False Starts
Postquam res Asiae Priamique evertere gentem
When Asia's power and Priam's race and throne,
immeritam visum Superis, ceciditque superbum
though guiltless, were cast down by Heaven's decree,
Ilium, et omnis humo fumat Neptunia Troia,
when Ilium proud had fallen, and Neptune's Troy
diversa exsilia et desertas quaerere terras
in smouldering ash lay level with the ground,
5
auguriis agimur divom, classemque sub ipsa
to wandering exile then and regions wild
Antandro et Phrygiae molimur montibus Idae,
the gods by many an augury and sign
incerti, quo fata ferant, ubi sistere detur,
compelled us forth. We fashioned us a fleet
contrahimusque viros. Vix prima inceperat aestas,
within Antander's haven, in the shade
et pater Anchises dare fatis vela iubebat;
of Phrygian Ida's peak (though knowing not
10
litora cum patriae lacrimans portusque relinquo
whither our fate would drive, or where afford
et campos, ubi Troia fuit: feror exsul in altum
a resting-place at last), and my small band
cum sociis natoque Penatibus et magnis dis.
of warriors I arrayed. As soon as smiled
Terra procul vastis colitur Mavortia campis,
the light of summer's prime, my reverend sire
Thraces arant, acri quondam regnata Lycurgo,
Anchises bade us on the winds of Fate
15
hospitium antiquum Troiae sociique Penates,
to spread all sail. Through tears I saw recede
dum Fortuna fuit. Feror huc, et litore curvo
my native shore, the haven and the plains
moenia prima loco, fatis ingressus iniquis,
where once was Troy. An exile on the seas,
Aeneadasque meo nomen de nomine fingo.
with son and followers and household shrines,
Sacra Dionaeae matri divisque ferebam
and Troy's great guardian-gods, I took my way.
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auspicibus coeptorum operum, superoque nitentem
There is a far-off land where warriors breed,
caelicolum regi mactabam in litore taurum.
where Thracians till the boundless plains, and where
Forte fuit iuxta tumulus, quo cornea summo
the cruel-eyed Lycurgus once was king.
virgulta et densis hastilibus horrida myrtus.
Troy's old ally it was, its deities
Accessi, viridemque ab humo convellere silvam
had brotherhood with ours before our fall.
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conatus, ramis tegerem ut frondentibus aras,
Thither I fared, and on its winding shores
horrendum et dictu video mirabile monstrum.
set my first walls, though partial Fate opposed
Nam, quae prima solo ruptis radicibus arbos
our entrance there. In memory of my name
vellitur, huic atro liquuntur sanguine guttae,
I called its people the Aeneadae.
et terram tabo maculant. Mihi frigidus horror
Unto Dione's daughter, and all gods
30
membra quatit, gelidusque coit formidine sanguis.
who blessed our young emprise, due gifts were paid;
Rursus et alterius lentum convellere vimen
and unto the supreme celestial King
insequor, et causas penitus temptare latentis:
I slew a fair white bull beside the sea.
ater et alterius sequitur de cortice sanguis.
But haply near my place of sacrifice
Multa movens animo nymphas venerabar agrestis
a mound was seen, and on the summit grew
35
Gradivumque patrem, Geticis qui praesidet arvis,
a copse of corner and a myrtle tree,
rite secundarent visus omenque levarent.
with spear-like limbs outbranched on every side.
Tertia sed postquam maiore hastilia nisu
This I approached, and tried to rend away
adgredior, genibusque adversae obluctor harenae—
from its deep roots that grove of gloomy green,
eloquar, an sileam?—gemitus lacrimabilis imo
and dress my altars in its leafy boughs.
40
auditur tumulo, et vox reddita fertur ad auris:
But, horrible to tell, a prodigy
Quid miserum, Aenea, laceras? Iam parce sepulto;
smote my astonished eyes: for the first tree,
parce pias scelerare manus. Non me tibi Troia
which from the earth with broken roots I drew,
externum tulit, aut cruor hic de stipite manat.
dripped black with bloody drops, and gave the ground
Heu, fuge crudelis terras, fuge litus avarum:
dark stains of gore. Cold horror shook my frame,
45
nam Polydorus ego; hic confixum ferrea texit
and every vein within me froze for fear.
telorum seges et iaculis increvit acutis.
Once more I tried from yet another stock
Tum vero ancipiti mentem formidine pressus
the pliant stem to tear, and to explore
obstipui, steteruntque comae et vox faucibus haesit.
the mystery within,—but yet again
Hunc Polydorum auri quondam cum pondere magno
the foul bark oozed with clots of blackest gore!
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infelix Priamus furtim mandarat alendum
From my deep-shaken soul I made a prayer
Threicio regi, cum iam diffideret armis
to all the woodland nymphs and to divine
Dardaniae, cingique urbem obsidione videret.
Gradivus, patron of the Thracian plain,
Ille, ut opes fractae Teucrum, et Fortuna recessit,
to bless this sight, to lift its curse away.
res Agamemnonias victriciaque arma secutus,
But when at a third sheaf of myrtle spears
55
fas omne abrumpit; Polydorum obtruncat, et auro
I fell upon my knees, and tugged amain
vi potitur. Quid non mortalia pectora cogis,
against the adverse ground (I dread to tell!),
auri sacra fames? Postquam pavor ossa reliquit,
a moaning and a wail from that deep grave
delectos populi ad proceres primumque parentem
burst forth and murmured in my listening ear:
monstra deum refero, et quae sit sententia posco.
“Why wound me, great Aeneas, in my woe?
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Omnibus idem animus, scelerata excedere terra,
O, spare the dead, nor let thy holy hands
linqui pollutum hospitium, et dare classibus austros.
do sacrilege and sin! I, Trojan-born,
Ergo instauramus Polydoro funus, et ingens
was kin of thine. This blood is not of trees.
aggeritur tumulo tellus; stant Manibus arae,
Haste from this murderous shore, this land of greed.
caeruleis maestae vittis atraque cupresso,
O, I am Polydorus! Haste away!
65
et circum Iliades crinem de more solutae;
Here was I pierced; a crop of iron spears
inferimus tepido spumantia cymbia lacte
has grown up o'er my breast, and multiplied
sanguinis et sacri pateras, animamque sepulchro
to all these deadly javelins, keen and strong.”
condimus, et magna supremum voce ciemus.
Then stood I, burdened with dark doubt and fear
Delos and the Oracle
Inde, ubi prima fides pelago, placataque venti
I quailed, my hair rose and my utterance choked.
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dant maria et lenis crepitans vocat Auster in altum,
For once this Polydorus, with much gold,
deducunt socii navis et litora complent:
ill-fated Priam sent by stealth away
provehimur portu, terraeque urbesque recedunt.
for nurture with the Thracian king, what time
Sacra mari colitur medio gratissima tellus
Dardania's war Iooked hopeless, and her towers
Nereidum matri et Neptuno Aegaeo,
were ringed about by unrelenting siege.
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quam pius arquitenens oras et litora circum
That king, when Ilium's cause was ebbing low,
errantem Mycono e celsa Gyaroque revinxit,
and fortune frowned, gave o'er his plighted faith
immotamque coli dedit et contemnere ventos.
to Agamemnon's might and victory;
Huc feror; haec fessos tuto placidissima portu
he scorned all honor and did murder foul
accipit: egressi veneramur Apollinis urbem.
on Polydorus, seizing lawlessly
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Rex Anius, rex idem hominum Phoebique sacerdos
on all the gold. O, whither at thy will,
vittis et sacra redimitus tempora lauro,
curst greed of gold, may mortal hearts be driven?
occurrit; veterem Anchisen adgnovit amicum.
Soon as my shuddering ceased, I told this tale
Iungimus hospitio dextras, et tecta subimus.
of prodigies before the people's chiefs,
Templa dei saxo venerabar structa vetusto:
who sat in conclave with my kingly sire,
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Da propriam, Thymbraee, domum; da moenia fessis
and bade them speak their reverend counsel forth.
et genus et mansuram urbem; serva altera Troiae
All found one voice; to leave that land of sin,
Pergama, reliquias Danaum atque immitis Achilli.
where foul abomination had profaned
Quem sequimur? Quove ire iubes? Ubi ponere sedes?
a stranger's right; and once more to resign
Da, pater, augurium, atque animis inlabere nostris.
our fleet unto the tempest and the wave.
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Vix ea fatus eram: tremere omnia visa repente,
But fit and solemn funeral rites were paid
liminaque laurusque dei, totusque moveri
to Polydorus. A high mound we reared
mons circum, et mugire adytis cortina reclusis.
of heaped-up earth, and to his honored shade
Submissi petimus terram, et vox fertur ad auris:
built a perpetual altar, sadly dressed
Dardanidae duri, quae vos a stirpe parentum
in cypress dark and purple pall of woe.
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prima tulit tellus, eadem vos ubere laeto
Our Ilian women wailed with loosened hair;
accipiet reduces. Antiquam exquirite matrem:
new milk was sprinkled from a foaming cup,
hic domus Aeneae cunctis dominabitur oris,
and from the shallow bowl fresh blood out-poured
et nati natorum, et qui nascentur ab illis.
upon the sacred ground. So in its tomb
Haec Phoebus; mixtoque ingens exorta tumultu
we laid his ghost to rest, and loudly sang,
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laetitia, et cuncti quae sint ea moenia quaerunt,
with prayer for peace, the long, the last farewell.
quo Phoebus vocet errantis iubeatque reverti?
After these things, when first the friendly sea
Tum genitor, veterum volvens monumenta virorum,
looked safe and fair, and o'er its tranquil plain
Audite, O proceres ait et spes discite vestras:
light-whispering breezes bade us launch away,
Creta Iovis magni medio iacet insula ponto;
my men drew down our galleys to the brine,
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mons Idaeus ubi, et gentis cunabula nostrae.
thronging the shore. Soon out of port we ran,
Centum urbes habitant magnas, uberrima regna;
and watched the hills and cities fading far.
maximus unde pater, si rite audita recordor,
There is a sacred island in mid-seas,
Teucrus Rhoeteas primum est advectus in oras,
to fruitful Doris and to Neptune dear,
optavitque locum regno. Nondum Ilium et arces
which grateful Phoebus, wielder of the bow,
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Pergameae steterant; habitabant vallibus imis.
the while it drifted loose from land to land,
hinc mater cultrix Cybeli Corybantiaque aera
chained firmly where the crags of Gyaros
Idaeumque nemus; hinc fida silentia sacris,
and Myconos uptower, and bade it rest
et iuncti currum dominae subiere leones.
immovable, in scorn of wind and wave.
Ergo agite, et, divom ducunt qua iussa, sequamur;
Thither I sped; by this my weary ships
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placemus ventos et Gnosia regna petamus.
found undisturbed retreat and haven fair.
Nec longo distant cursu; modo Iuppiter adsit,
To land we came and saw with reverent eyes
tertia lux classem Cretaeis sistet in oris.
Apollo's citadel. King Anius,
Sic fatus, meritos aris mactavit honores,
his people's king, and priest at Phoebus' fane,
taurum Neptuno, taurum tibi, pulcher Apollo
came forth to meet us, wearing on his brow
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nigram Hiemi pecudem, Zephyris felicibus albam.
the fillets and a holy laurel crown.
Fama volat pulsum regnis cessisse paternis
Unto Anchises he gave greeting kind,
Idomenea ducem, desertaque litora Cretae
claimed old acquaintance, grasped us by the hand,
hoste vacare domos, sedesque adstare relictas.
and bade us both his roof and welcome share.
Linquimus Ortygiae portus, pelagoque volamus,
Then, kneeling at the shrine of time-worn stone:
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bacchatamque iugis Naxon viridemque Donysam,
“Thou who at Thymbra on the Trojan shore
Olearon, niveamque Paron, sparsasque per aequor
hast often blessed my prayer, O, give to me
Cycladas, et crebris legimus freta consita terris.
a hearth and home, and to this war-worn band
Nauticus exoritur vario certamine clamor;
defensive towers and offspring multiplied
hortantur socii: Cretam proavosque petamus!
in an abiding city; give to Troy
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Prosequitur surgens a puppi ventus euntis
a second citadel, that shall survive
et tandem antiquis Curetum adlabimur oris.
Achilles' wrath and all our Argive foe.
Ergo avidus muros optatae molior urbis,
Whom shall we follow? Whither lies our way?
Pergameamque voco, et laetam cognomine gentem
Where wilt thou grant us an abiding-place?
hortor amare focos arcemque attollere tectis.
Send forth, O King, thy voice oracular,
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Iamque fere sicco subductae litore puppes;
and on our spirits move.” Scarce had I spoke
conubiis arvisque novis operata iuventus;
when sudden trembling through the laurels ran
iura domosque dabam: subito cum tabida membris,
and smote the holy portals; far and wide
corrupto caeli tractu, miserandaque venit
the mighty ridges of the mountain shook,
arboribusque satisque lues et letifer annus.
and from the opening shrine the tripod moaned.
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Linquebant dulcis animas, aut aegra trahebant
Prostrate to earth we fall, as on our ears
corpora; tum sterilis exurere Sirius agros;
this utterance breaks: “O breed of iron men,
arebant herbae, et victum seges aegra negabat.
ye sons of Dardanus! the self-same land
Rursus ad oraclum Ortygiae Phoebumque remenso
where bloomed at first your far-descended stem
hortatur pater ire mari, veniamque precari:
shall to its bounteous bosom draw ye home.
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quam fessis finem rebus ferat; unde laborum
Seek out your ancient Mother! There at last
temptare auxilium iubeat; quo vertere cursus.
Aeneas' race shall reign on every shore,
Plague in Crete
Nox erat, et terris animalia somnus habebat:
and his sons' sons, and all their house to be.”
effigies sacrae divom Phrygiique Penates,
So Phoebus spoke; and mighty joy uprose
quos mecum a Troia mediisque ex ignibus urbis
from all my thronging people, who would know
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extuleram, visi ante oculos adstare iacentis
where Phoebus' city lay, and whitherward
in somnis, multo manifesti lumine, qua se
the god ordained the wandering tribe's return.
plena per insertas fundebat luna fenestras;
Then spake my father, pondering olden days
tum sic adfari et curas his demere dictis:
and sacred memories of heroes gone:
Quod tibi delato Ortygiam dicturus Apollo est,
“Hear, chiefs and princes, what your hopes shall be!
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hic canit, et tua nos en ultro ad limina mittit.
The Isle of Crete, abode of lofty Jove,
Nos te, Dardania incensa, tuaque arma secuti,
rests in the middle sea. Thence Ida soars;
nos tumidum sub te permensi classibus aequor,
there is the cradle of our race. It boasts
idem venturos tollemus in astra nepotes,
a hundred cities, seats of fruitful power.
imperiumque urbi dabimus: tu moenia magnis
Thence our chief sire, if duly I recall
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magna para, longumque fugae ne linque laborem.
the olden tale, King Teucer sprung, who first
Mutandae sedes: non haec tibi litora suasit
touched on the Trojan shore, and chose his seat
Delius, aut Cretae iussit considere Apollo.
of kingly power. There was no Ilium then
Est locus, Hesperiam Grai cognomine dicunt,
nor towered Pergama; in lowly vales
terra antiqua, potens armis atque ubere glaebae;
their dwelling; hence the ancient worship given
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Oenotri coluere viri; nunc fama minores
to the Protectress of Mount Cybele,
Italiam dixisse ducis de nomine gentem:
mother of Gods, what time in Ida's grove
hae nobis propriae sedes; hinc Dardanus ortus,
the brazen Corybantic cymbals clang,
Iasiusque pater, genus a quo principe nostrum.
or sacred silence guards her mystery,
Surge age, et haec laetus longaevo dicta parenti
and lions yoked her royal chariot draw.
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haud dubitanda refer: Corythum terrasque requirat
Up, then, and follow the behests divine!
Ausonias; Dictaea negat tibi Iuppiter arva.
Pour offering to the winds, and point your keels
Talibus attonitus visis et voce deorum—
unto that realm of Minos. It is near.
nec sopor illud erat, sed coram adgnoscere voltus
if Jove but bless, the third day's dawn should see
velatasque comas praesentiaque ora videbar;
our ships at Cretan land.” So, having said,
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tum gelidus toto manabat corpore sudor
he slew the victims for each altar's praise.
corripio e stratis corpus, tendoque supinas
A bull to Neptune, and a bull to thee,
ad caelum cum voce manus, et munera libo
o beauteous Apollo! A black lamb
intemerata focis. Perfecto laetus honore
unto the clouds and storms; but fleece of snow
Anchisen facio certum, remque ordine pando.
to the mild zephyrs was our offering.
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Adgnovit prolem ambiguam geminosque parentes,
The tale was told us that Idomeneus,
seque novo veterum deceptum errore locorum.
from his hereditary kindgom driven,
Tum memorat: Nate, Iliacis exercite fatis,
had left his Crete abandoned, that no foe
sola mihi talis casus Cassandra canebat.
now harbored there, but all its dwellings lay
Nunc repeto haec generi portendere debita nostro,
untenanted of man. So forth we sailed
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et saepe Hesperiam, saepe Itala regna vocare.
out of the port of Delos, and sped far
Sed quis ad Hesperiae venturos litora Teucros
along the main. The maenad-haunted hills
crederet, aut quem tum vates Cassandra moveret?
of Naxos came in view; the ridges green
Cedamus Phoebo, et moniti meliora sequamur.
of fair Donysa, with Olearos,
Sic ait, et cuncti dicto paremus ovantes.
and Paros, gleaming white, and Cyclades
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Hanc quoque deserimus sedem, paucisque relictis
scattered among the waves, as close we ran
vela damus, vastumque cava trabe currimus aequor.
where thick-strewn islands vex the channelled seas
The Harpies
Postquam altum tenuere rates, nec iam amplius ullae
with rival shout the sailors cheerly called:
adparent terrae, caelum undique et undique pontus,
“On, comrades! On, to Crete and to our sires!”
tum mihi caeruleus supra caput adstitit imber,
Freely behind us blew the friendly winds,
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noctem hiememque ferens, et inhorruit unda tenebris.
and gave smooth passage to that fabled shore,
Continuo venti volvunt mare, magnaque surgunt
the land of the Curetes, friends of Jove.
aequora; dispersi iactamur gurgite vasto;
There eagerly I labored at the walls
involvere diem nimbi, et nox umida caelum
of our long-prayed-for city; and its name
abstulit; ingeminant abruptis nubibus ignes.
was Pergamea; to my Trojan band,
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Excutimur cursu, et caecis erramus in undis.
pleased with such name, I gave command to build
Ipse diem noctemque negat discernere caelo,
altar and hearth, and raise the lofty tower.
nec meminisse viae media Palinurus in unda.
But scarce the ships were beached along the strand
Tris adeo incertos caeca caligine soles
(While o'er the isle my busy mariners
erramus pelago, totidem sine sidere noctes.
ploughed in new fields and took them wives once more, —
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Quarto terra die primum se attollere tandem
I giving homes and laws) when suddenly
visa, aperire procul montis, ac volvere fumum.
a pestilence from some infectious sky
Vela cadunt, remis insurgimus; haud mora nautae
seized on man's flesh, and horribly exhaled
adnixi torquent spumas et caerula verrunt.
o'er trees and crops a fatal year of plague.
Servatum ex undis Strophadum me litora primum
Some breathed their last, while others weak and worn
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accipiunt; Strophades Graio stant nomine dictae,
lived on; the dog-star parched the barren fields;
insulae Ionio in magno, quas dira Celaeno
grass withered, and the sickly, mouldering corn
Harpyiaeque colunt aliae, Phineia postquam
refused us life. My aged father then
clausa domus, mensasque metu liquere priores.
bade us re-cross the waves and re-implore
Tristius haud illis monstrum, nec saevior ulla
Apollo's mercy at his island shrine;
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pestis et ira deum Stygiis sese extulit undis.
if haply of our weariness and woe
Virginei volucrum voltus, foedissima ventris
he might vouchsafe the end, or bid us find
proluvies, uncaeque manus, et pallida semper
help for our task, or guidance o'er the sea.
ora fame.
'T was night, and sleep possessed all breathing things;
Huc ubi delati portus intravimus, ecce
when, lo! the sacred effigies divine,
220
laeta boum passim campis armenta videmus,
the Phrygian gods which through the flames I bore
caprigenumque pecus nullo custode per herbas.
from fallen Troy, seemed in a vision clear
Inruimus ferro, et divos ipsumque vocamus
to stand before me where I slumbering lay,
in partem praedamque Iovem; tum litore curvo
bathed in bright beams which from the moon at full
exstruimusque toros, dapibusque epulamur opimis.
streamed through the latticed wall: and thus they spoke
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At subitae horrifico lapsu de montibus adsunt
to soothe my care away. “Apollo's word,
Harpyiae, et magnis quatiunt clangoribus alas,
which in far Delos the god meant for thee,
diripiuntque dapes, contactuque omnia foedant
is uttered here. Behold, he sends ourselves
immundo; tum vox taetrum dira inter odorem.
to this thy house, before thy prayer is made.
Rursum in secessu longo sub rupe cavata,
We from Troy's ashes have companioned thee
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arboribus clausi circum atque horrentibus umbris,
in every fight; and we the swollen seas,
instruimus mensas arisque reponimus ignem:
guided by thee, in thine own ships have crossed;
rursum ex diverso caeli caecisque latebris
our power divine shall set among the stars
turba sonans praedam pedibus circumvolat uncis,
thy seed to be, and to thy city give
polluit ore dapes. Sociis tunc, arma capessant,
dominion evermore. For mighty men
235
edico, et dira bellum cum gente gerendum.
go build its mighty walls! Seek not to shun
Haud secus ac iussi faciunt, tectosque per herbam
the hard, long labors of an exile's way.
disponunt enses et scuta latentia condunt.
Change this abode! Not thine this Cretan shore,
Ergo ubi delapsae sonitum per curva dedere
nor here would Delian Phoebus have thee bide.
litora, dat signum specula Misenus ab alta
There is a land the roving Greeks have named
240
aere cavo. Invadunt socii, et nova proelia temptant,
Hesperia. It is a storied realm
obscenas pelagi ferro foedare volucres:
made mighty by great wars and fruitful land.
sed neque vim plumis ullam nec volnera tergo
Oenotrians had it, and their sons, 't is said,
accipiunt, celerique fuga sub sidera lapsae
have called it Italy, a chieftain's name
semesam praedam et vestigia foeda relinquunt.
to a whole region given. That land alone
245
Una in praecelsa consedit rupe Celaeno,
our true abode can be; for Dardanus
infelix vates, rumpitque hanc pectore vocem:
was cradled there, and old Iasius,
Bellum etiam pro caede boum stratisque iuvencis,
their blood the oldest of our ancient line.
Laomedontiadae, bellumne inferre paratis,
Arise! go forth and cheer thy father gray
et patrio Harpyias insontis pellere regno?
with the glad tidings! Bid him doubt no more!
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Accipite ergo animis atque haec mea figite dicta,
Ausonia seek and Corythus; for Jove
quae Phoebo pater omnipotens, mihi Phoebus Apollo
denies this Cretan realm to thine and thee.”
praedixit, vobis Furiarum ego maxuma pando.
I marvelled at the heavenly presences
Italiam cursu petitis, ventisque vocatis
so vocal and so bright, for 't was not sleep;
ibitis Italiam, portusque intrare licebit;
but face to face I deemed I could discern
255
sed non ante datam cingetis moenibus urbem,
each countenance august and holy brow,
quam vos dira fames nostraeque iniuria caedis
each mantled head; and from my body ran
ambesas subigat malis absumere mensas.
cold sweat of awe. From my low couch I sprang,
Dixit, et in silvam pennis ablata refugit.
lifting to heaven my suppliant hands and prayer,
At sociis subita gelidus formidine sanguis
and o'er my hearth poured forth libations free.
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deriguit; cecidere animi, nec iam amplius armis,
After th' auspicious offering, I told
sed votis precibusque iubent exposcere pacem,
Anchises the whole tale in order due.
sive deae, seu sint dirae obscenaeque volucres.
He owned our stock two-branched, of our great sires
Et pater Anchises passis de litore palmis
the twofold line, and that his thought had strayed,
numina magna vocat, meritosque indicit honores:
in new confusion mingling ancient names;
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Di, prohibete minas; di, talem avertite casum,
then spoke: “O son, in Ilium's doom severe
et placidi servate pios! Tum litore funem
afflicted ever! To my ears alone
deripere, excussosque iubet laxare rudentes.
this dark vicissitude Cassandra sang.
Tendunt vela Noti; fugimus spumantibus undis,
I mind me now that her wild tongue foretold
qua cursum ventusque gubernatorque vocabat.
such destiny. For oft she called aloud
270
Iam medio adparet fluctu nemorosa Zacynthos
‘Hesperia!’ oft ‘Italia's kingdom!’ called.
Dulichiumque Sameque et Neritos ardua saxis.
But who had faith that Teucer's sons should come
Effugimus scopulos Ithacae, Laertia regna,
to far Hesperia? What mortal ear
et terram altricem saevi exsecramur Ulixi.
gave heed to sad Cassandra's voice divine?
Mox et Leucatae nimbosa cacumina montis
Now Phoebus speaks. Obedient let us be,
275
et formidatus nautis aperitur Apollo.
and, warned by him, our happier Iot pursue!”
Hunc petimus fessi et parvae succedimus urbi;
He spoke: with heart of hope we all obeyed;
ancora de prora iacitur, stant litore puppes.
again we changed abode; and, leaving there
Buthrotum — A Little Troy
Ergo insperata tandem tellure potiti,
a feeble few, again with spreading sails
lustramurque Iovi votisque incendimus aras,
we coursed in hollow ship the spacious sea.
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Actiaque Iliacis celebramus litora ludis.
When from the deep the shores had faded far,
Exercent patrias oleo labente palaestras
and only sky and sea were round our way,
nudati socii; iuvat evasisse tot urbes
full in the zenith hung a purple cloud,
Argolicas, mediosque fugam tenuisse per hostis.
storm-laden, dark as night, and every wave
Interea magnum sol circumvolvitur annum,
grew black and angry, while perpetual gales
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et glacialis hiemps aquilonibus asperat undas.
came rolling o'er the main, and mountain-high
Aere cavo clipeum. magni gestamen Abantis,
the wreckful surges rose; our ships were hurled
postibus adversis figo, et rem carmine signo:
wide o'er the whirling waters; thunder-clouds
AENEAS HAEC DE DANAIS VICTORIBVS ARMA.
and misty murk of night made end of all
Linquere tum portus iubeo et considere transtris:
the light of heaven, save where the rifted storm
290
certatim socii feriunt mare et aequora verrunt.
flashed with the oft-reiterate shaft of Jove.
Protinus aërias Phaeacum abscondimus arces,
Then went we drifting, beaten from our course,
litoraque Epiri legimus portuque subimus
upon a trackless sea. Not even the eyes
Chaonio, et celsam Buthroti accedimus urbem.
of Palinurus could tell night from noon
Hic incredibilis rerum fama occupat auris,
or ken our way. Three days of blinding dark,
295
Priamiden Helenum Graias regnare per urbes,
three nights without a star, we roved the seas;
coniugio Aeacidae Pyrrhi sceptrisque potitum,
The fourth, land seemed to rise. Far distant hills
et patrio Andromachen iterum cessisse marito.
and rolling smoke we saw. Down came our sails,
Obstipui, miroque incensum pectus amore,
out flew the oars, and with prompt stroke the crews
compellare virum et casus cognoscere tantos.
swept the dark waves and tossed the crested foam.
300
Progredior portu, classis et litora linquens,
From such sea-peril safe, I made the shores
sollemnis cum forte dapes et tristia dona
of Strophades,—a name the Grecians gave
ante urbem in luco falsi Simoentis ad undam
to islands in the broad Ionic main, —
libabat cineri Andromache, Manisque vocabat
the Strophades, where dread Celaeno bides,
Hectoreum ad tumulum, viridi quem caespite inanem
with other Harpies, who had quit the halls
305
et geminas, causam lacrimis, sacraverat aras.
of stricken Phineus, and for very fear
Ut me conspexit venientem et Troïa circum
fled from the routed feast; no prodigy
arma amens vidit, magnis exterrita monstris
more vile than these, nor plague more pitiless
deriguit visu in medio, calor ossa reliquit;
ere rose by wrath divine from Stygian wave;
labitur, et longo vix tandem tempore fatur:
birds seem they, but with face like woman-kind;
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Verane te facies, verus mihi nuntius adfers,
foul-flowing bellies, hands with crooked claws,
nate dea? Vivisne, aut, si lux alma recessit,
and ghastly lips they have, with hunger pale.
Hector ubi est? Dixit, lacrimasque effudit et omnem
Scarce had we made the haven, when, behold!
implevit clamore locum. Vix pauca furenti
Fair herds of cattle roaming a wide plain,
subicio, et raris turbatus vocibus hisco:
and horned goats, untended, feeding free
315
Vivo equidem, vitamque extrema per omnia duco;
in pastures green, surprised our happy eyes.
ne dubita, nam vera vides.
with eager blades we ran to take and slay,
Heu, quis te casus deiectam coniuge tanto
asking of every god, and chicfly Jove,
excipit, aut quae digna satis fortuna revisit
to share the welcome prize: we ranged a feast,
Hectoris Andromachen? Pyrrhin’ conubia servas?
with turf-built couches and a banquet-board
320
Deiecit vultum et demissa voce locuta est:
along the curving strand. But in a trice,
O felix una ante alias Priameïa virgo,
down from the high hills swooping horribly,
hostilem ad tumulum Troiae sub moenibus altis
the Harpies loudly shrieking, flapped their wings,
iussa mori, quae sortitus non pertulit ullos,
snatched at our meats, and with infectious touch
nec victoris eri tetigit captiva cubile!
polluted all; infernal was their cry,
325
nos, patria incensa, diversa per aequora vectae,
the stench most vile. Once more in covert far
stirpis Achilleae fastus iuvenemque superbum,
beneath a caverned rock, and close concealed
servitio enixae, tulimus: qui deinde, secutus
with trees and branching shade, we raised aloft
Ledaeam Hermionen Lacedaemoniosque hymenaeos,
our tables, altars, and rekindled fires.
me famulo famulamque Heleno transmisit habendam.
Once more from haunts unknown the clamorous flock
330
Ast illum, ereptae magno inflammatus amore
from every quarter flew, and seized its prey
coniugis et scelerum Furiis agitatus, Orestes
with taloned feet and carrion lip most foul.
excipit incautum patriasque obtruncat ad aras.
I called my mates to arms and opened war
Morte Neoptolemi regnorum reddita cessit
on that accursed brood. My band obeyed;
pars Heleno, qui Chaonios cognomine campos
and, hiding in deep grass their swords and shields,
335
Chaoniamque omnem Troiano a Chaone dixit,
in ambush lay. But presently the foe
Pergamaque Iliacamque iugis hanc addidit arcem.
swept o'er the winding shore with loud alarm :
Sed tibi qui cursum venti, quae fata dedere?
then from a sentry-crag, Misenus blew
Aut quisnam ignarum nostris deus adpulit oris?
a signal on his hollow horn. My men
Quid puer Ascanius? superatne et vescitur aura,
flew to the combat strange, and fain would wound
340
quem tibi iam Troia—
with martial steel those foul birds of the sea;
Ecqua tamen puero est amissae cura parentis?
but on their sides no wounding blade could fall,
Ecquid in antiquam virtutem animosque virilis
nor any plume be marred. In swiftest flight
et pater Aeneas et avunculus excitat Hector?
to starry skies they soared, and left on earth
Talia fundebat lacrimans longosque ciebat
their half-gnawed, stolen feast, and footprints foul.
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incassum fletus, cum sese a moenibus heros
Celaeno only on a beetling crag
Priamides multis Helenus comitantibus adfert,
took lofty perch, and, prophetess of ill,
adgnoscitque suos, laetusque ad limina ducit,
shrieked malediction from her vulture breast:
et multum lacrimas verba inter singula fundit.
“Because of slaughtered kine and ravished herd,
Procedo, et parvam Troiam simulataque magnis
sons of Laomedon, have ye made war?
350
Pergama, et arentem Xanthi cognomine rivum
And will ye from their rightful kingdom drive
adgnosco, Scaeaeque amplector limina portae.
the guiltless Harpies? Hear, O, hear my word
Nec non et Teucri socia simul urbe fruuntur:
(Long in your bosoms may it rankle sore!)
illos porticibus rex accipiebat in amplis;
which Jove omnipotent to Phoebus gave,
aulaï medio libabant pocula Bacchi,
Phoebus to me: a word of doom, which I,
355
impositis auro dapibus, paterasque tenebant.
the Furies' elder sister, here unfold:
The Prophecy of Helenus
Iamque dies alterque dies processit, et aurae
‘To Italy ye fare. The willing winds
vela vocant tumidoque inflatur carbasus austro.
your call have heard; and ye shall have your prayer
His vatem adgredior dictis ac talia quaeso:
in some Italian haven safely moored.
Troiugena, interpres divom, qui numina Phoebi,
But never shall ye rear the circling walls
360
qui tripodas, Clarii laurus, qui sidera sentis,
of your own city, till for this our blood
et volucrum linguas et praepetis omina pennae,
by you unjustly spilt, your famished jaws
fare age—namque omnem cursum mihi prospera dixit
bite at your tables, aye,—and half devour.’”
religio, et cuncti suaserunt numine divi
She spoke: her pinions bore her to the grove,
Italiam petere et terras temptare repostas:
and she was seen no more. But all my band
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sola novum dictuque nefas Harpyia Celaeno
shuddered with shock of fear in each cold vein;
prodigium canit, et tristis denuntiat iras,
their drooping spirits trusted swords no more,
obscenamque famem—quae prima pericula vito?
but turned to prayers and offerings, asking grace,
Quidve sequens tantos possim superare labores?
scarce knowing if those creatures were divine,
Hic Helenus, caesis primum de more iuvencis,
or but vast birds, ill-omened and unclean.
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exorat pacem divom, vittasque resolvit
Father Anchises to the gods in heaven
sacrati capitis, meque ad tua limina, Phoebe,
uplifted suppliant hands, and on that shore
ipse manu multo suspensum numine ducit,
due ritual made, crying aloud; “Ye gods
atque haec deinde canit divino ex ore sacerdos:
avert this curse, this evil turn away!
Nate dea,—nam te maioribus ire per altum
Smile, Heaven, upon your faithful votaries.”
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auspiciis manifesta fides: sic fata deum rex
Then bade he launch away, the chain undo,
sortitur, volvitque vices; is vertitur ordo—
set every cable free and spread all sail.
pauca tibi e multis, quo tutior hospita lustres
O'er the white waves we flew, and took our way
aequora et Ausonio possis considere portu,
where'er the helmsman or the winds could guide.
expediam dictis; prohibent nam cetera Parcae
Now forest-clad Zacynthus met our gaze,
380
scire Helenum farique vetat Saturnia Iuno.
engirdled by the waves; Dulichium,
Principio Italiam, quam tu iam rere propinquam
same, and Neritos, a rocky steep,
vicinosque, ignare, paras invadere portus,
uprose. We passed the cliffs of Ithaca
longa procul longis via dividit invia terris.
that called Laertes king, and flung our curse
Ante et Trinacria lentandus remus in unda,
on fierce Ulysses' hearth and native land.
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et salis Ausonii lustrandum navibus aequor,
nigh hoar Leucate's clouded crest we drew,
infernique lacus, Aeaeaeque insula Circae,
where Phoebus' temple, feared by mariners,
quam tuta possis urbem componere terra:
loomed o'er us; thitherward we steered and reached
signa tibi dicam, tu condita mente teneto:
the little port and town. Our weary fleet
cum tibi sollicito secreti ad fluminis undam
dropped anchor, and lay beached along the strand.
390
litoreis ingens inventa sub ilicibus sus
So, safe at land, our hopeless peril past,
triginta capitum fetus enixa iacebit.
we offered thanks to Jove, and kindled high
alba, solo recubans, albi circum ubera nati,
his altars with our feast and sacrifice;
is locus urbis erit, requies ea certa laborum.
then, gathering on Actium's holy shore,
Nec tu mensarum morsus horresce futuros:
made fair solemnities of pomp and game.
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fata viam invenient, aderitque vocatus Apollo.
My youth, anointing their smooth, naked limbs,
Has autem terras, Italique hanc litoris oram,
wrestled our wonted way. For glad were we,
proxuma quae nostri perfunditur aequoris aestu,
who past so many isles of Greece had sped
effuge; cuncta malis habitantur moenia Grais.
and 'scaped our circling foes. Now had the sun
Hic et Narycii posuerunt moenia Locri,
rolled through the year's full circle, and the waves
400
et Sallentinos obsedit milite campos
were rough with icy winter's northern gales.
Lyctius Idomeneus; hic illa ducis Meliboei
I hung for trophy on that temple door
parva Philoctetae subnixa Petelia muro.
a swelling shield of brass (which once was worn
Quin, ubi transmissae steterint trans aequora classes,
by mighty Abas) graven with this line:
et positis aris iam vota in litore solves,
SPOIL OF AENEAS FROM TRIUMPHANT FOES.
405
purpureo velare comas adopertus amictu,
Then from that haven I command them forth;
ne qua inter sanctos ignis in honore deorum
my good crews take the thwarts, smiting the sea
hostilis facies occurrat et omina turbet.
with rival strokes, and skim the level main.
Hunc socii morem sacrorum, hunc ipse teneto:
Soon sank Phaeacia's wind-swept citadels
hac casti maneant in religione nepotes.
out of our view; we skirted the bold shores
410
Ast ubi digressum Siculae te admoverit orae
of proud Epirus, in Chaonian land,
ventus, et angusti rarescent claustra Pelori,
and made Buthrotum's port and towering town.
laeva tibi tellus et longo laeva petantur
Here wondrous tidings met us, that the son
aequora circuitu: dextrum fuge litus et undas.
of Priam, Helenus, held kingly sway
Haec loca vi quondam et vasta convolsa ruina—
o'er many Argive cities, having wed
415
tantum aevi longinqua valet mutare vetustas—
the Queen of Pyrrhus, great Achilles' son,
dissiluisse ferunt, cum protinus utraque tellus
and gained his throne; and that Andromache
una foret; venit medio vi pontus et undis
once more was wife unto a kindred lord.
Hesperium Siculo latus abscidit, arvaque et urbes
Amazement held me; all my bosom burned
litore diductas angusto interluit aestu.
to see the hero's face and hear this tale
420
Dextrum Scylla latus, laevum implacata Charybdis
of strange vicissitude. So up I climbed,
obsidet, atque imo barathri ter gurgite vastos
leaving the haven, fleet, and friendly shore.
sorbet in abruptum fluctus, rursusque sub auras
That self-same hour outside the city walls,
erigit alternos et sidera verberat unda.
within a grove where flowed the mimic stream
At Scyllam caecis cohibet spelunca latebris,
of a new Simois, Andromache,
425
ora exsertantem et navis in saxa trahentem.
with offerings to the dead, and gifts of woe,
Prima hominis facies et pulchro pectore virgo
poured forth libation, and invoked the shade
pube tenus, postrema immani corpore pristis,
of Hector, at a tomb which her fond grief
delphinum caudas utero commissa luporum.
had consecrated to perpetual tears,
Praestat Trinacrii metas lustrare Pachyni
though void; a mound of fair green turf it stood,
430
cessantem, longos et circumflectere cursus,
and near it rose twin altars to his name.
quam semel informem vasto vidisse sub antro
She saw me drawing near; our Trojan helms
Scyllam, et caeruleis canibus resonantia saxa.
met her bewildered eyes, and, terror-struck
Praeterea, si qua est Heleno prudentia, vati
at the portentous sight, she swooning fell
si qua fides, animum si veris implet Apollo,
and lay cold, rigid, lifeless, till at last,
435
unum illud tibi, nate dea, proque omnibus unum
scarce finding voice, her lips addressed me thus :
praedicam, et repetens iterumque iterumque monebo:
“Have I true vision? Bringest thou the word
Iunonis magnae primum prece numen adora;
Of truth, O goddess-born? Art still in flesh?
Iunoni cane vota libens, dominamque potentem
Or if sweet light be fled, my Hector, where?”
supplicibus supera donis: sic denique victor
With flood of tears she spoke, and all the grove
440
Trinacria finis Italos mittere relicta.
reechoed to her cry. Scarce could I frame
Huc ubi delatus Cumaeam accesseris urbem,
brief answer to her passion, but replied
divinosque lacus, et Averna sonantia silvis,
with broken voice and accents faltering:
insanam vatem aspicies, quae rupe sub ima
“I live, 't is true. I lengthen out my days
fata canit, foliisque notas et nomina mandat.
through many a desperate strait. But O, believe
445
Quaecumque in foliis descripsit carmina virgo,
that what thine eyes behold is vision true.
digerit in numerum, atque antro seclusa relinquit.
Alas! what lot is thine, that wert unthroned
Illa manent immota locis, neque ab ordine cedunt;
from such a husband's side? What after-fate
verum eadem, verso tenuis cum cardine ventus
could give thee honor due? Andromache,
impulit et teneras turbavit ianua frondes,
once Hector's wife, is Pyrrhus still thy lord?”
450
numquam deinde cavo volitantia prendere saxo,
With drooping brows and lowly voice she cried :
nec revocare situs aut iungere carmina curat:
“O, happy only was that virgin blest,
inconsulti abeunt, sedemque odere Sibyllae.
daughter of Priam, summoned forth to die
Hic tibi ne qua morae fuerint dispendia tanti,—
in sight of Ilium, on a foeman's tomb!
quamvis increpitent socii, et vi cursus in altum
No casting of the lot her doom decreed,
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vela vocet, possisque sinus implere secundos,—
nor came she to her conqueror's couch a slave.
quin adeas vatem precibusque oracula poscas
Myself from burning Ilium carried far
ipsa canat, vocemque volens atque ora resolvat.
o'er seas and seas, endured the swollen pride
Illa tibi Italiae populos venturaque bella,
of that young scion of Achilles' race,
et quo quemque modo fugiasque ferasque laborem
and bore him as his slave a son. When he
460
expediet, cursusque dabit venerata secundos.
sued for Hermione, of Leda's line,
Haec sunt, quae nostra liceat te voce moneri.
and nuptial-bond with Lacedaemon's Iords,
Vade age, et ingentem factis fer ad aethera Troiam.
I, the slave-wife, to Helenus was given,
Scylla and the Cyclops
Quae postquam vates sic ore effatus amico est,
and slave was wed with slave. But afterward
dona dehinc auro gravia sectoque elephanto
Orestes, crazed by loss of her he loved,
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imperat ad navis ferri, stipatque carinis
and ever fury-driven from crime to crime,
ingens argentum, Dodonaeosque lebetas,
crept upon Pyrrhus in a careless hour
loricam consertam hamis auroque trilicem,
and murdered him upon his own hearth-stone.
et conum insignis galeae cristasque comantis,
Part of the realm of Neoptolemus
arma Neoptolemi; sunt et sua dona parenti.
fell thus to Helenus, who called his lands
470
Addit equos, additque duces;
Chaonian, and in Trojan Chaon's name
remigium supplet; socios simul instruit armis.
his kingdom is Chaonia. Yonder height
Interea classem velis aptare iubebat
is Pergamus, our Ilian citadel.
Anchises, fieret vento mora ne qua ferenti.
What power divine did waft thee to our shore,
Quem Phoebi interpres multo compellat honore:
not knowing whither? Tell me of the boy
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Coniugio, Anchise, Veneris dignate superbo,
Ascanius! Still breathes he earthly air?
cura deum, bis Pergameis erepte ruinis,
In Troy she bore him—is he mourning still
ecce tibi Ausoniae tellus; hanc arripe velis.
that mother ravished from his childhood's eyes?
Et tamen hanc pelago praeterlabare necesse est;
what ancient valor stirs the manly soul
Ausoniae pars illa procul, quam pandit Apollo.
of thine own son, of Hector's sister's child?”
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Vade ait O felix nati pietate. Quid ultra
Thus poured she forth full many a doleful word
provehor, et fando surgentis demoror austros?
with unavailing tears. But as she ceased,
Nec minus Andromache digressu maesta supremo
out of the city gates appeared the son
fert picturatas auri subtemine vestes
of Priam, Helenus, with princely train.
et Phrygiam Ascanio chlamydem (nec cedit honore),
He welcomed us as kin, and glad at heart
485
textilibusque onerat donis, ac talia fatur:
gave guidance to his house, though oft his words
Accipe et haec, manuum tibi quae monumenta mearum
fell faltering and few, with many a tear.
sint, puer, et longum Andromachae testentur amorem,
Soon to a humbler Troy I lift my eyes,
coniugis Hectoreae. Cape dona extrema tuorum,
and of a mightier Pergamus discern
O mihi sola mei super Astyanactis imago:
the towering semblance; there a scanty stream
490
sic oculos, sic ille manus, sic ora ferebat;
runs on in Xanthus' name, and my glad arms
et nunc aequali tecum pubesceret aevo.
the pillars of a Scaean gate embrace.
Hos ego digrediens lacrimis adfabar obortis:
My Teucrian mariners with welcome free
Vivite felices, quibus est fortuna peracta
enjoyed the friendly town; his ample halls
iam sua; nos alia ex aliis in fata vocamur.
our royal host threw wide; full wine-cups flowed
495
Vobis parta quies; nullum maris aequor arandum,
within the palace; golden feast was spread,
arva neque Ausoniae semper cedentia retro
and many a goblet quaffed. Day followed day,
quaerenda. Effigiem Xanthi Troiamque videtis
while favoring breezes beckoned us to sea,
quam vestrae fecere manus, melioribus, opto,
and swelled the waiting canvas as they blew.
auspiciis, et quae fuerit minus obvia Graiis.
Then to the prophet-priest I made this prayer:
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Si quando Thybrim vicinaque Thybridis arva
“Offspring of Troy, interpreter of Heaven!
intraro, gentique meae data moenia cernam,
Who knowest Phoebus' power, and readest well
cognatas urbes olim populosque propinquos,
the tripod, stars, and vocal laurel leaves
Epiro, Hesperia, quibus idem Dardanus auctor
to Phoebus dear, who know'st of every bird
atque idem casus, unam faciemus utramque
the ominous swift wing or boding song,
505
Troiam animis; maneat nostros ea cura nepotes.
o, speak! For all my course good omens showed,
Provehimur pelago vicina Ceraunia iuxta,
and every god admonished me to sail
unde iter Italiam cursusque brevissimus undis.
in quest of Italy's far-distant shores;
Sol ruit interea et montes umbrantur opaci;
but lone Celaeno, heralding strange woe,
sternimur optatae gremio telluris ad undam,
foretold prodigious horror, vengeance dark,
510
sortiti remos, passimque in litore sicco
and vile, unnatural hunger. How elude
corpora curamus; fessos sopor inrigat artus.
such perils? Or by what hard duty done
Necdum orbem medium Nox horis acta subibat:
may such huge host of evils vanquished be?”
haud segnis strato surgit Palinurus et omnis
Then Helenus, with sacrifice of kine
explorat ventos, atque auribus aera captat;
in order due, implored the grace of Heaven,
515
sidera cuncta notat tacito labentia caelo,
unloosed the fillets from his sacred brow,
Arcturum pluviasque Hyadas geminosque Triones,
and led me, Phoebus, to thy temple's door,
armatumque auro circumspicit Oriona.
awed by th' o'er-brooding godhead, whose true priest,
Postquam cuncta videt caelo constare sereno,
with lips inspired, made this prophetic song:
dat clarum e puppi signum; nos castra movemus,
“O goddess-born, indubitably shines
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temptamusque viam et velorum pandimus alas.
the blessing of great gods upon thy path
Iamque rubescebat stellis Aurora fugatis,
across the sea; the heavenly King supreme
cum procul obscuros collis humilemque videmus
thy destiny ordains; 't is he unfolds
Italiam. Italiam primus conclamat Achates,
the grand vicissitude, which now pursues
Italiam laeto socii clamore salutant.
a course immutable. I will declare
525
Tum pater Anchises magnum cratera corona
of thy large fate a certain bounded part;
induit, implevitque mero, divosque vocavit
that fearless thou may'st view the friendly sea,
stans celsa in puppi:
and in Ausonia's haven at the last
Di maris et terrae tempestatumque potentes,
find thee a fixed abode. Than this no more
ferte viam vento facilem et spirate secundi.
the Sister Fates to Helenus unveil,
530
Crebrescunt optatae aurae portusque patescit
and Juno, Saturn's daughter, grants no more.
iam propior, templumque adparet in arce Minervae.
First, that Italia (which nigh at hand
Vela legunt socii et proras ad litora torquent.
thou deemest, and wouldst fondly enter in
Portus ab Euroo fluctu curvatus in arcum,
by yonder neighboring bays) lies distant far
obiectae salsa spumant aspargine cautes;
o'er trackless course and long, with interval
535
ipse latet; gemino demittunt bracchia muro
of far-extended lands. Thine oars must ply
turriti scopuli, refugitque ab litore templum.
the waves of Sicily; thy fleet must cleave
Quattuor hic, primum omen, equos in gramine vidi
the large expanse of that Ausonian brine;
tondentis campum late, candore nivali.
the waters of Avernus thou shalt see,
Et pater Anchises: Bellum, O terra hospita, portas
and that enchanted island where abides
540
bello armantur equi, bellum haec armenta minantur.
Aeaean Circe, ere on tranquil shore
Sed tamen idem olim curru succedere sueti
thou mayest plant thy nation. Lo! a sign
quadrupedes, et frena iugo concordia ferre;
I tell thee; hide this wonder in thy heart:
spes et pacis ait. Tum numina sancta precamur
Beside a certain stream's sequestered wave,
Palladis armisonae, quae prima accepit ovantis,
thy troubled eyes, in shadowy flex grove
545
et capita ante aras Phrygio velamur amictu;
that fringes on the river, shall descry
praeceptisque Heleni, dederat quae maxima, rite
a milk-white, monstrous sow, with teeming brood
Iunoni Argivae iussos adolemus honores.
of thirty young, new littered, white like her,
Haud mora, continuo perfectis ordine votis,
all clustering at her teats, as prone she lies.
cornua velatarum obvertimus antemarum,
There is thy city's safe, predestined ground,
550
Graiugenumque domos suspectaque linquimus arva.
and there thy labors' end. Vex not thy heart
Hinc sinus Herculei (si vera est fama) Tarenti
about those ‘tables bitten’, for kind fate
cernitur; attollit se diva Lacinia contra,
thy path will show, and Phoebus bless thy prayer.
Caulonisque arces et navifragum Scylaceum.
But from these lands and yon Italian shore,
Tum procul e fluctu Trinacria cernitur Aetna,
where from this sea of ours the tide sweeps in,
555
et gemitum ingentem pelagi pulsataque saxa
escape and flee, for all its cities hold
audimus longe fractasque ad litora voces,
pernicious Greeks, thy foes: the Locri there
exsultantque vada, atque aestu miscentur harenae.
have builded walls; the wide Sallentine fields
Et pater Anchises: Nimirum haec illa Charybdis:
are filled with soldiers of Idomeneus;
hos Helenus scopulos, haec saxa horrenda canebat.
there Meliboean Philoctetes' town,
560
Eripite, O socii, pariterque insurgite remis!
petilia, towers above its little wall.
Haud minus ac iussi faciunt, primusque rudentem
Yea, even when thy fleet has crossed the main,
contorsit laevas proram Palinurus ad undas.
and from new altars built along the shore
laevam cuncta cohors remis ventisque petivit.
thy vows to Heaven are paid, throw o'er thy head
Tollimur in caelum curvato gurgite, et idem
a purple mantle, veiling well thy brows,
565
subducta ad Manis imos desedimus unda.
lest, while the sacrificial fire ascends
Ter scopuli clamorem inter cava saxa dedere:
in offering to the gods, thine eye behold
ter spumam elisam et rorantia vidimus astra.
some face of foe, and every omen fail.
Interea fessos ventus cum sole reliquit,
Let all thy people keep this custom due,
ignarique viae Cyclopum adlabimur oris.
and thou thyself be faithful; let thy seed
570
Portus ab accessu ventorum immotus et ingens
forever thus th' immaculate rite maintain.
ipse; sed horrificis iuxta tonat Aetna ruinis;
After departing hence, thou shalt be blown
interdumque atram prorumpit ad aethera nubem,
toward Sicily, and strait Pelorus' bounds
turbine fumantem piceo et candente favilla,
will open wide. Then take the leftward way:
attollitque globos flammarum et sidera lambit;
those leftward waters in long circuit sweep,
575
interdum scopulos avolsaque viscera montis
far from that billowy coast, the opposing side.
erigit eructans, liquefactaque saxa sub auras
These regions, so they tell, in ages gone
cum gemitu glomerat, fundoque exaestuat imo.
by huge and violent convulsion riven
Fama est Enceladi semustum fulmine corpus
(Such mutability is wrought by time),
urgueri mole hac, ingentemque insuper Aetnam
sprang wide asunder; where the doubled strand
580
impositam ruptis flammam exspirare caminis;
sole and continuous lay, the sea's vast power
et fessum quotiens mutet latus, intremere omnem
burst in between, and bade its waves divide
murmure Trinacriam, et caelum subtexere fumo.
Hesperia's bosom from fair Sicily,
Noctem illam tecti silvis immania monstra
while with a straitened firth it interflowed
perferimus, nec quae sonitum det causa videmus.
their fields and cities sundered shore from shore.
585
Nam neque erant astrorum ignes, nec lucidus aethra
The right side Scylla keeps; the left is given
siderea polus, obscuro sed nubila caelo,
to pitiless Charybdis, who draws down
et lunam in nimbo nox intempesta tenebat.
to the wild whirling of her steep abyss
The Death of Anchises
Postera iamque dies primo surgebat Eoo,
the monster waves, and ever and anon
umentemque Aurora polo dimoverat umbram:
flings them at heaven, to lash the tranquil stars.
590
cum subito e silvis, macie confecta suprema,
But Scylla, prisoned in her eyeless cave,
ignoti nova forma viri miserandaque cultu
thrusts forth her face, and pulls upon the rocks
procedit, supplexque manus ad litora tendit.
ship after ship; the parts that first be seen
Respicimus: dira inluvies inmissaque barba,
are human; a fair-breasted virgin she,
consertum tegumen spinis; at cetera Graius,
down to the womb; but all that lurks below
595
et quondam patriis ad Troiam missus in armis.
is a huge-membered fish, where strangely join
Isque ubi Dardanios habitus et Troia vidit
the flukes of dolphins and the paunch of wolves.
arma procul, paulum aspectu conterritus haesit,
Better by far to round the distant goal
continuitque gradum; mox sese ad litora praeceps
of the Trinacrian headlands, veering wide
cum fletu precibusque tulit: Per sidera testor,
from thy true course, than ever thou shouldst see
600
per superos atque hoc caeli spirabile lumen,
that shapeless Scylla in her vaulted cave,
tollite me, Teucri; quascumque abducite terras;
where grim rocks echo her dark sea-dogs' roar.
hoc sat erit. Scio me Danais e classibus unum,
Yea, more, if aught of prescience be bestowed
et bello Iliacos fateor petiisse Penatis;
on Helenus, if trusted prophet he,
pro quo, si sceleris tanta est iniuria nostri,
and Phoebus to his heart true voice have given,
605
spargite me in fluctus, vastoque inmergite ponto.
o goddess-born, one counsel chief of all
Si pereo, hominum manibus periisse iuvabit.
I tell thee oft, and urge it o'er and o'er.
Dixerat, et genua amplexus genibusque volutans
To Juno's godhead lift thy Ioudest prayer;
haerebat. Qui sit, fari, quo sanguine cretus,
to Juno chant a fervent votive song,
hortamur; quae deinde agitet fortuna, fateri.
and with obedient offering persuade
610
Ipse pater dextram Anchises, haud multa moratus,
that potent Queen. So shalt thou, triumphing,
dat iuveni, atque animum praesenti pignore firmat.
to Italy be sped, and leave behind
Ille haec, deposita tandem formidine, fatur:
Trinacria.When wafted to that shore,
Sum patria ex Ithaca, comes infelicis Ulixi,
repair to Cumae's hill, and to the Lake
nomine Achaemenides, Troiam genitore Adamasto
Avernus with its whispering grove divine.
615
paupere—mansissetque utinam fortuna!—profectus.
There shalt thou see a frenzied prophetess,
Hic me, dum trepidi crudelia limina linquunt,
who from beneath the hollow scarped crag
inmemores socii vasto Cyclopis in antro
sings oracles, or characters on leaves
deseruere. Domus sanie dapibusque cruentis,
mysterious names. Whate'er the virgin writes,
intus opaca, ingens; ipse arduus, altaque pulsat
on leaves inscribing the portentous song,
620
sidera—Di, talem terris avertite pestem!—
she sets in order, and conceals them well
nec visu facilis nec dictu adfabilis ulli.
in her deep cave, where they abide unchanged
Visceribus miserorum et sanguine vescitur atro.
in due array. Yet not a care has she,
Vidi egomet, duo de numero cum corpora nostro
if with some swinging hinge a breeze sweeps in,
prensa manu magna, medio resupinus in antro,
to catch them as they whirl: if open door
625
frangeret ad saxum, sanieque aspersa natarent
disperse them flutterlig through the hollow rock,
limina; vidi atro cum membra fluentia tabo
she will not link their shifted sense anew,
manderet, et tepidi tremerent sub dentibus artus.
nor re-invent her fragmentary song.
Haud impune quidem; nec talia passus Ulixes,
Oft her unanswered votaries depart,
oblitusve sui est Ithacus discrimine tanto.
scorning the Sibyl's shrine. But deem not thou
630
Nam simul expletus dapibus vinoque sepultus
thy tarrying too Iong, whate'er thy stay.
cervicem inflexam posuit, iacuitque per antrum
Though thy companions chide, though winds of power
immensus, saniem eructans et frusta cruento
invite thy ship to sea, and well would speed
per somnum commixta mero, nos magna precati
the swelling sail, yet to that Sibyl go.
numina sortitique vices, una undique circum
Pray that her own lips may sing forth for thee
635
fundimur, et telo lumen terebramus acuto,—
the oracles, uplifting her dread voice
ingens, quod torva solum sub fronte latebat,
in willing prophecy. Her rede shall tell
Argolici clipei aut Phoebeae lampadis instar,—
of Italy, its wars and tribes to be,
et tandem laeti sociorum ulciscimur umbras.
and of what way each burden and each woe
Sed fugite, O miseri, fugite, atque ab litore funem
may be escaped, or borne. Her favoring aid
640
rumpite.
will grant swift, happy voyages to thy prayer.
Nam qualis quantusque cavo Polyphemus in antro
Such counsels Heaven to my lips allows.
lanigeras claudit pecudes atque ubera pressat,
arise, begone! and by thy glorious deeds
centum alii curva haec habitant ad litora volgo
set Troy among the stars! “
infandi Cyclopes, et altis montibus errant.
So spake the prophet with benignant voice.
645
Tertia iam lunae se cornua lumine complent,
Then gifts he bade be brought of heavy gold
cum vitam in silvis inter deserta ferarum
and graven ivory, which to our ships
lustra domosque traho, vastosque ab rupe Cyclopas
he bade us bear; each bark was Ioaded full
prospicio, sonitumque pedum vocemque tremesco.
with messy silver and Dodona's pride
Victum infelicem, bacas lapidosaque corna,
of brazen cauldrons; a cuirass he gave
650
dant rami et volsis pascunt radicibus herbae.
of linked gold enwrought and triple chain;
Omnia conlustrans, hanc primum ad litora classem
a noble helmet, too, with flaming crest
conspexi venientem. Huic me, quaecumque fuisset,
and lofty cone, th' accoutrement erewhile
addixi: satis est gentem effugisse nefandam.
of Neoptolemus. My father too
Vos animam hanc potius quocumque absumite leto.
had fit gifts from the King; whose bounty then
655
Vix ea fatus erat, summo cum monte videmus
gave steeds and riders; and new gear was sent
ipsum inter pecudes vasta se mole moventem
to every sea-worn ship, while he supplied
pastorem Polyphemum et litora nota petentem,
seafarers, kit to all my loyal crews.
monstrum horrendum, informe, ingens, cui lumen ademptum.
Anchises bade us speedily set sail,
Trunca manu pinus regit et vestigia firmat;
nor lose a wind so fair; and answering him,
660
lanigerae comitantur oves—ea sola voluptas
Apollo's priest made reverent adieu:
solamenque mali.
“Anchises, honored by the love sublime
Postquam altos tetigit fluctus et ad aequora venit,
of Venus, self and twice in safety borne
luminis effossi fluidum lavit inde cruorem,
from falling Troy, chief care of kindly Heaven,
dentibus infrendens gemitu, graditurque per aequor
th' Ausonian shore is thine. Sail thitherward!
665
iam medium, necdum fluctus latera ardua tinxit.
For thou art pre-ordained to travel far
Nos procul inde fugam trepidi celerare, recepto
o'er yonder seas; far in the distance lies
supplice sic merito, tacitique incidere funem;
that region of Ausonia, Phoebus' voice
vertimus et proni certantibus aequora remis.
to thee made promise of. Onward, I say,
Sensit, et ad sonitum vocis vestigia torsit;
o blest in the exceeding loyal love
670
verum ubi nulla datur dextra adfectare potestas,
of thy dear son! Why keep thee longer now?
nec potis Ionios fluctus aequare sequendo,
Why should my words yon gathering winds detain?”
clamorem immensum tollit, quo pontus et omnes
Likewise Andromache in mournful guise
contremuere undae, penitusque exterrita tellus
took last farewell, bringing embroidered robes
Italiae, curvisque immugiit Aetna cavernis.
of golden woof; a princely Phrygian cloak
675
At genus e silvis Cyclopum et montibus altis
she gave Ascanius, vying with the King
excitum ruit ad portus et litora complent.
in gifts of honor; and threw o'er the boy
Cernimus adstantis nequiquam lumine torvo
the labors of her loom, with words like these:
Aetnaeos fratres, caelo capita alta ferentis,
“Accept these gifts, sweet youth, memorials
concilium horrendum: quales cum vertice celso
of me and my poor handicraft, to prove
680
aeriae quercus, aut coniferae cyparissi
th' undying friendship of Andromache,
constiterunt, silva alta Iovis, lucusve Dianae.
once Hector's wife. Take these last offerings
Praecipites metus acer agit quocumque rudentis
of those who are thy kin—O thou that art
excutere, et ventis intendere vela secundis.
of my Astyanax in all this world
Contra iussa monent Heleni Scyllam atque Charybdin
the only image! His thy lovely eyes!
685
inter, utramque viam leti discrimine parvo,
Thy hands, thy lips, are even what he bore,
ni teneant cursus; certum est dare lintea retro.
and like thy own his youthful bloom would be.”
Ecce autem Boreas angusta ab sede Pelori
Thus I made answer, turning to depart
missus adest. Vivo praetervehor ostia saxo
with rising tears: “Live on, and be ye blessed,
Pantagiae Megarosque sinus Thapsumque iacentem.
whose greatness is accomplished! As for me,
690
Talia monstrabat relegens errata retrorsus
from change to change Fate summons, and I go;
litora Achaemenides; comes infelicis Ulixi.
but ye have won repose. No leagues of sea
Sicanio praetenta sinu iacet insula contra
await your cleaving keel. Not yours the quest
Plemyrium undosum; nomen dixere priores
of fading Italy's delusive shore.
Ortygiam. Alpheum fama est huc Elidis amnem
Here a new Xanthus and a second Troy
695
occultas egisse vias subter mare; qui nunc
your labor fashioned and your eyes may see—
ore, Arethusa, tuo Siculis confunditur undis.
more blest, I trust, less tempting to our foes!
Iussi numina magna loci veneramur; et inde
If e'er on Tiber and its bordering vales
exsupero praepingue solum stagnantis Helori.
I safely enter, and these eyes behold
Hinc altas cautes proiectaque saxa Pachyni
our destined walls, then in fraternal bond
700
radimus, et fatis numquam concessa moveri
let our two nations live, whose mutual boast
adparet Camerina procul campique Geloi,
is one Dardanian blood, one common story.
immanisque Gela fluvii cognomine dicta.
Epirus with Hesperia shall be
Arduus inde Acragas ostentat maxuma longe
one Troy in heart and soul. But this remains
moenia, magnanimum quondam generator equorum;
for our sons' sons the happy task and care.”
705
teque datis linquo ventis, palmosa Selinus,
Forth o'er the seas we sped and kept our course
et vada dura lego saxis Lilybeia caecis.
nigh the Ceraunian headland, where begins
Hinc Drepani me portus et inlaetabilis ora
the short sea-passage unto Italy.
accipit. Hic, pelagi tot tempestatibus actis,
Soon sank the sun, while down the shadowed hills
heu genitorem, omnis curae casusque levamen,
stole deeper gloom; then making shore, we flung
710
amitto Anchisen: hic me, pater optume, fessum
our bodies on a dry, sea-bordering sand,
deseris, heu, tantis nequiquam erepte periclis!
couched on earth's welcome breast; the oars were ranged
Nec vates Helenus, cum multa horrenda moneret,
in order due; the tides of slumber dark
hos mihi praedixit luctus, non dira Celaeno.
o'erflowed our lives. But scarce the chariot
Hic labor extremus, longarum haec meta viarum.
of Night, on wings of swift, obedient Hours,
715
Hinc me digressum vestris deus adpulit oris.
had touched the middle sky, when wakeful sprang
Sic pater Aeneas intentis omnibus unus
good Palinurus from his pillowed stone:
fata renarrabat divom, cursusque docebat.
with hand at ear he caught each airy gust
Conticuit tandem, factoque hic fine quievit.
and questioned of the winds; the gliding stars
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