Book 12
his flock and offering: to the rising sun
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all eyes are lifted, as with careful hand
the salted meal is scattered, while with knives
they mark each victim's brow, outpouring wine
from shallow bowls, the sacrifice to bless.
Then good Aeneas, his sword drawn, put forth
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this votive prayer: “O Sun in heaven; and thou,
Italia, for whom such toils I bear,
be witness of my orison. On thee,
Father omnipotent, I call; on thee,
his Queen Saturnia,—now may she be
more gracious to my prayer! O glorious Mars,
beneath whose godhead and paternity
all wars begin and end, on thee I call;
hail, all ye river-gods and haunted springs;
hail, whatsoever gods have seat of awe
in yonder distant sky, and ye whose power
is in the keeping of the deep, blue sea:
if victory to Ausonian Turnus fall,
then let my vanquished people take its way
unto Evander's city! From these plains
Iulus shall retire—so stands the bond;
nor shall the Trojans with rebellious sword
bring after-trouble on this land and King.
But if on arms of ours success shall shine,
as I doubt not it shall (may gods on high
their will confirm!), I purpose not to chain
Italian captive unto Teucrian lord,
nor seek I kingly power. Let equal laws
unite in federation without end
the two unconquered nations; both shall share
my worshipped gods. Latinus, as my sire,
shall keep his sword, and as my sire receive
inviolable power. The Teucrians
shall build my stronghold, but our citadel
shall bear forevermore Lavinia's name.”
Aeneas thus: then with uplifted eyes
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Latinus swore, his right hand raised to heaven:
“I too, Aeneas, take the sacred vow.
By earth and sea and stars in heaven I swear,
