Flew like a ravening lion, on whose death Resolved, the peasants from all quarters meet; He, viewing with disdain the foremost, stalks215 Right on, but smitten by some dauntless youth Writhes himself, and discloses his huge fangs Hung with white foam; then, growling for revenge, Lashes himself to battle with his tail, Till with a burning eye and a bold heart220 He springs to slaughter, or himself is slain; So, by his valor and his noble mind Impell’d, renown’d Achilles moved toward Æneas, and, small interval between, Thus spake the hero matchless in the race.225 Why stand’st thou here, Æneas! thy own band Left at such distance? Is it that thine heart Glows with ambition to contend with me In hope of Priam’s honors, and to fill His throne hereafter in Troy steed-renown’d?230 But shouldst thou slay me, not for that exploit Would Priam such large recompense bestow, For he hath sons, and hath, beside, a mind And disposition not so lightly changed. Or have the Trojans of their richest soil235 For vineyard apt or plow assign’d thee part If thou shalt slay me? Difficult, I hope, At least, thou shalt experience that emprize. For, as I think, I have already chased Thee with my spear. Forgettest thou the day240 When, finding thee alone, I drove thee down Headlong from Ida, and, thy cattle left Afar, thou didst not dare in all thy flight Turn once, till at Lyrnessus safe arrived, Which city by Jove’s aid and by the aid245 Of Pallas I destroy’d, and captive led Their women? Thee, indeed, the Gods preserved But they shall not preserve thee, as thou dream’st Now also. Back into thy host again; Hence, I command thee, nor oppose in fight250 My force, lest evil find thee. To be taught By suffering only is the part of fools. To whom Æneas answer thus return’d. Pelides! hope not, as I were a boy, With words to scare me. I have also taunts255 At my command, and could be sharp as thou. By such reports as from the lips of men We oft have heard, each other’s birth we know And parents; but my parents to behold Was ne’er thy lot, nor have I thine beheld.260 Thee men proclaim from noble Peleus sprung And Thetis, bright hair’d Goddess of the Deep; I boast myself of lovely Venus born To brave Anchises; and his son this day In battle slain thy sire shall mourn, or mine;265 For I expect not that we shall depart Like children, satisfied with words alone. But if it please thee more at large to learn My lineage (thousands can attest it true) Know this. Jove, Sovereign of the storms, begat270 Dardanus, and ere yet the sacred walls Of Ilium rose, the glory of this plain, He built Dardania; for at Ida’s foot Dwelt our progenitors in ancient days. Dardanus was the father of a son,275 King Ericthonius, wealthiest of mankind. Three thousand mares of his the marish grazed, Each suckling with delight her tender foal. Boreas, enamor’d of no few of these, The pasture sought, and cover’d them in form280 Of a steed azure-maned. They, pregnant thence,