25And now the whole army was advancing over the open plains, rich in horses, rich in embroidered robes and gold; 27Messapus controls the front ranks, the young sons of Tyrrhus the rear, and Turnus the leader is in the middle of the column, like the Ganges rising deep in silence, fed by its seven calm streams, or the Nile with its rich flood when it ebbs back from the fields and has now settled into its channel. 33Here the Teucrians see from afar a sudden cloud massing with black dust, and darkness rising over the plains. 35Caicus is the first to cry out from the rampart facing it: 'What mass is this, citizens, rolling on in black gloom?
37Quick, bring swords, hand out weapons, man the walls; the enemy is here, ho!' 38With a great shout the Teucrians take refuge through all the gates and fill the walls. 40For so Aeneas, best in arms, had instructed them on leaving: if any chance should arise meanwhile, they were not to dare to draw up a battle line or trust themselves to the plain; 43only to guard the camp and the walls kept safe by the rampart. 44Therefore, although shame and anger urge them to join battle, they nevertheless bar the gates and carry out his orders, and, armed, await the enemy in their hollow towers.