Aeneid - translation practice

Lines 1-14: Dido confides in Anna

But the queen, who for a long time now had been wounded by severe pain, nourishes the wound with her veins and is consumed by the hidden fire. The hero's courage and the splendour of his lineage recur frequently to her mind. His features and words stick firmly impressed in her heart and her anxiety does not allow peaceful rest to her limbs. The next day was illuminating the earth with the light of Phoebus and Dawn had moved the moist darkness from the sky

When, barely sane, she thus addresses her like-minded sister: 'Anna, my sister, what visions frighten me and keep me in suspense! Who is this strange guest who has approached our dwelling?

What a noble aspect he bears, with what a brave heart and arms (is he endowed)! I believe, and my trust is not unfounded, that his family is divine. It is base born minds that fear reveals. Alas, by what fates has he been tossed!What wars that he has endured did he relate!

Lines 15-30 Dido recalls her love for her married husband Sychaeus

If it had not been settled, fixed and immovable in my mind to not want to join myself to the bond of marriage after my first love deceived and cheated me by death, if I had not been tired of the marriage bed and torch, I might have succumbed to this single temptation. Anna (for I will confess it) after the death of my poor husband Sychaeus and the household gods bespattered with a brothers slaughter, this man is the only one who has affected my feelings and stimulated my wavering spirit, i recognise the traces of an old flame. But I would want either the lowest depth of the earth to yawn open for me or the all powerful father with his lightning would drive me down to the shades below, the pale shades of Erebus and its deep night before I violate you, chastity, or break your laws. That man, who first joined me to him, has taken away my feelings of love, let him possess them and guard them with him in the tomb’ Thus she spoke and filled her breast with the tears which had sprung up.

Lines 31-44- Anna advises Dido to give way to her feelings for Aeneas

Anna replied, 'O you who are loved by your sister more than life itself, will you wear yourself out grieving alone throughout your youth and not know sweet children nor the pleasures of love? Is that what you believe the ashes or the spirits of the dead care for? So be it. In your suffering, no suitors have diverted you in the past, neither in Libya, nor in Tyre previously. Spurned are larbas and other leaders whom the land of Africa, rich in triumphs, nurtures. Will you even fight against a love which pleases you? Do you not recall in whose fields you have settled? On one side the cities of the Gaetuli, a race unconquerable in war, and the unbridled Numidians and inhospitable Syrtis surround you; on the other side, (there is) a region deserted because of drought, and the Barcaei raging far and wide. Need I mention the wars arising from Tyre and the threats of your brother

Lines 45-55: Anna points out the advantages of an alliance with Aeneas

‘For my part, I think it was with the gods as your protectors and Juno's approval that the Trojan ships held this course with the help of the wind. What a city this is, sister, which you will see rise, what kingdoms, with such a union! With the arms of the Trojans accompanying us, to what great achievements will the glory of Carthage raise itself! Just ask the gods for pardon, and after holy offerings have been made, give full rein to your hospitality, and weave reasons for delay, until the storm at sea and rainy Orion have lost their rage, and while the ships are (still) shattered, while the weather is not fit for sailing.' By these words, she inflamed Dido's heart with strong passion, gave hope to her wavering mind, and released her sense of shame.

Aeneid lines 56-67: The fire of love increasingly takes hold of Dido

First of all, they approach the shrines and seek peace from altar to altar; they sacrifice two-year-old sheep selected in accordance with custom to Ceres the law giver, to Apollo and father Bacchus, but above all to Juno, to whom the bonds of marriage are a (special) care. Most beautiful Dido herself, holding the dish in her right hand, pours (the blood / a libation) over the middle of the horns of a gleaming white cow, or promenades before the faces of the gods towards the altars rich in fat, renewing the day with gifts, and, gazing into the laid bare breasts of cattle, consults the (still) breathing internal organs. Alas for the ignorant minds of seers! What help are prayers or shrines to a mad person? The flame consumes the soft marrow in the meantime, and the silent wound lives beneath her breast.

Aeneid lines 68-85- Dido, fired with love, shows Aeneas round the city

Unlucky Dido burns and wanders throughout the whole city in her madness, like a deer when the arrow is shot, which the shepherd, attacking with his weapons, has pierced off her guard far away amid the Cretan groves and has left (in it) the flying weapon, unawares: -the deer in its flight wanders through the woods- and Cretan glades; (but) the fateful arrow sticks in her side. Now she leads Aeneas with her through the midst of the city and shows him the Phoenician riches and a ready-made city. She begins to speak but stops in the middle of her utterance; then, as the daylight slips away, she seeks the same banquet, demands madly to hear the Trojan toils once again, and hangs again on the lips of the narrator. Afterwards, when they have parted, and the dim moon by turns suppresses her light and the setting stars advise sleep, alone in her empty home she grieves and lies on the abandoned couch. Him, the absent one, she, absent, hears and sees, or, captivated by the likeness to his father, holds Ascanius on her lap, in the hope that she can cheat her unspeakable love.

Lines 86-98- Juno proposes a pact with Venus

The towers which had been begun do not rise, the young men do not employ tools or prepare the harbours or towers for safety against war. The works hang interrupted as do the huge projections of the walls and the crane reaching the sky. As soon as the beloved wife of Jupiter perceived distinctly that Dido was possessed with such a disease and that (concern about) her reputation did not stand in the way of her madness, the daughter of Saturn addressed Venus with the following words: Outstanding, indeed, is the glory and splendid the spoils you win, you and your boy (a great and memorable divinity), if it takes the guile of two gods to overcome one woman. Nor does it escape my notice so much that, fearing our fortifications you have suspected the homes of lofty Carthage. -But what will be the end of it or what's the point of such conflict now?'-

Lines 99-114- The goddesses discuss a plan to unite Aeneas and Dido in marriage

‘Rather why don't we work (to secure) everlasting peace and an agreed marriage? You have what you have sought with your whole mind: Dido is on fire with love and has drawn the madness throughout her bones.

Therefore, let us rule these people jointly and with equal authority. Let Dido be allowed to be a slave to a Phrygian husband and to entrust the Tyrians to your right hand as a dowry?

Venus began to speak thus in answer to Juno (for she realised that Juno had spoken with feigned intent in order to divert the kingdom of Italy to the shores of Libya): Who would be so mad as to deny you such requests or prefer to fight in war with you? If only fortune would follow the event which you speak of. But I am uncertain and swayed by the fates, (wondering) whether Jupiter would want there to be one city for the Tyrians and those who set out from Troy, -or whether he would approve the races being mixed or treaties being made (between them). You are his wife, you have the right to test his feelings by entreaty.- Go on, I will follow.’Then queenly Juno replied as follows

Lines 114-128: The goddesses agree on the plan

"That task will be my concern. Now, in a few words, I will instruct you (pay attention) by what method the present matter can be achieved. Aeneas and Dido most worthy of pity are preparing to go hunting together into a wood, when tomorrow's Sun lifts up its first rising and reveals the world with its rays. Upon these I shall pour from above a black storm cloud with hail intermixed, while the horsemen bustle about and surround the woodland with nets, and I will shake the whole sky with thunder. Their companions will flee and they will be hidden in the obscure darkness. Dido and the Trojan leader will come to the same cave. I shall be there, and if 1 am certain of your goodwill towards me, 1 will join them in lasting marriage and dedicate her as his own. This will be their marriage. Venus, not opposing her request, agreed and laughed as she saw through the deception.

Lines 259-276: Mercury delivers Jupiters message to Aeneas

As soon as he reached the huts with his winged feet, he caught sight of Aeneas laying the foundations of the citadels and building new dwellings. Furthermore, he had a sword glittering like a star with yellow jasper and his cloak hanging down from his shoulders glowed with Tyrian purple, gifts which rich Dido had made, and whose threads she had interwoven with fine gold. Immediately he attacks (him as follows): 'Are you now laying the foundations of lofty Carthage and so fond of your wife that you are building a beautiful city? Alas forgetful of your kingdoms and fortunes! The ruler of the gods himself, who controls heaven and earth with his power sends me down to you from bright Olympus; he himself orders me to bring these orders through the swift breezes: what are you devising or with what expectation do you waste time in the Libyan lands? If the glory of such important things does not move you in any way and you yourself do not undertake toil for your own glory, consider the growing Ascanius and the hopes of your heir lulus, to whom the kingdom of Italy and the Roman land are owed.

Lines 276-291: Mercury leaves Aeneas, who is devastated by the message

Mercury, having spoken with such expression, left mortal sight while still speaking and vanished far away from their eyes into the slender air. But on the other hand, Aeneas, out of his mind, was dumbstruck by the sight, his hair stood on end in horror and his voice stuck in his throat. He burns with desire to depart in flight and leave the pleasant lands, thunderstruck by such a great warning and the supreme command of the gods.

Alas, what is he to do? By what mode of address could he dare to approach the queen now in her frenzied state? What first introduction should he adopt? And so, he divides his rapid thoughts now here, now there, whirls them in various directions and turns over everything. As he was hesitating, the following idea seemed preferable to him: he summons Mnestheus, Sergestus and brave Serestus, (telling them) to equip the fleet secretly and gather the companions at the shores, prepare the ships' tackle and hide the reason changing the status quo.

Lines 291-304: Aeneas is terrified and issues instructions to sail

He, meanwhile, since most noble Dido did not know and did not expect such great ties of love to be broken, would try ways of approach and what (were) the most favourable times for speaking and what (was) the right way for the whole matter. All swiftly obey his command joyfully and carry out his instructions.

But the queen perceived his treachery beforehand (who could deceive a lover?) and was the first to catch the sounds of his future movements, fearing everything, (even when it was) safe. That same wicked Rumour brought her the news in her madness that the fleet was being equipped and the journey prepared. Devoid of purpose she rages and fired up, she runs wildly through the whole city, like a Bacchante, roused by the shaken sacred emblems when the biennial orgies excite on hearing the cry 'Bacchus', and (whom) Cithaeron at night summons with the shout.

Finally, of her own accord, she reproaches Aeneas with these words:

Lines 305-319: Dido attacks Aeneas, then begs him to stay

'Did you actually expect to be able to conceal such great wickedness, treacherous one, and depart from my country silently, does neither our love, nor the pledge once given nor Dido, about to die with a cruel death bind you? No do you even hurry to prepare your fleet under the winter star and go over the deep in the middle of the north winds, cruel one? Again, if you were not seeking foreign fields and unknown homes, and ancient Troy were still standing, would Troy be sought over the surging sea in your fleet? Is it me you are fleeing from? By these tears and your pledge (since I myself have left nothing else now in my wretched state), by our marriage, by the wedding ceremony you entered upon, if I have deserved well of you in any way, or if there was anything of mine pleasant in your eyes, pity a falling house, and, I beg (you), if there is still any room for entreaties, put that intention of yours aside.'

Lines 320-332: Dido blames Aeneas for her precarious position

Because of you, the Libyan races and rulers of the Nomads hate (me), the Tyrians (are) hostile; because of you, furthermore, my honour has been destroyed and the former fame, by which alone I was approaching heaven. For whom are you abandoning me, soon to die, guest (since this is the only name left from 'husband')? Why do I delay? Until my brother Pygmalion destroys my fortifications, or Gaetulian larbas leads me away captive? At least if I had had some offspring born of you before your flight, if some tiny Aeneas were playing in my palace to remind me of you nevertheless by his appearance, I for my part would not seem completely defeated and abandoned.'

She finished speaking. Aeneas, in accordance with the warnings of Jupiter, tried to keep his gaze steadfast and through struggling, suppress the love beneath his heart.

Lines 333-347: Aeneas replies to Dido

Finally, he said a few words in reply: 'O queen, I shall never deny that you have deserved the very many things which you can relate in speech, nor will I be ashamed to remember Elissa as long as I am mindful of myself, as long as the breath of life controls these limbs. Let me say a few things on behalf of my case. Neither did I expect to hide this flight in secret (don't imagine it), nor did I ever offer the bridegroom's torches of marriage or enter into such agreements. If the fates were allowing me to spend my life under my own authority and to settle cares of my own free will, I would be looking after a Trojan city first and the dear remnants of my companions, the lofty buildings of Priam would be remaining and with my own hand I would have founded a rebuilt citadel of Troy for the conquered people. But as it is, Grynaean Apollo and the Lycian oracles have ordered me to make for mighty Italy, Italy; this is my passion, this is my native land.