That gave them courage; and the column thickened, And they were firm, and stood. And very slowly Turnus drew back, retreating toward the river, And they came on, more boldly now, with yelling And massing rank on rank, a crowd of hunters With deadly spears, after a deadly lion, And the beast they hunt is frightened, but still deadly, Still dangerous, still glaring, and neither anger Nor courage lets him turn his back, and forward He cannot go, however much he wants to, Through all that press of men and spears. So Turnus, Doubtful, kept stepping back, little by little, Burning, inside, with anger. Two more times He made a sudden charge, sent the foe flying Along the walls, but they came back, and Juno Dared not assist him further; Jove had sent Iris from heaven, with no uncertain message If Turnus does not leave the Trojan ramparts, He can no longer hold his own against them, The shield and sword-arm falter; darts like hail Rain down from everywhere. The helmet rings Around his temples, and the brass cracks open Under the storm of stones; the horsehair crest Is shot away; the boss of the shield is dented; Mnestheus, with lightning force, and other Trojans Multiply spears. The sweat all over his body Runs in a tarry stream; he cannot breathe. At last, with one great leap, in all his armor, He plunges into the stream, and Tiber takes him On the yellow flood, held up by the buoyant water, Washing away the stains of war, a hero, Returning happily to his warrior-comrades. BOOK X ARMS AND THE MAN Meanwhile all-powerful Olympus flings The palace open wide: the council meets, At Jove’s command, under the starry dwelling From which he sees all lands, the Trojan camp, The Latin people. Between the double doors They find their places. Jupiter speaks first:-- “Great dwellers in Heaven, why the change of heart? Why do you fight with hostile spirit? I Had said, I thought, that Italy and the Trojans Were not to meet in war. Why, then, this brawling In face of my command? What fear has driven This side or that to arms and provocation? The proper time will come--be in no hurry-- When Carthage, fierce and wild, will loose destruction On the heights of Rome, and spring the Alps wide open. Hate will be lawful then, and ravage, and battle. But now, subside; be friendly; accept my order.”