"Let none hang back from these my words, for Jove is standing by; Let none be dull herein because it cometh suddenly: Today the town, the cause of war, the king Latinus' home, Unless they cry them craven men, and 'neath the yoke they come, Will I o'erthrow; the smoking towers upon the ground will lay. What! must I wait till Turnus grows fain of the battle-play? 570 And shall he, conquered, take his ease to fight me o'er and o'er? O fellows, this is head and well of all the wicked war. Haste with the torches, set we forth the troth with fire to find!" He spake; but all they set to work, and striving with one mind Knit close their ranks, and on the town a world of battle bear: Unlooked-for ladders are at hand, and sudden fires appear; While some they run unto the gates, and there the out-guards slay, Or hurl the spears, and with their cloud dim down the light of day. Æneas, in the front of men, lifts hand unto the walls, And in a great and mighty voice guilt on Latinus calls, 580 And bids the Gods to witness him twice to the battle driven, Italians twice become his foes, and twice the treaty riven. But mid the turmoiled city-folk arose the bickering then, Some bade unbar and open gates unto the Dardan men; Yea, some unto the walls would drag their very king and lord; But some bear arms and go their ways the walls of war to ward: E'en as the shepherd finds the bees shut in, a fencèd folk, In chinky pumice rock, and fills their house with bitter smoke; But they, all busy-fearful grown within their waxen wall, Run here and there and whet their wrath with mighty humming call: 590 The black stink rolleth through their house, and with a murmuring blind The stony hollows moan: the reek the empty air doth find.