Bk. VI
Lines 1-211
Lines 1-22
Sic fatur lacrimans, classique immittit habenas
et tandem Euboicis Cumarum adlabitur oris.
obuertunt pelago proras; tum dente tenaci
ancora fundabat nauis et litora curuae
praetexunt puppes. iuuenum manus emicat ardens 5
litus in Hesperium; quaerit pars semina flammae
abstrusa in uenis silicis, pars densa ferarum
tecta rapit siluas inuentaque flumina monstrat.
at pius Aeneas arces quibus altus Apollo
praesidet horrendaeque procul secreta Sibyllae, 10
antrum immane, petit, magnam cui mentem animumque
Delius inspirat uates aperitque futura.
iam subeunt Triuiae lucos atque aurea tecta.
Daedalus, ut fama est, fugiens Minoia regna
praepetibus pennis ausus se credere caelo 15
insuetum per iter gelidas enauit ad Arctos,
Chalcidicaque leuis tandem super astitit arce.
redditus his primum terris tibi, Phoebe, sacrauit
remigium alarum posuitque immania templa.
in foribus letum Androgeo; tum pendere poenas 20
Cecropidae iussi (miserum!) septena quotannis
corpora natorum; stat ductis sortibus urna.
Thus he speaks, crying, and he sends in the reings to the fleet and at last he slips onto the Euboean shores of Cumae. They turn over the prows on the sea; then with a tenacious tooth, the anchor made the ships fast and the curved ships (/decks) cover the shores. A burning band of young men bursts out onto the Hesperian shore; a part seeks the seeds of a flame having been hidden in the veins of flint, a part snatches the woods, dense homes of beasts, and shows the rivers having been found. But pious Aeneas seeks the citadels in which high Apollo presides (/rules), and the secrets of the horrible Sibyl far off, a huge cave, (the Sibyl) for whom the Delian prophet inspires (/breathes into) her great mind and her soul and he opens the future things. Now they go under the groves of Trivia and the golden roofs.
Daedalus, as is the story, fleeing the kingdoms of Minos, having dared to trust himself to quick wings in the sky, he sailed out through the unaccustomed journey to the cold Arctic, and at last he, light, stopped above the Chalcidian citadel. Having been returned first to these lands, Phoebus, he made sacred (/sacrificed) the rowing of wings to you, and he placed the huge temples. On the doors was the death of Androgeos ; then the Cecropidae [= young Athenians] having been ordered to pay the penalties (miserable!), the seven bodies of their children annually; the urn stands with the lots having been drawn (/led).
Lines 23-33.5
contra elata mari respondet Cnosia tellus:
hic crudelis amor tauri suppostaque furto
Pasiphae mixtumque genus prolesque biformis 25
Minotaurus inest, Veneris monimenta nefandae,
hic labor ille domus et inextricabilis error;
magnum reginae sed enim miseratus amorem
Daedalus ipse dolos tecti ambagesque resoluit,
caeca regens filo uestigia. tu quoque magnam 30
partem opere in tanto, sineret dolor, Icare, haberes.
bis conatus erat casus effingere in auro,
bis patriae cecidere manus.
Facing, the Cnosian land, having been raised from the sea, answers: here is the cruel love of the bull, and Pasiphae, having been subject to deceit, and the mixed race and the biformed offspring, the Minotaur, is on (it), the monuments of unspeakable Venus, here is that labor of the home and the insolvable wandering; but for Daedalus himself having pitied the great love of the queen, he solved the tricks and the confusions of the house, guiding her blind footsteps with a thread. You also, would have a great part in such a work, Icarus, if suffering were to allow it. Twice, he tried to depict the misfortune in gold, and twice the hands of the father fell.
Lines 33.5-44
quin protinus omnia
perlegerent oculis, ni iam praemissus Achates
adforet atque una Phoebi Triuiaeque sacerdos, 35
Deiphobe Glauci, fatur quae talia regi:
'non hoc ista sibi tempus spectacula poscit;
nunc grege de intacto septem mactare iuuencos
praestiterit, totidem lectas ex more bidentis.'
talibus adfata Aenean (nec sacra morantur 40
iussa uiri) Teucros uocat alta in templa sacerdos.
Excisum Euboicae latus ingens rupis in antrum,
quo lati ducunt aditus centum, ostia centum,
unde ruunt totidem uoces, responsa Sibyllae.
Indeed, they would have thoroughly read all things right away with their eyes, if Achates, having been now sent ahead were not present and at the same time, the priestess of Phoebus and Trivia, Deiphobe of Glaucus, who speaks such things to the king: This time does not demand those spectacles for itself; now it stands to sacrifice seven young bulls from an intact (/untouched) herd, (and) as many two-toothed having been chosen from the custom." Having spoken to Aeneas with such words (and the men do not delay their sacred orders), the priestess calls the Teucrians into the high temples. The huge side of the Euboian rock was cut into a cave, from which a hundred wide entrances lead, a hundred mouths, whence (/from where) so many voices rush, the responses of the Sibyl.
Lines 45-5
uentum erat ad limen, cum uirgo 'poscere fata 45
tempus' ait; 'deus ecce deus!' cui talia fanti
ante fores subito non uultus, non color unus,
non comptae mansere comae; sed pectus anhelum,
et rabie fera corda tument, maiorque uideri
nec mortale sonans, adflata est numine quando 50
iam propiore dei.
They came to the door, when the virgin said, "It is the time to demand the fates; the god, look, the god!" For her speaking such things, before doorways, suddenly there is not a face, not one color, here hair did not remain arranged; but (there is) a gasping chest, and her wild hearts swell with fury, and she is greater to be seen and she is not sounding human, when she has been breathed into by the now closer divine spirit of the god.
Lines 51-55
'cessas in uota precesque,
Tros' ait 'Aenea? cessas? neque enim ante dehiscent
attonitae magna ora domus.' et talia fata
conticuit. gelidus Teucris per dura cucurrit
ossa tremor, funditque preces rex pectore ab imo: 55
Do you cease in your vows and your prayers, Trojan Aeneas? Do you cease? For the great mouths of the astonished home will not gape open before." And having spoken such things, she was silent. A cold tremor ran through the tough bones for the Teucrians, and the king pours prayers from his deep chest:
Lines 55-76
'Phoebe, grauis Troiae semper miserate labores,
Dardana qui Paridis derexti tela manusque
corpus in Aeacidae, magnas obeuntia terras
tot maria intraui duce te penitusque repostas
Massylum gentis praetentaque Syrtibus arua: 60
iam tandem Italiae fugientis prendimus oras.
hac Troiana tenus fuerit fortuna secuta;
uos quoque Pergameae iam fas est parcere genti,
dique deaeque omnes, quibus obstitit Ilium et ingens
gloria Dardaniae. tuque, o sanctissima uates, 65
praescia uenturi, da (non indebita posco
regna meis fatis) Latio considere Teucros
errantisque deos agitataque numina Troiae.
tum Phoebo et Triuiae solido de marmore templum
instituam festosque dies de nomine Phoebi. 70
te quoque magna manent regnis penetralia nostris:
hic ego namque tuas sortis arcanaque fata
dicta meae genti ponam, lectosque sacrabo,
alma, uiros. foliis tantum ne carmina manda,
ne turbata uolent rapidis ludibria uentis; 75
ipsa canas oro.' finem dedit ore loquendi.
"Phoebus, always having pitied the heavy labors of Troy, who directed the Dardanian spears and the hands of Paris into the body of the descendant of Aeacus [=Achilles], with you as a leader, I have entered so many seas bordering great lands, and the races of the Massylians having been pushed back deep within, and fields extended to the Syrtes: now at last we take the mouths of fleeing Italy. Let the Trojan fortune have followed this far; now it is right that y'all also spare the Trojan race, all gods and goddesses, for whom Ilium and the huge glory of Dardania stands in the way. And you, oh most sacred prophet, knowing of things about to come, give (I do not demand kingdoms not owed to my fates) that the Teucrians settle in Latium and the wandering gods and the agitated divine spirits of Troy.
Then I will establish a temple to Phoebus and Trivia of solid marble, and festival days in the name of Phoebus. Great inner chambers wait for you also in our kingdoms: for here I will place your oracles and the hidden fates having been said for my race, and I will make sacred men having been chosen, kindly one. Only, don't entrust your songs to the leaves, in order that they, having been disturbed, may not fly as a mockery for the rapid winds; I beg that you yourself sing them." He gave an end of speaking with his mouth.
Lines 77-87
At Phoebi nondum patiens immanis in antro
bacchatur uates, magnum si pectore possit
excussisse deum; tanto magis ille fatigat
os rabidum, fera corda domans, fingitque premendo. 80
ostia iamque domus patuere ingentia centum
sponte sua uatisque ferunt responsa per auras:
'o tandem magnis pelagi defuncte periclis
(sed terrae grauiora manent), in regna Lauini
Dardanidae uenient (mitte hanc de pectore curam), 85
sed non et uenisse uolent. bella, horrida bella,
et Thybrim multo spumantem sanguine cerno.
But the prophetess, not yet submitting to Phoebus rages wildly, immense in the cave, (as) if she is able to shake off the great god from her chest; by so much more he tires out her rabid mouth, taming her wild hearts, and he shapes her by pressing. And now the hundred huge mouths of the home lay open, and they carry the responses of the prophetess through the airs by their own will: "Oh you at last, having suffered great dangers on the sea (but more serious ones wait for you on the land), the descendants of Dardanus will come into the kingdoms of Lavinium, (send this worry from your heart), but they will wish that they had not even come. I see wars, horrible wars, and the Tiber foaming with much blood.
Lines 88-97
non Simois tibi nec Xanthus nec Dorica castra
defuerint; alius Latio iam partus Achilles,
natus et ipse dea; nec Teucris addita Iuno 90
usquam aberit, cum tu supplex in rebus egenis
quas gentis Italum aut quas non oraueris urbes!
causa mali tanti coniunx iterum hospita Teucris
externique iterum thalami.
tu ne cede malis, sed contra audentior ito, 95
qua tua te Fortuna sinet. uia prima salutis
(quod minime reris) Graia pandetur ab urbe.'
The Simois nor the Xanthus nor the Doric [Greek] camp will have been lacking for you; another Achilles has now been born in Latium, and he himself born from a goddess, nor will Juno, having been added ever be absent for the Teucrians, when you as a supplient in needy things, will not have begged what races of the Italians or what cities! The cause of such a bad thing will be again a foreign wife for the Teucrians, and again a foreign marriage bed. You, do not yield to bad things, but go more daringly against (them), go whither (/to where) your fortune will allow you. The first way of safety (which you think the least) will be shown from a Greek city."
Lines 98-109
Talibus ex adyto dictis Cumaea Sibylla
horrendas canit ambages antroque remugit,
obscuris uera inuoluens: ea frena furenti 100
concutit et stimulos sub pectore uertit Apollo.
ut primum cessit furor et rabida ora quierunt,
incipit Aeneas heros: 'non ulla laborum,
o uirgo, noua mi facies inopinaue surgit;
omnia praecepi atque animo mecum ante peregi. 105
unum oro: quando hic inferni ianua regis
dicitur et tenebrosa palus Acheronte refuso,
ire ad conspectum cari genitoris et ora
contingat; doceas iter et sacra ostia pandas.
With such words from the shrine, the Cumaean Sibyl sings horrible mysteries, and she roars from the cave, rolling truth things with hidden things: Apollo strikes the reins on her raging and turns the spurs under her chest. As soon as her furies ceased and her rabid mouths quiet, the hero Aeneas begins: "Not any aspect of labors rises new or unexpected to me, oh virgin; I have anticipated it all, and I have gone through it with myself in my soul before. I beg one thing: since the door of the infernal king is said to be here and the shadowy swamp with this Acheron having been poured back, let it happen (for me) to go to the site and face of my sweet father; may you lead the journey and may you show the sacred mouths.
Lines 110-123
illum ego per flammas et mille sequentia tela 110
eripui his umeris medioque ex hoste recepi;
ille meum comitatus iter maria omnia mecum
atque omnis pelagique minas caelique ferebat,
inualidus, uiris ultra sortemque senectae.
quin, ut te supplex peterem et tua limina adirem, 115
idem orans mandata dabat. gnatique patrisque,
alma, precor, miserere (potes namque omnia, nec te
nequiquam lucis Hecate praefecit Auernis),
si potuit manis accersere coniugis Orpheus
Threicia fretus cithara fidibusque canoris, 120
si fratrem Pollux alterna morte redemit
itque reditque uiam totiens. quid Thesea, magnum
quid memorem Alciden? et mi genus ab Ioue summo.'
I snatched him away through the flames and through a thousand following spears on these shoulders and I took him back from the middle of the enemy. He, having accompanied my journey, bore all the seas with me and all the threats of the sea and of the sky, an invalid, beyond the strength and the fate of old age. Indeed, that same one begging gave orders that I might seek you as a suppliant and that I might go to your thresholds, I pray, kindly one, pity the son and the father (for you are able (to do) all things, and Hecate did not put you in charge of the groves of Avernus in vain), if Orpheus was able to summon Shades of his wife, relying on the Threcian lyre and the tuneful strings, if Pollux bought back his brother with another death and he goes and returns on the way so often. Why should I remember Theseus, why should I remember the great son of Alcides [Hercules]? And the race for me is from high Jupiter."
Chloe: GRR!! The Latin Library is under maintenance!
Sydney: Latin doesn't change, why do they need to update it?
Lines 124-136
Talibus orabat dictis arasque tenebat,
cum sic orsa loqui uates: 'sate sanguine diuum, 125
Tros Anchisiade, facilis descensus Auerno:
noctes atque dies patet atri ianua Ditis;
sed reuocare gradum superasque euadere ad auras,
hoc opus, hic labor est. pauci, quos aequus amauit
Iuppiter aut ardens euexit ad aethera uirtus, 130
dis geniti potuere. tenent media omnia siluae,
Cocytusque sinu labens circumuenit atro.
quod si tantus amor menti, si tanta cupido est
bis Stygios innare lacus, bis nigra uidere
Tartara, et insano iuuat indulgere labori, 135
He was begging with such words and he was holding the altar when the prophetess began to speak thus: "Trojan son of Anchises, having been borne from the blood of the god, the descent to Avernus is easy: for nights and days the doorway of black Dis lies open; but to call back your step and to escape to the airs above, this is the work, this is the labor. A few, whom fair Jupiter loved, or whom burning virtue carried out to the skies, having been borne from the gods were able. The woods hold all the middle, and Cocytus slipping comes around it in a black fold. But if there is such great love in your mind, if there such great desire, twice to swim in the Stygian lakes, twice to see black Tartarus, and it pleases (you) to indulge in this insane labor, accept what must be done first.
Lines 136.5-148
latet arbore opaca
aureus et foliis et lento uimine ramus,
Iunoni infernae dictus sacer; hunc tegit omnis
lucus et obscuris claudunt conuallibus umbrae.
sed non ante datur telluris operta subire 140
auricomos quam quis decerpserit arbore fetus.
hoc sibi pulchra suum ferri Proserpina munus
instituit. primo auulso non deficit alter
aureus, et simili frondescit uirga metallo.
ergo alte uestiga oculis et rite repertum 145
carpe manu; namque ipse uolens facilisque sequetur,
si te fata uocant; aliter non uiribus ullis
uincere nec duro poteris conuellere ferro.
A branch, golden in both foliage and flexible twig, lies hidden in a shadowy tree. It is said to be sacred to Infernal Juno [Persephone]; all the grove covers this and shadows enclose it with dark valleys. But it is not given to go under the hidden (places) of the land before someone will have plucked away the golden haired offspring from the tree. Beautiful Proserpina established this, her own gift to be carried to herself. With the first having been torn away, another golden (one) does not lack, the branch grows foliage with a similar metal. Therefore, search on high with your eyes and seize (it) having been found properly with your hand; for it itself will follow willing and easy, if the fates call you; otherwise you will not be able to conquer (it) with any strength, nor will you be able to tear it with the strong iron.
Lines 149-159
praeterea iacet exanimum tibi corpus amici
(heu nescis) totamque incestat funere classem, 150
dum consulta petis nostroque in limine pendes.
sedibus hunc refer ante suis et conde sepulcro.
duc nigras pecudes; ea prima piacula sunto.
sic demum lucos Stygis et regna inuia uiuis
aspicies.' dixit, pressoque obmutuit ore. 155
Aeneas maesto defixus lumina uultu
ingreditur linquens antrum, caecosque uolutat
euentus animo secum. cui fidus Achates
it comes et paribus curis uestigia figit.
Furthermore, the lifeless body of a friend to you lies (alas you do not know), and it defiles the whole fleet with death, while you seek the oracles and hang in our threshold. Carry back this one to his seats and before his own (people), and establish him in a tomb. Lead the black flocks; let those be the first atonements. Thus at last you will see the groves of the Styx and the kingdoms pathless to the living." She spoke, and with her mouth having been pressed, she was silent. Aeneas, having been fixed with respect to his eyes with a sad expression, goes on, leaving the cave, and he rolls the hidden events in his soul with himself. For this man, faithful Achates goes as a comrade, and fastens his footsteps with equal cares.
Lines 160-174
multa inter sese uario sermone serebant, 160
quem socium exanimum uates, quod corpus humandum
diceret. atque illi Misenum in litore sicco,
ut uenere, uident indigna morte peremptum,
Misenum Aeoliden, quo non praestantior alter
aere ciere uiros Martemque accendere cantu. 165
Hectoris hic magni fuerat comes, Hectora circum
et lituo pugnas insignis obibat et hasta.
postquam illum uita uictor spoliauit Achilles,
Dardanio Aeneae sese fortissimus heros
addiderat socium, non inferiora secutus. 170
sed tum, forte caua dum personat aequora concha,
demens, et cantu uocat in certamina diuos,
aemulus exceptum Triton, si credere dignum est,
inter saxa uirum spumosa immerserat unda.
They were discussing much among themselves in a various conversation, which breathless friend, which body to be buried, the oracle was speaking of. And, as they came, they see Misenus on the dry shore, having been carried away by unworthy death, Misenus, descendant of Aeolus, than whom there was no other more outstanding to stir up the men with the bronze and to inflame Mars with a song. This one had been a friend of great Hector and he entered the fights around Hector, distinguished both in the trumpet and in the spear. After Achilles as a victor robbed him of life, the most brave hero had added himself to Dardanian Aeneas as an ally, not having followed lesser things. But then, while by chance he was making the waters resound with a hollow shell, out of his mind, and while he was calling the gods into contest with a song, jealous Triton, if it is worthy to trust, had submerged the man having been taken out among the rocks in foaming waves.
Lines 175-184
ergo omnes magno circum clamore fremebant, 175
praecipue pius Aeneas. tum iussa Sibyllae,
haud mora, festinant flentes aramque sepulcri
congerere arboribus caeloque educere certant.
itur in antiquam siluam, stabula alta ferarum;
procumbunt piceae, sonat icta securibus ilex 180
fraxineaeque trabes cuneis et fissile robur
scinditur, aduoluunt ingentis montibus ornos.
Nec non Aeneas opera inter talia primus
hortatur socios paribusque accingitur armis.
atque haec ipse suo tristi cum corde uolutat 185
aspectans siluam immensam, et sic forte precatur:
Therefore all were roaring around with a great shout, especially pious Aeneas. Then, there is hardly a delay, they hurry (to do) the orders of the Sibyl, weeping, and they struggle to gather together the altar of the pyre with trees and to lead it to the sky. It is gone into the ancient woods, the high stables of beasts; the pitch-pines fall forward, the holm-oak having been struck with axes resounds, and the ashen timbers and the easily cleaved oak is cut with the wedges, they roll huge ash trees from the mountains. Nor does Aeneas first not encourage his friends among such works, and he is girded with equal arms.
Lines 185-198
atque haec ipse suo tristi cum corde uolutat 185
aspectans siluam immensam, et sic forte precatur:
'si nunc se nobis ille aureus arbore ramus
ostendat nemore in tanto! quando omnia uere
heu nimium de te uates, Misene, locuta est.'
uix ea fatus erat, geminae cum forte columbae 190
ipsa sub ora uiri caelo uenere uolantes,
et uiridi sedere solo. tum maximus heros
maternas agnouit auis laetusque precatur:
'este duces, o, si qua uia est, cursumque per auras
derigite in lucos ubi pinguem diues opacat 195
ramus humum. tuque, o, dubiis ne defice rebus,
diua parens.' sic effatus uestigia pressit
obseruans quae signa ferant, quo tendere pergant.
And he himself turns this with his own sad heart looking at the immense woods, and by chance he prays thus: "If (only) that golden branch should now show itself to us in such a grove! Since the prophetess said all things, alas, too truly about you, Misenus." He had hardly spoken those things when by chance twin doves came flying from heaven below the face itself of the man, and sat on the green ground. Then the greatest hero recognized the maternal birds and happily he prays: "Be leaders, oh, if there is any way, steer your course through the breezes into the groves, where the rich branch shades the fertile ground. And you, oh goddess parent, don't fail in doubtful things." Having spoken thus, he pressed his footsteps observing what signs they carry, and whither they proceed to aim.
Lines 198-211
pascentes illae tantum prodire uolando
quantum acie possent oculi seruare sequentum. 200
inde ubi uenere ad fauces graue olentis Auerni,
tollunt se celeres liquidumque per aera lapsae
sedibus optatis gemina super arbore sidunt,
discolor unde auri per ramos aura refulsit.
quale solet siluis brumali frigore uiscum 205
fronde uirere noua, quod non sua seminat arbos,
et croceo fetu teretis circumdare truncos,
talis erat species auri frondentis opaca
ilice, sic leni crepitabat brattea uento.
corripit Aeneas extemplo auidusque refringit 210
cunctantem, et uatis portat sub tecta Sibyllae.
They grazing went forward only so much by flying as the eyes of those following were able to keep them in sight. Then when they came to the jaws of heavily stinking Avernus, they quickly picked themselves up, and having slipped through the liquid air, they settle in the seats having been wished for above the twin tree, whence a two-colored breeze shone through the golden branches. Just as mistletoe is accustomed to flourish with new growth in the woods in the cold of winter, which its own tree does not produce, and to give around the smooth trunks with a saffron offspring, such was the appearance of the leafy gold in the hidden holm-oak, thus the leaf was rustling in the soft wind. Aeneas at once snatches it and eagerly he breaks it hesitating, and he carries it under the roofs of the prophet Sibyl.