Aeneid Ii Part 4

Front 1

dixerat ille, et iam per moenia clarior ignis
auditur, propiusque aestus incendia volvunt.
dixerat ille: who has just spoken?
how does Virgil bring us back to the urgency of the situation?

Back 1

Anchises has just spoken, he has finally accepted to leave Troy.
Virgil now uses the present tense ‘auditur’, ‘volvunt’, he brings us back to the present with the word iam (now) he stresses the dangers by saying that the fire could be heard more clearly (clarior) and the surge was bringing the fires nearer (propius)

Front 2

'ergo age, care pater, cervici imponere nostrae;
ipse subibo umeris nec me labor iste gravabit;
quo res cumque cadent, unum et commune periclum,
una salus ambobus erit. mihi parvus Iulus
sit comes, et longe servet vestigia coniunx.
What is uppermost in Aeneas’ mind at this point?

Back 2

There is urgency, conveyed by ‘ergo age’ (then do..)
there is relief at the idea that whatever happens they will be together (unum, commune, una), there is the idea of danger (periclum) but also of possible salvation (salus). His first thought is for his father, then his son and his wife.

Front 3

vos, famuli, quae dicam animis advertite vestris.
est urbe egressis tumulus templumque vetustum
desertae Cereris, iuxtaque antiqua cupressus
religione patrum multos servata per annos;
hanc ex diverso sedem veniemus in unam.
Why is the temple of Ceres a good place to meet?

Back 3

The temple of Ceres is a suitable meeting point because is outside of the city but not too far (urbe egressi); it is a well known place, an easily recognizable landmark . It is also a religious place where they will feel safe and one that connects them with their past as shown by ‘per annos’ (through the years) and ‘religione patrum servata’ (preserved by the religious cares of our fathers); it will give them strength as they prepare to live their fatherland for ever.

Front 4

ausus quin etiam voces iactare per umbram
implevi clamore vias, maestusque Creusam
nequiquam ingeminans iterumque iterumque vocavi.
What shows Aeneas’ despair in this scene?

Back 4

Aeneas is so desperate to find his wife that he puts himself in danger ‘ausus’ (I dared), ‘etiam’ (even) he is sad and tearful (maestus, ingeminans) he is insisting against hope ‘iterumque iterumque vocavi’ (I called again and again)

Front 5

quaerenti et tectis urbis sine fine ruenti
infelix simulacrum atque ipsius umbra Creusae
visa mihi ante oculos et nota maior imago.
How do we know that this is not the Creusa Aeneas was hoping to find?

Back 5

It is a ‘simulacrum’ (a likeness) and a ‘umbra’ (a shade) it is immediately identified as ‘infelix’ (unlucky) and is visually different as it is bigger (maior) than the Creusa he knew.

Front 6

obstipui, steteruntque comae et vox faucibus haesit.
tum sic adfari et curas his demere dictis:
How is Aeneas’ horror described?

Back 6

He freezes (obstipui), his hair stands on end (steterunt comae) and he cannot speak (vox faucibus haesit)

Front 7

'quid tantum insano iuvat indulgere dolori,
o dulcis coniunx? non haec sine numine divum
eveniunt; nec te comitem hinc portare Creusam
fas, aut ille sinit superi regnator Olympi.
What does Creusa mean by calling Aeneas’ grief ‘insano’

Back 7

Creusa calls Aeneas’ grief mad (insane) because a wise man should recognize that the will of the gods cannot be opposed. These things – she said- do not come to be without the wills of the gods, and the ruler of high Olympus does not allow her to accompany Aeneas.

Front 8

longa tibi exsilia et vastum maris aequor arandum,
et terram Hesperiam venies, ubi Lydius arva
inter opima virum leni fluit agmine Thybris.
illic res laetae regnumque et regia coniunx
parta tibi; lacrimas dilectae pelle Creusae.
What is Creusa’s vision of Aeneas’ future?

Back 8

Aeneas has difficult times ahead (longa exilia, vastum maris aequor) but his final destination is a happy one, where he will find prosperity (opima arva) and a royal wife (regia coniunx). He should therefore dismiss his sadness for her loss

Front 9

non ego Myrmidonum sedes Dolopumve superbas
aspiciam aut Grais servitum matribus ibo,
Dardanis et divae Veneris nurus;
What is reassuring about Creusa’s words here?

Back 9

Creusa is telling Aeneas that her fate could have been a lot worse if she had survived and had been taken as a slave to Greece, especially to the cruel Myrmidons and Dolopes.

Front 10

sed me magna deum genetrix his detinet oris.
iamque vale et nati serva communis amorem.'
What are Creusa’s final words?

Back 10

She reminds Aeneas of how she is kept by the will of the gods (magna deum genetrix – the great mother of the gods) and she entrusts their son to his love.

Front 11

haec ubi dicta dedit, lacrimantem et multa volentem
dicere deseruit, tenuisque recessit in auras.
Translate

Back 11

When she gave these words, she left me crying whilst I wanted to say many things, and withdrew in the thin air.

Front 12

ter conatus ibi collo dare bracchia circum;
ter frustra comprensa manus effugit imago,
par levibus ventis volucrique simillima somno.
sic demum socios consumpta nocte reviso.
Does Aeneas finally accept that Creusa has gone?

Back 12

He tries three times to embrace her vain, by then he admits that she is more like a dream and has the consistency of breeze, she has no real substance. This allows him to go back to his companions. (socios reviso)