or faltering in my resolve. Up and despatch!” At once he rouses the guard, who take his place and fulfil their time, while he, departing from the post, walks side by side 25 with Nisus, and they seek the prince together. All else that breathed on earth were asleep, their load of care unbound, their hearts oblivious of toil; the chief leaders of the Teucrians, the flower of the host, were holding council on the crisis in their realm’s fortune, what they 30 should do, or who should at length be sent with the news to Æneas. There they stand propped on their long spears, their shields still in their hands, in the midst of camp and plain. At this moment Nisus and Euryalus eagerly crave instant admission—the affair is great, say they, and well 35 worth the pause it claims. Iulus was the first to welcome and reassure them, and bid Nisus speak. Then began the son of Hyrtacus: “Listen, ye sons of Troy, with kindly heed, nor let these our proffers be judged by our years. The Rutulians, unnerved by sleep and wine, are hushed in silence: we have ourselves observed a place for a stealthy move, open through the passage of the gate which abuts on the sea. The line of fires is broken, and only 5 dusky smoke rises to the sky: give us but leave to make use of fortune, and go in quest of Æneas and the walls of Pallanteum, soon shall you see us here again after a mighty carnage, laden with spoils. Nor can the way mislead us as we go: we have seen in the dimness of the vale the outskirts 10 of the city while persevering in our hunting, and have made acquaintance with the whole river’s course.” Then spoke Aletes, weighty with years and ripe of understanding: “Gods of our fathers, whose constant presence watches over Troy, not yet in spite of all do ye purpose to 15 make an utter end of us Teucrians, when such are the spirits and so steadfast the hearts ye breed in our youth.” As he said this, he kept embracing the necks and hands of both, and bathing his cheeks in floods of tears. “What guerdons, gallant men, what can I fancy of worth enough 20 to pay you for glories like these? First and richest of all will be the praise of heaven and your own hearts: next to these you will receive the rest without fail from good Æneas and young Ascanius, who will never forget a service so great.” “Nay,” cries Ascanius, “let me speak, me, 25 whose safety is bound up with my sire’s return: by our great household gods I adjure you, Nisus, by the deity of Assaracus’ house and the shrine of reverend Vesta—all my fortune, all my trust, I place in your hands: bring back my father, let me see him again; he once restored, 30 all grief is over. I will give you a pair of goblets wrought with silver and rough from the chasing-tool, which my