But him some Deity I rather deem Avenging on us his neglected rites, And who can stand before an angry God? Him answer’d then Lycaon’s son renown’d. Brave leader of the Trojans brazen-mail’d,210 Æneas! By his buckler which I know, And by his helmet’s height, considering, too His steeds, I deem him Diomede the bold; Yet such pronounce him not, who seems a God. But if bold Diomede indeed he be215 Of whom I speak, not without aid from heaven His fury thus prevails, but at his side Some God, in clouds enveloped, turns away From him the arrow to a devious course. Already, at his shoulder’s hollow mail220 My shaft hath pierced him through, and him I deem’d Dismiss’d full sure to Pluto ere his time But he survives; whom therefore I at last Perforce conclude some angry Deity. Steeds have I none or chariot to ascend,225 Who have eleven chariots in the stands Left of Lycaon, with fair hangings all O’ermantled, strong, new finish’d, with their steeds In pairs beside them, eating winnow’d grain. Me much Lycaon my old valiant sire230 At my departure from his palace gates Persuaded, that my chariot and my steeds Ascending, I should so conduct my bands To battle; counsel wise, and ill-refused! But anxious, lest (the host in Troy so long235 Immew’d) my steeds, fed plenteously at home, Should here want food, I left them, and on foot To Ilium came, confiding in my bow Ordain’d at last to yield me little good. Twice have I shot, and twice I struck the mark,240 First Menelaus, and Tydides next; From each I drew the blood, true, genuine blood, Yet have but more incensed them. In an hour Unfortunate, I therefore took my bow Down from the wall that day, when for the sake245 Of noble Hector, to these pleasant plains I came, a leader on the part of Troy. But should I once return, and with these eyes Again behold my native land, my sire, My wife, my stately mansion, may the hand,250 That moment, of some adversary there Shorten me by the head, if I not snap This bow with which I charged myself in vain, And burn the unprofitable tool to dust. To whom Æneas, Trojan Chief, replied.255 Nay, speak not so. For ere that hour arrive We will, with chariot and with horse, in arms Encounter him, and put his strength to proof. Delay not, mount my chariot. Thou shalt see With what rapidity the steeds of Troy260 Pursuing or retreating, scour the field. If after all, Jove purpose still to exalt The son of Tydeus, these shall bear us safe Back to the city. Come then. Let us on. The lash take thou, and the resplendent reins,265 While I alight for battle, or thyself Receive them, and the steeds shall be my care. Him answer’d then Lycaon’s son renown’d. Æneas! manage thou the reins, and guide Thy proper steeds. If fly at last we must270 The son of Tydeus, they will readier draw Directed by their wonted charioteer. Else, terrified, and missing thy control, They may refuse to bear us from the fight, And Tydeus’ son assailing us, with ease275 Shall slay us both, and drive thy steeds away.