So was I girt with sword again, and in my shield would set My left hand now, and was in point from out of doors to get, When lo, my wife about my feet e'en in the threshold clung, Still to his father reaching out Iulus tender-young: 'If thou art on thy way to die, then bear us through it all; But if to thee the wise in arms some hope of arms befall, Then keep this house first! Unto whom giv'st thou Iulus' life, Thy father's, yea and mine withal, that once was called thy wife?' So crying out, the house she filled with her exceeding moan, When sudden, wondrous to be told, a portent was there shown; 680 For as his woeful parents' hands and lips he hangs between, On topmost of Iulus' head a thin peaked flame is seen, That with the harmless touch of fire, whence clearest light is shed, Licks his soft locks and pastures round the temples of his head. Quaking with awe from out his hair we fall the fire to shake, And bring the water of the well the holy flame to slake. But joyous to the stars aloft Anchises raiseth eyes, And with his hands spread out abroad to very heaven he cries: 'Almighty Jove, if thou hast will toward any prayers to turn, Look down on us this while alone; if aught our goodness earn, 690 Father, give help and strengthen us these omens from the sky!' Scarce had the elder said the word ere crashing suddenly It thundered on the left, and down across the shades of night Ran forth a great brand-bearing star with most abundant light; And clear above the topmost house we saw it how it slid Lightening the ways, and at the last in Ida's forest hid. Then through the sky a furrow ran drawn out a mighty space, Giving forth light, and sulphur-fumes rose all about the place. My father vanquished therewithal his visage doth upraise, And saith a word unto the Gods that holy star to praise: 700 'Now, now, no tarrying is at all, I follow where ye lead; O Father-Gods heed ye our house and this my son's son heed! This is your doom; and Troy is held beneath your majesty. I yield, O son, nor more gainsay to go my ways with thee.' He spake; and mid the walls meanwhile we hear the fire alive Still clearer, and the burning place more nigh the heat doth drive.