Now is the call for power, now for swiftness of hand, now for all that art can teach. 5 Turn delay into despatch.” No more he said; but they with speed put their shoulder to the work, sharing it in equal parts. Copper flows in streams and golden ore, and steel, that knows how to wound, is molten in the huge furnace. They set up in outline a mighty shield, itself 10 singly matched against all the Latian weapons, and tangle together seven plates, circle and circle. Some with their gasping bellows are taking in and giving out the wind; others are dipping the hissing copper in the lake. The cave groans under the anvil’s weight. They, one with 15 another, with all a giant’s strength, are lifting their arms in measured cadence, and turning with their griping tongs the ore on this side and on that. While the father of Lemnos[257] makes this despatch on the Æolian shores, Evander is roused from his lowly 20 dwelling by the genial light and the morning songs of birds under the eaves. Up rises the old man, and draws a tunic over his frame, and puts Tyrrhenian sandals round his feet; next he fastens from below to side and shoulder a sword from Tegea, flinging back over him a 25 panther’s hide that drooped from the left. Moreover, two guardian dogs go before him from his palace door, and attend their master’s steps. So he made his way to the lodging of his guest, and sought Æneas’ privacy, their discourse of yesterday and the gift then promised fresh 30 in his heroic soul. Æneas likewise was astir not less early. This had his son Pallas, that had Achates walking by his side. They meet, and join hand in hand, and sit them down in the midst of the mansion, and at last enjoy the privilege of mutual talk. The king begins as follows:— 35