224All other creatures throughout the earth were loosening their cares in sleep, their hearts forgetful of toil: the foremost leaders of the Teucrians and the chosen youth were holding council on the highest affairs of the realm, what they should do or who should now be messenger to Aeneas. 229They stand leaning on their long spears and holding their shields, in the middle of the camp and the plain. 230Then Nisus and Euryalus together eagerly beg to be admitted at once: the matter was important and would be worth the delay. 232Iulus first received the anxious pair and ordered Nisus to speak. 234Then the son of Hyrtacus spoke thus: 'Hear us with fair minds, sons of Aeneas, and do not judge what we bring by our years.
236The Rutulians, loosened by sleep and wine, have fallen silent; 237we ourselves have spotted a place for a stealthy sortie, which lies open at the fork in the road by the gate nearest the sea; 239the fires are broken, and black smoke rises to the stars: if you allow us to use our chance to seek Aeneas and the walls of Pallanteum, you will soon see us here with spoils, a great slaughter accomplished. 243Nor will the road deceive us as we go: in constant hunting we have seen the edge of the city below in the dark valleys, and have come to know the whole river.'