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HARVARD

COLLEGE
LIBRARY

HARVARD

COLLEGE
LIBRARY

971 a

JHE.AENEID^
OF YIRGIL/

WITH A Translation by

CHARLES J. BILLSON, M.A.

CORPUS CHRISTI COLLEGE, OXFORD

IN TWO VOLUMES

VOL. L

LONDON: EDWARD ARNOLD

41 & 43 MADDOX STREET, BOND STREET, W,

1906

=?HSt

HARVARD UNrVERSITY
LIBRARY

NOV 2 1987

DEDICA TED

TO M7 DA UGHTER

CAMILLA

CONTENTS

FACE

Book I i

Book II 51

Book III 105

Book IV 151

Book V 197

Book VI 253

ERRATA

VOL. I.

if
ff

n
tf

„ ** Sychaeus."
Sigean."
Pachynus'."
Alphcus.**
thy."

€i

Page 23, line 343, ^r "Sichacus" reodi **SychzevLs,
*3f w 351» n "Sichacus" „ "Sychacus.**

47, „721, „ "Sichacus"
71, „ 312, „ "Sigaean"

133» w 429» »» "Pachynum's"
149, yy 694, „ ** Alphaeus **

IS3> » «7, » "they"
157, lines 70,71, r/A/

^ A heedless doe some swain in Cretan glens
Hath pierced from Bur, and left the flying steel."

171, Une 301, M ** Thyad " reoii*' Thyiad."

217, „ 29S, „ ^ Achamanian ** „ '* Acarnanian.

247, „ 826, „ " Thetys " „ " Thetis."

267, „ 219, „ **annoint" „ ** anoint."

303, n 80s, „"Nyrsa's" „ - Nysa's."

99
9»
99
9>
99
9»

BOOK I

ORMA virumquc^anOj Troiae qui primus ab oris

Italiam, fato profiigus, Lavinaque venit
' Litora, multum ille et terris iactatus et alto

_ yVi superum, saevae memorem lunonis ob iram,

Multa quoque et bello passus, dum conSeret" urbem 5

Infcrretque deos Latio, genus unde Latipum
Albanitjue patres atque altae moenia Romac.

Quidve dolens, regina deum tot volvere casus
Insignem pietatc virum, tot adire labores
Inpulerit. Tantaene animis caelestibus irae ?

. ■(
Urbs antiqua fuit, Tyriitenpera coloni,

Karthago, Italiam contra Tiberinaque longe

Ostia, dives opum studiisque aspcrrima belli ;

Quam luno fertur terris magis omnibus unam if^

Posthabita coluisse Samo ; hie illius arma.

Hie currus fuit ; hoc regnum dea gentibus esse,
"Si qua fata sinant, iam turn tenditque fovetque.

Progeniem sed enim Troiano a sanguine duci

Audierat, Tyrias olim quae verteret arces ; 20

- Hinc populum late regem ,beJloque supcrbum

Venturum excidio Libyae : sic volvere Pareas.

Id metuens veterisque memor Saturnia belli.

Prima qiiod ad Troiam pro caris gesserat Argis —

Necdum etiam causae irarum saevique dolores 25

Exciderant animo : manet alta mente repostum

ludicium Paridis spretaeque iniuria formae,

Et genus invisum, et rapti Ganymedis honores : ■

His aecensa super iactatos aequore toto

Troas, reliqutas Danaum atque inmitis Achilli, 30

Arcebat longe Latio, multosque per annos

Errabant, acti fatis, maria omnia circum.

Tantae moHs erat Romanam condere gentem.

^RMS and the MAN I sing, who first from Troy,
A Doom-led exile, on Lavinian shores
' Reached Italy ; long tossed on sea and land
_ _ ' By Heaven's rude arm, through Juno's brooding ire.
And war-worn long ere building for his Gods 5

A Home in Latium : whence the Latin race.
The Lords of Alba, and high-towering Rome.

Tell, Muse, the cause ; how pained, how foiled in Will,
The Queen of Gods drove one whom Virtue crowned
Such toils to approach, and compass all that woe. 10

Can Heavenly hearts so unrelenting prove ?

An ancient town, by Tyrian settlers held.
Far off feced Italy and Tiber mouth,
Carthage, well-dowered, and schooled in roughest war.
Before all lands, men say, 'twas Juno's haunt, 1 5

Before e'en Samos. There her chariot stood ;
There hung her arms ; there, if no Fates forbade.
She planned e'en then and nursed a world-wide Throne.
But fame had reached her that a race was sprung
From Trojan blood, her Tyrian towers to strew ; 20

From whom a sovran People, proud in arms.
Should come to Libya's bane ; so rolled the Doom.
Fraught with Aph fear, and that remembered feud
Once for dear Argos she had waged at Troy ; —
Though still the smart remained, still deep at heart 25

Saturnia nursed the Judgment Paris gave.
Her beauty's cruel slight, the race abhorred,
The honours paid to Heaven-rapt Ganymede ; —
Thus more inflamed, from Latium far she kept.
Tossed o'er all waves, the Trojans left by Creeks, 30

Achilles' leavings, and for many a year
From sea to sea they wandered, pushed by Fate :
Such work was wrought to build the Roman Race I
3

Vix e conspcctu Siculae telluris in altum
Vela dabant laeti, et spumas salis acre ruebant, 35

Cum luno, aeternum servans sub pcctore volnus,
Haec secum : Mene incepto dcsistcre victam.
Nee posse Italia Teucrorum avertere regem ?
Quippe vetor fatis. Pallasnc exurere classem
Argivom atque ipsos potuit submergere ponto, 40

Unius ob noxam, et furias Aiacis Oilei ?
Ipsa, lovis rapidum iaculata e nubibus ignem,
Disiecitque rates evertitque aequora ventis.
Ilium exspirantem transfixo pectore flammas
Turbine corripuit scopuloque infixit acuto ; 45

Ast ego, quae divom incedo regina, lovisque
Et soror et coniunx, una cum gente tot annos
Bella gero. £t quisquam numen lunopis adorat
Praeterea, aut supplex aris imponit honorem ?

Talia flammato secum dea corde volutans 50

Nimborum in patriam, loca feta fiirentibus austris,
Aeoliam venit. Hie vasto rex Aeolus antro
Luetantes ventos tempestatesque sonoras
Imperio premit ae vinclis et carccre frenat.
Illi indignantcs magno cum murmure montis ^^

Circum claustra fremunt ; celsa sedet Aeolus arce
Sceptra tenens, mollitque animos et temperat iras ;
Ni faciat, maria ac terras caelumque profundum
Quippe ferant rapidi secum verrantque per auras.
Sed pater omnipotens speluncis abdidit atris, 60

Hoc metuens, molemque et montes insuper altos
Imposuit, regemque dedit, qui foedere certo
£t premere et laxas sciret dare iussus habenas.
Ad quem turn luno supplex his vocibus usa est :

Aeole, namque tibi divom Pater atque hominum rex 65
Et mulcere dedit fluctus et tollere vento,

Scarce beyond sight of Sicily, they spread
All sail, and merry cut the salt sea foam, 35

When Juno,, nursing deep the undying wound.
Thus to herself : " Am I to own defeat ?
Not turn from Italy this Prince of Troy ?
The Fates forbid me ! Could not Pallas burn
The Argives* fleet, and drown them in the deep, 40

For one man's guilt, the madness Ajax wrought ?
She, from the clouds down-flinging Jove*s own fire,
Shattered their ships, and blew the waters high.
Him caught in whirlwind, and his cloven breast
Fixed on the pointed rock, outbreathing flames. 45

Yet I, Jove's Wife and Sister, I who move
The Queen of Gods, so many years make war
On one poor race ! Henceforth shall any bow
To Juno, or lay tribute on her shrines ? "

So mused her burning spirit, while she sought 50

The Storm Land, where the raging South is born,
Aeolia. Here King Aeolus commands
In cavern vast the loud unruly gales.
Bridled with chains and bondage, and they roar
Indignant round their bars, till all the mount 55

Howls discord. Throned on high, with sceptered hand,
He soothes their spirit, and controls their rage,-^ —
Else would those raiding coursers sweep away
Seas, earth, and heaven*s profound ; but, fearing this,
The Almighty Father hid them in dark caves, 60

And piled above them high the mountains' mass.
And gave a King, whose chartered rule might know
To draw the reins, or loose them, at His word ;
Whom Juno then, imploring, thus addressed :

" Aeolus, to thee Heaven's Sire and all men's King, 65
To smooth the waves gave charge, the storm to raise.

HARVARD
COLLEGE
LIBRARY

I :

Gens inimica mihi Tyrrhcnum navigat aequor.

Ilium in Italiam portans victosque Penates :

Incute vim vends submersasque obrue puppes,

Aut age diversos et disiice corpora ponto. 70

Sunt mihi bis septem praestanti corpore Nymphae,

Quarum quae forma pulcherrima Deiopea,

Conubio iungam stabili propriamque dicabo,

Omnes ut tecum meritis pro talibus annos

Exigat et pulchra faciat te prole parentem. j^

Aeolus haec contra : Tuus, o regina, quid optes
Explorare labor ; mihi iussa capessere fas est.
Tu mihi, quodcumque hoc regni, tu sceptra lovemque
Concilias, tu das epulis accumbere divom,
Nimborumque facis tempestatumque potentem. 80

Haec ubi dicta, cavum conversa cuspide montem
Inpulit in latus : ac venti, velut agmine facto.
Qua data porta, ruunt et terras turbine perflant.
Incubuere mari, totumque a sedibus imis
Una Eurusque Notusque ruunt creberque procellis 85

Africus, et vastos volvunt ad litora fluctus.
Insequitur clamorque virum stridorque rudcntum.
Eripiunt subito nubes caelumquejdiemque
Teucrorum ex oculis ; ponto nox incubat atra.
Intonuere poli, et crebris micat ignibus aether, 90

Praesentemque viris intentant omnia mortem.
Extemplo Aeneae solvuntur frigore membra ;
Ingemit, et duplices tendens ad sidera palmas
TsJia voce refert : O terque quaterque beati,
Quis ante ora patrum Troiae sub moenibus altis 95

Contigit oppetere ! o Danaum fortissime gentis
Tydide ! mene Iliacis occumbere campis
Non potuisse tuaque animam hanc efFundere dextra,
Saevus ubi Aeacidae telo iacet Hector, ubi ingens

A race I love not sail the Tyrrhene Sea,

Bearing to Italy Troy's vanquished Gods.

Wing all thy Winds with rage ! Submerge their ships !

Or widely scattering strew with dead the main ! 70

Twice seven young Nymphs are mine, of faultless form,

Whose fairest, Deiopea, I will join

In wedding banda, and make her all thine own,

To live thy life with thee, and make thee sire

Of beauteous offspring, for such service done." j^

Then Aeolus : " Thine is the task, O Queen, '
To choose thy wish, my duty to obey !
My realm thou gain*st me, and the grace of Jove ;
Thou grantest me with the high Gods to feast.
To bear dominion over cloud and storm." 80

This said, he smote the hollow mountain's side
With spear reverse, and where a door is given
The embattled winds rush out, and scour the land.
Down-swooping on the sea. East Wind and South,
With Afric's squally blast, the deep abyss 85

Together rend, and roll vast waves to shore.
The seamen shout ; the cordage screams aloft.
A sudden cloud has snatched from Trojan eyes
Daylight and sky. Black Night invests the sea.
The thunder rolls ; the incessant lightnings flash ; 90

And Death stares instant from all sides on all.
Aeneas' limbs relax with sudden chill.
Lifting his palms to Heaven and moaning sore.
Aloud he cries : " Thrice, four times happy, they
Whom under Troy's high wall their fathers saw 95

Die happy deaths ! O bravest of the Greeks,
^^v/ Tydides ! might I but have fallen, my life
Yielding to thy right hand, on Ilium's plain.
Where Hector by Achilles' spear, where tall

Sarpedon, ubi tot Simois correpta sub undis loo

Scuta virum galeasque et fortia corpora volvit f

Talia iactanti stridens Aquilone procclla
Velum adversa ferit, fluctusquc ad sidera tollit*
Franguntur remi ; turn prora avertit, et undis
Dat latus ; insequitur cumulo praeruptus aquae mons. 105
Hi summo in fluctu pendent ; his unda dehisccns
Terram inter fluctus aperit ; furit aestus harenis.
Tres Notus abreptas in saxa latentia torquet —
Saxa vocant Itali mediis quae in fluctibus Aras —
Dorsum inmane mari summo ; tres Eurus ab alto no

In brevia et Syrtes urguet, miserabile visu,
Inliditque vadis atque aggere cingit harenae.
Unam, quae Lycios fidumque vehebat Oronten,
Ipsius ante oculos ingens a vertice pontus
In puppim ferit : excutitur pronusque magister 115

Volvitur in caput ; ast illam tcr fluctus ibidem
Torquet agens circum, et rapidus vorat aequore vertex.
Adparent rari nantes in gurgite vasto,
Arma virum, tabulaeque, et Troia gaza per undas.
lam validam Ilionei navem, iam fortis Achatae, 120

Et qua vectus Abas, et qua grandaevus Aletes,
Vicit hiemps ; laxis laterum conpagibus omnes
Accipiunt inimicum imbrem, rimisque fatiscunt.

Interea magno misceri murmure pontum,
Emissamque hiemem sensit Neptunus et imis 125

Stagna refusa vadis, graviter commotus : et alto
Prospiciens, summa placidum caput extulit unda.
Disiectam Aeneae toto videt aequore classem,
Fluctibus oppressos Troas caelique ruina.
Nee latuere doli fratrem lunonis et irae. 1 30

Eurum ad se Zephyrumque vocat, dehinc talia fatur :

Sarpcdon fell, where Simois rolls deep loo

Such shields and helms and bodies of the brave ! "

While yet he cries, the shrieking Northern storm
Strikes back the sail, and heavenward lifts the surge.
Oars snap : the prow swings off, and gives the sea
The ship's broad side ; down breaks a mount of brine. 105
Some hang on the wave's crest ; some see the floor
'Twixt gaping seas ; the surges seethe with sand.
Three ships the South Wind hurls on ambushed rocks.
Rocks named by Latins " Altars," in mid main
Bristling immense ; three more on shoals and banks no

The East drives landward, piteous to be seen !
And strikes ashore, and heaps them round with sand.
One, leal Orontes' and the Lycians' bark,
Before Aeneas' eyes, a huge sea smites

Down on her stern. The helmsman, wrenched away 115
Rolls headlong : but the eddy round and round
Thrice spins the ship, and gulfs her in the flood.
Rare show some swimming in the vasty race.
Arms, planks, and Trojan treasures strew the waves.
Ilioneus' and bold Achates' ships, 120

Those which bore Abas and Aletes old,
Yield to the storm ; their loosened joints admit
The ruinous deluge through each gaping chink.

Meanwhile the discord of the boiling sea.
The Storm let loose, the watery deeps up-cast, 125

Neptune perceived, and, gravely moved, looked forth,
Lifting above the wave his tranquil brow.
Strewn o'er the sea he saw Aeneas' fleet,
He saw the Trojans spent with wind and wave.
Nor did he not perceive his sister's guile. 130

East Wind and West he summons and bespeaks :

I OB

Tantane vos generis tcnuit fiducia vcstri ?
lam caelum tcrramque meo sine numinc, Vcnti,
Miscere, et tantas audetis toUere moles ?
Quos ego — ! Sed motos praestat conponcre fluctus. 135

Post mihi non simili poena commissa luetis.
Maturate fugam, rcgique haec dicite vcstro :
Non illi imperium pelagi saevumque tridentem,
Sed mihi sorte datum. Tenet ille inmania saxa,
Vestras, Eure, domos ; ilia se iactet in aula 140

Aeolus, et clauso ventorum carcere regnet.

Sic ait, et dicto citius tumida aequora placat,
CoUectasque fugat nubes solemque reducit.
Cymothoe simul et Triton adnixus acuto
Detrudunt naves scopulo ; levat ipse tridenti ; 145

Et vastas aperit Syrtes, et temperat aequor,
Atque rotis summas levibus perlabitur undas.
Ac veluti magno in populo cum saepe coorta est
Seditio, saevitque animis ignobile volgus,
lamque faces et saxa volant (furor arma ministrat) ; 1 50

Turn, pietate gravem ac meritis si forte virum quem
Conspexere, silent, arrectisque auribus adstant ;
Ille regit dictis animos, et pectora mulcet ;
Sic cunctus pelagi cecidit fragor, aequora postquam
Prospiciens genitor caeloque invectus aperto 155

Flectit equos curruque volans dat lora secundo.

Defessi Aeneadae, quae proxuma litora, cursu
Contendunt petere, et Libyae vertuntur ad oras.
Est in secessu longo locus : insula portum
EfEcit obiectu laterum, quibus omnis ab alto 1 60

Frangitur inque sinus scindit sese unda reductos ;
Hinc atque hinc vastac rupes geminique minantur
In caelum scopuli, quorum sub vertice late
Aequora tuta silent ; tum silvis scaena coruscis

" What pride of ancestry hath swoirn you thus,
That heaven and earth you now confound, and raise
Turmoil so wild, ye Winds, without my will ?
Whom I — but first to smooth the troubled waves. 135

Not thus again shall you atone your deeds !
Speed instant back ! and tell your King, not his
The Sea's dominion and the Trident stern.
But mine by lot. The craggy halls are his,
Eurus, where ye are lodged : there let him vaunt, 140

There let him reign, with all his Winds immured ! "

More swift than speech, he calms the swollen flood,
Chases the gathered clouds, brings back the sun.
Cymothoe and Triton, from the rock

Thrust off the ships, by his own trident raised ; 145

He channels the great Sands, the water smoothes,
And skims with printless wheels the level sea.
As when in some great concourse often springs
A tumult, and the rabble herd grow fierce.
Till stones and torches fly, the arms of rage, — 150

If then a man revered for worth and work
Face them, they listen, hush'd, with straining ears ;
He governs them with words, and cools their heat.
So fell all Ocean's uproar, since the Sire
Looked o'er his waves, and gave his team the rein, 155

Speeding in cloudless blue his easy car.

The overlaboured Trojans, straining now to gain
What coast lies nearest, turn to Libya's shore.
There lies a haven in a creek retired.

Made by an island's arms, on which the sea 1 60

Breaks, and deep inlets hold the parted wave.
On cither hand two peaks of towering rock
Menace the sky, and underneath wide-spread
Sleeps the safe pool, o'er which a scene impends

• I

I^esuper borrentique atrum nemus imminet umbra ; 1 65

Frontc sub advcrsa scopulis pendentibus antrum,

liitus aquae dulces vivoque sedilia saxo,

Nympharum domus : hie fcssas non vincula naves

Ulla tenent, unco non alligat ancora morsu*

Hue Sep tern Aeneas .e olleetis navibus oomi 170

Ex numero, sxibit ; a.e piaeno telluris amore

Egrcssi dptata potiunturTroes harena

Et sale tabentes artus in litore ponunt.

Ac primum silici seintillam exeudit Achates

Succepitque ignem foliis atque arida circum 17^

Nutrimenta dedit rapuitque in fomite flammam.

Turn Cererem corruptam undis Cerealiaque arma

Expediunt fessi rerum, frugesque receptas

£t torrere parant flanmiis et frangere saxo.

Aeneas seopulum interea eonscendit et omnem 180

Prospcetum late pelago petit, Anthea si quem
laetatum vento videat Phrygiasque biremcs,
Aut Capyn, aut eelsis in puppibus arma Caici.
Navem in conspectu nullam, tres litore cervos
Prospicit errantcs ; hos tota armenta sequuntur 185

A tergo, et longum per vallcs pascitur agmen.
Constitit hie, arcumque manu celeresque sagittas*
Corripuit, fidus quae tela gerebat Achates,
Ductoresque ipsos primum, capita alta ferentes
Cornibus arborcis, sternit, tum volgus, et omnem 190

Miscet agens telis nemora inter frondea turbam ;
Nee prius absistit, quam scptem ingentia victor
Corpora fundat humi et numerum cum navibus aequet.
Hinc portum petit, et soeios partitur in omnes.
Vina bonus quae deinde cadis onerarat Acestes 195

Litore Trinacrio dedcratque abeuntibus heros,
Dividit, et dietis maerentia pectora mulcet :

Of shimmering woodland, crowned by forest gloom. 165

Under the fronting bluff, a. rock-hung cave.

With seats of living stone, and waters sweet,

A Sea-Nymphs* home ; where the wave-weary bark

Needs not the cable, nor the anchor*s tooth.

Here, with seven ships, the relics of his fleet, 1 70

Aeneas steers, and Trojans, sick for land.

Leap out at last, and gain the dreamed-of shore.

And on the sand their briny limbs repose.

And first from flint Achates struck a spark.

And caught in leaves, and with dry timber nursed 175

The flame, and fanned the fuel to a blaze.

Then Ceres* sea-sad grain, and Ceres* arms

They bring, world-wearied, and bestir themselves

To bake and bray with stones their rescued meal.

Meanwhile Aeneas climbs a rock, and scans 180

All the wide sea, to spy, if spy he may,
Anthcus storm-toss*d, or Capys, or the arms
High on Caicus* stern, or Phrygian sloops.
No ships in sight, but roaming on the land
Three stags he saw ; behind them all the deer, 185

In one long file, go browsing down the dales.
He paused ; he seized the bow and flying shafts
Which leal Achates bore, and first laid low
The leaders of the herd, who proud bore up
Their branching heads, then aimed the crowd entire, 190
And drove into the glens their broken ranks ;
Nor stayed, till seven huge bodies on the ground, —
To match his tale of ships, — the Victor stretched.
Who sought the haven, and divided all,
And shared the wine, which on Trinacria*s beach 195

Acestes gave, a hero*s parting boon.
Then thus with words their languished hearts consoled :

O socii, — neque enim ignari sumus ante malorum —
O passi graviora, dabit dcus his quoque finem.
Vos et Scyllaeam rabiem pcnitusque sonantcs 200

Accestis scopulos, vos ct Cyclopia saxa
Experti : revocatc animos, maestumque timorem
Mittite : forsan ct haec olim meminisse iuvabit.

: Per varios casus, per tot discrimiij^ rcrum

( TVndirP"^ ?n T,atii|"nj sedes ubi fata'^quietas 205

Ostendunt ; illic fas rcgna resurgere Troiae.

-vJDurate, et vosmet rebus scrvate secundis.

Talia voce refert, curisque ingentibus aeger
Spem voltu simulat, premit altum corde dolorem.
Illi se praedae accingunt dapibusque futuris : 210

Tergora deripiunt costis ct viscera nudant ;
Pars in frusta secant veribusque trementia figunt ;
Litore aena locant alii, flammasque ministrant*
""Turn victu revocant vires, fusique per herbam

Inplentur veteris Bacchi pinguisque fcrinae. 215

Postquam exempta fames epulis mensaeque remotae,

Amissos longo socios scrmone requirunt,

Spemque metumque inter dubii, seu vivere credant,

Sive extrema pati nee iam exaudire vocatos.

Praecipue pius Aeneas nunc acris Oronti, 220

Nunc Amyci casum gemit et crudelia secum

Fata Lyci, fortemque Gyan, fortemque Cloanthum.

,Et iam finis erat, cum luppiter aethere summo
Despiciens mare velivolum terrasque iacentea
Litoraque et latos populos, sic vertice caeli 225

Constitit et Libyae defixit lumina regnis.
Atque ilium tales iactantem pectore curas
Tristior et lacrimis oculos suffusa nitentes
Adloquitur Venus : O qui res hominumque deumque
Aeternis regis imperils, et fulmine terres, 230

" Co-mates, — for troubles we have known before, —
O worse beset ! these too some God will end !
Ye braved wild Scylla, and the rocks that roar 200

Through all their fissures, and the Cyclops' den
Ye entered. Cheer your hearts ! Abandon fear !
To recollect even this may yet be sweet.
Through many a danger, many a chance and change.
We tend to Latium, where the Gods assure 205

Peace, and theTcalm of Troy again shall rise.
Endure ! and keep yourselves for happy days ! "

Such words he spake ; and, pained with anxious thought
Masked under hopeful looks his heart-felt care.
They, hungry for the feast, prepare their prey, 210

Strip hide from ribs, and bare the inward meat.
Part carve and broach with spits the quivering flesh ;
Part fix the brazen pans, and ply the flame.
Then, stretched on grass, recalling strength with food.
Of venison and of wine they take their fill ; 215

Till, hunger stayed, they move the boards, and long
In anxious converse mourn their comrades lost,
'Twixt hope and fear surmising if they live,
Or lie at rest, and hear no voice that calls.
But good Aeneas mourns at heart the most 220

For Amycus, Orontes, and sad-starred
Lycus, brave Gyas and Cloanthus brave.

Now came the close, when Jupiter looked down
Over the sail-flecked sea, the lands outspread.
The shores, the peoples wide, and on Heaven's crest 225

Paused, and his downward gaze on Libya fixed.
Him then, thus pondering many an anxious thought.
Sadly, with tear-drops in her shining eyes,
Venus bespake : " Dread King of Gods and men.
Regent of rule eterne, the Thunder's Lord ! 230

Quid meus Aeneas in te committere tantum,

Quid Troes potuere, quibus, tot fiinera passis,

Cunctus ob Italiam terrarum clauditur orbis ?

Certe hinc Romanes olim, volventibus annis,

Hinc fore ductores, revocato a sanguine Teucri, 235

Qui mare, qui terras omni dicione tenerent,

PoUicitus. Quae te, genitor, sententia vertit ?

Hoc equidem occasum Troiae tristesque ruinas

Solabar, fatis contraria fata rependens ;

Nunc eadem fortuna viros tot casibus actos 240

Insequitur. Quern das finem, rex magne, laborum ?

Antenor potuit, mediis elapsus Achivis,

Illyricos penetrare sinus at que intima tutus

Regna Liburnorum, et fontem superare Timavi,

Unde per ora novem vasto cum murmure montis 245

It mare proruptum et pelago premit arva sonanti.

Hie tamen ille urbem Patavi sedesque locavit

Teucrorum, et genti nomen dedit armaque fixit

Troia, nunc placida conpostus pace quiescit :

Nos, tua progenies, caeli quibus adnuis arcem, 250

Navibus, infandum ! amissis, unius ob iram

Prodimur atque Italis longe disiungimur oris.

Hie pietatis honos ? sic nos in sceptra reponis ?

Olli subridens hominum sator atque deorum «

Voltu, quo caelum tempestatesque serenat, 255 j

Oscula libavit natae, dehinc talia fatur : [

Parce metu, Cytherea : manent inmota tuorum
Fata tibi : cernes urbem et promissa Lavini

Moenia, sublimemque feres ad sidera caeli j

Magnanimum Aenean ; neque me sententia vertit. 260

Hie tibi — fabor enim, quando haec te cura remordet,
Longius et volvens fatorum arcana movebo —
Bellum ingens geret Italia populosque feroces
Contundet, moresque viris et moenia ponet.

What wrong can my Aeneas or Troy's sons

Have done thee, that to them, so scourged by Death,

For Italy's sole sake, all lands are barred ?

Firm was thy promise. Sire, that circling years

From Troy's replenished blood at last should raise 235

Romans, commanders, ruling sea and land

With sway imperial. What hath changed thy plan ?

That pledge consoled me, weighing Doom with Doom,

For Troy's sad ruin ; yet a woe not less

Still dogs the suffering heroes : O Supreme ! 240

Where wilt thou place the limit of their pain ?

Antenor, scaping through the Achaean hosts.

Might thread lUyrian bays, and make unharmed

Remote Liburnia and Timavus' fount.

Where through nine mouths, out of the roaring rock, 245

Spouts the loud sea, and drowns the furrowed field.

Yet there he built Patavium, gave a home,

A name to Trojans, hung up arms of Troy,

And now in happy quiet slumbers well.

But we, thy seed, to whom high Heaven thou giv'st, 250

Our ships all lost, for one heart's spite betrayed,

Far from Italian shores are sundered still.

Is this faith's meed ? Is this our crown restored ? "

On her the Sire of Men and Gods looked down,
Smiling as when he calms the fretful sky ; 255

He gently kissed his daughter's lips, and said :
" Fear not, sweet Venus ! Know, thy people's doom
Stands changeless : thou shalt see thy promised town,
Lavinium's walls, and bear to Heaven sublime
Great-souled Aeneas. Nought hath changed my plan. 260
KLnow, — since this trouble gnaws thee, I will speak
More fully, and unroll the leaves of Fate, —
Long shall he fight in Italy, subdue
Fierce tribes, and in wall'd cities school his men,

I 17 c

Tertia dum Latio regnantem vidcrit aestas, 265

Ternaque transierint Rutulis hibema subacds.

At puer Ascanius, cui nunc cognomen lulo

Additur, — Ilus crat, dum res stedt Ilia regno —

Triginta magnos volvendis mensibus orbes

Imperio explebit, regnumque ab sede Lavini 270

Transferet, et Longam multa vi muniet Albam.

Hie iam ter centum totos regnabitur annos

Gente sub Hectorea, donee regina sacerdos

Marte gravis geminam partu dabit Ilia prolem.

Inde lupae fulvo nutricis tegmine laetus 275

Romulus excipiet gentem, et Mavortia condet

Moenia Romanosque suo de nomine dicet.

His ego nee metas rerum nee tempora pono ;

Imperium sine fine dedi. Quin aspera luno.

Quae mare nunc terrasque metu caelumque fatigat, 280

Consilia in melius referet, mecumque fovebit

Romanos, rerum dominos, gentemque togatam.

Sic plagitum. Veniet lustris labentibus aetas.

Cum domus Assaraci Phthiam clarasque Mycenas

Servitio premet ac victis dominabitur Argis. 285

Nascetur pulchra Troianus origine Caesar,

Imperium Oceano, famam qui terminet astris,

lulius, a magno demissum nomen lulo.

Hune tu olim caelo, spoliis Orientis onustum,

Aceipies secura ; vocabitur hie quoque votis. 290

Aspera tum positis mitescent saecula bellis ;

Cana Fides, et Vesta, Remo cum fratre Quirinus

lura dabunt ; dirae ferro et conpagibus artis _

Claudentur Belli portae ; Furor impius intus

Saeva sedens super anna et centum vinetus aenis 295

Post tergum nodis fi-emet horridus ore cruento.

Haec ait, et Maia genitimi demittit ab alto,
Ut terrae, utque novae pateant Karthaginis arees

_ o

Till summers three have seen him Latium's King, 265

And three long winters crushed the Rutuli.
— Ascanius then, lulus now sur-named, —
Ilus he was, while Ilium's Kingdom stood, —
With thirty rolling years shall bound his reign.
Then from Lavinium move the royal seat, 270

And strongly fortify Long Alba's walls.
There thrice an hundred years the crown shall stay
In Hector's race, until a Vestal Queen,
Ilia, shall bear twin babes, the seed of Mars.
Then Romulus, proud in the tawny skin 275

Of his wolf-nurse, shall follow. He shall build
The Martial City, and stamp his name on Rome.
To her no bounds I give of Space or Time,
But Empire without end. Juno herself.
Who now with fear wears earth and sea and sky, 280

Will better her designs, and love with me
Romans, the Lords of Earth, the toga'd race.
So is my Will. A day shall come at last.
When Troy's great House beneath their yoke shall bring
Argos, and Phthia, and Mycenae's pride. 285

A Caesar from their glorious loins shall spring, —
Ocean his realm will bound, his fame the stars, —
Julius, a name from great lulus drawn.
Him, rich with Orient spoils, shalt thou unvexed
Admit to Heaven, and vows he too shall hear* 290

Then wars shall cease, and the rude age grow mild.
Quirinus and his Brother, white-stoled Faith,
And Vesta shall give laws. War's iron Gates
Stand closed. . Within, upon her savage arms.
Inhuman Rage will sit, by thousand links 295

Of brass chained back, and snarl with bloody fangs."

He spake ; and Maia's Son from Heaven down sent,
That Carthage and her rising towers might give

Hospitio Teucris, ne fati nescia Dldtf
Finlbus arceret. Vol at ille per aera magnum
Remigio alarum, ac Llbyae citus adstitit oris.
Et iam iussa facit, ponuntque ferocia Poeni
Corda volente deo ; in primis regina quietum
Accipit in Teucros animum mentemquc benignam.

At pius Aeneas, per noctem plurima volvens,
Ut primum lux alma data est, exire locosque
Explorare novos, quas vento accesserit oras,
Qui tcncant, nam inculta videt, hominesne feraene,
Quaercre constituit, sociisque exacta referre.
Classem in convexo nemorum sub rupe cavata
Arboribus clausam circum atque horrentibus umbris
Occulit ; ipse uno graditur comitatus Achate,
Bina manu lato crispans hts^ur-fcirFi|.r ' — •' >^:*'- ' ust od]^ .
Cui mater media sese tulit obvik lilva; j- "'j ':.'■.■.''■;''/
Virginis os habitumque gext&s A nh^nis (tfmk, ' ^ .'■■ ^ ^5
Spartanae, vel qualis equM Threitni ntigftt ' . ;: >i oB

Harpalyce volucremque fiigt pnevertitttr Hd>nmLi'i ■ - iW
Namque umeris de more lutHkin mspenderat arcam /-:-i-»A.-
Venatrix, dcderatque comatn diffimdere yentis, 't J A

Nuda genu, nodoque sinus cdlectt flaenteSi '■-'■■ ^u-x^^to

Ac prior, Heus, inquit, iuvenes, monstrate, mearum
Vidistis si quam hie crrantem forte soronim,
Succinctam pharctra et maculosae tcgminc lyncis,
Aut spumantis apri cursum clamore premcntem.

[ Sic Venus ; et Veneris contra sic filius orsus : 325

Nulla tuarum audita mihi neque visa soronim,
0^-quam te memorem, virgo ? namque baud tibi voltus
Mortalis, nee vox hominem sonat : o dea certe ;

I An Phoc bi soror ? an Nymphanim sanguinis una ?

^.•iSS-^*^^

Harbour to Trojans, lest, unwarc of Fate,

Dido should ^purn them. Through the air he oars 300

His rapid vans, and lights on Libyan soil.

His task is done : the savage hearts are lulled

By God's own Will : but most o*er Dido's soul

Steal gentle thoughts, and ruth for Teucer's sons.

Now good Aeneas, tossed all night with care, 305

When the boon light was given, resolved to try
Those unknown shores, to what strange coast the blasts
Had blown them, and who held it, man or beast, —
Desert it seemed, — and bear true tidings back.
Beneath an arching rock, o'er-hung with trees, 310

He hid his vessels, wrapt in woodland shade.
And with Achates started, in his hand
Shaking two steel-bound spears.

Him in mid-wood
His Mother came to meet, a maid in looks,
V^Bearing the arms and habit of a maid, 315

Spartan, or like Harpalyce, whose feet
Outstrip the horse, outrun the Hebrus stream.
For huntress-wise o'er shoulders she had slung
The bow to hand, and given the winds her hair.
Bare-kneed, her folds up-gathered in a knot. 320

She first began : " Sirs, have you haply seen
One of my sisters wandering this wood.
With quiver girt, and spotted lynx's skin.
Or pressing clamorous on the foaming boar ? "

I Thus Venus, and thus answered Venus' son : 325

" None of thy sisters have I heard or seen,
O — how to call thee. Maid ? No mortal face.
No human voice is thine, — O Goddess, sure !

) Art thou Apollo's sister, or some Nymph ?

Sis felix, nostnimque leves, quaecumque, laborem, 330

Et, quo sub caelo tandem, quibus orbis in oris
lactemur, doceas : ignari hominumque loconimque
Erramus, vento hue et vasds fluedbus aeti :
Multa tibi ante aras nostra cadet hosda dextnu

Turn Venus : Hand equidem tali me dignor honore, 335
Virginibus Tyriis mos est gestare pharetram,
Purpureoque alte suras vincire cothumo.
Punica regna vides, Tyrios et Agenoris urbem ;
Sed fines Libyci, genus intractabile bello.
Imperium Dido Tyria regit urbe profecta, 340

Germanum fiigiens. Longa est iniuria, longae
Ambages ; sed summa sequar fasdgia rerum.

Huic coniunx Sychaeus erat, ditissimus agri
Phoenicum, et magno miserae dilectus amore,
Cui pater intactam dederat, primisque iugarat 345

Ominibus. Sed regna Tyri germanus habebat
Pygmalion, scelere ante alios inmanior onmes.
Quos inter medius venit furor. Ille Sychaeum
Impius ante aras atque auri caecus amore
Clam ferro incautimi superat, securus amonmi 350

Germanae ; factimique diu celavit, et aegram,
Multa malus simulans, vana spe lusit amantem.
Bpsa sed in somnis inhumad venit imago
Coniugis, ora modis attollens pallida miris ;
Crudeles aras traiectaque pectora ferro 355

Nudavit, caecumque domus scelus omne retexit.
Tum celerare fugam patriaque excedere suadet,
Auxiliumque viae veteres tellure recludit
Thesauros, ignotum argenti pondus et auri.
His commota fugam Dido sociosque parabat. 360

Conveniunt, quibus aut odium crudele tyranni
Aut met us acer erat ; naves, quae forte paratae.

Whoe'er thou art, be gracious, ease our pain ; 330

And teach us on what shores, beneath what sky.

Outcast we wander, ignorant of place

And people, hither driven by storm and sea.

Oft at thine altars shall our victims fall."

Then Venus : " Nay, such rites are not for me. 335

To bear the quiver Tyrian maidens use.
And the red buskin on the leg bind high.
Carthage this realm, Agenor's Tyrian town.
But Libyans bound it, tribes intractable.
Here reigns, from Tyre and from her brother fled, 340

Queen Dido. Long her sorrows, long and dark ;
But I will tread the surface of the tale.

" Sichaeus was her spouse, of Tyrian lords
The richest, and loved dearly to her woe.
To him her father yoked her still intact, 345

With virgin rites ; but on Tyre's throne her brother,
Pygmalion, sat, in guilt out-shaming all.
Wrath came between those twain. He, blind with greed
And careless of his sister's love, struck down
Impious before the shrine with furtive steel 350

Unwarned Sichaeus, and long hid the deed.
Cheating with empty tales sick Dido's heart.
But in her dreams her lord's unburied shade
Came with a strange wan face, revealing all.
The guilty shrine, the dagger's bosom-thrust, 355

And all the sightless horror of the House.
He bad her haste to leave her native shores.
Disclosing ancient treasures underground.
Silver and gold unsummed, her journey's aid.
She, thus distract, sought friends to share her flight, 360

And all who loathed the tyrant King, or feared.
Muster, and seize what galleys lie to hand.

Corripiunt, onerantque auro ; portantur avari

Pygmalionis opes pelago ; dux femina facti.

Devenere locos, ubi nunc ingentia ccrnis 365

Moenia surgentemque novae Karthaginis arcem,

Mercatique solum, facti de nomine Byrsam,

Taurino quantum possent circumdare tergo.

Sed vos qui tandem, quibus aut venistis ab oris,

Quove tenetis iter ? Quaerenti talibus ille 370

Suspirans imoque trahens a pectore vocem :

O dea, si prima repetens ab origine pergam,
Et vacet annales nostrorum audire laborum.
Ante diem clauso conponat Vesper Olympo.
Nos Troia antiqua, si vestras forte per aures 375

Troiae nomen iit, diversa per aequora vectos
Forte sua Libycis tempestas adpulit oris.
Sum pius Aeneas, raptos qui ex hoste Penates
Classe veho mecum, fama super aethera notus.
Italiam quaero patriam et genus ab love sunmio. 380

Bis denis Phrygium conscendi navibus aequor.
Mat re dea monstrante viam, data fata secutus ;
Vix septem convolsae undis Euroque supersunt.
Ipse ignotus, egens, Libyae deserta peragro,
Europa atque Asia pulsus. Nee plura querentem 385

Passa Venus medio sic interfata dolore est :

Quisquis es, baud, credo, invisus caelestibus auras
Vitales carpis, Tyriam qui adveneris urbem.
Perge modo, atque hinc te reginae ad limina perfer.
Namque tibi reduces socios classemque relatam 390

Nuntio et in tutum versis aquilonibus actam,
Ni frustra augurium vani docuere parentes.
Aspice bis senos laetantes agmine cycnos,
Aetheria quos lapsa plaga lovis ales aperto

O A

And load with gold. Pygmalion's hoarded wealth

Flies overseas : a woman rules the hour.

Where now thou see'st New Carthage lifting high 365

Yon towers they landed, and there bought them ground,

So much, — and thence the name of Byrsa sprang,-^

As they could compass with one ox's hide. —

But who are ye, sirs ? From what country come ?

Or whither go ye ? "

To her, asking thus, 370

With sighs he answered, drawing deep his breath :

" O Goddess ! Ere from their prime source I traced
The annals of our woe, an thou could'st list,
Vesper would close heaven-gate, and lull the day.
From ancient Troy, — if haply to thine ears 375

Troy's name hath come, — we sailed contrary seas.
Till cast on Libya by the wayward storm.
I, good Aeneas, famed above the stars.
Bear in my ships our House-Gods saved from Greeks.
Jove's kin I seek, and Italy, my Home. 380

With twenty Phrygian barks I climbed the sea.
Led by my Goddess-mother, following Doom ;
Scarce seven survive the ruining wave and wind.
I, poor, unfriended, roam these Libyan wastes.
From Europe thrust and Asia — " But no more 385

Brooking his moan, she interrupts his grief —

" Whoe 'er thou art, not unbeloved of Heaven
ThoiTdrawest breath, methinks, who hast arrived
This Tyrian city ! Hence ! On to the Queen's Court !
For news I bear, thy comrades are restored, 390

And altered winds have blown thy ships to port, —
Unless my parents taught me omens ilL
See yon twelve swans, in gallant trim array.
Whom dropping from the sky the Bird of Jove

I 25 D

Turbabat caclo ; nunc terras ordine longo 395

Aut capere aut captas iam despectare videntur :

Ut reduces ill! ludunt stridentibus alis,

Et coetu cinxere polum, cantusque dedere,

Haud aliter puppcsque tuae pubesque tuorum

Aut portum tenet, aut pleno subit ostia velo. 400

Perge modo, et, qua te ducit via, dirige gressum.

Dixit, et avertens rosea cervice refulsit,
Ambrosiaeque comae divinum vertice odorem
Spiravere, pedes vestis defluxit ad imos,

£t vera incessu patuit dea. Ille ubi matrem 405

Adgnovit, tali fugientem est voce secutus :
Quid natum totiens, crudelis tu quoque, falsis
Ludis imaginibus ? cur dextrae iungere dextram
Non datur ac veras audire et reddere voces ?
Talibus incusat, gressumque ad moenia tendit. 410

At Venus obscuro gradientes aere saepsit,
£t multo nebulae circum dea fudit amictu,
Cernere ne quis eos, neu quis contingere posset,
Molirive moram, aut veniendi poscere causas.
Ipsa Paphum sublimis abit, sedesque revisit 415

Laeta suas, ubi templum illi, centumque Sabaeo
Ture calent arae sertisque recentibus halant.

Corripuere viam interea, qua semita monstrat.
lamque ascendebant collem, qui plurimus urbi
Imminet adversasque adspectat desuper arces. 420

Miratur molem Aeneas, magalia quondam,
Miratur portas strepitumque et strata viarum.
Instant ardentes Tyrii pars ducere muros
Molirique arcem et manibus subvolvere saxa.
Pars optare locum tecto et concludere sulco. 425

lura magistratusque legunt sanctumque senatum.

Chased far and wide : they now, in column long, 395

Alight, or soaring scorn the earth they trod.

As they restored with clanging wings the sky

Circle in sport, and utter songs of joy,

Not otherwise thy ships and crews now hold

Gladly the port, or cross the bar full-sail. 400

Go, and step onward where thy path shall lead"

She said, and turned ; all rosy flashed her neck ;
The ambrosial locks a heavenly fragrance breathed.
Her vesture flowed to earth, and by her gait
The Goddess stood confest.

He, when he knew 405

His mother, thus pursued her as she fled :
" Thou too unkind ! Why dost thou with false shapes
Mock me so oft ? Why may we not clasp hands
Together, and with unfeigned lips converse?"
Thus he upbraiding paces to the town. 410

But round them, as they walked, the Goddess shed
A screen of mist and cloudy veil obscure.
That none might see or touch them, or delay.
Inquiring why they came. To Paphos she
Flies soaring, and delightedly regains 415

Her home, her fane, her hundred shrines that glow
With Orient gums and with fresh garlands breathe.

Meanwhile they hasten where the pathway points ;
And climb at last the hill which hangs far-stretched
Above the city and on her towers looks down. 420

At that great town, once hovels, the thronged gates.
The clattering streets, Aeneas much admires.
Hotly the Tyrians work : some trace the walls.
The castle build, and roll up stones by hand.
Some trench a site for building. They ordain 425

Laws, magistrates, and senators august.

Hie portus alii effbdiunt : hie alta theatri

Fundamenta locant alii, inmanesque columnas

Rupibus excidunt, seaenis deeora alta futuris.

Qualis apes aestate nova per florea rura 430

Exercet sub sole labor, cum gentis adultos

Educunt fetus, aut cum liquentia mella

Stipant et dulci distendunt nectare cellas,

Aut onera accipiunt venientum aut agmine facto

Ignavum fucos pecus a praesepibus arcent : 435

Fervet opus, redolentque thymo fragrantia mella.

O fortunati, quorum iam moenia surgunt !
Aeneas ait, et fastigia suspicit urbis.
Infert se saeptus nebula — mlrabile dictu —
PeFmedios, miscetque viris, neque cernitur ulli. 440

Lucus in urbe fuit media, laetissimus umbrae.

Quo primum iactati undis et turbine Poeni

EfFodere loco signum, quod regia luno

Monstrarat, caput acris equi ; sic nam fore bello

Egregiam et facilem victu per saecula gentem. 445

, Hie templum lunoni ingens Sidonia Dido

Condebat, donis opulentum et numine divae,

Aerea cui gradibus surgebant limina nexaeque

Aere trabes, foribus cardo stridebat aenis.

Hoc primum in luco nova res oblata timorem 450

Leniit, hie primum Aeneas sperare salutem

Ausus et adilictis melius conndere rebus.

Namque sub ingenti lustrat dum singula templo,

Reginam opperiens, dum, quae Fortuna sit urbi,

Artificumque manus inter se operumque laborem 455

Miratur, videt Iliacas ex ordine pugnas

Bellaque iam fama totum volgata per orbem,

Atridas, Priamumque, et saevum ambobus Achillen.

Constitit, et lacrimans, Quis iam locus, inquit. Achate,

-.0

Here they are digging harbours ; laying here

The Theatre's deep base, and hew from rocks

Tall columns, to adorn the future stage.

As bees in Springtime, through the flowering fields, 430

Work 'neath the sun ; and train the nation's youth,

Or press the flowing honey and distend

Their cells with fragrant nectar, or their loads

From the new-comers take, or, ranged in line.

Drive from their fold the drones, a sluggard flock : 435

Work glows, and sweet with thyme the honey smells.

" O happy men, whose Home is rising now ! "
Aeneas cries, and scans the towers above :
Then enters, screened in mist, most strange to tell !
And mingles with the crowd, himself unseen. 440

Amidst the town a grove spread lavish shade ;
Where first the Poeni, tossed by sea and storm,
Dug up the Sign Queen Juno had foreshown,
A Horse's Head, — so should they be renowned
In war, and through the ages live in ease. 445

Sidonian Dido here to Juno a fane
Designed, magnific and divinely blest.
Steps rose to a bronze threshold, and bronze-bound
The lintels, and the grating doors were bronze.
A wondrous sight first lightened in this grove 450

Aeneas' fear : here first he dared to hope.
And in his fretted fortunes more confide.
For while he looks o'er all the mighty fane.
Waiting the Queen ; while at the prospering town
And jedous labours of the craftsmen's hands 455

He marvels, lo ! he sees the Trojan Wars,
Now blown about the world, sees Atreus' sons.
And Priam, and Achilles, foe to both.
He paused, and " O ! What place," he sobbed, " what land.

Quae regio in terns nostri non plena laboris ? 460

£n Priamus. Sunt hie etiam sua praemia laudi ;
Sunt lacrimae rerum et mentem mortalia tangunt.
Solve mctus ; ferct h aec aliq uam tibi fa ma s alutem.

Sic ait, atque animum pictura pascit inani,
Multa gemens, largoque umectat fiumine voltum. 465

Namque videbat, uti bellantes Pergama circum
Hac fugerent Graii, premeret Troiana inventus,
Hac Phryges, instaret curru cristatus Achilles.
Nee proeul hinc Rhesi niveis tentoria velis
Adgnoseit laerimans, primo quae prodita somno 470

Tydides multa vastabat eaede eruentus,
Ardentesque avertit equos in castra, prius quam
Pabula gustassent Troiae Xanthumque bibissent.
Parte alia fugiens amissis Troilus armis,
Infelix puer atque inpar congressus Achilli, 475

Fertur equis, curruque haeret resupinus inani,
Lora tenens tamen ; huic cervixque comaeque trahuntur
Per terram, et versa pulvis inscribitur hasta.
Interea ad templum non aequae Palladis ibant
Crinibus Iliades passis peplumque ferebant, 480

Suppliciter, tristes et tunsae pectora palmis ;
Diva solo fixos oculos aversa tenebat.
Ter circum Iliacos raptaverat Hectora muros,
Exanimumque auro corpus vendebat Achilles.
Tum vero ingentem gemitum dat pectore ab imo, 485

Ut spolia, ut currus, utque ipsum corpus amici, j
Tendentemque manus Priamum conspexit inermes.
Se quoque principibus permixtum adgnovit Achivis,
Eoasque acies et nigri Memnonis anna.

Ducit Amazonidum lunatis agmina peltis 490

Penthesilea furens, mediisque in milibus ardet,
Aurea subnectens exsertae cingula mammae,
Bellatrix, audetque viris concurrere virgo.

Achates, is not filled with our distress ? 460

See Priam ! Even here Worth finds its meed ;
Tears fall, and hearts are touched by mortal things !
Fear not ; this fame will surely bear thee safe."

Thus on the pictured show he feeds his heart.
Sighing, and streaming tears bedew his cheek. 465

For there he saw how, fighting round the walls.
Pressed by Troy's chivalry, the Greeks took flight.
Or Phrygians, where Achilles urged his car.
Nor distant Rhesus' snowy tents he knew.
Which, in first sleep betrayed, Tydides heaped 470

With bloody slaughter, and his burning steeds
Turned back to camp, or ever they should taste
Fodder of Troy, or drink of Xanthus' stream.
Elsewhere flies Troilus, his weapons lost, —
Ill-doomed, ill-matched to meet Achilles' spear ! — 475

Dragged by his steeds, fallen from the empty car.
But grasping still the reins ; his neck, his locks
Are drawn in dust, where scrawls the inverted spear.
And Ilian wives were wending, supplicant,
To cruel Pallas' fane, with streaming hair, 480

And bare the Peplus, sad, and beat the breast :
Fixed on the ground the Goddess kept her eyes.
Thrice had Achilles round the walls of Troy
Dragged Hector, and would sell his corse for gold.
Ah ! deeply then Aeneas sighed to view 485

His comrade's spoils, his car, his very corse.
And Priam stretching out his helpless hands.
Himself too, charging through Achaean chie&.
The Eastern troops he knew, and Memnon's arms.
And, burning mid the fray, her Amazons 490

With moony shields Penthesilea led.
Who, girt with gold beneath her naked breast.
Dared clash with men, a warrior and a maid.

Haec dum Dardanio Aeneae miranda videntur,
Dum stupet, obtutuque haeret defixus in uno, 495

Regina ad templum, forma pulcherrima Dido,
Incessit, magna iuvenum stipante caterva.
Qualis in Eurotae ripis aut per iuga Cynthi
Exercet Diana choros, quam mille secutae
Hinc atque hinc glomerantur Oreades ; ilia pharetram 500
Pert umero, gradiensque deas supereminet onmes :
Latonae tacitum pertemptant gaudia pectus :
Talis erat Dido, talem se laeta ferebat
Per medios, instans operi regnisque futuris.
Tum foribus divae, media testudine templi, 505

Saepta armis, solioque alte subnixa resedit.
lura dabat legesque viris, openmique laborem
Partibus aequabat iusds, aut sorte trahebat :
Cum subito Aeneas concursu accedere magno
Anthea Sergestumque videt fortemque Cloanthum, 510

Teucrorumque alios, ater quos aequore turbo
Dispulerat penitusque alias avexerat oras.

^bstipuit simul ipse simul perculsus Achates
iT'-^^^ Laetitiaque metuque ; avidi coniungere dextras

Ardebant ; sed res animos incognita turbat 515

Dissimulant, et nube cava speculantur amicti.
Quae fortima viris, classem quo litore linquant,
Quid veniant ; cunctis nam lecti navibus ibant,
Orantes veniam, et templum clamore petebant»

Postquam introgressi et coram data copia fandi, 520

Maxumus Ilioneus placido sic pectore coepit :
O Regina, novam cui condere luppiter urbem
^lustitiaque dedit gentes frenare superbas,:^
Troes te miseri, ventis maria omnia vecti,
Oramus, prohibe infandos a navibus ignes, 525

Parce pio generi, et propius res aspice nostras:

^;!. fO..

While all these wonders met the Dardan's eyes,
While lost he stood, in one long gaze entranced, 495

Queen Dido to the temple paced, a train
Of courtiers pressing round, supremely fair.
As on Eurotas* banks, or Cynthus* hill,
Diana leads the dance ; behind her throng
A thousand Oreads : she the quiver bears, 500

And treads the earth, divine above them all.
Latona's heart with silent pleasure thrills.
Even such was Dido : so she passed in joy
Amidst them, busied in her city's growth ;
Then in the sacred doors, beneath the dome, 505

High on a throne she sat, with weapons fenced.
Gave law and judgment, and the appointed task
Justly to each assigned, or fixed by lot :
When lo ! Aeneas in the crowd discerns
Antheus, Sergestus, and Cloanthus brave, 510

With many a Trojan, whom the blinding gale
Had swept apart, and borne to distant shores.

Struck du mb together, both by fear and joy.
He and Achates fain would grasp their hands,
Yearning, but ignorance disturbs their minds, 515

And, veiled in hollow mist, they wait to see
What fate was theirs, and where they left the ships,
And why they came ; for, chosen from all the fleet,
Clamorous they near the temple, praying grace.

When they had entered, and due audience gained, 520

Ilioncus, their eldest, with calm front
Began : t

" O Queen ! by Heaven ordained to found
This city, and curb the unruly tribes with law !
Thee we poor Trojans, blown o'er every sea.
Implore. O save our ships from shameless fire ! 525

Spare honest men ; more nearly look on us !

^ ^

Non nos aut fcrro Libycos popularc Penates

Venimus, aut raptas ad litora vertere praedas ;

Non ea vis animo, nee tanta superbia victis.

Est locus, Hesperiam Graii cognomine dicunt, 530

Terra antiqua, potens armis atque ubere glaebae ;

Oenotri coluere viri ; nunc fama, minores

Italiam dixisse duels de nomine gentem.

Hie eursus fuit :

Cum subito adsurgens fluetu nimbosus Orion 535

In vada eaeea tulit, penitusque proeaeibus austris

Perque undas, superante salo, perque invia saxa

Dispulit ; hue pauci vestris adnavimus oris.

Quod genus hoe hominum ? quaeve hune tam barbara morem

Permittit patria ? hospitio prohibemur harenae ; 540

Bella eient, primaque vetant eonsistere terra.

Si genus humanum et mortalia temnitis arma.

At sperate deos, memores fandi atque nefandi.

Rex erat Aeneas nobis, quo iustior alter.

Nee pietate fuit nee bello maior et armis. 545

Quem si fata virum servant, si veseitur aura

Aetheria, neque adhue erudelibus oeeubat umbris,

Non metus ; ofEeio nee tc eertasse priorem

Paeniteat. Sunt et Sieulis regionibus urbes

Armaque, Troianoque a sanguine elarus Aeestes. 550

Quassatam ventis lieeat subdueere elassem,

Et silvis aptare trabes et stringerc remos,

Si datur Italiam, soeiis et rege reeepto,

Tendere, ut Italiam laeti Latiumque petamus.

Sin absumpta salus, et te, pater optume Teuerum, 555

Pontus habet Libyae, nee spes iam restat luli,

At freta Sieaniae saltem sedesque paratas,

Unde hue adveeti, regemque petamus Aeesten.

Talibus Ilioneus ; euneti simul ore fremebant
Dardanidae. 560

Wc arc not come with steel to overthrow

The Libyan's home, or harry prey to shore, —

Not ours, not conquered men's, such insolence !

A Land there is, by Greeks Hesperia named, 530

An old land, strong in arms and the glebe's fruit,

Where dwelt Oenotrians ; now the younger men.

After their Chief have called it Italy.

Thither we took our course.

When stormy Orion rose with sudden swell, 535

And dashed us on blind shoals, and with bluff winds

O'er desperate seas and rocks unvoyageable

Dispersed us wide, and few have reached your shores.

What race of men is here ? What land so rude

Permits this use ? The welcome of the sand 540

Refused, they force us from their country's edge.

If men and mortal weapons ye despise.

Look yet for Gods remembering right and wrong !

Aeneas was our King, and none more just

Or righteous, or in battle more renowned. 545

Whom if Fate still preserves, if still he drinks

The air of heaven, nor lies in bitter gloom.

We fear not ; nor shalt thou, if first to help.

Repent. Sicilian arms and towns remain,

Acestes too boasts the pure blood of Troy. 550

Grant us to beach our tempest-shaken ships.

To shape in woods new beams, and trim new oars.

And, if we may, with King and fellows found.

Joyous to Italy our course pursue.

If all is lost, it thou, great Prince, the seas 555

Hold, and lulus' promise is no more.

Then seek we straits Sicilian, whence we came,

A Home now ready, Acestes for our King."

So spake Ilioneus ; the Dardans all
Acclaiming roared. 560

Turn brcviter Dido, voltiun demissa, pro£itiir :

Solvite corde metum, Teucri, secludite curas.
Res dura et regni novitas me talia cogunt
Moliri, et late fines custodc tueri.

Quis genus Aeneadum, quis Troiae nesciat urbem, 565

Virtutesquc virosque, ant tanti incendia belli ?
Non obtunsa adeo gestamus pectora Poeni,
Nee tarn aversus equos Tyria Sol iungit ab urbe.
Seu vos Hesperiam magnam Satumiaque arva,
Sive Erycis fines regemque optatis Acesten, 570

Auxilio tutos dimittam, opibusque iuvabo. ;j> .

Voltis et his mecum pariter considere regnis ? ^ ^,:"^' .:
Urbem quam statuo, vpstra est ; subducite naves i^"^ < -^ \c^ \^^
Tros Tyriusque mihifnullo discriminc agetur. -^^f c^.^ ,^> ^ "^
Atque utinam rex ipse Noto conpulsus eodem "^ ,/ ^ 575
Adforet Aeneas ! Equidem per litora certos
Dimittam et Libyae lustrare extrema iubebo, .^

Si quibus eiectus silvis aut urbibus errat.

His animum arrecti dictis et fortis- Achates
Et pater Aeneas iamdudum erumpere nubem 580

Ardebant. Prior Aenean compellat Achates :
^zi&jic2Lj quae nunc animo sententia surgit ?
Omnia tuta vides, classem sociosque receptos.
Unus abest, medio in fluctu quern vidimus ipsi
Submersum ; dictis respondent cetera matris. .-^ 585

Vix ea fatus erat, cum circumfiisa repente
Scindit se nubes et in aethera purgat apertum.
Restitit Aeneas claraque in luce refulsit,
Os umerosque deo similis ; namque ipsa decoram
Caesariem nato genetrix lumenque iuventae 590

Purpureum et laetos oculis adflarat honores :
Quale manus addunt ebon decus, aut ubi flavo
Argentum Pariusve lapis circumdatur auro.

Then, casting down her looks. Dido in brief:

" Put off your anxious fears. To use these means,
And guard my frontiers well, my hard estate
Compels me, and the newness of my realm.
Who knows not Troy, and good Aeneas' race ? 565

Their feats, their men, and that great flame of War ?
Our hearts are not so dull ; from Tyrian town
The Sun his horses yokes not so remote.
Whether Hesperia, Saturn's land, ye choose.
Or Eryx' country and Acestes King, 570

Safe I will send you, and with stores assist.
Or will you stay, this realm with me to share ?
'Tis yours, this city I build. Here beach your ships.
Trojans and Tyrians, — I shall deem them one.
Ah ! that your King were here himself, compelled 575

By that same gale, Aeneas ! Up the coast
Sure spies will I dispatch to Libya's ends.
Lest outcast he in town or forest stray."

Roused by these words, long since Achates bold.
And Prince Aeneas were on fire to break 580

The shrouding mist. And first Achates urged :
ll Q^ Goddes s-born ! What purpose stirs thee now ?
Thou see'st aJTsafe, our ships, our friends restored.
Save one, whom in mid sea ourselves beheld
Drowned, to thy mother's words all else responds." 585

He scarce had spoken, when the veiling cloud
Parts suddenly, and melts into the air.
Aeneas stood revealed in radiant day ;
In face and shoulders God-like, for on him
His mother shed the rosy light of Youth, 590

Fair tresses, and the charm of happy eyes,
As when man's hand adds grace to ivory.
Or Parian marbles are encinct with gold.

Turn sic rcginam adloquitur, cunctisque rcpente

Inprovisus ait : Coram, quern quaeritis, adsum, 595

Troius Aeneas, Libycis ereptus ab undis.

O sola infandos Troiae miserata labores.

Quae nos, reliquias Danaum, terraeque marisque

Omnibus exhaustos iam casibus, omnium egenos,

Urbe, domo, socias, grates persolvere dignas • 600

Non opis est nostrae. Dido, nee quidquid ubique est

Gentis Dardaniae, magnum quae sparsa per orbem.

Di tibi, si qua pios respectant numina, si quid

Usquam iustitia est et mens sibi conscia recti,

Praemia digna ferant. Quae te tam laeta tulerunt 605

Saecula ? qui tanti talem genuere parentes ?

In freta dum fluvii current, dum montibus umbrae

Lustrabunt convexa, polus dum sidera pascet.

Semper honos nomenque tuum laudesque manebunt.

Quae me cumque vocant terrae. Sic fatus, amicum 610

Ilionea petit dextra, laevaque Serestum,

Post alios, fortemque Gyan, fortemque Cloanthum.

Obsti^uit primo aspectu Sidonia_Dido,
Casu deinde viri tanto, et sic ore locuta est :

Quis te, nate dea, per tanta pericula casus 615

Insequitur ? quae vis inmanibus adplicat oris ?
Tune ille Aeneas, quem Dardanio Anchisae
Alma Venus Phrygii genuit Simoentis ad undam ?
Atque equidem Teucrum memini Sidona venire
Finibus expulsum patriis, nova regna petentem 620

Auxilio Beli ; genitor tum Belus opimam
Vastabat Cyprum et victor dicione tenebat.
Tempore iam ex illo casus mi hi cognitus urbis
Troianae nomenque tuum regesque Pelasgi.

Then he, thus sudden, unforeseen of all.
Addressed the Queen :

" I whom ye seek am here, 595

Trojan Aeneas, saved from Libyan seas.
O thou sole pitier of Troy*s untold woe !
Thou who with us, the leavings of the Greek,
By land and sea outworn, in want of all,
Would'st share thy city and home ! To render thanks 600
Fitly, I cannot. Dido, nor could aught
Of Dardan blood o*er the wide world dispersed.
May Heaven, if any Spirits guard the Good,
If Justice aught avail, or conscious Worth,
Reward thee fitly ! O what glad ages bore, 605

What mighty parents got thee so benign !
While brooks run seaward, while the shadows move
Round mountain vales, and star-flocks graze in heaven.
Thy fame, thy name, thy praise shall still endure.
Whatever shores call me.'*

And both his hands 610

Sought dear Serestus and Ilioneus ;
Then all, brave Gyas and Cloanthus brave.

Astonished by his looks, then by his plight
And sore distress, Sido nian Di do spake :

" What Doom pursues thee. Goddess-born ? what spite 6 1 5
Casts thee so peril-tost on barbarous strands ?
Art that Aeneas whom sweet Venus bore
Dardan Anchises by the Simols stream ?
I mind how Teucer, from his land expelled.
To Sidon came, and sought to win new realms 620

By Belus' aid. My father Bclus then
Laid Cyprus waste, and swayed the captive isle.
And from that day I knew the fall of Troy,
I knew thy name, and the Pelasgian Kings.

Ipse hostis Tcucros ixmlgidMni^ ; ::i , -/nlff

Seque ortum antiqua Tenendum ab stirpeamUbataj hn^^oih^
Quare agite, o tectift^ tavttitt^ mecedite nostiis. ^

Me quoque per multos dbiiilb ibrtaiia kbcrat^ - >q-^> n^kn
lactatam hac demum volitit ccmsistere ttirnL < ?i^f ^ :f ^ j^oifj O
Non ignara mali mild^ mccurrere ^&gol ^miM-^ til/ i:SiSf

Sic memorat ; ii^ul Aenean in f^m i^icHl otf iioW

Tecta, simul divom tentf^it iiniicirhoiKSircBEk: ,?.\ , | //I:??
Nee minus interca sodiiad Mtoca Hiia&^ -. > do . ; n^u :i.rj lO
Viginti tauros, magnefitin l^tnoda^^c^^ ,a I'vrJ/i

Terga suum, pinguM oentuai com^inttriJbii&iag^Klfc ^^^^^^^fM
Munera laetitiamqttt4ki, . * u r ^/ 1 ' ^-j *> ^-h.'^^v-^iJ

At domus interior regali spkndida luxii - n ^ v/

Instruitur, niediisfoe fWWMit convitm tcc^ :::... r luil

Arte laboratae ves««l^i6Kiti^e suporboiw a^^si:.-^ /^i r: -ju fiiff
Ingens argentum mensis, cadataque ia aitto-* : -- : r/r, ,649
Fortia facta patrum, aeriei Icmgissima remm
Per tot ducta viros antiqua: ab origine gentia*

\ ^ ■ * .

Aeneas, neque enim patrius consistere mentem
Passus amor, rapidum ad naves praemittit Achaten,
Ascanio ferat haec, ipsumque ad moenia ducat ; 645

Omnis in Ascanio cari stat cura parentis.
Munera praeterea, Iliacis erepta ruinis,
Ferre iubet, pallam signis auroque rigentem,
Et circumtextum croceo velamen acantho,
Ornatus Argivae Helenae, quos ilia Mycenis, 650

Pergama cum peteret inconcessosque Hymenaeos,
Extulerat, matris Ledae mirabile donum :
Praeterea sceptrum, Ilione quod gesserat olim,
Maxuma natarum Priami, colloque monile
Bacatum, et duplicem gemmis auroque coronam. 655

Haec celerans iter ad naves tendebat Achates.

Thy very foe would give the Trojans praise, 625

And boast himself of Teucer's ancient stock.

O come, then, Sirs, pass underneath our roof.

Me too like fortune through a world of woe

Hath tossed, and in this land late rest hath given.

To grief not strange, I learn to aid distress." 630

She ended, and Aeneas led within
The regal halls, ordaining sacrifice.
And to his comrades on the beach meantime
Sends twenty bulls, an hundred bristled swine.
An hundred fatling lambs, their dams beside, 635

And joy the Wine God brings.

But in the centre of the Palace hall
A princely feast was set, where broidered cloths
Of royal purple on the boards were spread.
And massive silver ; and brave deeds of yore 640

Shone, graved in gold, the legendary tale
Of all its heroes since the race began.

Aeneas, since a father's love admits
No respite, to the ships Achates sends,

Ascanius to inform and thither guide, 645

Ascanius, the centre of all his care.
Gifts too he bids him bring, from Ilium's sack
Rescued, a mantle stiff with gold inwrought,
A veil with crocus-hued acanthus flowers
Bordered, which Argive Helen erst had brought 650

Out from Mycenae, when she came to Troy
And unpermitted love, her mother's gift ;
The sceptre also which Ilione,
Eldest of Priam's daughters, bore of old.
Necklet of pearl, and jewell'd golden tiar. 655

Hasting for these Achates seeks the ships.

I 41 F

At Cythcrca novas artes, nova pcctore vcrsat
Consilia, ut faciem mutatus et ora Cupido
Pro dulci Ascanio veniat, donisque furentem
Incendat reginam, atque ossibus inplicet ignem ; 660

Quippe domum timet ambiguam Tyriosquc bilingues ;
Urit atrox luno, et sub noctem cura recursat.
Ergo his aligenim dictis adfatur Amorem :

Nate;, meae vires, mea magna potentia solus,^
Nate, Patris summi qui tela Typhoia temnis, 665

Ad te confugio et supplex tua numina posco.
Frater ut Aeneas pelago tuus onmia circum
Litora iactetur odiis lunonis acerbae,
Nota tibi, et nostro doluisti saepe dolore.
Nunc Phoenissa tenet Dido blandisque moratur 670

Vocibus ; et vereor, quo se lunonia vertant j '

Hospitia ; baud tanto cessabit cardine rerum.
Quocirca capere ante dolis et cingere flamma
Reginam meditor, ne quo se numine mutet,
Sed magno Aeneae mecum teneatur amore. 675

Qua facere id possis, nostram nunc accipe mentem :
Regius accitu cari genitoris ad urbem
Sidoniam puer ire parat, mea maxuma cura,
Dona ferens, pelago et flammis restantia Troiae ;
Hunc ego sopitum sonmo super alta Cythera 680

Aut super Idalium sacrata sede recondam,
Ne qua scire dolos mediusve occurrere possit.
Tu faciem illius noctem non amplius unam
Falle dolo, et notos pueri puer indue voltus,
Ut, cum te gremio accipiet laetissima Dido 685

Regales inter mensas laticemque Lyaeum,
Cum dabit amplexus atque oscula dulcia figet,
Occultum inspires ignem fallasque veneno.

But Venu s in her heart new purposes.
New schemes designs, that Love shall be transformed
To sweet Ascanius* shape, and by his gifts
Stir into flame the Queen's impassioned heart. 660

The doubtful House she fears, the twi-tongued race ;
Fierce Juno galls, and care with Night returns :
So in these words she speaks to winged Love :

" Dear Son, my strength, niy sole effectual might,
Son, who dost scorn the Father's thunder-stones 665

Which slew Typhoeus, to thy knees I fly,
And pray thy godhead. How through Juno's spite
Aeneas, thine own brother, roves the world.
Thou knowest, often hast thou shared my pain.
Him now Phoenician Dido with soft words 670

Keeps, and I fear how Juno's guest may fare.
On such a hinge of fate she will not sleep.
I plan to circumvent her, and the Queen
Invest with flame no deity may quench.
Love for Aeneas then shall bind her mine. 675

How thou canst compass this, our purpose hear.
E'en now the princely Boy, my chiefest care,
By his dear Sire's command, the city seeks.
With gifts that sea and Trojan flames have spared.
Him, sunk in sleep, I on my holy seat, 680

Cythera, or the Idalian hills, will hide.
Lest he should know the plot, and come between.
Thou, for one night alone shalt personate
His shape, thy boyish looks transform to his ;
So, when the feast runs high, and wine-cups flow, 685

And radiant Dido takes thee in her lap.
And fondles thee, and gives thee kisses sweet,
A poisonous secret fire thou may'st instill.

»1

Parct Amor dictis carae genetricis, ct alas
Exuit, et gressu gaudens incedit lull. 690

At Venus Ascanio placidam per membra quietcm
Inrigat, et fotum gremio dea toUit in altos
Idaliae lucos, ubi mollis amaracus ilium
Floribus et dulci adspirans conplectitur umbra.

lamque ibat dicto parens et dona Cupido 695

Regia portabat Tyriis, duce laetus Achate.
Cum venit, aulaeis iam se regina superbis
Aurea conposuit sponda mediamque locavit.
Iam pater Aeneas et iam Troiana iuventus
Conveniunt, stratoque super discumbitur ostro. 700

Dant manibus famuli lymphas, Cereremque canistris
Expediunt, tonsisque lerunt mantelia villis.
Quinquaginta intus famulae, quibus ordine longam
Cura penum struere, et flammis adolere Penates ;
Centum aliae totidemque pares aetate ministri, 705

Qui dapibus mensas onerent et pocula ponant.
Nee non et Tyrii per limina laeta frequentes
Convenere, toris iussi discumbere pictis.
Mirantur dona Aeneae, mirantur lulum
Flagrantesque dei voltus simulataque verba, 710

Pallamque et pictum croceo velamen acantho.

Praecipue infelix, pesti devota fiiturae,
Expleri mentem nequit ardescitque tuendo
Phoenissa, et pariter puero donisque movetur.
lUe ubi conplexu Aeneae colloque pependit 715

Et magnum falsi inplevit genitoris amorem,
Reginam petit. Haec oculis, haec pectore toto
Haeret et interdum gremio fovet, inscia Dido,
Insidat quantus miserae deus. At memor ille
Matris Acidaliae paulatim abolere Sychaeum 720

A A

Love, at his mother's word, puts off his wings,
And walks rejoicing with lulus* gait. 690

But o'er Ascanius' Umbs the Goddess sheds
Sweet rest, and bears him to Idalian glens,
Lull'd in her lap ; there soft amaracus
Folds him in flowers and fragrance-breathing shade.

Now Love, obedient, by Achates led, 695

To Carthage gaily brought the regal gifts ;
And coming found the Queen on golden seat
Throned in mid place, and proudly canopied.
There Prince Aeneas and the Lords of Troy
Reclined on purple strewings, and the slaves 700

Poured water on their hands, and served the bread,
And brought the fine-spun napkins ; while within
Were fifty maids, whose care it was to keep
The feast replenished, and the fire aflame :
Another hundred, and as many boys, 705

All of one age, the tables spread with food
And wine-cups.

Surging through the festal doors.
The Tyrians bidden to the couches throng.
Admire the presents, and admire the Boy,
His face divinely flushed, his borrowed speech, 710

The mantle and veil with gay acanthus wrought.

But most the hapless Queen, to ruin doomed.
Her soul can never fill, and gazing burns.
The Boy, the gifts, both take her heart alike.
He, having hung upon Aeneas' neck, 715

And satisfied his feigned father's love.
Goes then to Dido. She with eyes and heart
Hugs him and fondles in her lap, nor knows
How great a God there lies. But, minding well
His Acidalian Mother, he prepares 720

Incipit, et y\vq temptat praevertere amore
lam pridem resides animos desuetaque corda.

Postquam prima quies epulis, mensaeque remotae,
Crateras magnos statuunt et vina coronant.
Fit strepitus tectis, vocemque per ampla volutant 725

Atria ; dependent lychni laquearibus aureis
Incensi, et noctem flammis funalia vincunt.
Hie regina gravem gemmis auroque poposcit
Inplevitque mero pateram, quam Belus et omnes
A Belo soliti ; tum facta silentia tectis ; 730

luppiter, hospitibus nam te dare iura loquuntur,
Hunc laetum Tyriisque diem Troiaque profectis
Esse velis, nostrosque huius meminisse minores.
Adsit laetitiae Bacchus dator, et bona luno ;
Et vos, o, coetum, Tyrii, celebrate faventes. 735

Dixit, et in mensam laticum libavit honorem,
Primaque, libato, summo tenus attigit ore ;
Tum Bitiae dedit increpitans ; ille inpiger hausit
Spumantem pateram, et pleno se proluit auro ;
Post alii proceres.

Cithara crinitus lopas 740

Personat aurata, docuit quem maxumus Atlas.
Hie canit errantem lunam solisque labores ;
Unde hominum genus et peeudes ; unde imber et ignes ;
Areturum pluviasque Hyadas geminosque Triones ;
Quid tantum Oceano properent se tinguere soles 745

Hiberni, vel quae tardis mora noetibus obstet.
Ingeminant plausu Tyrii, Troesque sequuntur.

Nee non et vario noctem sermone trahebat
Infelix Dido, longumque bibebat amorem,
Multa super Priamo rogitans, super Hectore multa ; 750

To dim Sichaeus* image, and forestall
That heart long idle with a living love.

Soon as the feast is luU'd, they move the boards,
And place great bowls, and wreathe the wine with flowers.
Din fills the house, and through the spacious halls 725

Roll voices. Burning lamps from the gilt roof
Depend, and torches overcome the night.
Then, calling for a jewell'd golden cup.
Pure wine the Queen pours in, after the use
Of Belus and his House, and silence falls. 730

"Jove, since to thee the guest-rites are assigned.
For Tyrians and for Trojans make this day
Glorious, a day our children shall recall !
Come, Bacchus, Joy-giver, and Juno kind.
And ye, O Tyrians, give this gathering grace ! *' 735

Ending, wine-tribute on the board she shed ;
And first the cup touched lightly with her lips.
Then passed to Bitias, clinking it. Full slow
He quaffed the bowl, deep diving in the gold :
Then drank the other Chiefs.

lopas too 740

Made sound his golden harp, whom Atlas taught.
He sang the wandering Moon, and the Sun*s toils.
The source of Man and Beast, Lightning and Storm,
Arcturus and the rainy Hyades,

And the two Bears ; why winter Suns so soon 745

Dip in the sea, what stays the laggard nights.
The Tyrians, then the Trojans, shower applause.

Nor less with divers talk the hapless Queen
Protracts the night, drinking long draughts of love ;
Of Priam and of Hector asking much, 750

Nunc, quibus Aurorae venisset filius armis.

Nunc, quales Diomedis equi, nunc quantus Achilles.

ft-^^N -/^' Immo age, et a prima die, hospes, origine nobis

Insidias, inquit, Danaum, casusque tuorum,

Erroresque tuos ; nam te iam septuma portat 755

Omnibus errantem terris et fluctibus aestas.

Then of the armour of Aurora's son.
The steeds of Diomede, Achilles* might.

" Nay, tell us all, O Guest ! from first to last.
The Danaans' craft,** quoth she, " the Trojans* fall.
Thy travels; for the seventh summer this 755

That bears thee wandering over lands and seas.**

BOOK II

illONTICUERE omnes, intentique ora tenebant.
Inde toro pater Aeneas sic orsus ab alto :

Infandum, Regina, iubes renovare dolorem,

Troianas iit opes et lamentabile regnum

Eruerint Danai ; quaeque ipse miserrima vidi, 5

Et quorum pars magna fui. Quis talia fando

Myrmidonum Dolopumve aut duri miles Ulixi

Tempcrct a lacrimis ? et lam nox umida caelo

Praecipitat, suadentque cadentia sidera somnos.

Sed si tantus amor casus cogndscere nostros to

Et breviter Troiac supremum audire laborem,

Quamquam animus meminisse horret, luctuque refiigit,

Incipiam.

Fracti bello fatisque repuisi
Ductores Danaum, tot iam labentibus annis,
Instar montis equum divina Palladis arte 15

Aedificant, sectaque intexunt abiete costas ;
Votum pro reditu simulant ; ca fama vagatur.
Hue delecta virum sortiti corpora furtim
Includunt caeco later!, penitusque caverna^
Ingentes uterumque armato milite conplent. 20

Est in conspectu Tenedos, notissima fama
Insula, dives opum, Priami dum regna manebant.
Nunc tantum sinus et statio male fida carints ;
Hue se provecti deserto in litore condunt.
Nos abiisse rati et vento petiisse Mycenas. 25

Ergo omnis longo solvit se Teucria luctu.
Panduntur portae ; iuvat ire et Dorica castra
Desertosque videre locos litusque relictum.
Hie Dolopum manus, hie saevus tendebat Achilles ;
Classibus hie locus ; hie acie certare solebant. 30

lUSH'D was each voice, and every face intent,
When from his lofty couch the Prince began :

_ " Unutterable, O Queen, the pain thy words
Bid me revive; how Troy's unhappy realm
Fell to the Greek ; what piteous scenes I saw 5

And was great part of Who, in such a tale.
From hard Ulysses' ranks, what Myrmidon
Would keep from tears ? And dewy Night e'en now
Is riding down the sky, the sinking stars
Persuade to sleep. Yet, if so strong thy wish 10

To learn in brief our woes and Troy's last hour.
Although my memory shudders and recoils,
I will assay.

"War-shattered, foiled by Fate,
As the long years roll on, the Danaan chie&.
By Pallas' sacred art, build mountain-high, 15

Ribbed with sawn fir, a Horse ; a votive gift
For safe return, they feign ; so rumour spreads.
Men chosen by lot in its blind flanks are hid
In secret, and with armed soldiery
The monstrous cavern of its belly filled. 20

" In sight lies Tenedos, an isle renowned
Widely, and rich while Priam's kingdom stood.
Now but a bay and faithless anchorage.
They, sailing thither, on the desert coast
Lie hid ; but we suppose them on the wind 25

For Argos bound. All Troy shakes off her grief ;
The Gates are open thrown, the Doric Camp,
The shores forsaken, gaily visited.
Here the Dolopians pitched, Achilles here ;
Here lay the ships, here was the battle-field. 30

Pars stupet innuptae donum exitiale Minervac

Et molem mirantur equi ; primusque Thymoctcs

Duci intra muros hortatur et arce locari,

Sive dolo, seu iam Troiae sic fata ferebant.

At Capys, et quorum melior sententia menti, 35

Aut pelago Danaum insidias suspectaque dona

Praecipitare iubent, subiectisque urere flammis,

Aut terebrare cavas uteri et temptare latebras.

Scinditur incertum studia in contraria volgus.

Primus ibi ante omnes, magna comitante catcrva, 40

Laocoon ardens summa decurrit ab arce, ^'' v>^^ '
Et procul : O miseri, quae tanta insania, cives ?
Creditis avectos hostes ? aut uUa putatis
Dona carere dolis Danaum ? sic notus Ulixes ?
Aut hoc inclusi ligho occultantur Achivi, -^ Q r e c Ic 45
Aut haec in nostros fabricata est machina muros
Inspectura domos venturaque desuper urbi,
Aut aliquis latet error ; equo ne cre dite, Teucri.
Quidquid id est, timeo Danaos et dona ferentes.

Sic fatus validis ingentem viribus hastam 50

In latus inque feri curvam conpagibus alvum
Contorsit. Stetit ilia tremens, uterbque recusso
Insonuere cavae getnitumque dedere cavernae.
Et, si fata deum, si mens non laeva niisset, ^
Impulerat ferro Argoligas foedare latebras,^ ' £^

Troiaque nunc staret, Priamique ahTalta, maneres.

V^* Ecce, manus iuvenem interea post terga revinctum
S^"^ Pastores magno ad regem clamore trahebant
Dardanidae, qui .se ignotum venientibus ultro,
Hoc ipsum ut strufe'ret Troiamque aperiret Achivis, 60

Obtulerat, fidens animi, atque in utrumque paratus,
Seu versare dolos, seu certae occumbere morti.
>j^^ w ■ 54\ ■•

Some at that fatal gift to Pallas gape,

Amazed at the vast Horse. And loudest cried

Thymoetes, * Draw it inward, to the Keep ! *

Traitorous, or so Troy's Doom already swayed :

But Capys, and the men of wiser wit, 35

Charged them to fling in sea that Danaan snare.

Suspicious gift, and burn it over flames.

Or bore and probe the hollow haunts within :

Contrary wishes rend the uncertain crowd.

" But foremost there, with a large concourse round, 40
Down from the Keep Laocoon runs hot,
Calling, * O Burghers ! What sad frenzy is this ?
Think ye our foes are fled, or that one gift
Of Greeks is guileless ? Is it thus ye know
Ulysses ? In this frame lie Argives hid, 45

Or else this engine for our walls is built.
To spy our homes, and storm us from above.
Some fraud is there ! O never tru st the Horse !
Though Greeks bear oflFerings, I fear thein sf ill I '

" So saying, with great force his mighty spear 50

Against the flanks and belly of the beast
He hurled : it stood and quivered : at the impact
The cavern groaned ; and had not Heaven's decree.
Had not our hearts been froward, on his charge
We had wrecked that Argive den, and thou, O Troy ! ^^
O Towers of Priam I ye were standing now !

" But lo ! the while with uproar to their King
Some Dardan hinds were dragging one fast bound
With hands behind him, who, unknown to them.
Himself had given to work this very deed, 60

And open Troy to Greeks, one stout of heart.
Doubly prepared, to trick us or to die.

Circumni» ruit, ccrtastcac iriiafrrc cspio.

Accipe nunc Dasaim iT^^t:^2fj er crn:ng 2b udo 65

Discc omnci.

Nainque ut coiispecni in medio turb^tizs, inennis,
Constitit atque oculis Pfarygia agmina circiimspesdt :

Heu, quae nunc tellus, inquit, quae me aequora possnnt

Accipere r aut quid iam miscro mini denique rcstat, 70

Cui neque apud Danaos usquam loois, et rjper ipd

Dardanidae infensi poenas cum sanguine poscunt ?

0''* ^f-*

Quo gemitu conversi animi, compressus et omnis
Impetus. Hortamur fari ; quo sanguine cretus,^- **^***
Quidve ferat, memoret, quae sit fiduda capto. 75

lUe haec, deposita tandem formidine, fatur :

Cuncta equidem tibi. Rex, fuerit qaodcumque, fiitebor
Vera, inquit ; neque me Argolica de gente negabo ;
-^oc primum ; nee, si ipiserum Fortuiia Sinonem"

^Finxit, vanum etiam mendacemque iifj^^ba finget. 80

Fando aliquod si forte tuas pervenit ad aures
Belidae nomen Palamedis et induta fama
Gloria, qucm falsa sub prodllSbne Pelasn ^^^
Insonfem inrando inaicio,^uia bella vetabdt, ^^^
Demisere ntet^ nunc caT^Im lumine lugentT^* 85

lUi me comitem et consanguinitate propinquum
Pauper in arma pater primis hue misit ab annis.
Dum stabat regno incolumis regumque^vigebat
Consiliis, et i^os aliquod nomenque decu^que ^ .<-
Gessimus. Invidia postquam pellacislTlixi — 90

^ Haud ignota loquor — superis concessit ab oris
Adflictus vitam in teitiebns luctuque trahebam,
Et casum insontis mecum indignabar amici.

The Trojan crowd flow round from every side.

Eager to see, and vie in mocking him.

Hear now the Danaans* craft, and from one crime 65

Learn all the breed.

" For, standing in our midst, confrised, unarmed.
And looking round the Phrygian ranks, he spoke :

" * Alas ! What land, what sea can now receive
Me miserable ? What last resort is left ? 70

No place for me with Greeks, and Dardans too
To satisfy their hate demand my blood ! *

^^ His anguish turned our hearts, and all assault
Fell checked. We bid him tell us of his birth.
His news, the hope on which a prisoner leant. y^

He, when his fear is banished, thus returns :

" * All I will tell thee true, O King ! whatever
Be&ll me, nor ^ine A rgive birth deny.
That first : if Fortune moulded Sinon's life
Joyless, the jade shall never shape him false ! 80

If haply to thine ears hath come the name
Of Palamedes and his high renown ;
Whom, since he blamed the war, Greeks falsely charged.
On witness base doomed innocent to die.
And life-lorn now lament, — his friend was I, 85

A kinsman of his House, when at my prime
My needy father sent me to the wars.
While he stood firm in place, and wielded power
In the Kings* councils, we bore something too
Of name and fame ; but when Ulysses' grudge, — 90

No news I tell, — had thrust him from the light.
In grief obscure I languished, sore at heart
Resenting my friend's fall ; nor held my peace,

I S7 H

• ' * i * ••'.'■ ',

Nec tacui demens, et me, fort tf^^iiiK ti(U»eC^

Si patrios umquam rein6£*iciA ^ki^id Airg^ - - ^ '-nis

Promisi ultorem, et verbis ^odiaaljlctti mOffL -

Hinc mihi prima mali labes, hinc jeower Ulixes

Criminibus terrere novis, hinc spw^gere voces

In volgiim ambiguas, et auaerere consdus arait.

Nec requievit enim, donee Calchante ministro-— . too

Sed quid ego haec autem nequf^uam ingrata revolvo ?

Quidve moror, si omnes uno orokie habeds AchivoSi^ ^

Idque audire sat' est ? lamSdudum sftimie pocntt ;

Hoc Ithacus velit, et magno mercehtur Atridae.

Tum vero ardemus scitari et quaerere causas, 105

Ignari scelerum tantonun artisque Pekagae. / [I

Prosequitur pavitans, et ficto pectore fkter :

.<» o.'i •

'/.

* «t J

^ !^ Saepe fugam Danai Tfma cupiere rdicta
^ Moliri et loneo fessi^scedere b(

•w *

longo fessi oiscedere bdlo ;
Fecissentque utinSSM ! saepe Ubs tspcra poati 1 10

Interclusit hiemps, et temut AliSKr euntes* ^f^M$^

t^dL''^Praecipue, cum iam hie tratiSBw^nteitiis ac^ms
Staret equus, toto soniieraiit aethere mmliii!>^'^
Suspensi Eurypylum sd[llS!^di^€|acuk Plioebi
jo.^ 1 Mittimus, isque adyti s haec tmtbi dicta repoitat : it^

Sanguine placastis ventos et virginc caesa,5'*«^

^-* 4 '^

Cum primum Iliacas, Danai, venistis adl)ras ; -rj^

Sanguine quaerendi reditus, animaque litandum *^*'*^\)
Argolica/* Volgi quae^ox ut venit ad aures,.^ ^^^
Obstipuere animi, getimisque per ima cucurrit *' 120

Ossa tremor, cui fata parent, quem poscat Apollo.
Hie Ithacus v^em maeno Calchanta tumultu
Frotrahit in medios ; quae sint ea nuiniha divom,
aW Flagitat. Et mihi iam multi crudele canebant v^"^"*

Artificis scelus, et taciti ventura videbant. 125

<;8

o;; ' II

Infante ! but I vowed, if Fate were kind,
If I regained my Greece a conqueror, 95

To avenge him. Thus I stirred relentless hate.
Hence first my ruin sprang. Ulysses hence
Kept threatening slanders, and among the mean
Sowed rumours dark, and sought conspiring arms :
Nor rested, till by Calchas* aid — But why 100

Recount the graceless tale ? Why hold you back.
If Greeks rank all as one, and 'tis enough
That name to hear ? Take vengeance now, and sate
Ulysses* hope, the Atridae*s dearest wish ! '

" At that we, strangers to Pelasgian guile 1 05

And guilt so heinous, burn to ask his tale.
And trembling he proceeds with treacherous soul :

" * Fain were the Danaans oft to make retreat
From Ilium, wearied of the endless war,
O would they had gone ! As oft the storm-lashed sea no
Bound them on shore, and the rude South deterred.
And loudest when this Horse stood ready framed
With maple beams, all heaven with tempest roared.
And when in doubt to Phoebus' shrine we sent
Eurypylus, this sad response he brought : 115

** With blood of maiden slain you calmed the gale.
When first, O Greeks, you came to Ilium's shore.
Seek now return with blood, and sacrifice
An Argive life ! "

The message went abroad.
And dazed our wits, and through our marrow shot 120

Cold shudders, who should be the victim doomed.
Ulysses then with clamour to our midst
Calchas, the Seer, drew, and charged to unfold
God's Will. — And many of that bad plot before
Warned me, and silently foresaw the end* —

Bis quinos silet ille dies, tectusque recusat
air^\ Prodere voce sua quemquam aut opponere morti.
' ^,^^yix tandem, magpis Ithaci clamoribus actus, , ^
Conposito rufii^it vocem, et me destinat arae.^'
Adsensere omnes, et, quae sibi quisque timebat, 13a

Unius in miseri exitium conversa tulere.

lamque dies infanda aderat ; mihi sacra parari, ,
Et salsae fruges, et circum tempora vittae V^^--^^^' "^^
Eripui, fateor, leto me, et vincula rupi,

Limosoque lacjii.Der noctem obscurus in ulva 135

lit^, Delitui, dum vela darent, si forte dedissent.

Nee mihi iam patriam antii^uam spes ulla videndi,
Nee dulces natos exoptatumque parentem ;
Quos illi fors et poenas ob nostra reposcent
(j*^. ^^ >EfFugia, et culpam banc miserorum morte piabunt. 1 40-

Quod te per superos et conscia numina veri,
. Per, si qua est, quae restat adhuc mortalibus usquam
Q -iTN-A^-l^fntemerata fides, oro, miserere laborum

Tantorum, miserere animi non digna ferentis.

His lacrimis vitam damus, et miserescimus ultro. 145

Ipse viro primus manicas atque arta levari
Vincla iubet Priamus, dictisque ita fatur amicis :
Quisquis es, amissos hinc iam obliviscere Graios ;
Noster eris, mihique haec edissere vera roganti :
Quo molem banc inmanis equi statuere ? quis auctor ? 150
Quidve petunt ? quae religio ? aut quae machina belli ?
Dixerat. Ille, dolis instructus et arte Pelasga,
Sustulit exutas vinclis ad sidera palmas :

Vos, aeterni ignes, et non violabile vestrum
Testor numen, ait, vos arae ensesque nefandi, ifS

Quos fugi, vittaeque deum, quas hostia gessi :

Ten days within his tent Calchas is dumb.

Denouncing none, condemning none to death ;

At last to loud Ulysses by concert

Scarce breaks a word, and me to the altar dooms.

All gave assent, and on one victim*s head 1 30

Let fall the ruin each had feared his own.

" ' The dreadful day had come ; my rites were set ;
The salted meal, the bands about my brow :
I broke away from death, I burst my bonds,
I do confess it ! and all night lay deep 135

In darkling sedge, till haply they might sail.
And now no hope is mine to see my land.
Mine own sweet boys, my father dear-desired.
Who even for my escape may pay the cost.
And with their piteous blood my guilt atone ! 140

But O ! by Heaven I pray thee ! by the Powers
That reverence Truth ! by Faith, if any Faith
Stays in the world unspotted, to such woe
Give pity, and to sufferings undeserved ! '

" Life to his tears we grant, and pity too. 145

And Priam first his manacles and bonds
Himself bids loose, and thus benignly speaks :
* Whoso thou art, henceforth forget the Greeks !
Ours thou shalt be ! Now make me answer true.
This monster Horse, why built they ? Who conceived ? 150
For what ? what holy vow ? what craft of war ? '
He said ; the other, in Pelasgian guile
Well-versed, to Heaven uplifts his unbound hands.

" * Ye everlasting fires inviolable.
Be witness ! ' he exclaimed, ' O Shrines, O Knives 155

From which I fled ! O victim bands I wore !

Fas mihi Graiorum sacrata resolvere iura.

Fas odisse viros, atque omnia ferre sub auras,

Si qua tegunt : teneor patriae nee legibus uUis.

Tu modo promissis maneas, servataque serves i6o

Troia fidem, si vera feram, si magna rependam.

Omnis spes Danaum et coepti fiducia beUi
Palladis auxiliis semper stetit. Impius ex quo
Tydides sed enim scelerumque inventor Ulixes,
Fatale adgressi sacrato avellere templo 165

Palladium, caesis summae custodibus arcis,
Corripuere sacram effigiem, manibusque cruentis
Virgineas ausi divae contingere vittas.
Ex illo flucre ac retro sublapsa referri

Spes Danaum, fractae vires, aversa deae mens. 170

Nee dubiis ea signa dedit Tritonia monstris.
Vix positum castris simulacrum : arsere coruscae
Luminibus flammae arrectis, salsusque per artus
Sudor iit, terque ipsa solo — mirabile dictu —
Emicuit, parmamque ferens hastamque trementem. 175

Extemplo temptanda fuga canit aequora Calchas,
Nee posse Argolicis exscindi Pergama telis,
Omina ni repetant Argis, numenque reducant.
Quod pelago et curvis secum avexere carinis.
Et nunc, quod patrias vento petiere Mycenas, 180

Anna deosque parant comites, pelagoque remenso
Improvisi aderunt. Ita digerit omina Calchas.
Hanc pro Palladio moniti, pro numine laeso
Effigiem statuere, nefas quae triste piaret.
Hanc tamen inmensam Calchas attollere molem 185

Roboribus textis caeloque educere iussit,
Ne recipi portis, aut duci in moenia posset,
Neu populum antiqua sub religione tueri.
Nam si vestra manus violasset dona Minervae,
Tum magnum exitium— quod di prius omen in ipsiun 190

'Tis right to break the oaths I sware to Greeks,

Right to abhor those men, and spread abroad

Whatever they hide : nor do my country's laws

Bind me. But thou, keep faith, thy saviour save, i6o

If speaking truth, O Troy ! I well repay.

" * All hope, all heart the Greeks had in their war
Stood still on Pallas' aid ; but since unjust
Tydides and Ulysses, rich in crimes.

From Pallas' holy fane her fateful Sign 165

Adventuring to tear, the sentries slew.
Seized the pure image, and with bloody palms
Dared touch her maiden chaplets, — since that day
The hopes of Greece ebbed refluent, her strength
Broke, and the Goddess turned her heart away. 1 70

No doubtful portents showed Tritonia wroth.
The Statue scarce in camp, a blaze of fire
Flashed from her lifted eyes, and o'er her limbs
Ran a salt sweat, and thrice, O wondrous tale !
With shield and shivering spear from earth she leapt ! 175
c< Ply I »> Calchas cried, " Fly back across the main !
Troy cannot fall, unless again you seek
In Greece new omens, and bring back the grace
Which once was seated on your seaward keels ! "
So now they run toward Argos on the wind 180

For arms and Gods ; and soon remeasuring sea,
Will front you unawares. So taught the Seer :
And on his charge this image they have built
For outraged Pallas, to atone their sin.

This mass immeasurable he bade them rear 185

With oaken beams, and build it up to heaven,
So that it might not pass within your gates.
And under old religion succour Troy.
For if your hand profaned the Goddess' gift.
Ruin and death, he said, — God sooner turn 190

Convertant ! — Priami imperio Phrygibusque futurum ;
Sin manibus vcstris vestram ascendissct in urbem,
Ultro Asiam magno Pclopea ad moenia bcllo
Venturam, et nostros ea fata manere nepotcs.

Talibus insidiis periurique arte Sinonis 1 95

Credita res, captique dolis lacrimisque coactis,
Quos neque Tydides, nee Larissaeus Achilles,
Non anni domuere decern, non mille carinae.

Hie aliud maius miseris multoque tremendum
Obiicitur magis, atque inprovida pectora turbat. 200

Laocoon, d uctus Nep tuno sort e sacerdo s,
Sollemnes taurum ingentem mactabat ad aras.
Ecce autem gemini a Tenedo tranquilla per alta —
Horresco referens — ^inmensis orbibus angues ^«-o^^^^s — §^l/?-^^
Incumbunt pelago, pariterque ad litora tendunt ; 205

Pectora quorum inter fluctus arrecta iubaeque
Sanguineae superant undas ; pars cetera pontum
Pone legit sinuatque inmensa volumine terga ;
Fit sonitus spumante salo. lamque arva tenebant,
Ardentesque oculos sufFecti sanguine et igni, 210

Sibila lambebant Unguis vibrantibus ora.
DifRigimus visu exsangues. lUi agmine certo
Laocoonta petunt ; et primum parva duorum
Corpora natorum serpens amplexus uterque
Inplicat et miseros morsu depascitur artus ; 215

Post ipsum, auxilio subeuntem ac tela ferentem,
Corripiunt, spirisque ligant ingentibus ; et iam
Bis medium amplexi, bis collo squamea circum
Terga dati, superant capite et cervicibus altis.
Ille simul manibus tendit divellere nodos, 220

Perfusus sanie vittas atroque veneno,
Clamores simul horrendos ad sidera tollit :
Qualis mugitus, fugit cum saucius aram

The curse on him ! — would fall on Priam*s realm ;
But if your hands should draw it up to Troy,
Asia herself should bring a world of war
On Pelops* town, and Doom await our sons/

" Such lying tales, by Sinon*s glozing art, 195

Gained credence, and a traitor's tears entrapped
Whom not Tydides, not Achilles* self.
Not ten years mastered, nor a thousand ships.

" Now fell on us accurst a greater woe, /

More dreadful far, confusing our blind wit. • 200

Laocoon, Nep tune's allotted Priest, ■

Stood by his shrine, to sacrifice a bull :
When lo ! from Tenedos, o'er tranquil sea, —
I shudder t o recall ! — with endless coils

Two Serpents"^pressed together toward the shore. 205

Their bosoms rose above the wave, their crests
Blood-red o'er-topped the surge ; their hinder parts
Trailed on the flood in mighty sinuous folds.
And lashed the roaring brine. They reach our fields,
Their blazing eyes suffused with blood and fire, 210

And with lithe tongues beslaver mouths that hiss.
Pale at the sight we flee. Unswerving still.
They near Laocoon ; and first enfold.
In snaky coiled embrace, the tiny limbs
Of his two sons, and gnaw their piteous flesh. 215

Him then with weapons running to their aid
They seize, and swathe him in hugh spires, and twice
Fold in their scales his waist, and twice his throat.
And lift above him head and towering necks.
He strains his hands the while to burst those knots, 220

His chaplets sprent with gore and venom black.
And with such roars of anguish fills the sky
As when a wounded bull shakes from his neck

I 65 I

Taurus et incertam excussit cervice securim.

At gemini lapsu delubra ad summa dracones 225

EfRigiunt saevacque petunt Tritonidis arcem,

Sub pedibusque dcae clipeique sub orbe teguntur.

Turn vero trcmefacta novus per pectora cunctis
Insinuat pavor, et scelus expendisse mercntem
Laocoonta ferunt, sacrum qui cuspide robur 230

Laeserit et tergo sceleratam intorserit hastam.

Ducendum ad sedes simulacrum orandaque divae
Numina conclamant.

Dividimus muros et moenia pandimus urbis.
Accingunt omnes opcri, pedibusque rotarum 235

Subiiciunt lapsus, et stuppea vincula coUo
Intendunt. Scandit fatalis machina muros,
Feta armis. Pueri circum innuptacquc puellae
Sacra canunt, funcmque manu contingere gaudent.
Ilia subit, mediaeque minans inlabitur urbi. 240

O patria, o divom domus Ilium, et incluta beUo
Moenia Dardanidum ! quater ipso in limine portae
Substitit, atque utero sonitum quater arma dedere ;
Instamus tamen inmemores caecique furore,
Et monstrum infelix sacrata sistimus arce. 245

; Tunc etiam fatis aperit Cassandra futuris ^

!_Ora, dei iussu non umquam credita Tcucris. '* ^" *^^.'^ ^f"
Nos delubra deum miseri, quibus ultimus esset '^ "^ ) ^"^

Ille dies, festa velamus fronde per urbcm.

Vertitur interea caelum et ruit oceano Nox, 250

Involvens umbra magna tcrramque polumque
Myrmidonumque dolos ; fusi per moenia Tcucri
Conticuere ; sopor fcssos conplectitur artus.
Et iam Argiva phalanx instructis navibus ibat
A Tenedo, tacitae per amica silentia lunae 255

X X

The uncertain axe, and from the altar flees.

But those twain snakes to the high fanes glide off 225

On stern Tritonia*s mount, and shelter there

Beneath the Goddess' feet and orbed shield.

" Fresh terror then through every shuddering heart
Creeps, and men say Laocoon hath paid
Due forfeit for his crime, who impious hurled 230

Against that sacred oak his guilty spear.

" * Draw the dread Image home ! ' so all out-cry,
* Sue we the Goddess' grace ! '
We cleave the walls, we lay the fortress bare.
All speed the work ; and lay the rolling wheels 235

Beneath its feet, and ropes around its neck
Draw tight. The doomful engine, big with arms.
Surmounts our wall. Boys and un wedded girls
Chant hymns around, and touch the rope with glee.
It comes ; it glides into the city's heart ! 240

O Fatherland ! O Ilium, home of Gods !
O war-famed walls of Troy ! Four times it stopped
Even at the gate, four times the arms within
Clashed, yet we urge it, blind, ill-memoried men !
And store the monster in our hallowed Keep. 245

/Cassandra e'en then her boding lips unclosed, —
(jThose lips which Heaven forbade us to believe.
We miserable men on our last day
Went wreathing all our fanes with festal green.

" The sky wheels round, and from the sea springs Night, 250
In her great umbrage wrapping earth and sky
And Argive frkud. We through the town lay stretched
Silent, while slumber folded the worn flesh.
And now from Tenedos the Greek array
Came sailing through the moonlight's rriendly hush, 255

LItora nota petens, flammas cum regia puppis

Extulerat, fatisque deum defensus iniquis

Inclusos utero Danaos et pinea furtim

Laxat claustra Sinon. Illos patefactus ad auras

Reddit cquus, laetique cavo se robore promunt 260

Thessandrus Sthenelusque duces et dims Ulixes,

Demissum lapsi per funem, Acamasque, Thoasque,

Pelidesque Neoptolemus, primusque Machaon,

Et Menelaus, et ipse doli fabricator Epeus.

Invadunt urbem somno vinoque sepultam ; 265

Caeduntur vigiles, portisque patentibus omnes

Accipiunt socios atque agmina conscia iungunt.

Tempus erat, quo prima quies mortalibus aegris
Incipit et dono divom gratissima serpit :
In somnis, ecce, ante oculos maestissimus Hector 270

Visus adesse mihi, largosque effundere fletus,
Raptatus bigis, ut quondam, aterque cruento
Pulvere, perque pedes traiectus lora tumentes.
Hei mihi, qualis erat ! quantum mutatus ab illo
Hectore, qui redit exuvias indutus Achilli, 275

Vel Danaum Phrygios iaculatus puppibus ignes !
Squalentem barbam et concretos sanguine crines
Volneraque ilia gerens, quae circum plurima muros
Accepit patrios. Ultro flens ipse videbar
Compellare virum et maestas expromere voces : 280

O lux Dardaniae, spes o fidissima Teucrum,
Quae tantae tenuere morae ? quibus Hector ab oris
Exspectate venis ? ut te post multa tuorum
Funera, post varios hominumque urbisque labores
Defessi aspicimus ! quae causa indigna serenos 285

Foedavit voltus ? aut cur haec volnera cemo ?

Ille nihil, nee me quaerentem vana moratur.

And neared the well-known strand, when the King^s ship

Uplifted flames. Then, by Fate*s malice saved,

Sinon by stealth undoes the wooden door.

And frees the captive Greeks. Them the opened Horse

Restores. Thessander first and Sthenelus, 260

With dire Ulysses, from the hollow oak

Slide down a rope : then Thoas, Acamas,

Machaon, Mcnelaus, Peleus* seed.

And he who forged the snare, Epeus* self.

They seize the city, plunged in sleep and wine, 265

And slay the watch ; through open gates admit

All their allies, and join coUeaguing bands.

" It was the hour when first o*er suffering men
Slumber, the boon of Heaven, most sweetly steals ;
When lo ! in dreams before mine eyes appeared / 270

Hector in anguish, shedding floods of tears ;
Torn by the car, as once, with dust and blood
Blackened, his swollen feet pierced through by thongs.

in what guise he was ! O how unlike

Hector returning in Achilles' spoils, 275

Or on Greek ships from launching Phrygian fire !
A squalid beard he wore, blood-boltered hair.
And all the wounds which round his native walls
So thickly scarred him. Weeping too methought

1 first addressed him, drawing thus my moan : 280

" * O Light of Dardans ! Surest Hope of Troy !
What kept thee hence so long ? Whence art thou come.
Dear-hoped-for Hector ? O for us outworn
After thy people's deaths and all our pain,
To see thee now ! What shamelessness hath marred 285
Thy happy visage ? O what scars are these ? '

He nought replies, nor heeds my idle speech,

Sed graviter gcmitus imo de pectore duccns,

Heu fuge, nate dea, tequc his, ait, eripe flammis.

Hostis habet muros ; ruit alto a culmine Troia. 290

Sat patriae Priamoque datum : si Pcrgama dextra

Defendi possent, etiam hac defensa fuisscnt :

Sacra suosque tibi commcndat Troia Penates :

Hos cape fatorum comites, his moenia quaere

Magna, pererrato statues quae denique ponto. 295

Sic ait, et manibus vittas Vestamque potentem

Aeternumque adytis efFert penetralibus ignem.

Diverso interea miscentur moenia luctu,
Et magis atque magis, quamquam secreta parentis
Anchisae domus arboribusque obtecta recessit, 300

Clarescunt sonitus, armorumque ingruit horror.
Excutior somno, et summi fastigia tecti
Ascensu supero, atque arrectis auribus adsto :
In segetem veluti cum flamma furentibus austris
Incidit, aut rapidus montano flumine torrens 305

Sternit agros, sternit sata laeta boumque labores,
Praecipitesque trahit silvas, stupet inscius alto
Accipiens sonitum saxi de vertice pastor.
Turn vero manifesta fides, Danaumque patescunt
Insidiae. lam Deiphobi dedit ampla ruinam 310

Volcano superante domus, iam proxumus ardet
Ucalegon : Sigea igni freta lata relucent.
Exoritur clamorque virum clangorque tubarum.
Arma amens capio ; nee sat rationis in armis ;
Sed glomerare manum bello et concurrere in arcem 3 1 5

Cum sociis ardent animi ; furor iraque mentem
Praecipitant, pulchrumque mori succurrit in armis.

Ecce autem telis Panthus elapsus Achivom,
Panthus Othryades, arcis Phoebique sacerdos,

But, sighing deeply from the inmost heart,

* Fly, Goddess-bom ! * he says, ' Escape these flames !

Foes hold the wall. Down falls the pride of Troy ! 290

Enough for King and Country ! If man's arm

Had power to save, they had been saved by mine !

Troy gives to thee in charge her sacred Gods ;

These take to share thy doom ; for these at last

Build great thy walls across the o*erwandered main ! * 295

He ceased, and from the holy place brought out

Vesta, her chaplets and undying fire.

" Meanwhile confusion through the city spreads :
Loud and more loud, though far-withdrawn the house
My sire Anchises owned and deep in trees, 300

The clamour rose, and shuddering strife drew near.
I start from sleep ; I climb the topmost roof.
And stand with straining ears. As when a fire
Falls on a cornfield from the raging South ;
Or when a mountain torrent drowns the land, 305

Drowns happy crops, and all the oxen*s toil.
And headlong sweeps the trees ; amazed and dumb,
From some tall rock, a shepherd hears the roar.
Then truth shone clear ; bare lay the guile of Greeks !
Overtopped by flames, Deiphobus' great house 310

Falls, and beside it burns Ucalegon.
The broad Sigaean frith reflects the blaze.
Up rise the shouts of men, the trumpets* blare.
Madly I seize my arms, in arms not less
Unpurposed, hot at heart to muster friends, 315

And seize the Keep. Wild anger thrusts me on.
And bright before me gleams a soldier's death.

" But Panthus lo ! escaped from Argive spears.
Priest of the Keep and Phoebus, Othrys* son,

Sacra manu victosque deos parvumque nepotem 320

Ipse trahit, cursuque amens ad limina tendit.

Quo res summa loco, Panthu ? quam prcndimus arcem ?
Vix ea fatus eram, gemitu cum talia rcddit :

Venit summa dies ct ineluctabile tempus
Dardaniae. Fuimus Troes, fuit Ilium et ingens 325

Gloria Teucrorum ; ferus omnia luppitcr Argos
Transtulit : incensa Danai dominantur in urbe.
Arduus armatos mediis in moenibus adstans
Fundit equus, victorque Sinon inccndia miscet
Insultans. Portis alii bipatentibus adsunt, 330

Milia quot magnis umquam venere Mycenis ;
Obsedere alii telis angusta viarum
Oppositi ; Stat fcrri acies mucrone corusco
Stricta, parata neci ; vix primi proelia temptant
Portarum vigiles, et caeco Marte resistunt. 335

Talibus Othryadae dictis et numine divom
In flammas et in arma feror, quo tristis Erinys,
Quo fremitus vocat et sublatus ad aethera clamor.
Addunt se socios Rhipeus et maxumus armis
Epytus, oblati per lunam, Hypanisque Dymasque, 340

Et lateri adglomerant nostro, iuvenisque Coroebus,
Mygdonides. lUis ad Troiam forte diebus
Venerat, insano Cassandrae incensus amore,
Et gener auxilium Priamo Phrygibusque ferebat,
Infelix, qui non sponsae praecepta furentis 345

Audierit.

Quos ubi confertos audere in proelia vidi,
Incipio super his : luvenes, fortissima frustra
Pectora, si vobis audentem extrema cupido

Clasping his little grandson and his dear 320

Defeated Gods, flew to my door distraught.

" * Panthus, how goes the day ? What fort is held ? *
Scarce had I asked when groaning he replied :

" * 'Tis the last day, the inevitable hour !
Trojans we are not, Troy is past, and all 325

That glory gone. To Argos cruel Jove
Takes all. 0*er the fired city Danaans rule ;
High in our midst the Horse stands pouring out
Armed men ; victorious Sinon, hurling fire,
Insults us. Some are at the wide-flung Gates, 330

As many thousands as from Greece e*er came, —
Some stand to arms across the narrow ways
To bar them : edge and glittering point of steel
Stand drawn, for slaughter ripe : scarce at the Gates
Our Guards give battle, and in blind strife resist 1 ' 335

" Such words of Panthus, and the Will of Heaven
Mid flames and weapons drive me, where the roar
The rising shouts and the grim Fury call.
Then through the moonlight, prowest Epytus,
Rhipeus and Hypanis with Dymas came, 340

Who rallied to our side, — with Mygdon's son,
Coroebus, who at such a time to Troy
Coming, with wild love for Cassandra fired.
Brought a son's aid to Priam and his town, —
Unhappy that the bodings of his bride 345

He would not hear !

" Them when I saw for battle ranked and bold.
Thus I began : * O Sirs ! O hearts in vain
Most valiant ! If your will be strong to join

I 73 «^

Certa sequi, quae sit rebus fortuna videtis : 350

Excessere omnes, adytis arisque relictis,

Di, quibus imperium hoc steterat ; succurritis urbi

Incensae ; moriamur, et in media arma ruamus.

Una salus victis, nullam sperare salutem.

Sic animis iuvenum furor additus. Inde, lupi ceu 355

Raptores atra in nebula, quos inproba ventris
Exegit caecos rabies, catulique relicti
Faucibus exspectant siccis, per tela, per hostes
Vadimus baud dubiam in mortem, mediaeque tenemus
Urbis iter ; nox atra cava circumvolat umbra. 360

Quis cladem illius noctis, quis funera fando
Explicet, aut possit lacrimis aequare labores ?
Urbs antiqua ruit, multos dominata per annos ;
Plurima perque vias stemuntur inertia passim
Corpora perque domos et religiosa deorum 365

Limina. Nee soli poenas dant sanguine Teucri ;
Quondam etiam victis redit in praecordia virtus
Victoresque cadunt Danai. Crudelis ubique
Luctus, ubique pavor, et plurima mortis imago.

Primus se, Danaum magna comitante caterva, 370

Androgeos ofFert nobis, socia agmina credens
Inscius, atque ultro verbis compellat amicis :
Festinate, viri. Nam quae tam sera moratur
Segnities ? alii rapiunt incensa feruntque
Pergama ; vos celsis nunc primum a navibus itis. 375

Dixit, et extemplo, neque enim responsa dabantur
Fid a satis, sensit medios delapsus in hostes.
Obstipuit, retroque pedem cum voce repressit.
Improvisum aspris veluti qui sentibus anguem

n A

A desperate venture, how things are ye see ; 350

The Gods, through whom we stood, from fane and shrine

Departed all ; a burning town to save ;

To death ! and charge with me on serried arms !

One chance the conquered have, to hope for none ! '

" Thereat their rage waxed fiercer, and like wolves, 355
Raiding in darkness, whom the belly's lust
Drives blindly forwards, and their whelps at home
Wait with dry jaws ; so we through foes, through steel.
Make for sure death, and to the city's midst
Press on. Around us hover night and gloom. 360

" Of that night's work who could the tale unfold.
Or weep a tear for every murder done ?
An ancient city falls, that long held sway.
In streets, in houses, at the Gods' own doors.

Lie unresisting bodies everywhere 365 /

Thick-strewn. Not Trojans only pay their blood ;
Oft to the conquered too manhood returns.
And the Greek conquerors fall. On every side
Panic and woe, and Death's wide-loomiiig shade.

" There first of Greeks, among a goodly troop, 370 ^

Androgeus met us, and our ranks unknown
Misdeeming friendly, thus bespoke us fair :
* Haste, men : what sloth hath kept you back so long ?
The rest have fired and pillage Troy, but you
From the tall ships come hither only now ! ' 375

" He spoke, and instant, — for our answer won
No credence, — knew him fallen amidst his foes.
Amazed he started, checking voice and foot.
As when one toiling through a copse of briers.

Pressit hum! nitens, trepidusque rcpcntc rcfugit 380

AttoUentem iras et caenila colla tumentem ;

Haud secus Androgeos visu tremefactus abibat.

Inniimus, densis et circumfundimur armis,

Ignarosque loci passim et formidine captos

Sternimus. Adspirat primo fortuna labori. 385

Atque hie successu exsultans animisque Coroebus,

O socii, qua prima, inquit, fortuna salutis

Monstrat iter, quaque ostendit se dextra, sequamur :

Mutemus clipeos, Danaumque insignia nobis

Aptemus. Dolus an virtus, quis in hoste requirat ? 390

Arma dabunt ipsi. Sic fatus, deinde comantem

Androgei galeam clipeique insigne decorum

Induitur, laterique Argivum adcommodat ensem.

Hoc Rhipeus, hoc ipse Dymas omnisquc iuvcntus

Laeta facit ; spoliis sc quisque rcccntibus armat. 395

Vadimus inmixti Danais haud numine nostro,
Multaque per caecam congressi proclia noctem
Conserimus, multos Danaum demittimus Oreo.
DifRigiunt alii ad naves, et litora cursu

Fida petunt : pars ingentem formidine turpi 400

Scandunt rursus equum et nota conduntur in alvo.

Heu nihil invitis fas quemquam fidcre divis !
Ecce trahebatur passis Priameia virgo
Crinibus a templo Cassandra adytisque Minervae,
Ad caelum tendens ardentia lumina frustra, 405

Lumina, nam teneras arcebant vincula palmas.
Non tulit hanc speciem furiata mente Coroebus,
Et sese medium iniecit periturus in agmen.
Consequimur cuncti et densis incurrimus armis.
Hie primum ex alto delubri eulmine telis 410

Nostrorum obruimur, oriturque miserrima caedes

Treads on a snake unseen, and shuddering shrinks 380

From the blue neck puffed out, and rising hate ;

So, scared at us, Androgeus turned to flee.

We charge ; we gird them with a hedge of steel.

And strew them broadcast, strangers to the ground.

And panic-struck. Fate speeds our first assay. 385

Then, flushed by victory, bold Coroebus cries :

* Come, follow, friends, where Fortune early points

The way to safety, where she shows us grace !

Shields let us change, and gird Greek harness on.

Courage or craft, who ask which foemen use ? 390

They, they shall arm us ! *

Saying thus, he dons
Androgeus* plumy helm, and blazoned targe.
And fastens to his side an Argive brand.
Rhipeus and Dymas, all the troop, with glee
Do likewise, arming from our spoils new-won. 395

" Mingling with Greeks, by favour not our own.
Through the blind night we press, in many a fray
Closing, and many a Greek to Orcus send.
Some to the ships escape, and running seek
The trusty shore : some in base panic climb 400

The Horse, and hide in that familiar vault.

" Against God's Will, alas ! all faith is vain I
Lo ! Priam's daughter with dishevelled hair,
Cassandra, dragged from Pallas' sacred shrines.
Vainly to heaven uplifts her burning eyes, — 405

Her eyes, for bonds her tender hands restrain.
That sight Coroebus bore not, mad with rage.
But flung himself amid the deep array.
Death-doomed. We follow, close our ranks, and charge.
But Trojan missiles from the temple's roof 410

O'crwhelm us now : a wretched carnage springs

Armorum facie ct Graiarum errore iubarum.

Turn Danai gemitu atque creptac virginis ira

Undique coUccti invadunt, acerrimus Aiax,

Et gemini Atridae, Dolopumque exercitus omnis ; 415

Adversi rupto ecu quondam turbine vcnti

Confligunt, Zephyrusque Notusque et laetus Eois

Eurus cquis ; stridunt silvac, saevitque tridcnti

Spumeus atque imo Nereus ciet aequora fundo.

lUi etiam, si quos obscura nocte per umbram 420

Fudimus insidiis totaque agitavimus urbe,

Adparent ; primi clipeos mentitaque tela

Adgnoscunt, atque ora sono discordia signant.

Ilicet obruimur numero ; primusque Coroebus

Penelei dextra divae armipotentis ad aram 425

Procumbit ; cadit et Rhipeus, iustissimus unus

Qui fuit in Teucris et servantissimus aequi ;

Dis aliter visum ; pereunt Hypanisque Dymasquc

Confixi a sociis ; nee te tua plurima, Panthu,

Labentem pietas nee Apollinis infula texit. 430

Iliaei eineres et flamma extrema meorum.
Tester, in oeeasu vestro nee tela ncc uUas
Vitavisse viees Danaum, et, si fata fuissent,
Ut eaderem, meruisse manu. Divellimur inde,
Iphitus et Pelias meeum, quorum Iphitus aevo 435

lam gravior, Pelias et volnere tardus Ulixi ;
Protinus ad sedes Priami clamore voeati.

Hie vero ingentem pugnam, eeu eetera nusquam
Bella forent, nulli tota morerentur in urbe,
Sie Martem indomitum, Danaosque ad teeta ruentes 440

Cernimus obsessumque aeta testudine limen.
Haerent parietibus sealae, postesque sub ipsos
Nituntur gradibus, clipeosque ad tela sinistris
Proteeti obiieiunt, prcnsant fasti gia dextris.

From our arms' fashion, our mistaken plumes.

With yells and anger for the rescued maid,

Greeks from all sides attack us, Ajax keen,

Atreus' two sons, all the Dolopian host. 415

As, when a whirlwind breaks. South Wind and West,

And Eurus, with his orient coursers proud.

Conflicting shock : the forest roars ; the sea

Neptune with savage trident stirs to foam.

They too, if any in the dark of night 420

Our craft surprised, and routed through the town.

Show themselves now ; our shields and cozening arms

At once they know, and mark our uncouth tongue.

Numbers overwhelm us, and Coroebus first

Before the War-Maid's altar, by the hand 425

Of Peneleus falls dead ; and Rhipeus falls.

Our purest, and of honour most compact,—

The Gods^gainsaid ! — Dymas and Hypanis

Die, pierced by friends, nor all thy piety

Could save thee, Panthus, nor Apollo's crown ! 430

" O Ilian ashes ! Death-flames of my kin !
Be witness, that I shunned not at your fall
Greek spear or perilous warfare ; that my hand
Earned death, had death been doomed ! But sundered thence
With Pelias and with Iphitus I pass, — 435

One Age retards, and one Ulysses' wound, —
Where calls the clamour, straight to Priam's house.

" Here found we battle fierce, as though no fi-ay
Elsewhere, no other carnage filled the town ;
War to the death, our very roofs assailed, 440

And to beleaguered doors the Tortoise driven.
Their ladders hug the walls ; they storm the Gate ;
And with their left hand to our shafts oppose
Shields, while they grasp the coping with their right.

Dardanidae contra turres ac tecta domorum 445

Culmina convellunt ; his se, quando ultima cernunt,
Extrema iam in morte parant defendere telis ;
Auratasquc trabes, veterum decora alta parentum,
Devolvunt ; alii strictis mucronibus imas
Obsedere fores ; has servant agmine denso. 450

Instaurati animi, regis succurrere tectis,
Auxilioque levare viros, vimque addcrc victis.

Limen erat caecaeque fores et pervius usus
Tectorum inter se Priami, postesque relicti
A tergo, infelix qua sc, dum regna manebant, 455

Saepius Andromache ferre incomitata solebat
Ad soceros, et avo puerum Astyanacta trahebat.
Evado ad summi fastigia culminis, unde
Tela manu miseri iactabant inrita Teucri.

Turrim in praecipiti stantem summisque sub astra 460

Eductam tectis, unde omnis Troia videri

Et Danaum solitae naves et Achaica castra,

Adgressi ferro circum, qua summa labantes .

luncturas tabulata dabant, conveUimus altis

Sedibus, inpulimusque ; ea lapsa repente ruinam 465

Cum sonitu trahit et Danaum super agmina late

Incidit. Ast alii subeunt, nee saxa, nee uUum

Telorum interea cessat genus.

Vestibulum ante ipsum primoque in limine Pyrrhus
Exsultat, telis et luce coruscus aena ; 470

Qualis ubi in lucem coluber mala gramina pastus,
Frigida sub terra tumidum quem bruma tegebat.
Nunc, positis novus exuviis nitidusque iuventa,
Lubrica convolvit sublato pectore terga

Arduus ad solem, et Unguis micat ore trisulcis. 475

Una ingens Periphas et equorum agitator Achillis,

From tower and roof the Dardans pluck defence ; 445

And, since Death meets their gaze, prepare to wield

In that last hour such missiles ; gilded beams.

The stately splendours of their ancient sires,

Roll downward. Some behind the doors below

Stand with drawn blades, and guard them, closely ranked. 450

Our spirit rose to save this House of Kings,

To help such men oppressed, and swell their force !

" A door there was, a way through Priam's house
To every room, a blind deserted gate

Rearward, whereby, while Ilium's kingdom stood, 455

Oft unattended to her husband's kin
Came sad Andromache, and brought his boy.
Hence to the roof I pass, from whose high top
Despairing Trojans cast their bootless spears.

" High toward the stars up-built on the sheer brink 460
A turret stood, from whence they used to scan
Troy, and the Achaean camp, and Danaan ships.
This we assailed with iron, where loose it joined
The roofs high floor, and wrenched it from the base.
And forced it forth. With sudden fall it bore 465

A crushing ruin down, which smote the Greeks
Wide-spread : yet more come up, nor stones the while,
Nor any missiles cease.

" Lo ! Pyrrhus at the Gate, who proudly flashed
Before the porch in arms of brazen sheen ; 470

Most like an adder, crammed with evil herbs.
In wintry earth long hidden, puiFd and cold.
Who throws his weeds, and, sleek with youth, involves
His slippery length to day, and rears his breast
Tall to the sun, and darts his triple tongue. 475

With him huge Periphas, Automedon,

I 81 L

Armigcr Automcdon, una omnis Scyria pubes
Succedunt tecto, et flammas ad culmina iactant.

Ipse inter primos correpta dura bipenni
Limina perrumpit, postesque a cardine velKt 480

Aeratos ; iamquc cxcisa trabe firma cavavit
Robora, et ingentem lato dedit ore fencstram.
Adparet domus intus, et atria longa patescunt ;
Adparent Priami et veterum penetralia regum,
Armatosque vident stantes in limine primo. 485

At domus interior gemitu miseroque tumultu
Miscetur, penitusquc cavae plangoribus aedes
Femineis ululant ; ferit aurea sidera clamor.
Tum pavidae tectis matres ingentibus errant,
Amplexaeque tenent postes atque oscula figunt. 490

Instat vi patria Pyrrhus ; nee claustra, neque ipsi
Custodes sufFerre valent ; labat ariete crebro
lanua, et emoti procumbunt cardine postes.
Fit via vi ; rumpunt aditus, primosque trucidant
Inmissi Danai, et late loca milite conplent. 495

Non sic, aggeribus ruptis cum spumeus amnis
Exiit oppositasque evicit gurgite moles,
Fertur in arva fiirens cumulo, camposquc per omnes
Cum stabulis armenta trahit. Vidi ipse furentem
Caede Neoptolemum gcminosque in limine Atridas ; 500

Vidi Hecubam centumque nurus, Priamimique per aras
Sanguine foedantem, quos ipse sacraverat, ignes.
Quinquaginta illi thalami, spes tanta nepotum,
Barbarico postes auro spoliisque superbi,
Procubuerc ; tenent Danai, qua deficit ignis. 505

Forsitan ct, Priami fuerint quae fata, requiras.
Urbis uti captae casum convolsaque vidit
Limina tectorum et medium in penetralibus hostem.

o ^

Who drove Achilles' steeds, and Scyrian hosts
All made the roof at once, up-hurling fire.

" But Pyrrhus *mongst the first with two-edged axe
The portals rent, and from their hinges tore 480

The brass-bound doors, hewed out a plank, and made.
Breaching the solid oak, a yawning gap.
The house lies open, the long halls revealed,
Priam's own chambers, chambers of dead Kings
Revealed, and warriors in the doorway massed. 485

" But in the house lament and woeful din
Confusedly rise : the vaulted mansions wail
With women's sobs, and clamour mounts the sky.
Through the vast house mothers run to and fro.
And hug the doors, and kiss them, wild with fear. 490

Fierce as his father, Pyrrhus presses on ;
Nor bolts nor men may hold him. Doors give way
Beneath his frequent ram, and fall unhinged.
Force finds a road. The Danaans swarming in.
Slay those in front, and fill the house with troops. 495

Not so enraged a river bursts in foam
O'er dyke and dam, and plunges on the fields.
And sweeps o'er champaign wide both flocks and folds.
I saw the ravening Pyrrhus there ; I saw
The Atridae in the Gate, and Hecuba 500

Beside her hundred daughters, and the King,
Staining with blood the flames himself had blest.
The fifty bowers that promised fruit so fair.
Doors proud with plunder and barbaric gold,
In ruin fell. Greeks take what fire hath left. 505

" Thou askest me perchance of Priam's fate.
He, when he saw the captured city's fall.
His doors wrenched oflF, the foe within his home,

o ^

Arma diu senior desucta trcmcntibus aevo

Circumdat nequiquam umcris, et inutile fcrrum 510

Cingitur, ac dcnsos fcrtur morituras in hostcs.

Aedibus in mediis nudoque sub aetheris axe
Ingens ara fuit iuxtaque veterrima laurus,
Incumbens arae atque umbra conplexa Penates.
Hie Hecuba et natae nequiquam altaria circum, 515

Praecipites atra ceu tempestate columbae,
Condensae et divom amplexae simulacra sedebant.
Ipsum autem sumptis Priamum iuvenalibus armis
Ut vidit, Quae mens tam dira, miserrime coniunx,
Inpulit his cingi telis ? aut quo ruis ? inquit. 520

Non tali auxilio nee defensoribus istis
Tempus eget ; non, si ipse meus nunc adforet Hector.
Hue tandem concede ; haec ara tuebitur omnes,
Aut moriere simul. Sic ore efFata recepit
Ad sese et sacra longaevum in sede locavit. 525

Ecce autem elapsus Pyrrhi de caede Polites,
Unus natorum Priami, per tela, per hostes
Porticibus longis fugit, et vacua atria lustrat
Saucius : ilium ardens infesto volnere Pyrrhus
Insequitur, iam iamque manu tenet et premit hasta : 530

Ut tandem ante oculos evasit et ora parentum,
Concidit, ac multo vitam cum sanguine fudit.
Hie Priamus, quamquam in media iam morte tenetur,
Non tamen abstinuit, nee voci iraeque pepercit.

At tibi pro seelere, exelamat, pro talibus ausis, 535

Di, si qua est eaelo pietas, quae talia euret,
Persolvant grates dignas et praemia reddant
Debita, qui nati coram me cernere letum
Fecisti et patrios foedasti funere voltus.
At non ille, satum quo te mentiris, Achilles 540

Old as he was, his long disused arms

Threw on his feeble back, his useless sword 510

Girt on, and went to die among his foes.

" Amidst the house, beneath the naked sky.
Stood a great altar, and a time-worn bay
Leant over, and the House-gods wrapped in shade.
Here, round the barren shrine, sat Hecuba 515

And all her daughters, huddled up like doves
In the black tempest, clinging to their Gods.
But when she saw her lord in arms of youth,
* Unhappy spouse ! what madness makes thee take
Those arms,' she cried, * or whither would'st thou go ? 520
Not such the aid, nor such defence the times
Require, not were my^ector here himself.
Draw here at last : this shrine will save us all.
Or thou shalt die with us.* And by her side
She placed the age-worn King in holy seat. 525

" But lo ! Polites, one of Priam's sons.
Flying from Pyrrhus' sword, through foes, through spears,
Down the long corridors and vacant halls
Runs wounded. Pyrrhus, burning on the stroke.
Chases, and grasps, and threats him with the spear ; 530

Till, just emerging in his parents' sight.
He fell, and shed his life in streaming blood.
Then Priam, though with death now compassed round.
Withheld not, nor his voice or anger spared.

" ' For such a crime,' he cries, ' for such a feat, 535

May Heaven, if Pity dwell in Heaven to mark
Such deeds, requite thee well, and give the meed
Thou earnest, who before mine eyes hast slain
My son, and marred his father's sight with death.
Not thus Achilles, whom thou feign'st thy sire, 540

Talis in hoste fuit Priamo ; sed iura fidemque

Supplicis erubuit, corpusque exsangue sepulchro

Reddidit Hectoreum, meque in mca regna remisit.

Sic fatus senior, telumque inbelle sine ictu

Coniecit, rauco quod protinus aere repulsum 545

£t summo clipei nequiquam umbone pependit.

Cui Pyrrhus : Referes ergo haec et nuntius ibis
Pclidae gcnitori ; illi mea tristia facta
Degeneremque Neoptolemum narrare memento.
Nunc morere. Hoc dicens altaria ad ipsa trementem 550
Traxit et in multo lapsantem sanguine nati,
Inplicuitque comam laeva, dextraque coruscum
Extulit ac lateri capulo tenus abdidit ensem.

Haec finis Priami fatorum ; hie exitus ilium
Sorte tulit, Troiam incensam et prolapsa videntem ^^^

Pergama, tot quondam populis terrisque superbum
Regnatorem Asiae. lacet ingens litore truncus,
Avolsumque umeris caput, et sine nomine corpus.

At me tum primum sacvus circumstetit horror.
Obstipui ; subiit cari genitoris imago, 560

Ut regem aequaevum crudeli volnere vidi
Vitam cxhaluntcm ; subiit deserta Creusa,
Et dircpta domus, ct parvi casus luli.
Respicio, ct, ijuac sit me circum copia, lustro.
Descriicrc oinncs dcfcssi, et corpora saltu ^65

Ad terrain iniscrc aut ignibus aegra dedere.

lamquc adco super unus eram, cum limina Vestae
Servantcin ct tacitam secreta in sede latentem
Tyndarida aspicio : dant clara incendia lucem

Dealt with his foeman Priam ; he revered

The suppliant's plea, and to the tomb restored

Hector's cold corse, and sent me home to Troy/

He spake ; and hurled his weak unwarlike spear.

Which, straight recoiling from the raucous bronze, 545

Hung idly from the buckler's central boss.

" Then Pyrrhus : * Thou shalt go then with the news
To Peleus' son, my sire ! Tell him, be sure.
The wicked deeds of his degenerate son !
Now die ! ' So saying, to the very shrine 550

He dragged him trembling, slipping in the blood
Of his own son, and held his hair, and flashed
The blade, and hid it in his side hilt-deep.

" So ended Priam's day : such doom he met.
Seeing his Troy in flames, and all her towers/
Down-cast ; once Lord of lands and peoples wide.
Regent of Asia. Now a mighty trunk
Lies headless on the shore, a corpse unnamed.

sss

" Then first wild fear embraced me, and I stood
Awe-struck. The form of my dear father rose 560

Before me, as I watched that King like-aged
Pant out his life. I saw Creusa left.
My house destroyed, the peril of my boy.
With backward glance I sum the force around.
All wearied out have flagged, and on the ground 565

Tumbled, or aching dropt into the flames.

" Now I alone was left ; when, by the shrine
Of Vesta crouched, silent and close, I saw
Tyndareus'^Uughter, for the fires shone bright

Erranti passimque oculos per cuncta fercnti. 570

Ilia sibi infcstos cvcrsa ob Pergama Teucros
£t poenas Danaum et deserti coniugis iras
Praemctucns, Troiae ct patriae communis Erinys,
Abdidcrat sese atque aris invisa sedebat.

Exarscre igncs animo ; subit ira cadentcm 575

Ulcisci patriam et sceleratas sumere poenas.
Scilicet haec Spartam incolumis patriasque Mycenas
Aspiciet ? partoque ibit regina triumpho,
Coniugiumquc, domumque, patres, natosque videbit,
Iliadum turba ct Phrygiis comitata ministris ? 580

Occiderit ferro Priamus ? Troia arserit igni ?
Dardanium totiens sudarit sanguine litus ?
Non ita. Namque etsi nullum memorabile nomen
Feminea in poena est nee habet victoria laudem,
Exstinxisse nefas tamen et sumpsisse merentes 585

Laudabor poenas, animumque explesse iuvabit
Ultricis ilammae, et cineres satiasse meorum.

Talia iactabam, et furiata mente ferebar.
Cum mihi se, non ante oculis tam clara, videndam
Obtulit et pura per noctcm in luce refulsit 590

Alma parens, confessa deam, qualisque videri
Caelicolis et quanta solet, dextraque prehensum
Continuity roseoque haec insuper addidit ore :
Nate, quis indomitas tantus dolor excitat iras ?
Quid furis ? aut quonam nostri tibi cura recessit ? 595

Non prius aspicies, ubi fessum aetatc parentem
Liqueris Anchisen ? superet coniunxne Creusa,
Ascaniusque puer ? quos omnes undiquc Graiae '
Circumerrant acies, et, ni mea cura resistat,
lam flammae tulerint inimicus et hauserit ensis. 600

Non tibi Tyndaridis facies invisa Lacaenae
Culpatusve Paris, divom inclementia, divom.

nr\

As to and fro I passed, surveying all. 570

She, Trojans* hatred for their towers overthrown,
The Greeks* revenge, her long-left husband's wr ath
Fore-dreading, — common Fury of Greece and Tr oy ! —
Had hidden, and by the altar lurked unseen.

" My heart burned hot : wrath spurred me to avenge 575
My falling land, and take the price of sin.
Was she to look on Sparta and her land
Unscathed, and in her triumph walk a Queen,
With Trojan maids in train, and Phrygian boys.
And see her wedded home, her sons, her kin ? 580

Had Priam died for this, and Troy been burned.
And Dardan blood so often poured like sweat ?
Not so. For though no memorable name
Springs from a woman's death, no victor's palm.
Yet to quench evil, and repay desert 585

Shall bring me praise. O sweet to glut my soul
With vengeful fire, and sate my slaughtered kin !

" So raving, I advanced with furious heart ;
When in my sight, not seen before so clear.
And in pure radiance gleaming through the dark, 590

A very Goddess, in such mien, such state
As Gods behold, my gracious mother came.
She caught my hand, her rosy lips unclosed :
' Son, what great anguish stirs thy lawless wrath ?
Whence is this rage ? Where lurks thy love for me ? 595
Wilt thou not rather see where, worn with age.
Thou hast left Anchises ? if Creusa lives.
And young lulus ? All the Grecian hosts
About them range ; and, did my care not shield,^^— —
Flames and the hostile blade had swept them oflF. 600

Not Helen's hateful beauty thou must blame.
Nor Paris : 'tis the Gods, the severe Gods,

I 89 M

Has evertit opes sternitque a cultnlne Troiam.

Aspice — namque omnem, quae nunc obducta tucnti

Mortales hebetat visus tibi et umida circum 605

Caligat, nubem eripiam ; tu ne qua parentis

lussa time, neu praeceptis parere recusa.

Hie, ubi disiectas moles avolsaque saxis

Saxa vides mixtoque undantem pulvere fumum,

Neptunus muros magnoque emota tridenti 610

Fundamenta quatit totamque a sedibus urbem

Eruit. Hie luno Scaeas saevissima portas

Prima tenet, sociumque furens a navibus agmen

Ferro accincta vocat.

lam summas arces Tritonia, respice, Pallas 615

Insedit, nimbo cfFulgens et Gorgone saeva.

Ipse Pater Danais animos viresque secundas

Sufficit, ipse deos in Dardana suscitat arma.

Eripe, nate, fugam, finemque inpone labori.

Nusquam abero, et tutum patrio te limine sistam. 620

Dixerat, et spissis noctis se condidit umbris.

Adparent dirae fades inimicaque Troiae

Numina magna deum.

Tum vero omne mihi visum considere in ignes
Ilium et ex imo verti Neptunia Troia ; 625

Ac veluti summis antiquam in montibus ornum
Cum ferro accisam crebrisque bipennibus instant
Eruere agricolae certatim ; ilia usque minatur
Et tremefacta comam concusso vertice nutat,
Volneribus donee paulatim evicta supremum 630

Congemuit traxitque iugis avolsa ruinam.

Descendo, ac ducente deo flammam inter et hostes
Expedior ; dant tela locum, flammaeque recedunt.

Atque ubi iam patriae perventum ad limina sedis

Who wreck this wealth, and raze the pride of Troy.
Look ! for the cloud which dims thy mortal sight
With mist and darkness, I will take away ; —
Whatever thy mother bids thee, have no fear.
Nor disobey her counsels. Where thou see*st
Yon mighty blocks uptorn, stone rent from stone.
And eddying up together smoke and dust,
Neptune is shaking with his trident huge
The walls* foundations, and uprooting all
The City. Here most awful Juno holds.
Steel-girt, the Scaean Gate, and her allies
Calls from their ships with rage.
And lo ! Tritonia on the topmost towers
Stands with her lurid cloud and Gorgon dread !
Courage and strength to Greeks the Sire himself
Gives ; He himself stirs Heaven to cope with Troy.
Flee hence, my son, and give thy travail pause.
Ne*er absent, I will guide thee safely home.*
She spoke ; and hid herself in darkest night.
Dread Shapes appear, and, warring against Troy,
The mighty Hosts of Heaven.

" Then all the city seemed to sink in flame.
And Neptune's Troy, uprooted from its base.
Fell, like some world-old ash-tree on the hills
Smitten with steel, which woodmen try to fell
With frequent hatchets : still it threatens long.
And nods the tresses on its trembling head.
Till, overcome with wounds, with one last groan
Torn from its ridge, it drags a ruin low.

605

610

615

620

625

630

" Down, Goddess-led, I haste, through foes, through fire.
The spears give passage, and the flames recede.

" But when my home was reached, our ancient house.

Antiquasque domos, genitor, quern tollere in altos 635

Optabam primum montes primumque petebam,

Abnegat excisa vitam producerc Troia

Exsiliumque pati. Vos o, quibus integer aevi

Sanguis, ait, solidacque suo stant robore vires,

Vos agitate fugam. 640

Me si caelicolae voluissent ducere vitam.

Has mihi servassent sedes. Satis una superque

Vidimus exscidia et captae superavimus urbi.

Sic o, sic positum adfati discedite corpus.

Ipse manu mortem inveniam ; miserebitur hostis 645

Exuviasque petet ; facilis iactura sepulchri.

lam pridem invisus divis et inutilis annos

Demoror, ex quo me divom pater atque hominum rex

Fulminis adflavit ventis et contigit igni.

Talia perstabat memorans, fixusque manebat. 650

Nos contra efFusi lacrimis coniunxque Creusa
Ascani usque omnisque domus, ne vertere secum
Cuncta pater fatoque urguenti incumbere vellet.
Abnegat, inceptoque et sedibus haeret in isdem.

Rursus in arma feror, mortem que miserrimus opto, 655
Nam quod consilium aut quae iam fortuna dabatur ?
Mene efFerre pedem, genitor, te posse relicto
Sperasti, tantumque nefas patrio excidit ore ?
Si nihil ex tanta Superis placet urbe relinqui,
Et sedet hoc animo, perituraeque addere Troiae 660

Teque tuosque iuvat, patet isti ianua leto,
lamque aderit multo Priami de sanguine Pyrrhus,
Gnatum ante ora patris, patrem qui obtruncat ad aras.
Hoc erat, alma parens, quod me per tela, per ignes
Eripis, ut mediis hostem in penetralibus, utque 665

Ascanium patremque meum iuxtaque Creusam

My father, whom I first desired to bear 635

High up the hills, and whom I first approached,

Refiised, since Troy was shattered, to prolong

His days in exile. * Ye, O ye whose blood

Runs firesh,' he cried, * in your own vigour strong.

Turn ye to flight ! 640

If the high Gods had willed that I should live.

They would have spared my home. Enough and more

One sack to see, one conquered town survive !

Here, here my corpse is laid ; bid that farewell !

Death mine own hand will find. The pitying foe 645

Will spoil me soon ; a tomb is little loss. j

A weary while I linger, banned by Heaven, j

Useless, since me Heaven*s Sire, and all men's King I

Swept with his thunder's blast, and smote with fire ! *

" So hw kept prating, and unshaken stayed. 650

With tears we plead, my wife, niy little son.
And all our house, that he involve not all
In ruin, nor press on the insistent doom.
Still he says nay, not changing mind nor place.

" Back to the fight I rush, and choose to die, 655

Most wretched ! for what plan, what chance remained ?
I to escape, O Father ! and to leave
Thee ! Fell such slander from a parent's tongue ?
If the Gods will that nought be left of Troy,
And thou art firm, and wilt to wreck so large 660

Add thee and thine. Death's door will gape anon.
When Pyrrhus comes, who sheds the father's blood
Before the shrine, the son's before his sire.
Was it for this, sweet Mother, me through shafts.
Through flames thou barest, in the heart of home 665

To see my foes, to see my son, my sire.

Alterum In alterius mactatos sanguine cemam ?

Arma, viri, ferte arma ; vocat lux ultima victos.

Reddite me Danais ; sinite instaurata revisam

Proelia, Numquam omnes hodie moriemur inulti. 670

Hinc ferro accingor rursus clipeoque sinistram
Insertabam aptans meque extra tecta ferebam.
Ecce autem conplexa pedes in limine coniunx
Haerebat, parvumque patri tendebat lulum :
Si periturus abis, et nos rape in omnia tecum ; 675

Sin aliquam expertus sumptis spcm ponis in armis,
Hanc primum tutare domum. Cui parvus lulus,
Cui pater et coniunx quondam tua dicta relinquor ?

Talia vociferans gemitu tectum onme replebat,
Cum subitum dictuque oritur mirabile monstrum. 680

Namque man us inter maestorumque ora parentum
Ecce levis summo de vertice visus luli
Fundere lumen apex, tactuque innoxia moUes
Lambere flamma comas et circum tempora pasci.
Nos pavidi trepidare metu, crinemque flagrantem 685

Excutere et sanctos restinguere fontibus ignes.
At pater Anchises oculos ad sidera laetus
Extulit, et caelo palmas cum voce tetendit :
luppiter onmipotens, precibus si flecteris uUis,
Aspice nos ; hoc tantum ; et, si pietatc mercmur, 690

Da deinde auxilium, pater, atque haec omina firma.

Vix ea fatus erat senior, subitoque fragore
Intonuit laevum, et de caelo lapsa per umbras
Stella facem ducens multa cum luce cucurrit.
lUam, summa super labentem culmina tecti, 695

Cernimus Idaea claram se condere silva

mSBS^i^t^mm

My wife, all butchered in each other's blood ?

Arms, men, bring arms ! Death calls the conquered on !

Give me again to Greeks ! Let me renew

Battle ! Not all shall perish unavenged ! 670

" I gird the steel again, and my left arm
Strap to the targe, and step beyond my house :
But on the theshold lo ! my wife embraced
My feet, and to his father held my boy.

* If death thou seekest, bear us with thee too ! 675
But if, well-tried, thou hast some hope in arms.

Shield first this house ! To whom shall we be left,
Thy son, thy sire, and I, once called thy wife ? *

" Loudly she cried, and filled the house with moans :
When suddenly a wondrous Sign uprose. 680

For lo ! between his parents' arms and lips
Above lulus' head there seemed to glow
A thin peaked light, a harmless flame, that played
About his wavy locks, and licked his brow.
With fear we trembled, and the burning hair 685

Shook, and with water quenched the holy flames :
But old Anchises to the stars upturns
Joyful his eyes, to Heaven lifts hand and voice.

* Almighty ! If any prayers bend thy Will,

Look on us, only look ! If worth deserve, 690

O give us help ! Confirm this augury ! '

" Scarce had the old man said, when on the left
Thunder outcrashed, and, sliding from its sphere,
A Star shot through the darkness, trailing light.
Above our palace roof we saw it glide, 695

And bury its splendour in dark Ida's woods,

Signantcmque vias ; turn longo limite sulcus

Dat lucem, et late circum loca sulfure fumant.

Hie vero victus genitor se tollit ad auras,

Adfaturque deos et sanctum sidus adorat. 700

lam iam nulla mora est ; sequor, et, qua ducitis, adsum.
Di patrii, servate domum, scrvatc nepotem.
Vcstrum hoc augurium, vcstroque in numine Troia est.
Cedo equidem, nee, nate, tibi comes ire recuse.
Dixerat ille ; et iam per moenia clarior ignis 705

Auditur, propiusque aestus inccndia volvunt.

Ergo age, care pater, cervici inponere nostrae ;
Ipse subibo umeris, nee me labor iste gravabit ;
Quo res cumque cadent, unum et commune periclum,^
Una salus ambobus erit. Mihi parvus lulus 710

Sit comes, et longe servet vestigia coniunx.
Vos, famuli, quae dicam, animis advertite vestris.
Est urbe egressis tumulus templumque vetustum
Desertae Cereris, iuxtaque antiqua cupressus
Religione patrum multos servata per annos. 715

Hanc ex diverso sedem veniemus in unam.
Tu, genitor, cape sacra manu patriosque Penates ;
Me, bello e tanto digressum et caede recenti,
Attrectare nefas, donee me flumine vivo
Abluero. 720

Haec fatus, latos umeros subiectaque colla
Veste super fulvique instemor pelle leonis,
Succedoque oneri ; dextrae se parvus lulus
Inplicuit sequiturque patrem non passibus aequis ;
Pone subit coniunx. Ferimur per opaca loeorum ; 725

Et me, quem dudum non uUa iniecta movebant
Tela neque adverso glomerati ex agmine Graii,

Marking a path : the long-drawn furrow glows,

And widely spreads around a sulphury fume.

Then vanquished quite my father rose erect.

Worshipped the holy Star, and prayed to Heaven. 700

" * No more delay. I follow where you lead.
Save, Guardian Gods ! my house ; my grandson save !
Yours is this omen ; in your hand is Troy !
I yield ; to go with thee I not refuse ! '
He ceased ; and now more loud the fire is heard, 705

More near the conflagration rolls its heat.

" * Then come, dear Father ! rest upon my neck ;
My shoulders shall sustain thine easy load.
Whatever befall, one peril there shall be.
One safety for us twain. With me my son 710

Shall walk ; my wife shall follow far behind.
Ye servants, heed my words. A mound there is
Beyond the city Gate, an ancient fane
Of lonely Ceres, and a cypress nigh.

Saved through long years by reverential awe. 715

To this one spot from divers let us come.
Thou, Father, take our holy Gods of Home.
For me, fresh come from battle and from blood,
TTis sin to touch them, till in living streams
I wash me clean.* 720

" Then over my broad shoulders and bent neck
A cloak I spread, a tawny lion's hide.
And lift my load. lulus clasps my hand.
And follows with small steps his father's stride.
My wife comes after. Dusky ways we tread ; 725

And I, whom late not any shafts dismayed.
Not any Greeks in adverse battle ranged,

I 97 N

Nunc omnes terrent aurae, sonus excitat omnis
Suspensum et pariter comitique oneriquc timentem.

lamque propinquabam portis, omnemque vidcbar 730

Evasisse viam, subito cum creber ad aurcs
Visus adcsse pedum sonitus, genitorquc per umbram
Prospiciens, Nate, exclamat, fuge, nate ; propinquant.
Ardentcs clipcos atque aera micantia ccrno.

Hie mihi nescio quod trepido male numen amicum 735
Confusam eripuit mentcm. Namquc avia cursu
Dum sequor et nota cxcedo regione viarum,
Heu ! misero coniunx fatone erepta Crcusa
Substitit, erravitne via, seu lassa rescdit, .
Incertum ; ncc post oculis est reddita nostris. 740

Nee prius amissam rcspexi animumve reflexi,
Quam tumulum antiquae Cereris scdemque sacratam
Vcnimus ; hie demum eollcetis omnibus una
Defuit, et eomitcs natumque virumquc fefellit.
Qucm non ineusavi amens hominumque deorumque, 745

Aut quid in eversa vidi erudelius urbe ?
Aseanium Anchisenque patrem Teuerosque Penates
Commendo soeiis et curva valle reeondo ;
Ipse urbem repeto et eingor fulgentibus armis.
Stat easus renovare omnes, omnemque reverti 750

Per Troiam, et rursus caput obiectare pcriclis.

Principio muros obscuraque limina portae.
Qua gressum extuleram, repeto, et vestigia retro
Observata sequor per noctem et lumine lustro.
Horror ubique animos, simul ipsa silentia terrent. j^^

Inde domum, si forte pedem, si forte tulisset.
Me refero. Inruerant Danai, et tectum omne tcncbant.
Ilieet ignis edax summa ad fastigia vento
Volvitur ; exsuperant flammae, furit aestus ad auras.

Now fear each breeze, and start at every sound.
Trembling for both, my burden and my boy.

" Now, drawing near the Gates, I deemed my way 730
All traversed, when a sound of many feet
Springs on our ears, and, peering through the gloom,
My father cries, ' Fly, fly ! my son, they come !
The gleam of brass I see, and glowing shields/

" Then in my fear some deity unkind 735

Stole my distracted wit ; for while I tread
By-ways, and leave the street's familiar round,
Alas ! my wife Creusa, rapt by Fate,
Or stopped, or lost the way, or sank foredone.
Uncertain which, ne'er to my sight restored. 740

Nor looks for her thus lost nor thoughts I bent.
Ere to the mound we came and hallowed seat
Of ancient Ceres. Here, when all were met.
She only lacked, and failed both son and spouse.
What man, what God did not my fury accuse ? 745

What sight more cruel was in all Troy's sack ?
My son, my sire, my Trojan Gods of Home,
Hid in a winding glen, I trust to friends.
The town regain, and don my shining arms ;
Firm to renew each risk, and through all Troy 750

Returning, thrust my head on peril again.

" The walls and dusky portals whence I passed
First I regain, and follow through the night
My foot-prints back, and with close eye peruse.
Dread fills my heart ; the very silence daunts. J^S

Thence home I turn, if haply there she tread.
If there ! The Greek invader fills the house.
The hungry fire is rolling up the roof
Wind-swept ; the flames leap up and roar to heaven.

Procedo et Priami sedes arcemque reviso. 760

£t iam porticibus vacuis lunonis asylo
Custodes lecti Phoenix et dirus Ulixes
Praedam adservabant. Hue undique Troia gaza
Incensis erepta adytis, mensaeque deonim,
Crateresque auro solidi, captivaque vestis 765

Congeritur. Pueri et pavidae longo ordine matres
Stant circum.

Ausus quin etiam voces iactare per umbram
Inplevi clamore vias, maestusque Creusam
Nequiquam ingeminans iterumque iterumque vocavi. 770
Quaerenti et tectis urbis sine fine furenti
Infelix simulacrum at que ipsius umbra Creusae
Visa mihi ante oculos et nota maior imago.
Obstipui, steteruntque comae et vox faucibus haesit.
Tum sic adfari et curas his demere dictis : jj^

Quid tantum insano iuvat indulgere dolori,
O dulcis coniunx ? non haec sine numine divom
Eveniunt ; nee te hinc comitem asportare Creusam
Fas aut ille sinit superi regnator Olympi.
Longa tibi exsilia, et vastum maris aequor arandum, 780

Et terram Hesperiam venies, ubi Lydius arva
Inter opima virum leni fluit agmine Thybris :
Illic res laetae regnumque et regia coniunx
Parta tibi. Lacrimas delectae pelle Creusae :
Non ego Myrmidonum sedes Dolopumve superbas 785

Aspiciam, aut Graiis servitum matribus ibo,
Dardanis, et divae Veneris nurus ;
Sed me magna deum Genetrix his detinet oris,
lamque vale, et nati serva communis amorem.

Haec ubi dicta dedit, lacrimantem et multa volentem 790
Dicere deseruit, tenuesque recessit in auras.

" Again I pass to Priam's towered seat. 760

In the void cloisters, Juno*s sanctuary,
Phoenix and dire Ulysses, chosen guards,
Watch o*er the spoil. There Trojan treasures, torn
From blazing shrines, and tables of the Gods,
Bowls of pure gold, and captive vestments lie 765

Promiscuous heaped. Around, in long array,
Stand boys and trembling mothers.

" Nay more : I dared to pierce the night with cries.
Filling the streets with noise ; and vainly again.
Again redoubling, called Creusa's name. 770

/Thus storming as I ranged, in ceaseless quest,

\A Phantom sad, mine own Creusa's Shade,
Rose to my sight, greater than her I knew.
Spell-bound, my hair uprose, my tongue was tied.
She spake, and with these words dispelled my care : 775

" * Why wilt thou yield thee to such frenzied woe.
Sweet Husband ? Not without the Will of Gods
It happens thus. To bear me hence with thee
Fate not permits thee, nor Olympus* Lord.
Long exile shall be thine, vast seas to plough, 780

And thou shalt reach Hesperia, where by tilth ;

And wealth of men smooth-sliding Tiber flows.
There joy and kingship and a royal wife \

Are thine. For dear Creusa weep no more. \

I shall not see the Myrmidons* proud seats, 785

Nor go to dwell a slave for Grecian wives,
I of the Dardans, wife of Venus* son !
Nay ; me the mighty Mother of the Gods
Here keeps. Farewell ! Love still thy son and mine ! '

" Thus when she had said, into thin air diflPused, 790

She left me weeping, fain to tell her much.

Ter conatus ibi coUo dare bracchia circum :
Ter frustra conprensa manus effugit imago,
Par levibus ventis volucrique simillima somno.

Sic demum socios consumpta nocte reviso. 795

Atque hie ingentem comitum adfluxissc novorum
Invenio admirans numcram, matresque, virosquc,
CoUectam exsilio pubcm, miserabile volgus.
Undique convenerc, animis opibusque parati.
In quascumque velim pelago deducere terras. 800

lamque iugis summae surgebat Lucifer Idae
Ducebatque diem, Danaique obsessa tenebant
Limina portarum, nee spes opis uUa dabatur ;
Cessi et sublato montes genitore petivi.

Thrice round her neck I tried to throw my arms :
Thrice fled the Vision from my empty grasp,
As light as wind, and like a flying dream.

" So night was spent, and I rejoined my friends ; 795

And wondering there a mighty host I find
Of comrades streaming fresh, mothers and men
For exile thronged, a piteous group, who met
From every quarter, ready to embark
Their hearts and fortunes for what lands I chose. 800

" And now the Day Star rose o'er Ida's crest,
Leading the morn ; and still the Danaans held
The leaguer ed gates : no hope of help was given.
I turned ; I raised my sire, and sought the hills."

j^SjOSTQUAM res Asiae Priamique evertere gentem
^U Inmcritam visum Superis, ceciditque superbum
.s^T Ilium et omnis humo flimat Neptunia Troia,
Diversa cxsilia et desertas quaerere terras

Auguriis agimur divom, classemque sub ipsa 5

Antandro et Phrygiae moUmur montibus Idae,

Inccrti, quo fata ferant, ubi sistere detur,

Contrahtmusque viros. Vix prima inceperat aestas,

£t pater Anchises dare &tis vela iubcbat ;

Litora cum patriae lacrimans portusque relinquo 10

£t campos, ubi Troia fuit. Fcror cxsul in altum

Cum sociis natoque Penatibus et rnagois dis.

Terra procul vastis coUtur Mavortia campis,
Thraces annt» acri quondam regnata Lvcurgo,
Hospitium antiquum Troiae sociique Penates, 15

Dum Fortuna tuit. Feror hue, et litorc curvo
Moenia prima loco, tatis ingressus iniquis,
Acneudasquc lueo nomen de nomine nngo.

Sacr* Pionacae matri divisque terebam
Auiipicihus coeptorum operum^ supcroque nitcnteni 20

Caelicolum rcgi mactaham in litore taurum.
Forte tuit iuxta tumulus^ quo cornea suimno
\' irgulta et den&is hastilibus horrida mTrtus.
Access»» viridemquc ab humo conveHere silvam
CvMUtus, ramis tegtrem ut bvndentibus aras, 25

Hotrendum et dictu rideo mir4bile monscrum.
Nam, quae prima solo ruptis radicibus irbos
\'ellitur. huic atro liquuntur sanguine gattae
Et terrAm ubo maculant. Mihi trigicus horrcr
Membra quatit, gelidusquc c?it iortnicise sasgids. -o

Rursus ct altertus lenctim ccnveHere virse::
Issequor e: ciusa$ penins tesiptarc iittntes :
Ater e: alrerius se^juitur cc ccrtice sizgui;^

^HEN Asia's weal and Priam's guiltless race
The Immortals doomed to ruin, and proud Troy
Falls, and all Neptune's city smokes in dust,
\ To banishment remote and lands forlorn

Gods' voices call us ; and in Ida's shade, 5

Beneath Antandros* wall, we build a fleet ;

Uncertain to what bourne our fates will lead,

And muster men. When summer scarce had sprung.

And oft my sire bade spread our sails to Fate,

I left my land with tears, I left the plain i o

That once was Troy, to sail the homeless seas.

With friends and son, with Troy's great Gods and mine.

" Far off, in Mavors' land, the Thracians plough
Their vasty plains, where erst Lycurgus reigned ;
To Troy once friendly, and our Gods allied, 1 5

Ere Fortune fled. There landing, on the bay.
With fates unkind, my earliest town I trace.
And name it from my name Aeneadae.

" Oblations to my mother and the Gods,
To bless our works, I paid ; and to Heaven's King 20

A shining bull would slay. A mound was nigh.
Whereon grew dogwood bushes, and dense spears
Of prickly myrtle. Drawing near, I strove
To crop the leafy wood, and wreathe with green
Our altars, when behold ! an awful sign, 25

Wondrous to tell ! for from the uprooted stem
Which first I tore from earth, black drops of blood
Gushed forth, and stained the soil. Cold horror shook
My limbs ; fear froze my blood. Yet once again
Out of another tree, I sought to tear 30

A stubborn shoot, and probe the hidden cause.
Black from that other bark forth issued blood.

Ill

Multa movens animo Nymphas venerabar agrestes
Gradivumque patrem, Geticis qui praesidct arvis, 35

Rite secundarcnt visus omcnque Icvarcnt.
Tertia sed postquam maiore hastilia nisu
Adgredior genibusque adversae obluctor harcnac—
Eloquar, an sileam ? — gemitus lacrimabilis imo
Auditur tumulo, et vox rcddita fertur ad aures : 40

Quid miserum, Acnea, laceras ? iam parce sepulto ;
Parce pias scelerare manus. Non mc tibi Troia
Externum tulit, aut cruor hie de stipitc manat.
Heu ! fuge crudeles terras fuge litus avarum.
Nam Polydorus ego. Hie eonfixum ferrea texit 45

Telorum seges et iaeulis inerevit aeutis.

Tum vero aneipti mentem formidine pressus
Obstipui, steteruntquc eomae et vox faueibus haesit.
Hune Polydorum auri quondam eum pondcre magno
Infelix Priamus furtim mandarat alendum 50

Threieio regi, eum iam diffideret armis
Dardaniae eingique urbem obsidione videret.
lUe, ut opes fraetae Teuerum, et Fortuna reeessit.
Res Agamemnonias vietrieiaque arma seeutus,
Fas omne abnmipit ; Polydorum obtruneat, et auro 55

Vi potitur. Quid non mortalia peetora eogis,
Auri saera fames ? Postquam pavor ossa reliquit,
Deleetos populi ad proeercs primiunquc parcntem
Monstra deum refero, et, quae sit sententia, poseo.
Omnibus idem animus, seelerata cxeedere terra, 60

Linqui pollutum hospitium, et dare elassibus austros.
Ergo instauramus Polydoro funus : et ingens
Aggeritur tumulo tellus ; stant Manibus arae,
Caeruleis maestae vittis atraque eupresso,
Et eireum Iliades erinem de more solutae ; 65

Inferimus tepido spumantia eymbia laete

" Deep pondering, I prayed the Woodland Nymphs,
I prayed Gradivus, Lord of Getic fields.
To bless that portent, and all harm remove. 35

But when with greater efibrt, 'gainst the sand
Pressing my knees, a third green spear I seize —
O shall I speak, or hold my peace ? — a moan
Deep in the mound is heard, a tearful moan.
And a voice meets my ears : ' Why dost thou rend 40

A wretched man, Aeneas ? Spare my grave ;
Spare to pollute, pure hands. Not strange to thee
Troy bore me ; no strange blood is oozing here ;
Fly, fly this cruel land, this greedy shore !
For I am Polydorus. Here the steel, 45

Sown in my flesh, hath sprouted into spears/

" Then doubt and dread oppressed me, and I stood
Spell-bound ; my hair uprose, my tongue was tied.
This Polydorus with a weight of gold

Once sad-starred Priam sent in secret charge 50

To Thracia's Prince, mistrusting Dardan arms.
Seeing his walls girt close. When Troy was crushed.
And Fortune ebbed, to Agamemnon's arms
Turning in victory's wake, the Prince breaks through
All law, slays Polydorus, and the gold 55

Grasps. To what acts thou drivest mortal men.
Thou impious greed of gold ! When fear had fled.
To all our chiefest lords, my sire the first.
These portents I disclose, and ask their will.
One mind have all, to quit that guilty land, 60

Leave treason's home, and give our barks the breeze.
So funeral rites we pay, earth high the mound.
And altars raise to Polydorus' shade.
Mourning with dusky cypress ; and all round
Stand Ilian wives with streaming tresses free ; 65

Cups with warm milk afoam, and bowls wc bear

Ill

Sanguinis et sacri pateras, animamque sepulchro
Condimus, et magna supremum voce cicmus.

Inde, ubi prima fides pelago, placataque venti
Dant maria et lenis crepitans vocat auster in altum, 70

Deducunt socii naves et litora conplent.
Provehimur porta, terraeque urbesque recedunt.

Sacra mari colitur medio gratissima tellus
Nereidum matri et Neptuno Aegaeo,

Quam pius Arcitenens oras et litora circum 75

Errantem Mycono e celsa Gyaroque revinxit,
Inmotamque coli dedit et contemnere ventos.
Hue feror ; haec fessos tuto placidissima portu
Accipit. Egressi veneramur Apollinis urbem.
Rex Anius, rex idem hominum Phoebique sacerdos, 80

Vittis et sacra redimitus tempora lauro,
Occurrit ; veterem Anchisen adgnoscit amicum.
lungimus hospitio dextras, et tecta subimus.

Templa dei saxo venerabar structa vetusto :
Da propriam, Thymbraee, domum ; da moenia fessis 85

Et genus et mansuram urbem ; serva altera Troiac
Pergama, reliquias Danaum atque inmitis Achilli.
Quern sequimur ? quove ire iubes ? ubi ponere sedcs ?
Da« pater, augurium, atque animis inlabere nostris.

Vix ea fatus eram : tremere omnia visa repcntc,
Liminaque laurusque dei, totusque moveri
Mens circum, et mugire adytis cortina redusis.
Submissi petimus terram, et vox tertur ad aures :

Dardanidae duri, quae vos a stirpe parentum
Prima tulit tcUus, cadcm vos uberc laeto 95

Ill

Of sacred blood, and lay his soul to rest,
And cry aloud for him the last long cry,

" From thence, when waves are trusted, and the breeze
Spreads calm, and South winds whisper to the sea, 70

Launching our ships, my comrades fill the strand.
We clear the haven ; lands and towns recede.

" Amid the sea there lies a sacred isle,
To Neptune and the Sea-Nymphs* Mother dear.
Which, as it roamed the main, the Archer God y^

To Myconos and Gyaros fast bound.
And bade it lie unmoved, and scorn the gale.
I thither sail ; the unruffled port receives
Our weary crew ; we hail Apollo's town.
King Anius there, men's King and Phoebus' Priest, 80

Crowned with the laurel, met us, and recalled
The friend Anchises whom he loved of yore.
Kind hands we join, and pass beneath his roof.

" Then to the Temple's hoary stones I bend :
* Grant us a home, Thymbraean ! Grant us walls, 85

A biding city and race ! O keep and save
This second Troy, these leavings of the Greek !
Whom follow we ? and whither ? where to fix
Our Home ? Give omens. Lord, our souk inspire ! '

" I scarce had said ; a sudden tremor stirred 90

The doors, the holy laurel, all the hill
Shook, the shrine opened, and the tripod moaned.
Prostrate to earth we fell, and heard a voice :

" * Enduring Dardans ! That same land which bore
Your parent stock, again shall take you home 95

Accipiet reduces. Antiquam exquirite matrem.
Hie domus Aeneae cunctis dominabitur oris,
Et nati natorum, et qui nascentur ab illis.

Haec Phoebus ; mixtoque ingens exorta tumultu
Laetitia, et cuncti, quae sint ea moenia, quaerunt, loo

Quo Phoebus vocet errantes iubeatque reverti ?

Turn genitor, veterum volvens monumenta virorum,
Audite, o proceres, ait, et spes discite vestras :
Creta lovis magni medio iacet insula ponto ;
Mons Idaeus ubi, et gentis cunabula nostrae. 105

Centum urbes habitant magnas, uberrima regna ;
Maxumus unde pater, si rite audita recordor,
Teucrus Rhoeteas primum est advectus ad oras,
Optavitque locum regno. Nondum Ilium et arces
Pergameae steterant ; habitabant vallibus imis. no

Hinc mater cultrix Cybelae Corybantiaque aera
Idaeumque nemus ; hinc fida silentia sacris,
Et iuncti currum dominae subiere leones.
Ergo agite, et, divom ducunt qua iussa, sequamur ;
Placemus ventos et Gnosia regna petamus. 115

Nee longo distant cursu ; modo luppiter adsit,
Tertia lux classem Cretaeis sistet in oris.
Sic fatus, meritos aris mactavit honores,
Taurum Neptuno, taurum tibi, pulcher Apollo,
Nigram Hiemi pecudem, Zephyris felicibus albam. 1 20

Fama volat pulsum regnis cessisse paternis
Idomenea ducem, desertaque litora Cretae,
Hoste vacare domos, sedesque adstare relictas.
Linquimus Ortygiae portus, pelagoque volamus,
Bacchatamque iugis Naxon viridemque Donysam, 125

Olearon, niveamque Paron sparsasque per aequor
Cycladas et crebris legimus freta concita terris.

Ill

To her rich breast. Your ancient Mother seek !
There shall Aeneas* House all nations sway,
And sons of ^ons, till generations fail ! '

" Thus Phoebus ; and a joyous uproar rose,
And all demanded, to what Home the God loo

Called us, and bade the wanderers return.

" My father then revolves the lore of old.
* Listen, O lords ! ' he cries, * and learn your hopes,
Crete lies amid the sea, Jove's island home.
Mount Ida, and the cradle of our race, 105

An hundred cities fair, luxuriant fields.
Thence our first father Teucer, — if the tale
I well recall, — first sailed to Phrygian shores.
And chose his realm. Not then had Ilium raised
Her towers to heaven ; in sunken dales they dwelt. 1 10

Hence Cybele's Queen, the Corybantic brass.
The Idaean grove, the silence-guarded rites.
And lions yoked beneath their mistress' car.
Up, then, and follow where God's bidding leads ;
Appease the winds, and make for Gnossus' realm ! 115

Not far the vessels' course ; if Jove be near.
Three days shall bear them to the coasts of Crete.'
A bull to Neptune duly then he slew ;
A bull to thee, fair Phoebus ! and two lambs.
One black to Storm, one to boon Zephyrs white. 1 20

" A rumour flies, Idomeneus hath left
His realm an outcast, and deserted homes
In Crete await us, of all foemen void.
We leave Ortygia's port, and skim the main.
By Naxos' Bacchic ridge, Donusa green, 125

White Paros, Olearos, o'er straits that foam
Round many a shore of sea-strewn Cyclades.

I 113 p

Ill

Nauticus exoritur vario certaminc clamor ;
Hortantur socii : Cretam proavosque petamus.
Prosequitur surgcns a puppi ventus euntes, 1 30

£t tandem antiquis Curetum adlabimur oris.

Ergo avidus muros optatae molior urbis,
Pergameamque voco, et laetam cognomine gentem
H or tor amare focos arcemque attoUere tectis.
lamque fere sicco subductae litore puppes ; 1 35

Conubiis arvisque novis operata iuventus ;
lura domosque dabam : subito cum tabida membris,
Corrupto caeli tractu, miserandaque venit
Arboribusque satisque lues et letifer annus.
Linquebant dulces animas, aut aegra trahebant 140

Corpora ; turn steriles exurere Sirius agros ;
Arebant herbae, et victum seges aegra negabat.
Rursus ad oraclum Ortygiae Phoebumque remenso
Hortatur pater ire mari, veniamque precari :
Quam fessis finem rebus ferat ; unde laborum 145

Temptare auxilium iubeat ; quo vertere cursus.

Nox erat, et terris animalia somnus habebat :
Effigies sacrae divom Phrygiique Penates,
Quos mecum a Troia mcdiisque ex ignibus urbis
Extuleram, visi ante oculos adstare iacentis 150

In somnis, multo manifesti lumine, qua se
Plena per insertas fundebat luna fenestras ;
Turn sic adfari et curas his demere dictis :
Quod tibi delato Ortygiam dicturus Apollo est.
Hie canit, et tua nos en ultro ad limina mittit. 155

Nos te, Dardania incensa, tuaque arma secuti,
Nos tumidum sub te permensi classibus aequor.
Idem venturos toUemus in astra nepotes,
Imperiumque urbi dabimus. Tu moenia magnis
Magna para, longumque fugae ne linque laborem. 160

J J A

Ill

Loud cry the straining mariners, * To Crete ! '

Cheerly they urge, * On to our fathers' home ! '

A wind that follows wafts us on our way, 130

And to those ancient shores we glide at last.

" My long-craved walls I trace, and call the town
Pergamea^ praying Trojans, who rejoice
In that great name, to love the towers they raise.
And now our vessels on the beach were drawn, 135

And all on marriage bent, and tillage new ;
Laws, homes I gave ; when from the tainted sky
On human limbs a sudden sickness fell,
A blight on trees and crops, a year of death.
Sweet life they left, or dragged enfeebled frames, 140

While Sirius seared the fields, the herbage died.
Sick crops refused their yield. My father then
Bade us remeasure sea, and reach once more
Ortygia, and implore of Phoebus* grace

When pain should end, and whence he bade us try 1 45

Our weariness to heal, and whither steer.

" *Twas night, and sleep held all the living world.
The Holy Shapes, the Phrygian Gods of Home,
Whom with me I had borne from Troy and flames.
Seemed in my sleep to stand before mine eyes, 150

Revealed in streaming light, where the full moon
Poured through the deep-set windows : who thus spake.
Dispelling care. * What Phoebus hath to say.
When thou hast reached Ortygia, here he sounds.
He sends us to thy door. When Troy was burned, 155

We followed thee and thine, measured in ships
The tumbling waves with thee ; we too will raise
Thy children to the stars, and give thy town
Empire. Thy walls build greatly for the great.
Nor shun long pain and exile. Thou must rest 1 60

II c

Mutandae sedes. Non haec tibi litora suasit

Delius aut Cretae iussit considere Apollo.

Est locus, Hesperiam Graii cognomine dicunt,

Terra antiqua, potcns armis atque ubere glacbae ;

Oenotri coluerc viri ; nunc fama minores 165

Italiam dixisse ducis de nomine gentem :

Hae nobis propriae sedes ; hinc Dardanus ortus,

lasiusque pater, genus a quo principe nostrum.

Surge age, et haec laetus longaevo dicta parent!

Haud dubitanda refer: Corythum terrasque requirat 170

Ausonias. Dictaea negat tibi luppiter arva.

Talibus attonitus visis et voce deorum —
Nee sopor illud erat, sed coram adgnoscere voltus
Velatasque comas praesentiaque ora videbar ;
Tum gelidus toto manabat corpore sudor — 175

Corripio e stratis corpus, tendoque supinas
Ad caelum cum voce manus, et munera libo
Intemerata focis. Perfecto laetus honore
Anchisen facio certum, remque ordine pando.
Adgnovit prolem ambiguam geminosque parentes, 180

Seque novo veterum deceptum errore locorum.
Tum memorat : Nate, Iliacis exercite fatis.
Sola mihi tales casus Cassandra canebat.
Nunc repeto haec generi portendere debita nostro,
Et saepe Hesperiam, saepe Itala regna vocare. 185

Sed quis ad Hesperiae venturos litora Teucros
Crederet ? aut quem tum vates Cassandra moveret ?
Cedamus Phoebo, et moniti meliora sequamur.
Sic ait ; et cuncti dicto paremus ovantes.
Hanc quoque deserimus sedem, paucisque relictis 190

Vela damus, vastumque cava trabe currimus aequor.

Postquam altum tenuere rates, nee iam amplius ullae
Adparent terrae, caelum undique et undique pontus,

Ill

Elsewhere : not hither did the Delian prompt,

Apollo called thee to no shores of Crete.

A place there is, by Greeks Hesperia named,

An old land, strong in arms and the glebe*s fruit.

Where dwelt Oenotrians ; now the younger men 1 65

After their Chief have called it Italy.

This is our proper seat : hence Dardanus

Sprang, and lasius, founder of our line.

Up ! and thine ancient father tell with joy

No doubtful tidings ; Cory thus to seek, 170

Ausonian lands. Jove doth not give thee Crete.'

" Awed by such vision and the voice of Gods, —
Nor was that sleep, but openly I saw
Their very features and their cinctured hair.
And chilly sweat bedewed my every limb, — 175

Up from the bed I leap, and raise aloft
Heavenward both hands and voice, and offer gifts
Pure on the hearth. And when my vows were paid
All to Anchises I unfold with joy.

He owned the ambiguous line, the rival sires, 180

His strange confusion of familiar lands.
* O Son ! ' he said, * long tried by Ilium's doom I
Cassandra only warned me of this fate.
Now, I recall, thus she foretold our lot.

And named Hesperia oft and Italy. 185

But who could dream that Trojans should approach
Hesperian shores ? Whom could Cassandra move ?
Now, better counselled, let us own the God.'
He said ; we all obeyed his words with joy.
We quit our second home, where few were left, 190

And spread our sails, and skim great plains of sea.

" Far on the deep, when no more land we saw, —
Sky everywhere, and everywhere the sea, —

Ill

Turn mihi caeruleus supra caput adstitit imber,

Noctem hicmemque ferens, et inhorniit unda tenebris. 195

Continue venti volvunt mare magnaque surgunt

Aequora ; dispersi iactamur gurgite vasto ;

Involvere diem nimbi, ct nox umida caelum

Abstulit ; ingeminant abruptis nubibus ignes.

Excutimur cursu, et caecis erramus in undis. 200

Ipse diem noctemque negat discernere caelo,

Nee meminisse viae media Palinurus in unda.

Tres adeo incertos caeca caligine soles

Erramus pelago, totidem sine sidere noctes.

Quarto terra die primum se attoUere tandem 205

Visa, aperire procul montes, ac volvere fumum.

Vela cadunt, remis insurgimus ; baud mora, nautae

Adnixi torquent spumas et caerula verrunt.

Servatum ex undis Strophadum me litora primum
Accipiunt ; Strophades Graio stant nomine dictae, 210

Insulae lonio in magno, quas dira Celaeno
Harpyiaeque colunt aliae, Phineia postquam
Clausa domus, mensasque metu liquerc priores.
Tristius baud illis monstrum, nee saevior ulla
Pestis et ira deum Stygiis sese extulit undis. 215

Virginei volucrum voltus, foedissima ventris
Proluvies, uncaeque manus, et pallida semper
Ora fame.

Hue ubi delati portus intravimus, ecce

Laeta boum passim campis armenta videmus 220

Caprigenumque pecus nullo custode per herbas.

Inruimus ferro, et divos ipsumque vocamus

In partem praedamque lovem ; tum litore curvo

Exstruimusque toros dapibusque epulamur opimis. •

At subitae horrifico lapsu de montibus adsunt 225

Harpyiae et magnis quatiunt clangoribus alas,

tt8

Ill

Then overhead a blue-black cloud of rain

Bore night and storm ; the shuddering water gloomed. 195

Blasts rolled the sea ; the mountain billows rose,

And scattered wide our ships : the rainy clouds

Shrouded the day, and hid the darkened sky.

While fire flashed frequent from the riven rack. .

Swept from our course, we drift on blinding surge. 200

E'en Palinurus in the sky confounds

Noontide with night, nor recollects his course.

Three days we drift in doubt and blinding gloom,

As many starless nights, till land at last

Rose the fourth morn, disclosing distant hills 205

And curling smoke. Down drop the sails ; on oars

Rising, our mariners with no delay

Lustily toss the foam, and sweep the blue.

" Saved from the deep, isles of the Ionian main
Receive me first, by Greeks named Strophades, 210

Where weird Celaeno and the Harpies dwell.
From Phineus' house debarred, who fled in fear
Their ancient board. No monster boding worse.
Not any deadlier plague and wrath of Heaven,
Rose from the Stygian flood. Winged things, they wear 215
Girls' faces ; foul the droppings of their vent ;
Claws are their hands ; their features evermore
With famine pale.

" Bome thither, and the haven made, behold !
Rich droves of cattle scattered o'er the leas, 220

And flocks of goats untendcd we descry.
We flesh our blades, and Jove himself invite
To share with Gods our spoil, then by the bay,
Pile grassy seats, and feast on goodly cheer.
But sudden from the cliffs, with awful swoop, 225

Those Harpies fall, and flap their clangorous wings,

119

Diripiuntque dapcs contactuquc omnia foedant

Inmundo ; turn vox taetrum dira inter odorem.

Rursum in secessu longo sub rupc cavata,

Arboribus clausi circum atque horrentibus umbris, 230

Instruimus mensas arisque reponimus ignem :

Rursum ex di verso caeli caecisque latebris

Turba sonans pracdam pedibus circumvolat uncis,

PoUuit ore dapes. Sociis tunc, arma capessant,

Edico, et dira bellum cum gente gerendum. 235

Haud secus ac iussi faciunt, tectosque per herbam

Disponunt enses et scuta latentia condunt.

Ergo ubi delapsae sonitum per curva dedere

Litora, dat signum specula Misenus ab alta

Acre cavo. Invadunt socii, et nova proelia temptant, 240

Obscenas pelagi ferro foedare volucres.

Sed neque vim plumis uUam nee volnera tergo

Accipiunt, celerique fuga sub sidera lapsae

Semiesam praedam et vestigia foeda relinquunt.

Una in praecelsa consedit rupe Celaeno, 245

Infelix vates, rumpitque hanc pectore vocem :
Bellum etiam pro caede bourn stratisque iuvencis,
Laomedontiadae, bellunme inferre paratis
Et patrio Harpyias insontes pellere regno ?
Accipite ergo animis atque haec mea ngite dicta, 250

Quae Phoebo pater onmipotens, mihi Phoebus Apollo
Praedixit, vobis Furiarum ego maximia pando.
Italiam cursu petitis, ventisque vocatis
Ibitis Italiam, portusque intrare licebit ;

Sed non ante datam cingetis moenibus urbem, 255

Quam vos dira fames nostraeque iniuria caedis
Ambesas subigat malis absumere mensas.

Dixit, et in silvam pennis ablata refugit.

Snatching the feast, and with polluting touch

Spoil all ; their shrieks are mixed with odours foul.

Once more, far-drawn within a caverned cliff,

In shady trees embowered, we spread the board, 230

And on our altars lay the fire afresh ;

Once more from hidden lairs the screaming rout

Fly round the prey, with beaks and crooked claws

Tainting our meal. My comrades then I charged

To take their arms, and fight the grisly tribe ; 235

And they obeying lay their swords apart.

Buried in grass, and hide their ambushed shields.

Then when they drop, and scream along the shore,

Misenus, from his watch, on hollow brass

Signals ; and in strange battle we engage, 240

Slashing with steel those Ocean Birds obscene.

But not one stroke their plumes, their bodies take

No wound ; and swift in flight upsoaring high.

Half-eaten meat they leave, and traces foul.

" Only Celaeno, evil-boding Seer, 245

Lights on a lofty crag, and thus breaks forth :
* War would ye wage for kine and oxen slain ?
Sons of Laomedon ! with war to drive
Innocent Harpies from their fathers' realm !
Learn then, and fix in heart these words of mine, 250

Which Jove foretold to Phoebus, he to me.
And I, the Furies' Queen, to you reveal.
To Italy you sail : the summoned winds
Unharmed shall bear you to Italian ports.
But, ere you ring with walls your promised Home, 255

Fierce famine and this outrage of our blood.
Shall make you champ and gnaw your very boards.'

" She ceased, and to the forest winged her flight.
I 121 Q

Ill

At sociis subita gelidus formidine sanguis

Deriguit ; cecidere animi, nee iam amplius armis, 260

Sed votis precibusque iubent exposcere pacem,

Sive deae, seu sint dirae obscenaeque volucres.

Et pater Anchises passis de litore palmis

Numina magna vocat, meritosque indicit honores :

Di, prohibete minas ; di, talem avertite casum, 265

Et placidi servate pios ! Turn litore funem

Deripere, excussosque iubet laxare rudentes,

Tendunt vela Noti ; fugimus spumantibus undis,

Qua cursum ventusque gubernatorque vocabat,

lam medio adparet fluctu nemorosa Zacynthos 270

Dulichiumque Sameque et Neritos ardua saxis,
EfFugimus scopulos Ithacae, Laertia regna,
Et terram altricem saevi exsecramur Ulixi.
Mox et Leucatae nimbosa cacumina montis
Et formidatus nautis aperitur Apollo, 275

Hunc petimus fessi et parvae succedimus urbi ;
Ancora de prora iacitur, stant litore puppes.

Ergo insperata tandem tellure potiti
Lustramurque lovi votisque incendimus aras,
Actiaque Iliacis celebramus litora ludis. 280

Exercent patrias oleo labente palaestras
Nudati socii ; iuvat evasisse tot urbes
Argolicas mediosque fugam tenuisse per hostes.

Interea magnum sol circumvolvitur annum,
Et glacialis hiemps aquilonibus asperat undas. 285

Aere cavo clipeum, magni gestamen Abantis,
Postibus adversis figo, et rem carmine signo :
Aeneas haec de Danais victoribus arma.
Linquere tum portus iubeo et considere transtris.
Certatim socii feriunt mare et aequora verrunt. 290

Protinus aerias Phaeacum abscondimus arces,

Ill

Then cold with sudden awe my comrades' blood

Froze, and their spirit fell. No more with arms, 260

With vows and prayers they bid me strive for peace.

Whether divine they be or fowls obscene.

My father on the beach, with palms outspread.

Invokes the Gods, ordaining sacrifice.

* O curb her threats, great Heaven ! avert the curse ! 265

With mercy guard the good ! ' The cable then

He bids us pull from shore, and loose the sheets ;

The South winds fill the sails ; through foaming waves

We skim the track where breeze and pilot call.

" Wooded Zacynthus, and Dulichium 270

Rise from the sea, and Neritos' tall crags.
And Same, and we skirt Laertes' land.
Steep Ithaca, and curse Ulysses' home.
Soon too the cloudy peaks of Leucas show.
And that Apollo whom the seamen dread. 275

Wearied we steer to make the little town.
Cast anchor from the prow, and beach the stern.

** Thus gaining land unhoped, our lustral dues
To Jove we pay, and, kindling altar-fires,
With Trojan Games we throng the Actian shore. 280

There, stripped and sleek with oil, my comrades try
Their country falls ; so many an Argive town
Rejoicing to have passed, and fled the foe.

" The Sun rounds all the year, and Winter firore
Chafes with North winds the sea. Then on the gates 285
I fix a hollow brazen shield, the wear
Of mighty Abas, with this legend graved :
* T^hese arms Aeneas from victorious Greeks ! '
I bid the seamen weigh, and man the thwarts :
Stoutly they smite the waves, and sweep the sea. 290

And soon we lose Phaeacia's skiey tops,

123

Litoraque Epiri legimus portuquc subimus
Chaonio et celsam Buthroti accedimus urbcm.

Hie incredibilis rerum fama occupat aures
Priamiden Helenum Graias regnare per urbes, 295

Coniugio Aeacidae Pyrrhi sceptrisque potitum,
Et patrio Andromachen iterum cessisse marito.
Obstipui, miroque incensum pectus amore
Compellare virum et casus cognoscere tantos.
Progredior portu, classes et litora linquens, 300

SoUemnes cum forte dapes et tristia dona
Ante urbem in luco falsi Simoentis ad undam
Libabat cineri Andromache Manesque vocabat
Hectoreum ad tumulum, viridi quem caespite inanem
Et geminas, causam lacrimis, sacraverat aras, 305

Ut me conspexit venientem et Troia circum
Arma amens vidit, magnis exterrita monstris
Deriguit visu in medio, calor ossa reliquit ;
Labitur, et longo vix tandem tempore fatur :

Verane te facies, verus mihi nuntius adfers, 310

Nate dea ? vivisne ? aut, si lux alma recessit.
Hector ubi est ? dixit, lacrimasque effudit et onmem
Inplevit clamore locum. Vix pauca fiirenti
Subiicio et raris turbatus vocibus hisco :

Vivo equidem, vitamque extrema per onmia duco ; 315
Ne dubita, nam vera vides.
Heu ! quis te casus deiectam coniuge tanto
Excipit ? aut quae digna satis fortuna revisit
Hectoris Andromachen ? Pyrrhin* conubia servas ?

Deiecit voltum et demissa voce locuta est : 320

O felix una ante alias Priameia virgo,
Hostilem ad tumulum Troiae sub moenibus altis

Ill

Skirt by Epirus' shore, Chaonia*s port
Enter, and climb to steep Buthrotum town.

" Rumours beyond belief there filled our ears,
That Helenus, the son of Priam, reigned 295

O'er those Greek towns, his bride and sceptre won
From Pyrrhus, and Andromache once more
Had found no alien spouse. My heart amazed
Burned to salute him, and to learn his tale.
Forth from the port I wend, from ships and shore, 300

When haply in a grove beyond the town.
By some feigned Simois stream, Andromache
Was shedding her sad gifts, and called his ghost
To Hector's tomb, an empty mound of turf.
And altars twain she hallowed but for tears. 305

Me coming when she spied, and saw distraught
The arms of Troy, by such great wonders awed.
Even still in gaze she froze, heat left her bones ;
She swooned, and scarce failed speech recovered late.

" * Art thou alive, with real face and voice, 310

O Goddess-born ! or, if sweet light be fled.
Where is my Hector ? * Weeping thus, with moans
She filled the grove. I hardly in brief replied
To her despair, gasping with broken words.

" * Alive I am, through all extremes I live. 315

Doubt not, the sight is real.
But O I what chance hath fallen thee, declined
From such a man ? What worthy fate hath found
Hector's Andromache ? Art Pyrrhus' wife ? '

" She bowed her head, and in low accents spake. 3 20

' O blest alone of all the maids of Troyi
Before the foeman's tomb, neath Ilium's wall,

125

lussa mori, quae sortitus non pertulit ullos.

Nee victoris heri tetigit eaptiva cubile !

Nos, patria incensa di versa per aequora vectac, 325

Stirpis Achilleae fastus iuvenemque superbum,

Servitio enixae, tulimus : qui deinde, secutus

Ledaeam Hermionen Lacedaemoniosque hymenaeos.

Me famulo famulamque Heleno transmisit habendam.

Ast ilium, ereptae magno flammatus amore 330

Coniugis et scelerum Furiis agitatus, Orestes

Excipit incautum patriasque obtruncat ad aras.

Morte Neoptolemi regnorum reddita cessit

Pars Heleno, qui Chaonios cognomine campos

Chaoniamque omnem Troiano e Chaone dixit, 335

Pergamaque Iliacamque iugis hanc addidit arcem.

Sed tibi qui cursum venti, quae fata dedere ?
Aut quisnam ignarum nostris deus adpulit oris ?
Quid puer Ascanius ? superatne et vescitur aura.
Quern tibi iam Troia — 340

Ecqua tamen puero est amissae cura parentis ?
Ecquid in antiquam virtutem animosque viriles
Et pater Aeneas et avunculus excitat Hector ?

Talia fundebat lacrimans longosque ciebat
Incassum fietus, cum sese a moenibus heros 345

Priamides multis Helenus comitantibus adfert,
Adgnoscitque suos, laetusque ad limina dudt,
Et multum lacrimas verba inter singula fundit.
Procedo, et parvam Troiam simulataque magnis
Pergama et arentem Xanthi cognomine rivum 350

Adgnosco, Scaeaeque amplector limina portae.
Nee non et Teucri socia simul urbe fruuntur.
lUos porticibus rex accipiebat in amplis ;
Aulai medio libabant pocula Bacchi,
Impositis auro dapibus, paterasque tenebant. 355

1 ofi

Ill

Bidden to die ! who bore no lottery's shame,

Nor captive pressed a conquering master's bed !

We, from our burning town borne oversea, 325

The pride and insults of Achilles' son

Endured, and the slave's child-bed. Wooing then

Leda's Hermione, the Spartan bride.

To Helenus he passed me, thrall to thrall.

But him Orestes, burning with great love 330

For his rapt bride, and by Crime's Furies driven.

Took unawares, and at his altars slew.

At Pyrrhus' death, part of his kingdom fell

To Helenus, who named the land entire

Chaonia, after Trojan Chaon's name, 335

And built this towered Ilian citadel.

" ' But thee what wind, what fate hath driven ? What God
Thrust thee unweeting on our coast ? How fares
Ascanius ? Drinks he yet the living air,
Whom once in Troy — 340

Doth the boy pine for his lost mother still ?
Is he to ancient valour by his sire
Aeneas, by his uncle Hector roused ? '

" She ended weeping, and long sobbed in vain ;
When from the town the hero Helenus 345

Came, thronged with friends, and recognised his kin,
And gladly led us in, and at each word
Shed many a tear. I go, and round me see
A lesser Troy, dwarf towers like her great,
A dried-up stream named Xanthus, and embrace 350

A Scaean Gate. My Trojans too the while
Enjoy the friendly city ; them the King
Welcomes in spacious cloisters, and they pour
In the Hall's centre votive cups of wine.
And feast on golden plate, and lift the bowl. 355

127

lamque dies alterque dies processit, et aurae
Vela vocant tumidoque inflatur carbasus austro :
His vatem adgredior dictis ac talia quaeso :

Troiugena, interpres divom, qui numina Phoebi,
Qui tripodas, Clarii laurus, qui sidera sentis 360

Et volucrum linguas et praepetis omina pennae,
Fare age — namque omnem cursum mihi prospera dixit
Religio, et cuncti suaserunt numine divi
Italiam petere et terras temptare repostas ;
Sola novum dictuque nefas Harpyia Celaeno 365

Prodigium canit, et tristes denuntiat iras,
Obscenamque famem — quae prima pericula vito ?
Quidve sequens tantos possim superare labores ?

Hie Helenus caesis primum de more iuvencis
Exorat pacem divom, vittasque resolvit 370

Sacrati capitis, meque ad tua limina, Phoebe,
Ipse manu multo suspensum numine ducit,
Atque haec deinde canit divino ex ore sacerdos :

Nate dea, — nam te maioribus ire per altum
Auspiciis manifesta fides : sic fata deum rex 375

Sortitur, volvitque vices ; is vertitur ordo—
Pauca tibi e multis, quo tutior hospita lustres
Aequora et Ausonio possis considere portu,
Expediam dictis ; prohibent nam cetera Parcae
Scire Helenum farique vetat Satumia luno. 380

Principio Italiam, quam tu iam rere propinquam
Vicinosque, ignare, paras invadere portus,
Longa procul longis via dividit invia terris.
Ante et Trinacria lentandus remus in unda,
Et salis Ausonii lustrandum navibus aequor 385

Infernique lacus Aeaeaeque insula Circae,

** A day hath passed, and twain ; and now the South
Calls to the sails, the canvas swells with wind.
When thus imploring I address the Seer :

" * Troy-born, Interpreter of God, inspired
By bay and tripod and Apollo's Will, 360

Stars and birds' tongues and auguries of flight !
Tell me, — for holy voices all my course
Named happy, and all the Heavenly Ones advised
To make for Italy and lands remote, —

The Harpy alone Celaeno boded strange 365

Prodigious things, and told of cruel wrath.
And famine foul, — what perils shun I first ?
How guided, may I win that hard assay ? '

" Then Helenus the grace of Heaven first sues
With oxen duly slain, and from his head 370

Undoes the holy bands, and leads me himself,
O Phoebus, to thy doors, thrilled with the God !
Then with prophetic lips the Priest declaims :

" * O Goddess-born ! High auspices indeed
Direct thy voyage : so the King of Heaven 375

Thy lot awards ; so rolls thy ordered course.
Few things of many I will set in words.
That safer thou may'st sail the homeless seas.
And rest in Italy : more Fate conceals
From Helenus, and Juno locks his lips. 380

" * First ; that Ausonia which thou deemest near, —
Blind soul ! prepared to make a neighbour port ! —
Far hence lies sundered by a pathless road.
First in Trinacrian waves the oar must bend.
The Ausonian brine be passed, the Aeaean Isle 385

Of Circe, and the Infernal Lakes, or e*er

I 129 R

Quam tuta possis urbcm conponere terra.

Signa tibi dicam ; tu condita mente teneto :

Cum tibi soUicito secreti ad fluminis undam

Litoreis ingens inventa sub ilicibus sus 390

Triginta capitum fetus enixa iacebit.

Alba, solo recubans, albi circum ubera nati.

Is locus urbis erit, requies ea certa laborum.

Nee tu mensarum morsus horresce flituros :

Fata viam invenient aderitquc vocatus Apollo. 395

Has autem terras, Italique banc litoris oram,

Proxuma quae nostri perfunditur aequoris aestu,

EfFuge ; cuncta malis habitantur moenia Graiis.

Hie et Naryeii posuerunt moenia Loeri,

£t Sallentinos obsedit milite eampos 400

Lyetius Idomeneus ; hie ilia dueis Meliboei

Parva Philoetetae subnixa Petelia muro.

Quin, ubi transmissae sterterint trans aequora classes
Et positis aris iam vota in litore solves,

Purpureo velare comas adopertus amietu, 405

Ne qua inter sanctos ignes in honore deorum
Hostilis faeies oceurrat et omina turbet.
Hunc soeii morem sacrorum, hune ipse teneto :
Hae casti maneant in religione nepotes.

Ast ubi digressum Siculae te admoverit orae 410

Ventus et angusti rarescent claustra Pelori,
Laeva tibi teUus et longo laeva petantur
Aequora eircuitu ; dextrum fuge litus et undas.
Haee loea vi quondam et vasta eonvolsa ruina —
Tantum aevi longinqua valet mutare vetustas — 4 1 5

Dissiluisse ferunt, cum protinus utraque tellus
Una foret ; venit medio vi pontus et undis
Hesperium Siculo latus abscidit, arvaque et urbes
Litore diductas ahgusto interluit aestu.
Dextrum Seylla latus, laevum inplaeata Charybdis 420

Ill

Thy City thou may'st found on harbouring shores.

Signs I will show thee : keep them close at heart

When thou, perplexed, shalt find beneath the holms

That fringe a secret stream one monstrous Sow 390

Stretched on the ground, with thirty young new-born,

White, and the brood about her udders white.

There shalt thou build, there rest from pain secure.

Nor heed that future gnawing of thy boards, —

Fate shall find means, and Phoebus called be near. 395

But fly those lands, fly that Italian coast

Washed by our orient tides. In every town

Dwells the bad Greek. Locrians of Naryx there

Have built their walls. Idomeneus of Crete

Hath poured his warriors o'er Sallentine plains ; 400

And there that Meliboean chieftain's town.

Little Petelia, clinging to her wall.

" * Nay, when thy barks lie stayed across the main,
And vows thou payest, raising on the beach
Altars, thine hair with purple covert veil, 405

Lest in thy worship any hostile face
Crossing the hallowed fires thine omens spoil.
Keep thou and thine this mode of sacrifice :
Pure in this rite let thy descendants bide.
But when thou leavest, to Sicilian shores 410

Blown, and Pelorus' narrow straits unfold.
Make the left coast, and sail with compass wide
The Southern waters, but the Northern shun.
Those lands long since, by some vast force uptorn,
(So strong to change is the slow lapse of Time,) 4x5

Were cleft apart, men say, though once the twain
Were both one land. The sea broke in between,
Hesperia rent from Sicily, and pours
'Twixt fields and towns divorced a narrow tide.
Scylla the right, Charybdis guards the left 420

Obsidet, atquc imo barathri ter gurgite vastos

Sorbet in abruptum fluctus, rursusque sub auras

Erigit alternos et sidera verberat unda.

At Scyllam caecis cohibet spelunca latebris,

Ora exsertantem et naves in saxa trahentem, 4.25

Prima hominis fades et pulchro pectore virgo

Pube tenus, postrema inmani corpore pistrix,

Delphinum caudas utero commissa luporum.

Praestat Trinacrii metas lustrare Pachyni

Cessantem, longos et circumflectere cursus, 430

Quam semel informem vasto vidisse sub antro

Scyllam et caeruleis canibus resonantia saxa.

Praeterea, si qua est Heleno prudentia, vati
Si qua fides, animum si veris inplet Apollo,
Unum illud tibi, nate dea, proque omnibus unum 435

Praedicam, et repetens iterumque iterumque monebo:
lunonis magnae primum prece numen adora ;
lunoni cane vota libens dominamque potentem
Supplicibus supera donis : sic denique victor
Trinacria fines Italos mittere relicta. 440

Hue ubi delatus Cymaeam accesseris urbem
Divinosque lacus et Averna sonantia silvis,
Insanam vatem aspicies, quae rupe sub ima
Fata canit foliisque notas et nomina mandat.
Quaecumque in foliis descripsit carmina virgo, 445

Digerit in numerum atque antro seclusa relinquit.
Ilia manent inmota locis neque ab ordine cedunt ;
Verum eadem, verso tenuis cum cardine ventus
Inpulit et teneras turbavit ianua frondes,
Numquam deinde cavo volitantia prendere saxo, 450

Nee revocare situs aut iungere carmina curat:
Inconsulti abeunt, sedemque odere Sibyllae.
Hie tibi ne qua morae fuerint dispendia tanti,
Quamvis increpitent socii, et vi cursus in altum

Insatiate, and thrice sucks the swirling flood

Sheer down her gulf, and thrice again upspouts

Alternate, lashing the high stars with spume.

But Scylla, crouched in her blind cavern's lair.

With jaws out-thrust, pulls vessels on the rocks ; 425

A human face above ; a maid's fair breast

Down to the waist ; below a monstrous shark,

With dolphin's tail to wolfish belly joined.

Better to round Pachynum's goal, and fetch

A long and weary compass, than to sight 430

Scylla but once within her vasty cave.

And hear rocks echo to her sea-green hounds !

** * Now if some prescience, some prophetic fame
Pertain to Helenus, if Phoebus fill

His soul with truth, this one thing, Goddess-born ! 435

One above all I warn thee, o'er and o'er
Repeating, first to mighty Juno pray ;
To Juno chant thy vows, and win with gifts
The potent Queen ; so, leaving Sicily,
Victor at last, Hesperia thou shalt gain. 440

" * And when thou drawest near to Cumae town.
The mystic pools, Avernus' murmuring grove.
There shalt thou see the Prophetess inspired.
Who sings the fates of men and writes on leaves.
Whate'er she writes on leaves she sorteth well, 445

And in her cave keeps close. There they remain
Unchanged, in sequence true. But when the hinge
Turns, and a light air stirring through the door
Blows the thin leaves about, no care hath she
To catch them as they flutter through the cave, 450

Nor set them right, nor make the verses meet. —
Men leave unhelped, and hate the Sibyl's den. —
Here count not thou delay too dearly bought.
Though comrades chide, though strongly calls the sea,

133

Vela vocet possisque sinus inplere secundos, 455

Quin adeas vatem precibusque oracula poscas

Ipsa canat, vocemque volens atquc ora resolvat.

Ilia tibi Italiae populos venturaque bella,

Et quo quemque modo fugiasque ferasque laborem,

Expediet, cursusque dabit venerata secundos. 460

Haec sunt, quae nostra liceat te voce moneri.

Vade age, et ingentem factis fer ad aethera Troiam.

Quae postquam vates sic ore efFatus amico est,
Dona dehinc auro gravia sectoque elephanto
Imperat ad naves ferri, stipatque carinis 465

Ingens argentum, Dodonaeosque lebetas,
Loricam consertam hamis auroque trilicem,
Et conum insignis galeae cristasque comantes,
Arma Neoptolemi. Sunt et sua dona parenti.
Addit equos, additque duces ; 470

Remigium supplet ; socios simul instruit armis.

Interea classem veils aptare iubebat
Anchises, fieret vento mora ne qua ferenti.
Quem Phoebi interpres multo compellat honore :
Coniugio, Anchise, Veneris dignate superbo, 475

Cura deum, bis Pergameis erepte ruinis,
Ecce tibi Ausoniae tellus ; banc arripe velis.
Et tamen banc pelago praeterlabare necesse est ;
Ausoniae pars ilia procul, quam pandit Apollo.
Vade, ait, o felix nati pietate. Quid ultra 480

Provehor et fando surgentes demoror austros ?

Nee minus Andromache, digressu maesta supremo.
Pert picturatas auri subtemine vestes
Et Phrygiam Ascanio chlamydem, nee cedit honori,
Textilibusque onerat donis, ac talia fatur : 485

Accipe et haec, manuum tibi quae monumenta mearum

And thou may*st fill the happy-bosomed sail. 455

Go to the Prophetess, and beg her sing

Herself thine oracles with willing lips.

The tribes of Italy, and wars to come.

How to escape each pain, and how to bear.

She will unfold, and, worshipped, grant success. 460

So much my voice may warn thee. Forward, then.

And by thy deeds to Heaven uplift great Troy ! *

" Thus when the Seer*s befriending lips had said.
Gifts to our ships he sent, of heavy gold
And carven ivory, and stowed our hulls 465

With massive silver, and Dodona's ware,
A coat of mail thrice-wove with rings of gold,
A fair peaked helmet, and a plumy crest.
The arms of Pyrrhus. And my sire hath gifts.
Steeds too he gives, and guides ; 470

And finds us oars, and lends my comrades arms.

" Meanwhile Anchises bade the fleet set sail.
Nor lose the blowing wind. Whom Phoebus' Priest
Thus reverently bespake : * Anchises, dear
To Heaven, by Venus* glorious nuptials crowned ! 475

Twice rapt from Trojan ruins ! Lo, for thee
Ausonia waits. Sail hence to yonder shores !
Yet them thou needs must skirt by sea : far ofi^
Lies that Ausonian land Phoebus reveals !
Go, happy in thy son ! Why further add, 480

Or with my talk delay the rising gales ? '

" Andromache, at this last parting sad.
Brings for lulus too a Phrygian vest.
And robes of golden broidery, nor stints
Her favour, loading him with woven gifts. 485

' Take these,' she saith, ' memorials of my hands.

Sint, puer, et longum Andromachae testentur amorem,

Coniugis Hectoreae. Cape dona extrema tuorum,

O mihi sola mei super Astyanactis imago.

Sic oculos, sic ille manus, sic ora ferebat ; 490

Et nunc aequali tecum pubesceret aevo.

Hos ego digrediens lacrimis adfabar obortis :
Vivite felices, quibus est fortuna peracta
lam sua ; nos alia ex aliis in fata vocamur.
Vobis parta quies ; nullum maris aequor arandum, 495

Arva neque Ausoniae semper cedentia retro
Quaerenda. Effigiem Xanthi Troiamque videtis,
Quam vestrae fecere manus, melioribus, opto,
Auspiciis, et quae fuerit minus obvia Graiis,
Si quando Thybrim vicinaque Thybridis arva 500

Intraro gentique meae data moenia cernam,
Cognatas urbes olim populosque propinquos,
Epiro, Hesperia, quibus idem Dardanus auctor
Atque idem casus, unam faciemus utramque
Troiam animis ; maneat nostros ea cura nepotes. 550

Provehimur pelago vicina Ceraunia iuxta,
Unde iter Italiam cursusque brevissimus undis.
Sol ruit interea et montes umbrantur opaci.
Sternimur optatae gremio telluris ad undam,
Sortiti remos, passimque in litbre sicco 510

Corpora curamus ; fessos sopor inrigat artus,

Necdum orbem medium Nox horis acta subibat :
Haud segnis strato surgit Palinurus et omnes
Explorat ventos, atque auribus aera captat ;
Sidera cuncta notat tacito labentia caelo, 515

Arcturum pluviasque Hyadas geminosque Triones,
Armatumque auro circumspicit Oriona.
Postquam cuncta videt caelo constare sereno,

. ^c

Long to attest the love of Hector's wife,

Andromache, the last gifts of thy kin.

O boy ! sole image of my Astyanax

Now left ! Such eyes he had, such hands, such face ! 490

And now like-aged were growing up with thee ! '

" Leaving, I spoke to them with rising tears ;
* Live happy, ye whose blessedness is won.
Won now, while we are called from fate to fate !
Your rest is gained : no sea remains to plough, 495

Nor those Ausonian ever-fading fields
To chase. A feigned Xanthus you behold,
A Troy your hands have made ; a Troy, I pray.
Of happier fate, beyond the range of Greeks.
If e'er I enter Tiber, and the fields 500

That Tiber laves, and see our promised Home,
Twin cities there, and peoples closely bound,
Epirus and Hesperia, with one fate.
From Dardanus each sprung, our hearts shall make
One second Troy. Such charge await our sons ! ' 505

" Thence onward sailing by Ceraunian cliffs.
Our briefest course towards Italy we steer.
Till the sun sets, and the grey hills grow dim.
In the dear lap of earth we fling ourselves.
Allotting oars, and on the dry sea-sand 510

Comfort our Hmbs : sleep bathes the weary flesh.

" Night, driven by the Hours, her arch's crown
Not yet had climbed, when Palinurus rose.
Alert, and tried the wind, and on his ear
Caught it, and scanned the stars in the still sky, 515

Arcturus and the rainy Hyades,
The Bears, and great Orion, armed with gold.
And when he sees all heaven's unclouded calm,

I 137 s

Dat clarum e puppi signum ; nos castra movemus,
Temptamusque viam et velorum pandimus alas, 520

icc^Iamque rubescebat stellis Aurora fiigatis.

Cum procul obscuros colles humilemque vidcmus

Italiam. Italiam primus conclamat Achates,

Italiam laeto socii clamore salutant.

Tum pater Anchises magnum cratera corona 525

Induit inplevitque mero, divosque vocavit

Stans celsa in puppi :

Di maris et terrae tempestatumque potentes,

Ferte viam vento facilem et spirate secundi.

Crebrescunt optatae aurae, portusque patescit 530

lam propior, templumque adparet in arce Minervae.
Vela legunt socii, et proras ad litora torquent.
Portus ab Euroo fluctu curvatus in arcum ;
Obiectae salsa spumant adspargine cautes ;
Ipse latet ; gemino demittunt bracchia muro 535

Turriti scopuli, refugitque ab litore templum,
Quattuor hie, primum omen, equos in gramine vidi
Tondentes campum late, candore nivali.
Et pater Anchises : Bellum, o terra hospita, portas ;
Bello armantur equi, bellum haec armenta minantur. 540

Sed tamen idem olim curru succedere sueti
Quadrupedes, et frena iugo concordia ferre :
Spes et pacis, ait. Tum numina sancta precamur
Palladis armisonae, quae prima accepit ovantes,
Et capita ante aras Phrygio velamur amictu ; 545

Praeceptisque Heleni, dederat quae maxuma, rite
lunoni Argivae iussos adolemus honores.

Haud mora, continuo perfectis ordine votis
Cornua velatarum obvertimus antennarum,
Graiugenumque domos suspectaque linquimus arva, 550

Ill

He sounds his signal clear ; we move our camp,

Launch forth anew, and spread our vessels' wings. 520

" The stars had fled before the reddening morn.
When far dim hills we saw, and lying low
Italy. * Italy ! ' first Achates cries ;
And merrily the crews hail * Italy ! '

Then Sire Anchises crowns a mighty bowl, 525

And fills with wine, and calls upon the Gods,
High standing on the stern :
* O Gods, supreme o'er earth and sea and sky !
Waft us with aiding wind, and breathe benign ! '

" The wished-for breezes freshen, and the port 530

Widens more near, and on Minerva's Hill
A Temple shines. We, furling sail, our prows
Turn shoreward. Hollowed by the Eastern tide.
The port lies hid, its jutting horns afoam
With the salt spray : twin walls of towered rock 535

Stretch down, and from the shore the fane recedes.
Four horses, our first omen, here we saw.
Cropping the grassy lea, as white as snow.
Whereat Anchises : * War, strange Land, thou bearest,
For war the steed is armed ; these threaten war. 540

Yet this same beast will learn the harness' use.
Drawing the car, and bearing concord's yoke;
Hope too for peace,' saith he. Invoking then
Armed Pallas' might, who first our hail received,
Before her sacred shrine we veil our heads ; 545

And duly, upon the Prophet's prime command.
To Argive Juno pay the sacrifice.

" On, without stay, when all our vows were made.
Turning our sail-yard horns, those Greekish homes,
Suspected fields, we leave; and soon descry 550

Hinc sinus Herculei, si vera est fama, Tarenti

Cernitur ; attoUit se diva Lacinia contra,

Caulonisque arces et navifragum Scylaceum.

Turn procul e fluctu Trinacria cernitur Aetna,

Et gemitum ingentem pelagi pulsataque saxa 555

Audimus longe fractasque ad litora voces,

Exsultantque vada, atque aestu miscentur harenae,

Et pater Anchises : Nimirum haec ilia Charybdis :

Hos Helenus scopulos, haec saxa horrenda canebat.

Eripite, o socii, pariterque insurgite remis. 560

Haud minus ac iussi faciunt, primusque rudentem

Contorsit laevas proram Palinurus ad undas ;

Laevam cuncta cohors remis ventisque petivit.

ToUimur in caelum curvato gurgite, et idem

Subdue ta ad Manes imos desedimus unda. 565

Ter scopuli clamorem inter cava saxa dedere :

Ter spumam elisam et rorantia vidimus astra.

Interea fessos ventus cum sole rcliquit,

Ignarique viae Cyclopum adlabimur oris,

Portus ab accessu ventorum inmotus et ingens 570

Ipse ; sed horrificis iuxta tonat Aetna ruinis,
Interdumque atram prorumpit ad aethera nubem,
Turbine fumantem piceo et candente favilla,
Attollitque globos flammarum et sidera lambit ;
Interdum scopulos avolsaquc viscera montis 575

Erigit eructans, liquefactaque saxa sub auras
Cum gemitu glomerat, fundoquc exaestuat imo.
Fama est Enceladi semiustum fulmine corpus
Urgueri mole hac, ingentemque insuper Aetnam
Inpositam ruptis flammam exspirare caminis ; 580

Et fessum quotiens mutet latus, intremerc omnem
Murmure Trinacriam, et caelum subtexere fumo.
Noctem illam tecti silvis inmania monstra
Perferimus, nee quae sonitum det causa, videmus.

Ill

Tarentum's bay, once home, if fame not errs.

Of Hercules, Lacinia's answering fane.

And Caulon's cliffs, and Scylaceum's strand.

Wreck-strewn. Then Aetna rises from the wave ;

And far away we hear the loud sea moan ^^^

On beaten crags, and the shore's broken voice.

The surf leaps high; the sands and surges mix.

Then spake Anchises : * 'Tis Charybdis, sure,

Those rocks, those awful crags the Seer foretold !

Make off, my friends, rise on the oars in time! ' 560

They straight obey; and Palinurus first

Swings South the roaring prow, and all our host

With oar, with wind, strain South. Now up to heaven

The arched wave lifts us; now, the wave drawn in.

We sink to shades below. Thrice roar the rocks 565

Through caverns deep ; thrice the showered spray we see.

And stars bedewed with brine. But now the wind

Sinks with the sun, and leaves us weary men.

Who float unknowing to the Cyclops' coast.

" A haven wide there lies, by beating winds 570

Unstirred, but near it Aetna thundering vents
Terrific deluge. Now a cloud of smoke,
Whirlwinds of pitch, and embers glowing white.
To the frayed stars he flings, and globes of fire.
Now shattered stones and entrails of the mount 575

He belches forth, and volleys molten rocks.
Roaring, and boiling from his deep abyss.
Below that mass, Enceladus, 'tis famed.
Lies, scorched by lightning, while above his head
Through riven ducts great Aetna blows his flames. 580

And all Trinacria, when he turns his side.
Trembles and moans, and shrouds in smoke the sky.
That night those uncouth wonders we endure,
Hidden in woods, nor see what makes the din.

Nam neque erant astrorum ignes, nee lucidus aethra 585

Siderea polus, obscuro sed nubila caelo,

£t Lunam in nimbo nox intempesta tenebat.

Postera iamque dies primo surgebat £00«
Umentemque Aurora polo dimoverat umbram :
Cum subito e silvis, macie confecta suprema, 590

Ignoti nova forma viri miserandaquc cultu
Procedit supplexque manus ad litora tendit.
Respicimus. Dira inluvies inmissaque barba,
Consertum tegumen spinis ; at cetera Grains,
Et quondam patriis ad Troiam missus in armis, 595

Isque ubi Dardanios habitus et Troia vidit
Arma procul, paulum aspectu conterritus haesit,
Continuitque gradum ; mox sese ad litora praeceps
Cum fletu precibusque tulit : Per sidera testor,
Per superos atque hoc caeli spirabile lumen, 600

Tollite me, Teucri ; quascumque abducite terras ;
Hoc sat erit. Scio me Danais e classibus unum,
Et bello Iliacos fateor petiisse Penates.
Pro quo, si sceleris tanta est iniuria nostri,
Spargite me in fluctus, vastoque inmergite ponto, 605

Si pereo, hominum manibus periisse iuvabit.

Dixerat, et genua amplexus genibusque volutans
Haerebat. Qui sit, fari, quo sanguine cretus,
Hortamur ; quae deinde agitet fortuna, fateri.
Ipse pater dextram Anchises, baud multa moratus, 610

Dat iuveni, atque animum praesenti pignore firmat,
lUe haec, deposita tandem formidine, fatur :

Sum patria ex Ithaca, comes infelicis Ulixi,
Nomine Achemenides, Troiam genitore Adamasto
Paupere — mansissetque utinam fortuna ! — profectus. 615

Hie me, dum trepidi crudelia limina linquunt,
Inmemores socii vasto Cyclopis in antro

Ill

No planet sheds its fire ; no starry sheen 585

Brightens the sky ; the louring rack rolls up,
And sullen Night holds fast the clouded moon.

" Now morn uprising with her orient star
Chased the dun mist, when sudden from the woods
Stept a strange shape of man, piteous in guise, 590

With extreme famine spent, who to the beach
Stretched forth entreating hands. We turn and gaze.
Sad filth, and beard unkempt, a garment held
By thorns ; yet else a Greek, and one of old
Sent armed to Troy. He, when the Dardan dress 595

The Trojan arms he saw, awhile stopped short.
Scared at the sight, but to the beach anon
Ran headlong, and with weeping us implored :
* Now by the Stars I adjure you, by the Gods,
And by this lucent heavenly air we breathe, 600

Uplift me Trojans ! Take me to what lands
Ye seek soe'er. I know that I am Greek ;
And own I warred against the Gods of Troy ;
For which, if wrong so deep my guilt hath done,
Sink me in sea, and strew me o'er the flood ! 605

Dying, by human hands I fain would die ! '

" He ceased, and clasped our knees, and to our knees
Clung writhing. Who he is, we bid him tell.
Whence born, what fortune drives about his days.
With scanty pause Anchises gave the youth 610

His own right hand in pledge, and cheered his heart ;
Who, when his fear was banished, thus returned :

" ' Ithaca bore me, Achemenides,
Ulysses' mate, whom Adamastus poor.

My father, sent to Troy, — woe worth the day ! — 6 1 5

In the vast Cyclops' cave, those cruel doors
Fleeing in dread, my comrades left me here,

14-?

<^'^

Deseruere. Domus sanie dapibusque cnientis,

Intus opaca, ingens. Ipse arduus, altaque pulsat

Sidera, — Di, talem terris avertitc pestem ! — 620

Nee visu facilis nee dietu adfabilis ulli.

Visceribus miserorum et sanguine vescitur atro,

Vidi egomet, duo de numero cum corpora nostra
Prensa manu magna medio resupinus in antra
Frangeret ad saxum, sanieque exspersa natarent 625

Limina ; vidi atra cum membra nuentia tabo
Manderet, et tepidi tremerent sub dentibus artus.
Haud inpune quidem ; nee talia passus Ulixes, , b*^^*

Oblitusve sui est Ithacus discrimine tanto. s»§3^^^*^
Nam simul expletus dapibus vinoque ^sepultus ^ 630

Cervicem inflexam posuit, iacuitque per antrum
Inmensus^ saniem eructans et frusta cruento
Per somnum commixta mero, nos, magna precati
Numina sortitique vices, una undique circum
Fundimur, et telo lumen terebramus acuto, 635

Ingens, quod torva solum sub fronte latebat,
>Argolici clipei aut Phoebeae lampadis instar,
£t tandem laeti sociorum ulciscimur umbras.
Sed fugite, o miseri, fiigite, atque ab litore funem
Rumpite. 640

Nam qualis quantusque cavo Eoly^iiSQaiis^ in antro

iniggras. claudit pec iidss atque ubera pressat.
Centum alii curva haec habitant ad litora volgo
Infandi Cyclopes et altis montibus errant.
Tertia iam Lunae se cornua lumine conplent, 645

Cum vitam in silvis inter deserta ferarum
Lustra domosque traho, vastosque ab rupe Cyclopas
Prospicio, sonitumque pedum vocemque tremesco.
Victum infelicem, bacas lapidosaque coma,
Dant rami, et volsis pascunt radicibus herbae. 650

Omnia conlustrans, banc primum ad litora classem

144

Fprgctfvil, Blood and bloody feasts pollute

That great dark house. The Giant — O ye Gods,

Take such a pest from earth ! — strikes heaven itself, 620

Unfit for sight, unfit for speech of man,

On wretches' entrails fed and purple blood,

" * Myself I saw him seize, with monstrous hand.
Stretched in his cave supine, two of our crew.
And break them on a rock, and the splashed floor 625

Ran blood. I saw him champ their gory limbs,
And the warm trembling flesh between his teeth !
Yet not unvenged : Ulysses bore not that,
Nor in such straits forgot his native wit.
When, gorged with meat and buried deep in wine, 630

The Monster bowed his neck, and lay immense
Along the cave, and vomited in sleep
Gobbets with blood and wine, we, casting lots.
And praying the great Gods, together all
Surged round, and with a pointed weapon bored 635

The one huge eye, which like an Argive shield.
Or the Sun's orb, sank in his glooming brow ;
And glad at last avenged our comrades' ghosts. —
JBuLflyj^^por vsrrctches^ fly ; and from this strand
Your hawser tear ! 640

Like Polyphemus, in his cave who pens
And milks the woolly flock, so gross and grim
An hundred other one-eyed monsters dwell
About these bays, and roam the mountain sides.
Three moons e'en now have filled their horns with light, 645
While I among the forest haunts and homes
Of the lone beasts live on, and on the Rock
Spy those great giants, and their voice and tread
Hear trembling. Branches give me sorry fare.
Berries and cornels crude ; uprooted herbs 650

Feed me. Far gazing round, at last I saw

I 145 T

Conspexi venientem. Huic me, quaecumque fuisset,
Addixi : satis est gentem effugisse nefandam.
Vos animam hanc potius quocumque absumite leto.

Vix ea fatus erat, summo cum monte videmus 655

Ipsum inter pecudes vasta se mole moventem

Pastorem Polyphemum et litora nota petentrai, '

JMTonstrum horrenduirii informe, ingens^ cui lu men aHcm ptum.^
Trunca manu pinus regit et vestigia firmat ; ~^

;,, ^ Lanigerae comitantur oves ; ea sola voluptas 660

Solamenque mali.

Postquam altos tetigit fluctus et ad aequora venit,
Luminis efFossi fluidum lavit inde cruorem,
Dentibus infrendens gemitu, graditurque per aequor
lam medium, necdum fluctus latera ardua tinxit. 665

Nos procul inde fugam trepidi celerare, recepto
Supplice sic merito, tacitique incidere funem ;
Verrimus et proni certantibus aequora remis.

• "V'-'-^Sensit, et ad sonitum vocis vestigia torsit.
L.->v.\ Verum ubi nulla datur dextra adfectare potestas, 670

Nee potis lonios fluctus aequare sequendo,

^^'\1^yCl2LmoTttn inmensum tollit, quo pontus et omnes
^ . .Contremuere undae, penitusque exterrita tellus
Italiae, curvisque inmugiit Aetna cavernis.
V c At genus e silvis Cyclopum et montibus altis 675

Excitum ruit ad portus et litora conplent.
Cernimus adstantes nequiquam lumine torvo
rAetnaeos fratres, caelo capita alta ferentes,
, ^Concilium horrendum : quales cum vertice celso

"• " '^Aeriae quercus, aut coniferae cyparissl, ^ * ^^ iKe 680

vConstiterunt, silva alta lovis, lucusve Dianae.

Praecipites metus acer agit quocumque rudentes
Excutere, et ventis intendere vela secundis.
Contra iussa monent Heleni, Scyllam atque Charybdim
Inter, utramque viam leti discrimine parvo, 685

146

Your barks, to which I turned, whatc'cr might hap.
Enough for me to escape this cursed crew ;
Ye rather take my life however ye will ! *

" He scarce hath said, when from the hills we see 655

The shepherd Polyphemus with his flocks
Moving gigantic to the well-known shore ;
A Monster grim, huge, shapeless, reft of light.
A fir his hand hath lopped supports his steps ;
The woolly sheep attend him, sole delight, 660

Sole solace of his pain.

When the deep flood he touched and reached the sea.
There, gnashing loud his teeth, the oozing blood
From his gouged eye he laves, and through the main
Strides to the midst, nor wets his lofty sides. 665

Far thence in fear we fly, with him that prayed
And earned our grace, in silence cut the rope.
And bend with straining oars, and sweep the sea.
He hears, and turns his footsteps to the sound.
But when he fails to grasp us and to match 670

The Ionian waves in chase, a great uproar
He raised, whereat each billow of the sea
Shook, and the soil of Italy far down
Trembled, and Aetna's hoUow caverns roared.
Then from the woods and mountain sides aroused, 675

The one-eyed clan down rush, and fill the beach.
Vainly, with angry looks, we see them stand.
Brothers of Aetna, with sky-towering heads.
An awful conclave ! as high oaks uplift

Their airy tops, or coned cypresses, 680

Jove's lofty forest, or Diana's grove.

" Fear urged us then to slacken sheets, and spread
Our canvas to the wind. Far other charge
The Prophet gave us, not to hold our way
'Twixt Scylla and Chary bdis, on each hand 685

147

Ni teneant cursus ; certum est dare lintea retro.

£cce autem Boreas angusta ab sede Pelori

Missus adest. Vivo praetervehor ostia saxo

Pantagiae Megarosque sinus Thapsumque iacentem.

Talia monstrabat relegens errata retrorsus 690

Litora Achemenides, comes infelicis Ulixi.

Sicanio praetenta sinu iacet insula contra
Plemyrium undosum ; nomen dixere priores
Ortygiam. Alpheum fama est hue Elidis amnem
Occultas egisse vias subter mare ; qui nunc 695

Ore, Arethusa, tuo Siculis confunditur undis.
lussi numina magna loci veneramur ; et inde
Exsupero praepingue solum stagnantis Helori.
Hinc altas cautes proiectaque saxa Pachyni
Radimus, et fatis numquam concessa moveri 700

Adparet Camarina procul campique Geloi
Inmanisque Gela fluvii cognomine dicta.
Arduus inde Acragas ostentat maxuma longe
Moenia, mr.gnanimum quondam generator equorum ;
Teque datis linquo ventis, palmosa Selinus, 705

Et vada dura lego saxis Lilybeia caecis.
Hinc Drepani me portus et inlaetabilis ora
Accipit. Hie, pelagi tot tempestatibus actus,
Heu genitorem, omnis curae casusque levamen,
Amitto Anchisen. Hie me, pater optume, fessum 710

Deseris, heu, tantis nequiquam erepte periclis !
Nee vates Helenus, cum multa horrenda moneret,
Hos mihi praedixit luctus, non dira Celaeno.
Hie labor extremus, longarum haec meta viarum,
Hinc me digressum vestris deus adpulit oris. 7 1 5

Sic pater Aeneas intentis omnibus unus
Fata renarrabat divom, cursusque docebat.
Conticuit tandem, factoque hie fine quievit.

_ . o

Ill

The edge of ruin : so our sails arc backed ;

And lo ! the North wind from Pelorus' strait

Blows, and Pantagia's living stones I pass,

And Megara's gulf, and Thapsus' lowly strand.

Such shores the comrade of Ulysses' pain 690

Showed us, recoasting where he sailed of yore.

" Off the Sicanian bay, an Island lies,
Against wave-washed Plemyrium, named of old
Ortygia. There Alphaeus, Elis' stream.
Stole underseas, men say, by secret paths, 695

And through thy fount, O Arethusa ! pours
Into Sicilian seas : to whom, forewarned.
We pay our vows ; then, past the luscious meads
Of still Helorus, graze Pachynus' reefs :

Till Camarina, whom the Fates forbade 700

To move her marsh, shows far, and Gela*s plain,
Gela that bears its churlish river's name.
Then Acragas the steep, the getter once
Of noble steeds, shows her great walls afar.
Thy palms, Selinus, on the granted gale 705

I leave, and thread the Lilybaean shoals.
And sunken reefs, till on the joyless strand
Of Drepanum I stay. There, tempest-tost
So long, ah me ! my father, comforter

Of every ill, I lose. There me outworn, 710

Thou leavest, father, rescued all in vain !
Not Helcnus, foretelling things of dread.
Told me this sorrow, nor Celacno grim.
This was my latest woe, my long road's end.
Departed thence, God drove me to your shores." 715

One before all intent, Aeneas thus
The doom of Heaven retold, and all his ways ;
Then hushed, and rested, when the tale was done.

BOOK IV

•UT rcgina gravi iamdudum saucia cura •
Volnus alit venis, et caeco carpitur igni.
Multa viri virtus anlmo, multusque recursat
Gcntis honos ; hacrent infixi pcctore voltus
Verbaque, nee placidam membris dat cura quietem. 5

Postera Phoebea lustrabat lampade terras
Umentcmque Aurora polo dimoverat umbram,
Cum sic unanimam adloquitur male sana sororem :
Anna soror, quae me suspensam insomnia terrent !
Quis nevus hie nostris successit sedibus hospes, 10

Quem sese ore ferens, quam forti pectorc ct armis !
Credo equidem, nee vana fides, genus esse deorum.
Degeneres animos timor arguit. Heu, quibus ille
lactatus fatis ! quae bella exhausta canebat !
Si mthi non animo iixum inmotumque sederet, 15

Ne cui me vinclo vellem sociare iugali,
Postquam primus amor deceptam morte fefellit ;
Si non pertaesum thalami taedaeque futsset,

Huie uni forsan potui succumbere culpae.' ..

Anna, fatcbor enim, miseri post fata Sychaei 20

Coniugis et sparsos fraterna caede Penates, '

Solus hie inflexit sensus, animumque labantem

Inpulit. Adgnosco veteris vestigia flammae.

Sed mihi vel tellus optem priiis ima dehiscat,

Vel Pater omnipotens adigat me fulminc ad umbras, 25

Pallentes umbras Erebi noctemquc profundam.

Ante, Pudor, quam te violo, aut tua iura resolvo.

Ille meos, primus qui me sibi iunxit, amores

Abstulit ; ille habeat secum servetque sepulchre.

STc effata sinum lacrimis inpleVit oboftTs. 30

Anna refert : O luce magis dileeta sorori,
Solane perpetua maerens carpere iuventa.

IV
\\ UT Dido, sick long since of painful love,

Feeds with her 'veins the wound, by fire unseen
Wasted. The hero's prowess haunts her much,
_ Much his great race. Fast in her heart are fixt
His looks, his words, and love denies her rest. 5

The morrow morn with Phoebus* lamp the earth
Gan traverse, and the dewy shades dispersed,
When her twin-hearted sister thus distraught
She addressed :

" What dreams, O Anna ! scare my soul !
O what a guest is this to us new-come ! i o

O what a mien, what front, what arms arc his !
Not vain my faith that he is Heavenly born.
Fear stamps the baser soul. O how the Fates
Have vext him ! How he told of battles waged !
Were not my mind irrevocably fixed 1 5

With none to mate in wedlock, since by death
Love, turning traitor, robbed me at the prime;
Were I not tired of bridal torch and bower,.
To this one fault perchance I might succimib.
Anna, I own it, since Sychaeus fellf^ 20

And by a brother's blood our House was stained.
He only .hath moved my heart, or made my will
Falter ; I know the marks, the flame of old *
But O ! may Earth yawn deep, may Heaven's high Sire
With all his thunders hurl me to the shades, 25

Pale shades of Erebus, and Night profound.
Ere, Honour, thee I soU,-or break th^y law!
He who first made me his took with him all
My heart ; still let him keep it in his grave ! "
She ceased, and rising tears her bosom filled. 30

Then Anna : " Dearer far than light is dear,
O Sister ! wilt thou wither all thy Spring

Nee dulces natos, Veneris nee praemia noris ? / {

Id cinerem aut Manes credis curare sepultos ? /

Esto, aegram nulli quondam flexere mariti, : 35

Non Libyae, non ante Tyro ; despectus larbas ;

Ductoresque alii, quos Africa terra triumphis

Dives alit : placitone etiam pugnabis amori ?

Nee venit in mentem, quorum consederis arvis ?

Hinc Gaetulae urbes, genus insuperabile bello, 40

Et Numidae infreni cingunt et inhospita Syrtis ;

Hinc deserta siti regio, lateque furentes

Barcaei. Quid bella Tyro surgentia dicam,

Germanique minas ?

Dis equidem auspicibus reor et lunone secunda 45

Hunc cursum Iliacas vento tenuisse carinas.

Quam tu urbem, soror, hanc cernes, quae surgere regna

Coniugio tali ! Teucrum comitantibus armis

Punica se quantis attoUet gloria rebus !

Tu modo posce deos veniam, sacrisque litatis 50

Indulge hospitio, causasque innecte morandi,

Dum pelago desaevit hiemps et aquosus Orion,

Quassataeque rates, dum non tractabile caelum.

His dictis incensum animum flammavit amore,
Spemque dedit dubiae menti, solvitque pudorem. 55

Principio delubra adeunt, pacemque per aras
Exquirunt ; mactant lectas de more bidentes,
Legiferae Cereri^ Pfioeboque patrique Lyaeo,
lunoni ante omnes, cui vincla iugalia curae.
Ipsa, tenens dextra pateram, pulcherrima Dido 60

Candentis vaccae media inter cornua fundit,
Aut ante ora deum pingues spaliatur ad aras,
Instauratque diem donis, pecudumque reclusis
Pectoribus inhians spirantia consulit exta.
Heu vatum ignarae mentes ! quid vota furentem, 65

Lonely, with no sweet babes, no crown of Love ?

Think*$t thou the buried ghos^ heeds aught of that ?

What though no lover moved thee in thy grief, 35

In Tyre, or Libya ; not larbas scorned.

Nor any Prince of Afric's conquering clime.

Yet wilt thou wrestle with a welcome love ?

Hast thou no thought in whose domains we dwell,

Tameless Gaetulians here, and all around 40

Unreined Numidians and the Syrtes waste ;

There desert drought, and Barce's savage hordes ?

What need to tell of wars that spring from Tyre,

Thy brother's menace ?

Guided by Gods I hold and Jujiql sjiiv e 45

Troy's ft eefWarliitHcr "blown, O what a city.

Sister, wilt thotr-scch-cre, wTiatTEIhgdoHirTise

On "such aTwedding'! To'l^at heigHts^^idlied

WitlrTn)jan arrrisTwiIl Punic glory ascend !

Nay; sue the grace of Heaven with holy vows, 50

Give enter tainment room ^and^jwcave excuse

To stay Tilm, while with storms Orion wet

Smites sea aiid ship, 'while heavens refuse a track."

Thus speaking, she made flame her glowing heart.
Filled her racked mind with hope, loosed Honour's rein, ^^
^ They seek the shrines; they pray for peace, and slay
Choice ewes to Ceres, Bearer of the Law,
To Phoebus and Lyaeus, but in chief
To Juno, Guardian of the marriage bond.
Dido herself, most fair, with bowl in hand, 60

Pours o'er a white cow's horns, before the Gods
Paces to their rich altars, and the day
Hallows with gifts, and in the victim's breast
Gazing takes counsel of the breathing heart.
O blind Diviners ! How can vow or shrine 65

^55

Quid delubra iuvant ? Est molles flamma medullas

Intcrca, ct taciturn vivit sub pcctorc volrius.

Uritur infelix Dido totaque vagatur ^

Urbc furcns, qualis coniccta cerva sagitta,

Quam procul incautam nemora inter Cresia fixit 70

Pastor agens telis, liquitque volatile ferrum

Nescius ; ilia fuga silvas saltusque peragrat

Dictaeos ; haeret lateri letalis arundo.

Nunc media Aenean secum per moenia ducit,
Sidoniasque ostentat opes urbemque paratam ; 75

Incipit efFari, mediaque in voce resistit ;
Nunc eadem labente die convivia quaerit,
Iliacosque iterum demens audire labores
Exposcit, pendetque iterum narrantis ab ore.
Post, ubi digressi, lumenque obscura vicissim 80

Luna premit suadentque cadentia sidera somnos.
Sola domo maeret vacua, stratisque relictis
Incubat : ilium absens absentem auditque videtque :
Aut gremio Ascanium, genitoris imagine capta, •
Detinet, infandum si fallere poissit amorem. 85

Non coeptae adsurgunt turres, non arnia iuventus
Exercet, portusve aut propugnacula bello ^r

Tuta parant ; pendent opera interrupta minaeque
Muronim ingentes aequataque machiha caelo. *

Quam simul ac tali persensit peste teneri 90

Cara lovis coniunx, nee famam obstare furori,-
Talibus adgreditur. Venerem Saturnia dictis ^
Egregiam vero laudem et spolia ampla refertis^ . ;
Tuque puerque tuus, magnum et memorabile nomen,
V^na dolo divom'Tsrifemina victa duorum est. 95

T^fes-^me adet5^allit veritam te moenia nostra
JSuspectas habuisse domos Kart;haginis altae.
Sed quis erit modus, aut quo nunc certamine tanto ?

Help passion's slave ? The flame is biting deep
E'en then, and dumb within the wound lives on.
Unhappy Dido, burning, through the town
Roams frenzied, like an arrow-stricken doe, "^ ^c^^-"^^

Whom shooting far some hind in Cretan glens z'*^* 70

Carelessly struck, and left the flying steel * *"
Unknowing. She o'er Dicte's forest lawns
Flies, bearing in her flank the reed of death.

Now through the streets she leads him, and displays
Her Tynan wealth, her city built and made ; ji

Begins to speak, and checks the half-spoken word :
Now to the banquet goes at ebbing day.
And asks again to hear the Tale of Troy,
Infatuate ! and again hangs on his lips.

But when they part, and the dim moon in turn 80

Sets, and the sinking stars are urging sleep.
Sole in her halls she mourns, his empty couch
Clasps, and him absent hears far oflF and sees.
Or, by his father's looks entranced, she hugs
luius, to beguile her untold love. 85

No more the towers rise ; no more the youth
Exercise arms, nor ports or bulwarks make
Defensive : interrupted hang the works, „
The giant threatening walls and engines huge.

Her thus infected when the Wife of Jove 90

Saw, and to passion yielding up her fame.
To Venus thus she spake : " A noble prize.
An ample spoil ye win, a glorious name.
Thou and thy Boy ! One woman by two Gods
Subtly subdued ! Nor do I fail to see - - 95

Our town thou fearest, this high'Tunic House
Holding suspect. But what shall be the end ?
What boots our rivalry ? Nay, let us make

^^7

Quin potius pacem aeternam pactosque hymenaeos
Exercemus ? habes, tota quod mente petisti : lOo

Ardet amans Dido traxitque per ossa furorem.
Communem hunc ergo populum paribusque regamus
Auspiciis ; liceat Phrygio servire marito,
Dotalesque tuae Tyrios permittere dextrae.

OUi — sensit enim simulata mente locutam,^ 105

Quo regnum Italiae Libycas averteret oras —
Sic contra est ingressa Venus : Quis talia demens
Abnuat, aut tecum malit contendere bello.
Si modo, quod memoras, factum fortuna sequatur ?
Sed fastis incerta feror, si luppiter unam 110

Esse velit Tyriis urbem Troiaque profectis,
Miscerive jJrobet populos, aut foedera iungi.
Tu coniunx ; tibi fas animum temptare precando.
Perge ; sequar. Tum sic excepit regia luno :
Mecum erit iste labor. Nunc qua ratione, quod instat, 115
^onfieri possit, paucis, adverte, docebo.
Vcnatum Aeneas unaque miserrima Dido
In nemus ire parant, ubi primes crastinus ortus
Extulerit Titan radiisque rctexerit orbcm.
His ego nigrantem commixta grandine nimbum, 120

Dum trepidant alae, saltusque indagine cingunt,
Desuper infundam, et tonitru caelum omne ciebo.
DifFugient comites et nocte tegcntur opaca :
Speluncam Dido dux et Troianus candem
Devenient. Adero, et, tua si mihi certa voluntas, 125

Conubio iungam stabili propriamque dicabo.
Hie Hymenaeus eritj Non adversata petcnti
Adnuit, atque dolis risit Cytherca repertis.

158

An evcr-during peace, a bridal pact.

Thou hast thine hearths desire. Dido with love i oo

Burns, and through every vein draws passion in.
Rule we this people then with equal sway
^ Jointly, and let her serve a Phrygian lord.
And hand to thee for dower her Tyrian men."

To whom thus Venus — for beneath that speech 105

She marked what craft to Libya would divert
The Italian crown : " 'Twere madness to prefer
A war with thee ! If when thy plan were done
'Twould issue well ! But I am swayed by Fate
Uncertain if the Will of Jove intend 1 10

One city for the men of Tyre and Troy,
Both peoples blent and federate ; but thou,
Thou art his wife ; thou may'st his min^ essay.
Lead, and I follow."

Juno then replied :
" Mine be that task. How to achieve our aim, 1 1 5

Hear now, and briefly learn. To hunt the glade
Aeneas and the woe-doomed Queen will ride
Together, when the morrow's sun new-risen
Unveils the radiant world. While ranging scouts >

Circle the wood with toils, a sleety storm 1 20

On them will I pour down, and shake the sky
With thunder. Then their train, dispersing wide.
Will vanish into gloom : the selfsame cave
Dido shall enter and the Trojan Prince.
There I shall be, and, if thy will be toward, 125

Joined in firm wedlock I will make her his.
There shall her bridal be ! "

Assent was given.
And at her plot the Cytherean smiled.

159

J .IV

Oceanum intcrca surgcns Aurora reliquit. ^

It portis iubare exorto deleqta inventus ; 130

Retia rara, plagae, lato venabula ferro,
Massyliquc ruunt cquitcs et odora canum vis.
Reginam thalamo cunctantem ad limina primi .
Poenorum exspectant, ostroque insignis et auro
Stat sonipes ac frena ferox spumantia mandit. 135

Tandem progreditur magna stipante caterva,
Sidoniam picto chlamydem circumdata limbo.
pCui pharetra ex auro, crines nodantur in aurum,
Aurea purpuream subnectit fibula vestem.
Nee non et Phrygii comites et laetus lulus 140

Incedunt. Ipse ante alios pulcherrimus omnes
Infert se socium Aeneas atque agmina iungit.
Qualis ubi.hibernam Lyciam Xanthique fluenta
Deserit ac Delum maternam invisit Apollo
Instauratque choros, mixtique altaria circum 145

Cretesque Dryopesque freniunt pictique Agathyrsi >i
Ipse iugis Cynthi gradilur, mollique fluentem
Fronde premit crinem fingens atque inplicat auro,
Tela sonant umeris : haud illo segnior ibat
Aeneas ; tantum egregio decus enitet ore J 150

Postquam altos ventum in montes atque invia lustra,
Ecce ferae, saxi deiectae vertice, caprae
Dccurrere iugis ; alia de parte patentes
Transmittunt cursu campos atque agmina cervi
Pulverulenta fuga glomerant montesquc relinquunt. 155

At puer Ascanius mediis in vallibus acri
Gaudet equo, iamque hos cursu, iam praeterit illos,
Spumantemque dari pecora inter inertia votis
Optat aprum, aut fulvum descendere monte leonem.

I Interea magno misceri murmure caelum 160

I Incipit ; insequitur commixta grandine nimbus ; \
* 160 ^

And when, the dawn rose shining from the sea, •

Forth from the city flowed the chosen train, 1 30

Nets, snares, and steel-bound spears, Massylian horse.
And the shrewd scent of hounds. Before her door
The Tyrian princes wait their Queen, who still
Tarries in bower, while her horse, adorned
With purple and gold, stands chafing the flecked bit. 135

At last she issues with an ample train.
Wrapped in a Tyrian scarf; and all of gold
Her quiver gleams, with gold her hair is bound,
A golden brooch clasps up her purple cloak.
Phrygians and blithe lulus pace beside ; 140

And with them joined, above them all most fair,
Aeneas ; like Apollo, when he quits
Xanthus and wintry Lycia, and seeks
His mother's Delos. There he leads the dance.
And round his altars Cretans, Dryopes, 145

And painted Agathyrsi meet with din.
He treads the Cynthian slopes, and with soft green
Enwreathes his flowing locks, and binds with gold.
Behind him ring the shafts. So lightly trod
Aeneas, and so shone his glorious brow. 150

They climb the mountains, and the pathless wilds ;
And lo ! the goats, from rocky heights dislodged.
Bound down from crag to crag ; and startled deer
In dusty masses fleeing from the hills

Scour the broad moor. But down the dales the boy 155

lulus glories in his mettled steed.
Out-galloping them all, and longs to see
Among that cattle tame some foaming boar.
Or yellow lion coming down the fells.

Meanwhile the sky, with muttered peals convulsed, 160
Breaks in a storm of sleet. The Tyrians flee :

I 161 X

Et Tyrii comitcS passim ct Trqiana iuventuj
Dardaniusque ncpos Veneris diversa per agros ^

Tecta metu petiere ; ruunt dc inontibus amnes. ,^ ^^o^y^
'^peluncam Dido dux et Troianus eandem C^P^ ^^ 1 65

Deveniunt. Prima et Tellus et pronuba luno ^

Dant signum ; fulsere ignes et conscius aether
Conubiis, summoque ulularunt vertice Nymphae.

[Ille dies primus leti primusque malorum^
Causa fuit ; neque enim specie ^imsjve movetur 170-

Nee iam furtivum Dido meditatur amorem ; ,
Coniugium vocat ; hoc praetexit nomine culpam.

V Extemplo Libyae magnas it Pama per urbes,

\ Fama, malum qua non aliud velocius uUum ;

I Mobilitate viget, viresque adquirit eunda; ^"^^^ 't>^^^^ 175

I Parva metu primo ; mox sese attollit in auras,

£lngrediturque solo, et caput inter nubila conditil
lUam'Terra parens, ira inritata deorum,
Extremam, ut perhibent, Coeo Enceladoque sororem
Progenuit, pedibus celerem et pernicibus alis} 180

Monstrum horrendum, ingens, cui, quot sunt corpore plumae,
/'.Tgt vigiles oculi subter, mirabile dictu, ^^ • '■ / .- -,
Tot linguae, totidem ora sonant, tot subrigit aurcsj
Nocte volat caeli medio terraeque per umbram,
Stridens, nee dulci declinat liimina somno ; ^ 185

Luce sedet custos aut siimmi culmine tecti,
' Turribus aut altis, et magnas territat urbes,
Tam ficti pravique tenax, quam nuntia veri.

rHaec tunj multiplici populos sermone reglebat

I Gaudens et pariter facta atque in^ecta canebat : 190

1 Venisse Aenean, Troiano sanguine cretum,

ICui se pulchra viro dignetur iungere Dido'.;

I Nunc hiemem inter se luxu, quam longa, fovere

/ Regnorum inmemores turpique cupidirie captos.

' 162

The scattered Trojaiis, and the Dardan child

Of Venus* son, for shelter scour the fields

FearRil, while torrents from the mountains plunge.

One cave holds Dido and the Trojan Prince. 165

Primaeval Earth and spousal Juno give

The sign : fires glitter, and the conscious sky

Their bridal lights, and mountain Nymphs cry hail.

Death's earliest day, the primal source was that
Of all her woes. She heeds nor eye nor tongue, • 170
Nor dreams of secret love, but calls it now
Marriage, and with that name would screen her fault.

Forthwith runs Rumour through the Libyan tpwns ;
Rumour, the swiftest bane. She thrives on change.
And gathers strength by going. Small at first, 175

And timorous, but full soon, to heaven uplift.
She treads the earth and hides in clouds her head.
Her Earth, infuriate with the Gods, conceived.
To Coeus and Enceladus, fame saith.

Last sister born ; swift-footed, swift of wing, 1 80

Grim, monstrous, huge : and every plume she bears
5. Hath under it a glaring eye, a tongue.
Wondrous ! a speaking mouth, and ears erect.
By night she flies from earth and heaven midway.
Strident, nor droops her lids in pleasant sleep. 185

By day she sits on roof or lofty tower,
A sentinel who keeps great towns in fear.
Truth's herald, but as oft in falsehood bold.
She- now. rejoicing fills the people's ears
With wild discourse, and tells both false and true ;
How one of Trojan blood, Aeneas, came.
Whom Dido deigns to wed ; all winter long, ^V^^'

Delights they share, and both their realms forget.
Enthralled by shameful love. Such tales abroad

- z -

i/Haec passim dea foeda virum diffundit in ora. * 195

Protinus ad regem cursus detorquet larban,
Incenditque animum dictis atque aggerat iras.

Hie Hammone satus, rapta Garamantide Nympha,
Templa lovi centum latis inmania regnis,
Centum aras posuit, vigilemque sacraverat ignem, 200

Excubias divom aeternas, pecudumque cruore
Pingue solum et variis florentia limipa sertis.
Isque amens animi et rumore accensus amaro
Dicitur ante aras media inter numina divom
Multa lovem manibus supplex orasse supinis : 205

4
% . ■

luppiter omnipotens, cui nunc Maurusia pictis
Gens epulata toris Lenaeum libat honorem,
Aspicis haec ? an te, genitor, cum fulmina torques,
Nequiquam horremus, caecique in nubibus ignes
Terrificant animos et inania murmura miscent ? 210

Femina, quae nostris errans in finibus urbem
Exiguam pretio posuit, cui litus arandum
Cuique loci leges dedimus, conubia nostra
Reppulit ac dominum Aenean in regna recepit.
Et nuncjille Paris, cum. semiviro comitatu, 215

Maeonia mentum mitra crinemque madentem
Subnexus, rapto potitur : nos munera temjplis 1
Quippe tuis ferimus, famamque fovemus inanem.! , y

4^ J

y Talibus orantem dictis arasque tenentem

^ rXudiit omnipotens, oculosque ad moenia torsit 220

I Regia et oblitos famae melioris amantes. .
T'um sic Mercurium adloquitur ac talia mandat :
Vade age, nate, voca Zephyros et labere pennis,
Dardaniumque ducem, Tyria Karthagine* qui nunc
Exspectat, fatisque datas non respicit urbes, 225

Adloquere et celeres defer mea dicta per auras..

164

The loathly Goddess spreads on every tongue ; 195

And, speeding straight to Prince larbas, him
With words she kindles, heaping high his wrath.

He, Ammon's seed by Garamantian nymph,
An hundred fanes in his wide realm to Jove,
An hundred altars built, and hallowed fire, 200

The Gods' unsleeping sentry, and enriched
The soil with victims' blood, and with gay blooms
Festooned the courts : who, by that bitter tale
Maddened, before his shrines, amidst his Gods,
Jove long in prayer besought with uplift hands. 205

'V Almighty Jove ! to whom on broidered couch
The feasting Moor now pours Lenaeus' gift.
Dost thou behold ? or do we vainly shrink,
O Father, from thy bolts, and do thy fires
Blindly affright, thy thunders idly roll ? 210

The woman, straying in our-* bounds, who built
A little purchased town, to whom we gave
Ploughland* and rights of fief, our hand refused.
Now takes Aeneas for her lord, and he.

This Paris, .with his eunuch train, his chin 215

And essenced hair by Phrygian bonnet bound.
Takes and enjoys ! And yet to fanes of thine
We carry gifts, and nurse an idle faith ! "

Him, praying thus and clinging to his shrines.
The Almightjr heard, and on the royal town y/t$^^

Looked, and on thgse who loved forgetting fame, Q^f^
Then thus to Mercury his mandate gave :
" Go, Son, the Zephyrs call, and slant thy flight
Down to the Dardan Prince, who dallies yet
In Carthage, and of cities given by Fate 225

Heeds nought. To him my words bear swiftly down.

165

Non ilium nobis genetrix pulchcrrima talci6

Promisit Graiumquc idco bis vindicat armis ;

Sed fore, qui gravidam imperiis belloque frementem

Italiam regeret, genus alto a sanguine Teucri 230

Proderet, ac totum sub leges mitteret orbcm.

Si nulla accendit tantarum gloria rerum

Nee super ipse sua molitur laude laborem,

Ascanione pater Romanas invidet arces ?

Quid struit ? aut qua spe inimica in gente moratur, 235

Nee prolem Ausoniam et Lavinia respicit arva ?

Naviget : haec summa est ; hie nostri nuntius esto.

Dixerat. lUe patris magni parcre parabat
Imperio ; et primum pedibus talaria neetit,
Aurea, quae sublimemalis sive aequora supra 240

Seu terram rapido pariter eum flamine portant ;
Turn virgam eapit ; hae animas ille evocat Oreo
Pallentes, alias sub Tartara tristia mittit,
Dat somnos adimitque, et lumina morte resignat ;
/Ilia fretus agit ventos, et turbida tranat 245

^•^ubila. lamque volans apieenl et latera ardua eerhit /

Atlajitis ^duri, eaelum qui vertie^ fuleit, ^

Atlantis, cinetum adsidue eui nubibus atris
Piniferum caput et vento pulsatur et imbri ;
Nix humeros infusa tegit ; turn flumina men to 250

Praeeipitant senis, et glaeic riget horrida barba.

Hie primum paribus nitens Cyllenius alis
Constitit ; bine to to praeceps se eorpore ad undas
Misit, avi similis, quae cireum litora, eireum
Piscosos seopulos humilis volat aequora iuxta. ^ 255

Haud aliter terras inter eaelumque volabat
Litus harenosum ad Libyae ventosquc seeabat
Materno veniens ab avo Cyllenia proles.

Not such his mother promised him to us,

And not for this twice saved him from the Greek ;

But o*er the Imperial Mother*s warrior sons,

0*6r Italy to reign, from Teucer*s blood 230

Prolong the line, and bind the world by law.

If no such glory fires him, if no toil

For his own fame he takes, yet doth he grudge

His son Ascanius the high towers of Rome ?

What makes he there with foes ? why not regards 235

Ausonian seed, and fair Lavinium's land ?

To Sea ! This sums it. Thus our message bear."

He ceased ; the other, his great Sirens command
Obeying, first the golden sandals tied.

That bear him over seas and lands sublime, 240

Winged with the flying gale ; then took the wand,
With which he calls the pallid phantoms forth
From Orcus, or to Tartarus sends down.
Gives sleep and takes away, and the dead eyes
Unseals, and drives the hurricane, and swims 245

The cloudy rack. Then flying he descried
Worn Atlas* sides and sky-supporting top.
Atlas, whose piney head is ever wreathed
In cloud and darkness, beat by wind and rain.
Snow cloaks his shoulders ; rivers o'er his chin 250

Plunge downward, and his beard is stiff with ice.

Here first Cyllenius, weighing his spread wings.
Paused, and with all his body headlong dived
Sea-ward, as when a bird about the shores
And fishy crags flies low, and skims the wave. 255

So flew Cyllene's son, his grandsire left.
Between the earth and sky, and cut the winds
To Libya's sandy shore.

- /:_

Ut primum alatis tetigit magalia plantis,
Aenean fundantcm arces ac tecta novantem 260

Conspicit : atque illi stellatus iaspide fulva
Ensis erat, Tyrioque ardebat murice laena
Demissa ex umeris, dives quae munera Dido
Fecerat et tenui telas discreverat auro^
jX^ontinuo invadit : Tu nunc Karthaginis altae 265

Fundamenta locas, pulchramque uxorius urbem
Exstruis ?• heu regni rerumque oblite tuarum !
Ipse deum tibi me claro demittit Olympo
Regnator, caelum et terras qui numine torquet ;
Ipse haec ferre iubet celeres mandata per auras : - 270

Quid struis ? aut qua spe Libycis teris otia terris ?
Si te nulla movet tantarum gloria rerum
Nee super ipse tua moliris laude laborem,
Ascanium surgentem et spes heredis luli
Respice, cui regnum Italiae Romanaque tellus 275

Debentur. Tali Cyllenius ore locutus
Mortales visus medio sermone reliquit,
Et procul in tenuem ex oculis evanuit auram.

At vero Aeneas aspectu obmutuit amens,
Arrectaeque horrore comae, et vox faucibus haesit. 280

Ardet abire fuga dulcesque relinquere terras,
Attonitus tanto monitu imperioque deorum.
Heu quid agat ? quo nunc reginam ambire furentem
Audeat adfatu ? quae prima exordia sumat ?
Atque animum nunc hue celerem, nunc dividit illuc, 285

In partesque rapit varias perque omnia versat.
Haec alternanti potior sententia visa est : . '
Mnesthea Sergestumque vocat fortemque Serestum,
Classem aptent taciti sociosque ad litora.cogant,
Arma parent, et, quae rebus sit causa novandis, 290

Dissimulent ; sese interea, quando optuma Dido

And when he touched
With his winged feet the land where hovels lay,
He spied Aeneas planning towers and town. 260

His sword shone starry with the yellow sheen
Of jasper, and a cloak of Tyrian dye
Hung from his shoulders which the sumptuous Queen
Had worked for him, and shot the web with gold.
Prompt rings the challenge : " Is it thou, O Prince ! 265
Uxurious ! building now this towered town.
This Carthage, ah ! forgetful of thy doom,
Thy Kingdom. Me the Regent of the Gods,
Whom heaven and earth obey, Himself hath sent.
To bear this mandate through the buxom air : 270

* What mak*st thou here, in ease on Libyan soil ?
If no such glory fires thee, if no toil
For thine own fame thou takest, yet regard
Thy rising heir and young Ascanius' hopes.
To whom the crown of Italy is owed, 275

The Roman world.' " He said, and ended not,
Ere mortal eyes he left, and passed from sight
Into thin air away.

- Aeneas stood

Perplexed to see, his hair in terror rose.

His tongue was tied, and by that warning dread 280

And Heavenly mandate awed, he burns to fly,
And leave that pleasant clime. Ah ! what to do ?
How dare he now approach the impassioned Queen
To tell her ? What beginning can he choose ?
On every side dividing the swift mind, 285

This way and that he casts it, scanning all,
Till in his doubt this counsel overruled.
Mnestheus, Sergestus and Cloanthus brave
He charged to equip the fleet, to call the crews
And furbish arms in secret, and- the cause 290

Disguise, and he the while, since that fond Queen

I 169 Y

Nesciat et tantos rumpi non speret amores,
Temptaturum aditus, et quae mollissima fandi *^
Tempora, quis rebus dexter modus. Ocius omnes
Imperio laeti parent et iussa facessunt. 295

At regina dolos — quis fallere possit amantem ? —
Praesensit, motusquc excepit prima futures,
Omnia tuta timens. Eadem impia Fama furenti
Detulit armari classem cursumque parari^!
Saevit inops animi, totamque incensa per urbem 300

Bacchatur, qualis commotis excita sacris
Thyias, ubi audito stimulant trieterica Baccho
Orgia nocturnusque vocat clamore Cithaeron.
Tandem his Aenean compellat vocibus ultro :

Dissimulare etiam sperasti, perfide, tantum 305

Posse nefas, tacitusque mea decedere terra ?
Nee te noster amor, nee te data dextera quondam.
Nee moritura tenet erudeli funere Dido ?
Quin etiam hiberno moliris sidere elassem,
Et mediis properas aquilonibus ire peraltum, 310

Crudelisjj Quid ? si non arva aliena domosque
Ignotas peteres, et Troia antiqua maneret,
Troia per undosum peteretur elassibus aequor ?
Mene fugis ? Per ego has laerimas dextranique tuam te —
Quando aliud mihi iam miserae nihil ipsa reliqui — 315

Per eonuJ)ia nostra, per ineeptos hymenaeos.
Si bene quid de te merui, fuit aut tibi quiequam
Dulee meum, miserere domus labentis et istam,
Oro, si quis adhue preeibus loeus, exue mentenv
Te propter Libyeae gentes Nomadumque tyranni 320

Odere, infensi Tyrii ; te propter eundem
Exstinetus pudor et, qua sola sidera adibam,
Fama prior. Cui me moribundam deseris, hospes ?
Hoe solum nomen quoniam de eoniuge restat.

T ^r\

Knows not, and dreams not of such love undone.
Will try to meet her in her softest hour.
And teU when chance is kind. Then all with joy-
Speed to obey his bidding.

But the Queen — 295

Who can deceive a lover ? — she foreknew
His guile, and early caught the coming stir.
She fears when all is safe ; and hears distraught
The same cold Rumour tell of launching ships.
Helpless she stor;ns, and through the streets incensed 300

Raves like a Thy^ad, stirred by holy din.
Whom the triennial orgies of the God
Madden, and all night through Cithaeron shouts.
At last Aeneas she assa ils with speech. /

" " And hast thou hoped, O false one ! to disguise 305

Thy crime, and leave my land without a word ?

Not thee our love, not thee thine hand once given

Restrains, nor Dido doomed to death and woe.

Nay, even under winter's star thou strivest

To launch thy ships and stem the northern gales. 3 1 o

G cniel ! Ii thy goal were no unknown

No alien land, if ancient Troy remained,

jyould Troy be sought across this blustering sea ?
Me^Uostthou fly ? O, by these tears, I pray.
By thine own hand — for I have left but these — i 315

r O by our loves and bridal days begun,

I If I have won thy thanks, and gave thee once

j Some joy, have pity ! Spare our House ! and O !

I Ifjr opm be left for prayers, undo thy will !
ror thee the Libyans hate me.. Nomad chiefs 320

Scorn, yea, my kin turn from me : for thee, too.
Honour is dead, and all my Heavenly hope,
My^onciCLgood fame. ^^ To whomHtHy dyingXJueen-^.,
eav*st thou, O Guest ! — my Love's sole title now ! —
-; 171

Quid moror ? an mea Pygmalion dum moenia fratcr 325

Destruat, aut captam ducat Gaetulus larbas ?
Saltern si qua mihi rjpfp^gn<;<;gpta fin'ospf

A nte fu^am subolc s»/ si quis mihi parvulus aula

Luderet Aeneas, qui te tamen ore referrct,

Non equidem omnino capta ac deserta vidcrer. / 330

Dixerat. lUe lovis monitis inmota tenebat
Lumina, et obnixus curam sub corde premebat.
Tandem pauca refert : Ego te, quae plurima fando*^
Enumerare vales, numquam, Regina, negabo
Promeritam ; nee me meminisse pigebit Elissae,- 335

Dum memor ipse mei, dum spiritus hos regit artus^
PrOv re pauca loquar. Neque ego banc abscondere furto
Speravi, ne finge, fugam, nee coniugis umquam
Praetendi taed^s aut haec in foedera veni.
Me si fata m^ paterentur ducere vitam 340

Auspiciis et sponte mea conponere curas,
Urbem Troianam primum dulcesque meonim
Reliquias colerem, Priami tecta alta manerent,
Et recidiva manu posuissem Pergama victis.
Sed nunc Italiam magnam Gryneus Apollo, 345

Italiam Lyciae iussere capessere sortes ;
Hie amor, haec patria est^^ Si te Karthaginis arces,
Phoenissam, Libycaeque aspectus detinct urbis.
Quae tanden i, Au sonia Teucros considerc terra,
Invidia est ^J_^t nos fas extera quaerere regna. 350

Me patris Anchisae, quotiens umentibus umbris
Nox operit terras, quotiens astra ignea surgunt,
Admonet in somnis et turbida terret imago ;
Me puer Ascanius capitisque iniuria cari,
Quem regno Hesperiae fraudo et fatalibus arvisj, 355

Nunc etiam interpres divom, love missus ab ipso—
Testor utrumque caput — celeres mandata per auras '^
Detulit ; ipse deum manifesto in lumine vidi
Intrantcm muros, vocemque his auribus hausi.

Why wait I till my brother raze these walls, 325

Or Moor larbas lead me captive hence ?
Ah ! if I had but held, before thy flight,
A child of jhiri c__[ if in myjhalls might play
\7nittle Aeneas, to bring back thy looks, •
1 should not seem all captured and forlorn/* 330

V '- - ■ ," "

She ended. He by Jove's command his gaze

Kept fixed, and deep at h eart suppressed his pain.

At last thus briefly.:] " I will not deny,
' I owe thee all, O Queen, thy words could tell ;

And to remember thee will still be sweet, 335

While memory lasts, while breath commands my frame.

Words need be few. . I did not think to flee

lii_secret ; feign not so.. . .1 never lit

The bridal torch, nor plighted troth with thee.

If Pate allowed me choice, to live my life 340

And heal my woes at will, I first would honour

Troy, and the dear-loved remnant of my race ;

Priam's tall house would stand, and Ilium's towers

My~^haHd]Jii5i-foEthe vanquished built anew.

But Thoebus now and Lycia's oracles ^4.c

Italy bid me seek, great Italy.
^'hereTsImy^bye, Ihy home. If Punic towers.

And Libyan city enthrall thee, Tyrian Queen,

Why dost thou grudge that Teucer's kin should hold
• Ausonian fields ? Doom^driyes jus too abroad. 350

Me, when the world is veiled in dewy night,

WKeiTsfS's^nse'tright j my father's'troubled ghost

WarrisToft irilsleep,^ and awes : my little son

Haunts" me, so dear a head, of destined fields

Wrongly defrauded and the Hesperian crown. 355

Now the Gods' Herald, sent by Jove himself,

(Be witness both !) through the fleet air hath borne

His mandate : yea, I saw him pass the gate,

A God, in light revealed, and drank his voice.

173

Desine meque tuis incendere teque querelis ; 360

Italiam non sponte sequor.

Talia dicentem iamdudum aversa tuctur,

Hue illuc volvens oculos, totumquc percrrat

Luminibus tacitis, et sic accensa profatur :

Ncc tibi diva parens, generis ncc Dardanus auctor, 365

Perfide ; sed duris genuit te cautibus horrcns

Caucasus, Hyrcanaeque admorunt ubera tigres.

Nam quid dissimulo ? aut quae the ad maiora reserve :

Num fletu ingemuit nostro ? num lumina flexit ?

Num lacrimas victus dedit, aut miseratus amantem est ? 370
,QuaeL quibus anteferam ? lam iam nee maxuma luno,
. Nee Saturnius haee oculis pater aspieit aequis.

Nusquam tuta fides. Eieetum litore, egentcm
, fixeepi et regni demens in parte loeavi ;

Amissam classem, soeios a morte reduxi. 375

Heu furiis ineensa feror ! Nune augur Apollo,

Nune Lyciae sortes, nune et love missus ab ipso

Interpres divom fert horrida itiSsa per auras.

Scilicet is Superis labor est, ea eura quietos

rSollieitat. Neque te teneo, nequc dicta refello ; 380

I, sequere Italiam ventis, pete regna per undas.
Spero equidem mediis, si quid pia numina possunt,
Supplieia hausurum. scopulis, et nomine Dido , , -^ .
Saepe voeaturumj Sequar atris ignibus absens, . r //,>/^^
Et, cum frigida mors anima seduxerit at^us, i- P'^^ "^' ' 385
Omnibus umbra locis adero. Dabis, inprobc, po^as.
Audiam, et haee Manes veniet mihi fama sub iiQOS.

* •

His medium dietis sermonem abrumpit, et auras
Aegra fugit, seque ex oculis avert;t et aiifert,
Linquens multa metu cunctantem et multa parantem 390

Dieere. Suscipiunt fam.ulae, conlapsaque membra
Marmoreo referunt thalamo stratisquc reponunt.

Cease jvith thy plaint s to in flamethyself and me : 360

I seek not Italy by choice." " ,J

While thus he speaks,, she glares at him askance,
And with swift rolling eyes surveys him o*er.
Silent ; and now, inflamed with anger, cries :
" No. Gpddess_bpre .thce.L JThine Jio-Dardan stock ! 365

Traitor ! The flinty peaks of Caucasus
Got thee', Hyrcanjan^^^^ gaye. thee, suck !
Why should I hiask myself ? why wait for more ?
When hath he sighed, or looked upon my tears ?
When hath he wept, or pitied her who loved ? 370

Where should my charge begin ? Not Juno now,
Not Father Jove now looks with righteous eyes.
No faith is sure ! Wrecked, starved, I bade him hail.
Madly with him I shared my realm ; I found
His missing ships ; I saved his friends from death. 375

Ah, Furies burn me ! Now Apollo calls.
Now Lycia bids ! now, sent by Jove himself.
Comes the Gods' Herald with his mandate harsh.
What work for Gods ! What care to vex their calm !
I hold thee not; I answer not. Away ! 380

Pursue th ine Ital yjgyni th.win d and.,wavc- 1 —

it^on the rocks I hope, if Heaven can smite.

Drinking th y^o om7o nT)ido t hou wilt call.

There"! sKall reach thee, wrapFnTsulphliry flames ;

And whcn'^cold death Jiath stript my living flesh 385

My ghost shairhaimFthee ! Well shalt.thou requite,

And I shall hear the rumour in my grave !

Therewith she breaks off speech, and from the air
Turns anguished, and from sight withdrawing leaves
Him faltering in his fear and fain to speak. 390

Her maids uplift her and her fainting limbs
Lay on a couch within her marble bower.

^7S

At pius Aeneas, quamquam lenire dolentem
Solando cupit ct dictis avertere curas,

Multa gemens magnoque animum labefactus amore, 395

lussa tamen divom exsequitur, classemque revisit^

Turn vero Teucri incumbunt ct litore celsas
Deducunt toto naves. Natat uncta carina,
Frondentesque ferunt remos et robora silvis
Infabricata, fugae studio. 400

' Migrantes cernas, totaque ex urbe rucntes.
Ac velut ingentem formicae farris acervuni
Cum populant, hiemis memores, tectoquc rcponunt ;
It nigrum campis agmen, praedamque per herbas
Convectant calle angusto ; pars grandia trudunt ^^ '405
Obnixae frumenta umeris pars agmina coguat
Castigantque moras ; opere omnis semita fervet. n

Quis tibi tum. Dido, cernenti talia sensus,
Quosve dabas gemitus, cum litora fervere late ^

Prospiceres arce ex summa, totumque viderqs 410

Misceri ante oculos tantis clamoribus aequor ?
Improbe amor, quid non mortalia pectora cpgis ?
Ire iterum in lacrimas, iterum temptare precando
Cogitur, et supplex animos submittere amori, ^

Ne quid inexpertum frustra moritura relinquat. ^- 415

Anna, vides toto properari litore : circuiyi
Undique convenere ; vocat iam carbasus auras, ^^ ^
Puppibus et laeti nautae inposuere coronas^
Hunc ego si potui tantum sperare dolorem,
Et perferre, soror, potero. Miserae hoc tamen unum 420
Exsequere, Anna, mihi ; solam nam perfidus iUe
Te colere, arcanos etiam tibi credere sensus;
Sola viri molles aditus et tempora noras :
I, soror, atque hostem supplex adfare superbum :

176

fBut good Aeneas, though to soothe her pain
Sore yearning, and with words to avert her woe.
Sighing and fainting with the stress of love, 395

God's mandate still obeys, and seeks the ships. \

From all the beach the Trojans launch with toil
Their high-built barks : again the smooth keel swims,
And oars they fetch yet leafy from the woods,
Unshaped, in haste to go. 400

From all the city you can see them swarm.
As when the ants, remembering winter, spoil
A heap of corn, and store it in their home.
Across the grass they move, a black thin line.
Bearing their booty ; and with shoulders some 405

Push heavy grains, while others drill the ranks.
And scourge delay : the pathway glows with toil.

Then, Dido, seeing that, what heart was thine ?
How didst thou sigh, from thy tall tower to see
The wide shore glow with men, and all the deep 41c

Torn by their shouts ? O whither, tyrant Love,
Driv*st thou not human hearts ! Again to tears
Forced, and again to entreaty, she submits
Her humbled pride to love, lest any means
Be left untried, and she should vainly die. 415

" Anna, thou see*st the hurry on all the beach :
They gather round ; the canvas calls the breeze :
The merry sailors crown the stems with green.
If I had strength to look for such a woe,
I shall have strength to bear it too. But grant, 420

Sister, this only boon. With none but thee
Conversed that traitor, gave his secret thoughts
To thee; thou only know'st his softer hours.
Go, sue for pity my disdainful foe.

I 177 z

Non ego cum Danais Troianam exscindere gent 425

Aulide iuravi, classemvc ad Pergama misi.

Nee patris Anchisae cinerem Manesve revelli,

Cur mea dicta neget duras demittere in aures.

Quo ruit? extremum hoc miserae det munus amanti :

Exspectet facilemque fugam ventosque ferentes, 430

Non iam coniugium antiquum, quod prodidit, oro,

Nee pulchro ut Latio careat regnumque relinquat ;•

Tempus inane peto, requiem spatiumque furori,

Dum mea me victam doceat fortuna dolere.

Extremam hanc oro veniam — miserere sororis — ; 435

Quam mihi cum dederis, cumulatam morte remittam.

Talibus orabat, talesque miserrima fletus
Fertque refertque soror. Sed nuUis ille movetur
Fletibus, aut voces ullas tractabilis audit ;

Fata obstant, placidasque viri deus obstruit aures, 440 f /^

Ac velut annoso validam cum robore quercum ^ '""' ^ ^*^*' ^ u^i {
Alpini Boreae nunc hinc nunc flatibus illinc
Eruere inter se certant; it stridor, et altae
Consternunt terram concusso stipite frondes;
Ipsa haeret scopulis, et, quantum vertice ad auras 445

Aetherias, tantum radice in Tartara tendit :
Haud secus adsiduis hinc atque hinc vocibus heros
Tunditur, et magno persentit pectore curas ; *
Mens inmota manet ; lacrimae volvuntur inanes,

Tum vero infelix fatis exterrita Dido 450

Mortem orat ; taedet caeli convexa tueri.
Quo magis inceptum peragat lucemque relinquat,
Vidit, turicremis cum dona inponeret aris —
Horrendum dictu — ^latices nigrescere sacros
Fusaque in obscenum se vertere vina cruorem. 455

Hoc visum nulli, non ipsi efFata sorori.
Praeterea fuit in tectis de marmore templum

I never swore at Aulis to uproot 425

The Trojan race : I sent no ships to Troy :

I never tore Anchises from his grave.

Why to my utterance doth he seal his ears ?

Where hastes he ? Let him grant his wretched love

This one last boon, and wait till winds be fair. 430

No more I plead for bridal vows betrayed,

Nor ask him to give up his Latian crown :

For time I pray, rest for my heart and room,

Till Fortune school me to endure defeat.

For pity, O Sister! grant my latest prayer, 435

And well will I repay thee, when I die ! "

^^ Thus she implores : such moans her sister takes.

And takes again : but him no moans affect.

Intractable he hears : Fate bars the way ;

And God has sealed his unperturbed ears. 440

As when the Alpine winds together strive

Some many-wintered oak with veering blasts

To uproot. It creaks, and from the storm-lashed trunk

Leaves strew the ground ; yet to the rock it clings,

And high as it uplifts to heaven its head, 445

So deep to Tartarus its roots extend.

Thus, buffeted by veering voices, stands

Aeneas ; and his mighty heart is wrung.

Firm stands his will ; and idly tears roll down.

Then, awed by Doom, unhappy Dido prays 450

For death, and wearies of the vaulted sky.
And more befell to urge her from the light :
For while on incensed shrines she laid her gifts.
The holy lymph, turned black before her eyes,
O horrible ! the wine was changed to blood ! 455

From all, from Anna's self that sight she hid.
And in the Palace stood a marble shrine,

179

Coniugis antiqui, miro quod honore colebat, ,,

Velleribus niveis et festa fronde revinctum :

Hinc exaudiri voces et verba vocantis 460

Visa viri, nox cum terras obscura teneret;

Solaque culminibus ferali carmine bubo

Saepe queri et longas in fletum ducere voces ;

Multaque praeterea vatum praedicta priorum

Terribili monitu horrificant. Agit ipse furentem 465

In somnis ferus Aeneas y^semperque relinqui

Sola sibi, semper longam incomitata videtur

Ire viam et Tyrios deserta quaerere terra.

Eumenidum veluti demens videt agmina Pentheus,

Et solem geminum et duplices se ostendere Thebas ; 470

Aut Agamemnonius scaenis agitatus Orestes

Armatam facibus matr'em et serpentibus atris

Cum fugit, ultricesque sedent in limine Dirae.

Ergo ubi concepit furias evicta dolore
Decrevitque mori, tempus secum ipsa modumque 475

Exigit, et, maestam dictis adgressa sororem,
Consilium voltu tegit, ac spem fronte serenat :

Inveni, germana, viam — gratare sorori —
Quae mihi reddat eum, vel eo me solvat amantem./
Oceani finem iuxta solemque cadentem 480

Ultimus Aethiopum locus est, ubi maxumus Atlas
Axem umero torquet stellis ardentibus aptum :
Hinc mihi Massylae gentis monstrata sacerdos,
Hesperidum templi custos, epulasque draconi
Quae dabat et sacros servabat in arbore ramos, 485

Spargens umida mella soporiferumque papaver.
Haec se carminibus promittit solvere mentes,
Quas velit, ast aliis duras inmittere curas ;
Sistere aquam fluviis, et vertere sidera retro ;
Nocturnosque ciet Manes : mugire videbis 490

180

Sacred to her dead lord, with snow-white wool

Lovingly wreathed, and crowned with festal green.

Thence, when the world was veiled in gloomy night, 460

Voices were heard, her husband seemed to call.

And on the roof, with wailing long drawn out,

A solitary owl would chant her dirge.

And many a word of many a prophet old

Scared her with boding fears. In fevered dreams 465

Aeneas goads her on ; and still she seems

Forsaken, walking one long road alone.

And looking for her kin in lands forlorn.

So raving Pentheus sees the Furies' rout.

Two suns, and double Thebes : so o'er the scene, 470

Haunted Orestes, Agamemnon's son.

Flees from his mother armed with snakes and fire.

While vengeful Terrors on the threshold crouch.

And when, subdued by anguish, she conceived
Madness and death, alone she planned the hour, 475

The method, and sad Anna thus bespake.
Masking with hopeful countenance her design :

" O Sister, give me joy ! The way is found
To bring him back to me, or set me free.
Near Ocean's end, beside the setting sun, 480

Lies the far Aethiops' land, where Atlas huge
Turns on his back the star-yspangled sky.
Thence a Massylian priestess I was shown.
The Hesperian temple's guardian, who preserved
The sacred boughs, and strewed with honey dews 485

And drowsing poppy-seed the dragon's food.
She with her charms can free what hearts she will.
Or flood with passion ; stay the rivers' flow ;
Turn back the stars, and wake the ghosts of Night.
Earth moans beneath her feet, and down the rocks 490

181

\ ■ ■" IV

Sub pcdibus terrain, ct dcscenderc montibus ornos^

Tester, cara, decs ct tc, gcrmana, tuumque

Dulce caput, magicas invitam! accingier artes.

Tu secreta pyram tccto intcriore sub auras '

Erigc, et arma viri, thalamo quat fixa rcliquit 495

Impius, exuviasque omnes, Icctumque iugalcm,

Quo perii, supcrinponant : abolere ncfandi

Cuncta viri monumenta iuvat, monstratque sacerdos.

Haec efFata silet ; pallor simul occupat ora.
Non tamen Anna novis practcxcrc funera sacris 500

Germanam credit, nee tantos mente furores
Concipit, aut graviora timet, quam morte Sychaci. f-
Ergo iussa parat.

At regina, pyra pcnetrali in sede sub auras
Erecta ingenti taedis atque ilice secta, 505

Intenditque locum sertis ct frondc coronat
Funerea ; super exuvias ensemque relictum V-
Effigiemque toro locat, baud ignara futuri.

Stant arae circum, et crines efRisa sacerdos
Ter centum tonat ore deos, Erebumque Chaosque 510

Tergeminamque Hecaten, tria virginis ora Dianae.
Sparserat et latices simulates fontis Averni,
Falcibus et messae ad Lunam quaeruntur aenis ^
Pubentes herbae nigri cum lacte veneni ; • S«

Quaeritur et nascentis equi de fronte revolsus ^ 515

Et matri praereptus amor.^

Ipsa mola manibusque piis altaria iuxta
Unum exuta pedem vinclis, in veste recincta,
Testatur moritura deos et conscia fati

Sidera ; tum, si quod non aequo foedere amantes 520

Curae numen habet iustumque memorque, precatur.

182

The rowans dance. By Heaven I swear, I swear

By thy sweet life, dear sister, I am loth

To don such magic ! But in the inner court

Raise thou by stealth a pyre beneath the sky :

There let them lay the arms he impious left 495

Hung in my bower, his dress, the bridal bed

Where I was slain. All relics of his guilt

I fain would cancel, as the Priestess shows."

Thereat she paused, and pallor took her cheek.
Yet Anna guessed not those strange rites concealed 500

Her sister's death, nor dreamed of such despair ;
No worse she fears than when Sychaeus died.
And carries out her charge.

But when the pyre rose high with oak and pine
Within the inmost court. Queen Dido wreathed 505

The spot with garlands, and with funeral boughs
Crowned it, and laid thereon the sword he left.
His dress, his image, mindful of the end.

Around rise altars, where the Priestess calls
Three hundred Gods, Chaos and Erebus, 510

The tri-form Hecat, Dian triple-faced ;
And sprinkles water from Avernus feigned.
Herbs too are sought, which brazen sickles reaped
By moonlight, juicy with black poison's milk.
And from the forehead of a newborn foal 515

The mother's love is reft.

Then Dido, by the shrine, with one foot bare
And robe ungirdled, holds the sacred cake, -
And dying prays the Gods, the Stars that know
Men's doom, the Powers, if any Powers there be, 5 20

Justly regarding hearts that love in vain.

Nox crat, et placidum carpcbant fessa soporcm
Corpora per terras, silvaeque et saeva quicrant
Acquora, cum medio volvuntur sidera lapsu.
Cum tacet omnis ager, pecudes pictaeque volucres, 525

Quaeque lacus late liquidos, quaeque aspera dumis
Rura tenent, somno positae sub nocte silent!
Lenibant curas, et corda oblita laborum.

At non infelix animi Phoenissa, nee umquam
Solvitur in somnos, oculisve aut pectore noctem 530

Accipit : ingeminant curae, rursusque resurgens
Saevit amor, magnoque irarum fluctuat aestu.
Sic adeo insistit, secumque ita corde volutat :

En, quid ago ? rursusne procos inrisa priores
Experiar, Nomadumque petam conubia supplex, 535

Quos ego sim totiens iam dedignata maritos ?
Iliacas igitur classes atque ultima Teucrum
lussa sequar ? quiane auxilio iuvat ante levatos,
Et bene apud memores veteris stat gratia facti ?
Quis me autem, fac velle, sinet, ratibusve superbis 540

Invisam accipiet ? nescis heu, perdita, necdum
Laomedonteae sentis periuria gentis ?
Quid tum ? sola fuga nautas comitabor ovantes ?
An Tyriis omnique manu stipata meonim
Infcrar, et, quos Sidonia vix urbe revcUi, 545

Rursus agam pelago, et ventis dare vela iubcbo ?
Quin morerc, ut merita es, ferroque avcrtc dolorem.
Tu lacrimis evicta mcis, tu prima furentem
His, gcrmana, malis oneras atque obiicis hosti.
Non licuit thalami expertem sine crimine vitam 550

Degcre, more terae^ talcs nee tangcrc curas I
Non scrvata tides, cincri promissa Sychaeo !
Tantos ilia suo rumpebat pectore questus.

'Twas Night, and all Earth's weary bodies culled
The peaceful sleep. The woods, the savage seas
Lay husht, and midway rolled the sliding stars.
Each field is still : each beast, each painted bird, 525

That haunts the liquid mere or tangled brake.
Beneath the silent night in slumber's lap
Heals all its cares, and all its pain forgets.

/ But not the woeful Queen. She never sinks
/To sleep ; she draws not into eyes or heart \ 530

: The quiet night. Her sorrow grows ; her love
j Surges again, on seas of anger tossed ;
j And thus the thoughts are rolling through her soul :

U^'

" Ah ! what to do ?^ Shall I derided now
Try my old loves, and beg the marriage bond 535

From Nomads whom I spurned ? Or shall I track
The Trojans' ships, and serve their utmost will ?
As though they still had thanks, and held my aid
To memory dear ! And who would grant my wish.
Or take to his proud fleet the hated Queen ? 540

Know'st thou not yet Laomedon's false sons,
O broken heart ? What ? Shall I flee alone
With those exulting crews ? or shall I sweep
With all my Tyrian guard, and drive again
Oversea, with canvas to the breezes spread, 545

Whom scarce I tore from Sidon ? Nay ; with steel
Thy pain avert, and die, as thou hast earned.
Won by my tears, thou, sister, thou wert first
To heap these ills and give me to my foe.

might I but have lived like free wild things, 550
That know no bridal curse, nor love like mine !

The faith I swore upon Sychaeus' grave

1 have not kept ! " Such sorrow wrings her heart.

I 185 2 A

Aeneas celsa in puppi, iam certus cundi,
Carpebat somnos, rebus iam rite paratis. 555

Huic se forma dei voltu redeuntis eodem
Obtulit in somnis, rursusque ita visa moncre est.
Omnia Mercuric simiKs, vocemque coloremque
Et crines flavos et membra decora iuventa :

Nate dea, potes hoc sub casu ducere somnos, 560

Nee, quae te circum stent deinde pericula, cernis,
Demens, nee Zephyros audis spirare secundos ?
Ilia dolos dirumque nefas in pectore versat,
Certa mori, variosque irarum concitat aestus.
Non fugis hinc praeceps, dum praecipitare potestas ? 565

Iam mare turbari trabibus, saevasque videbis
Conlucere faces, iam fervere litora flammis.
Si te his attigerit terris Aurora morantem.
Heia age, rumpe moras. Varium et mutabile semper
Femina. Sic fatus nocti se inmiscuit atrae. 570

Tum vero Aeneas, subitis exterritus umbris,
Corripit e somno corpus sociosque fatigat ;
Praecipites vigilate, viri, et considite transtris ;
Solvite vela citi. Deus aethere missus ab alto
Festinare fugam tortosque incidere funes 575

Ecce iterum instimulat. Sequimur te, sancte deorum, I

Quisquis es, imperioque iterum paremus ovantes. ('

Adsis o placidusque iuves, et sidera caelo

Dextra feras. Dixit, vaginaque eripit ensem *

Fulmineum, strictoque ferit retinacula ferro. 580 /

Idem omnes simul ardor habet, rapiuntque ruuntque ; (

Litora deseruere ; latet sub classibus aequor ; '

Adnixi torquent spumas et caerula verrunt.

\( Et iam prima novo spargebat lumine terras

Tithoni croceum linquens Aurora cubile. 585

Regina e speculis ut primum albescere lucem

Vidit et aequatis classem procedere velis,

Litoraque et vacuos sensit sine remige portus,

Terque quaterque manu pectus pcrcussa decorum

Flaventesque abscissa comas. Pro luppiter ! ibit 590

Hie, ait, et nostris inluserit advena regnis ?

Non arma expedient, totaque ex urbc sequentur,

Deripientque rates alii navalibus ? Ite.

Ferte citi flammas, date tela, inpellite remos !

Quid loquor ?_aut_ubij5um ? Quae mentcm insania mutat ?

Infelix Dido ! nunc te facta impiTYanguntT "" 596

Turn decuit, cum sceptra dabas. En dextra fidcsquc,

Quem secum patrios aiunt portare Penates,

Quem subiisse umeris confectum aetate parentem !

Non potui abreptum divellere corpus et undis 600

Spargere ? non socios, non ipsum absumere ferro

Ascanium, patriisque epulandum ponere mensis ? —

Verum anceps pugnae fuerat fortuna. Fuisset ;

Quem metui moritura ? Faces in castra tulissem,

Inplessemque foros flammis, natumque patremque 605

Cum genere exstinxem, memet super ipsa dedissem.

Sol, qui terrarum flammis opera omnia lustras.
Tuque harum interpres curarum et conscia luno,
Nocturnisque Hecate triviis ululata per urbes,
Et Dirae ultrices, et di morientis Elissae, 610

Accipite haec, meritumque malis advertite numen,
Et nostras audite preces. Si tangere portus
Infandum caput ac terris adnare necesse est,
Et sic fata lovis poscunt, hie terminus haeret :
At bello audacis populi vexatus et armis, 615

Finibus extorris, conplexu avolsus luli,
Auxilium inploret, videatque indigna suorum

X V

Rose, and o*cr earth dispersed the virgin light, 585

When Dido from her tower beheld the gleam

Of whitening day, and saw the ships move out

With swelling canvas, and the harbour void.

Thrice and again she strikes her lovely breast,

And tears her golden hair.

" Dear God ! " she cries, 590
"And shall he go, and flout .my kingdom thus ?
No arms leap out, not all my city chase
And drag the ships from dock ? _Go ! Fetch me quick
Firebrands ; bring arms ! ply oars ! — Whatjwords are these ?
Where am I ? »jvhat madness tu rns my wit ?
Unhappy Dido , now thy'guilt comesTiome 596

Too late,^thy-<:rown once shared. '" So loyal proved
This famous saviour of his country's gods !
This famous son who bore his ageworn sire !
O, might I not have torn him limb from limb, 600

To strew the sea, and slain his friends, aye, slain
His son, and served him for the father's meat ?
Such strife had doubtful issue ? Yea, but who
Could daunt me dying ? Brands I should have borne.
And filled his decks with flame, burned son and sire, 605

With all their kin, and slain myself the last !

" Sun, who surveyest all the works of Earth !
Thou, Juno, conscious herald of my pain !
Hecat, whose name the midnight crossway howls !
Avenging Terrors, and ye Gods that guard 610

Dying Elissa, hear ! O, turn your power
To punish evil ! If that godless head
Must voyage safe to port ; if so the doom
Of Jove demand, and there his goal is set.
Yet by a gallant nation from his land 6 1 5

Outcast with galling wars, torn from his son.
Help may he beg, and see his kinsmen die

Funera ; nee, cum se sub leges pacis iniquae

Tradiderit, regno aut optata luce fruatur ;

Sed cadat ante diem mediaque inhumatus harena. 620

Haec precor, banc vocem extremam cum sanguine fundo.

Turn vos, o Tyrii, stirpem et genus omne futurum

Exercete odiis, cinerique baec mittite nostro

Munera. NuUus amor populis, nee foedera sunto.

Exoriare aliquis nostris ex ossibus ultor, 625

Qui face Dardanios ferroque sequare colonos,

Nunc, olim, quocumque dabunt se tempore vires.

Litora litoribus contraria, fluctibus undas

Inprecor, arma armis ; pugnent ipsique nepotesque.

Haec ait, et partes animum versabat in omnes, 63 o

Invisam quaerens quam primum abrumpere lucem.
Tum breviter Barcen nutricem adfata Sychaei ;
Namque suam patria antiqua cinis ater habebat :

Annam cara mihi nutrix hue siste sororem ;
Die corpus properet fluviali spargere lympha, 635

Et pecudes secum et monstrata piacula ducat ;
Sic veniat ; tuque ipsa pia tege tempora vitta.
Sacra lovi Stygio, quae rite incepta paravi,
Perficere est animus, finemque inponere curis,
Dardaniique rogum capitis permittere fiammae. 640

Sic ait. Ilia gradum studio celerabat anili.

At trepida, et coeptis inmanibus efFera Dido,
Sanguineam volvens aciem, maculisque trementes
Interfusa genas, et pallida morte futura,

Interiora domus inrumpit limina, et altos 645

Conscendit furibunda rogos, ensemque recludit
Dardanium, non hos quaesitum munus in usus.
Hie, postquam Iliacas vestes notumque cubile

Jk V

Unworthy deaths, nor, to unequal peace

Submitting, may he enjoy the wished-for day,

But fall too soon unburied on the sand. 620

So be it ! This last word with my blood I shed.

Thenceforth, O Tyrians, all his seed pursue

With hatred ! To my ashes grant this boon !

No love, no league between you. From my bones.

Avenger, rise, and chase with fire and sword 625

The intruding Dardans, now, hereafter, yea.

Whenever power is thine ! May shore to shore

Be adverse, sea to sea, and sword to sword.

For fathers and for children endless war ! "

She ceased ; and in her thoughts explored each way 630
To slit the hateful life : and briefly thus
To Barce spake, Sychaeus' nurse, (for hers
Lay black in ashes in her native land) :

\
)

/ " Fetch me my sister. Nurse, and bid her haste

To wash in flowing water, and to bring 635

The victims and sin-ofFerings ordained.

Thus let her come. Thou too thy temples veil

With holy bands. The rites of Stygian Jove

Duly commenced fulfilling I will end

My pain, and fire the Dardan's funeral pile." \ 640

She said : the Nurse made haste her aged feet. ^

But Dido, trembling, wild with purpose dread.
Rolling her blood-shot eyes, and on her cheeks
Bright burning spots, else white with coming death.
Burst through the inner door, and madly climbed 645

The lofty pyre, and drew the Dardan blade.
Not for such purpose given ! Then, when she espied
The Trojan dress, and the familiar bed.

Conspcxit, paulum lacrimis ct mcnte morata,

Incubuitque toro, dixitque novissima verba : 650

Dulces exuviae, dum fata deusque sinebat,
Accipite banc animam, meque his exsolvite curis.
Vixi, et, quern dederat cursum fortuna, pcregi ;
Et nunc magna mei sub terras ibit imago.
Urbem praeclaram statui ; mea moenia vidi ; 655

Ulta virum, poenas inimico a fratre recepi ;
Felix, heu nimium felix, si litora tantum
Numquam Dardaniae tetigissent nostra carinae !
Dixit, et, OS inpressa toro, Moricmur inultae ?
Sed moriamur, ait. Sic, sic iuvat ire sub umbras. 660

Hauriat hunc oculis ignem crudelis ab alto
Dardanus, et nostrae secum ferat omina mortis.

Dixerat ; atque illam media inter talia ferro
Conlapsam aspiciunt comites, ensemque cruore
Spumantem, sparsasque manus. It clamor ad alta 665

Atria ; concussam bacchatur Fama per urbem.
Lamentis gemituque et femineo ululatu
Tecta fremunt ; resonat magnis plangoribus aether.
Non aliter, quam si inmissis ruat hostibus omnis
Karthago aut antiqua Tyros, flammaeque furentes 670

Culmina perque hominum volvantur perque deorum.

Audiit exanimis, trepidoque exterrita cursu
Unguibus ora soror foedans et pectora pugnis
Per medios ruit, ac morientem nomine clamat.

Hoc illud, germana, fuit ? me fraude petebas ? 675

Hoc rogus iste mihi, hoc ignes araeque parabant ?
Quid primum deserta querar ? comitemne sororem

192

Awhile she paused in thought, and on the couch

Sank, full of tears, and spoke a kst farewell. 650

" O relics sweet, while God and Fate were kind !
Receive my "spirit, and free me from this woe 1
I have" lived""my life, and run my destined course ;
Now underground my mighty shade will pass.
I built a famous city : I saw it rise ; 655

Avenged my lord, my cruel brother punished :
Happy, too happy, ah ! if Dardan keels
Had never touched our shore ! "

She spake ; and kissed
The bed, and " Shall J die then unavenged ?
Yet let me die," she adds. " Thus, thus I go 660

Gladljr tondarkness.^ Dardan ! watch this flame !

And with jthec take^thc. curse of Dido's death ! "

She ceased ; but ere she ceased, her handmaids saw
Her fallen upon the steel, the sword with blood
Foaming, her hands besprent. A loud uproar 665

Fills the high halls, and Rumour through the town
Riots, and houses wail with many a moan
And women's shrieks. Heaven rings with loud lament,
As though all Carthage to the invading foe
Or ancient Tyre were falling, and o'er house 670

And holy temple rolled the raging fire.

Death-pale her sister heard ; and through the crowd
Ran, mad with fear, and rent her cheeks with nails.
And beat her breast, and called the dying Queen.

" O Sister, was it this ? Didst play me false ? 675
Thyjgyre'j^thine altars, O, was this their end ?
What moanTs mine, forsaken, scorned to be
1 193 2B

Sprcvisti moriens ? Eadem me ad fata vocasscs ;

Idem ambas fcrro dolor, atque eadem hora tulisset.

His etiam struxi manibus, patriosque vocavi 680

Voce decs, sic te ut posita crudelis abessem ?

Exstinxti te meque, soror, populumque patresque

Sidonios urbemque tuam. Date volnera lymphis,

Abluam, et, extremus si quis super halitus errat.

Ore legam. Sic fata gradus evaserat altos, 685

Semianimemque sinu germanam amplexa fovebat

Cum gemitu, atque atros siccabat veste cruores.

Ilia, graves oculos conata attollere, rursus
Deficit ; infixum stridit sub pectore volnus.
Ter sese attollens cubitoque adnixa levavit ; 690

Ter revoluta toro est, oculisque errantibus alto
Quaesivit caelo lucem, ingemuitque reperta.

Tum luno omnipotens, longum miserata dolorem
Difiicilesque obitus, Irim demisit Olympo,
Quae luctantem animam nexosque resolveret artus. 695

Nam quia nee fato, merita nee morte peribat,
Sed misera ante diem, subitoque accensa furore,
Nondum illi flavum Proserpina vertice crinem
Abstulerat, Stygioque caput damnaverat Oreo.

Ergo Iris croceis per caelum roscida pennis, 70a

Mille trahens varios adverso sole colores,
'Devolat, et supra caput adstitit : Hunc ego Diti
Sacrum iussa fero, teque isto corpore solvo.

Sic ait, et dextra crinem secat : omnis et una
Dilapsus calor, atque in ventos vita recessit. 705

Thy death-mate j^ To t hy doom thou shouldst have called
Me too ; and^Tctonc blow, one hour talccTioth !
"Ha vc^thcBc'hands builf it,^callirig oh'^duf "Gods, 680

That I~unMndriS^ thus ?

Thou hast slain, me too, thy people, and thy lords,

Thy Carthage. Give me water ; let me wash

The.wounds ;.and if one last breath stir, my lips
ShaU^catch it ! "

Saying thus, she climbed the steps, 685

And to her heart her dying sister pressed,
Moaning, and with her vesture staunched the blood.

She tried to lift her heavy eyes, again
Fell back. The death-wound grated in her breast.
Thrice, leaning on her arm, she raised her head ; 690

Thrice on the bed fell back, with wandering eyes
Sought heaven's light, and, when she found it, moaned.

Then mighty Juno pitied her long pain
And hard departure ; and from Heaven sent down
Iris, to loose from flesh the struggling soul. 695

For since she died not fated nor condemned.
But hapless ere her day, by sudden rage.
Not yet had Proserpine the golden tress
Cut, nor to Stygian Orcus doomed her head.

So dewy Iris flew on saffron wings, 700

Trailing against the sun a thousand tints.
And stood above her. -

_ .■^-- " "This thy lock I take, '

Sacred to Dis, and thee from flesh release."

She spake, and cut the tress. Then all the warmth
Fled, and all life went out upon the wind. 705

BOOK V

^^.NTEREA medium Aeneas iam classe tencbat
m Certus iter, fluctusque atros aquilonc sccabat,
T^^ Moenia respiciens, quae iam infelicis EUssae
^^ Conlucent nammis. Quae tantum accenderit
ignem,

Causa latet ; duri magno sed amore dolores 5

PoUuto, notumque, furens quid femina posstt,
Triste per augurium Teucrorum pectora ducunt.

Ut pclagus tenuerc rates, ncc iam amplius ulla
Occurrit tellus, maris undique et undique caelum,
OUi caeruleus supra caput adstitit Imber 10

Noctem hiememquc fcrens, ct inhorruit unda tenebris.
Ipse gubernator puppi Palinurus ab alta :
" Heu ! quianam tanti cinxerunt aethera nimbi ?
Quidve, pater Neptune, paras ? " Sic deinde locutus
Colligere arma iubet validisque Incumbere remis, 15

Obliquatque sinus in ventum, ac talia fatur:
Magnanime Aenea, non, si mihi luppiter auctor
Spondeat, hoc sperem Italiam contingere caelo.
Mutati transversa fremunt et vespere ab atro
Consurgunt venti, atque in nubem cogitur aer. 20

Nee nos obniti contra, nee tendere tantum
Sufficimus. Supcrat quoniam Fortuna, sequamur,
Quoquc vocat, vcrtamus iter. Nee Utora longe
Fida reor traterna Erycis portusquc Sicanos,
Si modo rite mcmor scrvata remetior astra. 25

Tum plus Aeneas : Equidem sic poscere ventos
lamdudum ct trustra cerno tc tendere contra.
Flecte viam vclis. An sit mihi gratior uUa,
Quove magis tessas optem demittere naves,
Quam quae Dardanium tellus mihi servat Acesten» 30

Et patris Anchisae gremio complectitur ossa?
Haec ubi dicta, petunt portus, et vela secundt
198

Meanwhile Aeneas his unwavering way
Sailed on, and cut the billows dark with wind ;
Yet shoreward gazed, where now the death-flames
shone

Of woeful Dido. What such blaze hath lit.

They know not, but the pangs of blighted love, 5

What woman's rage can do, these draw their hearts

Through sad foreboding.

Now their vessels held

The open main, and no more land was seen —

Sea everywhere, and everywhere the sky —

When overhead a blue-black cloud of rain 10

Bore night and storm : the shuddering water gloomed.

The pilot Palinurus from the stern

Himself cried out : " What clouds invest the sky !

What wilt thou. Father Neptune ? " Saying thus.

He bade them reef the sails, and bend the oars, 1 5

Sloped to the wind his canvas, and outspake :

*' Great-souled Aeneas ! Not if Jove himself

Gave warrant, could I make Italian shores

With such a sky. From the black West the winds

Rise roaring adverse ; air is crushed to cloud : 20

No strength is ours to thwart and stem the gale.

Since Fate is mistress, let us turn our course,

And follow where she calls. Not far, methinks,

Sicilian ports, thy brother Eryx* coast,

If rightly I recall the stars I watched." 25

Then good Aeneas : " Yea ; long since I marked
The winds* exaction and thy vain revolt.
Shift the sails* tack ! Were any shore more sweet ?
Where would I sooner beach my sea-worn barks
Than on that land which keeps Acestes still, 30

And in its lap enfolds my father's bones ? "
He ceased. They steer for harbour, while the sails

Intendunt Zephyri ; fertur cita gurgite classis,
£t tandem laeti noue advertuntur harenae.

At procul excelso miratus vertice montis 35

Adventum sociasque rates occurrit Acestes,
Horridus in iaculis et pelle Libystidis ursae,
Troia Crimiso conceptum flumine mater
Quern genuit. Veterum non inmemor ille parentum
Gratatur reduces et gaza laetus agresti 40

Excipit, ac fessos opibus solatur amicis.

Postera cum primo Stellas Oriente fugarat
Qara dies, socios in coetum litore ab omni
Advocat Aeneas, tumulique ex aggere fatur :

Dardanidae magni, genus alto a sanguine divom, 45

Annuus exactis conpletur mensibus orbis,
£x quo reliquias divinique ossa parentis
Condidimus terra maestasque sacravimus aras.
lamque dies, nisi fallor, adest, quem semper acerbum.
Semper honoratum — sic di voluistis — habebo. ^o

Hunc ego Gaetulis agerem si Syrtibus exsul,
Argolicove mari deprensus et urbe Mycenae,
Annua vota tamen sollemnesque ordine pompas
Exsequerer, strueremque suis altaria donis.
Nunc ultro ad cineres ipsius et ossa parentis, 5^

Haud equidem sine mente reor, sine numine divom,
Adsumus et portus delati intramus amicos.
Ergo agite, et laetum cuncti celebremus honorem;
Poscamus ventos, atque haec me sacra quot annis
Urbe velit posita templis sibi ferre dicatis. 60

Bina boum vobis Troia generatus Acestes
Dat numero capita in naves ; adhibete Penates
Et patrios epulis et quos colit hospes Acestes.

9.00

Boon Zephyrs fill ; and scudding o'er the waves
Joyous at last they touch the well-known strand.

Amazed, Acestes from a distant peak 35

Their coming saw ; and, rough with hunting-spears
And Libyan bear-skin, met the friendly ships ;
Whom to Crimisus stream his mother bore
A Trojan. Not forgetful of her race.

He bade them hail, his rustic treasure showed, 40

And with kind cheer consoled the wearied men.

And when the next day brightening in the East
Had chased the stars, Aeneas on the shore
Summoned his crews, and from a mound held speech :

" Dardans, O breed of high and holy blood ! 45

The circling months have measured all the year
Since when my sacred father's bones we laid
In earth, and hallowed his funereal shrines.
Now is that day, that ever-bitter day,

Ever to be revered, God wills, by me ! 50

Yea, were I outcast on Gaetulian Sands,
Caught in Mycenae or the Aegean main.
Even so with solemn pomps would I perform
The yearly vow, and strew his shrine with gifts.
Now, not without the will, not without care ^^

Of Heaven, methinks, my buried father's bones
We visit, to this friendly haven borne.
Let all pay homage glad, and pray for winds,
That, when our Home is planted, I may bear
Each year such tribute to his sacred fanes. 60

Troy-born Acestes sends to every ship
Two head of oxen : to the feast invite
Your Guardian Gods, and those your host reveres.

I 201 2

Praeterea, si nona diem mortalibus almum

Aurora extulerit radiisquc rctcxerit orbem, 65

Prima citae Teucris ponam certamina classis ;

Quiquc pedum cursu valet, et qui viribus audax

Aut iaculo incedit melior levibusque sagittis,

Seu crudo fidit pugnam committere caestu,

Cuncti adsint, meritaeque exspectent praemia palmae. 70

Ore favete omnes, et cingite tempora ramis.

Sic fatus velat materna tempora myrto.
Hoc Helymus facit, hoc aevi maturus Acestes,
Hoc puer Ascanius, sequitur quos cetera pubes,
lUe e concilio multis cum millibus ibat 75

Ad tumulum, magna medius comitante caterva.
Hie duo rite mero libans carchesia Baccho
Fundit humi, duo lacte novo, duo sanguine sacro,
Purpureosque iacit flores, ac talia fatur :

Salve, sancte parens, iterum : salvete, recepti 80

Nequiquam cineres, animaeque umbraeque pateraae.
Non licuit fines Italos fataliaque arva.
Nee tecum Ausonium, quicumque est, quaererc Thybrim.

Dixerat haec, adytis cum lubricus anguis ab imis
Septem ingens gyros, septena volumina traxit, 85

Amplexus placide tumulum lapsusque per aras,
Caeruleae cui terga notae maculosus et auro
Squamam incendebat fulgor, ceu nubibus arcus
Mille iacit varios adverso sole colores.

Obstipuit visu Aeneas. lUe agmine longo 90

Tandem inter pateras et levia pocula serpens
Libavitque dapes, rursusque innoxius imo
Successit tumulo, et depasta altaria liquit.
Hoc magis inceptos genitori instaurat honores,
Incertus, Geniumne loci famulumne parentis 95

Esse putet ; caedit binas de more bidentes,

202

And should the ninth glad morning lift the light

O'er mortals, and unveil the radiant world ; 65

First will I frame a race for Teucrian ships ;

And who is fleet of foot, or brave of thews.

Or vaunts his skill with spear and flying shafts,

Or with the untanned cestus trusts to fight.

Let all attend, and hope for victory's palm. 70

Seal every lip, and wreathe your brows with green."

He with his mother's myrtle crowns his head.
Ascanius too is crowned, and Helymus,
Age-worn Acestes, and the Lords of Troy.
Then from the council to the funeral mound "ji

He passed, the centre of the thronging host.
And poured upon the earth two bowls of wine,
Two of new milk, and two of hallowed blood.
And, showering rosy blossoms, thus he spake :
" Hail, Father, hail once more ! O sacred dust, 80

Rescued in vain ! Hail spirit of my sire !
Not mine with thee the Ausonian nelds of fate.
Nor Tiber's stream to seek, where'er it flow ! "

He ceased ; when from the grave a slippery snake
Drew seven great coils, and with seven spires embraced 85
The tomb in quiet, gliding by the shrine.
Blue-spotted was his back, and flecks of gold
Shot fire across his scales, as Heaven's great Bow
Throws in the sun a thousand various hues.
Awe-struck Aeneas gazed. With long slow trail 90

Winding among the bowls and burnished cups.
He licked the food, then harmless to the tomb
Passed back, and left the altars where he fed.
More gladly he renews his father's rites.
Doubting if there his sire's familiar went, 95

Or Genius of the place. Two sheep he slays,

onn

Totque sues, totidem nigrantes terga iuvencos ;

Vinaque fundebat pateris, animamque vocabat

Anchisae magni Manesque Acheronte remissos.

Nee non et socii, quae cuique est copia, laeti lOO

Dona ferunt, onerant aras, mactantque iuvencos ;

Ordine aena locant alii, fusique per herbam

Subiiciunt veribus prunas et viscera torrent.

Exspectata dies aderat nonamque serena
Auroram Phaethontis equi iam luce vehebant, 105

Famaque finitimos et clari nomen Acestae
Excierat ; laeto conplebant litora coetu,
Visuri Aeneadas, pars et certare parati.
Munera principio ante oculos circoque locantur
In medio, sacri tripodes viridesque coronae 110

Et palmae pretium victoribus, armaque et ostro
Perfusae vestes, argenti aurique talenta ;
Et tuba commissos medio canit aggere ludos.
Prima pares ineunt gravibus certamina remis
Quattuor ex omni delectae classe carinae. 115

Velocem Mnestheus agit acri remige Pristim,
Mox Italus Mnestheus, genus a quo nomine Memmi,
Ingentemque Gyas ingenti mole Chimaeram,
Urbis opus, triplici pubes quam Dardana versu
Inpellunt, terno consurgunt ordine remi ; 120

Sergestusque, domus tenet a quo Sergia nomen,
Centauro invehitur magna, Scyllaque Cloanthus
Caerulea, genus unde tibi, Romane Cluenti.

Est procul in pelago saxum spumantia contra
Litora, quod tumidis submersum tunditur olim 125

Fluctibus, hiberni condunt ubi sidera Cori ;
Tranquillo silet, inmotaque attollitur unda
Campus et apricis statio gratissima mergis.

As many swine, as many dark-backed steers ;

And, pouring wine, Anchises' mighty soul

Calls, and his shade from Acheron set free.

Blithely his comrades of their plenty too loo

The altars load with gifts, and slay the steers,

Or set the braziers, or, on turf reclined.

Lay coals beneath the spits, and roast the flesh.

The wished-for day had come. In cloudless light
Phaethon's horses brought the ninth glad morn. 105

Fame and Acestes* glorious name had stirred
The countryside ; gay parties throng the beach,
To view the Trojans, or on contest bent.
Midmost are prizes placed in all men's sight.
Green coronals and palms, the victors' meed, no

Arms, holy tripods, robes of purple stain.
Talents of gold and silver. Then the song
Of trumpet from the central mound proclaims
The Games begun.

Four ships, the choice of all,
Sweep their great oars, well-matched. With rowers keen 115
Mnestheus the Shark ct^mands, soon Mnestheus he
Of Italy, from whom the Memmian clan ;
Gyas the huge Chimaera's town-like mass.
Which Dardan rowers urge from triple banks,
And in three rows the level oars uprise. * 1 20

Sergestus too, from whom the Sergian House,
Sails the great Centaur ; and Cloanthus, sire
Of Rome's Cluentian line, the Scylla sails.

Fronting the foamy beach, far out in sea.
Rises a rock, which oft, when stars arr hid 125

By winter gales, the tumbling billows drown.
In calm it lifts above the unruffled sea
A peaceful mead, which sunning gulls love well.

Hie viridem Aenf as frondenti ex ilice metam

Constituit signum nautis pater, unde reverti 130

Scirent et longos ubi circumflectere cursus.

Turn loca sorte legunt, ipsique in puppibus auro

Ductores longe effulgent ostroque decori ;

Cetera populea velatur fronde iuventus

Nudatosque umeros oleo perfusa nitescit. 13^

Considunt transtris, intentaque bracchia remis;

Intenti exspectant signum, exsultantiaque haurit

Corda pavor pulsans laudumque arrecta cupido.

Inde, ubi clara dedit sonitum tuba, finibus omnes,

Haud mora, prosiluere suis; ferit aethera clamor 140

Nauticus, adductis spumant freta versa lacerds.

Infindunt pariter sulcos, totumque dehiscit

Convolsum remis rostrisque tridentibus aequor.

Non tam praecipites biiugo certamine campum

Corripuere ruuntque effusi carcere currus, 145

Nee sie inmissis aurigae undantia lora

Coneussere iugis pronique in verbera pendent.

Tum plausu fremituque virum studiisque faventum

Consonat onme nemus, voeemque inelusa volutant

Litora, pulsati eolles elamore resultant. 1^0

Effugit ante alios primisque elabitur undis
Turbam inter fremitumque Gyas ; quem deinde Cloanthus
Consequitur, melior remis, sed pondere pinus
Tarda tenet. Post hos aequo diserimine Pristis
Centaurusque loeum tendunt superare priorem; itt

£t nunc Pristis habet, nunc vietam praeterit ingens
Centaurus, nunc una ambae iunctisque feruntur
Frontibus et longa sulcant \'ada salsa carina,
lamque propinquabant scopulo metamque tenebant.
Cum princcps mcdioque Gyas^in gurgite victor 160

Rcctorcm navis compellat voce Mcnocten:

206

Here Prince Aeneas plants a leafy goal

Of green-sprayed ilex, for the sailors' sign 130

Homeward from thence their weary course to bend.

They take the allotted places : on each stern

In gold and purple proud their captains shine,

While, crowned with poplar wreaths, the bare-backed crew

Gleam bright with oil. They man the thwarts, their arms 135

Strain to the oar, and straining they await

The signal. Every heart beats fast and faint

With throbbing fear and eager lust of fame.

Loud peals the trumpet ; all with no delay

Spring from their posts ; the sailors' shouts resound. 140

Under their swinging arms the water foams.

In time they cleave the furrows ; all the sea

Gapes to the rending oar and trident prow.

Less swift the racing chariots seize the course.

And from the barriers plunge : less fiercely fly 145

The bounding horses when the charioteer

Bends o'er his lash, and shakes the streaming reins.

Then cries of men and tumults of applause

Fill all the grove : the embosomed shores roll back

Shouts, and the hills rebound, by clamour beat. 1 50

Gyas before the rest the throng and stir
Cleaves, shooting first : Cloanthus follows nard ;
More skilled his oarsmen, but his weight of pine
Retards. Behind, at equal distance. Shark
And Centaur for the foremost lead contend. 155

Now the Shark holds it ; now the Centaur huge
Wins past her ; now together both abreast
Move, and the brine with long keels furrow through.
They near the rock ; the goal is in their grasp ;
When Gyas, victor in the midway surge, 160

Menoetes thus his helmsman stern upbraids :

Quo tantum mihi dexter abis ? hue dirigc gressum ;

Litus ama, et laevas stringat sine palmula cautes ;

Altum alii teneant. Dixit ; sed caeca Menoetes

Saxa timens proratn pelagi detorquet ad undas. 165

Quo diversus abis ? iterum, Pete saxa, Menoete !

Cum clamore Gyas revocabat ; et ecce Cloanthum

Respicit instantem tergo, et propiora tenentem.

lUe inter navemque Gyae scopulosque sonantes

Radit iter laevum interior, subitoque priorem 170

Praeterit et metis tenet aequora tuta relictis.

Turn vero cxarsit iuveni dolor ossibus ingens.
Nee lacrimis caruere genae, segnemque Menoetcn,
Oblitus decorisque sui sociumque salutis.
In mare praecipitem puppi deturbat ab alta ; 175

Ipse gubernaclo rector subit, ipse magister,
Hortaturque viros, clavumque ad litora torquet.
At gravis, ut fundo vix tandem redditus imo est,
lam senior madidaque fluens in veste Menoetes
Summa petit scopuli siccaque in rupe resedit. 180

Ilium et labentem Teucri et risere natantem,
£t salsos rident revomentem pectore fluctus.

Hie laeta extremis spes est accensa duobus.
Serges to Mnestheique, Cyan superare morantem.
Sergestus capit ante locum scopuloque propinquat, 185

Nee tota tamen ille prior praeeunte carina ;
Parte prior ; partem rostro premit aemula Pristis.
At media socios incedens nave per ipsos
Hortatur Mnestheus : Nunc, nunc insurgite remis,
Hectorei soeii, Troiae quos sorte suprema 190

Delegi comites ; nunc illas promite vires.
Nunc animos, quibus in Gaetulis Syrtibus usi
lonioque mari Maleaeque sequacibus undis.
Non iam prima peto Mnestheus, neque vincere certo,

20S

" Why steer to starboard thus ? Turn hitherward !
Hug close the shore, and graze the leftward rocks !
Let others hold the deep ! " But, of blind reefs
Fearful, Menoetes turned his helm to sea. 165

" Whither away, Menoetes ? Make the rocks ! "
Again cried Gyas, and looked back, and lo !
Cloanthus pressed him hard, and nearer drew.
*Twixt Gyas* vessel and the sounding cliff
Gliding within to lee, he shot ahead, 170

And gained safe water as he passed the goal.

Then Gyas blazed with passion, and his cheeks
Lacked not for tears ; and headlong to the waves.
Forgetting pride and safety, from high stern
He flung the slow Menoetes, and himselt 175

Holding the tiller, and himself their guide.
Cheered on his crew, and shoreward turned the helm.
But old Menoetes, when the sea at last
Gave up its burden, in his dripping weeds
Climbed forth, and sat upon a rock's dry crest. 180

Loud laughed the Trojans as he fell and swam :
Now, as he spews the brine, they laugh again.

Sergestus then and Mnestheus, far behind.
Burned with gay hope to pass the slackening ship.
Sergestus wins the lead, and nears the rock, 185

Not first by all his boat, but first by half.
Half the Shark passes with her jealous prow.
But Mnestheus in mid-ship among his crew
Paced cheering on : " Now, now swing back the oar,
Co-mates of Hector, whom in Troy's last hour 190

I chose companions I Now put forth that strength.
That mettle, once you showed in Afric Sands,
Ionian seas, and Malea's chasing waves !
Not pride of place I crave, nor victor's palm,

I 209 2 D

Quamquam o ! — Sed superent, quibus hoc, Neptune,

dedisti ; 195

Extremes pudeat rediisse ; hoc vincite, cives,
Et prohibete nefas. OUi ccrtamine summo
Procumbunt ; vastis tremit ictibus aerea puppis,
Subtrahiturque solum ; tum crcber anhelitus artus
Aridaque ora quatit ; sudor fluit undique rivis. 200

Attulit ipse viris optatum casus honorem.
Namque furens animi dum proram ad saxa suburguet
Interior spatioque subit Sergestus iniquo,
Infelix saxis in procurrentibus haesit.

Concussae cautes, et acuto in murice remi 205

Obnixi crepuere, inlisaque prora pependit.
Consurgunt nautae et magno clamore morantur,
Ferratasque trudes et acuta cuspide contos
Expediunt, fractosque legunt in gurgite remos.
At laetus Mnestheus successuque acrior ipso 210

Agmine remorum celeri ventisque vocatis
Prona petit maria et pelago decurrit aperto.

Qualis spelunca subito commota columba,
Cui domus et dukes latebroso in pumice nidi,
Fertur in arva volans, plausumque exterrita pennis 215

Dat tecto ingentem, mox aere lapsa quieto
Radit iter liquidum, celeres neque commovet alas :
Sic Mnestheus, sic ipsa fiiga secat ultima Pristis
Aequora, sic illam fert impetus ipse volantem.
Et primum in scopulo luctantem deserit alto 220

Sergestum brevibusque vadis frustraque vocantem
Auxilia et fractis discentem currere remis.
Inde Gyan ipsamque ingenti mole Chimaeram
Consequitur ; cedit, quoniam spoliata magistro est.
Solus iamque ipso superest in fine Cloanthus : 225

210

But O ! — though those may win whom Neptune

crowns, — 195

Last to return were shame. O win but this,
O shun disgrace ! "

They, straining every nerve.
Shake with their mighty strokes the brazen poop.
Back sweep the seas : their limbs and parching lips
Quiver and pant, and sweat flows streaming down. 200

Chance brings the prize they seek ; for, wild at heart
Sergestus inward to the rocks his prow
Turning, and entering on a perilous way.
Strikes on a jutting reef. The splintered oars
Crash on the flint ; embedded hangs the prow. 205

Up spring the hindered crew, and shouting use
Their iron-shod pikes and sharply pointed poles.
While from the swirling water they collect
Their broken oars. But Mnestheus in delight.
And by success enlivened, plying fast 210

His ordered oarage, with the winds at call.
Runs down the open shoreward-sloping sea.

As when a dove, that makes in crannied rock
Her home and pleasant nest, is startled forth,
And flies afield. She, from her dwelling scared, 215

Flaps loud her feathers, then in quiet air
Skims with unmoving wings her liquid way.
So Mnestheus, so the Shark her final path
Cuts, so her impulse bears her floating on.
He leaves Sergestus struggling in the crags 220

And shallow seas, who vainly cries for aid.
Still studying how to row with broken oars.
Then Gyas, and the huge Chimaera's mass.
He holds in chase, who, of her helmsman robbed.
Yields, and Cloanthus now alone is left. 225

Quern petit, et sommis adnixus viribus urguet.

Tum vero ingeminat clamor, cunctique sequentem

Instigant studiis, resonatque fragoribus aether.

Hi proprium decus et partiim indignantur honorem

Ni teneant, vitamque volunt pro laude padscd ; 230

Hos successus alit : possunt, quia posse videntur.

Et fors aequatis cepissent praemia rostris,
Ni palmas ponto tendens utrasque Cloanthus
Fudissetque preces, divosque in vota vocasset :
Di, quibus imperium est pelagi, quorum aequora curro, 235
Vobis laetus ego hoc candentem in litore taurum
Constituam ante aras, voti reus, extaque salsos
Porriciam in fluctus et vina liquentia fundam.
Dixit, eumque imis sub fluctibus audiit omnis
Nereidimi Phorcique chorus Panopeaque virgo, 240

£t pater ipse manu magna Portunus euntem
Inpulit ; ilia Noto citius volucrique sagitta
Ad terram fugit, et portu se condidit alto.

Tum satus Anchisa, cunctis ex more vocatis,
Victorem magna praeconis voce Cloanthum 245

Declarat, viridique advelat tempora lauro ;
Muneraque in naves temos optare iuvencos
Vinaque et argenti magnum dat ferre talentum.
Ipsis praecipuos ductoribus addit honores :
Victori chlamydem auratam, quam plurima drcum 250

Purpura Maeandro duplici Meliboea cucunit.
Intextusque puer frondosa regius Ida
Veloces iaculo cervos cursuque fatigat,
Acer, anhelanti similis, quem praepes ab Ida
Sublimem pedibus rapuit lovis armiger uncis ; 255

Longaevi palmas nequiquam ad sidera tendunt
Custodes, saevitque canum latratus in auras.
At qui deinde locum tenuit virtute secundum,

212

On him he steers ; on him he drives amain.

Loud ring the shouts ; all eager urge the chase ;

The heavens with cries resound. Ashamed were these

To lose the glory gained, and very life

For fame would barter; these success inspires ; 230

And power is theirs, because they think it theirs.

Now, prow to prow, the prize they might have shared,
Had not Cloanthus to the sea his palms
Outstretching prayed, and called the Gods to aid :
" Gods of the Sea, whose Ocean realm I sail ! 235

This vow shall bind me at your shrines on shore
To offer a white bull, and o'er the waves
His entrails cast, and pour the flowing wine ! "
He said ; and deep below all Phorcus' choir.
Maid Panopea and the Nymphs of Sea, 240

Heard him. Portunus with his own strong hand
Impelled him on : more swift than wind or shaft
Shoreward he sped, and vanished in the port.

When all were summoned, then Anchises* son
Proclaimed Cloanthus by the Herald's voice 245

Victor, and with green laurel crowned his brow.
A silver talent and three steers and wine
For every ship he gave ; and for their chiefs
Added his choicest meeds ; a golden scarf
The victor gained, around whose ample marge 250

Ran in twin waves the Meliboean dye.
And broidered there the princely boy with spear
Chased the fleet stags on leafy Ida's side.
Keen, as if panting, whom in crooked claws
Jove's armour-bearer carried thence sublime ; 2^^

Vainly the aged servitors lift up
To heaven their palms, and fiercely bay the hounds.
And he whose valour held the second place,

Levibus huic hamis consertam auroque trilicem

Loricam, quam Demoleo detraxerat ipse 260

Victor apud rapidum Simoenta sub Ilio alto,

Donat habere viro, decus et tutamen in armis.

Vix illam famuli Phegeus Sagarisque ferebant

Multiplicem, connixi umeris ; indutus at olim

Demoleos cursu palantes Troas agebat. 265

Tertia dona facit geminos ex aere lebetas,

Cymbiaque argento perfect a atque aspera signis.

lamque adeo donati omnes opibusque superbi
Puniceis ibant evincti tempora taenis,

Cum saevo e scopulo multa vix arte revolsus, 270

Amissis remis atque ordine debilis uno,
Inrisam sine honore ratem Sergestus agebat.
Qualis saepe viae deprensus in aggere serpens,
Aerea quem obliquum rota transiit, aut gravis ictu
Seminecem liquit saxo lacerumque viator, 275

Nequiquam longos fugiens dat corpore tortus.
Parte ferox, ardensque oculis, et sibila coUa
Arduus attollens ; pars volnere clauda retentat
Nexantem nodis seque in sua membra plicantem.
Tali remigio navis se tarda movebat ; 280

Vela facit tamen, et velis subit ostia plenis.
Sergestum Aeneas promisso munere donat,
Servatam ob navem laetus sociosque reductos.
Olli serva datur, operum baud ignara Minervae,
Cressa genus, Pholoe, geminique sub ubere nati. 285

Hoc pius Aeneas misso certamine tendit
Gramineum in campum, quem collibus undique curvis
Cingebant silvae, mediaque in valle theatri
Circus erat ; quo se muftis cum millibus heros
Consessu medium tulit exstructoque resedit. 290

Hie, qui forte velint rapido contendere cursu.

n J A

A hauberk won, with gold and polished rings

Triply inwove, which under Troy's high wall 260

From Demoleus he stripped by Simois stream,

A glory and guard in war ; and scarce the slaves,

Phegeus and Sagaris, on bended backs

Could bear the many links, though Demoleus

Wore it of old, and chased the flying foe. 265

Two brazen cauldrons, and two silver bowls

Were the third gifts bestowed.

Thus all had now
Their prizes, and in wealthy pride went forth
Flouting the scarlet ribbands on their brows ;
When, from the cruel rock scarce torn by skill, 270

With oars all lost, and one tier crippled, home
Sergestus sailed, inglorious, amid jeers.
Most like a serpent on the highway caught
Which some brass wheel hath crushed, or with a stone
Some wayfarer hath struck, and left half-dead. 275

Vainly to escape it twists its body's length ;
One half is fierce with burning eyes, and lifts
A hissing neck : one half the maiming wound
Clogs, and its knots upon themselves recoil.
So, with her oarage maimed, the ship moved slow, 280

Yet spreading canvas crossed the bar full-sail.
Rejoicing then in ship and crew restored,
Aeneas to Sergestus gave his prize,
A Cretan slave, in weaving not unversed,
Pholoe, that bare two boys below her breast. 285

This contest o'er, towards a lawny mead
Aeneas bent his steps, where, girt by woods
And winding hills, within a valley's lap,
A circus lay. There he, with thousands round.
Sits in their midst enthroned, and now invites 290

Whoe'er would run fleet races, by rewards

Invitat pretiis animos, et pracmia ponit.

Undique conveniunt Teucri mixtique Sicani,

Nisus et Euryalus primi,

Euryalus forma insignis viridique iuvcnta, 295

Nisus amore pio pueri ; quos deinde secutus

Regius egregia Priami de stirpe Diores ;

Hunc Salius simul et Patron, quorum alter Acarnan,

Alter ab Arcadio Tegeaeae sanguine gentis ;

Tum duo Trinacrii iuvenes, Helymus Panopesque, 300

Adsueti silvis, comites senioris Acestae ;

Multi praeterea, quos fama obscura recondit.

Aeneas quibus in mediis sic deinde locutus :

Accipite haec animis, laetasque advertite mentes :

Nemo ex hoc numero mihi non donatus abibit. 305

Gnosia bina dabo levato lucida ferro

Spicula caelatamque argento ferre bipennem ;

Omnibus hie erit unus honos. Tres praemia primi

Accipient, flavaque caput nectentur oliva.

Primus equum phaleris insignem victor habcto, 310

Alter Amazoniam pharetram plenamque sagittis

Threiciis, lato quam circum amplectitur auro

Balteus, et tereti subnectit fibula gemma ;

Tertius Argolica hac galea contentus abito.

Haec ubi dicta, locum capiunt, signoque repente
Corripiunt spatia audito, limenque relinquunt, 316

EfRisi nimbo similes, simul ultima signant.
Primus abit longeque ante onmia corpora Nisus
Emicat, et ventis et fiilminis ocior alis ;

Proxumus huic, longo sed proxumus intervallo, 320

Insequitur Salius ; spatio post deinde relicto
Tertius Euryalus ;

Euryalumque Helymus sequitur ; quo deinde sub ipso
Ecce volat calcemque terit iam cake Diores,
Incumbens umero ; spatia et si plura supersint, 325

216

Courting their ardour, and displays the gifts.

There muster Trojans and Sicilians mixed,

Euryalus and Nisus first :

One famed for beauty and the bloom of youth, 295

Nisus for love of him ; whom followed next

Diores, Prince of Priam's lofty line,

Salius and Patron, Acharnanian one.

But one of Tegea from Arcadian blood.

There too stood Helymus and Panopes, 300

Twain forest lads, of old Acestes' train ;

With many more whom fame in shadow hides.

In midst of whom Aeneas spake and said :

" Hear now, and blithely to my words give heed !

None of your tale shall leave without reward. 305

Two Gnossian lances, bright with polished steel,

A silver-studded axe, to each I give.

To each and all. The foremost three shall take

Prizes, and with pale olive bind the brow.

The first shall have a charger richly trapped, 310

The next an Amazonian quiver fraught

With Thracian arrows, which a belt of gold

Encircles and a jewelled buckle clasps ;

The third with this Greek helm must go content."

He ceased. They take their ground, and when they hear
The signal, seize the track, and from the line 316

Scud like a cloud, all eyes upon the goal.
But far before them all, more fleet than wind
Or wings of lightning, Nisus flashes first.
Next him, but next with ample room between, 320

Comes Salius, and a little space behind,
Euryalus is third.

Him Helymus pursues, and lo ! on him
Diores flying presses heel to heel

Hard on his shoulder, and had space remained, 325

I 217 2E

Transeat elapsus prior, ambiguumque relinquat.

lamque fere spatio e^rtremo fessique sub ipsam

Finem adventabant, levi cum sanguine Nisus

Labitur infelix, caesis ut forte iuvencis

Fusus humum viridesque super madefecerat herbas. 330

Hie iuvenis iam victor ovans vestigia presso

Haud tenuit titubata solo, sed pronus in ipso

Concidit inmundoque fimo sacroque cruore,

Non tamen Euryali, non ille oblitus amorum ;

Nam sese opposuit Salio per lubrica surgens ; 335

Ille autem spissa iacuit revolutus harena.

Emicat Euryalus, et munere victor amici

Prima tenet, plausuque volat fremituquc secundo.

Post Helymus subit, et nunc tertia palma Diroes.

Hie totum caveae consessum ingentis et ora 340

Prima patrum magnis Salius clamoribus inplet,

Ereptumque dolo reddi sibi poscit honorem.

Tutatur favor Euryalum, lacrimaeque decorae,

Gratior et pulchro veniens in corpore virtus.

Adiuvat et magna proclamat voce Diores, 345

Qui subiit palmae, frustraque ad praemia venit

Ultima, si primi Salio reddantur honores.

Tum pater Aeneas, Vestra, inquit, munera vobis

Certa manent, pueri, et palmam movet ordine nemo ;

Me liceat casus miserari insontis amici. 350

Sic fatus tergum Gaetuli inmane leonis
Dat Salio, villis onerosum atque unguibus aureis.
Hie Nisus, Si tanta, inquit, sunt praemia victis,
Et te lapsorum miseret, quae munera Niso
Digna dabis ? primam merui qui laude coronam, 355

Ni me, quae Salium, fortuna inimica tulisset
Et simul his dictis faciem ostentabat et udo
Turpia membra fimo. Risit pater optumus olli,
Et clipeum efferri iussit, Didymaonis artes.

He had shot ahead, and passed the doubtful man.

Exhausted near the end, their final bourne

Almost they reach, when Nisus, evil-starred.

Slips in some blood as on the ground by chance

Shed from slain steers it soaked the herbage green. 330

He in the hour of triumph could not keep

His feet from stumbling, but amid the filth

And sacrificial blood to earth fell prone.

Not then, not once Euryalus his love

Forgetting, he uprose in Salius* path, 335

And tripped, and rolled him on the slippery field.

Victorious through his friend, Euryalus

Flies flashing first, mid tumults of applause.

Next him comes Helymus, Diores third.

The whole wide concourse and the fronting ranks 340

Of Elders then with clamour Salius fills.

Claiming the prize snatched from him by a trick.

But tears and favour for the other plead,

And worth, more pleasing in a pleasing form.

Loudly for him Diores too appeals ; 345

Who the last prize hath reached, but reached in vain,

Should the first meed to Salius be returned.

Then spoke Aeneas : " Your rewards shall stay

Unchanged, and none their order shall disturb.

Be mine to pity my unlucky friend." 350

So said, to Salius a great lion's hide
Heavy with hair he gives and gilded claws.
" If such the guerdons for defeat," exclaims
Nisus, *' and thou canst pity those who feU,
What prize may Nisus claim ? The first were mine, 355
Had I not been, like Salius, Fortune's foe."
And with his words he showed his face and limbs
Foul with the slime. Then laughed the gentle Prince,
And bade them bring a targe, from Neptune's fane

V
Neptuni sacro Danais de poste refixum. 360

Hoc iuvenem egregium praestanti munere donat.

Post, ubi confccti cursus, et dona peregit :
Nunc, si cui virtus animusque in pectore praesens,
Adsit, et evinctis attollat bracchia palmis.
Sic ait et gcminum pugnae proponit honorem, 365

Victori vclatum auro vittisque iuvencum,
Ensem atque insignem galeam solatia victo.

Nee mora ; continuo vastis cum viribus efFert
Ora Dares, magnoque virum se murmure tollit ;
Solus qui Paridem solitus contendere contra, 370

Idemque ad tumulum, quo maxumus occubat Hector,
Victorem Buten, inmani corpore qui sc
Bebrycia veniens Amyci de gente ferebat,
Pcrculit et fulva moribundum extendit harena.
Talis prima Dares caput altum in proclia tollit, 375

Ostenditque umeros latos, alternaque iactat
Bracchia protendens, et verberat ictibus auras.
Quaeritur huic alius ; nee quisquam ex agmine tanto
Audet adirc virum manibusque inducere caestus.
Ergo alacriSy cunctosque putans excedere palma, 380

Aencae stetit ante pedes, nee plura moratus
Turn lacva taurum cornu tenet, atque ita fatur :
Nate dea, si nemo audet se credere pugnae.
Quae finis standi ? quo me decet usque teneri ?
Ducere dona iube. Cuncti simul ore fremebant 385

Dardanidae, reddique viro promissa iubebant.

Hie gravis^Entellum dictis castigat Acestes,
Proxumus ut viridante toro consederat herbae :
Entellc, heroum quondam fortissime frustra,
Tantanc tam patiens nuUo certamine toUi 390

Dona sines ? ubi nunc nobis deus ille magister

oon

Reft by the Greeks, of Didymaon's art, 360

And dowered the hero with this noble gift.

The races ended, and the gifts bestowed,
" Come hither, ye whose hearts are stout and true !
Bind on the gloves," he cried, " and raise the arm ! "
Offering a double prize ; for him who wins 365

An ox fair-garlanded and decked with gold ;
A sword and helm, the vanquished to console.

Uprose at once, amid the hum of men,
Dares in brawny might, who once alone
With Paris dared to strive, and at the mound 370

Where mighty Hector lies, struck Butes down.
Seed of Bebrycian Amycus, who bore
His haughty bulk unquelled, till Dares* arm
Outstretched him dying on the yellow sand.
E'en such was Dares, who with head upraised 375

For early battle, showed his shoulders' breadth.
And flung alternate arms, and smote the air.
His match is sought ; but none of all that crowd
Dare meet the man, or bind the gauntlets on.
Then, deeming all to him resigned the palm, 380

Before Aeneas' feet alert he stood.
And grasped the bullock's horns, and thus cried out :
" O Goddess-born ! If none dare trust himself
To fight, how long should Dares stand and wait ?
Bid me bear off the prize." The Dardans all 385

Applauding, claimed for him the promised meed.

Then old Acestes, on the grass reclined
Beside Entellus, thus upbraiding spake :
" Entellus, is thine old puissance vain ?

And wilt thou tamely let such prize be won 390

Without a fight ? Where is thy guardian god

Nequiquam memoratus Eryx ? ubi fama per omnem

Trinacriam, et spolia ilia tuis pendentia tectis ?

lUe sub haec : Non laud is amor, nee gloria cessit

Pulsa metu ; sed enim gelidus tardante senecta 395

Sanguis hebet, frigentque efFetae in corpore vires.

Si mihi, quae quondam fuerat, quaque inprobus istc

Exsultat ndens, si nunc foret ilia iuventas,

Haud equidem pretio inductus pulchroquc iuvenco

Venissem, nee dona moror. Sic deinde locutus 400

In medium geminos inmani pondere caestus

Proiecit, quibus acer Eryx in proelia suetus

Ferre manum duroque intendere bracchia tergo.

Obstipuere animi : tantorum ingentia septem

Terga boum plumbo insuto ferroquc rigebant. 405

Ante omnes stupet ipse Dares, longeque recusat ;

Magnanimusque Anchisiades et pondus et ipsa

Hue illuc vinclorum inmensa volumina versat.

Turn senior tales referebat pectore voces :

Quid, si quis caestus ipsius et Herculis arma 410

Vidisset tristemque hoc ipso in litore pugnam ?

Haec germanus Eryx quondam tuus arma gerebat ; —

Sanguine cernis adhuc sparsoque infecta cerebro ; —

His magnum Alciden contra stetit ; his ego suetus,

Dum melior vires sanguis dabat, aemula necdum 415

Temporibus geminis canebat sparsa senectus.

Sed si nostra Dares haec Troius arma recusat,

Idque pio sedet Aeneac, probat auctor Acestes,

Aequemus pugnas. Erycis tibi terga remitto ;

Solve metus ; et tu Troianos exue caestus. 420

Haec fatus duplicem ex umeris reiecit amictum,
Et magnos membrorum artus, magna ossa lacertosque
Exuit, atque ingens media consistit harena.
Tum satus Anchisa caestus pater extulit aequos,
Et paribus palmas amborum innexuit armis. 425

222

Thy boasted Eryx ? Where the spoils hung up

On all thy walls, thy wide Sicilian fame ? "

Then he : " No fear hath beaten off the love

Of praise and glory ; but my blood runs cold 395

With loitering age ; my waning strength is numb.

Had I what once I had, what yonder knave

Exults in, had I now that youth of mine.

No need of prize or ox to lead me on,

I count not the reward.*' He spake, and threw 400

Two gauntlets in their midst, of monstrous weight.

Wherein fierce Eryx, binding on his arms

The toughened hide, oft entered on the fray.

Amazement reigns ; such mighty bulls were those

Whose seven huge hides are stiff with lead and steel. 405

But Dares, most amazed, far back recoils.

And great Aeneas felt their weight, and turned

Over and over the large twisted thongs.

While thus the veteran : " What if any here

Had seen the gloves of Hercules himself, 410

And that grim battle on this very shore !

These arms thy brother Eryx bore of old.

Stained yet with blood, thou see'st, and scattered brain ;

With these he fought Alcides ; these I used

While fresher blood gave strength, ere niggard age 415

Sprinkled my brows with white. Yet if these arms

Dares declines, if so Aeneas wills.

And so Acestes sanctions, let us fight

An equal match ; I waive thee Eryx' hides ;

Take heart, and doff thy Trojan gauntlets too." 420

So saying, from his back he threw the cloak.
His mighty limbs, his mighty shoulder-blades
Bared, and amidst the ring gigantic stood.
Then gauntlets fairly matched the Prince brought forth.
And bound with equal gloves the hands of both. 425

Constitit in digitos extemplo arrectos uterque,

Bracchiaque ad superas interritus extulit auras.

Abduxere retro longe capita ardua ab icto,

Inmiscentque manus manibus, pugnamque lacessunt.

Ille pedum melior motu, fretusque iuventa, 430

Hie membris et mole valens ; sed tarda trementi

Genua labant, vastos quadt aeger anhelitus amis.

Multa viri nequiquam inter se vobiera iactant,

Multa cavo lateri ingeminant et pectore vastos

Dant sonitus, erratque aures et tempora circum 435

Crebra manus, duro crepitant sub volnere malae.

Stat gravis Entellus nisuque inmotus eodem,

Corpore tela modo atque oculis vigilandbus exit.

Ille, velut celsam oppugnat qui molibus urbem,

Aut montana sedet circum castella sub armis, 440

Nunc hos, nunc illos aditus, omnemque pererrat

Arte lociun, et variis adsuldbus inritus urguet.

Ostendit dextram insurgens Entellus et alte

Extulit : ille ictum venientem a verdce velox

Praevidit, celerique elapsus corpore cessit : 445

Entellus vires in ventum effudit, et ultro

Ipse gravis graviterque ad terram pondere vasto

Concidit : ut quondam cava concidit aut Erymantho,

Aut Ida in magna, radicibus enita pinus.

Consurgunt studiis Teucri et Trinacria pubes ; 450

It clamor caelo, primusque accurrit Acestes,

Aequaevumque ab humo miserans attoUit amicum.

At non tardatus casu neque territus heros

Acrior ad pugnam redit, ac vim suscitat ira.

Turn pudor incendit vires et conscia virtus, 455

Praecipitemque Daren ardens agit aequore toto.

Nunc dextra ingeminans ictus, nunc ille sinistra ;

Nee mora, nee requies : quam multa grandine nimbi

Culminibus crepitant, sic densis iedbus heros

Creber utraque manu pulsat versatque Dareta. 460

Each sprang on tiptoe, and undaunted raised
His arms aloft, and from the blow far back
Withdrew his head, while hand with hand commixed
Provoked the fray. One on his youth relied.
More light of foot : the other's limbs and bulk 430

Rose stalwart, though his trembling knees were slack.
And painful gasping shook his giant frame.
Now each at each aims many a fruitless blow,
And many on hollow side or chest resound
Loud-ringing, and the hand round ear or brow 435

Plays oft ; with heavy blows their jaw-bones creak.
Firm stands Entellus, in one posture fixed.
And with his body only and quick eyes
Eludes each stroke. Dares as one who storms
A city, or invests a mountain fort, 440

Tries each approach, and all the ground with skill
Surveying presses many a vain assault.
Entellus rising shows his hand on high
Uplifted ; Dares swift the coming blow
Foresees, and slips with nimble limbs aside. 445

His strength is spent on air, and heavy falls
Entellus' ponderous bulk, as often falls
Some hollow pine uprooted on the side
Of Erymanthus or great Ida's mount.

Eagerly Trojans and Trinacrians rise, 450

Shouts rend the sky. And first Acestes runs,
And from the earth in pity lifts his friend ;
Who, by his fall nor stayed nor daunted, springs
Fiercer to fight, and anger wakes his force.
Then, all ablaze with shame and conscious worth, 455

Dares he chases headlong o'er the field.
Redoubling blows with right hand and with left.
No stay ; no rest : as hailstones on the roof
Incessant rattle, so with stroke on stroke
Ceaseless with either hand he smites his foe. 460

I 225 2 F

Turn pater Aeneas proccdcrc longius iras
Et saevire animis Entellum hand passus acerbis ;
Sed finem inposuit pugnae, fessumque Dareta
Eripuit, mulcens dictis, ac talia fatur :

Infelix, quae tanta animum dementia cepit ? 465

Non vires alias conversaque numina sentis ?
Cede deo. Dixitque et proelia voce diremit.
Ast ilium fidi aequales, genua aegra trahentem,
lactantemque utroque caput, crassumque cruorem.
Ore eiectantem mixtosque in sanguine dentes, 470

Ducunt ad naves ; galeamque ensemque vocati
Accipiunt ; palmam Entello taurumque relinquunt.

Hie victor, superans animis tauroque superbus :
Nate dea, vosque haec, inquit, cognoscite, Teucri,
Et mihi quae fuerint iuvenali in corpore vires, 475

Et qua servetis revocatum a morte Dareta.
Dixit, et adversi contra stetit ora iuvenci.
Qui donum adstabat pugnae, durosque reducta
Libravit dextra media inter cornua caestus,
Arduus, efFractoque inlisit in ossa cerebro. 480

Sternitur exanimisque tremens procumbit humi bos.
lUe super tales efFundit pectore voces :
Hanc tibi, Eryx, meliorem animam pro morte Daretis
Persolvo ; hie victor caestus artemque repono.

Protinus Aeneas celeri certare sagitta 485

Invitat qui forte velint, et praemia dicit,
Ingentique manu malum de nave Seresti
Erigit, et volucrem traiecto in fune columbam.
Quo tendant ferrum, malo suspendit ab alto.
Convenere viri, deiectamque aerea sortem 490

Accepit galea ; et primus clamore secundo
Hyrtacidae ante omnes exit locus Hippocoontis ;
Quem modo navali Mnestheus certamine victor
Consequitur, viridi Mnestheus evinctus oliva.

Then Prince Aeneas would no further brook
The bitter madness of Entellus* rage ;
But set an end to strife, and took away
Exhausted Dares, and with words consoled :
" Unhappy man ! What madness seized thy soul ? 465

Know'st thou not altered strength and Heaven estranged ?
To the Gods yield ! " He spake, and stayed the fight.
But Dares to the ships his faithful friends
Lead, dragging his weak knees, and to each side
Swaying his head, while from his mouth the blood 470

Pours mixed with teeth. They take the helm and sword.
But to Entellus leave the palm and bull.

Proud of the bull, and high of heart, then spake
The victor : " Goddess-born, and Trojans ! Learn
What might was in me in my prime of youth, 475

From what a death you take your Dares saved ! "
He spake, and by the bull, the victor's prize.
Confronting stood, and with his right hand swung.
And, rising to the blow, his gauntlet drove
Between the horns, and shattered bone and brain. 480

Dead, quivering, prone to earth the great ox fell.
Then over it he spake : " This better life,
Eryx, to thee I yield, in Dares' stead.
My gloves, mine art, here, victor, I resign ! *'

Who now were fain to match the flying shaft 485

Aeneas sunmions, and their meed proclaims ;
And with his mighty hand Seres tus' mast
Uprears, and from it hangs a fluttering dove.
By twining cords tied fast, the arrows* mark.
All muster ; and a brazen helm receives 490

The lots cast in : and first leaps out ere all
Amidst applauding cries Hippocoon's name :
Whom follows Mnestheus, in the galleys' race
Triumphant, Mnestheus still with olive crowned ;

Tertius Eurytion, tuus, o clarissime, frater, 495

Pandare, qui quondam, iussus confundere foedus.
In medios telum torsisti primus Achivos.
Extremus galeaque ima subsedit Acestes,
Ausus et ipse manu iuvenum temptare laborem.

Turn validis flexos incurvant viribus arcus 500

Pro se quisque viri, et depromunt tela pharetris.
Primaque per caelum nervo stridente sagitta
Hyrtacidae iuvenis volucres diverberat auras ;
Et venit, adversique infigitur arbore mali.
Intremuit malus, timuitque exterrita pennis 505

Ales, et ingenti sonuerunt omnia plausu.
Post acer Mnestheus adducto constitit arcu,
Alta petens, pariterque oculos telumque tetendit.
Ast ipsam miserandus avem contingere ferro
Non valuit ; nodos et vincula linea rupit, 510

Quis innexa pedem malo pendebat ab alto ;
Ilia notos atque atra volans in nubila fugit.
Tum rapidus, iamdudum arcu contenta parato
Tela tenens, fratrem Eurytion in vota vocavit,
lam vacuo laetam caelo speculatus, et alis 515

Plaudentem nigra figit sub nube columbam.
Decidit exanimis, vitamque reliquit in astris
Aetheriis, iixamque refert delapsa sagittam.
Amissa solus palma superabat Acestes ;

Qui tamen aerias telum contendit in auras, 520

Ostentans artemque pater arcumque sonantem.
Hie oculis subitum obiicitur magnoque futunim
Augurio monstrum ; docuit post exitus ingens,
Seraque terrifici cecinerunt omina vates.
Namque volans liquidis in nubibus arsit arundo, 525

Signavitquc viam flammis, tenuesque recessit
Consumpta in ventos ; caelo ceu saepe refixa
Transcurnint crinemque volantia sidera ducunt.

228

Eurytion third, thy brother, Pandarus, 495

O famous ! who, to break the truce erst bidden.
First hurled thy bolt upon the Achaean host !
Last in the helmet lay Acestes' name :
He too was bold to try the toils of youth.

Then each with all his strength the bended bow 500

Strings, and the weapons from his quiver draws :
And first Hippocoon's arrow through the sky
Sped from the shrilling cord, and cut the air,
And struck and in the wooden mast stood fixed.
The mast was shaken, and the affrighted bird 505

Fluttered, and widely rang the loud applause.
Then Mnestheus keen stood forth and drew the bow.
High-aiming, and with eye and shaft at one.
The bird, alas ! his arrow failed to reach.
Which sundered yet the knots and hempen bonds 5 1 o

That tied her foot, and held her from the mast.
She to the winds and stormy clouds took flight.
Then swift Eurytion, who had kept his shaft
Long on the string, and prayed his brother's help.
Saw in the void rejoicing, and transfixed 5 1 5

Beneath a sable cloud the winging dove.
She fell, and in her body fixed the shaft
Brought back, but left her spirit with the stars.
Acestcs only without prize remained ;

Who yet his arrow launched on heavenly air, 520

And showed his aged skill and sounding bow.
Then glared a sudden portent, boding much
For future days, as one great issue taught.
When dread diviners read the sign at last.
For, flying in the clouds, the reed caught fire, 525

And marked its path with flame, and, burning out.
Passed to thin air ; as when loose flying stars
Shoot in the sky, and trail their streaming locks.

Attonitis haesere animis, Superosque precati

Trinacrii Teucrique viri ; ncc maxumus omen 530

Abnuit Aeneas ; sed laetum amplexus Acesten

Muneribus cumulat magnis, ac talia fatur :

Sume, pater ; nam te voluit rex magnus Olympi

Talibus auspiciis exsortem ducere honorem.

Ipsius Anchisae longaevi hoc munus habebis, 535

Cratera inpressum signis, quern Thracius olim

Anchisae genitori in magno munere Cisseus

Ferre sui dederat monumentum et pignus amoris.

Sic fatus cingit viridanti tempora lauro,

Et primum ante omnes victorem appellat Acesten. 540

Nee bonus Eurytion praelato invidit honori,

Quamvis solus avem caelo deiecit ab alto.

Proxumus ingreditur donis, qui vincula rupit,

Extremus, volucri qui fixit arundine malum.

At pater Aeneas, nondum certamine misso, 545

Custodem ad sese comitemque inpubis luli
Epytiden vocat, et fidam sic fatur ad aurem :
Vade age, et Ascanio, si iam puerile paratum
Agmen habet secum, cursusque instruxit equorum.
Ducat avo turmas, et sese ostendat in armis, 550

Die, ait. Ipse omnem longo decedere circo
Infusum populum, et campos iubet esse patentes.

Incedunt pueri, pariterque ante ora parentum
Frenatis lucent in equis, quos omnis euntes
Trinacriae mirata fremit Troiaeque inventus. 555

Omnibus in morem tonsa coma pressa corona ;
Cornea bina ferunt praefixa hastilia ferro ;
Pars leves umero pharetras : it pectore summo
Flexilis obtorti per coUum circulus auri.

Tres equitum numero turmae, ternique vagantur 560

Ductores ; pueri bis seni quemque secuti

Spellbound in wonder to the Heavenly Gods

Trinacrians pray and Trojans ; and the Prince 530

Scorns not that omen, but embracing loads

With gifts the happy veteran, and bespeaks :

" Take these, O Father ! for Olympus* King

Wills by these signs that thou this added prize

Shouldst draw, this gift of old Anchises' self, 535

A bowl embossed with figures, which of yore

For guerdon rich Cisseus the Thracian gave

My sire, a pledge and memory of his love."

He spoke ; and with green laurel wreathed his brow ;

And named Acestes victor before all. 540

Nor did Eurytion grudge the prize preferred.

Though he alone had brought the bird to earth.

Next, he who brake the fetters wins reward ;

Last, who with flying reed the mast transfixed.

But Prince Aeneas, ere that match was o'er, 545

Called to his side lulus' guardian friend,
Epytides, and told his trusted ear :
" Go, tell Ascanius, if his troop of boys
Be ready now, and all his horse drawn up.
To lead the squadron in his grandsire's praise, 550

And show his arms." Then all the invading throng
He bids withdraw, and the long course leave free.

Forth come the lads, and ranked before their sires
Shine on curbed steeds ; and, as they pass, the hosts
Of Troy and Sicily admiring shout. 555

Trim garlands bind their hair : two cornel spears,
Pointed with steel, they wield, or quivers bright
Across their shoulders ; and the bended gold
Entwines the throat, and falls upon the breast.
Three troops of horse are there ; and captains three 560

Ride to and fro, and twelve boys follow each.

Agmine partito fulgent paribusque magistns.

Una acies iuvenum, ducit quam parvus ovantem

Nomen avi referens Priamus, tua clara, Polite,

Progenies, auctura Italos ; quern Thracius albis 565

Portat equus bicolor maculis, vestigia primi

Alba pedis frontemque ostentans arduus albam.

Alter Atys, genus unde Atii duxere Latini,

Parvus Atys, pueroque puer dilectus lulo.

Extremus, formaque ante omnes pulcher, lulus 570

Sidonio est invectus equo, quern Candida Dido

Esse sui dederat monumentum et pignus aoioris.

Cetera Trinacriis pubes senioris Acestae

Fertur equis.

Excipiunt plausu pavidos, gaudentque tuentes 575

Dardanidae, veterumque adgnoscunt ora parentum.
Postquam omnem laeti consessum oculosque suorum
Lustravere in equis, signum clamore paratis
Epytides longe dedit insonuitque flagello.
OUi discurrere pares, atque agmina terni 580

Diductis solvere choris, rursusque vocati
Convertere vias infestaque tela tulere.
Inde alios ineunt cursus aliosque recursus
Adversi spatiis, alternosque orbibus orbes
Inpediunt, pugnaeque cient simulacra sub armis ; 585

Et nunc terga fuga nudant, nunc spicula vertunt
Infensi, facta pariter nunc pace feruntur.
Ut quondam Creta fertur Labyrinthus in alta
Parietibus textum caecis iter, ancipitemque
Mille viis habuisse dolum, qua signa sequendi 590

Falleret indeprensus et inremeabiUs error ;
Haud alio Teucrum nati vestigia cursu
Inpediunt, texuntque fugas et proelia ludo,
Delphinum similes, qui per maria umida nando
Carpathium Libycumque secant luduntque per undas. 595

232

Like masters ruling each bright several band.

The first triumphal line young Priam leads,

Bearing his grandsire's name, thy glorious seed,

Polites, who shall breed Italian men. 565

A Thracian horse rides he, with pasterns white,

Piebald, and tossing high a snowwhite front.

Then Atys, whence the Latin Atii sprang.

Young Atys, young lulus' boyish love.

Last, fair above them all, lulus rides 570

A Tyrian steed, which radiant Dido gave

To bear the pledge and memory of her love.

The rest on horses of Trinacria ride,

Acestes' chargers.

Joyful the Dardans gaze, their tremors greet ^j^

With cheers, and recognise their fathers' looks.
When gaily they had ranged on horseback round
Before all eyes, Epytides from far
Gave the awaited sign, and cracked his whip.
They gallop off, and into equal files 580

Breaking each band, diverge ; and then, recalled,
Wheel round, and bear their lances at the charge.
Now they advance, and now in full retreat
Contrary move, alternate orb in orb

Entangling, as they wage a phantom war ; 585

Now bare their backs in flight, now turn the spear
Fronting the foe, now ride at peace together.
As once the storied Labyrinth in Crete
Screened in its sightless walls a baffling road,
A thousand paths, where every clue was lost 590

In undiscovered maze without return ;
In such a track the sons of Troy their steps
Entangling weave their game of flight and fray ;
Like dolphins, that in wet Carpathian seas
Or cutting Libyan waves disport and swim. 595

I 233 2 G

Hunc morem cursus atque hacc ccrtamina primus
Ascanius, Longam muris cum cingeret Albam,
Rettulit et priscos docuit cclebrarc Latinos,
Quo puer ipse modo, secum quo Troia pubes ;
Albani docuere suos ; hinc maxuma porro 600

Accepit Roma, et patrium servavit honorem ;
Troiaque nunc pueri, Troianum dicitur agmen.

Hac celebrata tenus sancto certamina patri.
Hie primum Fortuna fidem mutata novavit.
Dum variis tumulo referunt soUemnia ludis, 605

I rim de caelo misit Saturnia luno
Iliacam ad classem, ventosque adspirat eunti,
Multa movens, necdum antiquum saturata dolorem.
Ilia, viam celerans per mille coloribus arcum,
NuUi visa cito decurrit tramite virgo. 610

Conspicit ingentem concursum, et litora lustrat,
Desertosque videt portus classemquc relictam.
At procul in sola secretae Troades acta
Amissum Anchisen flebant, cunctaeque profundum
Pontum adspectabant flentes. Heu tot vada fessis 615

Et tantum superesse maris ! vox omnibus una.
Urbem orant ; taedet pelagi perferre laborem.
Ergo inter medias sese baud ignara nocendi
Coniicit, et faciemque deae vestemque reponit ;
Fit Beroe, Tmarii coniunx longaeva Dorycli, 620

Cui genus et quondam nomen natique fuissent ;
Ac sic Dardanidum mediam se matribus infert :
O miserae, quas non manus, inquit, Achaica bello
Traxerit ad letum patriae sub moenibus ! o gens
Infelix, cui te exitio Fortuna reservat ? 625

Septuma post Troiae exscidium iam vertitur aestas,
Cum freta, cum terras omnes, tot inhospita saxa
Sideraque emensae ferimur, dum per mare magnum
Italiam sequimur fugientem, et volvimur undis.

These sports, this mode of riding, when he built
Long Alba's walls, Ascanius first revived.
And taught the pristine Latins to observe.
As he had learned them and the youth of Troy.
The Albans taught their sons ; thence mighty Rome 600
Received them, and the ancestral use preserved.
" Troy " now the boys are named, " The Trojan troop '^

So sped the contests to that hallowed sire.
Till Fortune changed, and broke at last her faith.
While at his tomb they held those solemn Games, 605

Saturnian Juno to the Trojan ships
Sent Iris down, and breathed a speeding wind.
Much scheming, and her ancient pain unslaked.
She by the many-coloured Bow her way
Runs quickly down, a maiden seen of none, 610

Scans the vast crowd, and, as she tracks the coast.
Sees ports abandoned and forsaken ships.
But Ilian wives, far on the lone sea-bank.
Wept for Anchises ; and all weeping viewed
The unfathomed main. " Ah ! voyage-worn, what seas 615
Await us still ! " — on every lip one cry.
Tired of the toiling waves, they crave a Home.
So in their midst, in mischief not unschooled.
Lighting, she doffed her Heavenly mien and dress.
Transformed to Beroe, the age-struck wife 620

Of Doryclus, who once had race and name
And sons ; so came she to the Dardan dames.^^^^^ ♦^^xxd
" Oh hapless ye," she cries, "whom warring Greeks
Dragged not to death beneath your native walls !
Unhappy race ! what bane hath Fate in store ? 625

Now, since Troy fell, the seventh summer wanes.
Whilst we o'er seas and lands outwatch the stars
By crags unharboured, and through rolling waves
Chase those Italian shores which ever fly.

Hie Erycis fines fraterni, atque hospes Acestes : 630

Quis prohibet muros iaccrc ct dare civibus urbem ?

O patria et rapti nequiquam ex hoste Penates,

Nullane iam Troiae dicentur moenia ? nusquam

Hectoreos amnes, Xanthum et Simoenta, videbo ?

Quin agite et mecum infaustas exurite puppes. 635

Nam mihi Cassandrae per somnum vatis imago

Ardentes dare visa faces : Hie quaerite Troiam ;

Hie domus est, inquit, vobis. Iam tempus agi res.

Nee tantis mora prodigiis. En quattuor arae

Neptuno ; deus ipse faces animumque ministrat. 640

Haee memorans prima infensum vi corripit ignem,
Sublataque procul dextra connixa coruscat,
Et iaeit. Arrectae mentes stupefactaque corda
Iliadum. Hie una e multis, quae maxuma natu,
Pyrgo, tot Priami natorum regia nutrix : 645

Non Beroe vobis, non haee Rhoeteia, matres.
Est Doryeli eoniunx ; divini signa deeoris
Ardentesque notate oeulos ; qui spiritus illi
Qui voltus, voeisque sonus, vel gressus eunti.
Ipsa egomet dudum Beroen digressa reliqui 650

Aegram, indignantem, tali quod sola careret
Munere, nee meritos Anehisae inferret honores.
Haee eflFata.

At matres primo aneipites, oeulisque malignis
Ambiguae speetare rates miserum inter amorem 655

Praesentis terrae fatisque voeantia regna :
Cum dea se paribus per caelum sustulit alis
Ingentemque fuga seeuit sub nubibus arcum.
Tum vero attonitae monstris actaeque furore
Conclamant, rapiuntque focis penetralibus ignem ; 660

Pars spoliant aras, frondem ac virgulta facesque
Coniieiunt. Furit inmissis Volcanus habenis
Transtra per et remos et pictas abiete puppes.

'Tis Eryx' land ; Acestes is our host : 630

Who disallows us here to build our Home ?

Fatherland ! O Housegods saved in vain !
Shall not a Troy be told of ? Shall I see
Simois no more and Xanthus, Hector's streams ?

Nay, up ! and burn with me the accursed ships ! 635

For, while I slept, Cassandra's boding shape

Gave me these brands. ' Here seek your Troy,' said she,

* Here is your Home ! ' The hour is come : delay

Such portents brook not. Lo, yon altars four

To Neptune ! God himself lends heart and fire ! " 640

So saying, she seized first the baleful flame.
And raised her hand, and swung it blazing round,
And threw. Amazement seized the women's hearts,
And one, their eldest, Pyrgo, royal Nurse
To Priam's many sons : " Not Beroe, 645

1 tell you, dames," she said, " no Trojan wife
Of Doryclus is this. The Heavenly grace
Mark, and the beaming eye, her presence note.
Her looks, her tones, the movings of her feet !

Nay, I myself left Beroe but now 650

Sick, fretting that she only missed our rites.

Nor paid due worship to Anchises' shade."

Such words said she.

But first they glared upon the ships in doubt ;

Halting between sore passion ibr the land 655

Already theirs, and Fate's imperial call.

But, when the Goddess rose on level wings.

And, flying Heavenward, clave the Bow's great arch.

Then, awed by portents, and by fury driven,

From inner hearths they seize the flame, or rob 660

The altars, clamorous, hurling leaf and bough

And torch. The Fire-God with unbridled rage

Leaps over thwarts and oars and painted stems.

Nuntius Anchisae ad tumulum cuneosque theatri
Incensas perfert naves Eumelus, ct ipsi 665

Respiciunt atram in nimbo volitare favillam.
Primus et Ascanius, cursus ut laetus equestres
Ducebat, sic acer equo turbata pctivit
Castra, nee exanimes possunt retinere magistri.

Quis furor iste novus ? quo nunc, quo tenditis, inquit,
Heu miserae cives ? non hostem inimicaque castra 671

Argivom, vestras spes uritis. En, ego vester
Ascanius ! galeam ante pedes proiecit inanem,
Qua ludo indutus belli simulacra ciebat.

Adcelerat simul Aeneas, simul agmina Teucrum. 675

Ast illae diversa metu per litora passim
DiiFugiunt, silvasque et sicubi concava furtim
Saxa petunt ; piget incepti lucisque, suosque
Mutatae adgnoscunt, excussaque pectore luno est.
Sed non idcirco flammae atque incendia vires 680

Indomitas posuere ; udo sub robore vivit
Stuppa vomens tardum fumum, lentusque carinas
Est vapor et toto descendit corpore pestis.
Nee vires heroum infusaque iiumina prosunt.
Turn pius Aeneas umeris abscindere vestem, 685

Auxilioque vocare deos, et tendere palmas :

luppiter onmipotens, si nondum exosus ad unum
Troianos, si quid pietas antiqua labores
Respicit humanos, da fiammam evadere classi
Nunc, Pater, ct tenues Teucrum res eripe leto. 690

Vel tu, quod superest, infesto fulmine morti.
Si mereor, demitte, tuaque hie obrue dextra.

Vix haec ediderat, cum efFusis imbribus atra
Tempestas sine more furit, tonitruque tremescunt
Ardua terrarum et campi ; ruit aethere toto 695

21S

Turbidus imber aqua densisquc nigerrimus austris ;
Implenturque super puppes ; semiusta madescunt
Robora ; restinctus donee vapor omnis, et omnes,
Quattuor amissis, servatae a peste carinae.

At pater Aeneas, casu concussus acerbo 700

Nunc hue ingentes, nune illue peetore euras
Mutabat versans, Sieulisne resideret arvis,
Oblitus fatorum, Italasne eapesseret oras.
Turn senior Nautes, unum Tritonia Pallas
Quem doeuit multaque insignem reddidit arte ; 705

Haee responsa dabat, vel quae portenderet ira
Magna deum, vel quae fatorum poseeret ordo ;
Isque his Aenean solatus voeibus infit :
Nate dea, quo fata trahunt retrahuntque, sequamur ;
Quidquid erit, superanda omnis fortuna ferendo est. 710

Est tibi Dardanius divinae stirpis Aeestes :
Hune eape eonsiliis soeium et eoniunge volentem ;
Huie trade, amissis superant qui navibus, et quos
Pertaesum magni ineepti rerumque tuarum est ;
Longaevosque senes ae fessas aequore matres, 715

Et quidquid teeum invalidum metuensque perieli est,
Delige, et his habeant terris sine moenia fessi ;
Urbem appellabunt permisso nomine Aeestam.

Talibus ineensus dictis senioris amiei,
Turn vero in euras animo didueitur omnes : 720

Et Nox atra polum bigis subveeta tcnebat.
Visa dehinc eaelo faeies delapsa parentis
Anehisae subito tales effundere voees :
Nate, mihi vita quondam, dum vita manebat.
Care magis, nate, Iliaeis exereite fatis, 725

Imperio lovis hue venio, qui classibus ignem
Depulit, et eaelo tandem miseratus ab alto est.
Consiliis pare, quae nune pulcherrima Nautes

With driving South winds dark, from all the sky,
And filled the ships, and soaked the half-burnt wood.
Till every flame was quenched, and all the ships.
Save four that perished, from the bane were saved.

But Prince Aeneas, by that sad mischance 700

Sore stricken, rolls the burden of his thoughts
This way and that. There should he make his Home,
Heedless of Fate, or grasp Italian shores ?
Whereon old Nautes, he whom more than all
Pallas had taught, and given wondrous skill, 705

And how to answer what the Gods' stern wrath
Threatens, and what the course of Fate demands.
He thus consoling to Aeneas spake :
" Follow we. Goddess-born, Fate's ebb and flow.
Whatever befall, we conquer when we bear: 710

Dardan Acestes is of Heavenly birth !
Him take a ready co-mate in thy -plans ;
To him give all whose ships are lost, and all
Who of thy mighty purpose faint and tire ;
The aged men, the mothers worn with sea, 715

Whatever is weak, whate'er is timorous .
Search out, and here let those faint-hearted dwell.
Acesta they shall call their city's name."

So spake his ancient friend, and cheered his heart
Racked yet with care, while darkling o'er the sky 720

Night drove her steeds. Then sudden on his sight
Falling from heaven the semblance of his sire
Anchises came, and uttered thus his voice :
" Son, dearer far than life, while life was mine !
Son, tried by Ilium's doom ! I hither come 725

By Jove's command, who from thy ships hath driven
These flames, and pitied thee from Heaven at last.
Obey the counsel aged Nautes gives

I 241 2 H

Dat senior ; lectos iuvenes, fortissima corda.

Defer in Italiam ; gens dura atque aspera cultu 730

Debellanda tibi Latio est. Ditis tamen ante

Infernas accede domos, et Averna per alta

Congressus pete, nate, meos. Non me impia namque

Tartara habent tristesve umbrae, sed amoena piorum

Concilia Elysiumque colo. Hue casta Sibylla 735

Nigrarum multo pecudum te sanguine ducet.

Turn genus omne tuum, et quae dentur moenia, disces.

lamque vale ; torquet medios Nox umida cursus,

Et me saevus equis Oriens adflavit anhelis.

Dixerat, et tenues fugit, ceu fumus, in auras. 740

Aeneas, Quo deinde ruis ? quo proripis ? inquit.
Quern fugis ? aut quis te nostris conplexibus arcet ?
Haec memorans cinerem et sopitos suscitat ignes,
Pergameumque Larem et canae penetralia Vestae
Farre pio et plena supplex veneratur acerra. 745

Extemplo socios primumque arcessit Acesten,
Et lovis imperium et cari praecepta parentis
Edocet, et quae nunc animo sententia constet.
Haud mora consiliis, nee iussa recusat Acestes.
Transcribunt urbi matres, populumque volentem 750

Deponunt, animos nil magnae laudis egentes.
Ipsi transtra novant, flammisque ambesa reponunt
Robora navigiis, aptant remosque rudentesque,
Exigui numero, sed bello vivida virtus.

Interea Aeneas urbem designat aratro. 755

Sortiturque domos ; hoc Ilium et haec loca Troiam
Esse iubet. Gaudet regno Troianus Acestes,
Indicitque forum et patribus dat iura vocatis.
Tum vicina astris Erycino in vertice sedes
Fundatur Veneri Idaliae, tumuloque sacerdos 760

Ac lucus late sacer additur Anchiseo.

242

Most seemly. Bear thy chosen bravest hearts

To Italy. A people rude and rough 730

There wait thy quelling. But the infernal halls

Of Dis first enter, and, Avernus passed.

Meet me, my son ! Me no sad shades enfold.

Nor Tartarus ; but converse of the pure,

Elysian bliss is mine. There shall the Maid, 735

The Sibyl, lead thee with black victims' blood.

There shalt thou learn thy promised race and home.

Farewell ! The night rolls midway ; and I feel

The savage panting of the steeds of Morn ! '*

He ceased ; and fled like smoke into thin air. 740

" O whither, whither now ? " Aeneas cried,
" Whom dost thou fly ? Who keeps thee from our arms ? "
So saying, he aroused the sleeping fire.
And with blest meal and incense paid the vow
To Trojan Lares, and white Vesta's shrine. 745

Forthwith he calls his friends, Acestes first,
Jove's mandate teaches, and the precepts given
By his dear father, and his own firm will.
Nor halt his plans, nor doth the King refuse.
The mothers are enrolled, and those who will 750

Debarked, poor souls who nought of glory crave.
The rest their thwarts renew, replace the wood
Eaten by flames, fix oars and cordage fresh ;
Few by the count, but hearts of living fire.

Meanwhile Aeneas with a plough marks out 755

The town, allotting homes : makes here a Troy,
An Ilium here. Acestes reigned content,
Stablished a court, and gave a Senate laws ;
And near the stars upreared, on Eryx' crest,
A Fane for Venus, and to Anchises* tomb 760

A Priest assigned, and widely hallowed grove.

lamquc dies cpulata novem gens omnis, ct aris
Factus honos : placidi straverunt aequora vcnti,
Crcber ct adspirans rursus vocat Auster in altum.
Exoritur procurva ingcns per litora fletus ; y6§

Conplcxi inter sc noctemquc dicmquc morantur.
Ipsae iam matres, ipsi, quibus aspera quondam
Visa maris facics et non tolerabilc nomen,
Ire volunt, omnemque fugac perferre laborem.
Quos bonus Aeneas dictis solatur amicis, 770

Et consanguineo lacrimans commendat Acestae.
Tres Eryci vitulos et Tempestatibus agnam
Cacdere deinde iubet, solvique ex ordine funem.
Ipse, caput tonsae foliis evinctus olivae,

Stans procul in prora pateram tenet, extaque salsos 775

Porricit in fluctus ac vina liquentia fundit.
Prosequitur surgens a puppi ventus euntes.
Certatim socii feriunt mare et aequora verrunt.

At Venus intcrea Neptunum exercita curis
Adloquitur, talesque efFundit pectore questus : 780

lunonis gravis ira nee cxsaturabile pectus
Cogunt me, Neptune, preces descendcre in omnes ;
Quam nee longa dies, pietas nee mitigat ulla.
Nee lovis imperio fatisque infraeta quieseit.
Non media de gente Phrygum exedisse nefandis 785

Urbcm odiis satis est, nee poenam traxe per omnem :
Reliquias Troiae, eineres atque ossa peremptae
Insequitur. Causas tanti seiat ilia furoris.
Ipse mihi nuper Libyeis tu testis in undis
Quam molem subito exeierit : maria omnia eaelo 790

Miseuit, Acoliis nequiquam freta proeellis.
In regnis hoe ausa tuis.
Per seelus ceee etiam Troianis matribus aetis
Exussit foede puppes, ct elasse subegit
Amissa soeios ignotae linqucre terrae. 795

Nine days had all men feasted, and each shrine
Honoured, and quiet winds had calmed the main.
Again the South blew up and called to sea.
Then on the hollow shores lament was loud ; 765

And fond embraces stayed the night and day.
The mothers and the men who lately shrank
From sight of sea, and shuddered at its name.
Now fain would go and bear their travail out ;
Whom good Aeneas soothes with words benign, 770

And to their King and kinsman trusts with tears.
Three calves to Eryx, to the Storms a lamb
He bids them slay, and cast the cable loose ;
Then, wreathed with leaves of olive, on the prow
Standing afar, he holds the cup, and sheds 775

Entrails upon the flood, and flowing wine.
A wind that follows wafts them, and they dip
Stoutly their rival oars, and sweep the sea.

But Venus in the meanwhile, racked with care.
Addressing Neptune, thus her trouble breathed : 780

" Juno's great wrath, O Neptune ! Juno's heart
Insatiate, make me stoop to every prayer.
Nor time nor goodness cure her ; not Jove's Will,
Nor Fate, have stilled her rage. 'Tis not enough
From Phrygia's heart with hate to have devoured 785

Troy town, and dragged her through all pain and woe.
Troy's remnant still, her very bones and ash.
She hunts ; I pray she knows what makes her wrath !
Thyself art witness what a coil she stirred
On Libyan waters, mingling sea and sky, 790

In vain reliance on Aeolian storms.
This in thy realm she dared.

And lo ! to crime the Trojan dames she hath driven.
Burning his vessels, and, his ships all lost,
Forced him to leave his friends on alien shores. 795

Quod superest, oro, liceat dare tuta per undas
Vela tibi, liceat Laurentem attingere Thybrim,
Si concessa peto, si dant ea moenia Parcae.

Turn Saturnius haec domitor maris edidit alti :
Fas omne est, Cytherea, meis te fidere regnis, 800

Unde genus ducis. Merui quoque ; saepe furores
Compressi et rabiem tantam caelique marisque.
Nee minor in terris, Xanthum Simoentaque testor,
Aeneae mihi cura tui. Cum Troia Achilles
Exanimata sequens inpingcret agmina muris, 805

Millia multa daret leto, gemerentque repleti
Amnes, nee reperire viam atque evolvere posset
In mare se Xanthus, Pelidae tunc ego forti
Congressum Aenean nee dis nee viribus aequis
Nube cava rapui, euperem cum vertere ab imo 810

Strueta meis manibus periurae moenia Troiae.
Nunc quoque mens eadem perstat mihi ; pelle timorem.
Tutus, quos optas, portus aceedet Averni.
Unus erit tantum, amissum quem gurgite quaeres ;
Unum pro multis dabitur caput. 815

His ubi laeta deae permulsit peetora dictis,
lungit equos auro Genitor, spumantiaque addit
Frena feris, manibusque omnes effundit habenas.
Caeruleo per summa levis volat aequora curru ;
Subsidunt undae, tumidumque sub axe tonanti 820

Stemitur aequor aquis, fugiunt vasto aethere nimbi.
Tum variae comitum facies, inmania eete,
Et senior Glauci chorus, Inousque Palaemon,
Tritonesque citi, Phorcique exercitus omnis ;
Laeva tenent Thetis, et Melite, Panopeaque virgo, 825

Nesaee, Spioque, Thaliaque, Cymodoeeque.

Hie patris Aeneae suspensam blanda vicissim

^ . £.

Let what remains, I pray, in safety sail

Thy waves : O ! let them reach the Tiber's stream,

If Fate permit, if there she grant their Home /'

To whom the Lord of Ocean, Saturn's son :
** Venus, 'tis very right to trust my realm, 800

Whence thou art sprung. And I deserve it ; oft
I quelled such ravings of the sky and sea.
Nor less on land, Xanthus and Simois know,
I cared for thine Aeneas. When Troy's ranks
Achilles on their ramparts breathless hurled, 805

And dealt a thousand deaths ; when every stream
Roared choking, nor could Xanthus find his way.
And roll to sea, then from Pelides bold
When Gods nor strength were matched in hollow mist
I rapt Aeneas, though I longed to raze 810

Those walls of perjured Troy mine hands had wrought.
Now too that purpose holds ; dispel thy fear.
Safe, as thou wilt, Avernus he shall gain :
One only shalt thou look for, lost in sea ;
One life for many shall be paid." 8 1 5

He with such words the Goddess' heart made glad :
Then yoked his steeds with gold, the foamy bits
Fixed, and the reins let slacken in his grasp.
While in his sea-blue car he skimmed the main.
The waves sink down ; beneath his thundering wheels 820
Rough seas are smoothed ; aloft the storm-clouds fly.
Strange shapes are in his train ; unwieldy whales.
Old Glaucon's choir, Palaemon, Ino's child.
Swift Tritons, Phorcus' host, and on his left,
Nesaee, Spio, Panopea fair, 825

Thalia and Thetys and Cymodoce.

With peace and joy Aeneas' anxious heart

Gaudia pertemptant mentem ; iubet ocius omnes

Attolli malos, ^ntcndi bracchia velis.

Una omnes fc^erc pedcm, pariterquc sinistros, 830

Nunc dcxtros, solvere sinus ; una ardua torquent

Cornua detorquentque ; ferunt sua flamina classem.

Princeps ante omnes densum Palinurus agebat

Agmen ; ad hunc alii cursum contendere iussi.

lamque fere mediam caeli Nox umida metam 835

Contigerat ; placida laxabant membra quiete
Sub remis fusi per dura sedilia nautae :
Cum levis aetheriis delapsus Somnus ab astris
Aera dimovit tenebrosum et dispulit umbras,
Te, Palinure, petens, tibi somnia tristia portans 840

Insonti ; puppique deus consedit in alta,
Phorbanti similis, funditque has ore loquelas :

laside Palinure, ferunt ipsa aequora classem ;
Aequatae spirant aurae ; datur hora quieti.
Pone caput, fessosque oculos furare labori. 845

Ipse ego paulisper pro te tua munera inibo.
Cui vix attoUens Palinurus lumina fatur :
Mene salis placidi voltum fluctusque quietos
Ignorare iubes ? mene huic confidere monstro ?
Aenean credam quid enim fallacibus auris 850

£t caeli totiens deceptus fraude sereni ?

Talia dicta dabat, clavumque affixus et haerens
Nusquam amittebat, oculosque sub astra tenebat.
Ecce deus ramum Lethaeo rore madentem
Vique soporatum Stygia super utraque quassat 855

Tempora, cunctantique natantia lumina solvit.
Vix primos inopina quies laxaverat artus :
Et superincumbens cum puppis parte revolsa
Cumque gubernaclo liquidas proiecit in undas

248

Again is thrilled. He bids them raise the masts ;

And spread the arms with sail. Together all

They set the sheet ; together left and right 830

They slacken sails ; together twist and turn

The soaring horns. Fair breezes blow the ship.

But Palinurus first the close array

Leads, and by him the rest obedient steer.

Now dewy Night to the mid goal of heaven 835

Was drawing near. On benches by their oars,
With limbs unbent, the laboured crews lay still ;
When Slumber, lightly parting the dun air.
Slid from the starry sky, and came to thee,
O Palinurus ! bringing thee sad dreams, 840

Guiltless ! and on the high-built stern the God
In Phorbas' semblance sate, while thus he spake :

" Pilot ! the sea itself bears on the ship.
Fair blows the wind : the hour to rest is given.
Lie down, and steal thy wearied eyes from toil. 845

I, in thy stead, will ply thy task awhile."
With eyes scarce raised, the pilot answered him.
'* And am not I to know the sleek sea's face ?
Am I to trust this monster, and shall I

Confide Aeneas to the fickle winds, 850

I, by the false fair heavens so often duped ? "

So saying, to the helm he clung, nor lost
His hold, but kept his eyes upon the stars.
When lo ! the God shook o'er his brows a branch
Sleepy with Stygian drench, and wet with dews 855

Of Lethe, and declined the lingering lids.
Scarce had the stealing peace unbent his limbs,
When Slumber stooped, and him to weltering seas
Flung headlong down, with helm and half the stern
I 249 2 1

Praecipitem ac socios ncquiquam sacpe vocantcm ; 860

Ipse volans tenues se sustulit ales ad auras.

Currit iter tutum non setius aequore classis,
Promissisque patris Neptuni interrita fertur.
lamque adeo scopulos Sirenum advecta subibat,
DifEciles quondam multorumque ossibus albos, 865

Turn rauca adsiduo longe sale saxa sonabant :
Cum pater amisso fluitantem errare magistro
Sensit, et ipse ratem nocturnis rexit in undis,
Multa gemens, casuque animum concussus amici :
O nimium caelo et pelago confise sereno, 870

Nudus in ignota, Palinure, iacebis harena.

Shattered, oft calling on his mates in vain. 860

Then to the viewless winds he winged his way.

Not less the ships speed safely, undismayed
In Neptune's promise o'er the watery track ;
Until they neared the Sirens' cliffs, of yore
Perilous, and white with many a sailor's bones. 865

Still the hoarse sea was moaning round the rocks.
Then, when he saw his ship, with helmsman lost,
Drifting, Aeneas, in the midnight seas,
Steered her himself, and mourned his friend's mischance:
" Dupe of fair skies and sea, thy corpse shall lie 870

Bare, Palinurus, on an alien shore ! "

BOOK VI

|]IC fatur lacrimans, classique inmittit habenas,
Et tandem Euboicis Cumarum adlabitur oris.
Obvertunt pelago proras ; turn dentc tenaci
_ Ancora fundabat naves, ct Utora curvae

Praetcxunt puppes. luvenum manss cmicat ardens 5

Litus in Hcsperium ; quaerit pars semina flammae
Abstrusa in venis silicis, pars densa fcrarum
Tecta rapit silvas, inventaque flumina monstrat.

At pius Aeneas arces, quibus altus Apollo ,

Praesidet, horrendaeque procul secrcta Sibyllae, 10

Antrum inmane, petit, magnam cui mentem animumque
Deiius inspirat vates aperitque futura.
lam subeunt Triviae lucos atque aurea tecta.

Daedalus, ut fama est, fugiens Minoia regna,
Praepetibus pennis ausus se credere caelo, ic

Insuetum per iter gelidas enavit ad Arctos,
Chalcidicaque levis tandem super adstitit arce.
Rcdditus his primum terris, tibi, Phoebe, sacravit
Remigium alarum, posuitque inmania templa.
In foribus letum Androgeo ; turn pendere poenas 20

Cecropidae iussi — miserum ! — septena quot annis
Corpora natorum ; stat ductis sortibus urna.
Contra elata mari respondet Gnosia tellus :
Hie crudelis amor tauri, suppostaque furto
Pasiphae, mixtumque genus prolesque biformis 25

Minotaunis inest, Veneris monumenta nefandae ;
Hie labor ille domus et inextricabilis error ;
Magnum reginae sed enim miseratus amorem
Daedalus, ipse dolos tecti ambagesque resolvit.
Caeca regens filo vestigia. Tu quoque magnam 30

Partem opere in tanto, sineret dolor, Icare, haberes.
Bis conatus erat casus effingere in auro ;
Bis patriae cecidere manus.

^EEPING he spake, and gave his fleet the rein ;
And touched at last Euboean Cumae's shore.
_ Seaward they turn the prows ; the anchor's tooth
^^ Holds fast each galley ; and the beach is fringed
With curving sterns. A band of hope-flushed men 5

Leap on Hesperia's soil ; and part from flint
Strike hidden seeds of fire ; part scour the woods,
The wild beasts' home, and point to streams new-found.

But towards the hill which high Apollo rules \
Aeneas hastens, where the Sibyl's cave 10

Lies vast and lone, on whom the Delian breathes
An ampler soul, unfolding things to come. J

The Trivian Grove they reach, the House of Gold.

"Tis famed that Daedalus, from Minos' realm.
Trusting the air with wings, to the cold North 15

Fled, swimming far his unaccustomed way :
Till, lightly dropping on Chalcidian cliffs,
To thee, O Phoebus ! safe on land, he vowed
His cary pens, and built thy mighty fane.
Androgens' death he graved upon the doors, 20

And Cecrops* sons atoning year by year
With seven young lives ; the urn, the lots new-drawn
And opposite Crete standing out of sea ;
Pasiphae's passion, to the cruel bull

Joined by deceit, the mingled birth that told 25

Of monstrous love, the twiform Minotaur,
The House of toil, the maze which none might flee.
Till Daedalus, in pity for the love
Of the King's daughter, broke the snare himself.
Guiding blind steps by thread. Thou too hadst shone 30
Icarus ! in that great work, had grief allowed ;
Twice he essayed to grave thy fate in gold ;
Twice fell the father's hands.

Quin protinus omnia
Perlegerent oculis, ni iam praemissus Achates
Adforet atque una Phocbi Triviaeque sacerdos, 35

Deiphobe Glauci, fatur quae talia regi :

Non hoc ista sibi tempus spectacula poscit ;
Nunc grege de intacto septem mactare iuvencos
Praestiterit, totidem lectas de more bidentes.
Talibus adfata Aenean — nee sacra morantur 40

lussa viri — Tcucros vocat alta in templa sacerdos.

Excisum Euboicae latus ingens rupis in antrum.
Quo lati ducunt aditus centum, ostia centum ;
Unde ruunt totidem voces, responsa Sibyllae.
Ventum erat ad limen, cum virgo, Poscere fata 45

Tempus, ait ; deus, ecce, deus ! Cui talia fanti
Ante fores subito non voltus, non color unus,
Non comptae mansere comae ; sed pectus anhelum
Et rabie fera corda tument ; maiorque videri,
Nee mortale sonans, adflata est numine quando 50

lam propiore dei. Cessas in vota precesque,
Tros, ait, Aenea ? cessas ? neque enim ante dehiscent
Attonitae magna ora domus. Et talia fata
Conticuit. Gelidus Teucris per dura cucurrit
Ossa tremor, funditque preces rex pectore ab imo : .55
Phoebe, graves Troiae semper miserate labores,
Dardana qui Paridis direxti tela manusque
Corpus in Aeacidae, magnas obeuntia terras
Tot maria intravi duce te penitusque repostas
Massylum gentes praetentaque Syrtibus arva, 60

lam tandem Italiae fugientes prendimus oras ;
Hac Troiana tenus fuerit Fortuna secuta.
Vos quoque Pergameae iam fas est parcere genti,
Dique deaeque omnes, quibus obstitit Ilium et ingens

And all the tale
Their eyes had read, but now Achates came.
Returning, with the Priestess of the Grove, 35

Deiphobe, who thus the Prince bespake :

" This hour asks no such shows : *twere better now
Out of a herd ne'er yoked to sacrifice
Seven oxen, and as many chosen ewes."

She ended ; and, her sacred charge performed, 40

Within the high-built temple bade them pass.

A hundred avenues, a hundred doors '

Lead to the cavern, hewn in Cumae's cliff.
Whence, hundred-voiced, the Sibyl's answers ring.
The threshold reached, " Now," cried the Maid, " 'tis time 45
To ask thy fate ! The God ! ah me ! the God ! " _J
And suddenly her face, her colour changed.
Her locks disordered fell, her bosom gasped.
Her wild heart swelled, her stature grew, her voice
Seemed more than human, as the God, drawn near, 50

Breathed influence :

" And spar'st thou vow and prayer,
Aeneas, spar'st thou ? These alone will breach
The mighty portals of this spell-bound hall ! "
She ended. Horror through the Trojans' bones ^

Ran cold, and from his heart Aeneas prayed : 55

*' Phoebus, still pitiful to Troy's long woe !
Who to Achilles' heel didst guide the shaft
And hand of Paris ; who hast led me on
To seas that wash great countries, to remote
Massylian tribes, beyond the Syrtes' sand ! 60

Those fleeting shores of Italy at length
We grasp : no further may Troy's fate pursue !
Ye too, O Gods and Goddesses, whom Troy
And all her glory vexed, you now may spare

I 257 2 K

Gloria Dardaniae. Tuque, o sanctissima vates, 65

Praescia vcnturi, da, non indebita posco

Regna mcis fatis, Latio considerc Teucros

Errantesque deos agitataque numina Troiac.

Turn Phoebo et Triviae solido de marmorc tcmplum

Instituam, festosquc dies dc nomine Phoebi. 70

Te quoque magna manent regnis penetralia nostris.

Hie ego namque tuas sortes arcanaque fata,

Dicta meae genti, ponam, lectosque sacrabo.

Alma, viros. Foliis tantum ne carmina manda,

Ne turbata volent rapidis ludibria ventis ; y^

Ipsa canas oro. Finem dedit ore loquendi.

At, Phoebi nondum patiens, inmanis in antro
Bacchatur vates, magnum si pcctore possit
Excussisse deum ; tanto magis ille fatigat
Os rabidum, fera corda domans, fingitque premendo. 80

Ostia iamque domus patuere ingentia centum
Sponte sua, vatisque ferunt responsa per auras :

O tandem magnis pelagi defuncte periclis !
Sed terrae graviora manent. In regna Lavini
Dardanidae venient ; mitte banc de pectore curam ; 85

Sed non et venisse volent, Bella, horrida bella,
Et Thybrim multo spumantem sanguine cerno.
Non Simois tibi, nee Xanthus, nee Dorica castra
Defuerint ; alius Latio iam partus Achilles,
Natus et ipse dea ; nee Teueris addita luno 90

Usquam aberit ; eum tu supplex in rebus egenis
Quas gentes Italum aut quas non oraveris urbes !
Causa mali tanti eoniunx iterum hospita Teueris
Externique iterum thalami.

Tu ne eedc malis, sed eontra audentior ito 95

Quam tua te Fortuna sinet. Via prima salutis.
Quod minime reris, Graia pandetur ab urbe.

The Dardan race. And thou, most holy Seer, 65

Foreknowing things to come ! — I ask no crown

Unpledged by Fate — O grant in Latium yet

Troy's sons may rest, and all her wayworn Gods !

To Phoebus then and Trivia will I build

A marble fane, and name his holy days. 70

Thee also in our realm great shrines await,

Where I will place thy mystic words of doom

Told to my race, O Holy ! and ordain

Thy chosen Priests. But trust them not to leaves.

To fly disordered on the frolic winds, 75

Chant them thyself ! " He ceased, and spake no more.

But in her cave, impatient of the God, I

Thtf frenzied Seer would shake him from her breast.
So much the more he tires her rabid mouth.
Tames her fierce heart, and moulds her with his hand, 80
Till all the hundred doors with one accord
Fly open, and her answers thrill the air.

" O scaped at last from perils of the sea !
Yet worse remain on shore ! Lavinium's land
Dardans shall reach — put from thy soul this care — 85

But they shall rue the day. Wars, awful wars,
I see, and Tiber foaming streams of blood ! _
Xanthus nor Simois nor Doric camp
Shall fail thee. There another Goddess-born
Achilles waits : there Juno shall not leave 90

The Trojans' track, while in thy need what tribes.
What towns of Italy shalt thou' not sue !
A foreign love once more Troy's bane shall be,
Once more an alien bride !

But yield not thou ! Meet care with bolder step 95

Than Fate concedes ! The path of Hope shall rise.
Where least thou dreamest, in a Grecian town ! "

Talibus ex adyto dictis Cymaca Sibylla
Horrendas canit ambages antroque rcmugit,
Obscuris vera involvens : ea frena furenti i oo

Concutit, et stimulos sub pectore vertit Apollo.
Ut primum cessit furor et rabida ora quierunt,
Incipit Aeneas heros : Non ulla laborum,
O virgo, nova mi facics inopinave surgit ;
Omnia praecepi atque animo mecum ante peregi. 105

Unum oro : quando hie inferni ianua regis
Dicitur et tenebrosa palus Acheronte refuso.
Ire ad conspectum cari genitoris et ora
Contingat ; doceas iter et sacra ostia pandas.
Ilium ego per flammas et mille sequentia tela no

Eripui his umeris, medioque ex hoste recepi ;
Ille meum comitatus iter maria omnia mecum
Atque omnes pelagique minas caelique ferebat,
Invalidus, vires ultra sortemque senectae.
Quin, ut te supplex peterem et tua limina adirem, 115

Idem orans mandata dabat. Gnatique patrisque.
Alma, precor, miserere : potes namque onmia, ncc tc
Nequiquam lucis Hecate praefecit Avemis.
Si potuit Manes arcesserc coniugis Orpheus,
Threicia fretus cithara fidibusque canoris, 1 20

Si fratrem Pollux altema morte redemit, ^

It que reditquc viam totiens— quid Thesca magnum.
Quid memorem Alciden ? et mi genus ab love sununo.

Talibus orabat dictis, arasque tenebat.
Cum sic orsa loqui vates : Sate sanguine divom, 1 25

Tros Anchisiade, facilis descens us Avemo ;
Noctcs atque dies patet atri ianui Ditis ; —
Scd revocarc gradum superasque evaderc ad auras.
Hoc opus, hic labor est. Pauci, quos aequus amavit
luppitcr, aut ardens evcxit ad aethera virtus, 130

Dis gcniti potucre. Tcnent media omnia silvae.

^ X. •

Thus Cumae's Sibyl from her shrine declaims
Dread mysteries, and, moaning through the cave,
Wraps truth in darkness : so in her mad mouth j loo

Apollo shakes the reins, and goads her breast. J

When frenzy fell, and raving lips were still,

Aeneas spoke : " No face of grief, O Maid !

Springs strange on me or sudden : all I scanned,

And in my soul ere now have traversed all. 105

One boon I ask. Since here the Gates are famed

Of nether Dis, and Acheron's dull sluice,

O let me see the face of him I love.

My father ! Teach the way ! the gates unfold !

Him on these shoulders through the flames I bore i lo

Through thousand bolts, and saved from swarming foes.

O'er all the seas he shared my path, and braved.

Though weak, each threat 01 Ocean and of Sky,

Beyond the strength and destiny of Age.

He too, entreating, bade me seek thy doors, 1 1 5

And sue thy grace. O pity son and sire !

All things thou canst, O Holy ! Not in vain

O'er dark Avernus Hecat gave thee rule !

If Orpheus with his lyre's melodious strings

Might call his wife from Hell ; if, to and fro 1 20

Passing so oft, Pollux, by death's exchange.

Redeems his brother — why of Theseus tell.

Or Hercules ? — I too am Heavenly born ! "

Such pleas he uttered, and the altar clasped.
When thus the Seer began : " O seed of Gods ! 125

Easy, great Trojan ! is the downward path.
All night and day Hell Gates stand open wide.
But to return, to reach the air of Heaven,
There is the task and toil ! A few had power,
Whom Jove hath loved, or manly zeal upraised 130

Heavenward, the sons of God. Woods lie between.

Cocytusque sinu labcns circumvenit atro.

Quod si tantus amor menti, si tanta cupido est,

Bis Stygios innare lacus, bis nigra videre

Tartara, et insano iuvat indulgcre labori, 135

Accipe, quae peragenda prius. Latet arbore opaca

Aureus et foliis et lento vimine ramus,

lunoni infernae dictus sacer ; hunc tegit omnis

Lucus et obscuris claudunt convallibus umbrae.

Sed non ante datur telluris operta subire, 140

Auricomos quam qui decerpserit arbore fetus.

Hoc sibi pulchra suum ferri Proserpina munus

Instituit. Primo avolso non deficit alter

Aureus, et simili frondescit virga metallo.

Ergo alte vestiga oculis, et rite repertum 145

Carpe manu ; namque ipse volens facilisque sequetur.

Si te fata vocant ; aliter non viribus uUis

Vincere, nee duro poteris convellere ferro.

Praeterea iacet exanimum tibi corpus amici —

Heu nescis — totamque incestat funere classem, 150

Dum consulta petis nostroque in limine pendes.

Sedibus hunc refer ante suis et conde sepulchre.

Due nigras pecudes ; ea prima piacula sunto.

Sic demum lucos Stygis et regna invia vivis

Aspicies. Dixit, pressoque obmutuit ore. 155

Aeneas maesto defixus lumina voltu
Ingreditur, linquens antrum, caecosque volutat
Eventus animo secimi. Cui fidus Achates
It comes, et paribus curis vestigia figit.

Multa inter sese vario sermone serebant, 160

Quem socium exanimem vates, quod corpus humandum
Diceret : atque illi Misenum in litore sicco,
Ut venere, vident indigna morte peremptum,
Misenum Aeoliden, quo non praestantior alter

And winding black Cocytus flows all round.

Yet if so strong thy passion and thy will

Twice over Styx to swim, twice to behold

Dark Tartarus, on such mad errand bent, 1 3 5

Hear what must first be done.

A bough there is.
Golden in leaf and stem, and consecrate
To Stygian Juno. On a shadowy tree
It lurks, deep-folded in the sunless dells.
But none may tread the secret ways of Earth, 140

Ere from that tree he tear the golden tress.
This for her tribute Proserpine ordains.
When one is plucked, another doth not lack.
Golden, and burgeoning with leaves of gold.
Search throughly then ; and, when thine eyes have found, 145
Pull off the branch, for freely will it come
If Fate be calling thee ; else all thy strength
Will fail to pluck it, or to shear with steel.
Moreover the dead body of thy friend

Lies — ah, thou know*st not ! — tainting all the fleet, 150

While thou for counsel laggest at our door.
Him first entomb, and carry to his rest ;
And lead black ewes, thy first peace-oflFcrings ;
So shalt thou visit Styx, and walk the road
None walk alive." She ceased, and locked her lips. 155

Aeneas then, with downcast visage sad.
Wends from the cavern, pondering in his heart
JThe hidden things of Fate. Nor troubled less
The leal Achates paces at his side.

And many a word they wove, surmising each 1 60

Of what dead friend she spake, what body lay
For burial, when on coming they beheld
Misenus on the beach, unduly slain,
Misenus, son of Aeolus, most skilled

^« ^ 4«

Acre ciere viros, Martemque accendere cantu. 1 65

Hectoris hie magni fiierat comes, Hectora circum

Et lituo pugnas insignis obibat et hasta.

Postquam ilium vita victor spoliavit Achilles,

Dardanio Aeneae sese fortissimus heros

Addiderat socium, non inferiora secutus. 170

Sed turn, forte cava duin personat aequora concha,

Demens, et cantu vocat in certamina divos,

Aemulus exceptum Triton, si credere dignum est.

Inter saxa virum spumosa inmerserat unda.

Ergo omnes magno circum clamore fremebant, 175

Praecipue pius Aeneas. Tum iussa Sibyllae,

Haud mora, festinant flentes, aramque sepulchri

Congerere arboribus caeloque educere certant.

Itur in antiquam silvam, stabula alta ferarum,

Procximbunt piceae, sonat icta securibus ilex, 1 80

Fraxineaeque trabes cuneis et fissile robur

Scinditur, advolvunt ingentes montibus omos.

Nee non Aeneas opera inter talia primus
Hortatur socios, paribusque accingitur armis.
Atque haec ipse suo tristi cum corde volutat, 185

Adspectans silvam inmensam, et sic voce precatur :
Si nunc se nobis ille aureus arbore ramus
Ostendat nemore in tan to ! quando omnia vere
Heu nimium de te vates, Misene, locuta est.
Vix ea fatus erat, geminae cum forte colimibae 1 90

Ipsa sub ora viri caelo venere volantes,
Et viridi sedere solo. Tum maxumus heros
Maternas adgnoscit aves, laetusque precatur :
Este duces, o, si qua via est, cursimique per auras
Dirigite in lucos, ubi pinguem dives opacat 195

Ramus humum. Tuque, o, dubiis ne defice rebus.
Diva parens. Sic effatus vestigia pressit,
Obscrvans, quae signa ferant, quo tendere pergant.

264

To wake the war-flame with his sounding brass ; 165

Great Hector's comrade, who by Hector's side

Won glory both with bugle and with spear.

Him when Achilles slew, no lesser lord

The dauntless hero followed, to the train

Of great Aeneas joined : who, blowing late, 170

Madman ! across the seas his hollow shell.

Challenged the Gods with music, and was seized

By jealous Triton, if the tale be true.

And in the rocks and foaming waters drowned.

So all around him mourn with loud lament, 175

And most Aeneas. Then with tears they ply

The Sibyl's charge, and heavenward pile with trees

The altar of his Tomb. Primaeval woods.

The wild beasts' lairs, are entered ; the pine falls ;

The smitten ilex rings ; the ashen beams 180

Are cleft with wedges and the splintered oak.

And lofty rowans from the hills are rolled.

Amid such work, Aeneas cheers them on,
Foremost, and wielding weapons like their own.
But with his own sad heart he communes thus, 185

Scanning the boundless wood, and prays aloud :
" O to discover here in this green world
That Golden Bough ! for all was true, too true,
Misenus, which the Sibyl spake of thee ! "
He scarce had said, when from the sky two doves 1 90

Before his very eyes came flying down.
And on the green turf lit. His mother s birds
The mighty hero knew, and prayed in joy :
^' O be my guides, if any way there be.

Fly straight to dingles where that sumptuous bough 195

Imbrowns the lawn ! O fail me not in need.
My Goddess Mother ! " Thus he spake, and paused,
Noting what signs they bore, and whither sped.

I 265 2 L

T-I::IIie

^»^ w ^

,'— ^

»-- - » -

* *

Ccnstiriicnt, cccarancc::c super fblgcntibas arzziis^
Pari czlLfss ladccs ct arra nrrcanrra ifanmfs
Expediact, ccrposque laTant jorigcads ct aagmmt.
Fit gcditizs. Tom membra toco dedeca rcpooont,
Pcrpareasqce saper vcstcs, vdaznina noca,
Cooiicianr. Pars ingcnti sabiere feretro.
Trisre ministericm, et sobiectam more parcntmii

215

Tarca dona, dapcs, foso cratercs oliro.
Postquam coolapsi cinercs et riamma qoievit,
Reiiquias vino ct bibalam lavcre faviHam,
Ossaque Iccta cado texit Conmaciis acnoL
Idem tcr socios pura circamtalit onda,

Spargcns rore Icri ct ramo fciids olirae, 230

Lostravitque viros, dixitque noTissima verba.
At pins Aeneas ingcnti mole senolchrum

266

They feed and fly as far as following eyes

Can keep them still in ken ; but when they come 200

To foul Avernus' jaws, rise swiftly up,

Skim through the liquid air, and side by side

Alight upon a tree, that wished-for goal.

Through whose dun branches shoots a gleam of gold.

As, sown on some strange tree, in winter woods 205

; The mistletoe with alien leafage blooms,
\ With yellow fruit enfolding the smooth stem :
' So on that shadowy oak the leafy gold

Glimmered, and tinkled in the rustling air.

Forthwith Aeneas grasped the clinging bough, 210

And plucked, and bare it toward the Sibyl's cell.

Meanwhile the Trojans on the beach still wept
Misenus, honouring the thankless dead.
And first with firs and oaken logs they piled
His mighty pyre, and wove about its sides 2 1 5

Dark boughs, and set before it cypresses.
The trees of death, and on it shining arms.
And some heat water, leaping to the flame.
In braziers, and annoint the cold man's corpse.
Moaning, and lay him on the bed, and there 220

Spread his gay raiment, the familiar dress.
Some, with sad ministry, the heavy bier
Raised, with averted heads, as custom bade.
Holding the torch below. Then blazed the pile.
Incense, and meats, and bowls of flowing oil. 225

But when the fire slept, and the ashes fell.
With wine they soaked the thirsty embers left.
And Corynaeus in an urn of brass
Hid the gleaned bones, and sprinkled thrice around
Pure water with a prospering olive's bough, 230

And cleansed the men, and spake the last farewell.
But good Aeneas made a high-built tomb.

-z—

Inponit, suaque arma viro remumquc tubamque,

Monte sub aerio, qui nunc Misenus ab illo

Dicitur, aetcrnumquc tenet per saecula nomen. 235

His actis propere cxsequitur praeccpta Sibyllae.
Spelunca alta fuit vastoque inmanis hiatu,
Scrupea, tuta lacu nigro nemonimque tenebris,
Quam super baud ullae poterant inpunc volantcs
Tendere iter pennis : talis sese halitus atris 240

Faucibus cfFundens supera ad convexa ferebat :
Unde locum Graii dixerunt nomine Avernum.
Quattuor hie primum nigrantes terga iuvencos
Constituit frontique invergit vina sacerdos,
Et summas carpens media inter cornua saetas 245

Ignibus inponit sacris, libamina prima,
Voce vocans Hecaten, Caeloque Ereboque potentem,-
Supponunt alii cultros, tepidumque cruorem
Succipiunt pateris. Ipse atri velleris agnam
Aeneas matri Eumenidum magnaeque sorori 250

Ense ferit, sterilemque tibi, Proserpina, vaccam.
Tum Stygio regi nocturnas inchoat aras,
Et solida inponit taurorum viscera flammis,
Pingue super oleum fundens ardentibus extis.
Ecce autem, primi sub lumina solis et ortus 255

Sub pedibus mugire solum, et iuga coepta moveri
Silvarum, visaeque canes ululare per umbram,
Adventante dea. Procul o, procul este, profani,
Conclamat vates, totoque absistite luco ;
Tuque invade viam, vaginaque eripe ferrum ; 260

Nunc animis opus, Aenea, nunc pectore firmo.
Tantum efFata, furens antro se inmisit aperto ;
Ille ducem baud timidis vadentem passibus aequat.

Di, quibus imperium est animarum, Umbraeque silentes,
Et Chaos, et Phlegethon, loca nocte tacentia late, 265

And laid thereon his trumpet and his oar,
Under a skyey hill which bears his name,
Misenus, and preserves it ever green;' 235

This done, he hastens on the Sibyl's charge,
A pebbled cave there was, with yawning mouth.
Sate screened by forests and a sombre mere,
0*er whose great chasm no flying thing unharmed
Might wing its way, such breath from those black jaws 240
Issued and streamed to heaven ; and hence the Greeks
Avernus named it, or The Birdless Place.
Here first the Priestess four black bullocks set.
And on their brows poured wine, between their horns
Cropping the topmost bristles, which she laid, 245

The first burnt-oflFerings, on the sacred fire.
Invoking Hecat, Queen in Heaven and Hell.
Others draw knives beneath, and the warm blood
Receive in bowls. Aeneas with his sword
To Night, and Night's great Sister, a black lamb 250

Slays, and to Proserpine a barren cow.
Dark altars raises to the Stygian King,
And, laying on the flame great bulls entire,
Pours on their burning flesh rich streams of oil.
And lo ! toward sunrise and the prime of light, 255

Earth underfoot fell moaning, and the woods
Were stirred, and dogs seemed howling through the dark.
As the Divine One came. " Far hence. Unclean !
O hence," the Priestess cries. " Leave all the grove !
And thou, march on, and draw the steel. Now needs, 260
Aeneas, all thy prowess, all thy strength ! "
She spake, and passed in frenzy to the cave.
He not with timid steps beside her paced.

O Gods that rule the Dead ! O silent Shades !
Chaos and Phlegethon, dumb fields of Night ! 265

^60

Sit mihi fas audita loqui ; sit numinc vestro
Pandere res alta terra ct caligine mersas.

Ibant obscuri sola sub nocte per umbram,
Perque domos Ditis vacuas et inania regna :
Quale per incertam lunam sub luce maligna 270

Est iter in silvis, ubi caelum condidit umbra
luppiter, et rebus nox abstulit atra colorem.

Vestibulum ante ipsum primisque in faucibus Orci
Luctus et ultrices posuere cubilia Curae ;
Pallentesque habitant Morbi, tristisque Senectus, 275

Et Metus, et malesuada Fames, ac turpis Egestas,
Terri biles visu formae, Letumque, Labosque ;
Turn consanguineus Leti Sopor, et mala mentis
Gaudia, mortiferumque adverso in limine Bellum,
Ferreique Eumenidum thalami, et Discordia demens, 280
Vipereum crinem vittis innexa cruentis.

In medio ramos annosaque bracchia pandit
Ulmus opaca, ingens, quam sedem Sonmia volgo
Vana tenere, ferunt, foUisquc sub omnibus haerent.
Multaque praeterea variarum monstra ferarum 285

Centauri in foribus stabulant Scyllaeque biformes
Et centumgeminus Briareus ac belua Lemae,
Horrendum stridens, flanmiisque armata Chimaera,
Gorgones Harpyiaeque et forma tricorporis umbrae. .

Corripit hie subita trepidus formidine ferrum 29a

Aeneas, strictamque aciem venientibus offert,
Et, ni docta comes tenues sine corpore vitas
Admoneat volitare cava sub imagine formae,
Inruat, et frustra ferro diverberct umbras.

Hinc via, Tartarei quae tcrt Achcrontis ad undas. 295

Let what I heard be told ; O grant me grace
Things deep in Earth to unbare and gulfed in gloom !

•

Darkling they fared, in desolate dim night.
Through ghostly homes and shadowy realms of Dis ;
Like men in forests, when the inconstant moon 270

Throws peevish rays, and God has darkened heaven.
And sombre Night despoiled the hues of Earth.

Before the Porchway, in Hell's very throat.
Lay Grief, and pale Diseases, and Remorse,
And sad old Age, and Want, that counsels ill, 275

Fear, and gaunt Famine — dreadful shapes to see ! —
And Death, and Pain, and Death's twin-brother Sleep,
And sinful Lusts of Soul. And full in face
Right in the gateway lay the Slaughterer, War,
The Furies' iron cells, and Discord wild 280

With blood-stained fillets round her snaky hair.

And in their midst an immemorial Elm
Spreads shadowing arms, where idle Dreams are lodged.
That cling beneath each leaf. And many forms
Of monstrous Beasts are there : within the gate 285

There stable Centaurs, Scyllas double-shaped,
Briareus, the hundred-fold, and Lerna's Worm,
Dire-hissing, and Chimaera, armed with flame,
Gorgons, and Harpies, and the tri-form Ghost.

In sudden dread, Aeneas seized his blade, 290

And turned its naked edge to bar their way ;
And had his Guide not warned him all were frail 1

And flitting Ghosts, the semblances of life.
His sword had leapt and cleft the shades in vain.

Hence leads a road to Acheron, whose wild 295

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Irser^

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310

XiTiri scd zrisds nuac hcs nunc accfrit Sos» >i

^*^

Aeneas miracus cnfm mocasQue mzmlRi
Die, ait, o virgo, Kpii volt concnrscs ad amnnn ?
Quidve pctunc animar : vei quo discriminc ripas
Hae linqaont, Hlar remis vada lirida Temmc r
OUi sic brcvitcr hxz est loagacva saccrdos :
Anchisa generate, deom cerrissima proles,
Cocyti stagna alta vides Strgiamque palxidem,
Di cuius iurare timent et fcdlere numen.
Haec omnis, quam cemis, inops inhumataquc torln est, 325
Portitor ille Charon ; hi, quos vehit unda, sepokL
Nee ripas datur horrendas et rauca duenta
Transportare prius, quam sedibus ossa quienmt.

272

And whirling torrent spews its slimy sand

On slow Cocytus ; and as ferryman

Guarding the stream in awful squalor grim

Stands Charon ; on whose chin the hoarness lies

Untrimmed and thick ; his eyes are staring flame. 300

Foul from the shoulder hangs his knotted garb.

Himself he poles the boat, and tends the sail,

And bears the bodies in his dusky barge.

Ageing, but hearty with a God's green age.

All crowding to those banks the Phantoms streamed ; 305

Mothers and Men, and bodies done with life

Of great-souled Heroes ; boys, and maids unwed,

And sons on biers before their parents' eyes :

As many as leaves at Autumn's earliest cold

Falling to earth, or birds that landward flock, 310

O'er ocean routed, when the frozen year

Sends them to sunny lands. They stand, and plead

First to be ferried o'er, with hands outspread.

Craving for that far bank ; but in his boat

The surly mariner takes these or those, 315

And keeps the rest far driven from the shore.

Aeneas at that throng astonied stood.
" Tell me, O Maid ! " he cried, " what means this press ?
What seek the souls ? and why may some sweep o'er
The livid stream, while some the banks must quit ? " 320

To whom the Ancient Priestess brief replied :
" Anchises' son, true seed of Heaven ! thou seest
Cocytus' stagnant deep, the pools of Styx,
By which Gods swear, and fear to break their vow.
All this poor crowd thou seest due burial lack : 325

Yon ferryman is Charon : those who cross
Were buried : none that bellowing awful stream
Pass, till their bones are laid in quiet rest.

I 273 2 M

340

Centum errant annos volitantquc haec litora arcmn ;

Turn demum admissi stagna exoptata rcvisunt. ^ jo

Constitit Anchisa satus et vestigia prcssit,
Multa putans, sortemque animi miseratus iniquam.
Cernit ibi maestos et mortis honore carentcs
Leucaspim et Lyciae ductorem dassis Oronten,
Quos simul a Troia vcntosa per aequora vcctos -*^ ^

O bruit Auster, aqua involvcns navemque Tirosqac

Ecce gubemator scsc Palinunis agcbat.
Qui Libyco nuper cursu, cum sidcra scrvat,
Excidcrat puppi mediis cnusus in undis.
Hunc ubi vix multa maestum cognovit in ombn.
Sic prior adloquitur : Quis tc, Palinurc^ deorum
Eripuit nobiss mcdioquc sub acquorc mexsit ?
Die age* Xamque mih:, iallax baud ante repertos.
Hoc uno responso animum delusit Apollo,
Qui K^rc tc ponto incolumem, £ncsquc candwt 3^r

\' cnturum Ausonicts. Ea bacc rromissa fides est r
v-lUc autem : Xc>|ue te Phoeb: ccrtina fJEiJlit,
Oux Anchi^iaie. nee me ieus aecucrc mcsit.
N^mque gubemiclum multa vi forte rcvokom,
Oui dAtu^haeif bim cusrcxs cursusq^ic regrham, 350

TrACcipitam tnxi mecum, Maria aspera ixxro
NiMt uUum pro me tantum cepisse tiraonm,
Ouam tua ne. $pvM:ata arm:^. excussm nagBtro,
lVnv>eret tanti^i nav:$ surfK:dbc::s ;:ncisw
Trw No:a$ h:Serr.a$ inme::::$ui per ae*,^:»!» doocs -rr

l\\N$;Nr\i Ua;:am $umrsa suK:m:s ab
ra\tUt;:n aanaSin'i t^rrj&e ; :am r;ita r

I'Vt:^^^^^^»^;^^ urix'^^s^ :v*an:bu$ circra ^sccra s^sizs 560

%^ V * % X ■ \«*X J»C^»O^X X* % 'H *X ^**-»-»*^ 'TfcX «^'^<lk«-^ «.

A hundred years they flutter round this shore,

Till, chosen at last, the wished-for pools they gain." 330

Aeneas paused, and in his pensive soul
Pitied their cruel lot, Leucaspis there.
Robbed of death's dues, he saw, and him who led
The Lycian barks, Orontes, both in woe ;
Whom o'er the windy waters bound from Troy, 335

One storm had wrecked, engulfing ships and men.

And lo ! the pilot Palinurus there !
Who, while he watched the stars by Libya's coast.
Late from the stern fell prone, and sank in sea^ , -
Him woeful scarce amid the dusk he knew, 340

Then thus accosted : " O, what God from us
Hath torn thee and sunk beneath the shoreless sea ?
O tell me ! for Apollo, ne'er before
Found false, herein hath prophesied amiss.
Saved from the deep, he said that thou shouldst reach 345
Ausonian shores. Keeps he that promise thus ? "
But he : " Apollo's tripod rang not false,
Anchises* son ! for me no God hath drowned.
While clinging to my helm I ruled our course.
By chance I fell, and strongly wrenched it off, 350

And with me dragged. By the rude sea I swear.
Not for myself such fear as for thy ship
Seized me, lest she, with helm and pilot lost.
Might fail and founder in the leaping seas.
Me the wild South o'er leagues of ocean tossed 355

Three winter nights : scarce, as the fourth day dawned.
From the waves' crest I sighted Italy.
Slowly to land I swam ; and now were safe.
But, heavy with dank weeds, when as I clutched
The splintered cliff, some savage men with steel 360

Assailed me thus, a prize to their dull wit.

Nunc me nuctus habet, versantqae in litore ventL

Quod te per caeli iucundum lumen et auras.

Per genitorem oro, per spcs surgends luli,

Eripe me his, icvicte, malis : aut tu mini terram 365

Iniice, namque potes, portusque require Velinos ;

Aut tu, si qua via est, si quam tibi diva creatrix

Osrendit — neque enim, credo, sine numine dirom

Flumina tacra paras Stvgiamque innarc paludem —

Da dextram misero, et tecxun me tolle per undas, 370

Sedibus ut saltern placicis in morte quiescam.

fatus erat, coepit cusi talia vates :
Unde haec, o Palinurc, tibi tam dira cupido ?
Tu Scygias inhumatus aquas amnemque severum
Eumenidum aspicies^ ripamve iniussus adibis ?
Desine fata deum decti sperare precando.
Sed cape dicta memor, duri solicia casus.
Nam tua nnirimi, longe lateque per urbcs
Prodigiis acti caelestibus, ossa piabunt,

£t statuent tumulum, et tumulo soQenmia mitten t, 3 So

Aetemumque locus Palinuri ncmen habebit.
His dictis curae emotae, pulsusque pammpcr
Corde dolor tristi ; gaudet cogcomine terra.

Ergo iter inceptum peragrmt nurioqoc propinqoant.
Navita quos iam inde ut Strgia prospexit ab onda 385

Per racinmi nemus ire pedexnque advcrterc ripac.
Sic prior adgreditur dictis> atque increpat ultro :
Quisquis es, armatxxs qui nostra ad dumina tendis»
Fare age, quid venias» iam istinc, et comprime grcssoou
Umbrarum hie locus esc, Socnni Noctisquc sopone ; 390

Corpora viva nefas Stygia vcctare carina.
Ncc vero Alciden me sum Lietatus euntem
Accepisse lacu, nee Thcsca Pirithoumquc,
Dis quamquam genid atque invicti viribus cssent.

2-6

Now billows roll me, and winds cast ashore.

But O, by heaven's sweet air ! O, by thy Sire,

And by lulus' rising hope, I pray,

Save me, Unconquered ! Throw, for throw thou canst, 365

Earth on my corpse, and Velia's port regain !

Or if some way thy Heavenly Mother show —

For not, methinks, these streams and Stygian pools

Without Gods' aid thou'lt swim — O give thy hand

To me unhappy ! take me o'er the waves ! 370

That I may rest at least when I am dead."

He ended ; and the Priestess thus began :
" Whence, Palinurus, is that wild desire ?
Shalt thou, unburied, see the Stygian flood.
The Furies' stream, or reach the bank unbid ? 375

Hope not by prayer to bend the doom of God !
Yet heed my words, to heal thy sorry plight.
For cities near and far to lay thy ghost
Portents from Heaven shall urge, and they shall raise
A Tomb, and pay the Tomb a yearly vow. 380

There Palinurus' name shall last for aye."
Such words awhile drove sorrow from his heart,
And cheered him with the land that bears his name.

So, wending on their way, they near the stream.
Then from the Stygian wave the boatman saw 385

Them pacing thither through the silent wood.
And thus accosted : " Whosoe'er thou art.
Our stream in arms approaching, halt ! and there
Say why thou comest to this land of Shades,
Of Sleep and slumbering Night. My Stygian boat 390

May not convey the living. 'Twas no joy,
In sooth, I won, Alcides o'er the lake.
Nor Theseus bearing and Pirithous,
Though born of Gods, and great victorious men !

Tartareum ille manu custodem in vincla petivit, 395

Ipsius a solio regis, traxitque trementem ;
Hi dominam Ditis thalamo deducere adorti.

Quae contra breviter fata est Amphrysia vates :
NuUae hie insidiae tales ; absiste moveri ;
Nee vim tela ferunt ; lieet ingens ianitor antro 400

Aeternum latrans exsangues terreat umbras,
Casta lieet patrui servet Proserpina limen.
Troius Aeneas, pietate insignis et armis.
Ad genitorem imas Erebi deseendit ad umbras.
Si te nulla movet tantae pietatis imago, 405

At ramum hune — aperit ramum, qui veste latebat —
Adgnoseas, Tumida ex ira tum eorda residunt.
Nee plura his. Ille admirans venerabile donum
Fatalis virgae, longo post tempore visum,
Caeruleam advertit puppim, ripaeque propinquat. 410

Inde alias animas, quae per iuga longa sedebant,
Deturbat, laxatque foros ; simul aeeipit alveo
Ingentem Aenean. Gemuit sub pondere e ymbj
Sutilis, et multam aeeepit rimosa paludem.
Tandem trans fluvium ineolumes vatemque virumque 415
Informi limo glaueaque exponit in ulva.

Cerberus haee ingens latratu regna trifauei
Personat, adverso reeubans inmanis in aiitro.
Cui vates, horrere videns iam eolla eolubris,
Melle soporatam et medieatis frugibus ofFam 420

Obiieit. Ille fame rabida tria guttura pandens
Corripit obieetam, atque inmania terga resolvit
Fusus humi, totoque ingens extenditur antro.
Oeeupat Aeneas aditum custode sepulto,
Evaditque eeler ripam inremeabilis undae. 425

278

He sought the Guard of Tartarus to bind, 395

And drew him trembling from the throne of Dis :
They from his bower our Mistress strove to steal ! "

Whom thus the Amphrysian Priestess answered brief :
" But no such guile is ours. Be calm : our arms
No onslaught bear. Let that great gaoler bark 400

For ever in his den, to scare the ghosts !
Let Proserpine keep, chaste, her Uncle's home !
Trojan Aeneas, great in worth and war,
His father seeks, descending to the Shades.
If thee no image of such love can move, 405

Yet know this Bough ! " And, hidden in her robe.
She showed the Bough. Then all his anger fell.
Nor spake he more, but that dread gift admired.
The mystic Branch, for many a year unseen.
He turns his dusky barge, and nears the shore ; 410

And, thrusting from the thwarts all other souls.
He makes the gangways clear, and takes aboard
Large-limbed Aeneas, with whose weight the boat
Groans leaking, and admits the streaming fen.
At last he lands them both, in sea-green weed 415

And hideous slime, unharmed, across the stream.

Here, with his three-mouthed bark, great Cerberus
Roars, lying huge within his counter den.
To whom the Maid, when on his neck she saw
The bridling worms, a drowsing honey cake 420

Threw down. He, wild with hunger, opened large
His triple throat, and caught it ; then to earth
Sank his vast back, and sprawled o'er all the den.
The ward asleep, Aeneas gained the approach.
And left in haste the irremeable stream. 425

VI
Continuo auditae voces vagitus ct ingens
Infantumque animae ilentes in limine primo,
Quos dulcis vitae exsortes et ab ubere raptos
Abstulit atra dies et funcre mersit acerbo.
Hos iuxta falso damnati crimine mortis. 430

Ncc vero hac sine sortc datae, sine iudice, sedes :
Quaesitor Minos urnam movct ; ille silentum
Conciliumque vocat vitasque et crimina discit.
Proxuma deinde tenent maesti loca, qui sibi letum
Insontes pepererc manu, lucemque pcrosi 435

Proieccre animas. Quam vcUent aethere in alto
Nunc et paupcricm ct duros pcrfcrre labores !
Fas obstat, tristique palus inamabilis unda
AUigat, ct noviens Styx intcrfusa coercet.

Ncc procul hinc partem fusi monstrantur in oomem 440
Lugcntes campi ; sic illos nomine dicunt.
Hic^ quos durus amor erode! i tabe pcredit,
Sccreti cclant calles et m\Ttca circum
Sih*a tcgit ; curae non ipsa in morte relinquont.
His Phacdram Procrimque locis, maestamque Eriphvlen, 445
Crodelis nati monstrantem volncra, cemit,
Euadncnque et Pasiphacn ; his Laodamia
It come$^ ct imxnis quondam, nunc femina, Cacneus,
Rur$u$ ct in vctcrcm fatv^ rcvoluta nguram.
Inter quas Phocnissa rcccns a volncrc Dido 45a

Errabat $ih*a in magna ; quam Troios heros
Ut primurn iuxta stctit adgcovitquc per umbras
Ob$curam^ qualcxn prime qui surgere mense
Aut vidct^ aut vidi^sc putat per nubila Lunam,
Dcmi:i^it Ucnmas^ dulcique acfatus imorc est : 455

Int^lix Dici\ A'crus mihi nuntius crg-o
Vcncrat cx^tinotam^ ^frrv\;ue cxtr«aa sccctun ?
Funcris hcu tib: oj^u^a n:i : Per siccra luro.

Then on their ears a sound of wailing rose,
Where babies* souls were crying in the gate,
Life's joyless outcasts, whom the dismal day
Plucked from the breast unripe, and gulfed in gloom.
Near these are they on false accusal slain ; — 430

Here, too, the Lots are drawn, the Verdict given.
Minos presiding shakes the urn, and cites
The silent Court, and learns each lifetime's plea. —
And next are those sad souls who to themselves
Dealt death unguilty, and threw away their lives 435

Hating the light. Ah ! now how fain were they
In open day to suffer want and toil !
But Fate withstands, and that unlovely pool.
And Styx enfolds them, flowing nine times round.

And not far hence lie, spreading near and far, 440

The Fields of Mourning, for such name they bear.
Where in blind alleys lost and myrtle bowers
They shun the light, whom Love's unpitying wound
Wasted ; in death itself their pain remains.
Phaedra is there, and Procris ; there he sees, 445

Sad Eriphyle, with her mad son's scars ;
Evadne, and Pasiphae ; and with these
Laodamia, and who once was man,
jCaeneus, to woman's form again restored.
And there was Dido, roaming a great wood, 450

Fresh from her wound ; whom when the Trojan Prince
Knew standing near, dim-seen in dusk, as when
At the month's prime, one sees, or thinks he sees.
The rising misty moon, then, dropping tears.
With loving blandishment he thus began : 455

" Unhappy Dido ! Ah ! 'twas truly told
That thou wert dead, and sought the end with steel !
Was I the cause ? O, by the stars I swear,

I 281 2N

Per superos et si qua fides tellure sub ima est,

Invitus, regina, tuo de litore cessi. 460

Sed me iussa deum, quae nunc has ire per umbras,

Per loca senta situ cogunt noctemque profundam,

Imperiis egere suis ; nee credere quivi

Hunc tantum tibi me disccssu ferre dolorcm.

Siste gradum, teque aspectu ne subtrahe nostro. 465

Quern fugis ? extremum fato, quod te adloquor, hoc est.

Talibus Aeneas ardentem et torva tuentem
Lenibat dictis animum, lacrimasque ciebat.
Ilia solo fixos oculos aversa tenebat.

Nee magis incepto vol turn sermone movetur, 470

Quam si dura silex aut stet Marpesia cautes.
Tandem corripuit sese, atque inimica refugit
In nemus umbriferum, coniunx ubi pristinus illi
Respondet curis aequatque Sychaeus amorem.
Nee minus Aeneas, casu concussus iniquo, 475

Prosequitur lacrimis longe, et miseratur euntem.

Inde datum molitur iter, lamque arva tenebant
Ultima, quae bello clari secreta frequentant.
Hie illi occurrit Tydeus, hie inclutus armis
Parthenopaeus et Adrasti pallentis imago ; 480

Hie multum fleti ad superos belloque caduci
Dardanidae, quos ille omnes longo ordine cernens
Ingemuit, Glaucumque Medontaque Thersilochumque,
Tres Antenoridas, Cererique sacrum Polyphoeten,
Idaeumque, etiam currus, etiam arma tenentem. 485

Circumstant animae dextra laevaque frequentes.
Nee vidisse semel satis est ; iuvat usque morari,
Et conferre gradum, et veniendi discere causas.
At Danaum proceres Agamemnoniaeque phalanges
Ut videre virum fulgentiaque arma per umbras, 490

Ingenti trepidare metu ; pars vertere terga,

282

By Heaven, and all the sanctities of Hell !

Unwillingly, O Queen, I left thy shores ! 460

But God's own word, which through this shadowy place

Now drives me, and these festering fields of Night,

Imperious thrust me forth ; nor could I deem

My going thence would bring thee so much woe.

Stay ! Turn not from my gaze ! O, who is this 46/;

Thou shunnest ? 'Tis my last permitted word ! "

He with such speech and many a tear essayed
To soothe her fiery spirit, glowering wrath.
Fixed on the ground she kept her eyes averse.
No more her visage by his speech was moved 470

Than if she stood all flint or Parian stone.
At last in scorn she fled, and refuge found
In that green umbrage, where her former lord
Shared all her pain, and gave her love for love.
But still Aeneas, stricken by her woes, ^ 475

Pursued her far with pity and with tears.

Thence toiling on their path, they gain at last
The outer fields, where mighty warriors dwell.
There met him Tydeus ; there, renowned in arms,
Parthenopaeus, pale Adrastus* shade ; 480

And Dardans slain in war, long wept above.
Stood in one long array. With sighs he marked
Glaucus, and Medon, and Thersilochus,
Antenor's sons, and Polyphoetes, vowed

To Ceres, and Idaeus, holding still 485

His car, his arms. Full close they hedge him round.
One look contents them not ; they pace beside.
Lingering in joy, and learning why he came.
But Danaan lords, and Agamemnon's host,
When through the gloom they saw him flash in arms, 490
Trembled with terror ; and some turned to fly.

-.0^

Ceu quondam petiere rates ; pars tollere vocem
Exiguam : inceptus clamor frustratur hiantes.

Atque hie Priamidcn laniatum corpore toto
Deiphobum vidit, lacerum crudeliter ora, 495

Ora manusque ambas, populataque tempora raptis
Auribus, et truncas inhonesto volnere nares,
Vix adeo adgnovit pavitantem et dira tegentem
Supplicia, et notis compellat vocibus ultro :

Deiphobe armipotens, genus alto a sanguine Teucri, 500
Quis tam crudeles optavit sumere poenas ?
Cui tantum de te licuit ? Mihi fama suprema
Nocte tulit fessum vasta te caede Pelasgum
Procubuisse super confusae stragis acervum.
Tunc egomet tumulum Rhoeteo litore inanem 505

Constitui, et magna Manes ter voce vocavi.
Nomen et arma locum servant ; te, amice, nequivi
Conspicere et patria decedens ponere terra.

Ad quae Priamides : Nihil o tibi amice relictum ;
Omnia Deiphobo solvisti et funeris umbris. 510

Sed me fata mea et scelus exitiale Lacaenae
His mersere malis ; ilia haec monumenta reliquit.
Namque ut supremam falsa inter gaudia noctem
Egerimus, nosti ; et nimium meminisse necesse est.
Cum fatalis equus saltu super ardua venit 515

Pergama et armatum peditem gravis attulit alvo.
Ilia, chorum simulans, euantes orgia circum
Ducebat Phrygias ; flammam media ipsa tenebat
Ingentem, et summa Danaos ex arce vocabat.
Tum me, confectum curis somnoque gravatum, 520

Infelix habuit thalamus, pressitque iacentem
Dulcis et alta quies placidaeque simillima morti.
Egregia interea coniunx arma omnia tectis

V 1

As to the ships of old, some lifted up

Thin cries of war from throats that vainly gasped.

There Priam*s son, with all his body shent,
Deiphobus he saw, his shattered face, 495

Face and both hands, and earless, mangled head.
And nostrils by a wound inglorious lopped.
Him, cowering to conceal those grisly scars.
He scarcely knew, then thus familiar spoke :

" O great in arms ! of Teucer's lofty line ! 500

Who took such fell revenge ? Who wrought on thee
Such licence ? Rumour told me thou hadst sunk,
Spent with much carnage, on that final night,
Upon a heap of dead ; and I myself

On the Rhoetean shore an empty tomb 505

Raised, and thrice called upon thy ghost aloud.
Thy name and weapons keep the spot, but thee
I found not in thy native earth to lay ! "

Then he : " O friend, in nothing didst thou fail !
To him, and his dead shade, thou gavest all. 510

Doom, and the Spartan Woman's heinous crime
Plunged me in woe ; these memories she left !
For that last night we spent in false delight.
Thou mindest all too well. When o'er our walls
The fatal Horse leapt down, and in its womb 515

Bore fruit of mailclad men, she, in feigned dance.
With songs and orgies, led the Phrygian wives.
And from the Keep a mighty firebrand held.
And called the Greeks. I in my bower unblest
Lay, worn with care, and sunk in slumber deep ; 520

Deep sleep and sweet. Death's very image, weighed
My body down, while from our house my wife,
O peerless wife ! bore every weapon out.

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Drew from beneath my head the trusty sword,

Called Menelaus, and the door flung wide, 525

With such a gift in store to win his love.

And quench the fame of her nefarious past !

Why linger ? In they burst ; and with them came

Crime's counsellor, Ulysses. Do as much.

Just Gods, to them, if pure these lips that pray ! 530

But tell me in thy turn what brings thee here

Living. Dost come from roaming of the seas,

Or charged by God ? What fortune drags thee thus

To lands perplext and sunless homes of woe ? "

But while they talked, the Dawn in rosy car 535

Beyond mid-pole had made her heavenly way ;
And thus the allotted time had all been spent.
Did not the guiding Sibyl warn him brief :
" Night speeds, O Prince ! in tears we waste the day.
Here lies the place where twofold paths diverge. 540

One leads to Pluto's halls, by which we gain
Elysium ; but the left to evil souls
Works woe, and brings them to the wrath of Hell."
To whom Deiphobus : " Dread Maid, forbear !
I go to fill the tale, and sink in gloom. 545

Pass on, our Pride ! and happier prove thy fate ! "
He said, and speaking bent away his steps.

Aeneas turned, and 'neath the leftward cliff
A fortress saw, girt wide by triple walls,
Round which fierce Phlegethon poured out a flood 550

Of torrent fire, and tumbled thundering stones.
A gate in front, huge doors of adamant,
No might of man, not all the embattled hosts
Of Heaven might shake ; high soars its iron tower.
Where, wrapt in bloody pall, Tisiphone 555

The entrance guards, nor sleeps by night or day.

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Tisiphczc qrsrt insulrxiis, ccrrcsc^ic sniscrz
Intcntans argues Tccar agmirri
Turn dcmud hcrrisc-o scidcn:
Pancuntur porac Ccrnis c^stccia ccaris
Vcsdbulo scdcat : scies quae >.ir.->i scrrct
Quinquaginta atris inr"^:::^ hiacib:2S Hvdra
Saerior incus habet scden. Tzxn Tanaros ipse
Bis patet in pracccps tanms rmciiqge sob mnhns»
Quantus ad accherium cadi suspecms Ohmpmn.
Hie genus antiquum Terrae, Ticmia pabes, 580

Fulnune dciecd funco Tchnnnr in imo.
Hie et Aloidas gcminos inmania Tidi
Corpora, qui manibus magnum rescincerc caelum
Adgrcssi, superisquc lovcm dcrrjccre rcgnis*
Vidi et crudeles dantem SalnKicea peesas» 585

I>um tiamma^ lovis et SQoitus imicacuT OhmpL
Quattuor hie invectus equis et lampara quassaos
Per Graium pcpulos mcdiaeque per FTtj^tc mb e m
Ibat ovans, divomque sibi poscebat honorem,
Demens ! qui nimbcs et ncn imitabile fulmen 590

2SS

And wailing rose therefrom, and cruel sounds.
Thongs, and the clank of iron, and dragging chains.

He stopped, and o*er that noise in terror hung.
" What shapes of guilt, O Maid ! what penal scourge, 560
What loud lament is this assailing heaven ? "
Thus spake the Sibyl : " Glorious Prince of Troy !
None pure in heart may tread these courts of sin ;
But Hecat, when she throned me Queen of Hell,
Taught me God's punishments, and showed me all. 565

Here Rhadamanthus reigns with iron sway.
And chastens fraud, and hears and makes confess
Their poor fond secrets who on earth put off
Till death's late hour their unrepented sin.
Then, leaping on them with avenging lash, 570

The scourging Fury in the left hand shakes
Her grisly worms, and calls her sisters grim.
At last, on hideous hinges grating harsh.
The Infernal Doors fly open. Mark who sits
To watch the gate ! what Shape the threshold guards ! 575
Yet more abhorred within the Hydra lurks.
With fifty gaping throats. Then Hell itself
Yawns sheer, and twice as far through darkness drops
As sight can travel to the Olympian height.
Here, in the nethermost Abyss, hurled down 580

By lightnings, roll the eldest born of Earth,
The Titans. Here the giant twins I saw,
Aloeus* sons, whose hands essayed to thrust
Jove from his throne, and rend the vast of Heaven.
Salmoneus too I saw in throes atone, 585

Who mimicked Jove's own thunders and his fire.
Drawn by four steeds through the Greek Elis town
Exultingly he rode, with brandished torch.
Claiming the honours of a God. O Fool !
Who thought with brass and trampling hoofs to match 590
I 289 2 o

Acre et cornipcdum pulsu simularet equorum.

At pater omnipotens densa inter nubila telum

Contorsit, non ille faces nee fumea taedis

Lumina, praccipitemque inmani turbine adegit.

Nee non et Tityon, Terrae omniparentis alumnum, • 595

Cernere erat, per tota novem eui iugera eorpus

Porrigitur, rostroque inmanis voltur obuneo

Immortale ieeur tondens fecundaque poenis

Viseera rimaturque epulis habitatque sub alto

Peetore, nee fiEris requies datur uUa renatis. 600

Quid memorem Lapithas, Ixiona Pirithoumque ?

Quos super atra silex iam iam lapsura cadentique

Imminet adsimilis ; lueent genialibus altis

Aurea fulera toris, epulaeque ante ora paratae

Regifieo luxu ; Furiarum maxuma iuxta 605

Aeeubat, et manibus prohibet eontingere mensas,

Exsurgitque faeem attollens, atque intonat ore.

Hie, quibus invisi fratres, dum vita manebat,

Pulsatusve parens, et fraus innexa clienti,

Aut qui divitiis soli incubuere rtpertis, 610

Nee partem posuere suis, quae maxuma turba est,

Quique ob adulterium caesi, quique arma seeuti

Impia, nee veriti dominorum fallere dextras,

Inelusi poenam exspeetant. Ne quaere doeeri,

Quam poenam, aut quae forma viros fortunave mersit. 615

Saxum ingens volvunt alii, radiisque rotarum

Distrieti pendent; sedet, aeternumque sedebit,

Infelix Theseus ; Phlegyasque miserrimus onmes

Admonet et magna testatur voce per umbras :

Diseite iustitiam moniti, et non temnere divos. 620

Vendidit hie auro patriam, dominumque potentem

Inposuit ; fixit leges pretio atque refixit ;

Hie thalamum invasit natae vetitosque hymenaeos;

Ausi onmes inmane nefas, ausoque potiti.

Non, mihi si linguae centum sint oraque centum, 625

onr\

The storm-cloud and the inimitable bolt !

But him the Almighty Father, through dense air

Launching his shaft, — no smoking torch of pine, —

Hurled headlong in the raging whirlwind's blast.

There Tityos, nursling of great Mother Earth, 595

Lay stretching nine full roods, and with her beak

A monstrous vulture pecks for evermore

His liver, and his anguish-breeding heart.

She banquets shrewdly, in his bosom lodged.

And gives no respite to the new-born flesh. 600

Why name Ixion and Pirithous

Or Lapithae ? o'er whom the impending rock

Seems slipping, slipping still. Before them gleam

Gold genial couches, and the feast is spread

With regal pomp : fast by the Furies' Queen 605

Crouches and guards the tables from their touch.

Rising with torch uplift and thundering tones.

Here they who hated brothers, or in life

A parent struck, or wronged a client's trust,

Or brooded over wealth in solitude 610

And shared it not, — there is the largest crowd, —

Those for adultery slain, and those who drew

The sword of treason, or their lords betrayed.

All wait their doom immured. Seek not to know

What doom, what shape of suflFering falls on them. 615

Some roll a ponderous stone, or hang outstretched

On whirling wheels. There sits, and aye shall sit,

Unhappy Theseus : Phlegyas, most in woe.

Gives warning wide, and testifies through gloom :

* Learn to be just ! Be warned, and fear the Gods ! ' 620

One to a tyrant lord his country sold.

Made laws for gold, and for a bribe unmade ;

One forced a daughter's unpermitted bed.

All dared great guilt, and reaped their daring's fruit.

Had I a hundred tongues, a hundred mouths, 625

Ferrea vox, oznnes sceleram conprendere formas.
Omnia poenanun pcrcurrere nomina possim.

Haec ubi dicta dedit Phoebi longaeva sacerdos :
Sed iam age, carpe viam et susceptum perfice munus ;
Adceleremus, ait ; Cyclopom edncta caminis
Moenia conspicio'atque advcrso fomice porta%
Haec ubi nos praecepta iubent deponere dona.
Dixerat, et pariter gressi per opaca vianun
Corripiunt spatium medium, foribusque propinquant.
Occupat Aeneas aditum, corpusque recenti 635

Spargit aqua, ramumque adverso in limine figit.

His demum exactis, perfecto munere divae,
Devenere locos laetos et amoena virecta
Fortunatorum nemorum sedesque beatas.

Largior hie campos aether et lumine vestit 640

Purpureo, solemque suum, sua sidera norunt.
Pars in gramineis exercent membra palaestris,
Contendunt ludo et fulva luctantur harena ;
Pars pedibus plaudunt choreas et carmina dicunt.
Nee non Threicius longa cum veste sacerdos 645

Obloquitur numeris septem discrimina vocum,
lamque eadem digitis, iam pectine pulsat ebumo.
Hie genus antiquum Teucri, pulcherrima proles,
Magnanimi heroes, nati melioribus annis,
Ilusque Assaracusque et Troiae Dardanus auctor. 650

Arma procul currusque virum miratur inanes.
Stant terra defixae hastae, passimque soluti
Per campum pascuntur cqui. Quae gratia currum
Armorumque fuit vivis, quae cura nitentes
Pascere equos, eadem sequitur tellure repostos. 655

Conspicit, ecce, alios dextra laevaque per herbam
Vescentes laetumque choro Paeana canentes
Inter odoratum lauri nemus, unde supeme

A voice of iron, I could not compass all
Their crimes, nor tell their penalties by name.

V X

So spake Apollo's Priestess, old and hoar.
" On, now," she adds, " perform the unfinished task !
On let us haste ! Cyclopian walls I see ; 630

And lo ! in front yon archway, where 'tis charged
To lay our gift." She ceased, and side by side
Threading the darkness they o'erleap the gap,
And reach the gate. Aeneas, hastening in,
His body sprinkles with fresh lustral dews, 635

And on the fronting threshold lays the Bough,

When thus at last the Goddess* gift was paid.
They came within a region green and fair.
Fortunate fields and groves, the homes of bliss.
An ampler ether decks those meads with light : 640

Another sun is theirs, and other stars.
There on the sward some vie in sportive bouts.
Or wrestle on the sand. Others their feet
Beat in the dance with songs. And there, long-robed.
The blessed Thracian to the measure sounds 645

His seven sweet notes ; and now his fingers strike
The music out, and now his ivory quill.
And there is Teucer's old and stately race,
Great-hearted heroes, born in happier years,
Ilus, Assaracus, and Dardanus, 650

Troy's Founder. At their arms and shadowy cars
He marvels ; fast in earth their lances stand,
Their steeds are pasturing free : their living joy
In car and weapons, all the love that fed
Their glossy steeds, still follow them below. 655

Others to right and left on grassy turf
Feasting he saw, and quiring Paeans glad,
Mid odorous laurels, whence Eridanus

Pliininus Eric: an I per silvaai TolTitor amnis.-

Hic nanus ob patriazn pugnando Tolnera passi, 660

Quique sacerdotes casd, dum vita manebat,

Quiquc pii irxRs ct Phocfao digna locud,

Invencas aut qui vitam excoluere per artes,

Qxiique sui tnemores alios fecere tnerendo ;

Omnibus his oivea ciaguntur tempera vitta. 665

Quos drcuxnfuscs sic est adma SibvUa,
M'jsaeurzi ante omnes ; mediuxn nam plurima torba
Hunc hibec atque omeris exstantcm suspicit altis :
Dicire. feliccs inimae. mque. cpr^ime Tares,
Quiic re-j^o Anchisen. quis habcc locus : illius ergo 670

V*n£mus ct mj^cs Erebi tranavimus amnrs,
Arc",ie huic responsum piucis ita reddidit heros :
X-iZi certa do mus ; lucis habitamus opaos,
Biroriimcue tores et pnta r e c entia rivis
Incclimus* Sed vos^ si fert ita corde vclTmtas, 675

Hic iurerate iu^um : et factii tarn tramite sistam.
Dixir. ec ante tulit gressunru campcsque niteates
Descrcr ostentat : dehinc summa cacamina linqiiiuit.

Ar piter Anchises pcsicrs cocTaHe Tireati
Licissis irrna^ suremocue jc lunaca rears 680

.0 reco^es^

mcresque manasqae.
sum per ^ramistt Tidit

:wt ore :

685

» «> «

Xa»* na* ec zccas aucire et redcere tcccs r

Rolls up to Earth, full-brimmed, his woodland wave.

And there are those who for their country bled, 660

Priests who were pure in earth, and gentle Bards

Whose words were worthy of Apollo's choir.

Inventors rare whose arts have polished life.

And who by serving made their memory dear :

All these are crowned with bands of snowy white. 665

Them thus reposed the Sibyl then bespeaks,
Musaeus first, for him they most regard
Towering amidst their throng with shoulders tall :
" Say, happy Souls ! and thou, O Bard most blest !
Where dwells Anchises, for whose sake we came, 670

And crossed the infernal streams ? " Whom thus in brief
The Hero answered : " Here no settled home
Hath any ; but by river banks we dwell,
In meadows fresh with rills and shady groves.
But climb yon height, if thus your hearts incline, 675

And I will lead you by an easy path."
And, walking first, he shows them spread below
The glittering plains, and they descend the hill.

There lay Anchises, in a far green vale,
And musing scanned the imprisoned souls that soon 680

Would rise to daylight, and the cherished line
Of all his offspring numbered, and reviewed
Their fates, their lives, their prowess, and their worth.
But when advancing o'er the sward he saw
Aeneas, eagerly both hands he stretched, 685

And raining down his tears, the silence broke :

" Art thou then come ? and hath the love I hoped
Subdued the hard way ? O may I see thy face, v

And hear thee, Son, and answer, as of old ?
Yet in my thoughts I deemed that this would be, 690

Tempora dinumerans, nee me mea cura fefellit.
Quas ego te terras et quanta per aequora vcctum
Accipio ! quantis iactatiim, nate, periclis !
Quam metui, ne quid Libyae tibi regna nocerent !

Ille autem : Tua me, genitor, tua tristis imago, 695

Saepius occurrens, haec limina tendere adegit ;
Stant sale Tyrrheno classes. Da iungere dextram.
Da, genitor, tequc amplexu ne subtrahe nostro.
Sic memorans largo fletu simul ora rigabat.
Ter conatus ibi collo dare bracchia circum, 700

Ter frustra conprensa manus efFugit imago.
Par levibus ventis volucrique simillima somno.

Interea videt Aeneas in valle reducta
Seclusum nemus et virgulta sonantia silvis,
Lethaeumque, domos placidas qui pracnatat, amnem. 705
Hunc circum innumerae gentes populique volabant ;
Ac velut in pratis ubi apes aestate serena
Floribus insidunt variis, et Candida circum
Lilia funduntur ; strepit omnis murmure campus.

Horrescit visu subito, causasque requirit 710

Inscius Aeneas, quae sint ea flumina porro,
Quive viri tanto conplerint agminc ripas.
Tum pater Anchises : Animae, quibus altera fato
Corpora debentur, Lethaei ad fluminis undam
Securos latices et longa oblivia potant. 715

Has equidem memorare tibi atque ostcndere coram,
lampridem banc prolem cupio enumerare meorum.
Quo magis Italia mecum laetere reperta.

O pater, anne aliquas ad caelum hinc ire putandum est
Sublimes animas, itcrumque ad tarda reverti 720

Corpora ? quae lucis miseris tam dira cupido ?

Counting the days, nor was my longing vain.
What lands, what wastes of water, O my Son,
Hast thou not traversed ! by what perils tossed !
Ah ! how I feared lest Libya worked thee woe ! *!

Then he : " O Father, *twas thy phantom sad 695

That came to me so oft and hither urged !
My vessels ride the Tyrrhene Sea. O give
Thine hand, O Father, go not from these arms ! "
He spoke, while streaming tears bedewed his face.
Thrice round his neck he tried to throw his arms ; 700

Thrice fled the vision from his empty grasp,
As light as wind, and like a flying dream.

Meanwhile within a far ravine he saw
A glen of rustling foliage, and the stream
Of Lethe flowing before homes of peace. 705

And round it tribes and peoples numberless
Were hovering, as bees in the bright summer
Light on the damasked flowers, and stream around
White lilies, and the murmurous meadow hums.

Thrilled by that sudden sight, Aeneas asks 710

In wonder, what that distant river is.
And what great host is crowding all its marge.
Anchises then : " The Soul to which Fate owes
Another flesh, from yonder Lethe drinks
A lulling draught and long forgetfulnes^ 7 1 5

These have I wished to show thee many a day.
And count my children's children, to increase
Thy joy with mine, when Italy is found."

" O Father ! May we think that any Souls
Pass upwards, and return to irksome flesh ? 720

What is this strange sad longing for the light ? "

I 297 2 p

Dicam equidcm, ncc tc suspensum, natc, tenebo ;
Suscipit Anchiscs, atquc ordine singula pandit.

Principio caelum ac terras camposque liqucntcs
Lucentcmquc globum Lunae Titaniaquc astra 725

Spiritus intus alit, totamquc infusa per artus
Mens agitat molem et magno se corpore miscet.
Inde hominum pecudumque genus vitaeque volantum
Et quae marmoreo fert monstra sub aequore pontus,
Igneus est oUis vigor et caelestis origo 730

Seminibus, quantum non noxia corpora tardant
Terrenique hebetant artus moribundaque membra.
Hinc metuunt cupiuntque, dolent gaudentque, neque auras
Dispiciunt clausae tenebris et carcere caeco.
Quin et supremo cum lumine vita reliquit, 735

Non tamen omne malum miseris nee funditus omnes
Corporeae excedunt pestes, pcnitusque necesse est
Multa diu concreta modis inolescere miris.
Ergo exercentur poenis, veterumque malorum
Supplicia expendunt : aliae panduntur inanes 740

Suspensae ad ventos ; aliis sub gurgite vasto
Infectum eluitur scelus, aut exuritur igni ;
Quisque suos patimur Manes ; exinde per amplum
Mittimur Elysium, et pauci laeta arva tencmus ;
Donee longa dies, perfecto temporis orbe, 745

Concretam exemit labem, purumque relinquit
Aetherium scnsum atque aurai simplicis igncm.
Has omnes, ubi mille rotam volvere per annos,
Lethaeum ad fluvium deus evocat agmine magno.
Scilicet inmemores supera ut convexa revisant 750

Rursus et incipiant in corpora velle rfeverti.

Dixerat Anchises, natumque unaque Sibyllam

" Son, I will hold thee in suspense no more."
And thus his Sire unfolds the gradual tale.

" Know first that Heaven and Earth and flowing Sea,
The Moon's far-shining orb, and Titan's stars 725

An inner Soul sustains ; a Spirit infused
Moves in the mass, and sways the mighty frame.
Thence men are born, and beasts, and flying fowl.
And shapes that swim the deep : their seeds of life
Have fiery vigour, and celestial source, 730

Save for the fleshly taint, the numbing weight
Of earthy limbs, and bodies made to die.
Hence spring their fears, their love, and pain, and joy ;
And, pent in gloom, the light they never see
From that blind dungeon. Nay, when life's last ray 735
Departs, not yet all evil, not all taint
Of carnal disappears ; so long ingrained
Needs must that inward growth be wondrous deep.
Therefore they suflFer chastisement, and purge
Past sins by penance. Some are stretched and hung 740

t In the void winds, or under monstrous seas
Their guilt is washed away, or burnt by fire.
Each his own Doom we bear, (ere sent to dwell,
A happy remnant, in Elysian meads,)

Till Time fiilfils the cycle, and takes out 745

That inbred flaw, and unpolluted leaves
The etherial sense and Heaven's authentic fire.
Rolled through a thousand years, God summons all
Yon Souls to Lethe, that remembering nought
The vault of Heaven they may behold once more 750

Resuming wistfully the mortal flesh."

He ceased, and drew through all that humming throng

Conventus trahit in medios turbamquc sonantem,
Et tumulum capit, undie omnes longo ordine posset
Adversos Icgerc, et venientum discerc voltus. 755

7^ Nunc age, Dardaniam prolem quae deinde sequatur
Gloria, qui maneant Itala de gente nepotes,
Inlustres animas nostrumque in nomen ituras,'
Expediam dictis, et te tua fata docebo.

lUc, vides, pura iuvenis qui nititur hasta, 760 *

Proxuma sorte tenet lucis loca, primus ad auras
Aetherias Italo commixtus sanguine siirgetr ^
Silvius, Albanum nomen, tua postuma proles,
Quem tibi longaevo serum Lavinia coniunx
Educet silvis regem regumque parentem, 765

Unde genus Longa nostrum dominabitur Alba.
Proxumus ille Procas, Troianae gloria gentis,
Et Capys, et Numitor, et qui te nomine reddet
Silvius Aeneas, pariter pietate vel armis

Egregius, si umquam regnandam acceperit Albam. 770

Qui iuvenes ! quantas ostentant, aspice, vires,v
Atque umbrata gerunt civili tempora quercu !
Hi tibi Nomentum et Gabios urbemque Fidenam,
Hi Collatinas inponent montibus arces, \

Pometios Castrumque Inui Bolamque Coramque. \ 775

Haec tum nomina erunt, nunc sunt sine nomine terrac^l
Quin et avo comitem sese Mavortius addet
Romulus, Assaraci quem sanguinis Ilia mater
Educet. Viden', ut geminae stant vertice cristae, \

Et pater ipse suo superum iam signat honore.?. 78cv.^*

En, huius, nate, auspiciis ilia incluta Roma
Imperium terris, animos aequabit Olympo,
Septemque una sibi.muro circumdabit arces,
Felix prole virum\/ qualis Berecyntia mater
Invehitur curru Phrygias turrita per urbes, ' 785

Aeneas and his Guide, and chose a mound,

Whence he might scan the vast confronting ranks,

And recognise their faces as they came. 755

" Nov/ will I tell what glories shall pursue
The long Italian line of Dardan blood.
Illustrious souls, in distant years to bear
Our name ! and teach what Fate hath stored for Thee !

" Look, yonder, leaning on his maiden spear, 760

Nearest the light, is he who first shall rise.
Blent with Italian blood, to living day,
Silvius, the Alban name, thy youngest son.
Whom in green woods Lavinia late shall bear
To thee grown old, a King and Sire of Kings. 765

Through him our House o'er Alba shall bear sway.
Procas is next, our pride, and Numitor,
Capys, and he who shall renew thy name,
Silvius Aeneas, great in worth, as great

In prowess, should he gain the Alban throne. 770

What men are they ! O what puissant fronts !
Behold the civic oak that shades their brows !
Nomentum the^r shall found, Fidenae's town,
Gabii, Pometii, and CoUatia's fort,

Bola, and Cora and the Inuan Camp. 775

These shall be names which now are nameless land !
And there, beside his grandsire. Ilia's son.
Sprung from Tfby's royal blood, the seed of Mars,
Lo, Romulus ! O see the double plume.
His father's badge that marks him for the skies ! 780

Beneath his auspices great Rome shall fill
Earth with her power, and with her glory Heaven,
Blest in her hero brood, and seated sole
On seven walled hills, even as through Phrygian towns
The towered Berecynthian rides her car, 785

Laeta dcum partu, centum conplexa nepotes,

Omnes caelicolas, omnes supera alta tenentes.

Hue geminas nunc flecte acies, banc aspicd gentem

Romanosque tuos. Hie Caesar et omnis luli

Progenies, magnum caeli ventura sub axem. 790

Hie vir, bie est, tibi quern promitti saepius audis,

Augustus Caesar, Divi genus, aurea eondet

Saeeula qui rursus Latio regnata per arva

Saturno quondam ; super et Garamantas et Indos

Profcret imperium ; iacet extra sidera tellus, 795

Extra anni solisque vias, ubi caelifer Atlas

Axem umero torquet stellis ardentibus aptum.

Huius in adventum iam nunc et Caspia regna

Rcsponsis horrent divom et Maeotia tellus,

Et septemgemini turbant trepida ostia Nili. 800

Nee vcro Aleidcs tantum telluris obivit,

Fixcrit acripedem cervam licet, aut Erymanthi

Paearit nemora, et Lernam tremefecerit arcu ;

Nee, qui pampineis victor iuga flectit habcnis.

Liber, agens eclso Nysae dc vcrticc tigres. 805

Et dubitamus adhue virtutem extendere faetis,

Aut mctus Ausonia prohibct consistcrc terra ?

Quis procul ille autem ramis insignis olivae
Sacra ferens ? Nosco erines ineanaque menta
Regis Romahi, primam qui legibus urbem 810

Fundabit, Curibus parvis et paupcrc terra
Missus in imperium magnum. Cui deiode subibit,
Otia qui rumpet patriae residesque movebit
TuUus in arma viros et iam desueta triumphis
Agmina. Quern iuxta sequitur iaetantior Ancus, ^ ^ 5

Nunc quoque iam nimium gaudens popularibus auris. .
Vis et Tarquinios reges, animamque superbam
Ultoris Bruti, fiaiscesque vidcrc reccptos ?
Consulis imperium hie primus saevasque secures

Clasping a hundred sons, all denizens

Of Heaven, all tenants of the lofty skies !

Bend hither now thy sight. Behold thy sons !

Thy race of Romans ! Caesar lo ! and all

lulus' seed, heirs of the heavenly day. 790

This, this is he so long thou hear'st foretold

Divine Augustus Caesar, who once more

Shall build, where Saturn reigned in Latian fields.

The Golden Age ! O'er Garamant and Ind

His sway shall spread, beyond the stars, beyond 795

The range of Year and Sun, where on his back

Great Atlas turns the star-yspangled sky.

Ere his approach e'en now at Heaven's decree

The Caspian shudders, and Maeotia shrinks.

And Nile's seven mouths with terror are perplexed. 800

Yea, so much earth Alcides never passed

To pierce the brass-hoofed stag, or quell with shafts

Lerna, or silence Erymanthian brakes ;

Nor conquering Liber, when with vine-clad reins

He drives his tigers from high Nyrsa's top. — 805

And doubt we still to give our prowess room ?

Or shrink we in fear from that Ausonian land ? —

" But who is this, that, crowned with olive, bears
The sacrifice ? I know the hoary beard.
The Roman King, who first shall bind the State 810

By laws, from little Cures' needy soil
Sent forth to Empire. After whom shall come.
Ignoble peace to rend, and wake to war
The flagging State, to triumphs long disused,
TuUus. And next the braggart Ancus comes, 815

Even now too doting on the People's breath.
Wilt see the Tarquins ? the avenging pride
Of Brutus, and the lictors' rods resumed ?
He first the Consul's awful axe shall take.

Accipiet, natosque pater npva bella mpxcntes^ 820

Ad poenampulchra pro libertate vocabit,

Infelix ! Utcumque ferent ea facta minores,

Vincet amor patriae laudumque inmensa cupido.

Quin Decios Drusosque procul saevumque securi

Aspice Torquatum et referentem signa Camillum. 825

Illae autem, paribus quas fulgere cernis in armis,

Concordes animae nunc et dum noctc premuntur,

Heu quantum inter se bellum, si lumina vitae .

Attigerint, quantas acies stragemquc ciebunt !

Aggeribus socer Alpinis atque arce Monoeci 830

Descendens, gener adversis instructus Eois.

Ne, pueri, ne tanta animis adsuescite bella,

Neu patriae validas in viscera vertite vires ;

Tuque prior, tu parce, genus qui ducis Olympo,

Proiice tela manu, sanguis meus ! — 835

lUe triumphata Capitolia ad alta Corintho

Victor aget currum, caesis insignis Achivis.

Eruet ille Argos Agamemnbniasque Mycenas,

Ipsumque Aeaciden, genus armipotentis Achilli,

Ultus avos Troiae, templa et temerata Minervae. 840

Quis te, magne Cato, taciturn, aut te, Cosse, relinquat !

Quis Gracchi genus, aut geminos, duo fulmina belli,

Scipiadas, cladem Libyae, parvoque potentem

Fabricium, vel te sulco, Serrane, sei^ntem ?

Quo fessum rapitis, Fabii ? tu Maxumus ille es, 845

Unus qui nobis cunctando restitui^ rem.

Excudent alii spirantia moUius aera,
Gredo equidem, vivos duceht de marmore voltus,
Orabunt causas melius, caelique meatus

Dcscribent radio et surgentia sidera dicent : 850

Tu regere imperio populos, Romane, memento ;
Hac tibi crunt artes ; pacisque inponere morem,
Parcere subiectis, et debellare superbos.

304 ^/

And, when his sons provoke impetuous strife, 820

Doom them to death in Freedom's glorious name.

O Man of Grief ! Howe'er thy tale be told.

Large honour there shall glow and patriot love !

Decii and Drusi see ! Torquatus' axe !

Camillus see, who bears the banners home ! 825

But those who shine like-armed, souls now at peace

In Death's dark durance, when they reach the light.

What wars between them, O what fields of blood

Will they awake ! Across the barrier Alps

One fi-om Monoecus' stronghold shall descend 830

To front his son-in-law's embattled East !

My sons, O cleave not to a strife like this !

Save Rome's own bosom from the swords of Rome !

Thou first, O seed of Heaven, thou first forgive !

Blood of my veins, cast down thine arms ! 835

Lo ! who from Corinth to the high Capitol

ShaD drive in triumph, flown with Grecian blood,

And yonder who shall lay Mycenae low,

Achilles' very seed, and vengeance take

For Trojan sires, and Pallas' outraged fane.

Thee, Cossus, thee, great Cato, who could pass ?

The Gracchi, or the Scipios, Afric's ^s^

Twin thunderbolts of war, Fabricius, strong

In penury, or Serranus on his glebe ?

Spare my spent breath, ye Fabii ! Great indeed 845

Thou by whose sole delay 4he State is saved !

" Some with more grace may mould the breathing brass.
And draw from stone, I trow, the living form.
Plead causes better, map the heavenly paths,
And tell the rising stars. Roman ! be thine 850

To sway the world with Empire ! These shall be
Thine arts, to govern with the rule of Peace,
To spare the weak, and subjugate the proud ! "

I 305 2 Q

Sic pater Anchises, atque haec mirantibus addit :
Aspice, ut insignis spoliis Marcellus opimis 855

Ingreditur, victorque viros supercminet omnes !
Hie rem Romanam, magno turbante tumultu,
Sistet, eques sternet Poenos Gallumquc rebellem,
Tertiaque arma patri suspendet capta Quirino.

Atque hie Aeneas ; una namque ire videbat 860

Egregium forma iuvenem et fulgentibus armis,
Scd frons laeta parum, et deieeto lumina voltu :
Quis, pater, ille, virum qui sie eomitatur euntem ?
Filius, anne aliquis magna de stirpe nepotum ?
Qui strcpitus eirea eomitum ! quantum instar in ipso ! 865
Scd nox atra eaput tristi eircumvolat umbra.

Tum pater Anehises, laerimis ingrcssus obortis :
O nate, ingcntem luetum ne quaere tuorum.
Ostendent terris hune tantum fata, neque ultra
Esse sinent. Nimium vobis Romana propago 870

Visa potens, Superi, propria haee si dona fuissent.
Quantos ille virum magnam Mavortis ad urbem
Campus aget gemitus ! vcl quae, Tiberine, videbis
Funera, eum tumulum praeterlabere reeentem !
Nee puer Iliaea quisquam de gente Latinos 875

In tantum 'spe toUet avos, nee RSmula quondam
UUo se tantum tellus iaetabit alumno.
Heu pietas, heu prisea fides, invietaque bello
Dextera' ! non illi se quisquam inpune tulisset
Obvius armSto, seu eum pedes iret in hostem, 880

Seu spumantis equi foderet ealearibus armos.
Heu, miserande puer ! si qua fata^aspera rumpas,
Tu Mareellus eris. Manibus date lilia plenis,
Purpureos spargam flores, animamque nepotis

His saltem adcumulem donis, et fungar inani 885 j

1
I

He ceased, and, while they marvelled, added more :
" See how Marcellus, bright with splendid spoils, 855

In march triumphal above all men towers !
Rome, shaken by the invader, he shall stay.
Ride down the Poeni and the rebel Gaul,
And to Quirinus the third spoils hang up ! "

And here Aeneas, seeing by his side 860

A graceful form, in shining armour clad.
But sad his brow, and downcast were his eyes :
" O Father ! who is he, beside him thus ?
His son, or one of his illustrious stock ?

How the crowd hums about ! How great he stands ! 865
Yet round his head Night hovers dark and sad ! "

Anchises then with rising tears began :
" Son, ask not of thy people's mighty grief !
Him Fate shall show to Earth, but not permit
Longer to live. Too great your Roman brood 870

Had seemed, O Gods ! had this gift been their own !
What moan of men shall fill the Field of Mars
By the great city ! What a funeral train
Shall Tiber see, and wash the new-made grave !
No boy of Ilian birth so high shall raise 875

His fathers' hopes ; no Roman earth shall boast
So dear a nursling. O for love and faith !
O for the hand invincible in war !
Him none confronting in the shock of arms
Had met unscathed, or if he charged afoot, 880

Or if he spurred the horse's foaming flanks.
Ah, boy, the pity ! Could'st thou sunder Fate,
Thou wert Marcellus ! Give me purple flowers,
Handfuls of lilies : let me strew at least
O'er his dear Shade these unavailing dues ! " 885

Munerc. I Sic tota passim regione vagantur

Aeris in campis lads, atque omnia lustrant.

Quae postquam Anchiscs natum per singula duxit,

Incenditque animum famae venientis amore,

Exin bella viro memorat quae deinde gerenda, 890

Laurentesque docet populos urbemque Latini,

Et quo quemque modo fugiatque feratque laborem.

Sunt geminae Somni portae, quarum altera fertur
Cornea, qua veris facilis datur exitus Umbris ;
Altera candenti perfecta nitens elephanto, 895

Sed falsa ad caelum mittunt insomnia Manes.
His ibi tum natum Anchises unaque Sibyllam
Prosequitur dictis, portaque emittit ebuma :
lUe viam secat ad naves sociosque revisit ;
Tum se ad Caietae recto fert litore portum. 900

Ancora de prora iacitur ; stant litore puppes.

! VI

Thus o'er those misty fields they wandered wide.
Surveying all : and through each several scene
Anchises led his son, and with the love
Of coming glory made his spirit burn :

Then told of wars thereafter to be waged, 890

Laurentum's peoples, and Latinus' town.
And how to shun the toil, and how to bear.

Two are the Gates of Sleep, one fabled horn,
Through which true visions pass ; the other shines
Polished, of ivory white, but false the dreams 895

To heaven sent upward from the shades of Hell.
With such discourse, the Sibyl and his Son
Anchises through the ivory Gate dismissed.
He with all haste regaining ships and men.
Steers straight by coastline for Caieta's port, 900

Casts anchor from the prow, and grounds the stern.

Printed by Bajxanttkb 6« Co. Luutsd
Tavistock Street, Londoa

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Full text of "The Aeneid of Virgil"

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