This said, they take their places, and suddenly, on hearing the signal, dash into the course, and leave the barrier 15 behind, pouring on like a burst of rain, their eyes fixed on the goal. First of all, away goes Nisus, his limbs flying far before all the rest, swifter than wind and winged thunderbolt; next to him, but next at a long distance follows Salius; then, at a shorter space, Euryalus third. 20 After Euryalus comes Helymus; close on him, see! flies Diores, heel touching heel and shoulder shoulder: were the course but longer, he would be shooting on and darting beyond him, and turning a doubtful race to a victory. Now they were just at the end of the course, all panting 25 as they reached the goal, when Nisus, the ill-starred, slides in a puddle of blood, which lay there just as it had been spilt after a sacrifice of bullocks, soaking the ground and the growing grass. Poor youth! just in the moment of triumph, he could not keep his sliddery footing on the soil 30 he trod, but fell flat in the very middle of unclean ordure and sacrificial gore. But he forgot not Euryalus—forgot not his love—no! he threw himself in Salius’ way, rising in that slippery place—and Salius lay there too, flung on the puddled floor. Forth darts Euryalus, and gains 35 the first place, a winner, thanks to his friend, cheered in his flight by plaudit and shouting. Next comes in Helymus and Diores, thus made the third prize. But now Salius is heard, deafening with his clamour the whole company in the ring and the seniors in the first rank, and insisting that the prize, which he had lost by a trick, be restored him. Euryalus is supported by the popular voice, by the tears he sheds so gracefully, and the greater loveliness 5 of worth when seen in a beauteous form. Diores backs his claim with loud appealing shouts; he had just won the prize, and his attainment of the third place was all for nothing if the first reward were to be given to Salius. To whom father Æneas:—“Your rewards, boys, remain 10 fixed as they ever were; no one disturbs the palm once arranged: suffer me to show pity to a friend’s undeserved misfortune.” So saying, he gives Salius the enormous hide of a Gætulian lion, loaded with shaggy hair and talons of gold. On which Nisus:—“If the vanquished are 15 rewarded so largely—if you can feel for tumblers—what prize will be great enough for Nisus’ claims? My prowess had earned me the first chaplet, had not unkind Fortune played me foul, as she played Salius;” and with these words he displayed his features and his limbs, all 20 dishonoured by slime and ordure. The gracious prince smiled at him, and bade them bring out a shield of Didymaon’s workmanship, once wrested by the Danaans from