336Then Drances, as hostile as before, whom Turnus' glory goaded with sidelong envy and bitter stings, lavish with his wealth and better with his tongue, but with a right hand cold in war, held no futile adviser in council, powerful in faction (his mother's noble birth gave him proud lineage; his father's was uncertain), rises and with these words loads and heaps up their anger: 'You consult us, good king, on a matter obscure to no one and needing no voice of ours: all confess they know what the fortune of the people portends, but they are afraid to say it. 346Let him grant freedom of speech and lower his blustering, he through whose ill-omened leadership and perverse ways (I shall speak, though he threaten me with arms and death) we see so many lights among our leaders fallen and the whole city sunk in grief, while he assails the Trojan camp, trusting in flight, and frightens heaven with his arms.
352One thing more to those gifts which you bid be sent and promised in such numbers to the Dardanians, one thing, best of kings, you should add, and let no man's violence overcome you: that you, a father, give your daughter to a noble son-in-law in a worthy marriage, and bind this peace with an everlasting treaty. 357But if such terror holds our minds and hearts, let us entreat the man himself and beg this favour from him himself: let him give way, let him give back to king and country their own right. 360Why do you fling your wretched citizens so often into open danger, you, the head and cause of these evils for Latium?
362There is no safety in war: we all ask you for peace, Turnus, and with it the only inviolable pledge of peace. 364I first, whom you imagine to be your enemy (and I do not mind being so), see, I come as a suppliant. 365Pity your own people, lay aside your pride, and go off beaten. 366Routed, we have seen enough vast deaths and have left our fields desolate. 368Or if fame moves you, if you conceive such strength in your breast, and if a palace as dowry is so dear to your heart, be bold and confidently carry your breast against the enemy. 371So, forsooth, that Turnus may win a royal bride, we, worthless souls, an unburied and unwept crowd, are to be strewn over the plains.
373You too, if you have any strength, if you have anything of your fathers' warlike spirit, look him in the face, the man who challenges you.'