But the trumpet from its brazen throat uttered afar a tremendous blare; a shout ensues, and heaven returns the 25 roar. Quick speed the Volscians, carrying in level line their penthouse of shields, and strive to fill the moat and pluck down the palisade. Some look about for an access, and fain would scale the walls with ladders, where the line of defence is thin, and the ring of men, not too closely set, 30 shows a gleaming interval. The Teucrians, on their part, shower missiles of every sort, and repulse the assailants with strong poles, taught by a long war’s experience how to guard their walls. Stones, too, they kept rolling of fatal bulk, in hope to break through the foe’s sheltered ranks, 35 though beneath so firm a penthouse a soldier may well smile at all that can betide. Ay, and it ceases to avail them: for where a mighty mass threatens the rampart, the Teucrians push forward and roll down an enormous weight, which made wide havoc among the Rutulians, and burst the joints of their harness. And now the bold Rutulians care no longer to wage war in the dark, but aim at driving them from the ramparts with a storm of missiles. 5 In another quarter, terrible to look upon, Mezentius waves an Etruscan pine and hurls fire and smoke, while Messapus, tamer of the steed, of the race of Neptune, plucks down the palisade, and calls for ladders to the battlement. 10 Vouchsafe, Calliope and thy heavenly sisterhood, to aid me while I sing, what slaughter, what deaths were dealt that day in that place by Turnus’ sword, what foes each warrior sent down to the grave, and help me to unfold the length and breadth of the mighty war. 15