Of Volscian stock, leading her troop of horsemen, Her warriors bright in bronze. If I am summoned Alone to meet Aeneas, if I alone Am obstinate about the common welfare, If such is your decision, my hands have never Found victory so shrinking or elusive That I should fear the risk. Bring on your Trojan! Let him surpass Achilles, and wear armor Made by the hands of Vulcan! Second to no one Of all my ancestors in pride and courage, I, Turnus, vow this life to you, Latinus, My king, my father. _The challenger is calling_-- Well, let him call, I hope he does. No Drances, If heaven’s wrath is here, will ever appease it, No Drances take away my honor and glory.” So, in the midst of doubt, they brawled and quarreled, And all the time Aeneas’ line came forward. A messenger rushed through the royal palace, Through scenes of noise and uproar, through the city Filling the town with panic: _They are coming_, He cries, _they are ready for battle, all the Trojans, All the Etruscans, rank on rank, from Tiber, All over the plain!_ And the people’s minds are troubled, Their hearts are shaken, their passion and their anger Pricked by no gentle spur. However frightened, They call for arms, they make impatient gestures, The young men shout, and the old ones moan and mutter; The noise, from every side, goes up to heaven Loud and discordant, the way jays rasp and chatter Or swans along Padusa’s fishy river Utter their raucous clamor over the pools. And Turnus, seizing on the moment, cries:-- “A fine time, citizens, to call a council, To sit there praising peace. The enemy Is up in arms against us!” That was all, And he went rushing from the lofty palace. “Volusus, arm the squadrons of the Volscians, Lead the Rutulians forth! Messapus, Coras, Deploy the horsemen over the plains! You others, Some of you, guard the city gates and towers! The rest, be ready to charge where I direct you!”