away from this dangerous spot, and soon they were near the end of
their wanderings. At the dawn of next morning they beheld a spacious
grove, through which a pleasant river, tinted with the hue of the
yellow sand, burst forth into the sea. This was the Tiber on whose
banks in the distant future was to be founded the city in which the
descendants of the Trojan prince should hold imperial sway. AEneas,
though not aware that he was so close to the destined spot, commanded
his pilots to turn the ships towards the land, and joyfully they
entered the river. All around, the Trojan chief, as he gazed upon
the scene, could hear the sweet music of the groves.

Embowered amid the silvan scene
Old Tiber winds his banks between,
Around, gay birds of diverse wing,
Accustomed there to fly or sing,
Were fluttering on from spray to spray
And soothing ether with their lay.
CONINGTON, _AEneid_, BOOK VII.

The country in which the Trojans had now landed was called Latium, and
La-ti'nus was its king. Like most great kings of ancient times, he was
descended from a god. His father, Faunus, was the grandson of Saturn,
the predecessor and father of Jupiter.

Latinus was advanced in years, and he had no male heir, but he had an
only daughter, young and beautiful, whose name was La-vin'i-a. Many of
the princes of the neighboring states eagerly sought Lavinia's hand in
marriage. Chief amongst them was Turnus, king of the Ru'tu-li, a brave
and handsome youth. Lavinia's mother, Queen A-ma'ta, favored the suit
of Turnus, and desired to have him as her son-in-law.