So the army went forth to the battle. Messapus led the first line, and the sons of Tyrrheus the rear; and in the midst was Turnus. And the men of Troy saw a great cloud of dust upon the plain, and Caïcus cried from the walls, "What meaneth this cloud that I see? To arms, my friends. Climb the walls. The enemy is at hand." Then did the men of Troy shut the gates and man the walls. For so had Æneas commanded them, saying, "Fight not, whatever befall, in battle, nor trust yourselves to the plain, but defend your walls." Therefore they shut their gates, and waited till the enemy should come near. And Turnus, on a horse of Thrace, rode first, and twenty youths with him; and he cried, "Is there a man who will first venture the attack?" and he threw his javelin, making a beginning of battle, and his companions shouted aloud. Much they marvelled that the men of Troy kept them within the walls and came not forth to the battle. And Turnus ever regarded the walls, how he might enter therein. Even as a wolf prowleth round the fold at midnight, while the lambs within bleat, being safe by their mothers, but he rageth without to hear them, being mad with wrath and hunger, and his tongue is athirst for blood, even so did Turnus rage round the camp, and cast about how he might draw forth the men of Troy into the plain. And at the last he bethought him of the ships, which lay at the camp's side, and called for torches of pine, and the people followed him with a shout, and the smoke rose up to the heavens. Then did a marvellous thing befall. Now in the days when Æneas was building his ships upon Mount Ida, Cybelé, mother of the Gods, spake to Jupiter, saying "Grant, my son, that these ships, which Æneas buildeth of my pine-trees,--for these have I given to him freely,--may be safe from winds and waves." But Jupiter answered, "What is this that thou askest, my mother? Wouldst thou have immortality for mortal ships? Not so. But this I grant: that whichsoever of these shall come safe to the land of Italy shall become Nymphs of the sea." And now the day was come. Wherefore there was heard an awful voice, saying, "Fear not, men of Troy; nor care to defend your ships;" and to the ships, "Go! henceforth ye are Nymphs of the sea." And lo! straightway the cables brake, and where the ships had been were the shapes of women, for each ship a woman.