XXV. "Learn now the plan and purpose of my mind, 'AEneas should be summoned,' one and all,-- Camp, council,--cry, and messengers would find To take sure tidings and our chief recall. If thee the meed I ask for shall befall,-- Bare fame be mine--methink the pathway lies By yonder mound to Pallanteum's wall." Then, fired with zeal and smitten with surprise, Thus to his ardent friend Euryalus replies: XXVI. "Me, me would Nisus from such deeds debar? Am I to send thee singly to thy fate? Not thus my sire Opheltes, bred to war, Brought up and taught me, when in evil strait Was Troy, and Argives battered at her gate. Not thus to great AEneas was I known, His trusty follower through the paths of Fate. Here dwells a soul that dares the light disown, And counteth life well sold, to purchase such renown." XXVII. "For _thee_ I feared not," Nisus made reply, "'Twere shame, indeed, to doubt a friend so tried. So may great Jove, or whosoe'er on high With equal eyes this exploit shall decide, Restore me soon in triumph to thy side. But if--for divers hazards underlie So bold a venture--evil chance betide, Or angry deity my hopes bely, Thee Heaven preserve, whose youth far less deserves to die. XXVIII. "Mine be a friend to lay me, if I fall, Rescued or ransomed, in my native ground; Or, if hard fortune grudge a boon so small, To make fit honour to my shade redound, And o'er the lost one rear an empty mound. Ne'er let a childless mother owe to me A pang so keen, and such a cureless wound. She, who, alone of mothers, dared for thee Acestes' walls to leave, and braved the stormy sea." XXIX. "My purpose holds and shifts not," he replies, "These empty pretexts cannot shake me--no. Hence, let us haste." And to the guard he cries, Who straight march up, and forth the two friends go To find the chief. All creatures else below Lay wrapt in sleep, forgetting toil and care; But sleepless still, in presence of the foe, Troy's chosen chiefs urge council, what to dare, Whom to AEneas send, the desperate news to bear. XXX. There, in the middle of the camp and plain, Each shield in hand, and leaning on his spear, They stand; when lo! in eager haste the twain, Craving an audience instantly, appear. High matter theirs, and worth a pause to hear. Then first Iulus greets the breathless pair, And calls to Nisus. "Dardans, lend an ear," Outspake the son of Hyrtacus, "Be fair, Nor rate by youthful years the proffered aid we bear.