town to report the answers they bear, and bids them repeat

each point in order. Silence is proclaimed, and Venulus,

obeying the mandate, begins to speak:

“Townsmen, we have looked on Diomede and his Argive 20

encampment: the journey is overpast, and every chance

surmounted, and we have touched the hand by which the

realm of Ilion fell. We found him raising his city of Argyripa,

the namesake of his ancestral people, in the land of

Iapygian Garganus which his sword had won. Soon as 25

the presence was gained and liberty of speech accorded, we