Book VIII

night to wind-swept Ilium. To their aid The darkness comes, and saves the Greeks, and saves Their galleys ranged along the ocean-side. Obey we, then, the dark-browed night; prepare Our meal; unyoke the steeds with flowing manes, And set their food before them. Bring at once Oxen and fatlings of the flock from town, And from your dwellings bread and pleasant wine. And let us gather store of wood, to feed A multitude of blazing fires all night, Till Morning, daughter of the Dawn, appear⁠— Fires that shall light the sky, lest in the hours Of darkness with their ships the long-haired Greeks Attempt escape across the mighty deep. And, that they may not climb their decks unharmed. Let every foeman bear a wound to cure At home⁠—an arrow-wound or gash of spear, Given as he leaps on board. So other foes Shall dread a conflict with the knights of Troy. And let the heralds, dear to Jove, command That all grown youths and hoary-headed men Keep watch about the city in the towers Built by the gods; and let the feebler sex Kindle large fires upon their hearths at home; And let the guard be strengthened, lest the foe Should steal into the city while its sons Are all abroad. Thus let it be till morn, Brave Trojans! I but speak of what the time Requires, and on the morrow I shall