monitu ducis acer agebat Amphion equites, noctem vigilataque castra explorare datus, primusque per avia campi usque procul (necdum totas lux solverat umbras) nescio quid visu dubium incertumque moveri corporaque ire videt; subitus mox fraude reperta exclamat, cohibete gradum quicumque! sed hostes esse patet: miseri pergunt anteire timentque non sibi; tunc mortem trepidis minitatur et hastam expulit, at vanos alte levat eminus ictus, affectans errare manum.
It was brave Amphion leading his horsemen at his chiefs behest, assigned to try out the night and the guarded camp. He first perceives far off in the pathless stretches of the plain (light had not yet dispelled all the dark) something stirring, doubtful to the sight and uncertain, bodies in motion. Of a sudden, discerning mischief he cries: Halt, whoever you are! But plainly they are enemies. The unfortunates go on ahead and are afraid, not for themselves. Then he threatens the tremblers with death and hurls a spear, but from a distance sends his blow high and to no effect, feigning an erring hand.
final_alignments\Statius_Thebaid_Book10.json