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Notes Display Latin text | translated by Theodore C. Williams Book XI Chapter 2: Lament over Pallas | Next chapter Return to index Previous chapter |
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Weeping he spoke, and slowly backward drew to the tent-door, where by the breathless clay of Pallas stood Acoetes, aged man, once bearer of Evander's arms, but now under less happy omens set to guard his darling child. Around him is a throng of slaves, with all the Trojan multitude, and Ilian women, who the wonted way let sorrow's tresses loosely flow. When now Aeneas to the lofty doors drew near, all these from smitten bosoms raised to heaven a mighty moaning, till the king's abode was loud with anguish. There Aeneas viewed the pillowed head of Pallas cold and pale, the smooth young breast that bore the gaping wound of that Ausonian spear, and weeping said: Did Fortune's envy, smiling though she came, refuse me, hapless boy, that thou shouldst see my throne established, and victorious ride beside me to thy father's house? Not this my parting promise to thy king and sire, Evander, when with friendly, fond embrace to win imperial power he bade me go; yet warned me anxiously I must resist bold warriors and a stubborn breed of foes. And haply even now he cheats his heart with expectation vain, and offers vows, heaping with gifts the altars of his gods. But we with unavailing honors bring this lifeless youth, who owes the gods of heaven no more of gift and vow. O ill-starred King! Soon shalt thou see thy son's unpitying doom! What a home-coming! This is glory's day so long awaited; this the solemn pledge I proudly gave. But fond Evander's eyes will find no shameful wounding on the slain, nor for a son in coward safety kept wilt thou, the sire, crave death. But woe is me! How strong a bulwark in Ausonia falls! What loss is thine, Iulus! Event: The Funeral of Pallas |
29-58 Sic ait inlacrimans, recipitque ad limina gressum corpus ubi exanimi positum Pallantis Acoetes seruabat senior, qui Parrhasio Euandro armiger ante fuit, sed non felicibus aeque tum comes auspiciis caro datus ibat alumno. circum omnis famulumque manus Troianaque turba et maestum Iliades crinem de more solutae. ut uero Aeneas foribus sese intulit altis ingentem gemitum tunsis ad sidera tollunt pectoribus, maestoque immugit regia luctu. ipse caput niuei fultum Pallantis et ora ut uidit leuique patens in pectore uulnus cuspidis Ausoniae, lacrimis ita fatur obortis: 'tene,' inquit 'miserande puer, cum laeta ueniret, inuidit Fortuna mihi, ne regna uideres nostra neque ad sedes uictor ueherere paternas? non haec Euandro de te promissa parenti discedens dederam, cum me complexus euntem mitteret in magnum imperium metuensque moneret acris esse uiros, cum dura proelia gente. et nunc ille quidem spe multum captus inani fors et uota facit cumulatque altaria donis, nos iuuenem exanimum et nil iam caelestibus ullis debentem uano maesti comitamur honore. infelix, nati funus crudele uidebis! hi nostri reditus exspectatique triumphi? haec mea magna fides? at non, Euandre, pudendis uulneribus pulsum aspicies, nec sospite dirum optabis nato funus pater. ei mihi quantum praesidium, Ausonia, et quantum tu perdis, Iule!' |