mighty fires, even as when on a clear night blood-hued

comets glare with gloomy red, or as the Sirian blaze,

that harbinger of drought and sickness to weak mortality,

breaks into birth and saddens heaven with its ill-boding

rays. 20

Yet pause was none in bold Turnus’ confidence to forestall

the landing-place, and beat off the comers from the

shore. His words are ready at the moment to encourage

and upbraid: “See here the occasion you longed for, to

break through them at the sword’s point. A brave man’s 25