These words incited the Rutulians to a desire for war, but Juturna still further inflamed their minds by a singular omen. She caused to appear before them in the sky an eagle pursuing a flock of swans. The eagle swooped down upon the swans where they had alighted on the water of the river, and seizing one in its talons, was carrying it off. But suddenly the flock of swans arose, and darting in a solid body upon the eagle, attacked him with such force that he dropped his prey and flew off into the clouds.
The Rutulians understood the meaning of this spectacle, and with loud shouts they began to make preparations for battle. One of their number, the augur To-lum'ni-us, cried out to them to take up their swords and fall upon the Trojan foreigner after the example of the birds who, by united action, had just vanquished their enemy. Then rushing forward, Tolumnius cast a spear into the ranks of the Trojans. Whizzing through the air it struck an Arcadian youth, one of nine brothers who were standing together in the Etrurian lines, and penetrating his side stretched him dead on the field.
Thus the truce was broken, and immediately a fierce battle began, warriors on both sides hurling their darts and plying their swords, the very altars being overthrown in the struggle. Latinus in deep grief and disappointment retired from the scene, now that all hope of peace was at an end. But the Trojan chief, with his head uncovered, stretched forth his unarmed hand, and earnestly appealed to his own people. "Whither do you rush?" he cried. "How has this discord arisen? Restrain your rage, for the league is now formed, and all its terms settled." While thus endeavoring to restore peace, the pious AEneas himself was severely wounded.
—While he spoke, unmindful of defence,
A winged arrow struck the pious prince.
But whether from some human hand it came,
Or hostile god, is left unknown by fame;
No human hand, or hostile god, was found,
To boast the triumph of so base a wound.
DRYDEN, AEneid, BOOK XII.
AEneas was led away to his tent, bleeding from his wound. Then Turnus called for his war chariot and his arms, and drove furiously over the plain into the midst of the Trojans, dealing death around him on every side.
He drives impetuous, and, where'er he goes,
He leaves behind a lane of slaughtered foes.
DRYDEN, AEneid, BOOK XII.
One brave Trojan warrior named Phe'geus made a gallant fight against Turnus. Leaping in front of the chariot, and seizing the bridles, he strove with all his might to bring the horses to a stand. While he was being dragged along, clinging to the pole, a thrust from the lance of Turnus pierced his coat of mail and inflicted a slight wound. Still the heroic Phegeus held on, and, turning towards his foe, endeavored to reach him with his sword, but just then, coming against the chariot wheels, he was hurled to the ground, and in a moment Turnus, with one blow, struck off his head.
Meanwhile, AEneas attended by Mnestheus, the faithful Achates, and the young Iulus, lay bleeding in his camp. The barb of the arrow by which he had been wounded still remained fixed in the flesh, and not even the skillful surgeon I-a'pis, whom Apollo himself had instructed in medicine, could extract it. But the goddess Venus once more came to the relief of her son. While Iapis was fomenting the wound with water, the goddess, unseen, dipped into the vessel a branch of dit'ta-ny, a plant famous for its healing qualities. At the same time she injected celestial ambrosia, and juice of the all-curing herb pan-a-ce'a.
Instantly the arrow dropped out, the wound healed up, and the Trojan chief recovered his full strength and vigor. Then Iapis exclaimed, "Not by human hand has this cure been effected. Some powerful god, AEneas, has saved you for great enterprises." Immediately the hero put on his armor; and before going out into the battle-field, he tenderly embraced his son and spoke to him words of counsel and encouragement.
In his mailed arms his child he pressed,
Kissed through his helm, and thus addressed:
"Learn of your father to be great,
Of others to be fortunate.
This hand awhile shall be your shield
And lead you safe from field to field;
When grown yourself to manhood's prime,
Remember those of former time,
Recall each venerable name,
And catch heroic fire
From Hector's and AEneas' fame,
Your uncle and your sire."
CONINGTON, AEneid, BOOK XII.