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Notes Do not display Latin text | translated by Theodore C. Williams Book VIII Chapter 15: Rome is shown | Next chapter Return to index Previous chapter |
He scarce had said, when near their path he showed an altar fair and the Carmental gate, where Romans see memorial of Carmentis, nymph divine, the prophetess of Fate, who first foretold what honors on Aeneas' sons should fall and lordly Pallanteum, where they dwell. Next the vast grove was seen, where Romulus ordained inviolable sanctuary; then the Lupercal under its cold crag, Wolf-hill, where old Arcadians revered their wolf-god, the Lycaean Pan. Here too the grove of Argiletum, sacred name, where good Evander told the crime and death of Argus, his false guest. From this they climbed the steep Tarpeian hill, the Capitol, all gold to-day, but then a tangled wild of thorny woodland. Even then the place woke in the rustics a religious awe, and bade them fear and tremble at the view of that dread rock and grove. “This leafy wood, which crowns the hill-top, is the favored seat of some great god,” said he, “but of his name we know not surely. The Arcadians say Jove's dread right hand here visibly appears to shake his aegis in the darkening storm, the clouds compelling. Yonder rise in view two strongholds with dismantled walls, which now are but a memory of great heroes gone: one father Janus built, and Saturn one; their names, Saturnia and Janiculum.” 'Mid such good parley to the house they came of king Evander, unadorned and plain, whence herds of browsing cattle could be seen ranging the Forum, and loud-bellowing in proud Carinae. As they entered there, “Behold,” said he, the threshold that received Alcides in his triumph! This abode he made his own. Dare, O illustrious guest, to scorn the pomp of power. Shape thy soul to be a god's fit follower. Enter here, and free from pride our frugal welcome share.” So saying, neath his roof-tree scant and low he led the great Aeneas, offering him a couch of leaves with Libyan bear-skin spread. Now night drew near, enfolding the wide world in shadowy wings. Event: Aeneas visits Evander |
337-369 Vix ea dicta, dehinc progressus monstrat et aram et Carmentalem Romani nomine portam quam memorant, nymphae priscum Carmentis honorem, uatis fatidicae, cecinit quae prima futuros Aeneadas magnos et nobile Pallanteum. hinc lucum ingentem, quem Romulus acer asylum rettulit, et gelida monstrat sub rupe Lupercal Parrhasio dictum Panos de more Lycaei. nec non et sacri monstrat nemus Argileti testaturque locum et letum docet hospitis Argi. hinc ad Tarpeiam sedem et Capitolia ducit aurea nunc, olim siluestribus horrida dumis. iam tum religio pauidos terrebat agrestis dira loci, iam tum siluam saxumque tremebant. 'hoc nemus, hunc' inquit 'frondoso uertice collem (quis deus incertum est) habitat deus; Arcades ipsum credunt se uidisse Iouem, cum saepe nigrantem aegida concuteret dextra nimbosque cieret. haec duo praeterea disiectis oppida muris, reliquias ueterumque uides monimenta uirorum. hanc Ianus pater, hanc Saturnus condidit arcem; Ianiculum huic, illi fuerat Saturnia nomen.' talibus inter se dictis ad tecta subibant pauperis Euandri, passimque armenta uidebant Romanoque foro et lautis mugire Carinis. ut uentum ad sedes, 'haec' inquit 'limina uictor Alcides subiit, haec illum regia cepit. aude, hospes, contemnere opes et te quoque dignum finge deo, rebusque ueni non asper egenis.' dixit, et angusti subter fastigia tecti ingentem Aenean duxit stratisque locauit effultum foliis et pelle Libystidis ursae: nox ruit et fuscis tellurem amplectitur alis. |