First, good Achates, with repeated strokes Of clashing flints, their hidden fire provokes: Short flame succeeds: a bed of withered leaves The dying sparkles in their fall receives: Caught into life, in fiery fumes they rise, And, fed with stronger food, invade the skies. The Trojans, dropping wet, or stand around The cheerful blaze, or lie along the ground. Some dry their corn, infected with the brine, Then grind with marbles, and prepare to dine. Æneas climbs the mountain's airy brow, And takes a prospect of the seas below, If Capys thence, or Antheus, he could spy, Or see the streamers of Caïcus fly. No vessels were in view: but, on the plain, Three beamy stags command a lordly train Of branching heads: the more ignoble throng Attend their stately steps, and slowly graze along. He stood; and, while secure they fed below, He took the quiver and the trusty bow Achates used to bear: the leaders first He laid along, and then the vulgar pierced: Nor ceased his arrows, till the shady plain Seven mighty bodies with their blood distain. For the seven ships he made an equal share, And to the port returned, triumphant from the war. The jars of generous wine (Acestes' gift, When his Trinacrian shores the navy left) He set abroach, and for the feast prepared, In equal portions with the venison shared. Thus, while he dealt it round, the pious chief, With cheerful words, allayed the common grief:-- "Endure, and conquer! Jove will soon dispose, To future good, our past and present woes. With me, the rocks of Scylla you have tried; The inhuman Cyclops, and his den defied. What greater ills hereafter can you bear? Resume your courage, and dismiss your care. An hour will come, with pleasure to relate Your sorrows past, as benefits of Fate. Through various hazards and events, we move To Latium, and the realms foredoomed by Jove. Called to the seat (the promise of the skies) Where Trojan kingdoms once again may rise, Endure the hardships of your present state; Live, and reserve yourselves for better fate." These words he spoke, but spoke not from his heart; His outward smiles concealed his inward smart. The jolly crew, unmindful of the past, The quarry share, their plenteous dinner haste. Some strip the skin; some portion out the spoil; } The limbs, yet trembling, in the cauldrons boil; } Some on the fire the reeking entrails broil. } Stretched on the grassy turf, at ease they dine, Restore their strength with meat, and cheer their souls with wine. Their hunger thus appeased, their care attends The doubtful fortune of their absent friends: Alternate hopes and fears their minds possess, Whether to deem them dead, or in distress. Above the rest, Æneas mourns the fate Of brave Orontes, and the uncertain state Of Gyas, Lycus, and of Amycus.-- The day, but not their sorrows, ended thus;