Book 5.84-93
A snake appears from the shrine and feeds on the offerings. Aeneas is stunned.
Dixerat haec, adytis cum lubricus anguis ab imis
84
septem ingens gyros, septena volumina traxit,
85
amplexus placide tumulum lapsusque per aras,
86
caeruleae cui terga notae, maculosus et auro
87
squamam incendebat fulgor, ceu nubibus arcus
88
mille iacit varios adverso sole colores.
89
Obstipuit visu Aeneas. Ille agmine longo
90
tandem inter pateras et levia pocula serpens
91
libavitque dapes, rursusque innoxius imo
92
successit tumulo, et depasta altaria liquit.
93