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Notes Display Latin text | translated by Theodore C. Williams Book III Chapter 17: Prophecy of Helenus (cont.) | Next chapter Return to index Previous chapter |
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When wafted to that shore, repair to Cumae's hill, and to the Lake Avernus with its whispering grove divine. There shalt thou [Note 1] see a frenzied prophetess, who from beneath the hollow scarped crag sings oracles, or characters on leaves mysterious names. Whate'er the virgin writes, on leaves inscribing the portentous song, she sets in order, and conceals them well in her deep cave, where they abide unchanged in due array. Yet not a care has she, if with some swinging hinge a breeze sweeps in, to catch them as they whirl: if open door disperse them flutterling through the hollow rock, she will not link their shifted sense anew, nor re-invent her fragmentary song. Oft her unanswered votaries depart, scorning the Sibyl's shrine. But deem not thou thy tarrying too long, whate'er thy stay. Though thy companions chide, though winds of power invite thy ship to sea, and well would speed the swelling sail, yet to that Sibyl go. Pray that her own lips may sing forth for thee the oracles, uplifting her dread voice in willing prophecy. Her rede shall tell of Italy, its wars and tribes to be, and of what way each burden and each woe may be escaped, or borne. Her favoring aid will grant swift, happy voyages to thy prayer. Such counsels Heaven to my [Note 2] lips allows. arise, begone! and by thy glorious deeds set Troy among the stars!" |
441-462 huc ubi delatus Cumaeam accesseris urbem diuinosque lacus et Auerna sonantia siluis, insanam uatem aspicies, quae rupe sub ima fata canit foliisque notas et nomina mandat. quaecumque in foliis descripsit carmina uirgo digerit in numerum atque antro seclusa relinquit: illa manent immota locis neque ab ordine cedunt. uerum eadem, uerso tenuis cum cardine uentus impulit et teneras turbauit ianua frondes, numquam deinde cauo uolitantia prendere saxo nec reuocare situs aut iungere carmina curat: inconsulti abeunt sedemque odere Sibyllae. hic tibi ne qua morae fuerint dispendia tanti, quamuis increpitent socii et ui cursus in altum uela uocet, possisque sinus implere secundos, quin adeas uatem precibusque oracula poscas ipsa canat uocemque uolens atque ora resoluat. illa tibi Italiae populos uenturaque bella et quo quemque modo fugiasque ferasque laborem expediet, cursusque dabit uenerata secundos. haec sunt quae nostra liceat te uoce moneri. uade age et ingentem factis fer ad aethera Troiam.' |