Therefore they finish the begun journey and approach a river. The sailor as he looked out from the Stygian wave at those who now thence go through a silent forest and turn their foot to the bank, thus first attacks with words and further roars: “Whoever you are, you who strive for our waters armed, speak, come now, why you come now thither, and check your step. This is the place of shadows, of sleep and slumbering night: it is unlawful to carry the living bodies on my Stygian ship. Truly I did not rejoice that I received Hercules coming on the lake nor Theseus nor Pirithous although they were born of the gods and unconquerable in strength. That man sought the guardian of Tartarus with chains in his hand and drug him trembling from the throne of the king himself; these attempted to lead the mistress of Dis from her bedchamber.”
In response to which the Amprhysian priestess briefly spoke: ”No such ambushes are here (cease to be bothered), nor do our weapons carry force; let the huge doorkeeper, barking for eternity in the cave, frighten the lifeless shadows; let pure Proserpina watch the boundary of her uncle. Trojan Aeneas, marked by piety and weaponry, descends towards his father to the lowest shadows of Erebus. If no image of such piety moves you, yet may you recognize this branch,” she displays the branch which was hiding in her clothes. Then the swollen hearts settle from anger; nor were more [spoken] than these. That man, admiring the venerable gift of the fateful maiden seen [again] after a long time, turns toward the bluish-black ship and approaches the bank. Next he drives away the other spirits, which were sitting along the long ridges, and he loosens the gangways; at once he receives huge Aeneas in his boat. The seamed boat groaned beneath the weight and, full of cracks, takes on much swamp water. At last across the stream he disembarks both the priestess and the man unharmed in the hideous mud and the gray-green sedge.
Huge Cerberus makes these halls resound with three-throated barking, lying hugely in the facing cave. To whom the prophetess, seeing his necks now bristle with snakes, throws a cake sleep-inducing with drugged fruit and honey. That one, opening his three mouths, snatches the tossed (offering) with rabid hunger and, having slumped to the ground, relaxes his great necks and stretches out through the entire cave. Aeneas seizes the entrance with the guard sleeping and swiftly escapes the shore of the uncrossable wave.
Immediately voices and a huge wailing and crying spirits of infants were heard in the very threshold whom a gloomy day stole and immersed in bitter death without a share of sweet life and snatched from the teat. Next to these are those damned to death by false crime. Nor indeed are these given abodes without lot, without judgment; the judge Minos moves the urn; that one both calls the assembly of the silent ones and learns their lives and crimes. Then the sad ones held next places, who innocent caused their own death by their own hand and, having hated the light, threw away their lives. How they wish now in the high upper-air to endure both poverty and hard labors. Divine will stands in the way and the hateful swamp of sad wave binds and Styx, poured round nine times, restrains (them). Not far from here the lamenting fields stretched into every area are pointed out; thus they call those. Here the secret paths hide and a myrtle forest conceals round those whom hard love consumes with cruel pining; their cares do not leave in death itself. In these places he sees Phaedra and Procris and wretched Eryphle showing the wounds of her cruel son, and Euadne and Pasiphae; Laodenea comes as companion to these, and Caeneus, formerly a youth, now a woman, returned back into her old form by fate.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Aeneid lines 6.337-383 (class translation)
Behold the pilot Palinurus was leading himself, who recently during the Lybian journey, while he was observing the stars, having slipped from the ship fell amidst the waves. When he just recognized this sad person in the great shadow, thus Aeneas spoke first, "Which of the gods stole you from us, Palinurus, and immersed you under the middle of the sea? Speak, come. Indeed hardly before found deceptive, Apollo in this one response has mocked my mind, who sang that you should be safe from the sea and come to Ausonian territory. Look, is this promised pledge?”
But that man, "The cauldron of Phoebus did not deceive you leader, son of Anchises, nor did a god drown me. Indeed falling headlong I drug with me the rudder ripped off by chance with much force, to which as given custodian I used to cling and rule the routes. I swear by the rough seas I seized no great(er) fear for myself than that your ship, despoiled of its gear and shaken of its master, might sink in such great surging waves. Three wintry nights the violent North wind drove me on the water through vast seas; on the forth day I scarcely caught sight of Italy, born aloft from the crest of the wave. Little by little I was making for land; already I was holding safe places, except that a cruel clan, foolishly had thought (me) booty and with a sword attacked (me) weighed down with my soaking cloak and grasping the rough tops of the mountain. Now the wave holds me and the winds tosses me on shore. Wherefore, I beg you through the pleasant light and breezes of the sky, through your father, through the hopes of your growing Iulus, snatch me from (my) evils, unconquered one: either throw dirt on me, indeed you can, and revisit the ports of Velia, or you, if there is any way, if your divine mother offers any (way) to you—for, I believe, you do not prepare to cross such rivers and the Stygian marsh without the power of the gods—give your right hand to a wretched man and lift me with you through the waves so that I might rest in death in placid abodes.”
He has spoken such things when the prophetess began (to speak) so: “Whence do you have this so dread desire, Palinurus? Will you, unburied, see the Stygian waters and the stream of the harsh Eumenides, and will you, unbidden, approach the bank? Cease to hope that the fates of the gods are turned by praying. But, mindful, take (these) words, solace of your awful downfall. For the neighbors, driven far and wide through the cities by divine portents, will expiate your bones, and place a tomb, and send sacrifices to (your) tomb, and the place will have the eternal name of Palinurus.” His cares were removed by these words and the grief of his heart pushed back for a little while; he rejoices in his namesake land.
But that man, "The cauldron of Phoebus did not deceive you leader, son of Anchises, nor did a god drown me. Indeed falling headlong I drug with me the rudder ripped off by chance with much force, to which as given custodian I used to cling and rule the routes. I swear by the rough seas I seized no great(er) fear for myself than that your ship, despoiled of its gear and shaken of its master, might sink in such great surging waves. Three wintry nights the violent North wind drove me on the water through vast seas; on the forth day I scarcely caught sight of Italy, born aloft from the crest of the wave. Little by little I was making for land; already I was holding safe places, except that a cruel clan, foolishly had thought (me) booty and with a sword attacked (me) weighed down with my soaking cloak and grasping the rough tops of the mountain. Now the wave holds me and the winds tosses me on shore. Wherefore, I beg you through the pleasant light and breezes of the sky, through your father, through the hopes of your growing Iulus, snatch me from (my) evils, unconquered one: either throw dirt on me, indeed you can, and revisit the ports of Velia, or you, if there is any way, if your divine mother offers any (way) to you—for, I believe, you do not prepare to cross such rivers and the Stygian marsh without the power of the gods—give your right hand to a wretched man and lift me with you through the waves so that I might rest in death in placid abodes.”
He has spoken such things when the prophetess began (to speak) so: “Whence do you have this so dread desire, Palinurus? Will you, unburied, see the Stygian waters and the stream of the harsh Eumenides, and will you, unbidden, approach the bank? Cease to hope that the fates of the gods are turned by praying. But, mindful, take (these) words, solace of your awful downfall. For the neighbors, driven far and wide through the cities by divine portents, will expiate your bones, and place a tomb, and send sacrifices to (your) tomb, and the place will have the eternal name of Palinurus.” His cares were removed by these words and the grief of his heart pushed back for a little while; he rejoices in his namesake land.
Aeneid lines 6.282-336 (class translation)
In the middle an ancient elm extended its branches and dark limbs, huge, which the empty Dreams they say hold everywhere as a seat, and cling below all the leaves. And furthermore, many signs of various beasts, the Centaurs stable in the gates and the two-shaped Scyllae and hundred-armed Briareus and also the wild beast of Lerna horribly screeching, and the Chimaera armed with flames, the Gorgons and Harpies and the beauty of the three-bodied shadow. Here agitated by the sudden terror Aeneas snatches his sword and presents the drawn blade to those coming, and unless his learned companion (had) warned that the slight beings without body fly under the empty likeness of form, he would have rushed on and in vain to scatter the shadows with his sword.
From here (is) the road of Tartarus which leads to the waves to Acheron. Here the gulf thick with mud and vast whirling (water) seethes and vomits all its sand to Cocytus. The dreadful ferryman, Charon, terribly filthy protects these waters and streams, on whose chin lies much unkempt grey hair, his eyes are aflame, a dirty cloak hangs from his shoulders in a knot. He himself forces the raft with a pole and tends the sails and carries the bodies in his rusty boat, already old, but the raw and green old age of a god. To this point, to the bank the whole scattered crowd rushed, mothers and men and bodies devoid of life of great-hearted heroes, boys and unwed girls, and youths placed upon pyres before the faces of their parents, as many falling leaves drop in the woods in the first cold of autumn, or as many birds gather on the land from the high whirlwind, when the cold season chases and sends (them) across the sea upon the sunny lands. The first stood begging to cross the stream and were extending their hands in their desire for the farther bank, but the sad ferryman accepts now these, now those but keeps off others moved far along the sand. Aeneas indeed wondered at and moved by the uproar says, “Tell me, maiden, what does the gathering at the river want? What do the souls seek? Or by what distinction do these leave the banks, those scour the dark fords with oars?” Thus briefly aged prophetess spoke to that one: “Son of Anchises, most undoubtedly offspring of the gods, you see the deep marshes of Cocytus and Stygian swamp, the power of which the gods fear to swear and prove false to. This is the whole helpless and unburied crowd which you see; that the ferryman Charon; these whom the wave carries are buried. It is not given to the dreadful banks and roaring stream to carry (them) before he bones have rested in their tomb. They wander a hundred years and fly around these shores; then at last allowed they see the hoped-for lakes.” The son of Anchises stood and held his step thinking many things and pitied their unequal lot in his mind. He discerns there those sad and lacking the honor of death, Leucaspis and Orontes, leader of the Lycian fleet, whom Auster overwhelmed, as they were carried from Troy through the windy waters, engulfing both ship and men with water.
From here (is) the road of Tartarus which leads to the waves to Acheron. Here the gulf thick with mud and vast whirling (water) seethes and vomits all its sand to Cocytus. The dreadful ferryman, Charon, terribly filthy protects these waters and streams, on whose chin lies much unkempt grey hair, his eyes are aflame, a dirty cloak hangs from his shoulders in a knot. He himself forces the raft with a pole and tends the sails and carries the bodies in his rusty boat, already old, but the raw and green old age of a god. To this point, to the bank the whole scattered crowd rushed, mothers and men and bodies devoid of life of great-hearted heroes, boys and unwed girls, and youths placed upon pyres before the faces of their parents, as many falling leaves drop in the woods in the first cold of autumn, or as many birds gather on the land from the high whirlwind, when the cold season chases and sends (them) across the sea upon the sunny lands. The first stood begging to cross the stream and were extending their hands in their desire for the farther bank, but the sad ferryman accepts now these, now those but keeps off others moved far along the sand. Aeneas indeed wondered at and moved by the uproar says, “Tell me, maiden, what does the gathering at the river want? What do the souls seek? Or by what distinction do these leave the banks, those scour the dark fords with oars?” Thus briefly aged prophetess spoke to that one: “Son of Anchises, most undoubtedly offspring of the gods, you see the deep marshes of Cocytus and Stygian swamp, the power of which the gods fear to swear and prove false to. This is the whole helpless and unburied crowd which you see; that the ferryman Charon; these whom the wave carries are buried. It is not given to the dreadful banks and roaring stream to carry (them) before he bones have rested in their tomb. They wander a hundred years and fly around these shores; then at last allowed they see the hoped-for lakes.” The son of Anchises stood and held his step thinking many things and pitied their unequal lot in his mind. He discerns there those sad and lacking the honor of death, Leucaspis and Orontes, leader of the Lycian fleet, whom Auster overwhelmed, as they were carried from Troy through the windy waters, engulfing both ship and men with water.
Aeneid lines 6.236-81 (class translation)
These things having been done, (Aeneas) quickly performs the commands of the Sibyl. There was a cave, lofty and huge with a vast entrance, stony, protected by a black lake and the shadows of the woods, over which hardly any birds were able to hold their winged course safely: pouring out from the black throats, such exhalation bore itself to the vaulted heavens, whence the Greeks call the place by the name Avernus. Here first the priest stood four bullocks black in hide and pours wine on the forehead, and cutting the top hairs from between the horns he puts (them) in the sacred fires, first sacrifices, calling with his voice Hecate, powerful both in heaven and Erebus. Others put knives under (the throat) and catch the warm blood in bowls. Aeneas himself strikes with a sword a lamb with black fleece for the mother of the Eumenides and her great sister, and a sterile cow for you, Proserpina. Then he begins the nocturnal rites for the Stygian king and places the solid flesh of bulls in the fires, pouring rich oil over the burning entrails. But behold under the light of the first sun and its rising the ground began to bellow under their feet and the ridges of the forests began to move, and dogs were seen howling through the shade at the approach of the goddess. “Be away, far away, uninitiated ones, depart from the whole grove; and you enter on the path and take your sword from its sheath: now there is need for courage, now for a firm heart.” Having spoken so much she madly plunges herself into the open cave; that man hardly timidly matches his advancing guide in her steps.
Gods, who have power of the spirits, and the silent shades and Chaos and Phlegethon, the places widely quite at night, be it right for me to speak things heard, be it in your power to reveal things sunk in deep earth and fog.
The dim ones were going beneath the lonely night through the shade and through the empty homes of Dis and deserted kingdoms: there is a path of such a kind through the uncertain moon below the wicked light in the forests, where Jupiter hid the sky in a shadow, and the black night carried away the color from things. Grief and avenging Care placed their seats before the entrance itself in the first jaws of Orcus, and pale Diseases and sad Old Age inhabit, both Fear and ill-counseling Hunger and also ugly Need, terrible forms to see, both Death and Labor; then kindred Sleep of Death and evil Delight of the mind, and deadly war in the facing door, and the iron bedchambers of the Eumenides and mad Disagreement tied (in respect to) her snaky hair with bloody ribbons.
Gods, who have power of the spirits, and the silent shades and Chaos and Phlegethon, the places widely quite at night, be it right for me to speak things heard, be it in your power to reveal things sunk in deep earth and fog.
The dim ones were going beneath the lonely night through the shade and through the empty homes of Dis and deserted kingdoms: there is a path of such a kind through the uncertain moon below the wicked light in the forests, where Jupiter hid the sky in a shadow, and the black night carried away the color from things. Grief and avenging Care placed their seats before the entrance itself in the first jaws of Orcus, and pale Diseases and sad Old Age inhabit, both Fear and ill-counseling Hunger and also ugly Need, terrible forms to see, both Death and Labor; then kindred Sleep of Death and evil Delight of the mind, and deadly war in the facing door, and the iron bedchambers of the Eumenides and mad Disagreement tied (in respect to) her snaky hair with bloody ribbons.
Aeneid lines 6.183-235 (class translation)
Not least Aeneas, first among such works encourages his allies and is girt with equal weapons. And he himself rolled these things in his own sad heart, looking upon the immense forest, and thus by chance prays. 'If now that golden branch might show itself to us from/in the tree in such a forest! Because the prophet spoke all alas too truly about you, Misenus.' Hardly had he spoken these things when by chance twin doves flying from the sky came to the very eyes of the man and sat on the green ground. Then the greatest hero recognizes his mom's birds and joyfully prays: “Be leaders, if there is any way, and direct my path through the air into the groves where the rich branch shadows the fertile soil. And you, o divine parent, do not fail (me) in uncertain circumstances. Thus having spoken he held his step watching what signs they bear, to where they proceed to direct. Those feeding went forth by their flight only as far as the eyes of those following were able to keep (them) in sight. From there when they came to the jaws of Avernus foully breathing, they bear themselves swiftly and having slipped through the limpid air the twins perched on chosen seats on the tree whence the multicolored flash of gold radiated through the branches. As the mistletoe is accustomed to bloom in the woods with new foliage in winters cold, which the tree itself does not bear and with yellow fruit is accustomed to grow around the smooth trunks, such was the kind of the golden branch in the shadowy oak, thus the foil crinkled in the gentle breeze. Aeneas snatches (at it) immediately and greedily breaks it off hesitating and carries (it) up to the dwelling of the priestess Sybil.
Not less (avidly) meanwhile, the Trojans were lamenting Misenus on the shore and were bearing funeral offering to the thankless ash. Firstly they heaped up the rich immense pyre with pine bows and split oak, the sides of which they wove with dark braches and set up funeral cypress (wreaths) in front (of it), and adorn (it) above with shining weapons. Part set forth warm liquids and bronze (cauldrons) seething with flames, and they wash and anoint the cold body. A groan arises. Then they put back bewailed limbs on the couch and they throw over purple clothes, the familiar veils. Part advance to the huge death couch, sad office, and with having turned away they hold the torch (applied) beneath according to the tradition of their fathers. Gifts of gathered frankincense, feasts, and bowls of flowing olive oil are burned. After the ashes have fallen and the flame calmed, they washed the remains and thirsty ash with wine, and Corynaeus covered the collected bones in a bronze urn. Three times the same [man] encircled his allies with pure water, sprinkling with light dew and the branch of fertile olive, he both purified the men and said the last words. But pious Aeneas heaped a great mass on top as a tomb for the man and his own equipment, his oar, and his trumpet below the lofty mountain, which now is called Misenus from that one and holds its eternal name through the ages.
Not less (avidly) meanwhile, the Trojans were lamenting Misenus on the shore and were bearing funeral offering to the thankless ash. Firstly they heaped up the rich immense pyre with pine bows and split oak, the sides of which they wove with dark braches and set up funeral cypress (wreaths) in front (of it), and adorn (it) above with shining weapons. Part set forth warm liquids and bronze (cauldrons) seething with flames, and they wash and anoint the cold body. A groan arises. Then they put back bewailed limbs on the couch and they throw over purple clothes, the familiar veils. Part advance to the huge death couch, sad office, and with having turned away they hold the torch (applied) beneath according to the tradition of their fathers. Gifts of gathered frankincense, feasts, and bowls of flowing olive oil are burned. After the ashes have fallen and the flame calmed, they washed the remains and thirsty ash with wine, and Corynaeus covered the collected bones in a bronze urn. Three times the same [man] encircled his allies with pure water, sprinkling with light dew and the branch of fertile olive, he both purified the men and said the last words. But pious Aeneas heaped a great mass on top as a tomb for the man and his own equipment, his oar, and his trumpet below the lofty mountain, which now is called Misenus from that one and holds its eternal name through the ages.
Aeneid lines 6.124-82 (class translation)
He was praying with such words and holding the altars, when thus the prophetess began to speak: “One born from the blood of the gods, Trojan son of Anchises, the descent to Avernus is easy: nights and days the door of black Dis lies open; but to recall one’s step and come out to the air above, this is the work, this is the labor, this the hardship. A few, whom fair Jupiter loved or burning courage bore to the sky, begotten by the gods, have been able. The woods hold everything in the middle, and slipping Cocytus surrounds with its black fold. But if your mind has such passion, if it has such desire to swim the Stygian lake twice, to see black Tartarus twice, and it is pleasing to indulge in this mad labor, hear what must be done first. A bough lies in the dark forest, golden both in leaves and tender shoot, said (to be) sacred to nether Juno; the whole grove hides this and shadows conceal with gloomy vales. But it is not given to enter the hidden places of the earth before one has plucked the golden growth from the tree. Beautiful Proserpina has ordained that this be brought to her as her gift. Another gold with the first torn away is not lacking, and a branch sprouts with like metal. Therefore search loftily with (your) eyes and seize it with (your) hand found rightly: for itself willing and easily will follow if the fates call you; otherwise with no power or hard iron will you be able to tear (it) off. Furthermore, the lifeless body of your friend lies (unburied)--alas you do not know!—and befouls the whole fleet with death, while you seek oracles and hang on our threshold. Take this one back to his proper home first and cover (him) with a tomb. Lead black animals; let these be first sacrifices. Thus at last you will see the groves of Styx and kingdoms pathless to the living.” She spoke, and, her mouth repressed, fell silent.
Aeneas, his eyes downcast with sad face proceeds leaving the cave, and turns over the dark events to himself in his mind. To whom faithful Achates comes as a companion and matches the steps with equal cares. They were discussing many things between themselves in various conversation, what dead ally, what corpse to bury the priestess was naming. And they saw Misenus, stolen by unworthy death, on the dry shore as they came, Misenus, descendant of Aeolus, than whom no other stood above in rousing men and calling Mars with his bronze song. This one had been the companion of great Hector, fighting around Hector he entered distinguished by his trumpet and spear. After Achilles, victor, despoiled that man of life, the most brave hero had joined himself to Dardanian Aeneas as an ally, not did he follow lesser things. But then by chance which he makes the seas resound with his hollow conch, madly, and he calls the gods in to contests with his song, jealous Triton had plunged the man snatched out among the rocks with a foamy wave, if it is worthy to believe. Therefore everyone around began to lament with a great cry, especially pious Aeneas. Then hardly delaying, they weeping hastened the orders of the Sibyl and strove to heap an altar for the tomb with trees and pile (it) to the sky. The go into an ancient wood, deep home of wild beasts, pitch-pines fall, struck with axes ilex ring and ash timbers and cleavable oak are split with wedges, the roll huge ash trees from the mountains.
Aeneas, his eyes downcast with sad face proceeds leaving the cave, and turns over the dark events to himself in his mind. To whom faithful Achates comes as a companion and matches the steps with equal cares. They were discussing many things between themselves in various conversation, what dead ally, what corpse to bury the priestess was naming. And they saw Misenus, stolen by unworthy death, on the dry shore as they came, Misenus, descendant of Aeolus, than whom no other stood above in rousing men and calling Mars with his bronze song. This one had been the companion of great Hector, fighting around Hector he entered distinguished by his trumpet and spear. After Achilles, victor, despoiled that man of life, the most brave hero had joined himself to Dardanian Aeneas as an ally, not did he follow lesser things. But then by chance which he makes the seas resound with his hollow conch, madly, and he calls the gods in to contests with his song, jealous Triton had plunged the man snatched out among the rocks with a foamy wave, if it is worthy to believe. Therefore everyone around began to lament with a great cry, especially pious Aeneas. Then hardly delaying, they weeping hastened the orders of the Sibyl and strove to heap an altar for the tomb with trees and pile (it) to the sky. The go into an ancient wood, deep home of wild beasts, pitch-pines fall, struck with axes ilex ring and ash timbers and cleavable oak are split with wedges, the roll huge ash trees from the mountains.
Aeneid lines 6.77-123 (class translation)
But the prophetess, no longer enduring immense Phoebus, rages in her cave, as if she were able to shake off the great god from her heart, but that one tires her frenzied mouth by so much more, mastering her fierce feelings, and trains [her] with his control. And now the hundred huge entrances of the home have opened by their own accord and they carry the answers of the prophetess through the heavens: “O you who have finished the great dangers of the sea (but there remain more serious [dangers] of the land) the Trojans will come into the Lavinian kingdoms (send from your heart this anxiety), but they will wish they had not come. Wars, awful wars, and the Tiber foaming with much blood I see. The Simois and Xanthus and a Doric camp will not be lacking for you; already another Achilles has been produced in Latium, and he too himself born of a goddess; nor will a Juno to harass the Teucri ever be gone, when you are a suppliant in times of want, what races, what cities of the Italians will you not have begged? The cause of such evil for the Teucrians will again be a foreign bride and again foreign bedchambers. You, do not yield to evils but in return go more boldly by which (way) your fortune allows you. The first way of safety, which you would suppose least, lies open from a Greek city.” Such things having been said from her shrine, the Cumaean Sibyl sings terrifying mysteries, and in her cave she roars, wrapping true things with obscurities: Apollo shakes these reins against the raging one and turns spurs under her chest.
As soon as the rage ceased and the frenzied face calmed, the hero Aeneas begins: "No new aspect of my labors rises unexpectedly; I have anticipated and traversed everything in my mind already before. I ask one thing: because it is said that here is the entrance to the infernal king and the shadowy swamp from Acheron having welled up, let it be permitted to me to go to the sight and face of my dear father; teach the way and open the sacred entrances. I snatched that man through flames and a thousand pursuing weapons on these shoulders and rescued (him) from the middle of the enemy; that man, companion to my journey, bore all the seas with me and all the threats both of sea and sky, weak, beyond the strength and lot of old age. Nay even the same man begging keeps giving orders that I seek you and approach your thresholds as a suppliant. I pray, kind one, pity both the son and his father (for you can (do) all things, and not in vain did Hecate put you in charge of Avernus’ groves), if Orpheus was able to summon the shades of his wife relying on his Thracian lyre and tuneful strings, if Pollux redeems his brother with alternating death and goes and returns so often (on) the path. Why of Theseus, why am I to tell of great Hercules? And my race is from greatest Jove.”
As soon as the rage ceased and the frenzied face calmed, the hero Aeneas begins: "No new aspect of my labors rises unexpectedly; I have anticipated and traversed everything in my mind already before. I ask one thing: because it is said that here is the entrance to the infernal king and the shadowy swamp from Acheron having welled up, let it be permitted to me to go to the sight and face of my dear father; teach the way and open the sacred entrances. I snatched that man through flames and a thousand pursuing weapons on these shoulders and rescued (him) from the middle of the enemy; that man, companion to my journey, bore all the seas with me and all the threats both of sea and sky, weak, beyond the strength and lot of old age. Nay even the same man begging keeps giving orders that I seek you and approach your thresholds as a suppliant. I pray, kind one, pity both the son and his father (for you can (do) all things, and not in vain did Hecate put you in charge of Avernus’ groves), if Orpheus was able to summon the shades of his wife relying on his Thracian lyre and tuneful strings, if Pollux redeems his brother with alternating death and goes and returns so often (on) the path. Why of Theseus, why am I to tell of great Hercules? And my race is from greatest Jove.”
Aeneid lines 6.1-76 (class translation)
Thus he speaks, crying, and looses the reins for the fleet and at last glides into the Euboean shores of Cumae. They turn the prows to the sea; then with tenacious tooth the anchor starts to make fast the ships and the curved vessels fringe the shore. The eager band of youths dart out onto the Italian shore; some seek the seeds of flame hidden in the veins of flint, others seize the dense homes of the beasts, the forests, and point out found rivers. But pious Aeneas seeks the citadels in which lofty Apollo rules and from there the secret places, the immense cave, of the dreadful Sibyl, in whom the Delian prophet breaths his great mind and spirit and opens the future. Now they enter into the woods of Hecate and her golden abodes.
Daedalus, as is the story, fleeing the Minoan kingdoms on swift wings having, having dared to trust himself to the sky, flew through unknown route to the icy bear, and lightly at last stood over the Chalcidian citadel. Having returned first to these lands, he dedicated the orage of his wings to you, Phoebus, and he established vast shrines. On the doors was the death of Androgeos; then the Athenians, ordered to pay the punishment, seven bodies of their sons yearly—wretched! The urn stands with the lots drawn. On the other side, Cretan land, lifted from the sea, corresponds; here is the savage love of the bull and Pasiphae, positioned secretly, and the mixed species, and the two-form offspring, the Minotaur, a monument of the unspeakable love. Here is that famous work of the house and its insoluble wandering; but indeed having pitied the great love of the queen, Daedalus himself solved the tricks and windings of the building, guiding blind steps with a thread. You also would have a great part in this work, Icarus, did grief permit. Twice he had tried to fashion in gold your misfortunes, twice the father's hands fell. But that they would have examined all at once with their eyes except Achates, already sent forward, had not spoken up and with him the priestess of Apollo and Hecate, Deiphobe, daughter of Glaucus, who says such to the king: “This moment does not demand such sites for itself now; it would be better to slaughter seven young oxen from an untouched heard and as many chosen sheep by custom.” Having spoken such (words), the priestess calls the Trojans into the lofty shrines (and the men do not delay the ordered sacrifices).
The side of a Euboiean cliff is hewn into a huge cave, where 100 wide entrances lead, 100 mouths, whence so many voices rush, the responses of the Sibyl. They had come to the threshold when the maiden says, “It is time to demand your fates; the god, behold the god!” For whom speaking such things before the entrances suddenly not her face, not one color, not arranged hair remained; but her chest heaved and her fierce heart beats in frenzy, and she seems larger nor sounding mortal, because she has been inspired by the already nearby power of the god. Do you pause in your offering, Trojan Aeneas? do you hesitate? For indeed not before the great mouths of the awe-struck cave gape. And having said such things, she became silent. An icy trembling ran through the hard bones of the Teucrians, and the king utters prayers from the bottom of his heart: 'Phoebus, [you who] have always pitied the heavy labors of the Trojans, who directed the Dardan weapons and hands of Paris against the body of Achilles, I have entered so many seas bordering great lands with you as a leader and the tribes of North Africa deeply hidden and the fields fringing Syrtis: now at last we grasp the shores of fleeing Italy, may Trojan luck have followed me only as far as this. It is right also for all you gods and goddesses, in whose way Ilium and the huge glory of Dardanus now stands, to spare the race of Pergama. And you, o most sacred prophetess, knowing what will come, give that (I beg by my fates for my not undue kingdom) the Teucri settle in Latium and their wandering gods and the agitated divine powers of Troy. Then I shall establish for Phoebus and Hecate a temple of solid marble and festival days in the name of Phoebus. Great sanctuaries will also remain for you in our kingdom: for here also I will place your oracles and the secret fates spoken for my race, and I will make sacred chosen men, kindly one. Only do not trust your verses to the leaves, lest the confused mockeries fly with the swift winds: I beg that you yourself sing [them].” He gave the end of speaking with his mouth.
Daedalus, as is the story, fleeing the Minoan kingdoms on swift wings having, having dared to trust himself to the sky, flew through unknown route to the icy bear, and lightly at last stood over the Chalcidian citadel. Having returned first to these lands, he dedicated the orage of his wings to you, Phoebus, and he established vast shrines. On the doors was the death of Androgeos; then the Athenians, ordered to pay the punishment, seven bodies of their sons yearly—wretched! The urn stands with the lots drawn. On the other side, Cretan land, lifted from the sea, corresponds; here is the savage love of the bull and Pasiphae, positioned secretly, and the mixed species, and the two-form offspring, the Minotaur, a monument of the unspeakable love. Here is that famous work of the house and its insoluble wandering; but indeed having pitied the great love of the queen, Daedalus himself solved the tricks and windings of the building, guiding blind steps with a thread. You also would have a great part in this work, Icarus, did grief permit. Twice he had tried to fashion in gold your misfortunes, twice the father's hands fell. But that they would have examined all at once with their eyes except Achates, already sent forward, had not spoken up and with him the priestess of Apollo and Hecate, Deiphobe, daughter of Glaucus, who says such to the king: “This moment does not demand such sites for itself now; it would be better to slaughter seven young oxen from an untouched heard and as many chosen sheep by custom.” Having spoken such (words), the priestess calls the Trojans into the lofty shrines (and the men do not delay the ordered sacrifices).
The side of a Euboiean cliff is hewn into a huge cave, where 100 wide entrances lead, 100 mouths, whence so many voices rush, the responses of the Sibyl. They had come to the threshold when the maiden says, “It is time to demand your fates; the god, behold the god!” For whom speaking such things before the entrances suddenly not her face, not one color, not arranged hair remained; but her chest heaved and her fierce heart beats in frenzy, and she seems larger nor sounding mortal, because she has been inspired by the already nearby power of the god. Do you pause in your offering, Trojan Aeneas? do you hesitate? For indeed not before the great mouths of the awe-struck cave gape. And having said such things, she became silent. An icy trembling ran through the hard bones of the Teucrians, and the king utters prayers from the bottom of his heart: 'Phoebus, [you who] have always pitied the heavy labors of the Trojans, who directed the Dardan weapons and hands of Paris against the body of Achilles, I have entered so many seas bordering great lands with you as a leader and the tribes of North Africa deeply hidden and the fields fringing Syrtis: now at last we grasp the shores of fleeing Italy, may Trojan luck have followed me only as far as this. It is right also for all you gods and goddesses, in whose way Ilium and the huge glory of Dardanus now stands, to spare the race of Pergama. And you, o most sacred prophetess, knowing what will come, give that (I beg by my fates for my not undue kingdom) the Teucri settle in Latium and their wandering gods and the agitated divine powers of Troy. Then I shall establish for Phoebus and Hecate a temple of solid marble and festival days in the name of Phoebus. Great sanctuaries will also remain for you in our kingdom: for here also I will place your oracles and the secret fates spoken for my race, and I will make sacred chosen men, kindly one. Only do not trust your verses to the leaves, lest the confused mockeries fly with the swift winds: I beg that you yourself sing [them].” He gave the end of speaking with his mouth.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)