680But not for that did the flames and the blaze lay down their untamed strength; 681under the wet oak the tow lives, spewing slow smoke, the smouldering heat devours the keels, and the plague sinks down through the whole body, nor do the heroes' strength and the floods poured on avail. 685Then dutiful Aeneas began to tear the garment from his shoulders, to call the gods to help, and to stretch out his palms: 'Almighty Jupiter, if you do not yet hate the Trojans to the last man, if your old pity has any regard for human toils, grant the fleet escape from the flame now, Father, and snatch the slender fortunes of the Trojans from destruction.
691Or else, as for what remains, send me down to death with your hostile thunderbolt, if I deserve it, and overwhelm me here with your right hand.' 693Scarcely had he uttered this, when a black storm rages beyond measure with pouring rain, and the heights of the earth and the plains tremble with thunder; 695from the whole sky rushes a wild rainstorm, blackest with dense south winds; 697the ships are filled to the brim; 697the half-burnt timbers are soaked; 698until all the heat was quenched, and all the ships but four were saved from the plague.