Aeneid
Virgil
Vergil. The Aeneid of Virgil. Williams, Theodore, C, translator. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1910.
- Father Aeneas now, not making end
- of game and contest, summoned to his side
- Epytides, the mentor and true friend
- of young Iulus, and this bidding gave
- to his obedient ear: “Arise and go
- where my Ascanius has lined his troop
- of youthful cavalry, and trained the steeds
- to tread in ranks of war. Bid him lead forth
- the squadron in our sire Anchises' name,
- and wear a hero's arms!” So saying, he bade
- the course be cleared, and from the whole wide field
- th' insurging, curious multitude withdrew.
- In rode the boys, to meet their parents' eyes,
- in even lines, a glittering cavalry;
- while all Trinacria and the host from Troy
- made loud applause. On each bright brow
- a well-trimmed wreath the flowing tresses bound;
- two javelins of corner tipped with steel
- each bore for arms; some from the shoulder slung
- a polished quiver; to each bosom fell
- a pliant necklace of fine, twisted gold.
- Three bands of horsemen ride, three captains proud
- prance here and there, assiduous in command,
- each of his twelve, who shine in parted lines
- which lesser captains lead. One cohort proud
- follows a little Priam's royal name —
- one day, Polites, thy illustrious race
- through him prolonged, shall greater glory bring
- to Italy. A dappled Thracian steed
- with snow-white spots and fore-feet white as snow
- bears him along, its white face lifted high.
- Next Atys rode, young Atys, sire to be
- of th' Atian house in Rome, a boy most dear
- unto the boy Iulus; last in line,
- and fairest of the throng, Iulus came,
- astride a steed from Sidon, the fond gift
- of beauteous Dido and her pledge of love.
- Close followed him the youthful chivalry
- of King Acestes on Trinacrian steeds.
- The Trojans, with exultant, Ioud acclaim,
- receive the shy-faced boys, and joyfully
- trace in the features of the sons their sires.
- After, with smiling eyes, the horsemen proud
- have greeted each his kin in all the throng,
- Epytides th' appointed signal calls,
- and cracks his lash; in even lines they move,
- then, Ioosely sundering in triple band,
- wheel at a word and thrust their lances forth
- in hostile ranks; or on the ample field
- retreat or charge, in figure intricate
- of circling troop with troop, and swift parade
- of simulated war; now from the field
- they flee with backs defenceless to the foe;
- then rally, lance in rest—or, mingling all,
- make common front, one legion strong and fair.
- As once in Crete, the lofty mountain-isle,
- that-fabled labyrinthine gallery
- wound on through lightless walls, with thousand paths
- which baffled every clue, and led astray
- in unreturning mazes dark and blind:
- so did the sons of Troy their courses weave
- in mimic flights and battles fought for play,
- like dolphins tumbling in the liquid waves,
- along the Afric or Carpathian seas.
- This game and mode of march Ascanius,
- when Alba Longa's bastions proudly rose,
- taught to the Latin people of the prime;
- and as the princely Trojan and his train
- were wont to do, so Alba to her sons
- the custom gave; so glorious Rome at last
- the heritage accepted and revered;
- and still we know them for the “Trojan Band,”
- and call the lads a “Troy.” Such was the end
- of game and contest at Anchises' grave.
- Then fortune veered and different aspect wore.
- For 'ere the sacred funeral games are done,
- Saturnian Juno from high heaven sent down
- the light-winged Iris to the ships of Troy,
- giving her flight good wind—still full of schemes
- and hungering to avenge her ancient wrong.
- Unseen of mortal eye, the virgin took
- her pathway on the thousand-colored bow,
- and o'er its gliding passage earthward flew.
- She scanned the vast assemblage; then her gaze
- turned shoreward, where along the idle bay
- the Trojan galleys quite unpeopled rode.
- But far removed, upon a lonely shore,
- a throng of Trojan dames bewailed aloud
- their lost Anchises, and with tears surveyed
- the mighty deep. “O weary waste of seas!
- What vast, untravelled floods beyond us roll!”
- So cried they with one voice, and prayed the gods
- for an abiding city; every heart
- loathed utterly the long, laborious sea.
- Then in their midst alighted, not unskilled
- in working woe, the goddess; though she wore
- nor garb nor form divine, but made herself
- one Beroe, Doryclus' aged wife,
- who in her happier days had lineage fair
- and sons of noble name; in such disguise
- she called the Trojan dames:“O ye ill-starred,
- that were not seized and slain by Grecian foes
- under your native walls! O tribe accursed,
- what death is Fate preparing? Since Troy fell
- the seventh summer flies, while still we rove
- o'er cruel rocks and seas, from star to star,
- from alien land to land, as evermore
- we chase, storm-tossed, that fleeting Italy
- across the waters wide. Behold this land
- of Eryx, of Acestes, friend and kin;
- what hinders them to raise a rampart here
- and build a town? O city of our sires!
- O venerated gods from haughty foes
- rescued in vain! Will nevermore a wall
- rise in the name of Troy? Shall I not see
- a Xanthus or a Simois, the streams
- to Hector dear? Come now! I lead the way.
- Let us go touch their baneful ships with fire!
- I saw Cassandra in a dream. Her shade,
- prophetic ever, gave me firebrands,
- and cried, ‘Find Ilium so! The home for thee
- is where thou art.’ Behold, the hour is ripe
- for our great act! No longer now delay
- to heed the heavenly omen. Yonder stand
- four altars unto Neptune. 'T is the god,
- the god himself, gives courage for the deed,
- and swift-enkindling fire.” So having said,
- she seized a dreadful brand; then, lifting high,
- waved it all flaming, and with furious arm
- hurled it from far. The Ilian matrons gazed,
- bewildered and appalled. But one, of all
- the eldest, Pyrgo, venerated nurse
- of Priam's numerous sons, exclaimed, “Nay, nay!
- This is no Beroe, my noble dames.
- Doryclus knew her not. Behold and see
- her heavenly beauty and her radiant eyes!
- What voice of music and majestic mien,
- what movement like a god! Myself am come
- from Beroe sick, and left her grieving sore
- that she, she only, had no gift to bring
- of mournful honor to Anchises' shade.”
- She spoke. The women with ill-boding eyes
- looked on the ships. Their doubting hearts were torn
- 'twixt tearful passion for the beauteous isle
- their feet then trod, and that prophetic call
- of Fate to lands unknown. Then on wide wings
- soared Iris into heaven, and through the clouds
- clove a vast arch of light. With wonder dazed,
- the women in a shrieking frenzy rose,
- took embers from the hearth-stones, stole the fires
- upon the altars—faggots, branches, brands —
- and rained them on the ships. The god of fire,
- through thwarts and oars and bows of painted fir,
- ran in unbridled flame. Swift to the tomb
- of Sire Anchises, to the circus-seats,
- the messenger Eumelus flew, to bring
- news of the ships on fire; soon every eye
- the clouds of smoke and hovering flame could see.
- Ascanius, who had led with smiling brow
- his troops of horse, accoutred as he was,
- rode hot-haste to the turmoil of the camp,
- nor could his guards restrain . “What madness now?
- What is it ye would do?” he cried. “Alas!
- Ill-fated women! Not our enemies,
- nor the dread bulwarks of the Greek ye burn,
- but all ye have to hope for. Look at me,
- your own Ascanius!” His helmet then
- into their midst he flung, which he had worn
- for pageantry of war. Aeneas, too,
- with Trojan bands sped thither. But far off,
- the women, panic-scattered on the shore,
- fled many ways, and deep in caverned crags
- or shadowed forests hid them, for they Ioathed
- their deed and life itself; their thoughts were changed;
- they knew their kin and husbands, and their hearts
- from Juno were set free. But none the less
- the burning and indomitable flames
- raged without stay; beneath the ships' smeared sides
- the hempen fuel puffed a lingering smoke,
- as, through the whole bulk creeping, the slow fire
- devoured its way; and little it availed
- that strong men fought the fire with stream on stream.
- Then good Aeneas from his shoulder rent
- his garment, and with lifted hands implored
- the help of Heaven. “O Jove omnipotent!
- If thou not yet thy wrath implacable
- on every Trojan pourest, if thou still
- hast pity, as of old, for what men bear,
- O, grant my fleet deliverance from this flame!
- From uttermost destruction, Father, save
- our desperate Trojan cause! Or even now —
- last cruelty! thy fatal thunders throw.
- If this be my just meed, let thy dread arm
- confound us all.” But scarce the prayer is said,
- when with a bursting deluge a dark storm
- falls, marvellous to see; while hills and plains
- with thunder shake, and to each rim of heaven
- spreads swollen cloud-rack, black with copious rain
- and multitudinous gales. The full flood pours
- on every ship, and all the smouldering beams
- are drenched, until the smoke and flames expire
- and (though four ships be lost) the burning fleet
- rides rescued from its doom. But smitten sore
- by this mischance, Aeneas doubtfully
- weighs in his heart its mighty load of cares,
- and ponders if indeed he may abide
- in Sicily, not heeding prophet-songs,
- or seek Italian shores. Thereon uprose
- Nautes, an aged sire, to whom alone
- Tritonian Pallas of her wisdom gave
- and made his skill renowned; he had the power
- to show celestial anger's warning signs,
- or tell Fate's fixed decree. The gifted man
- thus to Aeneas comfortably spoke:
- “O goddess-born, we follow here or there,
- as Fate compels or stays. But come what may,
- he triumphs over Fortune, who can bear
- whate'er she brings. Behold, Acestes draws
- from Dardanus his origin divine!
- Make him thy willing friend, to share with thee
- thy purpose and thy counsel. Leave with him
- the crews of the lost ships, and all whose hearts
- repine at thy high task and great emprise:
- the spent old men, the women ocean-weary,
- whate'er is feeble found, or faint of heart
- in danger's hour,—set that apart, and give
- such weary ones within this friendly isle
- a city called Acesta,—if he will.”
- Much moved Aeneas was by this wise word
- of his gray friend, though still his anxious soul
- was vexed by doubt and care. But when dark night
- had brought her chariot to the middle sky,
- the sacred shade of Sire Anchises seemed,
- from heaven descending, thus to speak aloud:
- “My son, than life more dear, when life was mine!
- O son, upon whose heart the Trojan doom
- has weighed so Iong! Beside thy couch I stand,
- at pleasure of great Jove, whose hand dispelled
- the mad fire from thy ships; and now he looks
- from heaven with pitying brow. I bid thee heed
- the noble counsels aged Nautes gave.
- Only with warriors of dauntless breast
- to Italy repair; of hardy breed,
- of wild, rough life, thy Latin foes will be.
- But first the shores of Pluto and the Shades
- thy feet must tread, and through the deep abyss
- of dark Avernus come to me, thy sire:
- for I inhabit not the guilty gloom
- of Tartarus, but bright Elysian day,
- where all the just their sweet assemblies hold.
- Hither the virgin Sibyl, if thou give
- full offerings of the blood of sable kine,
- shall lead thee down; and visions I will show
- of cities proud and nations sprung from thee.
- Farewell, for dewy Night has wheeled her way
- far past her middle course; the panting steeds
- of orient Morn breathe pitiless upon me.”
- He spoke, and passed, like fleeting clouds of smoke,
- to empty air. “O, whither haste away?”
- Aeneas cried. “Whom dost thou fly? What god
- from my fond yearning and embrace removes?”
- Then on the altar of the gods of Troy
- he woke the smouldering embers, at the shrine
- of venerable Vesta, worshipping
- with hallowed bread and incense burning free.
- Straightway he calls assembly of his friends, —
- Acestes first in honor,—and makes known
- Jove's will, the counsel of his cherished sire,
- and his own fresh resolve. With prompt assent
- they hear his word, nor does Acestes fail
- the task to share. They people the new town
- with women; and leave every wight behind
- who wills it—souls not thirsting for high praise.
- Themselves re-bench their ships, rebuild, and fit
- with rope and oar the flame-swept galleys all;
- a band not large, but warriors bold and true.
- Aeneas, guiding with his hand a plough,
- marks out the city's ground, gives separate lands
- by lot, and bids within this space appear
- a second Troy. Trojan Acestes takes
- the kingly power, and with benignant joy
- appoints a forum, and decrees just laws
- before a gathered senate. Then they raise
- on that star-circled Erycinian hill,
- the temple to Idalian Venus dear;
- and at Anchises' sepulchre ordain
- a priesthood and wide groves of hallowed shade.
- Now the nine days of funeral pomp are done,
- and every altar has had honors due
- from all the folk. Now tranquil-breathing winds
- have levelled the great deep, while brisk and free,
- a favoring Auster bids them launch away.
- But sound of many a wailing voice is heard
- along the winding shore; for ere they go,
- in fond embraces for a night and day
- they linger still. The women—aye, and men! —
- who hated yesterday the ocean's face
- and loathed its name, now clamor to set sail
- and bear all want and woe to exiles known.
- But good Aeneas with benignant words
- their sorrow soothes, and, not without a tear,
- consigns them to Acestes' kindred care.
- Then bids he sacrifice to Eryx' shade
- three bulls, and to the wind-gods and the storm
- a lamb, then loose the ships in order due.
- He, with a garland of shorn olive, stood
- holding aloft the sacrificial bowl
- from his own vessel's prow, and scattered far
- the sacred entrails o'er the bitter wave,
- with gift of flowing wine. Swift at the stern
- a fair wind rose and thrust them; while the crews
- with rival strokes swept o'er the spreading sea.
- Venus, the while, disturbed with grief and care,
- to Neptune thus her sorrowing heart outpoured:
- “Stern Juno's wrath and breast implacable
- compel me, Neptune, to abase my pride
- in lowly supplication. Lapse of days,
- nor prayers, nor virtues her hard heart subdue,
- nor Jove's command; nor will she rest or yield
- at Fate's decree. Her execrable grudge
- is still unfed, although she did consume
- the Trojan city, Phrygia's midmost throne,
- and though she has accomplished stroke on stroke
- of retribution. But she now pursues
- the remnant—aye! the ashes and bare bones
- of perished Ilium; though the cause and spring
- of wrath so great none but herself can tell.
- Wert thou not witness on the Libyan wave
- what storm she stirred, immingling sea and sky,
- and with Aeolian whirlwinds made her war, —
- in vain and insolent invasion, sire,
- of thine own realm and power? Behold, but now,
- goading to evil deeds the Trojan dames,
- she basely burned his ships; he in strange lands
- must leave the crews of his Iost fleet behind.
- O, I entreat thee, let the remnant sail
- in safety o'er thy sea, and end their way
- in Tiber's holy stream;—if this my prayer
- be lawful, and that city's rampart proud
- be still what Fate intends.”Then Saturn's son,
- the ruler of the seas profound, replied:
- “Queen of Cythera, it is meet for thee
- to trust my waves from which thyself art sprung.
- Have I not proved a friend, and oft restrained
- the anger and wild wrath of seas and skies?
- On land, let Simois and Xanthus tell
- if I have loved Aeneas! On that day
- Achilles drove the shuddering hosts of Troy
- in panic to the walls, and hurled to death
- innumerable foes, until the streams
- were choked with dead, and Xanthus scarce could find
- his wonted path to sea; that self-same day,
- aeneas, spent, and with no help of Heaven,
- met Peleus' dreadful son:—who else but I
- in cloudy mantle bore him safe afar?
- Though 't was my will to cast down utterly
- the walls of perjured Troy, which my own hands
- had built beside the sea. And even to-day
- my favor changes not. Dispel thy fear!
- Safe, even as thou prayest, he shall ride
- to Cumae's haven, where Avernus lies.
- One only sinks beneath th' engulfing seas, —
- one life in lieu of many.” Having soothed
- and cheered her heart divine, the worshipped sire
- flung o'er his mated steeds a yoke of gold,
- bridled the wild, white mouths, and with strong hand
- shook out long, Ioosened reins. His azure car
- skimmed light and free along the crested waves;
- before his path the rolling billows all
- were calm and still, and each o'er-swollen flood
- sank 'neath his sounding wheel; while from the skies
- the storm-clouds fled away. Behind him trailed
- a various company; vast bulk of whales,
- the hoary band of Glaucus, Ino's son,
- Palaemon and the nimble Tritons all,
- the troop of Phorcus; and to leftward ranged
- Thalia, Thetis, and fair Alelite,
- with virgin Panopea, and the nymphs
- Nesaea, Spio and Cymodoce.
- Now in Aeneas' ever-burdened breast
- the voice of hope revived. He bade make haste
- to raise the masts, spread canvas on the spars;
- all hands hauled at the sheets, and left or right
- shook out the loosened sails, or twirled in place
- the horn-tipped yards. Before a favoring wind
- the fleet sped on. The line in close array
- was led by Palinurus, in whose course
- all ships were bid to follow. Soon the car
- of dewy Night drew near the turning-point
- of her celestial round. The oarsmen all
- yielded their limbs to rest, and prone had fallen
- on the hard thwarts, in deep, unpillowed slumber.
- Then from the high stars on light-moving wings,
- the God of Sleep found passage through the dark
- and clove the gloom,—to bring upon thy head,
- O Palinurus, an ill-boding sleep,
- though blameless thou. Upon thy ship the god
- in guise of Phorbas stood, thus whispering:
- “Look, Palinurus, how the flowing tides
- lift on thy fleet unsteered, and changeless winds
- behind thee breathe! 'T is now a happy hour
- take thy rest. Lay down the weary head.
- Steal tired eyes from toiling. I will do
- thine office for thee, just a little space.”
- But Palinurus, lifting scarce his eyes,
- thus answered him: “Have I not known the face
- of yonder placid seas and tranquil waves?
- Put faith in such a monster? Could I trust —
- I, oft by ocean's treacherous calm betrayed —
- my lord Aeneas to false winds and skies?”
- So saying, he grasped his rudder tight, and clung
- more firmly, fixing on the stars his eyes.
- Then waved the god above his brows a branch
- wet with the dews of Lethe and imbued
- with power of Stygian dark, until his eyes
- wavered and slowly sank. The slumberous snare
- had scarce unbound his limbs, when, leaning o'er,
- the god upon the waters flung him forth,
- hands clutching still the helm and ship-rail torn,
- and calling on his comrades, but in vain.
- Then soared th' immortal into viewless air;
- and in swift course across the level sea
- the fleet sped safe, protected from all fear
- by Neptune's vow. Yet were they drawing nigh
- the sirens' island-steep, where oft are seen
- white, bleaching bones, and to the distant ear
- the rocks roar harshly in perpetual foam.
- Then of his drifting fleet and pilot gone
- Aeneas was aware, and, taking helm,
- steered through the midnight waves, with many a sigh;
- and, by his comrade's pitiable death
- sore-smitten, cried, “O, thou didst trust too far
- fair skies and seas, and liest without a grave,
- my Palinurus, in a land unknown!”
- After such words and tears, he flung free rein
- To the swift fleet, which sped along the wave
- To old Euboean Cumae's sacred shore.
- They veer all prows to sea; the anchor fluke
- Makes each ship sure, and shading the long strand
- The rounded sterns jut o'er. Impetuously
- The eager warriors leap forth to land
- Upon Hesperian soil. One strikes the flint
- To find the seed-spark hidden in its veins;
- One breaks the thick-branched trees, and steals away
- The shelter where the woodland creatures bide;
- One leads his mates where living waters flow.
- Aeneas, servant of the gods, ascends
- The templed hill where lofty Phoebus reigns,
- And that far-off, inviolable shrine
- Of dread Sibylla, in stupendous cave,
- O'er whose deep soul the god of Delos breathes
- Prophetic gifts, unfolding things to come.
- Here are pale Trivia's golden house and grove.
- Here Daedalus, the ancient story tells,
- Escaping Minos' power, and having made
- Hazard of heaven on far-mounting wings,
- Floated to northward, a cold, trackless way,
- And lightly poised, at last, o'er Cumae's towers.
- Here first to earth come down, he gave to thee
- His gear of wings, Apollo! and ordained
- Vast temples to thy name and altars fair.
- On huge bronze doors Androgeos' death was done;
- And Cecrops' children paid their debt of woe,
- Where, seven and seven,—0 pitiable sight!—
- The youths and maidens wait the annual doom,
- Drawn out by lot from yonder marble urn.
- Beyond, above a sea, lay carven Crete:—
- The bull was there; the passion, the strange guile;
- And Queen Pasiphae's brute-human son,
- The Minotaur—of monstrous loves the sign.
- Here was the toilsome, labyrinthine maze,
- Where, pitying love-lorn Ariadne's tears,
- The crafty Daedalus himself betrayed
- The secret of his work; and gave the clue
- To guide the path of Theseus through the gloom.
- 0 Icarus, in such well-graven scene
- How proud thy place should be! but grief forbade:
- Twice in pure gold a father's fingers strove
- To shape thy fall, and twice they strove in vain.
- Aeneas long the various work would scan;
- But now Achates comes, and by his side
- Deiphobe, the Sibyl, Glaucus' child.
- Thus to the prince she spoke :
- “Is this thine hour
- To stand and wonder? Rather go obtain
- From young unbroken herd the bullocks seven,
- And seven yearling ewes, our wonted way.”
- Thus to Aeneas; his attendants haste
- To work her will; the priestess, calling loud,
- Gathers the Trojans to her mountain-shrine.
- Deep in the face of that Euboean crag
- A cavern vast is hollowed out amain,
- With hundred openings, a hundred mouths,
- Whence voices flow, the Sibyl's answering songs.
- While at the door they paused, the virgin cried :
- “Ask now thy doom!—the god! the god is nigh!”
- So saying, from her face its color flew,
- Her twisted locks flowed free, the heaving breast
- Swelled with her heart's wild blood; her stature seemed
- Vaster, her accent more than mortal man,
- As all th' oncoming god around her breathed :
- “On with thy vows and prayers, 0 Trojan, on!
- For only unto prayer this haunted cave
- May its vast lips unclose.” She spake no more.
- An icy shudder through the marrow ran
- Of the bold Trojans; while their sacred King
- Poured from his inmost soul this plaint and prayer :
- “Phoebus, who ever for the woes of Troy
- Hadst pitying eyes! who gavest deadly aim
- To Paris when his Dardan shaft he hurled
- On great Achilles! Thou hast guided me
- Through many an unknown water, where the seas
- Break upon kingdoms vast, and to the tribes
- Of the remote Massyli, whose wild land
- To Syrtes spreads. But now; because at last
- I touch Hesperia's ever-fleeting bound,
- May Troy's ill fate forsake me from this day!
- 0 gods and goddesses, beneath whose wrath
- Dardania's glory and great Ilium stood,
- Spare, for ye may, the remnant of my race!
- And thou, most holy prophetess, whose soul
- Foreknows events to come, grant to my prayer
- (Which asks no kingdom save what Fate decrees)
- That I may stablish in the Latin land
- My Trojans, my far-wandering household-gods,
- And storm-tossed deities of fallen Troy.
- Then unto Phoebus and his sister pale
- A temple all of marble shall be given,
- And festal days to Phoebus evermore.
- Thee also in my realms a spacious shrine
- Shall honor; thy dark books and holy songs
- I there will keep, to be my people's law;
- And thee, benignant Sibyl for all time
- A company of chosen priests shall serve.
- O, not on leaves, light leaves, inscribe thy songs!
- Lest, playthings of each breeze, they fly afar
- In swift confusion! Sing thyself, I pray.”
- So ceased his voice;the virgin through the cave,
- Scarce bridled yet by Phoebus' hand divine,
- Ecstatic swept along, and vainly stove
- To fing its potent master from her breast;
- But he more strongly plied his rein and curb
- Upon her frenzied lips, and soon subdued
- Her spirit fierce, and swayed her at his will.
- Free and self-moved the cavern's hundred adoors
- Swung open wide, and uttered to the air
- The oracles the virgin-priestess sung :
- “Thy long sea-perils thou hast safely passed;
- But heavier woes await thee on the land.
- Truly thy Trojans to Lavinian shore
- Shall come—vex not thyself thereon—but, oh!
- Shall rue their coming thither! war, red war!
- And Tiber stained with bloody foam I see.
- Simois, Xanthus, and the Dorian horde
- Thou shalt behold; a new Achilles now
- In Latium breathes,—he, too, of goddess born;
- And Juno, burden of the sons of Troy,
- Will vex them ever; while thyself shalt sue
- In dire distress to many a town and tribe
- Through Italy; the cause of so much ill
- Again shall be a hostess-queen, again
- A marriage-chamber for an alien bride.
- Oh! yield not to thy woe, but front it ever,
- And follow boldly whither Fortune calls.
- Thy way of safety, as thou least couldst dream,
- Lies through a city of the Greeks, thy foes.”
- Thus from her shrine Cumaea's prophetess
- Chanted the dark decrees; the dreadful sound
- Reverberated through the bellowing cave,
- Commingling truth with ecstasies obscure.
- Apollo, as she raged, flung loosened rein,
- And thrust beneath her heart a quickening spur.
- When first her madness ceased, and her wild lips
- Were still at last, the hero thus began :
- “No tribulations new, 0 Sibyl blest,
- Can now confront me; every future pain
- I have foretasted; my prophetic soul
- Endured each stroke of fate before it fell.
- One boon I ask. If of th' infernal King
- This be the portal where the murky wave
- Of swollen Acheron o'erflows its bound,
- Here let me enter and behold the face
- Of my loved sire. Thy hand may point the way;
- Thy word will open wide yon holy doors.
- My father through the flames and falling spears,
- Straight through the centre of our foes, I bore
- Upon these shoulders. My long flight he shared
- From sea to sea, and suffered at my side
- The anger of rude waters and dark skies,—
- Though weak—0 task too great for old and gray!
- Thus as a suppliant at thy door to stand,
- Was his behest and prayer. On son and sire,
- 0 gracious one, have pity,—for thy rule
- Is over all; no vain authority
- Hadst thou from Trivia o'er th' Avernian groves.
- If Orpheus could call back his loved one's shade,
- Emboldened by the lyre's melodious string :
- If Pollux by the interchange of death
- Redeemed his twin, and oft repassed the way :
- If Theseus—but why name him? why recall
- Alcides' task? I, too, am sprung from Jove.”
- Thus, to the altar clinging, did he pray :
- The Sibyl thus replied : “Offspring of Heaven,
- Anchises' son, the downward path to death
- Is easy; all the livelong night and day
- Dark Pluto's door stands open for a guest.
- But 0! remounting to the world of light,
- This is a task indeed, a strife supreme.
- Few, very few, whom righteous Jove did bless,
- Or quenchless virtue carried to the stars,
- Children of gods, have such a victory won.
- Grim forests stop the way, and, gliding slow,
- Cocytus circles through the sightless gloom.
- But if it be thy dream and fond desire
- Twice o'er the Stygian gulf to travel, twice
- On glooms of Tartarus to set thine eyes,
- If such mad quest be now thy pleasure—hear
- What must be first fulfilled . A certain tree
- Hides in obscurest shade a golden bough,
- Of pliant stems and many a leaf of gold,
- Sacred to Proserpine, infernal Queen.
- Far in the grove it hides; in sunless vale
- Deep shadows keep it in captivity.
- No pilgrim to that underworld can pass
- But he who plucks this burgeoned, leafy gold;
- For this hath beauteous Proserpine ordained
- Her chosen gift to be. Whene'er it is culled,
- A branch out-leafing in like golden gleam,
- A second wonder-stem, fails not to spring.
- Therefore go seek it with uplifted eyes!
- And when by will of Heaven thou findest it,
- Reach forth and pluck; for at a touch it yields,
- A free and willing gift, if Fate ordain;
- But otherwise no mortal strength avails,
- Nor strong, sharp steel, to rend it from the tree.
- Another task awaits; thy friend's cold clay
- Lies unentombed. Alas! thou art not ware
- (While in my house thou lingerest, seeking light)
- That all thy ships are by his death defiled.
- Unto his resting-place and sepulchre,
- Go, carry him! And sable victims bring,
- In expiation, to his mournful shade.
- So at the last on yonder Stygian groves,
- And realms to things that breathe impassable,
- Thine eye shall gaze.” So closed her lips inspired.
- Aeneas then drew forth, with downcast eyes,
- From that dark cavern, pondering in his heart
- The riddle of his fate. His faithful friend
- Achates at his side, with paces slow,
- Companioned all his care, while their sad souls
- Made mutual and oft-renewed surmise
- What comrade dead, what cold and tombless clay,
- The Sibyl's word would show.
- But as they mused,
- Behold Misenus on the dry sea-sands,
- By hasty hand of death struck guiltless down!
- A son of Aeolus, none better knew
- To waken heroes by the clarion's call,
- With war-enkindling sound. Great Hector's friend
- In happier days, he oft at Hector's side
- Strode to the fight with glittering lance and horn.
- But when Achilles stripped his fallen foe,
- This dauntless hero to Aeneas gave
- Allegiance true, in not less noble cause.
- But, on a day, he chanced beside the sea
- To blow his shell-shaped horn, and wildly dared
- Challenge the gods themselves to rival song;
- Till jealous Triton, if the tale be true,
- Grasped the rash mortal, and out-flung him far
- 'mid surf-beat rocks and waves of whirling foam.
- Now from all sides, with tumult and loud cry,
- The Trojans came,—Aeneas leading all
- In faithful grief; they hasten to fulfil
- The Sibyl's mandate, and with many a tear
- Build, altar-wise, a pyre, of tree on tree
- Heaped high as heaven : then they penetrate
- The tall, old forest, where wild creatures bide,
- And fell pitch-pines, or with resounding blows
- Of axe and wedge, cleave oak and ash-tree through,
- Or logs of rowan down the mountains roll.
- Aeneas oversees and shares the toil,
- Cheers on his mates, and swings a woodman's steel.
- But, sad at heart with many a doubt and care,
- O'erlooks the forest wide; then prays aloud :
- “0, that the Golden Bough from this vast grove
- Might o'er me shine! For, 0 Aeolides,
- The oracle foretold thy fate, too well!”
- Scarce had he spoken, when a pair of doves
- Before his very eyes flew down from heaven
- To the green turf below; the prince of Troy
- Knew them his mother's birds, and joyful cried,
- “0, guide me on, whatever path there be!
- In airy travel through the woodland fly,
- To where yon rare branch shades the blessed ground.
- Fail thou not me, in this my doubtful hour,
- 0 heavenly mother!” So saying, his steps lie stayed,
- Close watching whither they should signal give;
- The lightly-feeding doves flit on and on,
- Ever in easy ken of following eyes,
- Till over foul Avernus' sulphurous throat
- Swiftly they lift them through the liquid air,
- In silent flight, and find a wished-for rest
- On a twy-natured tree, where through green boughs
- Flames forth the glowing gold's contrasted hue.
- As in the wintry woodland bare and chill,
- Fresh-budded shines the clinging mistletoe,
- Whose seed is never from the parent tree
- O'er whose round limbs its tawny tendrils twine,—
- So shone th' out-leafing gold within the shade
- Of dark holm-oak, and so its tinsel-bract
- Rustled in each light breeze. Aeneas grasped
- The lingering bough, broke it in eager haste,
- And bore it straightway to the Sibyl's shrine.
- Meanwhile the Trojans on the doleful shore
- Bewailed Misenus, and brought tribute there
- Of grief's last gift to his unheeding clay.
- First, of the full-sapped pine and well-hewn oak
- A lofty pyre they build; then sombre boughs
- Around it wreathe, and in fair order range
- Funereal cypress; glittering arms are piled
- High over all; on blazing coals they lift
- Cauldrons of brass brimmed o'er with waters pure;
- And that cold, lifeless clay lave and anoint
- With many a moan and cry; on their last couch
- The poor, dead limbs they lay, and mantle o'er
- With purple vesture and familiar pall.
- Then in sad ministry the chosen few,
- With eyes averted, as our sires did use,
- Hold the enkindling torch beneath the pyre :
- They gather up and burn the gifts of myrrh,
- The sacred bread and bowls of flowing oil;
- And when in flame the dying embers fall,
- On thirsty ash they pour the streams of wine.
- Good Corynaeus, in an urn of brass
- The gathered relics hides; and three times round,
- With blessed olive branch and sprinkling dew,
- Purges the people with ablution cold,
- In lustral rite; oft chanting, “Hail! Farewell!”
- Faithful Aeneas for his comrade built
- A mighty tomb, and dedicated there
- Trophy of arms, with trumpet and with oar,
- Beneath a windy hill, which now is called
- “Misenus,”—for all time the name to bear.
- After these toils, they hasten to fulfil
- What else the Sibyl said. Straightway they find
- A cave profound, of entrance gaping wide,
- O'erhung with rock, in gloom of sheltering grove,
- Near the dark waters of a lake, whereby
- No bird might ever pass with scathless wing,
- So dire an exhalation is breathed out
- From that dark deep of death to upper air :—
- Hence, in the Grecian tongue, Aornos called.
- Here first four youthful bulls of swarthy hide
- Were led for sacrifice; on each broad brow
- The priestess sprinkled wine; 'twixt the two horns
- Outplucked the lifted hair, and cast it forth
- Upon the holy flames, beginning so
- Her offerings; then loudly sued the power
- of Hecate, a Queen in heaven and hell.
- Some struck with knives, and caught in shallow bowls
- The smoking blood. Aeneas' lifted hand
- Smote with a sword a sable-fleeced ewe
- To Night, the mother of th' Eumenides,
- And Earth, her sister dread; next unto thee,
- O Proserpine, a curst and barren cow;
- Then unto Pluto, Stygian King, he built
- An altar dark, and piled upon the flames
- The ponderous entrails of the bulls, and poured
- Free o'er the burning flesh the goodly oil.
- Then lo! at dawn's dim, earliest beam began
- Beneath their feet a groaning of the ground :
- The wooded hill-tops shook, and, as it seemed,
- She-hounds of hell howled viewless through the shade ,
- To hail their Queen. “Away, 0 souls profane!
- Stand far away!” the priestess shrieked, “nor dare
- Unto this grove come near! Aeneas, on!
- Begin thy journey! Draw thy sheathed blade!
- Now, all thy courage! now, th' unshaken soul!”
- She spoke, and burst into the yawning cave
- With frenzied step; he follows where she leads,
- And strides with feet unfaltering at her side.
- Ye gods! who rule the spirits of the dead!
- Ye voiceless shades and silent lands of night!
- 0 Phlegethon! 0 Chaos! let my song,
- If it be lawful, in fit words declare
- What I have heard; and by your help divine
- Unfold what hidden things enshrouded lie
- In that dark underworld of sightless gloom.
- They walked exploring the unpeopled night,
- Through Pluto's vacuous realms, and regions void,
- As when one's path in dreary woodlands winds
- Beneath a misty moon's deceiving ray,
- When Jove has mantled all his heaven in shade,
- And night seals up the beauty of the world.
- In the first courts and entrances of Hell
- Sorrows and vengeful Cares on couches lie :
- There sad Old Age abides, Diseases pale,
- And Fear, and Hunger, temptress to all crime;
- Want, base and vile, and, two dread shapes to see,
- Bondage and Death : then Sleep, Death's next of kin;
- And dreams of guilty joy. Death-dealing War
- Is ever at the doors, and hard thereby
- The Furies' beds of steel, where wild-eyed Strife
- Her snaky hair with blood-stained fillet binds.