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Notes Display Latin text | translated by Theodore C. Williams Book VII Chapter 25: The temple of Janus opens its doors | Next chapter Return to index Previous chapter |
A sacred custom the Hesperian land of Latium knew, by all the Alban hills honored unbroken, which wide-ruling Rome keeps to this day, when to new stroke she stirs the might of Mars; if on the Danube's wave resolved to fling the mournful doom of war, or on the Caspian folk or Arabs wild; or chase the morning far as India's verge, and from the Parthian despot wrest away our banners lost. Twin Gates of War there be, of fearful name, to Mars' fierce godhead vowed: a hundred brass bars shut them, and the strength of uncorrupting steel; in sleepless watch Janus the threshold keeps. T is here, what time the senate's voice is war, the consul grave in Gabine cincture and Quirinal shift himself the griding hinges backward moves, and bids the Romans arm; obedient then the legionary host makes loud acclaim, and hoarse consent the brazen trumpets blow. Thus king Latinus on the sons of Troy was urged to open war, and backward roll those gates of sorrow: but the aged king recoiled, refused the loathsome task, and fled to solitary shades. Then from the skies the Queen of gods stooped down, and her sole hand the lingering portal moved; Saturnia swung on their hinges the barred gates of war. Ausonia from its old tranquillity bursts forth in flame. Foot-soldiers through the field run to and fro; and mounted on tall steeds the cavaliers in clouds of dust whirl by. All arm in haste. Some oil the glittering shield or javelin bright, or on the whetstone wear good axes to an edge, while joyful bands uplift the standards or the trumpets blow. Five mighty cities to their anvils bring new-tempered arms: Atina -- martial name -- proud Tibur, Ardea, Crustumium, and river-walled Antemnae, crowned with towers strong hollow helmets on their brows they draw and weave them willow-shields; or melt and mould corselets of brass or shining silver greaves; none now for pruning-hook or sacred plough have love or care: but old, ancestral swords for hardier tempering to the smith they bring. Now peals the clarion; through the legions pass the watchwords: the impatient yeoman takes his helmet from the idle roof-tree hung; while to his chariot the master yokes the mettled war-horse, dons a shining shield and golden mail, and buckles his good sword. Events: Preparations for war between the Trojans and Latium., The Gods interfere in the Aeneid |
601-640 Mos erat Hesperio in Latio, quem protinus urbes Albanae coluere sacrum, nunc maxima rerum Roma colit, cum prima mouent in proelia Martem, siue Getis inferre manu lacrimabile bellum Hyrcanisue Arabisue parant, seu tendere ad Indos Auroramque sequi Parthosque reposcere signa: sunt geminae Belli portae (sic nomine dicunt) religione sacrae et saeui formidine Martis; centum aerei claudunt uectes aeternaque ferri robora, nec custos absistit limine Ianus. has, ubi certa sedet patribus sententia pugnae, ipse Quirinali trabea cinctuque Gabino insignis reserat stridentia limina consul, ipse uocat pugnas; sequitur tum cetera pubes, aereaque adsensu conspirant cornua rauco. hoc et tum Aeneadis indicere bella Latinus more iubebatur tristisque recludere portas. abstinuit tactu pater auersusque refugit foeda ministeria, et caecis se condidit umbris. tum regina deum caelo delapsa morantis impulit ipsa manu portas, et cardine uerso Belli ferratos rumpit Saturnia postis. ardet inexcita Ausonia atque immobilis ante; pars pedes ire parat campis, pars arduus altis puluerulentus equis furit; omnes arma requirunt. pars leuis clipeos et spicula lucida tergent aruina pingui subiguntque in cote securis; signaque ferre iuuat sonitusque audire tubarum. quinque adeo magnae positis incudibus urbes tela nouant, Atina potens Tiburque superbum, Ardea Crustumerique et turrigerae Antemnae. tegmina tuta cauant capitum flectuntque salignas umbonum cratis; alii thoracas aenos aut leuis ocreas lento ducunt argento; uomeris huc et falcis honos, huc omnis aratri cessit amor; recoquunt patrios fornacibus ensis. classica iamque sonant, it bello tessera signum; hic galeam tectis trepidus rapit, ille trementis ad iuga cogit equos, clipeumque auroque trilicem loricam induitur fidoque accingitur ense. |