---
title: "Aeneid · Aeneis"
author: "Virgil"
translator: "Theodore C. Williams"
title_ru: "Энеида"
author_ru: "Вергилий"
languages: [la, en]
shelf: "Classical Latin"
section: 16 of 24
url: https://scriptura.si/works/virgil-aeneid/16/
cite: "Virgil, tr. Theodore C. Williams, Aeneid · Aeneis, section 16. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/virgil-aeneid/16/"
---

# 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.

## 16. Book VIII · lines 370–731

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/virgil-aeneid/16/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/virgil-aeneid/16/#p-N

[¶0] But Venus, sore disturbed,
vexed not unwisely her maternal breast,
fearing Laurentum's menace and wild stir
of obstinate revolt, and made her plea
to Vulcan in their nuptial bower of gold,
outbreathing in the music of her words
celestial love: “When warring Argive kings
brought ruin on Troy's sacred citadel
and ramparts soon to sink in hostile flames,
I asked not thee to help that hopeless woe,
nor craved thy craft and power. For, dearest lord,
I would not tax in vain shine arduous toil,
though much to Priam's children I was bound,
and oft to see Aeneas burdened sore
I could but weep. But now by will of Jove
he has found foothold in Rutulian lands.
Therefore I come at last with lowly suit
before a godhead I adore, and pray
for gift of arms,—a mother for her son.
Thou wert not unrelenting to the tears
of Nereus' daughter or Tithonus' bride.
Behold what tribes conspire, what cities strong
behind barred gates now make the falchion keen
to ruin and blot out both me and mine!”
So spake the goddess, as her arms of snow
around her hesitating spouse she threw
in tender, close embrace. He suddenly
knew the familiar fire, and o'er his frame
its wonted ardor unresisted ran,
swift as the glittering shaft of thunder cleaves
the darkened air and on from cloud to cloud
the rift of lightning runs. She, joyful wife;
felt what her beauty and her guile could do;
as, thralled by love unquenchable, her spouse
thus answered fair: “Why wilt thou labor so
with far-fetched pleas? my goddess, hast thou lost
thy faith in me? Had such a prayer been shine,
I could have armed the Teucrians. Neither Jove
nor Destiny had grudged ten added years
of life to Troy and Priam. If to-day
thou hast a war in hand, and if thy heart
determine so, I willingly engage
to lend thee all my cunning; whatsoever
molten alloy or welded iron can,
whate'er my roaring forge and flames achieve,
I offer thee. No more in anxious prayer
distrust thy beauty's power.” So saying, he gave
embrace of mutual desire, and found
deep, peaceful sleep, on her fond heart reclined.

> Latin: At Venus haud animo nequiquam exterrita mater
Laurentumque minis et duro mota tumultu
Volcanum adloquitur thalamoque haec coniugis aureo
incipit et dictis divinum adspirat amorem:
“Dum bello Argolici vastabant Pergama reges”
“debita casurasque inimicis ignibus arces,”
“non ullum auxilium miseris, non arma rogavi”
“artis opisque tuae nec te, carissime coniunx,”
“incassumve tuos volui exercere labores,”
“quamvis et Priami deberem plurima natis”
“et durum Aeneae flevissem saepe laborem.”
“Nunc Iovis imperiis Rutulorum constitit oris:”
“ergo eadem supplex venio et sanctum mihi numen”
“arma rogo genetrix nato. Te filia Nerei,”
“te potuit lacrimis Tithonia flectere coniunx.”
“Aspice qui coeant populi, quae moenia clausis”
“ferrum acuant portis in me exscidiumque meorum.”
Dixerat et niveis hinc atque hinc diva lacertis
cunctantem amplexu molli fovet. Ille repente
accepit solitam flammam, notusque medullas
intravit calor et labefacta per ossa cucurrit:
non secus atque olim tonitru cum rupta corusco
ignea rima micans percurrit lumine nimbos.
Sensit laeta dolis et formae conscia coniunx.
Tum pater aeterno fatur devinctus amore:
“Quid causas petis ex alto? Fiducia cessit”
“quo tibi, diva, mei? Similis si cura fuisset,”
“tum quoque fas nobis Teucros armare fuisset:”
“nec pater omnipotens Troiam nec fata vetabant”
“stare decemque alios Priamum superesse per annos.”
“Et nunc, si bellare paras atque haec tibi mens est,”
“quidquid in arte mea possum promittere curae,”
“quod fieri ferro liquidove potest electro,”
“quantum ignes animaeque valent, absiste precando”
“viribus indubitare tuis.” Ea verba locutus
optatos dedit amplexus placidumque petivit
coniugis infusus gremio per membra soporem.

[¶1] Night's course half run, soon as the first repose
had banished sleep,—what time some careful wife
whose distaff and Minerva's humble toil
must earn her bread, rekindling her warm hearth,
adds a night-burden to her laboring day,
and by the torch-light cheers her maidens on
to their long tasks; that so her husband's bed
she may in honor keep, and train to power
her dear men-children—at such prime of morn,
with not less eager mind the Lord of Fire
fled his soft couch and to his forges tried.
An island near Aeolian Lipara
not far from a Sicilian headland lies,
where smoking rocks precipitously tower
above a vast vault, which the Cyclops' skill
outhollowed large as Aetna's thunderous caves.
There ring the smitten anvils, and the roof
re-echoes, roaring loud. Chalybian ores
hiss in the gloom, and from the furnace mouths
puff the hot-panting fires. 'T is Vulcan's seat,
and all that island is Vulcania.
Thither descended now the god of fire
from height of heaven.

> Latin: Inde ubi prima quies medio iam noctis abactae
curriculo expulerat somnum, cum femina primum,
cui tolerare colo vitam tenuique Minerva
impositum, cinerem et sopitos suscitat ignes,
noctem addens operi, famulasque ad lumina longo
exercet penso, castum ut servare cubile
coniugis et possit parvos educere natos:
haud secus Ignipotens nec tempore segnior illo
mollibus e stratis opera ad fabrilia surgit.
Insula Sicanium iuxta latus Aeoliamque
erigitur Liparen, fumantibus ardua saxis,
quam subter specus et Cyclopum exesa caminis
antra Aetnaea tonant validique incudibus ictus
auditi referunt gemitus striduntque cavernis
stricturae Chalybum et fornacibus ignis anhelat,
Volcani domus et Volcania nomine tellus.
Hoc tunc ignipotens caelo descendit ab alto.

[¶2] At their task were found
the Cyclops in vast cavern forging steel,
naked Pyracmon and gigantic-limbed
Brontes and Steropes; beneath their blows
a lightning-shaft, half-shaped, half-burnished lay,
such as the Thunderer is wont to fling
in numbers from the sky, but formless still.
Three strands of whirling storm they wove with three
of bursting cloud, and three did interfuse
of ruddy-gleaming fires and winged winds;
then fearful lightnings on the skilful forge
they welded with loud horror, and with flames
that bear swift wrath from Jove. Elsewhere a crew
toiled at the chariot and winged wheel
wherewith the war-god wakens from repose
heroes and peopled cities. Others wrought
the awful Aegis, herald of dismay,
by angry Pallas worn; they burnished bright
the golden serpent-scales and wreathing snakes,
till from the corselet of the goddess glared
the Gorgon's severed head and rolling eyes.
“Cyclops of Aetna,” Vulcan cried, “have done!
Leave ev'ry task unfinished, and receive
my new command! Good armor must be forged
for warrior brave. For this I need to use
your utmost sinew and your swiftest hand,
with all your master skill. No lingering now!”
Swift the command, and swiftly they divide
to each his portion, and united urge
the common task. Forth fow the molten streams
of brass and gold, and, melted in fierce fiame,
the deeply-wounding steel like liquid flows.
A mighty shield took shape, its single orb
sufficient to withstand the gathered shock
of all the Latin arms; for seven times
they welded ring with ring. Some deftly ply
the windy bellows, which receive and give
the roaring blasts; some plunge in cooling pond
the hissing metal, while the smithy floor
groans with the anvil's weight, as side by side
they lift their giant arms in numbered blows
and roll with gripe of tongs the ponderous bars.

> Latin: Ferrum exercebant vasto Cyclopes in antro,
Brontesque Steropesque et nudus membra Pyragmon.
His informatum manibus iam parte polita
fulmen erat, toto genitor quae plurima caelo
deicit in terras, pars inperfecta manebat.
Tris imbris torti radios, tris nubis aquosae
addiderant, rutili tris ignis et alitis austri:
fulgores nunc horrificos sonitumque metumque
miscebant operi flammisque sequacibus iras.
Parte alia Marti currumque rotasque volucris
instabant, quibus ille viros, quibus excitat urbes;
aegidaque horriferam, turbatae Palladis arma,
certatim squamis serpentum auroque polibant
conexosque anguis ipsamque in pectore divae
Gorgona, desecto vertentem lumina collo.
“Tollite cuncta,” inquit, “coeptosque auferte labores,”
“Aetnaei Cyclopes, et huc advertite mentem:”
“arma acri facienda viro. Nunc viribus usus,”
“nunc manibus rapidis, omni nunc arte magistra.”
“Praecipitate moras.” Nec plura effatus; at illi
ocius incubuere omnes pariterque laborem
sortiti. Fluit aes rivis aurique metallum,
volnificusque chalybs vasta fornace liquescit.
Ingentum clipeum informant, unum omnia contra
tela Latinorum, septenosque orbibus orbes
impediunt. Alii ventosis follibus auras
accipiunt redduntque, alii stridentia tingunt
aera lacu. Gemit impositis incudibus antrum.
Illi inter sese multa vi bracchia tollunt
in numerum versantque tenaci forcipe massam.

[¶3] While thus the Lemnian god his labor sped
in far Aeolian isle, the cheerful morn
with voice of swallows round his lowly eaves
summoned Evander. From his couch arose
the royal sire, and o'er his aged frame
a tunic threw, tying beneath his feet
the Tuscan sandals: an Arcadian sword,
girt at his left, was over one shoulder slung,
his cloak of panther trailing from behind.
A pair of watch-dogs from the lofty door
ran close, their lord attending, as he sought
his guest Aeneas; for his princely soul
remembered faithfully his former word,
and promised gift. Aeneas with like mind
was stirring early. King Evander's son
Pallas was at his side; Achates too
accompanied his friend. All these conjoin
in hand-clasp and good-morrow, taking seats
in midcourt of the house, and give the hour
to converse unrestrained. First spoke the King:

> Latin: Haec pater Aeoliis properat dum Lemnius oris,
Euandrum ex humili tecto lux suscitat alma
et matutini volucrum sub culmine cantus.
Consurgit senior tunicaque inducitur artus
et Tyrrhena pedum circumdat vincula plantis;
tum lateri atque umeris Tegeaeum subligat ensem,
demissa ab laeva pantherae terga retorquens.
Nec non et gemini custodes limine ab alto
praecedunt gressumque canes comitantur erilem.
Hospitis Aeneae sedem et secreta petebat
sermonum memor et promissi muneris heros.
Nec minus Aeneas se matutinus agebat.
Filius huic Pallas, illi comes ibat Achates.
Congressi iungunt dextras mediisque residunt
aedibus et licito tandem sermone fruuntur.
Rex prior haec:

[¶4] “Great leader of the Teucrians, while thy life
in safety stands, I call not Trojan power
vanquished or fallen. But to help thy war
my small means match not thy redoubled name.
Yon Tuscan river is my bound. That way
Rutulia thrusts us hard and chafes our wall
with loud, besieging arms. But I propose
to league with thee a numerous array
of kings and mighty tribes, which fortune strange
now brings to thy defence. Thou comest here
because the Fates intend. Not far from ours
a city on an ancient rock is seen,
Agylla, which a warlike Lydian clan
built on the Tuscan hills. It prospered well
for many a year, then under the proud yoke
of King Mezentius it came and bore
his cruel sway. Why tell the loathsome deeds
and crimes unspeakable the despot wrought?
May Heaven requite them on his impious head
and on his children! For he used to chain
dead men to living, hand on hand was laid
and face on face,—torment incredible!
Till, locked in blood-stained, horrible embrace,
a lingering death they found. But at the last
his people rose in furious despair,
and while he blasphemously raged, assailed
his life and throne, cut down his guards
and fired his regal dwellings; he, the while,
escaped immediate death and fied away
to the Rutulian land, to find defence
in Turnus hospitality. To-day
Etruria, to righteous anger stirred,
demands with urgent arms her guilty King.
To their large host, Aeneas, I will give
an added strength, thyself. For yonder shores
re-echo with the tumult and the cry
of ships in close array; their eager lords
are clamoring for battle. But the song
of the gray omen-giver thus declares
their destiny: ‘O goodly princes born
of old Maeonian lineage! Ye that are
the bloom and glory of an ancient race,
whom just occasions now and noble rage
enflame against Mezentius your foe,
it is decreed that yonder nation proud
shall never submit to chiefs Italian-born.
Seek ye a king from far!’ So in the field
inert and fearful lies Etruria's force,
disarmed by oracles. Their Tarchon sent
envoys who bore a sceptre and a crown
even to me, and prayed I should assume
the sacred emblems of Etruria's king,
and lead their host to war. But unto me
cold, sluggish age, now barren and outworn,
denies new kingdoms, and my slow-paced powers
run to brave deeds no more. Nor could I urge
my son, who by his Sabine mother's line
is half Italian-born. Thyself art he,
whose birth illustrious and manly prime
fate favors and celestial powers approve.
Therefore go forth, O bravest chief and King
of Troy and Italy! To thee I give
the hope and consolation of our throne,
pallas, my son, and bid him find in thee
a master and example, while he learns
the soldier's arduous toil. With thy brave deeds
let him familiar grow, and reverence thee
with youthful love and honor. In his train
two hundred horsemen of Arcadia,
our choicest men-at-arms, shall ride; and he
in his own name an equal band shall bring
to follow only thee.”

> Latin: “Maxume Teucrorum ductor, quo sospite numquam”
“res equidem Troiae victas aut regna fatebor,”
“nobis ad belli auxilium pro nomine tanto”
“exiguae vires: hinc Tusco claudimur amni,”
“hinc Rutulus premit et murum circumsonat armis.”
“Sed tibi ego ingentis populos opulentaque regnis”
“iungere castra paro, quam fors inopina salutem”
“ostentat: fatis huc te poscentibus adfers.”
“Haud procul hinc saxo incolitur fundata vetusto”
“urbis Agyllinae sedes, ubi Lydia quondam”
“gens, bello praeclara, iugis insedit Etruscis.”
“Hanc multos florentem annos rex deinde superbo”
“imperio et saevis tenuit Mezentius armis.”
“Quid memorem infandas caedes, quid facta tyranni”
“effera? Di capiti ipsius generique reservent!”
“Mortua quin etiam iungebat corpora vivis”
“componens manibusque manus atque oribus ora,”
“tormenti genus, et sanie taboque fluentis”
“complexu in misero longa sic morte necabat.”
“at fessi tandem cives infanda furentem”
“armati circumsistunt ipsumque domumque,”
“obtruncant socios, ignem ad fastigia iactant.”
“Ille inter caedem Rutulorum elapsus in agros”
“confugere et Turni defendier hospitis armis.”
“Ergo omnis furiis surrexit Etruria iustis:”
“regem ad supplicium praesenti Marte reposcunt.”
“his ego te, Aenea, ductorem milibus addam.”
“Toto namque fremunt condensae litore puppes”
“Signaque ferre iubent; retinet longaevus haruspex”
“fata canens, ‘O Maeoniae delecta iuventus,’”
“‘flos veterum virtusque virum, quos iustus in hostem’”
“‘fert dolor et merita accendit Mezentius ira,’”
“‘nulli fas Italo tantam subiungere gentem:’”
“‘externos optate duces; tum Etrusca resedit’”
“hoc acies campo, monitis exterrita divom.”
“Ipse oratores ad me regnique coronam”
“cum sceptro misit mandatque insignia Tarchon,”
“succedam castris Tyrrhenaque regna capessam.”
“Sed mihi tarda gelu saeclisque effeta senectus”
“invidet imperium seraeque ad fortia vires.”
“natum exhortarer, ni mixtus matre Sabella”
“hinc partem patriae traheret. Tu, cuius et annis”
“et generi fatum indulgent, quem numina poscunt,”
“ingredere, o Teucrum atque Italum fortissime ductor.”
“hunc tibi praeterea, spes et solacia nostri,”
“Pallanta adiungam; sub te tolerare magistro”
“militiam et grave Martis opus, tua cernere facta”
“adsuescat primis et te miretur ab annis.”
“Arcadas huic equites bis centum, robora pubis”
“lecta dabo totidemque suo tibi nomine Pallas.”

[¶5] Such the discourse.
With meditative brows and downcast eyes
Aeneas and Achates, sad at heart,
mused on unnumbered perils yet to come.
But out of cloudless sky Cythera's Queen
gave sudden signal: from th' ethereal dome
a thunder-peal and flash of quivering fire
tumultuous broke, as if the world would fall,
and bellowing Tuscan trumpets shook the air.
All eyes look up. Again and yet again
crashed the terrible din, and where the sky
looked clearest hung a visionary cloud,
whence through the brightness blazed resounding arms.
All hearts stood still. But Troy's heroic son
knew that his mother in the skies redeemed
her pledge in sound of thunder: so he cried,
“Seek not, my friend, seek not thyself to read
the meaning of the omen. 'T is to me
Olympus calls. My goddess-mother gave
long since her promise of a heavenly sign
if war should burst; and that her power would bring
a panoply from Vulcan through the air,
to help us at our need. Alas, what deaths
over Laurentum's ill-starred host impend!
O Turnus, what a reckoning thou shalt pay
to me in arms! O Tiber, in thy wave
what helms and shields and mighty soldiers slain
shall in confusion roll! Yea, let them lead
their lines to battle, and our league abjure!”

> Latin: Vix ea fatus erat, defixique ora tenebant
Aeneas Anchisiades et fidus Achates
multaque dura suo tristi cum corde putabant,
ni signum caelo Cytherea dedisset aperto.
Namque inproviso vibratus ab aethere fulgor
cum sonitu venit, et ruere omnia visa repente
Tyrrhenusque tubae mugire per aethera clangor.
Suspiciunt, iterum atque iterum fragor increpat ingens:
arma inter nubem caeli regione serena
per sudum rutilare vident et pulsa tonare.
Obstipuere animis alii, sed Troius heros
agnovit sonitum et divae promissa parentis.
Tum memorat: “Ne vero, hospes, ne quaere profecto,”
“quem casum portenta ferant: ego poscor Olympo.”
“Hoc signum cecinit missuram diva creatrix,”
“si bellum ingrueret, Volcaniaque arma per auras”
“laturam auxilio.”
“Heu quantae miseris caedes Laurentibus instant;”
“quas poenas mihi, Turne, dabis; quam multa sub undas”
“scuta virum galeasque et fortia corpora volves,”
“Thybri pater! Poscant acies et foedera rumpant.”

[¶6] He said: and from the lofty throne uprose.
Straightway he roused anew the slumbering fire
sacred to Hercules, and glad at heart
adored, as yesterday, the household gods
revered by good Evander, at whose side
the Trojan company made sacrifice
of chosen lambs, with fitting rites and true.
Then to his ships he tried him, and rejoined
his trusty followers, of whom he took
the best for valor known, to lend him aid
in deeds of war. Others he bade return
down stream in easy course, and tidings bear
to young Ascanius of the new event,
and of his father. Horses then were brought
for all the Teucrians to Etruria bound;
and for Aeneas one of rarest breed,
o'er whom a tawny robe descended low,
of lion-skin, with claws of gleaming gold.

> Latin: Haec ubi dicta dedit, solio se tollit ab alto
et primum Herculeis sopitas ignibus aras
excitat hesternumque larem parvosque penatis
laetus adit: mactant lectas de more bidentis
Euandrus pariter, pariter Troiana iuventus.
Post hinc ad navis graditur sociosque revisit.
Quorum de numero qui sese in bella sequantur
praestantis virtute legit; pars cetera prona
fertur aqua segnisque secundo defluit amni,
nuntia ventura Ascanio rerumque patrisque.
Dantur equi Teucris Tyrrhena petentibus arva;
ducunt exsortem Aeneae, quem fulva leonis
pellis obit totum, praefulgens unguibus aureis.

[¶7] Noised swiftly through the little town it flies
that to the precinct of the Tuscan King
armed horsemen speed. Pale mothers in great fear
unceasing pray; for panic closely runs
in danger's steps; the war-god drawing nigh
looms larger; and good sire Evander now
clings to the hand of his departing son
and, weeping without stay, makes sad farewell:
“O, that great Jove would give me once again
my vanished years! O, if such man I were,
as when beneath Praeneste's wall I slew
the front ranks of her sons, and burned for spoil
their gathered shields on my triumph day;
or when this right hand hurled king Erulus
to shades below, though—terrible to tell —
Feronia bore him with three lives, that thrice
he might arise from deadly strife o'erthrown,
and thrice be slain—yet all these lives took I,
and of his arms despoiled him o'er and o'er:
not now, sweet son (if such lost might were mine),
should I from thy beloved embrace be torn;
nor could Mezentius with insulting sword
do murder in my sight and make my land
depopulate and forlorn. O gods in Heaven,
and chiefly thou whom all the gods obey,
have pity, Jove, upon Arcadia's King,
and hear a father's prayer: if your intent
be for my Pallas a defence secure,
if it be writ that long as I shall live,
my eyes may see him, and my arms enfold,
I pray for life, and all its ills I bear.
But if some curse, too dark to tell, impend
from thee, O Fortune blind! I pray thee break
my thread of miserable life to-day;
to-day, while fear still doubts and hope still smiles
on the unknown to-morrow, as I hold
thee to my bosom, dearest child, who art
my last and only joy; to-day, before
th' intolerable tidings smite my ears.”
Such grief the royal father's heart outpoured
at this last parting; the strong arms of slaves
lifted him, fallen in swoon, and bore him home.

> Latin: Fama volat parvam subito volgata per urbem,
ocius ire equites Tyrrheni ad litora regis.
vota metu duplicant matres, propiusque periclo
it timor, et maior Martis iam apparet imago.
tum pater Evandrus dextram complexus euntis
haeret inexpletus lacrimans, ac talia fatur:
“O mihi praeteritos referat si Iuppiter annos,”
“(qualis eram, cum primam aciem Praeneste sub ipsa”
“stravi scutorumque incendi victor acervos”
“et regem hac Erulum dextra sub Tartara misi,”
“nascenti cui tris animas Feronia mater”
“(horrendum dictu) dederat; terna arma movenda,”
“ter Leto sternendus erat; cui tunc tamen omnis”
“abstulit haec animas dextra et totidem exuit armis:”
“non ego nunc dulci amplexu divellerer usquam,”
“nate, tuo, neque finitimo Mezentius umquam”
“huic capiti insultans tot ferro saeva dedisset”
“funera, tam multis viduasset civibus urbem.”
“At vos, o superi, et divom tu maxume rector”
“Iuppiter, Arcadii, quaeso, miserescite regis”
“et patrias audite preces. Si numina vestra”
“incolumem Pallanta mihi, si fata reservant,”
“si visurus eum vivo et venturus in unum:”
“vitam oro, patior quemvis durare laborem.”
“Sin aliquem infandum casum, Fortuna, minaris:”
“nunc O nunc liceat crudelem abrumpere vitam,”
“dum curae ambiguae, dum spes incerta futuri,”
“dum te, care puer, mea sera et sola voluptas,”
“complexu teneo, gravior neu nuntius auris”
“volneret.” Haec genitor digressu dicta supremo
fundebat: famuli conlapsum in tecta ferebant.

[¶8] Now forth beneath the wide-swung city-gates
the mounted squadron poured; Aeneas rode,
companioned of Achates, in the van;
then other lords of Troy. There Pallas shone
conspicuous in the midmost line, with cloak
and blazoned arms, as when the Morning-star
(To Venus dearest of all orbs that burn),
out of his lucent bath in ocean wave
lifts to the skies his countenance divine,
and melts the shadows of the night away.
Upon the ramparts trembling matrons stand
and follow with dimmed eyes the dusty cloud
whence gleam the brazen arms. The warriors ride
straight on through brake and fell, the nearest way;
loud ring the war-cries, and in martial line
the pounding hoof-beats shake the crumbling ground.
By Caere's cold flood lies an ample grove
revered from age to age. The hollowing hills
enclasp it in wide circles of dark fir,
and the Pelasgians, so the legends tell,
primaeval settlers of the Latin plains,
called it the haunt of Silvan, kindly god
of flocks and fields, and honoring the grove
gave it a festal day. Hard by this spot
had Tarchon with the Tuscans fortified
his bivouac, and from the heights afar
his legions could be seen in wide array
outstretching through the plain. To meet them there
Aeneas and his veteran chivalry
made sure advance, and found repose at eve
for warrior travel-worn and fainting steed.

> Latin: Iamque adeo exierat portis equitatus apertis,
Aeneas inter primos et fidus Achates,
inde alii Troiae proceres, ipse agmine Pallas
in medio chlamyde et pictis conspectus in armis:
qualis ubi Oceani perfusus Lucifer unda,
quem Venus ante alios astrorum diligit ignis,
extulit os sacrum caelo tenebrasque resolvit.
Stant pavidae in muris matres oculisque sequuntur
pulveream nubem et fulgentis aere catervas.
Olli per dumos, qua proxuma meta viarum,
armati tendunt; it clamor, et agmine facto
quadrupedante putrem sonitu quatit ungula campum.
Est ingens gelidum lucus prope Caeritis amnem,
religione patrum late sacer; undique colles
inclusere cavi et nigra nemus abiete cingunt.
Silvano fama est veteres sacrasse Pelasgos,
arvorum pecorisque deo, lucumque diemque,
qui primi finis aliquando habuere Latinos:
haud procul hinc Tarcho et Tyrrheni tuta tenebant
castra locis, celsoque omnis de colle videri
iam poterat legio et latis tendebat in arvis.
Huc pater Aeneas et bello lecta iuventus
succedunt fessique et equos et corpora curant.

[¶9] But now athwart the darkening air of heaven
came Venus gleaming bright, to bring her son
the gifts divine. In deep, sequestered vale
she found him by a cooling rill retired,
and hailed him thus: “Behold the promised gift,
by craft and power of my Olympian spouse
made perfect, that my son need never fear
Laurentum's haughty host, nor to provoke
fierce Turnus to the fray.” Cythera's Queen
so saying, embraced her son, and hung the arms,
all glittering, on an oak that stood thereby.
The hero, with exultant heart and proud,
gazing unwearied at his mother's gift,
surveys them close, and poises in his hands
the helmet's dreadful crest and glancing flame,
the sword death-dealing, and the corselet strong,
impenetrable brass, blood-red and large,
like some dark-lowering, purple cloud that gleams
beneath the smiting sun and flashes far
its answering ray; and burnished greaves were there,
fine gold and amber; then the spear and shield —
the shield—of which the blazonry divine
exceeds all power to tell. Thereon were seen
Italia's story and triumphant Rome,
wrought by the Lord of Fire, who was not blind
to lore inspired and prophesying song,
fore-reading things to come. He pictured there
Iulus' destined line of glorious sons
marshalled for many a war.

> Latin: At Venus aetherios inter dea candida nimbos
dona ferens aderat; natumque in valle reducta
ut procul egelido secretum flumine vidit,
talibus adfata est dictis seque obtulit ultro:
“En perfecta mei promissa coniugis arte”
“munera, ne mox aut Laurentis, nate, superbos”
“aut acrem dubites in proelia poscere Turnum.”
Dixit et amplexus nati Cytherea petivit,
arma sub adversa posuit radiantia quercu.
Ille, deae donis et tanto laetus honore,
expleri nequit atque oculos per singula volvit
miraturque interque manus et bracchia versat
terribilem cristis galeam flammasque vomentem
fatiferumque ensem, loricam ex aere rigentem
sanguineam ingentem, qualis cum caerula nubes
solis inardescit radiis longeque refulget;
tum levis ocreas electro auroque recocto
hastamque et clipei non enarrabile textum.
Illic res Italas Romanorumque triumphos
haud vatum ignarus venturique inscius aevi
fecerat ignipotens, illic genus omne futurae
stirpis ab Ascanio. pugnataque in ordine bella.

[¶10] In cavern green,
haunt of the war-god, lay the mother-wolf;
the twin boy-sucklings at her udders played,
nor feared such nurse; with long neck backward thrown
she fondled each, and shaped with busy tongue
their bodies fair. Near these were pictured well
the walls of Rome and ravished Sabine wives
in the thronged theatre violently seized,
when the great games were done; then, sudden war
of Romulus against the Cures grim
and hoary Tatius; next, the end of strife
between the rival kings, who stood in arms
before Jove's sacred altar, cup in hand,
and swore a compact o'er the slaughtered swine.
Hard by, behold, the whirling chariots tore
Mettus asunder (would thou hadst been true,
false Alban, to thy vow!); and Tullus trailed
the traitor's mangled corse along the hills,
the wild thorn dripping gore. Porsenna, next,
sent to revolted Rome his proud command
to take her Tarquin back, and with strong siege
assailed the city's wall; while unsubdued
Aeneas' sons took arms in freedom's name.
there too the semblance of the frustrate King,
a semblance of his wrath and menace vain,
when Cocles broke the bridge, and Cloelia burst
her captive bonds and swam the Tiber's wave.
Lo, on the steep Tarpeian citadel
stood Manlius at the sacred doors of Jove,
holding the capitol, whereon was seen
the fresh-thatched house of Romulus the King.
There, too, all silver, through arcade of gold
fluttered the goose, whose monitory call
revealed the foeman at the gate: outside
besieging Gauls the thorny pathway climbed,
ambushed in shadow and the friendly dark
of night without a star; their flowing hair
was golden, and their every vesture gold;
their cloaks were glittering plaid; each milk-white neck
bore circlet of bright gold; in each man's hand
two Alpine javelins gleamed, and for defence
long shields the wild northern warriors bore.
There, graven cunningly, the Salian choir
went leaping, and in Lupercalian feast
the naked striplings ran; while others, crowned
with peaked cap, bore shields that fell from heaven;
and, bearing into Rome their emblems old,
chaste priestesses on soft-strewn litters passed.
But far from these th' artificer divine
had wrought a Tartarus, the dreadful doors
of Pluto, and the chastisements of sin;
swung o'er a threatening precipice, was seen
thy trembling form, O Catiline, in fear
of fury-faces nigh: and distant far
th' assemblies of the righteous, in whose midst
was Cato, giving judgment and decree.

> Latin: Fecerat et viridi fetam Mavortis in antro
procubuisse lupam, geminos huic ubera circum
ludere pendentis pueros et lambere matrem
impavidos, illam tereti cervice reflexa
mulcere alternos et corpora fingere lingua.
Nec procul hinc Romam et raptas sine more Sabinas
consessu caveae magnis circensibus actis
addiderat subitoque novum consurgere bellum
Romulidis Tatioque seni Curibusque severis.
Post idem inter se posito certamine reges
armati Iovis ante aram paterasque tenentes
stabant et caesa iungebant foedera porca.
Haud procul inde citae Mettum in diversa quadrigae
distulerant, at tu dictis, Albane, maneres,
raptabatque viri mendacis viscera Tullus
per silvam, et sparsi rorabant sanguine vepres.
Nec non Tarquinium eiectum Porsenna iubebat
accipere ingentique urbem obsidione premebat:
Aeneadae in ferrum pro libertate ruebant.
Illum indignanti similem similemque minanti
aspiceres, pontem auderet quia vellere Cocles
et fluvium vinclis innaret Cloelia ruptis.
In summo custos Tarpeiae Manlius arcis
stabat pro templo et Capitolia celsa tenebat,
Romuleoque recens horrebat regia culmo.
Atque hic auratis volitans argenteus anser
porticibus Gallos in limine adesse canebat.
Galli per dumos aderant arcemque tenebant,
defensi tenebris et dono noctis opacae:
aurea caesaries ollis atque aurea vestis,
virgatis lucent sagulis, tum lactea colla
auro innectuntur, duo quisque Alpina coruscant
gaesa manu, scutis protecti corpora longis.
Hic exsultantis Salios nudosque Lupercos
lanigerosque apices et lapsa ancilia caelo
extuderat, castae ducebant sacra per urbem
pilentis matres in mollibus. Hinc procul addit
Tartareas etiam sedes, alta ostia Ditis,
et scelerum poenas et te, Catilina, minaci
pendentem scopulo Furiarumque ora trementem,
secretosque pios, his dantem iura Catonem.

[¶11] Encircled by these pictures ran the waves
of vast, unrestful seas in flowing gold,
where seemed along the azure crests to fly
the hoary foam, and in a silver ring
the tails of swift, emerging dolphins lashed
the waters bright, and clove the tumbling brine.
For the shield's central glory could be seen
great fleets of brazen galleys, and the fight
at Actium; where, ablaze with war's array,
Leucate's peak glowed o'er the golden tide.
Caesar Augustus led Italia's sons
to battle: at his side concordant moved
Senate and Roman People, with their gods
of hearth and home, and all Olympian Powers.
Uplifted on his ship he stands; his brows
beneath a double glory smile, and bright
over his forehead beams the Julian star.
in neighboring region great Agrippa leads,
by favor of fair winds and friendly Heaven,
his squadron forth: upon his brows he wears
the peerless emblem of his rostral crown.
Opposing, in barbaric splendor shine
the arms of Antony: in victor's garb
from nations in the land of morn he rides,
and from the Red Sea, bringing in his train
Egypt and Syria, utmost Bactria's horde,
and last—O shameless!—his Egyptian spouse.
All to the fight make haste; the slanted oars
and triple beaks of brass uptear the waves
to angry foam, as to the deep they speed
like hills on hill-tops hurled, or Cyclades
drifting and clashing in the sea: so vast
that shock of castled ships and mighty men!
Swift, arrowy steel and balls of blazing tow
rain o'er the waters, till the sea-god's world
flows red with slaughter. In the midst, the Queen,
sounding her native timbrel, wildly calls
her minions to the fight, nor yet can see
two fatal asps behind. Her monster-gods,
barking Anubis, and his mongrel crew,
on Neptune, Venus, and Minerva fling
their impious arms; the face of angry Mars,
carved out of iron, in the centre frowns,
grim Furies fill the air; Discordia strides
in rent robe, mad with joy; and at her side,
bellona waves her sanguinary scourge.
There Actian Apollo watched the war,
and o'er it stretched his bow; which when they knew,
Egyptian, Arab, and swart Indian slave,
and all the sons of Saba fled away
in terror of his arm. The vanquished Queen
made prayer to all the winds, and more and more
flung out the swelling sail: on wind-swept wave
she fled through dead and dying; her white brow
the Lord of Fire had cunningly portrayed
blanched with approaching doom. Beyond her lay
the large-limbed picture of the mournful Nile,
who from his bosom spread his garments wide,
and offered refuge in his sheltering streams
and broad, blue breast, to all her fallen power.
But Caesar in his triple triumph passed
the gates of Rome, and gave Italia's gods,
for grateful offering and immortal praise,
three hundred temples; all the city streets
with game and revel and applauding song
rang loud; in all the temples altars burned
and Roman matrons prayed; the slaughtered herds
strewed well the sacred ground. The hero, throned
at snow-white marble threshold of the fane
to radiant Phoebus, views the gift and spoil
the nations bring, and on the portals proud
hangs a perpetual garland: in long file
the vanquished peoples pass, of alien tongues,
of arms and vesture strange. Here Vulcan showed
ungirdled Afric chiefs and Nomads bold,
Gelonian bowmen, men of Caria,
and Leleges. Euphrates seemed to flow
with humbler wave; the world's remotest men,
Morini came, with double-horned Rhine,
and Dahae, little wont to bend the knee,
and swift Araxes, for a bridge too proud.

> Latin: Haec inter tumidi late maris ibat imago
aurea, sed fluctu spumabant caerula cano;
et circum argento clari delphines in orbem
aequora verrebant caudis aestumque secabant.
In medio classis aeratas, Actia bella,
cernere erat, totumque instructo Marte videres
fervere Leucaten auroque effulgere fluctus.
Hinc Augustus agens Italos in proelia Caesar
cum patribus populoque, penatibus et magnis dis,
stans celsa in puppi; geminas cui tempora flammas
laeta vomunt patriumque aperitur vertice sidus.
Parte alia ventis et dis Agrippa secundis
arduus agmen agens; cui, belli insigne superbum,
tempora navali fulgent rostrata corona.
Hinc ope barbarica variisque Antonius armis,
victor ab Aurorae populis et litore rubro,
Aegyptum viresque Orientis et ultima secum
Bactra vehit, sequiturque (nefas) Aegyptia coniunx.
Una omnes ruere, ac totum spumare reductis
convolsum remis rostrisque tridentibus aequor.
alta petunt: pelago credas innare revolsas
Cycladas aut montis concurrere montibus altos,
tanta mole viri turritis puppibus instant.
stuppea flamma manu telisque volatile ferrum
spargitur, arva nova Neptunia caede rubescunt.
Regina in mediis patrio vocat agmina sistro
necdum etiam geminos a tergo respicit anguis.
omnigenumque deum monstra et latrator Anubis
contra Neptunum et Venerem contraque Minervam
tela tenent. Saevit medio in certamine Mavors
caelatus ferro tristesque ex aethere Dirae,
et scissa gaudens vadit Discordia palla,
quam cum sanguineo sequitur Bellona flagello.
Actius haec cernens arcum tendebat Apollo
desuper: omnis eo terrore Aegyptus et Indi,
omnis Arabs, omnes vertebant terga Sabaei.
Ipsa videbatur ventis regina vocatis
vela dare et laxos iam iamque inmittere funis.
Illam inter caedes pallentem morte futura
fecerat Ignipotens undis et Iapyge ferri,
contra autem magno maerentem corpore Nilum
pandentemque sinus et tota veste vocantem
caeruleum in gremium latebrosaque flumina victos.
At Caesar, triplici invectus Romana triumpho
moenia, dis Italis votum inmortale sacrabat,
maxuma tercentum totam delubra per urbem.
Laetitia ludisque viae plausuque fremebant;
omnibus in templis matrum chorus, omnibus arae;
ante aras terram caesi stravere iuvenci.
Ipse, sedens niveo candentis limine Phoebi,
dona recognoscit populorum aptatque superbis
postibus; incedunt victae longo ordine gentes,
quam variae linguis, habitu tam vestis et armis.
Hic Nomadum genus et discinctos Mulciber Afros,
hic Lelegas Carasque sagittiferosque Gelonos
finxerat; Euphrates ibat iam mollior undis,
extremique hominum Morini, Rhenusque bicornis,
indomitique Dahae, et pontem indignatus Araxes.

[¶12] Such was the blazoned shield his mother gave
from Vulcan's forge; which with astonished eyes
Aeneas viewed, and scanned with joyful mind
such shadows of an unknown age to be;
then on his shoulder for a burden bore
the destined mighty deeds of all his sons.

> Latin: Talia per clipeum Volcani, dona parentis,
miratur rerumque ignarus imagine gaudet,
attollens umero famamque et fata nepotum.