I think our adversaries can carry this argument no
farther, unless they tell us that he ought to have had more
confidence in the promise of the gods. But how was he assured that
he had understood their oracles aright? Helenus might be mistaken;
Phoebus might speak doubtfully; even his mother might flatter him
that he might prosecute his voyage, which if it succeeded happily he
should be the founder of an empire: for that she herself was
doubtful of his fortune is apparent by the address she made to
Jupiter on his behalf; to which the god makes answer in these
words:-
"Parce metu, Cytherea, manent immota tuorum
Fata tibi," &c.
Notwithstanding which the goddess, though comforted, was not
assured; for even after this, through the course of the whole
"AEneis," she still apprehends the interest which Juno might make
with Jupiter against her son. For it was a moot point in heaven
whether he could alter fate or not; and indeed some passages in
Virgil would make us suspect that he was of opinion Jupiter might
defer fate, though he could not alter it; for in the latter end of
the tenth book he introduces Juno begging for the life of Turnus,
and flattering her husband with the power of changing destiny, tua,
qui potes, orsa reflectas! To which he graciously answers--
"Si mora praesentis leti, tempusque caduco
Oratur juveni, meque hoc ita ponere sentis,
Tolle fuga Turnum, atquc instantibus eripe fatis.
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