Page:Aeneid (Conington 1866).djvu/89

'Come, mount my shoulders, dear my sire:
Such load my strength shall never tire.
Now, whether fortune smiles or lowers,
One risk, one safety shall be ours.
My son shall journey at my side,
My wife her steps by mine shall guide,
At distance safe. What next I say,
Attend, my servants, and obey.
Without the city stands a mound
With Ceres' ruined temple crowned:
A cypress spreads its branches near,
Hoar with hereditary fear.
Part we our several ways, to meet
At length beside that hallowed seat.
You, father, in your arms upbear
Troy's household gods with duteous care:
For me, just scaped from battle-fray,
On holy things a hand to lay
Were desecration, till I lave
My body in the running wave.'
So saying, in a lion's hide
I robe my shoulders, mantling wide,
And stoop beneath the precious load:
Iulus fastens to my side,
His steps scarce matching with my stride:
My wife behind me takes her road.
We travel darkling in the shade,
And I, whom through that fearful night
Nor volleyed javelins had dismayed
Nor foemen hand to hand, in fight,
Now start at every sound, in dread
For him I bore and him I led.

And now the gates I neared at last,
And all the journey seemed o'erpast,
When trampling feet my ear assail;