His outposts plants Messapus, set to guard The gates with watchfires, and the walls invest.
Twice seven captains round the camp keep ward, Each with a hundred warriors of the best, With golden armour and a blood-red crest.
These to and fro pace sentinels, and share The watch in turn; those, on the sward at rest, Tilt the brass wine-bowl.

Bright the watch-fires flare, And games and festive mirth the wakeful night outwear.
XXII.

Forth look the Trojans from their walls, and line The heights in arms, and test with hurrying fear The gates, and bridges to the bulwarks join, And bring up darts and javelins.

Mnestheus here, There bold Serestus is at hand to cheer, They, whom AEneas left to rule the host, Should ill betide them, or the foe draw near.
Thus all in turn, where peril pressed the most, Keep watch along the wall, dividing danger's post.
XXIII.

Nisus, the bold, stood warder of the gate, The son of Hyrtacus, whom Ida fair, The huntress, on AEneas sent to wait, Quick with light arrows and the flying spear.
Beside him stood Euryalus, his fere; Scarce on his cheeks the down of manhood grew, The comeliest youth that donned the Trojan gear.
Love made them one; as one, to fight they flew, As one they guard the gates, companions tried and true.
XXIV.