Aeneid Book 1 - Part 1:

P. VERGILI MARONIS AENEIDOS LIBER PRIMVS

1 Arma virumque canō, Trōiae quī prīmus ab ōrīs 

I sing of arms and the man, who first came from the shores of Troy 

2 Ītaliam, fātō profugus, Lāvīniaque vēnit 

to Italy, a fugitive by fate, and to the Lavinian shores 

3 lītora, multum ille et terrīs iactātus et altō 

much tossed on land and sea 

4 vī superum saevae memorem Iūnōnis ob īram; 

by the force of the gods, on account of cruel Juno’s unforgetting wrath 

5 multa quoque et bellō passus, dum conderet urbem, 

having suffered much also in war, until he could found a city 

6 inferretque deōs Latiō, genus unde Latīnum, 

and bring his gods to Latium—whence came the Latin race 

7 Albānīque patrēs, atque altae moenia Rōmae. 

the Alban fathers, and the high walls of Rome 

8 Mūsa, mihī causās memorā, quō nūmine laesō, 

Muse, tell me the causes—by what divine power offended 

9 quidve dolēns, rēgīna deum tot volvere cāsūs 

or grieving at what, did the queen of the gods drive 

10 īnsīgnem pietāte virum, tot adīre labōrēs 

a man marked by piety to undergo so many hardships 

11 impulerit. Tantaene animīs caelestibus īrae? 

Was there such anger in the heavenly hearts? 

12 Urbs antīqua fuit, Tyriī tenuēre colōnī, 

There was an ancient city, held by Tyrian settlers— 

13 Carthāgō, Ītaliam contrā Tiberīnaque longē 

Carthage—far opposite Italy and the Tiber’s mouth 

14 ōstia, dīves opum studiīsque asperrima bellī, 

rich in wealth and fiercest in pursuit of war 

15 quam Iūnō fertur terrīs magis omnibus ūnam 

which alone Juno is said to have cherished more than all lands 

16 posthabitā coluisse Samō; hīc illius arma, 

even more than Samos; here were her arms 

17 hīc currus fuit; hōc rēgnum dea gentibus esse, 

here was her chariot; this she meant to be the ruling city 

18 sī quā Fāta sinant, iam tum tenditque fovetque. 

if the Fates allowed—already then she aimed and favored it 

19 Prōgeniem sed enim Trōiānō ā sanguine dūcī 

But she had heard that a race was springing from Trojan blood, 

20 audierat, Tyriās olim quae verteret arcēs; 

which one day would overthrow the Tyrian strongholds— 

21 hinc populum lātē regem bellōque superbum 

from this, a people ruling far and wide, proud in war, 

22 ventūrum excidiō Libyae: sīc volvere Parcās. 

would come to bring down Libya: so the Fates had spun. 

23 Id metuēns, veterisque memor Sāturnia bellī, 

Fearing this, and mindful of the old war, Saturnia— 

24 prīma quod ad Trōiam prō cārīs gesserat Argīs— 

the war she had first waged at Troy for her beloved Argives— 

25 necdum etiam causae īrārum saevīque dolōrēs 

the causes of her rage and her cruel sorrows 

26 exciderant animō: manet altā mente repostum 

had not yet slipped from her mind: deep in her heart there remained 

27 iūdicium Paridis sprētaeque iniūria fōrmae, 

the judgment of Paris and the insult to her slighted beauty, 

28 et genus invīsum, et raptī Ganymēdis honōrēs. 

and the hated race, and the honors of ravished Ganymede. 

29 Hīs accēnsa super, iactātōs aequore tōtō 

Inflamed by all this besides, the Trojans tossed across the sea— 

30 Trōas, rēliquiās Danaum atque immītis Achillī— 

the remnants of the Greeks and of ruthless Achilles— 

31 arcēbat longē Latiō, multōsque per annōs 

she kept far from Latium, and for many years 

32 errābant, āctī Fātīs, maria omnia circum. 

they wandered, driven by the Fates, over every sea. 

33 Tantae mōlis erat Rōmānam condere gentem! 

So vast was the toil to found the Roman nation! 

34 Vix e conspectu Siculae telluris in altum 

Scarcely out of sight of Sicilian land, into the deep 

35 vela dabant laeti, et spumas salis aere ruebant, 

they gladly spread their sails and churned the salt with bronze, 

36 cum Iuno, aeternum servans sub pectore volnus, 

when Juno, nursing the eternal wound in her heart, 

37 haec secum: “Mene incepto desistere victam, 

said to herself: “Am I to abandon my plan, defeated, 

38 nec posse Italia Teucrorum avertere regem? 

and not be able to turn the Trojan king from Italy? 

39 Quippe vetor fatis. Pallasne exurere classem 

Indeed, I am forbidden by fate. But could Pallas burn the fleet 

40 Argivum atque ipsos potuit submergere ponto, 

of the Greeks, and drown them in the sea, 

41 unius ob noxam et furias Aiacis Oilei? 

for the crime and madness of one man—Ajax, son of Oileus? 

42 Ipsa, Iovis rapidum iaculata e nubibus ignem, 

She herself hurled Jove’s swift fire from the clouds, 

43 disiecitque rates evertitque aequora ventis, 

scattered the ships and churned the seas with winds, 

44 illum expirantem transfixo pectore flammas 

and as he breathed out flames from his pierced chest, 

45 turbine corripuit scopuloque infixit acuto. 

she snatched him in a whirlwind and impaled him on a sharp rock. 

46 Ast ego, quae divom incedo regina, Iovisque 

But I, who walk as queen of the gods and of Jove, 

47 et soror et coniunx, una cum gente tot annos 

both sister and wife, wage war against one race for so many years! 

48 bella gero! Et quisquam numen Iunonis adoret 

And will anyone still honor the power of Juno, 

49 praeterea, aut supplex aris imponet honorem?' 

or, as a suppliant, place offerings on her altars?” 

50 Talia flammato secum dea corde volutans 

Such thoughts the goddess, with inflamed heart, turned over to herself, 

51 nimborum in patriam, loca feta furentibus austris, 

and came to the land of storms, a place teeming with raging South Winds, 

52 Aeoliam venit. Hic vasto rex Aeolus antro 

she came to Aeolia. Here, in a vast cave, King Aeolus 

53 luctantes ventos tempestatesque sonoras 

holds struggling winds and resounding storms 

54 imperio premit ac vinclis et carcere frenat. 

by his command, and restrains them with chains and prison. 

55 Illi indignantes magno cum murmure montis 

They, indignant, roar with the great rumble of the mountain 

56 circum claustra fremunt; celsa sedet Aeolus arce 

around their barriers; Aeolus sits on his lofty citadel 

57 sceptra tenens, mollitque animos et temperat iras. 

holding his scepter, soothing their minds and calming their rage. 

58 Ni faciat, maria ac terras caelumque profundum 

Unless he did, the seas, lands, and the vast sky 

59 quippe ferant rapidi secum verrantque per auras. 

would surely sweep along with them and scour through the air. 

60 Sed pater omnipotens speluncis abdidit atris, 

But the all-powerful father hid them in dark caverns, 

61 hoc metuens, molemque et montis insuper altos 

fearing this, and piled on them a mass and lofty mountains, 

62 imposuit, regemque dedit, qui foedere certo 

and gave them a king, who by fixed agreement 

63 et premere et laxas sciret dare iussus habenas. 

would know how to restrain them, and when to give loose reins. 

64 Ad quem tum Iuno supplex his vocibus usa est: 

To him then Juno, as a suppliant, spoke these words: 

65 'Aeole, namque tibi divom pater atque hominum rex 

“Aeolus, for to you the father of gods and king of men 

66 et mulcere dedit fluctus et tollere vento, 

has granted power to calm the waves and to raise them with wind, 

67 gens inimica mihi Tyrrhenum navigat aequor, 

a people hostile to me is sailing the Tyrrhenian sea, 

68 Ilium in Italiam portans victosque Penates: 

carrying Troy to Italy and their conquered household gods— 

69 incute vim ventis submersasque obrue puppes, 

strike force into the winds and sink their ships, 

70 aut age diversos et disiice corpora ponto. 

or drive them apart and scatter their bodies across the sea. 

71 Sunt mihi bis septem praestanti corpore nymphae, 

I have twice seven nymphs of outstanding beauty, 

72 quarum quae forma pulcherrima Deiopea, 

of whom Deiopea is fairest in form; 

73 conubio iungam stabili propriamque dicabo, 

her I will join to you in lasting marriage and make your own, 

74 omnis ut tecum meritis pro talibus annos 

so that she may spend all her years with you for such service 

75 exigat, et pulchra faciat te prole parentem.' 

and make you the father of beautiful children.” 

76 Aeolus haec contra: 'Tuus, O regina, quid optes 

Aeolus replied: “Yours, O queen, is the task to decide what you wish; 

77 explorare labor; mihi iussa capessere fas est. 

to search it out is your role; for me, it is right to carry out your commands. 

78 Tu mihi, quodcumque hoc regni, tu sceptra Iovemque 

You grant me whatever this kingdom holds—you win for me the scepter and Jove’s favor, 

79 concilias, tu das epulis accumbere divom, 

you let me recline at the feasts of the gods, 

80 nimborumque facis tempestatumque potentem.' 

and you make me lord of clouds and tempests.” 

81 Haec ubi dicta, cavum conversa cuspide montem 

When these words were spoken, he struck the hollow mountain with his turned spear, 

82 impulit in latus: ac venti, velut agmine facto, 

he drove it on its side; and the winds, as if in battle formation, 

83 qua data porta, ruunt et terras turbine perflant. 

where a gate was opened, rush out and sweep across the lands in a whirlwind. 

84 Incubuere mari, totumque a sedibus imis 

They swoop down on the sea, and from its deepest foundations 

85 una Eurusque Notusque ruunt creberque procellis 

together Eurus and Notus and Africus, thick with squalls, rush forth, 

86 Africus, et vastos volvunt ad litora fluctus. 

and roll enormous waves to the shores. 

87 Insequitur clamorque virum stridorque rudentum. 

The shout of men follows, and the creaking of ropes. 

88 Eripiunt subito nubes caelumque diemque 

Suddenly the clouds snatch both the sky and daylight 

89 Teucrorum ex oculis; ponto nox incubat atra.  

from the Trojans’ sight; black night broods over the sea. 

90 Intonuere poli, et crebris micat ignibus aether, 

The heavens thunder, and the sky flashes with repeated lightning, 

91 praesentemque viris intentant omnia mortem. 

and everything threatens instant death to the men. 

92 Extemplo Aeneae solvuntur frigore membra: 

At once Aeneas’ limbs go slack with cold; 

93 ingemit, et duplicis tendens ad sidera palmas 

he groans, and stretching both hands to the stars 

94 talia voce refert: 'O terque quaterque beati, 

he speaks aloud: “O you three and four times blessed, 

95 quis ante ora patrum Troiae sub moenibus altis 

who met your end before your fathers’ eyes beneath Troy’s high walls! 

96 contigit oppetere! O Danaum fortissime gentis 

You had that fate! O bravest of the Greek race, 

97 Tydide! Mene Iliacis occumbere campis 

Tydides! Was I not able to fall on the fields of Troy 

98 non potuisse, tuaque animam hanc effundere dextra, 

and pour out this life by your right hand— 

99 saevus ubi Aeacidae telo iacet Hector, ubi ingens 

where savage Hector lies by Achilles’ spear, where mighty 

100 Sarpedon, ubi tot Simois correpta sub undis 

Sarpedon lies, and where so many shields snatched beneath the waves by Simois 

101 scuta virum galeasque et fortia corpora volvit?' 

roll—shields, helmets, and the strong bodies of men?” 

102 Talia iactanti stridens Aquilone procella 

As he cries out such things, a shrieking blast from the North Wind 

103 velum adversa ferit, fluctusque ad sidera tollit. 

strikes the sail full in the face and hurls the waves toward the stars. 

104 Franguntur remi; tum prora avertit, et undis 

The oars are shattered; then the prow turns aside, and to the waves 

105 dat latus; insequitur cumulo praeruptus aquae mons. 

it gives its side; a steep mountain of water follows in a heap. 

106 Hi summo in fluctu pendent; his unda dehiscens 

Some hang on the crest of the wave; for others, a gaping wave 

107 terram inter fluctus aperit; furit aestus harenis. 

opens the sea floor between waves; the tide rages with sand. 

108 Tris Notus abreptas in saxa latentia torquet— 

Three ships, snatched away, Notus hurls them onto hidden rocks— 

109 saxa vocant Itali mediis quae in fluctibus aras— 

rocks which the Italians call “the Altars,” in the midst of sea swells— 

110 dorsum immane mari summo; tris Eurus ab alto 

a massive ridge on the surface of the sea; three ships Eurus from the deep 

111 in brevia et Syrtis urget, miserabile visu, 

drives them into the shallows and the Syrtes, miserable to see, 

112 inliditque vadis atque aggere cingit harenae. 

and dashes them on shoals, surrounding them with a heap of sand. 

113 Unam, quae Lycios fidumque vehebat Oronten, 

One ship, carrying Lycians and faithful Orontes, 

114 ipsius ante oculos ingens a vertice pontus 

before his own eyes a huge sea from above 

115 in puppim ferit: excutitur pronusque magister 

strikes the stern; the helmsman is thrown off, headfirst 

116 volvitur in caput; ast illam ter fluctus ibidem 

and is rolled head over heels; but that ship, three times the wave in the same spot, 

117 torquet agens circum, et rapidus vorat aequore vortex. 

twists around and a swift whirlpool devours her in the sea. 

118 Adparent rari nantes in gurgite vasto, 

Scattered swimmers appear in the vast abyss, 

119 arma virum, tabulaeque, et Troia gaza per undas. 

men’s arms, planks, and Trojan treasures float among the waves. 

120 Iam validam Ilionei navem, iam fortis Achati, 

Now the sturdy ship of Ilioneus, now that of brave Achates, 

121 et qua vectus Abas, et qua grandaevus Aletes, 

and the one that carried Abas, and aged Aletes— 

122 vicit hiems; laxis laterum compagibus omnes 

the storm overcame them; with loosened seams in their sides, 

123 accipiunt inimicum imbrem, rimisque fatiscunt. 

they take in hostile water and split apart at the seams. 

124 Interea magno misceri murmure pontum, 

Meanwhile, with a great roaring, the sea is churned, 

125 emissamque hiemem sensit Neptunus, et imis 

and Neptune sensed the unleashed storm, and from the lowest depths 

126 stagna refusa vadis, graviter commotus; et alto 

the still waters displaced from the shoals, deeply disturbed; and from the deep 

127 prospiciens, summa placidum caput extulit unda. 

looking out, he raised his calm head above the surface of the wave. 

128 Disiectam Aeneae, toto videt aequore classem, 

He sees Aeneas’ fleet scattered across the entire sea, 

129 fluctibus oppressos Troas caelique ruina, 

the Trojans overwhelmed by the waves and the ruin of the sky, 

130 nec latuere doli fratrem Iunonis et irae. 

nor did Juno’s schemes and wrath escape her brother’s notice. 

131 Eurum ad se Zephyrumque vocat, dehinc talia fatur: 

He calls Eurus and Zephyrus to him, then speaks these words: 

132 'Tantane vos generis tenuit fiducia vestri? 

“Was such confidence in your race’s power what held you? 

133 Iam caelum terramque meo sine numine, venti, 

Do you now dare, winds, to stir sky and land without my command, 

134 miscere, et tantas audetis tollere moles? 

to stir them up and raise such massive swells? 

135 Quos ego—sed motos praestat componere fluctus. 

Whom I—! But it is better to calm the troubled waves first. 

136 Post mihi non simili poena commissa luetis. 

Afterward, you will pay for your crimes with no like punishment. 

137 Maturate fugam, regique haec dicite vestro: 

Hasten your flight, and say this to your king: 

138 non illi imperium pelagi saevumque tridentem,  

Not to him was the rule of the sea and the fierce trident given, 

139 sed mihi sorte datum. Tenet ille immania saxa, 

but to me by lot. He holds the vast rocks, 

140 vestras, Eure, domos; illa se iactet in aula 

your homes, Eurus; there let Aeolus vaunt himself in his palace, 

141 Aeolus, et clauso ventorum carcere regnet.' 

let Aeolus rule in the closed prison of the winds.” 

142 Sic ait, et dicto citius tumida aequora placat, 

So he spoke, and more swiftly than said, he calmed the swollen seas,  

143 collectasque fugat nubes, solemque reducit. 

and scattered the gathered clouds and brought back the sun. 

144 Cymothoe simul et Triton adnixus acuto 

At the same time Cymothoe and Triton, striving together with a sharp 

145 detrudunt navis scopulo; levat ipse tridenti; 

effort, dislodge the ships from the rock; he himself lifts them with his trident, 

146 et vastas aperit syrtis, et temperat aequor, 

and clears the vast sandbanks and calms the sea, 

147 atque rotis summas levibus perlabitur undas. 

and glides over the crests of the waves with light wheels. 

148 Ac veluti magno in populo cum saepe coorta est 

And just as in a great crowd, when often a riot has arisen, 

149 seditio, saevitque animis ignobile volgus,  

and the base mob rages in spirit, 

150 iamque faces et saxa volant—furor arma ministrat; 

and now torches and stones fly—fury provides weapons; 

151 tum, pietate gravem ac meritis si forte virum quem 

then, if by chance they see a man grave in piety and merits, 

152 conspexere, silent, arrectisque auribus adstant; 

they fall silent and stand by with rapt attention; 

153 ille regit dictis animos, et pectora mulcet,— 

he rules their minds with his words and soothes their hearts— 

154 sic cunctus pelagi cecidit fragor, aequora postquam 

thus the whole uproar of the sea fell silent, after the waves 

155 prospiciens genitor caeloque invectus aperto 

the Father, looking out, as he rode through the open sky, 

156 flectit equos, curruque volans dat lora secundo. 

turned his horses and, flying in his chariot, gave them free rein. 

157 Defessi Aeneadae, quae proxima litora, cursu 

Weary, the followers of Aeneas strive to reach the nearest shores, 

158 contendunt petere, et Libyae vertuntur ad oras. 

and they head toward the coasts of Libya. 

159 Est in secessu longo locus: insula portum 

There is a place in a deep inlet: an island forms a harbor 

160 efficit obiectu laterum, quibus omnis ab alto 

by the projection of its sides, by which all from the deep 

161 frangitur inque sinus scindit sese unda reductos. 

the wave is broken and divides itself into retreating bays. 

162 Hinc atque hinc vastae rupes geminique minantur 

On both sides vast cliffs and twin rocks tower 

163 in caelum scopuli, quorum sub vertice late 

into the sky, beneath whose summit far and wide 

164 aequora tuta silent; tum silvis scaena coruscis 

the safe waters lie silent; then with shimmering woods a backdrop 

165 desuper horrentique atrum nemus imminet umbra. 

from above, and a dark grove with bristling shade overhangs. 

166 Fronte sub adversa scopulis pendentibus antrum, 

Under the opposing front, with hanging rocks, is a cave, 

167 intus aquae dulces vivoque sedilia saxo, 

within, sweet waters and seats carved from living stone, 

168 nympharum domus: hic fessas non vincula navis 

a home of the nymphs: here no chains hold weary ships, 

169 ulla tenent, unco non alligat ancora morsu. 

nor does an anchor with a hooked bite fasten them. 

170 Huc septem Aeneas collectis navibus omni 

Here Aeneas, with all seven gathered ships, 

171 ex numero subit; ac magno telluris amore 

enters, and with great love for the land, 

172 egressi optata potiuntur Troes harena, 

the Trojans disembark and gain the longed-for sand, 

173 et sale tabentis artus in litore ponunt. 

and place their salt-soaked limbs upon the shore. 

174 Ac primum silici scintillam excudit Achates, 

And first Achates struck a spark from flint, 

175 succepitque ignem foliis, atque arida circum 

and caught the fire with leaves, and around the dry 

176 nutrimenta dedit, rapuitque in fomite flammam. 

he added fuel, and snatched up the flame from the tinder. 

177 Tum Cererem corruptam undis Cerealiaque arma 

Then Ceres’ grain, spoiled by the waves, and the implements of Ceres, 

178 expediunt fessi rerum, frugesque receptas 

they bring out, weary from their hardships, and the recovered grain, 

179 et torrere parant flammis et frangere saxo. 

they prepare to roast it over flames and crush it with stone. 

180 Aeneas scopulum interea conscendit, et omnem 

Meanwhile, Aeneas climbs a rock, and all 

181 prospectum late pelago petit, Anthea si quem 

he scans the wide seascape, to see if he can spot Antheus 

182 iactatum vento videat Phrygiasque biremis, 

tossed by the wind, and the Phrygian galleys, 

183 aut Capyn, aut celsis in puppibus arma Caici. 

or Capys, or the arms of Caïcus on the lofty sterns. 

184 Navem in conspectu nullam, tris litore cervos 

No ship in sight, but three stags on the shore 

185 prospicit errantis; hos tota armenta sequuntur 

he sees wandering; behind them the whole herd follows 

186 a tergo, et longum per vallis pascitur agmen. 

from the rear, and the long line grazes through the valleys. 

187 Constitit hic, arcumque manu celerisque sagittas 

He stopped here, and with his hand seized his bow and swift arrows, 

188 corripuit, fidus quae tela gerebat Achates; 

the weapons which faithful Achates was carrying; 

189 ductoresque ipsos primum, capita alta ferentis 

and the leaders themselves first, bearing high heads 

190 cornibus arboreis, sternit, tum volgus, et omnem 

with branching antlers, he lays low, then the herd, and the whole 

191 miscet agens telis nemora inter frondea turbam; 

he scatters the crowd among the leafy woods, driving with weapons; 

192 nec prius absistit, quam septem ingentia victor 

nor does he stop before, as victor, 

193 corpora fundat humi, et numerum cum navibus aequet. 

he lays seven mighty bodies on the ground, and matches the number to his ships.