[F][249]Now, Muses, ope your Helicon, The gates of song unfold, What chiefs, what tribes to war came on In those dim days of old, What sons were then Italia’s pride, 10 And what the arms that blazed so wide: For ye are goddesses: full well Your mind takes note, your tongue can tell: The far-off whisper of the years Scarce reaches our bewildered ears. 15 Mezentius first from Tyrrhene coast, Who mocks at heaven, arrays his host, And braves the battle’s storm: His son, young Lausus, at his side, Excelled by none in beauty’s pride, 20 Save Turnus’ comely form: Lausus, the tamer of the steed, The conqueror of the silvan breed, Leads from Agylla’s towers in vain A thousand youths, a valiant train: 25 Ah happy, had the son been blest In harkening to his sire’s behest, Or had the sire from whom he came Had other nature, other name! Next drives along the grassy meads 30 His palm-crowned car and conquering steeds Fair Aventinus, princely heir Of Hercules the brave and fair, And for his proud escutcheon takes His father’s Hydra and her snakes. 35 ’Twas he that priestess Rhea bare, A stealthy birth, to upper air, ’Mid shades of woody Aventine Mingling her own with heavenly blood, When triumph-flushed from Geryon slain Aleides touched the Latian plain, And bathed Iberia’s distant kine In Tuscan Tiber’s flood. 5 Long pikes and poles his bands uprear, The shapely blade, the Sabine spear. Himself on foot, with lion’s skin, Whose long white teeth with ghastly grin Clasp like a helmet brow and chin, 10 Joins the proud chiefs in rude attire, And flaunts the emblem of his sire. From Tiber’s walls twin brothers came, The town that bears Tiburtus’ name, Bold Coras and Catillus strong: 15 Through the thick-rained darts they storm along, And foremost in the fray: As when two cloud-born Centaurs leap Down Homole or Othrys’ steep, The forest parts before their sweep, 20 And crashing trees give way.