But the thing pleased not the Latins; for before, indeed, they judged that the battle would not be equal between two; and now were they the more assured, seeing them when they came together, and that Turnus walked with eyes cast to the ground, and was pale and wan.  Wherefore there arose a murmuring among the people, which when Juturna perceived, she took upon herself the likeness of Camertus, who was a prince and a great warrior among them, and passed through the host saying, “Are ye not ashamed, men of Italy, that one man should do battle for you all?  For count these men; surely they are scarce one against two.  And if he be vanquished, what shame for you!  As for him, indeed, though he die, yet shall his glory reach to the heavens; but ye shall suffer disgrace, serving these strangers forever.”

And when she saw that the people were moved, she gave also a sign from heaven.  For lo! an eagle, that drave a crowd of sea-fowl before him, swooped down to the water, and caught a great swan; and even while the Italians looked, the birds that before had fled turned and pursued the eagle, and drave him before them, so that he dropped the swan and fled away.  Which thing when the Italians perceived they shouted, and made them ready for battle.  And the augur Tolumnius cried, “This is the token that I have looked for.  For this eagle is the stranger, and ye are the birds, which before, indeed, have fled, but shall now make him to flee.”

And he ran forward and cast his spear, smiting a man of Arcadia below the belt, upon the groin.  One of nine brothers was he, sons of a Tuscan mother, but their father was a Greek; and they, when they saw him slain, caught swords and spears, and ran forward.  And straightway the battle was begun.  First they brake down the altars, that they might take firebrands therefrom; and King Latinus fled from the place.  Then did Messapus drive his horses against King Aulestes of Mantua, who, being fain to fly, stumbled upon the altar and fell headlong on the ground.  And Messapus smote him with a spear that was like a weaver’s beam, saying, “This, of a truth, is a worthier victim.”  After this Coryneus, the Arcadian, when Ebysus would have smitten him, snatched a brand from the altar and set fire to the beard of the man, and, before he came to himself, caught him by the hair, and thrusting him to the ground, so slew him.  And when Podalirius pursued Alsus the shepherd, and now held his sword over him ready to strike, the other turned, and with a battle-axe cleft the man’s head from forehead to chin.

But all the while the righteous AEneas, having his head bare, and holding neither spear nor sword, cried to the people, “What seek ye? what madness is this?  The covenant is established, and I only have the right to do battle.”  But even while he spake an arrow smote him, wounding him.  But who let it fly no man knoweth; for who, of a truth, would boast that he had wounded AEneas?  And he departed from the battle.