uppliant to Evander's roof
AEneaes went; though Venulus in vain,
To exil'd Diomed's great town was sent.
A mighty city Diomed' had rear'd
Beneath Apulian Daunus, and possess'd
His lands by marriage dower. But when made known
By Venulus, the message Turnus sent,
Beseeching aid, th' Etolian hero aid
Deny'd. For neither was his wish to send
His father's troops to fight, nor of his own
Had he, which might the strenuous warfare wage.--
"Lest this but feign'd you think," he said, "though grief
"The sad relation will once more renew,
"Yet will I now th'afflicting tale repeat.

"When lofty Ilium was consum'd,--the towers
"Of Pergamus a prey to Grecian flames,
"The Locrian Ajax, for the ravish'd maid,
"Drew vengeance on us all; which he alone
"Deserv'd from angry Pallas. Scatter'd wide,
"And swept by tempests through the foaming deep,
"The Grecians, thunders, rains, and darkness bore,
"All heaven's and ocean's rage; and all to crown,
"On the Capharean rocks the fleet was dash'd.
"But not to tire you with each mournful scene
"In order; Greece might then the tears have drawn
"Ev'n from old Priam. Yet Minerva's care
"Snatch'd me in safety from the surge. Again
"From Argos, my paternal land, I'm driven;
"Bright Venus bearing still in mind the wound
"Of former days. Upon th'expanded deep
"Such toils I bore excessive; on the land
"So in stern combat strove, that oft those seem'd
"To me most blest, who in the common wreck,
"Caphareus sunk beneath the boisterous waves;
"A fate I anxious wish'd I'd with them shar'd.
"Now all my comrades, of the toilsome main,
"And constant warfare weary; respite crav'd
"From their long wanderings. Not was Agmon so,
"Fierce still his bosom burn'd; and now he rag'd
"From his misfortunes fiercer, as he cry'd--
"What, fellows! can remain which now to bear
"Your patience should refuse? What, though she would,
"Possesses Cythereae to inflict?
"When worse is to be dreaded, is the time
"For prayers: but when our state the worst has seen
"Fear should be spurn'd at; in our depth of woe
"Secure. Let she herself hear all my words;
"And let her hate, as hate she does, each man
"Who follows Diomed'! Yet will we all
"Her hatred mock, and stand against her power
"So mighty, with a no less mighty breast.--
"With words like these Etolian Agmon goads
"Th' already raging goddess, and revives
"Her anci