to follow him to the war, eminent in valour: the rest are

wafted down the stream and float lazily along with the

current at their back, to bring Ascanius news of his father 15

and his fortunes. Horses are given to the Teucrians who

are seeking the Tyrrhene territory, and one is led along,

reserved for Æneas; a tawny lion’s hide covers it wholly,

gleaming forth with talons of gold.

At once flies rumour, blazed through the little city, 20

that the horsemen are marching with speed to the gates

of the Tyrrhene king. In alarm the matrons redouble