A Level Latin Literature: Aeneid Y13 Translation

tempus erat quo prima quies mortalibus aegris incipit et dono divum gratissima serpit.

LINES 268-269: It was the time at which the first sleep begins for weary mortals and creeps over them most pleasingly by the gift of the gods.

in somnis, ecce, ante oculos maestissimus Hector visus adesse mihi largosque effundere fletus,

LINES 270-271: In my dreams, behold, before my eyes most sorrowful Hector seemed to be present to me and pour copious tears,

raptatus bigis ut quondam, aterque cruento pulvere perque pedes traiectus lora tumentes.

LINES 272-273: whirled along in his chariot, as in former times, blackened with bloodstained dust, pierced through his swelling feet with thongs.

ei mihi, qualis erat, quantum mutatus ab illo Hectore qui redit exuvias indutus Achilli vel Danaum Phrygios iaculatus puppibus ignes!

LINES 274-276: Woe's me, what a sigh he was, how much changed from that Hector who returned clad in the spoils of Achilles or when he hurled Trojan fires at the ships of the Greeks!

squalentem barbam et concretos sanguine crines vulneraque illa gerens, quae circum plurima muros accepit patrios.

LINES 277-279: (He was) wearing a filthy beard, hair matted with blood and those very many wounds which he received around his native walls.

ultro flens ipse videbar compellare virum et maestas expromere voces:

LINES 279-280: Of my own accord, I myself weeping seemed to address the hero and utter sad words:

'o lux Dardaniae, spes o fidissima Teucrum, quae tantae tenuere morae? quibus Hector ab oris exspectate venis?

LINES 281-283: 'O light of Troy, o most trusted hope of the Trojans, what delays so great have detained (you)? From what shores do you come, long-expected Hector?

ut te post multa tuorum funera, post varios hominumque urbisque labores defessi aspicimus!

LINES 283-285: How (happily) we weary men see you after the many deaths of your companions, after the varied toils of men and the city!

quae causa indigna serenos foedavit vultus? aut cur haec vulnera cerno?'

LINES 285-286: What undeserved reason has defiled your calm features? Or why do I perceive these wounds?'

ille nihil, nec me quaerentem vana moratur, sed graviter gemitus imo de pectore ducens,

LINES 287-288: Hector (said) nothing, nor did he heed me asking futile questions, but producing groans heavily from the bottom of his chest, said,

'heu fuge, nate dea, teque his' ait 'eripe flammis. hostis habet muros; ruit alto a culmine Troia.

LINES 289-290: 'Alas, flee, goddess born, and rescue yourself from these flames. The enemy holds the walls; Troy is falling from its lofty summit.

sat patriae Priamoque datum: si Pergama dextra defendi possent, etiam hac defensa fuissent.

LINES 291-292: Enough has been given to your native land and Priam: If Pergama could be defended by a right hand, it would have been defended by this one also.

sacra suosque tibi commendat Troia penatis; hos cape fatorum comites, his moenia quaere magna pererrato statues quae denique ponto.'

LINES 293-295: Troy entrusts to you its sacred vessels and its Penates; take these as companions of your destinies, for these seek a mighty city which you will eventually found when you have finished wandering over the ocean.'

sic ait et manibus vittas Vestamque potentem aeternumque adytis effert penetralibus ignem.

LINES 296-297: Thus he spoke and with his hands brought forth from the innermost shrines the garlands, powerful Vesta and the eternal flame.

diverso interea miscentur moenia luctu, et magis atque magis, quamquam secreta parentis Anchisae domus arboribusque obtecta recessit,

LINES 298-300: Meanwhile, the city is in a state of confusion with differing cries of grief, and more and more, although the house of my father Anchises was set back,

clarescunt sonitus armorumque ingruit horror.

LINE 301: secluded and overshadowed with trees, the noises became clear, and the shivering terror of arms was menacing.

excutior somno et summi fastigia tecti ascensu supero atque arrectis auribus asto:

LINES 302-303: I shake myself out of sleep and by climbing reach the gable of the highest roof and stand with my ears pricked:

in segetem veluti cum flamma furentibus Austris incidit, aut rapidus montano flumine torrens

LINES 304-305: just as when a flame falls upon the cornfield (driven) by the raging south winds, or a torrent, whirling along with a mountainous river,

sternit agros, sternit sata laeta boumque labores praecipitisque trahit silvas;

LINES 306-307: lays low the fields, lays low the joyous crops and the works of oxen, and drags the woods headlong;

stupet inscius alto accipiens sonitum saxi de vertice pastor.

LINES 307-308: the bewildered shepherd is stupified as he hears the noise from the high summit of a rock.

tum vero manifesta fides, Danaumque patescunt insidiae.

LINES 309-310: Then indeed the 'trust' becomes clear, and the treachery of the Greeks is revealed.

iam Deiphobi dedit ampla ruinam Volcano superante domus, iam proximus ardet Ucalegon; Sigea igni freta lata relucent.

LINES 310-312: Now the magnificent house of Deiphobus has fallen in ruin as the fire overwhelms it, now neighbouring Ucalegon is burning; the broad straits of Sigeum gleam with fire.

exoritur clamorque virum clangorque tubarum.

LINE 313: The shouting of men and the braying of trumpets arise.

arma amens capio; nec sat rationis in armis, sed glomerare manum bello et concurrere in arcem cum sociis ardent animi;

LINES 314-316: Madly I take up arms; yet there is no sufficient reason in arms, but my passionate feelings blaze to gather a band for war and run together with my companions to the citadel.

furor iraque mentem praecipitat, pulchrumque mori succurrit in armis.

LINES 316-317: Madness and anger rush my mind along, and (the thought) of dying nobly in armed conflict springs to my mind.

primus se Danaum magna comitante caterva Androgeos offert nobis, socia agmina credens inscius, atque ultro verbis compellat amicis:

LINES 370-372: Androgeos, with a large band accompanying him, is the first of the Greeks to encounter us, believing the troops to be friendly, not knowing (who we were), and voluntarily addresses us with friendly words:

'festinate, viri! nam quae tam sera moratur segnities?

LINES 373-374: 'Hurry men! But what sluggishness delayed you (making you) so late?

alii rapiunt incensa feruntque Pergama: vos celsis nunc primum a navibus itis?'

LINES 374-375: Others are plundering the burnt Pergama and carrying (the plunder) away: are you (just) coming now from the lofty ships for the first time?

dixit, et extemplo (neque enim responsa dabantur fida satis) sensit medios delapsus in hostis.

LINES 376-377: He finished speaking, and immediately (for the replies given were not satisfactory enough) he perceived that he had fallen into the midst of the enemy.

obstipuit retroque pedem cum voce repressit.

LINE 378: He was dumbfounded and checked his foot back along with his voice,

improvisum aspris veluti qui sentibus anguem pressit humi nitens trepidusque repente refugit attollentem iras et caerula colla tumentem,

LINES 379-381: just like someone who, treading on a snake on the ground unseen in the rough briars, has pressed heavily upon it, and in fear suddenly flees backwards from it as it rises in anger and puffs up its dark blue neck;

haud secus Androgeos visu tremefactus abibat.

LINE 382: in the same way, Androgeos tried to depart, frightened by the sight.

inruimus densis et circumfundimur armis, ignarosque loci passim et formidine captos sternimus; adspirat primo fortuna labori.

LINES 383-385: We make a charge, pouring around with closely packed arms, and lay them low far and wide in their ignorance of the area and seized with terror. At first fortune favours our efforts.

atque hic successu exsultans animisque Coroebus 'o socii, qua prima' inquit 'fortuna salutis monstrat iter, quaque ostendit se dextra, sequamur:

LINES 386-388: And at this point, Coroebus, revelling in success and high spirits, said, 'Comrades, let us follow where fortune first points out the way to safety, and where favourable (fortune) reveals herself:

mutemus clipeos Danaumque insignia nobis aptemus. dolus an virtus, quis in hoste requirat?

LINES 398-390: let us exchange shields and fit onto ourselves the emblems of the Greeks. (Whether it be) treachery or courage, who would enquire in (dealing with) an enemy?

arma dabunt ipsi.' sic factus deinde comantem Androgei galeam clipeique insidne decorum induitur laterique Argivum accommodat ensem.

LINES 391-393: They themselves will provide the arms.' Having spoken thus, he puts on the crested helmet of Androgeos and the handsome device of the shield and fits to his side the Greek sword.

hoc Rhipheus, hoc ipse Dymas omnisque iuventus laeta facit: spoliis se quisque recentibus armat.

LINES 394-395: Rhipheus does this (also), as does Dymas himself and all the youth happily. Each man arms himself with the fresh spoils.

vadimus immixti Danais haud numine nostro, multaque per caecam congressi proelia noctem conserimus, multos Danaum demittimus Orco.

LINES 396-398: We make our way mixed with the Greeks under a power not our own and, engaging (with the enemy) through the dark night, we join many battles and consign many of the Greeks to Orcus.

diffugiunt alii ad navis et litora cursu fida petunt; pars ingentem formidine turpi scandunt rursus equum et nota conduntur in alvo.

LINES 399-401: Some flee in different directions to the ships and seek the trusty shores at the double; some in base fear, climb the huge horse again and bury themselves in the known belly.

heu nihil invitis fas quemquam fidere divis!

LINE 402: Alas, it is not right for anyone to trust gods who are unwilling in anything!

ecce trahebatur passis Priameia virgo crinibus a templo Cassandra adytisque Minervae

LINES 403-404: Behold, Cassandra, maiden daughter of Priam with dishevelled hair, was being dragged from the temple and the innermost shrine of Minerva,

ad caelum tendens ardentia lumina frustra, lumina, nam teneras arcebant vincula palmas.

LINES 405-406: raised her blazing eyes in vain to heaven, (only) her eyes, for chains restrained her hands.

non tulit hanc speciem furiata mente Coroebus, et sese medium iniecit periturus in agmen. consequimur cuncti et densis incurrimus armis.

LINES 407-409: In his frenzied mind Coroebus did not bear this sight and threw himself into the midst of the host, destined to die. We all join in following him and rush into the thick of the fray.

hic primum ex alto delubri culmine telis nostrorum obruimur oriturque miserrima caedes armorum facie et Graiarum errore iubarum.

LINES 410-412: here, for the first time, we are overwhelmed by the weapons of our own men from the high summit of the temple and there arises a most wretched slaughter due to the appearance of our arms and the mistaking of the Greek crests.

tum Danai gemitu atque ereptae virginis ira undique collecti invadunt, acerrimus Aiax, et gemini Atridae, Dolopumque exercitus omnis;

LINES 413-415: Then the Greeks with a groan and in anger over the maiden snatched from them, gathering together attack us from all sides, most fierce Ajax, the twin Atridae, and the whole army of the Dolopes:

adversi rupto ceu quondam turbine venti confligunt, Zephyrusque Notusque et laetus Eois Eurus equis;

LINES 416-418: just as at times when a storm has burst and the winds dash together from different directions, the west wind, south wind and east wind rejoicing in the steeds of the dawn;

stridunt silvae, saevitque tridenti spumeus atque imo Nereus ciet aequora fundo.

LINES 418-419: the woods whistle, foaming Nereus rages with his trident and stirs up the seas from the very lowest bottom.

illi etiam, si quos obscura nocte per umbram fudimus insidiis totaque agitavimus urbe, apparent;

LINES 420-422: If there are any whom in the dark night we routed by our trickery through the shade and pursued over the whole city, they too appear;

primi clipeos mentitaque tela agnoscunt atque ora sono discordia signant.

LINES 422-423: they are the first to recognise our shields and deceptive weapons and mark our speech as different in sound.

ilicet obruimur numero, primusque Coroebus Penelei dextra divae armipotentis ad aram procumbit;

LINES 424-426: We are immediately overwhelmed by their number, and Coroebus is the first to fall by the right hand of Peneleus near the altar of the goddess powerful in arms;

cadit et Rhipheus, iustissimus unus qui fuit in Teucris et servantissimus aequi

(dis aliter visum);

LINES 426-428: Rhipheus also falls, who among the Trojans was the one most just and most observant of what was fair (the gods thought otherwise);

pereunt Hypanisque Dymasque confixi a sociis; nec te tua plurima, Panthu, labentem pietas nec Apollinis infula texit.

LINES 428-430: Hypanis and Dymas perish, pierced by their own companions; nor did your numerous examples of piety, nor the headband of Apollo protect you, Panthus, when you fell.

Iliaci cineres et flamma extrema meorum, testor,

LINES 431-432: Ashes of Troy and the last (funeral) flame of my friends, I call (you) to witness that

in occasu vestro nec tela nec ullas vitavisse vices Danaum et, si fata fuissent ut caderem, meruisse manu.

LINES 432-434: in your ruin I avoided neither the weapons nor any exchanges in battle with the Greeks, and - if the fates had been that I should fall - I earned it by my bravery.

Iphitus et Pelias mecum, quorum Iphitus aevoiam gravior, Pelias et volnere tardus Ulixi; protinus ad sedes Priami clamore vocati.

LINES 435-437: We tear ourselves away from there, Iphitus and Pelias along with me (of whom Iphitus is now too burdened because of his age, while Pelias is slow because of a wound from Ulysses), immediately summoned by the shouting to the dwelling of Priam

hic vero ingentem pugnam, ceu cetera nusquambella forent, nulli tota morerentur in urbe,

LINES 438-439: Here, indeed, we see a huge battle, as if the rest of the battles were to no purpose and none were dying in the whole city

sic Martem indomitum, Danaosque ad tecta ruentiscernimus, obsessumque acta testudine limen.

LINES 440-441: so we see unrestrained war and Greeks rushing towards the buildings and threshold beset by the 'tortoise' driven against it.

haerent parietibus scalae, postisque sub ipsosnituntur gradibus, clipeosque ad tela sinistrisprotecti obiciunt, prensant fastigia dextris.

LINES 442-444: Ladders cleave to the walls, and they press up to the door posts themselves by degrees; protecting themselves with their left hands, they present their shields to the weapons, and grab the roof with their right ones.

Dardanidae contra turris ac tota domorum culmina convellunt;

LINES 445-446: On the other hand, the Trojans tear away the towers and the complete roofs of the buildings;

his se, quando ultima cernunt,extrema iam in morte parant defendere telis; auratasque trabes, veterum decora alta parentum, devolvunt;

LINES 446-449: with these weapons, since they perceive the end (is nigh), now in the extremities of death they prepare to defend themselves, and roll down golden beams, the lofty decorations of their ancestors.

alii strictis mucronibus imas obsedere fores; has servant agmine denso.

LINES 449-450: Other blockaded the bottom of the doors with drawn swords (and) guard these in a closely packed array.

instaurati animi, regis succurrere tectis, auxilioque levare viros, vimque addere victis.

LINES 451-452: Our spirits were renewed to go to the help of the king's palace, support the men with (our) help and add our strength to the conquered.

limen erat caecaeque fores et pervius usustectorum inter se Priami, postesque relicti a tergo,

LINES 453-455: There was a door and hidden entrance, an accessible interconnecting use of the dwellings of Priam and a door at the back overlooked by the Greeks,

infelix qua se, dum regna manebant, saepius Andromache ferre incomitata solebatad soceros, et avo puerum Astyanacta trahebat.

LINES 455-457: where the luckless Andromache, while the kingdom flourished, quite often used to make her way, unattended, to her parents-in-law and dragged the boy Astyanax to his grandfather.

evado ad summi fastigia culminis, undetela manu miseri iactabant inrita Teucri.

LINES 458-459: I climb to the highest point of the roof top, from which the wretched Trojans were hurling futile weapons with force.

turrim in praecipiti stantem summisque sub astrae ductam tectis, unde omnis Troia videriet Danaum solitae naves et Achaia castra,

LINES 460-462: There was a tower standing on a sheer edge and raised from the top of the roof up to the stars, from which the whole of Troy, the ships of the Greeks and the Greek camp were accustomed to be seen;

adgressi ferro circum, qua summa labantis iuncturas tabulata dabant, convellimus altis sedibus, impulimusque;

LINES 463-465: having attacked this with iron all around it, where the highest storeys offered unsteady joints, we tore it from its high position and gave it a push;

ea lapsa repente ruinam cum sonitu trahit et Danaum super agmina late incidit:

LINES 465-467: as it fell suddenly, it dragged along destruction with a roar and fell far and wide over the host of Greeks.

ast alii subeunt, nec saxa, nec ullumtelorum interea cessat genus.

LINES 467-468: But others took their place, and in the meantime neither rocks nor any type of weapons ceased.

vestibulum ante ipsum primoque in limine Pyrrhus exsultat telis et luce coruscus aena:

LINES 469-470: In front of the porch itself and on the beginning of the threshold Pyrrhus runs riot, glittering with his weapons and the light of the bronze:

qualis ubi in lucem coluber mala gramina pastus, frigida sub terra tumidum quem bruma tegebat,

LINES 471-472: as when a snake which has fed on harmful herbs and which freezing winter covers swelling up beneath the ground,

nunc, positis novus exuviis nitidusque iuventa, lubrica convolvit sublato pectore terga arduus ad solem, et linguis micat ore trisulcis.

LINES 473-475: now, renewed since it has laid aside its old skin and gleaning with youth, it coils together its slippery back, raising its breast to the daylight and, rising up to the sun, flashes from its mouth with three-pronged tongues.

una ingens Periphas et equorum agitator Achillis, armiger Automedon, una omnis Scyria pubes succedunt tecto et flammas ad culmina iactant.

LINES 476-478: Together with him, huge Periphas and armour-bearing Automedon, driver of Achilles' horses, and with him the whole of the Scyrian youth approach the palace and hurl firebrands at the roofs.

ipse inter primos correpta dura bipenni limina perrumpit postisque a cardine vellit aeratos;

LINES 479-481: (Pyrrhus) himself, in the forefront, having snatched up a two-headed axe, breaks through the hard doors and tears the bronze doorposts from their hinges;

iamque excisa trabe firma cavavit robora et ingentem lato dedit ore fenestram.

LINES 481-482: and now, having cut out a beam, he hollowed out the strong oak and produced a huge opening with a wide mouth.

apparet domus intus et atria longa patescunt;

LINES 483: Evident was the palace within and the long halls were laid open;

apparent Priami et veterum penetralia regum, armatosque vident stantis in limine primo.

LINES 484-485: evident, also, were the sanctuaries of Priam and the ancient kings, and (Pyrrhus) sees armed men standing on the very threshold.