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.