Part 3

Lines 441-449

Lucus in urbe fuit media, laetissimus umbra,

quo primum iactati undis et turbine Poeni

effodere loco signum, quod regia Iuno

monstrarat, caput acris equi; sic nam fore bello

egregiam et facilem victu per saecula gentem.               445

Hic templum Iunoni ingens Sidonia Dido

condebat, donis opulentum et numine divae,

aerea cui gradibus surgebant limina, nexaeque

aere trabes, foribus cardo stridebat aenis.

There was a grove in the middle of the city, most fertile (/productive) in shadow, in which place the Phoenicians having been thrown by the waves and by the whirlpool (/storm) first dug out the sign, which queenly Juno had shown, the head of a fierce (/keen/sharp) horse; for thus that they would be a race outstanding in war and easy to live through the ages. Here Sidonian Dido was building a huge temple to Juno, opulent in gifts and with the divine spirit of the goddess, on the steps of which bronze thresholds were rising, beams bound with bronze, the hinge was creaking (/squeaking) on the bronze door posts.

Lines 450-460

Hoc primum in luco nova res oblata timorem               450

leniit, hic primum Aeneas sperare salutem

ausus, et adflictis melius confidere rebus.

Namque sub ingenti lustrat dum singula templo,

reginam opperiens, dum, quae fortuna sit urbi,

artificumque manus inter se operumque laborem               455

miratur, videt Iliacas ex ordine pugnas,

bellaque iam fama totum volgata per orbem,

Atridas, Priamumque, et saevum ambobus Achillem.

Constitit, et lacrimans, 'Quis iam locus' inquit 'Achate,

quae regio in terris nostri non plena laboris?               460

In this grove, first, a new thing having been brought out (/offered) calmed (/soothed/softened) his fears, Aeneas dared to hope for safety, and to trust better in things having been shattered. For while he was surveying (/looking over) the single details under the huge temple, waiting for the queen, while he was wondering at what fortune there was for the city, and the hands of the builders (/craftsmen) among themselves and the work of the labors (/undertakings), he sees the Trojan fights in order and the wars now having been spread around through the whole world by their fame (/reputation/rumor), the sons of Atreus [Menelaus, Agamemnon], and Priam, and Achilles, savage to both. He stopped, and crying, he said, "Which place, now (/already), Achates, which region in the lands is not full of our labor?"

Lines 461-468

En Priamus! Sunt hic etiam sua praemia laudi;

sunt lacrimae rerum et mentem mortalia tangunt.

Solve metus; feret haec aliquam tibi fama salutem.'

Sic ait, atque animum pictura pascit inani,

multa gemens, largoque umectat flumine voltum.               465

Namque videbat, uti bellantes Pergama circum

hac fugerent Graii, premeret Troiana iuventus,

hac Phryges, instaret curru cristatus Achilles.

Look, Priam! There are even here his rewards of praise, there are tears of things and mortal things touch the mind. Dismiss your fears, this fame will bear some safety." Thus he said, and he feeds his soul with a lifeless picture, groaning much, and he wets his face with a large river. For he saw how the battling Greeks fled around Troy here, the Trojan youth were pressing (them), here the Phrygians, (/plumed) Achilles urged on in his chariot.

Lines 469-482

Nec procul hinc Rhesi niveis tentoria velis

adgnoscit lacrimans, primo quae prodita somno               470

Tydides multa vastabat caede cruentus,

ardentisque avertit equos in castra, prius quam

pabula gustassent Troiae Xanthumque bibissent.

Parte alia fugiens amissis Troilus armis,

infelix puer atque impar congressus Achilli,               475

fertur equis, curruque haeret resupinus inani,

lora tenens tamen; huic cervixque comaeque trahuntur

per terram, et versa pulvis inscribitur hasta.

Interea ad templum non aequae Palladis ibant

crinibus Iliades passis peplumque ferebant,               480

suppliciter tristes et tunsae pectora palmis;

diva solo fixos oculos aversa tenebat.

Not far from here, he, crying, recognizes the tents of Rhesus with their snow white canvas, which, having been betrayed in the first sleep, cruel Tydides [D] devastated with much slaughter, and he turned his burning horses into the camp, before they had tasted the fodder of Troy and they had drank (the water of) Xanthus. In another part, fleeing Troilus with his armor having been sent away (/lost), unlucky boy and unequal opponent of Achilles, he is carried by his horses, and turned upside down, he clings to the empty chariot, still holding the reins however; and neck and the hair for this one are dragged through the ground, and the dust is inscribed by the spear having been turned. Meanwhile the Trojan women were going to the temple of not fair Pallas [Minerva/Athena] with their tresses having suffered, carrying a peplos (robe), sadly as suppliants, and having been beaten with respect to their chests by their palms; the goddess, having been turned away, held her eyes fixed on the ground.

Lines 483-493

Ter circum Iliacos raptaverat Hectora muros,

exanimumque auro corpus vendebat Achilles.

Tum vero ingentem gemitum dat pectore ab imo,               485

ut spolia, ut currus, utque ipsum corpus amici,

tendentemque manus Priamum conspexit inermis.

Se quoque principibus permixtum adgnovit Achivis,

Eoasque acies et nigri Memnonis arma.

Ducit Amazonidum lunatis agmina peltis               490

Penthesilea furens, mediisque in milibus ardet,

aurea subnectens exsertae cingula mammae,

bellatrix, audetque viris concurrere virgo.

Thrice Achilles had snatched Hector around the walls of Troy and sold his lifeless body for gold; then indeed he gives a huge groan from deep in his chest, as he caught sight of the spoils, as (he caught sight of) the chariots, and as (he caught sight of) the body itself of his friend, and Priam holding his unarmed hands, he also recognized himself, mixed with the chiefs of the Greeks, and the battle lines of the East and the arms of black Memnon. Ragin Penthesilea leads the battle lines of the Amazons with moon-shaped shields, and she burns in the middle of the thousands, tying her gold belts under her exposed breast, a female warrior, and although a virgin, she dares to run with the men.

Lines 494-504

Haec dum Dardanio Aeneae miranda videntur,

dum stupet, obtutuque haeret defixus in uno,               495

regina ad templum, forma pulcherrima Dido,

incessit magna iuvenum stipante caterva.

Qualis in Eurotae ripis aut per iuga Cynthi

exercet Diana choros, quam mille secutae

hinc atque hinc glomerantur oreades; illa pharetram               500

fert umero, gradiensque deas supereminet omnis:

Latonae tacitum pertemptant gaudia pectus:

talis erat Dido, talem se laeta ferebat

per medios, instans operi regnisque futuris.

While these things seem wonderful to Dardanian Aeneas,

While he stands agape, and he, fixed, sticks on one view,

The queen strode into the temple, Dido most beautiful in form,

With a large crowd of young men thronging.

Just as on the banks of the Eurota or though the ridges of Cynthus,

Diana trains her choirs, whom a thousand nymphs having followed

Are gathered here and there; she carries a quiver

On her shoulder, and walking she rises above all goddesses:

Joys posses the silent chest of Lato:

Such was Dido, she happily carried herself as such

Through the middle (of the men) urging on the work and the future kingdoms.

Lines 505-515

Tum foribus divae, media testudine templi,               505

saepta armis, solioque alte subnixa resedit.

Iura dabat legesque viris, operumque laborem

partibus aequabat iustis, aut sorte trahebat:

cum subito Aeneas concursu accedere magno

Anthea Sergestumque videt fortemque Cloanthum,               510

Teucrorumque alios, ater quos aequore turbo

dispulerat penitusque alias avexerat oras.

Obstipuit simul ipse simul perculsus Achates

laetitiaque metuque; avidi coniungere dextras

ardebant; sed res animos incognita turbat.               515

Then, in the doorways of the goddess, in the middle of the dome of the temple, enclosed by arms (/weapons), she sat back down, resting loftily on her throne. She gave justice and laws to the men, and she equaled (/made equal) the labor of the works with just parts, or she drew by lot. When suddenly Aeneas sees that Antheus and Sergestus and brave Cloanthus approach in a large crowd, and others of the Trojans, whom the black storm had driven everywhere (/scattered) on the water (/sea) and had carried them deeply away to other shores. Both he himself and astounded Achates stood agape with happiness and fear; they, eager, were burning to join their right hands but an unknown thing disturbed their souls.

Lines 516-519

Dissimulant, et nube cava speculantur amicti,

quae fortuna viris, classem quo litore linquant,

quid veniant; cunctis nam lecti navibus ibant,

orantes veniam, et templum clamore petebant.

They hide, and they watch, enclosed in an empty cloud, what fortune (there is) for the men, on which shore they leave their fleet, why they come; for they were going, having been selected from all the ships, begging favor, and they sought the temple with shout.

Book II: 1-56

Lines 1-9

Conticuere omnes intentique ora tenebant

inde toro pater Aeneas sic orsus ab alto:

Infandum, regina, iubes renouare dolorem,

Troianas ut opes et lamentabile regnum

eruerint Danai, quaeque ipse miserrima uidi         5

et quorum pars magna fui. quis talia fando

Myrmidonum Dolopumue aut duri miles Vlixi

temperet a lacrimis? et iam nox umida caelo

praecipitat suadentque cadentia sidera somnos.

All were silent and they were holding their faces intently, then the father Aeneas began thus from his high couch: "Unspeakable, queen, the suffering you order me to relate (/retell/recall), how the Danaans [Greeks] tore up the Trojan wealth and the lamentable kingdom, most miserable things which I myself saw, and of which I was a great part. Who, by speaking such things, of the Myrmidons, or the Dolopes, or a soldier of tough Ulysses [Odysseus], could keep (themselves) from tears? And now, dewy night falls from the sky and the falling stars persuade (/urge on) sleep.

Lines 10-20

sed si tantus amor casus cognoscere nostros               10

et breuiter Troiae supremum audire laborem,

quamquam animus meminisse horret luctuque refugit,

incipiam. fracti bello fatisque repulsi

ductores Danaum tot iam labentibus annis

instar montis equum diuina Palladis arte               15

aedificant, sectaque intexunt abiete costas;

uotum pro reditu simulant; ea fama uagatur.

huc delecta uirum sortiti corpora furtim

includunt caeco lateri penitusque cauernas

ingentis uterumque armato milite complent.               20

But if there is so great a love to know our misfortune, and to shortly hear the final labor of Troy, although my soul shudders to remember and flees back because of the grief, I will begin. Having been broken in war, and having been pushed back by the fates, the leaders of the Danaans [Greeks], with so many years slipping away now, they build a horse, the likeness of a mountain, by the divine art Pallas [Athena], and they cover the sides with a fir tree having been cut; they pretend (that it is) a prayer for their return; that rumor is spread around. In this (horse) they enclosed furtively (/secretly) the chosen bodies of men, having drawn them by lot, in the dark side and they fill up the huge caverns deep within and the belly with armed soldiery.

Lines 21-34

est in conspectu Tenedos, notissima fama

insula, diues opum Priami dum regna manebant,

nunc tantum sinus et statio male fida carinis:

huc se prouecti deserto in litore condunt;

nos abiisse rati et uento petiisse Mycenas.               25

ergo omnis longo soluit se Teucria luctu;

panduntur portae, iuuat ire et Dorica castra

desertosque uidere locos litusque relictum:

hic Dolopum manus, hic saeuus tendebat Achilles;

classibus hic locus, hic acie certare solebant.               30

pars stupet innuptae donum exitiale Mineruae

et molem mirantur equi; primusque Thymoetes

duci intra muros hortatur et arce locari,

siue dolo seu iam Troiae sic fata ferebant.

There is in sight Tenedos, an island very well known by its reputation, rich of the resources of Priam while his kingdoms remained.only a bay, and an badly trustworthy [untrustworthy/treacherous] docking for ships: having carried themselves hither, they establish themselves on a deserted shore; we reckoned that they had gone away, and that they had sought Mycenae by the wind. Therefore, all of Teucria [Troy] loosened itself from the long grief; the gates are spread open, it pleases (us) to go and to see the Doric [Greek] camps and the deserted places, and the abandoned shore: Here were the bands of the Dolopes [Greek tribe], here savage Achilles strove; here was the place for the fleets, here they were accustomed to compete in a battle line. A part stands agape at the fatal gift of unmarried Minerva, and they wonder at the mass of the horse; and first Thymoetes encourages it to be led within the walls, and to be placed in the citadel, whether because of deceit or the fates of Troy were tending thus already.

Lines 35-49:

at Capys, et quorum melior sententia menti,               35

aut pelago Danaum insidias suspectaque dona

praecipitare iubent subiectisque urere flammis,

aut terebrare cauas uteri et temptare latebras.

scinditur incertum studia in contraria uulgus.

Primus ibi ante omnis magna comitante caterua               40

Laocoon ardens summa decurrit ab arce,

et procul 'o miseri, quae tanta insania, ciues?

creditis auectos hostis? aut ulla putatis

dona carere dolis Danaum? sic notus Vlixes?

aut hoc inclusi ligno occultantur Achiui,               45

aut haec in nostros fabricata est machina muros,

inspectura domos uenturaque desuper urbi,

aut aliquis latet error; equo ne credite, Teucri.

quidquid id est, timeo Danaos et dona ferentis.'

But Capys, and those of whom there was a better view (/opinion) of mind, they order either to throw the treacheries of the Danaans [Greeks] and the suspect gifts on the sea and to burn with flames having been thrown below, or to pierce (/bore into) the empty places of the belly and to test the shadows. The uncertain crowd is torn into contrary (/opposite) desires. First, there, before all, with a huge crowd accompanying (him), Laocoon, burning, runs down from the highest citadel, and from far off, (he shouts) "Oh miserable citizens, what is such great insanity? Do you trust that the enemy have been carried away? Or do you think that any gifts are lacking from the treachery of the Danaans [Greeks]? (Is) Ulysses thus known? Either the Achaeans [Greeks] are hidden, having been enclosed in this wood, or this machine has been made against our walls, about to inspect our homes, and about to come into our city from above, or some wrong lies hidden; do not trust the horse, Teucrians [Trojans]. Whatever it is, I fear the Danaans [Greeks] even bearing gifts."

Lines 50-56:

sic fatus ualidis ingentem uiribus hastam          50

in latus inque feri curuam compagibus aluum

contorsit. stetit illa tremens, uteroque recusso

insonuere cauae gemitumque dedere cauernae.

et, si fata deum, si mens non laeua fuisset,

impulerat ferro Argolicas foedare latebras,         55

Troiaque nunc staret, Priamique arx alta maneres.

Having spoken thus, he twisted (/hurled) his huge spear with mighty strength into the side and into the belly of the beast, curved with joints. It [the spear] stood, trembling, and with the belly having been struck, the empty caverns resounded and gave a groan. And, if the fates of the gods, if the mind had not been weak, he would have driven (us) to mangle the Greek shadows with the iron [sword], and Troy would now stand, and you would remain the high citadel of Priam.

Book II: 199-227

Lines 199-211

Hic aliud maius miseris multoque tremendum

obicitur magis atque improuida pectora turbat.               200

Laocoon, ductus Neptuno sorte sacerdos,

sollemnis taurum ingentem mactabat ad aras.

ecce autem gemini a Tenedo tranquilla per alta

(horresco referens) immensis orbibus angues

incumbunt pelago pariterque ad litora tendunt;               205

pectora quorum inter fluctus arrecta iubaeque

sanguineae superant undas, pars cetera pontum

pone legit sinuatque immensa uolumine terga.

fit sonitus spumante salo; iamque arua tenebant

ardentisque oculos suffecti sanguine et igni               210

sibila lambebant linguis uibrantibus ora.

Here, another omen, bigger and to be trembled at by much more, is thrown at miserable us, and it disturbs our unforseeing hearts. Laocoon, a priest for Neptune, having been led by fate, was sacrificing a huge bull at the solemn altars. Look however, twin snakes with immense coils, from Tenedos, through the peaceful depths, (I shudder, recalling), lie down on the sea and equally they stretch to shores: of which, the hearts having been raised among the waters, and the bloody crests, rise above the waves, the other part skims the sea behind, and twists their immense backs in a coil. A sound is made with the salt foaming; and now they were holding the fields [sea], having been filled with respect to their burning eyes with blood and fire, and they licked their hissing faces with quivering tongues.

Lines 212-227

diffugimus uisu exsangues. illi agmine certo

Laocoonta petunt; et primum parua duorum

corpora natorum serpens amplexus uterque

implicat et miseros morsu depascitur artus;               215

post ipsum auxilio subeuntem ac tela ferentem

corripiunt spirisque ligant ingentibus; et iam

bis medium amplexi, bis collo squamea circum

terga dati superant capite et ceruicibus altis.

ille simul manibus tendit diuellere nodos               220

perfusus sanie uittas atroque ueneno,

clamores simul horrendos ad sidera tollit:

qualis mugitus, fugit cum saucius aram

taurus et incertam excussit ceruice securim.

at gemini lapsu delubra ad summa dracones               225

effugiunt saeuaeque petunt Tritonidis arcem,

sub pedibusque deae clipeique sub orbe teguntur.

We, out of blood, fled apart from the sight. They, with (/in) a certain battle line, seek Laocoon; and first, each snake, having embraced the small bodies of the two sons, wraps them up and devours their miserable limbs in a bite; after, they snatch (Laocoon) himself, going under for help, and carrying spears, and they bind him with huge spirals; and now, having embraced him twice around the middle, and having been given with respect to their slimy backs twice around his neck, they overcome him with their head and their necks. He, at the same time, stretches with his hands to untie the knots, having been been poured through (/drenched), with respect to his garlands with gore, and with black venom, at the same time he raises horrible shouts to the stars: just like the mooing, when a stricken bull flees the altar and shakes off the uncertain ax from his neck. But the twin dragons flee to the highest temple with a gliding, and they seek the citadel of savage Triton (Athena), and they are covered under the feet and under the sphere of the shield of the goddess.