Forth, as to war, Ausonia's spear-armed host, Trojans and Tuscans, to the field proceed, And to and fro, in gold and purple, post Asilas brave, Assaracus's seed, Mnestheus, Messapus, tamer of the steed.
Back step both armies at the trumpet's call, Their spears in earth, their shields upon the mead.
An unarmed crowd, old men and matrons, all Stand by the lofty gates, and throng the towers and wall.
XVIII.

But Juno, seated on a neighbouring height, Now Alban called, then nameless and unknown, Gazed from its summit on the field of fight, And, musing, on the marshalled hosts looked down Of Troy and Latium, and Latinus' town, Then straight--a goddess to a goddess--spake To Turnus' sister, who the sway doth own Of sounding river and of stagnant lake, Raised by the King of air, as yielding for his sake.
XIX.

"Nymph, pride of rivers, darling of my love, Thou know'st, Juturna, how to all whoe'er Of Latin maidens climbed the couch of Jove, I thee preferred, and gave his courts to share.
Learn now thy woe, lest I the blame should bear.
While Fate and Fortune smiled on Latium's sway, Thy walls I saved, and Turnus was my care.
Now in ill hour I see him tempt the fray; Fate and the foe speed on the inevitable day.
XX.

"Not I this fight, this wager can behold.
Thou, if thou durst, thy brother's doom arrest.
Go; luck perchance may follow thee." Fast rolled Juturna's tears, and thrice she smote her breast.
"No time to weep," said Juno, "speed thy quest, And save thy brother, if thou canst, ere dead, Or wake the war, and rend the league unblest; 'Tis I who bid thee to be bold." She said, And left her, tost with doubt, and full of wildering dread.
XXI.

Forth come the Kings; Latinus, proudly borne High in his four-horse chariot, shines afar.
Twelve gilded rays the monarch's brows adorn, His Sire's, the Sun-God's.