Home | Introduction | Persons | Geogr. | Sources | Events | Mijn blog(Nederlands) |
Religion | Subjects | Images | Queries | Links | Contact | Do not fly Iberia |
Notes Display Latin text | translated by Theodore C. Williams Book V Chapter 3: Celebration of Anchises' death | Next chapter Return to index Previous chapter |
The morrow morn, soon as the new beams of a golden day had banished every star, Aeneas called a council of his followers on the shore, and from a fair green hillock gave this word: Proud sons of Dardanus, whose lofty line none but the gods began! This day fulfils the annual cycle of revolving time, since the dear relics of my god-like sire to earth we gave, and with dark offerings due built altars sorrowful. If now I err not, this is my day -- ye gods have willed it so! -- for mourning and for praise. Should it befall me exiled in Gaetulia's wilderness, or sailing some Greek sea, or at the walls of dire Mycenae, still would I renew unfailing vows, and make solemnity with thankful rites, and worshipful array, at altars rich with gifts. But, lo, we come, beyond all hope, where lie the very bones of my great sire. Nor did it come to pass without divine intent and heavenly power, that on these hospitable shores we stand. Up, then! For we will make a festal day, imploring lucky winds! O, may his spirit grant me to build my city, where his shrines forever shall receive perpetual vows made in his name! This prince of Trojan line, Acestes, upon every ship bestows a pair of oxen. To our offerings call the powers that bless the altars and the fires of our ancestral hearth; and join with these the gods of good Acestes. Presently, when the ninth dawn shall bring its beam benign to mortal men, and show the radiant world, or all my Teucrian people I ordain a holiday of games; the flying ships shall first contend; then swiftest runners try a foot-race; after that the champions bold who step forth for a cast of javelins, or boast the soaring arrow; or fear not the boxing-bout, with gauntlet of thick thongs. This summons is for all; let all have hope to earn some noble palm! And from this hour speak but well-boding words, and bind your brows with garlands green. |
42-71 Postera cum primo stellas Oriente fugarat clara dies, socios in coetum litore ab omni aduocat Aeneas tumulique ex aggere fatur: 'Dardanidae magni, genus alto a sanguine diuum, annuus exactis completur mensibus orbis, ex quo reliquias diuinique ossa parentis condidimus terra maestasque sacrauimus aras; iamque dies, nisi fallor, adest, quem semper acerbum, semper honoratum (sic di uoluistis) habebo. hunc ego Gaetulis agerem si Syrtibus exsul, Argolicoue mari deprensus et urbe Mycenae, annua uota tamen sollemnisque ordine pompas exsequerer strueremque suis altaria donis. nunc ultro ad cineres ipsius et ossa parentis haud equidem sine mente, reor, sine numine diuum adsumus et portus delati intramus amicos. ergo agite et laetum cuncti celebremus honorem: poscamus uentos, atque haec me sacra quotannis urbe uelit posita templis sibi ferre dicatis. bina boum uobis Troia generatus Acestes dat numero capita in nauis; adhibete penatis et patrios epulis et quos colit hospes Acestes. praeterea, si nona diem mortalibus almum Aurora extulerit radiisque retexerit orbem, prima citae Teucris ponam certamina classis; quique pedum cursu ualet, et qui uiribus audax aut iaculo incedit melior leuibusque sagittis, seu crudo fidit pugnam committere caestu, cuncti adsint meritaeque exspectent praemia palmae. ore fauete omnes et cingite tempora ramis.' |