Review of the Julian dynasty by Wenceslaus Hollar (Plate 315

May 09, 2021

Review of the Julian dynasty by Wenceslaus Hollar (Plate 315 - Scenes from Virgil) 1607-1677

"Beneath a shady tree, the hero spread
His table on the turf, with cakes of bread;
And, with his chiefs, on forest fruits he fed.
They sate; and, (not without the God’s command,)
Their homely fare dispatch’d, the hungry band
Invade their trenchers next, and soon devour,
To mend the scanty meal, their cakes of flour.
Ascanius this observ’d, and smiling said:
“See, we devour the plates on which we fed.”
The speech had omen, that the Trojan race
Should find repose, and this the time and place.
Aeneas took the word, and thus replies,
Confessing fate with wonder in his eyes:
“All hail, O earth! all hail, my household Gods!
Behold the destin’d place of your abodes!"

-Virgil, The Aeneid, Book 7