Aeneid

Scarce had the rosy Morning rais'd her head

Oceanum interea surgens Aurora reliquit:

Above the waves, and left her wat'ry bed;

Aeneas, quamquam et sociis dare tempus humandis

The pious chief, whom double cares attend

praecipitant curae turbataque funere mens est,

For his unburied soldiers and his friend,

vota deum primo victor solvebat Eoo.

Yet first to Heav'n perform'd a victor's vows:

Ingentem quercum decisis undique ramis

He bar'd an ancient oak of all her boughs;

constituit tumulo fulgentiaque induit arma,

Then on a rising ground the trunk he plac'd,

Mezenti ducis exuvias, tibi, magne, tropaeum,

Which with the spoils of his dead foe he grac'd.

bellipotens: aptat rorantis sanguine cristas

The coat of arms by proud Mezentius worn,

telaque trunca viri et bis sex thoraca petitum

Now on a naked snag in triumph borne,

perfossumque locis clipeumque ex aere sinistrae

Was hung on high, and glitter'd from afar,

subligat atque ensem collo suspendit eburnum.

A trophy sacred to the God of War.

Tum socios, namque omnis eum stipata tegebat

Above his arms, fix'd on the leafless wood,

turba ducum, sic incipiens hortatur ovantis:

Appear'd his plumy crest, besmear'd with blood:

Maxima res effecta, viri; timor omnis abesto,

His brazen buckler on the left was seen;

quod superest: haec sunt spolia et de rege superbo

Truncheons of shiver'd lances hung between;

primitiae, manibusque meis Mezentius hic est.

And on the right was placed his corslet, bor'd;

Nunc iter ad regem nobis murosque Latinos.

And to the neck was tied his unavailing sword.

Arma parate animis et spe praesumite bellum,

A crowd of chiefs inclose the godlike man,

nequa mora ignaros, ubi primum vellere signa

Who thus, conspicuous in the midst, began:

adnuerint superi pubemque educere castris,

"Our toils, my friends, are crown'd with sure success;

impediat segnisve metu sententia tardet.

The greater part perform'd, achieve the less.

Interea socios inhumataque corpora terrae

Now follow cheerful to the trembling town;

mandemus, qui solus honos Acheronte sub imo est.

Press but an entrance, and presume it won.

Ite, ait, egregias animas, quae sanguine nobis

Fear is no more, for fierce Mezentius lies,

hanc patriam peperere suo, decorate supremis

As the first fruits of war, a sacrifice.

muneribus, maestamque Evandri primus ad urbem

Turnus shall fall extended on the plain,

mittatur Pallas, quem non virtutis egentem

And, in this omen, is already slain.

abstulit atra dies et funere mersit acerbo.

Prepar'd in arms, pursue your happy chance;

Sic ait inlacrimans recipitque ad limina gressum,

That none unwarn'd may plead his ignorance,

corpus ubi exanimi positum Pallantis Acoetes

And I, at Heav'n's appointed hour, may find

servabat senior, qui Parrhasio Evandro

Your warlike ensigns waving in the wind.

armiger ante fuit, sed non felicibus aeque

Meantime the rites and fun'ral pomps prepare,

tum comes auspiciis caro datus ibat alumno.

Due to your dead companions of the war:

Circum omnis famulumque manus Troianaque turba

The last respect the living can bestow,

et maestum Iliades crinem de more solutae.

To shield their shadows from contempt below.

Ut vero Aeneas foribus sese intulit altis,

That conquer'd earth be theirs, for which they fought,

ingentem gemitum tunsis ad sidera tollunt

And which for us with their own blood they bought;

pectoribus, maestoque immugit regia luctu.

But first the corpse of our unhappy friend

Ipse caput nivei fultum Pallantis et ora

To the sad city of Evander send,

ut vidit levique patens in pectore vulnus

Who, not inglorious, in his age's bloom,

cuspidis Ausoniae, lacrimis ita fatur obortis.

Was hurried hence by too severe a doom."

Tene, inquit, miserande puer, cum laeta veniret,

Thus, weeping while he spoke, he took his way,

invidit Fortuna mihi, ne regna videres

Where, new in death, lamented Pallas lay.

nostra neque ad sedes victor veherere paternas?

Acoetes watch'd the corpse; whose youth deserv'd

Non haec Evandro de te promissa parenti

The father's trust; and now the son he serv'd

discedens dederam, cum me complexus euntem

With equal faith, but less auspicious care.

mitteret in magnum imperium metuensque moneret

Th' attendants of the slain his sorrow share.

acris esse viros, cum dura proelia gente.

A troop of Trojans mix'd with these appear,

Et nunc ille quidem spe multum captus inani

And mourning matrons with dishevel'd hair.

fors et vota facit cumulatque altaria donis:

Soon as the prince appears, they raise a cry;

nos iuvenem exanimum et nil iam caelestibus ullis

All beat their breasts, and echoes rend the sky.

debentem vano maesti comitamur honore.

They rear his drooping forehead from the ground;

Infelix, nati funus crudele videbis!

But, when Aeneas view'd the grisly wound

Hi nostri reditus expectatique triumphi!

Which Pallas in his manly bosom bore,

Haec mea magna fides! At non, Evandre, pudendis

And the fair flesh distain'd with purple gore;

vulneribus pulsum adspicies nec sospite dirum

First, melting into tears, the pious man

optabis nato funus pater. Ei mihi, quantum

Deplor'd so sad a sight, then thus began:

praesidium Ausonia et quantum tu perdis, Iule!

"Unhappy youth! when Fortune gave the rest

Haec ubi deflevit, tolli miserabile corpus

Of my full wishes, she refus'd the best!

imperat et toto lectos ex agmine mittit

She came; but brought not thee along, to bless

mille viros, qui supremum comitentur honorem

My longing eyes, and share in my success:

intersintque patris lacrimis, solacia luctus

She grudg'd thy safe return, the triumphs due

exigua ingentis, misero sed debita patri.

To prosp'rous valor, in the public view.

Haud segnes alii crates et molle feretrum

Not thus I promis'd, when thy father lent

arbuteis texunt virgis et vimine querno

Thy needless succor with a sad consent;

exstructosque toros obtentu frondis inumbrant.

Embrac'd me, parting for th' Etrurian land,

Hic iuvenem agresti sublimem stramine ponunt,

And sent me to possess a large command.

qualem virgineo demessum pollice florem

He warn'd, and from his own experience told,

seu mollis violae seu languentis hyacinthi,

Our foes were warlike, disciplin'd, and bold.

cui neque fulgor adhuc necdum sua forma recessit:

And now perhaps, in hopes of thy return,

non iam mater alit tellus viresque ministrat.

Rich odors on his loaded altars burn,

Tum geminas vestes auroque ostroque rigentis

While we, with vain officious pomp, prepare

extulit Aeneas, quas illi laeta laborum

To send him back his portion of the war,

ipsa suis quondam manibus Sidonia Dido

A bloody breathless body, which can owe

fecerat et tenui telas discreverat auro.

No farther debt, but to the pow'rs below.

Harum unam iuveni supremum maestus honorem

The wretched father, ere his race is run,

induit arsurasque comas obnubit amictu,

Shall view the fun'ral honors of his son.

multaque praeterea Laurentis praemia pugnae

These are my triumphs of the Latian war,

aggerat et longo praedam iubet ordine duci.

Fruits of my plighted faith and boasted care!

Addit equos et tela, quibus spoliaverat hostem.

And yet, unhappy sire, thou shalt not see

Vinxerat et post terga manus, quos mitteret umbris

A son whose death disgrac'd his ancestry;

inferias, caeso sparsuros sanguine flammas,

Thou shalt not blush, old man, however griev'd:

indutosque iubet truncos hostilibus armis

Thy Pallas no dishonest wound receiv'd.

ipsos ferre duces inimicaque nomina figi.

He died no death to make thee wish, too late,

Ducitur infelix aevo confectus Acoetes:

Thou hadst not liv'd to see his shameful fate:

pectora nunc foedans pugnis, nunc unguibus ora

But what a champion has th' Ausonian coast,

sternitur et toto proiectus corpore terrae.~.~.

And what a friend hast thou, Ascanius, lost!"

Ducunt et Rutulo perfusos sanguine currus.

Thus having mourn'd, he gave the word around,

Post bellator equus positis insignibus Aethon

To raise the breathless body from the ground;

it lacrimans guttisque umectat grandibus ora.

And chose a thousand horse, the flow'r of all

Hastam alii galeamque ferunt, nam cetera Turnus

His warlike troops, to wait the funeral,

To bear him back and share Evander's grief:

A well-becoming, but a weak relief.

Of oaken twigs they twist an easy bier,

Then on their shoulders the sad burden rear.

The body on this rural hearse is borne:

Strew'd leaves and funeral greens the bier adorn.

All pale he lies, and looks a lovely flow'r,

New cropp'd by virgin hands, to dress the bow'r:

Unfaded yet, but yet unfed below,

No more to mother earth or the green stern shall owe.

Then two fair vests, of wondrous work and cost,

Of purple woven, and with gold emboss'd,

For ornament the Trojan hero brought,

Which with her hands Sidonian Dido wrought.

One vest array'd the corpse; and one they spread

O'er his clos'd eyes, and wrapp'd around his head,

That, when the yellow hair in flame should fall,

The catching fire might burn the golden caul.

Besides, the spoils of foes in battle slain,

When he descended on the Latian plain;

Arms, trappings, horses, by the hearse are led

In long array- th' achievements of the dead.

Then, pinion'd with their hands behind, appear

Th' unhappy captives, marching in the rear,

Appointed off'rings in the victor's name,

To sprinkle with their blood the fun'ral flame.

Inferior trophies by the chiefs are borne;

Gauntlets and helms their loaded hands adorn;

And fair inscriptions fix'd, and titles read

Of Latian leaders conquer'd by the dead.

Acoetes on his pupil's corpse attends,

With feeble steps, supported by his friends.

Pausing at ev'ry pace, in sorrow drown'd,

Betwixt their arms he sinks upon the ground;

Where grov'ling while he lies in deep despair,

He beats his breast, and rends his hoary hair.

The champion's chariot next is seen to roll,

Besmear'd with hostile blood, and honorably foul.

To close the pomp, Aethon, the steed of state,

Is led, the fun'rals of his lord to wait.

victor habet. Tum maesta phalanx Teucrique sequuntur

Stripp'd of his trappings, with a sullen pace

Tyrrhenique omnes et versis Arcades armis.

He walks; and the big tears run rolling down his face.

Postquam omnis longe comitum praecesserat ordo,

The lance of Pallas, and the crimson crest,

substitit Aeneas gemituque haec addidit alto:

Are borne behind: the victor seiz'd the rest.

Nos alias hinc ad lacrimas eadem horrida belli

The march begins: the trumpets hoarsely sound;

fata vocant: salve aeternum mihi, maxime Palla,

The pikes and lances trail along the ground.

aeternumque vale. Nec plura effatus ad altos

Thus while the Trojan and Arcadian horse

tendebat muros gressumque in castra ferebat.

To Pallantean tow'rs direct their course,

Iamque oratores aderant ex urbe Latina,

In long procession rank'd, the pious chief

velati ramis oleae veniamque rogantes:

Stopp'd in the rear, and gave a vent to grief:

corpora, per campos ferro quae fusa iacebant,

"The public care," he said, "which war attends,

redderet ac tumulo sineret succedere terrae;

Diverts our present woes, at least suspends.

nullum cum victis certamen et aethere cassis;

Peace with the manes of great Pallas dwell!

parceret hospitibus quondam socerisque vocatis.

Hail, holy relics! and a last farewell!"

Quos bonus Aeneas haud aspernanda precantis

He said no more, but, inly thro' he mourn'd,

prosequitur venia et verbis haec insuper addit:

Restrained his tears, and to the camp return'd.

Quaenam vos tanto fortuna indigna, Latini,

Now suppliants, from Laurentum sent, demand

implicuit bello, qui nos fugiatis amicos?

A truce, with olive branches in their hand;

Pacem me exanimis et Martis sorte peremptis

Obtest his clemency, and from the plain

oratis? Equidem et vivis concedere vellem.

Beg leave to draw the bodies of their slain.

Nec veni, nisi fata locum sedemque dedissent,

They plead, that none those common rites deny

nec bellum cum gente gero: rex nostra reliquit

To conquer'd foes that in fair battle die.

hospitia et Turni potius se credidit armis.

All cause of hate was ended in their death;

Aequius huic Turnum fuerat se opponere morti.

Nor could he war with bodies void of breath.

Si bellum finire manu, si pellere Teucros

A king, they hop'd, would hear a king's request,

apparat, his mecum decuit concurrere telis:

Whose son he once was call'd, and once his guest.

vixet, cui vitam deus aut sua dextra dedisset.

Their suit, which was too just to be denied,

Nunc ite et miseris supponite civibus ignem.

The hero grants, and farther thus replied:

Dixerat Aeneas. Illi obstipuere silentes

"O Latian princes, how severe a fate

conversique oculos inter se atque ora tenebant.

In causeless quarrels has involv'd your state,

Tum senior semperque odiis et crimine Drances

And arm'd against an unoffending man,

infensus iuveni Turno sic ore vicissim

Who sought your friendship ere the war began!

orsa refert: O fama ingens, ingentior armis

You beg a truce, which I would gladly give,

vir Troiane, quibus caelo te laudibus aequem?

Not only for the slain, but those who live.

Iustitiaene prius mirer belline laborum?

I came not hither but by Heav'n's command,

Nos vero haec patriam grati referemus ad urbem

And sent by fate to share the Latian land.

et te, siqua viam dederit fortuna, Latino

Nor wage I wars unjust: your king denied

iungemus regi: quaerat sibi foedera Turnus.

My proffer'd friendship, and my promis'd bride;

Quin et fatalis murorum attollere moles

Left me for Turnus. Turnus then should try

saxaque subvectare umeris Troiana iuvabit.

His cause in arms, to conquer or to die.

Dixerat haec, unoque omnes eadem ore fremebant.

My right and his are in dispute: the slain

Bis senos pepigere dies et pace sequestra

Fell without fault, our quarrel to maintain.

per silvas Teucri mixtique inpune Latini

In equal arms let us alone contend;

erravere iugis. Ferro sonat alta bipenni

And let him vanquish, whom his fates befriend.

fraxinus, evertunt actas ad sidera pinus,

This is the way (so tell him) to possess

robora nec cuneis et olentem scindere cedrum

The royal virgin, and restore the peace.

nec plaustris cessant vectare gementibus ornos.

Bear this message back, with ample leave,

Et iam Fama volans, tanti praenuntia luctus,

That your slain friends may fun'ral rites receive."

Evandrum Evandrique domos et moenia replet,

Thus having said- th' embassadors, amaz'd,

quae modo victorem Latio Pallanta ferebat.

Stood mute a while, and on each other gaz'd.

Arcades ad portas ruere et de more vetusto

Drances, their chief, who harbor'd in his breast

funereas rapuere faces; lucet via longo

Long hate to Turnus, as his foe profess'd,

ordine flammarum et late discriminat agros.

Broke silence first, and to the godlike man,

Contra turba Phrygum veniens plangentia iungit

With graceful action bowing, thus began:

agmina. Quae postquam matres succedere tectis

"Auspicious prince, in arms a mighty name,

viderunt, maestam incendunt clamoribus urbem.

But yet whose actions far transcend your fame;

At non Evandrum potis est vis ulla tenere,

Would I your justice or your force express,

sed venit in medios. Feretro Pallanta reposto

Thought can but equal; and all words are less.

procubuit super atque haeret lacrimansque gemensque,

Your answer we shall thankfully relate,

et via vix tandem vocis laxata dolore est.

And favors granted to the Latian state.

Non haec, O Palla, dederas promissa parenti,

If wish'd success our labor shall attend,

cautius ut saevo velles te credere Marti;

Think peace concluded, and the king your friend:

haud ignarus eram, quantum nova gloria in armis

Let Turnus leave the realm to your command,

et praedulce decus primo certamine posset.

And seek alliance in some other land:

Primitiae iuvenis miserae bellique propinqui

Build you the city which your fates assign;

dura rudimenta et nulli exaudita deorum

We shall be proud in the great work to join."

vota precesque meae! Tuque, O sanctissima coniunx,

Thus Drances; and his words so well persuade

felix morte tua neque in hunc servata dolorem!

The rest impower'd, that soon a truce is made.

Contra ego vivendo vici mea fata, superstes

Twelve days the term allow'd: and, during those,

restarem ut genitor. Troum socia arma secutum

Latians and Trojans, now no longer foes,

obruerent Rutuli telis! Animam ipse dedissem

Mix'd in the woods, for fun'ral piles prepare

atque haec pompa domum me, non Pallanta, referret,

To fell the timber, and forget the war.

nec vos arguerim, Teucri, nec foedera nec quas

Loud axes thro' the groaning groves resound;

iunximus hospitio dextras: sors ista senectae

Oak, mountain ash, and poplar spread the ground;

debita erat nostrae. Quod si immatura manebat

First fall from high; and some the trunks receive

mors natum, caesis Volscorum milibus ante

In loaden wains; with wedges some they cleave.

ducentem in Latium Teucros cecidisse iuvabit.

And now the fatal news by Fame is blown

Quin ego non alio digner te funere, Palla,

Thro' the short circuit of th' Arcadian town,

quam pius Aeneas et quam magni Phryges et quam

Of Pallas slain- by Fame, which just before

Tyrrhenique duces, Tyrrhenum exercitus omnis.

His triumphs on distended pinions bore.

Magna tropaea ferunt, quos dat tua dextera Leto:

Rushing from out the gate, the people stand,

tu quoque nunc stares immanis truncus in armis,

Each with a fun'ral flambeau in his hand.

esset par aetas et idem si robur ab annis,

Wildly they stare, distracted with amaze:

Turne. Sed infelix Teucros quid demoror armis?

The fields are lighten'd with a fiery blaze,

Vadite et haec memores regi mandata referte:

That cast a sullen splendor on their friends,

quod vitam moror invisam Pallante perempto,

The marching troop which their dead prince attends.

dextera causa tua est, Turnum natoque patrique

Both parties meet: they raise a doleful cry;

quam debere vides. Meritis vacat hic tibi solus

The matrons from the walls with shrieks reply,

fortunaeque locus. Non vitae gaudia quaero,

And their mix'd mourning rends the vaulted sky.

nec fas, sed nato Manis perferre sub imos.

The town is fill'd with tumult and with tears,

Aurora interea miseris mortalibus almam

Till the loud clamors reach Evander's ears:

extulerat lucem, referens opera atque labores:

Forgetful of his state, he runs along,

With a disorder'd pace, and cleaves the throng;

Falls on the corpse; and groaning there he lies,

With silent grief, that speaks but at his eyes.

Short sighs and sobs succeed; till sorrow breaks

A passage, and at once he weeps and speaks:

"O Pallas! thou hast fail'd thy plighted word,

To fight with caution, not to tempt the sword!

I warn'd thee, but in vain; for well I knew

What perils youthful ardor would pursue,

That boiling blood would carry thee too far,

Young as thou wert in dangers, raw to war!

O curst essay of arms, disastrous doom,

Prelude of bloody fields, and fights to come!

Hard elements of unauspicious war,

Vain vows to Heav'n, and unavailing care!

Thrice happy thou, dear partner of my bed,

Whose holy soul the stroke of Fortune fled,

Praescious of ills, and leaving me behind,

To drink the dregs of life by fate assign'd!

Beyond the goal of nature I have gone:

My Pallas late set out, but reach'd too soon.

If, for my league against th' Ausonian state,

Amidst their weapons I had found my fate,

(Deserv'd from them,) then I had been return'd

A breathless victor, and my son had mourn'd.

Yet will I not my Trojan friend upbraid,

Nor grudge th' alliance I so gladly made.

'T was not his fault, my Pallas fell so young,

But my own crime, for having liv'd too long.

Yet, since the gods had destin'd him to die,

At least he led the way to victory:

First for his friends he won the fatal shore,

And sent whole herds of slaughter'd foes before;

A death too great, too glorious to deplore.

Nor will I add new honors to thy grave,

Content with those the Trojan hero gave:

That funeral pomp thy Phrygian friends design'd,

In which the Tuscan chiefs and army join'd.

Great spoils and trophies, gain'd by thee, they bear:

Then let thy own achievements be thy share.

iam pater Aeneas, iam curvo in litore Tarchon

Even thou, O Turnus, hadst a trophy stood,

constituere pyras. Huc corpora quisque suorum

Whose mighty trunk had better grac'd the wood,

more tulere patrum, subiectisque ignibus atris

If Pallas had arriv'd, with equal length

conditur in tenebras altum caligine caelum.

Of years, to match thy bulk with equal strength.

Ter circum accensos cincti fulgentibus armis

But why, unhappy man, dost thou detain

decurrere rogos, ter maestum funeris ignem

These troops, to view the tears thou shedd'st in vain?

lustravere in equis ululatusque ore dedere;

Go, friends, this message to your lord relate:

spargitur et tellus lacrimis, sparguntur et arma:

Tell him, that, if I bear my bitter fate,

it caelo clamorque virum clangorque tubarum.

And, after Pallas' death, live ling'ring on,

Hic alii spolia occisis derepta Latinis

'T is to behold his vengeance for my son.

coniciunt igni, galeas ensesque decoros

I stay for Turnus, whose devoted head

frenaque ferventisque rotas; pars munera nota,

Is owing to the living and the dead.

ipsorum clipeos et non felicia tela.

My son and I expect it from his hand;

Multa boum circa mactantur corpora Morti,

'T is all that he can give, or we demand.

saetigerosque sues raptasque ex omnibus agris

Joy is no more; but I would gladly go,

in flammam iugulant pecudes. Tum litore toto

To greet my Pallas with such news below."

ardentis spectant socios semustaque servant

The morn had now dispell'd the shades of night,

busta neque avelli possunt, nox umida donec

Restoring toils, when she restor'd the light.

invertit caelum stellis ardentibus aptum.

The Trojan king and Tuscan chief command

Nec minus et miseri diversa in parte Latini

To raise the piles along the winding strand.

innumeras struxere pyras, et corpora partim

Their friends convey the dead fun'ral fires;

multa virum terrae infodiunt avectaque partim

Black smold'ring smoke from the green wood expires;

finitimos tollunt in agros urbique remittunt,

The light of heav'n is chok'd, and the new day retires.

cetera confusaeque ingentem caedis acervum

Then thrice around the kindled piles they go

nec numero nec honore cremant: tunc undique vasti

(For ancient custom had ordain'd it so)

certatim crebris conlucent ignibus agri.

Thrice horse and foot about the fires are led;

Tertia lux gelidam caelo dimoverat umbram:

And thrice, with loud laments, they hail the dead.

maerentes altum cinerem et confusa ruebant

Tears, trickling down their breasts, bedew the ground,

ossa focis tepidoque onerabant aggere terrae.

And drums and trumpets mix their mournful sound.

Iam vero in tectis, praedivitis urbe Latini,

Amid the blaze, their pious brethren throw

praecipuus fragor et longi pars maxima luctus.

The spoils, in battle taken from the foe:

Hic matres miseraeque nurus, hic cara sororum

Helms, bits emboss'd, and swords of shining steel;

pectora maerentum puerique parentibus orbi

One casts a target, one a chariot wheel;

dirum exsecrantur bellum Turnique hymenaeos:

Some to their fellows their own arms restore:

ipsum armis ipsumque iubent decernere ferro,

The fauchions which in luckless fight they bore,

qui regnum Italiae et primos sibi poscat honores.

Their bucklers pierc'd, their darts bestow'd in vain,

ingravat haec saevus Drances solumque vocari

And shiver'd lances gather'd from the plain.

testatur, solum posci in certamina Turnum.

Whole herds of offer'd bulls, about the fire,

Multa simul contra variis sententia dictis

And bristled boars, and woolly sheep expire.

pro Turno, et magnum reginae nomen obumbrat,

Around the piles a careful troop attends,

multa virum meritis sustentat fama tropaeis.

To watch the wasting flames, and weep their burning friends;

Hos inter motus, medio in flagrante tumultu,

Ling'ring along the shore, till dewy night

ecce super maesti magna Diomedis ab urbe

New decks the face of heav'n with starry light.

legati responsa ferunt: nihil omnibus actum

The conquer'd Latians, with like pious care,

tantorum impensis operum, nil dona neque aurum

Piles without number for their dead prepare.

nec magnas valuisse preces, alia arma Latinis

Part in the places where they fell are laid;

quaerenda aut pacem Troiano ab rege petendum.

And part are to the neighb'ring fields convey'd.

Deficit ingenti luctu rex ipse Latinus.

The corps of kings, and captains of renown,

Fatalem Aenean manifesto numine ferri

Borne off in state, are buried in the town;

admonet ira deum tumulique ante ora recentes.

The rest, unhonor'd, and without a name,

Ergo concilium magnum primosque suorum

Are cast a common heap to feed the flame.

imperio accitos alta intra limina cogit.

Trojans and Latians vie with like desires

olli convenere fluuntque ad regia plenis

To make the field of battle shine with fires,

tecta viis. Sedet in mediis et maximus aevo

And the promiscuous blaze to heav'n aspires.

et primus sceptris haud laeta fronte Latinus.

Now had the morning thrice renew'd the light,

Atque hic legatos Aetola ex urbe remissos,

And thrice dispell'd the shadows of the night,

quae referant, fari iubet et responsa reposcit

When those who round the wasted fires remain,

ordine cuncta suo. Tum facta silentia linguis,

Perform the last sad office to the slain.

et Venulus dicto parens ita farier infit:

They rake the yet warm ashes from below;

Vidimus, o cives, Diomedem Argivaque castra

These, and the bones unburn'd, in earth bestow;

atque iter emensi casus superavimus omnis

These relics with their country rites they grace,

contigimusque manum, qua concidit Ilia tellus.

And raise a mount of turf to mark the place.

Ille urbem Argyripam patriae cognomine gentis

But, in the palace of the king, appears

victor Gargani condebat Iapygis agris.

A scene more solemn, and a pomp of tears.

Postquam introgressi et coram data copia fandi,

Maids, matrons, widows, mix their common moans;

munera praeferimus, nomen patriamque docemus,

Orphans their sires, and sires lament their sons.

qui bellum intulerint, quae causa attraxerit Arpos.

All in that universal sorrow share,

Auditis ille haec placido sic reddidit ore:

And curse the cause of this unhappy war:

O fortunatae gentes, Saturnia regna,

A broken league, a bride unjustly sought,

antiqui Ausonii, quae vos fortuna quietos

A crown usurp'd, which with their blood is bought!

sollicitat suadetque ignota lacessere bella?

These are the crimes with which they load the name

Quicumque Iliacos ferro violavimus agros,

Of Turnus, and on him alone exclaim:

mitto ea, quae muris bellando exhausta sub altis,

"Let him who lords it o'er th' Ausonian land

quos Simois premat ille viros, infanda per orbem

Engage the Trojan hero hand to hand:

supplicia et scelerum poenas expendimus omnes,

His is the gain; our lot is but to serve;

vel Priamo miseranda manus: scit triste Minervae

'T is just, the sway he seeks, he should deserve."

sidus et Euboicae cautes ultorque Caphareus.

This Drances aggravates; and adds, with spite:

Militia ex illa diversum ad litus abacti

"His foe expects, and dares him to the fight."

Atrides Protei Menelaus adusque columnas

Nor Turnus wants a party, to support

exsulat, Aetnaeos vidit Cyclopas Ulixes.

His cause and credit in the Latian court.

Regna Neoptolemi referam versosque penates

His former acts secure his present fame,

Idomenei? Libycone habitantis litore Locros?

And the queen shades him with her mighty name.

Ipse Mycenaeus magnorum ductor Achivom

While thus their factious minds with fury burn,

coniugis infandae prima inter limina dextra

The legates from th' Aetolian prince return:

oppetiit: devictam Asiam subsedit adulter.

Sad news they bring, that, after all the cost

Invidisse deos, patriis ut redditus aris

And care employ'd, their embassy is lost;

coniugium optatum et pulchram Calydona viderem?

That Diomedes refus'd his aid in war,

Nunc etiam horribili visu portenta sequuntur,

Unmov'd with presents, and as deaf to pray'r.

et socii amissi petierunt aethera pennis

Some new alliance must elsewhere be sought,

fluminibusque vagantur aves, heu dira meorum

Or peace with Troy on hard conditions bought.

supplicia, et scopulos lacrimosis vocibus implent.

Latinus, sunk in sorrow, finds too late,

A foreign son is pointed out by fate;

And, till Aeneas shall Lavinia wed,

The wrath of Heav'n is hov'ring o'er his head.

The gods, he saw, espous'd the juster side,

When late their titles in the field were tried:

Witness the fresh laments, and fun'ral tears undried.

Thus, full of anxious thought, he summons all

The Latian senate to the council hall.

The princes come, commanded by their head,

And crowd the paths that to the palace lead.

Supreme in pow'r, and reverenc'd for his years,

He takes the throne, and in the midst appears.

Majestically sad, he sits in state,

And bids his envoys their success relate.

When Venulus began, the murmuring sound

Was hush'd, and sacred silence reign'd around.

"We have," said he, "perform'd your high command,

And pass'd with peril a long tract of land:

We reach'd the place desir'd; with wonder fill'd,

The Grecian tents and rising tow'rs beheld.

Great Diomede has compass'd round with walls

The city, which Argyripa he calls,

From his own Argos nam'd. We touch'd, with joy,

The royal hand that raz'd unhappy Troy.

When introduc'd, our presents first we bring,

Then crave an instant audience from the king.

His leave obtain'd, our native soil we name,

And tell th' important cause for which we came.

Attentively he heard us, while we spoke;

Then, with soft accents, and a pleasing look,

Made this return: 'Ausonian race, of old

Renown'd for peace, and for an age of gold,

What madness has your alter'd minds possess'd,

To change for war hereditary rest,

Solicit arms unknown, and tempt the sword,

A needless ill your ancestors abhorr'd?

We- for myself I speak, and all the name

Of Grecians, who to Troy's destruction came,

Omitting those who were in battle slain,

Or borne by rolling Simois to the main-

Not one but suffer'd, and too dearly bought

Haec adeo ex illo mihi iam speranda fuerunt

The prize of honor which in arms he sought;

tempore, cum ferro caelestia corpora demens

Some doom'd to death, and some in exile driv'n.

adpetii et Veneris violavi volnere dextram.

Outcasts, abandon'd by the care of Heav'n;

Ne vero, ne me ad talis impellite pugnas:

So worn, so wretched, so despis'd a crew,

nec mihi cum Teucris ullum post eruta bellum

As ev'n old Priam might with pity view.

Pergama, nec veterum memini laetorve malorum.

Witness the vessels by Minerva toss'd

Munera, quae patriis ad me portatis ab oris,

In storms; the vengeful Capharean coast;

vertite ad Aenean. Stetimus tela aspera contra

Th' Euboean rocks! the prince, whose brother led

contulimusque manus: experto credite, quantus

Our armies to revenge his injur'd bed,

in clipeum adsurgat, quo turbine torqueat hastam.

In Egypt lost! Ulysses with his men

Si duo praeterea talis Idaea tulisset

Have seen Charybdis and the Cyclops' den.

terra viros, ultro Inachias venisset ad urbes

Why should I name Idomeneus, in vain

Dardanus, et versis lugeret Graecia fatis.

Restor'd to scepters, and expell'd again?

Quidquid apud durae cessatum est moenia Troiae,

Or young Achilles, by his rival slain?

Hectoris Aeneaeque manu victoria Graium

Ev'n he, the King of Men, the foremost name

haesit et in decimum vestigia rettulit annum.

Of all the Greeks, and most renown'd by fame,

Ambo animis, ambo insignes praestantibus armis

The proud revenger of another's wife,

hic pietate prior. Coeant in foedera dextrae,

Yet by his own adult'ress lost his life;

qua datur; ast armis concurrant arma cavete.

Fell at his threshold; and the spoils of Troy

Et responsa simul quae sint, rex optime, regis

The foul polluters of his bed enjoy.

audisti et quae sit magno sententia bello.

The gods have envied me the sweets of life,

Vix ea legati, variusque per ora cucurrit

My much lov'd country, and my more lov'd wife:

Ausonidum turbata fremor: ceu saxa morantur

Banish'd from both, I mourn; while in the sky,

cum rapidos amnis, fit clauso gurgite murmur

Transform'd to birds, my lost companions fly:

vicinaeque fremunt ripae crepitantibus undis.

Hov'ring about the coasts, they make their moan,

Ut primum placati animi et trepida ora quierunt,

And cuff the cliffs with pinions not their own.

praefatus divos solio rex infit ab alto:

What squalid specters, in the dead of night,

Ante equidem summa de re statuisse, Latini,

Break my short sleep, and skim before my sight!

et vellem et fuerat melius, non tempore tali

I might have promis'd to myself those harms,

cogere concilium, cum muros adsidet hostis.

Mad as I was, when I, with mortal arms,

Bellum importunum, cives, cum gente deorum

Presum'd against immortal pow'rs to move,

invictisque viris gerimus, quos nulla fatigant

And violate with wounds the Queen of Love.

proelia: nec victi possunt absistere ferro.

Such arms this hand shall never more employ;

Spem siquam adscitis Aetolum habuistis in armis,

No hate remains with me to ruin'd Troy.

ponite. Spes sibi quisque, sed haec quam angusta videtis;

I war not with its dust; nor am I glad

cetera qua rerum iaceant perculsa ruina,

To think of past events, or good or bad.

ante oculos interque manus sunt omnia vestras.

Your presents I return: whate'er you bring

Nec quemquam incuso: potuit quae plurima virtus

To buy my friendship, send the Trojan king.

esse, fuit; toto certatum est corpore regni.

We met in fight; I know him, to my cost:

Nunc adeo quae sit dubiae sententia menti

With what a whirling force his lance he toss'd!

expediam et paucis, animos adhibete, docebo.

Heav'ns! what a spring was in his arm, to throw!

Est antiquus ager Tusco mihi proximus amni,

How high he held his shield, and rose at ev'ry blow!

longus in occasum, finis super usque Sicanos;

Had Troy produc'd two more his match in might,

Aurunci Rutulique serunt et vomere duros

They would have chang'd the fortune of the fight:

exercent colles atque horum asperrima pascunt.

Th' invasion of the Greeks had been return'd,

Haec omnis regio et celsi plaga pinea montis

Our empire wasted, and our cities burn'd.

cedat amicitiae Teucrorum, et foederis aequas

The long defense the Trojan people made,

dicamus leges sociosque in regna vocemus.

The war protracted, and the siege delay'd,

Considant, si tantus amor, et moenia condant.

Were due to Hector's and this hero's hand:

Sin alios finis aliamque capessere gentem

Both brave alike, and equal in command;

est animus possuntque solo decedere nostro:

Aeneas, not inferior in the field,

bis denas Italo texamus robore navis

In pious reverence to the gods excell'd.

seu pluris complere valent, iacet omnis ad undam

Make peace, ye Latians, and avoid with care

materies, ipsi numerumque modumque carinis

Th' impending dangers of a fatal war.'

praecipiant, nos aera manus navalia demus.

He said no more; but, with this cold excuse,

Praeterea qui dicta ferant et foedera firment

Refus'd th' alliance, and advis'd a truce."

centum oratores prima de gente Latinos

Thus Venulus concluded his report.

ire placet pacisque manu praetendere ramos,

A jarring murmur fill'd the factious court:

munera portantis aurique eborisque talenta

As, when a torrent rolls with rapid force,

et sellam regni trabeamque insignia nostri.

And dashes o'er the stones that stop the course,

Consulite in medium et rebus succurrite fessis.

The flood, constrain'd within a scanty space,

Tum Drances idem infensus, quem gloria Turni

Roars horrible along th' uneasy race;

obliqua invidia stimulisque agitabat amaris,

White foam in gath'ring eddies floats around;

largus opum et lingua melior, sed frigida bello

The rocky shores rebellow to the sound.

dextera, consiliis habitus non futilis auctor,

The murmur ceas'd: then from his lofty throne

seditione potens (genus huic materna superbum

The king invok'd the gods, and thus begun:

nobilitas dabat, incertum de patre ferebat),

"I wish, ye Latins, what we now debate

surgit et his onerat dictis atque aggerat iras:

Had been resolv'd before it was too late.

Rem nulli obscuram nostrae nec vocis egentem

Much better had it been for you and me,

consulis, O bone rex: cuncti se scire fatentur,

Unforc'd by this our last necessity,

quid fortuna ferat populi, sed dicere mussant.

To have been earlier wise, than now to call

Det libertatem fandi flatusque remittat

A council, when the foe surrounds the wall.

cuius ob auspicium infaustum moresque sinistros

O citizens, we wage unequal war,

(dicam equidem, licet arma mihi mortemque minetur)

With men not only Heav'n's peculiar care,

lumina tot cecidisse ducum totamque videmus

But Heav'n's own race; unconquer'd in the field,

consedisse urbem luctu, dum Troia temptat

Or, conquer'd, yet unknowing how to yield.

castra fugae fidens et caelum territat armis.

What hopes you had in Diomedes, lay down:

Unum etiam donis istis, quae plurima mitti

Our hopes must center on ourselves alone.

Dardanidis dicique iubes, unum, optime regum,

Yet those how feeble, and, indeed, how vain,

adicias nec te ullius violentia vincat,

You see too well; nor need my words explain.

quin natam egregio genero dignisque hymenaeis

Vanquish'd without resource; laid flat by fate;

des, pater, et pacem hanc aeterno foedere iungas.

Factions within, a foe without the gate!

Quod si tantus habet mentes et pectora terror,

Not but I grant that all perform'd their parts

ipsum obtestemur veniamque oremus ab ipso:

With manly force, and with undaunted hearts:

cedat, ius proprium regi patriaeque remittat.

With our united strength the war we wag'd;

Quid miseros totiens in aperta pericula cives

With equal numbers, equal arms, engag'd.

proicis, O Latio caput horum et causa malorum?

You see th' event.- Now hear what I propose,

Nulla salus bello: pacem te poscimus omnes,

To save our friends, and satisfy our foes.

Turne, simul pacis solum inviolabile pignus.

A tract of land the Latins have possess'd

Primus ego, invisum quem tu tibi fingis, et esse

Along the Tiber, stretching to the west,

nil moror, en supplex venio. Miserere tuorum,

Which now Rutulians and Auruncans till,

pone animos et pulsus abi. Sat funera fusi

And their mix'd cattle graze the fruitful hill.

Those mountains fill'd with firs, that lower land,

If you consent, the Trojan shall command,

Call'd into part of what is ours; and there,

On terms agreed, the common country share.

There let'em build and settle, if they please;

Unless they choose once more to cross the seas,

In search of seats remote from Italy,

And from unwelcome inmates set us free.

Then twice ten galleys let us build with speed,

Or twice as many more, if more they need.

Materials are at hand; a well-grown wood

Runs equal with the margin of the flood:

Let them the number and the form assign;

The care and cost of all the stores be mine.

To treat the peace, a hundred senators

Shall be commission'd hence with ample pow'rs,

With olive the presents they shall bear,

A purple robe, a royal iv'ry chair,

And all the marks of sway that Latian monarchs wear,

And sums of gold. Among yourselves debate

This great affair, and save the sinking state."

Then Drances took the word, who grudg'd, long since,

The rising glories of the Daunian prince.

Factious and rich, bold at the council board,

But cautious in the field, he shunn'd the sword;

A close caballer, and tongue-valiant lord.

Noble his mother was, and near the throne;

But, what his father's parentage, unknown.

He rose, and took th' advantage of the times,

To load young Turnus with invidious crimes.

"Such truths, O king," said he, "your words contain,

As strike the sense, and all replies are vain;

Nor are your loyal subjects now to seek

What common needs require, but fear to speak.

Let him give leave of speech, that haughty man,

Whose pride this unauspicious war began;

For whose ambition (let me dare to say,

Fear set apart, tho' death is in my way)

The plains of Latium run with blood around.

So many valiant heroes bite the ground;

vidimus ingentis et desolavimus agros.

Dejected grief in ev'ry face appears;

Aut si fama movet, si tantum pectore robur

A town in mourning, and a land in tears;

concipis et si adeo dotalis regia cordi est,

While he, th' undoubted author of our harms,

aude atque adversum fidens fer pectus in hostem.

The man who menaces the gods with arms,

Scilicet ut Turno contingat regia coniunx,

Yet, after all his boasts, forsook the fight,

nos animae viles, inhumata infletaque turba,

And sought his safety in ignoble flight.

sternamur campis. Etiam tu, siqua tibi vis,

Now, best of kings, since you propose to send

si patrii quid Martis habes, illum aspice contra,

Such bounteous presents to your Trojan friend;

qui vocat.

Add yet a greater at our joint request,

Talibus exarsit dictis violentia Turni;

One which he values more than all the rest:

dat gemitum rumpitque has imo pectore voces

Give him the fair Lavinia for his bride;

Larga quidem, Drance, semper tibi copia fandi

With that alliance let the league be tied,

tum, cum bella manus poscunt, patribusque vocatis

And for the bleeding land a lasting peace provide.

primus ades. Sed non replenda est curia verbis,

Let insolence no longer awe the throne;

quae tuto tibi magna volant, dum distinet hostem

But, with a father's right, bestow your own.

agger murorum nec inundant sanguine fossae.

For this maligner of the general good,

Proinde tona eloquio, solitum tibi, meque timoris

If still we fear his force, he must be woo'd;

argue tu, Drance, quando tot stragis acervos

His haughty godhead we with pray'rs implore,

Teucrorum tua dextra dedit passimque tropaeis

Your scepter to release, and our just rights restore.

insignis agros. Possit quid vivida virtus,

O cursed cause of all our ills, must we

experiare licet; nec longe scilicet hostes

Wage wars unjust, and fall in fight, for thee!

quaerendi nobis: circumstant undique muros.

What right hast thou to rule the Latian state,

Imus in adversos: quid cessas? An tibi Mavors

And send us out to meet our certain fate?

ventosa in lingua pedibusque fugacibus istis

'T is a destructive war: from Turnus' hand

semper erit?

Our peace and public safety we demand.

Pulsus ego? Aut quisquam merito, foedissime, pulsum

Let the fair bride to the brave chief remain;

arguet, Iliaco tumidum qui crescere Thybrim

If not, the peace, without the pledge, is vain.

sanguine et Evandri totam cum stirpe videbit

Turnus, I know you think me not your friend,

procubuisse domum atque exutos Arcadas armis?

Nor will I much with your belief contend:

Haud ita me experti Bitias et Pandarus ingens

I beg your greatness not to give the law

et quos mille die victor sub Tartara misi,

In others' realms, but, beaten, to withdraw.

inclusus muris hostilique aggere saeptus.

Pity your own, or pity our estate;

Nulla salus bello. Capiti cane talia, demens,

Nor twist our fortunes with your sinking fate.