Page:Aeneid (Conington 1866).djvu/418

With rivulets of slaughter reeks
The stern embattled field,
While each deals havoc round, or seeks
The glory death-wounds yield.

But fierce Camilla stems the fight
With all an Amazon's delight,
One naked breast conspicuous shone
By looping of her golden zone:
And now she rains an iron shower,
Thick pouring spears on spears,
And now with unabated power
Her mighty axe she rears;
Behind her sounds her golden bow,
And those dread darts the silvans know.
Nay, should she e'en perforce retreat,
Flying she wings her arrows fleet.
Her favoured comrades round her stand,
Larina maid, her strong heart manned,
Tulla, Tarpeia, axe in hand,
Italia's daughters they,
Whom erst she chose, attendants true,
Her bidding resolute to do
In peace or battle-fray:
So on Thermodon's echoing banks
The Amazons array their ranks,
In painted arms of radiant sheen
Around Hippolyte the queen,
Or when Penthesilea's car
Triumphant breasts the surge of war;
The maidens with their moony shields
Howling and leaping shake the fields.

Who first, who last, dread maiden, died
By thy resistless blow?
How many chiefs in valour's pride
Didst thou on earth lay low?