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The Aeneid Book II

Lines 1-330:

Conticuere omnes intentique ora tenebant.

Everyone fell silent, and, attentive, held their faces.

Inde toro pater Aeneas sic orsus ab alto:

Then, from the high couch, father Aeneas began thus:

Infandum, regina, iubes renovare dolorem,

Unspeakable pain, queen, you do order me to recount,

Troianas ut opes et lamentabile regnum

How the kingdom and riches of the Trojans lamentably

eruerint Danai, quaeque ipse miserrima vidi 5

The Danaians destroyed, miseries I myself saw

et quorum pars magna fui. quis talia fando

And a great part of which I was [involved in]. Such which is to be related

Myrmidonum Dolopumve aut duri miles Ulixi

Of the Myrmidons, the Dolopians, or the soldiers of harsh Ulyxes

temperet a lacrimis? et iam nox umida caelo

[Who] could keep from tears? And now wet night from the sky

praecipitat suadentque cadentia sidera somnos.

Precipitates and the falling stars urge sleep.

sed si tantus amor casus cognoscere nostros 10

But if you [have] such a desire to know the causes

et breviter Troiae supremum audire laborem,

And briefly hear of the greatest struggle of the Trojans,

quamquam animus meminisse horret luctuque refugit,

Although [my] mind trembles to remember and flees in grief,

incipiam. fracti bello fatisque repulsi

I will begin. Broken by war, and rejected by fate

ductores Danaum tot iam labentibus annis

The leaders of the Danaians now for so many years slipping [by]

instar montis equum divina Palladis arte 15

A horse equal in form to a mountain, by the divine art of Pallas Athene

aedificant, sectaque intexunt abiete costas;

Built, and they interwove the ribs with dry fir-wood;

votum pro reditu simulant; ea fama vagatur.

Pretending [it was] an offering for return; that rumour wanders.

huc delecta virum sortiti corpora furtim

In that a body of men, picked by chance secretly

includunt caeco lateri penitusque cavernas

Keep in the blind side and deeply the caverns

ingentis uterumque armato milite complent. 20

huge and the womb fill with armed soldiers.

est in conspectu Tenedos, notissima fama

Tenedos is in sight, the well-known with fame

insula, dives opum Priami dum regna manebant,

Island, rich in wealth while the powers of Priam remained,

nunc tantum sinus et statio male fida carinis:

Now merely a bay, and a feebly faithful outpost for ships:

huc se provecti deserto in litore condunt;

Advanced to this place, they withdraw to the deserted beach;

nos abiisse rati et vento petiisse Mycenas. 25

We judged them to have gone, seeking Mycenae by wind.

ergo omnis longo soluit se Teucria luctu;

Therefore all the Trojan land was released from its long grief;

panduntur portae, iuvat ire et Dorica castra

The gates were spread open, it pleased to go and the doric camp

desertosque videre locos litusque relictum:

To see, and the deserted places, and abandoned beach:

hic Dolopum manus, hic saevus tendebat Achilles;

This the band of the Dolopians, this the savage Achilles held;

classibus hic locus, hic acie certare solebant. 30

This place of the fleet, this [place where] the battle lines frequently struggled.

pars stupet innuptae donum exitiale Minervae

Some are stunned at the deadly gift of unmarried Minerva

et molem mirantur equi; primusque Thymoetes

And are amazed at the size of the horse; and first Thymoetes

duci intra muros hortatur et arce locari,

Urges [it] to be led into the walls, and to be set in the citadel,

sive dolo seu iam Troiae sic fata ferebant.

whether from evil intent, or [because] fate was now bearing on Troy.

at Capys, et quorum melior sententia menti, 35

But Capys, and of those with a better sense of mind,

aut pelago Danaum insidias suspectaque dona

Either the plots and suspicious gifts of the Danaians in the sea

praecipitare iubent subiectisque urere flammis,

To throw they ordered and the thrown-over bits to burn with fire,

aut terebrare cavas uteri et temptare latebras.

Or to pierce and test the hollow recesses of its womb.

scinditur incertum studia in contraria vulgus. 39

The uncertain crowd is torn in their contrary desires.

Primus ibi ante omnis magna comitante caterva 40

First there before them all, with a great crowd accompanying him,

Laocoon ardens summa decurrit ab arce,

Laocoon, blazing, ran down from the top of the citadel,

et procul 'o miseri, quae tanta insania, cives?

And from afar: “O miserable ones, what great insanity [is this], citizens?

creditis avectos hostis? aut ulla putatis

Do you believe [that] the enemy has sailed away? Or {any} do you think that

dona carere dolis Danaum? sic notus Ulixes?

{Any} gifts of the Greeks are without treachery? [Is] Ulysses thusly known?

aut hoc inclusi ligno occultantur Achivi, 45

Either enclosed in this wood [structure] the Greeks are hiding,

aut haec in nostros fabricata est machina muros,

Or this machine has been fabricated [to be used] against our walls,

inspectura domos venturaque desuper urbi,

To look into [our] homes, and to come down on our city from above,

aut aliquis latet error; equo ne credite, Teucri.

Or it conceals some trick; do not trust the horse, Trojans.

quidquid id est, timeo Danaos et dona ferentis.'

Whatever it is, I fear Greeks, even when they are bearing gifts”

sic fatus ualidis ingentem viribus hastam 50

Having spoken thusly a great spear with powerful strength

in latus inque feri curvam compagibus alvum

Into the side and into the belly of the beast, curved with joinings

contorsit. stetit illa tremens, uteroque recusso

he hurledIt stood trembling, and the womb resounded, having been struck to vibration

insonuere cavae gemitumque dedere cavernae.

And the hollow cavern gave a groan

et, si fata deum, si mens non laeva fuisset,

And, if the gods’ pronouncements, if [their] minds had not been on the left

impulerat ferro Argolicas foedare latebras, 55

He would have compelled us to hack at the hiding place of the Greeks with iron,

Troiaque nunc staret, Priamique arx alta maneres.

Troy would still be standing, and the old citadel of Priam would remain.

Ecce, manus iuvenem interea post terga revinctum

Behold, a young man, hands tied behind his back,

pastores magno ad regem clamore trahebant

{Dardanian} shepherds were dragging him with a noise to the great king

Dardanidae, qui se ignotum venientibus ultro,

{Dardanian}, who they knew nothing about they came upon him

hoc ipsum ut strueret Troiamque aperiret Achivis, 60

This very thing to construct, and to open Troy to the Achaeans

obtulerat, fidens animi atque in utrumque paratus,

He had offered, trusting in his spirit and he was ready for either outcome

seu versare dolos seu certae occumbere morti.

Either to spin [his] tricks, or to meet with certain death

undique visendi studio Troiana iuventus

From all sides, out of eagerness for seeing, the youth of Troy

circumfusa ruit certantque inludere capto.

Pouring round ran and strive to mock the captive.

accipe nunc Danaum insidias et crimine ab uno 65 disce omnis.

Hear now the treachery and crimes of the Greeks, learn about all of them from one.

namque ut conspectu in medio turbatus, inermis

For indeed when he [was] in full view, upset, defenceless

constitit atque oculis Phrygia agmina circumspexit,

And eyes of Phrygia fixed on him, he looked around at the crowd

'heu, quae nunc tellus,' inquit, 'quae me aequora possunt

”Oh, what land [is there] now,” he said, “or sea which can me

accipere? aut quid iam misero mihi denique restat, 70

Accept? Or what is there left for one who is as miserable as me,

cui neque apud Danaos usquam locus, et super ipsi

To who [there is] no place among the Greeks, and moreover

Dardanidae infensi poenas cum sanguine poscunt?'

His enemies the Trojans demand punishment with blood?”

quo gemitu conversi animi compressus et omnis

By [this] lament, [our] minds were changed, and all our {fury} restricted.

impetus. hortamur fari quo sanguine cretus,

{fury} we were encouraged to say what blood he came from,

quidve ferat; memoret quae sit fiducia capto. 75

And what he was doing; on what assurance he could rely, having been captured.

'Cuncta equidem tibi, rex, fuerit quodcumque, fatebor 77

“Everything truly to you, king, whatever happens, I will admit

vera,' inquit; 'neque me Argolica de gente negabo.

Truly" he said; “neither will I deny my Greek people.

hoc primum; nec, si miserum Fortuna Sinonem

This first. Nor if fortune has made Sinon wretched

finxit, vanum etiam mendacemque improba finget. 80

Will she make him also in her wickedness false and a liar.

fando aliquod si forte tuas pervenit ad auris

If by chance in the telling it has reached your ears at all

Belidae nomen Palamedis et incluta fama

The name of Palamedis, son of Belus, and famous in legend

gloria, quem falsa sub proditione Pelasgi

His glory, whom under false appearance the Greeks

insontem infando indicio, quia bella vetabat,

[Though] innocent, by wicked evidence, because he was forbidding war

demisere neci, nunc cassum lumine lugent: 85

They sent him down to murder, [whom] now bereft of life they lament:

illi me comitem et consanguinitate propinquum

To him as a companion and as close kin by blood

pauper in arma pater primis huc misit ab annis.

My impoverished father sent me in arms to this place from my earliest years

dum stabat regno incolumis regumque vigebat

While he was standing unchallenged in his kingship, and he was flourishing [in] the kings’

conciliis, et nos aliquod nomenque decusque

councils, we too some renown and honour

gessimus. invidia postquam pellacis Ulixi 90

Wielded. after that, by the spite of crafty Ulysses

(haud ignota loquor) superis concessit ab oris,

(I speak of things not unknown), he departed from the upper shores [died],

adflictus vitam in tenebris luctuque trahebam

Dejected, I was dragging on my life in darkness and grief

et casum insontis mecum indignabar amici.

And within myself, I was resenting the downfall of my innocent friend.

nec tacui demens et me, fors si qua tulisset,

Nor was I silent, crazy as I was, if any chance should bear

si patrios umquam remeassem victor ad Argos, 95

If I should return to my homeland of Argos a victor,

promisi ultorem et verbis odia aspera movi.

I promised [to be] his avenger, and I moved to bitter hatred with my words

hinc mihi prima mali labes, hinc semper Ulixes

For me hence this was the beginning of the taint of evil, from this point, Ulysses always

criminibus terrere novis, hinc spargere voces

Frightened [me] with new charges, from this time he spread words

in vulgum ambiguas et quaerere conscius arma.

Ambiguous among the common people, and he conscious, sought weapons [against me],

nec requievit enim, donec Calchante ministro— 100

Indeed, nor did he stop, until Calchas as [his] aid--

sed quid ego haec autem nequiquam ingrata revoluo,

But yet why do I repeat these unpleasant things in vain,

quidue moror? si omnis uno ordine habetis Achivos,

Or why do I bother? If you hold all the Greeks in one class [all the same],

idque audire sat est, iamdudum sumite poenas:

And it is enough to hear this, exact the punishment long since [due]:

hoc Ithacus velit et magno mercentur Atridae.'

[that] this Ithacan would want, that the sons of Atreus would buy at a great [price].”

Tum vero ardemus scitari et quaerere causas, 105

Then indeed we blaze[d] to find out, and ask the reasons,

ignari scelerum tantorum artisque Pelasgae.

And ignorant of such great crimes and deceit of the Greeks.

prosequitur pavitans et ficto pectore fatur:

He proceeded, trembling, and spoke with a false heart:

'Saepe fugam Danai Troia cupiere relicta

“Often the Greeks longed to abandon Troy, retreat

moliri et longo fessi discedere bello;

To accomplish, and wearied with long war to depart;

fecissentque utinam! saepe illos aspera ponti 110

Would that they had! Often at sea a harsh

interclusit hiems et terruit Auster euntis.

Storm closed [them] in and the South wind terrified [them while] leaving.

praecipue cum iam hic trabibus contextus acernis

Especially when by now, woven from maple beams, this

staret equus, toto sonuerunt aethere nimbi.

Horse stood, storms echoed all over heaven.

suspensi Eurypylum scitatum oracula Phoebi

Bewildered, Eurypylus to ask the Oracle of Phoebus [Apollo]

mittimus, isque adytis haec tristia dicta reportat: 115

We sent, he brought back these sad words from the shrine:

"sanguine placastis ventos et virgine caesa,

“By blood you appeased the winds and by a slain maiden,

cum primum Iliacas, Danai, venistis ad oras;

Greeks, when first you came to Trojan shores;

sanguine quaerendi reditus animaque litandum

By blood return must be sought, and good omens obtained by a life

Argolica." vulgi quae vox ut venit ad auris,

Greek.” When this report came to the ears of the people,

obstipuere animi gelidusque per ima cucurrit 120

Their hearts were amazed, and icy ran through the innermost

ossa tremor, cui fata parent, quem poscat Apollo.

Bones a tremor, for whom the fates are preparing, who Apollo demands

hic Ithacus vatem magno Calchanta tumultu

At this point, the Ithacan the seer Calchas with a great uproar

protrahit in medios; quae sint ea numina divum

dragged forward into the midst [of the crowd]; what these decrees of the gods might be

flagitat. et mihi iam multi crudele canebant

He demanded [to know]. And for me now many were predicting the cruel

artificis scelus, et taciti ventura videbant. 125

crime of the schemer, and the silent were seeing [what was] coming.

bis quinos silet ille dies tectusque recusat

he is silent for two times five days, and concealed, refuses

prodere voce sua quemquam aut opponere morti.

To betray anyone with his voice, or decree to death.

vix tandem, magnis Ithaci clamoribus actus,

With difficulty, at last driven by the great cries of the Ithacan,

composito rumpit vocem et me destinat arae.

As agreed, he broke into speech and assigns me to the altar.

adsensere omnes et, quae sibi quisque timebat, 130

Everyone agreed, and what each feared for himself,

unius in miseri exitium conversa tulere.

When exchanged, They endured for the destruction of one wretched.

iamque dies infanda aderat; mihi sacra parari

And now the unspeakable day was here; the sacred things were prepared for me

et salsae fruges et circum tempora vittae.

And the salted grains and the fillets to go round my temples

eripui, fateor, leto me et vincula rupi,

I snatched away from death, I’ll admit, and broke my bonds,

limosoque lacu per noctem obscurus in ulva 135

And concealed by a slimy lake throughout the night, in the sedge (aquatic plants)

delitui dum vela darent, si forte dedissent.

I lay until they should set sail, if by chance they would,

nec mihi iam patriam antiquam spes ulla videndi

Not for me was there now any hope of seeing my ancient homeland

nec dulcis natos exoptatumque parentem,

Nor my sweet sons, or my father whom I longed for,

quos illi fors et poenas ob nostra reposcent

From whom they may even demand punishment

effugia, et culpam hanc miserorum morte piabunt. 140

For my escape, and they may expiate this crime of mine with the death of my poor [family]

quod te per superos et conscia numina veri,

For this I beg you by [the gods] above, and divinities conscious of the truth

per si qua est quae restet adhuc mortalibus usquam

By anything which still remains anywhere for mortals

intemerata fides, oro, miserere laborum

Untainted faithful, I beg, take pity on {such} work

tantorum, miserere animi non digna ferentis.'

{such}, take pity on a soul that bears things unworthy of it.”

His lacrimis vitam damus et miserescimus ultro. 145

By these tears we granted him his life, and had compassion for him.

ipse viro primus manicas atque arta levari

He himself first the handcuffs to be removed from the man and the tight

vincla iubet Priamus dictisque ita fatur amicis:

chains Priam ordered, and in this way addressed him with friendly words:

'quisquis es, amissos hinc iam obliviscere Graios

“whoever you are, forget that the Greeks are lost [to you] now hence

(noster eris) mihique haec edissere vera roganti:

(You will be ours) and explain these things to me that I am asking:

quo molem hanc immanis equi statuere? quis auctor? 150

Why have they erected this immense mass of a horse? Who was it created by?

quidve petunt? quae religio? aut quae machina belli?'

Or what are they seeking? [For] what religious obligation? Or what machine of war [is it]?”

dixerat. ille dolis instructus et arte Pelasga

He had spoken. He [Sinon], trained in the tricks and the cunning of the Greeks,

sustulit exutas vinclis ad sidera palmas:

raised his palms, freed from chains, to the stars:

'vos, aeterni ignes, et non violabile vestrum

“You eternal fires, and your inviolable

testor numen,' ait, 'vos arae ensesque nefandi, 155

Divine power, witness” he said, “You altars, and evil swords

quos fugi, vittaeque deum, quas hostia gessi:

Which I fled from, and the fillets of the gods, which I wore as a victim:

fas mihi Graiorum sacrata resolvere iura,

May it be right for me to break the sacred laws of the Greeks,

fas odisse viros atque omnia ferre sub auras,

May it be right to hate [those] men and bring all under a breeze [to light],

si qua tegunt, teneor patriae nec legibus ullis.

If they are hiding [anything], I am not bound by any laws of my homeland.

tu modo promissis maneas servataque serves 160

May you keep to your promises, and now that you have been saved, keep

Troia fidem, si vera feram, si magna rependam.

Your promises, Troy, if I speak the truth, if what I repay is great.

omnis spes Danaum et coepti fiducia belli

All the hopes of the Greeks, and all their confidence in [this] war they began

Palladis auxiliis semper stetit. impius ex quo

Has always stood on the help of Pallas. From the time when the impious

Tydides sed enim scelerumque inventor Ulixes,

son of Tydeus [Diomedes] however indeed and the inventor of wickedness Ulysses

fatale adgressi sacrato avellere templo 165

Daring to tear away from its sacred temple the fateful

Palladium caesis summae custodibus arcis,

Palladium by slaughtering the guards on the top of the citadel,

corripuere sacram effigiem manibusque cruentis

Snatched away the sacred effigy and with bloodied hands

virgineas ausi divae contingere vittas,

Dared to touch virgin bands of the goddess,

ex illo fluere ac retro sublapsa referri

From that [day] flowed backwards, collapsed, and were carried off

spes Danaum, fractae vires, aversa deae mens. 170

The hope of the Greeks, their strength fractured, the mind of the goddess against [them]

nec dubiis ea signa dedit Tritonia monstris.

With portents without doubt, the Tritonian gave them a sign.

vix positum castris simulacrum: arsere coruscae

Scarcely had the image been set down in the camp: flashed vibrating

luminibus flammae arrectis, salsusque per artus

With light erect flames, and salty across her limbs

sudor iit, terque ipsa solo (mirabile dictu)

Went the sweat, and thrice from the ground (miraculous to say) she herself

emicuit parmamque ferens hastamque trementem. 175

Sprang up and carrying her small shield and trembling spear.

extemplo temptanda fuga canit aequora Calchas,

Calchas sung that they must immediately attempt the seas in flight,

nec posse Argolicis exscindi Pergama telis

Troy cannot be destroyed by Greek weapons

omina ni repetant Argis numenque reducant

Unless they seek auspices in Argos and bring back divine favour

quod pelago et curvis secum auexere carinis.

Which they have carried away with them over the sea in their curved ships.

et nunc quod patrias vento petiere Mycenas, 180

And now because they made for their homeland of Mycenea by wind,

arma deosque parant comites pelagoque remenso

They prepared weapons and gods as companions, and with the sea crossed again

improvisi aderunt; ita digerit omina Calchas.

Unexpectedly, they will be upon us; in this way Calchas explained the omens.

hanc pro Palladio moniti, pro numine laeso

In place of the Palladium, having been warned of the outrage of the divinity, this

effigiem statuere, nefas quae triste piaret.

Image they set up, which should expiate the wretched wrong.

hanc tamen immensam Calchas attollere molem 185

However, Calchas them to raise up this immense mass

roboribus textis caeloque educere iussit,

Woven from timbers, ordered, and to build it up to the heavens

ne recipi portis aut duci in moenia posset,

So that it might not be able to be admitted through the gates, and led into the city walls

neu populum antiqua sub religione tueri.

Nor keep [your] people safe under the ancient religion

nam si vestra manus violasset dona Minervae,

For if your hands should violate the gifts of Minerva,

tum magnum exitium (quod di prius omen in ipsum 190

Then great destruction (events which the gods on [Calcas] himself previously

convertant!) Priami imperio Phrygibusque futurum;

Turned!) Would be on the kingdom of Priam and the future of the Trojans;

sin manibus vestris vestram ascendisset in urbem,

If by your hands it [the horse] should go up into your city,

ultro Asiam magno Pelopea ad moenia bello

Going further still, Asia to the walls of Pelops in mighty war

venturam, et nostros ea fata manere nepotes.'

would come, and these fates await our descendants.”

Talibus insidiis periurique arte Sinonis 195

It was through such a stratagem and the skill of perjuring Sinon

credita res, captique dolis lacrimisque coactis

That the thing was believed, and we were captured by trickery and forced tears

quos neque Tydides nec Larisaeus Achilles,

[Men] who neither Tydeus, nor Larisaean Achilles,

non anni domuere decem, non mille carinae.

Nor ten years nor a thousand ships [were able to] conquer.

Hic aliud maius miseris multoque tremendum

[At] this, another thing in our misery, greater and much {more} terrible

obicitur magis atque improvida pectora turbat. 200

Was inflicted on us {more} and disturbed our unwary hearts.

Laocoon, ductus Neptuno sorte sacerdos,

Laocoon, led by fate as Neptune’s priest,

sollemnis taurum ingentem mactabat ad aras.

Was slaughtering a huge bull at the solemn altars.

ecce autem gemini a Tenedo tranquilla per alta

But behold! A pair from Tenedos over the tranquil deep

(horresco referens) immensis orbibus angues

(I shudder recalling) with enormous coils, snakes

incumbunt pelago pariterque ad litora tendunt; 205

Press down on the sea and together aim for the shore;

pectora quorum inter fluctus arrecta iubaeque

Whose breasts among the waves rear up, and their crests,

sanguineae superant undas, pars cetera pontum

Blood red, surpass the waves, the remaining part the sea

pone legit sinuatque immensa volumine terga.

Behind it picks its way through and curves its immense back in coils.

fit sonitus spumante salo; iamque arva tenebant

It makes a sound with salty foam; and now they were having the land

ardentisque oculos suffecti sanguine et igni 210

Their blazing eyes dyed with blood and fire

sibila lambebant linguis vibrantibus ora.

They licked with vibrating tongues their hissing mouths

diffugimus visu exsangues. illi agmine certo

We fled, bloodless at the sight. They with certain streams

Laocoonta petunt; et primum parva duorum

Made for Laocoon; and first the two little

corpora natorum serpens amplexus uterque

Bodies of his sons the serpents embraced and both

implicat et miseros morsu depascitur artus; 215

Intertwined, and with its bite feeds in their poor limbs

post ipsum auxilio subeuntem ac tela ferentem

Next they [Laocoon] himself, coming to their aid, bearing weapons

corripiunt spirisque ligant ingentibus; et iam

Seized and they bound him with their huge coils; and now

bis medium amplexi, bis collo squamea circum

Twice having embraced his torso, and twice having encircled his neck with their scaly

terga dati superant capite et cervicibus altis.

Backs, they towered over him with their head[s], and high necks

ille simul manibus tendit divellere nodos 220

At once he struggled with his hands to tear apart the knot

perfusus sanie vittas atroque veneno,

His fillets drenched with gore and black venom,

clamores simul horrendos ad sidera tollit:

At the same time, he raised horrendous shouts to the stars

qualis mugitus, fugit cum saucius aram

Just like the bellows when it has fled from the altar of a wounded

taurus et incertam excussit cervice securim.

Bull and shaken off the uncertain axe from the neck.

at gemini lapsu delubra ad summa dracones 225

But the two snakes, by slithering, sought the uppermost shrine

effugiunt saevaeque petunt Tritonidis arcem,

And fled on the citadel of the savage tritonian goddess,

sub pedibusque deae clipeique sub orbe teguntur.

They hid themselves under the feet of the goddess, under the circle of her shield.

tum vero tremefacta novus per pectora cunctis

Then indeed through the trembling hearts of all a new

insinuat pavor, et scelus expendisse merentem

Panic insinuates, and they declared that paid for his crime deservedly

Laocoonta ferunt, sacrum qui cuspide robur 230

Laocoon had, they declared, he who with his spear the sacred wood

laeserit et tergo sceleratam intorserit hastam.

Struck, and hurled the wicked spear into its back.

ducendum ad sedes simulacrum orandaque divae

The image must be led to the temple and prayed to must be the goddess’

numina conclamant.

Divine will they exclaimed together.

dividimus muros et moenia pandimus urbis.

We divided the walls and spread open the fortifications of the city.

accingunt omnes operi pedibusque rotarum 235

They all prepared [literally girded up their clothes so their legs are free to work] for the operation, and as its feet wheels’

subiciunt lapsus, et stuppea vincula collo

Glidings they set underneath, and flax chains around its neck

intendunt; scandit fatalis machina muros

They stretch out; the fateful machine climbed the walls

feta armis. pueri circum innuptaeque puellae

Pregnant with arms. Boys all around and unmarried girls

sacra canunt funemque manu contingere gaudent;

Sacred [hymns] sang and rejoiced in touching the rope with their hands;

illa subit mediaeque minans inlabitur urbi. 240

It [the horse] advanced, gliding threatening to the middle of the city.

o patria, o divum domus Ilium et incluta bello

Oh Fatherland, oh Ilium home of the gods and renowned in war

moenia Dardanidum! quater ipso in limine portae

Fortification of the Dardanians! Four times on the limit of the gate itself

substitit atque utero sonitum quater arma dedere;

It stood still and in its womb arms gave four times a sound

instamus tamen immemores caecique furore

We pressed on however, heedless and blinded by fury

et monstrum infelix sacrata sistimus arce. 245

And the monster of ill omen we set in the sacred citadel.

tunc etiam fatis aperit Cassandra futuris

Then also for the fates that were to come Cassandra opened

ora dei iussu non umquam credita Teucris.

Lips, that commanded by the god, were not ever believed by the Trojans.

nos delubra deum miseri, quibus ultimus esset

We, miserable {on that day} that was to be our last, the shrines of the gods

ille dies, festa velamus fronde per urbem.

{that day} festooned with festive fronds throughout the city.

Vertitur interea caelum et ruit Oceano nox 250

Meanwhile the sky is turned, and night runs from Ocean

involvens umbra magna terramque polumque

A great shadow enveloping the earth and the sky

Myrmidonumque dolos; fusi per moenia Teucri

And the strategems of the Myrmidons; through the city walls the defeated Trojans

conticuere; sopor fessos complectitur artus.

Fell silent; sleep encircles their weary limbs.

et iam Argiua phalanx instructis navibus ibat

And now the Argive phalanx in their ships went as arranged

a Tenedo tacitae per amica silentia lunae 255

From Tenedos through the friendly stillness of the silent moon

litora nota petens, flammas cum regia puppis

Making for the known beach, when the royal ship flames

extulerat, fatisque deum defensus iniquis

Brought out, protected by a god, and unjust fate

inclusos utero Danaos et pinea furtim

The enclosed Danaians stealthily from the womb and pine

laxat claustra Sinon. illos patefactus ad auras

Barricade frees Sinon. Them to the breezes the opened

reddit equus laetique cavo se robore promunt 260

Horse returns, and happy from the hollow stronghold brings forth

Thessandrus Sthenelusque duces et dirus Ulixes,

The leaders Thesandrus and Sthenelus, and dread Ulixes,

demissum lapsi per funem, Acamasque Thoasque

Sliding down on the dropped rope, also Acamas, and Thoas

Pelidesque Neoptolemus primusque Machaon

And Neoptolemus [son] of Peleus, and first [noble] Machaon

et Menelaus et ipse doli fabricator Epeos.

And Menelaus, and the inventor of the device himself, Epeos.

invadunt urbem somno vinoque sepultam; 265

They invade the city overwhelmed by sleep and wine;

caeduntur vigiles, portisque patentibus omnis

The watchmen are killed, and all the gates opened,

accipiunt socios atque agmina conscia iungunt.

They take in their associates, and join the complicit army.

Tempus erat quo prima quies mortalibus aegris

It was the time when the first rest of feeble mortals

incipit et dono divum gratissima serpit.

Begins, and by the most graceful gift of the gods creeps [over people].

in somnis, ecce, ante oculos maestissimus Hector 270

In sleep, look, most sorrowful Hector before eyes

visus adesse mihi largosque effundere fletus,

raptatus bigis ut quondam, aterque cruento

Ravaged by the chariot, as once before, and dirtied with gory

pulvere perque pedes traiectus lora tumentis.

Ashes, and his swollen feet pierced by thongs.

ei mihi, qualis erat, quantum mutatus ab illo

Ah me, what sort he was, how greatly changed from him

Hectore qui redit exuvias indutus Achilli 275

The Hector who returned dressed in the spoils of Achilles

vel Danaum Phrygios iaculatus puppibus ignis!

Or having hurled Trojan fire on the Greek ships!

squalentem barbam et concretos sanguine crinis

With stiffening beard and hair matted with blood

vulneraque illa gerens, quae circum plurima muros

And bearing those wounds, which many around the walls

accepit patrios. ultro flens ipse videbar

Of his home he received. I was seen crying of my own accord

compellare virum et maestas expromere voces: 280

I urged the man, and spoke out sad words:

'o lux Dardaniae, spes o fidissima Teucrum,

“Oh light of the Dardanians, oh most loyal hope of the Trojans,

quae tantae tenuere morae? quibus Hector ab oris

By what such delay have you been weakened? From what shores Hector

exspectate venis? ut te post multa tuorum

The awaited do you come? How you after many of your [kin’s]

funera, post varios hominumque urbisque labores

Funerals, after the varied labours of both man and the city,

defessi aspicimus! quae causa indigna serenos 285

Exhausted we see! What shameful cause [your] calm

foedavit vultus? aut cur haec vulnera cerno?'

Face has disfigured? Or why do I behold these wounds?

ille nihil, nec me quaerentem uana moratur,

He nothing, nor me, questioning, does he heed,

sed graviter gemitus imo de pectore ducens,

But drawing a grave groan from the depths of his chest,

'heu fuge, nate dea, teque his' ait 'eripe flammis.

“Ah, flee, [you] born of a goddess, and yourself from these” he said “flames rescue.

hostis habet muros; ruit alto a culmine Troia. 290

The enemy has the walls: Troy runs deep [falls] from heights.

sat patriae Priamoque datum: si Pergama dextra

Enough has been given to [our] home and Priam: if Troy by a right hand

defendi possent, etiam hac defensa fuissent.

Could have been defended, they would have been defended even thusly [by me].

sacra suosque tibi commendat Troia penatis;

Troy entrusts you with its religion and household gods;

hos cape fatorum comites, his moenia quaere

These take as companions of fate, these seek walls

magna pererrato statues quae denique ponto.' 295

Great, which you will set up at last [after] wandering over the depths of the sea.”

sic ait et manibus vittas Vestamque potentem

This he said and with his hands the ribbons and powerful Vesta [an effigy]

aeternumque adytis effert penetralibus ignem.

And the eternal flame brought out from the innermost sanctuary.

Diverso interea miscentur moenia luctu,

Meanwhile by distant lamentations were the walls thrown into confusion,

et magis atque magis, quamquam secreta parentis

And more and more, although secluded was my father

Anchisae domus arboribusque obtecta recessit, 300

Anchises’ house, and hidden by trees it stood back,

clarescunt sonitus armorumque ingruit horror.

The sound and [noise] of arms grew clear, and dread assailed [us].

excutior somno et summi fastigia tecti

Sleep is shaken off, and on the highest protected gable

ascensu supero atque arrectis auribus asto:

I ascend by climbing and I stand with erect ears:

in segetem veluti cum flamma furentibus Austris

Just as in a field of corn, with raging flames by the South wind

incidit, aut rapidus montano flumine torrens 305

Incited, or a rapid river flowing from a mountain

sternit agros, sternit sata laeta boumque labores

flattens the fields, flattens the happy crops, and the work of oxen

praecipitisque trahit silvas; stupet inscius alto

And drags headlong the woods; stupefied, ignorant, from the high

accipiens sonitum saxi de vertice pastor.

Top of a rock receives the sound a shepherd.

tum vero manifesta fides, Danaumque patescunt

Then indeed the “trustworthiness” became clear, and revealed were the Greeks’

insidiae. iam Deiphobi dedit ampla ruinam 310

Plots. Now gave into ruin Deiphobos’ spacious

Volcano superante domus, iam proximus ardet

House, overpowered by fire, now close by burns

Ucalegon; Sigea igni freta lata relucent.

[the house of] Ucalegon; the broad Sigean waters blaze with fire.

exoritur clamorque virum clangorque tubarum.

And the shouts of men come out, and the blasts of trumpets.

arma amens capio; nec sat rationis in armis,

Out of my mind, I take arms; nor was there enough reason in arming,

sed glomerare manum bello et concurrere in arcem 315

But to gather together a band for war and to run together into the citadel

cum sociis ardent animi; furor iraque mentem

With comrades, [my] spirit burning; [my] mind rage and anger

praecipitat, pulchrumque mori succurrit in armis.

Throws headlong, and [how] honourable it would be to run into death in arms.

Ecce autem telis Panthus elapsus Achivum,

Look also Panthus, having escaped the Achaean spears,

Panthus Othryades, arcis Phoebique sacerdos,

Panthus of Othrys, priest of the citadel and of Phoebus,

sacra manu victosque deos parvumque nepotem 320

With his sacred hand the conquered gods and his poor grandchild

ipse trahit cursuque amens ad limina tendit.

He himself drags, and frenzied in his running, he strives to the thresholds.

'quo res summa loco, Panthu? quam prendimus arcem?'

“In what place [is it] the greatest circumstances, Panthus? What refuge do we take?”

vix ea fatus eram gemitu cum talia reddit:

I had hardly spoken those [words], when with such a great groan he responded:

'venit summa dies et ineluctabile tempus

“The final day and insurmountable time comes

Dardaniae. fuimus Troes, fuit Ilium et ingens 325

To the Dardanians. We Trojans used to be, Ilium used to be, and the great

gloria Teucrorum; ferus omnia Iuppiter Argos

Glory of the Trojans; savage Jupiter all to Argos

transtulit; incensa Danai dominantur in urbe.

Brought; the Danaeans are masters in the burning city.

arduus armatos mediis in moenibus astans

Standing tall on the walls into [our] midst armed men

fundit equus victorque Sinon incendia miscet

The horse pours, and the victor Sinon mixes fires,

insultans. portis alii bipatentibus adsunt, 330

Insulting. Others are at the bi-parted gates,