Stir war hereafter, or with sword the Latin wrath provoke. But if the grace of victory here bow down upon our fight; --(As I believe, as may the Gods make certain with their might!)-- I will not bid the Italian men to serve the Teucrian's will; Nor for myself seek I the realm; but all unconquered still 190 Let either folk with equal laws plight peace for evermore: The Gods and worship I will give, Latinus see to war; My father lawful rule shall have; for me my Teucrians here Shall build a city, and that home Lavinia's name shall bear." So first Æneas: after whom Latinus swears and says, Looking aloft, and stretching hands up towards the starry ways: "E'en so, Æneas, do I swear by Stars, and Sea, and Earth, By twi-faced Janus, and the twins Latona brought to birth, And by the nether Might of God and shrine of unmoved Dis; And may the Sire who halloweth in all troth-plight hearken this: 200 I hold the altars, and these Gods and fires to witness take, That, as for Italy, no day the peace and troth shall break, What thing soever shall befall; no might shall conquer me. Not such as with the wrack of flood shall mingle earth and sea, Nor such as into nether Hell shall melt the heavenly land. E'en as this sceptre"--(for by chance he bore a staff in hand)-- "Shall never more to leafage light and twig and shadow shoot, Since when amid the thicket-place, cut off from lowest root, It lost its mother, and the knife hath lopped it, leaf and bough,-- A tree once, but the craftsman's hand hath wrapped it seemly now 210 With brass about, and made it meet for hands of Latin lords." So in the sight of all the chiefs with such abundant words They bound the troth-plight fast and sure: then folk in due wise slay The victims on the altar-flame, and draw the hearts away Yet living, and with platters full the holy altars pile. But unto those Rutulian men unequal this long while The fight had seemed, and in their hearts the mingled trouble rose; And all the more, as nigher now they note the ill-matched foes, This helpeth Turnus' silent step, and suppliant worshipping About the altars, and his eyes that unto earth do cling, 220 His faded cheeks, his youthful frame that wonted colour lacks. Wherefore Jaturna, when she hears the talk of people wax, And how the wavering hearts of men in diverse manner sway, Like unto Camers wendeth now amidst of that array; --A mighty man, from mighty blood, his father well renowned For valorous worth, and he himself keen in the battle found. So through the mid array she speeds, well knowing what is toward, And soweth rumour on the wind and speaketh such a word: