1And while these things are being done in a far distant quarter, Saturn's daughter Juno sent Iris from heaven to bold Turnus. 3Turnus was then by chance sitting in the grove of his ancestor Pilumnus, in a hallowed valley. 5To him the daughter of Thaumas spoke thus with rosy lips: 'Turnus, what none of the gods would dare to promise you for all your wishing, see, the rolling day has brought of its own accord. 8Aeneas, leaving his city, his comrades and his fleet, is making for the sceptre and the seat of Palatine Evander. 10Nor is that enough: he has pushed through to the furthest cities of Corythus, and is arming a band of Lydians, country folk gathered together.
12Why do you hesitate? 12Now is the time to call for horses, now for chariots. 13Break off all delay and seize the camp in its confusion.' 14She spoke, and rose into the sky on balanced wings, and in her flight cut a huge bow beneath the clouds. 16The young man recognised her, raised both palms to the stars, and followed her as she fled with these words: 'Iris, glory of the sky, who has sent you down to me, borne on the clouds, to earth? 19Whence this weather, suddenly so bright? 20I see the heavens parting in the middle, and the stars wandering in the sky. 21I follow such great omens, whoever you are who call me to arms.' 22And having spoken so, he went forward to the water, drew up water from the surface of the stream, praying much to the gods, and loaded the air with vows.