Full many a prince from Latium far and wide, And all Ausonia had essayed in vain To win the fair Lavinia for his bride.
Her suitor now, the comeliest of the train, Was Turnus, sprung from an illustrious strain.
Fair seemed his suit, for kindly was the maid, And dearly the queen loved him, and was fain His hopes to further, but the Fates gainsayed, And boding signs from Heaven the purposed match delayed.
IX.

Deep in the inmost palace, long rever'd, There stood an ancient laurel.

'Twas the same That sire Latinus, when the walls he reared, Found there, and vowed to Phoebus, and the name "Laurentines" thence his settlers taught to claim.
Here suddenly--behold a wondrous thing!-- Borne with loud buzzing through the air, down came A swarm of bees.

Around the top they cling, And from a leafy branch in linked clusters swing.
X.

"Behold, from yon same quarter," cried a seer, "A stranger! see their swarming hosts conspire To lord it o'er Laurentum; see them near." He spake, but lo! while, standing by her sire, The chaste Lavinia feeds the sacred fire, The flames, O horror! on her locks lay hold: Her beauteous head-dress and her rich attire, Her hair, her coronal of gems and gold Blaze, and the crackling flames her regal robe enfold.
XI.