Aeneid Book 1 - Part 3:

384 Ipse ignotus, egens, Libyae deserta peragro, 

I myself, unknown, in need, wander through Libya’s deserts, 

385 Europa atque Asia pulsus.' Nec plura querentem 

driven from Europe and Asia.” As he complained no more, 

386 passa Venus medio sic interfata dolore est: 

Venus, unable to bear more, thus interrupted him in his grief: 

387 'Quisquis es, haud, credo, invisus caelestibus auras 

“Whoever you are, I do not believe you draw breath hated by the gods, 

388 vitalis carpis, Tyriam qui adveneris urbem. 

since you breathe the air of life and have come to the Tyrian city. 

389 Perge modo, atque hinc te reginae ad limina perfer, 

Go now, and from here bring yourself to the queen’s threshold; 

390 Namque tibi reduces socios classemque relatam 

For I announce to you that your comrades are returned, and your fleet restored, 

391 nuntio, et in tutum versis aquilonibus actam, 

and driven into safety by favorable north winds, 

392 ni frustra augurium vani docuere parentes. 

unless, in vain, my parents taught me false prophecy. 

393 Aspice bis senos laetantis agmine cycnos, 

Look—twelve swans rejoicing in a flock, 

394 aetheria quos lapsa plaga Iovis ales aperto 

whom the bird of Jove, gliding in the open sky, 

395 turbabat caelo; nunc terras ordine longo 

was scattering in the sky; now they seem either to land in a long line 

396 aut capere, aut captas iam despectare videntur: 

or to be gazing down on the lands they’ve already gained: 

397 ut reduces illi ludunt stridentibus alis, 

how, returned, they play on whirring wings, 

398 et coetu cinxere polum, cantusque dedere, 

and in a flock they’ve circled the sky and given forth song— 

399 haud aliter puppesque tuae pubesque tuorum 

just so do your ships and your youthful men 

400 aut portum tenet aut pleno subit ostia velo. 

either hold the harbor or sail in under full sail through the gates. 

401 Perge modo, et, qua te ducit via, dirige gressum.' 

Go now, and direct your step where the path leads you.” 

402 Dixit, et avertens rosea cervice refulsit, 

She spoke, and turning, she gleamed with a rosy neck, 

403 ambrosiaeque comae divinum vertice odorem 

and her ambrosial hair breathed a divine fragrance from her head, 

404 spiravere, pedes vestis defluxit ad imos, 

her robe flowed down to her feet, 

405 et vera incessu patuit dea. Ille ubi matrem 

and by her step she was revealed as a true goddess. When he 

406 adgnovit, tali fugientem est voce secutus: 

recognized his mother, he followed her fleeing with such words: 

407 'Quid natum totiens, crudelis tu quoque, falsis 

“Why do you mock your son so often, you too cruel, with false 

408 ludis imaginibus? Cur dextrae iungere dextram 

phantoms? Why is it not allowed to join hand to hand, 

409 non datur, ac veras audire et reddere voces?' 

and to hear and return true words?” 

410 Talibus incusat, gressumque ad moenia tendit: 

With such complaints, he directs his step toward the city walls: 

411 at Venus obscuro gradientes aere saepsit, 

But Venus enclosed their steps in a dark mist, 

412 et multo nebulae circum dea fudit amictu, 

and the goddess spread around them a heavy veil of cloud, 

413 cernere ne quis eos, neu quis contingere posset, 

so that no one might see them, or touch them, 

414 molirive moram, aut veniendi poscere causas. 

or cause delay, or ask the reason for their coming. 

415 Ipsa Paphum sublimis abit, sedesque revisit 

She herself departs on high to Paphos, and revisits her home, 

416 laeta suas, ubi templum illi, centumque Sabaeo 

joyful in her own domain, where her temple, and a hundred altars 

417 ture calent arae, sertisque recentibus halant. 

glow with Sabaean incense, and breathe sweet with fresh garlands. 

418 Corripuere viam interea, qua semita monstrat. 

Meanwhile they hastened along the path shown by the trail. 

419 Iamque ascendebant collem, qui plurimus urbi 

And now they were climbing the hill which looms largest over the city 

420 imminet, adversasque adspectat desuper arces. 

and from above looks down on the facing citadel. 

421 Miratur molem Aeneas, magalia quondam, 

Aeneas admires the mass of buildings, once mere huts, 

422 miratur portas strepitumque et strata viarum. 

he marvels at the gates, the noise, and the paved streets. 

423 Instant ardentes Tyrii pars ducere muros, 

The eager Tyrians press on, some to lay out walls, 

424 molirique arcem et manibus subvolvere saxa, 

to build the citadel, and roll up stones with their hands, 

425 pars optare locum tecto et concludere sulco. 

others to choose a site for a house and enclose it with a trench. 

426 [Iura magistratusque legunt sanctumque senatum;] 

[They choose laws, magistrates, and a sacred senate;] 

427 hic portus alii effodiunt; hic alta theatris 

here some dig harbors; there others lay deep foundations for theaters, 

428 fundamenta locant alii, immanisque columnas 

and from the rocks they hew huge columns, 

429 rupibus excidunt, scaenis decora alta futuris. 

lofty ornaments for future stage scenes. 

430 Qualis apes aestate nova per florea rura 

Just as bees in early summer through the flowery fields 

431 exercet sub sole labor, cum gentis adultos 

are busy under the sun, when they lead forth the grown young 

432 educunt fetus, aut cum liquentia mella 

of the hive, or when they pack the liquid honey 

433 stipant et dulci distendunt nectare cellas, 

and swell the cells with sweet nectar, 

434 aut onera accipiunt venientum, aut agmine facto 

or receive the loads of those returning, or, having formed a line, 

435 ignavom fucos pecus a praesepibus arcent: 

they drive the lazy drones from the hive: 

436 fervet opus, redolentque thymo fragrantia mella. 

The work glows, and the fragrant honey is scented with thyme. 

437 'O fortunati, quorum iam moenia surgunt!' 

“O fortunate ones, whose walls already rise!” 

438 Aeneas ait, et fastigia suspicit urbis. 

Aeneas says, and gazes up at the heights of the city. 

439 Infert se saeptus nebula, mirabile dictu, 

He enters, cloaked in mist—wondrous to tell— 

440 per medios, miscetque viris, neque cernitur ulli. 

through their midst, he mingles with the men, and is seen by none. 

441 Lucus in urbe fuit media, laetissimus umbra, 

There was a grove in the middle of the city, most joyful in its shade, 

442 quo primum iactati undis et turbine Poeni 

where first the Phoenicians, tossed by waves and storm, 

443 effodere loco signum, quod regia Iuno 

dug up a sign in that place, which royal Juno 

444 monstrarat, caput acris equi; sic nam fore bello 

had revealed—a spirited horse’s head; for thus in war would be 

445 egregiam et facilem victu per saecula gentem. 

an excellent and easily-lived race through the ages. 

446 Hic templum Iunoni ingens Sidonia Dido 

Here, Sidonian Dido was founding a great temple to Juno, 

447 condebat, donis opulentum et numine divae, 

rich with gifts and the presence of the goddess, 

448 aerea cui gradibus surgebant limina, nexaeque 

whose bronze thresholds rose in steps, and beams fastened 

449 aere trabes, foribus cardo stridebat aenis. 

with bronze, and the hinge groaned on bronze doors. 

450 Hoc primum in luco nova res oblata timorem 

Here first in the grove a strange sight offered him some relief from fear, 

451 leniit, hic primum Aeneas sperare salutem 

here first Aeneas dared to hope for safety, 

452 ausus, et adflictis melius confidere rebus. 

and to trust more in troubled fortunes. 

453 Namque sub ingenti lustrat dum singula templo, 

For while he surveys each scene beneath the vast temple, 

454 reginam opperiens, dum, quae fortuna sit urbi, 

waiting for the queen, while he learns what fortune the city has, 

455 artificumque manus inter se operumque laborem 

and marvels at the craftsmen’s work and the toil of their efforts, 

456 miratur, videt Iliacas ex ordine pugnas, 

he sees the Trojan battles depicted in order, 

457 bellaque iam fama totum volgata per orbem, 

and the wars already spread in fame throughout the world, 

458 Atridas, Priamumque, et saevum ambobus Achillem. 

the sons of Atreus, and Priam, and Achilles fierce to both. 

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

He halted, and weeping, said: “What land, Achates, 

460 quae regio in terris nostri non plena laboris? 

what place on earth is not filled with our suffering? 

461 En Priamus! Sunt hic etiam sua praemia laudi; 

See Priam! Even here there are rewards for virtue; 

462 sunt lacrimae rerum et mentem mortalia tangunt. 

there are tears for things, and mortal matters touch the mind. 

463 Solve metus; feret haec aliquam tibi fama salutem.' 

Cast off fear; this fame will bring you some salvation.” 

464 Sic ait, atque animum pictura pascit inani, 

Thus he speaks, and feeds his soul on the empty picture, 

465 multa gemens, largoque umectat flumine voltum. 

groaning much, and wets his face with a flowing stream of tears. 

466 Namque videbat, uti bellantes Pergama circum 

For he was watching how, around Pergama fighting, 

467 hac fugerent Graii, premeret Troiana iuventus, 

on this side the Greeks fled, the Trojan youth pressed them, 

468 hac Phryges, instaret curru cristatus Achilles. 

on that the Phrygians, and Achilles, crested, bore down in his chariot. 

469 Nec procul hinc Rhesi niveis tentoria velis 

Not far from here he sees the tents of Rhesus with snowy canopies, 

470 adgnoscit lacrimans, primo quae prodita somno 

weeping, he recognizes them, first betrayed in sleep, 

471 Tydides multa vastabat caede cruentus, 

that Tydides, bloodied with much slaughter, had ravaged, 

472 ardentisque avertit equos in castra, prius quam 

and turned his fiery horses toward the camp, before 

473 pabula gustassent Troiae Xanthumque bibissent. 

they had tasted the fodder of Troy or drunk from the Xanthus. 

474 Parte alia fugiens amissis Troilus armis, 

In another part, Troilus, fleeing, his arms lost, 

475 infelix puer atque impar congressus Achilli, 

unlucky boy and no match in battle with Achilles, 

476 fertur equis, curruque haeret resupinus inani, 

is borne by horses, and clings supine to his empty chariot, 

477 lora tenens tamen; huic cervixque comaeque trahuntur 

still holding the reins; his neck and hair are dragged 

478 per terram, et versa pulvis inscribitur hasta. 

along the ground, and the dust is marked by his reversed spear.

479 Interea ad templum non aequae Palladis ibant 

Meanwhile to the temple of unkind Pallas were going 

480 crinibus Iliades passis peplumque ferebant, 

the Trojan women with hair unbound, bearing the robe, 

481 suppliciter tristes et tunsae pectora palmis; 

sad in supplication and beating their breasts with their hands; 

482 diva solo fixos oculos aversa tenebat. 

but the goddess kept her eyes fixed on the ground, turned away. 

483 Ter circum Iliacos raptaverat Hectora muros, 

Three times Achilles had dragged Hector around the Trojan walls, 

484 exanimumque auro corpus vendebat Achilles. 

and was selling the lifeless body for gold. 

485 Tum vero ingentem gemitum dat pectore ab imo, 

Then truly he gave a mighty groan from the depths of his chest, 

486 ut spolia, ut currus, utque ipsum corpus amici, 

when he saw the spoils, the chariot, and the very body of his friend, 

487 tendentemque manus Priamum conspexit inermis. 

and Priam stretching out his hands, unarmed. 

488 Se quoque principibus permixtum adgnovit Achivis, 

He also recognized himself among the Achaean leaders, 

489 Eoasque acies et nigri Memnonis arma. 

and the Eastern battle lines and the arms of black Memnon. 

490 Ducit Amazonidum lunatis agmina peltis 

Penthesilea leads the Amazon ranks with crescent-shaped shields, 

491 Penthesilea furens, mediisque in milibus ardet, 

Penthesilea raging, burning in the midst of thousands, 

492 aurea subnectens exsertae cingula mammae, 

fastening a golden belt beneath her exposed breast, 

493 bellatrix, audetque viris concurrere virgo. 

a warrior maiden, and she dares to clash with men. 

494 Haec dum Dardanio Aeneae miranda videntur, 

While these wonders seem marvellous to Dardanian Aeneas, 

495 dum stupet, obtutuque haeret defixus in uno, 

while he is amazed and fixed on a single gaze, 

496 regina ad templum, forma pulcherrima Dido, 

the queen approached the temple, Dido most beautiful in form, 

497 incessit magna iuvenum stipante caterva. 

advanced, surrounded by a great throng of young men. 

498 Qualis in Eurotae ripis aut per iuga Cynthi 

Like Diana on the banks of Eurotas or along the ridges of Cynthus, 

499 exercet Diana choros, quam mille secutae 

when she leads the dances, whom a thousand following 

500 hinc atque hinc glomerantur oreades; illa pharetram 

from here and there the Oreads gather; she carries a quiver 

501 fert umero, gradiensque deas supereminet omnis: 

on her shoulder, and walking she surpasses all the goddesses: 

502 Latonae tacitum pertemptant gaudia pectus: 

joys stir the silent heart of Latona: 

503 talis erat Dido, talem se laeta ferebat 

such was Dido, such did she joyfully carry herself 

504 per medios, instans operi regnisque futuris. 

through their midst, pressing on with the work of her future kingdom. 

505 Tum foribus divae, media testudine templi, 

Then at the goddess’s doors, in the center of the vaulted temple, 

506 saepta armis, solioque alte subnixa resedit. 

surrounded by arms, she sat high on her throne. 

507 Iura dabat legesque viris, operumque laborem 

She gave laws and rules to the men, and divided the labor 

508 partibus aequabat iustis, aut sorte trahebat: 

of the works in fair portions, or assigned by lot: 

509 cum subito Aeneas concursu accedere magno 

when suddenly Aeneas saw approaching in a great crowd 

510 Anthea Sergestumque videt fortemque Cloanthum, 

Antheus and Sergestus and brave Cloanthus, 

511 Teucrorumque alios, ater quos aequore turbo 

and other Trojans, whom a dark storm on the sea 

512 dispulerat penitusque alias avexerat oras. 

had scattered and carried far to other shores. 

513 Obstipuit simul ipse simul perculsus Achates 

Aeneas himself stood amazed, and Achates too was struck 

514 laetitiaque metuque; avidi coniungere dextras 

with joy and fear; they burned to join right hands, 

515 ardebant; sed res animos incognita turbat. 

but the unknown situation confused their minds. 

516 Dissimulant, et nube cava speculantur amicti, 

They keep hidden, and cloaked in the hollow mist they watch, 

517 quae fortuna viris, classem quo litore linquant, 

what fate has befallen the men, on what shore they left the fleet, 

518 quid veniant; cunctis nam lecti navibus ibant, 

why they are coming; for from all the ships the chosen were coming, 

519 orantes veniam, et templum clamore petebant. 

seeking favor, and were making for the temple with a shout. 

520 Postquam introgressi et coram data copia fandi, 

After they had entered and the opportunity of speaking was granted in person, 

521 maximus Ilioneus placido sic pectore coepit: 

eldest Ilioneus, with a calm heart, thus began: 

522 'O Regina, novam cui condere Iuppiter urbem 

'O Queen, to whom Jupiter granted to found a new city 

523 iustitiaque dedit gentis frenare superbas, 

and gave the power to rule proud peoples with justice, 

524 Troes te miseri, ventis maria omnia vecti, 

we Trojans, wretched, carried by the winds over all the seas, 

525 oramus, prohibe infandos a navibus ignis, 

beseech you, keep the accursed flames away from our ships, 

526 parce pio generi, et propius res aspice nostras. 

spare a pious race, and look more closely upon our affairs. 

527 Non nos aut ferro Libycos populare Penatis 

We have not come either to ravage the Libyan gods with the sword 

528 venimus, aut raptas ad litora vertere praedas; 

or to carry plunder seized to the shore; 

529 non ea vis animo, nec tanta superbia victis. 

such violence is not in our hearts, nor such pride in the vanquished. 

530 Est locus, Hesperiam Grai cognomine dicunt, 

There is a land, which the Greeks call Hesperia by name, 

531 terra antiqua, potens armis atque ubere glaebae; 

an ancient land, powerful in arms and rich in soil; 

532 Oenotri coluere viri; nunc fama minores 

Oenotrian men cultivated it; now the rumor is that their descendants 

533 Italiam dixisse ducis de nomine gentem. 

have called the land Italy from the name of their leader. 

534 Hic cursus fuit: 

This was our course: 

535 cum subito adsurgens fluctu nimbosus Orion 

when suddenly stormy Orion, rising with a wave, 

536 in vada caeca tulit, penitusque procacibus austris 

bore us into hidden shoals, and by the raging south winds 

537 perque undas, superante salo, perque invia saxa 

through the waves, with the sea overcoming us, and through pathless rocks 

538 dispulit; huc pauci vestris adnavimus oris. 

scattered us; here we few have drifted to your shores. 

539 Quod genus hoc hominum? Quaeve hunc tam barbara morem 

What kind of people is this? Or what so barbarous a custom 

540 permittit patria? Hospitio prohibemur harenae; 

does this land allow? We are kept from the hospitality of the beach; 

541 bella cient, primaque vetant consistere terra. 

they stir war, and at first deny us a place to set foot on land. 

542 Si genus humanum et mortalia temnitis arma 

If you despise the human race and mortal arms, 

543 at sperate deos memores fandi atque nefandi. 

still hope that the gods remember what is right and what is wrong. 

544 'Rex erat Aeneas nobis, quo iustior alter, 

Aeneas was our king, than whom no one was more just, 

545 nec pietate fuit, nec bello maior et armis. 

nor greater in devotion, nor greater in war and arms. 

546 Quem si fata virum servant, si vescitur aura 

If the fates preserve the man, if he breathes the air 

547 aetheria, neque adhuc crudelibus occubat umbris, 

of heaven, and does not yet lie among the cruel shades, 

548 non metus; officio nec te certasse priorem 

then there is no fear; nor would it shame you to have been the first in kindness. 

549 poeniteat. Sunt et Siculis regionibus urbes 

There are cities too in the Sicilian regions 

550 arma, Troianoque a sanguine clarus Acestes. 

and weapons, and Acestes renowned from Trojan blood. 

551 Quassatam ventis liceat subducere classem, 

Let it be permitted to beach our fleet, battered by the winds, 

552 et silvis aptare trabes et stringere remos: 

and to shape timbers in the woods and trim oars: 

553 si datur Italiam, sociis et rege recepto, 

if it is granted to reach Italy, with our comrades and king restored, 

554 tendere, ut Italiam laeti Latiumque petamus; 

to set forth, that joyfully we may seek Italy and Latium; 

555 sin absumpta salus, et te, pater optime Teucrum, 

but if safety is lost, and you, best father of the Teucrians, 

556 pontus habet Libyae, nec spes iam restat Iuli, 

the Libyan sea holds, and no hope remains of Iulus, 

557 at freta Sicaniae saltem sedesque paratas, 

then at least the Sicilian straits and the homes prepared there, 

558 unde huc advecti, regemque petamus Acesten.' 

whence we were brought here, let us seek King Acestes.' 

559 Talibus Ilioneus; cuncti simul ore fremebant 

With such words spoke Ilioneus; all the Dardanians at once with their voices murmured assent. 

560 Dardanidae. 

Dardanians. 

561 Tum breviter Dido, voltum demissa, profatur: 

Then briefly Dido, with downcast face, speaks forth: 

562 'Solvite corde metum, Teucri, secludite curas. 

'Banish fear from your hearts, Trojans, set aside your cares. 

563 Res dura et regni novitas me talia cogunt 

A harsh situation and the newness of the kingdom compel me to act thus, 

564 moliri, et late finis custode tueri. 

to undertake these measures, and guard the borders far and wide. 

565 Quis genus Aeneadum, quis Troiae nesciat urbem, 

Who does not know the race of Aeneas, who the city of Troy, 

566 virtutesque virosque, aut tanti incendia belli? 

their virtues and their men, or the great flames of such a war? 

567 Non obtusa adeo gestamus pectora Poeni, 

We Phoenicians do not bear hearts so dull, 

568 nec tam aversus equos Tyria Sol iungit ab urbe. 

nor does the Sun yoke his horses so far from Tyre’s city. 

569 Seu vos Hesperiam magnam Saturniaque arva, 

Whether you seek great Hesperia and the fields of Saturn, 

570 sive Erycis finis regemque optatis Acesten, 

or the borders of Eryx and King Acestes, 

571 auxilio tutos dimittam, opibusque iuvabo. 

I will send you off safe with aid, and I will support you with wealth. 

572 Voltis et his mecum pariter considere regnis; 

Do you also wish to settle with me equally in this kingdom; 

573 urbem quam statuo vestra est, subducite navis; 

the city I build is yours, draw up your ships; 

574 Tros Tyriusque mihi nullo discrimine agetur. 

Trojan and Tyrian will be treated by me with no distinction. 

575 Atque utinam rex ipse Noto compulsus eodem 

And would that your king himself, driven by the same South Wind, 

576 adforet Aeneas! Equidem per litora certos 

were present! Indeed, along the shores I will send reliable men 

577 dimittam et Libyae lustrare extrema iubebo, 

and bid them to scour the far reaches of Libya, 

578 si quibus eiectus silvis aut urbibus errat.' 

if by chance he is cast out and wanders in any forests or cities.'