Virgil

Front 1

At pater Aeneas audito nomine Turni deserit et muros et summas deserit arces praecipitaque moras omnes , opera omnia rumpit laetitia exsultans , horrendemque intonat armis:

Back 1

But father Aeneas , having heard the name of Turnus deserts the walls and the high citadel , casts down all delay , breaks off all operations , leaping with joy and thunders terrifyingly with his armour :

Front 2

quantus Athos aut quantus Eryx , aut ipse coruscis cum fremit ilicibus quantus gaudetque nivali vertice se attollens pater appeninus ad auras.

Back 2

As big as Athos or as Eryx or as big as Father Appenninus himself as he raises himslef to his snowy summit quivering like an oak

Front 3

Atque illi, ut vacuo patuerunt aequore campi, procursu rapido coniectis eminus hastis invadunt Martem clipies atque aere sonoro. Dat gemitum tellus ; tum crembros ensibus ictus congeminant, fors et virtus miscetur in unum

Back 3

But those men, as soon as the plains have opened up with an empty area, after running forward quicklyand throwing their spears from a distance, enter the battle with their shields and ringing bronze. The earth gives a groan; then they redouble frequent blows with their swords, and chance and courage are mixed together.

Front 4

ac velut ingenti Sīlā summove Taburnocum duo conversis inimica in proelia taurifrontibus incurrunt, pavidi cessēre magistri,stat pecus omne metu mutum, mussantque iuvencaequis nemori imperitet, quem tota armenta sequantur;illi inter sese multa vi vulnera miscentcornuaque obnixi infigunt et sanguine largocolla armosque lavant, gemitu nemus omne remugit:

Back 4

And just as on great Sila or on the summit of Taburnus when two bulls, turning theirforeheads towards each other charge into an unfriendly battle; the frightened herdsmen have retreated, and the whole herd stands mute with fear, and the young cows mutter to know who will rule the forest, and which one the whole herd will follow: while those bulls with great violence mix wounds one with another, and pushing against each other stab their horns, and wash their necks and shoulders with copious blood, and all the wood echoes with bellowing:

Front 5

Non aliter Tros Aeneas et Daunius heros concurrunt clipeis , ingens fragor aethra complet. Jupiter ipse duas aeuquato examine lances sustinet et fata imponit diversa duorum , quem damnet labor et quo vergat pondere letum.

Back 5

Just so Trojan Aeneas and the hero son of Daunus clashed together with their shields and a huge crash filled the air. Juppiter himself lifted up two equally balanced pans and in them placed the different fates of the two men to see whom the struggle would condemn to death and destruction and which way the weight would sink down

Front 6

Emicat hic impune putans et corpore toto alte sublatum consurgit Turnus in ensem et ferit; exclamant Troes trepidque Latini arrectaeque amborum acies. at perfidus ensis frangitur in medique ardentum deserit ictu ni fuga subsidio subeat. fugit ocior Euro ut capulam ignotum dextramque aspexit inermem

Back 6

Suddenly Turnus darted out, thinking he can get away with it, and with his whole body rose up over his high-raised sword and struck; the Trojans and frightened Latins shouted out, and the eyes of both sides are lifted up. But the treacherous sword shattered and in the middle of the blow it deserted the passionate Turnus, – (and he would have been killed) had not flight occurred to him as a means of assistance. He fled, swifter than the East Wind, as soon as he saw the unknown sword hilt and his right hand unarmed.

Front 7

fama est praecipitem, cum prima in proelia iunctosconscendebat equos, patrio mucrone relicto,dum trepidat, ferrum aurigae rapuisse Metisci;idque diu, dum terga dabant palantia Teucri,suffecit; postquam arma dei ad Volcania ventum est,mortalis mucro glacies ceu futtilis ictudissiluit, fulvā resplendent fragmina harenā.

Back 7

It is said that in his hurry, when he was mounting his yoked horses for the first battles, he left behindhis father’s sword, in his hurry, and he snatched up the sword of his charioteer Metiscus; and that sword for a long time, as long as the Trojans were running away in confusion, was sufficient; but when it came to the armour of the god Vulcan, the mortal sword shattered with the blow like worthless ice, and the fragments glitter on the yellow sand.

Front 8

ergo amens diversa fugā petit aequora Turnuset nunc huc, inde huc incertos implicat orbes;undique enim densā Teucri inclusēre coronāatque hinc vasta palus, hinc ardua moenia cingunt.

Back 8

Therefore, out of his mind, Turnus makes fordifferent parts of the plain in flight, and now this way, now that, weaves uncertain circles; for on all sides the Trojans have closed him in with a dense circle of men, and on one side a vast marsh, on the other, high walls ring them round.

Front 9

Nec minus Aeneas, quamquam tardata sagittāinterdum genua impediunt cursumque recusant,insequitur trepidique pedem pede fervidus urget:

Back 9

No less Aeneas, although his knees, slowed down by the arrow wound, impede him from time to timeand prevent him from running, chases after him and presses hotly with his foot on the foot of thepanicking man:

Front 10

inclusum veluti si quando flumine nactuscervum_aut puniceae saeptum formidine pennaevenator cursu canis et latratibus instat;ille autem_insidiis et ripā territus altāmille fugit refugitque vias, at vividus Umberhaeret hians, iam iamque tenet similisque tenentiincrepuit mālis morsuque elusus inani est;

Back 10

just as when sometimes, having trapped a stag which is hemmed in by a river or by the fear of brightly coloured feathers, a hunting dog threatens him, running and barking; and he (the stag), terrified by the unexpected attack and by the high river bank, flees and flees again a thousand ways; but the lively Umbrian hound sticks to him panting, and now and now again holds him, or, seeming to hold him, snaps with his jaws and is mocked by an empty bite.

Front 11

tum vero exoritur clamor ripaeque lacūsque responsant circa et caelum tonat omne tumultu.ille simul fugiens Rutulos simul increpat omnesnomine quemque vocans notumque efflagitat ensem.

Back 11

Then indeed a shout rises up and the river banks and lakes round about reply and the whole sky thunders with the noise. Turnus (ille), while fleeing, at the same time shouts to all the Rutulians, calling each man by name, anddemands his familiar sword.

Front 12

Aeneas mortem contra praesensque minaturexitium, si quisquam adeat, terretque trementes,excisurum urbem minitans et saucius instat.quinque orbes explent cursu totidemque retexunthuc illuc; neque enim levia aut ludicra petunturpraemia, sed Turni de vita et sanguine certant.

Back 12

Aeneas in reply threatens death and instant destruction if anyone shouldapproach, and terrifies the trembling men, threatening that he will destroy their city, and thoughwounded he chases after him. They complete five circles running and they weave again the samenumber in the opposite direction, this way and that; for it was not unimportant or sporting prizes thatare being competed for, but they are fighting over Turnus’s life and blood.

Front 13

Forte sacer Fauno foliis oleaster amarishic steterat, nautis olim venerabile lignum,servati_ex undis ubi figere dona solebantLaurenti divo et votas suspendere vestes;sed stirpem Teucri nullo discrimine sacrumsustulerant, puro ut possent concurrere campo.

Back 13

By chance a wild olive sacred to Faunus , with bitter leaves, had once stood here, a piece of woodfrom long ago venerated by sailors, where, if they were saved from the waves, they were accustomedto fix gifts to the Laurentine god and hang the clothes which they had vowed; but the Trojans, withoutmaking any distinction, had removed the sacred stump, so that they could clash with the enemy on anempty plain.

Front 14

hic hasta Aeneae stabat, huc impetus illamdetulerat fixam_et lenta radice tenebat.incubuit voluitque manu convellere ferrumDardanides, teloque sequi quem prendere cursunon poterat. tum vero amens formidine Turnus‘Faune, precor, miserere,’ inquit ‘tuque optima ferrumTerra tene, colui vestros si semper honores,quos contra_Aeneadae bello fēcēre profanos.’

Back 14

Here Aeneas’s spear was standing; the force of the throw had carried it here and washolding it fixed in the tough root. Dardanus’ descendant stooped over it and wanted to pluck out thesteel with his hand, and to pursue with his weapon the man whom he had not been able to catch byrunning. Just then, out of his mind with fear, Turnus cried ‘Faunus, I pray, have pity! And you, mostexcellent Earth! hold the steel, if I have always cultivated your honours, which Aeneas’s men on thecontrary have made profane with war!’

Front 15

dixit, opemque dei non cassa in vota vocavit.namque diu luctans lentoque in stirpe moratusviribus haud ullis valuit discludere morsusroboris Aeneas.

Back 15

He spoke, and he called on the god’s help in prayers which were not in vain. For despite struggling fora long time and delaying over the unyielding stump, Aeneas was not strong enough by any force toun-close the bite of the hard wood.

Front 16

dum nititur acer et instat,rursus in aurigae faciem mutata Metisciprocurrit fratrique ensem dea Daunia reddit.quod Venus audaci nymphae indignata licereaccessit telumque alta ab radice revellit.olli sublimes armis animisque refecti,hic gladio fidens, hic acer et arduus hastā,adsistunt contra certamina Martis anheli.

Back 16

While he is striving fiercely and standing over it, changing oncemore into the appearance of the charioteer Metiscus, the goddess daughter of Daunus runs forwardand gives the sword back to her brother. But Venus , indignant that this should be permitted to theaudacious nymph, came forward and plucked out the weapon from deep in the root. The two men,towering in their armour and refreshed in spirit, one trusting in his sword, the other fierce and tall withhis spear, stand opposite each other facing the contest of breathless Mars.

Front 17

Dicintur geminae pestes cogomine Dirae, quas et Tartaream Nox intempesta Megaeramuno eodemque tulit partu, paribusque revinxitserpentum spiris ventosasque addidit alas.

Back 17

There are said to be twin creatures with the name ‘the Dire Ones’ which Deepest Night bore togetherwith hellish Megaera in one and the same birth, and bound them with equal coils of snakes and added wings to beat the air.

Front 18

hae Iovis ad solium saevique in limine regisapparent acuuntque metum mortalibus aegris,si quando letum_horrificum morbosque deum rex molitur, meritas aut bello territat urbes.harum_unam celerem demisit ab aethere summoIuppiter inque omen Iuturnae occurrere iussit:illa volat celerique ad terram turbine fertur.

Back 18

These are seen near the throne of Jupiter and at the doorway of the cruel king,and they increase the fear of ailing mortals if ever the king of the gods stirs up horrific death and diseases, or terrifies deserving cities with war. One of these Jupiter sent down swiftly from the highest heaven and ordered her to meet Juturna as a warning. The creature flies off and is carried down to earth on a swift whirlwind.

Front 19

non secus ac nervo per nubem impulsa sagitta,armatam saevi Parthus quam felle veneni,Parthus sive Cydon, telum immedicabile, torsit,stridens et celeres incognita transilit umbras:talis se sata Nocte tulit terrasque petivit.

Back 19

No differently from when an arrow driven from its string, an arrow which, armed with the bile of cruelpoison, a Parthian has shot, a Parthian or a Cydonian, a weapon which has no remedy, hissing and unseen leaps through the swift shadows, just so the daughter of Night carried herself off and headed for the earth.

Front 20

postquam acies videt Iliacas atque agmina Turni,alitis in parvae subitam collecta figuram,quae quondam in bustis aut culminibus desertisnocte sedens serum canit importuna per umbras hanc versa in faciem Turni se pestis ob orafertque refertque sonans clipeumque everberat alis.

Back 20

When she sees the Trojan forces and the columns of Turnus, having shrunk herself into thesudden shape of that small bird which sometimes sitting at night on deserted tombs or rooftops sings a late-night song ill-omened through the darkness – having turned into this shape the pestilential creature flies and flies again in front of Turnus’s face noisily and beats against his shield with her wings.

Front 21

illi membra novus solvit formidine torpor,arrectaeque_horrore comae et vox faucibus haesit. At procul ut Dirae stridorem agnovit et alas,infelix crines scindit Iuturna solutosunguibus ora soror foedans et pectora pugnis:

Back 21

A new numbness loosens Turnus’s limbs with dread; his hair stood on end with horror and his voicestuck in his throat. But from a distance as soon as she recognized the hissing-sound and the wings of the Dread Creature, unhappy Juturna his sister loosens and tears her hair, scratching her face with her nails and beating her breasts with her fists.

Front 22

‘quid nunc te tua, Turne, potest germana iuvare?aut quid iam durae superat mihi? qua tibi lucemarte morer? talin possum me opponere monstro?iam iam linquo_acies. ne me terrete timentem,obscenae volucres: alarum verbera noscoletalemque sonum, nec fallunt iussa superbamagnanimi Iovis. haec pro virginitate reponit?

Back 22

‘How can your sister, Turnus, help you now? Or what nowremains for long-suffering me? By what skill can I delay the day of your death? Can I fight against such a portent? Now, even now, I am abandoning the battle-line. Do not terrify me, who am already frightened, foul birds! I recognise the beating of your wings and their deadly sound, nor does it deceive me that these are the cruel commands of great-spirited Jupiter! Is this how he repays me for my virginity?

Front 23

quo vitam dedit aeternam? cur mortis adempta estcondicio? possem tantos finire doloresnunc certe, et misero fratri comes ire per umbras!immortalis ego? aut quicquam mihi dulce meorumte sine, frater, erit? o quae satis ima dehiscatterra mihi, Manesque deam demittat ad imos?’tantum effata caput glauco contexit amictumulta gemens et se fluvio dea condidit alto.

Back 23

For what did he give me eternal life? Why was the condition of dying taken from me? If only I couldnow end such great pains with certainty and go as a companion to my brother through the shadows of death! Immortal I? Or will there be anything sweet for me of my family without you, my brother? O what earth deep enough may split open for me or may send me, a goddess, down to the Spirits of the Dead below?’ Having said just this, she covered her head with a blue-green veil and moaning repeatedly the goddess hid herself in the deep river.

Front 24

Aeneas instat contra telumque coruscatingens arboreum,_et saevo sic pectore fatur:‘quae nunc deinde mora_est? aut quid iam, Turne, retractas?non cursu, saevis certandum est comminus armis.

Back 24

Aeneas stands over Turnus and brandishes his huge treelike spear, and with cruel heart speaks thus:‘What delay is there now after this? Or why now, Turnus, do you retreat? We must fight not by running, but at close quarters with cruel weapons.

Front 25

verte omnes tete in facies et contrahe quidquidsive animis sive arte vales; opta ardua pennisastra sequi clausumque cavā te condere terrā.’ille caput quassans: ‘non me tua fervida terrentdicta, ferox; di me terrent et Iuppiter hostis.’

Back 25

Change yourself into every shape and draw togetherwhatever you can whether in courage or in skill: choose to follow the stars high above on wings or hide yourself enclosed within the hollow earth!’ Turnus, shaking his head, replied: ‘Your hot words do not frighten me, fierce though you are! It is the gods who terrify me and Jupiter who is my enemy!’

Front 26

nec plura effatus saxum circumspicit ingens,saxum_antiquum_ingens, campo quod forte iacebat,limes agro positus, litem ut discerneret arvis.vix illum lecti bis sex cervice subirent,qualia nunc hominum producit corpora tellus;ille manu raptum trepidā torquebat in hostemaltior insurgens et cursu concitus heros.

Back 26

Without saying more he looks round and catches sight of a huge rock, a huge ancient rock which bychance was lying on the plain, placed as the boundary of a field, so that it could decide a quarrel over farmland. Twice six men could scarcely lift it on their necks, such are the bodies of men which the earth produces now; but the hero seized it with trembling hand and began hurling it at his enemy, lifting himself up higher and gaining speed by running.

Front 27

sed neque currentem se nec cognoscit euntemtollentemve manu saxumve immane moventem;genua labant, gelidus concrevit frigore sanguis.

Back 27

But he recognises himself neither running norwalking nor raising the huge stone with his hand nor moving it; his knees collapse, and his blood became chilled and froze with cold.

Front 28

tum lapis ipse viri vacuum per inane volutusnec spatium_evasit totum neque pertulit ictum.ac velut in somnis, oculos ubi languida pressitnocte quies, nequiquam avidos extendere cursusvelle videmur et in mediis conatibus aegrisuccidimus; non lingua valet, non corpore notaesufficiunt vires nec vox aut verba sequuntur:sic Turno, quacumque viam virtute petivit,successum dea dira negat.

Back 28

Then the man’s stone itself, having rolled through the empty space, did not cover the whole distancenor carried the blow. And just as in dreams, when drowsy sleep closes our eyes in the night, we seem to no purpose to want to extend our eager running and in the middle of our attempts fall down weary; our tongue has no power, familiar strength fails our body, and voice and words do not come: just so Turnus, with whatever courage he sought an way out, the grim goddess denies him success.

Front 29

tum pectore sensūsvertuntur varii; Rutulos aspectat et urbemcunctaturque metu letumque instare tremescit,nec quo se eripiat, nec qua vi tendat in hostem,nec currūs usquam videt aurigamve sororem.

Back 29

Then Turnus, with whatever courage he sought an way out, the grim goddess denies him success. Then in his breast various sensations are felt; he looks at the Rutulians and at the city and hesitates with fear and trembles to see death standing close, nor to where he can escape, nor with what force he can attack his enemy, nor anywhere does he see his chariot or the charioteer his sister.

Front 30

Cunctanti telum Aeneas fatale coruscat,sortitus fortunam oculis, et corpore totoeminus intorquet. murali concita numquamtormento sic saxa fremunt nec fulmine tantidissultant crepitūs. volat atri turbinis instarexitium dirum hasta ferens orasque recluditloricae et clipei extremos septemplicis orbes;

Back 30

As Turnus is hesitating, Aeneas brandishes his deadly spear, having sought for a lucky chance with hiseyes, and with his whole body from a distance he hurls it. Rocks thrown by a siege engine at a wall never roar like this nor do such loud cracks fly from a bolt of lightning. The spear flies like a black whirlwind bringing grim death and pierces the edge of Turnus’s breastplate and the outermost circle of his seven-layered shield.

Front 31

per medium stridens transit femur. incidit ictusingens ad terram duplicato poplite Turnus.consurgunt gemitu Rutuli totusque remugitmons circum_et vocem late nemora alta remittunt.

Back 31

Hissing it passes through the middle of his thigh. Struck down, huge Turnusfalls to the earth with folded knees. The Rutulians leap up with a groan and the whole mountain round about resounds and the tall woods echo back the cry on all sides.

Front 32

ille humilis supplex oculos dextramque precantemprotendens ‘equidem merui nec deprecor’ inquit;‘utere sorte tua. miseri te si qua parentistangere cura potest, oro (fuit et tibi talisAnchises genitor) Dauni miserere senectaeet me, seu corpus spoliatum lumine mavis,redde meis.

Back 32

Turnus, humble, supplicating, raising his eyes and stretching out his right hand in prayer, said ‘Indeed Ihave deserved it, and do not beg to be spared. Use your chance. But if any concern for a wretched parent can touch you, I beg you (Anchises was once such a father to you too), have pity on the old age of Daunus and return me, or if you prefer, my body robbed of its light, to my family.

Front 33

icisti et victum tendere palmasAusonii vidēre; tua est Lavinia coniunx,ulterius ne tende odiis.’ stetit acer in armisAeneas volvens oculos dextramque repressit;

Back 33

You have won,and the Ausonians have seen the defeated man stretching out his palms. Lavinia is your wife. Do not proceed any further with hatred.’ Aeneas stood there, fierce in his armour, rolling his eyes, and checked his right hand;

Front 34

et iam iamque magis cunctantem flectere sermocoeperat, infelix umero cum apparuit altobalteus et notis fulserunt cingula bullisPallantis pueri, victum quem vulnere Turnusstraverat atque umeris inimicum_insigne gerebat.

Back 34

And while he was hesitating now more and more, Turnus’s speech had begun to move him, when highon Turnus’s shoulder there appeared the sword belt, and with its familiar studs gleamed the belt of the boy whom Turnus had defeated with a wound and knocked down, and was now wearing the token of his enemy on his shoulders.

Front 35

ille, oculis postquam saevi monimenta dolorisexuviasque_hausit, furiis accensus et irāterribilis: ‘tune_hinc spoliis indute meorumeripiare mihi? Pallas te_hoc vulnere, Pallasimmolat et poenam scelerato_ex sanguine sumit.’hoc dicens ferrum_adverso sub pectore conditfervidus; ast illi solvuntur frigore membravitaque cum gemitu fugit indignata sub umbras.

Back 35

Aeneas, after he drank in with his eyes the reminder of the cruelgrief and the stripped off armour, incensed with fury and terrible in his anger, said ‘Are you, who are dressed in the spoils of my dear ones, to be snatched from me? It is Pallas who with this wound, it is Pallas who sacrifices you and takes his revenge from your wicked blood!’ Saying this he plunges the steel under Turnus’s breast which was turned towards him, burning with passion; but Turnus’s limbs are dissolved in cold, and his soul with a groan flees indignantly to the shades below.