And beg admission, eager to be heard-- } The affair important, not to be deferred. } Ascanius bids them be conducted in, Ordering the more experienced to begin. Then Nisus thus:--"Ye fathers, lend your ears; Nor judge our bold attempt beyond our years. The foe, securely drenched in sleep and wine, Neglect their watch; the fires but thinly shine; And, where the smoke in cloudy vapours flies, Covering the plain, and curling to the skies, Betwixt two paths, which at the gate divide, } Close by the sea, a passage we have spied, } Which will our way to great Æneas guide. } Expect each hour to see him safe again, Loaded with spoils of foes in battle slain. Snatch we the lucky minute while we may; Nor can we be mistaken in the way; For, hunting in the vales, we both have seen The rising turrets, and the stream between, And know the winding course, with every ford." He ceased; and old Aletes took the word:-- "Our country gods, in whom our trust we place, Will yet from ruin save the Trojan race, While we behold such dauntless worth appear In dawning youth, and souls so void of fear." Then into tears of joy the father broke; } Each in his longing arms by turns he took; } Panted and paused; and thus again he spoke:-- } "Ye brave young men, what equal gifts can we, In recompense of such desert, decree? The greatest, sure, and best you can receive, The gods and your own conscious worth will give. The rest our grateful general will bestow, And young Ascanius, till his manhood, owe." "And I, whose welfare in my father lies," Ascanius adds, "by the great deities, By my dear country, by my household gods, By hoary Vesta's rites and dark abodes, Adjure you both, (on you my fortune stands; That and my faith I plight into your hands,) Make me but happy in his safe return, Whose wanted presence I can only mourn; Your common gift shall two large goblets be Of silver, wrought with curious imagery, And high embossed, which, when old Priam reigned, My conquering sire at sacked Arisba gained; And, more, two tripods cast in antique mould, With two great talents of the finest gold; Beside a costly bowl, engraved with art, Which Dido gave, when first she gave her heart. But, if in conquered Italy we reign, When spoils by lot the victor shall obtain-- Thou saw'st the courser by proud Turnus pressed, That, Nisus! and his arms, and nodding crest, And shield, from chance exempt, shall be thy share; } Twelve labouring slaves, twelve handmaids young and fair, } All clad in rich attire, and trained with care; } And, last, a Latian field with fruitful plains, And a large portion of the king's domains. But thou, whose years are more to mine allied, No fate my vowed affection shall divide