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Notes Do not display Latin text | translated by Theodore C. Williams Book XI Chapter 1: Funerals | Next chapter Return to index Previous chapter |
Up from the sea now soared the dawning day: Aeneas, though his sorrow bids him haste to burial of the slain, and his sad soul is clouded with the sight of death, fulfils, for reward to his gods, a conqueror's vow, at morning's earliest beam. A mighty oak shorn of its limbs he sets upon a hill and clothes it o'er with glittering arms, the spoil of King Mezentius, and a trophy proud to thee, great lord of war [Note 1]. The hero's plumes bedewed with blood are there, and splintered spears; there hangs the corselet, by the thrusting steel twelve times gored through; upon the left he binds the brazen shield, and from the neck suspends the ivory-hilted sword. Aeneas thus, as crowding close his train of captains throng, addressed his followers: Ye warriors mine, our largest work is done. Bid fear begone of what is left to do. Behold the spoils! Yon haughty king was firstfruits of our war. See this Mezentius my hands have made! Now to the Latin town and king [Note 2] we go. Arm you in soul! With heart of perfect hope prepare the war! So when the gods give sign to open battle and lead forth our brave out of this stronghold, no bewilderment, nor tarrying, nor fearful, faltering mind shall slack our march. Meanwhile in earth we lay our comrades fallen; for no honor else in Acheron have they. Go forth, said he, bring gifts of honor and of last farewell to those high hearts by shedding of whose blood our country lives. To sad Evander's town bear Pallas first; who, though he did not fail of virtue's crown, was seized by doom unblest, and to the bitterness of death consigned. Note 1: lord of war = Mars Event: The Funeral of Pallas |
1-28 Oceanum interea surgens Aurora reliquit: Aeneas, quamquam et sociis dare tempus humandis praecipitant curae turbataque funere mens est, uota deum primo uictor soluebat Eoo. ingentem quercum decisis undique ramis constituit tumulo fulgentiaque induit arma, Mezenti ducis exuuias, tibi magne tropaeum bellipotens; aptat rorantis sanguine cristas telaque trunca uiri, et bis sex thoraca petitum perfossumque locis, clipeumque ex aere sinistrae subligat atque ensem collo suspendit eburnum. tum socios (namque omnis eum stipata tegebat turba ducum) sic incipiens hortatur ouantis: 'maxima res effecta, uiri; timor omnis abesto, quod superest; haec sunt spolia et de rege superbo primitiae manibusque meis Mezentius hic est. nunc iter ad regem nobis murosque Latinos. arma parate, animis et spe praesumite bellum, ne qua mora ignaros, ubi primum uellere signa adnuerint superi pubemque educere castris, impediat segnisue metu sententia tardet. interea socios inhumataque corpora terrae mandemus, qui solus honos Acheronte sub imo est. ite,' ait 'egregias animas, quae sanguine nobis hanc patriam peperere suo, decorate supremis muneribus, maestamque Euandri primus ad urbem mittatur Pallas, quem non uirtutis egentem abstulit atra dies et funere mersit acerbo.' |