'Twas Athens first, the glorious in name,That whilom gave to hapless sons of menThe sheaves of harvest, and re-ordered life,And decreed laws; and she the first that gaveLife its sweet solaces, when she begatA man of heart so wise, who whilom pouredAll wisdom forth from his truth-speaking mouth;The glory of whom, though dead, is yet to-day,Because of those discoveries divineRenowned of old, exalted to the sky.For when saw he that well-nigh everythingWhich needs of man most urgently requireWas ready to hand for mortals, and that life,As far as might be, was established safe,That men were lords in riches, honour, praise,And eminent in goodly fame of sons,And that they yet, O yet, within the home,Still had the anxious heart which vexed lifeUnpausingly with torments of the mind,And raved perforce with angry plaints, then he,Then he, the master, did perceive that 'twasThe vessel itself which worked the bane, and all,However wholesome, which from here or thereWas gathered into it, was by that baneSpoilt from within,- in part, because he sawThe vessel so cracked and leaky that nowise'T could ever be filled to brim; in part becauseHe marked how it polluted with foul tasteWhate'er it got within itself. So he,The master, then by his truth-speaking words,Purged the breasts of men, and set the boundsOf lust and terror, and exhibitedThe supreme good whither we all endeavour,And showed the path whereby we might arriveThereunto by a little cross-cut straight,And what of ills in all affairs of mortalsUpsprang and flitted deviously about(Whether by chance or force), since nature thusHad destined; and from out what gates a manShould sally to each combat. And he provedThat mostly vainly doth the human raceRoll in its bosom the grim waves of care.For just as children tremble and fear allIn the viewless dark, so even we at timesDread in the light so many things that beNo whit more fearsome than what children feign,Shuddering, will be upon them in the dark.This terror then, this darkness of the mind,Not sunrise with its flaring spokes of light,Nor glittering arrows of morning can disperse,But only nature's aspect and her law.Wherefore the more will I go on to weaveIn verses this my undertaken task.
Primae frugiparos fetus mortalibus aegrisdididerunt quondam praeclaro nomine Athenaeet recreaverunt vitam legesque rogaruntet primae dederunt solacia dulcia vitae,cum genuere virum tali cum corde repertum,omnia veridico qui quondam ex ore profudit;cuius et extincti propter divina repertadivolgata vetus iam ad caelum gloria fertur.nam cum vidit hic ad victum quae flagitat ususomnia iam ferme mortalibus esse parataet, pro quam possent, vitam consistere tutam,divitiis homines et honore et laude potentisaffluere atque bona gnatorum excellere fama,nec minus esse domi cuiquam tamen anxia cordi,atque animi ingratis vitam vexare sine ullapausa atque infestis cogi saevire querellis,intellegit ibi vitium vas efficere ipsumomniaque illius vitio corrumpier intus,quae conlata foris et commoda cumque venirent;partim quod fluxum pertusumque esse videbat,ut nulla posset ratione explerier umquam,partim quod taetro quasi conspurcare saporeomnia cernebat, quae cumque receperat, intus.veridicis igitur purgavit pectora dictiset finem statuit cuppedinis atque timorisexposuitque bonum summum, quo tendimus omnes,quid foret, atque viam monstravit, tramite parvoqua possemus ad id recto contendere cursu,quidve mali foret in rebus mortalibus passim,quod fieret naturali varieque volaretseu casu seu vi, quod sic natura parasset,et quibus e portis occurri cuique deceret,et genus humanum frustra plerumque probavitvolvere curarum tristis in pectore fluctus.nam vel uti pueri trepidant atque omnia caecisin tenebris metuunt, sic nos in luce timemusinter dum, nihilo quae sunt metuenda magis quamquae pueri in tenebris pavitant finguntque futura.hunc igitur terrorem animi tenebrasque necessestnon radii solis nec lucida tela dieidiscutiant, sed naturae species ratioque.quo magis inceptum pergam pertexere dictis.
And since I've taught thee that the world's great vaultsAre mortal and that sky is fashionedOf frame e'en born in time, and whatsoe'erTherein go on and must perforce go on......The most I have unravelled; what remainsDo thou take in, besides; since once for allTo climb into that chariot' renowned......Of winds arise; and they appeased areSo that all things again.........Which were, are changed now, with fury stilled;All other movements through the earth and skyWhich mortals gaze upon (O anxious oftIn quaking thoughts!), and which abase their mindsWith dread of deities and press them crushedDown to the earth, because their ignoranceOf cosmic causes forces them to yieldAll things unto the empery of godsAnd to concede the kingly rule to them.For even those men who have learned full wellThat godheads lead a long life free of care,If yet meanwhile they wonder by what planThings can go on (and chiefly yon high thingsObserved o'erhead on the ethereal coasts),Again are hurried back unto the fearsOf old religion and adopt againHarsh masters, deemed almighty,- wretched men,Unwitting what can be and what cannot,And by what law to each its scope prescribed,Its boundary stone that clings so deep in Time.Wherefore the more are they borne wandering onBy blindfold reason. And, Memmius, unlessFrom out thy mind thou spuest all of thisAnd casteth far from thee all thoughts which beUnworthy gods and alien to their peace,Then often will the holy majestiesOf the high gods be harmful unto thee,As by thy thought degraded,- not, indeed,That essence supreme of gods could be by thisSo outraged as in wrath to thirst to seekRevenges keen; but even because thyselfThou plaguest with the notion that the gods,Even they, the Calm Ones in serene repose,Do roll the mighty waves of wrath on wrath;Nor wilt thou enter with a serene breastShrines of the gods; nor wilt thou able beIn tranquil peace of mind to take and knowThose images which from their holy bodiesAre carried into intellects of men,As the announcers of their form divine.What sort of life will follow after this'Tis thine to see. But that afar from usVeriest reason may drive such life away,Much yet remains to be embellished yetIn polished verses, albeit hath issued forthSo much from me already; lo, there isThe law and aspect of the sky to beBy reason grasped; there are the tempest timesAnd the bright lightnings to be hymned now-Even what they do and from what cause soe'erThey're borne along- that thou mayst tremble not,Marking off regions of prophetic skiesFor auguries, O foolishly distraughtEven as to whence the flying flame hath come,Or to which half of heaven it turns, or howThrough walled places it hath wound its way,Or, after proving its dominion there,How it hath speeded forth from thence amain-Whereof nowise the causes do men know,And think divinities are working there.Do thou, Calliope, ingenious Muse,Solace of mortals and delight of gods,Point out the course before me, as I raceOn to the white line of the utmost goal,That I may get with signal praise the crown,With thee my guide!
Et quoniam docui mundi mortalia templaesse [et] nativo consistere corpore caelum,et quae cumque in eo fiunt fierique necessestpleraque dissolui, qui restant percipe porro,quandoquidem semel insignem conscendere currum…tu mihi supremae praescripta ad candida calliscurrenti spatium praemonstra, callida musaCalliope, requies hominum divomque voluptas,te duce ut insigni capiam cum laude coronam.…ventorum existant, placentur [ut] omnia rursum…quae fuerint, sint placato conversa furore.cetera quae fieri in terris caeloque tuenturmortales, pavidis cum pendent mentibus saepeet faciunt animos humilis formidine divomdepressosque premunt ad terram propterea quodignorantia causarum conferre deorumcogit ad imperium res et concedere regnum.[quorum operum causas nulla ratione videre][possunt ac fieri divino numine rentur.]nam bene qui didicere deos securum agere aevom,si tamen interea mirantur qua rationequaeque geri possint, praesertim rebus in illisquae supera caput aetheriis cernuntur in oris,rursus in antiquas referuntur religioniset dominos acris adsciscunt, omnia possequos miseri credunt, ignari quid queat esse,quid nequeat, finita potestas denique cuiquequa nam sit ratione atque alte terminus haerens;quo magis errantes caeca ratione feruntur.quae nisi respuis ex animo longeque remittisdis indigna putare alienaque pacis eorum,delibata deum per te tibi numina sanctasaepe oberunt; non quo violari summa deum vispossit, ut ex ira poenas petere inbibat acris,sed quia tute tibi placida cum pace quietosconstitues magnos irarum volvere fluctus,nec delubra deum placido cum pectore adibis,nec de corpore quae sancto simulacra ferunturin mentes hominum divinae nuntia formae,suscipere haec animi tranquilla pace valebis.inde videre licet qualis iam vita sequatur.quam quidem ut a nobis ratio verissima longereiciat, quamquam sunt a me multa profecta,multa tamen restant et sunt ornanda politisversibus; est ratio caeli⟨QUE igni⟩sque tenenda,sunt tempestates et fulmina clara canenda,quid faciant et qua de causa cumque ferantur;ne trepides caeli divisis partibus amens,unde volans ignis pervenerit aut in utram severterit hinc partim, quo pacto per loca saeptainsinuarit, et hinc dominatus ut extulerit se.[quorum operum causas nulla ratione videre][possunt ac fieri divino numine rentur.]
And so in first place, then,With thunder are shaken the blue deeps of heaven,Because the ethereal clouds, scudding aloft,Together clash, what time 'gainst one anotherThe winds are battling. For never a sound there comesFrom out the serene regions of the sky;But wheresoever in a host more denseThe clouds foregather, thence more often comesA crash with mighty rumbling. And, again,Clouds cannot be of so condensed a frameAs stones and timbers, nor again so fineAs mists and flying smoke; for then perforceThey'd either fall, borne down by their brute weight,Like stones, or, like the smoke, they'd powerless beTo keep their mass, or to retain withinFrore snows and storms of hail. And they give forthO'er skiey levels of the spreading worldA sound on high, as linen-awning, stretchedO'er mighty theatres, gives forth at timesA cracking roar, when much 'tis beaten aboutBetwixt the poles and cross-beams. Sometimes, too,Asunder rent by wanton gusts, it ravesAnd imitates the tearing sound of sheetsOf paper- even this kind of noise thou maystIn thunder hear- or sound as when winds whirlWith lashings and do buffet about in airA hanging cloth and flying paper-sheets.For sometimes, too, it chances that the cloudsCannot together crash head-on, but ratherMove side-wise and with motions contraryGraze each the other's body without speed,From whence that dry sound grateth on our ears,So long drawn-out, until the clouds have passedFrom out their close positions.
Principio tonitru quatiuntur caerula caelipropterea quia concurrunt sublime volantesaetheriae nubes contra pugnantibus ventis.nec fit enim sonitus caeli de parte serena,verum ubi cumque magis denso sunt agmine nubes,tam magis hinc magno fremitus fit murmure saepe.praeterea neque tam condenso corpore nubesesse queunt quam sunt lapides ac ligna, neque autemtam tenues quam sunt nebulae fumique volantes;nam cadere aut bruto deberent pondere pressaeut lapides, aut ut fumus constare nequirentnec cohibere nives gelidas et grandinis imbris.Dant etiam sonitum patuli super aequora mundi,carbasus ut quondam magnis intenta theatrisdat crepitum malos inter iactata trabesque,inter dum perscissa furit petulantibus auriset fragilis [sonitus] chartarum commeditatur;id quoque enim genus in tonitru cognoscere possis,aut ubi suspensam vestem chartasque volantisverberibus venti versant planguntque per auras.fit quoque enim inter dum [ut] non tam concurrere nubesfrontibus adversis possint quam de latere irediverso motu radentes corpora tractim,aridus unde auris terget sonus ille diuqueducitur, exierunt donec regionibus artis.
And, again,In following wise all things seem oft to quakeAt shock of heavy thunder, and mightiest wallsOf the wide reaches of the upper worldThere on the instant to have sprung apart,Riven asunder, what time a gathered blastOf the fierce hurricane hath all at onceTwisted its way into a mass of clouds,And, there enclosed, ever more and moreCompelleth by its spinning whirl the cloudTo grow all hollow with a thickened crustSurrounding; for thereafter, when the forceAnd the keen onset of the wind have weakenedThat crust, lo, then the cloud, to-split in twain,Gives forth a hideous crash with bang and boom.No marvel this; since oft a bladder small,Filled up with air, will, when of sudden burst,Give forth a like large sound.There's reason, too,Why clouds make sounds, as through them blow the winds:We see, borne down the sky, oft shapes of cloudsRough-edged or branched many forky ways;And 'tis the same, as when the sudden flawsOf north-west wind through the dense forest blow,Making the leaves to sough and limbs to crash.It happens too at times that roused forceOf the fierce hurricane to-rends the cloud,Breaking right through it by a front assault;For what a blast of wind may do up thereIs manifest from facts when here on earthA blast more gentle yet uptwists tall treesAnd sucks them madly from their deepest roots.Besides, among the clouds are waves, and theseGive, as they roughly break, a rumbling roar;As when along deep streams or the great seaBreaks the loud surf. It happens, too, wheneverOut from one cloud into another fallsThe fiery energy of thunderbolt,That straightaway the cloud, if full of wet,Extinguishes the fire with mighty noise;As iron, white from the hot furnaces,Sizzles, when speedily we've plunged its glowDown the cold water. Further, if a cloudMore dry receive the fire, 'twill suddenlyKindle to flame and burn with monstrous sound,As if a flame with whirl of winds should rangeAlong the laurel-tressed mountains far,Upburning with its vast assault those trees;Nor is there aught that in the crackling flameConsumes with sound more terrible to manThan Delphic laurel of Apollo lord.Oft, too, the multitudinous crash of iceAnd down-pour of swift hail gives forth a soundAmong the mighty clouds on high; for whenThe wind hath packed them close, each mountain massOf rain-cloud, there congealed utterlyAnd mixed with hail-stones, breaks and booms.........
Hoc etiam pacto tonitru concussa videnturomnia saepe gravi tremere et divolsa repentemaxima dissiluisse capacis moenia mundi,cum subito validi venti conlecta procellanubibus intorsit sese conclusaque ibidemturbine versanti magis ac magis undique nubemcogit uti fiat spisso cava corpore circum,post ubi conminuit vis eius et impetus acer,tum perterricrepo sonitu dat scissa fragorem.nec mirum, cum plena animae vensicula parvasaepe haud dat parvum sonitum displosa repente.Est etiam ratio, cum venti nubila perflant,ut sonitus faciant; etenim ramosa videmusnubila saepe modis multis atque aspera ferri;scilicet ut, crebram silvam cum flamina cauriperflant, dant sonitum frondes ramique fragorem.Fit quoque ut inter dum validi vis incita ventiperscindat nubem perfringens impete recto;nam quid possit ibi flatus manifesta docet res,hic, ubi lenior est, in terra cum tamen altaarbusta evolvens radicibus haurit ab imis.sunt etiam fluctus per nubila, qui quasi murmurdant in frangendo graviter; quod item fit in altisfluminibus magnoque mari, cum frangitur aestus.Fit quoque, ubi e nubi in nubem vis incidit ardensfulminis; haec multo si forte umore recepitignem, continuo magno clamore trucidat;ut calidis candens ferrum e fornacibus olimstridit, ubi in gelidum propter demersimus imbrem.Aridior porro si nubes accipit ignem,uritur ingenti sonitu succensa repente,lauricomos ut si per montis flamma vageturturbine ventorum comburens impete magno;nec res ulla magis quam Phoebi Delphica laurusterribili sonitu flamma crepitante crematur.Denique saepe geli multus fragor atque ruinagrandinis in magnis sonitum dat nubibus alte;ventus enim cum confercit, franguntur in artumconcreti montes nimborum et grandine mixti.
Likewise, it lightens, when the clouds have struck,By their collision, forth the seeds of fire:As if a stone should smite a stone or steel,For light then too leaps forth and fire then scattersThe shining sparks. But with our ears we getThe thunder after eyes behold the flash,Because forever things arrive the earsMore tardily than the eyes- as thou mayst seeFrom this example too: when markest thouSome man far yonder felling a great treeWith double-edged ax, it comes to passThine eye beholds the swinging stroke beforeThe blow gives forth a sound athrough thine ears:Thus also we behold the flashing ereWe hear the thunder, which discharged isAt same time with the fire and by same cause,Born of the same collision.
Fulgit item, nubes ignis cum semina multaexcussere suo concursu, ceu lapidem sipercutiat lapis aut ferrum; nam tum quoque lumenexilit et claras scintillas dissipat ignis.sed tonitrum fit uti post auribus accipiamus,fulgere quam cernant oculi, quia semper ad auristardius adveniunt quam visum quae moveant res.id licet hinc etiam cognoscere: caedere si quemancipiti videas ferro procul arboris auctum,ante fit ut cernas ictum quam plaga per aurisdet sonitum; sic fulgorem quoque cernimus antequam tonitrum accipimus, pariter qui mittitur ignie simili causa, concursu natus eodem.
In following wiseThe clouds suffuse with leaping light the lands,And the storm flashes with tremulous elan:When the wind hath invaded a cloud, and, whirling there,Hath wrought (as I have shown above) the cloudInto a hollow with a thickened crust,It becomes hot of own velocity:Just as thou seest how motion will o'erheatAnd set ablaze all objects,- verilyA leaden ball, hurtling through length of space,Even melts. Therefore, when this same wind a-fireHath split black cloud, it scatters the fire-seeds,Which, so to say, have been pressed out by forceOf sudden from the cloud;- and these do makeThe pulsing flashes of flame; thence followethThe detonation which attacks our earsMore tardily than aught which comes alongUnto the sight of eyeballs. This takes place-As know thou mayst- at times when clouds are denseAnd one upon the other piled aloftWith wonderful upheavings- nor be thouDeceived because we see how broad their baseFrom underneath, and not how high they tower.For make thine observations at a timeWhen winds shall bear athwart the horizon's blueClouds like to mountain-ranges moving on,Or when about the sides of mighty peaksThou seest them one upon the other massedAnd burdening downward, anchored in high repose,With the winds sepulchred on all sides round:Then canst thou know their mighty masses, thenCanst view their caverns, as if builded thereOf beetling crags; which, when the hurricanesIn gathered storm have filled utterly,Then, prisoned in clouds, they rave aroundWith mighty roarings, and within those densBluster like savage beasts, and now from here,And now from there, send growlings through the clouds,And seeking an outlet, whirl themselves about,And roll from 'mid the clouds the seeds of fire,And heap them multitudinously there,And in the hollow furnaces withinWheel flame around, until from bursted cloudIn forky flashes they have gleamed forth.
Hoc etiam pacto volucri loca lumine tinguntnubes et tremulo tempestas impete fulgit.ventus ubi invasit nubem et versatus ibidemfecit ut ante cavam docui spissescere nubem,mobilitate sua fervescit; ut omnia motupercalefacta vides ardescere, plumbea veroglans etiam longo cursu volvenda liquescit.ergo fervidus hic nubem cum perscidit atram,dissipat ardoris quasi per vim expressa repentesemina, quae faciunt nictantia fulgura flammae;inde sonus sequitur, qui tardius adlicit aurisquam quae perveniunt oculorum ad lumina nostra.scilicet hoc densis fit nubibus et simul alteextructis aliis alias super impete miro.ne tibi sit frudi quod nos inferne videmusquam sint lata magis quam sursum extructa quid extent.contemplator enim, cum montibus adsimulatanubila portabunt venti transversa per auras,aut ubi per magnos montis cumulata videbisinsuper esse aliis alia atque urguere supernain statione locata sepultis undique ventis;tum poteris magnas moles cognoscere eorumspeluncasque vel ut saxis pendentibus structascernere, quas venti cum tempestate coortaconplerunt, magno indignantur murmure clausinubibus in caveisque ferarum more minantur,nunc hinc nunc illinc fremitus per nubila mittunt,quaerentesque viam circum versantur et ignissemina convolvunt [e] nubibus atque ita coguntmulta rotantque cavis flammam fornacibus intus,donec divolsa fulserunt nube corusci.
Again, from following cause it comes to passThat yon swift golden hue of liquid fireDarts downward to the earth: because the cloudsThemselves must hold abundant seeds of fire;For, when they be without all moisture, thenThey be for most part of a flamy hueAnd a resplendent. And, indeed, they mustEven from the light of sun unto themselvesTake multitudinous seeds, and so perforceRedden and pour their bright fires all abroad.And therefore, when the wind hath driven and thrust,Hath forced and squeezed into one spot these clouds,They pour abroad the seeds of fire pressed out,Which make to flash these colours of the flame.Likewise, it lightens also when the cloudsGrow rare and thin along the sky; for, whenThe wind with gentle touch unravels themAnd breaketh asunder as they move, those seedsWhich make the lightnings must by nature fall;At such an hour the horizon lightens roundWithout the hideous terror of dread noiseAnd skiey uproar.
Hac etiam fit uti de causa mobilis illedevolet in terram liquidi color aureus ignis,semina quod nubes ipsas permulta necessustignis habere; etenim cum sunt umore sine ullo,flammeus [est] plerumque colos et splendidus ollis.quippe etenim solis de lumine multa necessestconcipere, ut merito rubeant ignesque profundant.hasce igitur cum ventus agens contrusit in unumcompressitque locum cogens, expressa profunduntsemina, quae faciunt flammae fulgere colores.Fulgit item, cum rarescunt quoque nubila caeli;nam cum ventus eas leviter diducit euntisdissoluitque, cadant ingratius illa necessestsemina quae faciunt fulgorem. tum sine taetroterrore atque sonis fulgit nulloque tumultu.
To proceed apace,What sort of nature thunderbolts possessIs by their strokes made manifest and byThe brand-marks of their searing heat on things,And by the scorched scars exhaling roundThe heavy fumes of sulphur. For all theseAre marks, O not of wind or rain, but fire.Again, they often enkindle even the roofsOf houses and inside the very roomsWith swift flame hold a fierce dominion.Know thou that nature fashioned this fireSubtler than fires all other, with minuteAnd dartling bodies,- a fire 'gainst which there's naughtCan in the least hold out: the thunderbolt,The mighty, passes through the hedging wallsOf houses, like to voices or a shout,-Through stones, through bronze it passes, and it meltsUpon the instant bronze and gold; and makes,Likewise, the wines sudden to vanish forth,The wine-jars intact,- because, ye see,Its heat arriving renders loose and porousReadily all the wine- jar's earthen sides,And winding its way within, it scatterethThe elements primordial of the wineWith speedy dissolution- process whichEven in an age the fiery steam of sunCould not accomplish, however puissant heWith his hot coruscations: so much moreAgile and overpowering is this force.......Now in what manner engendered are these things,How fashioned of such impetuous strengthAs to cleave towers asunder, and houses allTo overtopple, and to wrench apartTimbers and beams, and heroes' monumentsTo pile in ruins and upheave amain,And to take breath forever out of men,And to o'erthrow the cattle everywhere,-Yes, by what force the lightnings do all this,All this and more, I will unfold to thee,Nor longer keep thee in mere promises.
Quod superest, [quali] natura praedita constentfulmina, declarant ictus et inusta vaporissigna notaeque gravis halantis sulpuris auras;ignis enim sunt haec non venti signa neque imbris.praeterea saepe accendunt quoque tecta domorumet celeri flamma dominantur in aedibus ipsis.hunc tibi subtilem cum primis ignibus ignemconstituit natura minutis mobilibusquecorporibus, cui nil omnino obsistere possit.transit enim validum fulmen per saepta domorumclamor ut ac voces, transit per saxa, per aeraet liquidum puncto facit aes in tempore et aurum.curat item vasis integris vina repentediffugiant, quia ni mirum facile omnia circumconlaxat rareque facit lateramina vasisadveniens calor eius et insinuatus in ipsummobiliter soluens differt primordia vini.quod solis vapor aetatem non posse videturefficere usque adeo pollens fervore corusco.tanto mobilior vis et dominantior haec est.Nunc ea quo pacto gignantur et impete tantofiant ut possint ictu discludere turris,disturbare domos, avellere tigna trabesqueet monimenta virum commoliri atque ciere,exanimare homines, pecudes prosternere passim,cetera de genere hoc qua vi facere omnia possint,expediam neque [te] in promissis plura morabor.
The bolts of thunder, then, must be conceivedAs all begotten in those crasser cloudsUp-piled aloft; for, from the sky sereneAnd from the clouds of lighter density,None are sent forth forever. That 'tis soBeyond a doubt, fact plain to sense declares:To wit, at such a time the densed cloudsSo mass themselves through all the upper airThat we might think that round about all murkHad parted forth from Acheron and filledThe mighty vaults of sky- so grievously,As gathers thus the storm-clouds' gruesome might,Do faces of black horror hang on high-When tempest begins its thunderbolts to forge.Besides, full often also out at seaA blackest thunderhead, like cataractOf pitch hurled down from heaven, and far awayBulging with murkiness, down on the wavesFalls with vast uproar, and draws on amainThe darkling tempests big with thunderboltsAnd hurricanes, itself the while so crammedTremendously with fires and winds, that evenBack on the lands the people shudder roundAnd seek for cover. Therefore, as I said,The storm must be conceived as o'er our headTowering most high; for never would the cloudsO'erwhelm the lands with such a massy dark,Unless up-builded heap on lofty heap,To shut the round sun off. Nor could the clouds,As on they come, engulf with rain so vastAs thus to make the rivers overflowAnd fields to float, if ether were not thusFurnished with lofty-piled clouds. Lo, then,Here be all things fulfilled with winds and fires-Hence the long lightnings and the thunders loud.For, verily, I've taught thee even nowHow cavernous clouds hold seeds innumerableOf fiery exhalations, and they mustFrom off the sunbeams and the heat of theseTake many still. And so, when that same wind(Which, haply, into one region of the skyCollects those clouds) hath pressed from out the sameThe many fiery seeds, and with that fireHath at the same time inter-mixed itself,O then and there that wind, a whirlwind now,Deep in the belly of the cloud spins roundIn narrow confines, and sharpens there insideIn glowing furnaces the thunderbolt.For in a two-fold manner is that windEnkindled all: it trembles into heatBoth by its own velocity and byRepeated touch of fire. Thereafter, whenThe energy of wind is heated throughAnd the fierce impulse of the fire hath spedDeeply within, O then the thunderbolt,Now ripened, so to say, doth suddenlySplinter the cloud, and the aroused flashLeaps onward, lumining with forky lightAll places round. And followeth anonA clap so heavy that the skiey vaults,As if asunder burst, seem from on highTo engulf the earth. Then fearfully a quakePervades the lands, and 'long the lofty skiesRun the far rumblings. For at such a timeNigh the whole tempest quakes, shook through and through,And roused are the roarings,- from which shockComes such resounding and abounding rain,That all the murky ether seems to turnNow into rain, and, as it tumbles down,To summon the fields back to primeval floods:So big the rains that be sent down on menBy burst of cloud and by the hurricane,What time the thunder-clap, from burning boltThat cracks the cloud, flies forth along. At timesThe force of wind, excited from without,Smiteth into a cloud already hotWith a ripe thunderbolt.
Fulmina gignier e crassis alteque putandumstnubibus extructis; nam caelo nulla serenonec leviter densis mittuntur nubibus umquam.nam dubio procul hoc fieri manifesta docet res;quod tunc per totum concrescunt aeëra nubes,undique uti tenebras omnis Acherunta reamurliquisse et magnas caeli complesse cavernas,æusque adeo tetra nimborum nocte coortainpendent atrae formidinis ora superne, æcum commoliri tempestas fulmina coeptat.praeterea persaepe niger quoque per mare nimbus,ut picis e caelo demissum flumen, in undassic cadit effertus tenebris procul et trahit atramfulminibus gravidam tempestatem atque procellis,ignibus ac ventis cum primis ipse repletus,in terra quoque ut horrescant ac tecta requirant.sic igitur supera nostrum caput esse putandumsttempestatem altam; neque enim caligine tantaobruerent terras, nisi inaedificata supernemulta forent multis exempto nubila sole;nec tanto possent venientes opprimere imbri,flumina abundare ut facerent camposque natare,si non extructis foret alte nubibus aether.hic igitur ventis atque ignibus omnia plenasunt; ideo passim fremitus et fulgura fiunt.quippe etenim supra docui permulta vaporissemina habere cavas nubes et multa necessestconcipere ex solis radiis ardoreque eorum.hoc ubi ventus eas idem qui cogit in unumforte locum quemvis, expressit multa vaporissemina seque simul cum eo commiscuit igni,insinuatus ibi vortex versatur in artoet calidis acuit fulmen fornacibus intus;nam duplici ratione accenditur: ipse sua cummobilitate calescit et e contagibus ignis.inde ubi percaluit venti vis [et] gravis ignisimpetus incessit, maturum tum quasi fulmenperscindit subito nubem ferturque coruscisomnia luminibus lustrans loca percitus ardor.quem gravis insequitur sonitus, displosa repenteopprimere ut caeli videantur templa superne.inde tremor terras graviter pertemptat et altummurmura percurrunt caelum; nam tota fere tumtempestas concussa tremit fremitusque moventur.quo de concussu sequitur gravis imber et uber,omnis uti videatur in imbrem vertier aetheratque ita praecipitans ad diluviem revocare;tantus discidio nubis ventique procellamittitur, ardenti sonitus cum provolat ictu.
And when that windHath splintered that cloud, then down there cleaves forthwithYon fiery coil of flame which still we call,Even with our fathers' word, a thunderbolt.The same thing haps toward every other sideWhither that force hath swept. It happens, too,That sometimes force of wind, though hurtled forthWithout all fire, yet in its voyage through spaceIgniteth, whilst it comes along, along,-Losing some larger bodies which cannotPass, like the others, through the bulks of air,-And, scraping together out of air itselfSome smaller bodies, carries them along,And these, commingling, by their flight make fire:Much in the manner as oft a leaden ballGrows hot upon its aery course, the whileIt loseth many bodies of stark coldAnd taketh into itself along the airNew particles of fire. It happens, too,That force of blow itself arouses fire,When force of wind, a-cold and hurtled forthWithout all fire, hath strook somewhere amain-No marvel, because, when with terrific stroke'Thas smitten, the elements of fiery-stuffCan stream together from out the very windAnd, simultaneously, from out that thingWhich then and there receives the stroke: as fliesThe fire when with the steel we hack the stone;Nor yet, because the force of steel's a-cold,Rush the less speedily together thereUnder the stroke its seeds of radiance hot.And therefore, thuswise must an object tooBe kindled by a thunderbolt, if haply'Thas been adapt and suited to the flames.Yet force of wind must not be rashly deemedAs altogether and entirely cold-That force which is discharged from on highWith such stupendous power; but if 'tis notUpon its course already kindled with fire,It yet arriveth warmed and mixed with heat.
Est etiam cum vis extrinsecus incita ventiincidit in validam maturo culmine nubem;quam cum perscidit, extemplo cadit igneus illevertex, quem patrio vocitamus nomine fulmen.hoc fit idem in partis alias, quo cumque tulit vis.Fit quoque ut inter dum venti vis missa sine igniigniscat tamen in spatio longoque meatu,dum venit amittens in cursu corpora quaedamgrandia, quae nequeunt pariter penetrare per auras,atque alia ex ipso conradens aeëre portatparvola, quae faciunt ignem commixta volando;non alia longe ratione ac plumbea saepefervida fit glans in cursu, cum multa rigoriscorpora dimittens ignem concepit in auris.Fit quoque ut ipsius plagae vis excitet ignem,frigida cum venti pepulit vis missa sine igni,ni mirum quia, cum vehementi perculit ictu,confluere ex ipso possunt elementa vaporiset simul ex illa quae tum res excipit ictum;ut, lapidem ferro cum caedimus, evolat ignis,nec, quod frigida vis ferrist, hoc setius illisemina concurrunt calidi fulgoris ad ictum.sic igitur quoque res accendi fulmine debet,opportuna fuit si forte et idonea flammis.nec temere omnino plane vis frigida ventiesse potest, ea quae tanta vi missa supernest,quin, prius in cursu si non accenditur igni,at tepefacta tamen veniat commixta calore.
And, now, the speed and stroke of thunderboltIs so tremendous, and with glide so swiftThose thunderbolts rush on and down, becauseTheir roused force itself collects itselfFirst always in the clouds, and then preparesFor the huge effort of their going-forth;Next, when the cloud no longer can retainThe increment of their fierce impetus,Their force is pressed out, and therefore fliesWith impetus so wondrous, like to shotsHurled from the powerful Roman catapults.Note, too, this force consists of elementsBoth small and smooth, nor is there aught that canWith ease resist such nature. For it dartsBetween and enters through the pores of things;And so it never falters in delayDespite innumerable collisions, butFlies shooting onward with a swift elan.Next, since by nature always every weightBears downward, doubled is the swiftness thenAnd that elan is still more wild and dread,When, verily, to weight are added blows,So that more madly and more fiercely thenThe thunderbolt shakes into shivers allThat blocks its path, following on its way.Then, too, because it comes along, alongWith one continuing elan, it mustTake on velocity anew, anew,Which still increases as it goes, and everAugments the bolt's vast powers and to the blowGives larger vigour; for it forces all,All of the thunder's seeds of fire, to sweepIn a straight line unto one place, as 'twere,-Casting them one by other, as they roll,Into that onward course. Again, perchance,In coming along, it pulls from out the airSome certain bodies, which by their own blowsEnkindle its velocity. And, lo,It comes through objects leaving them unharmed,It goes through many things and leaves them whole,Because the liquid fire flieth alongAthrough their pores. And much it does transfix,When these primordial atoms of the boltHave fallen upon the atoms of these thingsPrecisely where the intertwined atomsAre held together. And, further, easilyBrass it unbinds and quickly fuseth gold,Because its force is so minutely madeOf tiny parts and elements so smoothThat easily they wind their way within,And, when once in, quickly unbind all knotsAnd loosen all the bonds of union there.
Mobilitas autem fit fulminis et gravis ictuset celeri ferme percurrunt fulmina lapsu,nubibus ipsa quod omnino prius incita se viscolligit et magnum conamen sumit eundi,inde ubi non potuit nubes capere inpetis auctum,exprimitur vis atque ideo volat impete miro,ut validis quae de tormentis missa feruntur.Adde quod e parvis et levibus est elementis,nec facilest tali naturae obsistere quicquam;inter enim fugit ac penetrat per rara viarum,non igitur multis offensibus in remorandohaesitat, hanc ob rem celeri volat impete labens.Deinde, quod omnino natura pondera deorsumomnia nituntur, cum plagast addita vero,mobilitas duplicatur et impetus ille gravescit,ut vehementius et citius quae cumque moranturobvia discutiat plagis itinerque sequatur.Denique quod longo venit impete, sumere debetmobilitatem etiam atque etiam, quae crescit eundoet validas auget viris et roborat ictum;nam facit ut quae sint illius semina cumquee regione locum quasi in unum cuncta ferantur,omnia coniciens in eum volventia cursum.Forsitan ex ipso veniens trahat aeëre quaedamcorpora, quae plagis incendunt mobilitatem.incolumisque venit per res atque integra transitmulta, foraminibus liquidus quia transviat ignis.multaque perfringit, cum corpora fulminis ipsacorporibus rerum inciderunt, qua texta tenentur.dissoluit porro facile aes aurumque repenteconferve facit, e parvis quia facta minutecorporibus vis est et levibus ex elementis,quae facile insinuantur et insinuata repentedissoluont nodos omnis et vincla relaxant.
And most in autumn is shaken the house of heaven,The house so studded with the glittering stars,And the whole earth around- most too in springWhen flowery times unfold themselves: for, lo,In the cold season is there lack of fire,And winds are scanty in the hot, and cloudsHave not so dense a bulk. But when, indeed,The seasons of heaven are betwixt these twain,The divers causes of the thunderboltThen all concur; for then both cold and heatAre mixed in the cross-seas of the year,So that a discord rises among thingsAnd air in vast tumultuosityBillows, infuriate with the fires and winds-Of which the both are needed by the cloudFor fabrication of the thunderbolt.For the first part of heat and last of coldIs the time of spring; wherefore must things unlikeDo battle one with other, and, when mixed,Tumultuously rage. And when rolls roundThe latest heat mixed with the earliest chill-The time which bears the name of autumn- thenLikewise fierce cold-spells wrestle with fierce heats.On this account these seasons of the yearAre nominated "cross-seas."- And no marvelIf in those times the thunderbolts prevailAnd storms are roused turbulent in heaven,Since then both sides in dubious warfare rageTumultuously, the one with flames, the otherWith winds and with waters mixed with winds.
Autumnoque magis stellis fulgentibus altaconcutitur caeli domus undique totaque tellus,et cum tempora se veris florentia pandunt.frigore enim desunt ignes ventique caloredeficiunt neque sunt tam denso corpore nubes.interutrasque igitur cum caeli tempora constant,tum variae causae concurrunt fulminis omnes.nam fretus ipse anni permiscet frigus [ad] aestum.quorum utrumque opus est fabricanda ad fulmina nubi,ut discordia [sit] rerum magnoque tumultuignibus et ventis furibundus fluctuet aeër.prima caloris enim pars est postrema rigoris;tempus id est vernum; quare pugnare necessestdissimilis [res] inter se turbareque mixtas.et calor extremus primo cum frigore mixtusvolvitur, autumni quod fertur nomine tempus,hic quoque confligunt hiemes aestatibus acres.propterea [freta] sunt haec anni nominitanda,nec mirumst, in eo si tempore plurima fiuntfulmina tempestasque cietur turbida caelo,ancipiti quoniam bello turbatur utrimque,hinc flammis, illinc ventis umoreque mixto.
This, this it is, O Memmius, to see throughThe very nature of fire-fraught thunderbolt;O this it is to mark by what blind forceIt maketh each effect, and not, O notTo unwind Etrurian scrolls oracular,Inquiring tokens of occult will of gods,Even as to whence the flying flame hath come,Or to which half of heaven it turns, or howThrough walled places it hath wound its way,Or, after proving its dominion there,How it hath speeded forth from thence amain,Or what the thunderstroke portends of illFrom out high heaven. But if JupiterAnd other gods shake those refulgent vaultsWith dread reverberations and hurl fireWhither it pleases each, why smite they notMortals of reckless and revolting crimes,That such may pant from a transpierced breastForth flames of the red levin- unto menA drastic lesson?- why is rather he-O he self-conscious of no foul offence-Involved in flames, though innocent, and claspedUp-caught in skiey whirlwind and in fire?Nay, why, then, aim they at eternal wastes,And spend themselves in vain?- perchance, even soTo exercise their arms and strengthen shoulders?Why suffer they the Father's javelinTo be so blunted on the earth? And whyDoth he himself allow it, nor spare the sameEven for his enemies? O why most oftAims he at lofty places? Why behold weMarks of his lightnings most on mountain tops?Then for what reason shoots he at the sea?-What sacrilege have waves and bulk of brineAnd floating fields of foam been guilty of?Besides, if 'tis his will that we bewareAgainst the lightning-stroke, why feareth heTo grant us power for to behold the shot?And, contrariwise, if wills he to o'erwhelm us,Quite off our guard, with fire, why thunders heOff in yon quarter, so that we may shun?Why rouseth he beforehand darkling airAnd the far din and rumblings? And O howCanst thou believe he shoots at one same timeInto diverse directions? Or darest thouContend that never hath it come to passThat divers strokes have happened at one time?But oft and often hath it come to pass,And often still it must, that, even as showersAnd rains o'er many regions fall, so tooDart many thunderbolts at one same time.Again, why never hurtles JupiterA bolt upon the lands nor pours abroadClap upon clap, when skies are cloudless all?Or, say, doth he, so soon as ever the cloudsHave come thereunder, then into the sameDescend in person, that from thence he mayNear-by decide upon the stroke of shaft?And, lastly, why, with devastating boltShakes he asunder holy shrines of godsAnd his own thrones of splendour, and to-breaksThe well-wrought idols of divinities,And robs of glory his own imagesBy wound of violence?
Hoc est igniferi naturam fulminis ipsamperspicere et qua vi faciat rem quamque videre,non Tyrrhena retro volventem carmina frustraindicia occultae divum perquirere mentis,unde volans ignis pervenerit aut in utram severterit hinc partim, quo pacto per loca saeptainsinuarit, et hinc dominatus ut extulerit se,quidve nocere queat de caelo fulminis ictus.quod si Iuppiter atque alii fulgentia diviterrifico quatiunt sonitu caelestia templaet iaciunt ignem quo cuiquest cumque voluntas,cur quibus incautum scelus aversabile cumquestnon faciunt icti flammas ut fulguris halentpectore perfixo, documen mortalibus acre,et potius nulla sibi turpi conscius in revolvitur in flammis innoxius inque pediturturbine caelesti subito correptus et igni?cur etiam loca sola petunt frustraque laborant?an tum bracchia consuescunt firmantque lacertos?in terraque patris cur telum perpetiunturoptundi? cur ipse sinit neque parcit in hostis?denique cur numquam caelo iacit undique puroIuppiter in terras fulmen sonitusque profundit?an simul ac nubes successere, ipse in eas tumdescendit, prope ut hinc teli determinet ictus?in mare qua porro mittit ratione? quid undasarguit et liquidam molem camposque natantis?praeterea si vult caveamus fulminis ictum,cur dubitat facere ut possimus cernere missum?si nec opinantis autem volt opprimere igni,cur tonat ex illa parte, ut vitare queamus,cur tenebras ante et fremitus et murmura concit?et simul in multas partis qui credere possismittere? an hoc ausis numquam contendere factum,ut fierent ictus uno sub tempore plures?at saepest numero factum fierique necessest,ut pluere in multis regionibus et cadere imbris,fulmina sic uno fieri sub tempore multa.postremo cur sancta deum delubra suasquediscutit infesto praeclaras fulmine sedeset bene facta deum frangit simulacra suisquedemit imaginibus violento volnere honorem?altaque cur plerumque petit loca plurimaque eiusmontibus in summis vestigia cernimus ignis?
But to return apace,Easy it is from these same facts to knowIn just what wise those things (which from their sortThe Greeks have named "bellows") do come down,Discharged from on high, upon the seas.For it haps that sometimes from the sky descendsUpon the seas a column, as if pushed,Round which the surges seethe, tremendouslyAroused by puffing gusts; and whatso'erOf ships are caught within that tumult thenCome into extreme peril, dashed along.This haps when sometimes wind's aroused forceCan't burst the cloud it tries to, but down-weighsThat cloud, until 'tis like a column from skyUpon the seas pushed downward- gradually,As if a Somewhat from on high were shovedBy fist and nether thrust of arm, and lengthenedFar to the waves. And when the force of windHath rived this cloud, from out the cloud it rushesDown on the seas, and starts among the wavesA wondrous seething, for the eddying whirlDescends and downward draws along with itThat cloud of ductile body. And soon as ever'Thas shoved unto the levels of the mainThat laden cloud, the whirl suddenly thenPlunges its whole self into the waters thereAnd rouses all the sea with monstrous roar,Constraining it to seethe. It happens tooThat very vortex of the wind involvesItself in clouds, scraping from out the airThe seeds of cloud, and counterfeits, as 'twere,The "bellows" pushed from heaven. And when this shapeHath dropped upon the lands and burst apart,It belches forth immeasurable mightOf whirlwind and of blast. Yet since 'tis formedAt most but rarely, and on land the hillsMust block its way, 'tis seen more oft out thereOn the broad prospect of the level mainAlong the free horizons.
Quod super est, facilest ex his cognoscere rebus,presteras Graii quos ab re nominitarunt,in mare qua missi veniant ratione superne.nam fit ut inter dum tam quam demissa columnain mare de caelo descendat, quam freta circumfervescunt graviter spirantibus incita flabris,et quae cumque in eo tum sint deprensa tumultunavigia in summum veniant vexata periclum.hoc fit ubi inter dum non quit vis incita ventirumpere quam coepit nubem, sed deprimit, ut sitin mare de caelo tam quam demissa columna,paulatim, quasi quid pugno bracchique superneconiectu trudatur et extendatur in undas;quam cum discidit, hinc prorumpitur in mare ventivis et fervorem mirum concinnat in undis;versabundus enim turbo descendit et illamdeducit pariter lento cum corpore nubem;quam simul ac gravidam detrusit ad aequora ponti,ille in aquam subito totum se inmittit et omneexcitat ingenti sonitu mare fervere cogens.