Āt prŏcŭl ēxtrēmīs tērrārūm Caēsăr ĭn ōrīs
Mārtēm saēvŭs ăgīt nōn mūltā caēdĕ nŏcēntēm,
māxĭmă sēd fātī dŭcĭbūs mōmēntă dătūrūm.
Iūrĕ părī rēctōr cāstrīs Āfrānĭŭs īllīs
āc Pĕtrĕīŭs ĕrāt: cōncōrdĭă dūxĭt ĭn aēquās
īmpĕrĭūm cōmmūnĕ vĭcēs, tūtēlăquĕ vāllī
pērvĭgĭl āltērnō pārēt cūstōdĭă sīgnō.
Hīs praētēr Lătĭās ăcĭēs ĕrăt īnpĭgĕr Āstūr
Vēttōnēsquĕ lĕvēs prŏfŭgīque ā gēntĕ vĕtūstā
Gāllōrūm Cēltaē mīscēntēs nōmĕn Hĭbērīs.
Cōllĕ tŭmēt mŏdĭcō lēnīque ēxcrēvĭt ĭn āltūm
pīnguĕ sŏlūm tŭmŭlō; sŭpĕr hūnc fūndātă vĕtūstā
sūrgĭt Ĭlērdă mănū; plăcĭdīs praēlābĭtŭr ūndīs
Hēspĕrĭōs īntēr Sĭcŏrīs nōn ūltĭmŭs āmnīs,
sāxeūs īngēntī quēm pōns āmplēctĭtŭr ārcū
hībērnās pāssūrŭs ăquās. āt prōxĭmă rūpēs
sīgnă tĕnēt Māgnī; nēc Caēsār cōllĕ mĭnōrĕ
cāstră lĕvāt; mĕdĭūs dĭrĭmīt tēntōrĭă gūrgēs.
Ēxplĭcăt hīnc tēllūs cāmpōs ēffūsă pătēntīs
vīx ŏcŭlō prēndēntĕ mŏdūm, cāmpōsquĕ cŏērcēt
Cīngă răpāx vĕtĭtūs flūctūs ēt lītŏră cūrsū
Ōcĕănī pĕpŭlīssĕ sŭō; nām gūrgĭtĕ mīxtō
quī praēstāt tērrīs, aūfērt tĭbĭ nōmĕn Hĭbērūs.
Prīmă dĭēs bēllī cēssāvīt Mārtĕ crŭēntō
spēctāndāsquĕ dŭcūm vīrēs nŭmĕrōsăquĕ sīgnă
ēxpŏsŭīt. Pĭgŭīt scĕlĕrīs; pŭdŏr ārmă fŭrēntūm
cōntĭnŭīt, pătrĭaēque ēt rūptīs lēgĭbŭs ūnūm
dōnāvērĕ dĭēm; prōnō cūm Caēsăr Ŏlŷmpō
īn nōctēm sŭbĭtā cīrcūmdĕdĭt āgmĭnă fōssā,
dūm prīmaē pērstānt ăcĭēs, hōstēmquĕ fĕfēllīt
ēt prŏpĕ cōnsērtīs ōbdūxīt cāstră mănīplīs.
Lūcĕ nŏvā cōllēm sŭbĭtō cōnscēndĕrĕ cūrsū,
quī mĕdĭūs tūtām cāstrīs dĭrĭmēbăt Ĭlērdām,
īmpĕrăt. hūc hōstēm părĭtēr tērrōrquĕ pŭdōrquĕ
īmpŭlĭt, ēt rāptō tŭmŭlūm prĭŏr āgmĭnĕ cēpīt.
Hīs vīrtūs fērrūmquĕ lŏcūm prōmīttĭt, ăt īllīs
īpsĕ lŏcūs. Mīlēs rūpēs ŏnĕrātŭs ĭn āltās
nītĭtŭr, ādvērsōque ăcĭēs īn mōntĕ sŭpīnă
haērĕt ĕt īn tērgūm cāsūra ūmbōnĕ sĕquēntīs
ērĭgĭtūr. Nūllī tēlūm vībrārĕ văcāvīt,
dūm lăbăt ēt fīxō fīrmāt vēstīgĭă pīlō,
dūm scŏpŭlōs stīrpēsquĕ tĕnēnt ātque hōstĕ rĕlīctō
caēdūnt ēnsĕ vĭām. vīdīt lāpsūră rŭīnā
āgmĭnă dūx ĕquĭtēmquĕ iŭbēt sūccēdĕrĕ bēllō
mūnītūmquĕ lătūs laēvō praēdūcĕrĕ gŷrō.
Sīc pĕdĕs ēx făcĭlī nūllōque ūrguēntĕ rĕcēptūs,
īrrĭtŭs ēt vīctōr sūbdūctō Mārtĕ pĕpēndīt.
Hāctĕnŭs ārmōrūm dīscrīmĭnă; cētĕră bēllō
fātă dĕdīt vărĭīs īncērtūs mōtĭbŭs āēr.
Pīgrō brūmă gĕlū sīccīsque ăquĭlōnĭbŭs haērēns
aēthĕrĕ cōnstrīctō plŭvĭās īn nūbĕ tĕnēbāt.
Ūrēbānt mōntānă nĭvēs cāmpōsquĕ iăcēntēs
nōn dūrātūraē cōnspēctō sōlĕ prŭīnaē,
ātque ōmnīs prŏpĭōr mērgēntī sīdĕră caēlō
ārŭĕrāt tēllūs hībērnō dūră sĕrēnō.
Sēd pōstquām vērnūs călĭdūm Tītānă rĕcēpīt
sīdĕră rēspĭcĭēns dēlāpsaē pōrtĭtŏr Hēllēs,
ātque ĭtĕrum aēquātīs ād iūstaē pōndĕră Lībraē
tēmpŏrĭbūs vīcērĕ dĭēs, tūnc sōlĕ rĕlīctō
Cŷnthĭă, quō prīmūm cōrnū dŭbĭtāndă rĕfūlsīt,
ēxclūsīt bōreān flāmmāsque āccēpĭt ĭn eūrō.
Īllĕ sŭō nūbēs quāscūmque īnvēnĭt ĭn āxĕ,
tōrsĭt ĭn ōccĭdŭūm Năbătēīs flātĭbŭs ōrbēm
ēt quās sēntĭt Ărābs ēt quās Gāngētĭcă tēllūs
ēxhālāt nĕbŭlās, quīcquīd cōncrēscĕrĕ prīmūs
sōl pătĭtūr, quīcquīd caēlī fūscātŏr ĕōī
īntŭlĕrāt cōrūs, quīcquīd dēfēndĕrăt Īndōs.
Īncēndērĕ dĭēm nūbēs ŏrĭēntĕ rĕmōtaē
nēc mĕdĭō pŏtŭērĕ grăvēs īncūmbĕrĕ mūndō,
sēd nīmbī răpŭērĕ fŭgā. văcăt īmbrĭbŭs ārctōs
ēt nŏtŭs, īn sōlām Cālpēn flŭĭt ūmĭdŭs āēr.
Hīc ŭbĭ iām zĕphўrī fīnēs ēt sūmmŭs Ŏlŷmpī
cārdŏ tĕnēt Tēthŷn, vĕtĭtaē trānscūrrĕrĕ dēnsōs
īnvōlvērĕ glŏbōs, cōngēstūmque āĕrĭs ātrī
vīx rĕcĭpīt spătĭūm quōd sēpărăt aēthĕrĕ tērrām.
Iāmquĕ pŏlō prēssaē lārgōs dēnsāntŭr ĭn īmbrēs
spīssātaēquĕ flŭūnt, nēc sērvānt fūlmĭnă flāmmās.
Quāmvīs crēbră mĭcēnt, ēxstīnguīt fūlgŭră nīmbūs.
Hīnc īmpērfēctō cōmplēctĭtŭr āĕră gŷrō
ārcūs vīx ūllā vărĭātūs lūcĕ cŏlōrēm
Ōcĕănūmquĕ bĭbīt rāptōsque ād nūbĭlă flūctūs
pērtŭlĭt ēt caēlō dēfūsūm rēddĭdĭt aēquōr.
Iāmquĕ Pўrēnaēaē, quās nūmquām sōlvĕrĕ Tītān
ēvălŭīt, flūxērĕ nĭvēs, frāctōquĕ mădēscūnt
sāxă gĕlū. Tūm, quaē sŏlĭtīs ē fōntĭbŭs ēxīt,
nōn hăbĕt ūndă vĭās: tām lārgās ālvĕŭs ōmnīs
ā rīpīs āccēpĭt ăquās. Iām naūfrăgă cāmpō
Caēsărĭs ārmă nătānt, īmpūlsăquĕ gūrgĭtĕ mūltō
cāstră lăbānt; āltō rēstāgnānt flūmĭnă vāllō.
Nōn pĕcŏrūm rāptūs făcĭlēs, nōn pābŭlă mērsī
ūllă fĕrūnt sūlcī; tēctārum ērrōrĕ vĭārūm
fāllĭtŭr ōccūltīs spārsūs pŏpŭlātŏr ĭn āgrīs.
Iāmquĕ cŏmēs sēmpēr māgnōrūm prīmă mălōrūm
saēvă fămēs ădĕrāt, nūllōque ōbsēssŭs ăb hōstĕ
mīlĕs ĕgēt; tōtō cēnsū nōn prōdĭgŭs ēmīt
ēxĭgŭām Cĕrĕrēm. Prō lūcrī pāllĭdă tābēs!
Nōn dēst prōlātō iēiūnūs vēndĭtŏr aūrō.
Iām tŭmŭlī cōllēsquĕ lătēnt, iām flūmĭnă cūnctă
cōndĭdĭt ūnă pălūs vāstāquĕ vŏrāgĭnĕ mērsīt:
ābsōrpsīt pĕnĭtūs rūpēs āc tēctă fĕrārūm
dētŭlĭt ātque īpsās haūsīt sŭbĭtīsquĕ frĕmēntīs
vērtĭcĭbūs cōntōrsĭt ăquās ēt rēppŭlĭt aēstūs
fōrtĭŏr Ōcĕănī. Nēc Phoēbūm sūrgĕrĕ sēntīt
nōx sūbtēxtă pŏlō: rērūm dīscrīmĭnă mīscēt
dēfōrmīs caēlī făcĭēs iūnctaēquĕ tĕnēbraē.
Sīc mūndī pārs īmă iăcēt, quām zōnă nĭvālīs
pērpĕtŭaēquĕ prĕmūnt hĭĕmēs: nōn sīdĕră caēlō
ūllă vĭdēt, stĕrĭlī nōn quīdquām frīgŏrĕ gīgnīt,
sēd glăcĭē mĕdĭōs sīgnōrūm tēmpĕrăt īgnēs.
Sīc, ō sūmmĕ părēns mūndī, sīc, sōrtĕ sĕcūndā
aēquŏrĕī rēctōr, făcĭās, Nēptūnĕ, trĭdēntīs,
ēt tū pērpĕtŭīs īmpēndās āĕră nīmbīs,
tū rĕmĕārĕ vĕtēs quōscūmque ēmīsĕrĭs aēstūs.
Nōn hăbĕānt āmnēs dēclīvem ād lītŏră cūrsūm
Sēd pĕlăgī rĕfĕrāntŭr ăquīs, cōncūssăquĕ tēllūs
lāxĕt ĭtēr flŭvĭīs: hōs cāmpōs Rhēnŭs ĭnūndēt,
hōs Rhŏdănūs, vāstōs ōblīquēnt flūmĭnă fōntīs.
Rīphaēūs hīc sōlvĕ nĭvēs, hīc stāgnă lăcūsquĕ
ēt pīgrās, ŭbĭcūmquĕ iăcēnt, ēffūndĕ pălūdēs,
ēt mĭsĕrās bēllīs cīvīlĭbŭs ērĭpĕ tērrās.
Sēd pārvō Fōrtūnă vĭrī cōntēntă păvōrĕ
plēnă rĕdīt, sŏlĭtōquĕ măgīs fāvērĕ sĕcūndī
ēt vĕnĭām mĕrŭērĕ dĕī. Iām rārĭŏr āēr
ēt pār Phoēbŭs ăquīs dēnsās īn vēllĕră nūbēs
spārsĕrăt ēt nōctēs vēntūrā lūcĕ rŭbēbānt,
sērvātōquĕ lŏcō rērūm dīscēssĭt ăb āstrīs
ūmŏr, ĕt īmă pĕtīt quīcquīd pēndēbăt ăquārūm.
Tōllĕrĕ sīlvă cŏmās, stāgnīs ēmērgĕrĕ cōllēs
īncĭpĭūnt vīsōquĕ dĭē dūrēscĕrĕ vāllēs.
Ūtque hăbŭīt rīpās Sĭcŏrīs cāmpōsquĕ rĕlīquīt,
prīmūm cānă sălīx mădĕfāctō vīmĭnĕ pārvām
tēxĭtŭr īn pūppīm caēsōque īndūctă iŭvēncō
vēctōrīs pătĭēns tŭmĭdūm sŭpĕrēnătăt āmnēm.
Sīc Vĕnĕtūs stāgnāntĕ Pădō fūsōquĕ Brĭtānnūs
nāvĭgăt Ōcĕănō; sīc, cūm tĕnĕt ōmnĭă Nīlūs,
cōnsĕrĭtūr bĭbŭlā Mēmphītīs cŷmbă păpŷrō.
Hīs rătĭbūs trāiēctă mănūs fēstīnăt ŭtrīmquĕ
sūccīsūm cūrvārĕ nĕmūs flŭvĭīquĕ fĕrōcīs
īncrēmēntă tĭmēns nōn prīmīs rōbŏră rīpīs
īmpŏsŭīt, mĕdĭōs pōntēm dīstēndĭt ĭn āgrōs.
Āc nē quīd Sĭcŏrīs rĕpĕtītīs aūdĕăt ūndīs,
spārgĭtŭr īn sūlcōs ēt scīssō gūrgĭtĕ rīvīs
dāt poēnās māiōrĭs ăquaē. Pōstquam ōmnĭă fātīs
Caēsărĭs īrĕ vĭdēt cēlsām Pētrēiŭs Ĭlērdām
dēsĕrĭt ēt nōtī dīffīsūs vīrĭbŭs ōrbīs
īndŏmĭtōs quaērīt pŏpŭlōs ēt sēmpĕr ĭn ārmă
mōrtĭs ămōrĕ fĕrōs ēt tēndĭt ĭn ūltĭmă mūndī.
Nūdātōs Caēsār cōllēs dēsērtăquĕ cāstră
cōnspĭcĭēns căpĕre ārmă iŭbēt nēc quaērĕrĕ pōntēm
nēc vădă, sēd dūrīs flŭvĭūm sŭpĕrārĕ lăcērtīs.
Pārētūr, răpŭītquĕ rŭēns īn proēlĭă mīlēs,
quōd fŭgĭēns tĭmŭīssĕt ĭtēr. Mōx ūdă rĕcēptīs
mēmbră fŏvēnt ārmīs gĕlĭdōsque ā gūrgĭtĕ cūrsū
rēstĭtŭūnt ārtūs, dōnēc dēcrēscĕrĕt ūmbră
īn mĕdĭūm sūrgēntĕ dĭē; iāmque āgmĭnă sūmmă
cārpĭt ĕquēs, dŭbĭīquĕ fŭgaē pūgnaēquĕ tĕnēntūr.
Āttōllūnt cāmpō gĕmĭnaē iŭgă sāxĕă rūpēs
vāllĕ căvaē mĕdĭā; tēllūs hīnc ārdŭă cēlsōs
cōntĭnŭāt cōllēs, tūtaē quōs īntĕr ŏpācō
ānfrāctū lătŭērĕ vĭaē; quĭbŭs hōstĕ pŏtītō
faūcĭbŭs ēmīttī tērrārum īn dēvĭă Mārtēm
īnquĕ fĕrās gēntēs Caēsār vĭdĕt: "Ītĕ sĭne ūllō
ōrdĭne" ăīt "rāptūmquĕ fŭgā cōnvērtĭtĕ bēllūm
ēt făcĭēm pūgnaē vūltūsque īnfērtĕ mĭnācēs,
nēc lĭcĕāt păvĭdīs īgnāva ōccūmbĕrĕ mōrtĕ:
ēxcĭpĭānt rēctō fŭgĭēntēs pēctŏrĕ fērrūm."
Dīxĭt ĕt ād mōntīs tēndēntēm praēvĕnĭt hōstēm.
Īllīc ēxĭgŭō paūlūm dīstāntĭă vāllō
cāstră lŏcānt. Pōstquām spătĭō lānguēntĭă nūllō
mūtŭă cōnspĭcŭōs hăbŭērūnt lūmĭnă vūltūs,
hīc frātrēs nātōsquĕ sŭōs vīdērĕ pătrēsquĕ,
dēprēnsum ēst cīvīlĕ nĕfās. Tĕnŭērĕ părūmpēr
ōră mĕtū, tāntūm nūtū mōtōquĕ sălūtānt
ēnsĕ sŭōs; mōx ūt stĭmŭlīs māiōrĭbŭs ārdēns
rūpĭt ămōr lēgēs, aūdēt trānscēndĕrĕ vāllūm
mīlĕs, ĭn āmplēxūs ēffūsās tēndĕrĕ pālmās.
Hōspĭtĭs īllĕ cĭēt nōmēn, vŏcăt īllĕ prŏpīnquūm,
ādmŏnĕt hūnc stŭdĭīs cōnsōrs pŭĕrīlĭbŭs aētās;
nēc Rōmānŭs ĕrāt quī nōn āgnōvĕrăt hōstēm.
Ārmă rĭgānt lăcrĭmīs, sīngūltĭbŭs ōscŭlă rūmpūnt,
ēt quămŭīs nūllō măcŭlātūs sānguĭnĕ mīlēs,
quaē pŏtŭīt fēcīssĕ, tĭmēt. Quīd pēctŏră pūlsās?
Quīd, vaēsānĕ, gĕmīs? Flētūs quīd fūndĭs ĭnānēs
nēc tē spōntĕ tŭā scĕlĕrī pārērĕ fătērīs?
Ūsque ādeōnĕ tĭmēs, quēm tū făcĭs īpsĕ tĭmēndūm?
Clāssĭcă dēt bēllō: saēvōs tū nēglĕgĕ cāntūs;
sīgnă fĕrāt: cēssā; iămĭām cīvīlĭs Ĕrīnŷs
cōncĭdĕt, ēt Caēsār gĕnĕrūm prīvātŭs ămābīt.
Nūnc ădĕs, aētērnō cōmplēctēns ōmnĭă nēxū,
ō rērūm mīxtīquĕ sălūs, Cōncōrdĭă, mūndī
ēt săcĕr ōrbĭs ămōr; māgnūm nūnc saēcŭlă nōstră
vēntūrī dīscrīmĕn hăbēnt. Pĕrĭērĕ lătēbraē
tōt scĕlĕrūm, pŏpŭlō vĕnĭa ēst ērēptă nŏcēntī:
āgnōvērĕ sŭōs. Prō nūmĭnĕ fātă sĭnīstrō
ēxĭgŭā rĕquĭē tāntās aūgēntĭă clādēs!
Pāx ĕrăt, ēt mīlēs cāstrīs pērmīxtŭs ŭtrīsquĕ
ērrābāt; dūrō cōncōrdēs caēspĭtĕ mēnsās
īnstĭtŭūnt ēt pērmīxtō lībāmĭnă Bācchō;
grāmĭnĕī lūxērĕ fŏcī, iūnctōquĕ cŭbīlī
ēxtrăhĭt īnsōmnīs bēllōrūm fābŭlă nōctēs
quō prīmūm stĕtĕrīnt cāmpō, quā lāncĕă dēxtrā
ēxĭĕrīt. Dūm quaē gēssērūnt fōrtĭă iāctānt,
ēt dūm mūltă nĕgānt, quōd sōlūm fātă pĕtēbānt,
ēst mĭsĕrīs rĕnŏvātă fĭdēs, ātque ōmnĕ fŭtūrūm
crēvĭt ămōrĕ nĕfās. Nām pōstquām foēdĕră pācīs
cōgnĭtă Pētrēiō sēque ēt sŭă trādĭtă vēnūm
cāstră vĭdēt, fămŭlās scĕlĕrāta ād proēlĭă dēxtrās
ēxcĭtăt ātque hōstīs tūrbā stīpātŭs ĭnērmīs
praēcĭpĭtāt cāstrīs iūnctōsque āmplēxĭbŭs ēnsĕ
sēpărăt ēt mūltō dīstūrbāt sānguĭnĕ pācēm.
Āddĭdĭt īră fĕrōx mōtūrās proēlĭă vōcēs:
"Īmmĕmŏr ō pătrĭaē, sīgnōrum ōblītĕ tŭōrūm,
nōn pŏtĕs hōc caūsaē, mīlēs, praēstārĕ, sĕnātūs
āssērtōr vīctō rĕdĕās ūt Caēsărĕ: cērtē
ūt vīncārĕ pŏtēs. Dūm fērrum īncērtăquĕ fātă
quīquĕ flŭāt mūltō nōn dērīt vūlnĕrĕ sānguīs,
ībĭtĭs ād dŏmĭnūm dāmnātăquĕ sīgnă fĕrētīs?
Ūtque hăbĕāt fămŭlōs nūllō dīscrīmĭnĕ Caēsār,
ēxōrāndŭs ĕrīt! dŭcĭbūs quŏquĕ vītă pĕtītāst!
Nūmquām nōstră sălūs prĕtĭūm mērcēsquĕ nĕfāndaē
prōdĭtĭōnĭs ĕrīt, nōn hōc cīvīlĭă bēllă
ūt vīvāmŭs ăgūnt. Trăhĭmūr sūb nōmĭnĕ pācīs.
Nōn chălўbēm gēntēs pĕnĭtūs fŭgĭēntĕ mĕtāllō
ērŭĕrēnt, nūllī vāllārēnt ōppĭdă mūrī,
nōn sŏnĭpēs īn bēllă fĕrōx, nōn īrĕt ĭn aēquōr
tūrrĭgĕrās clāssīs pĕlăgō spārsūră cărīnās,
sī bĕnĕ lībērtās ūmquām prō pācĕ dărētūr.
Hōstēs nēmpĕ mĕōs scĕlĕrī iūrātă nĕfāndō
sācrāmēntă tĕnēnt; āt vōbīs vīlĭŏr hōc ēst
vēstră fĭdēs, quōd prō caūsā pūgnāntĭbŭs aēquā
ēt vĕnĭām spērārĕ lĭcēt. Prō dīră pŭdōrīs
fūnĕră! nūnc tōtō fātōrum īgnārŭs ĭn ōrbĕ,
Māgnĕ, părās ăcĭēs mūndīque ēxtrēmă tĕnēntīs
sōllĭcĭtās rēgēs, cūm fōrsān foēdĕrĕ nōstrō
iām tĭbĭ sīt prōmīssă sălūs." Sīc fātŭr ĕt ōmnīs
cōncūssīt mēntēs scĕlĕrūmquĕ rĕdūxĭt ămōrēm.
Sīc ŭbĭ dēsuētaē sīlvīs īn cārcĕrĕ clūsō
mānsuēvērĕ fĕrae ēt vūltūs pŏsŭērĕ mĭnācēs
ātque hŏmĭnēm dĭdĭcērĕ pătī: sī tōrrĭdă pārvūs
vēnĭt ĭn ōră crŭōr, rĕdĕūnt răbĭēsquĕ fŭrōrquĕ,
ādmŏnĭtaēquĕ tŭmēnt gūstātō sānguĭnĕ faūcēs;
fērvĕt ĕt ā trĕpĭdō vīx ābstĭnĕt īră măgīstrō.
Ītŭr ĭn ōmnĕ nĕfās, ēt quaē fōrtūnă dĕōrūm
īnvĭdĭā caēcā bēllōrūm nōctĕ tŭlīssēt,
fēcīt mōnstră fĭdēs: īntēr mēnsāsquĕ tŏrōsquĕ,
quaē mŏdŏ cōmplēxū fōvērūnt, pēctŏră caēdūnt;
ēt quāmvīs prīmō fērrūm strīnxērĕ gĕmēntēs,
ūt dēxtraē iūstī glădĭūs dīssuāsŏr ădhaēsīt,
dūm fĕrĭūnt, ōdērĕ sŭōs ănĭmōsquĕ lăbāntīs
cōnfīrmānt īctū. Fērvēnt iām cāstră tŭmūltū
ēt scĕlĕrūm tūrbā, răpĭūntūr cōllă părēntūm,
āc vĕlŭt ōccūltūm pĕrĕāt scĕlŭs, ōmnĭă mōnstră
īn făcĭēm pŏsŭērĕ dŭcūm; iŭvăt ēssĕ nŏcēntīs.
Tū Caēsār, quămŭīs spŏlĭātūs mīlĭtĕ mūltō,
āgnōscīs sŭpĕrōs; nĕque ĕnīm tĭbĭ māiŏr ĭn ārvīs
Ēmăthĭīs fōrtūnă fŭīt nēc Phōcĭdŏs ūndīs
Māssĭlĭaē, Phărĭō nēc tāntum ēst aēquŏrĕ gēstūm,
hōc sĭquĭdēm sōlō cīvīlīs crīmĭnĕ bēllī
dūx caūsaē mĕlĭōrĭs ĕrīs. Pōllūtă nĕfāndā
āgmĭnă caēdĕ dŭcēs iūnctīs cōmmīttĕrĕ cāstrīs
nōn aūdēnt āltaēque ād moēnĭă rūrsŭs Ĭlērdaē
īntēndērĕ fŭgām. Cāmpōs ĕquĕs ōbvĭŭs ōmnīs
ābstŭlĭt ēt sīccīs īnclūsīt cōllĭbŭs hōstēm.
Tūnc ĭnŏpēs ūndaē praērūptā cīngĕrĕ fōssā
Caēsăr ăvēt nēc cāstră pătī cōntīngĕrĕ rīpās
aūt cīrcūm lārgōs cūrvārī brācchĭă fōntēs.
Ūt lētī vīdērĕ vĭām, cōnvērsŭs ĭn īrām
praēcĭpĭtēm tĭmŏr ēst. Mīlēs nōn ūtĭlĕ claūsīs
aūxĭlĭūm māctāvĭt ĕquōs tāndēmquĕ cŏāctūs
spē pŏsĭtā dāmnārĕ fŭgām cāsūrŭs ĭn hōstēs
fērtŭr. ŭt ēffūsō Caēsār dēcūrrĕrĕ pāssū
vīdĭt ĕt ād cērtām dēvōtōs tēndĕrĕ mōrtēm,
"Tēlă tĕnē iām, mīlĕs" ăīt "fērrūmquĕ rŭēntī
sūbtrăhĕ: nōn ūllō cōnstēt mĭhĭ sānguĭnĕ bēllūm.
Vīncĭtŭr haūd grātīs, iŭgŭlō quī prōvŏcăt hōstēm.
Ēn sĭbĭ vīlĭs ădēst īnvīsā lūcĕ iŭvēntūs
iām dāmnō pĕrĭtūră mĕō; nōn sēntĭĕt īctūs,
īncūmbēt glădĭīs, gaūdēbīt sānguĭnĕ fūsō.
Dēsĕrăt hīc fērvōr mēntēs, cădăt īmpĕtŭs āmēns,
pērdānt vēllĕ mŏrī." Sīc dēflāgrārĕ mĭnācēs
īncāssum ēt vĕtĭtō pāssūs lānguēscĕrĕ bēllō,
sūbstĭtŭīt mērsō dūm nōx sŭă lūmĭnă Phoēbō.
Īnde ŭbĭ nūllă dăta ēst mīscēndaē cōpĭă mōrtīs,
paūlātīm fŭgĭt īră fĕrōx, mēntēsquĕ tĕpēscūnt;
saūcĭă māiōrēs ănĭmōs ūt pēctŏră gēstānt,
dūm dŏlŏr ēst īctūsquĕ rĕcēns ēt mōbĭlĕ nērvīs
cōnāmēn călĭdūs praēbēt crŭŏr ōssăquĕ nōndūm
āddūxērĕ cŭtīm; sī cōnscĭŭs ēnsĭs ădāctī
stāt vīctōr tĕnŭītquĕ mănūs, tūm frīgĭdŭs ārtūs
āllĭgăt ātque ănĭmūm sūbdūctō rōbŏrĕ tōrpōr,
pōstquām sīccă rĭgēns āstrīnxīt vūlnĕră sānguīs.
Iāmque ĭnŏpēs ūndaē prīmūm tēllūrĕ rĕfōssā
ōccūltōs lătĭcēs ābstrūsăquĕ flūmĭnă quaērūnt;
nēc sōlūm rāstrīs dūrīsquĕ lĭgōnĭbŭs ārvă,
sēd glădĭīs fōdērĕ sŭīs, pŭtĕūsquĕ căvātī
mōntĭs ăd īrrĭgŭī prĕmĭtūr fāstīgĭă cāmpī.
Nōn sē tām pĕnĭtūs, tām lōngē lūcĕ rĕlīctā
mērsĕrĭt Āstŭrĭī scrūtātōr pāllĭdŭs aūrī.
Nōn tămĕn aūt tēctīs sōnvērūnt cūrsĭbŭs āmnēs,
aūt mĭcŭērĕ nŏvī pērcūssō pūmĭcĕ fōntēs,
āntră nĕque ēxĭgŭō stīllānt sūdāntĭă rōrĕ,
aūt īmpūlsă lĕvī tūrbātūr glārĕă vēnā.
Tūnc ēxhaūstă sŭpēr mūltō sūdōrĕ iŭvēntūs
ēxtrăhĭtūr dūrīs sĭlĭcūm lāssātă mĕtāllīs;
quōquĕ mĭnūs pōssēnt sīccōs tŏlĕrārĕ văpōrēs,
quaēsītaē fēcīstĭs ăquaē. Nēc lānguĭdă fēssī
cōrpŏră sūstēntānt ĕpŭlīs mēnsāsquĕ pĕrōsī
aūxĭlĭūm fēcērĕ fămēm. Sī mōllĭŭs ārvūm
prōdĭdĭt ūmōrēm, pīnguīs mănŭs ūtrăquĕ glaēbās
ēxprĭmĭt ōră sŭpēr; nīgrō sī tūrbĭdă līmō
cōllŭvĭēs īmmōtă iăcēt, cădĭt ōmnĭs ĭn haūstūs
cērtătĭm ōbscaēnōs mīlēs mŏrĭēnsquĕ rĕcēpīt,
quās nōllēt vīctūrŭs, ăquās; rītūquĕ fĕrārūm
dīstēntās sīccānt pĕcŭdēs, ēt lāctĕ nĕgātō
sōrdĭdŭs ēxhaūstō sōrbētŭr ăb ūbĕrĕ sānguīs.
Tūnc hērbās frōndēsquĕ tĕrūnt ēt rōrĕ mădēntīs
dēstrīngūnt rāmōs ēt sī quōs pālmĭtĕ crūdō
ārbŏrĭs aūt tĕnĕrā sūcōs prēssērĕ mĕdūllā.
Ō fōrtūnātī, fŭgĭēns quōs bārbărŭs hōstīs
fōntĭbŭs īmmīxtō strāvīt pēr rūră vĕnēnō.
Hōs lĭcĕt īn flŭvĭōs sănĭēm tābēmquĕ fĕrārūm,
pāllĭdă Dīctaēīs, Caēsār, nāscēntĭă sāxīs
īnfūndās ăcŏnītă pălām, Rōmānă iŭvēntūs
nōn dēcēptă bĭbēt. Tōrrēntūr vīscĕră flāmmā,
ōrăquĕ sīccă rĭgēnt squāmōsīs āspĕră līnguīs;
iām mārcēnt vēnaē, nūllōque ūmōrĕ rĭgātūs
āĕrīs āltērnōs āngūstāt pūlmŏ mĕātūs,
rēscīssōquĕ nŏcēnt sūspīrĭă dūră pălātō;
pāndūnt ōră tămēn nōctūrnūmque āĕră cāptānt.
Ēxspēctānt īmbrēs, quōrūm mŏdŏ cūnctă nătābānt
īmpūlsu, ēt sīccīs vūltūs īn nūbĭbŭs haērēnt.
Quōquĕ măgīs mĭsĕrōs ūndaē iēiūnĭă sōlvānt,
nōn sŭpĕr ārēntēm Mēroēn Cāncrīquĕ sŭb āxĕ,
quā nūdī Gărămāntĕs ărānt, sēdērĕ, sĕd īntēr
stāgnāntēm Sĭcŏrim ēt răpĭdūm dēprēnsŭs Hĭbērūm
spēctāt vīcīnōs sĭtĭēns ēxērcĭtŭs āmnēs.
Iām dŏmĭtī cēssērĕ dŭcēs, pācīsquĕ pĕtēndaē
aūctōr dāmnātīs sūpplēx Āfrānĭŭs ārmīs
sēmiănĭmēs īn cāstră trăhēns hōstīlĭă tūrmās
vīctōrīs stĕtĭt āntĕ pĕdēs. Sērvātă prĕcāntī
maiestas, non fracta malis, interque priorem
fōrtūnām cāsūsquĕ nŏvōs gĕrĭt ōmnĭă vīctī,
sēd dŭcĭs, ēt vĕnĭām sēcūrō pēctŏrĕ pōscīt:
"Sī mē dēgĕnĕrī strāvīssēnt fātă sŭb hōstĕ,
nōn dērāt fōrtīs răpĭēndō dēxtĕră lētō.
Āt nūnc caūsă mĭhi ēst ōrāndaē sōlă sălūtīs,
dīgnūm dōnāndā, Caēsār, tē crēdĕrĕ vītā.
Nōn pārtīs stŭdĭīs ăgĭmūr, nēc sūmpsĭmŭs ārmă
cōnsĭlĭīs ĭnĭmīcă tŭīs. nōs dēnĭquĕ bēllūm
īnvēnīt cīvīlĕ dŭcēs, caūsaēquĕ prĭōrī,
dūm pŏtŭīt, sērvātă fĭdēs. Nīl fātă mŏrāmūr:
trādĭmŭs Hēspĕrĭās gēntēs, ăpĕrīmŭs ĕōās
sēcūrūmque ōrbīs pătĭmūr pōst tērgă rĕlīctī.
Nēc crŭŏr ēffūsūs cāmpīs tĭbĭ bēllă pĕrēgīt
nēc fērrūm lāssaēquĕ mănūs. Hōc hōstĭbŭs ūnūm,
quōd vīncās, īgnōscĕ tŭīs. Nēc māgnă pĕtūntūr:
ōtĭă dēs fēssīs, vītām pătĭārĭs ĭnērmēs
dēgĕrĕ quām trĭbŭīs. Cāmpīs prōstrātă iăcērĕ
āgmĭnă nōstră pŭtēs; nĕc ĕnīm fēlīcĭbŭs ārmīs
mīscērī dāmnātă dĕcēt pārtēmquĕ trĭūmphī
cāptōs fērrĕ tŭī; tūrba haēc sŭă fātă pĕrēgīt.
Hōc pĕtĭmūs, vīctōs nē tēcūm vīncĕrĕ cōgās."
Dīxĕrăt; āt Caēsār făcĭlīs vūltūquĕ sĕrēnūs
flēctĭtŭr ātque ūsūs bēllī poēnāmquĕ rĕmīttīt.
Ūt prīmūm iūstaē plăcŭērūnt foēdĕră pācīs,
īncūstōdītōs dēcūrrīt mīlĕs ăd āmnēs,
īncūmbīt rīpīs pērmīssăquĕ flūmĭnă tūrbāt.
Cōntĭnŭūs mūltīs sŭbĭtārūm trāctŭs ăquārūm
āĕrā nōn pāssūs văcŭīs dīscūrrĕrĕ vēnīs
ārtāvīt clūsītque ănĭmām; nēc fērvĭdă pēstīs
cēdĭt ădhūc, sēd mōrbŭs ĕgēns iām gūrgĭtĕ plēnīs
vīscĕrĭbūs sĭbĭ pōscĭt ăquās. Mōx rōbŏră nērvīs
ēt vīrēs rĕdĭērĕ vĭrīs. Ō prōdĭgă rērūm
lūxŭrĭēs nūmquām pārvō cōntēntă părātīs
ēt quaēsītōrūm tērrā pĕlăgōquĕ cĭbōrūm
āmbĭtĭōsă fămēs ēt laūtaē glōrĭă mēnsaē,
dīscĭtĕ quām pārvō lĭcĕāt prōdūcĕrĕ vītām
ēt quāntūm nātūră pĕtāt. Nōn ērĭgĭt aēgrōs
nōbĭlĭs īgnōtō dīffūsūs cōnsŭlĕ Bācchūs,
nōn aūrō mūrrāquĕ bĭbūnt, sēd gūrgĭtĕ pūrō
vītă rĕdīt; sătĭs ēst pŏpŭlīs flŭvĭūsquĕ Cĕrēsquĕ.
Heū mĭsĕrī quī bēllă gĕrūnt! Tūnc ārmă rĕlīnquēns
vīctōrī mīlēs spŏlĭātō pēctŏrĕ tūtūs
īnnŏcŭūsquĕ sŭās cūrārūm lībĕr ĭn ūrbēs
spārgĭtŭr. Ō quāntūm dōnātā pācĕ pŏtītōs
ēxcūssīs ūmquām fērrūm vībrāssĕ lăcērtīs
paēnĭtŭīt, tŏlĕrāssĕ sĭtīm frūstrāquĕ rŏgāssĕ
prōspĕră bēllă dĕōs. Nēmpe ūsīs Mārtĕ sĕcūndō
tōt dŭbĭaē rēstānt ăcĭēs, tŏt ĭn ōrbĕ lăbōrēs;
ūt nūmquām fōrtūnă lăbēt sūccēssĭbŭs āncēps,
vīncēndūm tŏtĭēns; tērrās fūndēndŭs ĭn ōmnīs
ēst crŭŏr ēt Caēsār pēr tōt sŭă fātă sĕquēndūs.
Fēlīx quī pŏtŭīt mūndī nūtāntĕ rŭīnā,
quō iăcĕāt iām scīrĕ lŏcō. Nōn proēlĭă fēssōs
ūllă vŏcānt, cērtōs nōn rūmpūnt clāssĭcă sōmnōs.
Iām cōniūnx nātīquĕ rŭdēs ēt sōrdĭdă tēctă
ēt nōn dēdūctōs rĕcĭpīt sŭă tērră cŏlōnōs.
Hōc quŏquĕ sēcūrīs ŏnĕrīs fōrtūnă rĕmīsīt,
sōllĭcĭtūs mēntī quŏd ăbēst făvŏr: īllĕ sălūtīs
ēst aūctōr, dūx īllĕ fŭīt. Sīc proēlĭă sōlī
fēlīcēs nūllō spēctānt cīvīlĭă vōtō.
Nōn ĕădēm bēllī tōtūm fōrtūnă pĕr ōrbēm
cōnstĭtĭt, īn pārtēs ălĭquīd sēd Caēsărĭs aūsāst.
Quā mărĭs Ādrĭăcī lōngās fĕrĭt ūndă Sălōnās
ēt tĕpĭdum īn mōllēs zĕphўrōs ēxcūrrĭt Ĭādēr
īllīc bēllācī cōnfīsūs gēntĕ Cŭrīctūm,
quōs ălĭt Ādrĭăcō tēllūs cīrcūmflŭă pōntō,
claūdĭtŭr ēxtrēmā rĕsĭdēns Āntōnĭŭs ōrā
caūtŭs ăb īncūrsū bēllī, sī sōlă rĕcēdāt,
ēxpūgnāt quaē tūtă, fămēs. nōn pābŭlă tēllūs
pāscēndīs sūmmīttĭt ĕquīs, nōn prōsĕrĭt ūllām
flāvă Cĕrēs sĕgĕtēm; spŏlĭābāt grāmĭnĕ cāmpūm
mīlĕs ĕt āttōnsō mĭsĕrīs iām dēntĭbŭs ārvō
cāstrōrūm sīccās dē caēspĭtĕ vūlsĕrăt hērbās.
Vt prīmum ādvērsaē sŏcĭōs īn lītŏrĕ tērraē
ēt Băsĭlūm vīdērĕ dŭcēm, nŏvă fūrtă pĕr aēquōr
ēxquīsītă fŭgaē. Nĕque ĕnīm dē mōrĕ cărīnās
ēxtēndūnt pūppēsquĕ lĕvānt, sēd fīrmă gĕrēndīs
mōlĭbŭs īnsŏlĭtō cōntēxūnt rōbŏră dūctū;
nāmquĕ rătēm văcŭaē sūstēntānt ūndĭquĕ cūpaē,
quārūm pōrrēctīs sĕrĭēs cōnstrīctă cătēnīs
ōrdĭnĭbūs gĕmĭnīs ōblīquās ēxcĭpĭt ālnōs;
nēc gĕrĭt ēxpŏsĭtūm tēlīs īn frōntĕ pătēntī
rēmĭgĭūm, sēd, quōd trăbĭbūs cīrcūmdĕdĭt aēquōr,
hōc fĕrĭt ēt tăcĭtī praēbēt mīrācŭlă cūrsūs,
quōd nēc vēlă fĕrāt nĕc ăpērtās vērbĕrĕt ūndās.
Tūnc frĕtă sērvāntūr, dūm sē dēclīvĭbŭs ūndīs
aēstŭs ăgāt rĕflŭōquĕ mărī nūdēntŭr hărēnaē.
Iāmquĕ rĕlābēntī crēscēbānt lītŏră pōntō:
mīssă rătīs prōnō dēfērtūr lāpsă prŏfūndō
ēt gĕmĭnaē cŏmĭtēs. Cūnctās sŭpĕr ārdŭă tūrrīs
ēmĭnĕt ēt trĕmŭlīs tăbŭlātă mĭnāntĭă pīnnīs.
Nōlvīt Īllўrĭcaē cūstōs Ōctāvĭŭs ūndaē
cōnfēstīm tēmptārĕ rătēm cĕlĕrēsquĕ cărīnās
cōntĭnŭīt, cūrsū crēscāt dūm praēdă sĕcūndō,
ēt tĕmĕre īngrēssōs rĕpĕtēndum īnvītăt ăd aēquōr
pācĕ mărīs. Sīc dūm păvĭdōs fōrmīdĭnĕ cērvōs
claūdăt ŏdōrātaē mĕtŭēntīs āĕră pīnnaē,
aūt dūm dīspŏsĭtīs āttōllāt rētĭă vārīs,
vēnātōr tĕnĕt ōră lĕvīs clāmōsă Mŏlōssī,
Spārtānōs Crētāsquĕ lĭgāt, nēc crēdĭtŭr ūllī
sīlvă cănī, nĭsĭ quī prēssō vēstīgĭă rōstrō
cōllĭgĭt ēt praēdā nēscīt lātrārĕ rĕpērtā
cōntēntūs trĕmŭlō mōnstrāssĕ cŭbīlĭă lōrō.
Nēc mŏră, cōmplēntūr mōlēs, ăvĭdēquĕ pĕtītīs
īnsŭlă dēsĕrĭtūr rătĭbūs, quō tēmpŏrĕ prīmās
īmpĕdĭt ād nōctēm iām lūx ēxtrēmă tĕnēbrās.
Āt Pōmpēiānūs fraūdēs īnnēctĕrĕ pōntō
āntīquā părăt ārtĕ Cĭlīx pāssūsquĕ văcārĕ
sūmmă frĕtī, mĕdĭō sūspēndīt vīncŭlă pōntō
ēt lāxē flŭĭtārĕ sĭnīt rĕlĭgātquĕ cătēnās
rūpĭs ăb Īllўrĭcaē scŏpŭlīs. Nēc prīmă nĕc īllă
quaē sĕquĭtūr tārdātă rătīs, sēd tērtĭă mōlēs
haēsĭt ĕt ād caūtēs āddūctō fūnĕ sĕcūtāst.
Īmpēndēnt căvă sāxă mărī, rŭĭtūrăquĕ sēmpēr
stāt (mīrūm!) mōlēs ēt sīlvīs aēquŏr ĭnūmbrāt.
Hūc frāctās ăquĭlōnĕ rătēs sūmmērsăquĕ pōntūs
cōrpŏră saēpĕ tŭlīt caēcīsque ābscōndĭt ĭn āntrīs;
rēstĭtŭīt rāptūs tēctūm mărĕ, cūmquĕ căvērnaē
ēvŏmŭērĕ frĕtūm, cōntōrtī vērtĭcĭs ūndaē
Taūrŏmĕnītānām vīncūnt fērvōrĕ Chărŷbdīm.
Hīc Ŏpĭtērgīnīs mōlēs ŏnĕrātă cŏlōnīs
cōnstĭtĭt, hānc ōmnī pūppēs stătĭōnĕ sŏlūtaē
cīrcŭmĕūnt, ălĭī rūpēs āc lītŏră cōmplēnt.
Vūltĕĭūs tăcĭtās sēntīt sūb gūrgĭtĕ fraūdēs.
Dūx ĕrăt īllĕ rătīs; frūstrā quī vīncŭlă fērrō
rūmpĕrĕ cōnātūs pōscīt spē proēlĭă nūllā
īncērtūs quā tērgă dărēt, quā pēctŏră bēllō.
Hōc tămĕn īn cāsū, quāntūm dēprēnsă vălēbāt,
ēffēcīt vīrtūs: īntēr tōt mīlĭă cāptaē
cīrcūmfūsă răti ēt plēnām vīx īndĕ cŏhōrtēm
pūgnă fŭīt, nōn lōngă quĭdēm; nām cōndĭdĭt ūmbrā
nōx lūcēm dŭbĭām, pācēmque hăbŭērĕ tĕnēbraē.
Tūnc sīc āttŏnĭtām vēntūrăquĕ fātă păvēntēm
rēxīt māgnănĭmā Vūltēiūs vōcĕ cŏhōrtēm:
"Lībĕră nōn ūltrā pārvā quām nōctĕ iŭvēntūs,
cōnsŭlĭte ēxtrēmīs āngūsto īn tēmpŏrĕ rēbūs.
Vītă brĕvīs nūllī sŭpĕrēst quī tēmpŭs ĭn īllā
quaērēndaē sĭbĭ mōrtĭs hăbēt, nēc glōrĭă lētī
īnfĕrĭōr, iŭvĕnēs, ādmōto ōccūrrĕrĕ fātō.
Ōmnĭbŭs īncērtō vēntūraē tēmpŏrĕ vītaē
pār ănĭmī laūs ēst ēt quōs spērāvĕrĭs ānnōs
pērdĕre ĕt ēxtrēmaē mōmēntum ābrūmpĕrĕ lūcīs,
ārcēssās dūm fātă mănū; nōn cōgĭtŭr ūllūs
vēllĕ mŏrī. Fŭgă nūllă pătēt, stānt ūndĭquĕ nōstrīs
īntēntī cīvēs iŭgŭlīs: dēcērnĭtĕ lētūm,
ēt mĕtŭs ōmnĭs ăbēst; cŭpĭās quōdcūmquĕ nĕcēssēst.
Nōn tămĕn īn caēcā bēllōrūm nūbĕ cădēndūmst,
aūt cūm pērmīxtās ăcĭēs sŭă tēlă tĕnēbrīs
īnvōlvēnt cōnfērtă iăcēnt cūm cōrpŏră cāmpō,
īn mĕdĭūm mōrs ōmnĭs ăbīt, pĕrĭt ōbrŭtă vīrtūs.
Nōs īn cōnspĭcŭā sŏcĭīs hōstīquĕ cărīnā
cōnstĭtŭērĕ dĕī. Praēbēbūnt aēquŏră tēstēs,
praēbēbūnt tērraē, sūmmīs dăbĭt īnsŭlă sāxīs,
spēctābūnt gĕmĭnaē dīvērsō lītŏrĕ pārtēs.
Nēscĭŏ quōd nōstrīs māgnum ēt mĕmŏrābĭlĕ fātīs
ēxēmplūm, Fōrtūnă, părās. Quaēcūmquĕ pĕr aēvūm
ēxhĭbŭīt mŏnŭmēntă fĭdēs sērvātăquĕ fērrō
mīlĭtĭaē pĭĕtās, trānsīssēt nōstră iŭvēntūs;
nāmquĕ sŭīs prō tē glădĭīs īncūmbĕrĕ, Caēsār,
ēssĕ părūm scīmūs; sēd nōn māiōră sŭpērsūnt
ōbsēssīs, tāntī quaē pīgnŏră dēmŭs ămōrīs.
Ābscīdīt nōstraē mūltūm fōrs īnvĭdă laūdī,
quōd nōn cūm sĕnĭbūs cāptī nātīsquĕ tĕnēmūr.
Īndŏmĭtōs scĭăt ēssĕ vĭrōs tĭmĕātquĕ fŭrēntīs
ēt mōrtī făcĭlēs ănĭmōs ēt gaūdĕăt hōstīs
nōn plūrēs haēsīssĕ rătēs. tēmptārĕ părābūnt
foēdĕrĭbūs tūrpīquĕ vŏlēnt cōrrūmpĕrĕ vītā.
Ō | ŭtĭnām, quō plūs hăbĕāt mōrs ūnĭcă fāmaē,
prōmīttānt vĕnĭām, iŭbĕānt spērārĕ sălūtēm,
nē nōs, cūm călĭdō fŏdĭēmūs vīscĕră fērrō,
dēspērāssĕ pŭtēnt. māgnā vīrtūtĕ mĕrēndūmst,
Caēsăr ŭt āmīssīs īntēr tōt mīlĭă paūcīs
hōc dāmnūm clādēmquĕ vŏcēt. Dēnt fātă rĕcēssūm
ēmīttāntquĕ lĭcēt, vītāre īnstāntĭă nōlīm.
Prōiēcī vītām, cŏmĭtēs, tōtūsquĕ fŭtūraē
mōrtĭs ăgōr stĭmŭlīs; fŭrŏr ēst. Āgnōscĕrĕ sōlīs
pērmīssūm quōs iām tāngīt vīcīnĭă fātī,
vīctūrōsquĕ dĕī cēlānt, ūt vīvĕrĕ dūrēnt,
fēlīx ēssĕ mŏrī." sīc cūnctās sūstŭlĭt ārdōr
nōbĭlĭūm mēntēs iŭvĕnūm: cūm sīdĕră caēlī
āntĕ dŭcīs vōcēs ŏcŭlīs ūmēntĭbŭs ōmnēs
āspĭcĕrēnt flēxōque Ūrsaē tēmōnĕ păvērēnt,
īdēm, cūm fōrtēs ănĭmōs praēcēptă sŭbīssēnt,
ōptāvērĕ dĭēm. Nēc sēgnīs vērgĕrĕ pōntō
tūnc ĕrăt āstră pŏlūs; nām sōl Lēdaēă tĕnēbāt
sīdĕră, vīcīnō cūm lūx āltīssĭmă Cāncrōst;
nōx tūm Thēssălĭcās ūrgēbāt pārvă săgīttās.
Dētĕgĭt ōrtă dĭēs stāntīs īn rūpĭbŭs Hīstrōs
pūgnācēsquĕ mărī Grăĭā cūm clāssĕ Lĭbūrnōs.
Tēmptāvērĕ prĭūs sūspēnsō vīncĕrĕ bēllō
foēdĕrĭbūs, fĭĕrēt cāptīs sī dūlcĭŏr īpsā
mōrtīs vītă mŏrā. Stābāt dēvōtă iŭvēntūs
dāmnātā iām lūcĕ fĕrōx sēcūrăquĕ pūgnaē
prōmīssō sĭbĭ fīnĕ mănū, nūllīquĕ tŭmūltūs
ēxcūssērĕ vĭrīs mēntēs ād sūmmă părātās,
īnnŭmĕrāsquĕ sĭmūl paūcī tērrāquĕ mărīquĕ
sūstĭnŭērĕ mănūs; tānta ēst fīdūcĭă mōrtīs.
Ūtquĕ sătīs bēllō vīsum ēst flūxīssĕ crŭōrīs,
vērsŭs ăb hōstĕ fŭrōr. Prīmūs dūx īpsĕ cărīnaē
Vūltēiūs iŭgŭlō pōscēns iām fātă rĕtēctō
"Ēcquĭs" ăīt "iŭvĕnum ēst, cūiūs sīt dēxtră crŭōrĕ
dīgnă mĕō cērtāquĕ fĭdē pēr vūlnĕră nōstră
tēstētūr sē vēllĕ mŏrī?" Nēc plūră lŏcūtō
vīscĕră nōn ūnūs iāmdūdūm trānsĭgĭt ēnsīs.
Cōllaūdāt cūnctōs, sēd eūm cuī vūlnĕră prīmă
dēbēbāt grātō mŏrĭēns īntērfĭcĭt īctū.
Cōncūrrūnt ălĭī tōtūmque īn pārtĭbŭs ūnīs
bēllōrūm fēcērĕ nĕfās. Sīc sēmĭnĕ Cādmī
ēmĭcŭīt Dīrcaēă cŏhōrs cĕcĭdītquĕ sŭōrūm
vūlnĕrĭbūs dīrūm Thēbānīs frātrĭbŭs ōmēn;
Phāsĭdŏs ēt cāmpīs īnsōmnī dēntĕ crĕātī
tērrĭgĕnaē mīssā măgĭcīs ē cāntĭbŭs īrā
cōgnātō tāntōs īmplērūnt sānguĭnĕ sūlcōs,
īpsăque ĭnēxpērtīs quōd prīmūm fēcĕrăt hērbīs,
ēxpāvīt Mēdēă nĕfās. Sīc mūtŭă pāctī
fātă cădūnt iŭvĕnēs, mĭnĭmūmque īn mōrtĕ vĭrōrūm
mōrs vīrtūtĭs hăbēt; părĭtēr stērnūntquĕ cădūntquĕ
vūlnĕrĕ lētālī; nēc quēmquām dēxtră fĕfēllīt,
cūm fĕrĭāt mŏrĭēntĕ mănū. Nēc vūlnŭs ădāctīs
dēbētūr glădĭīs: pērcūssum ēst pēctŏrĕ fērrūm,
ēt iŭgŭlī prēssērĕ mănūm. Cūm sōrtĕ crŭēntā
frātrĭbŭs īncūrrānt frātrēs nātūsquĕ părēntī,
haūt trĕpĭdāntĕ tămēn tōtō cūm pōndĕrĕ dēxtrā
ēxēgēre ēnsēs. Pĭĕtās fĕrĭēntĭbŭs ūnă
nōn rĕpĕtīssĕ fŭīt. Iām lātīs vīscĕră lāpsă
sēmiănĭmēs trāxērĕ fŏrīs mūltūmquĕ crŭōrēm
īnfūdērĕ mărī. dēspēctām cērnĕrĕ lūcēm
vīctōrēsquĕ sŭōs vūltū spēctārĕ sŭpērbō
ēt mōrtēm sēntīrĕ iŭvāt. Iām strāgĕ crŭēntā
cōnspĭcĭtūr cŭmŭlātă rătīs būstīsquĕ rĕmīttūnt
cōrpŏră vīctōrēs dŭcĭbūs mīrāntĭbŭs, ūllī
ēssĕ dŭcēm tāntī. nūllām māiōrĕ lŏcūtāst
ōrĕ rătēm tōtūm dīscūrrēns Fāmă pĕr ōrbēm.
Nōn tămĕn īgnāvaē pōst haēc ēxēmplă vĭrōrūm
pērcĭpĭēnt gēntēs quām sīt nōn ārdŭă vīrtūs
sērvĭtĭūm fūgīssĕ mănū. Sēd rēgnă tĭmēntūr
ōb fērrum, ēt saēvīs lībērtās sūbdĭtŭr ārmīs,
īgnōrāntquĕ dătōs, nē quīsquām sērvĭăt, ēnsēs.
Mōrs, ŭtĭnām păvĭdōs vītaē sūbdūcĕrĕ nōllēs
sēd vīrtūs tē sōlă dărēt! Nōn sēgnĭŏr īllō
Mārtĕ fŭīt quī tūm Lĭbўcīs ēxārsĭt ĭn ārvīs.
Nāmquĕ rătēs aūdāx Lĭlўbaēō lītŏrĕ sōlvīt
Cūrĭŏ nēc fōrtī vēlīs ăquĭlōnĕ rĕcēptō
īntēr sēmĭrŭtās māgnaē Cārthāgĭnĭs ārcēs
ēt Clŭpĕām tĕnŭīt stătĭōnīs lītŏră nōtaē
prīmăquĕ cāstră lŏcāt cānō prŏcŭl aēquŏrĕ, quā sē
Bāgrădă lēntŭs ăgīt sīccaē sūlcātŏr hărēnaē.
Īndĕ pĕtīt tŭmŭlōs ēxēsāsque ūndĭquĕ rūpēs,
Āntaēī quās rēgnă vŏcāt nōn vānă vĕtūstās.
Nōmĭnĭs āntīquī cŭpĭēntēm nōscĕrĕ caūsās
cōgnĭtă pēr mūltōs dŏcŭīt rŭdĭs īncŏlă pātrēs:
"Nōndūm pōst gĕnĭtōs tēllūs ēffētă gĭgāntās
tērrĭbĭlēm Lĭbўcīs pārtūm cōncēpĭt ĭn āntrīs;
nēc tām iūstă fŭīt tērrārūm glōrĭă Tŷphōn
aūt Tĭtўōs Brĭăreūsquĕ fĕrōx, caēlōquĕ pĕpērcīt
quōd nōn Phlēgraēīs Āntaēūm sūstŭlĭt ārvīs.
Hōc quŏquĕ tām vāstās cŭmŭlāvīt mūnĕrĕ vīrēs
tērră sŭī fētūs, quōd, cūm tĕtĭgērĕ părēntēm,
iām dēfēctă vĭgēnt rĕnŏvātō rōbŏrĕ mēmbră.
Haēc īllī spēlūncă dŏmūs; lătŭīssĕ sŭb āltā
rūpĕ fĕrūnt, ĕpŭlās rāptōs hăbŭīssĕ lĕōnēs;
ād sōmnōs nōn tērgă fĕraē praēbērĕ cŭbīlĕ
ādsŭĕrūnt, nōn sīlvă tŏrūm, vīrēsquĕ rĕsūmīt
īn nūdā tēllūrĕ iăcēns. Pĕrĭērĕ cŏlōnī
ārvōrūm Lĭbўaē, pĕrĕūnt quōs āppŭlĭt aēquōr;
aūxĭlĭōquĕ dĭū vīrtūs nōn ūsă cădēndī
tērraē spērnĭt ŏpēs: īnvīctūs rōbŏrĕ cūnctīs,
quāmvīs stārĕt, ĕrāt. Tāndēm vūlgātă crŭēntī
fāmă mălī tērrās mōnstrīs aēquōrquĕ lĕvāntēm
māgnănĭmum Ālcīdēn Lĭbўcās ēxcīvĭt ĭn ōrās.
Īllĕ Clĕōnaēī prōiēcīt tērgă lĕōnīs,
Āntaēūs Lĭbўcī; pērfūndīt mēmbră lĭquōrĕ
hōspĕs Ŏlŷmpĭăcaē sērvātō mōrĕ pălaēstraē,
īllĕ părūm fīdēns pĕdĭbūs cōntīngĕrĕ mātrēm
aūxĭlĭūm mēmbrīs călĭdās īnfūdĭt hărēnās.
Cōnsĕrŭērĕ mănūs ēt mūltō brācchĭă nēxū;
cōllă dĭū grăvĭbūs frūstrā tēmptātă lăcērtīs,
īmmōtūmquĕ căpūt fīxā cūm frōntĕ tĕnētūr;
mīrāntūrque hăbŭīssĕ părēm. Nēc vīrĭbŭs ūtī
Ālcīdēs prīmō vŏlŭīt cērtāmĭnĕ tōtīs
ēxhaūsītquĕ vĭrūm, quōd crēbĕr ănhēlĭtŭs īllī
prōdĭdĭt ēt gĕlĭdūs fēssō dē cōrpŏrĕ sūdōr.
Tūnc cērvīx lāssātă quătī, tūnc pēctŏrĕ pēctūs
ūrguērī, tūnc ōblīquā pērcūssă lăbārĕ
crūră mănū. Iām tērgă vĭrī cēdēntĭă vīctōr
āllĭgăt ēt mĕdĭūm cōmprēssīs īlĭbŭs ārtāt
īnguĭnăque īnsērtīs pĕdĭbūs dīstēndĭt ĕt ōmnēm
ēxplĭcŭīt pēr mēmbră vĭrūm. Răpĭt ārĭdă tēllūs
sūdōrēm: călĭdō cōmplēntūr sānguĭnĕ vēnaē,
īntŭmŭērĕ tŏrī, tōtōsque īndūrŭĭt ārtūs
Hērcŭlĕōsquĕ nŏvō lāxāvīt cōrpŏrĕ nōdōs.
Cōnstĭtĭt Ālcīdēs stŭpĕfāctūs rōbŏrĕ tāntō
nēc sīc Īnăchĭīs, quāmvīs rŭdĭs ēssĕt, ĭn ūndīs
dēsēctām tĭmŭīt rĕpărātīs ānguĭbŭs hŷdrām.
Cōnflīxērĕ părēs, tēllūrīs vīrĭbŭs īllĕ,
īllĕ sŭīs. Nūmquām saēvaē spērārĕ nŏvērcaē
plūs lĭcŭīt; vĭdĕt ēxhaūstōs sūdōrĭbŭs ārtūs
cērvīcēmquĕ vĭrī sīccām, cūm fērrĕt Ŏlŷmpūm.
Ūtque ĭtĕrūm fēssīs ĭnĭēcīt brācchĭă mēmbrīs,
nōn ēxspēctātīs Āntaēūs vīrĭbŭs hōstīs
spōntĕ cădīt māiōrque āccēptō rōbŏrĕ sūrgīt.
Quīsquĭs ĭnēst tērrīs, īn fēssōs spīrĭtŭs ārtūs
ēgĕrĭtūr, tēllūsquĕ vĭrō lūctāntĕ lăbōrāt.
Ūt tāndem aūxĭlĭūm tāctaē prōdēssĕ părēntīs
Ālcīdēs sēnsīt, "Stāndum ēst tĭbĭ" dīxĭt "ĕt ūltrā
nōn crēdērĕ sŏlō stērnīquĕ vĕtābĕrĕ tērrā,
haērēbīs prēssīs īntrā mĕă pēctŏră mēmbrīs,
hūc, Āntaēĕ, cădēs." sīc fātūs sūstŭlĭt āltē
nītēntem īn tērrās iŭvĕnēm. Mŏrĭēntĭs ĭn ārtūs
nōn pŏtŭīt nātī tēllūs pērmīttĕrĕ vīrēs:
Ālcīdēs mĕdĭō tĕnŭīt iām pēctŏră pīgrō
strīctă gĕlū tērrīsquĕ dĭū nōn crēdĭdĭt hōstēm.
Hīnc, aēvī vĕtĕrīs cūstōs, fāmōsă vĕtūstās
mīrātrīxquĕ sŭī sīgnāvīt nōmĭnĕ tērrās.
Sēd māiōră dĕdīt cōgnōmĭnă cōllĭbŭs īstīs,
Poēnūm quī Lătĭīs rĕvŏcāvĭt ăb ārcĭbŭs hōstēm,
Scīpĭŏ. Nām sēdēs Lĭbўcā tēllūrĕ pŏtītō
haēc fŭĭt. Ēn vĕtĕrīs cērnīs vēstīgĭă vāllī;
Rōmāna hōs prīmūm tĕnŭīt vīctōrĭă cāmpōs."
Cūrĭŏ laētātūs, tāmquām fōrtūnă lŏcōrūm
bēllă gĕrāt sērvētquĕ dŭcūm sĭbĭ fātă prĭōrūm,
fēlīcī nōn faūstă lŏcō tēntōrĭă pōnēns
īndūlsīt cāstrīs ēt cōllĭbŭs ābstŭlĭt ōmēn
sōllĭcĭtātquĕ fĕrōs nōn aēquīs vīrĭbŭs hōstīs.
Ōmnīs Rōmānīs quaē cēssĕrăt Āfrĭcă sīgnīs,
tūnc Vārī sūb iūrĕ fŭīt, quī rōbŏrĕ quāmquām
cōnfīsūs Lătĭō rēgīs tămĕn ūndĭquĕ vīrēs
ēxcīvīt, Lĭbўaē gēntīs, ēxtrēmăquĕ mūndī
sīgnă sŭūm cŏmĭtātă Iŭbām. Nōn fūsĭŏr ūllī
tērră fŭīt dŏmĭnō: quā sūnt lōngīssĭmă rēgnī,
cārdĭne ăb ōccĭdŭō vīcīnūs Gādĭbŭs Ātlās
tērmĭnăt, ā mĕdĭō cōnfīnīs Sŷrtĭbŭs Hāmmōn;
āt quā lātă iăcēt, vāstī plăgă fērvĭdă rēgnī
dīstĭnĕt Ōcĕănūm zōnaēque ēxūstă călēntīs.
Sūffĭcĭūnt spătĭō pŏpŭlī: tōt cāstră sĕquūntūr
Aūtŏlŏlēs Nŭmĭdaēquĕ văgī sēmpērquĕ părātūs
īncūltō Gaētūlŭs ĕquō, tūm cōncŏlŏr Īndō
Maūrŭs, ĭnōps Năsămōn, mīxtī Gărămāntĕ pĕrūstō
Mārmărĭdaē vŏlŭcrēs aēquātūrūsquĕ săgīttās
Mēdōrūm, trĕmŭlūm cūm tōrsīt mīssĭlĕ, Māzāx
ēt gēns quaē nūdō rĕsĭdēns Māssŷlĭă dōrsō
ōră lĕvī flēctīt frēnōrūm nēscĭă vīrgā,
ēt sŏlĭtūs văcŭīs ērrārĕ măpālĭbŭs Āfēr
vēnātōr, fērrīquĕ sĭmūl fīdūcĭă nōn ēst,
vēstĭbŭs īrātōs lāxīs ŏpĕrīrĕ lĕōnēs.
Nēc sōlūm stŭdĭīs cīvīlĭbŭs ārmă părābāt,
prīvātaē sēd bēllă dăbāt Iŭbă cōncĭtŭs īraē.
Hūnc quŏquĕ, quō sŭpĕrōs hūmānăquĕ pōllŭĭt, ānnō
lēgĕ trĭbūnĭcĭā sŏlĭō dēpēllĕre ăvōrūm
Cūrĭŏ tēmptārāt Lĭbўāmque aūfērrĕ tўrānnō,
dūm rēgnūm tē, Rōmă, făcīt. mĕmŏr īllĕ dŏlōrīs
hōc bēllūm scēptrī frūctūm pŭtăt ēssĕ rĕtēntī.
Hāc ĭgĭtūr rēgīs trĕpĭdāt iām Cūrĭŏ fāmā,
ēt quōd Caēsărĕīs nūmquām dēvōtă iŭvēntūs
īllă nĭmīs cāstrīs nēc Rhēnī mīlĕs ĭn ūndīs
ēxplōrātŭs ĕrāt, Cōrfīnī cāptŭs ĭn ārcĕ;
īnfīdūsquĕ nŏvīs dŭcĭbūs dŭbĭūsquĕ prĭōrī
fās ūtrūmquĕ pŭtāt. sēd pōstquām lānguĭdă sēgnī
cērnīt cūnctă mĕtū nōctūrnăquĕ mūnĭă vāllī
dēsōlātă fŭgā, trĕpĭdā sīc mēntĕ prŏfātūr:
"Aūdēndō māgnūs tĕgĭtūr tĭmŏr, ārmă căpēssām
īpsĕ prĭōr, cāmpūm mīlēs dēscēndăt ĭn aēquūm,
dūm mĕŭs ēst; vărĭām sēmpēr dānt ōtĭă mēntēm.
Ērĭpĕ cōnsĭlĭūm pūgnā; cūm dīră vŏlūptās
ēnsĕ sŭbīt prēssō, gălĕaē tēxērĕ pŭdōrēm,
quīs cōnfērrĕ dŭcēs mĕmĭnīt? quīs pēndĕrĕ caūsās?
Quā stĕtĭt, īndĕ făvēt; vĕlŭtī fātālĭs hărēnaē
mūnĕrĭbūs nōn īră vĕtūs cōncūrrĕrĕ cōgīt
prōdūctōs, ōdērĕ părēs." Sīc fātŭs ăpērtīs
īnstrūxīt cāmpīs ăcĭēs; quēm blāndă fŭtūrīs
dēcēptūră mălīs bēllī fōrtūnă rĕcēpīt.
Nām pĕpŭlīt Vārūm cāmpō nūdātăquĕ foēdā
tērgă fŭgā, dōnēc vĕtŭērūnt cāstră, cĕcīdīt.
Trīstĭă sēd pōstquām sŭpĕrātī proēlĭă Vārī
sūnt aūdītă Iŭbaē, laētūs quōd glōrĭă bēllī
sīt rēbūs sērvātă sŭīs, răpĭt āgmĭnă fūrtīm
ōbscūrātquĕ sŭām pēr iūssă sĭlēntĭă fāmām
hōc sōlūm mĕtŭēns īncaūto āb hōstĕ, tĭmērī.
Mīttĭtŭr, ēxĭgŭā quī proēlĭă prīmă lăcēssāt
ēlĭcĭātquĕ mănū, Nŭmĭdīs ā rēgĕ sĕcūndūs,
ūt sĭbĭ cōmmīssī sĭmŭlātōr Sābbŭră bēllī;
īpsĕ căvā rēgnī vīrēs īn vāllĕ rĕtēntāt:
āspĭdăs ūt Phărĭās caūdā sōllērtĭŏr hōstīs
lūdĭt ĕt īrātās īncērtā prōvŏcăt ūmbrā
ōblīquūsquĕ căpūt vānās sērpēntĭs ĭn aūrās
ēffūsaē tūtō cōmprēndīt gūttŭră mōrsū
lētĭfĕrām cītrā sănĭēm; tūnc īrrĭtă pēstīs
ēxprĭmĭtūr, faūcēsquĕ flŭūnt pĕrĕūntĕ vĕnēnō.
Fraūdĭbŭs ēvēntūm dĕdĕrāt fōrtūnă, fĕrōxquĕ
nōn ēxplōrātīs ōccūltī vīrĭbŭs hōstīs
Cūrĭŏ nōctūrnūm cāstrīs ērūmpĕrĕ cōgīt
īgnōtīsque ĕquĭtēm lātē dēcūrrĕrĕ cāmpīs.
Īpsĕ sŭb aūrōraē prīmōs ēxcēdĕrĕ mōtūs
sīgnă iŭbēt cāstrīs mūltūm frūstrāquĕ rŏgātūs,
ūt Lĭbўcās mĕtŭāt fraūdēs īnfēctăquĕ sēmpēr
Pūnĭcă bēllă dŏlīs. Lētī fōrtūnă prŏpīnquī
trādĭdĕrāt fātīs iŭvĕnēm, bēllūmquĕ trăhēbāt
aūctōrēm cīvīlĕ sŭūm. Sŭpĕr ārdŭă dūcīt
sāxă, sŭpēr caūtēs ābrūptō līmĭtĕ sīgnă,
cūm prŏcŭl ē sūmmīs cōnspēctī cōllĭbŭs hōstēs.
Fraūdĕ sŭā cēssērĕ părūm, dūm cōllĕ rĕlīctō
ēffūsām pătŭlīs ăcĭēm cōmmīttĕrĕt ārvīs:
īllĕ fŭgām crēdēns sĭmŭlātaē nēscĭŭs ārtīs,
ūt vīctōr, mērsōs ăcĭēm dĕĭēcĭt ĭn āgrōs.
Tūnc prīmūm pătŭērĕ dŏlī, Nŭmĭdaēquĕ fŭgācēs
ūndĭquĕ cōmplētīs claūsērūnt mōntĭbŭs āgmēn.
Ōbstĭpŭīt dūx īpsĕ sĭmūl pĕrĭtūrăquĕ tūrbă.
Nōn tĭmĭdī pĕtĭērĕ fŭgām, nōn proēlĭă fōrtēs:
quīppe ŭbĭ nōn sŏnĭpēs mōtūs clāngōrĕ tŭbārūm
sāxă quătīt pūlsū rĭgĭdōs vēxāntĭă frēnōs
ōră tĕrēns spārgītquĕ iŭbās ēt sūbrĭgĭt aūrēs
īncērtōquĕ pĕdūm pūgnāt nōn stārĕ tŭmūltū;
fēssă iăcēt cērvīx, fūmānt sūdōrĭbŭs ārtūs,
ōrăquĕ prōiēctā squālēnt ārēntĭă līnguā,
pēctŏră raūcă gĕmūnt quaē crēbĕr ănhēlĭtŭs ūrgēt,
ēt dēfēctă grăvīs lōngē trăhĭt īlĭă pūlsūs,
sīccăquĕ sānguĭnĕīs dūrēscīt spūmă lŭpātīs.
Iāmquĕ grădūm nĕquĕ vērbĕrĭbūs stĭmŭlīsquĕ cŏāctī
nēc quămŭīs crēbrīs iūssī cālcārĭbŭs āddūnt;
vūlnĕrĭbūs cōgūntŭr ĕquī, nēc prōfŭĭt ūllī
cōrnĭpĕdīs rūpīssĕ mŏrās; nĕque ĕnim īmpĕtŭs īllĕ
īncūrsūsquĕ fŭīt: tāntūm pērfērtŭr ăd hōstēm
ēt spătĭūm iăcŭlīs ōblātō vūlnĕrĕ dōnāt.
Āt văgŭs Āfĕr ĕquōs ūt prīmum ēmīsĭt ĭn āgmēn,
tūnc cāmpī trĕmŭērĕ sŏnō, tērrāquĕ sŏlūtā,
quāntūs Bīstŏnĭō tōrquētūr tūrbĭnĕ pūlvīs,
āĕră nūbĕ sŭā tēxīt trāxītquĕ tĕnēbrās.
Ūt vēro īn pĕdĭtēs fātūm mĭsĕrābĭlĕ bēllī
īncŭbŭīt, nūllō dŭbĭī dīscrīmĭnĕ Mārtīs
āncĭpĭtēs stĕtĕrūnt cāsūs, sēd tēmpŏră pūgnaē
mōrs tĕnŭīt; nĕque ĕnīm lĭcŭīt prōcūrrĕrĕ cōntrā
ēt mīscērĕ mănūs. Sīc ūndĭquĕ saēptă iŭvēntūs
cōmmĭnŭs ōblīquīs ēt rēctīs ēmĭnŭs hāstīs
ōbrŭĭtūr, nōn vūlnĕrĭbūs nēc sānguĭnĕ sōlūm,
tēlōrūm nīmbō pĕrĭtūra ēt pōndĕrĕ fērrī.
Ērgo ăcĭēs tāntaē pārvūm spīssāntŭr ĭn ōrbēm,
āc, sī quīs mĕtŭēns mĕdĭūm cōrrēpsĭt ĭn āgmēn,
vīx īmpūnĕ sŭōs īntēr cōnvērtĭtŭr ēnsēs;
dēnsātūrquĕ glŏbūs, quāntūm pĕdĕ prīmă rĕlātō
cōnstrīnxīt gŷrōs ăcĭēs. nōn ārmă mŏvēndī
iām lŏcŭs ēst prēssīs, stīpātăquĕ mēmbră tĕrūntūr;
frāngĭtŭr ārmātūm cōllīsō pēctŏrĕ pēctūs.
Nōn tām laētă tŭlīt vīctōr spēctācŭlă Maūrūs
quām fōrtūnă dăbāt; flŭvĭōs nōn īllĕ crŭōrīs
membrorumque uidet lapsum et ferientia terram
cōrpŏră: cōmprēssūm tūrbā stĕtĭt ōmnĕ cădāvēr.
Ēxcĭtĕt īnvīsās dīraē Cārthāgĭnĭs ūmbrās
īnfĕrĭīs fōrtūnă nŏvīs, fĕrăt īstă crŭēntūs
Hānnĭbăl ēt Poēnī tām dīră pĭācŭlă mānēs.
Rōmānām, sŭpĕrī, Lĭbўcā tēllūrĕ rŭīnām
Pōmpēiō prōdēssĕ nĕfās vōtīsquĕ sĕnātūs!
Āfrĭcă nōs pŏtĭūs vīncāt sĭbĭ. Cūrĭŏ fūsās
ūt vīdīt cāmpīs ăcĭēs ēt cērnĕrĕ tāntās
pērmīsīt clādēs cōmprēssūs sānguĭnĕ pūlvīs,
nōn tŭlĭt ādflīctīs ănĭmām prōdūcĕrĕ rēbūs
aūt spērārĕ fŭgām cĕcĭdītque īn strāgĕ sŭōrūm
īmpĭgĕr ād lētum ēt fōrtīs vīrtūtĕ cŏāctā.
Quīd nūnc rōstră tĭbī prōsūnt tūrbātă fŏrūmquĕ,
ūndĕ trĭbūnĭcĭā plēbēiūs sīgnĭfĕr ārcĕ
ārmă dăbās pŏpŭlīs? quīd prōdĭtă iūră sĕnātūs
ēt gĕnĕr ātquĕ sŏcēr bēllō cōncūrrĕrĕ iūssī?
Āntĕ iăcēs quām dīră dŭcēs Phārsālĭă cōnfērt,
spēctāndūmquĕ tĭbī bēllūm cīvīlĕ nĕgātūmst.
Hās ūrbī mĭsĕraē vēstrō dē sānguĭnĕ poēnās
fērrĕ dătīs, lŭĭtīs iŭgŭlō sīc ārmă, pŏtēntēs.
Fēlīx Rōmă quĭdēm cīvīsque hăbĭtūră bĕātōs,
sī lībērtātīs sŭpĕrīs tām cūră plăcērēt,
quām vīndīctă plăcēt! Lĭbўcās ēn nōbĭlĕ cōrpūs
pāscĭt ăvēs, nūllō cōntēctūs Cūrĭŏ būstō.
Āt tĭbĭ nōs, quāndō nōn prōdĕrĭt īstă sĭlērĕ,
ā quĭbŭs ōmne aēvī sĕnĭūm sŭă fāmă rĕpēllīt,
dīgnă dămūs, iŭvĕnīs, mĕrĭtaē praēcōnĭă vītaē.
Haūt ălĭūm tāntā cīvēm tŭlĭt īndŏlĕ Rōmă
aūt cuī plūs lēgēs dēbērēnt rēctă sĕquēntī.
Pērdĭtă tūnc Ūrbī nŏcŭērūnt saēcŭlă, pōstquām
āmbĭtŭs ēt lūxūs ĕt ŏpūm mĕtŭēndă făcūltās
transuerso mentem dubiam torrente tulerunt;
mōmēntūmquĕ fŭīt mūtātūs Cūrĭŏ rērūm,
Gāllōrūm cāptūs spŏlĭīs ēt Caēsărĭs aūrō.
Iūs lĭcĕt īn iŭgŭlōs nōstrōs sĭbĭ fēcĕrĭt ēnsīs
Sūllă pŏtēns Mărĭūsquĕ fĕrōx ēt Cīnnă crŭēntūs
Caēsărĕaēquĕ dŏmūs sĕrĭēs, cuī tāntă pŏtēstās
cōncēssa ēst? ēmēre ōmnēs, hīc vēndĭdĭt Ūrbēm.
At procul extremis terrarum Caesar in oris
Martem saeuus agit non multa caede nocentem,
maxima sed fati ducibus momenta daturum.
Iure pari rector castris Afranius illis
ac Petreius erat: concordia duxit in aequas
imperium commune uices, tutelaque ualli
peruigil alterno paret custodia signo.
His praeter Latias acies erat inpiger Astur
Vettonesque leues profugique a gente uetusta
Gallorum Celtae miscentes nomen Hiberis.
Colle tumet modico lenique excreuit in altum
pingue solum tumulo; super hunc fundata uetusta
surgit Ilerda manu; placidis praelabitur undis
Hesperios inter Sicoris non ultimus amnis,
saxeus ingenti quem pons amplectitur arcu
hibernas passurus aquas. at proxima rupes
signa tenet Magni; nec Caesar colle minore
castra leuat; medius dirimit tentoria gurges.
Explicat hinc tellus campos effusa patentis
uix oculo prendente modum, camposque coercet
Cinga rapax uetitus fluctus et litora cursu
Oceani pepulisse suo; nam gurgite mixto
qui praestat terris, aufert tibi nomen Hiberus.
Prima dies belli cessauit Marte cruento
spectandasque ducum uires numerosaque signa
exposuit. Piguit sceleris; pudor arma furentum
continuit, patriaeque et ruptis legibus unum
donauere diem; prono cum Caesar Olympo
in noctem subita circumdedit agmina fossa,
dum primae perstant acies, hostemque fefellit
et prope consertis obduxit castra maniplis.
Luce noua collem subito conscendere cursu,
qui medius tutam castris dirimebat Ilerdam,
imperat. huc hostem pariter terrorque pudorque
impulit, et rapto tumulum prior agmine cepit.
His uirtus ferrumque locum promittit, at illis
ipse locus. Miles rupes oneratus in altas
nititur, aduersoque acies in monte supina
haeret et in tergum casura umbone sequentis
erigitur. Nulli telum uibrare uacauit,
dum labat et fixo firmat uestigia pilo,
dum scopulos stirpesque tenent atque hoste relicto
caedunt ense uiam. uidit lapsura ruina
agmina dux equitemque iubet succedere bello
munitumque latus laeuo praeducere gyro.
Sic pedes ex facili nulloque urguente receptus,
irritus et uictor subducto Marte pependit.
Hactenus armorum discrimina; cetera bello
fata dedit uariis incertus motibus aër.
Pigro bruma gelu siccisque aquilonibus haerens
aethere constricto pluuias in nube tenebat.
Vrebant montana niues camposque iacentes
non duraturae conspecto sole pruinae,
atque omnis propior mergenti sidera caelo
aruerat tellus hiberno dura sereno.
Sed postquam uernus calidum Titana recepit
sidera respiciens delapsae portitor Helles,
atque iterum aequatis ad iustae pondera Librae
temporibus uicere dies, tunc sole relicto
Cynthia, quo primum cornu dubitanda refulsit,
exclusit borean flammasque accepit in euro.
Ille suo nubes quascumque inuenit in axe,
torsit in occiduum Nabateis flatibus orbem
et quas sentit Arabs et quas Gangetica tellus
exhalat nebulas, quicquid concrescere primus
sol patitur, quicquid caeli fuscator eoi
intulerat corus, quicquid defenderat Indos.
Incendere diem nubes oriente remotae
nec medio potuere graues incumbere mundo,
sed nimbi rapuere fuga. uacat imbribus arctos
et notus, in solam Calpen fluit umidus aër.
Hic ubi iam zephyri fines et summus Olympi
cardo tenet Tethyn, uetitae transcurrere densos
inuoluere globos, congestumque aëris atri
uix recipit spatium quod separat aethere terram.
Iamque polo pressae largos densantur in imbres
spissataeque fluunt, nec seruant fulmina flammas.
Quamuis crebra micent, exstinguit fulgura nimbus.
Hinc imperfecto complectitur aëra gyro
arcus uix ulla uariatus luce colorem
Oceanumque bibit raptosque ad nubila fluctus
pertulit et caelo defusum reddidit aequor.
Iamque Pyrenaeae, quas numquam soluere Titan
eualuit, fluxere niues, fractoque madescunt
saxa gelu. Tum, quae solitis e fontibus exit,
non habet unda uias: tam largas alueus omnis
a ripis accepit aquas. Iam naufraga campo
Caesaris arma natant, impulsaque gurgite multo
castra labant; alto restagnant flumina uallo.
Non pecorum raptus faciles, non pabula mersi
ulla ferunt sulci; tectarum errore uiarum
fallitur occultis sparsus populator in agris.
Iamque comes semper magnorum prima malorum
saeua fames aderat, nulloque obsessus ab hoste
miles eget; toto censu non prodigus emit
exiguam Cererem. Pro lucri pallida tabes!
Non dest prolato ieiunus uenditor auro.
Iam tumuli collesque latent, iam flumina cuncta
condidit una palus uastaque uoragine mersit:
absorpsit penitus rupes ac tecta ferarum
detulit atque ipsas hausit subitisque frementis
uerticibus contorsit aquas et reppulit aestus
fortior Oceani. Nec Phoebum surgere sentit
nox subtexta polo: rerum discrimina miscet
deformis caeli facies iunctaeque tenebrae.
Sic mundi pars ima iacet, quam zona niualis
perpetuaeque premunt hiemes: non sidera caelo
ulla uidet, sterili non quidquam frigore gignit,
sed glacie medios signorum temperat ignes.
Sic, o summe parens mundi, sic, sorte secunda
aequorei rector, facias, Neptune, tridentis,
et tu perpetuis impendas aëra nimbis,
tu remeare uetes quoscumque emiseris aestus.
Non habeant amnes decliuem ad litora cursum
Sed pelagi referantur aquis, concussaque tellus
laxet iter fluuiis: hos campos Rhenus inundet,
hos Rhodanus, uastos obliquent flumina fontis.
Riphaeus hic solue niues, hic stagna lacusque
et pigras, ubicumque iacent, effunde paludes,
et miseras bellis ciuilibus eripe terras.
Sed paruo Fortuna uiri contenta pauore
plena redit, solitoque magis fauere secundi
et ueniam meruere dei. Iam rarior aër
et par Phoebus aquis densas in uellera nubes
sparserat et noctes uentura luce rubebant,
seruatoque loco rerum discessit ab astris
umor, et ima petit quicquid pendebat aquarum.
Tollere silua comas, stagnis emergere colles
incipiunt uisoque die durescere ualles.
Vtque habuit ripas Sicoris camposque reliquit,
primum cana salix madefacto uimine paruam
texitur in puppim caesoque inducta iuuenco
uectoris patiens tumidum superenatat amnem.
Sic Venetus stagnante Pado fusoque Britannus
nauigat Oceano; sic, cum tenet omnia Nilus,
conseritur bibula Memphitis cymba papyro.
His ratibus traiecta manus festinat utrimque
succisum curuare nemus fluuiique ferocis
incrementa timens non primis robora ripis
imposuit, medios pontem distendit in agros.
Ac ne quid Sicoris repetitis audeat undis,
spargitur in sulcos et scisso gurgite riuis
dat poenas maioris aquae. Postquam omnia fatis
Caesaris ire uidet celsam Petreius Ilerdam
deserit et noti diffisus uiribus orbis
indomitos quaerit populos et semper in arma
mortis amore feros et tendit in ultima mundi.
Nudatos Caesar colles desertaque castra
conspiciens capere arma iubet nec quaerere pontem
nec uada, sed duris fluuium superare lacertis.
Paretur, rapuitque ruens in proelia miles,
quod fugiens timuisset iter. Mox uda receptis
membra fouent armis gelidosque a gurgite cursu
restituunt artus, donec decresceret umbra
in medium surgente die; iamque agmina summa
carpit eques, dubiique fugae pugnaeque tenentur.
Attollunt campo geminae iuga saxea rupes
ualle cauae media; tellus hinc ardua celsos
continuat colles, tutae quos inter opaco
anfractu latuere uiae; quibus hoste potito
faucibus emitti terrarum in deuia Martem
inque feras gentes Caesar uidet: "Ite sine ullo
ordine" ait "raptumque fuga conuertite bellum
et faciem pugnae uultusque inferte minaces,
nec liceat pauidis ignaua occumbere morte:
excipiant recto fugientes pectore ferrum."
Dixit et ad montis tendentem praeuenit hostem.
Illic exiguo paulum distantia uallo
castra locant. Postquam spatio languentia nullo
mutua conspicuos habuerunt lumina uultus,
hic fratres natosque suos uidere patresque,
deprensum est ciuile nefas. Tenuere parumper
ora metu, tantum nutu motoque salutant
ense suos; mox ut stimulis maioribus ardens
rupit amor leges, audet transcendere uallum
miles, in amplexus effusas tendere palmas.
Hospitis ille ciet nomen, uocat ille propinquum,
admonet hunc studiis consors puerilibus aetas;
nec Romanus erat qui non agnouerat hostem.
Arma rigant lacrimis, singultibus oscula rumpunt,
et quamuis nullo maculatus sanguine miles,
quae potuit fecisse, timet. Quid pectora pulsas?
Quid, uaesane, gemis? Fletus quid fundis inanes
nec te sponte tua sceleri parere fateris?
Vsque adeone times, quem tu facis ipse timendum?
Classica det bello: saeuos tu neglege cantus;
signa ferat: cessa; iamiam ciuilis Erinys
concidet, et Caesar generum priuatus amabit.
Nunc ades, aeterno complectens omnia nexu,
o rerum mixtique salus, Concordia, mundi
et sacer orbis amor; magnum nunc saecula nostra
uenturi discrimen habent. Periere latebrae
tot scelerum, populo uenia est erepta nocenti:
agnouere suos. Pro numine fata sinistro
exigua requie tantas augentia clades!
Pax erat, et miles castris permixtus utrisque
errabat; duro concordes caespite mensas
instituunt et permixto libamina Baccho;
graminei luxere foci, iunctoque cubili
extrahit insomnis bellorum fabula noctes
quo primum steterint campo, qua lancea dextra
exierit. Dum quae gesserunt fortia iactant,
et dum multa negant, quod solum fata petebant,
est miseris renouata fides, atque omne futurum
creuit amore nefas. Nam postquam foedera pacis
cognita Petreio seque et sua tradita uenum
castra uidet, famulas scelerata ad proelia dextras
excitat atque hostis turba stipatus inermis
praecipitat castris iunctosque amplexibus ense
separat et multo disturbat sanguine pacem.
Addidit ira ferox moturas proelia uoces:
"Immemor o patriae, signorum oblite tuorum,
non potes hoc causae, miles, praestare, senatus
assertor uicto redeas ut Caesare: certe
ut uincare potes. Dum ferrum incertaque fata
quique fluat multo non derit uulnere sanguis,
ibitis ad dominum damnataque signa feretis?
Vtque habeat famulos nullo discrimine Caesar,
exorandus erit! ducibus quoque uita petitast!
Numquam nostra salus pretium mercesque nefandae
proditionis erit, non hoc ciuilia bella
ut uiuamus agunt. Trahimur sub nomine pacis.
Non chalybem gentes penitus fugiente metallo
eruerent, nulli uallarent oppida muri,
non sonipes in bella ferox, non iret in aequor
turrigeras classis pelago sparsura carinas,
si bene libertas umquam pro pace daretur.
Hostes nempe meos sceleri iurata nefando
sacramenta tenent; at uobis uilior hoc est
uestra fides, quod pro causa pugnantibus aequa
et ueniam sperare licet. Pro dira pudoris
funera! nunc toto fatorum ignarus in orbe,
Magne, paras acies mundique extrema tenentis
sollicitas reges, cum forsan foedere nostro
iam tibi sit promissa salus." Sic fatur et omnis
concussit mentes scelerumque reduxit amorem.
Sic ubi desuetae siluis in carcere cluso
mansueuere ferae et uultus posuere minaces
atque hominem didicere pati: si torrida paruus
uenit in ora cruor, redeunt rabiesque furorque,
admonitaeque tument gustato sanguine fauces;
feruet et a trepido uix abstinet ira magistro.
Itur in omne nefas, et quae fortuna deorum
inuidia caeca bellorum nocte tulisset,
fecit monstra fides: inter mensasque torosque,
quae modo complexu fouerunt, pectora caedunt;
et quamuis primo ferrum strinxere gementes,
ut dextrae iusti gladius dissuasor adhaesit,
dum feriunt, odere suos animosque labantis
confirmant ictu. Feruent iam castra tumultu
et scelerum turba, rapiuntur colla parentum,
ac uelut occultum pereat scelus, omnia monstra
in faciem posuere ducum; iuuat esse nocentis.
Tu Caesar, quamuis spoliatus milite multo,
agnoscis superos; neque enim tibi maior in aruis
Emathiis fortuna fuit nec Phocidos undis
Massiliae, Phario nec tantum est aequore gestum,
hoc siquidem solo ciuilis crimine belli
dux causae melioris eris. Polluta nefanda
agmina caede duces iunctis committere castris
non audent altaeque ad moenia rursus Ilerdae
intendere fugam. Campos eques obuius omnis
abstulit et siccis inclusit collibus hostem.
Tunc inopes undae praerupta cingere fossa
Caesar auet nec castra pati contingere ripas
aut circum largos curuari bracchia fontes.
Vt leti uidere uiam, conuersus in iram
praecipitem timor est. Miles non utile clausis
auxilium mactauit equos tandemque coactus
spe posita damnare fugam casurus in hostes
fertur. ut effuso Caesar decurrere passu
uidit et ad certam deuotos tendere mortem,
"Tela tene iam, miles" ait "ferrumque ruenti
subtrahe: non ullo constet mihi sanguine bellum.
Vincitur haud gratis, iugulo qui prouocat hostem.
En sibi uilis adest inuisa luce iuuentus
iam damno peritura meo; non sentiet ictus,
incumbet gladiis, gaudebit sanguine fuso.
Deserat hic feruor mentes, cadat impetus amens,
perdant uelle mori." Sic deflagrare minaces
incassum et uetito passus languescere bello,
substituit merso dum nox sua lumina Phoebo.
Inde ubi nulla data est miscendae copia mortis,
paulatim fugit ira ferox, mentesque tepescunt;
saucia maiores animos ut pectora gestant,
dum dolor est ictusque recens et mobile neruis
conamen calidus praebet cruor ossaque nondum
adduxere cutim; si conscius ensis adacti
stat uictor tenuitque manus, tum frigidus artus
alligat atque animum subducto robore torpor,
postquam sicca rigens astrinxit uulnera sanguis.
Iamque inopes undae primum tellure refossa
occultos latices abstrusaque flumina quaerunt;
nec solum rastris durisque ligonibus arua,
sed gladiis fodere suis, puteusque cauati
montis ad irrigui premitur fastigia campi.
Non se tam penitus, tam longe luce relicta
merserit Asturii scrutator pallidus auri.
Non tamen aut tectis sonuerunt cursibus amnes,
aut micuere noui percusso pumice fontes,
antra neque exiguo stillant sudantia rore,
aut impulsa leui turbatur glarea uena.
Tunc exhausta super multo sudore iuuentus
extrahitur duris silicum lassata metallis;
quoque minus possent siccos tolerare uapores,
quaesitae fecistis aquae. Nec languida fessi
corpora sustentant epulis mensasque perosi
auxilium fecere famem. Si mollius aruum
prodidit umorem, pinguis manus utraque glaebas
exprimit ora super; nigro si turbida limo
colluuies immota iacet, cadit omnis in haustus
certatim obscaenos miles moriensque recepit,
quas nollet uicturus, aquas; rituque ferarum
distentas siccant pecudes, et lacte negato
sordidus exhausto sorbetur ab ubere sanguis.
Tunc herbas frondesque terunt et rore madentis
destringunt ramos et si quos palmite crudo
arboris aut tenera sucos pressere medulla.
O fortunati, fugiens quos barbarus hostis
fontibus immixto strauit per rura ueneno.
Hos licet in fluuios saniem tabemque ferarum,
pallida Dictaeis, Caesar, nascentia saxis
infundas aconita palam, Romana iuuentus
non decepta bibet. Torrentur uiscera flamma,
oraque sicca rigent squamosis aspera linguis;
iam marcent uenae, nulloque umore rigatus
aëris alternos angustat pulmo meatus,
rescissoque nocent suspiria dura palato;
pandunt ora tamen nocturnumque aëra captant.
Exspectant imbres, quorum modo cuncta natabant
impulsu, et siccis uultus in nubibus haerent.
Quoque magis miseros undae ieiunia soluant,
non super arentem Meroen Cancrique sub axe,
qua nudi Garamantes arant, sedere, sed inter
stagnantem Sicorim et rapidum deprensus Hiberum
spectat uicinos sitiens exercitus amnes.
Iam domiti cessere duces, pacisque petendae
auctor damnatis supplex Afranius armis
semianimes in castra trahens hostilia turmas
uictoris stetit ante pedes. Seruata precanti
maiestas, non fracta malis, interque priorem
fortunam casusque nouos gerit omnia uicti,
sed ducis, et ueniam securo pectore poscit:
"Si me degeneri strauissent fata sub hoste,
non derat fortis rapiendo dextera leto.
At nunc causa mihi est orandae sola salutis,
dignum donanda, Caesar, te credere uita.
Non partis studiis agimur, nec sumpsimus arma
consiliis inimica tuis. nos denique bellum
inuenit ciuile duces, causaeque priori,
dum potuit, seruata fides. Nil fata moramur:
tradimus Hesperias gentes, aperimus eoas
securumque orbis patimur post terga relicti.
Nec cruor effusus campis tibi bella peregit
nec ferrum lassaeque manus. Hoc hostibus unum,
quod uincas, ignosce tuis. Nec magna petuntur:
otia des fessis, uitam patiaris inermes
degere quam tribuis. Campis prostrata iacere
agmina nostra putes; nec enim felicibus armis
misceri damnata decet partemque triumphi
captos ferre tui; turba haec sua fata peregit.
Hoc petimus, uictos ne tecum uincere cogas."
Dixerat; at Caesar facilis uultuque serenus
flectitur atque usus belli poenamque remittit.
Vt primum iustae placuerunt foedera pacis,
incustoditos decurrit miles ad amnes,
incumbit ripis permissaque flumina turbat.
Continuus multis subitarum tractus aquarum
aëra non passus uacuis discurrere uenis
artauit clusitque animam; nec feruida pestis
cedit adhuc, sed morbus egens iam gurgite plenis
uisceribus sibi poscit aquas. Mox robora neruis
et uires rediere uiris. O prodiga rerum
luxuries numquam paruo contenta paratis
et quaesitorum terra pelagoque ciborum
ambitiosa fames et lautae gloria mensae,
discite quam paruo liceat producere uitam
et quantum natura petat. Non erigit aegros
nobilis ignoto diffusus consule Bacchus,
non auro murraque bibunt, sed gurgite puro
uita redit; satis est populis fluuiusque Ceresque.
Heu miseri qui bella gerunt! Tunc arma relinquens
uictori miles spoliato pectore tutus
innocuusque suas curarum liber in urbes
spargitur. O quantum donata pace potitos
excussis umquam ferrum uibrasse lacertis
paenituit, tolerasse sitim frustraque rogasse
prospera bella deos. Nempe usis Marte secundo
tot dubiae restant acies, tot in orbe labores;
ut numquam fortuna labet successibus anceps,
uincendum totiens; terras fundendus in omnis
est cruor et Caesar per tot sua fata sequendus.
Felix qui potuit mundi nutante ruina,
quo iaceat iam scire loco. Non proelia fessos
ulla uocant, certos non rumpunt classica somnos.
Iam coniunx natique rudes et sordida tecta
et non deductos recipit sua terra colonos.
Hoc quoque securis oneris fortuna remisit,
sollicitus menti quod abest fauor: ille salutis
est auctor, dux ille fuit. Sic proelia soli
felices nullo spectant ciuilia uoto.
Non eadem belli totum fortuna per orbem
constitit, in partes aliquid sed Caesaris ausast.
Qua maris Adriaci longas ferit unda Salonas
et tepidum in molles zephyros excurrit Iader
illic bellaci confisus gente Curictum,
quos alit Adriaco tellus circumflua ponto,
clauditur extrema residens Antonius ora
cautus ab incursu belli, si sola recedat,
expugnat quae tuta, fames. non pabula tellus
pascendis summittit equis, non proserit ullam
flaua Ceres segetem; spoliabat gramine campum
miles et attonso miseris iam dentibus aruo
castrorum siccas de caespite uulserat herbas.
Vt primum aduersae socios in litore terrae
et Basilum uidere ducem, noua furta per aequor
exquisita fugae. Neque enim de more carinas
extendunt puppesque leuant, sed firma gerendis
molibus insolito contexunt robora ductu;
namque ratem uacuae sustentant undique cupae,
quarum porrectis series constricta catenis
ordinibus geminis obliquas excipit alnos;
nec gerit expositum telis in fronte patenti
remigium, sed, quod trabibus circumdedit aequor,
hoc ferit et taciti praebet miracula cursus,
quod nec uela ferat nec apertas uerberet undas.
Tunc freta seruantur, dum se decliuibus undis
aestus agat refluoque mari nudentur harenae.
Iamque relabenti crescebant litora ponto:
missa ratis prono defertur lapsa profundo
et geminae comites. Cunctas super ardua turris
eminet et tremulis tabulata minantia pinnis.
Noluit Illyricae custos Octauius undae
confestim temptare ratem celeresque carinas
continuit, cursu crescat dum praeda secundo,
et temere ingressos repetendum inuitat ad aequor
pace maris. Sic dum pauidos formidine ceruos
claudat odoratae metuentis aëra pinnae,
aut dum dispositis attollat retia uaris,
uenator tenet ora leuis clamosa Molossi,
Spartanos Cretasque ligat, nec creditur ulli
silua cani, nisi qui presso uestigia rostro
colligit et praeda nescit latrare reperta
contentus tremulo monstrasse cubilia loro.
Nec mora, complentur moles, auideque petitis
insula deseritur ratibus, quo tempore primas
impedit ad noctem iam lux extrema tenebras.
At Pompeianus fraudes innectere ponto
antiqua parat arte Cilix passusque uacare
summa freti, medio suspendit uincula ponto
et laxe fluitare sinit religatque catenas
rupis ab Illyricae scopulis. Nec prima nec illa
quae sequitur tardata ratis, sed tertia moles
haesit et ad cautes adducto fune secutast.
Impendent caua saxa mari, ruituraque semper
stat (mirum!) moles et siluis aequor inumbrat.
Huc fractas aquilone rates summersaque pontus
corpora saepe tulit caecisque abscondit in antris;
restituit raptus tectum mare, cumque cauernae
euomuere fretum, contorti uerticis undae
Tauromenitanam uincunt feruore Charybdim.
Hic Opiterginis moles onerata colonis
constitit, hanc omni puppes statione solutae
circumeunt, alii rupes ac litora complent.
Vulteius tacitas sentit sub gurgite fraudes.
Dux erat ille ratis; frustra qui uincula ferro
rumpere conatus poscit spe proelia nulla
incertus qua terga daret, qua pectora bello.
Hoc tamen in casu, quantum deprensa ualebat,
effecit uirtus: inter tot milia captae
circumfusa rati et plenam uix inde cohortem
pugna fuit, non longa quidem; nam condidit umbra
nox lucem dubiam, pacemque habuere tenebrae.
Tunc sic attonitam uenturaque fata pauentem
rexit magnanima Vulteius uoce cohortem:
"Libera non ultra parua quam nocte iuuentus,
consulite extremis angusto in tempore rebus.
Vita breuis nulli superest qui tempus in illa
quaerendae sibi mortis habet, nec gloria leti
inferior, iuuenes, admoto occurrere fato.
Omnibus incerto uenturae tempore uitae
par animi laus est et quos speraueris annos
perdere et extremae momentum abrumpere lucis,
arcessas dum fata manu; non cogitur ullus
uelle mori. Fuga nulla patet, stant undique nostris
intenti ciues iugulis: decernite letum,
et metus omnis abest; cupias quodcumque necessest.
Non tamen in caeca bellorum nube cadendumst,
aut cum permixtas acies sua tela tenebris
inuoluent conferta iacent cum corpora campo,
in medium mors omnis abit, perit obruta uirtus.
Nos in conspicua sociis hostique carina
constituere dei. Praebebunt aequora testes,
praebebunt terrae, summis dabit insula saxis,
spectabunt geminae diuerso litore partes.
Nescio quod nostris magnum et memorabile fatis
exemplum, Fortuna, paras. Quaecumque per aeuum
exhibuit monumenta fides seruataque ferro
militiae pietas, transisset nostra iuuentus;
namque suis pro te gladiis incumbere, Caesar,
esse parum scimus; sed non maiora supersunt
obsessis, tanti quae pignora demus amoris.
Abscidit nostrae multum fors inuida laudi,
quod non cum senibus capti natisque tenemur.
Indomitos sciat esse uiros timeatque furentis
et morti faciles animos et gaudeat hostis
non plures haesisse rates. temptare parabunt
foederibus turpique uolent corrumpere uita.
O | utinam, quo plus habeat mors unica famae,
promittant ueniam, iubeant sperare salutem,
ne nos, cum calido fodiemus uiscera ferro,
desperasse putent. magna uirtute merendumst,
Caesar ut amissis inter tot milia paucis
hoc damnum clademque uocet. Dent fata recessum
emittantque licet, uitare instantia nolim.
Proieci uitam, comites, totusque futurae
mortis agor stimulis; furor est. Agnoscere solis
permissum quos iam tangit uicinia fati,
uicturosque dei celant, ut uiuere durent,
felix esse mori." sic cunctas sustulit ardor
nobilium mentes iuuenum: cum sidera caeli
ante ducis uoces oculis umentibus omnes
aspicerent flexoque Vrsae temone pauerent,
idem, cum fortes animos praecepta subissent,
optauere diem. Nec segnis uergere ponto
tunc erat astra polus; nam sol Ledaea tenebat
sidera, uicino cum lux altissima Cancrost;
nox tum Thessalicas urgebat parua sagittas.
Detegit orta dies stantis in rupibus Histros
pugnacesque mari Graia cum classe Liburnos.
Temptauere prius suspenso uincere bello
foederibus, fieret captis si dulcior ipsa
mortis uita mora. Stabat deuota iuuentus
damnata iam luce ferox securaque pugnae
promisso sibi fine manu, nullique tumultus
excussere uiris mentes ad summa paratas,
innumerasque simul pauci terraque marique
sustinuere manus; tanta est fiducia mortis.
Vtque satis bello uisum est fluxisse cruoris,
uersus ab hoste furor. Primus dux ipse carinae
Vulteius iugulo poscens iam fata retecto
"Ecquis" ait "iuuenum est, cuius sit dextra cruore
digna meo certaque fide per uulnera nostra
testetur se uelle mori?" Nec plura locuto
uiscera non unus iamdudum transigit ensis.
Collaudat cunctos, sed eum cui uulnera prima
debebat grato moriens interficit ictu.
Concurrunt alii totumque in partibus unis
bellorum fecere nefas. Sic semine Cadmi
emicuit Dircaea cohors ceciditque suorum
uulneribus dirum Thebanis fratribus omen;
Phasidos et campis insomni dente creati
terrigenae missa magicis e cantibus ira
cognato tantos implerunt sanguine sulcos,
ipsaque inexpertis quod primum fecerat herbis,
expauit Medea nefas. Sic mutua pacti
fata cadunt iuuenes, minimumque in morte uirorum
mors uirtutis habet; pariter sternuntque caduntque
uulnere letali; nec quemquam dextra fefellit,
cum feriat moriente manu. Nec uulnus adactis
debetur gladiis: percussum est pectore ferrum,
et iuguli pressere manum. Cum sorte cruenta
fratribus incurrant fratres natusque parenti,
haut trepidante tamen toto cum pondere dextra
exegere enses. Pietas ferientibus una
non repetisse fuit. Iam latis uiscera lapsa
semianimes traxere foris multumque cruorem
infudere mari. despectam cernere lucem
uictoresque suos uultu spectare superbo
et mortem sentire iuuat. Iam strage cruenta
conspicitur cumulata ratis bustisque remittunt
corpora uictores ducibus mirantibus, ulli
esse ducem tanti. nullam maiore locutast
ore ratem totum discurrens Fama per orbem.
Non tamen ignauae post haec exempla uirorum
percipient gentes quam sit non ardua uirtus
seruitium fugisse manu. Sed regna timentur
ob ferrum, et saeuis libertas subditur armis,
ignorantque datos, ne quisquam seruiat, enses.
Mors, utinam pauidos uitae subducere nolles
sed uirtus te sola daret! Non segnior illo
Marte fuit qui tum Libycis exarsit in aruis.
Namque rates audax Lilybaeo litore soluit
Curio nec forti uelis aquilone recepto
inter semirutas magnae Carthaginis arces
et Clupeam tenuit stationis litora notae
primaque castra locat cano procul aequore, qua se
Bagrada lentus agit siccae sulcator harenae.
Inde petit tumulos exesasque undique rupes,
Antaei quas regna uocat non uana uetustas.
Nominis antiqui cupientem noscere causas
cognita per multos docuit rudis incola patres:
"Nondum post genitos tellus effeta gigantas
terribilem Libycis partum concepit in antris;
nec tam iusta fuit terrarum gloria Typhon
aut Tityos Briareusque ferox, caeloque pepercit
quod non Phlegraeis Antaeum sustulit aruis.
Hoc quoque tam uastas cumulauit munere uires
terra sui fetus, quod, cum tetigere parentem,
iam defecta uigent renouato robore membra.
Haec illi spelunca domus; latuisse sub alta
rupe ferunt, epulas raptos habuisse leones;
ad somnos non terga ferae praebere cubile
adsuerunt, non silua torum, uiresque resumit
in nuda tellure iacens. Periere coloni
aruorum Libyae, pereunt quos appulit aequor;
auxilioque diu uirtus non usa cadendi
terrae spernit opes: inuictus robore cunctis,
quamuis staret, erat. Tandem uulgata cruenti
fama mali terras monstris aequorque leuantem
magnanimum Alciden Libycas exciuit in oras.
Ille Cleonaei proiecit terga leonis,
Antaeus Libyci; perfundit membra liquore
hospes Olympiacae seruato more palaestrae,
ille parum fidens pedibus contingere matrem
auxilium membris calidas infudit harenas.
Conseruere manus et multo bracchia nexu;
colla diu grauibus frustra temptata lacertis,
immotumque caput fixa cum fronte tenetur;
miranturque habuisse parem. Nec uiribus uti
Alcides primo uoluit certamine totis
exhausitque uirum, quod creber anhelitus illi
prodidit et gelidus fesso de corpore sudor.
Tunc ceruix lassata quati, tunc pectore pectus
urgueri, tunc obliqua percussa labare
crura manu. Iam terga uiri cedentia uictor
alligat et medium compressis ilibus artat
inguinaque insertis pedibus distendit et omnem
explicuit per membra uirum. Rapit arida tellus
sudorem: calido complentur sanguine uenae,
intumuere tori, totosque induruit artus
Herculeosque nouo laxauit corpore nodos.
Constitit Alcides stupefactus robore tanto
nec sic Inachiis, quamuis rudis esset, in undis
desectam timuit reparatis anguibus hydram.
Conflixere pares, telluris uiribus ille,
ille suis. Numquam saeuae sperare nouercae
plus licuit; uidet exhaustos sudoribus artus
ceruicemque uiri siccam, cum ferret Olympum.
Vtque iterum fessis iniecit bracchia membris,
non exspectatis Antaeus uiribus hostis
sponte cadit maiorque accepto robore surgit.
Quisquis inest terris, in fessos spiritus artus
egeritur, tellusque uiro luctante laborat.
Vt tandem auxilium tactae prodesse parentis
Alcides sensit, "Standum est tibi" dixit "et ultra
non credere solo sternique uetabere terra,
haerebis pressis intra mea pectora membris,
huc, Antaee, cades." sic fatus sustulit alte
nitentem in terras iuuenem. Morientis in artus
non potuit nati tellus permittere uires:
Alcides medio tenuit iam pectora pigro
stricta gelu terrisque diu non credidit hostem.
Hinc, aeui ueteris custos, famosa uetustas
miratrixque sui signauit nomine terras.
Sed maiora dedit cognomina collibus istis,
Poenum qui Latiis reuocauit ab arcibus hostem,
Scipio. Nam sedes Libyca tellure potito
haec fuit. En ueteris cernis uestigia ualli;
Romana hos primum tenuit uictoria campos."
Curio laetatus, tamquam fortuna locorum
bella gerat seruetque ducum sibi fata priorum,
felici non fausta loco tentoria ponens
indulsit castris et collibus abstulit omen
sollicitatque feros non aequis uiribus hostis.
Omnis Romanis quae cesserat Africa signis,
tunc Vari sub iure fuit, qui robore quamquam
confisus Latio regis tamen undique uires
exciuit, Libyae gentis, extremaque mundi
signa suum comitata Iubam. Non fusior ulli
terra fuit domino: qua sunt longissima regni,
cardine ab occiduo uicinus Gadibus Atlas
terminat, a medio confinis Syrtibus Hammon;
at qua lata iacet, uasti plaga feruida regni
distinet Oceanum zonaeque exusta calentis.
Sufficiunt spatio populi: tot castra sequuntur
Autololes Numidaeque uagi semperque paratus
inculto Gaetulus equo, tum concolor Indo
Maurus, inops Nasamon, mixti Garamante perusto
Marmaridae uolucres aequaturusque sagittas
Medorum, tremulum cum torsit missile, Mazax
et gens quae nudo residens Massylia dorso
ora leui flectit frenorum nescia uirga,
et solitus uacuis errare mapalibus Afer
uenator, ferrique simul fiducia non est,
uestibus iratos laxis operire leones.
Nec solum studiis ciuilibus arma parabat,
priuatae sed bella dabat Iuba concitus irae.
Hunc quoque, quo superos humanaque polluit, anno
lege tribunicia solio depellere auorum
Curio temptarat Libyamque auferre tyranno,
dum regnum te, Roma, facit. memor ille doloris
hoc bellum sceptri fructum putat esse retenti.
Hac igitur regis trepidat iam Curio fama,
et quod Caesareis numquam deuota iuuentus
illa nimis castris nec Rheni miles in undis
exploratus erat, Corfini captus in arce;
infidusque nouis ducibus dubiusque priori
fas utrumque putat. sed postquam languida segni
cernit cuncta metu nocturnaque munia ualli
desolata fuga, trepida sic mente profatur:
"Audendo magnus tegitur timor, arma capessam
ipse prior, campum miles descendat in aequum,
dum meus est; uariam semper dant otia mentem.
Eripe consilium pugna; cum dira uoluptas
ense subit presso, galeae texere pudorem,
quis conferre duces meminit? quis pendere causas?
Qua stetit, inde fauet; ueluti fatalis harenae
muneribus non ira uetus concurrere cogit
productos, odere pares." Sic fatus apertis
instruxit campis acies; quem blanda futuris
deceptura malis belli fortuna recepit.
Nam pepulit Varum campo nudataque foeda
terga fuga, donec uetuerunt castra, cecidit.
Tristia sed postquam superati proelia Vari
sunt audita Iubae, laetus quod gloria belli
sit rebus seruata suis, rapit agmina furtim
obscuratque suam per iussa silentia famam
hoc solum metuens incauto ab hoste, timeri.
Mittitur, exigua qui proelia prima lacessat
eliciatque manu, Numidis a rege secundus,
ut sibi commissi simulator Sabbura belli;
ipse caua regni uires in ualle retentat:
aspidas ut Pharias cauda sollertior hostis
ludit et iratas incerta prouocat umbra
obliquusque caput uanas serpentis in auras
effusae tuto comprendit guttura morsu
letiferam citra saniem; tunc irrita pestis
exprimitur, faucesque fluunt pereunte ueneno.
Fraudibus euentum dederat fortuna, feroxque
non exploratis occulti uiribus hostis
Curio nocturnum castris erumpere cogit
ignotisque equitem late decurrere campis.
Ipse sub aurorae primos excedere motus
signa iubet castris multum frustraque rogatus,
ut Libycas metuat fraudes infectaque semper
Punica bella dolis. Leti fortuna propinqui
tradiderat fatis iuuenem, bellumque trahebat
auctorem ciuile suum. Super ardua ducit
saxa, super cautes abrupto limite signa,
cum procul e summis conspecti collibus hostes.
Fraude sua cessere parum, dum colle relicto
effusam patulis aciem committeret aruis:
ille fugam credens simulatae nescius artis,
ut uictor, mersos aciem deiecit in agros.
Tunc primum patuere doli, Numidaeque fugaces
undique completis clauserunt montibus agmen.
Obstipuit dux ipse simul perituraque turba.
Non timidi petiere fugam, non proelia fortes:
quippe ubi non sonipes motus clangore tubarum
saxa quatit pulsu rigidos uexantia frenos
ora terens spargitque iubas et subrigit aures
incertoque pedum pugnat non stare tumultu;
fessa iacet ceruix, fumant sudoribus artus,
oraque proiecta squalent arentia lingua,
pectora rauca gemunt quae creber anhelitus urget,
et defecta grauis longe trahit ilia pulsus,
siccaque sanguineis durescit spuma lupatis.
Iamque gradum neque uerberibus stimulisque coacti
nec quamuis crebris iussi calcaribus addunt;
uulneribus coguntur equi, nec profuit ulli
cornipedis rupisse moras; neque enim impetus ille
incursusque fuit: tantum perfertur ad hostem
et spatium iaculis oblato uulnere donat.
At uagus Afer equos ut primum emisit in agmen,
tunc campi tremuere sono, terraque soluta,
quantus Bistonio torquetur turbine puluis,
aëra nube sua texit traxitque tenebras.
Vt uero in pedites fatum miserabile belli
incubuit, nullo dubii discrimine Martis
ancipites steterunt casus, sed tempora pugnae
mors tenuit; neque enim licuit procurrere contra
et miscere manus. Sic undique saepta iuuentus
comminus obliquis et rectis eminus hastis
obruitur, non uulneribus nec sanguine solum,
telorum nimbo peritura et pondere ferri.
Ergo acies tantae paruum spissantur in orbem,
ac, si quis metuens medium correpsit in agmen,
uix impune suos inter conuertitur enses;
densaturque globus, quantum pede prima relato
constrinxit gyros acies. non arma mouendi
iam locus est pressis, stipataque membra teruntur;
frangitur armatum colliso pectore pectus.
Non tam laeta tulit uictor spectacula Maurus
quam fortuna dabat; fluuios non ille cruoris
membrorumque uidet lapsum et ferientia terram
corpora: compressum turba stetit omne cadauer.
Excitet inuisas dirae Carthaginis umbras
inferiis fortuna nouis, ferat ista cruentus
Hannibal et Poeni tam dira piacula manes.
Romanam, superi, Libyca tellure ruinam
Pompeio prodesse nefas uotisque senatus!
Africa nos potius uincat sibi. Curio fusas
ut uidit campis acies et cernere tantas
permisit clades compressus sanguine puluis,
non tulit adflictis animam producere rebus
aut sperare fugam ceciditque in strage suorum
impiger ad letum et fortis uirtute coacta.
Quid nunc rostra tibi prosunt turbata forumque,
unde tribunicia plebeius signifer arce
arma dabas populis? quid prodita iura senatus
et gener atque socer bello concurrere iussi?
Ante iaces quam dira duces Pharsalia confert,
spectandumque tibi bellum ciuile negatumst.
Has urbi miserae uestro de sanguine poenas
ferre datis, luitis iugulo sic arma, potentes.
Felix Roma quidem ciuisque habitura beatos,
si libertatis superis tam cura placeret,
quam uindicta placet! Libycas en nobile corpus
pascit aues, nullo contectus Curio busto.
At tibi nos, quando non proderit ista silere,
a quibus omne aeui senium sua fama repellit,
digna damus, iuuenis, meritae praeconia uitae.
Haut alium tanta ciuem tulit indole Roma
aut cui plus leges deberent recta sequenti.
Perdita tunc Vrbi nocuerunt saecula, postquam
ambitus et luxus et opum metuenda facultas
transuerso mentem dubiam torrente tulerunt;
momentumque fuit mutatus Curio rerum,
Gallorum captus spoliis et Caesaris auro.
Ius licet in iugulos nostros sibi fecerit ensis
Sulla potens Mariusque ferox et Cinna cruentus
Caesareaeque domus series, cui tanta potestas
concessa est? emere omnes, hic uendidit Vrbem.