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THE SETTiNG: Aeneas has finally landed in Italy and has begun to establish his new Troy (destined to become Rome). But Juno, his divine nemesis, still unappeased, has caused war between the Trojans and the Italians. Camilla, a warrior queen of the Volscans, an ancient Italian tribe, has resolved to join Tumus, leader of the Italian forces. Camilla is sacred to the goddess Diana, who laments her fate.
While war and bloodshed were preparing in Italy,
On Mount Olympus Diana,
The Moon, Daughter of Latona,
Goddess of virginity and the hunt,
Summoned Opis, one of the favorites
In her train of immortal maidens,
And confided these sad words:
"Divine sister
The news has come to me
That Volscan Camilla, dearest to me
Among all the mortal women sworn to my cult,
Steps forward now to face the Trojans,
And girds herself with armor and weapons
Dedicated in ceremonies to me.
Nor is Camilla's love new to me,
An infatuation with a sweetness
That vanished soon.
Long ago,
On account of his own tyranny,
Her father Metabus was forced to flee
And her mother Casmilla was murdered.
Running desperately from his own army,
Metabus bore his baby girl,
All that was left to him of humanity,
In the fold of his toga next to his breast
As his companion in exile,
Naming her Camilla, after her mother.
He fled...