I. While thus in distant quarter moves the scene, Down to the daring Turnus from the skies Comes Iris, sent by the Saturnian queen. Him seated in a hallowed vale, where lies His father's grove, Pilumnus', she espies. There straight with rosy lips the daughter fair Of Thaumas hails the hero: "Turnus, rise. Behold what none of all the Gods would dare To promise, rolling Time hath proffered without prayer. II. "Fleet left and friends, AEneas to the court Of Palatine Evander speeds his way, Nay, the far towns of Corythus hath sought, And arms the Lydian swains to meet the fray! Now call for steel and chariot. Why delay? Surprise the camp and capture it."--She said, And straight on balanced pinions soared away, Cleaving the bow. The warrior marked, and spread His hands, and thus with prayer pursued her as she fled: III. "O Iris, Heaven's fair glory, who hath sent Thee hither? whence this sudden light so clear? I see the firmament asunder rent, And planets wandering in the polar sphere. Blest omens, hail! I follow thee, whoe'er Thou art, that call'st to battle." He arose With joy, and stepping to the streamlet near, Scoops up the water in his palms, and bows In suppliance to the Gods, and burdens Heaven with vows. IV. Now all the host were marching on the meads, Well-horsed, and panoplied in golden gear, With broidered raiment. Brave Messapus leads The van, the sons of Tyrrheus close the rear, And Turnus in mid column shakes his spear. Slow moves the host, as when his seven-fold head Great Ganges lifts in silence, calm and clear, Or Nile, whose flood the fruitful soil hath fed, Ebbs from the fattened fields, and hides him in his bed. V. Far off, the Teucrians from their camp descried The gathering dust-cloud on the plains appear. Then brave Caicus from a bastion cried, "What dark mass, rolling towards us, have we here? Arm, townsmen, arm! Bring quick the sword and spear, And mount the battlements, and man the wall. The foemen, ho!" And with a mighty cheer The Teucrians, hurrying at the warning call, Pour in through all the gates, and muster on the wall. VI. So, parting, wise AEneas gave command, Should chance surprise them, with their chief away, To shun the field, nor battle hand to hand, But safe behind their sheltering earthworks stay, And, guarding wall and rampart, stand at bay. So now, though passion and indignant hate Prompt to engage, his mandate they obey, And bar each inlet, and secure each gate, And, armed, in sheltering towers their enemies await.