Neptune’s hallowed gate, and with this signal present he endows the illustrious youth. 25 Next, when the race was finished, and the prizes duly given:—“Now, whoever has courage, and a vigorous collected mind in his breast, let him come forward, bind on the gloves, and lift his arms.” Thus speaks Æneas, and sets forth two prizes for the contest: for the conqueror, 30 a bullock with gilded horns and fillet festoons; a sword and a splendid helmet, as a consolation to the vanquished. In a moment, with all the thews of a giant, rises Dares, uprearing himself amid a loud hum of applause—the sole champion who used to enter the lists with Paris: 35 once, at the tomb where mighty Hector lies buried, he encountered the great conqueror Butes, who carried his enormous bulk to the field with all the pride of Amycus’[191] Bebrycian blood—struck him down, and stretched him in death on the yellow sand. Such are Dares’ powers, as he lifts high his crest for the battle, displays his broad shoulders, throws out his arms alternately, and strikes the air with his blows. How to find his match is the cry; 5 no one of all that company dares to confront such a champion, and draw on the gauntlets. So, with confident action, thinking that all were retiring from the prize, he stands before Æneas, and without further prelude grasps with his left hand the bull by the horn, and bespeaks him 10 thus:—“Goddess-born, if no one dares to take the risk of the fight, how long are we to stand still? How long is it seemly to keep me waiting? Give the word for me to carry off the prize.” A simultaneous shout broke from the sons of Dardanus, all voting that their champion should 15 have the promised gift made good.