Aeneid
Nec minus interea maternis saevus in armis Aeneas acuit Martem et se suscitat ira, oblato gaudens componi foedere bellum. 110tum socios maestique metum solatur Iuli fata docens, regique iubet responsa Latino certa referre viros et pacis dicere leges. Postera vix summos spargebat lumine montis orta dies, cum primum alto se gurgite tollunt 115Solis equi lucemque elatis naribus efflant: campum ad certamen magnae sub moenibus urbis dimensi Rutulique viri Teucrique parabant in medioque focos et dis communibus aras gramineas. alii fontemque ignemque ferebant 120velati limo et verbena tempora vincti. procedit legio Ausonidum, pilataque plenis agmina se fundunt portis. hinc Troïus omnis Tyrrhenusque ruit variis exercitus armis, haud secus instructi ferro quam si aspera Martis 125pugna vocet. nec non mediis in milibus ipsi ductores auro volitant ostroque superbi, et genus Assaraci Mnestheus et fortis Asilas et Messapus equum domitor, Neptunia proles; utque dato signo spatia in sua quisque recessit, 130defigunt tellure hastas et scuta reclinant. tum studio effusae matres et vulgus inermum invalidique senes turris ac tecta domorum obsedere, alii portis sublimibus astant.
- 117dimensi PR: demensi M
- 120limo Caper and Hyginus (Servius): lino MPR
- 126superbi M: decori (5.133) PR
- 128= 7.691; 9.523
Book XII
No less, meantime, Aeneas, fierce in the arms his mother gave, 8 whets his valour and rouses his heart with wrath, rejoicing that the war is being settled by the compact offered. Then he comforts his comrades, and sad Iülus’ fear, expounding the fates, and bids them bear firm answer to King Latinus and declare the terms of peace.
The next dawn was just beginning to sprinkle the mountain tops with light, at the time when the Sun’s steeds first rise from the deep flood, and breathe light from raised nostrils: Rutulians and Teucrians had measured the field for the combat under the great city’s walls, and in the middle were preparing hearths and grassy altars to their common deities. Others were bringing fountain water and fire, draped in aprons 9 and their brows bound with vervain. The Ausonian host comes forth, and the troops, close-ranked, pour from the crowded gates. On this side streams forth all the Trojan and Tyrrhene host in diverse accoutrements, armed in steel as if the harsh battle strife called them. No less, amid their thousands, do the captains dart to and fro, brilliant in gold and purple, Mnestheus of the line of Assaracus, and brave Asilas, and Messapus, tamer of horses, seed of Neptune. As soon as, on the given signal, each has retired to his own ground, they plant their spears in the earth, and rest their shields against them. Then, eagerly streaming forth, mothers and the unarmed throng, and feeble old men, have beset towers and housetops; others stand upon the lofty gates.