Meanwhile Aeneas, now well launched away,steered forth with all the fleet to open sea,on his unswerving course, and ploughed the waves,sped by a driving gale; but when his eyeslooked back on Carthage, they beheld the glareof hapless Dido's fire. Not yet was knownwhat kindled the wild flames; but that the pangof outraged love is cruel, and what the heartof desperate woman dares, they knew too well,and sad foreboding shook each Trojan soul.Soon in mid-sea, beyond all chart of shore,when only seas and skies were round their way,full in the zenith loomed a purple cloud,storm-laden, dark as night, and every wavegrew black and angry; from his Iofty seatthe helmsman Palinurus cried, “Alas!What means this host of storms encircling heaven?What, Neptune, wilt thou now?” He, having said,bade reef and tighten, bend to stronger stroke,and slant sail to the wind; then spake again:“High-souled Aeneas, not if Jove the Kinggave happy omen, would I have good hopeof making Italy through yonder sky.Athwart our course from clouded evening-starrebellious winds run shifting, and the airinto a cloud-wrack rolls. Against such foestoo weak our strife and strain! Since now the handof Fortune triumphs, let us where she callsobedient go. For near us, I believe,lies Eryx' faithful and fraternal shore:here are Sicilian havens, if my mindof yon familiar stars have knowledge true.”then good Aeneas: “For a friendly windlong have I sued, and watched thee vainly strive.Shift sail! What happier land for me and mine,or for our storm-beat ships what safer shore,than where Dardanian Acestes reigns;the land whose faithful bosom cherishesAnchises' ashes?” Heedful of his word,they landward steer, while favoring zephyrs fillthe spreading sail. On currents swift and strongthe fleet is wafted, and with thankful soulthey moor on Sicily's familiar strand.
Interea medium Aeneas iam classe tenebatcertus iter, fluctusque atros Aquilone secabat,moenia respiciens, quae iam infelicis Elissaeconlucent flammis. Quae tantum accenderit ignem,causa latet; duri magno sed amore dolorespolluto, notumque, furens quid femina possit,triste per augurium Teucrorum pectora ducunt.Ut pelagus tenuere rates, nec iam amplius ullaoccurrit tellus, maria undique et undique caelum,olli caeruleus supra caput adstitit imber,noctem hiememque ferens, et inhorruit unda tenebris.Ipse gubernator puppi Palinurus ab alta:“Heu! quianam tanti cinxerunt aethera nimbi?”“Quidve, pater Neptune, paras?” Sic deinde locutuscolligere arma iubet validisque incumbere remis,obliquatque sinus in ventum, ac talia fatur:“Magnanime Aenea, non, si mihi Iuppiter auctor”“spondeat, hoc sperem Italiam contingere caelo.”“Mutati transversa fremunt et vespere ab atro”“consurgunt venti, atque in nubem cogitur aër.”“Nec nos obniti contra, nec tendere tantum”“sufficimus. Superat quoniam Fortuna, sequamur,”“quoque vocat, vertamus iter. Nec litora longe”“fida reor fraterna Erycis portusque Sicanos,”“si modo rite memor servata remetior astra.”Tum pius Aeneas: “Equidem sic poscere ventos”“iamdudum et frustra cerno te tendere contra:”“Flecte viam velis. An sit mihi gratior ulla,”“quove magis fessas optem demittere naves,”“quam quae Dardanium tellus mihi servat Acesten,”“et patris Anchisae gremio complectitur ossa?”Haec ubi dicta, petunt portus, et vela secundiintendunt Zephyri; fertur cita gurgite classis,et tandem laeti notae advertuntur harenae.
From a far hill-top having seen with joythe entering ships, and knowing them for friends,good King Acestes ran to bid them hail.Garbed in rough pelt of Libyan bear was he,and javelins he bore, in sylvan guise:for him the river-god Crimisus siredof Trojan wife. Remembering in his hearthis ancient blood, he greeted with glad wordsthe wanderers returned; bade welcome tohis rude abundance, and with friendly giftstheir weariness consoled.
At procul ex celso miratus vertice montisadventum sociasque rates occurrit Acestes,horridus in iaculis et pelle Libystidis ursae,Troïa Criniso conceptum flumine materquem genuit: veterum non immemor ille parentumgratatur reduces, et gaza laetus agrestiexcipit, ac fessos opibus solatur amicis.
The morrow morn,soon as the new beams of a golden dayhad banished every star, Aeneas calleda council of his followers on the shore,and from a fair green hillock gave this word:“Proud sons of Dardanus, whose lofty linenone but the gods began! This day fulfilsthe annual cycle of revolving time,since the dear relics of my god-like sireto earth we gave, and with dark offerings duebuilt altars sorrowful. If now I err not,this is my day—ye gods have willed it so! —for mourning and for praise. Should it befallme exiled in Gaetulia's wilderness,or sailing some Greek sea, or at the wallsof dire Mycenae, still would I renewunfailing vows, and make solemnitywith thankful rites, and worshipful array,at altars rich with gifts. But, lo, we come,beyond all hope, where lie the very bonesof my great sire. Nor did it come to passwithout divine intent and heavenly power,that on these hospitable shores we stand.Up, then! For we will make a festal day,imploring lucky winds! O, may his spiritgrant me to build my city, where his shrinesforever shall receive perpetual vowsmade in his name! This prince of Trojan line,Acestes, upon every ship bestowsa pair of oxen. To our offerings callthe powers that bless the altars and the firesof our ancestral hearth; and join with thesethe gods of good Acestes. Presently,when the ninth dawn shall bring its beam benignto mortal men, and show the radiant world,or all my Teucrian people I ordaina holiday of games; the flying shipsshall first contend; then swiftest runners trya foot-race; after that the champions boldwho step forth for a cast of javelins,or boast the soaring arrow; or fear notthe boxing-bout, with gauntlet of thick thongs.This summons is for all; let all have hopeto earn some noble palm! And from this hourspeak but well-boding words, and bind your browswith garlands green.”
Postera cum primo stellas Oriente fugaratclara dies, socios in coetum litore ab omniadvocat Aeneas, tumulique ex aggere fatur:“Dardanidae magni, genus alto a sanguine divom,”“annuus exactis completur mensibus orbis,”“ex quo reliquias divinique ossa parentis”“Condidimus terra maestasque sacravimus aras.”“Iamque dies, nisi fallor, adest, quem semper acerbum,”“semper honoratum—sic di voluistis—habebo.”“Hunc ego Gaetulis agerem si Syrtibus exsul,”“Argolicove mari deprensus et urbe Mycenae;”“annua vota tamen sollemnisque ordine pompas”“exsequerer, strueremque suis altaria donis.”“Nunc ultro ad cineres ipsius et ossa parentis,”“haud equidem sine mente, reor, sine numine divom,”“adsumus et portus delati intramus amicos.”“Ergo agite, et laetum cuncti celebremus honorem;”“poscamus ventos; atque haec me sacra quotannis”“urbe velit posita templis sibi ferre dicatis.”“Bina boum vobis Troia generatus Acestes”“dat numero capita in naves; adhibete Penates”“et patrios epulis et quos colit hospes Acestes.”“Praeterea, si nona diem mortalibus almum”“Aurora extulerit radiisque retexerit orbem,”“prima citae Teucris ponam certamina classis;”“quique pedum cursu valet, et qui viribus audax”“aut iaculo incedit melior levibusque sagittis,”“seu crudo fidit pugnam committere caestu,”“cuncti adsint, meritaeque exspectent praemia palmae.”“Ore favete omnes, et cingite tempora ramis.”
So saying, he twined a wreathof his own mother's myrtle-tree, to shadehis sacred brow; the hero Helymus,and King Acestes for his tresses gray,like coronals took on; Ascaniusand all the warrior youth like emblems wore.Then in th' attendant throng conspicuous,with thousands at his side, the hero movedfrom place of council to his father's tomb.There on the ground he poured libation due,two beakers of good wine, of sweet milk two,two of the victim's blood—and scattered flowersof saddest purple stain, while thus he prayed:“Hail, hallowed sire! And hail, ye ashes dearof him I vainly saved! O soul and shadeof my blest father! Heaven to us deniedto find together that predestined landof Italy, or our Ausonian streamof Tiber—ah! but where?” He scarce had said,when from the central shrine a gliding snake,coiled seven-fold in seven spirals wide,twined round the tomb and trailed innocuous o'erthe very altars; his smooth back was fleckedwith green and azure, and his changeful scalesgleamed golden, as the cloud-born rainbow flingsits thousand colors from th' opposing sun.Aeneas breathless watched the serpent windamong the bowls and cups of polished rim,tasting the sacred feast; where, having fed,back to the tomb all harmless it withdrew.Then with new zeal his sacrifice he bringsin honor of his sire; for he must deemthat serpent the kind genius of the place,or of his very father's present shadesome creature ministrant. Two lambs he slew,the wonted way, two swine, and, sable-hued,the yoke of bulls; from shallow bowl he pouredlibation of the grape, and called aloudon great Anchises' spirit, and his shade,from Acheron set free. Then all the throng,each from his separate store, heap up the shrineswith victims slain; some range in order fairthe brazen cauldrons; or along the grass,scattered at ease, hold o'er the embers brightthe spitted flesh and roast it in the flames.
Sic fatus, velat materna tempora myrto;hoc Elymus facit, hoc aevi maturus Acestes,hoc puer Ascanius, sequitur quos cetera pubes.Ille e concilio multis cum milibus ibatad tumulum, magna medius comitante caterva.Hic duo rite mero libans carchesia Bacchofundit humi, duo lacte novo, duo sanguine sacro,purpureosque iacit flores, ac talia fatur:“Salve, sancte parens: iterum salvete, recepti”“nequiquam cineres, animaeque umbraeque paternae.”“Non licuit fines Italos fataliaque arva,”“nec tecum Ausonium (quicumque est) quaerere Thybrim.”Dixerat haec, adytis cum lubricus anguis ab imisseptem ingens gyros, septena volumina traxit,amplexus placide tumulum lapsusque per aras,caeruleae cui terga notae, maculosus et aurosquamam incendebat fulgor, ceu nubibus arcusmille iacit varios adverso sole colores.Obstipuit visu Aeneas. Ille agmine longotandem inter pateras et levia pocula serpenslibavitque dapes, rursusque innoxius imosuccessit tumulo, et depasta altaria liquit.Hoc magis inceptos genitori instaurat honores,incertus, geniumne loci famulumne parentisesse putet: caedit binas de more bidentes,totque sues, totidem nigrantis terga iuvencos;vinaque fundebat pateris, animamque vocabatAnchisae magni Manisque Acheronte remissos.Nec non et socii, quae cuique est copia, laetidona ferunt, onerant aras, mactantque iuvencos;ordine aena locant alii, fusique per herbamsubiciunt veribus prunas et viscera torrent.
Arrived the wished-for day; through cloudless skythe coursers of the Sun's bright-beaming carbore upward the ninth morn. The neighboring folkthronged eager to the shore; some hoped to seeAeneas and his warriors, others fainwould their own prowess prove in bout and game.Conspicuous lie the rewards, ranged in sightin the mid-circus; wreaths of laurel green,the honored tripod, coronals of palmfor conquerors' brows, accoutrements of war,rare robes of purple stain, and generous weightof silver and of gold. The trumpet's callproclaimed from lofty mound the opening games.
Exspectata dies aderat, nonamque serenaAuroram Phaethontis equi iam luce vehebant,famaque finitimos et clari nomen Acestaeexcierat; laeto complerant litora coetu,visuri Aeneadas, pars et certare parati.Munera principio ante oculos circoque locanturin medio, sacri tripodes viridesque coronae,et palmae pretium victoribus, armaque et ostroperfusae vestes, argenti aurique talenta;et tuba commissos medio canit aggere ludos.
First, side by side, with sturdy, rival oars,four noble galleys, pride of all the fleet,come forward to contend. The straining crewof Mnestheus bring his speedy Pristis on, —Mnestheus in Italy erelong the sireof Memmius' noble line. Brave Gyas guideshis vast Chimaera, a colossal craft,a floating city, by a triple rowof Dardan sailors manned, whose banks of oarsin triple order rise. Sergestus, heof whom the Sergian house shall after spring,rides in his mighty Centaur. Next in line,on sky-blue Scylla proud Cloanthus rides —whence thy great stem, Cluentius of Rome!
Prima pares ineunt gravibus certamina remisquattuor ex omni delectae classe carinae.Velocem Mnestheus agit acri remige Pristim,mox Italus Mnestheus, genus a quo nomine Memmi;ingentemque Gyas ingenti mole Chimaeram,urbis opus, triplici pubes quam Dardana versuimpellunt, terno consurgunt ordine remi;Sergestusque, domus tenet a quo Sergia nomen,Centauro invehitur magna, Scyllaque Cloanthuscaerulea, genus unde tibi, Romane Cluenti.
Fronting the surf-beat shore, far out at searises a rock, which under swollen waveslies buffeted unseen, when wintry stormsmantle the stars; but when the deep is calm,lifts silently above the sleeping waveits level field,—a place where haunt and playflocks of the sea-birds, Iovers of the sun.Here was the goal; and here Aeneas seta green-leaved flex-tree, to be a markfor every captain's eye, from whence to veerthe courses of their ships in sweeping curvesand speed them home. Now places in the lineare given by lot. Upon the lofty sternsthe captains ride, in beautiful arrayof Tyriao purple and far-flaming gold;the crews are poplar-crowned, the shoulders barerubbed well with glittering oil; their straining armsmake long reach to the oar, as on the thwartsthey sit attentive, listening for the callof the loud trumpet; while with pride and feartheir hot hearts throb, impassioned for renown.Soon pealed the signal clear; from all the lineinstant the galleys bounded, and the airrang to the rowers, shouting, while their armspulled every inch and flung the waves in foam;deep cut the rival strokes; the surface fairyawned wide beneath their blades and cleaving keels.Not swifter scour the chariots o'er the plain,sped headlong from the line behind their teamsof mated coursers, while each driver shakesloose, rippling reins above his plunging pairs,and o'er the lash leans far. With loud applausevociferous and many an urgent cheerthe woodlands rang, and all the concave shoresback from the mountains took the Trojan cryin answering song.
Est procul in pelago saxum spumantia contralitora, quod tumidis submersum tunditur olimfluctibus, hiberni condunt ubi sidera cori;tranquillo silet, immotaque attollitur undacampus, et apricis statio gratissima mergis.Hic viridem Aeneas frondenti ex ilice metamconstituit signum nautis pater, unde revertiscirent, et longos ubi circumflectere cursus.Tum loca sorte legunt, ipsique in puppibus auroductores longe effulgent ostroque decori;cetera populea velatur fronde iuventus,nudatosque umeros oleo perfilsa nitescit.Considunt transtris, intentaque brachia remis;intenti exspectant signum, exsultantiaque hauritcorda pavor pulsans, laudumque arrecta cupido.Inde, ubi clara dedit sonitum tuba, finibus omnes,haud mora, prosiluere suis; ferit aethera clamornauticus, adductis spumant freta versa lacertis.Infindunt pariter sulcos, totumque dehiscitconvulsum remis rostrisque tridentibus aequor.Non tam praecipites biiugo certamine campumcorripuere, ruuntque effusi carcere currus,nec sic immissis aurigae undantia loraconcussere iugis pronique in verbera pendent.Tum plausu fremituque virum studiisque faventumconsonat omne nemus, vocemque inclusa volutantlitora, pulsati colles clamore resultant.
Forth-flying from his peers,while all the crowd acclaims, sped Gyas' keelalong the outmost wave. Cloanthus nextpushed hard upon, with stronger stroke of oarsbut heavier ship. At equal pace behindthe Pristis and the Centaur fiercely strivefor the third place. Now Pristis seems to lead,now mightier Centaur past her flies, then bothride on together, prow with prow, and cleavelong lines of foaming furrow with swift keels.Soon near the rock they drew, and either shipwas making goal,—when Gyas, in the lead,and winner of the half-course, Ioudly hailedmenoetes, the ship's pilot: “Why so farto starboard, we? Keep her head round this way!Hug shore! Let every oar-blade almost grazethat reef to larboard! Let the others takethe deep-sea course outside!” But while he spoke,Menoetes, dreading unknown rocks below,veered off to open sea. “Why steer so wide?Round to the rock, Menoetes!” Gyas roared, —again in vain, for looking back he sawcloanthus hard astern, and ever nearer,who, in a trice, betwixt the booming reefand Gyas' galley, lightly forward thrustthe beak of Scylla to the inside course,and, quickly taking lead, flew past the goalto the smooth seas beyond. Then wrathful griefflamed in the warrior's heart, nor was his cheekunwet with tears; and, reckless utterlyof his own honor and his comrades, lives,he hurled poor, slack Menoetes from the poopheadlong upon the waters, while himself,pilot and master both, the helm assuming,urged on his crew, and landward took his way.But now, with heavy limbs that hardly wonhis rescue from the deep, engulfing wave,up the rude rock graybeard Menoetes climbedwith garment dripping wet, and there dropped downupon the cliff's dry top. With laughter loudthe Trojan crews had watched him plunging, swimming,and now to see his drink of bitter brinespewed on the ground, the sailors laughed again.
Effugit ante alios primisque elabitur undisturbam inter fremitumque Gyas; quem deinde Cloanthusconsequitur, melior remis, sed pondere pinustarda tenet. Post hos aequo discrimine PristisCentaurusque locum tendunt superare priorem;et nunc Pristis habet, nunc victam praeterit ingensCentaurus, nunc una ambae iunctisque ferunturfrontibus, et longa sulcant vada salsa carina.Iamque propinquabant scopulo metamque tenebant,cum princeps medioque Gyas in gurgite victorrectorem navis compellat voce Menoeten:“Quo tantum mihi dexter abis? Huc dirige gressum;”“litus ama, et laevas stringat sine palmula cautes;”“altum alii teneant.” Dixit; sed caeca Menoetessaxa timens proram pelagi detorquet ad undas.“Quo diversus abis?” iterum “Pete saxa, Menoete!”cum clamore Gyas revocabat; et ecce Cloanthumrespicit instantem tergo, et propiora tenentem.Ille inter navemque Gyae scopulosque sonantesradit iter laevum interior, subitoque priorempraeterit, et metis tenet aequora tuta relictis.Tum vero exarsit iuveni dolor ossibus ingens,nec lacrimis caruere genae, segnemque Menoeten,oblitus decorisque sui sociumque salutis,in mare praecipitem puppi deturbat ab alta;ipse gubernaclo rector subit, ipse magister,hortaturque viros, clavumque ad litora torquet.At gravis, ut fundo vix tandem redditus imo est,iam senior madidaque fluens in veste Menoetessumma petit scopuli siccaque in rupe resedit.Ilium et labentem Teucri et risere natantem,et salsos rident revomentem pectore fluctus.
But Mnestheus and Sergestus, coming last,have joyful hope enkindled in each heartto pass the laggard Gyas. In the leadSergestus' ship shoots forth; and to the rockruns boldly nigh; but not his whole long keelmay pass his rival; the projecting beakis followed fast by Pristis' emulous prow.Then, striding straight amidships through his crew,thus Mnestheus urged them on: “O Hector's friends!Whom in the dying hours of Troy I chosefor followers! Now stand ye to your best!Put forth the thews of valor that ye showedin the Gaetulian Syrtes, or that seaIonian, or where the waves race bythe Malean promontory! Mnestheus nowhopes not to be the first, nor do I strivefor victory. O Father Neptune, givethat garland where thou wilt! But O, the shameif we are last! Endure it not, my men!The infamy refuse!” So, bending low,they enter the home-stretch. Beneath their strokethe brass-decked galley throbs, and under herthe sea-floor drops away. On, on they fly!Parched are the panting lips, and sweat in streamspours down their giant sides; but lucky chancebrought the proud heroes what their honor craved.For while Sergestus furiously drovehis ship's beak toward the rock, and kept insidethe scanty passage, by his evil starhe grounded on the jutting reef; the cliffsrang with the blow, and his entangled oarsgrated along the jagged granite, whilethe prow hung wrecked and helpless. With loud cryupsprang the sailors, while the ship stood still,and pushed off with long poles and pointed iron,or snatched the smashed oars from the whirling tide.Mnestheus exults; and, roused to keener strifeby happy fortune, with a quicker strokeof each bright rank of oars, and with the breezehis prayer implored, skims o'er the obedient waveand sweeps the level main. Not otherwisea startled dove, emerging o'er the fieldsfrom secret cavern in the crannied hillwhere her safe house and pretty nestlings lie,soars from her nest, with whirring wings—but soonthrough the still sky she takes her path of airon pinions motionless. So Pristis spedwith Mnestheus, cleaving her last stretch of sea,by her own impulse wafted. She outstrippedSergestus first; for he upon the reeffought with the breakers, desperately shoutingfor help, for help in vain, with broken oarscontriving to move on. Then Mnestheus ranpast Gyas, in Chimaera's ponderous hulk,of pilot now bereft;
Hic laeta extremis spes est accensa duobus,Sergesto Mnestheique, Gyan superare morantem.Sergestus capit ante locum scopuloque propinquat,nec tota tamen ille prior praeeunte carina;parte prior, partem rostro premit aemula Pristis.At media socios incedens nave per ipsoshortatur Mnestheus: “Nunc, nunc insurgite remis,”“Hectorei socii, Troiae quos sorte suprema”“delegi comites; nunc illas promite vires,”“nunc animos, quibus in Gaetulis Syrtibus usi,”“Ionioque mari Maleaeque sequacibus undis.”“Non iam prima peto Mnestheus, neque vincere certo;”“quamquam O!—sed superent, quibus hoc, Neptune, dedisti;”“extremos pudeat rediisse; hoc vincite, cives,”“et prohibete nefas.” Olli certamine summoprocumbunt; vastis tremit ictibus aerea puppis,subtrahiturque solum; tum creber anhelitus artusaridaque ora quatit, sudor fluit undique rivis.Attulit ipse viris optatum casus honorem.Namque furens animi dum proram ad saxa suburguetinterior, spatioque subit Sergestus iniquo,infelix saxis in procurrentibus haesit.Concussae cautes, et acuto in murice remiobnixi crepuere, inlisaque prora pependit.Consurgunt nautae et magno clamore morantur,ferratasque trudes et acuta cuspide contosexpediunt, fractosque legunt in gurgite remos.At laetus Mnestheus successuque acrior ipsoagmine remorum celeri ventisque vocatisprona petit maria et pelago decurrit aperto.Qualis spelunca subito commota columba,cui domus et dulces latebroso in pumice nidi,fertur in ana volans, plausumque exterrita pennisdat tecto ingentem, mox aere lapsa quietoradit iter liquidum, celeres neque commovet alas:sic Mnestheus, sic ipsa fuga secat ultima Pristisaequora, sic illam fert impetus ipse volantem.Et primum in scopulo luctantem deserit altoSergestum, brevibusque vadis frustraque vocantemauxilia, et fractis discentem currere remisInde Gyan ipsamque ingenti mole Chimaeramconsequitur; cedit, quoniam spoliata magistro est.
at last remainsCloanthus his sole peer, whom he pursueswith a supreme endeavor. From the shoreburst echoing cheers that spur him to the chase,and wild applause makes all the welkin ring.The leaders now with eager souls would scornto Iose their glory, and faint-hearted failto grasp a prize half-won, but fain would buyhonor with life itself; the followers tooare flushed with proud success, and feel them strongbecause their strength is proven. Both ships nowwith indistinguishable prows had spedto share one prize,—but with uplifted handsspread o'er the sea, Cloanthus, suppliant,called on the gods to bless his votive prayer:“Ye gods who rule the waves, whose waters bemy pathway now; for you on yonder stranda white bull at the altar shall be slainin grateful tribute for a granted vow;and o'er the salt waves I will scatter farthe entrails, and outpour the flowing wine.”He spoke; and from the caverns under seaPhorcus and virgin Panopea heard,and all the sea-nymphs' choir; while with strong handthe kindly God of Havens rose and thrustthe gliding ship along, that swifter flewthan south wind, or an arrow from the string,and soon made land in haven safe and sure.
Solus iamque ipso superest in fine Cloanthus:quem petit, et summis adnixus viribus urguet.Tum vero ingeminat clamor, cunctique sequenteminstigant studiis, resonatque fragoribus aether.Hi proprium decus et partum indignantur honoremni teneant, vitamque volunt pro laude pacisci;hos successus alit: possunt, quia posse videntur.Et fors aequatis cepissent praemia rostris,ni palmas ponto tendens utrasque Cloanthusfudissetque preces, divosque in vota vocasset:“Di, quibus imperium est pelagi, quorum aequora curro,”“vobis laetus ego hoc candentem in litore taurum”“constituam ante aras, voti reus, extaque salsos”“porriciam in fluctus et vina liquentia fundam.”Dixit, eumque imis sub fluctibus audiit omnisNereidum Phorcique chorus Panopeaque virgo,et pater ipse manu magna Portunus euntemimpulit; illa Noto citius volucrique sagittaad terram fugit, et portu se condidit alto.
Aeneas then, assembling all to hear,by a far-sounding herald's voice proclaimedCloanthus victor, and arrayed his browswith the green laurel-garland; to the crewsthree bulls, at choice, were given, and plenteous wineand talent-weight of silver; to the chiefsillustrious gifts beside; the victor hada gold-embroidered mantle with wide bandof undulant Meliboean purple rare,where, pictured in the woof, young Ganymedethrough Ida's forest chased the light-foot deerwith javelin; all flushed and panting he.But lo! Jove's thunder-bearing eagle fell,and his strong talons snatched from Ida farthe royal boy, whose aged servitorsreached helpless hands to heaven; his faithful houndbayed fiercely at the air. To him whose worththe second place had won, Aeneas gavea smooth-linked golden corselet, triple-chained,of which his own victorious hand despoiledDemoleos, by the swift, embattled streamof Simois, under Troy,—and bade it bea glory and defence on valor's field;scarce might the straining shoulders of two slaves,Phegeus and Sagaris, the load endure,yet oft Demoleos in this armor dressedcharged down full speed on routed hosts of Troy.The third gift was two cauldrons of wrought brass,and bowls of beaten silver, cunninglyembossed with sculpture fair. Bearing such gifts,th' exultant victors onward moved, each browbound with a purple fillet. But behold!Sergestus, from the grim rock just dragged offby cunning toil, one halting rank of oarsleft of his many lost, comes crawling inwith vanquished ship, a mockery to all.As when a serpent, on the highway caught,some brazen wheel has crushed, or travellerwith heavy-smiting blow left half aliveand mangled by a stone; in vain he movesin writhing flight; a part is lifted highwith hissing throat and angry, glittering eyes;but by the wounded part a captive stillhe knots him fold on fold: with such a trackthe maimed ship labored slow; but by her sailsshe still made way, and with full canvas onarrived at land. Aeneas then bestoweda boon upon Sergestus, as was meetfor reward of the ship in safety broughtwith all its men; a fair slave was the prize,the Cretan Pholoe, well taught to weave,and twin boy-babes upon her breast she bore.
Tum satus Anchisa, cunctis ex more vocatis,victorem magna praeconis voce Cloanthumdeclarat viridique advelat tempora lauro,muneraque in naves ternos optare iuvencos,vinaque et argenti magnum dat ferre talentum.Ipsis praecipuos ductoribus addit honores:victori chlamydem auratam, quam plurima circumpurpura maeandro duplici Meliboea cucurrit,intextusque puer frondosa regius Idaveloces iaculo cervos cursuque fatigat,acer, anhelanti similis, quem praepes ab Idasublimem pedibus rapuit Iovis armiger uncis;longaevi palmas nequiquam ad sidera tenduntcustodes, saevitque canum latratus in auras.At qui deinde locum tenuit virtute secundum,levibus huic hamis consertam auroque trilicemloricam, quam Demoleo detraxerat ipsevictor apud rapidum Simoënta sub Ilio alto,donat habere viro, decus et tutamen in armis.Vix illam famuli Phegeus Sagarisque ferebantmultiplicem, conixi umeris; indutus at olimDemoleos cursu palantes Troas agebat.Tertia dona facit geminos ex aere lebetas,cymbiaque argento perfecta atque aspera signis.Iamque adeo donati omnes opibusque superbipuniceis ibant evincti tempora taenis,cum saevo e scopulo multa vix arte revolsus,amissis remis atque ordine debilis uno,inrisam sine honore ratem Sergestus agebat.Qualis saepe viae deprensus in aggere serpens,aerea quem obliquum rota transiit, aut gravis ictuseminecem liquit saxo lacerumque viator;nequiquam longos fugiens dat corpore tortus,parte ferox, ardensque oculis, et sibila collaarduus attollens, pars volnere clauda retentatnexantem nodis seque in sua membra plicantem:tali remigio navis se tarda movebat;vela facit tamen, et velis subit ostia plenis.Sergestum Aeneas promisso munere donat,servatam ob navem laetus sociosque reductos.Olli serva datur, operum haud ignara Minervae,Cressa genus, Pholoë, geminique sub ubere nati.
Then good Aeneas, the ship-contest o'er,turned to a wide green valley, circled roundwith clasp of wood-clad hills, wherein was madean amphitheatre; entering with a throngof followers, the hero took his seatin mid-arena on a lofty mound.For the fleet foot-race, now, his summons flies, —he offers gifts, and shows the rewards due.The mingling youth of Troy and Sicilyhastened from far. Among the foremost camethe comrades Nisus and Euryalus,Euryalus for beauty's bloom renowned,Nisus for loyal love; close-following theseDiores strode, a prince of Priam's line;then Salius and Patron, who were bredin Acarnania and Arcady;then two Sicilian warriors, Helymusand Panopes, both sylvan bred and born,comrades of King Acestes; after thesethe multitude whom Fame forgets to tell.Aeneas, so surrounded, thus spake forth:“Hear what I purpose, and with joy receive!of all your company, not one departswith empty hand. The Cretan javelinsbright-tipped with burnished steel, and battle-axeadorned with graven silver, these shall bethe meed of all. The three first at the goalshall bind their foreheads with fair olive green,and win the rewards due. The first shall lead,victorious, yon rich-bridled steed away;this Amazonian quiver, the next prize,well-stocked with Thracian arrows; round it goesa baldrick broad and golden,—in its claspa lustrous gem. The third man goes awaytaking this helmet from the Argive spoil.”
Hoc pius Aeneas misso certamine tenditgramineum in campum, quem collibus undique curviscingebant silvae, mediaque in valle theatricircus erat; quo se multis cum milibus herosconsessu medium tulit exstructoque resedit.Hic, qui forte velint rapido contendere cursu,invitat pretiis animos, et praemia ponit.Undique conveniunt Teucri mixtique Sicani,Nisus et Euryalus primi,Euryalus forma insignis viridique iuventa,Nisus amore pio pueri; quos deinde secutusregius egregia Priami de stirpe Diores;hunc Salius simul et Patron, quorum alter Acarnan,alter ab Arcadio Tegeaeae sanguine gentis;tum duo Trinacrii iuvenes, Helymus Panopesque,adsueti silvis, comites senioris Acestae;multi praeterea, quos fama obscura recondit.Aeneas quibus in mediis sic deinde locutus:“Accipite haec animis, laetasque advertite mentes:”“nemo ex hoc numero mihi non donatus abibit.”“Gnosia bina dabo levato lucida ferro”“spicula caelatamque argento ferre bipennem;”“omnibus hic erit unus honos. Tres praemia primi”“accipient flavaque caput nectentur oliva.”“Primus equum phaleris insignem victor habeto;”“alter Amazoniam pharetram plenamque sagittis”“Threïciis, lato quam circum amplectitur auro”“balteus et tereti subnectit fibula gemma;”“tertius Argolica hac galea contentus abito.”
They heard, and took their places. The loud horngave signal, and impetuous from the line,swift as a bursting storm they sped away,eyes fixed upon the goal. Far in advanceNisus shot forward, swifter than the windsor winged thunderbolt; the next in course,next, but out-rivalled far, was Salius,and after him a space, Euryaluscame third; him Helymus was hard upon;and, look! Diores follows, heel on heel,close at his shoulder—if the race be longhe sure must win, or claim a doubtful prize.Now at the last stretch, spent and panting, allpressed to the goal, when in a slime of bloodNisus, hard fate! slipped down, where late the deathof victims slain had drenched the turf below.Here the young victor, with his triumph flushed,lost foothold on the yielding ground, and plungedface forward in the pool of filth and gore;but not of dear Euryalus was heforgetful then, nor heedless of his friend;but rising from the mire he hurled himselfin Salius' way; so he in equal plightrolled in the filthy slough. Euryalusleaped forth, the winner of the race by giftof his true friend, and flying to the goalstood first, by many a favoring shout acclaimed.Next Helymus ran in; and, for the third, last prize,Diores. But the multitude now heardthe hollowed hill-side ringing with wild wrathfrom Salius, clamoring where the chieftains satefor restitution of his stolen prize,lost by a cheat. But general favor smilesupon Euryalus, whose beauteous tearscommend him much, and nobler seems the worthof valor clothed in youthful shape so fair.Diores, too, assists the victor's claim,with loud appeal—he too has won a prize,and vainly holds his last place, if the firstto Salius fall.
Haec ubi dicta, locum capiunt, signoque repentecorripiunt spatia audito, limenque relinquunt,effusi nimbo similes, simul ultima signant.Primus abit longeque ante omnia corpora Nisusemicat, et ventis et fulminis ocior alis;proximus huic, longo sed proxumus intervallo,insequitur Salius; spatio post deinde relictotertius Euryalus:Euryalumque Helymus sequitur; quo deinde sub ipsoecce volat calcemque terit iam calce Diores,incumbens umero, spatia et si plura supersint,transeat elapsus prior, ambiguumque relinquat.Iamque fere spatio extremo fessique sub ipsamfinem adventabant, levi cum sanguine Nisuslabitur infelix, caesis ut forte iuvencisfusus humum viridisque super madefecerat herbas.Hic iuvenis iam victor ovans vestigia pressohaud tenuit titubata solo, sed pronus in ipsoconcidit immundoque fimo sacroque cruore.Non tamen Euryali, non ille oblitus amorum;nam sese opposuit Salio per lubrica surgens;ille autem spissa iacuit revolutus harena.Emicat Euryalus, et munere victor amiciprima tenet, plausuque volat fremituque secundo.Post Helymus subit, et nunc tertia palma Diores.Hic totum caveae consessum ingentis et oraprima patrum magnis Salius clamoribus implet,ereptumque dolo reddi sibi poscit honorem.Tutatur favor Euryalum, lacrimaeque decorae,gratior et pulchro veniens in corpore virtus.Adiuvat et magna proclamat voce Diores,qui subiit palmae, frustraque ad praemia venitultima, si primi Salio reddentur honores.
Aeneas then replied:“Your gifts, my gallant youths, remain secure.None can re-judge the prize. But to consolethe misadventure of a blameless friend,is in my power.” Therewith to Saliusan Afric lion's monstrous pelt he gave,with ponderous mane, the claws o'erlaid with gold.But Nisus cried: “If such a gift be foundfor less than victory, and men who fallare worthy so much sorrow, pray, what prizeshall Nisus have? For surely I had wonthe proudest of the garlands, if one strokeof inauspicious fortune had not fallenon Salius and me.” So saying, he showedhis smeared face and his sorry limbs befouledwith mire and slime. Then laughed the gracious sire,and bade a shield be brought, the cunning workof Didymaon, which the Greeks tore downfrom Neptune's temple; with this noble gifthe sent the high-born youth upon his way.
Tum pater Aeneas “Vestra” inquit “munera vobis”“certa manent, pueri, et palmam movet ordine nemo;”“me liceat casus misereri insontis amici.”Sic fatus, tergum Gaetuli immane leonisdat Salio, villis onerosum atque unguibus aureis.Hic Nisus, “Si tanta” inquit “sunt praemia victis,”“et te lapsorum miseret, quae munera Niso”“digna dabis, primam merui qui laude coronam,”“ni me, quae Salium, fortuna inimica tulisset?”Et simul his dictis faciem ostentabat et udoturpia membra fimo. Risit pater optimus olliet clipeum efferri iussit, Didymaonis artem,Neptuni sacro Danais de poste refixum.Hoc iuvenem egregium praestanti munere donat;
The foot-race over and the gifts disbursed,“Come forth!” he cries, “if any in his hearthave strength and valor, let him now pull onthe gauntlets and uplift his thong-bound armsin challenge.” For the reward of this fighta two-fold gift he showed: the victor's meed,a bullock decked and gilded; but a swordand glittering helmet to console the fallen.Straightway, in all his pride of giant strength,Dares Ioomed up, and wondering murmurs ranalong the gazing crowd; for he alonewas wont to match with Paris, he it wasmet Butes, the huge-bodied championboasting the name and race of Amycus,Bythinian-born; him felled he at a blow,and stretched him dying on the tawny sand.Such Dares was, who now held high his head,fierce for the fray, bared both his shoulders broad,lunged out with left and right, and beat the air.Who shall his rival be? Of all the throngnot one puts on the gauntlets, or would facethe hero's challenge. Therefore, striding forth,believing none now dare but yield the palm,he stood before Aeneas, and straightwayseized with his left hand the bull's golden horn,and cried, “O goddess-born, if no man daresto risk him in this fight, how Iong delay?how Iong beseems it I should stand and wait?Bid me bear off my prize.” The Trojans allmurmured assent, and bade the due awardof promised gift.
Post, ubi confecti cursus, et dona peregit:“Nunc, si cui virtus animusque in pectore praesens,”“adsit, et evinctis attollat brachia palmis.”Sic ait, et geminum pugnae proponit honorem,victori velatum auro vittisque iuvencum,ensem atque insignem galeam solacia victo.Nec mora: continuo vastis cum viribus effertora Dares, magnoque virum se murmure tollit;solus qui Paridem solitus contendere contra,idemque ad tumulum, quo maximus occubat Hector,victorem Buten immani corpore, qui seBebrycia veniens Amyci de gente ferebat,perculit, et fulva moribundum extendit harena.Talis prima Dares caput altum in proelia tollit,ostenditque umeros latos, alternaque iactatbrachia protendens, et verberat ictibus auras.Quaeritur huic alius; nec quisquam ex agmine tantoaudet adire virum manibusque inducere caestus.Ergo alacris, cunctosque putans excedere palma,Aeneae stetit ante pedes, nec plura moratustum laeva taurum cornu tenet, atque ita fatur:“Nate dea, si nemo audet se credere pugnae,”“quae finis standi? Quo me decet usque teneri?”“Ducere dona iube.” Cuncti simul ore fremebantDardanidae, reddique viro promissa iubebant.
But with a brow severeAcestes to Entellus at his sideaddressed upbraiding words, where they reclinedon grassy bank and couch of pleasant green:“O my Entellus, in the olden daysbravest among the mighty, but in vain!Endurest thou to see yon reward wonwithout a blow? Where, prithee, is that godwho taught thee? Are thy tales of Eryx vain?Does all Sicilia praise thee? Is thy roofwith trophies hung?” The other in reply:“My jealous honor and good name yield notto fear. But age, so cold and slow to move,makes my blood laggard, and my ebbing powersin all my body are but slack and chill.O, if I had what yonder ruffian boasts—my own proud youth once more! I would not askthe fair bull for a prize, nor to the listsin search of gifts come forth.” So saying, he threwinto the mid-arena a vast pairof ponderous gauntlets, which in former daysfierce Eryx for his fights was wont to bindon hand and arm, with the stiff raw-hide thong.All marvelled; for a weight of seven bulls' hideswas pieced with lead and iron. Dares staredastonished, and step after step recoiled;high-souled Anchises' son, this way and that,turned o'er the enormous coil of knots and thongs;then with a deep-drawn breath the veteran spoke:“O, that thy wondering eyes had seen the armsof Hercules, and what his gauntlets were!Would thou hadst seen the conflict terribleupon this self-same shore! These arms were borneby Eryx. Look; thy brother's!—spattered yetwith blood, with dashed-out brains! In these he stoodwhen he matched Hercules. I wore them oftwhen in my pride and prime, ere envious ageshed frost upon my brows. But if these armsbe of our Trojan Dares disapproved,if good Aeneas rules it so, and KingAcestes wills it, let us offer fighton even terms. Let Eryx' bull's-hide go.Tremble no more! But strip those gauntlets off —fetched here from Troy.”
Hic gravis Entellum dictis castigat Acestes,proximus ut viridante toro consederat herbae:“Entelle, heroum quondam fortissime frustra,”“tantane tam patiens nullo certamine tolli”“dona sines? Ubi nunc nobis deus ille magister”“nequiquam memoratus Eryx? Ubi fama per omnem”“Trinacriam, et spolia illa tuis pendentia tectis?”Ille sub haec: “Non laudis amor, nec gloria cessit”“pulsa metu; sed enim gelidus tardante senecta”“sanguis hebet, frigentque effetae in corpore vires.”“Si mihi, quae quondam fuerat, quaque improbus iste”“exsultat fidens, si nunc foret illa iuventas,”“haud equidem pretio inductus pulchroque iuvenco”“venissem, nec dona moror.” Sic deinde locutusin medium geminos immani pondere caestusproiecit, quibus acer Eryx in proelia suetusferre manum, duroque intendere brachia tergo.Obstipuere animi: tantorum ingentia septemterga boum plumbo insuto ferroque rigebant.Ante omnes stupet ipse Dares, longeque recusat;magnanimusque Anchisiades et pondus et ipsahuc illuc vinclorum immensa volumina versat.Tum senior talis referebat pectore voces:“Quid, si quis caestus ipsius et Herculis arma”“vidisset, tristemque hoc ipso in litore pugnam?”“Haec germanus Eryx quondam tuus arma gerebat;—”“sanguine cernis adhuc sparsoque infecta cerebro;—”“his magnum Alciden contra stetit; his ego suetus,”“dum melior vires sanguis dabat, aemula necdum”“temporibus geminis canebat sparsa senectus.”“Sed si nostra Dares haec Troius arma recusat,”“idque pio sedet Aeneae, probat auctor Acestes,”“aequemus pugnas. Erycis tibi terga remitto;”“solve metus; et tu Troianos exue caestus.”
So saying, he dropped downthe double-folded mantle from his shoulders,stripped bare the huge joints, the huge arms and thews,and towered gigantic in the midmost ring.Anchises' son then gave two equal pairsof gauntlets, and accoutred with like armsboth champions. Each lifted him full heighton tiptoe; each with mien unterrifiedheld both fists high in air, and drew his headfar back from blows assailing. Then they joinedin struggle hand to hand, and made the frayeach moment fiercer. One was light of footand on his youth relied; the other strongin bulk of every limb, but totteringon sluggish knees, while all his body shookwith labor of his breath. Without availthey rained their blows, and on each hollow side,each sounding chest, the swift, reverberate strokesfell without pause; around their ears and browscame blow on blow, and with relentless shocksthe smitten jaws cracked loud. Entellus standsunshaken, and, the self-same posture keeping,only by body-movement or quick eyeparries attack. Dares (like one in siegeagainst a mountain-citadel, who now will drivewith ram and engine at the craggy wall,now wait in full-armed watch beneath its towers)tries manifold approach, most craftilyinvests each point of vantage, and renewshis unsuccessful, ever various war.Then, rising to the stroke, Entellus poisedaloft his ponderous right; but, quick of eye,the other the descending wrath foresawand nimbly slipped away; Entellus sowasted his stroke on air, and, self-o'erthrown,dropped prone to earth his monstrous length along,as when on Erymanth or Ida fallsa hollowed pine from giant roots uptorn.Alike the Teucrian and Trinacrian throngshout wildly; while Acestes, pitying, hastesto lift his gray companion. But, unchecked,undaunted by his fall, the champion braverushed fiercer to the fight, his strength now rousedby rage, while shame and courage confidentkindle his soul; impetuous he drivesDares full speed all round the ring, with blowsredoubled right and left. No stop or staygives he, but like a storm of rattling hailupon a house-top, so from each huge handthe champion's strokes on dizzy Dares fall.
Haec fatus, duplicem ex umeris reiecit amictumet magnos membrorum artus, magna ossa lacertosqueexuit, atque ingens media consistit harena.Tum satus Anchisa caestus pater extulit aequos,et paribus palmas amborum innexuit armis.Constitit in digitos extemplo arrectus uterque,brachiaque ad superas interritus extulit auras.Abduxere retro longe capita ardua ab ictu,immiscentque manus manibus, pugnamque lacessunt.Ille pedum melior motu, fretusque iuventa;hic membris et mole valens, sed tarda trementigenua labant, vastos quatit aeger anhelitus artus.Multa viri nequiquam inter se volnera iactant,multa cavo lateri ingeminant, et pectore vastosdant sonitus, erratque auris et tempora circumcrebra manus, duro crepitant sub volnere malae.Stat gravis Entellus nisuque immotus eodem,corpore tela modo atque oculis vigilantibus exit.Ille, velut celsam oppugnat qui molibus urbem,aut montana sedet circum castella sub armis,nunc hos, nunc illos aditus, omnemque pererratarte locum, et variis adsultibus inritus urguet.Ostendit dextram insurgens Entellus, et alteextulit: ille ictum venientem a vertice veloxpraevidit, celerique elapsus corpore cessit.Entellus vires in ventum effudit, et ultroipse gravis graviterque ad terram pondere vastoconcidit, ut quondam cava concidit aut Erymantho,aut Ida in magna, radicibus eruta pinus.Consurgunt studiis Teucri et Trinacria pubes;it clamor caelo, primusque accurrit Acestes,aequaevumque ab humo miserans attollit amicum.At non tardatus casu neque territus herosacrior ad pugnam redit ac vim suscitat ira.Tum pudor incendit vires et conscia virtus,praecipitemque Daren ardens agit aequore toto,nunc dextra ingeminans ictus, nunc ille sinistra;nec mora, nec requies: quam multa grandine nimbiculminibus crepitant, sic densis ictibus heroscreber utraque manu pulsat versatque Dareta.