---
title: "Aeneid · Aeneis"
author: "Virgil"
translator: "Theodore C. Williams"
title_ru: "Энеида"
author_ru: "Вергилий"
languages: [la, en]
shelf: "Classical Latin"
section: 15 of 24
url: https://scriptura.si/works/virgil-aeneid/15/
cite: "Virgil, tr. Theodore C. Williams, Aeneid · Aeneis, section 15. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/virgil-aeneid/15/"
---

# Aeneid · Aeneis

*Virgil, tr. Theodore C. Williams*

Russian: Энеида, Вергилий

Aeneas flees burning Troy, loves and leaves Dido, goes down to the underworld and fights for a new home in Italy: Virgil’s Latin beside English verse.

> Latin: ed. J. B. Greenough, from the Perseus Digital Library (canonical-latinLit, phi0690.phi003, CC BY-SA 4.0).

> English: Theodore C. Williams, from the Perseus Digital Library (phi0690.phi003.perseus-eng2). Notes are not included.

> Rows follow the references the two texts share (line numbers), cut where both reach the end of a sentence.

## 15. Book VIII · lines 1–369

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/virgil-aeneid/15/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/virgil-aeneid/15/#p-N

[¶0] When Turnus from Laurentum's bastion proud
published the war, and roused the dreadful note
of the harsh trumpet's song; when on swift steeds
the lash he laid and clashed his sounding arms;
then woke each warrior soul; all Latium stirred
with tumult and alarm; and martial rage
enkindled youth's hot blood. The chieftains proud,
Messapus, Ufens, and that foe of Heaven,
Mezentius, compel from far and wide
their loyal hosts, and strip the field and farm
of husbandmen. To seek auxiliar arms
they send to glorious Diomed's domain
the herald Venulus, and bid him cry:
“Troy is to Latium come; Aeneas' fleet
has come to land. He brings his vanquished gods,
and gives himself to be our destined King.
Cities not few accept him, and his name
through Latium waxes large. But what the foe
by such attempt intends, what victory
is his presumptuous hope, if Fortune smile,
Aetolia's lord will not less wisely fear
than royal Turnus or our Latin King.”

> Latin: Ut belli signum Laurenti Turnus ab arce
extulit et rauco strepuerunt cornua cantu,
utque acris concussit equos utque impulit arma,
extemplo turbati animi, simul omne tumultu
coniurat trepido Latium saevitque iuventus
effera. Ductores primi Messapus et Ufens
contemptorque deum Mezentius undique cogunt
auxilia et latos vastant cultoribus agros.
mittitur et magni Venulus Diomedis ad urbem,
qui petat auxilium et Latio consistere Teucros,
advectum Aenean classi victosque penatis
inferre et fatis regem se dicere posci
edoceat multasque viro se adiungere gentis
Dardanio et late Latio increbrescere nomen.
Quid struat his coeptis, quem, si Fortuna sequatur,
eventum pugnae cupiat, manifestius ipsi
quam Turno regi aut regi apparere Latino.

[¶1] Thus Latium's cause moved on. Meanwhile the heir
of great Laomedon, who knew full well
the whole wide land astir, was vexed and tossed
in troubled seas of care. This way and that
his swift thoughts flew, and scanned with like dismay
each partial peril or the general storm.
Thus the vexed waters at a fountain's brim,
smitten by sunshine or the silver sphere
of a reflected moon, send forth a beam
of flickering light that leaps from wall to wall,
or, skyward lifted in ethereal flight,
glances along some rich-wrought, vaulted dome.
Now night had fallen, and all weary things,
all shapes of beast or bird, the wide world o'er,
lay deep in slumber. So beneath the arch
of a cold sky Aeneas laid him down
upon the river-bank, his heart sore tried
by so much war and sorrow, and gave o'er
his body to its Iong-delayed repose.
There, 'twixt the poplars by the gentle stream,
the River-Father, genius of that place,
old Tiberinus visibly uprose;
a cloak of gray-green lawn he wore, his hair
o'erhung with wreath of reeds. In soothing words
thus, to console Aeneas' cares, he spoke:

> Latin: Talia per Latium. Quae Laomedontius heros
cuncta videns magno curarum fluctuat aestu,
atque animum nunc huc celerem, nunc dividit illuc.
In partisque rapit varias perque omnia versat:
sicut aquae tremulum labris ubi lumen aenis
sole repercussum aut radiantis imagine lunae
omnia pervolitat late loca iamque sub auras
erigitur summique ferit lacuaria tecti.
Nox erat, et terras animalia fessa per omnis
alituum pecudumque genus sopor altus habebat:
cum pater in ripa gelidique sub aetheris axe
Aeneas, tristi turbatus pectora bello,
procubuit seramque dedit per membra quietem.
Huic deus ipse loci fluvio Tiberinus amoeno
populeas inter senior se attollere frondes
visus; eum tenuis glauco velabat amictu
carbasus, et crinis umbrosa tegebat harundo,
tum sic adfari et curas his demere dictis:

[¶2] “Seed of the gods! who bringest to my shore
thy Trojan city wrested from her foe,
a stronghold everlasting, Latium's plain
and fair Laurentum long have looked for thee.
Here truly is thy home. Turn not away.
Here the true guardians of thy hearth shall be.
Fear not the gathering war. The wrath of Heaven
has stilled its swollen wave. A sign I tell:
Lest thou shouldst deem this message of thy sleep
a vain, deluding dream, thou soon shalt find
in the oak-copses on my margent green,
a huge sow, with her newly-littered brood
of thirty young; along the ground she lies,
snow-white, and round her udders her white young.
There shall thy city stand, and there thy toil
shall find untroubled rest. After the lapse
of thrice ten rolling years, Ascanius
shall found a city there of noble name,
White-City, Alba; 't is no dream I sing!
But I instruct thee now by what wise way
th' impending wars may bring thee victory:
receive the counsel, though the words be few:
within this land are men of Arcady,
of Pallas' line, who, following in the train
of King Evander and his men-at-arms,
built them a city in the hills, and chose
(honoring Pallas, their Pelasgian sire),
the name of Pallanteum. They make war
incessant with the Latins. Therefore call
this people to thy side and bind them close
in federated power. My channel fair
and shaded shore shall guide thee where they dwell,
and thy strong oarsmen on my waters borne
shall mount my falling stream. Rise, goddess-born,
and ere the starlight fade give honor due
to Juno, and with supplicating vow
avert her wrath and frown. But unto me
make offering in thy victorious hour,
in time to come. I am the copious flood
which thou beholdest chafing at yon shores
and parting fruitful fields: cerulean stream
of Tiber, favored greatly of high Heaven.
here shall arise my house magnificent,
a city of all cities chief and crown.”

> Latin: “O sate gente deum, Troianam ex hostibus urbem”
“qui revehis nobis aeternaque Pergama servas,”
“exspectate solo Laurenti arvisque Latinis,”
“hic tibi certa domus, certi, ne absiste, penates;”
“neu belli terrere minis: tumor omnis et irae”
“concessere deum.”
[“Iamque tibi, ne vana putes haec fingere somnum,”]
[“litoreis ingens inventa sub ilicibus sus,”]
[“triginta capitum fetus enixa, iacebit,”]
[“alba, solo recubans, albi circum ubera nati.”]
[“Hic locus urbis erit, requies ea certa laborum”]
[“ex quo ter denis urbem redeuntibus annis”]
[“Ascanius clari condet cognominis Albam.”]
[“Haud incerta cano.”] “Nunc qua ratione quod instat”
“expedias victor, paucis (adverte) docebo.”
“Arcades his oris, genus a Pallante profectum,”
“qui regem Euandrum comites, qui signa secuti,”
“delegere locum et posuere in montibus urbem”
“Pallantis proavi de nomine Pallanteum.”
“Hi bellum adsidue ducunt cum gente Latina;”
“hos castris adhibe socios et foedera iunge.”
“Ipse ego te ripis et recto flumine ducam,”
“adversum remis superes subvectus ut amnem.”
“Surge age, nate dea, primisque cadentibus astris”
“Iunoni fer rite preces iramque minasque”
“supplicibus supera votis. Mihi victor honorem”
“persolves. Ego sum pleno quem flumine cernis”
“stringentem ripas et pinguia culta secantem,”
“caeruleus Thybris, caelo gratissimus amnis.”
“Hic mihi magna domus, celsis caput urbibus, exit.”

[¶3] So spake the river-god, and sank from view
down to his deepest cave; then night and sleep
together from Aeneas fled away.
He rose, and to the orient beams of morn
his forehead gave; in both his hollowed palms
he held the sacred waters of the stream,
and called aloud: “O ye Laurentian nymphs,
whence flowing rills be born, and chiefly thou,
O Father Tiber, worshipped stream divine,
accept Aeneas, and from peril save!
If in some hallowed lake or haunted spring
thy power, pitying my woes, abides,
or wheresoe'er the blessed place be found
whence first thy beauty flows, there evermore
my hands shall bring thee gift and sacrifice.
O chief and sovereign of Hesperian streams,
O river-god that hold'st the plenteous horn,
protect us, and confirm thy words divine!”
He spoke; then chose twin biremes from the fleet,
gave them good gear and armed their loyal crews.

> Latin: Dixit, deinde lacu fluvius se condidit alto,
ima petens; nox Aenean somnusque reliquit.
Surgit et aetherii spectans orientia solis
lumina rite cavis undam de flumine palmis
sustinet ac talis effundit ad aethera voces:
“Nymphae, Laurentes nymphae, genus amnibus unde est,”
“tuque, o Thybri tuo genitor cum flumine sancto,”
“accipite Aenean et tandem arcete periclis.”
“Quo te cumque lacus miserantem incommoda nostra”
“fonte tenet, quocumque solo pulcherrimus exis,”
“semper honore meo, semper celebrabere donis”
“corniger hesperidum fluvius regnator aquarum.”
“Adsis o tantum et propius tua numina firmes.”
sic memorat geminasque legit de classe biremis
remigioque aptat, socios simul instruit armis.

[¶4] But, lo! a sudden wonder met his eyes:
white gleaming through the grove, with all her brood
white like herself, on the green bank the Sow
stretched prone. The good Aeneas slew her there,
Great Juno, for a sacrifice to thee,
himself the priest, and with the sucklings all
beside shine altar stood. So that whole night
the god of Tiber calmed his swollen wave,
ebbing or lingering in silent flow,
till like some gentle lake or sleeping pool
his even waters lay, and strove no more
against the oarsmen's toil. Upon their way
they speed with joyful sound; the well-oiled wood
slips through the watery floor; the wondering waves,
and all the virgin forests wondering,
behold the warriors in far-shining arms
their painted galleys up the current drive.
O'er the long reaches of the winding flood
their sturdy oars outweary the slow course
of night and day. Fair groves of changeful green
arch o'er their passage, and they seem to cleave
green forests in the tranquil wave below.
Now had the flaming sun attained his way
to the mid-sphere of heaven, when they discerned
walls and a citadel in distant view,
with houses few and far between; 't was there,
where sovran Rome to-day has rivalled Heaven,
Evander's realm its slender strength displayed:
swiftly they turned their prows and neared the town.

> Latin: Ecce autem subitum atque oculis mirabile monstrum;
candida per silvam cum fetu concolor albo
procubuit viridique in litore conspicitur sus.
Quam pius Aeneas tibi enim, tibi, maxuma Iuno,
mactat sacra ferens et cum grege sistit ad aram.
Thybris ea fluvium, quam longa est, nocte tumentem
leniit, et tacita refluens ita substitit unda,
mitis ut in morem stagni placidaeque paludis
sterneret aequor aquis, remo ut luctamen abesset.
Ergo iter inceptum celerant rumore secundo;
labitur uncta vadis abies; mirantur et undae,
miratur nemus insuetum fulgentia longe
scuta virum fluvio pictasque innare carinas.
Olli remigio noctemque diemque fatigant
et longos superant flexus variisque teguntur
arboribus viridisque secant placido aequore silvas.
Sol medium caeli conscenderat igneus orbem,
cum muros arcemque procul ac rara domorum
tecta vident, quae nunc Romana potentia caelo
aequavit, tum res inopes Euandrus habebat:
ocius advertunt proras urbique propinquant.

[¶5] It chanced th' Arcadian King had come that day
to honor Hercules, Amphitryon's son,
and to the powers divine pay worship due
in groves outside the wall. Beside him stood
Pallas his son, his noblest men-at-arms,
and frugal senators, who at the shrines
burnt incense, while warm blood of victims flowed.
But when they saw the tall ships in the shade
of that dark forest plying noiseless oars,
the sudden sight alarmed, and all the throng
sprang to its feet and left the feast divine.
But dauntless Pallas bade them give not o'er
the sacred festival, and spear in hand
flew forward to a bit of rising ground,
and cried from far: “Hail, warriors! what cause
drives you to lands unknown, and whither bound?
Your kin, your country? Bring ye peace or war?”
Father Aeneas then held forth a bough
of peaceful olive from the lofty ship,
thus answering: “Men Trojan-born are we,
foes of the Latins, who have driven us forth
with insolent assault. We fain would see
Evander. Pray, deliver this, and say
that chosen princes of Dardania
sue for his help in arms.” So wonder fell
on Pallas, awestruck at such mighty name.
O, come, whoe'er thou art,” he said, “and speak
in presence of my father. Enter here,
guest of our hearth and altar.” He put forth
his right hand in true welcome, and they stood
with lingering clasp; then hand in hand advanced
up the steep woodland, leaving Tiber's wave.

> Latin: Forte die sollemnem illo rex Arcas honorem
Amphitryoniadae magno divisque ferebat
ante urbem in luco. Pallas huic filius una,
una omnes iuvenum primi pauperque senatus
tura dabant, tepidusque cruor fumabat ad aras.
Ut celsas videre rates atque inter opacum
adlabi nemus et tacitis incumbere remis,
terrentur visu subito cunctique relictis
consurgunt mensis. Audax quos rumpere Pallas
sacra vetat raptoque volat telo obvius ipse
et procul e tumulo: “Iuvenes, quae causa subegit”
“ignotas temptare vias, quo tenditis?” inquit.
“Qui genus? Unde domo? Pacemne huc fertis an arma?”
Tum pater Aeneas puppi sic fatur ab alta
paciferaeque manu ramum praetendit olivae:
“Troiugenas ac tela vides inimica Latinis,”
“quos illi bello profugos egere superbo.”
“Euandrum petimus. Ferte haec et dicite lectos”
“Dardaniae venisse duces socia arma rogantis.”
Obstipuit tanto percussus nomine Pallas:
“Egredere o quicumque es” ait “coramque parentem”
“adloquere ac nostris succede penatibus hospes.”
excepitque manu dextramque amplexus inhaesit.
Progressi subeunt luco fluviumque relinquunt.

[¶6] Aeneas to Evander speaking fair,
these words essayed: “O best of Grecian-born!
whom Fortune's power now bids me seek and sue,
lifting this olive-branch with fillets bound,
I have not feared thee, though I know thou art
a Greek, and an Arcadian king, allied
to the two sons of Atreus. For behold,
my conscious worth, great oracles from Heaven,
the kinship of our sires, thy own renown
spread through the world—all knit my cause with thine,
all make me glad my fates have so decreed.
The sire and builder of the Trojan town
was Dardanus; but he, Electra's child,
came over sea to Teucria; the sire
of fair Electra was great Atlas, he
whose shoulder carries the vast orb of heaven.
But thy progenitor was Mercury,
and him conceiving, Maia, that white maid,
on hoar Cyllene's frosty summit bore.
But Maia's sire, if aught of truth be told,
was Atlas also, Atlas who sustains
the weight of starry skies. Thus both our tribes
are one divided stem. Secure in this,
no envoys have I sent, nor tried thy mind
with artful first approaches, but myself,
risking my person and my life, have come
a suppliant here. For both on me and thee
the house of Daunus hurls insulting war.
If us they quell, they doubt not to obtain
lordship of all Hesperia, and subdue
alike the northern and the southern sea.
Accept good faith, and give! Behold, our hearts
quail not in battle; souls of fire are we,
and warriors proved in many an action brave.”

> Latin: Tum regem Aeneas dictis adfatur amicis:
“Optume Graiugenum, cui me Fortuna precari”
“et vitta comptos voluit praetendere ramos,”
“non equidem extimui, Danaum quod ductor et Arcas”
“quodque a stirpe fores geminis coniunctus Atridis;”
“sed mea me virtus et sancta oracula divom”
“cognatique patres, tua terris didita fama,”
“coniunxere tibi et fatis egere volentem.”
“Dardanus, Iliacae primus pater urbis et auctor,”
“Electra, ut Grai perhibent, Atlantide cretus,”
“advehitur Teucros; Electram maxumus Atlas”
“edidit, aetherios umero qui sustinet orbes”
“vobis Mercurius pater est, quem candida Maia”
“Cyllenae gelido conceptum vertice fudit;”
“at Maiam, auditis si quicquam credimus, Atlas,”
“idem Atlas generat, caeli qui sidera tollit.”
“Sic genus amborum scindit se sanguine ab uno.”
“His fretus non legatos neque prima per artem”
“temptamenta tui pepigi: me, me ipse meumque”
“obieci caput et supplex ad limina veni.”
“Gens eadem, quae te, crudeli Daunia bello”
“insequitur; nos si pellant, nihil afore credunt,”
“quin omnem Hesperiam penitus sua sub iuga mittant”
“et mare quod supra teneant quodque adluit infra.”
“Accipe daque fidem: sunt nobis fortia bello”
“pectora, sunt animi et rebus spectata iuventus.”

[¶7] Aeneas ceased. The other long had scanned
the hero's face, his eyes, and wondering viewed
his form and mien divine; in answer now
he briefly spoke: “With hospitable heart,
O bravest warrior of all Trojan-born,
I know and welcome thee. I well recall
thy sire Anchises, how he looked and spake.
For I remember Priam, when he came
to greet his sister, Queen Hesione,
in Salamis, and thence pursued his way
to our cool uplands of Arcadia.
The bloom of tender boyhood then was mine,
and with a wide-eyed wonder I did view
those Teucrian lords, Laomedon's great heir,
and, towering highest in their goodly throng,
Anchises, whom my warm young heart desired
to speak with and to clasp his hand in mine.
So I approached, and joyful led him home
to Pheneus' olden wall. He gave me gifts
the day he bade adieu; a quiver rare
filled with good Lycian arrows, a rich cloak
inwove with thread of gold, and bridle reins
all golden, now to youthful Pallas given.
Therefore thy plea is granted, and my hand
here clasps in loyal amity with thine.
To-morrow at the sunrise thou shalt have
my tribute for the war, and go thy way
my glad ally. But now this festival,
whose solemn rite 't were impious to delay,
I pray thee celebrate, and bring with thee
well-omened looks and words. Allies we are!
Use this our sacred feast as if your own.”

> Latin: Dixerat Aeneas. Ille os oculosque loquentis
iamdudum et totum lustrabat lumine corpus.
Tum sic pauca refert: “Ut te, fortissime Teucrum,”
“accipio agnoscoque libens! Ut verba parentis”
“et vocem Anchisae magni voltumque recordor!”
“Nam memini Hesionae visentem regna sororis”
“Laomedontiaden Priamum, Salamina petentem,”
“protinus Arcadiae gelidos invisere finis.”
“Tum mihi prima genas vestibat flore iuventas,”
“mirabarque duces Teucros, mirabar et ipsum”
“Laomedontiaden, sed cunctis altior ibat”
“Anchises: mihi mens iuvenali ardebat amore”
“compellare virum et dextrae coniungere dextram.”
“Accessi et cupidus Phenei sub moenia duxi.”
“Ille mihi insignem pharetram Lyciasque sagittas”
“discedens chlamydemque auro dedit intertextam”
“frenaque bina meus quae nunc habet aurea Pallas.”
“Ergo et quam petitis iuncta est mihi foedere dextra,”
“et lux cum primum terris se crastina reddet,”
“auxilio laetos dimittam opibusque iuvabo.”
“Interea sacra haec, quando huc venistis amici,”
“annua, quae differre nefas, celebrate faventes”
“nobiscum et iam nunc sociorum adsuescite mensis.”

[¶8] So saying, he bade his followers renew
th' abandoned feast and wine; and placed each guest
on turf-built couch of green, most honoring
Aeneas by a throne of maple fair
decked with a lion's pelt and flowing mane.
Then high-born pages, with the altar's priest,
bring on the roasted beeves and load the board
with baskets of fine bread; and wine they bring —
of Ceres and of Bacchus gift and toil.
While good Aeneas and his Trojans share
the long whole ox and meats of sacrifice.

> Latin: Haec ubi dicta, dapes iubet et sublata reponi
pocula gramineoque viros locat ipse sedili
praecipuumque toro et villosi pelle leonis
accipit Aenean solioque invitat acerno.
Tum lecti iuvenes certatim araeque sacerdos
viscera tosta ferunt taurorum onerantque canistris
dona laboratae Cereris Bacchumque ministrant.
Vescitur Aeneas simul et Troiana iuventus
perpetui tergo bovis et lustralibus extis.

[¶9] When hunger and its eager edge were gone,
Evander spoke: “This votive holiday,
yon tables spread and altar so divine,
are not some superstition dark and vain,
that knows not the old gods, O Trojan King!
But as men saved from danger and great fear
this thankful sacrifice we pay. Behold,
yon huge rock, beetling from the mountain wall,
hung from the cliff above. How lone and bare
the hollowed mountain looks! How crag on crag
tumbled and tossed in huge confusion lie!
A cavern once it was, which ran deep down
into the darkness. There th' half-human shape
of Cacus made its hideous den, concealed
from sunlight and the day. The ground was wet
at all times with fresh gore; the portal grim
was hung about with heads of slaughtered men,
bloody and pale—a fearsome sight to see.
Vulcan begat this monster, which spewed forth
dark-fuming flames from his infernal throat,
and vast his stature seemed. But time and tide
brought to our prayers the advent of a god
to help us at our need. For Hercules,
divine avenger, came from laying low
three-bodied Geryon, whose spoils he wore
exultant, and with hands victorious drove
the herd of monster bulls, which pastured free
along our river-valley. Cacus gazed
in a brute frenzy, and left not untried
aught of bold crime or stratagem, but stole
four fine bulls as they fed, and heifers four,
all matchless; but, lest hoof-tracks point his way,
he dragged them cave-wards by the tails, confusing
the natural trail, and hid the stolen herd
in his dark den; and not a mark or sign
could guide the herdsmen to that cavern-door.
But after, when Amphitryon's famous son,
preparing to depart, would from the meads
goad forth the full-fed herd, his lingering bulls
roared loud, and by their lamentable cry
filled grove and hills with clamor of farewell:
one heifer from the mountain-cave lowed back
in answer, so from her close-guarded stall
foiling the monster's will.

> Latin: Postquam exempta fames et amor compressus edendi,
rex Euandrus ait: “Non haec sollemnia nobis,”
“has ex more dapes, hanc tanti numinis aram”
“vana superstitio veterumque ignara deorum”
“inposuit: saevis, hospes Troiane, periclis”
“servati facimus meritosque novamus honores.”
“Iam primum saxis suspensam hanc aspice rupem,”
“disiectae procul ut moles desertaque montis”
“stat domus et scopuli ingentem traxere ruinam.”
“Hic spelunca fuit, vasto summota recessu,”
“semihominis Caci facies quam dira tenebat”
“solis inaccessam radiis; semperque recenti”
“caede tepebat humus, foribusque adfixa superbis”
“ora virum tristi pendebant pallida tabo.”
“Huic monstro Volcanus erat pater: illius atros”
“ore vomens ignis magna se mole ferebat.”
“Attulit et nobis aliquando optantibus aetas”
“auxilium adventumque dei. Nam maximus ultor,”
“tergemini nece Geryonae spoliisque superbus”
“Alcides aderat taurosque hac victor agebat”
“ingentis, vallemque boves amnemque tenebant.”
“At furiis Caci mens effera, nequid inausum”
“aut intractatum scelerisve dolive fuisset,”
“quattuor a stabulis praestanti corpore tauros”
“avertit, totidem forma superante iuvencas;”
“atque hos, nequa forent pedibus vestigia rectis,”
“cauda in speluncam tractos versisque viarum”
“indiciis raptos saxo occultabat opaco:”
“quaerenti nulla ad speluncam signa ferebant.”
“Interea, cum iam stabulis saturata moveret”
“Amphytrioniades armenta abitumque pararet,”
“discessu mugire boves atque omne querelis”
“impleri nemus et colles clamore relinqui.”
“reddidit una boum vocem vastoque sub antro”
“mugiit et Caci spem custodita fefellit.”

[¶10] Then hadst thou seen
the wrath of Hercules in frenzy blaze
from his exasperate heart. His arms he seized,
his club of knotted oak, and climbed full-speed
the wind-swept hill. Now first our people saw
Cacus in fear, with panic in his eyes.
Swift to the black cave like a gale he flew,
his feet by terror winged. Scarce had he passed
the cavern door, and broken the big chains,
and dropped the huge rock which was pendent there
by Vulcan's well-wrought steel; scarce blocked and barred
the guarded gate: when there Tirynthius stood,
with heart aflame, surveying each approach,
rolling this way and that his wrathful eyes,
gnashing his teeth. Three times his ire surveyed
the slope of Aventine; three times he stormed
the rock-built gate in vain; and thrice withdrew
to rest him in the vale. But high above
a pointed peak arose, sheer face of rock
on every side, which towered into view
from the long ridge above the vaulted cave,
fit haunt for birds of evil-boding wing.
This peak, which leftward toward the river leaned,
he smote upon its right—his utmost blow —
breaking its bases Ioose; then suddenly
thrust at it: as he thrust, the thunder-sound
filled all the arching sky, the river's banks
asunder leaped, and Tiber in alarm
reversed his flowing wave. So Cacus' lair
lay shelterless, and naked to the day
the gloomy caverns of his vast abode
stood open, deeply yawning, just as if
the riven earth should crack, and open wide
th' infernal world and fearful kingdoms pale,
which gods abhor; and to the realms on high
the measureless abyss should be laid bare,
and pale ghosts shrink before the entering sun.
Now upon Cacus, startled by the glare,
caged in the rocks and howling horribly,
Alcides hurled his weapons, raining down
all sorts of deadly missiles—trunks of trees,
and monstrous boulders from the mountain torn.
But when the giant from his mortal strait
no refuge knew, he blew from his foul jaws
a storm of smoke—incredible to tell —
and with thick darkness blinding every eye,
concealed his cave, uprolling from below
one pitch-black night of mingled gloom and fire.
This would Alcides not endure, but leaped
headlong across the flames, where densest hung
the rolling smoke, and through the cavern surged
a drifting and impenetrable cloud.
With Cacus, who breathed unavailing flame,
he grappled in the dark, locked limb with limb,
and strangled him, till o'er the bloodless throat
the starting eyeballs stared.

> Latin: “Hic vero Alcidae furiis exarserat atro”
“felle dolor: rapit arma manu nodisque gravatum”
“robur et aerii cursu petit ardua montis.”
“Tum primum nostri Cacum videre timentem”
“turbatumque oculis: fugit ilicet ocior Euro”
“speluncamque petit, pedibus timor addidit alas.”
“Ut sese inclusit ruptisque immane catenis”
“deiecit saxum, ferro quod et arte paterna”
“pendebat, fultosque emuniit obice postis,”
“ecce furens animis aderat Tirynthius omnemque”
“accessum lustrans huc ora ferebat et illuc,”
“dentibus infrendens. Ter totum fervidus ira”
“lustrat Aventini montem, ter saxea temptat”
“limina nequiquam, ter fessus valle resedit.”
“Stabat acuta silex, praecisis undique saxis”
“speluncae dorso insurgens, altissima visu,”
“dirarum nidis domus opportuna volucrum.”
“Hanc, ut prona iugo laevum incumbebat in amnem,”
“dexter in adversum nitens concussit et imis”
“avolsam solvit radicibus; inde repente”
“inpulit, inpulsu quo maximus intonat aether”
“dissultant ripae refluitque exterritus amnis.”
“At specus et Caci detecta apparuit ingens”
“regia, et umbrosae penitus patuere cavernae:”
“non secus ac siqua penitus vi terra dehiscens”
“infernas reseret sedes et regna recludat”
“pallida, dis invisa, superque immane barathrum”
“cernatur, trepident inmisso lumine manes.”
“Ergo insperata deprensum luce repente”
“inclusumque cavo saxo atque insueta rudentem”
“desuper Alcides telis premit omniaque arma”
“advocat et ramis vastisque molaribus instat.”
“Ille autem, neque enim fuga iam super ulla pericli,”
“faucibus ingentem fumum (mirabile dictu)”
“evomit involvitque domum caligine caeca,”
“prospectum eripiens oculis, glomeratque sub antro”
“fumiferam noctem commixtis igne tenebris.”
“Non tulit Alcides animis seque ipse per ignem”
“praecipiti iecit saltu, qua plurimus undam”
“fumus agit nebulaque ingens specus aestuat atra.”
“Hic Cacum in tenebris incendia vana vomentem”
“corripit in nodum complexus et angit inhaerens”
“elisos oculos et siccum sanguine guttur.”

[¶11] Then Hercules
burst wide the doorway of the sooty den,
and unto Heaven and all the people showed
the stolen cattle and the robber's crimes,
and dragged forth by the feet the shapeless corpse
of the foul monster slain. The people gazed
insatiate on the grewsome eyes, the breast
of bristling shag, the face both beast and man,
and that fire-blasted throat whence breathed no more
the extinguished flame. 'T is since that famous day
we celebrate this feast, and glad of heart
each generation keeps the holy time.
Potitius began the worship due,
and our Pinarian house is vowed to guard
the rites of Hercules. An altar fair
within this wood they raised; 't is called ‘the Great,’
and Ara Maxima its name shall be.
Come now, my warriors, and bind your brows
with garlands worthy of the gift of Heaven.
Lift high the cup in every thankful hand,
and praise our people's god with plenteous wine.”
He spoke; and of the poplar's changeful sheen,
sacred to Hercules, wove him a wreath
to shade his silvered brow. The sacred cup
he raised in his right hand, while all the rest
called on the gods and pure libation poured.

> Latin: “Panditur extemplo foribus domus atra revolsis,”
“abstractaeque boves abiurataeque rapinae”
“caelo ostenduntur, pedibusque informe cadaver”
“protrahitur. Nequeunt expleri corda tuendo”
“terribilis oculos, voltum villosaque saetis”
“pectora semiferi atque extinctos faucibus ignis.”
“Ex illo celebratus honos, laetique minores”
“servavere diem, primusque Potitius auctor”
“et domus Herculei custos Pinaria sacri.”
“Hanc aram luco statuit, quae maxuma semper”
“dicetur nobis et erit quae maxuma semper.”
“Quare agite, o iuvenes, tantarum in munere laudum”
“cingite fronde comas et pocula porgite dextris”
“communemque vocate deum et date vina volentes.”
Dixerat, Herculea bicolor cum populus umbra
velavitque comas foliisque innexa pependit
et sacer implevit dextram scyphus. Ocius omnes
in mensam laeti libant divosque precantur.

[¶12] Soon from the travelling heavens the western star
glowed nearer, and Potitius led forth
the priest-procession, girt in ancient guise
with skins of beasts and carrying burning brands.
new feasts are spread, and altars heaped anew
with gifts and laden chargers. Then with song
the Salian choir surrounds the blazing shrine,
their foreheads wreathed with poplar. Here the youth,
the elders yonder, in proud anthem sing
the glory and the deeds of Hercules:
how first he strangled with strong infant hand
two serpents, Juno's plague; what cities proud,
Troy and Oechalia, his famous war
in pieces broke; what labors numberless
as King Eurystheus' bondman he endured,
by cruel Juno's will. “Thou, unsubdued,
didst strike the twy-formed, cloud-bred centaurs down,
Pholus and tall Hylaeus. Thou hast slain
the Cretan horror, and the lion huge
beneath the Nemean crag. At sight of thee
the Stygian region quailed, and Cerberus,
crouching o'er half-picked bones in gory cave.
Nothing could bid thee fear. Typhoeus towered
in his colossal Titan-panoply
o'er thee in vain; nor did thy cunning fail
when Lema's wonder-serpent round thee drew
its multudinous head. Hail, Jove's true son!
New glory to the gods above, come down,
and these thine altars and thy people bless!”
Such hymns they chanted, telling oft the tale
of Cacus' cave and blasting breath of fire:
while hills and sacred grove the note prolong.

> Latin: Devexo interea propior fit Vesper Olympo,
iamque sacerdotes primusque Potitius ibant,
pellibus in morem cincti, flammasque ferebant.
Instaurant epulas et mensae grata secundae
dona ferunt cumulantque oneratis lancibus aras.
tum Salii ad cantus incensa altaria circum
populeis adsunt evincti tempora ramis,
hic iuvenum chorus, ille senum; qui carmine laudes
Herculeas et facta ferunt: ut prima novercae
monstra manu geminosque premens eliserit angues,
ut bello egregias idem disiecerit urbes,
Troiamque Oechaliamque, ut duros mille labores
rege sub Eurystheo fatis Iunonis iniquae
pertulerit. “Tu nubigenas, invicte, bimembris”
“Hylaeeumque Pholumque, manu, tu Cresia mactas”
“prodigia et vastum Nemeae sub rupe leonem.”
“Te Stygii tremuere lacus, te ianitor Orci”
“ossa super recubans antro semesa cruento;”
“nec te ullae facies, non terruit ipse Typhoeus,”
“arduus arma tenens; non te rationis egentem”
“Lernaeus turba capitum circumstetit anguis.”
“Salve, vera Iovis proles, decus addite divis,”
“et nos et tua dexter adi pede sacra secundo.”
Talia carminibus celebrant; super omnia Caci
speluncam adiciunt spirantemque ignibus ipsum.
Consonat omne nemus strepitu collesque resultant.

[¶13] Such worship o'er, all take the homeward way
back to the town. The hospitable King,
though bowed with weight of years, kept at his side
Aeneas and his son, and as they fared,
with various discourse beguiled the way.
Aeneas scanned with quick-admiring eyes
the region wide, and lingered with delight
now here, now there, inquiring eagerly
of each proud monument of heroes gone.
Then King Evander, he who builded first
On Palatine, spoke thus: “These groves erewhile
their native nymphs and fauns enjoyed, with men
from trees engendered and stout heart of oak.
Nor laws nor arts they knew; nor how to tame
burls to the yoke, nor fill great barns with store
and hoard the gathered grain; but rudely fared
on wild fruits and such food as hunters find.
Then Saturn from Olympian realms came down,
in flight from Jove's dread arms, his sceptre lost,
and he an exiled King. That savage race
he gathered from the mountain slopes; and gave
wise laws and statutes; so that latent land
was Latium, ‘hid land’, where he hid so long.
The golden centuries by legends told
were under that good King, whose equal sway
untroubled peace to all his peoples gave.
But after slow decline arrived an age
degenerate and of a darker hue,
prone to insensate war and greed of gain.
Then came Sicanian and Ausonian tribes,
and oft the land of Saturn lost its name.
New chieftains rose, and Thybris, giant King
and violent, from whom th' Italians named
the flooding Tiber, which was called no more
the Albula, its true and ancient style.
Myself, in exile from my fatherland
sailing uncharted seas, was guided here
by all-disposing Chance and iron laws
of Destiny. With prophecy severe
Carmentis, my nymph-mother, thrust me on,
warned by Apollo's word.”

> Latin: Exim se cuncti divinis rebus ad urbem
perfectis referunt. Ibat rex obsitus aevo
et comitem Aenean iuxta natumque tenebat
ingrediens varioque viam sermone levabat.
miratur facilisque oculos fert omnia circum
Aeneas capiturque locis et singula laetus
exquiritque auditque virum monimenta priorum.
Tum rex Euandrus, Romanae conditor arcis:
“Haec nemora indigenae fauni nymphaeque tenebant”
“gensque virum truncis et duro robore nata,”
“quis neque mos neque cultus erat, nec iungere tauros”
“aut componere opes norant aut parcere parto,”
“sed rami atque asper victu venatus alebat.”
“Primus ab aetherio venit Saturnus Olympo,”
“arma Iovis fugiens et regnis exsul ademptis.”
“Is genus indocile ac dispersum montibus altis”
“composuit legesque dedit Latiumque vocari”
“maluit, his quoniam latuisset tutis in oris.”
“Aurea quae perhibent illo sub rege fuere”
“saecula. Sic placida populos in pace regebat,”
“deterior donec paulatim ac decolor aetas”
“et belli rabies et amor successit habendi.”
“Tum manus Ausonia et gentes venere Sicanae,”
“saepius et nomen posuit Saturnia tellus;”
“tum reges asperque immani corpore Thybris,”
“a quo post Itali fluvium cognomine Thybrim”
“diximus, amisit verum vetus Albula nomen;”
“me pulsum patria pelagique extrema sequentem”
“Fortuna omnipotens et ineluctabile fatum”
“his posuere locis matrisque egere tremenda”
“Carmentis nymphae monita et deus auctor Apollo.”

[¶14] He scarce had said,
when near their path he showed an altar fair
and the Carmental gate, where Romans see
memorial of Carmentis, nymph divine,
the prophetess of fate, who first foretold
what honors on Aeneas' sons should fall
and lordly Pallanteum, where they dwell.
Next the vast grove was seen, where Romulus
ordained inviolable sanctuary;
then the Lupercal under its cold crag,
Wolf-hill, where old Arcadians revered
their wolf-god, the Lycaean Pan. Here too
the grove of Argiletum, sacred name,
where good Evander told the crime and death
of Argus, his false guest. From this they climbed
the steep Tarpeian hill, the Capitol,
all gold to-day, but then a tangled wild
of thorny woodland. Even then the place
woke in the rustics a religious awe,
and bade them fear and tremble at the view
of that dread rock and grove. “This leafy wood,
which crowns the hill-top, is the favored seat
of some great god,” said he, “but of his name
we know not surely. The Arcadians say
jove's dread right hand here visibly appears
to shake his aegis in the darkening storm,
the clouds compelling. Yonder rise in view
two strongholds with dismantled walls, which now
are but a memory of great heroes gone:
one father Janus built, and Saturn one;
their names, Saturnia and Janiculum.”
'Mid such good parley to the house they came
of King Evander, unadorned and plain,
whence herds of browsing cattle could be seen
ranging the Forum, and loud-bellowing
in proud Carinae. As they entered there,
“Behold,” said he, “the threshold that received
Alcides in his triumph! This abode
he made his own. Dare, O illustrious guest,
to scorn the pomp of power. Shape thy soul
to be a god's fit follower. Enter here,
and free from pride our frugal welcome share.”
So saying, 'neath his roof-tree scant and low
he led the great Aeneas, offering him
a couch of leaves with Libyan bear-skin spread.
Now night drew near, enfolding the wide world
in shadowy wings.

> Latin: “Vix ea dicta: dehinc progressus monstrat et aram”
“et Carmentalem Romani nomine portam”
“quam memorant, nymphae priscum Carmentis honorem,”
“vatis fatidicae, cecinit quae prima futuros”
“Aeneadas magnos et nobile Pallanteum.”
“Hinc lucum ingentem quem Romulus acer Asylum”
“rettulit et gelida monstrat sub rupe Lupercal,”
“Parrhasio dictum Panos de more Lycaei.”
“Nec non et sacri monstrat nemus Argileti”
“testaturque locum et letum docet hospitis Argi.”
“Hinc ad Tarpeiam sedem et Capitolia ducit,”
“aurea nunc, olim silvestribus horrida dumis.”
“Iam tum religio pavidos terrebat agrestis”
“dira loci, iam tum silvam saxumque tremebant.”
“Hoc nemus, hunc,” inquit, “frondoso vertice collem”
“(quis deus incertum est) habitat deus: Arcades ipsum”
“credunt se vidisse Iovem, cum saepe nigrantem”
“aegida concuteret dextra nimbosque cieret.”
“Haec duo praeterea disiectis oppida muris,”
“reliquias veterumque vides monimenta virorum.”
“Hanc Ianus pater, hanc Saturnus condidit arcem:”
“Ianiculum huic, illi fuerat Saturnia nomen.”
Talibus inter se dictis ad tecta subibant
pauperis Euandri passimque armenta videbant
Romanoque foro et lautis mugire Carinis.
Ut ventum ad sedes: “Haec,” inquit, “limina victor”
“Alcides subiit, haec illum regia cepit.”
“Aude, hospes, contemnere opes et te quoque dignum”
“finge deo rebusque veni non asper egenis.”
dixit et angusti subter fastigia tecti
ingentem Aenean duxit stratisque locavit
effultum foliis et pelle Libystidis ursae.
Nox ruit et fuscis tellurem amplectitur alis.