my sacred pines. Go free, my favourites: go and be
goddesses of the sea: it is the mother’s voice that bids
you.” And at once each ship snaps her cable from the 25
bank, and like a dolphin dips her beak and makes for the
bottom. Then all emerge in maiden forms, a marvel to
behold, and breast the main, as many as stood a moment
ago with their brazen prows to the shore.
Amazement seized the Rutulians; terror came on Messapus 30
himself, confusion on his steeds; even Tiber, the
river, pauses, murmuring hoarsely, and retraces his seaward