He spake, and, running forth, a shaft against the foe he hurled. Forth whizzed the cornel through the air, cleaving its way aright, And therewithal great noise outbreaks, and every wedge of fight Is turmoiled, and the hearts of men are kindled for the fray. On sped the shaft to where there stood across its baneful way 270 Nine fair-shaped brethren, whom whilom one faithful Tuscan wife Amid Gylippus' Arcad house brought forth to light and life: Now one of these, e'en where the belt of knitted stitches wrought Chafed on the belly, and the clasp the joining edges caught, A youth most excellent of frame and clad in glittering gear-- It pierced his ribs; on yellow sand it stretched him dying there. Thereat his brethren, a fierce folk, with grief and rage alight, Some draw their swords and some catch up the steel of speedy flight, And rush on blind: Laurentum's ranks, against them swift they go, And thick the Trojans from their side the meadows overflow, 280 Agyllans and Arcadian men with painted war array; And one lust winneth over all with point and edge to play. They strip the altars; drifting storm of weapon-shot doth gain O'er all the heavens, and ever grows the iron battle-rain. The bowls and hearths they bear away: Latinus gets him gone, Bearing aback the beaten Gods and troth-plight all undone, But other men rein in the car and leap upon the steed, And there with naked swords they sit, all ready for the need.