What right hast thou to rule the Latian state, And send us out to meet our certain fate?
'T is a destructive war: from Turnus' hand Our peace and public safety we demand.
Let the fair bride to the brave chief remain;If not, the peace, without the pledge, is vain.
Turnus, I know you think me not your friend, Nor will I much with your belief contend:
I beg your greatness not to give the law In others' realms, but, beaten, to withdraw.
Pity your own, or pity our estate;
Nor twist our fortunes with your sinking fate.
Your interest is, the war should never cease;But we have felt enough to wish the peace:
A land exhausted to the last remains, Depopulated towns, and driven plains.
Yet, if desire of fame, and thirst of pow'r, A beauteous princess, with a crown in dow'r, So fire your mind, in arms assert your right, And meet your foe, who dares you to the fight.
Mankind, it seems, is made for you alone;We, but the slaves who mount you to the throne:
A base ignoble crowd, without a name, Unwept, unworthy, of the fun'ral flame, By duty bound to forfeit each his life, That Turnus may possess a royal wife.
Permit not, mighty man, so mean a crew Should share such triumphs, and detain from you The post of honor, your undoubted due.
Rather alone your matchless force employ, To merit what alone you must enjoy."These words, so full of malice mix'd with art, Inflam'd with rage the youthful hero's heart.
Then, groaning from the bottom of his breast, He heav'd for wind, and thus his wrath express'd:
"You, Drances, never want a stream of words, Then, when the public need requires our swords.
First in the council hall to steer the state, And ever foremost in a tongue-debate, While our strong walls secure us from the foe, Ere yet with blood our ditches overflow:
But let the potent orator declaim, And with the brand of coward blot my name;Free leave is giv'n him, when his fatal hand Has cover'd with more corps the sanguine strand, And high as mine his tow'ring trophies stand.
If any doubt remains, who dares the most, Let us decide it at the Trojan's cost, And issue both abreast, where honor calls-Foes are not far to seek without the walls-Unless his noisy tongue can only fight, And feet were giv'n him but to speed his flight.