His mother's bush he did on brow e'en as the word he said; The like did Helymus, the like Acestes ripe of eld, The like the boy Ascanius, yea, and all that manner held. Then from that council to the tomb that duke of men did pass; Mid many thousands, he the heart of all that concourse was. There, worshipping, on earth he pours in such wise as was good Two cups of mere wine, two of milk, and two of holy blood, And scatters purple flowers around; and then such words he said: "Hail, holy father! hail once more! hail, ashes visited 80 Once more for nought! hail, father-shade and spirit sweet in vain! Forbid with me that Italy to seek, that fated plain, With me Ausonian Tiber-flood, whereso it be, to seek." He spake: but from the lowest mound a mighty serpent sleek Drew seven great circles o'er the earth, and glided sevenfold, Passing in peace the tomb around, and o'er the altars rolled: Blue stripèd was the back of him, and all his scales did glow With glitter of fine flecks of gold; e'en as the cloud-hung bow A thousand shifting colours fair back from the sun he cast. Æneas wondered at the sight; but on the serpent passed, 90 And 'twixt the bowls and smoothèd cups his long array he wound, Tasting the hallowed things; and so he gat him underground Beneath the tomb again, and left the altars pastured o'er. Heartened hereby, his father's soul Æneas worshipped more, And, doubtful, deemeth it to be Anchises' guardian ghost Or godhead of the place: so there he slayeth double host, As custom would; two black-backed steers, and e'en as many swine, And calleth on his father's soul with pouring of the wine, On great Anchises' glorious ghost from Acheron set free. From out their plenty therewithal his fellows joyfully 100 Give gifts, and load the altar-stead, and smite the steers adown. While others serve the seething brass, and o'er the herbage strown Set coaly morsels 'neath the spit, and roast the inner meat.