In the distance fiery serpents were hissing. The ancient and most sacred edifices were in flames: the temple of Hercules, reared by Evander, was burning; the temple of Jupiter Stator was burning, the temple of Luna, built by Servius Tullius, the house of Numa Pompilius, the sanctuary of Vesta with the penates of the Roman people; through waving flames the Capitol appeared at intervals; the past and the spirit of Rome was burning.
A távolban sziszegtek a lángkígyók, s égtek a legszentebb ősi emlékek: égett Hercules temploma, melyet Evander építtetett, Iuppiter Stator meg Luna temploma, melyet még Servius Tullius emeltetett, aztán Numa Pompilius háza meg Vesta temploma a római nép penateseivel; a lángok között néha megvillant a Capitolium.