XXI. There, too, brave Ismarus, the nations see, Scattering the poisoned arrows from thy hands; A gallant knight, and born of high degree In far Maeonia, where his golden sands Pactolus rolls along the fruitful lands. There he, whom yesterday the voice of fame Raised to the stars, the valiant Mnestheus stands, Who drove fierce Turnus from the camp with shame; There, Capys, he who gave the Capuan town its name. XXII. Thus all day long both armies toiled and fought. And now, at midnight, o'er the deep sea fares AEneas. By Evander sent, he sought The Tuscan camp. To Tarchon he declares His name and race, the aid he asks and bears, The friends Mezentius gathers to the fray, And Turnus' violence; then warns, with prayers, Of Fortune's fickleness. No more delay: Brave Tarchon joins his power, and strikes a league straightway. XXIII. So, free of Fate, Heaven's mandate they obey, And Lydians, with a foreign leader, plough The deep; AEneas' vessel leads the way. Sweet Ida forms the figure-head; below, The Phrygian lions ramp upon the prow. Here sits AEneas, thoughtful, on the stern, For war's dark chances cloud the chieftain's brow. There, on his left, sits Pallas, and in turn Now cons the stars, now seeks the wanderer's woes to learn. XXIV. Now open Helicon; unlock the springs, Ye Goddesses. Strike up the noble stave, And sing what hosts from Tuscan shores he brings, What ships he arms, and how they cross the wave. First, Massicus with brazen Tiger clave The watery plain. With him from Clusium go, And Cosae's town, a hundred, tried and brave; Deft archers, well the deadly craft they know. Light from their shoulders hang the quiver and the bow. XXV. With blazoned troops came Abas, gaunt and grim. Golden Apollo on the stern he bore. Six hundred Populonia gave to him, All trained to battle, and three hundred more Sent Ilva, rich in unexhausted ore. Third came Asylas, who the voice divine Expounds to man, and kens, with prescient lore, The starry sky, the hearts of slaughtered kine, The voices of the birds, the lightning's warning sign. XXVI. A thousand from Alphaeus' Tuscan town Of Pisa, with him to the war proceed, In bristling ranks, all spearmen of renown. Next, Astur--comeliest Astur--clad in weed Of divers hues, and glorying in his steed: Three hundred men from ancient Pyrgos fare, From Caere's home, from Minio's fruitful mead, And they who breathe Gravisca's tainted air. One purpose fills them all, to follow and to dare.