Hero

Book VIII – Aeneas at the Site of Rome and the Divine Gift

Confusion reigned… Tiber, the river-god, after the prayers of Aeneas, appeared to him in a dream, encouraging him and promising to assist his ships upstream
Besides, he advised the Trojan hero to ally with King Evander, son of Mercury and therefore kin
He was the leader of Arcadians who lived in the place where foundations of Rome would stand, Pallanteum on the Palantine Hill
So Aeneas encountered Evander who assured his support
The king – simple and noble – told the Trojan
Of his glorious and heroic past and the history of his land. While touring the landmarks of the future Rome, he recalled the golden age, Hercules victory over the half-man monster Cacus, the figure of Saturn that gave local law and order and the name of Latium
They became friends, so that the king turned his beloved son Pallas over to Aeneas to become a warrior
Suggested by Evander and with the help of Pallas, Aeneas allied with the Etruscan coalition that had risen up against Mezentius, the cruel tyrant of Caere, now expelled, and ally of Turnus
In the meanwhile Venus had appealed to her husband Vulcan to make a suit of armour for Aeneas
So she gave her son the divine gift, a set of armour forged by Vulcan and his Cyclops, the shield of which was decorated with scenes from future Roman history and triumphs
She told him not to fear war… he would become, of that age, the hero…

***Hero***

1. Yesterday the world only knew confusion and chaos
A new culture now is going to start
A new lord is sitting on the throne
The glory shining on.

[Chorus:]
In your eyes – there is the light of a god and a warrior.

2. Yesterday brothers killed each other moved by hate
Now the same will fight under one crown
So the way is drawn – the stars are clear and be like that.

[Chorus:]
In your eyes – there is the light of a god and a warrior
In your eyes – there are the holy signs of the hero.

Hear the roar of the streams
The storm of wind will sweep away everything
The masters watch over you
Blessing your soul by their shining eyes.

In this silence, my hero
Your word will be the guide
Towards the glorious,
Awaited age of gold
In this darkness, my hero
Your eyes will show the way
Beyond the clouds and shadows
Of this night.

[Chorus]