was flooding the shore, to gaze on the family of Æneas,

and some, too, ready to dispute the prizes. First, in sight

of all, the gifts are bestowed in the midst of the ring—hallowed 20

tripods and verdant chaplets, and palms, the

conquerors’ special guerdon—armour and raiment of

purple dye—a talent’s[187] weight of silver and gold; and

from a mound in the centre the shrill trumpet proclaims

the sports begun. The first contest, waged with labouring 25

oars, is entered by four ships, the flower of the entire

fleet. There is Mnestheus, with his fiery crew, speeding