653By chance a ship stood moored to a ledge of high rock, with ladders let down and gangway ready, in which King Osinius had sailed from the shores of Clusium. 656Here the panicking phantom of the fleeing Aeneas throws itself into hiding; 657and Turnus presses on no less swiftly, overcomes every obstacle and leaps across the high gangways. 659Scarcely had he reached the prow: Saturn's daughter breaks the rope and sweeps the ship, torn loose, over the ebbing waters. 661But Aeneas, meanwhile, calls for him to battle, though he is absent; 662he sends many bodies of men who meet him down to death: then the light phantom no longer seeks hiding-places, but flying aloft mingled with a black cloud.
665Meanwhile a gust bears Turnus through the midst of the sea. 666He looks back, ignorant of what has happened and ungrateful for his rescue, and stretches out both hands with his voice to the stars: 'All-powerful father, did you think me worthy of such disgrace, and did you want me to pay such a penalty? 670Where am I being carried? 670Where have I come from? 670What flight is taking me back, and as what man? 671Shall I see the Laurentine walls or camp again? 672What of that band of men who followed me and my arms? 673All of whom (the horror!) I have left in an unspeakable death, and now I see them scattered and hear the groans of the falling!
675What am I doing? 675Or what earth could now gape deep enough for me? 676Rather, O winds, take pity: onto the cliffs, onto the rocks (I, Turnus, beg you with all my heart) carry this ship and drive it onto the cruel shoals of the Syrtes, where neither the Rutulians nor rumour that knows my shame may follow me.' 680Saying this, he wavers in his mind now this way, now that: whether in his madness to impale himself on his blade for such disgrace and drive the raw sword through his ribs, or to throw himself into the midst of the waves and, swimming, make for the curving shore and return once more to the arms of the Teucrians.
685Three times he tried each way, three times greatest Juno held him back and, pitying him in her heart, restrained the young man. 687He glides on, cutting the deep, with wave and tide in his favour, and is carried down to the ancient city of his father Daunus.