -- while he implored her mercy with loud prayers: his cloven brain spilt o'er his face. Next in her pathway came -- but shrank in startled fear -- the warrior son of Aunus, haunter of the Apennine, not least of the Ligurians ere his doom cut short a life of lies. He, knowing well no flight could save him from the shock of arms nor turn the royal maid's attack, began with words of cunning and insidious guile: What glory is it if a girl be bold, on sturdy steed depending? Fly me not! But, venturing with me on this equal ground, gird thee to fight on foot. Soon shalt thou see which one of us by windy boast achieves a false renown. He spoke; but she, to pangs of keenest fury stung, gave o'er her steed in charge of a companion, and opposed her foe at equal vantage, falchion drawn, on foot, and, though her shield no blazon bore, of fear incapable. But the warrior fled, thinking his trick victorious, and rode off full speed, with reins reversed, -- his iron heel goading his charger's flight. Camilla cried: Ligurian cheat! In vain thy boastful heart puffs thee so large; in vain thou hast essayed thy father's slippery ways; nor shall thy trick bring thee to guileful Aunus safely home. Herewith on winged feet that virgin bold flew past the war-horse, seized the streaming rein, and, fronting him, took vengeance on her foe in bloody strokes: with not less ease a hawk, dark bird of omen, from his mountain crag pursues on pinions strong a soaring dove to distant cloud, and, clutching with hooked claws, holds tight and rips, -- while through celestial air the torn, ensanguined plumage floats along. Event: Acts and death of Camilla |
690-724 Protinus Orsilochum et Buten, duo maxima Teucrum corpora, sed Buten auersum cuspide fixit loricam galeamque inter, qua colla sedentis lucent et laeuo dependet parma lacerto; Orsilochum fugiens magnumque agitata per orbem eludit gyro interior sequiturque sequentem; tum ualidam perque arma uiro perque ossa securim altior exsurgens oranti et multa precanti congeminat; uulnus calido rigat ora cerebro. incidit huic subitoque aspectu territus haesit Appenninicolae bellator filius Auni, haud Ligurum extremus, dum fallere fata sinebant. isque ubi se nullo iam cursu euadere pugnae posse neque instantem reginam auertere cernit, consilio uersare dolos ingressus et astu incipit haec: 'quid tam egregium, si femina forti fidis equo? dimitte fugam et te comminus aequo mecum crede solo pugnaeque accinge pedestri: iam nosces uentosa ferat cui gloria fraudem.' dixit, at illa furens acrique accensa dolore tradit equum comiti paribusque resistit in armis ense pedes nudo puraque interrita parma. at iuuenis uicisse dolo ratus auolat ipse (haud mora), conuersisque fugax aufertur habenis quadripedemque citum ferrata calce fatigat. 'uane Ligus frustraque animis elate superbis, nequiquam patrias temptasti lubricus artis, nec fraus te incolumem fallaci perferet Auno.' haec fatur uirgo, et pernicibus ignea plantis transit equum cursu frenisque aduersa prehensis congreditur poenasque inimico ex sanguine sumit: quam facile accipiter saxo sacer ales ab alto consequitur pennis sublimem in nube columbam comprensamque tenet pedibusque euiscerat uncis; tum cruor et uulsae labuntur ab aethere plumae. |