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Notes Display Latin text | translated by Theodore C. Williams Book VI Chapter 32: Marcellus and Marcellus | Next chapter Return to index Previous chapter |
So did Anchises speak, then, after pause, Thus to their wondering ears his word prolonged: Behold Marcellus, bright with glorious spoil, In lifted triumph through his warriors move! The Roman power in tumultuous days He shall establish; he rides forth to quell Afric and rebel Gaul; and to the shrine Of Romulus the third-won trophy brings. Then spoke Aeneas, for he now could see A beauteous youth in glittering dress of war, Though of sad forehead and down-dropping eyes: Say, father, who attends the prince? a son? Or of his greatness some remoter heir? How his friends praise him, and how matchless he! But mournful night Tests darkly o'er his brow. With brimming eyes Anchises answer gave: Ask not, O son, what heavy weight of woe Thy race shall bear, when fate shall just reveal This vision to the world, then yield no more. O gods above, too glorious did ye deem The seed of Rome, had this one gift been sure? The lamentation of a multitude Arises from the field of Mars, and strikes The city's heart. O Father Tiber, see What pomp of sorrow near the new-made tomb Beside thy fleeting stream! What Ilian youth Shall e'er his Latin kindred so advance In hope of glory? When shall the proud land Of Romulus of such a nursling boast? Ah, woe' is me! O loyal heart and true! O brave, right arm invincible! What foe Had 'scaped his onset in the shock of arms, Whether on foot he strode, or if he spurred The hot flanks of his war-horse flecked with foam? O lost, lamented child! If thou evade Thy evil star, Marcellus thou shalt be. O bring me lilies! Bring with liberal hand! Sad purple blossoms let me throw -- the shade Of my own kin to honor, heaping high My gifts upon his grave! So let me pay An unavailing vow! Then, far and wide Through spacious fields of air, they wander free, Witnessing all; Anchises guides his son From point to point, and quickens in his mind Hunger for future fame. Of wars he tells Soon imminent; of fair Laurentum's tribes; Of king Latinus' town; and shows what way Each task and hardship to prevent, or bear. |
854-892 Sic pater Anchises, atque haec mirantibus addit: 'aspice, ut insignis spoliis Marcellus opimis ingreditur uictorque uiros supereminet omnis. hic rem Romanam magno turbante tumultu sistet eques, sternet Poenos Gallumque rebellem, tertiaque arma patri suspendet capta Quirino.' atque hic Aeneas (una namque ire uidebat egregium forma iuuenem et fulgentibus armis, sed frons laeta parum et deiecto lumina uultu) 'quis, pater, ille, uirum qui sic comitatur euntem? filius, anne aliquis magna de stirpe nepotum? qui strepitus circa comitum! quantum instar in ipso! sed nox atra caput tristi circumuolat umbra.' tum pater Anchises lacrimis ingressus obortis: 'o gnate, ingentem luctum ne quaere tuorum; ostendent terris hunc tantum fata nec ultra esse sinent. nimium uobis Romana propago uisa potens, superi, propria haec si dona fuissent. quantos ille uirum magnam Mauortis ad urbem campus aget gemitus! uel quae, Tiberine, uidebis funera, cum tumulum praeterlabere recentem! nec puer Iliaca quisquam de gente Latinos in tantum spe tollet auos, nec Romula quondam ullo se tantum tellus iactabit alumno. heu pietas, heu prisca fides inuictaque bello dextera! non illi se quisquam impune tulisset obuius armato, seu cum pedes iret in hostem seu spumantis equi foderet calcaribus armos. heu, miserande puer, si qua fata aspera rumpas, tu Marcellus eris. manibus date lilia plenis purpureos spargam flores animamque nepotis his saltem accumulem donis, et fungar inani munere.' sic tota passim regione uagantur aeris in campis latis atque omnia lustrant. quae postquam Anchises natum per singula duxit incenditque animum famae uenientis amore, exim bella uiro memorat quae deinde gerenda, Laurentisque docet populos urbemque Latini, et quo quemque modo fugiatque feratque laborem. |