But while he spake, Day, come again, had run adown the sky, With light all utter perfect wrought, and driven away the night. Then folk he biddeth follow on the banners of the fight, And make them ready for the play and shape their hearts for war. But he, aloft upon the poop, now sees them where they are, 260 His leaguered Teucrians, as his left uprears the blazing shield; And then, the sons of Dardanus up to the starry field Send forth the cry, and hope is come to whet their battle-wrath. Thick flies their spear-storm: 'tis as when the Strymon cranes give forth Their war-sign on the mirky rack, and down the heavens they run Sonorous, fleeing southern breeze with clamour following on. But wondrous to Rutulian king and dukes of Italy That seemed, until they look about, and lo, the keels they see Turned shoreward; yea, a sea of ships onsetting toward the shore. Yea, and the helm is all ablaze, beams from the crest outpour, 270 The golden shield-boss wide about a world of flame doth shed. E'en so, amid the clear of night, the comets bloody-red Blush woeful bright; nor otherwise is Sirius' burning wrought, When drought and plagues for weary men the birth of him hath wrought, And that unhappy light of his hath saddened all the heaven. But nought from Turnus' hardy heart was high hope ever driven To take the strand of them and thrust those comers from the shore: Eager he chid, hot-heart, with words men's courage he upbore: "Lo, now your prayers have come about, that hand meet hand in strife, And Mars is in the brave man's hand: let each one's home and wife Be in his heart! Call ye to mind those mighty histories, 281 The praises of our father-folk! Come, meet them in the seas, Amid their tangle, while their feet yet totter on the earth: For Fortune helpeth them that dare." So saying, he turneth in his mind with whom on these to fall, And unto whom to leave meanwhile the leaguering of the wall. Meanwhile Æneas from his ships high-built his folk doth speed Ashore by bridges: many men no less the back-draught heed Of the spent seas, and, trusting shoals, they make the downward leap; And others slide adown the oars. Tarchon the shore doth sweep, 290 Espying where the waves break not, nor back the sea doth roar, But where the sea-flood harmlessly with full tide swims ashore, And thither straight he lays his keels, and prays unto his folk: