And old Acestes, each adorned his head; Thus young Ascanius, with a sprightly grace, His temples tied, and all the Trojan race. Æneas then advanced amidst the train, By thousands followed through the flowery plain, To great Anchises' tomb; which when he found, He poured to Bacchus, on the hallowed ground, Two bowls of sparkling wine, of milk two more, And two (from offered bulls) of purple gore. With roses then the sepulchre he strow'd, And thus his father's ghost bespoke aloud:-- "Hail, O ye holy manes! hail again, Paternal ashes, now reviewed in vain! The gods permitted not, that you, with me, } Should reach the promised shores of Italy, } Or Tyber's flood, what flood soe'er it be." } Scarce had he finished, when, with speckled pride, A serpent from the tomb began to glide; His hugy bulk on seven high volumes rolled; Blue was his breadth of back, but streaked with scaly gold: Thus riding on his curls, he seemed to pass A rolling fire along, and singe the grass. More various colours through his body run, Than Iris when her bow imbibes the sun. Betwixt the rising altars, and around, The sacred monster shot along the ground; With harmless play amidst the bowls he passed, And with his lolling tongue assayed the taste: Thus fed with holy food, the wondrous guest Within the hollow tomb retired to rest. The pious prince, surprised at what he viewed, The funeral honours with more zeal renewed, Doubtful if this the place's genius were, Or guardian of his father's sepulchre. Five sheep, according to the rites, he slew; As many swine, and steers of sable hue; New generous wine he from the goblets poured, And called his father's ghost, from hell restored. The glad attendants in long order come, Offering their gifts at great Anchises' tomb: Some add more oxen; some divide the spoil; } Some place the chargers on the grassy soil; } Some blow the fires, and offered entrails boil. } Now came the day desired. The skies were bright With rosy lustre of the rising light: The bordering people, roused by sounding fame Of Trojan feasts and great Acestes' name, The crowded shore with acclamations fill, Part to behold, and part to prove their skill. And first the gifts in public view they place, Green laurel wreaths, and palm, the victors' grace: Within the circle, arms and tripods lie, } Ingots of gold and silver heaped on high, } And vests embroidered, of the Tyrian dye. } The trumpet's clangor then the feast proclaims, And all prepare for their appointed games. Four galleys first, which equal rowers bear, Advancing, in the watery lists appear. The speedy Dolphin, that outstrips the wind, Bore Mnestheus, author of the Memmian kind: Gyas the vast Chimæra's bulk commands,