A Grief Too Deep to Tell
Conticuere omnes, intentique ora tenebant.
A general silence fell; and all gave ear,
Inde toro pater Aeneas sic orsus ab alto:
while, from his lofty station at the feast,
Infandum, regina, iubes renovare dolorem,
Father Aeneas with these words began :—
Troianas ut opes et lamentabile regnum
A grief unspeakable thy gracious word,
5
eruerint Danai; quaeque ipse miserrima vidi,
o sovereign lady, bids my heart live o'er:
et quorum pars magna fui. Quis talia fando
how Asia's glory and afflicted throne
Myrmidonum Dolopumve aut duri miles Ulixi
the Greek flung down; which woeful scene I saw,
temperet a lacrimis? Et iam nox umida caelo
and bore great part in each event I tell.
praecipitat, suadentque cadentia sidera somnos.
But O! in telling, what Dolopian churl,
10
Sed si tantus amor casus cognoscere nostros
or Myrmidon, or gory follower
et breviter Troiae supremum audire laborem,
of grim Ulysses could the tears restrain?
quamquam animus meminisse horret, luctuque refugit,
'T is evening; lo! the dews of night begin
incipiam.Fracti bello fatisque repulsi
to fall from heaven, and yonder sinking stars
ductores Danaum, tot iam labentibus annis,
invite to slumber. But if thy heart yearn
15
instar montis equum divina Palladis arte
to hear in brief of all our evil days
aedificant, sectaque intexunt abiete costas:
and Troy's last throes, although the memory
votum pro reditu simulant; ea fama vagatur.
makes my soul shudder and recoil in pain,
Huc delecta virum sortiti corpora furtim
I will essay it. Wearied of the war,
includunt caeco lateri, penitusque cavernas
and by ill-fortune crushed, year after year,
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ingentis uterumque armato milite complent.
the kings of Greece, by Pallas' skill divine,
Est in conspectu Tenedos, notissima fama
build a huge horse, a thing of mountain size,
insula, dives opum, Priami dum regna manebant,
with timbered ribs of fir. They falsely say
nunc tantum sinus et statio male fida carinis:
it has been vowed to Heaven for safe return,
huc se provecti deserto in litore condunt.
and spread this lie abroad. Then they conceal
25
Nos abiisse rati et vento petiisse Mycenas:
choice bands of warriors in the deep, dark side,
ergo omnis longo solvit se Teucria luctu;
and fill the caverns of that monstrous womb
panduntur portae; iuvat ire et Dorica castra
with arms and soldiery. In sight of Troy
desertosque videre locos litusque relictum.
lies Tenedos, an island widely famed
Hic Dolopum manus, hic saevus tendebat Achilles;
and opulent, ere Priam's kingdom fell,
30
classibus hic locus; hic acie certare solebant.
but a poor haven now, with anchorage
Pars stupet innuptae donum exitiale Minervae,
not half secure; 't was thitherward they sailed,
et molem mirantur equi; primusque Thymoetes
and lurked unseen by that abandoned shore.
duci intra muros hortatur et arce locari,
We deemed them launched away and sailing far,
sive dolo, seu iam Troiae sic fata ferebant.
bound homeward for Mycenae. Teucria then
35
At Capys, et quorum melior sententia menti,
threw off her grief inveterate; all her gates
aut pelago Danaum insidias suspectaque dona
swung wide; exultant went we forth, and saw
praecipitare iubent, subiectisque urere flammis,
the Dorian camp untenanted, the siege
aut terebrare cavas uteri et temptare latebras.
abandoned, and the shore without a keel.
Scinditur incertum studia in contraria volgus.
“Here!” cried we, “the Dolopian pitched; the host
40
Primus ibi ante omnis, magna comitante caterva,
of fierce Achilles here; here lay the fleet;
Laocoön ardens summa decurrit ab arce,
and here the battling lines to conflict ran.”
et procul: O miseri, quae tanta insania, cives?
Others, all wonder, scan the gift of doom
Creditis avectos hostis? Aut ulla putatis
by virgin Pallas given, and view with awe
dona carere dolis Danaum? Sic notus Ulixes?
that horse which loomed so large. Thymoetes then
45
aut hoc inclusi ligno occultantur Achivi,
bade lead it through the gates, and set on high
aut haec in nostros fabricata est machina muros
within our citadel,—or traitor he,
inspectura domos venturaque desuper urbi,
or tool of fate in Troy's predestined fall.
aut aliquis latet error; equo ne credite, Teucri.
But Capys, as did all of wiser heart,
Quicquid id est, timeo Danaos et dona ferentis.
bade hurl into the sea the false Greek gift,
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Sic fatus, validis ingentem viribus hastam
or underneath it thrust a kindling flame
in latus inque feri curvam compagibus alvum
or pierce the hollow ambush of its womb
contorsit: stetit illa tremens, uteroque recusso
with probing spear. Yet did the multitude
insonuere cavae gemitumque dedere cavernae.
veer round from voice to voice and doubt of all.
Et, si fata deum, si mens non laeva fuisset,
Then from the citadel, conspicuous,
55
impulerat ferro Argolicas foedare latebras,
Laocoon, with all his following choir,
Troiaque, nunc stares, Priamique arx alta, maneres.
hurried indignant down; and from afar
The Wooden Horse
Ecce, manus iuvenem interea post terga revinctum
thus hailed the people: “O unhappy men!
pastores magno ad regem clamore trahebant
What madness this? Who deems our foemen fled?
Dardanidae, qui se ignotum venientibus ultro,
Think ye the gifts of Greece can lack for guile?
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hoc ipsum ut strueret Troiamque aperiret Achivis,
Have ye not known Ulysses? The Achaean
obtulerat, fidens animi atque in utrumque paratus,
hides, caged in yonder beams; or this is reared
seu versare dolos, seu certae occumbere morti.
for engin'ry on our proud battlements,
Undique visendi studio Troiana iuventus
to spy upon our roof-tops, or descend
circumfusa ruit, certantque inludere capto.
in ruin on the city. 'T is a snare.
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Accipe nunc Danaum insidias, et crimine ab uno
Trust not this horse, O Troy, whate'er it bode!
disce omnes.
I fear the Greeks, though gift on gift they bear.”
Namque ut conspectu in medio turbatus, inermis
So saying, he whirled with ponderous javelin
constitit atque oculis Phrygia agmina circumspexit:
a sturdy stroke straight at the rounded side
Heu, quae nunc tellus inquit quae me aequora possunt
of the great, jointed beast. A tremor struck
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accipere? Aut quid iam misero mihi denique restat,
its towering form, and through the cavernous womb
cui neque apud Danaos usquam locus, et super ipsi
rolled loud, reverberate rumbling, deep and long.
Dardanidae infensi poenas cum sanguine poscunt?
If heaven's decree, if our own wills, that hour,
Quo gemitu conversi animi, compressus et omnis
had not been fixed on woe, his spear had brought
impetus. Hortamur fari; quo sanguine cretus,
a bloody slaughter on our ambushed foe,
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quidve ferat, memoret, quae sit fiducia capto.
and Troy were standing on the earth this day!
Ille haec, deposita tandem formidine, fatur:
O Priam's towers, ye were unfallen still!
Cuncta equidem tibi, Rex, fuerit quodcumque, fatebor
But, lo! with hands fast bound behind, a youth
vera, inquit; neque me Argolica de gente negabo:
by clamorous Dardan shepherds haled along,
hoc primum; nec, si miserum Fortuna Sinonem
was brought before our king,—to this sole end
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finxit, vanum etiam mendacemque improba finget.
a self-surrendered captive, that he might,
Fando aliquod si forte tuas pervenit ad auris
although a nameless stranger, cunningly
Belidae nomen Palamedis et incluta fama
deliver to the Greek the gates of Troy.
gloria, quem falsa sub proditione Pelasgi
His firm-set mind flinched not from either goal,—
insontem infando indicio, quia bella vetabat,
success in crime, or on swift death to fall.
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demisere neci, nunc cassum lumine lugent.
The thronging Trojan youth made haste his way
Illi me comitem et consanguinitate propinquum
from every side, all eager to see close
pauper in arma pater primis huc misit ab annis,
their captive's face, and clout with emulous scorn.
dum stabat regno incolumis regumque vigebat
Hear now what Greek deception is, and learn
consiliis, et nos aliquod nomenque decusque
from one dark wickedness the whole. For he,
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gessimus. Invidia postquam pellacis Ulixi—
a mark for every eye, defenceless, dazed,
haud ignota loquor—superis concessit ab oris,
stood staring at our Phrygian hosts, and cried:
adflictus vitam in tenebris luctuque trahebam,
“Woe worth the day! What ocean or what shore
et casum insontis mecum indignabar amici.
will have me now? What desperate path remains
Nec tacui demens, et me, fors si qua tulisset,
for miserable me? Now have I lost
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si patrios umquam remeassem victor ad Argos,
all foothold with the Greeks, and o'er my head
promisi ultorem, et verbis odia aspera movi.
Troy's furious sons call bloody vengeance down.”
Hinc mihi prima mali labes, hinc semper Ulixes
Such groans and anguish turned all rage away
criminibus terrere novis, hinc spargere voces
and stayed our lifted hands. We bade him tell
in volgum ambiguas, et quaerere conscius arma.
his birth, his errand, and from whence might be
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Nec requievit enim, donec, Calchante ministro—
such hope of mercy for a foe in chains.
sed quid ego haec autem nequiquam ingrata revolvo?
Then fearing us no more, this speech he dared:
Quidve moror, si omnis uno ordine habetis Achivos,
“O King! I will confess, whate'er befall,
idque audire sat est? Iamdudum sumite poenas,
the whole unvarnished truth. I will not hide
hoc Ithacus velit, et magno mercentur Atridae.
my Grecian birth. Yea, thus will I begin.
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Tum vero ardemus scitari et quaerere causas,
For Fortune has brought wretched Sinon low;
ignari scelerum tantorum artisque Pelasgae.
but never shall her cruelty impair
Prosequitur pavitans, et ficto pectore fatur:
his honor and his truth. Perchance the name
Saepe fugam Danai Troia cupiere relicta
of Palamedes, Belus' glorious son,
moliri, et longo fessi discedere bello;
has come by rumor to your listening ears;
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fecissentque utinam! Saepe illos aspera ponti
whom by false witness and conspiracy,
interclusit hiemps, et terruit Auster euntis.
because his counsel was not for this war,
Praecipue, cum iam hic trabibus contextus acernis
the Greeks condemned, though guiltless, to his death,
staret equus, toto sonuerunt aethere nimbi.
and now make much lament for him they slew.
Suspensi Eurypylum scitantem oracula Phoebi
I, his companion, of his kith and kin,
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mittimus, isque adytis haec tristia dicta reportat:
sent hither by my humble sire's command,
Sanguine placastis ventos et virgine caesa,
followed his arms and fortunes from my youth.
cum primum Iliacas, Danai, venistis ad oras;
Long as his throne endured, and while he throve
sanguine quaerendi reditus, animaque litandum
in conclave with his kingly peers, we twain
Argolica. Volgi quae vox ut venit ad auris,
some name and lustre bore; but afterward,
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obstipuere animi, gelidusque per ima cucurrit
because that cheat Ulysses envied him
ossa tremor, cui fata parent, quem poscat Apollo.
(Ye know the deed), he from this world withdrew,
Hic Ithacus vatem magno Calchanta tumultu
and I in gloom and tribulation sore
protrahit in medios; quae sint ea numina divom,
lived miserably on, lamenting loud
flagitat; et mihi iam multi crudele canebant
my lost friend's blameless fall. A fool was I
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artificis scelus, et taciti ventura videbant.
that kept not these lips closed; but I had vowed
Bis quinos silet ille dies, tectusque recusat
that if a conqueror home to Greece I came,
prodere voce sua quemquam aut opponere morti.
I would avenge. Such words moved wrath, and were
Vix tandem, magnis Ithaci clamoribus actus,
the first shock of my ruin; from that hour,
composito rumpit vocem, et me destinat arae.
Ulysses whispered slander and alarm;
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Adsensere omnes, et, quae sibi quisque timebat,
breathed doubt and malice into all men's ears,
unius in miseri exitium conversa tulere.
and darkly plotted how to strike his blow.
Iamque dies infanda aderat; mihi sacra parari,
Nor rest had he, till Calchas, as his tool,-
et salsae fruges, et circum tempora vittae:
but why unfold this useless, cruel story?
eripui, fateor, leto me, et vincula rupi,
Why make delay? Ye count all sons of Greece
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limosoque lacu per noctem obscurus in ulva
arrayed as one; and to have heard thus far
delitui, dum vela darent, si forte dedissent.
suffices you. Take now your ripe revenge!
Nec mihi iam patriam antiquam spes ulla videndi,
Ulysses smiles and Atreus' royal sons
nec dulcis natos exoptatumque parentem;
with liberal price your deed of blood repay.”
quos illi fors et poenas ob nostra reposcent
We ply him then with passionate appeal
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effugia, et culpam hanc miserorum morte piabunt.
and question all his cause: of guilt so dire
Quod te per superos et conscia numina veri,
or such Greek guile we harbored not the thought.
per si qua est quae restet adhuc mortalibus usquam
So on he prates, with well-feigned grief and fear,
intemerata fides, oro, miserere laborum
and from his Iying heart thus told his tale:
tantorum, miserere animi non digna ferentis.
“Full oft the Greeks had fain achieved their flight,
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His lacrimis vitam damus, et miserescimus ultro.
and raised the Trojan siege, and sailed away
Ipse viro primus manicas atque arta levari
war-wearied quite. O, would it had been so!
vincla iubet Priamus, dictisque ita fatur amicis:
Full oft the wintry tumult of the seas
Quisquis es, amissos hinc iam obliviscere Graios;
did wall them round, and many a swollen storm
noster eris, mihique haec edissere vera roganti:
their embarcation stayed. But chiefly when,
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Quo molem hanc immanis equi statuere? Quis auctor?
all fitly built of beams of maple fair,
Quidve petunt? Quae religio, aut quae machina belli?
this horse stood forth,— what thunders filled the skies!
Dixerat. Ille, dolis instructus et arte Pelasga,
With anxious fears we sent Eurypylus
sustulit exutas vinclis ad sidera palmas:
to ask Apollo's word; and from the shrine
Vos, aeterni ignes, et non violabile vestrum
he brings the sorrowful commandment home:
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testor numen ait vos arae ensesque nefandi,
‘By flowing blood and by a virgin slain
quos fugi, vittaeque deum, quas hostia gessi:
the wild winds were appeased, when first ye came,
fas mihi Graiorum sacrata resolvere iura,
ye sons of Greece, to Ilium's distant shore.
fas odisse viros, atque omnia ferre sub auras,
Through blood ye must return. Let some Greek life
si qua tegunt; teneor patriae nec legibus ullis.
your expiation be.’ The popular ear
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Tu modo promissis maneas, servataque serves
the saying caught, all spirits were dimmed o'er;
Troia fidem, si vera feram, si magna rependam.
cold doubt and horror through each bosom ran,
Omnis spes Danaum et coepti fiducia belli
asking what fate would do, and on what wretch
Palladis auxiliis semper stetit. Impius ex quo
Apollo's choice would fall. Ulysses, then,
Tydides sed enim scelerumque inventor Ulixes,
amid the people's tumult and acclaim,
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fatale adgressi sacrato avellere templo
thrust Calchas forth, some prophecy to tell
Palladium, caesis summae custodibus arcis,
to all the throng: he asked him o'er and o'er
corripuere sacram effigiem, manibusque cruentis
what Heaven desired. Already not a few
virgineas ausi divae contingere vittas;
foretold the murderous plot, and silently
ex illo fluere ac retro sublapsa referri
watched the dark doom upon my life impend.
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spes Danaum, fractae vires, aversa deae mens.
Twice five long days the seer his lips did seal,
Nec dubiis ea signa dedit Tritonia monstris.
and hid himself, refusing to bring forth
Vix positum castris simulacrum, arsere coruscae
His word of guile, and name what wretch should die.
luminibus flammae arrectis, salsusque per artus
At last, reluctant, and all loudly urged
sudor iit, terque ipsa solo—mirabile dictu—
By false Ulysses, he fulfils their plot,
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emicuit, parmamque ferens hastamque trementem.
and, lifting up his voice oracular,
Extemplo temptanda fuga canit aequora Calchas,
points out myself the victim to be slain.
nec posse Argolicis exscindi Pergama telis,
Nor did one voice oppose. The mortal stroke
omina ni repetant Argis, numenque reducant,
horribly hanging o'er each coward head
quod pelago et curvis secum avexere carinis.
was changed to one man's ruin, and their hearts
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Et nunc, quod patrias vento petiere Mycenas,
endured it well. Soon rose th' accursed morn;
arma deosque parant comites, pelagoque remenso
the bloody ritual was ready; salt
improvisi aderunt: ita digerit omina Calchas.
was sprinkled on the sacred loaf; my brows
Hanc pro Palladio moniti, pro numine laeso
were bound with fillets for the offering.
effigiem statuere, nefas quae triste piaret.
But I escaped that death—yes! I deny not!
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Hanc tamen immensam Calchas attollere molem
I cast my fetters off, and darkling lay
roboribus textis caeloque educere iussit,
concealed all night in lake-side sedge and mire,
ne recipi portis, aut duci in moenia possit,
awaiting their departure, if perchance
neu populum antiqua sub religione tueri.
they should in truth set sail. But nevermore
Nam si vestra manus violasset dona Minervae,
shall my dear, native country greet these eyes.
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tum magnum exitium (quod di prius omen in ipsum
No more my father or my tender babes
convertant!) Priami imperio Phrygibusque futurum;
shall I behold. Nay, haply their own lives
sin manibus vestris vestram ascendisset in urbem,
are forfeit, when my foemen take revenge
ultro Asiam magno Pelopea ad moenia bello
for my escape, and slay those helpless ones,
venturam, et nostros ea fata manere nepotes.
in expiation of my guilty deed.
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Talibus insidiis periurique arte Sinonis
O, by yon powers in heaven which witness truth,
credita res, captique dolis lacrimisque coactis,
by aught in this dark world remaining now
quos neque Tydides, nec Larisaeus Achilles,
of spotless human faith and innocence,
non anni domuere decem, non mille carinae.
I do implore thee look with pitying eye
Laocoön and the Serpents
Hic aliud maius miseris multoque tremendum
on these long sufferings my heart hath borne.
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obicitur magis, atque improvida pectora turbat.
O, pity! I deserve not what I bear.”
Laocoön, ductus Neptuno sorte sacerdos,
Pity and pardon to his tears we gave,
sollemnis taurum ingentem mactabat ad aras.
and spared his life. King Priam bade unbind
Ecce autem gemini a Tenedo tranquilla per alta—
the fettered hands and loose those heavy chains
horresco referens—immensis orbibus angues
that pressed him sore; then with benignant mien
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incumbunt pelago, pariterque ad litora tendunt;
addressed him thus: “ Whate'er thy place or name,
pectora quorum inter fluctus arrecta iubaeque
forget the people thou hast Iost, and be
sanguineae superant undas; pars cetera pontum
henceforth our countryman. But tell me true!
pone legit, sinuatque immensa volumine terga.
What means the monstrous fabric of this horse?
Fit sonitus spumante salo; iamque arva tenebant,
Who made it? Why? What offering to Heaven,
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ardentisque oculos suffecti sanguine et igni,
or engin'ry of conquest may it be?”
sibila lambebant linguis vibrantibus ora.
He spake; and in reply, with skilful guile,
Diffugimus visu exsangues: illi agmine certo
Greek that he was! the other lifted up
Laocoönta petunt; et primum parva duorum
his hands, now freed and chainless, to the skies:
corpora natorum serpens amplexus uterque
“O ever-burning and inviolate fires,
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implicat, et miseros morsu depascitur artus;
witness my word! O altars and sharp steel,
post ipsum auxilio subeuntem ac tela ferentem
whose curse I fled, O fillets of the gods,
corripiunt, spirisque ligant ingentibus; et iam
which bound a victim's helpless forehead, hear!
bis medium amplexi, bis collo squamea circum
'T is lawful now to break the oath that gave
terga dati, superant capite et cervicibus altis.
my troth to Greece. To execrate her kings
220
Ille simul manibus tendit divellere nodos,
is now my solemn duty. Their whole plot
perfusus sanie vittas atroque veneno,
I publish to the world. No fatherland
clamores simul horrendos ad sidera tollit:
and no allegiance binds me any more.
quales mugitus, fugit cum saucius aram
O Troy, whom I have saved, I bid thee keep
taurus, et incertam excussit cervice securim.
the pledge of safety by good Priam given,
225
At gemini lapsu delubra ad summa dracones
for my true tale shall my rich ransom be.
effugiunt saevaeque petunt Tritonidis arcem,
The Greeks' one hope, since first they opened war,
sub pedibusque deae clipeique sub orbe teguntur.
was Pallas, grace and power. But from the day
Tum vero tremefacta novus per pectora cunctis
when Diomed, bold scorner of the gods,
insinuat pavor, et scelus expendisse merentem
and false Ulysses, author of all guile,
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Laocoönta ferunt, sacrum qui cuspide robur
rose up and violently bore away
laeserit, et tergo sceleratam intorserit hastam.
Palladium, her holy shrine, hewed down
Ducendum ad sedes simulacrum orandaque divae
the sentinels of her acropolis,
numina conclamant.
and with polluted, gory hands dared touch
Dividimus muros et moenia pandimus urbis.
the goddess, virgin fillets, white and pure,—
235
Accingunt omnes operi, pedibusque rotarum
thenceforth, I say, the courage of the Greeks
subiciunt lapsus, et stuppea vincula collo
ebbed utterly away; their strength was Iost,
intendunt: scandit fatalis machina muros,
and favoring Pallas all her grace withdrew.
feta armis. Pueri circum innuptaeque puellae
No dubious sign she gave. Scarce had they set
sacra canunt, funemque manu contingere gaudent.
her statue in our camp, when glittering flame
240
Illa subit, mediaeque minans inlabitur urbi.
flashed from the staring eyes; from all its limbs
O patria, O divom domus Ilium, et incluta bello
salt sweat ran forth; three times (O wondrous tale!)
moenia Dardanidum, quater ipso in limine portae
it gave a sudden skyward leap, and made
substitit, atque utero sonitum quater arma dedere:
prodigious trembling of her lance and shield.
instamus tamen inmemores caecique furore,
The prophet Calchas bade us straightway take
245
et monstrum infelix sacrata sistimus arce.
swift flight across the sea; for fate had willed
Tunc etiam fatis aperit Cassandra futuris
the Trojan citadel should never fall
ora, dei iussu non umquam credita Teucris.
by Grecian arm, till once more they obtain
Nos delubra deum miseri, quibus ultimus esset
new oracles at Argos, and restore
ille dies, festa velamus fronde per urbem.
that god the round ships hurried o'er the sea.
The Greeks Pour Out
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Vertitur interea caelum et ruit oceano nox,
Now in Mycenae, whither they are fled,
involvens umbra magna terramque polumque
new help of heaven they find, and forge anew
Myrmidonumque dolos; fusi per moenia Teucri
the means of war. Back hither o'er the waves
conticuere, sopor fessos complectitur artus:
they suddenly will come. So Calchas gave
et iam Argiva phalanx instructis navibus ibat
the meaning of the god. Warned thus, they reared
255
a Tenedo tacitae per amica silentia lunae
in place of Pallas, desecrated shrine
litora nota petens, flammas cum regia puppis
yon image of the horse, to expiate
extulerat, fatisque deum defensus iniquis
the woeful sacrilege. Calchas ordained
inclusos utero Danaos et pinea furtim
that they should build a thing of monstrous size
laxat claustra Sinon. Illos patefactus ad auras
of jointed beams, and rear it heavenward,
260
reddit equus, laetique cavo se robore promunt
so might it never pass your gates, nor come
Thessandrus Sthenelusque duces, et dirus Ulixes,
inside your walls, nor anywise restore
demissum lapsi per funem, Acamasque, Thoasque,
unto the Trojans their lost help divine.
Pelidesque Neoptolemus, primusque Machaon,
For had your hands Minerva's gift profaned,
et Menelaus, et ipse doli fabricator Epeos.
a ruin horrible—O, may the gods
265
Invadunt urbem somno vinoque sepultam;
bring it on Calchas rather!—would have come
caeduntur vigiles, portisque patentibus omnis
on Priam's throne and all the Phrygian power.
accipiunt socios atque agmina conscia iungunt.
But if your hands should lift the holy thing
Tempus erat, quo prima quies mortalibus aegris
to your own citadel, then Asia's host
incipit, et dono divom gratissima serpit.
would hurl aggression upon Pelops' land,
270
In somnis, ecce, ante oculos maestissimus Hector
and all that curse on our own nation fall.”
visus adesse mihi, largosque effundere fletus,
Thus Sinon's guile and practiced perjury
raptatus bigis, ut quondam, aterque cruento
our doubt dispelled. His stratagems and tears
pulvere, perque pedes traiectus lora tumentis.
wrought victory where neither Tydeus' son,
Ei mihi, qualis erat, quantum mutatus ab illo
nor mountain-bred Achilles could prevail,
275
Hectore, qui redit exuvias indutus Achilli,
nor ten years' war, nor fleets a thousand strong.
vel Danaum Phrygios iaculatus puppibus ignis,
But now a vaster spectacle of fear
squalentem barbam et concretos sanguine crinis
burst over us, to vex our startled souls.
volneraque illa gerens, quae circum plurima muros
Laocoon, that day by cast of lot
accepit patrios. Ultro flens ipse videbar
priest unto Neptune, was in act to slay
280
Compellare virum et maestas expromere voces:
a huge bull at the god's appointed fane.
O lux Dardaniae, spes O fidissima Teucrum,
Lo! o'er the tranquil deep from Tenedos
quae tantae tenuere morae? Quibus Hector ab oris
appeared a pair (I shudder as I tell)
exspectate venis? Ut te post multa tuorum
of vastly coiling serpents, side by side,
funera, post varios hominumque urbisque labores
stretching along the waves, and to the shore
285
defessi aspicimus! Quae causa indigna serenos
taking swift course; their necks were lifted high,
foedavit voltus? Aut cur haec volnera cerno?
their gory dragon-crests o'ertopped the waves;
Ille nihil, nec me quaerentem vana moratur,
all else, half seen, trailed low along the sea;
sed graviter gemitus imo de pectore ducens,
while with loud cleavage of the foaming brine
Heu fuge, nate dea, teque his, ait, eripe flammis.
their monstrous backs wound forward fold on fold.
290
Hostis habet muros; ruit alto a culmine Troia.
Soon they made land; the furious bright eyes
Sat patriae Priamoque datum: si Pergama dextra
glowed with ensanguined fire; their quivering tongues
defendi possent, etiam hac defensa fuissent.
lapped hungrily the hissing, gruesome jaws.
Sacra suosque tibi commendat Troia penatis:
All terror-pale we fled. Unswerving then
hos cape fatorum comites, his moenia quaere
the monsters to Laocoon made way.
295
magna, pererrato statues quae denique ponto.
First round the tender limbs of his two sons
Sic ait, et manibus vittas Vestamque potentem
each dragon coiled, and on the shrinking flesh
aeternumque adytis effert penetralibus ignem.
fixed fast and fed. Then seized they on the sire,
Diverso interea miscentur moenia luctu,
who flew to aid, a javelin in his hand,
et magis atque magis, quamquam secreta parentis
embracing close in bondage serpentine
300
Anchisae domus arboribusque obtecta recessit,
twice round the waist; and twice in scaly grasp
clarescunt sonitus, armorumque ingruit horror.
around his neck, and o'er him grimly peered
Excutior somno, et summi fastigia tecti
with lifted head and crest; he, all the while,
ascensu supero, atque arrectis auribus adsto:
his holy fillet fouled with venomous blood,
in segetem veluti cum flamma furentibus austris
tore at his fetters with a desperate hand,
305
incidit, aut rapidus montano flumine torrens
and lifted up such agonizing voice,
sternit agros, sternit sata laeta boumque labores,
as when a bull, death-wounded, seeks to flee
praecipitisque trahit silvas, stupet inscius alto
the sacrificial altar, and thrusts back
accipiens sonitum saxi de vertice pastor.
from his doomed head the ill-aimed, glancing blade.
Tum vero manifesta fides, Danaumque patescunt
then swiftly writhed the dragon-pair away
310
insidiae. Iam Deiphobi dedit ampla ruinam
unto the templed height, and in the shrine
Volcano superante domus; iam proxumus ardet
of cruel Pallas sure asylum found
Ucalegon; Sigea igni freta lata relucent.
beneath the goddess' feet and orbed shield.
Exoritur clamorque virum clangorque tubarum.
Such trembling horror as we ne'er had known
Arma amens capio; nec sat rationis in armis,
seized now on every heart. “ Of his vast guilt
315
sed glomerare manum bello et concurrere in arcem
Laocoon,” they say, “receives reward;
cum sociis ardent animi; furor iraque mentem
for he with most abominable spear
praecipitant, pulchrumque mori succurrit in armis.
did strike and violate that blessed wood.
Ecce autem telis Panthus elapsus Achivom,
Yon statue to the temple! Ask the grace
Panthus Othryades, arcis Phoebique sacerdos,
of glorious Pallas!” So the people cried
320
sacra manu victosque deos parvumque nepotem
in general acclaim.Ourselves did make
ipse trahit, cursuque amens ad limina tendit.
a breach within our walls and opened wide
Quo res summa, loco, Panthu? Quam prendimus arcem?
the ramparts of our city. One and all
Vix ea fatus eram, gemitu cum talia reddit:
were girded for the task. Smooth-gliding wheels
Venit summa dies et ineluctabile tempus
were 'neath its feet; great ropes stretched round its neck,
325
Dardaniae: fuimus Troes, fuit Ilium et ingens
till o'er our walls the fatal engine climbed,
gloria Teucrorum; ferus omnia Iuppiter Argos
pregnant with men-at-arms. On every side
transtulit; incensa Danai dominantur in urbe.
fair youths and maidens made a festal song,
Arduus armatos mediis in moenibus adstans
and hauled the ropes with merry heart and gay.
fundit equus, victorque Sinon incendia miscet
So on and up it rolled, a tower of doom,
330
insultans; portis alii bipatentibus adsunt,
and in proud menace through our Forum moved.
milia quot magnis umquam venere Mycenis;
O Ilium, my country, where abode
obsedere alii telis angusta viarum
the gods of all my sires! O glorious walls
oppositi; stat ferri acies mucrone corusco
of Dardan's sons! before your gates it passed,
stricta, parata neci; vix primi proelia temptant
four times it stopped and dreadful clash of arms
335
portarum vigiles, et caeco Marte resistunt.
four times from its vast concave loudly rang.
Talibus Othryadae dictis et numine divom
Yet frantic pressed we on, our hearts all blind,
in flammas et in arma feror, quo tristis Erinys,
and in the consecrated citadel
quo fremitus vocat et sublatus ad aethera clamor.
set up the hateful thing. Cassandra then
Addunt se socios Rhipeus et maximus armis
from heaven-instructed heart our doom foretold;
340
Epytus oblati per lunam Hypanisque Dymasque,
but doomed to unbelief were Ilium's sons.
et lateri adglomerant nostro, iuvenisque Coroebus,
Our hapless nation on its dying day
Mygdonides: illis ad Troiam forte diebus
flung free o'er streets and shrines the votive flowers.
venerat, insano Cassandrae incensus amore,
The skies rolled on; and o'er the ocean fell
et gener auxilium Priamo Phrygibusque ferebat,
the veil of night, till utmost earth and heaven
345
infelix, qui non sponsae praecepta furentis
and all their Myrmidonian stratagems
audierit.
were mantled darkly o'er. In silent sleep
Quos ubi confertos audere in proelia vidi,
the Trojan city lay; dull slumber chained
incipio super his: Iuvenes, fortissima frustra
its weary life. But now the Greek array
pectora, si vobis audentem extrema cupido
of ordered ships moved on from Tenedos,
350
certa sequi, quae sit rebus fortuna videtis:
their only light the silent, favoring moon,
excessere omnes, adytis arisque relictis,
on to the well-known strand. The King displayed
di, quibus imperium hoc steterat; succurritis urbi
torch from his own ship, and Sinon then,
incensae; moriamur et in media arma ruamus.
whom wrathful Heaven defended in that hour,
Una salus victis, nullam sperare salutem.
let the imprisoned band of Greeks go free
355
Sic animis iuvenum furor additus: inde, lupi ceu
from that huge womb of wood; the open horse
raptores atra in nebula, quos improba ventris
restored them to the light; and joyfully
exegit caecos rabies, catulique relicti
emerging from the darkness, one by one,
faucibus exspectant siccis, per tela, per hostis
princely Thessander, Sthenelus, and dire
vadimus haud dubiam in mortem, mediaeque tenemus
Ulysses glided down the swinging cord.
360
urbis iter; nox atra cava circumvolat umbra.
Closely upon them Neoptolemus,
Quis cladem illius noctis, quis funera fando
the son of Peleus, came, and Acamas,
explicet, aut possit lacrimis aequare labores?
King Menelaus, Thoas and Machaon,
Urbs antiqua ruit, multos dominata per annos;
and last, Epeus, who the fabric wrought.
plurima perque vias sternuntur inertia passim
Upon the town they fell, for deep in sleep
365
corpora, perque domos et religiosa deorum
and drowsed with wine it lay; the sentinels
limina. Nec soli poenas dant sanguine Teucri;
they slaughtered, and through gates now opened wide
quondam etiam victis redit in praecordia virtus
let in their fellows, and arrayed for war
victoresque cadunt Danai: crudelis ubique
th' auxiliar legions of the dark design.
luctus, ubique pavor, et plurima mortis imago.
That hour it was when heaven's first gift of sleep
The City Burns
370
Primus se, Danaum magna comitante caterva,
on weary hearts of men most sweetly steals.
Androgeos offert nobis, socia agmina credens
O, then my slumbering senses seemed to see
inscius, atque ultro verbis compellat amicis:
Hector, with woeful face and streaming eyes;
Festinate, viri: nam quae tam sera moratur
I seemed to see him from the chariot trailing,
segnities? Alii rapiunt incensa feruntque
foul with dark dust and gore, his swollen feet
375
Pergama; vos celsis nunc primum a navibus itis.
pierced with a cruel thong. Ah me! what change
Dixit, et extemplo, neque enim responsa dabantur
from glorious Hector when he homeward bore
fida satis, sensit medios delapsus in hostis.
the spoils of fierce Achilles; or hurled far
Obstipuit, retroque pedem cum voce repressit:
that shower of torches on the ships of Greece!
inprovisum aspris veluti qui sentibus anguem
Unkempt his beard, his tresses thick with blood,
380
pressit humi nitens, trepidusque repente refugit
and all those wounds in sight which he did take
attollentem iras et caerula colla tumentem;
defending Troy. Then, weeping as I spoke,
haud secus Androgeos visu tremefactus abibat.
I seemed on that heroic shape to call
Inruimus, densis et circumfundimur armis,
with mournful utterance: “O star of Troy!
ignarosque loci passim et formidine captos
O surest hope and stay of all her sons!
385
sternimus: adspirat primo fortuna labori.
Why tarriest thou so Iong? What region sends
Atque hic successu exsultans animisque Coroebus,
the long-expected Hector home once more?
O socii, qua prima inquit fortuna salutis
These weary eyes that look on thee have seen
monstrat iter, quoque ostendit se dextra, sequamur
hosts of thy kindred die, and fateful change
mutemus clipeos, Danaumque insignia nobis
upon thy people and thy city fall.
390
aptemus: dolus an virtus, quis in hoste requirat?
O, say what dire occasion has defiled
Arma dabunt ipsi. Sic fatus, deinde comantem
thy tranquil brows? What mean those bleeding wounds?”
Androgei galeam clipeique insigne decorum
Silent he stood, nor anywise would stay
induitur, laterique Argivum accommodat ensem.
my vain lament; but groaned, and answered thus:
Hoc Rhipeus, hoc ipse Dymas omnisque iuventus
“Haste, goddess-born, and out of yonder flames
395
laeta facit; spoliis se quisque recentibus armat.
achieve thy flight. Our foes have scaled the wall;
Vadimus immixti Danais haud numine nostro,
exalted Troy is falling. Fatherland
multaque per caecam congressi proelia noctem
and Priam ask no more. If human arm
conserimus, multos Danaum demittimus Orco.
could profit Troy, my own had kept her free.
Diffugiunt alii ad navis, et litora cursu
Her Lares and her people to thy hands
400
fida petunt: pars ingentem formidine turpi
Troy here commends. Companions let them be
scandunt rursus equum et nota conduntur in alvo.
of all thy fortunes. Let them share thy quest
Heu nihil invitis fas quemquam fidere divis!
of that wide realm, which, after wandering far,
Ecce trahebatur passis Priameïa virgo
thou shalt achieve, at last, beyond the sea.”
crinibus a templo Cassandra adytisque Minervae,
He spoke: and from our holy hearth brought forth
405
ad caelum tendens ardentia lumina frustra,—
the solemn fillet, the ancestral shrines,
lumina, nam teneras arcebant vincula palmas.
and Vesta's ever-bright, inviolate fire.
Non tulit hanc speciem furiata mente Coroebus,
Now shrieks and loud confusion swept the town;
et sese medium iniecit periturus in agmen.
and though my father's dwelling stood apart
Consequimur cuncti et densis incurrimus armis.
embowered deep in trees, th' increasing din
410
Hic primum ex alto delubri culmine telis
drew nearer, and the battle-thunder swelled.
nostrorum obruimur, oriturque miserrima caedes
I woke on sudden, and up-starting scaled
armorum facie et Graiarum errore iubarum.
the roof, the tower, then stood with listening ear:
Tum Danai gemitu atque ereptae virginis ira
't was like an harvest burning, when wild winds
undique collecti invadunt, acerrimus Aiax,
uprouse the flames; 't was like a mountain stream
415
et gemini Atridae, Dolopumque exercitus omnis;
that bursts in flood and ruinously whelms
adversi rupto ceu quondam turbine venti
sweet fields and farms and all the ploughman's toil,
confligunt, Zephyrusque Notusque et laetus Eois
whirling whole groves along; while dumb with fear,
Eurus equis; stridunt silvae, saevitque tridenti
from some far cliff the shepherd hears the sound.
spumeus atque imo Nereus ciet aequora fundo.
Now their Greek plot was plain, the stratagem
420
Illi etiam, si quos obscura nocte per umbram
at last laid bare. Deiphobus' great house
fudimus insidiis totaque agitavimus urbe,
sank vanquished in the fire. Ucalegon's
apparent; primi clipeos mentitaque tela
hard by was blazing, while the waters wide
adgnoscunt, atque ora sono discordia signant.
around Sigeum gave an answering glow.
Ilicet obruimur numero; primusque Coroebus
Shrill trumpets rang; Ioud shouting voices roared;
425
Penelei dextra divae armipotentis ad aram
wildly I armed me (when the battle calls,
procumbit; cadit et Rhipeus, iustissimus unus
how dimly reason shines!); I burned to join
qui fuit in Teucris et servantissimus aequi:
the rally of my peers, and to the heights
dis aliter visum; pereunt Hypanisque Dymasque
defensive gather. Frenzy and vast rage
confixi a sociis; nec te tua plurima, Panthu,
seized on my soul. I only sought what way
430
labentem pietas nec Apollinis infula texit.
with sword in hand some noble death to die.
Iliaci cineres et flamma extrema meorum,
When Panthus met me, who had scarce escaped
testor, in occasu vestro nec tela nec ullas
the Grecian spears,—Panthus of Othrys' line,
vitavisse vices Danaum, et, si fata fuissent
Apollo's priest within our citadel;
ut caderem, meruisse manu. Divellimur inde,
his holy emblems, his defeated gods,
435
Iphitus et Pelias mecum, quorum Iphitus aevo
and his small grandson in his arms he bore,
iam gravior, Pelias et volnere tardus Ulixi;
while toward the gates with wild, swift steps he flew.
protinus ad sedes Priami clamore vocati.
“How fares the kingdom, Panthus? What strong place
Hic vero ingentem pugnam, ceu cetera nusquam
is still our own?” But scarcely could I ask
bella forent, nulli tota morerentur in urbe.
when thus, with many a groan, he made reply:—
440
Sic Martem indomitum, Danaosque ad tecta ruentis
“Dardania's death and doom are come to-day,
cernimus, obsessumque acta testudine limen.
implacable. There is no Ilium now;
Haerent parietibus scalae, postisque sub ipsos
our Trojan name is gone, the Teucrian throne
nituntur gradibus, clipeosque ad tela sinistris
Quite fallen. For the wrathful power of Jove
protecti obiciunt, prensant fastigia dextris.
has given to Argos all our boast and pride.
445
Dardanidae contra turris ac tota domorum
The Greek is Iord of all yon blazing towers.
culmina convellunt; his se, quando ultima cernunt,
yon horse uplifted on our city's heart
extrema iam in morte parant defendere telis;
disgorges men-at-arms. False Sinon now,
auratasque trabes, veterum decora alta parentum,
with scorn exultant, heaps up flame on flame.
devolvunt; alii strictis mucronibus imas
Others throw wide the gates. The whole vast horde
450
obsedere fores; has servant agmine denso.
that out of proud Mycenae hither sailed
Instaurati animi, regis succurrere tectis,
is at us. With confronting spears they throng
auxilioque levare viros, vimque addere victis.
each narrow passage. Every steel-bright blade
Limen erat caecaeque fores et pervius usus
is flashing naked, making haste for blood.
tectorum inter se Priami, postesque relicti
Our sentries helpless meet the invading shock
455
a tergo, infelix qua se, dum regna manebant,
and give back blind and unavailing war.”
saepius Andromache ferre incomitata solebat
By Panthus' word and by some god impelled,
ad soceros, et avo puerum Astyanacta trahebat.
I flew to battle, where the flames leaped high,
Evado ad summi fastigia culminis, unde
where grim Bellona called, and all the air
tela manu miseri iactabant inrita Teucri.
resounded high as heaven with shouts of war.
460
Turrim in praecipiti stantem summisque sub astra
Rhipeus and Epytus of doughty arm
eductam tectis, unde omnis Troia videri
were at my side, Dymas and Hypanis,
et Danaum solitae naves et Achaia castra,
seen by a pale moon, join our little band;
adgressi ferro circum, qua summa labantis
and young Coroebus, Mygdon's princely son,
iuncturas tabulata dabant, convellimus altis
who was in Troy that hour because he loved
465
sedibus, impulimusque; ea lapsa repente ruinam
Cassandra madly, and had made a league
cum sonitu trahit et Danaum super agmina late
as Priam's kinsman with our Phrygian arms:
incidit: ast alii subeunt, nec saxa, nec ullum
ill-starred, to heed not what the virgin raved!
telorum interea cessat genus.
When these I saw close-gathered for the fight,
Vestibulum ante ipsum primoque in limine Pyrrhus
I thus addressed them: “Warriors, vainly brave,
470
exsultat, telis et luce coruscus aëna;
if ye indeed desire to follow one
qualis ubi in lucem coluber mala gramina pastus
who dares the uttermost brave men may do,
frigida sub terra tumidum quem bruma tegebat,
our evil plight ye see: the gods are fled
nunc, positis novus exuviis nitidusque iuventa,
from every altar and protecting fire,
lubrica convolvit sublato pectore terga
which were the kingdom's stay. Ye offer aid
475
arduus ad solem, et linguis micat ore trisulcis.
unto your country's ashes. Let us fight
Una ingens Periphas et equorum agitator Achillis,
unto the death! To arms, my men, to arms!
armiger Automedon, una omnis Scyria pubes
The single hope and stay of desperate men
succedunt tecto, et flammas ad culmina iactant.
is their despair.” Thus did I rouse their souls.
Ipse inter primos correpta dura bipenni
Then like the ravening wolves, some night of cloud,
480
limina perrumpit, postisque a cardine vellit
when cruel hunger in an empty maw
aeratos; iamque excisa trabe firma cavavit
drives them forth furious, and their whelps behind
robora, et ingentem lato dedit ore fenestram.
wait famine-throated; so through foemen's steel
Adparet domus intus, et atria longa patescunt;
we flew to surest death, and kept our way
adparent Priami et veterum penetralia regum,
straight through the midmost town . The wings of night
485
armatosque vident stantis in limine primo.
brooded above us in vast vault of shade.
At domus interior gemitu miseroque tumultu
But who the bloodshed of that night can tell?
miscetur, penitusque cavae plangoribus aedes
What tongue its deaths shall number, or what eyes
femineis ululant; ferit aurea sidera clamor.
find meed of tears to equal all its woe?
Tum pavidae tectis matres ingentibus errant;
The ancient City fell, whose throne had stood
490
amplexaeque tenent postis atque oscula figunt.
age after age. Along her streets were strewn
Instat vi patria Pyrrhus; nec claustra, neque ipsi
the unresisting dead; at household shrines
custodes sufferre valent; labat ariete crebro
and by the temples of the gods they lay.
ianua, et emoti procumbunt cardine postes.
Yet not alone was Teucrian blood required:
Fit via vi; rumpunt aditus, primosque trucidant
oft out of vanquished hearts fresh valor flamed,
495
immissi Danai, et late loca milite complent.
and the Greek victor fell. Anguish and woe
Non sic, aggeribus ruptis cum spumeus amnis
were everywhere; pale terrors ranged abroad,
exiit, oppositasque evicit gurgite moles,
and multitudinous death met every eye.
fertur in arva furens cumulo, camposque per omnis
Androgeos, followed by a thronging band
cum stabulis armenta trahit. Vidi ipse furentem
of Greeks, first met us on our desperate way;
500
caede Neoptolemum geminosque in limine Atridas;
but heedless, and confounding friend with foe,
vidi Hecubam centumque nurus, Priamumque per aras
thus, all unchallenged, hailed us as his own :
sanguine foedantem, quos ipse sacraverat, ignis.
“Haste, heroes! Are ye laggards at this hour?
Quinquaginta illi thalami, spes tanta nepotum,
Others bear off the captives and the spoil
barbarico postes auro spoliisque superbi,
of burning Troy. Just from the galleys ye?”
505
procubuere; tenent Danai, qua deficit ignis.
He spoke; but straightway, when no safe reply
The Death of Priam
Forsitan et Priami fuerint quae fata requiras.
returned, he knew himself entrapped, and fallen
Urbis uti captae casum convolsaque vidit
into a foeman's snare; struck dumb was he
limina tectorum et medium in penetralibus hostem,
and stopped both word and motion; as one steps,
arma diu senior desueta trementibus aevo
when blindly treading a thick path of thorns,
510
circumdat nequiquam umeris, et inutile ferrum
upon a snake, and sick with fear would flee
cingitur, ac densos fertur moriturus in hostis.
that lifted wrath and swollen gorge of green:
Aedibus in mediis nudoque sub aetheris axe
so trembling did Androgeos backward fall.
ingens ara fuit iuxtaque veterrima laurus,
At them we flew and closed them round with war;
incumbens arae atque umbra complexa Penatis.
and since they could not know the ground, and fear
515
Hic Hecuba et natae nequiquam altaria circum,
had whelmed them quite, we swiftly laid them low.
praecipites atra ceu tempestate columbae,
Thus Fortune on our first achievement smiled;
condensae et divom amplexae simulacra sedebant.
and, flushed with victory, Cormbus cried:
Ipsum autem sumptis Priamum iuvenalibus armis
“Come, friends, and follow Fortune's finger, where
ut vidit, Quae mens tam dira, miserrime coniunx,
she beckons us what path deliverance lies.
520
impulit his cingi telis? Aut quo ruis? inquit;
Change we our shields, and these Greek emblems wear.
Non tali auxilio nec defensoribus istis
'Twixt guile and valor who will nicely weigh
tempus eget, non, si ipse meus nunc adforet Hector.
When foes are met? These dead shall find us arms.”
Huc tandem concede; haec ara tuebitur omnis,
With this, he dons Androgeos' crested helm
aut moriere simul. Sic ore effata recepit
and beauteous, blazoned shield; and to his side
525
ad sese et sacra longaevum in sede locavit.
girds on a Grecian blade. Young Rhipeus next,
Ecce autem elapsus Pyrrhi de caede Polites,
with Dymas and the other soldiery,
unus natorum Priami, per tela, per hostis
repeat the deed, exulting, and array
porticibus longis fugit, et vacua atria lustrat
their valor in fresh trophies from the slain.
saucius: illum ardens infesto volnere Pyrrhus
Now intermingled with our foes we moved,
530
insequitur, iam iamque manu tenet et premit hasta.
and alien emblems wore; the long, black night
Ut tandem ante oculos evasit et ora parentum,
brought many a grapple, and a host of Greeks
concidit, ac multo vitam cum sanguine fudit.
down to the dark we hurled. Some fled away,
Hic Priamus, quamquam in media iam morte tenetur,
seeking their safe ships and the friendly shore.
non tamen abstinuit, nec voci iraeque pepercit:
Some cowards foul went clambering back again
535
At tibi pro scelere, exclamat, pro talibus ausis,
to that vast horse and hid them in its maw.
di, si qua est caelo pietas, quae talia curet,
But woe is me! If gods their help withhold,
persolvant grates dignas et praemia reddant
't is impious to be brave. That very hour
debita, qui nati coram me cernere letum
the fair Cassandra passed us, bound in chains,
fecisti et patrios foedasti funere voltus.
King Priam's virgin daughter, from the shrine
540
At non ille, satum quo te mentiris, Achilles
and altars of Minerva; her loose hair
talis in hoste fuit Priamo; sed iura fidemque
had lost its fillet; her impassioned eyes
supplicis erubuit, corpusque exsangue sepulchro
were lifted in vain prayer,—her eyes alone!
reddidit Hectoreum, meque in mea regna remisit.
For chains of steel her frail, soft hands confined.
Sic fatus senior, telumque imbelle sine ictu
Coroebus' eyes this horror not endured,
545
coniecit, rauco quod protinus aere repulsum
and, sorrow-crazed, he plunged him headlong in
e summo clipei nequiquam umbone pependit.
the midmost fray, self-offered to be slain,
Cui Pyrrhus: Referes ergo haec et nuntius ibis
while in close mass our troop behind him poured.
Pelidae genitori; illi mea tristia facta
But, at this point, the overwhelming spears
degeneremque Neoptolemum narrare memento.
of our own kinsmen rained resistless down
550
Nunc morere. Hoc dicens altaria ad ipsa trementem
from a high temple-tower; and carnage wild
traxit et in multo lapsantem sanguine nati,
ensued, because of the Greek arms we bore
implicuitque comam laeva, dextraque coruscum
and our false crests. The howling Grecian band,
extulit, ac lateri capulo tenus abdidit ensem.
crazed by Cassandra's rescue, charged at us
Haec finis Priami fatorum; hic exitus illum
from every side; Ajax of savage soul,
555
sorte tulit, Troiam incensam et prolapsa videntem
the sons of Atreus, and that whole wild horde
Pergama, tot quondam populis terrisque superbum
Achilles from Dolopian deserts drew.
regnatorem Asiae. Iacet ingens litore truncus,
'T was like the bursting storm, when gales contend,
avolsumque umeris caput, et sine nomine corpus.
west wind and South, and jocund wind of morn
Helen and Venus
At me tum primum saevus circumstetit horror
upon his orient steeds—while forests roar,
560
Obstipui; subiit cari genitoris imago,
and foam-flecked Nereus with fierce trident stirs
ut regem aequaevum crudeli volnere vidi
the dark deep of the sea. All who did hide
vitam exhalantem; subiit deserta Creüsa,
in shadows of the night, by our assault
et direpta domus, et parvi casus Iuli.
surprised, and driven in tumultuous flight,
Respicio, et quae sit me circum copia lustro.
now start to view. Full well they now can see
565
Deseruere omnes defessi, et corpora saltu
our shields and borrowed arms, and clearly note
ad terram misere aut ignibus aegra dedere.
our speech of alien sound; their multitude
Iamque adeo super unus eram, cum limina Vestae
o'erwhelms us utterly. Coroebus first
servantem et tacitam secreta in sede latentem
at mailed Minerva's altar prostrate lay,
Tyndarida aspicio: dant clara incendia lucem
pierced by Peneleus, blade; then Rhipeus fell;
570
erranti passimque oculos per cuncta ferenti.
we deemed him of all Trojans the most just,
Illa sibi infestos eversa ob Pergama Teucros
most scrupulously righteous; but the gods
et poenas Danaum et deserti coniugis iras
gave judgment otherwise. There Dymas died,
praemetuens, Troiae et patriae communis Erinys,
and Hypanis, by their compatriots slain;
abdiderat sese atque aris invisa sedebat.
nor thee, O Panthus, in that mortal hour,
575
Exarsere ignes animo; subit ira cadentem
could thy clean hands or Phoebus, priesthood save.
ulcisci patriam et sceleratas sumere poenas.
O ashes of my country! funeral pyre
Scilicet haec Spartam incolumis patriasque Mycenas
of all my kin! bear witness that my breast
aspiciet, partoque ibit regina triumpho,
shrank not from any sword the Grecian drew,
coniugiumque, domumque, patres, natosque videbit,
and that my deeds the night my country died
580
Iliadum turba et Phrygiis comitata ministris?
deserved a warrior's death, had Fate ordained.
Occiderit ferro Priamus, Troia arserit igni?
But soon our ranks were broken; at my side
Dardanium totiens sudarit sanguine litus?
stayed Iphitus and Pelias; one with age
Non ita: namque etsi nullum memorabile nomen
was Iong since wearied, and the other bore
feminea in poena est, nec habet victoria laudem,
the burden of Ulysses' crippling wound.
585
extinxisse nefas tamen et sumpsisse merentis
Straightway the roar and tumult summoned us
laudabor poenas, animumque explesse iuvabit
to Priam's palace,where a battle raged
ultricis flammae, et cineres satiasse meorum.
as if save this no conflict else were known,
Talia iactabam, et furiata mente ferebar:
and all Troy's dying brave were mustered there.
cum mihi se, non ante oculis tam clara, videndam
There we beheld the war-god unconfined;
590
obtulit et pura per noctem in luce refulsit
The Greek besiegers to the roof-tops fled;
alma parens, confessa deam, qualisque videri
or, with shields tortoise-back, the gates assailed.
caelicolis et quanta solet, dextraque prehensum
Ladders were on the walls; and round by round,
continuit, roseoque haec insuper addidit ore:
up the huge bulwark as they fight their way,
Nate, quis indomitas tantus dolor excitat iras?
the shielded left-hand thwarts the falling spears,
595
Quid furis, aut quonam nostri tibi cura recessit?
the right to every vantage closely clings.
Non prius aspicies, ubi fessum aetate parentem
The Trojans hurl whole towers and roof-tops down
liqueris Anchisen; superet coniunxne Creüsa,
upon the mounting foe; for well they see
Ascaniusque puer? Quos omnes undique Graiae
that the last hour is come, and with what arms
circum errant acies, et, ni mea cura resistat,
the dying must resist. Rich gilded beams,
600
iam flammae tulerint inimicus et hauserit ensis.
with many a beauteous blazon of old time,
Non tibi Tyndaridis facies invisa Lacaenae
go crashing down. Men armed with naked swords
culpatusve Paris: divom inclementia, divom,
defend the inner doors in close array.
has evertit opes sternitque a culmine Troiam.
Thus were our hearts inflamed to stand and strike
Aspice—namque omnem, quae nunc obducta tuenti
for the king's house, and to his body-guard
605
mortalis hebetat visus tibi et umida circum
bring succor, and renew their vanquished powers.
caligat, nubem eripiam; tu ne qua parentis
A certain gate I knew, a secret way,
iussa time, neu praeceptis parere recusa:—
which gave free passage between Priam's halls,
hic, ubi disiectas moles avolsaque saxis
and exit rearward; hither, in the days
saxa vides mixtoque undantem pulvere fumum.
before our fall, the lone Andromache
610
Neptunus muros magnoque emota tridenti
was wont with young Astyanax to pass
fundamenta quatit, totamque a sedibus urbem
in quest of Priam and her husband's kin.
eruit; hic Iuno Scaeas saevissima portas
This way to climb the palace roof I flew,
prima tenet, sociumque furens a navibus agmen
where, desperate, the Trojans with vain skill
ferro accincta vocat.
hurled forth repellent arms. A tower was there,
615
Iam summas arces Tritonia, respice, Pallas
reared skyward from the roof-top, giving view
insedit, nimbo effulgens et Gorgone saeva.
of Troy's wide walls and full reconnaissance
Ipse pater Danais animos viresque secundas
of all Achaea's fleets and tented field;
sufficit, ipse deos in Dardana suscitat arma.
this, with strong steel, our gathered strength assailed,
Eripe, nate, fugam, finemque impone labori.
and as the loosened courses offered us
620
Nusquam abero, et tutum patrio te limine sistam.
great threatening fissures, we uprooted it
Dixerat, et spissis noctis se condidit umbris.
from its aerial throne and thrust it down.
Adparent dirae facies inimicaque Troiae
It fell with instantaneous crash of thunder
numina magna deum.
along the Danaan host in ruin wide.
Tum vero omne mihi visum considere in ignis
But fresh ranks soon arrive; thick showers of stone
625
Ilium et ex imo verti Neptunia Troia;
rain down, with every missile rage can find.
ac veluti summis antiquam in montibus ornum
Now at the threshold of the outer court
cum ferro accisam crebrisque bipennibus instant
Pyrrhus triumphant stood, with glittering arms
eruere agricolae certatim,—illa usque minatur
and helm of burnished brass. He glittered like
et tremefacta comam concusso vertice nutat,
some swollen viper, fed on poison-leaves,
630
volneribus donec paulatim evicta, supremum
whom chilling winter shelters underground,
congemuit, traxitque iugis avolsa ruinam.
till, fresh and strong, he sheds his annual scales
Descendo, ac ducente deo flammam inter et hostis
and, crawling forth rejuvenate, uncoils
expedior; dant tela locum, flammaeque recedunt.
his slimy length; his lifted gorge insults
The Flight from Troy
Atque ubi iam patriae perventum ad limina sedis
the sunbeam with three-forked and quivering tongue.
635
antiquasque domos, genitor, quem tollere in altos
Huge Periphas was there; Automedon,
optabam primum montis primumque petebam,
who drove Achilles' steeds, and bore his arms.
abnegat excisa vitam producere Troia
Then Scyros' island-warriors assault
exsiliumque pati. Vos O, quibus integer aevi
the palaces, and hurl reiterate fire
sanguis, ait solidaeque suo stant robore vires,
at wall and tower. Pyrrhus led the van;
640
vos agitate fugam:
seizing an axe he clove the ponderous doors
me si caelicolae voluissent ducere vitam,
and rent the hinges from their posts of bronze;
has mihi servassent sedes. Satis una superque
he cut the beams, and through the solid mass
vidimus exscidia et captae superavimus urbi.
burrowed his way, till like a window huge
Sic O, sic positum adfati discedite corpus.
the breach yawned wide, and opened to his gaze
645
Ipse manu mortem inveniam; miserebitur hostis
a vista of long courts and corridors,
exuviasque petet; facilis iactura sepulcri.
the hearth and home of many an ancient king,
Iam pridem invisus divis et inutilis annos
and Priam's own; upon its sacred bourne
demoror, ex quo me divom pater atque hominum rex
the sentry, all in arms, kept watch and ward.
fulminis adflavit ventis et contigit igni.
Confusion, groans, and piteous turmoil
650
Talia perstabat memorans, fixusque manebat.
were in that dwelling; women shrieked and wailed
Nos contra effusi lacrimis, coniunxque Creüsa
from many a dark retreat, and their loud cry
Ascaniusque omnisque domus, ne vertere secum
rang to the golden stars. Through those vast halls
cuncta pater fatoque urguenti incumbere vellet.
the panic-stricken mothers wildly roved,
Abnegat, inceptoque et sedibus haeret in isdem.
and clung with frantic kisses and embrace
655
Rursus in arma feror, mortemque miserrimus opto:
unto the columns cold. Fierce as his sire,
nam quod consilium aut quae iam fortuna dabatur?
Pyrrhus moves on; nor bar nor sentinel
Mene efferre pedem, genitor, te posse relicto
may stop his way; down tumbles the great door
sperasti, tantumque nefas patrio excidit ore?
beneath the battering beam, and with it fall
Si nihil ex tanta Superis placet urbe relinqui,
hinges and framework violently torn.
660
et sedet hoc animo, perituraeque addere Troiae
Force bursts all bars; th' assailing Greeks break in,
teque tuosque iuvat, patet isti ianua leto,
do butchery, and with men-at-arms possess
iamque aderit multo Priami de sanguine Pyrrhus,
what place they will. Scarce with an equal rage
natum ante ora patris, patrem qui obtruncat ad aras.
a foaming river, when its dykes are down,
Hoc erat, alma parens, quod me per tela, per ignis
o'erwhelms its mounded shores, and through the plain
665
eripis, ut mediis hostem in penetralibus, utque
rolls mountain-high, while from the ravaged farms
Ascanium patremque meum iuxtaque Creüsam
its fierce flood sweeps along both flock and fold.
alterum in alterius mactatos sanguine cernam?
My own eyes looked on Neoptolemus
Arma, viri, ferte arma; vocat lux ultima victos.
frenzied with slaughter, and both Atreus' sons
Reddite me Danais; sinite instaurata revisam
upon the threshold frowning; I beheld
670
proelia: Numquam omnes hodie moriemur inulti.
her hundred daughters with old Hecuba;
Hinc ferro accingor rursus clipeoque sinistram
and Priam, whose own bleeding wounds defiled
insertabam aptans, meque extra tecta ferebam.
the altars where himself had blessed the fires;
Ecce autem complexa pedes in limine coniunx
there fifty nuptial beds gave promise proud
haerebat, parvumque patri tendebat Iulum:
of princely heirs; but all their brightness now,
675
Si periturus abis, et nos rape in omnia tecum;
of broidered cunning and barbaric gold,
sin aliquam expertus sumptis spem ponis in armis,
lay strewn and trampled on. The Danaan foe
hanc primum tutare domum. Cui parvus Iulus,
stood victor, where the raging flame had failed.
cui pater et coniunx quondam tua dicta relinquor?
But would ye haply know what stroke of doom
Talia vociferans gemitu tectum omne replebat,
on Priam fell? Now when his anguish saw
680
cum subitum dictuque oritur mirabile monstrum.
his kingdom lost and fallen, his abode
Namque manus inter maestorumque ora parentum
shattered, and in his very hearth and home
ecce levis summo de vertice visus Iuli
th' exulting foe, the aged King did bind
fundere lumen apex, tactuque innoxia mollis
his rusted armor to his trembling thews,—
lambere flamma comas et circum tempora pasci.
all vainly,— and a useless blade of steel
685
Nos pavidi trepidare metu, crinemque flagrantem
he girded on; then charged, resolved to die
excutere et sanctos restinguere fontibus ignis.
encircled by the foe. Within his walls
At pater Anchises oculos ad sidera laetus
there stood, beneath the wide and open sky,
extulit, et caelo palmas cum voce tetendit:
a lofty altar; an old laurel-tree
Iuppiter omnipotens, precibus si flecteris ullis,
leaned o'er it, and enclasped in holy shade
690
aspice nos; hoc tantum, et, si pietate meremur,
the statues of the tutelary powers.
da deinde auxilium, pater, atque haec omina firma.
Here Hecuba and all the princesses
Vix ea fatus erat senior, subitoque fragore
took refuge vain within the place of prayer.
intonuit laevum, et de caelo lapsa per umbras
Like panic-stricken doves in some dark storm,
stella facem ducens multa cum luce cucurrit.
close-gathering they sate, and in despair
695
Illam, summa super labentem culmina tecti,
embraced their graven gods. But when the Queen
cernimus Idaea claram se condere silva
saw Priam with his youthful harness on,
signantemque vias; tum longo limite sulcus
“What frenzy, O my wretched lord,” she cried,
dat lucem, et late circum loca sulphure fumant.
“Arrayed thee in such arms? O, whither now?
Hic vero victus genitor se tollit ad auras,
Not such defences, nor such arm as thine,
700
adfaturque deos et sanctum sidus adorat.
the time requires, though thy companion were
Iam iam nulla mora est; sequor et qua ducitis adsum.
our Hector's self. O, yield thee, I implore!
Di patrii, servate domum, servate nepotem.
This altar now shall save us one and all,
Vestrum hoc augurium, vestroque in numine Troia est.
or we must die together.” With these words
Cedo equidem, nec, nate, tibi comes ire recuso.
she drew him to her side, and near the shrine
705
Dixerat ille; et iam per moenia clarior ignis
made for her aged spouse a place to cling.
auditur, propiusque aestus incendia volvunt.
But, lo! just 'scaped of Pyrrhus' murderous hand,
Ergo age, care pater, cervici imponere nostrae;
Polites, one of Priam's sons, fled fast
ipse subibo umeris, nec me labor iste gravabit:
along the corridors, through thronging foes
quo res cumque cadent, unum et commune periclum,
and a thick rain of spears. Wildly he gazed
710
una salus ambobus erit. Mihi parvus Iulus
across the desolate halls, wounded to death.
sit comes, et longe servet vestigia coniunx:
Fierce Pyrrhus followed after, pressing hard
vos, famuli, quae dicam, animis advertite vestris.
with mortal stroke, and now his hand and spear
Est urbe egressis tumulus templumque vetustum
were close upon:— when the lost youth leaped forth
desertae Cereris, iuxtaque antiqua cupressus
into his father's sight, and prostrate there
715
religione patrum multos servata per annos.
lay dying, while his life-blood ebbed away.
Hanc ex diverso sedem veniemus in unam.
Then Priam, though on all sides death was nigh,
Tu, genitor, cape sacra manu patriosque Penatis;
quit not the strife, nor from loud wrath refrained:
me, bello e tanto digressum et caede recenti,
“Thy crime and impious outrage, may the gods
attrectare nefas, donec me flumine vivo
(if Heaven to mortals render debt and due)
720
abluero.
justly reward and worthy honors pay!
Haec fatus, latos umeros subiectaque colla
My own son's murder thou hast made me see,
veste super fulvique insternor pelle leonis,
blood and pollution impiously throwing
succedoque oneri; dextrae se parvus Iulus
upon a father's head. Not such was he,
implicuit sequiturque patrem non passibus aequis;
not such, Achilles, thy pretended sire,
725
pone subit coniunx: ferimur per opaca locorum;
when Priam was his foe. With flush of shame
et me, quem dudum non ulla iniecta movebant
he nobly listened to a suppliant's plea
tela neque adverso glomerati ex agmine Grai,
in honor made. He rendered to the tomb
nunc omnes terrent aurae, sonus excitat omnis
my Hector's body pale, and me did send
suspensum et pariter comitique onerique timentem.
back to my throne a king.” With this proud word
Creusa
730
Iamque propinquabam portis, omnemque videbar
the aged warrior hurled with nerveless arm
evasisse viam, subito cum creber ad auris
his ineffectual spear, which hoarsely rang
visus adesse pedum sonitus, genitorque per umbram
rebounding on the brazen shield, and hung
prospiciens; Nate exclamat, fuge nate, propinquant.
piercing the midmost boss,- but all in vain.
Ardentis clipeos atque aera micantia cerno!—
Then Pyrrhus: “Take these tidings, and convey
735
Hic mihi nescio quod trepido male numen amicum
message to my father, Peleus' son!
confusam eripuit mentem. Namque avia cursu
tell him my naughty deeds! Be sure and say
dum sequor, et nota excedo regione viarum,
how Neoptolemus hath shamed his sires.
heu, misero coniunx fatone erepta Creüsa
Now die!” With this, he trailed before the shrines
substitit, erravitne via, seu lassa resedit,
the trembling King, whose feet slipped in the stream
740
incertum; nec post oculis est reddita nostris.
of his son's blood. Then Pyrrhus' left hand clutched
Nec prius amissam respexi animumque reflexi,
the tresses old and gray; a glittering sword
quam tumulum antiquae Cereris sedemque sacratam
his right hand lifted high, and buried it
venimus; hic demum collectis omnibus una
far as the hilt in that defenceless heart.
defuit, et comites natumque virumque fefellit.
So Priam's story ceased. Such final doom
745
Quem non incusavi amens hominumque deorumque,
fell on him, while his dying eyes surveyed
aut quid in eversa vidi crudelius urbe?
Troy burning, and her altars overthrown,
Ascanium Anchisenque patrem Teucrosque Penatis
though once of many an orient land and tribe
commendo sociis et curva valle recondo;
the boasted lord. In huge dismemberment
ipse urbem repeto et cingor fulgentibus armis.
his severed trunk lies tombless on the shore,
750
Stat casus renovare omnis, omnemque reverti
the head from shoulder torn, the corpse unknown.
per Troiam, et rursus caput obiectare periclis.
Then first wild horror on my spirit fell
Principio muros obscuraque limina portae,
and dazed me utterly. A vision rose
qua gressum extuleram, repeto, et vestigia retro
of my own cherished father, as I saw
observata sequor per noctem et lumine lustro.
the King, his aged peer, sore wounded Iying
755
Horror ubique animo, simul ipsa silentia terrent.
in mortal agony; a vision too
Inde domum, si forte pedem, si forte tulisset,
of lost Creusa at my ravaged hearth,
me refero: inruerant Danai, et tectum omne tenebant.
and young Iulus' peril. Then my eyes
Ilicet ignis edax summa ad fastigia vento
looked round me seeking aid. But all were fled,
volvitur; exsuperant flammae, furit aestus ad auras.
war-wearied and undone; some earthward leaped
760
Procedo et Priami sedes arcemque reviso.
from battlement or tower; some in despair
Et iam porticibus vacuis Iunonis asylo
yielded their suffering bodies to the flame.
custodes lecti Phoenix et dirus Ulixes
I stood there sole surviving; when, behold,
praedam adservabant. Huc undique Troia gaza
to Vesta's altar clinging in dumb fear,
incensis erepta adytis, mensaeque deorum,
hiding and crouching in the hallowed shade,
765
crateresque auro solidi, captivaque vestis
Tyndarus' daughter!— 't was the burning town
congeritur; pueri et pavidae longo ordine matres
lighted full well my roving steps and eyes.
stant circum.
In fear was she both of some Trojan's rage
Ausus quin etiam voces iactare per umbram
for Troy o'erthrown, and of some Greek revenge,
implevi clamore vias, maestusque Creüsam
or her wronged husband's Iong indignant ire.
770
nequiquam ingeminans iterumque iterumque vocavi.
So hid she at that shrine her hateful brow,
Quaerenti et tectis urbis sine fine furenti
being of Greece and Troy, full well she knew,
infelix simulacrum atque ipsius umbra Creüsae
the common curse. Then in my bosom rose
visa mihi ante oculos et nota maior imago.
a blaze of wrath; methought I should avenge
Obstipui, steteruntque comae et vox faucibus haesit.
my dying country, and with horrid deed
775
Tum sic adfari et curas his demere dictis :
pay crime for crime. “Shall she return unscathed
Quid tantum insano iuvat indulgere dolori,
to Sparta, to Mycenae's golden pride,
O dulcis coniunx? Non haec sine numine divom
and have a royal triumph? Shall her eyes
eveniunt; nec te hinc comitem asportare Creüsam
her sire and sons, her hearth and husband see,
fas, aut ille sinit superi regnator Olympi.
while Phrygian captives follow in her train?
780
Longa tibi exsilia, et vastum maris aequor arandum,
is Priam murdered? Have the flames swept o'er
et terram Hesperiam venies, ubi Lydius arva
my native Troy? and cloth our Dardan strand
inter opima virum leni fluit agmine Thybris:
sweat o'er and o'er with sanguinary dew?
illic res laetae regnumque et regia coniunx
O, not thus unavenged! For though there be
parta tibi. Lacrimas dilectae pelle Creüsae.
no glory if I smite a woman's crime,
785
Non ego Myrmidonum sedes Dolopumve superbas
nor conqueror's fame for such a victory won,
aspiciam, aut Graiis servitum matribus ibo,
yet if I blot this monster out, and wring
Dardanis, et divae Veneris nurus.
full punishment from guilt, the time to come
Sed me magna deum genetrix his detinet oris:
will praise me, and sweet pleasure it will be
iamque vale, et nati serva communis amorem.
to glut my soul with vengeance and appease
790
Haec ubi dicta dedit, lacrimantem et multa volentem
the ashes of my kindred.”So I raved,
dicere deseruit, tenuisque recessit in auras.
and to such frenzied purpose gave my soul.
Ter conatus ibi collo dare bracchia circum:
Then with clear vision (never had I seen
ter frustra comprensa manus effugit imago,
her presence so unclouded) I beheld,
par levibus ventis volucrique simillima somno.
in golden beams that pierced the midnight gloom,
795
Sic demum socios consumpta nocte reviso.
my gracious mother, visibly divine,
Atque hic ingentem comitum adfluxisse novorum
and with that mien of majesty she wears
invenio admirans numerum, matresque virosque,
when seen in heaven; she stayed me with her hand,
collectam exsilio pubem, miserabile volgus.
and from her lips of rose this counsel gave:
Undique convenere, animis opibusque parati,
“O son, what sorrow stirs thy boundless rage?
800
in quascumque velim pelago deducere terras.
what madness this? Or whither vanisheth
Iamque iugis summae surgebat Lucifer Idae
thy love of me? Wilt thou not seek to know
ducebatque diem, Danaique obsessa tenebant
where bides Anchises, thy abandoned sire,
limina portarum, nec spes opis ulla dabatur;
now weak with age? or if Creusa lives
cessi, et sublato montes genitore petivi.
and young Ascanius, who are ringed about
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