[The Aeneid of Virgil by Virgil]@TWC D-Link book
The Aeneid of Virgil

BOOK EIGHT
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Slumber at once and night Forsook AEneas; he arose, and stood, And eastward gazing at the dawning light, Scooped up the stream, obedient to the rite, And prayed, "O nymphs, Laurentian nymphs, whence spring All rivers; father Tiber, blest and bright, Receive AEneas as your own, and bring Peace to his toil-worn heart, and shield the Dardan king.
X.

"What pool soever holds thy source, where'er The soil, from whence thou leapest to the day In loveliness, these grateful hands shall bear Due gifts, these lips shall hallow thee for aye, Horned river, whom Hesperian streams obey, Whose pity cheers; be with us, I entreat, Confirm thy purpose, and thy power display." He spake, and chose two biremes from the fleet, Equipped with oars, and rigged with crews and arms complete.
XI.

Lo! now a portent, wondrous to be seen.
Stretched at full length along the bank, they view The fateful swine, conspicuous on the green, White, with her litter of the self-same hue.
Her good AEneas, as an offering due, To Juno, mightiest of all powers divine, Yea, e'en to thee, dread Juno, caught and slew, And lit the altars and outpoured the wine, And left the dam and brood together at the shrine.
XII.

All night the Tiber stayed his swelling flood, And with hushed wave, recoiling from the main, Calm as some pool or quiet lake, he stood And smoothed his waters like a liquid plain, That not an oar should either strive or strain.
Thus on they go; smooth glides the bark of pine, Borne with glad shouts; and ever and again The woods and waters wonder, as the line Of painted keels goes by, with arms of glittering shine.
XIII.

All night and day outwearying, they steer Up the long reaches, through the groves, that lie With green trees shadowing the tranquil mere.
Now flamed the sun in the meridian high, When walls afar and citadel they spy, And scattered roofs.


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