English Translation |
Latin Text |
6.295-332
From here is the way of Tartarus which bears to the waves of Acheron. Here the gulf thick with mud and with a vast whirlpool swells and vomits all its sand into Cocytus. The horrendous ferryman of terrible filth Charon keeps these waters and the river, for whom much gray hair lies unkempt on his chin, eyes stand fixed with flame, a dirty cloak hangs down from his shoulders by a knot. He himself pushes the raft by means of a pole and attends to it by the sails and transports bodies by this rusty boat, now an old man, but for the god old age is fresh and green. Here the whole crowd having been poured out was rushing to the banks, mothers and husbands and bodies of great-souled heroes having finished life, boys and unmarried girls, and young men placed on funeral pyres before the faces of their parents: as many as leaves having slipped fall in the forests in the early cold of autumn, or as many as birds are gathered to the land from the deep gulf, where the frigid year puts them to flight across the sea and sends them to sunny lands. They were standing begging that they are first to cross the rushing and were extending their hands because of their desire of the farther bank. But the sorrowful boatman receives now these, now those, and keeps off at a distance from the sand the others having been removed. Aeneas indeed wondering and moved by the tumult says, “Say, o virgin, what does the crowd at the stream want? Or what are the souls seeking? Or by what distinction do these leave the banks, do those sweep over the blue depths by means of oars?” To those things the aged priest spoke shortly thus: “Descended from Anchises, most certain offspring of the gods, you see the deep waters of Cocytus and the Stygian swamp, the divine power of which the gods fear to swear on and to deceive. All this, which you see, is the need and unburied crowd; that ferryman is Charon; these, who the wave carries, were buried. Neither is it granted for Charon to transport them across the horrendous banks or the raucous streams earlier than they have rested their bones in their seats. They wander and fly around these shores for a hundred years; then finally having been admitted they revisit the desired depths.” The one begotten from Anchises stood and repressed his steps considering many things and having pitied in his mind this unfair lot. |
6.295-332
Hinc via Tartarei quae fert Acherontis ad undas. 295 turbidus hic caeno vastaque voragine gurges aestuat atque omnem Cocyto eructat harenam. portitor has horrendus aquas et flumina servat terribili squalore Charon, cui plurima mento canities inculta iacet, stant lumina flamma, 300 sordidus ex umeris nodo dependet amictus. ipse ratem conto subigit velisque ministrat et ferruginea subvectat corpora cumba, iam senior, sed cruda deo viridisque senectus. huc omnis turba ad ripas effusa ruebat, 305 matres atque viri defunctaque corpora vita magnanimum heroum, pueri innuptaeque puellae, impositique rogis iuvenes ante ora parentum: quam multa in silvis autumni frigore primo lapsa cadunt folia, aut ad terram gurgite ab alto 310 quam multae glomerantur aves, ubi frigidus annus trans pontum fugat et terris immittit apricis. stabant orantes primi transmittere cursum tendebantque manus ripae ulterioris amore. navita sed tristis nunc hos nunc accipit illos, 315 ast alios longe summotos arcet harena. Aeneas miratus enim motusque tumultu 'dic,' ait, 'o virgo, quid vult concursus ad amnem? quidve petunt animae? vel quo discrimine ripas hae linquunt, illae remis vada livida verrunt?' 320 olli sic breviter fata est longaeva sacerdos: 'Anchisa generate, deum certissima proles, Cocyti stagna alta vides Stygiamque paludem, di cuius iurare timent et fallere numen. haec omnis, quam cernis, inops inhumataque turba est; 325 portitor ille Charon; hi, quos vehit unda, sepulti. nec ripas datur horrendas et rauca fluenta transportare prius quam sedibus ossa quierunt. centum errant annos volitantque haec litora circum; tum demum admissi stagna exoptata revisunt.' 330 constitit Anchisa satus et vestigia pressit multa putans sortemque animo miseratus iniquam. |
6.384-402
Therefore they complete the having been begun journey and approach the river. As the boatman already thereupon from the Stygian wave saw that who were going across the silent grove and turning their foot to the bank, thus sooner he attacks by words and reproves them further: “Whoever you are, who reaches to our rivers armed, speak, approach, for what do you come, now from there and repressing your step. This is a place of shades, of sleep and sleepy night: it is unspeakable that I carry living bodies by this Stygian boat. Neither indeed have I rejoiced that I admitted going Alcides on the lake, nor Theseus and Pirithous, although they were offspring from the gods and unconquered in strength. That one sought the Tartarian guardian into chains by hand and dragged him trembling down from the throne of the king himself; these attempted to lead off the queen from the bedroom of Dis.” Opposite which things the Amphrysian prophet spoke shortly: “There is none such treachery here (cease to be moved), nor do our weapons bear violence; it is permitted that the huge doorkeeper barking eternally in his cave terrifies the bloodless shades, it is permitted that pure Proserpina keeps the threshold of her uncle. |
6.384-402
Ergo iter inceptum peragunt fluvioque propinquant. navita quos iam inde ut Stygia prospexit ab unda 385 per tacitum nemus ire pedemque advertere ripae, sic prior adgreditur dictis atque increpat ultro: 'quisquis es, armatus qui nostra ad flumina tendis, fare age, quid venias, iam istinc et comprime gressum. umbrarum hic locus est, somni noctisque soporae: 390 corpora viva nefas Stygia vectare carina. nec vero Alciden me sum laetatus euntem accepisse lacu, nec Thesea Pirithoumque, dis quamquam geniti atque invicti viribus essent. Tartareum ille manu custodem in vincla petivit 395 ipsius a solio regis traxitque trementem; hi dominam Ditis thalamo deducere adorti.' quae contra breviter fata est Amphrysia vates: 'nullae hic insidiae tales (absiste moveri), nec vim tela ferunt; licet ingens ianitor antro 400 aeternum latrans exsanguis terreat umbras, casta licet patrui servet Proserpina limen. |
6.403-425
Trojan Aeneas, distinguished in loyalty and arms, descends to the deepest shadows of Erebus to his father. If no image of so great loyalty moves you, at least you should recognize this branch” (she reveals the branch which was lying hidden by her robe). Then his swollen hearts settle from anger; neither are more words than these said. That one admiring the venerable gift of the fateful wand seen a long time afterwards turns his dark deck and approaches the bank. Thereupon he drives off the other spirits, which were sitting across the long benches, and releases the gangway; at the same time he receives huge Aeneas into the boat. The skiff sewn groaned under his weight and leaky received much swamp. Finally he puts out both the prophet and the man unharmed across the river in the shapeless slime and gray sedge. Huge Cerberus makes these kingdoms resound with three-throated barking lying enormous in a facing cave. To whom the prophet seeing that his neck is bristling with serpents presents a cake having been drugged by honey and medicated fruits. That one opening three throats because of mad hunger snatches up the thrown thing, and having been spread out loosens his giant backs on the ground and huge extends through the entire cave. Aeneas seizes the entrance the guardian having been buried and swift escapes the bank of the wave from which there is no return. |
6.403-425
Troius Aeneas, pietate insignis et armis, ad genitorem imas Erebi descendit ad umbras. si te nulla movet tantae pietatis imago, 405 at ramum hunc' (aperit ramum qui veste latebat) 'agnoscas.' tumida ex ira tum corda residunt; nec plura his. ille admirans venerabile donum fatalis virgae longo post tempore visum caeruleam advertit puppim ripaeque propinquat. 410 inde alias animas, quae per iuga longa sedebant, deturbat laxatque foros; simul accipit alveo ingentem Aenean. gemuit sub pondere cumba sutilis et multam accepit rimosa paludem. tandem trans fluvium incolumis vatemque virumque 415 informi limo glaucaque exponit in ulua. Cerberus haec ingens latratu regna trifauci personat adverso recubans immanis in antro. cui vates horrere videns iam colla colubris melle soporatam et medicatis frugibus offam 420 obicit. ille fame rabida tria guttura pandens corripit obiectam, atque immania terga resolvit fusus humi totoque ingens extenditur antro. occupat Aeneas aditum custode sepulto evaditque celer ripam inremeabilis undae. 425 |
6.450-76
Among whom Phoenician Dido fresh from her wound was wandering in the great forest; whom the Trojan hero as soon as he stood near and recognized her dark through the shades, just as the moon which someone either sees or thinks that he has seen rise through the clouds in the early month, let down tears and addressed with sweet love: “Unlucky Dido, therefore the message had come to me true that you were extinguished and followed the final affair by the sword? Alas was I the cause of death for you? I swear by the constellations, by those above and if any faith is under the deepest earth, queen, I departed from your shore unwilling. But the commands of the gods, which now force me to go through these shades, through this place rough by decay, and the deep night, drove me by their authorities; neither was I able to believe that I am carrying this so great pain for you by departure. Stay your step and do not withdraw yourself from our sight. Whom are you fleeing? This is the last thing which I address to you because of fate.” Aeneas was trying to soothe her mind raging and watching grimly by such words and was stirring up tears. That one having turned herself away was holding her eyes fixed on the ground, is not more moved in her face by the begun speech than if she stands as hard flint or a Marpesian cliff. Finally she snatched herself away and fled hostile into the shady grove, where her former husband Sychaeus responds to the cares for that one and equals her love. Neither less shaken by her unjust misfortune Aeneas follows at a distance with tears and pities her going. |
6.450-76
inter quas Phoenissa recens a vulnere Dido 450 errabat silva in magna; quam Troius heros ut primum iuxta stetit agnovitque per umbras obscuram, qualem primo qui surgere mense aut videt aut vidisse putat per nubila lunam, demisit lacrimas dulcique adfatus amore est: 455 'infelix Dido, verus mihi nuntius ergo venerat exstinctam ferroque extrema secutam? funeris heu tibi causa fui? per sidera iuro, per superos et si qua fides tellure sub ima est, inuitus, regina, tuo de litore cessi. 460 sed me iussa deum, quae nunc has ire per umbras, per loca senta situ cogunt noctemque profundam, imperiis egere suis; nec credere quivi hunc tantum tibi me discessu ferre dolorem. siste gradum teque aspectu ne subtrahe nostro. 465 quem fugis? extremum fato quod te adloquor hoc est.' talibus Aeneas ardentem et torva tuentem lenibat dictis animum lacrimasque ciebat. illa solo fixos oculos aversa tenebat nec magis incepto vultum sermone movetur 470 quam si dura silex aut stet Marpesia cautes. tandem corripuit sese atque inimica refugit in nemus umbriferum, coniunx ubi pristinus illi respondet curis aequatque Sychaeus amorem. nec minus Aeneas casu percussus iniquo 475 prosequitur lacrimis longe et miseratur euntem. |
6.847-71
Others will fashion breathing bronzes more softly (indeed I believe), they will draw living faces from the marble, they will plead cases better, and they will describe the paths of heaven by the compass and name the rising constellations: you, Roman, remember to rule the peoples by your authority (these will be the arts for you), and to establish a custom for peace, to spare those vanquished and to crush the proud.” Thus his father Anchises spoke, and to those wondering he added these words: “See, how Marcellus distinguished by the highest spoils advances and towers above all men as victor. This horseman will check the Roman affair, a great tumult disturbing, will lay low the Phoenicians and rebellious Gaul, and will suspend the third arms having been seized for the father Quirinus.” And here Aeneas (for he was seeing that a young man distinguished of form and of shining arms was going together, but his face was not happy and his eyes were of a turned down face) said, “Who, father, is that one, who thus accompanies that man going? A son, or someone of the descendants from that great lineage? What noise of his companions around! So great his dignity in itself! But black night flies about his head with gloomy shadow.” Then his father Anchises began with arising tears: “O son, do not seek the huge sorrow of your people; the fates will show this so great one to the lands and will not allow him to be further. The Roman offspring would have seemed too powerful for you, ones above, if these gifts had been its own. |
6.847-71
excudent alii spirantia mollius aera (credo equidem), vivos ducent de marmore vultus, orabunt causas melius, caelique meatus describent radio et surgentia sidera dicent: 850 tu regere imperio populos, Romane, memento (hae tibi erunt artes), pacique imponere morem, parcere subiectis et debellare superbos.' Sic pater Anchises, atque haec mirantibus addit: 'aspice, ut insignis spoliis Marcellus opimis 855 ingreditur victorque viros 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 videbat 860 egregium forma iuvenem et fulgentibus armis, sed frons laeta parum et deiecto lumina vultu) 'quis, pater, ille, virum qui sic comitatur euntem? filius, anne aliquis magna de stirpe nepotum? qui strepitus circa comitum! quantum instar in ipso! 865 sed nox atra caput tristi circumvolat umbra.' tum pater Anchises lacrimis ingressus obortis: 'o gnate, ingentem luctum ne quaere tuorum; ostendent terris hunc tantum fata nec ultra esse sinent. nimium vobis Romana propago 870 visa potens, superi, propria haec si dona fuissent. |
6.872-99
What so great groans of men will that field of Mars drive near the great city! Or what funerals will you see, Tiberinus, when you glide by the recent tomb! Neither will any boy from the Ilian race raise the Latin ancestors to such an extent by hope, nor will the Romulan land ever boast itself so much because of any child. Alas loyalty, alas ancient faith and right hands unconquered in war! Not anyone would have borne himself with impunity meeting him having been armed, whether when he was going against the enemy as a foot soldier or was piercing the sides of his foaming horse by spurs. Alas, about to be pitied boy, if in any way you should break these harsh fates—you will be Marcellus. Give me lilies with full hands, let me scatter the purple flowers and honor the spirit of my descendant at least by these gifts, and fulfill this useless service.” Thus they wander everywhere in the entire region in the wide fields of mist and survey all things. After Anchises has led his son through which things one by one and has inflamed his mind by a desire of the coming reputation, from there he recounts the wars which must then be waged by that man, and tells about the Laurentian peoples and the city of Latinus, and in what way he might either flee or bear each labor. There are twin gates of Sleep, of which one is said to be horn, where an easy exit is given to true shades, the other gleaming is made of shining ivory, but Manes sends false dreams toward the sky. There then Anchises follows his son and Sibylla together with these words and sends them out through the ivory gate; that one cuts a path to the ships and revisits his companions. |
6.872-99
quantos ille virum magnam Mavortis ad urbem campus aget gemitus! vel quae, Tiberine, videbis funera, cum tumulum praeterlabere recentem! nec puer Iliaca quisquam de gente Latinos 875 in tantum spe tollet avos, nec Romula quondam ullo se tantum tellus iactabit alumno. heu pietas, heu prisca fides invictaque bello dextera! non illi se quisquam impune tulisset obvius armato, seu cum pedes iret in hostem 880 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 885 munere.' sic tota passim regione vagantur aeris in campis latis atque omnia lustrant. quae postquam Anchises natum per singula duxit incenditque animum famae venientis amore, exim bella viro memorat quae deinde gerenda, 890 Laurentisque docet populos urbemque Latini, et quo quemque modo fugiatque feratque laborem. Sunt geminae Somni portae, quarum altera fertur cornea, qua veris facilis datur exitus umbris, altera candenti perfecta nitens elephanto, 895 sed falsa ad caelum mittunt insomnia Manes. his ibi tum natum Anchises unaque Sibyllam prosequitur dictis portaque emittit eburna, ille viam secat ad navis sociosque revisit. |