Arms and the Man
Arma virumque cano, Troiae qui primus ab oris
Arms and the man I sing, who first made way,
Italiam, fato profugus, Laviniaque venit
predestined exile, from the Trojan shore
litora, multum ille et terris iactatus et alto
to Italy, the blest Lavinian strand.
vi superum saevae memorem Iunonis ob iram;
Smitten of storms he was on land and sea
5
multa quoque et bello passus, dum conderet urbem,
by violence of Heaven, to satisfy
inferretque deos Latio, genus unde Latinum,
stern Juno's sleepless wrath; and much in war
Albanique patres, atque altae moenia Romae.
he suffered, seeking at the last to found
Musa, mihi causas memora, quo numine laeso,
the city, and bring o'er his fathers' gods
quidve dolens, regina deum tot volvere casus
to safe abode in Latium; whence arose
10
insignem pietate virum, tot adire labores
the Latin race, old Alba's reverend lords,
impulerit. Tantaene animis caelestibus irae?
and from her hills wide-walled, imperial Rome.
Urbs antiqua fuit, Tyrii tenuere coloni,
O Muse, the causes tell! What sacrilege,
Karthago, Italiam contra Tiberinaque longe
or vengeful sorrow, moved the heavenly Queen
ostia, dives opum studiisque asperrima belli;
to thrust on dangers dark and endless toil
15
quam Iuno fertur terris magis omnibus unam
a man whose largest honor in men's eyes
posthabita coluisse Samo; hic illius arma,
was serving Heaven? Can gods such anger feel?
hic currus fuit; hoc regnum dea gentibus esse,
In ages gone an ancient city stood—
si qua fata sinant, iam tum tenditque fovetque.
Carthage, a Tyrian seat, which from afar
Progeniem sed enim Troiano a sanguine duci
made front on Italy and on the mouths
20
audierat, Tyrias olim quae verteret arces;
of Tiber's stream; its wealth and revenues
hinc populum late regem belloque superbum
were vast, and ruthless was its quest of war.
venturum excidio Libyae: sic volvere Parcas.
'T is said that Juno, of all lands she loved,
Id metuens, veterisque memor Saturnia belli,
most cherished this,—not Samos' self so dear.
prima quod ad Troiam pro caris gesserat Argis—
Here were her arms, her chariot; even then
25
necdum etiam causae irarum saevique dolores
a throne of power o'er nations near and far,
exciderant animo: manet alta mente repostum
if Fate opposed not, 't was her darling hope
iudicium Paridis spretaeque iniuria formae,
to 'stablish here; but anxiously she heard
et genus invisum, et rapti Ganymedis honores.
that of the Trojan blood there was a breed
His accensa super, iactatos aequore toto
then rising, which upon the destined day
30
Troas, reliquias Danaum atque immitis Achilli,
should utterly o'erwhelm her Tyrian towers,
arcebat longe Latio, multosque per annos
a people of wide sway and conquest proud
errabant, acti fatis, maria omnia circum.
should compass Libya's doom;—such was the web
Tantae molis erat Romanam condere gentem!
the Fatal Sisters spun. Such was the fear
Juno's Fury
Vix e conspectu Siculae telluris in altum
of Saturn's daughter, who remembered well
35
vela dabant laeti, et spumas salis aere ruebant,
what long and unavailing strife she waged
cum Iuno, aeternum servans sub pectore volnus,
for her loved Greeks at Troy. Nor did she fail
haec secum: Mene incepto desistere victam,
to meditate th' occasions of her rage,
nec posse Italia Teucrorum avertere regem?
and cherish deep within her bosom proud
Quippe vetor fatis. Pallasne exurere classem
its griefs and wrongs: the choice by Paris made;
40
Argivum atque ipsos potuit submergere ponto,
her scorned and slighted beauty; a whole race
unius ob noxam et furias Aiacis Oilei?
rebellious to her godhead; and Jove's smile
Ipsa, Iovis rapidum iaculata e nubibus ignem,
that beamed on eagle-ravished Ganymede.
disiecitque rates evertitque aequora ventis,
With all these thoughts infuriate, her power
illum expirantem transfixo pectore flammas
pursued with tempests o'er the boundless main
45
turbine corripuit scopuloque infixit acuto.
the Trojans, though by Grecian victor spared
Ast ego, quae divom incedo regina, Iovisque
and fierce Achilles; so she thrust them far
et soror et coniunx, una cum gente tot annos
from Latium; and they drifted, Heaven-impelled,
bella gero! Et quisquam numen Iunonis adoret
year after year, o'er many an unknown sea—
praeterea, aut supplex aris imponet honorem?
O labor vast, to found the Roman line!
50
Talia flammato secum dea corde volutans
Below th' horizon the Sicilian isle
nimborum in patriam, loca feta furentibus austris,
just sank from view, as for the open sea
Aeoliam venit. Hic vasto rex Aeolus antro
with heart of hope they sailed, and every ship
luctantes ventos tempestatesque sonoras
clove with its brazen beak the salt, white waves.
imperio premit ac vinclis et carcere frenat.
But Juno of her everlasting wound
55
Illi indignantes magno cum murmure montis
knew no surcease, but from her heart of pain
circum claustra fremunt; celsa sedet Aeolus arce
thus darkly mused: “Must I, defeated, fail
sceptra tenens, mollitque animos et temperat iras.
of what I will, nor turn the Teucrian King
Ni faciat, maria ac terras caelumque profundum
from Italy away? Can Fate oppose?
quippe ferant rapidi secum verrantque per auras.
Had Pallas power to lay waste in flame
60
Sed pater omnipotens speluncis abdidit atris,
the Argive fleet and sink its mariners,
hoc metuens, molemque et montis insuper altos
revenging but the sacrilege obscene
imposuit, regemque dedit, qui foedere certo
by Ajax wrought, Oileus' desperate son?
et premere et laxas sciret dare iussus habenas.
She, from the clouds, herself Jove's lightning threw,
Ad quem tum Iuno supplex his vocibus usa est:
scattered the ships, and ploughed the sea with storms.
65
Aeole, namque tibi divom pater atque hominum rex
Her foe, from his pierced breast out-breathing fire,
et mulcere dedit fluctus et tollere vento,
in whirlwind on a deadly rock she flung.
gens inimica mihi Tyrrhenum navigat aequor,
But I, who move among the gods a queen,
Ilium in Italiam portans victosque Penates:
Jove's sister and his spouse, with one weak tribe
incute vim ventis submersasque obrue puppes,
make war so long! Who now on Juno calls?
70
aut age diversos et disiice corpora ponto.
What suppliant gifts henceforth her altars crown?”
Sunt mihi bis septem praestanti corpore nymphae,
So, in her fevered heart complaining still,
quarum quae forma pulcherrima Deiopea,
unto the storm-cloud land the goddess came,
conubio iungam stabili propriamque dicabo,
a region with wild whirlwinds in its womb,
omnis ut tecum meritis pro talibus annos
Aeolia named, where royal Aeolus
75
exigat, et pulchra faciat te prole parentem.
in a high-vaulted cavern keeps control
Aeolus haec contra: Tuus, O regina, quid optes
o'er warring winds and loud concourse of storms.
explorare labor; mihi iussa capessere fas est.
There closely pent in chains and bastions strong,
Tu mihi, quodcumque hoc regni, tu sceptra Iovemque
they, scornful, make the vacant mountain roar,
concilias, tu das epulis accumbere divom,
chafing against their bonds. But from a throne
80
nimborumque facis tempestatumque potentem.
of lofty crag, their king with sceptred hand
The Shipwreck
Haec ubi dicta, cavum conversa cuspide montem
allays their fury and their rage confines.
impulit in latus: ac venti, velut agmine facto,
Did he not so, our ocean, earth, and sky
qua data porta, ruunt et terras turbine perflant.
were whirled before them through the vast inane.
Incubuere mari, totumque a sedibus imis
But over-ruling Jove, of this in fear,
85
una Eurusque Notusque ruunt creberque procellis
hid them in dungeon dark: then o'er them piled
Africus, et vastos volvunt ad litora fluctus.
huge mountains, and ordained a lawful king
Insequitur clamorque virum stridorque rudentum.
to hold them in firm sway, or know what time,
Eripiunt subito nubes caelumque diemque
with Jove's consent, to loose them o'er the world.
Teucrorum ex oculis; ponto nox incubat atra.
To him proud Juno thus made lowly plea:
90
Intonuere poli, et crebris micat ignibus aether,
“Thou in whose hands the Father of all gods
praesentemque viris intentant omnia mortem.
and Sovereign of mankind confides the power
Extemplo Aeneae solvuntur frigore membra:
to calm the waters or with winds upturn,
ingemit, et duplicis tendens ad sidera palmas
great Aeolus! a race with me at war
talia voce refert: O terque quaterque beati,
now sails the Tuscan main towards Italy,
95
quis ante ora patrum Troiae sub moenibus altis
bringing their Ilium and its vanquished powers.
contigit oppetere! O Danaum fortissime gentis
Uprouse thy gales. Strike that proud navy down!
Tydide! Mene Iliacis occumbere campis
Hurl far and wide, and strew the waves with dead!
non potuisse, tuaque animam hanc effundere dextra,
Twice seven nymphs are mine, of rarest mould;
saevus ubi Aeacidae telo iacet Hector, ubi ingens
of whom Deiopea, the most fair,
100
Sarpedon, ubi tot Simois correpta sub undis
I give thee in true wedlock for thine own,
scuta virum galeasque et fortia corpora volvit?
to mate thy noble worth; she at thy side
Talia iactanti stridens Aquilone procella
shall pass long, happy years, and fruitful bring
velum adversa ferit, fluctusque ad sidera tollit.
her beauteous offspring unto thee their sire.”
Franguntur remi; tum prora avertit, et undis
Then Aeolus: “'T is thy sole task, O Queen,
105
dat latus; insequitur cumulo praeruptus aquae mons.
to weigh thy wish and will. My fealty
Hi summo in fluctu pendent; his unda dehiscens
thy high behest obeys. This humble throne
terram inter fluctus aperit; furit aestus harenis.
is of thy gift. Thy smiles for me obtain
Tris Notus abreptas in saxa latentia torquet—
authority from Jove. Thy grace concedes
saxa vocant Itali mediis quae in fluctibus aras—
my station at your bright Olympian board,
110
dorsum immane mari summo; tris Eurus ab alto
and gives me lordship of the darkening storm.”
in brevia et Syrtis urguet, miserabile visu,
Replying thus, he smote with spear reversed
inliditque vadis atque aggere cingit harenae.
the hollow mountain's wall; then rush the winds
Unam, quae Lycios fidumque vehebat Oronten,
through that wide breach in long, embattled line,
ipsius ante oculos ingens a vertice pontus
and sweep tumultuous from land to land:
115
in puppim ferit: excutitur pronusque magister
with brooding pinions o'er the waters spread,
volvitur in caput; ast illam ter fluctus ibidem
east wind and south, and boisterous Afric gale
torquet agens circum, et rapidus vorat aequore vortex.
upturn the sea; vast billows shoreward roll;
Adparent rari nantes in gurgite vasto,
the shout of mariners, the creak of cordage,
arma virum, tabulaeque, et Troia gaza per undas.
follow the shock; low-hanging clouds conceal
120
Iam validam Ilionei navem, iam fortis Achati,
from Trojan eyes all sight of heaven and day;
et qua vectus Abas, et qua grandaevus Aletes,
night o'er the ocean broods; from sky to sky
vicit hiems; laxis laterum compagibus omnes
the thunders roll, the ceaseless lightnings glare;
accipiunt inimicum imbrem, rimisque fatiscunt.
and all things mean swift death for mortal man.
Interea magno misceri murmure pontum,
Straightway Aeneas, shuddering with amaze,
125
emissamque hiemem sensit Neptunus, et imis
groaned loud, upraised both holy hands to Heaven,
stagna refusa vadis, graviter commotus; et alto
and thus did plead: “O thrice and four times blest,
prospiciens, summa placidum caput extulit unda.
ye whom your sires and whom the walls of Troy
Disiectam Aeneae, toto videt aequore classem,
looked on in your last hour! O bravest son
fluctibus oppressos Troas caelique ruina,
Greece ever bore, Tydides! O that I
130
nec latuere doli fratrem Iunonis et irae.
had fallen on Ilian fields, and given this life
Eurum ad se Zephyrumque vocat, dehinc talia fatur:
struck down by thy strong hand! where by the spear
Tantane vos generis tenuit fiducia vestri?
of great Achilles, fiery Hector fell,
Iam caelum terramque meo sine numine, venti,
and huge Sarpedon; where the Simois
miscere, et tantas audetis tollere moles?
in furious flood engulfed and whirled away
135
Quos ego—sed motos praestat componere fluctus.
so many helms and shields and heroes slain!”
Post mihi non simili poena commissa luetis.
While thus he cried to Heaven, a shrieking blast
Maturate fugam, regique haec dicite vestro:
smote full upon the sail. Up surged the waves
non illi imperium pelagi saevumque tridentem,
to strike the very stars; in fragments flew
sed mihi sorte datum. Tenet ille immania saxa,
the shattered oars; the helpless vessel veered
140
vestras, Eure, domos; illa se iactet in aula
and gave her broadside to the roaring flood,
Aeolus, et clauso ventorum carcere regnet.
where watery mountains rose and burst and fell.
Sic ait, et dicto citius tumida aequora placat,
Now high in air she hangs, then yawning gulfs
collectasque fugat nubes, solemque reducit.
lay bare the shoals and sands o'er which she drives.
Cymothoe simul et Triton adnixus acuto
Three ships a whirling south wind snatched and flung
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detrudunt navis scopulo; levat ipse tridenti;
on hidden rocks,—altars of sacrifice
et vastas aperit syrtis, et temperat aequor,
Italians call them, which lie far from shore
atque rotis summas levibus perlabitur undas.
a vast ridge in the sea; three ships beside
Ac veluti magno in populo cum saepe coorta est
an east wind, blowing landward from the deep,
seditio, saevitque animis ignobile volgus,
drove on the shallows,—pitiable sight,—
150
iamque faces et saxa volant—furor arma ministrat;
and girdled them in walls of drifting sand.
tum, pietate gravem ac meritis si forte virum quem
That ship, which, with his friend Orontes, bore
conspexere, silent, arrectisque auribus adstant;
the Lycian mariners, a great, plunging wave
ille regit dictis animos, et pectora mulcet,—
struck straight astern, before Aeneas' eyes.
sic cunctus pelagi cecidit fragor, aequora postquam
Forward the steersman rolled and o'er the side
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prospiciens genitor caeloque invectus aperto
fell headlong, while three times the circling flood
flectit equos, curruque volans dat lora secundo.
spun the light bark through swift engulfing seas.
Neptune Intervenes
Defessi Aeneadae, quae proxima litora, cursu
Look, how the lonely swimmers breast the wave!
contendunt petere, et Libyae vertuntur ad oras.
And on the waste of waters wide are seen
Est in secessu longo locus: insula portum
weapons of war, spars, planks, and treasures rare,
160
efficit obiectu laterum, quibus omnis ab alto
once Ilium's boast, all mingled with the storm.
frangitur inque sinus scindit sese unda reductos.
Now o'er Achates and Ilioneus,
Hinc atque hinc vastae rupes geminique minantur
now o'er the ship of Abas or Aletes,
in caelum scopuli, quorum sub vertice late
bursts the tempestuous shock; their loosened seams
aequora tuta silent; tum silvis scaena coruscis
yawn wide and yield the angry wave its will.
165
desuper horrentique atrum nemus imminet umbra.
Meanwhile how all his smitten ocean moaned,
Fronte sub adversa scopulis pendentibus antrum,
and how the tempest's turbulent assault
intus aquae dulces vivoque sedilia saxo,
had vexed the stillness of his deepest cave,
nympharum domus: hic fessas non vincula navis
great Neptune knew; and with indignant mien
ulla tenent, unco non alligat ancora morsu.
uplifted o'er the sea his sovereign brow.
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Huc septem Aeneas collectis navibus omni
He saw the Teucrian navy scattered far
ex numero subit; ac magno telluris amore
along the waters; and Aeneas' men
egressi optata potiuntur Troes harena,
o'erwhelmed in mingling shock of wave and sky.
et sale tabentis artus in litore ponunt.
Saturnian Juno's vengeful stratagem
Ac primum silici scintillam excudit Achates,
her brother's royal glance failed not to see;
175
succepitque ignem foliis, atque arida circum
and loud to eastward and to westward calling,
nutrimenta dedit, rapuitque in fomite flammam.
he voiced this word:“What pride of birth or power
Tum Cererem corruptam undis Cerealiaque arma
is yours, ye winds, that, reckless of my will,
expediunt fessi rerum, frugesque receptas
audacious thus, ye ride through earth and heaven,
et torrere parant flammis et frangere saxo.
and stir these mountain waves? Such rebels I—
180
Aeneas scopulum interea conscendit, et omnem
nay, first I calm this tumult! But yourselves
prospectum late pelago petit, Anthea si quem
by heavier chastisement shall expiate
iactatum vento videat Phrygiasque biremis,
hereafter your bold trespass. Haste away
aut Capyn, aut celsis in puppibus arma Caici.
and bear your king this word! Not unto him
Navem in conspectu nullam, tris litore cervos
dominion o'er the seas and trident dread,
185
prospicit errantis; hos tota armenta sequuntur
but unto me, Fate gives. Let him possess
a tergo, et longum per vallis pascitur agmen.
wild mountain crags, thy favored haunt and home,
Constitit hic, arcumque manu celerisque sagittas
O Eurus! In his barbarous mansion there,
corripuit, fidus quae tela gerebat Achates;
let Aeolus look proud, and play the king
ductoresque ipsos primum, capita alta ferentis
in yon close-bounded prison-house of storms!”
190
cornibus arboreis, sternit, tum volgus, et omnem
He spoke, and swiftlier than his word subdued
miscet agens telis nemora inter frondea turbam;
the swelling of the floods; dispersed afar
nec prius absistit, quam septem ingentia victor
th' assembled clouds, and brought back light to heaven.
corpora fundat humi, et numerum cum navibus aequet.
Cymothoe then and Triton, with huge toil,
Hinc portum petit, et socios partitur in omnes.
thrust down the vessels from the sharp-edged reef;
195
Vina bonus quae deinde cadis onerarat Acestes
while, with the trident, the great god's own hand
litore Trinacrio dederatque abeuntibus heros,
assists the task; then, from the sand-strewn shore
dividit, et dictis maerentia pectora mulcet:
out-ebbing far, he calms the whole wide sea,
O socii—neque enim ignari sumus ante malorum—
and glides light-wheeled along the crested foam.
O passi graviora, dabit deus his quoque finem.
As when, with not unwonted tumult, roars
200
Vos et Scyllaeam rabiem penitusque sonantis
in some vast city a rebellious mob,
accestis scopulos, vos et Cyclopea saxa
and base-born passions in its bosom burn,
experti: revocate animos, maestumque timorem
till rocks and blazing torches fill the air
mittite: forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit.
(rage never lacks for arms)—if haply then
Per varios casus, per tot discrimina rerum
some wise man comes, whose reverend looks attest
205
tendimus in Latium; sedes ubi fata quietas
a life to duty given, swift silence falls;
ostendunt; illic fas regna resurgere Troiae.
all ears are turned attentive; and he sways
Durate, et vosmet rebus servate secundis.
with clear and soothing speech the people's will.
Talia voce refert, curisque ingentibus aeger
So ceased the sea's uproar, when its grave Sire
spem voltu simulat, premit altum corde dolorem.
looked o'er th' expanse, and, riding on in light,
210
Illi se praedae accingunt, dapibusque futuris;
flung free rein to his winged obedient car.
tergora deripiunt costis et viscera nudant;
Aeneas' wave-worn crew now landward made,
pars in frusta secant veribusque trementia figunt;
and took the nearest passage, whither lay
litore aena locant alii, flammasque ministrant.
the coast of Libya. A haven there
Tum victu revocant vires, fusique per herbam
walled in by bold sides of a rocky isle,
215
implentur veteris Bacchi pinguisque ferinae.
offers a spacious and secure retreat,
Postquam exempta fames epulis mensaeque remotae,
where every billow from the distant main
amissos longo socios sermone requirunt,
breaks, and in many a rippling curve retires.
spemque metumque inter dubii, seu vivere credant,
Huge crags and two confronted promontories
sive extrema pati nec iam exaudire vocatos.
frown heaven-high, beneath whose brows outspread
220
Praecipue pius Aeneas nunc acris Oronti,
the silent, sheltered waters; on the heights
nunc Amyci casum gemit et crudelia secum
the bright and glimmering foliage seems to show
fata Lyci, fortemque Gyan, fortemque Cloanthum.
a woodland amphitheatre; and yet higher
Landfall in Africa
Et iam finis erat, cum Iuppiter aethere summo
rises a straight-stemmed grove of dense, dark shade.
despiciens mare velivolum terrasque iacentis
Fronting on these a grotto may be seen,
225
litoraque et latos populos, sic vertice caeli
o'erhung by steep cliffs; from its inmost wall
constitit, et Libyae defixit lumina regnis.
clear springs gush out; and shelving seats it has
Atque illum talis iactantem pectore curas
of unhewn stone, a place the wood-nymphs love.
tristior et lacrimis oculos suffusa nitentis
In such a port, a weary ship rides free
adloquitur Venus: O qui res hominumque deumque
of weight of firm-fluked anchor or strong chain.
230
aeternis regis imperiis, et fulmine terres,
Hither Aeneas of his scattered fleet
quid meus Aeneas in te committere tantum,
saving but seven, into harbor sailed;
quid Troes potuere, quibus, tot funera passis,
with passionate longing for the touch of land,
cunctus ob Italiam terrarum clauditur orbis?
forth leap the Trojans to the welcome shore,
Certe hinc Romanos olim, volventibus annis,
and fling their dripping limbs along the ground.
235
hinc fore ductores, revocato a sanguine Teucri,
Then good Achates smote a flinty stone,
qui mare, qui terras omni dicione tenerent,
secured a flashing spark, heaped on light leaves,
pollicitus, quae te, genitor, sententia vertit?
and with dry branches nursed the mounting flame.
Hoc equidem occasum Troiae tristisque ruinas
Then Ceres' gift from the corrupting sea
solabar, fatis contraria fata rependens;
they bring away; and wearied utterly
240
nunc eadem fortuna viros tot casibus actos
ply Ceres' cunning on the rescued corn,
insequitur. Quem das finem, rex magne, laborum?
and parch in flames, and mill 'twixt two smooth stones.
Antenor potuit, mediis elapsus Achivis,
Aeneas meanwhile climbed the cliffs, and searched
Illyricos penetrare sinus, atque intima tutus
the wide sea-prospect; haply Antheus there,
regna Liburnorum, et fontem superare Timavi,
storm-buffeted, might sail within his ken,
245
unde per ora novem vasto cum murmure montis
with biremes, and his Phrygian mariners,
it mare proruptum et pelago premit arva sonanti.
or Capys or Caicus armor-clad,
Hic tamen ille urbem Patavi sedesque locavit
upon a towering deck. No ship is seen;
Teucrorum, et genti nomen dedit, armaque fixit
but while he looks, three stags along the shore
Troia; nunc placida compostus pace quiescit:
come straying by, and close behind them comes
250
nos, tua progenies, caeli quibus adnuis arcem,
the whole herd, browsing through the lowland vale
navibus (infandum!) amissis, unius ob iram
in one long line. Aeneas stopped and seized
prodimur atque Italis longe disiungimur oris.
his bow and swift-winged arrows, which his friend,
Hic pietatis honos? Sic nos in sceptra reponis?
trusty Achates, close beside him bore.
Olli subridens hominum sator atque deorum,
His first shafts brought to earth the lordly heads
255
voltu, quo caelum tempestatesque serenat,
of the high-antlered chiefs; his next assailed
oscula libavit natae, dehinc talia fatur:
the general herd, and drove them one and all
Parce metu, Cytherea: manent immota tuorum
in panic through the leafy wood, nor ceased
fata tibi; cernes urbem et promissa Lavini
the victory of his bow, till on the ground
moenia, sublimemque feres ad sidera caeli
lay seven huge forms, one gift for every ship.
260
magnanimum Aenean; neque me sententia vertit.
Then back to shore he sped, and to his friends
Hic tibi (fabor enim, quando haec te cura remordet,
distributed the spoil, with that rare wine
longius et volvens fatorum arcana movebo)
which good Acestes while in Sicily
bellum ingens geret Italia, populosque feroces
had stored in jars, and prince-like sent away
contundet, moresque viris et moenia ponet,
with his Ioved guest;—this too Aeneas gave;
265
tertia dum Latio regnantem viderit aestas,
and with these words their mournful mood consoled.
ternaque transierint Rutulis hiberna subactis.
“Companions mine, we have not failed to feel
At puer Ascanius, cui nunc cognomen Iulo
calamity till now. O, ye have borne
additur,—Ilus erat, dum res stetit Ilia regno,—
far heavier sorrow: Jove will make an end
triginta magnos volvendis mensibus orbis
also of this. Ye sailed a course hard by
270
imperio explebit, regnumque ab sede Lavini
infuriate Scylla's howling cliffs and caves.
transferet, et longam multa vi muniet Albam.
Ye knew the Cyclops' crags. Lift up your hearts!
Hic iam ter centum totos regnabitur annos
No more complaint and fear! It well may be
gente sub Hectorea, donec regina sacerdos,
some happier hour will find this memory fair.
Marte gravis, geminam partu dabit Ilia prolem.
Through chance and change and hazard without end,
275
Inde lupae fulvo nutricis tegmine laetus
our goal is Latium; where our destinies
Romulus excipiet gentem, et Mavortia condet
beckon to blest abodes, and have ordained
moenia, Romanosque suo de nomine dicet.
that Troy shall rise new-born! Have patience all!
His ego nec metas rerum nec tempora pono;
And bide expectantly that golden day.”
imperium sine fine dedi. Quin aspera Iuno,
Such was his word, but vexed with grief and care,
280
quae mare nunc terrasque metu caelumque fatigat,
feigned hopes upon his forehead firm he wore,
consilia in melius referet, mecumque fovebit
and locked within his heart a hero's pain.
Romanos rerum dominos gentemque togatam:
Now round the welcome trophies of his chase
sic placitum. Veniet lustris labentibus aetas,
they gather for a feast. Some flay the ribs
cum domus Assaraci Phthiam clarasque Mycenas
and bare the flesh below; some slice with knives,
285
servitio premet, ac victis dominabitur Argis.
and on keen prongs the quivering strips impale,
Nascetur pulchra Troianus origine Caesar,
place cauldrons on the shore, and fan the fires.
imperium oceano, famam qui terminet astris,—
Then, stretched at ease on couch of simple green,
Iulius, a magno demissum nomen Iulo.
they rally their lost powers, and feast them well
Hunc tu olim caelo, spoliis Orientis onustum,
on seasoned wine and succulent haunch of game.
290
accipies secura; vocabitur hic quoque votis.
But hunger banished and the banquet done,
Aspera tum positis mitescent saecula bellis;
in long discourse of their lost mates they tell,
cana Fides, et Vesta, Remo cum fratre Quirinus,
'twixt hopes and fears divided; for who knows
iura dabunt; dirae ferro et compagibus artis
whether the lost ones live, or strive with death,
claudentur Belli portae; Furor impius intus,
or heed no more whatever voice may call?
295
saeva sedens super arma, et centum vinctus aenis
Chiefly Aeneas now bewails his friends,
post tergum nodis, fremet horridus ore cruento.
Orontes brave and fallen Amycus,
Haec ait, et Maia genitum demittit ab alto,
or mourns with grief untold the untimely doom
ut terrae, utque novae pateant Karthaginis arces
of bold young Gyas and Cloanthus bold.
hospitio Teucris, ne fati nescia Dido
After these things were past, exalted Jove,
300
finibus arceret: volat ille per aera magnum
from his ethereal sky surveying clear
remigio alarum, ac Libyae citus adstitit oris.
the seas all winged with sails, lands widely spread,
Et iam iussa facit, ponuntque ferocia Poeni
and nations populous from shore to shore,
corda volente deo; in primis regina quietum
paused on the peak of heaven, and fixed his gaze
accipit in Teucros animum mentemque benignam.
on Libya. But while he anxious mused,
Jupiter's Promise
305
At pius Aeneas, per noctem plurima volvens,
near him, her radiant eyes all dim with tears,
ut primum lux alma data est, exire locosque
nor smiling any more, Venus approached,
explorare novos, quas vento accesserit oras,
and thus complained: “O thou who dost control
qui teneant, nam inculta videt, hominesne feraene,
things human and divine by changeless laws,
quaerere constituit, sociisque exacta referre
enthroned in awful thunder! What huge wrong
310
Classem in convexo nemorum sub rupe cavata
could my Aeneas and his Trojans few
arboribus clausam circum atque horrentibus umbris
achieve against thy power? For they have borne
occulit; ipse uno graditur comitatus Achate,
unnumbered deaths, and, failing Italy,
bina manu lato crispans hastilia ferro.
the gates of all the world against them close.
Cui mater media sese tulit obvia silva,
Hast thou not given us thy covenant
315
virginis os habitumque gerens, et virginis arma
that hence the Romans when the rolling years
Spartanae, vel qualis equos Threissa fatigat
have come full cycle, shall arise to power
Harpalyce, volucremque fuga praevertitur Hebrum.
from Troy's regenerate seed, and rule supreme
Namque umeris de more habilem suspenderat arcum
the unresisted lords of land and sea?
venatrix, dederatque comam diffundere ventis,
O Sire, what swerves thy will? How oft have I
320
nuda genu, nodoque sinus collecta fluentis.
in Troy's most lamentable wreck and woe
Ac prior, Heus inquit iuvenes, monstrate mearum
consoled my heart with this, and balanced oft
vidistis si quam hic errantem forte sororum,
our destined good against our destined ill!
succinctam pharetra et maculosae tegmine lyncis,
But the same stormful fortune still pursues
aut spumantis apri cursum clamore prementem.
my band of heroes on their perilous way.
325
Sic Venus; et Veneris contra sic filius orsus:
When shall these labors cease, O glorious King?
Nulla tuarum audita mihi neque visa sororum—
Antenor, though th' Achaeans pressed him sore,
O quam te memorem, virgo? Namque haud tibi voltus
found his way forth, and entered unassailed
mortalis, nec vox hominem sonat: O, dea certe—
Illyria's haven, and the guarded land
an Phoebi soror? an nympharum sanguinis una?—
of the Liburni. Straight up stream he sailed
330
sis felix, nostrumque leves, quaecumque, laborem,
where like a swollen sea Timavus pours
et, quo sub caelo tandem, quibus orbis in oris
a nine-fold flood from roaring mountain gorge,
iactemur, doceas. Ignari hominumque locorumque
and whelms with voiceful wave the fields below.
erramus, vento huc vastis et fluctibus acti:
He built Patavium there, and fixed abodes
multa tibi ante aras nostra cadet hostia dextra.
for Troy's far-exiled sons; he gave a name
335
Tum Venus: Haud equidem tali me dignor honore;
to a new land and race; the Trojan arms
virginibus Tyriis mos est gestare pharetram,
were hung on temple walls; and, to this day,
purpureoque alte suras vincire cothurno.
lying in perfect peace, the hero sleeps.
Punica regna vides, Tyrios et Agenoris urbem;
But we of thine own seed, to whom thou dost
sed fines Libyci, genus intractabile bello.
a station in the arch of heaven assign,
340
Imperium Dido Tyria regit urbe profecta,
behold our navy vilely wrecked, because
germanum fugiens. Longa est iniuria, longae
a single god is angry; we endure
ambages; sed summa sequar fastigia rerum.
this treachery and violence, whereby
Huic coniunx Sychaeus erat, ditissimus agri
wide seas divide us from th' Hesperian shore.
Phoenicum, et magno miserae dilectus amore,
Is this what piety receives? Or thus
345
cui pater intactam dederat, primisque iugarat
doth Heaven's decree restore our fallen thrones?”
ominibus. Sed regna Tyri germanus habebat
Smiling reply, the Sire of gods and men,
Pygmalion, scelere ante alios immanior omnes.
with such a look as clears the skies of storm
Quos inter medius venit furor. Ille Sychaeum
chastely his daughter kissed, and thus spake on:
impius ante aras, atque auri caecus amore,
“Let Cytherea cast her fears away!
350
clam ferro incautum superat, securus amorum
Irrevocably blest the fortunes be
germanae; factumque diu celavit, et aegram,
of thee and thine. Nor shalt thou fail to see
multa malus simulans, vana spe lusit amantem.
that City, and the proud predestined wall
Ipsa sed in somnis inhumati venit imago
encompassing Lavinium. Thyself
coniugis, ora modis attollens pallida miris,
shall starward to the heights of heaven bear
355
crudeles aras traiectaque pectora ferro
Aeneas the great-hearted. Nothing swerves
nudavit, caecumque domus scelus omne retexit.
my will once uttered. Since such carking cares
Tum celerare fugam patriaque excedere suadet,
consume thee, I this hour speak freely forth,
auxiliumque viae veteres tellure recludit
and leaf by leaf the book of fate unfold.
thesauros, ignotum argenti pondus et auri.
Thy son in Italy shall wage vast war
360
His commota fugam Dido sociosque parabat:
and, quell its nations wild; his city-wall
conveniunt, quibus aut odium crudele tyranni
and sacred laws shall be a mighty bond
aut metus acer erat; navis, quae forte paratae,
about his gathered people. Summers three
corripiunt, onerantque auro: portantur avari
shall Latium call him king; and three times pass
Pygmalionis opes pelago; dux femina facti.
the winter o'er Rutulia's vanquished hills.
365
Devenere locos, ubi nunc ingentia cernis
His heir, Ascanius, now Iulus called
moenia surgentemque novae Karthaginis arcem,
(Ilus it was while Ilium's kingdom stood),
mercatique solum, facti de nomine Byrsam,
full thirty months shall reign, then move the throne
taurino quantum possent circumdare tergo.
from the Lavinian citadel, and build
Sed vos qui tandem, quibus aut venistis ab oris,
for Alba Longa its well-bastioned wall.
370
quove tenetis iter? Quaerenti talibus ille
Here three full centuries shall Hector's race
suspirans, imoque trahens a pectore vocem:
have kingly power; till a priestess queen,
O dea, si prima repetens ab origine pergam,
by Mars conceiving, her twin offspring bear;
et vacet annalis nostrorum audire laborum,
then Romulus, wolf-nursed and proudly clad
ante diem clauso componat Vesper Olympo.
in tawny wolf-skin mantle, shall receive
375
Nos Troia antiqua, si vestras forte per auris
the sceptre of his race. He shall uprear
Troiae nomen iit, diversa per aequora vectos
and on his Romans his own name bestow.
forte sua Libycis tempestas adpulit oris.
To these I give no bounded times or power,
Sum pius Aeneas, raptos qui ex hoste Penates
but empire without end. Yea, even my Queen,
classe veho mecum, fama super aethera notus.
Juno, who now chastiseth land and sea
380
Italiam quaero patriam et genus ab Iove summo.
with her dread frown, will find a wiser way,
Bis denis Phrygium conscendi navibus aequor,
and at my sovereign side protect and bless
matre dea monstrante viam, data fata secutus;
the Romans, masters of the whole round world,
vix septem convolsae undis Euroque supersunt.
who, clad in peaceful toga, judge mankind.
Ipse ignotus, egens, Libyae deserta peragro,
Such my decree! In lapse of seasons due,
385
Europa atque Asia pulsus. Nec plura querentem
the heirs of Ilium's kings shall bind in chains
passa Venus medio sic interfata dolore est:
Mycenae's glory and Achilles' towers,
Quisquis es, haud, credo, invisus caelestibus auras
and over prostrate Argos sit supreme.
vitalis carpis, Tyriam qui adveneris urbem.
Of Trojan stock illustriously sprung,
Perge modo, atque hinc te reginae ad limina perfer,
lo, Caesar comes! whose power the ocean bounds,
390
Namque tibi reduces socios classemque relatam
whose fame, the skies. He shall receive the name
nuntio, et in tutum versis aquilonibus actam,
Iulus nobly bore, great Julius, he.
ni frustra augurium vani docuere parentes.
Him to the skies, in Orient trophies dress,
Aspice bis senos laetantis agmine cycnos,
thou shalt with smiles receive; and he, like us,
aetheria quos lapsa plaga Iovis ales aperto
shall hear at his own shrines the suppliant vow.
395
turbabat caelo; nunc terras ordine longo
Then will the world grow mild; the battle-sound
aut capere, aut captas iam despectare videntur:
will be forgot; for olden Honor then,
ut reduces illi ludunt stridentibus alis,
with spotless Vesta, and the brothers twain,
et coetu cinxere polum, cantusque dedere,
Remus and Romulus, at strife no more,
haud aliter puppesque tuae pubesque tuorum
will publish sacred laws. The dreadful gates
400
aut portum tenet aut pleno subit ostia velo.
whence issueth war, shall with close-jointed steel
Perge modo, et, qua te ducit via, dirige gressum.
be barred impregnably; and prisoned there
Dixit, et avertens rosea cervice refulsit,
the heaven-offending Fury, throned on swords,
ambrosiaeque comae divinum vertice odorem
and fettered by a hundred brazen chains,
spiravere, pedes vestis defluxit ad imos,
shall belch vain curses from his lips of gore.”
405
et vera incessu patuit dea. Ille ubi matrem
These words he gave, and summoned Maia's son,
adgnovit, tali fugientem est voce secutus:
the herald Mercury, who earthward flying,
Quid natum totiens, crudelis tu quoque, falsis
should bid the Tyrian realms and new-built towers
ludis imaginibus? Cur dextrae iungere dextram
welcome the Trojan waifs; lest Dido, blind
non datur, ac veras audire et reddere voces?
to Fate's decree, should thrust them from the land.
410
Talibus incusat, gressumque ad moenia tendit:
He takes his flight, with rhythmic stroke of wing,
at Venus obscuro gradientes aere saepsit,
across th' abyss of air, and soon draws near
et multo nebulae circum dea fudit amictu,
unto the Libyan mainland. He fulfils
cernere ne quis eos, neu quis contingere posset,
his heavenly task; the Punic hearts of stone
molirive moram, aut veniendi poscere causas.
grow soft beneath the effluence divine;
415
Ipsa Paphum sublimis abit, sedesque revisit
and, most of all, the Queen, with heart at ease
laeta suas, ubi templum illi, centumque Sabaeo
awaits benignantly her guests from Troy.
ture calent arae, sertisque recentibus halant.
But good Aeneas, pondering all night long
The Disguised Goddess
Corripuere viam interea, qua semita monstrat.
his many cares, when first the cheerful dawn
Iamque ascendebant collem, qui plurimus urbi
upon him broke, resolved to take survey
420
imminet, adversasque adspectat desuper arces.
of this strange country whither wind and wave
Miratur molem Aeneas, magalia quondam,
had driven him,—for desert land it seemed,—
miratur portas strepitumque et strata viarum.
to learn what tribes of man or beast possess
Instant ardentes Tyrii pars ducere muros,
a place so wild, and careful tidings bring
molirique arcem et manibus subvolvere saxa,
back to his friends. His fleet of ships the while,
425
pars optare locum tecto et concludere sulco.
where dense, dark groves o'er-arch a hollowed crag,
Iura magistratusque legunt sanctumque senatum;
he left encircled in far-branching shade.
hic portus alii effodiunt; hic alta theatris
Then with no followers save his trusty friend
fundamenta locant alii, immanisque columnas
Achates, he went forth upon his way,
rupibus excidunt, scaenis decora alta futuris.
two broad-tipped javelins poising in his hand.
430
Qualis apes aestate nova per florea rura
Deep to the midmost wood he went, and there
exercet sub sole labor, cum gentis adultos
his Mother in his path uprose; she seemed
educunt fetus, aut cum liquentia mella
in garb and countenance a maid, and bore,
stipant et dulci distendunt nectare cellas,
like Spartan maids, a weapon; in such guise
aut onera accipiunt venientum, aut agmine facto
Harpalyce the Thracian urges on
435
ignavom fucos pecus a praesepibus arcent:
her panting coursers and in wild career
fervet opus, redolentque thymo fragrantia mella.
outstrips impetuous Hebrus as it flows.
O fortunati, quorum iam moenia surgunt!
Over her lovely shoulders was a bow,
Aeneas ait, et fastigia suspicit urbis.
slender and light, as fits a huntress fair;
Infert se saeptus nebula, mirabile dictu,
her golden tresses without wimple moved
440
per medios, miscetque viris, neque cernitur ulli.
in every wind, and girded in a knot
Lucus in urbe fuit media, laetissimus umbra,
her undulant vesture bared her marble knees.
quo primum iactati undis et turbine Poeni
She hailed them thus: “Ho, sirs, I pray you tell
effodere loco signum, quod regia Iuno
if haply ye have noted, as ye came,
monstrarat, caput acris equi; sic nam fore bello
one of my sisters in this wood astray?
445
egregiam et facilem victu per saecula gentem.
She bore a quiver, and a lynx's hide
Hic templum Iunoni ingens Sidonia Dido
her spotted mantle was; perchance she roused
condebat, donis opulentum et numine divae,
some foaming boar, and chased with loud halloo.”
aerea cui gradibus surgebant limina, nexaeque
So Venus spoke, and Venus' son replied:
aere trabes, foribus cardo stridebat aenis.
“No voice or vision of thy sister fair
450
Hoc primum in luco nova res oblata timorem
has crossed my path, thou maid without a name!
leniit, hic primum Aeneas sperare salutem
Thy beauty seems not of terrestrial mould,
ausus, et adflictis melius confidere rebus.
nor is thy music mortal! Tell me, goddess,
Namque sub ingenti lustrat dum singula templo,
art thou bright Phoebus' sister? Or some nymph,
reginam opperiens, dum, quae fortuna sit urbi,
the daughter of a god? Whate'er thou art,
455
artificumque manus inter se operumque laborem
thy favor we implore, and potent aid
miratur, videt Iliacas ex ordine pugnas,
in our vast toil. Instruct us of what skies,
bellaque iam fama totum volgata per orbem,
or what world's end, our storm-swept lives have found!
Atridas, Priamumque, et saevum ambobus Achillem.
Strange are these lands and people where we rove,
Constitit, et lacrimans, Quis iam locus inquit Achate,
compelled by wind and wave. Lo, this right hand
460
quae regio in terris nostri non plena laboris?
shall many a victim on thine altar slay!”
En Priamus! Sunt hic etiam sua praemia laudi;
Then Venus: “Nay, I boast not to receive
sunt lacrimae rerum et mentem mortalia tangunt.
honors divine. We Tyrian virgins oft
Solve metus; feret haec aliquam tibi fama salutem.
bear bow and quiver, and our ankles white
Sic ait, atque animum pictura pascit inani,
lace up in purple buskin. Yonder lies
465
multa gemens, largoque umectat flumine voltum.
the Punic power, where Tyrian masters hold
Namque videbat, uti bellantes Pergama circum
Agenor's town; but on its borders dwell
hac fugerent Graii, premeret Troiana iuventus,
the Libyans, by battles unsubdued.
hac Phryges, instaret curru cristatus Achilles.
Upon the throne is Dido, exiled there
Nec procul hinc Rhesi niveis tentoria velis
from Tyre, to flee th' unnatural enmity
470
adgnoscit lacrimans, primo quae prodita somno
of her own brother. 'T was an ancient wrong;
Tydides multa vastabat caede cruentus,
too Iong the dark and tangled tale would be;
ardentisque avertit equos in castra, prius quam
I trace the larger outline of her story:
pabula gustassent Troiae Xanthumque bibissent.
Sichreus was her spouse, whose acres broad
Parte alia fugiens amissis Troilus armis,
no Tyrian lord could match, and he was-blessed
475
infelix puer atque impar congressus Achilli,
by his ill-fated lady's fondest love,
fertur equis, curruque haeret resupinus inani,
whose father gave him her first virgin bloom
lora tenens tamen; huic cervixque comaeque trahuntur
in youthful marriage. But the kingly power
per terram, et versa pulvis inscribitur hasta.
among the Tyrians to her brother came,
Interea ad templum non aequae Palladis ibant
Pygmalion, none deeper dyed in crime
480
crinibus Iliades passis peplumque ferebant,
in all that land. Betwixt these twain there rose
suppliciter tristes et tunsae pectora palmis;
a deadly hatred,—and the impious wretch,
diva solo fixos oculos aversa tenebat.
blinded by greed, and reckless utterly
Ter circum Iliacos raptaverat Hectora muros,
of his fond sister's joy, did murder foul
exanimumque auro corpus vendebat Achilles.
upon defenceless and unarmed Sichaeus,
485
Tum vero ingentem gemitum dat pectore ab imo,
and at the very altar hewed him down.
ut spolia, ut currus, utque ipsum corpus amici,
Long did he hide the deed, and guilefully
tendentemque manus Priamum conspexit inermis.
deceived with false hopes, and empty words,
Se quoque principibus permixtum adgnovit Achivis,
her grief and stricken love. But as she slept,
Eoasque acies et nigri Memnonis arma.
her husband's tombless ghost before her came,
490
Ducit Amazonidum lunatis agmina peltis
with face all wondrous pale, and he laid bare
Penthesilea furens, mediisque in milibus ardet,
his heart with dagger pierced, disclosing so
aurea subnectens exsertae cingula mammae,
the blood-stained altar and the infamy
bellatrix, audetque viris concurrere virgo.
that darkened now their house. His counsel was
Haec dum Dardanio Aeneae miranda videntur,
to fly, self-banished, from her ruined land,
495
dum stupet, obtutuque haeret defixus in uno,
and for her journey's aid, he whispered where
regina ad templum, forma pulcherrima Dido,
his buried treasure lay, a weight unknown
incessit magna iuvenum stipante caterva.
of silver and of gold. Thus onward urged,
Aeneas Enters Carthage
Qualis in Eurotae ripis aut per iuga Cynthi
Dido, assembling her few trusted friends,
exercet Diana choros, quam mille secutae
prepared her flight. There rallied to her cause
500
hinc atque hinc glomerantur oreades; illa pharetram
all who did hate and scorn the tyrant king,
fert umero, gradiensque deas supereminet omnis:
or feared his cruelty. They seized his ships,
Latonae tacitum pertemptant gaudia pectus:
which haply rode at anchor in the bay,
talis erat Dido, talem se laeta ferebat
and loaded them with gold; the hoarded wealth
per medios, instans operi regnisque futuris.
of vile and covetous Pygmalion
505
Tum foribus divae, media testudine templi,
they took to sea. A woman wrought this deed.
saepta armis, solioque alte subnixa resedit.
Then came they to these lands where now thine eyes
Iura dabat legesque viris, operumque laborem
behold yon walls and yonder citadel
partibus aequabat iustis, aut sorte trahebat:
of newly rising Carthage. For a price
cum subito Aeneas concursu accedere magno
they measured round so much of Afric soil
510
Anthea Sergestumque videt fortemque Cloanthum,
as one bull's hide encircles, and the spot
Teucrorumque alios, ater quos aequore turbo
received its name, the Byrsa. But, I pray,
dispulerat penitusque alias avexerat oras.
what men are ye? from what far land arrived,
Obstipuit simul ipse simul perculsus Achates
and whither going?” When she questioned thus,
laetitiaque metuque; avidi coniungere dextras
her son, with sighs that rose from his heart's depths,
515
ardebant; sed res animos incognita turbat.
this answer gave:
Dissimulant, et nube cava speculantur amicti,
“Divine one, if I tell
quae fortuna viris, classem quo litore linquant,
my woes and burdens all, and thou could'st pause
quid veniant; cunctis nam lecti navibus ibant,
to heed the tale, first would the vesper star
orantes veniam, et templum clamore petebant.
th' Olympian portals close, and bid the day
520
Postquam introgressi et coram data copia fandi,
in slumber lie. Of ancient Troy are we—
maxumus Ilioneus placido sic pectore coepit:
if aught of Troy thou knowest! As we roved
O Regina, novam cui condere Iuppiter urbem
from sea to sea, the hazard of the storm
iustitiaque dedit gentis frenare superbas,
cast us up hither on this Libyan coast.
Troes te miseri, ventis maria omnia vecti,
I am Aeneas, faithful evermore
525
oramus, prohibe infandos a navibus ignis,
to Heaven's command; and in my ships I bear
parce pio generi, et propius res aspice nostras.
my gods ancestral, which I snatched away
Non nos aut ferro Libycos populare Penatis
from peril of the foe. My fame is known
venimus, aut raptas ad litora vertere praedas;
above the stars. I travel on in quest
non ea vis animo, nec tanta superbia victis.
of Italy, my true home-land, and I
530
Est locus, Hesperiam Grai cognomine dicunt,
from Jove himself may trace my birth divine.
terra antiqua, potens armis atque ubere glaebae;
With twice ten ships upon the Phryglan main
Oenotri coluere viri; nunc fama minores
I launched away. My mother from the skies
Italiam dixisse ducis de nomine gentem.
gave guidance, and I wrought what Fate ordained.
Hic cursus fuit:
Yet now scarce seven shattered ships survive
535
cum subito adsurgens fluctu nimbosus Orion
the shock of wind and wave; and I myself
in vada caeca tulit, penitusque procacibus austris
friendless, bereft, am wandering up and down
perque undas, superante salo, perque invia saxa
this Libyan wilderness! Behold me here,
dispulit; huc pauci vestris adnavimus oris.
from Europe and from Asia exiled still!”
Quod genus hoc hominum? Quaeve hunc tam barbara morem
But Venus could not let him longer plain,
540
permittit patria? Hospitio prohibemur harenae;
and stopped his grief midway:
bella cient, primaque vetant consistere terra.
“Whoe'er thou art,
Si genus humanum et mortalia temnitis arma
I deem that not unblest of heavenly powers,
at sperate deos memores fandi atque nefandi.
with vital breath still thine, thou comest hither
Rex erat Aeneas nobis, quo iustior alter,
unto our Tyrian town. Go steadfast on,
545
nec pietate fuit, nec bello maior et armis.
and to the royal threshold make thy way!
Quem si fata virum servant, si vescitur aura
I bring thee tidings that thy comrades all
aetheria, neque adhuc crudelibus occubat umbris,
are safe at land; and all thy ships, conveyed
non metus; officio nec te certasse priorem
by favoring breezes, safe at anchor lie;
paeniteat. Sunt et Siculis regionibus urbes
or else in vain my parents gave me skill
550
arvaque, Troianoque a sanguine clarus Acestes.
to read the skies. Look up at yonder swans!
Quassatam ventis liceat subducere classem,
A flock of twelve, whose gayly fluttering file,
et silvis aptare trabes et stringere remos:
erst scattered by Jove's eagle swooping down
si datur Italiam, sociis et rege recepto,
from his ethereal haunt, now form anew
tendere, ut Italiam laeti Latiumque petamus;
their long-drawn line, and make a landing-place,
555
sin absumpta salus, et te, pater optume Teucrum,
or, hovering over, scan some chosen ground,
pontus habet Lybiae, nec spes iam restat Iuli,
or soaring high, with whir of happy wings,
at freta Sicaniae saltem sedesque paratas,
re-circle heaven in triumphant song:
unde huc advecti, regemque petamus Acesten.
likewise, I tell thee, thy Iost mariners
Talibus Ilioneus; cuncti simul ore fremebant
are landed, or fly landward at full sail.
560
Dardanidae.
Up, then! let yon plain path thy guidance be,”
Tum breviter Dido, voltum demissa, profatur:
She ceased and turned away. A roseate beam
Solvite corde metum, Teucri, secludite curas.
from her bright shoulder glowed; th' ambrosial hair
Res dura et regni novitas me talia cogunt
breathed more than mortal sweetness, while her robes
moliri, et late finis custode tueri.
fell rippling to her feet. Each step revealed
565
Quis genus Aeneadum, quis Troiae nesciat urbem,
the veritable goddess. Now he knew
virtutesque virosque, aut tanti incendia belli?
that vision was his mother, and his words
Non obtusa adeo gestamus pectora Poeni,
pursued the fading phantom as it fled:
nec tam aversus equos Tyria Sol iungit ab urbe.
“Why is thy son deluded o'er and o'er
Seu vos Hesperiam magnam Saturniaque arva,
with mocking dreams,—another cruel god?
570
sive Erycis finis regemque optatis Acesten,
Hast thou no hand-clasp true, nor interchange
auxilio tutos dimittam, opibusque iuvabo.
of words unfeigned betwixt this heart and thine?”
Voltis et his mecum pariter considere regnis;
Such word of blame he spoke, and took his way
urbem quam statuo vestra est, subducite navis;
toward the city's rampart. Venus then
Tros Tyriusque mihi nullo discrimine agetur.
o'erveiled them as they moved in darkened air,—
575
Atque utinam rex ipse Noto compulsus eodem
a liquid mantle of thick cloud divine,—
adforet Aeneas! Equidem per litora certos
that viewless they might pass, nor would any
dimittam et Libyae lustrare extrema iubebo,
obstruct, delay, or question why they came.
si quibus eiectus silvis aut urbibus errat.
To Paphos then she soared, her Ioved abode,
Dido
His animum arrecti dictis et fortis Achates
where stands her temple, at whose hundred shrines
580
et pater Aeneas iamdudum erumpere nubem
garlands of myrtle and fresh roses breathe,
ardebant. Prior Aenean compellat Achates:
and clouds of orient sweetness waft away.
Nate dea, quae nunc animo sententia surgit?
Meanwhile the wanderers swiftly journey on
omnia tuta vides, classem sociosque receptos.
along the clear-marked road, and soon they climb
Unus abest, medio in fluctu quem vidimus ipsi
the brow of a high hill, which close in view
585
submersum; dictis respondent cetera matris.
o'er-towers the city's crown. The vast exploit,
Vix ea fatus erat, cum circumfusa repente
where lately rose but Afric cabins rude,
scindit se nubes et in aethera purgat apertum.
Aeneas wondered at: the smooth, wide ways;
Restitit Aeneas claraque in luce refulsit,
the bastioned gates; the uproar of the throng.
os umerosque deo similis; namque ipsa decoram
The Tyrians toil unwearied; some up-raise
590
caesariem nato genetrix lumenque iuventae
a wall or citadel, from far below
purpureum et laetos oculis adflarat honores:
lifting the ponderous stone; or with due care
quale manus addunt ebori decus, aut ubi flavo
choose where to build, and close the space around
argentum Pariusve lapis circumdatur auro.
with sacred furrow; in their gathering-place
Tum sic reginam adloquitur, cunctisque repente
the people for just governors, just laws,
595
improvisus ait: Coram, quem quaeritis, adsum,
and for their reverend senate shout acclaim.
Troius Aeneas, Lybicis ereptus ab undis.
Some clear the harbor mouth; some deeply lay
O sola infandos Troiae miserata labores,
the base of a great theatre, and carve out
quae nos, reliquias Danaum, terraeque marisque
proud columns from the mountain, to adorn
omnibus exhaustos iam casibus, omnium egenos,
their rising stage with lofty ornament.
600
urbe, domo, socias, grates persolvere dignas
so busy bees above a field of flowers
non opis est nostrae, Dido, nec quicquid ubique est
in early summer amid sunbeams toil,
gentis Dardaniae, magnum quae sparsa per orbem.
leading abroad their nation's youthful brood;
Di tibi, si qua pios respectant numina, si quid
or with the flowing honey storing close
usquam iustitia est et mens sibi conscia recti,
the pliant cells, until they quite run o'er
605
praemia digna ferant. Quae te tam laeta tulerunt
with nectared sweet; while from the entering swarm
saecula? Qui tanti talem genuere parentes?
they take their little loads; or lined for war,
In freta dum fluvii current, dum montibus umbrae
rout the dull drones, and chase them from the hive;
lustrabunt convexa, polus dum sidera pascet,
brisk is the task, and all the honeyed air
semper honos nomenque tuum laudesque manebunt,
breathes odors of wild thyme. “How blest of Heaven.
610
quae me cumque vocant terrae. Sic fatus, amicum
These men that see their promised ramparts rise!”
Ilionea petit dextra, laevaque Serestum,
Aeneas sighed; and swift his glances moved
post alios, fortemque Gyan fortemque Cloanthum.
from tower to tower; then on his way he fared,
Obstipuit primo aspectu Sidonia Dido,
veiled in the wonder-cloud, whence all unseen
casu deinde viri tanto, et sic ore locuta est:
of human eyes,—O strange the tale and true!—
615
Quis te, nate dea, per tanta pericula casus
he threaded the thronged streets, unmarked, unknown.
insequitur? Quae vis immanibus applicat oris?
Deep in the city's heart there was a grove
Tune ille Aeneas, quem Dardanio Anchisae
of beauteous shade, where once the Tyrians,
alma Venus Phrygii genuit Simoentis ad undam?
cast here by stormful waves, delved out of earth
Atque equidem Teucrum memini Sidona venire
that portent which Queen Juno bade them find,—
620
finibus expulsum patriis, nova regna petentem
the head of a proud horse,—that ages long
auxilio Beli; genitor tum Belus opimam
their boast might be wealth, luxury and war.
vastabat Cyprum, et victor dicione tenebat.
Upon this spot Sidonian Dido raised
Tempore iam ex illo casus mihi cognitus urbis
a spacious fane to Juno, which became
Troianae nomenque tuum regesque Pelasgi.
splendid with gifts, and hallowed far and wide
625
Ipse hostis Teucros insigni laude ferebat,
for potency divine. Its beams were bronze,
seque ortum antiqua Teucrorum ab stirpe volebat.
and on loud hinges swung the brazen doors.
Quare agite, O tectis, iuvenes, succedite nostris.
A rare, new sight this sacred grove did show,
Me quoque per multos similis fortuna labores
which calmed Aeneas' fears, and made him bold
iactatam hac demum voluit consistere terra.
to hope for safety, and with lifted heart
630
Non ignara mali, miseris succurrere disco.
from his low-fallen fortunes re-aspire.
Sic memorat; simul Aenean in regia ducit
For while he waits the advent of the Queen,
tecta, simul divom templis indicit honorem.
he scans the mighty temple, and admires
Nec minus interea sociis ad litora mittit
the city's opulent pride, and all the skill
viginti tauros, magnorum horrentia centum
its rival craftsmen in their work approve.
635
terga suum, pinguis centum cum matribus agnos,
Behold! he sees old Ilium's well-fought fields
munera laetitiamque dii.
in sequent picture, and those famous wars
At domus interior regali splendida luxu
now told upon men's lips the whole world round.
instruitur, mediisque parant convivia tectis:
There Atreus' sons, there kingly Priam moved,
arte laboratae vestes ostroque superbo,
and fierce Pelides pitiless to both.
640
ingens argentum mensis, caelataque in auro
Aeneas paused, and, weeping, thus began:
fortia facta patrum, series longissima rerum
“Alas, Achates, what far region now,
per tot ducta viros antiqua ab origine gentis.
what land in all the world knows not our pain?
Aeneas (neque enim patrius consistere mentem
See, it is Priam! Virtue's wage is given—
passus amor) rapidum ad navis praemittit Achaten,
O even here! Here also there be tears
645
Ascanio ferat haec, ipsumque ad moenia ducat;
for what men bear, and mortal creatures feel
omnis in Ascanio cari stat cura parentis.
each other's sorrow. Therefore, have no fear!
Munera praeterea, Iliacis erepta ruinis,
This story of our loss forbodes us well.”
ferre iubet, pallam signis auroque rigentem,
So saying, he received into his heart
et circumtextum croceo velamen acantho,
that visionary scene, profoundly sighed,
650
ornatus Argivae Helenae, quos illa Mycenis,
and let his plenteous tears unheeded flow.
Pergama cum peteret inconcessosque hymenaeos,
There he beheld the citadel of Troy
extulerat, matris Ledae mirabile donum:
girt with embattled foes; here, Greeks in flight
praeterea sceptrum, Ilione quod gesserat olim,
some Trojan onset 'scaped; there, Phrygian bands
maxima natarum Priami, colloque monile
before tall-plumed Achilles' chariot sped.
655
bacatum, et duplicem gemmis auroque coronam.
The snowy tents of Rhesus spread hard by
Haec celerans ita ad naves tendebat Achates.
(he sees them through his tears), where Diomed
The Revelation
At Cytherea novas artes, nova pectore versat
in night's first watch burst o'er them unawares
Consilia, ut faciem mutatus et ora Cupido
with bloody havoc and a host of deaths;
pro dulci Ascanio veniat, donisque furentem
then drove his fiery coursers o'er the plain
660
incendat reginam, atque ossibus implicet ignem;
before their thirst or hunger could be stayed
quippe domum timet ambiguam Tyriosque bilinguis;
on Trojan corn or Xanthus' cooling stream.
urit atrox Iuno, et sub noctem cura recursat.
Here too was princely Troilus, despoiled,
Ergo his aligerum dictis adfatur Amorem:
routed and weaponless, O wretched boy!
Nate, meae vires, mea magna potentia solus,
Ill-matched against Achilles! His wild steeds
665
nate, patris summi qui tela Typhoia temnis,
bear him along, as from his chariot's rear
ad te confugio et supplex tua numina posco.
he falls far back, but clutches still the rein;
Frater ut Aeneas pelago tuus omnia circum
his hair and shoulders on the ground go trailing,
litora iactetur odiis Iunonis iniquae,
and his down-pointing spear-head scrawls the dust.
nota tibi, et nostro doluisti saepe dolore.
Elsewhere, to Pallas' ever-hostile shrine,
670
Hunc Phoenissa tenet Dido blandisque moratur
daughters of Ilium, with unsnooded hair,
vocibus; et vereor, quo se Iunonia vertant
and lifting all in vain her hallowed pall,
hospitia; haud tanto cessabit cardine rerum.
walked suppliant and sad, beating their breasts,
Quocirca capere ante dolis et cingere flamma
with outspread palms. But her unswerving eyes
reginam meditor, ne quo se numine mutet,
the goddess fixed on earth, and would not see.
675
sed magno Aeneae mecum teneatur amore.
Achilles round the Trojan rampart thrice
Qua facere id possis, nostram nunc accipe mentem.
had dragged the fallen Hector, and for gold
Regius accitu cari genitoris ad urbem
was making traffic of the lifeless clay.
Sidoniam puer ire parat, mea maxima cura,
Aeneas groaned aloud, with bursting heart,
dona ferens, pelago et flammis restantia Troiae:
to see the spoils, the car, the very corpse
680
hunc ego sopitum somno super alta Cythera
of his lost friend,—while Priam for the dead
aut super Idalium sacrata sede recondam,
stretched forth in piteous prayer his helpless hands.
ne qua scire dolos mediusve occurrere possit.
There too his own presentment he could see
Tu faciem illius noctem non amplius unam
surrounded by Greek kings; and there were shown
falle dolo, et notos pueri puer indue voltus,
hordes from the East, and black-browed Memnon's arms;
685
ut, cum te gremio accipiet laetissima Dido
her band of Amazons, with moon-shaped shields,
regalis inter mensas laticemque Lyaeum,
Penthesilea led; her martial eye
cum dabit amplexus atque oscula dulcia figet,
flamed on from troop to troop; a belt of gold
occultum inspires ignem fallasque veneno.
beneath one bare, protruded breast she bound—
Paret Amor dictis carae genetricis, et alas
a warrior-virgin braving mail-clad men.
690
exuit, et gressu gaudens incedit Iuli.
While on such spectacle Aeneas' eyes
At Venus Ascanio placidam per membra quietem
looked wondering, while mute and motionless
inrigat, et fotum gremio dea tollit in altos
he stood at gaze, Queen Dido to the shrine
Idaliae lucos, ubi mollis amaracus illum
in lovely majesty drew near; a throng
floribus et dulci adspirans complectitur umbra.
of youthful followers pressed round her way.
695
Iamque ibat dicto parens et dona Cupido
So by the margin of Eurotas wide
regia portabat Tyriis, duce laetus Achate.
or o'er the Cynthian steep, Diana leads
Cum venit, aulaeis iam se regina superbis
her bright processional; hither and yon
aurea composuit sponda mediamque locavit.
are visionary legions numberless
Iam pater Aeneas et iam Troiana iuventus
of Oreads; the regnant goddess bears
700
conveniunt, stratoque super discumbitur ostro.
a quiver on her shoulders, and is seen
Dant famuli manibus lymphas, Cereremque canistris
emerging tallest of her beauteous train;
expediunt, tonsisque ferunt mantelia villis.
while joy unutterable thrills the breast
Quinquaginta intus famulae, quibus ordine longam
of fond Latona: Dido not less fair
cura penum struere, et flammis adolere Penatis;
amid her subjects passed, and not less bright
705
centum aliae totidemque pares aetate ministri,
her glow of gracious joy, while she approved
qui dapibus mensas onerent et pocula ponant.
her future kingdom's pomp and vast emprise.
Nec non et Tyrii per limina laeta frequentes
Then at the sacred portal and beneath
convenere, toris iussi discumbere pictis.
the temple's vaulted dome she took her place,
Mirantur dona Aeneae, mirantur Iulum
encompassed by armed men, and lifted high
710
flagrantisque dei voltus simulataque verba,
upon a throne; her statutes and decrees
pallamque et pictum croceo velamen acantho.
the people heard, and took what lot or toil
Praecipue infelix, pesti devota futurae,
her sentence, or impartial urn, assigned.
expleri mentem nequit ardescitque tuendo
But, lo! Aeneas sees among the throng
Phoenissa, et pariter puero donisque movetur.
Antheus, Sergestus, and Cloanthus bold,
715
Ille ubi complexu Aeneae colloque pependit
with other Teucrians, whom the black storm flung
et magnum falsi implevit genitoris amorem,
far o'er the deep and drove on alien shores.
reginam petit haec oculis, haec pectore toto
Struck dumb was he, and good Achates too,
haeret et interdum gremio fovet, inscia Dido,
half gladness and half fear. Fain would they fly
insidat quantus miserae deus; at memor ille
to friendship's fond embrace; but knowing not
720
matris Acidaliae paulatim abolere Sychaeum
what might befall, their hearts felt doubt and care.
incipit, et vivo temptat praevertere amore
Therefore they kept the secret, and remained
iam pridem resides animos desuetaque corda.
forth-peering from the hollow veil of cloud,
Postquam prima quies epulis, mensaeque remotae,
haply to learn what their friends' fate might be,
crateras magnos statuunt et vina coronant.
or where the fleet was landed, or what aim
725
Fit strepitus tectis, vocemque per ampla volutant
had brought them hither; for a chosen few
atria; dependent lychni laquearibus aureis
from every ship had come to sue for grace,
incensi, et noctem flammis funalia vincunt.
and all the temple with their voices rang.
Hic regina gravem gemmis auroque poposcit
The doors swung wide; and after access given
implevitque mero pateram, quam Belus et omnes
and leave to speak, revered Ilioneus
730
a Belo soliti; tum facta silentia tectis:
with soul serene these lowly words essayed:
Iuppiter, hospitibus nam te dare iura loquuntur,
“O Queen, who hast authority of Jove
hunc laetum Tyriisque diem Troiaque profectis
to found this rising city, and subdue
esse velis, nostrosque huius meminisse minores.
with righteous governance its people proud,
Adsit laetitiae Bacchus dator, et bona Iuno;
we wretched Trojans, blown from sea to sea,
735
et vos, O, coetum, Tyrii, celebrate faventes.
beseech thy mercy; keep the curse of fire
Dixit, et in mensam laticum libavit honorem,
from our poor ships! We pray thee, do no wrong
primaque, libato, summo tenus attigit ore,
unto a guiltless race. But heed our plea!
tum Bitiae dedit increpitans; ille impiger hausit
No Libyan hearth shall suffer by our sword,
spumantem pateram, et pleno se proluit auro
nor spoil and plunder to our ships be borne;
740
post alii proceres. Cithara crinitus Iopas
such haughty violence fits not the souls
personat aurata, docuit quem maximus Atlas.
of vanquished men. We journey to a land
Hic canit errantem lunam solisque labores;
named, in Greek syllables, Hesperia:
unde hominum genus et pecudes; unde imber et ignes;
a storied realm, made mighty by great wars
Arcturum pluviasque Hyadas geminosque Triones;
and wealth of fruitful land; in former days
745
quid tantum Oceano properent se tinguere soles
Oenotrians had it, and their sons, 't is said,
hiberni, vel quae tardis mora noctibus obstet.
have called it Italy, a chieftain's name
Ingeminant plausu Tyrii, Troesque sequuntur.
to a whole region given. Thitherward
Nec non et vario noctem sermone trahebat
our ships did fare; but with swift-rising flood
infelix Dido, longumque bibebat amorem,
the stormful season of Orion's star
750
multa super Priamo rogitans, super Hectore multa;
drove us on viewless shoals; and angry gales
nunc quibus Aurorae venisset filius armis,
dispersed us, smitten by the tumbling surge,
nunc quales Diomedis equi, nunc quantus Achilles.
among innavigable rocks. Behold,
Immo age, et a prima dic, hospes, origine nobis
we few swam hither, waifs upon your shore!
insidias, inquit, Danaum, casusque tuorum,
What race of mortals this? What barbarous land,
755
erroresque tuos; nam te iam septima portat
that with inhospitable laws ye thrust
omnibus errantem terris et fluctibus aestas.
a stranger from your coasts, and fly to arms,
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