Testi della poesia latinaTesti della poesia latinaTērtĭŭs hōrrēntēm Zĕphўrīs lāxāvĕrăt ānnūm
Phoēbŭs ĕt āngūstō cōgēbāt līmĭtĕ vērnūm
lōngĭŭs īrĕ dĭēm, cūm frācta īmpūlsăquĕ fātīs
cōnsĭlĭa ēt tāndēm mĭsĕrīs dătă cōpĭă bēllī.
Prīmă mănū rŭtĭlām dē vērtĭcĕ Lārīsaēō5
ōstēndīt Bēllōnă făcēm dēxtrāquĕ trăbālēm
hāstam īntōrsĭt ăgēns, lĭquĭdō quaē strīdŭlă caēlō
fūgĭt ĕt Āŏnĭaē cēlsō stĕtĭt āggĕrĕ Dīrcēs.
Mōx ēt cāstră sŭbīt fērrōque aūrōquĕ cŏrūscīs
mīxtă vĭrīs tūrmālĕ frĕmīt; dăt ĕūntĭbŭs ēnsīs,10
plaūdĭt ĕquōs, vŏcăt ād pōrtās; hōrtāmĭnă fōrtēs
praēvĕnĭūnt, tĭmĭdīsque ĕtĭām brĕvĭs āddĭtă vīrtūs.
Dīctă dĭēs ădĕrāt. Cădĭt īngēns rītĕ Tŏnāntī
Grādīvōquĕ pĕcūs, nūllīsquĕ sĕcūndŭs ĭn ēxtīs
pāllĕt ĕt ārmātīs sĭmŭlāt spērārĕ săcērdōs.15
Iāmquĕ sŭōs cīrcūm pŭĕrī nūptaēquĕ pătrēsquĕ
fūndūntūr mīxtī sūmmīsque ā pōstĭbŭs ōbstānt.
Nēc mŏdŭs ēst lăcrĭmīs: rōrānt clĭpĕīquĕ iŭbaēquĕ
trīstĕ sălūtāntum, ēt cūnctīs dēpēndĕt ăb ārmīs
suspiranda domus; galeis iuuat oscula clausis20
īnsĕrĕre āmplēxūquĕ trŭcēs dēdūcĕrĕ cōnōs.
Īllī, quīs fērrūm mŏdŏ, quīs mōrs īpsă plăcēbāt,
dānt gĕmĭtūs frāctaēquĕ lăbānt sīngūltĭbŭs īraē.
Sīc ŭbĭ fōrtĕ vĭrīs lōngūm sŭpĕr aēquŏr ĭtūrīs,
cūm iam ād vēlă nŏti ēt scīssō rĕdĭt āncŏră fūndō,25
haērĕt ămīcă mănūs: cērtānt īnnēctĕrĕ cōllō
brācchĭă, mānāntīsque ŏcŭlōs hīnc ōscŭlă tūrbānt,
hīnc māgnī cālīgŏ mărīs, tāndēmquĕ rĕlīctī
stānt īn rūpĕ tămēn; fŭgĭēntĭă cārbăsă vīsū
dūlcĕ sĕquī, pătrĭōsquĕ dŏlēnt crēbrēscĕrĕ vēntōs.30
Stānt tămĕn, ēt nōtā pūppīm dē rūpĕ sălūtānt.
Nūnc mĭhĭ, Fāmă prĭōr mūndīque ārcānă Vĕtūstās,
cuī mĕmĭnīssĕ dŭcūm vītāsque ēxtēndĕrĕ cūraē,
pāndĕ vĭrōs, tūque ō nĕmŏrīs rēgīnă sŏnōrī,
Cāllĭŏpē, quās īllĕ mănūs, quaē mōvĕrĭt ārmă35
Grādīvūs, quāntās pŏpŭlīs sōlāvĕrĭt ūrbēs,
sūblātā mōlīrĕ lўrā: nĕque ĕnim āltĭŏr ūllī
mēns haūstō dē fōntĕ vĕnīt. Rēx trīstĭs ĕt aēgēr
pōndĕrĕ cūrārūm prŏpĭōrque ăbĕūntĭbŭs ānnīs
īntĕr ădhōrtāntīs vīx spōnte īncēdĭt Ădrāstūs,40
cōntēntūs fērrō cīngī lătŭs; ārmă mănīplī
pōnĕ fĕrūnt, vŏlŭcrīs pōrtīs aūrīgă sŭb īpsīs
cōmĭt ĕquōs, ēt iam īndĕ iŭgō lūctātŭr Ărīōn.
Huīc ārmāt Lārīsă vĭrōs, huīc cēlsă Prŏsŷmnā,
āptĭŏr ārmēntīs Mĭdĕā pĕcŏrōsăquĕ Phlīūs,45
quaēquĕ păvēt lōngā spūmāntēm vāllĕ Chărādrōn
Nērĭs, ĕt īngēntī tūrrītaē mōlĕ Clĕōnaē
ēt Lăcĕdaēmŏnĭūm Thўrĕā lēctūră crŭōrēm.
iūngūntūr mĕmŏrēs trānsmīssi ăb ŏrīgĭnĕ rēgīs,
quī Drĕpănī scŏpŭlōs ĕt ŏlīvĭfĕraē Sĭcўōnīs50
cūltă sĕrūnt, quōs pīgră vădō Lāngīă tăcēntī
lāmbĭt ĕt ānfrāctū rīpārum īncūrvŭs Ĕlīssōn.
Saēvŭs hŏnōs flŭvĭō: Stўgĭās lūstrārĕ sĕvērīs
Eūmĕnĭdās pĕrhĭbētŭr ăquīs; hūc mērgĕrĕ suētaē
ōra ĕt ănhēlāntīs pōtō Phlĕgĕthōntĕ cĕrāstās55
seū Thrācūm vērtērĕ dŏmōs, seū tēctă Mўcēnēs
īmpĭă Cādmēūmvĕ lărēm; fŭgĭt īpsĕ nătāntīs
āmnĭs ĕt īnnŭmĕrīs līvēscūnt stāgnă vĕnēnīs.
Īt cŏmĕs Īnōās Ĕphўrē sōlātă quĕrēlās
Cēnchrēaēquĕ mănūs, vātūm quā cōnscĭŭs āmnīs60
Gōrgŏnĕō pērcūssŭs ĕquō, quăque ŏbīăcĕt āltō
Īsthmŏs ĕt ā tērrīs mărĭa īnclīnātă rĕpēllīt.
Haēc mănŭs Ādrāstūm nŭmĕrō tēr mīllĕ sĕcūtī
ēxsūltānt; pārs gaēsă mănū, pārs rōbŏră flāmmīs
īndūrātă dĭū - nōn ūnūs nāmquĕ mănīplīs65
mōs nĕquĕ sānguĭs - hăbēnt, tĕrĕtīs pārs vērtĕrĕ fūndaē
ādsuētī văcŭōquĕ dĭēm praēcīngĕrĕ gŷrō.
Īpse ānnīs scēptrīsquĕ sŭbīt vĕnĕrābĭlĭs aēquē:
ūt pōssēssă dĭū taūrūs mĕăt ārdŭŭs īntēr
pāscŭă iām lāxā cērvīce ĕt ĭnānĭbŭs ārmīs,70
dūx tămĕn: haūd īllūm bēllo āttēmptārĕ iŭvēncīs
sūnt ănĭmī; nām trūncă vĭdēnt dē vūlnĕrĕ mūltō
cōrnŭa ĕt īngēntīs plāgārum īn pēctŏrĕ nōdōs.
Prōxĭmă lōngaēvō prōfērt Dīrcaēŭs Ădrāstō
sīgnă gĕnēr, cuī bēllă făvēnt, cuī cōmmŏdăt īrās75
cūnctă cŏhōrs: huīc ēt pătrĭā dē sēdĕ vŏlēntēs
ādvēnērĕ vĭrī, seū quōs mŏvĕt ēxŭl ĕt haēsīt
trīstĭbŭs aūctă fĭdēs, seū quīs mūtārĕ pŏtēntīs
praēcĭpŭūm, mūltī, mĕlĭōr quōs caūsă quĕrēntī
cōncĭlĭāt; dĕdĕrāt nēc nōn sŏcĕr īpsĕ rĕgēndās80
Aēgĭŏn Ārēnēnque, ēt quās Thēsēĭă Troēzēn
āddĭt ŏpēs, nē rāră mŏvēns īnglōrĭŭs īrēt
āgmĭnă, neū rāptōs pătrĭaē sēntīrĕt hŏnōrēs.
Īdem hăbĭtūs, ĕădem ārmă vĭrō, quaē dēbĭtŭs hōspēs
hībērnā sūb nōctĕ tŭlīt: Teūmēsĭŭs īmplēt85
tērgă lĕo ēt gĕmĭnō lūcēnt hāstīlĭă fērrō,
āspĕră vūlnĭfĭcō sūbtēr lătŭs ēnsĕ rĭgēt Sphīnx.
Iām rēgnūm mātrīsquĕ sĭnūs fīdāsquĕ sŏrōrēs
spē vōtīsquĕ tĕnēt, tămĕn ēt dē tūrrĕ sŭprēmā
āttŏnĭtām tōtōque ēxstāntēm cōrpŏrĕ lōngē90
rēspĭcĭt Ārgīān; haēc mēntem ŏcŭlōsquĕ rĕdūcīt
cōniŭgĭs ēt dūlcīs āvērtīt pēctŏrĕ Thēbās.
Ēcce īntēr mĕdĭōs pătrĭaē cĭĕt āgmĭnă gēntīs
fūlmĭnĕūs Tŷdeūs, iām laētŭs ĕt īntĕgĕr ārtūs,
ūt prīmaē strĕpŭērĕ tŭbaē: ceū lūbrĭcŭs āltā95
ānguĭs hŭmō vērnī blānda ād spīrāmĭnă sōlīs
ērĭgĭtūr lībēr sĕnĭo ēt squālēntĭbŭs ānnīs
ēxūtūs laētīsquĕ mĭnāx īntērvĭrĕt hērbīs:
ā mĭsĕr, āgrēstūm sī quīs pēr grāmĕn hĭāntī
ōbvĭŭs ēt prīmō fraūdāvĕrĭt ōră vĕnēnō!100
huīc quŏquĕ praēstāntēs Aētōlīs ūrbĭbŭs ādfērt
bēllī fāmă vĭrōs: sēnsīt scŏpŭlōsă Pўlēnē
flētăquĕ cōgnātīs ăvĭbūs Mĕlĕāgrĭă Pleūrōn
ēt praēcēps Călўdōn, ēt quaē Iŏvĕ prōvŏcăt Īdēn
Ōlĕnŏs, Īŏnĭīs ēt flūctĭbŭs hōspĭtă pōrtū105
Chālcĭs ĕt Hērcŭlĕā tūrpātūs gŷmnădĕ vūltūs
āmnĭs; ădhūc īmīs vīx trūncam āttōllĕrĕ frōntēm
aūsŭs ăquīs glaūcōquĕ căpūt sūbmērsŭs ĭn āntrō
maērĕt, ănhēlāntēs aēgrēscūnt pūlvĕrĕ rīpaē.
Ōmnĭbŭs aērātaē prōpūgnānt pēctŏră crātēs,110
pīlăquĕ saēvă mănū, pătrĭūs stāt cāssĭdĕ Māvōrs.
Ūndĭquĕ māgnănĭmūm pūbēs dēlēctă cŏrōnānt
Oēnīdēn, hĭlărēm bēllō nōtīsquĕ dĕcōrūm
vūlnĕrĭbūs; nōn īllĕ mĭnīs Pŏlўnīcĭs ĕt īrā
īnfĕrĭōr, dŭbĭūmque ădĕō, cuī bēllă gĕrāntūr.115
Māiŏr ăt īndĕ nŏvīs īt Dōrĭcŭs ōrdŏ sŭb ārmīs,
quī rīpās, Lŷrcīĕ, tŭās, tŭă lītŏră mūltō
vōmĕrĕ sūspēndūnt, flŭvĭōrūm dūctŏr Ăchīvūm,
Īnăchĕ - Pērsēā nĕque ĕnīm vĭŏlēntĭŏr ēxīt
āmnĭs hŭmō, cūm Taūrum aūt Plīădăs haūsĭt ăquōsās120
spūmĕŭs ēt gĕnĕrō tŭmŭīt Iŏvĕ -, quōs cĕlĕr āmbīt
Āstĕrĭōn Drўŏpūmquĕ trăhēns Ĕrăsīnŭs ărīstās,
ēt quī rūră dŏmānt Ĕpĭdaūrĭă - dēxtĕr Ĭācchō
cōllĭs ăt Hēnnēaē Cĕrĕrī nĕgăt -; āvĭă Dŷmē
mīttĭt ŏpēm dēnsāsquĕ Pўlōs Nēlēĭă tūrmās;125
nōndūm nōtă Pўlōs iŭvĕnīsque aētātĕ sĕcūndā
Nēstŏr, ĕt īrĕ tămēn pĕrĭtūra īn cāstră nĕgāvīt.
Hōs ăgĭtāt pūlchraēquĕ dŏcēt vīrtūtĭs ămōrēm
ārdŭŭs Hīppŏmĕdōn; căpĭtī trĕmĭt aērĕă cāssīs
†tēr nĭvĕūm scāndēntĕ iŭbā†, lătŭs ōmnĕ sŭb ārmīs130
fērrĕă sūtă tĕrūnt, ŭmĕrōs āc pēctŏră lātē
flāmmĕŭs ōrbĭs hăbēt, pērfēctăquĕ vīvĭt ĭn aūrō
nōx Dănăī: sōntēs Fŭrĭārūm lāmpădĕ nīgrā
quīnquāgīnta ārdēnt thălămī; pătĕr īpsĕ crŭēntīs
īn fŏrĭbūs laūdātquĕ nĕfās ātque īnspĭcĭt ēnsīs.135
Īllūm Pāllădĭā sŏnĭpēs Nĕmĕaēŭs ăb ārcĕ
dēvĕhĭt ārmă păvēns ūmbrāque īmmānĕ vŏlāntī
īmplĕt ăgrōs lōngōque āttōllīt pūlvĕrĕ cāmpūm.
Nōn ălĭtēr sīlvās ŭmĕrīs ĕt ŭtrōquĕ rĕfrīngēns
pēctŏrĕ mōntānō dūplēx Hŷlaēŭs ăb āntrō140
praēcĭpĭtāt - păvĕt Ōssă - vĭās, pĕcŭdēsquĕ fĕraēquĕ
prōcŭbŭērĕ mĕtū; nōn īpsīs frātrĭbŭs hōrrōr
āfŭĭt, īngēntī dōnēc Pēnēĭă sāltū
stāgnă sŭbīt māgnūmque ōbiēctūs dētĭnĕt āmnēm.
Quīs nŭmĕrūm fērrī gēntīsque ēt rōbŏră dīctū145
aēquārīt mōrtālĕ sŏnāns? Sŭŭs ēxcĭt ĭn ārmă
āntīquām Tīrŷnthă dĕūs; nōn fōrtĭbŭs īllă
īnfēcūndă vĭrīs fāmāque īmmānĭs ălūmnī
dēgĕnĕrāt, sēd lāpsă sĭtū fōrtūnă, nĕque āddūnt
rōbŭr ŏpēs; rārūs văcŭīs hăbĭtātŏr ĭn ārvīs150
mōnstrāt Cŷclōpūm dūctās sūdōrĭbŭs ārcēs.
Dāt tămĕn haēc iŭvĕnūm tērcēntūm pēctŏră, vūlgūs
īnnŭmĕrūm bēllō, quĭbŭs haūd āmmēntă nĕc ēnsēs
trīstĕ mĭcānt: flāvaē căpĭtī tērgōquĕ lĕōnūm
ēxŭvĭaē gēntīlĭs hŏnōs, ēt pīnĕŭs ārmāt155
stīpĕs, ĭnēxhaūstīs ārtāntūr tēlă phărētrīs.
Hērcŭlĕūm paēānă cănūnt, vāstātăquĕ mōnstrīs
ōmnĭă; frōndōsā lōngūm dĕŭs aūdĭt ăb Oētā.
Dāt Nĕmĕā cŏmĭtēs, ēt quās īn proēlĭă vīrīs
sācră Clĕōnaēī cōgūnt vīnētă Mŏlōrchī.160
Glōrĭă nōtă căsaē, fŏrĭbūs sĭmŭlātă sălīgnīs
hōspĭtĭs ārmă dĕī, pārvōque ōstēndĭtŭr ārvō,
rōbŭr ŭbi ēt lāxōs quā rēclīnāvĕrĭt ārcūs
īlĭcĕ, quā cŭbĭtī sĕdĕānt vēstīgĭă tērrā.
Āt pĕdĕs ēt tōtō dēspēctāns vērtĭcĕ bēllūm165
quāttŭŏr īndŏmĭtīs Căpăneūs ērēptă iŭvēncīs
tērgă sŭpērquĕ rĭgēns īniēctū mōlĭs ăēnaē
vērsăt ŏnūs; squālēt trĭplĭcī rāmōsă cŏrōnă
Hŷdră rĕcēns ŏbĭtū: pārs ānguĭbŭs āspĕră vīvīs
ārgēntō caēlātă mĭcāt, pārs ārtĕ rĕpērtā170
cōndĭtŭr ēt fūlvō mŏrĭēns īgnēscĭt ĭn aūrō;
cīrcum āmnīs tōrpēns ēt fērrō caērŭlă Lērnă.
Āt lătĕrūm trāctūs spătĭōsăquĕ pēctŏră sērvāt
nēxĭlĭs īnnŭmĕrō Chălўbūm sūbtēmĭnĕ thōrāx,
hōrrēndūm, nōn mātrĭs, ŏpūs; gălĕaēquĕ cŏrūscā175
prōmĭnĕt ārcĕ gĭgāns; ātque ūnī mīssĭlĭs īllī
cūspĭdĕ praēfīxā stāt frōndĭbŭs ōrbă cŭprēssūs.
Huīc pārērĕ dătī, quōs fērtĭlĭs Āmphĭgĕnīă
plānăquĕ Mēssēnē mōntōsăquĕ nūtrĭt Ĭthōmē,
quōs Thryōn ēt sūmmīs īngēstūm mōntĭbŭs Aēpŷ,180
quōs Hĕlŏs ēt Ptēleōn, Gĕtĭcō quōs flēbĭlĕ vātī
Dōriōn; hīc frētūs dōctās ānteīrĕ cănēndō
Aōnīdās mūtōs Thămўrīs dāmnātŭs ĭn ānnōs
ōrĕ sĭmūl cĭthărāquĕ - quĭs ōbvĭă nūmĭnă tēmnāt? -
cōntĭcŭīt praēcēps, quī nōn cērtāmĭnă Phoēbī185
nōssĕt ĕt īllūstrēs Sătўrō pēndēntĕ Cĕlaēnās.
Iāmque ēt fātĭdĭcī mēns ēxpūgnātă fătīscīt
aūgŭrĭs; īllĕ quĭdēm cāsūs ēt dīră vĭdēbāt
sīgnă, sĕd īpsă mănū cūnctānti ĭnĭēcĕrăt ārmă
Ātrŏpŏs ōbrŭĕrātquĕ dĕūm, nēc cōniŭgĭs ābsūnt190
īnsĭdĭaē, vĕtĭtōquĕ dŏmūs iām fūlgŭrăt aūrō.
Hōc aūrūm vātī fāta ēxĭtĭālĕ mŏnēbānt
Ārgŏlĭcō; scĭt ĕt īpsă - nĕfās!, - sēd pērfĭdă cōniūnx
dōnă vĭrō mūtārĕ vĕlīt, spŏlĭīsquĕ pŏtēntīs
īmmĭnĕt Ārgīaē rāptōque ēxcēllĕrĕ cūltū.195
īllă lĭbēns - nām rēgum ănĭmōs ēt pōndĕră bēllī
hāc nūtārĕ vĭdēt, părĭtēr sī prōvĭdŭs hērōs
mīlĭtĕt - īpsă săcrōs grĕmĭō Pŏlўnīcĭs ămātī
ēxŭĕrāt cūltūs haūt maēsta ātque īnsŭpĕr āddīt:
"Nōn haēc āptă mĭhī nĭtĭdīs ōrnātĭbŭs" īnquīt,200
"tēmpŏră, nēc mĭsĕraē plăcĕānt īnsīgnĭă fōrmaē
tē sĭnĕ: sāt dŭbĭūm coētū sōlāntĕ tĭmōrēm
fāllĕre ĕt īncūltōs ārīs ādvērrĕrĕ crīnīs.
Scīlĭcĕt - īnfāndūm! -, cūm tū claūdārĕ mĭnāntī
cāssĭdĕ fērrātūsquĕ sŏnēs, ĕgŏ dīvĭtĭs aūrūm205
Hārmŏnĭaē dōtālĕ gĕrām? dăbĭt āptĭŏr īstō
fōrs dĕcŭs, Ārgŏlĭcāsque hăbĭtū praēstābŏ mărītās,
cūm rēgīs cōniūnx, cūm tē mĭhĭ sōspĭtĕ tēmplă
vōtīvīs īmplēndă chŏrīs; nūnc īndŭăt īllă,
quaē pĕtĭt ēt bēllāntĕ pŏtēst gaūdērĕ mărītō".210
Sīc Ĕrĭphŷlaēōs aūrūm fātālĕ pĕnātīs
īrrūpīt scĕlĕrūmque īngēntĭă sēmĭnă mōvīt,
ēt grăvĕ Tīsĭphŏnē rīsīt gāvīsă fŭtūrīs.
Taēnărĭīs hīc cēlsŭs ĕquīs, quām dīspărĕ coētū
Cŷllărŭs īgnārō gĕnĕrārāt Cāstŏrĕ prōlēm,215
quāssăt hŭmūm; vātēm cūltū Pārnāsĭă mōnstrānt
vēllĕră: frōndēntī crīnītūr cāssĭs ŏlīvā
ālbăquĕ pūnĭcĕās īntērplĭcăt īnfŭlă crīstās.
Ārmă sĭmūl prēssāsquĕ iŭgō mŏdĕrātŭr hăbēnās.
Hīnc ātque īndĕ mŏraē iăcŭlīs, ēt fērrĕă cūrrū220
sīlvă trĕmīt; prŏcŭl īpsĕ grăvī mĕtŭēndŭs ĭn hāstā
ēmĭnĕt ēt clĭpĕō vīctūm Pŷthōnă cŏrūscāt.
Hūiŭs Ăpōllĭnĕaē cūrrūm cŏmĭtāntŭr Ămŷclaē,
quōs Hĕlŏs ēt dŭbĭīs Mălĕā vītātă cărīnīs
plaūdēntīque hăbĭlēs Cărўaē rĕsŏnārĕ Dĭānaē,225
quōs Phārīs vŏlŭcrūmquĕ părēns Cўthĕrēĭă Mēssē,
Tāўgĕtīquĕ phălānx ĕt ŏlōrĭfĕrī | Eūrōtaē
dūră mănūs. Deūs īpsĕ vĭrōs īn pūlvĕrĕ crūdō
Ārcăs ălīt nūdaēquĕ mŏdōs vīrtūtĭs ĕt īrās
īngĕnĕrāt; vĭgŏr īnde ănĭmīs ēt mōrtĭs hŏnōraē230
dūlcĕ săcrūm. Gaūdēnt nātōrūm fātă părēntēs
hōrtāntūrquĕ mŏrī, dēflēnt iāmque ōmnĭs ĕphēbūm
tūrbă, cŏrōnātō cōntēnta ēst fūnĕrĕ mātēr.
Frēnă tĕnēnt dūplēxque īnsērtō mīssĭlĕ nōdō,
ēxsērti īngēntīs ŭmĕrōs, chlămўs hōrrĭdă pēndēt,235
ēt cŏnŏ Lēdaēūs āpēx. Nōn hī tĭbĭ sōlūm,
Āmphĭărāĕ, mĕrēnt: aūgēt rĕsŭpīnă mănīplōs
Ēlīs, dēprēssaē pŏpŭlūs sŭbĭt īncŏlă Pīsaē,
quī tē, flāvĕ, nătānt, tērrīs Ālphēĕ Sĭcānīs
ādvĕnă tām lōngō nōn ūmquam īnfēctĕ prŏfūndō.240
Cūrrĭbŭs īnnŭmĕrīs lātē pŭtrĭa ārvă lăcēssūnt
ēt bēllīs ārmēntă dŏmānt: ĕă glōrĭă gēntī
īnfāndō dē mōre ēt frāctīs dūrăt ăb ūsquĕ
āxĭbŭs Oēnŏmăī; strīdēnt spūmāntĭă mōrsū
vīncŭla, ĕt ēffōssās nĭvĕūs rĭgăt īmbĕr hărēnās.245
Tū quŏquĕ Pārrhăsĭās īgnārā mātrĕ cătērvās
- ā rŭdĭs ānnōrūm, tāntūm nŏvă glōrĭă suādēt! -,
Pārthĕnŏpaēĕ, răpīs; sāltūs tūnc fōrtĕ rĕmōtōs
tōrvă părēns - nĕque ĕnim haēc iŭvĕnī fŏrĕt īrĕ pŏtēstās -
pācābāt cōrnū gĕlĭdīque āvērsă Lўcaēī.250
Pūlchrĭŏr haūd ūllī trīste ād dīscrīmĕn ĭtūrō
vūltŭs ĕt ēgrĕgĭaē tānta īndūlgēntĭă fōrmaē;
nēc dēsūnt ănĭmī, vĕnĭāt mŏdŏ fōrtĭŏr aētās.
Quās nōn īllĕ dŭcēs nĕmŏrūm flŭvĭīsquĕ dĭcātă
nūmĭnă, quās māgnō nōn ābstŭlĭt īgnĕ Năpaēās?255
Īpsām, Maēnălĭā pŭĕrūm cūm vīdĭt ĭn ūmbrā,
Dīānām, tĕnĕrō sīgnāntēm grāmĭnă pāssū,
īgnōvīssĕ fĕrūnt cŏmĭtī, Dīctaēăquĕ tēlă
īpsam ĕt Ămŷclaēās ŭmĕrīs āptāssĕ phărētrās.
Prōsĭlĭt aūdācī Mārtīs pērcūssŭs ămōrĕ,260
ārmă, tŭbās aūdīrĕ călēns ēt pūlvĕrĕ bēllī
flāvēntēm sōrdērĕ cŏmām cāptōquĕ rĕfērrī
hōstĭs ĕquō: taēdēt nĕmŏrūm, tĭtŭlūmquĕ nŏcēntēm
sānguĭnĭs hūmānī pŭdŏr ēst nēscīrĕ săgīttās.
Īgnĕŭs ānte ōmnīs aūrō mĭcăt, īgnĕŭs ōstrō,265
ūndāntēmquĕ sĭnūm nōdīs īrrūgăt Hĭbērīs,
īmbēllī pārmā pīctūs Călўdōnĭă mātrīs
proēlĭă; trūx laēvā sŏnăt ārcŭs, ĕt āspĕră plūmīs
tērgă Cўdōnēā cŏrўtōs hārūndĭnĕ pūlsāt
ēlēctrō pāllēns ĕt ĭāspĭdĕ clārŭs Ĕōā.270
Cōrnĭpĕdēm trĕpĭdōs suētūm praēvērtĕrĕ cērvōs,
vēlātūm gĕmĭnaē dēiēctū lŷncĭs ĕt ārmă
mīrāntēm grăvĭōrĭs ĕrī, sūblīmĭs ăgēbāt,
dūlcĕ rŭbēns vĭrĭdīquĕ gĕnās spēctābĭlĭs aēvō.
Ārcădĕs huīc vĕtĕrēs āstrīs lūnāquĕ prĭōrēs275
āgmĭnă fīdă dătīs, nĕmŏrūm quōs stīrpĕ rĭgēntī
fāmă sătōs, cūm prīmă pĕdūm vēstīgĭă tēllūs
ādmīrātă tŭlīt; nōndum ārvă dŏmūsquĕ nĕc ūrbēs
cōnŭbĭīsvĕ mŏdūs; quērcūs laūrīquĕ fĕrēbānt
crūdă pŭērpĕrĭa, āc pŏpŭlōs ūmbrōsă crĕāvīt280
frāxĭnŭs, ēt fētā vĭrĭdīs pŭĕr ēxcĭdĭt ōrnō.
Hī lūcīs stŭpŭīssĕ vĭcēs nōctīsquĕ fĕrūntūr
nūbĭla ĕt ōccĭdŭūm lōngē Tītānă sĕcūtī
dēspērāssĕ dĭēm. Rārēscūnt āltă cŏlōnīs
Maēnălă, Pārthĕnĭūm fŭgĭtūr nĕmŭs, āgmĭnă bēllō285
Rhīpēque ēt Strătĭē vēntōsăquĕ dōnăt Ĕnīspē.
Nōn Tēgēă, nŏn īpsă dĕō văcăt ālĭtĕ fēlīx
Cŷllēnē tēmplūmque Ălĕaē nĕmŏrālĕ Mĭnērvaē
ēt răpĭdūs Clītōr ēt quī tĭbĭ, Pŷthĭĕ, Lādōn
paēnĕ sŏcēr, cāndēnsquĕ iŭgīs Lāmpīă nĭvōsīs290
ēt Phĕnĕōs nīgrō Stўgă mīttĕrĕ crēdĭtă Dītī.
Vēnĭt ĕt Īdaēīs ŭlŭlātĭbŭs aēmŭlŭs Āzān
Pārrhăsĭīquĕ dŭcēs, ēt quaē rīsīstĭs, Ămōrēs,
grātă phărētrātō Nōnācrĭă rūră Tŏnāntī,
dīvĕs ĕt Ōrchŏmĕnōs pĕcŏrum ēt Cўnŏsūră fĕrārūm.295
Aegytios idem ardor agros Psophidaque celsam
vāstăt ĕt Hērcŭlĕō vūlgātōs rōbŏrĕ mōntīs
mōnstrĭfĕrūmque Ĕrўmānthŏn ĕt aērĭsŏnūm Stŷmphālōn.
Ārcădĕs hī, gēns ūnă vĭrīs, sēd dīssŏnă cūltū
scīndĭtŭr: hī Păphĭās mŷrtōs ā stīrpĕ rĕcūrvānt300
ēt pāstōrālī mĕdĭtāntūr proēlĭă trūncō,
hīs ārcūs, hīs tēlă sŭdēs, hīs cāssĭdă crīnīs
īntĕgĭt, Ārcădĭī mōrēm tĕnĕt īllĕ gălērī,
īllĕ Lўcāŏnĭaē rīctū căpŭt āspĕrăt ūrsaē.
Hōs bēllī coētūs iūrātăquĕ pēctŏră Mārtī305
mīlĭtĕ vīcīnaē nūllō iūvērĕ Mўcēnaē;
fūnĕrĕaē tūnc nāmquĕ dăpēs mĕdĭīquĕ rĕcūrsūs
sōlĭs, ĕt hīc ălĭī mīscēbānt proēlĭă frātrēs.
Iāmque Ătălāntaēās īmplērāt nūntĭŭs aūrīs,
īrĕ dŭcēm bēllō tōtāmque īmpēllĕrĕ nātūm310
Ārcădĭām: trĕmŭērĕ grădūs, ēlāpsăquĕ iūxtā
tēlă; fŭgīt sīlvās pērnīcĭŏr ālĭtĕ vēntō
sāxă pĕr ēt plēnīs ōbstāntĭă flūmĭnă rīpīs,
quālĭs ĕrāt, cōrrēptă sĭnūs ēt vērtĭcĕ flāvūm
crīnēm spārsă nŏtō; rāptīs vĕlŭt āspĕră nātīs315
praēdātōrĭs ĕquī sĕquĭtūr vēstīgĭă tīgrīs.
Ūt stĕtĭt ādvērsīsque īmpēgīt pēctŏră frēnīs
†īlle ăd hŭmūm pāllēns†: "Ūnde haēc fŭrĭbūndă cŭpīdŏ,
nātĕ, tĭbī? tĕnĕrōque ūnde īmprŏbă pēctŏrĕ vīrtūs?
Tū bēllīs āptārĕ vĭrōs, tū pōndĕră fērrĕ320
Mārtĭs ĕt ēnsĭfĕrās īntēr pŏtĕs īrĕ cătērvās?
quāmquam ŭtĭnām vīrēs! nūpēr tē pāllĭdă vīdī,
dūm prĕmĭs ōbnīxō vēnābŭlă cōmmĭnŭs āprō,
pōplĭtĕ sūccĭdŭō rĕsŭpīnum āc paēnĕ rŭēntēm,
ēt nī cūrvātō tōrsīssēm spīcŭlă cōrnū,325
nūnc ŭbĭ bēllă tĭbī? Nīl tē mĕă tēlă iŭvābūnt
nēc tĕrĕtēs ārcūs, măcŭlīs nēc dīscŏlŏr ātrīs
hīc, cuī fīdĭs, ĕquūs; māgnīs cōnātĭbŭs īnstās,
vīx Drўădūm thălămīs Ĕrўmānthĭădūmquĕ fŭrōrī
nŷmphārūm mātūrĕ pŭēr. sūnt ōmĭnă vēră:330
mīrābār, cūr tēmplă mĭhī trĕmŭīssĕ Dĭānaē
nūpĕr ĕt īnfĕrĭōr vūltū dĕă vīsă, săcrīsquĕ
ēxŭvĭaē cĕcĭdērĕ thŏlīs; hōc sēgnĭŏr ārcūs
dīffĭcĭlēsquĕ mănūs ēt nūllo īn vūlnĕrĕ cērtaē.
Ēxspēctā, dūm māiŏr hŏnōs, dūm fīrmĭŭs aēvūm,335
dūm rŏsĕīs vĕnĭt ūmbră gĕnīs vūltūsquĕ rĕcēdūnt
ōrĕ mĕī; tūnc bēllă tĭbī fērrūmquĕ, quŏd ārdēs,
īpsă dăbo, ēt nūllō mātrīs rĕvŏcābĕrĕ flētū.
Nūnc rĕfĕr ārmă dŏmūm! Vōs aūtem hūnc īrĕ sĭnētīs,
Ārcădĕs, ō sāxīs nīmīrum ēt rōbŏrĕ nātī!"340
Plūră cŭpīt; fūsī cīrcūm nātūsquĕ dŭcēsquĕ
sōlāntūr mĭnŭūntquĕ mĕtūs, ēt iam hōrrĭdă clāngūnt
sīgnă tŭbaē. Nĕquĭt īllă pĭō dīmīttĕrĕ nātūm
cōmplēxū mūltūmquĕ dŭcī cōmmēndăt Ădrāstō.
Āt pārte ēx ălĭā Cādmī Māvōrtĭă plēbēs,345
maēstă dŭcīs fŭrĭīs nēc mōllī tērrĭtă fāmā,
quāndo hīs vūlgātūm dēscēndĕrĕ vīrĭbŭs Ārgōs,
tārdĭŭs īllă quĭdēm rēgīs caūsaēquĕ pŭdōrĕ,
vērūm bēllă mŏvēt. Nūllī dēstrīngĕrĕ fērrūm
īmpĕtŭs, aūt ŭmĕrōs clĭpĕō claūsīssĕ pătērnō350
dūlcĕ nĕc ālĭpĕdūm iŭgă cōmĕrĕ, quālĭă bēllī
gaūdĭă; dēiēctī trĕpĭdās sĭnĕ mēntĕ, sĭne īrā
prōmīsērĕ mănūs; hīc aēgra īn sōrtĕ părēntēm
ūnănĭmum, hīc dūlcēs prīmaēvaē cōniŭgĭs ānnōs
īngĕmĭt, ēt grĕmĭō mĭsĕrōs āccrēscĕrĕ nātōs.355
Bēllātōr nūllī călŭīt dĕŭs; īpsă vĕtūstō
moēnĭă lāpsă sĭtū māgnaēque Āmphīŏnĭs ārcēs
iām fēssūm sĕnĭō nūdānt lătŭs, ēt fĭdĕ sācrā
aēquātōs caēlō sūrdum ātque īgnōbĭlĕ mūrōs
fīrmăt ŏpūs. Tămĕn ēt Boēōtīs ūrbĭbŭs ūltrīx360
āspīrāt fērrī răbĭēs, nēc rēgĭs ĭnīquī
sūbsĭdĭō, quāntūm sŏcĭā prō gēntĕ mŏvēntūr.
Īllĕ vĕlūt pĕcŏrīs lŭpŭs ēxpūgnātŏr ŏpīmī,
pēctŏră tābēntī sănĭē grăvĭs hīrtăquĕ saētīs
ōră crŭēntātā dēfōrmĭs hĭāntĭă lānā,365
dēcēdīt stābūlĭs hŭc īllūc tūrbĭdă vērsāns
lūmĭnă, sī dūrī cōmpērtā clādĕ sĕquāntūr
pāstōrēs, māgnīquĕ fŭgīt nōn īnscĭŭs aūsī.
Āccŭmŭlāt crēbrōs tūrbātrīx Fāmă păvōrēs:
hīc iām dīspērsōs ērrāre Āsōpĭdĕ rīpā370
Lērnaēōs ĕquĭtēs, hīc tē, bācchātĕ Cĭthaērōn,
īllĕ răpī Teūmēsŏn ăīt nōctīsquĕ pĕr ūmbrās
nūntĭăt ēxcŭbĭīs vĭgĭlēs ārsīssĕ Plătaēās.
Nām Tўrĭōs sūdārĕ lărēs ēt sānguĭnĕ Dīrcēn
īrrĭgŭām fētūsquĕ nŏvōs ĭtĕrūmquĕ lŏcūtām375
Sphīngă pĕtrīs, cuī nōn ēt scīrĕ lĭcēntĭă pāssīm
ēt vīdīssĕ fŭīt? Nŏvŭs hīs sŭpĕr ānxĭă tūrbāt
cōrdă mĕtūs: spārsīs sŭbĭtō cōrrēptă cănīstrīs
sīlvēstrīs rēgīnă chŏrī dēcūrrĭt ĭn aēquūm
vērtĭce ăb Ōgўgĭō trĭfĭdāmque hūc trīstĭs ĕt īllūc380
lūmĭnĕ sānguĭnĕō pīnūm dīsiēctăt ĕt ārdēns
ērēctam āttŏnĭtīs īmplēt clāmōrĭbŭs ūrbēm:
"Ōmnĭpŏtēns Nŷsaēĕ pătēr, cuī gēntĭs ăvītaē
prīdēm lāpsŭs ămōr, tū nūnc hōrrēntĕ sŭb Ārctō
bēllĭcă fērrātō răpĭdūs quătĭs Īsmără thŷrsō385
pāmpĭnĕūmquĕ iŭbēs nĕmŭs īrrēptārĕ Lўcūrgō,
aūt tŭmĭdūm Gāngēn aūt claūstră nŏvīssĭmă rūbraē
Tēthўŏs Ēōāsquĕ dŏmōs flāgrāntĕ trĭūmphō
pērfŭrĭs, aūt Hērmī dē fōntĭbŭs aūrĕŭs ēxīs:
āt tŭă prōgĕnĭēs, pŏsĭtīs gēntīlĭbŭs ārmīs390
quaē tĭbĭ fēstă lĭtānt, bēllūm lăcrĭmāsquĕ mĕtūmquĕ
cōgnātūmquĕ nĕfās, īniūstī mūnĕră rēgnī,
pēndĭmŭs. Aētnaēīs pŏtĭūs mē, Bācchĕ, prŭīnīs
trāns ĕt Ămāzŏnĭīs ŭlŭlātūm Caūcăsŏn ārmīs
sīstĕ fĕrēns, quām mōnstră dŭcūm stīrpēmquĕ prŏfānām395
ēlŏquăr. ēn ūrgēs; ălĭūm tĭbĭ, Bācchĕ, fŭrōrēm
iūrāvī: sĭmĭlīs vĭdĕō cōncūrrĕrĕ taūrōs;
īdem āmbōbŭs hŏnōs ūnūsque ăb ŏrīgĭnĕ sānguīs;
ārdŭă cōllātīs ōbnīxī cōrnŭă mīscēnt
frōntĭbŭs āltērnāquĕ trŭcēs mŏrĭūntŭr ĭn īrā.400
Tū pēiōr, tū cēdĕ, nŏcēns quī sōlŭs ăvītă
grāmĭnă cōmmūnēmquĕ pĕtīs dēfēndĕrĕ mōntēm.
Ā mĭsĕrī mōrūm! Bēllāstīs sānguĭnĕ tāntō,
ēt sāltūm dūx āltĕr hăbēt". Sīc fātă gĕlātīs
vūltĭbŭs ēt Bācchō iām dēmīgrāntĕ quĭēvīt.405
Āt trĕpĭdūs mōnstro ēt vărĭīs tērrōrĭbŭs īmpār
lōngaēvī rēx vātĭs ŏpēm tĕnĕbrāsquĕ săgācēs
Tīrĕsĭaē, quī mōs īncērtă păvēntĭbŭs, aēgēr
cōnsŭlĭt. Īllĕ dĕōs nōn lārgā caēdĕ iŭvēncūm,
nōn ălăcrī pīnna aūt vērūm sălĭēntĭbŭs ēxtīs,410
nēc trĭpŏde īnplĭcĭtō nŭmĕrīsquĕ sĕquēntĭbŭs āstră,
tūrĕă nēc sūprā vŏlĭtānte āltārĭă fūmō
tām pĕnĭtūs, dūraē quām mōrtīs līmĭtĕ mānīs
ēlĭcĭtōs pătŭīssĕ rĕfērt, Lēthaēăquĕ sācră
ēt mērsum Īsmēnī sūbtēr cōnfīnĭă pōntō415
mīscēntīs părăt āntĕ dŭcēm, cīrcūmquĕ bĭdēntūm
vīscĕrĭbūs lăcĕrīs ĕt ŏdōrī sūlpŭrĭs aūrā
grāmĭnĭbūsquĕ nŏvīs ēt lōngō mūrmŭrĕ pūrgāt.
Sīlvă căpāx aēvī vălĭdāque īncūrvă sĕnēctā,
aētērnum īntōnsaē frōntīs, stāt pērvĭă nūllīs420
sōlĭbŭs; haūd īllām brūmaē mĭnŭērĕ, Nŏtūsvĕ
iūs hăbĕt aūt Gĕtĭcā Bŏrĕās īmpāctŭs ăb Ūrsā.
Sūbtĕr ŏpērtă quĭēs, văcŭūsquĕ sĭlēntĭă sērvāt
hōrrŏr ĕt ēxclūsaē pāllēt mălĕ lūcĭs ĭmāgŏ.
Nēc cărĕt ūmbră dĕō: nĕmŏrī Lātōnĭă cūltrīx425
āddĭtŭr; hānc pĭcĕā cēdrōque ēt rōbŏre ĭn ōmnī
ēffīctām sānctīs ōccūltāt sīlvă tĕnēbrīs.
Hūiŭs ĭnāspēctaē lūcō strīdērĕ săgīttaē
nōctūrnīquĕ cănūm gĕmĭtūs, ŭbĭ līmĭnă pātruī
ēffŭgĭt īnquĕ nŏvaē mĕlĭōr rĕdĭt ōră Dĭānaē;430
aūt ŭbĭ fēssă iŭgīs, dūlcīsque āltīssĭmă sōmnōs
lūx mŏvĕt, hīc lātē iăcŭlīs cīrcum ūndĭquĕ fīxīs
ēffūsām phărĕtrā cērvīcem ēxcēptă quĭēscīt.
Ēxtra īmmānĕ pătēns tēllūs Māvōrtĭă cāmpī,
fētŭs ăgēr Cādmō, dūrūs quī vōmĕrĕ prīmō435
pōst cōnsānguĭnĕās ăcĭēs sūlcōsquĕ nŏcēntīs
aūsŭs hŭmūm vērsāre ēt mōllĭă sānguĭnĕ prātă
ērvīt; īngēntīs īnfēlīx tērră tŭmūltūs
lūcĭs ădhūc mĕdĭō sōlāque īn nōctĕ pĕr ūmbrās
ēxspīrāt, nīgrī cūm vāna īn proēlĭă sūrgūnt440
tērrĭgĕnaē; fŭgĭt īncēptō trĕmĭbūndŭs ăb ārvō
āgrĭcŏla īnsānīquĕ dŏmūm rĕdĭērĕ iŭvēncī.
Hīc sĕnĭōr vātēs - Stўgĭīs āccōmmŏdă quīppĕ
tērră săcrīs, vīvōquĕ plăcēnt sŏlă pīnguĭă tābō -
vēllĕrĭs ōbscūrī pĕcŭdēs ārmēntăquĕ sīstī445
ātră mŏnēt, quaēcūmquĕ grĕgūm pūlchērrĭmă cērvīx
dūcĭtŭr; īngĕmŭīt Dīrcē maēstūsquĕ Cĭthaērōn,
ēt nŏvă clāmōsaē stŭpŭērĕ sĭlēntĭă vāllēs.
Tūm fĕră caērŭlĕīs īntēxīt cōrnŭă sērtīs
īpsĕ mănū trāctāns, nōtaēque īn līmĭtĕ sīlvaē450
prīncĭpĭō lārgōs nŏvĭēns tēllūrĕ căvātā
īnclīnāt Bācchī lătĭcēs ēt mūnĕră vērnī
lāctĭs ĕt Āctaēōs īmbrīs suādūmquĕ crŭōrēm
mānĭbŭs; ādgĕrĭtūr, quāntūm bĭbĭt ārĭdă tēllūs.
Trūncă dĕhīnc nĕmŏra ādvōlvūnt, maēstūsquĕ săcērdōs455
trīs Hĕcătaē tŏtĭdēmquĕ sătīs Ăchĕrōntĕ nĕfāstō
vīrgĭnĭbūs iŭbĕt ēssĕ fŏcōs; tĭbĭ, rēctŏr Ăvērnī,
quāmquam īnfōssŭs hŭmō sŭpĕrāt tămĕn āggĕr ĭn aūrās
pīnĕŭs; hūnc iūxtā cŭmŭlō mĭnŏr āră prŏfūndaē
ērĭgĭtūr Cĕrĕrī; frōntēs ātque ōmnĕ cŭprēssūs460
īntēxīt plōrātă lătūs. Iāmque ārdŭă fērrō
sīgnātī căpĭta ēt frūgūm lībāmĭnĕ pūrō
īn vūlnūs cĕcĭdērĕ grĕgēs; tūnc īnnŭbă Māntō
ēxcēptūm pătĕrīs praēlībāt sānguĕn, ĕt ōmnēs
tēr cīrcum āctă pўrās sānctī dē mōrĕ părēntīs465
sēmĭnĕcēs fībrās ĕt ădhūc spīrāntĭă rēddīt
vīscĕră, nēc răpĭdās cūnctātūr frōndĭbŭs ātrīs
sūbiēctārĕ făcēs. Ātque īpsĕ sŏnāntĭă flāmmīs
vīrgūlta ēt trīstēs crĕpŭīsse ūt sēnsĭt ăcērvōs
Tīrĕsĭās - īllī nām plūrĭmŭs ārdŏr ănhēlāt470
āntĕ gĕnās īmplētquĕ căvōs văpŏr īgnĕŭs ōrbēs -,
ēxclāmāt - trĕmŭērĕ rŏgi ēt vōx tērrŭĭt īgnēm -:
"Tārtărĕaē sēdēs ēt fōrmīdābĭlĕ rēgnūm
mōrtĭs ĭnēxplētaē, tūque, ō saēvīssĭmĕ frātrūm,
cuī sērvīrĕ dătī mānēs aētērnăquĕ sōntūm475
sūpplĭcĭa ātque īmī fămŭlātūr rēgĭă mūndī,
sōlvĭtĕ pūlsāntī lŏcă mūta ĕt ĭnānĕ sĕvēraē
Pērsĕphŏnēs vūlgūsquĕ căvā sūb nōctĕ rĕpōstūm
ēlĭcĭte, ēt plēnā rĕdĕāt Stўgă pōrtĭtŏr ālnō.
Fērtĕ sĭmūl grēssūs, nēc sīmplēx mānĭbŭs ēstō480
īn lūcēm rĕmĕārĕ mŏdūs; tū sēpărĕ coētū
Ēlўsĭōs, Pērsēĭ, pĭōs, vīrgāquĕ pŏtēntī
nūbĭlŭs Ārcăs ăgāt; cōntrā pēr crīmĭnă fūnctīs,
quī plŭrĕs Ērēbō plūrēsque ē sānguĭnĕ Cādmī,
ānguĕ tĕr ēxcūsso ēt flāgrāntī praēvĭă tāxō,485
Tīsĭphŏnē, dūx pāndĕ dĭēm, nēc lūcĭs ĕgēntēs
Cērbĕrŭs ōccūrsū căpĭtūm dētōrquĕăt ūmbrās".
Dīxĕrăt, ēt părĭtēr sĕnĭōr Phoēbēăquĕ vīrgŏ
ērēxēre ănĭmōs; īllī fōrmīdĭnĕ nūllā,
quīppe īn cōrdĕ dĕūs, sōlūm tĭmŏr ōbrŭĭt īngēns490
Oēdĭpŏdīŏnĭdēn, vātīsque hōrrēndă cănēntīs
nūnc ŭmĕrōs nūnc īllĕ mănūs ēt vēllĕră prēssāt
ānxĭŭs īncēptīsquĕ vĕlīt dēsīstĕrĕ sācrīs.
Quālīs Gaētūlaē stăbŭlāntem ād cōnfrăgă sīlvaē
vēnātōr lōngō mōtūm clāmōrĕ lĕōnēm495
ēxspēctāt fīrmāns ănĭmum ēt sūdāntĭă nīsū
tēlă prĕmēns; gĕlăt ōră păvōr grēssūsquĕ trĕmīscūnt,
quīs vĕnĭāt quāntūsquĕ, sĕd hōrrĭdă sīgnă frĕmēntīs
āccĭpĭt ēt caēcā mētītūr mūrmŭră cūrā.
Ātque hīc Tīrĕsĭās nōndum ādvēntāntĭbŭs ūmbrīs:500
"vōs tēstōr, dīvaē, quĭbŭs hūnc sătŭrāvĭmŭs īgnēm
laēvăquĕ cōnvūlsaē dĕdĭmūs cārchēsĭă tērraē,
iām nĕquĕō tŏlĕrārĕ mŏrām. Cāssūsnĕ săcērdōs
aūdĭŏr? ān răbĭdō iŭbĕāt sī Thēssălă cāntū
ībĭtĭs ēt Scўthĭcīs quŏtĭēns mĕdĭcātă vĕnēnīs505
Cōlchĭs ăgīt, trĕpĭdō pāllēbūnt Tārtără mōtū:
nōstrī cūră mĭnōr, sī nōn āttōllĕrĕ būstīs
cōrpŏră nēc plēnās āntīquīs ōssĭbŭs ūrnās
ēgĕrĕre ēt mīxtōs caēlīque Ĕrĕbīquĕ sŭb ūnūm
fūnēstārĕ dĕōs lĭbĕt aūt ēxsānguĭă fērrō510
ōră sĕqui ātque aēgrās fūnctōrūm cārpĕrĕ fībrās?
Nē tĕnŭīs ānnōs nūbēmque hānc frōntĭs ŏpācaē
spērnĭtĕ, nē, mŏnĕo; ēt nōbīs saēvīrĕ făcūltās.
Nōvĭmŭs ēt quīdquīd dīcī nōscīquĕ tĭmētīs,
ēt tūrbāre Hĕcătēn, nī tē, Thŷmbraēĕ, vĕrērēr515
ēt trĭplĭcīs mūndī sūmmūm, quēm scīrĕ nĕfāstūm.
Īllūm... Sēd tăcĕō: prŏhĭbēt trānquīllă sĕnēctūs.
Iāmque ĕgŏ vōs..." Ăvĭdē sŭbĭcīt Phoēbēĭă Māntō:
Aūdīrīs, gĕnĭtōr, vūlgūsque ēxsānguĕ prŏpīnquāt.
Pāndĭtŭr Ēlўsĭūm chăŏs, ēt tēllūrĭs ŏpērtaē520
dīssĭlĭt ūmbră căpāx, sīlvaēque ēt nīgră pătēscūnt
flūmĭnă, līvēntīs Ăchĕrōn ēiēctăt hărēnās.
Fūmĭdŭs ātră vădīs Phlĕgĕthōn īncēndĭă vōlvīt,
ēt Stŷx dīscrētīs īntērflŭă mānĭbŭs ōbstāt.
Īpsūm pāllēntēm sŏlĭō cīrcūmquĕ mĭnīstrās525
fūnēstōrum ŏpĕrum Eūmĕnĭdās Stўgĭaēquĕ sĕvērōs
Iūnōnīs thălămōs ēt tōrvă cŭbīlĭă cērnō.
Īn spĕcŭlīs Mōrs ātră sĕdēt dŏmĭnōquĕ sĭlēntīs
ādnŭmĕrāt pŏpŭlōs; māiōr sŭpĕrīmmĭnĕt ōrdŏ.
Ārbĭtĕr hōs dūrā vērsāt Gōrtŷnĭŭs ūrnā530
vēră mĭnīs pōscēns ădĭgītque ēxprōmĕrĕ vītās
ūsquĕ rĕtro ēt tāndēm poēnārūm lūcră fătērī.
Quīd tĭbĭ mōnstra Ĕrĕbī, Scŷllās ĕt ĭnānĕ fŭrēntīs
Cēntaūrōs sŏlĭdōque īntōrta ădămāntĕ Gĭgāntūm
vīncŭla ĕt āngūstām cēntēni Aēgaēŏnĭs ūmbrām?"535
"Īmmo" ăĭt, "ō nōstraē rĕgĭmēn vīrēsquĕ sĕnēctaē,
nē vūlgātă mĭhī. Quĭs ĕnīm rĕmĕābĭlĕ sāxūm
fāllēntēsquĕ lăcūs Tĭtўōnque ălĭmēntă vŏlūcrūm
ēt cālīgāntēm lōngīs Īxīŏnă gŷrīs
nēscĭăt? Īpse ĕtĭām, mĕlĭōr cūm sānguĭs, ŏpērtās540
īnspēxī sēdēs, Hĕcătē dūcēntĕ, prĭūsquām
ōbrŭĭt ōră dĕūs tōtāmque īn pēctŏră lūcēm
dētŭlĭt. Ārgŏlĭcās măgĭs hūc āppēllĕ prĕcāndō
Thēbānāsque ănĭmās; ălĭās āvērtĕrĕ grēssūs
lāctĕ quătēr spārsās maēstōque ēxcēdĕrĕ lūcō,545
nātă, iŭbē; tūm quī vūltūs hăbĭtūsquĕ, quĭs ārdōr
sānguĭnĭs āffūsī, gēns ūtră sŭpērbĭŏr ādsīt,
dīc ăgĕdūm nōstrāmquĕ mŏnē pēr sīngŭlă nōctēm."
Iūssă făcīt cārmēnquĕ sĕrīt, quō dīssĭpăt ūmbrās,
quō rĕcĭēt spārsās; quālīs, sī crīmĭnă dēmās,550
Cōlchĭs ĕt Aēaēō sĭmŭlātrīx lītŏrĕ Cīrcē.
Tūnc hīs sācrĭfĭcūm dīctīs ādfātă părēntēm:
"Prīmūs sānguĭnĕō sūbmīttĭt ĭnērtĭă Cādmūs
ōră lăcū, iūxtāquĕ vĭrūm Cўthĕrēĭă prōlēs
īnsĕquĭtūr, gĕmĭnūsquĕ bĭbīt dē vērtĭcĕ sērpēns.555
Tērrĭgĕnaē cŏmĭtēs īllōs, gēns Mārtĭă, cīngūnt,
quīs aēvī mēnsūră dĭēs, mănŭs ōmnĭs ĭn ārmīs,
ōmnĭs ĕt īn căpŭlō; prŏhĭbēnt ōbstāntquĕ rŭūntquĕ
spīrāntūm răbĭē, nēc trīsti īncūmbĕrĕ fōssaē
cūră, sĕd āltērnūm sĭtĭs ēxhaūrīrĕ crŭōrēm.560
Prōxĭmă nātārūm mănŭs ēst flētīquĕ nĕpōtēs,
hīc ōrbam Aūtŏnŏēn ĕt ănhēlām cērnĭmŭs Īnō
rēspēctāntem ārcūs ĕt ăd ūbĕră dūlcĕ prĕmēntēm
pīgnŭs ĕt ōppŏsĭtīs Sĕmĕlēn ā vēntrĕ lăcērtīs.
Pēnthĕă iām frāctīs gĕnĕtrīx Cādmēĭă thŷrsīs565
iāmquĕ rĕmīssă dĕō pēctūsque ădŏpērtă crŭēntūm
īnsĕquĭtūr plānctū; fŭgĭt īllĕ pĕr āvĭă Lēthēs
ēt Stўgĭōs sŭpĕr ūsquĕ lăcūs, ŭbĭ mītĭŏr īllūm
flēt pătĕr ēt lăcĕrūm cōmpōnīt cōrpŭs Ĕchīōn.
Trīstēm nōscŏ Lўcūm dēxtrāmque īn tērgă rĕflēxūm570
Aēŏlĭdēn, ŭmĕrō iāctāntēm fūnŭs ŏnūstō.
Nēcdum īlle aūt hăbĭtūs aūt vērsaē crīmĭnă fōrmaē
mūtăt Ărīstaēō gĕnĭtūs: frōns āspĕră cōrnū,
tēlă mănū, rĕĭcītquĕ cănēs īn vūlnŭs hĭāntēs.
Ēcce aūtēm māgnā sŭbĭt īnvĭdĭōsă cătērvā575
Tāntălĭs ēt tŭmĭdō pērcēnsēt fūnĕră lūctū,
nīl dēiēctă mălīs; iŭvăt ēffūgīssĕ dĕōrūm
nūmĭna ĕt īnsānaē plūs iām pērmīttĕrĕ līnguaē".
Tālĭă dūm pātrī cănĭt īntĕmĕrātă săcērdōs,
īllĭŭs ēlātīs trĕmĕfācta āssūrgĕrĕ vīttīs580
cānĭtĭēs tĕnŭīsque īmpēllī sānguĭnĕ vūltūs.
Nēc iām fīrmāntī băcŭlō nēc vīrgĭnĕ fīdā
nītĭtŭr, ērēctūsquĕ sŏlō: "Dēsīstĕ cănēndō,
nāta" ăĭt, "ēxtērnaē sătĭs ēst mĭhĭ lūcĭs, ĭnērtēs
dīscēdūnt nĕbŭlae, ēt vūltūm nĭgĕr ēxsĕrĭt āēr.585
Ūmbrīsne ān sŭpĕrō dīmīssŭs Ăpōllĭnĕ cōmplēt
spīrĭtŭs? Ēn vĭdĕō quaēcūmque aūdītă. Sĕd ēccĕ
maērēnt Ārgŏlĭcī dēiēctō lūmĭnĕ mānēs!
Tōrvŭs Ăbās Proētūsquĕ nŏcēns mītīsquĕ Phŏrōneūs
trūncātūsquĕ Pĕlōps ēt saēvō pūlvĕrĕ sōrdēns590
Oēnŏmăūs lārgīs ūmēctānt īmbrĭbŭs ōră.
Aūgŭrŏr hīnc Thēbīs bēllī mĕlĭōră. Quĭd aūtēm
hī grĕgĕ cōndēnsō, quāntum ārma ēt vūlnĕră mōnstrānt,
pūgnācēs ănĭmaē, nōbīs īn sānguĭnĕ mūltō
ōrăquĕ pēctŏrăque ēt fālsō clāmōrĕ lĕvātās595
īntēndūnt sĭnĕ pācĕ mănūs? Rēx, fāllŏr, ăn hī sūnt
quīnquāgīnta īllī? Cērnīs Chthŏnĭūmquĕ Chrŏmīnquĕ
Phēgĕăque ēt nōstrā praēsīgnēm Maēŏnă laūrō.
Nē saēvītĕ, dŭcēs, nĭhĭl hīc mōrtālĭbŭs aūsūm,
crēdĭtĕ, cōnsĭlĭīs: hōs fērrĕă nēvĕrăt ānnōs600
Ātrŏpŏs. ēxīstīs cāsūs: bēlla hōrrĭdă nōbīs,
ātque ĭtĕrūm Tŷdeūs". Dīcīt, vīttāquĕ lĭgātīs
frōndĭbŭs īnstāntēs ăbĭgīt mōnstrātquĕ crŭōrēm.
Stābăt ĭnōps cŏmĭtūm Cōcŷti īn lītŏrĕ maēstō
Lāĭŭs, īmmītī quēm iām dĕŭs ālĕs Ăvērnō605
rēddĭdĕrāt, dīrūmquĕ tŭēns ōblīquă nĕpōtēm
- nōscĭt ĕnīm vūltū - nōn īlle aūt sānguĭnĭs haūstūs,
cētĕră ceū plēbēs, ălĭūmve āccēdĭt ăd īmbrēm,
īmmōrtāle ŏdĭūm spīrāns. Sēd prōlĭcĭt ūltrō
Āŏnĭūs vātēs: "Tўrĭaē dūx īnclўtĕ Thēbēs,610
cūiŭs ăb īntĕrĭtū nōn ūlla Āmphīŏnĭs ārcēs
vīdĭt ămīcă dĭēs, ō iām sătĭs ūltĕ crŭēntūm
ēxĭtĭum ēt mūltūm plācātă mĭnōrĭbŭs ūmbrā,
quō mĭsĕrāndĕ fŭgīs? iăcĕt īlle īn fūnĕrĕ lōngō,
quēm frĕmĭs, ēt iūnctaē sēntīt cōnfīnĭă mōrtīs,615
ōbsĭtŭs ēxhaūstōs paēdōre ēt sānguĭnĕ vūltūs
ēiēctūsquĕ dĭē: sōrs lētō dūrĭŏr ōmnī,
crēdĕ mĭhī! quaēnam īmmĕrĭtūm vītārĕ nĕpōtēm
caūsă tĭbī? Cōnfēr vūltum ēt sătĭārĕ lĭtāntī
sānguĭnĕ vēntūrāsquĕ vĭcēs ēt fūnĕră bēllī620
pāndĕ vĕl īnfēnsūs vēl rēs mĭsĕrātĕ tŭōrūm.
Tūnc ĕgŏ te ōptātā vĕtĭtām trānsmīttĕrĕ Lēthēn
pūppĕ dăbō plăcĭdūmquĕ pĭā tēllūrĕ rĕpōnām
ēt Stўgĭīs māndābŏ dĕīs". Mūlcētŭr hŏnōrīs
mūnĕrĭbūs tīnguītquĕ gĕnās, deīn tālĭă rēddīt:625
"Cūr tĭbĭ vērsāntī mānīs, aēquaēvĕ săcērdōs,
lēctŭs ĕgo aūgŭrĭō tāntīsquĕ pŏtīssĭmŭs ūmbrīs,
quī vēntūră lŏquār? Sătĭs ēst mĕmĭnīssĕ prĭōrūm.
nōstrănĕ praēclārī, pŭdĕāt, cōnsūltă nĕpōtēs
pōscĭtĭs? Īllum, īllūm sācrīs ădhĭbētĕ nĕfāstīs,630
quī laētō fŏdĭt ēnsĕ pătrēm, quī sēmĕt ĭn ōrtūs
vērtĭt ĕt īndīgnaē rĕgĕrīt sŭă pīgnŏră mātrī.
Ēt nūnc īllĕ dĕōs Fŭrĭārūmque ātră fătīgāt
cōncĭlĭa ēt nōstrōs rŏgăt haēc īn proēlĭă mānīs.
Quōdsi ădĕō plăcŭī dēflēnda īn tēmpŏră vātēs,635
dīcam ĕquĭdēm, quō mē Lăchĕsīs, quō tōrvă Mĕgaēră
ūsquĕ sĭnūnt: bēllum, īnnŭmĕrō vĕnĭt ūndĭquĕ bēllūm
āgmĭnĕ, Lērnaēōsquĕ trăhīt fātālĭs ălūmnōs
Grādīvūs stĭmŭlīs; hōs tērraē mōnstră dĕūmquĕ
tēlă mănēnt pūlchrīque ŏbĭtūs ĕt ăb īgnĕ sŭprēmō640
sōntēs lēgĕ mŏraē. Cērta ēst vīctōrĭă Thēbīs,
nē trĕpĭdā, nēc rēgnă fĕrōx gērmānŭs hăbēbīt,
sēd Fŭrĭaē gĕmĭnūmquĕ nĕfās, mĭsĕrōsquĕ pĕr ēnsīs,
ēĭ mĭhī! crŭdĕlīs vīncīt pătĕr". Haēc ŭbĭ fātūs,
lābĭtŭr ēt flēxā dŭbĭōs āmbāgĕ rĕlīnquīt.645
Īntĕrĕā gĕlĭdām Nĕmĕēn ēt cōnscĭă laūdīs
Hērcŭlĕaē dūmētă văgā lĕgĭōnĕ tĕnēbānt
Īnăchĭdaē; iām Sīdŏnĭās āvērtĕrĕ praēdās,
stērnĕrĕ, fērrĕ dŏmōs ārdēnt īnstāntquĕ. Quĭs īrās
flēxĕrĭt, ūndĕ mŏraē, mĕdĭūs quĭs ĕūntĭbŭs ērrōr,650
Phoēbĕ, dŏcē: nōs rāră mănēnt ēxōrdĭă fāmaē.
Mārcĭdŭs ēdŏmĭtō bēllūm rĕfĕrēbăt ăb Haēmō
Lībĕr; ĭbi ārmĭfĕrōs gĕmĭnaē iām sīdĕră brūmaē
ōrgĭă fērrĕ Gĕtās cānūmquĕ vĭrēscĕrĕ dōrsō
Ōthrўn ĕt Īcărĭā Rhŏdŏpēn āssuēvĕrăt ūmbrā,655
ēt iām pāmpĭnĕōs mātērna ād moēnĭă cūrrūs
prōmŏvĕt; ēffrēnaē dēxtrā laēvāquĕ sĕquūntūr
lŷncĕs ĕt ūdă mĕrō lāmbūnt rĕtĭnācŭlă tīgrēs.
Pōst ēxsūltāntēs spŏlĭa ārmēntālĭă pōrtānt
sēmĭnĕcēsquĕ lŭpōs scīssāsquĕ Mĭmāllŏnĕs ūrsās.660
Nēc cŏmĭtātŭs ĭnērs: sūnt īllīc Īră Fŭrōrquĕ
ēt Mĕtŭs ēt Vīrtūs ēt nūmquām sōbrĭŭs Ārdōr
sūccĭdŭīquĕ grădūs ēt cāstră sĭmīllĭmă rēgī.
Īsque ŭbĭ pūlvĕrĕā Nĕmĕēn ēffērvĕrĕ nūbĕ
cōnspĭcĭt ēt sōlēm rădĭīs īgnēscĕrĕ fērrī,665
nēcdūm cōmpŏsĭtās bēlli īn cērtāmĭnă Thēbās,
cōncūssūs vīsīs, quāmquam ōre ēt pēctŏrĕ mārcēt,
aērăquĕ tŷmpănăque ēt bĭfŏrēm rĕtĭcērĕ tŭmūltūm
īmpĕrăt, āttŏnĭtās quī cīrcūm plūrĭmŭs aūrīs,
ātque ĭtă: "Mē glŏbŭs īstĕ mĕāmque ēxscīndĕrĕ gēntēm670
āppărăt; ēx lōngō rĕcălēt fŭrŏr; hōc mĭhĭ saēvūm
Ārgŏs ĕt īndŏmĭtaē bēllūm cĭĕt īră nŏvērcaē.
Ūsque ādeōnĕ părūm cĭnĕrī dătă mātĕr ĭnīquō
nātālēsquĕ rŏgī quaēque īpsĕ mĭcāntĭă sēnsī
fūlgŭră? rēlĭquĭās ĕtĭām fūsaēquĕ sĕpūlcrūm675
paēlĭcĭs ēt rĕsĭdēm fērrō pĕtĭt īmpĭă Thēbēn.
Nēctām fraūdĕ mŏrās; īllum, īllūm tēndĭtĕ cāmpūm,
tēndĭtĕ, iō, cŏmĭtēs." Hŷrcānae ād sīgnă iŭgālēs
īntŭmŭērĕ iŭbās, dīctō prĭŭs āstĭtĭt ārvīs.
Tēmpŭs ĕrāt, mĕdĭī cūm sōlem īn cūlmĭnă mūndī680
tōllĭt ănhēlă dĭēs, ŭbĭ tārdŭs hĭāntĭbŭs ārvīs
stāt văpŏr ātque ōmnēs ādmīttūnt aēthĕră lūcī.
Ūndārūm vŏcăt īllĕ dĕās mĕdĭūsquĕ sĭlēntūm
īncĭpĭt: "Āgrēstēs flŭvĭōrūm nūmĭnă Nŷmphaē
ēt nōstrī pārs māgnă grĕgīs, pērfērtĕ lăbōrēm,685
quēm dămŭs. Ārgŏlĭcōs paūlūm mĭhĭ fōntĭbŭs āmnīs
stāgnăque ĕt ērrāntīs ōbdūcĭtĕ pūlvĕrĕ rīvōs.
Praēcĭpŭām Nĕmĕēn, quā nōstra īn moēnĭă bēllīs
nūnc ĭtĕr, ēx āltō fŭgĭāt lĭquŏr; ādiŭvăt īpsĕ
Phoēbŭs ădhūc sūmmō, cēssēt nī vēstră vŏlūntās,690
līmĭtĕ; vīm coēptīs īndūlgēnt āstră, mĕaēquĕ
aēstĭfĕr Ērĭgŏnēs spūmāt cănĭs. ītĕ vŏlēntēs,
īte ĭn ŏpērtă sŏlī; pōst vōs ĕgŏ gūrgĭtĕ plēnō
ēlĭcĭam, ēt quaē dōnă mĕīs āmplīssĭmă sācrīs,
vēstĕr hăbēbĭt hŏnōs, nōctūrnăquĕ fūrtă lĭcēntūm695
cōrnĭpĕdum ēt cŭpĭdās Faūnōrum ārcēbŏ răpīnās".
Dīxĕrăt; āst īllīs tĕnŭīs pērcūrrĕrĕ vīsūs
ōră sĭtūs, vĭrĭdīsquĕ cŏmīs ēxhōrrŭĭt ūmōr.
Prōtĭnŭs Īnăchĭōs haūrīt sĭtĭs īgnĕă cāmpōs:
dīffūgēre ūndaē, squālēnt fōntēsquĕ lăcūsquĕ,700
ēt căvă fērvēntī dūrēscūnt flūmĭnă līmō.
Aēgră sŏlō măcĭēs, tĕnĕrīque ĭn ŏrīgĭnĕ cūlmī
īnclīnātă sĕgēs, dēcēptūm mārgĭnĕ rīpaē
stāt pĕcŭs, ātque āmnīs quaērūnt ārmēntă nătātūs.
Sīc ŭbĭ sē māgnīs rĕflŭūs sūpprēssĭt ĭn āntrīs705
Nīlŭs ĕt Ēōaē līquēntĭă pābŭlă brūmaē
ōrĕ prĕmīt, fūmānt dēsērtaē gūrgĭtĕ vāllēs
ēt pătrĭs ūndōsī sŏnĭtūs ēxspēctăt hĭūlcă
Aēgŷptōs, dōnēc Phărĭīs ălĭmēntă rŏgātūs
dōnĕt ăgrīs māgnūmque īndūcāt mēssĭbŭs ānnūm.710
Ārēt Lērnă nŏcēns, ārēt Lŷrcīŭs ĕt īngēns
Īnăchŭs ādvōlvēnsquĕ nătāntĭă sāxă Chărādrūs
ēt nūmquam īn rīpīs aūdāx Ĕrăsīnŭs ĕt aēquūs
flūctĭbŭs Āstĕrĭōn, īlle āltă pĕr āvĭă nōtūs
aūdīri ēt lōngē pāstōrūm rūmpĕrĕ sōmnōs.715
Sīc Hўpĕrīōnīs cūm lūx ēffrēnă pĕr ōrbēm
rāptă rŭīt Phăĕthōntĭs ĕquōs, māgnūmquĕ lăbōrēm
dīscōrdēs gĕmŭērĕ pŏlī, dūm pōntŭs ĕt ārvă
stēllārūmquĕ rŭūnt crīnēs, nōn āmnĭbŭs ūndaē,
nōn lūcīs mānsērĕ cŏmaē, sēd mūltŭs ŭbīquĕ720
īgnĭs, ŭbīquĕ făcēs ēt lōngā flūmĭnĭs īnstār
īndĭgĕt Aēgaēōn dēcēptŭs ĭmāgĭnĕ rīpaē.
Ūnă tămēn tăcĭtās sēd iūssū nūmĭnĭs ūndās
haēc quŏquĕ sēcrētā nūtrīt Lāngīă sŭb ūmbrā.
Nōndum īllī rāptūs dĕdĕrāt lăcrĭmābĭlĕ nōmēn725
Ārchĕmŏrūs, nēc fāmă dĕaē; tămĕn āvĭă sērvāt
ēt nĕmŭs ēt flŭvĭūm; mănĕt īngēns glōrĭă nŷmphām,
dūm trīstem Hŷpsĭpўlēn dŭcĭbūs sūdātŭs Ăchaēīs
lūdŭs ĕt ātră săcrūm rĕcŏlīt trĭĕtērĭs Ŏphēltēn.
Ērgŏ nĕc ārdēntīs clĭpĕōs vēctārĕ nĕc ārtōs730
thōrācūm nēxūs - tāntūm sĭtĭs hōrrĭdă tōrrēt -
sūffĭcĭūnt; nōn ōră mŏdo āngūstīsquĕ pĕrūstī
faūcĭbŭs, īntĕrĭōr sēd vīs quătĭt; āspĕră pūlsū
cōrdă, gĕlānt vēnae, ēt sīccīs crŭŏr aēgĕr ădhaērēt
vīscĕrĭbūs; tūnc sōlĕ pŭtrīs, tūnc pūlvĕrĕ tēllūs735
ēxhālāt călĭdām nūbēm. Nōn spūmĕŭs īmbēr
mānăt ĕquūm: sīccīs īllīdūnt ōră lŭpātīs,
ōră cătēnātās prŏcŭl ēxsērtāntĭă līnguās;
nēc lēgēm dŏmĭnōsvĕ pătī, sēd pērfŭrĭt ārvīs
flāmmātūm pĕcŭs. hūc īllūc īmpēllĭt Ădrāstūs740
ēxplōrātōrēs, sī stāgnă Lĭcŷmnĭă rēstēnt,
sī quīs Āmўmŏnēs sŭpĕrēt lĭquŏr: ōmnĭă caēcīs
īgnĭbŭs haūstă sĕdēnt, nēc spēs ūmēntĭs Ŏlŷmpī,
ceū flāvām Lĭbўēn dēsērtăquĕ pūlvĕrĭs Āfrī
cōllūstrēnt nūllāque ūmbrātām nūbĕ Sўēnēn.745
Tāndem īntēr sīlvās - sīc Eūhĭŭs īpsĕ părārāt -
ērrāntēs sŭbĭtām pūlchro īn maērōrĕ tŭēntūr
Hŷpsĭpўlēn; īllī quāmvīs ĕt ăb ūbĕre Ŏphēltēs
nōn sŭŭs, Īnăchĭī prōlēs īnfaūstă Lўcūrgī,
dēpēndēt - nēglēctă cŏmām nēc dīvĕs ămīctū -,750
rēgālēs tămĕn ōrĕ nŏtaē, nēc mērsŭs ăcērbīs
ēxstăt hŏnōs. Tūnc haēc ădĕō stŭpĕfāctŭs Ădrāstūs:
"Dīvă pŏtēns nĕmŏrūm - nām tē vūltūsquĕ pŭdōrquĕ
mōrtālī dē stīrpĕ nĕgānt -, quaē laētă sŭb īstō
īgnĕ pŏlī nōn quaērĭs ăquās, sūccūrrĕ prŏpīnquīs755
gēntĭbŭs; Ārquĭtĕnēns seū tē Lātōnĭă cāstō
dē grĕgĕ trānsmīsīt thălămīs, seū lāpsŭs ăb āstrīs
nōn hŭmĭlīs fēcūndăt ămōr - nĕque ĕnim īpsĕ dĕōrūm
ārbĭtĕr Ārgŏlĭdūm thălămīs nŏvŭs -, āspĭcĕ maēstă
āgmĭnă. nōs fērrō mĕrĭtās ēxscīndĕrĕ Thēbās760
mēns tŭlĭt, īmbēllī sēd nūnc sĭtĭs āspĕră fātō
sūbmīttītque ănĭmōs ĕt ĭnērtĭă rōbŏră cārpīt.
Dā fēssīs īn rēbŭs ŏpēm, seū tūrbĭdŭs āmnīs,
seū tĭbĭ foēdă pălūs; nĭhĭl hāc īn sōrtĕ pŭdēndūm,
nīl hŭmĭle ēst; tū nūnc ūndīs -Plŭvĭōquĕ rŏgārīs765
prō Iŏvĕ -, tū rĕfŭgās vīrēs ēt pēctŏră bēllīs
ēxănĭmātă rĕplē: sīc hōc tĭbĭ sīdĕrĕ dēxtrō
crēscăt ŏnūs. tāntūm rĕdŭcēs dēt flēctĕrĕ grēssūs
Iūppĭtĕr, ō quāntā bēllī dōnābĕrĕ praēdā!
Dīrcaēōs tĭbĭ, dīvă, grĕgēs nŭmĕrūmquĕ rĕpēndām770
sānguĭnĭs, ēt māgna hīc lūcūs sīgnābĭtŭr ārā."
Dīxĭt, ĕt ōrāntīs mĕdĭa īntĕr ănhēlĭtŭs ārdēns
vērbă răpīt, cūrsūque ănĭmaē lăbăt ārĭdă līnguă;
īdem ōmnēs pāllōrquĕ vĭrōs flātūsquĕ sŏlūtī
ōrĭs hăbēt. Rēddīt dēmīssō Lēmnĭă vūltū:775
"Dīvă quĭdēm vōbīs, ētsī caēlēstĭs ŏrīgōst,
ūnde ĕgŏ? mōrtālēs ŭtĭnam haūt trānsgrēssă fŭīssēm
lūctĭbŭs! Āltrīcēm māndātī cērnĭtĭs ōrbām
pīgnŏrĭs; āt nōstrīs ān quīs sĭnŭs ūbĕrăque ūllă,
scīt dĕŭs, ēt nōbīs rēgnūm tămĕn ēt pătĕr īngēns.780
Sēd quĭd ĕgo haēc, fēssōsque ōptātīs dēmŏrŏr ūndīs?
mēcum ăgĕ nūnc, sī fōrtĕ vădō Lāngīă pĕrēnnēs
sērvăt ăquās; sŏlĕt ēt răbĭdī sūb līmĭtĕ Cāncrī
sēmpĕr, ĕt Īcărĭī quāmvīs iŭbă fūlgŭrĕt āstrī,
īrĕ tămēn". Sĭmŭl haērēntēm, nē tārdă Pĕlāsgīs785
dūx fŏrĕt, ā! mĭsĕrūm vīcīnō caēspĭte ălūmnūm
sīc Pārcaē vŏlŭērĕ - lŏcāt pōnīquĕ nĕgāntīs
flōrĭbŭs ādgēstīs ĕt ămīcō mūrmŭrĕ dūlcēs
sōlātūr lăcrĭmās: quālīs Bĕrĕcŷntĭă mātēr,
dūm pārvūm cīrcā iŭbĕt ēxsūltārĕ Tŏnāntēm790
Cūrētās trĕpĭdōs; īllī cērtāntĭă plaūdūnt
ōrgĭă, sēd māgnīs rĕsŏnāt vāgītĭbŭs Īdē.
Āt pŭĕr īn grĕmĭō vērnaē tēllūrĭs ĕt āltō
grāmĭnĕ nūnc făcĭlēs stērnīt prōcūrsĭbŭs hērbās
īn vūltūm nītēns, cārām mŏdŏ lāctĭs ĕgēnō795
nūtrīcēm clāngōrĕ cĭēns ĭtĕrūmquĕ rĕnīdēns
ēt tĕnĕrīs mĕdĭtāns vērba īllūctāntĭă lābrīs
mīrātūr nĕmŏrūm strĕpĭtūs aūt ōbvĭă cārpīt
aūt pătŭlō trăhĭt ōrĕ dĭēm nĕmŏrīquĕ mălōrūm
īnscĭŭs ēt vītaē mūltūm sēcūrŭs ĭnērrāt.800
Sīc tĕnĕr Ōdrўsĭā Māvōrs nĭvĕ, sīc pŭĕr ālēs
vērtĭcĕ Maēnălĭō, tālīs pēr lītŏră rēptāns
īmprŏbŭs Ōrtўgĭaē lătŭs īnclīnābăt Ăpōllŏ.
Īllī pēr dūmōs ĕt ŏpācă vĭrēntĭbŭs ūmbrīs
dēvĭă; pārs cīngūnt, pārs ārtā plēbĕ sĕquūntūr805
praēcĕlĕrāntquĕ dŭcēm. mĕdĭūm sŭbĭt īllă pĕr āgmēn
nōn hŭmĭlī fēstīnă mŏdō; iāmque āmnĕ prŏpīnquō
raūcă sŏnāt vāllīs, sāxōsūmque īmpŭlĭt aūrēs
mūrmŭr: ĭbi ēxsūltāns cōnclāmăt ăb āgmĭnĕ prīmūs,
sīcŭt ĕrāt lĕvĭbūs tōllēns vēxīllă mănīplīs810
Ārgŭs: "ăquaē!" lōngūsquĕ vĭrūm sŭpĕr ōră cŭcūrrīt
clāmŏr: "ăquaē!" sīc Āmbrăcĭī pēr lītŏră pōntī
naūtĭcŭs īn rēmīs iŭvĕnūm mōnstrāntĕ măgīstrō
fīt sŏnŭs īnquĕ vĭcēm cōntrā pērcūssă rĕclāmāt
tērră, sălūtātūs cūm Leūcădă pāndĭt Ăpōllŏ.815
Īncŭbŭērĕ vădīs pāssīm dīscrīmĭnĕ nūllō
tūrbă sĭmūl prīmīquĕ, nĕquīt sēcērnĕrĕ mīxtōs
aēquă sĭtīs, frēnātă sŭīs īn cūrrĭbŭs īntrānt
ārmēnta, ēt plēnī dŏmĭnīs ārmīsquĕ fĕrūntūr
quādrĭpĕdēs; hōs tūrbŏ răpāx, hōs lūbrĭcă fāllūnt820
sāxă, nĕc īmplĭcĭtōs flŭvĭō rĕvĕrēntĭă rēgēs
prōtĕrĕre aūt mērsīssĕ vădō clāmāntĭs ămīcī
ōră. frĕmūnt ūndaē, lōngūsque ā fōntĭbŭs āmnīs
dīrĭpĭtūr, mŏdŏ lēnĕ vĭrēns ēt gūrgĭtĕ pūrō
pērspĭcŭūs nūnc sōrdĕt ăquīs ēgēstŭs ăb īmīs825
ālvĕŭs; īndĕ tŏrī rīpārum ēt prōrŭtă tūrbānt
grāmĭnă; iām crāssūs caēnōque ēt pūlvĕrĕ sōrdēns,
quāmquam ēxplētă sĭtīs, bĭbĭtūr tămĕn. Āgmĭnă bēllō
dēcērtārĕ pŭtēs iūstūmque īn gūrgĭtĕ Mārtēm
pērfŭrĕre aūt cāptām tōllī vīctōrĭbŭs ūrbēm.830
Ātque ălĭquīs rēgūm mĕdĭō cīrcūmflŭŭs āmnī:
"Sīlvārūm, Nĕmĕā, lōngē rēgīnă vĭrēntūm,
lēctă Iŏvī sēdēs, quām tū nōn Hērcŭlĭs āctīs
dūră măgīs, răbĭdī cūm cōllă cŏmāntĭă mōnstrī
frāngĕrĕt ēt tŭmĭdōs ănĭmam āngūstārĕt ĭn ārtūs!835
Hāc saēvīssĕ tĕnūs pŏpŭlōrum īn coēptă tŭōrūm
sūffĭcĭāt; tūque ō cūnctīs īnsuētĕ dŏmārī
sōlĭbŭs, aētērnaē lārgītōr cōrnĭgĕr ūndaē
laētŭs ĕās, quācūmquĕ dŏmō gĕlĭda ōră rĕsōlvīs
īmmōrtālĕ tŭmēns; nĕque ĕnīm tĭbĭ cānă rĕpōstās840
brūmă nĭvēs rāptāsque ălĭō dē fōntĕ rĕfūndīt
ārcŭs ăquās grăvĭdīve īndūlgēnt nūbĭlă Cōrī,
sēd tŭŭs ēt nūllī rŭĭs ēxpūgnābĭlĭs āstrō.
Tē nĕc Ăpōllĭnĕūs Lādōn nēc Xānthŭs ŭtērquĕ
Spērchēōsquĕ mĭnāx Cēntaūrēūsquĕ Lўcōrmās845
praēstĭtĕrīnt; tū pācĕ mĭhī, tū nūbĕ sŭb īpsā
ārmōrūm fēstāsquĕ sŭpēr cĕlĕbrābĕrĕ mēnsās
ā Iŏvĕ prīmŭs hŏnōs. bēllīs mŏdŏ laētŭs ŏvāntēs
āccĭpĭās fēssīsquĕ lĭbēns ĭtĕrum hōspĭtă pāndās
flūmĭnă dēfēnsāsquĕ vĕlīs āgnōscĕrĕ tūrmās."850
Tertius horrentem Zephyris laxaverat annum
Phoebus et angusto cogebat limite vernum
longius ire diem, cum fracta impulsaque fatis
consilia et tandem miseris data copia belli.
5Prima manu rutilam de vertice Larisaeo
ostendit Bellona facem dextraque trabalem
hastam intorsit agens, liquido quae stridula caelo
fugit et Aoniae celso stetit aggere Dirces.
Mox et castra subit ferroque auroque coruscis
10mixta viris turmale fremit; dat euntibus ensis,
plaudit equos, vocat ad portas; hortamina fortes
praeveniunt, timidisque etiam brevis addita virtus.
Dicta dies aderat. Cadit ingens rite Tonanti
Gradivoque pecus, nullisque secundus in extis
15pallet et armatis simulat sperare sacerdos.
Iamque suos circum pueri nuptaeque patresque
funduntur mixti summisque a postibus obstant.
Nec modus est lacrimis: rorant clipeique iubaeque
triste salutantum, et cunctis dependet ab armis
20suspiranda domus; galeis iuvat oscula clausis
inserere amplexuque truces deducere conos.
Illi, quis ferrum modo, quis mors ipsa placebat,
dant gemitus fractaeque labant singultibus irae.
Sic ubi forte viris longum super aequor ituris,
25cum iam ad vela noti et scisso redit ancora fundo,
haeret amica manus: certant innectere collo
bracchia, manantisque oculos hinc oscula turbant,
hinc magni caligo maris, tandemque relicti
stant in rupe tamen; fugientia carbasa visu
30dulce sequi, patriosque dolent crebrescere ventos.
Stant tamen, et nota puppim de rupe salutant.
Nunc mihi, Fama prior mundique arcana Vetustas,
cui meminisse ducum vitasque extendere curae,
pande viros, tuque o nemoris regina sonori,
35Calliope, quas ille manus, quae moverit arma
Gradivus, quantas populis solaverit urbes,
sublata molire lyra: neque enim altior ulli
mens hausto de fonte venit. Rex tristis et aeger
pondere curarum propiorque abeuntibus annis
40inter adhortantis vix sponte incedit Adrastus,
contentus ferro cingi latus; arma manipli
pone ferunt, volucris portis auriga sub ipsis
comit equos, et iam inde iugo luctatur Arion.
Huic armat Larisa viros, huic celsa Prosymna,
45aptior armentis Midea pecorosaque Phlius,
quaeque pavet longa spumantem valle Charadron
Neris, et ingenti turritae mole Cleonae
et Lacedaemonium Thyrea lectura cruorem.
iunguntur memores transmissi ab origine regis,
50qui Drepani scopulos et oliviferae Sicyonis
culta serunt, quos pigra vado Langia tacenti
lambit et anfractu riparum incurvus Elisson.
Saevus honos fluvio: Stygias lustrare severis
Eumenidas perhibetur aquis; huc mergere suetae
55ora et anhelantis poto Phlegethonte cerastas
seu Thracum vertere domos, seu tecta Mycenes
impia Cadmeumve larem; fugit ipse natantis
amnis et innumeris livescunt stagna venenis.
It comes Inoas Ephyre solata querelas
60Cenchreaeque manus, vatum qua conscius amnis
Gorgoneo percussus equo, quaque obiacet alto
Isthmos et a terris maria inclinata repellit.
Haec manus Adrastum numero ter mille secuti
exsultant; pars gaesa manu, pars robora flammis
65indurata diu - non unus namque maniplis
mos neque sanguis - habent, teretis pars vertere fundae
adsueti vacuoque diem praecingere gyro.
Ipse annis sceptrisque subit venerabilis aeque:
ut possessa diu taurus meat arduus inter
70pascua iam laxa cervice et inanibus armis,
dux tamen: haud illum bello attemptare iuvencis
sunt animi; nam trunca vident de vulnere multo
cornua et ingentis plagarum in pectore nodos.
Proxima longaevo profert Dircaeus Adrasto
75signa gener, cui bella favent, cui commodat iras
cuncta cohors: huic et patria de sede volentes
advenere viri, seu quos movet exul et haesit
tristibus aucta fides, seu quis mutare potentis
praecipuum, multi, melior quos causa querenti
80conciliat; dederat nec non socer ipse regendas
Aegion Arenenque, et quas Theseia Troezen
addit opes, ne rara movens inglorius iret
agmina, neu raptos patriae sentiret honores.
Idem habitus, eadem arma viro, quae debitus hospes
85hiberna sub nocte tulit: Teumesius implet
terga leo et gemino lucent hastilia ferro,
aspera vulnifico subter latus ense riget Sphinx.
Iam regnum matrisque sinus fidasque sorores
spe votisque tenet, tamen et de turre suprema
90attonitam totoque exstantem corpore longe
respicit Argian; haec mentem oculosque reducit
coniugis et dulcis avertit pectore Thebas.
Ecce inter medios patriae ciet agmina gentis
fulmineus Tydeus, iam laetus et integer artus,
95ut primae strepuere tubae: ceu lubricus alta
anguis humo verni blanda ad spiramina solis
erigitur liber senio et squalentibus annis
exutus laetisque minax interviret herbis:
a miser, agrestum si quis per gramen hianti
100obvius et primo fraudaverit ora veneno!
huic quoque praestantes Aetolis urbibus adfert
belli fama viros: sensit scopulosa Pylene
fletaque cognatis avibus Meleagria Pleuron
et praeceps Calydon, et quae Iove provocat Iden
105Olenos, Ioniis et fluctibus hospita portu
Chalcis et Herculea turpatus gymnade vultus
amnis; adhuc imis vix truncam attollere frontem
ausus aquis glaucoque caput submersus in antro
maeret, anhelantes aegrescunt pulvere ripae.
110Omnibus aeratae propugnant pectora crates,
pilaque saeva manu, patrius stat casside Mavors.
Undique magnanimum pubes delecta coronant
Oeniden, hilarem bello notisque decorum
vulneribus; non ille minis Polynicis et ira
115inferior, dubiumque adeo, cui bella gerantur.
Maior at inde novis it Doricus ordo sub armis,
qui ripas, Lyrcie, tuas, tua litora multo
vomere suspendunt, fluviorum ductor Achivum,
Inache - Persea neque enim violentior exit
120amnis humo, cum Taurum aut Pliadas hausit aquosas
spumeus et genero tumuit Iove -, quos celer ambit
Asterion Dryopumque trahens Erasinus aristas,
et qui rura domant Epidauria - dexter Iaccho
collis at Henneae Cereri negat -; avia Dyme
125mittit opem densasque Pylos Neleia turmas;
nondum nota Pylos iuvenisque aetate secunda
Nestor, et ire tamen peritura in castra negavit.
Hos agitat pulchraeque docet virtutis amorem
arduus Hippomedon; capiti tremit aerea cassis
130†ter niveum scandente iuba†, latus omne sub armis
ferrea suta terunt, umeros ac pectora late
flammeus orbis habet, perfectaque vivit in auro
nox Danai: sontes Furiarum lampade nigra
quinquaginta ardent thalami; pater ipse cruentis
135in foribus laudatque nefas atque inspicit ensis.
Illum Palladia sonipes Nemeaeus ab arce
devehit arma pavens umbraque immane volanti
implet agros longoque attollit pulvere campum.
Non aliter silvas umeris et utroque refringens
140pectore montano duplex Hylaeus ab antro
praecipitat - pavet Ossa - vias, pecudesque feraeque
procubuere metu; non ipsis fratribus horror
afuit, ingenti donec Peneia saltu
stagna subit magnumque obiectus detinet amnem.
145Quis numerum ferri gentisque et robora dictu
aequarit mortale sonans? Suus excit in arma
antiquam Tiryntha deus; non fortibus illa
infecunda viris famaque immanis alumni
degenerat, sed lapsa situ fortuna, neque addunt
150robur opes; rarus vacuis habitator in arvis
monstrat Cyclopum ductas sudoribus arces.
Dat tamen haec iuvenum tercentum pectora, vulgus
innumerum bello, quibus haud ammenta nec enses
triste micant: flavae capiti tergoque leonum
155exuviae gentilis honos, et pineus armat
stipes, inexhaustis artantur tela pharetris.
Herculeum paeana canunt, vastataque monstris
omnia; frondosa longum deus audit ab Oeta.
Dat Nemea comites, et quas in proelia viris
160sacra Cleonaei cogunt vineta Molorchi.
Gloria nota casae, foribus simulata salignis
hospitis arma dei, parvoque ostenditur arvo,
robur ubi et laxos qua reclinaverit arcus
ilice, qua cubiti sedeant vestigia terra.
165At pedes et toto despectans vertice bellum
quattuor indomitis Capaneus erepta iuvencis
terga superque rigens iniectu molis aenae
versat onus; squalet triplici ramosa corona
Hydra recens obitu: pars anguibus aspera vivis
170argento caelata micat, pars arte reperta
conditur et fulvo moriens ignescit in auro;
circum amnis torpens et ferro caerula Lerna.
At laterum tractus spatiosaque pectora servat
nexilis innumero Chalybum subtemine thorax,
175horrendum, non matris, opus; galeaeque corusca
prominet arce gigans; atque uni missilis illi
cuspide praefixa stat frondibus orba cupressus.
Huic parere dati, quos fertilis Amphigenia
planaque Messene montosaque nutrit Ithome,
180quos Thryon et summis ingestum montibus Aepy,
quos Helos et Pteleon, Getico quos flebile vati
Dorion; hic fretus doctas anteire canendo
Aonidas mutos Thamyris damnatus in annos
ore simul citharaque - quis obvia numina temnat? -
185conticuit praeceps, qui non certamina Phoebi
nosset et illustres Satyro pendente Celaenas.
Iamque et fatidici mens expugnata fatiscit
auguris; ille quidem casus et dira videbat
signa, sed ipsa manu cunctanti iniecerat arma
190Atropos obrueratque deum, nec coniugis absunt
insidiae, vetitoque domus iam fulgurat auro.
Hoc aurum vati fata exitiale monebant
Argolico; scit et ipsa - nefas! -, sed perfida coniunx
dona viro mutare velit, spoliisque potentis
195imminet Argiae raptoque excellere cultu.
illa libens -nam regum animos et pondera belli
hac nutare videt, pariter si providus heros
militet- ipsa sacros gremio Polynicis amati
exuerat cultus haut maesta atque insuper addit:
200"Non haec apta mihi nitidis ornatibus" inquit,
"tempora, nec miserae placeant insignia formae
te sine: sat dubium coetu solante timorem
fallere et incultos aris adverrere crinis.
Scilicet - infandum! -, cum tu claudare minanti
205casside ferratusque sones, ego divitis aurum
Harmoniae dotale geram? dabit aptior isto
fors decus, Argolicasque habitu praestabo maritas,
cum regis coniunx, cum te mihi sospite templa
votivis implenda choris; nunc induat illa,
210quae petit et bellante potest gaudere marito".
Sic Eriphylaeos aurum fatale penatis
irrupit scelerumque ingentia semina movit,
et grave Tisiphone risit gavisa futuris.
Taenariis hic celsus equis, quam dispare coetu
215Cyllarus ignaro generarat Castore prolem,
quassat humum; vatem cultu Parnasia monstrant
vellera: frondenti crinitur cassis oliva
albaque puniceas interplicat infula cristas.
Arma simul pressasque iugo moderatur habenas.
220Hinc atque inde morae iaculis, et ferrea curru
silva tremit; procul ipse gravi metuendus in hasta
eminet et clipeo victum Pythona coruscat.
Huius Apollineae currum comitantur Amyclae,
quos Helos et dubiis Malea vitata carinis
225plaudentique habiles Caryae resonare Dianae,
quos Pharis volucrumque parens Cythereia Messe,
Taygetique phalanx et oloriferi | Eurotae
dura manus. Deus ipse viros in pulvere crudo
Arcas alit nudaeque modos virtutis et iras
230ingenerat; vigor inde animis et mortis honorae
dulce sacrum. Gaudent natorum fata parentes
hortanturque mori, deflent iamque omnis ephebum
turba, coronato contenta est funere mater.
Frena tenent duplexque inserto missile nodo,
235exserti ingentis umeros, chlamys horrida pendet,
et cono Ledaeus apex. Non hi tibi solum,
Amphiaraë, merent: auget resupina maniplos
Elis, depressae populus subit incola Pisae,
qui te, flave, natant, terris Alphee Sicanis
240advena tam longo non umquam infecte profundo.
Curribus innumeris late putria arva lacessunt
et bellis armenta domant: ea gloria genti
infando de more et fractis durat ab usque
axibus Oenomai; strident spumantia morsu
245vincula, et effossas niveus rigat imber harenas.
Tu quoque Parrhasias ignara matre catervas
- a rudis annorum, tantum nova gloria suadet! -,
Parthenopaee, rapis; saltus tunc forte remotos
torva parens - neque enim haec iuveni foret ire potestas -
250pacabat cornu gelidique aversa Lycaei.
Pulchrior haud ulli triste ad discrimen ituro
vultus et egregiae tanta indulgentia formae;
nec desunt animi, veniat modo fortior aetas.
Quas non ille duces nemorum fluviisque dicata
255numina, quas magno non abstulit igne Napaeas?
Ipsam, Maenalia puerum cum vidit in umbra,
Dianam, tenero signantem gramina passu,
ignovisse ferunt comiti, Dictaeaque tela
ipsam et Amyclaeas umeris aptasse pharetras.
260Prosilit audaci Martis percussus amore,
arma, tubas audire calens et pulvere belli
flaventem sordere comam captoque referri
hostis equo: taedet nemorum, titulumque nocentem
sanguinis humani pudor est nescire sagittas.
265Igneus ante omnis auro micat, igneus ostro,
undantemque sinum nodis irrugat Hiberis,
imbelli parma pictus Calydonia matris
proelia; trux laeva sonat arcus, et aspera plumis
terga Cydonea corytos harundine pulsat
270electro pallens et iaspide clarus Eoa.
Cornipedem trepidos suetum praevertere cervos,
velatum geminae deiectu lyncis et arma
mirantem gravioris eri, sublimis agebat,
dulce rubens viridique genas spectabilis aevo.
275Arcades huic veteres astris lunaque priores
agmina fida datis, nemorum quos stirpe rigenti
fama satos, cum prima pedum vestigia tellus
admirata tulit; nondum arva domusque nec urbes
conubiisve modus; quercus laurique ferebant
280cruda puerperia, ac populos umbrosa creavit
fraxinus, et feta viridis puer excidit orno.
Hi lucis stupuisse vices noctisque feruntur
nubila et occiduum longe Titana secuti
desperasse diem. Rarescunt alta colonis
285Maenala, Parthenium fugitur nemus, agmina bello
Rhipeque et Stratie ventosaque donat Enispe.
Non Tegea, non ipsa deo vacat alite felix
Cyllene templumque Aleae nemorale Minervae
et rapidus Clitor et qui tibi, Pythie, Ladon
290paene socer, candensque iugis Lampia nivosis
et Pheneos nigro Styga mittere credita Diti.
Venit et Idaeis ululatibus aemulus Azan
Parrhasiique duces, et quae risistis, Amores,
grata pharetrato Nonacria rura Tonanti,
295dives et Orchomenos pecorum et Cynosura ferarum.
Aegytios idem ardor agros Psophidaque celsam
vastat et Herculeo vulgatos robore montis
monstriferumque Erymanthon et aerisonum Stymphalon.
Arcades hi, gens una viris, sed dissona cultu
300scinditur: hi Paphias myrtos a stirpe recurvant
et pastorali meditantur proelia trunco,
his arcus, his tela sudes, his cassida crinis
integit, Arcadii morem tenet ille galeri,
ille Lycaoniae rictu caput asperat ursae.
305Hos belli coetus iurataque pectora Marti
milite vicinae nullo iuvere Mycenae;
funereae tunc namque dapes mediique recursus
solis, et hic alii miscebant proelia fratres.
Iamque Atalantaeas implerat nuntius auris,
310ire ducem bello totamque impellere natum
Arcadiam: tremuere gradus, elapsaque iuxta
tela; fugit silvas pernicior alite vento
saxa per et plenis obstantia flumina ripis,
qualis erat, correpta sinus et vertice flavum
315crinem sparsa noto; raptis velut aspera natis
praedatoris equi sequitur vestigia tigris.
Ut stetit adversisque impegit pectora frenis
†ille ad humum pallens†: "Unde haec furibunda cupido,
nate, tibi? teneroque unde improba pectore virtus?
320Tu bellis aptare viros, tu pondera ferre
Martis et ensiferas inter potes ire catervas?
quamquam utinam vires! nuper te pallida vidi,
dum premis obnixo venabula comminus apro,
poplite succiduo resupinum ac paene ruentem,
325et ni curvato torsissem spicula cornu,
nunc ubi bella tibi? Nil te mea tela iuvabunt
nec teretes arcus, maculis nec discolor atris
hic, cui fidis, equus; magnis conatibus instas,
vix Dryadum thalamis Erymanthiadumque furori
330nympharum mature puer. sunt omina vera:
mirabar, cur templa mihi tremuisse Dianae
nuper et inferior vultu dea visa, sacrisque
exuviae cecidere tholis; hoc segnior arcus
difficilesque manus et nullo in vulnere certae.
335Exspecta, dum maior honos, dum firmius aevum,
dum roseis venit umbra genis vultusque recedunt
ore mei; tunc bella tibi ferrumque, quod ardes,
ipsa dabo, et nullo matris revocabere fletu.
Nunc refer arma domum! Vos autem hunc ire sinetis,
340Arcades, o saxis nimirum et robore nati!"
Plura cupit; fusi circum natusque ducesque
solantur minuuntque metus, et iam horrida clangunt
signa tubae. Nequit illa pio dimittere natum
complexu multumque duci commendat Adrasto.
345At parte ex alia Cadmi Mavortia plebes,
maesta ducis furiis nec molli territa fama,
quando his vulgatum descendere viribus Argos,
tardius illa quidem regis causaeque pudore,
verum bella movet. Nulli destringere ferrum
350impetus, aut umeros clipeo clausisse paterno
dulce nec alipedum iuga comere, qualia belli
gaudia; deiecti trepidas sine mente, sine ira
promisere manus; hic aegra in sorte parentem
unanimum, hic dulces primaevae coniugis annos
355ingemit, et gremio miseros accrescere natos.
Bellator nulli calvit deus; ipsa vetusto
moenia lapsa situ magnaeque Amphionis arces
iam fessum senio nudant latus, et fide sacra
aequatos caelo surdum atque ignobile muros
360firmat opus. Tamen et Boeotis urbibus ultrix
aspirat ferri rabies, nec regis iniqui
subsidio, quantum socia pro gente moventur.
Ille velut pecoris lupus expugnator opimi,
pectora tabenti sanie gravis hirtaque saetis
365ora cruentata deformis hiantia lana,
decedit stabulis huc illuc turbida versans
lumina, si duri comperta clade sequantur
pastores, magnique fugit non inscius ausi.
Accumulat crebros turbatrix Fama pavores:
370hic iam dispersos errare Asopide ripa
Lernaeos equites, hic te, bacchate Cithaeron,
ille rapi Teumeson ait noctisque per umbras
nuntiat excubiis vigiles arsisse Plataeas.
Nam Tyrios sudare lares et sanguine Dircen
375irriguam fetusque novos iterumque locutam
Sphinga petris, cui non et scire licentia passim
et vidisse fuit? Novus his super anxia turbat
corda metus: sparsis subito correpta canistris
silvestris regina chori decurrit in aequum
380vertice ab Ogygio trifidamque huc tristis et illuc
lumine sanguineo pinum disiectat et ardens
erectam attonitis implet clamoribus urbem:
"Omnipotens Nysaee pater, cui gentis avitae
pridem lapsus amor, tu nunc horrente sub Arcto
385bellica ferrato rapidus quatis Ismara thyrso
pampineumque iubes nemus irreptare Lycurgo,
aut tumidum Gangen aut claustra novissima rubrae
Tethyos Eoasque domos flagrante triumpho
perfuris, aut Hermi de fontibus aureus exis:
390at tua progenies, positis gentilibus armis
quae tibi festa litant, bellum lacrimasque metumque
cognatumque nefas, iniusti munera regni,
pendimus. Aetnaeis potius me, Bacche, pruinis
trans et Amazoniis ululatum Caucason armis
395siste ferens, quam monstra ducum stirpemque profanam
eloquar. en urges; alium tibi, Bacche, furorem
iuravi: similis video concurrere tauros;
idem ambobus honos unusque ab origine sanguis;
ardua collatis obnixi cornua miscent
400frontibus alternaque truces moriuntur in ira.
Tu peior, tu cede, nocens qui solus avita
gramina communemque petis defendere montem.
A miseri morum! Bellastis sanguine tanto,
et saltum dux alter habet". Sic fata gelatis
405vultibus et Baccho iam demigrante quievit.
At trepidus monstro et variis terroribus impar
longaevi rex vatis opem tenebrasque sagaces
Tiresiae, qui mos incerta paventibus, aeger
consulit. Ille deos non larga caede iuvencum,
410non alacri pinna aut verum salientibus extis,
nec tripode inplicito numerisque sequentibus astra,
turea nec supra volitante altaria fumo
tam penitus, durae quam mortis limite manis
elicitos patuisse refert, Lethaeaque sacra
415et mersum Ismeni subter confinia ponto
miscentis parat ante ducem, circumque bidentum
visceribus laceris et odori sulpuris aura
graminibusque novis et longo murmure purgat.
Silva capax aevi validaque incurva senecta,
420aeternum intonsae frontis, stat pervia nullis
solibus; haud illam brumae minuere, Notusve
ius habet aut Getica Boreas impactus ab Ursa.
Subter operta quies, vacuusque silentia servat
horror et exclusae pallet male lucis imago.
425Nec caret umbra deo: nemori Latonia cultrix
additur; hanc picea cedroque et robore in omni
effictam sanctis occultat silva tenebris.
Huius inaspectae luco stridere sagittae
nocturnique canum gemitus, ubi limina patrui
430effugit inque novae melior redit ora Dianae;
aut ubi fessa iugis, dulcisque altissima somnos
lux movet, hic late iaculis circum undique fixis
effusam pharetra cervicem excepta quiescit.
Extra immane patens tellus Mavortia campi,
435fetus ager Cadmo, durus qui vomere primo
post consanguineas acies sulcosque nocentis
ausus humum versare et mollia sanguine prata
ervit; ingentis infelix terra tumultus
lucis adhuc medio solaque in nocte per umbras
440exspirat, nigri cum vana in proelia surgunt
terrigenae; fugit incepto tremibundus ab arvo
agricola insanique domum rediere iuvenci.
Hic senior vates - Stygiis accommoda quippe
terra sacris, vivoque placent sola pinguia tabo -
445velleris obscuri pecudes armentaque sisti
atra monet, quaecumque gregum pulcherrima cervix
ducitur; ingemuit Dirce maestusque Cithaeron,
et nova clamosae stupuere silentia valles.
Tum fera caeruleis intexit cornua sertis
450ipse manu tractans, notaeque in limite silvae
principio largos noviens tellure cavata
inclinat Bacchi latices et munera verni
lactis et Actaeos imbris suadumque cruorem
manibus; adgeritur, quantum bibit arida tellus.
455Trunca dehinc nemora advolvunt, maestusque sacerdos
tris Hecatae totidemque satis Acheronte nefasto
virginibus iubet esse focos; tibi, rector Averni,
quamquam infossus humo superat tamen agger in auras
pineus; hunc iuxta cumulo minor ara profundae
460erigitur Cereri; frontes atque omne cupressus
intexit plorata latus. Iamque ardua ferro
signati capita et frugum libamine puro
in vulnus cecidere greges; tunc innuba Manto
exceptum pateris praelibat sanguen, et omnes
465ter circum acta pyras sancti de more parentis
semineces fibras et adhuc spirantia reddit
viscera, nec rapidas cunctatur frondibus atris
subiectare faces. Atque ipse sonantia flammis
virgulta et tristes crepuisse ut sensit acervos
470Tiresias - illi nam plurimus ardor anhelat
ante genas impletque cavos vapor igneus orbes -,
exclamat - tremuere rogi et vox terruit ignem -:
"Tartareae sedes et formidabile regnum
mortis inexpletae, tuque, o saevissime fratrum,
475cui servire dati manes aeternaque sontum
supplicia atque imi famulatur regia mundi,
solvite pulsanti loca muta et inane severae
Persephones vulgusque cava sub nocte repostum
elicite, et plena redeat Styga portitor alno.
480Ferte simul gressus, nec simplex manibus esto
in lucem remeare modus; tu separe coetu
Elysios, Persei, pios, virgaque potenti
nubilus Arcas agat; contra per crimina functis,
qui plures Erebo pluresque e sanguine Cadmi,
485angue ter excusso et flagranti praevia taxo,
Tisiphone, dux pande diem, nec lucis egentes
Cerberus occursu capitum detorqueat umbras".
Dixerat, et pariter senior Phoebeaque virgo
erexere animos; illi formidine nulla,
490quippe in corde deus, solum timor obruit ingens
Oedipodioniden, vatisque horrenda canentis
nunc umeros nunc ille manus et vellera pressat
anxius inceptisque velit desistere sacris.
Qualis Gaetulae stabulantem ad confraga silvae
495venator longo motum clamore leonem
exspectat firmans animum et sudantia nisu
tela premens; gelat ora pavor gressusque tremiscunt,
quis veniat quantusque, sed horrida signa frementis
accipit et caeca metitur murmura cura.
500Atque hic Tiresias nondum adventantibus umbris:
"vos testor, divae, quibus hunc saturavimus ignem
laevaque convulsae dedimus carchesia terrae,
iam nequeo tolerare moram. Cassusne sacerdos
audior? an rabido iubeat si Thessala cantu
505ibitis et Scythicis quotiens medicata venenis
Colchis agit, trepido pallebunt Tartara motu:
nostri cura minor, si non attollere bustis
corpora nec plenas antiquis ossibus urnas
egerere et mixtos caelique Erebique sub unum
510funestare deos libet aut exsanguia ferro
ora sequi atque aegras functorum carpere fibras?
Ne tenuis annos nubemque hanc frontis opacae
spernite, ne, moneo; et nobis saevire facultas.
Novimus et quidquid dici noscique timetis,
515et turbare Hecaten, ni te, Thymbraee, vererer
et triplicis mundi summum, quem scire nefastum.
Illum... Sed taceo: prohibet tranquilla senectus.
Iamque ego vos..." Avide subicit Phoebeia Manto:
"Audiris, genitor, vulgusque exsangue propinquat.
520Panditur Elysium chaos, et telluris opertae
dissilit umbra capax, silvaeque et nigra patescunt
flumina, liventis Acheron eiectat harenas.
Fumidus atra vadis Phlegethon incendia volvit,
et Styx discretis interflua manibus obstat.
525Ipsum pallentem solio circumque ministras
funestorum operum Eumenidas Stygiaeque severos
Iunonis thalamos et torva cubilia cerno.
In speculis Mors atra sedet dominoque silentis
adnumerat populos; maior superimminet ordo.
530Arbiter hos dura versat Gortynius urna
vera minis poscens adigitque expromere vitas
usque retro et tandem poenarum lucra fateri.
Quid tibi monstra Erebi, Scyllas et inane furentis
Centauros solidoque intorta adamante Gigantum
535vincula et angustam centeni Aegaeonis umbram?"
"Immo" ait, "o nostrae regimen viresque senectae,
ne vulgata mihi. Quis enim remeabile saxum
fallentesque lacus Tityonque alimenta volucrum
et caligantem longis Ixiona gyris
540nesciat? Ipse etiam, melior cum sanguis, opertas
inspexi sedes, Hecate ducente, priusquam
obruit ora deus totamque in pectora lucem
detulit. Argolicas magis huc appelle precando
Thebanasque animas; alias avertere gressus
545lacte quater sparsas maestoque excedere luco,
nata, iube; tum qui vultus habitusque, quis ardor
sanguinis affusi, gens utra superbior adsit,
dic agedum nostramque mone per singula noctem."
Iussa facit carmenque serit, quo dissipat umbras,
550quo reciet sparsas; qualis, si crimina demas,
Colchis et Aeaeo simulatrix litore Circe.
Tunc his sacrificum dictis adfata parentem:
"Primus sanguineo submittit inertia Cadmus
ora lacu, iuxtaque virum Cythereia proles
555insequitur, geminusque bibit de vertice serpens.
Terrigenae comites illos, gens Martia, cingunt,
quis aevi mensura dies, manus omnis in armis,
omnis et in capulo; prohibent obstantque ruuntque
spirantum rabie, nec tristi incumbere fossae
560cura, sed alternum sitis exhaurire cruorem.
Proxima natarum manus est fletique nepotes,
hic orbam Autonoën et anhelam cernimus Ino
respectantem arcus et ad ubera dulce prementem
pignus et oppositis Semelen a ventre lacertis.
565Penthea iam fractis genetrix Cadmeia thyrsis
iamque remissa deo pectusque adoperta cruentum
insequitur planctu; fugit ille per avia Lethes
et Stygios super usque lacus, ubi mitior illum
flet pater et lacerum componit corpus Echion.
570Tristem nosco Lycum dextramque in terga reflexum
Aeoliden, umero iactantem funus onusto.
Necdum ille aut habitus aut versae crimina formae
mutat Aristaeo genitus: frons aspera cornu,
tela manu, reicitque canes in vulnus hiantes.
575Ecce autem magna subit invidiosa caterva
Tantalis et tumido percenset funera luctu,
nil deiecta malis; iuvat effugisse deorum
numina et insanae plus iam permittere linguae".
Talia dum patri canit intemerata sacerdos,
580illius elatis tremefacta assurgere vittis
canities tenuisque impelli sanguine vultus.
Nec iam firmanti baculo nec virgine fida
nititur, erectusque solo: "Desiste canendo,
nata" ait, "externae satis est mihi lucis, inertes
585discedunt nebulae, et vultum niger exserit aër.
Umbrisne an supero dimissus Apolline complet
spiritus? En video quaecumque audita. Sed ecce
maerent Argolici deiecto lumine manes!
Torvus Abas Proetusque nocens mitisque Phoroneus
590truncatusque Pelops et saevo pulvere sordens
Oenomaus largis umectant imbribus ora.
Auguror hinc Thebis belli meliora. Quid autem
hi grege condenso, quantum arma et vulnera monstrant,
pugnaces animae, nobis in sanguine multo
595oraque pectoraque et falso clamore levatas
intendunt sine pace manus? Rex, fallor, an hi sunt
quinquaginta illi? Cernis Chthoniumque Chrominque
Phegeaque et nostra praesignem Maeona lauro.
Ne saevite, duces, nihil hic mortalibus ausum,
600credite, consiliis: hos ferrea neverat annos
Atropos. existis casus: bella horrida nobis,
atque iterum Tydeus". Dicit, vittaque ligatis
frondibus instantes abigit monstratque cruorem.
Stabat inops comitum Cocyti in litore maesto
605Laius, immiti quem iam deus ales Averno
reddiderat, dirumque tuens obliqua nepotem
- noscit enim vultu - non ille aut sanguinis haustus,
cetera ceu plebes, aliumve accedit ad imbrem,
immortale odium spirans. Sed prolicit ultro
610Aonius vates: "Tyriae dux inclyte Thebes,
cuius ab interitu non ulla Amphionis arces
vidit amica dies, o iam satis ulte cruentum
exitium et multum placata minoribus umbra,
quo miserande fugis? iacet ille in funere longo,
615quem fremis, et iunctae sentit confinia mortis,
obsitus exhaustos paedore et sanguine vultus
eiectusque die: sors leto durior omni,
crede mihi! quaenam immeritum vitare nepotem
causa tibi? Confer vultum et satiare litanti
620sanguine venturasque vices et funera belli
pande vel infensus vel res miserate tuorum.
Tunc ego te optata vetitam transmittere Lethen
puppe dabo placidumque pia tellure reponam
et Stygiis mandabo deis". Mulcetur honoris
625muneribus tinguitque genas, dein talia reddit:
"Cur tibi versanti manis, aequaeve sacerdos,
lectus ego augurio tantisque potissimus umbris,
qui ventura loquar? Satis est meminisse priorum.
nostrane praeclari, pudeat, consulta nepotes
630poscitis? Illum, illum sacris adhibete nefastis,
qui laeto fodit ense patrem, qui semet in ortus
vertit et indignae regerit sua pignora matri.
Et nunc ille deos Furiarumque atra fatigat
concilia et nostros rogat haec in proelia manis.
635Quodsi adeo placui deflenda in tempora vates,
dicam equidem, quo me Lachesis, quo torva Megaera
usque sinunt: bellum, innumero venit undique bellum
agmine, Lernaeosque trahit fatalis alumnos
Gradivus stimulis; hos terrae monstra deumque
640tela manent pulchrique obitus et ab igne supremo
sontes lege morae. Certa est victoria Thebis,
ne trepida, nec regna ferox germanus habebit,
sed Furiae geminumque nefas, miserosque per ensis,
ei mihi! crudelis vincit pater". Haec ubi fatus,
645labitur et flexa dubios ambage relinquit.
Interea gelidam Nemeen et conscia laudis
Herculeae dumeta vaga legione tenebant
Inachidae; iam Sidonias avertere praedas,
sternere, ferre domos ardent instantque. Quis iras
650flexerit, unde morae, medius quis euntibus error,
Phoebe, doce: nos rara manent exordia famae.
Marcidus edomito bellum referebat ab Haemo
Liber; ibi armiferos geminae iam sidera brumae
orgia ferre Getas canumque virescere dorso
655Othryn et Icaria Rhodopen assueverat umbra,
et iam pampineos materna ad moenia currus
promovet; effrenae dextra laevaque sequuntur
lynces et uda mero lambunt retinacula tigres.
Post exsultantes spolia armentalia portant
660seminecesque lupos scissasque Mimallones ursas.
Nec comitatus iners: sunt illic Ira Furorque
et Metus et Virtus et numquam sobrius Ardor
succiduique gradus et castra simillima regi.
Isque ubi pulverea Nemeen effervere nube
665conspicit et solem radiis ignescere ferri,
necdum compositas belli in certamina Thebas,
concussus visis, quamquam ore et pectore marcet,
aeraque tympanaque et biforem reticere tumultum
imperat, attonitas qui circum plurimus auris,
670atque ita: "Me globus iste meamque exscindere gentem
apparat; ex longo recalet furor; hoc mihi saevum
Argos et indomitae bellum ciet ira novercae.
Usque adeone parum cineri data mater iniquo
natalesque rogi quaeque ipse micantia sensi
675fulgura? reliquias etiam fusaeque sepulcrum
paelicis et residem ferro petit impia Theben.
Nectam fraude moras; illum, illum tendite campum,
tendite, io, comites." Hyrcanae ad signa iugales
intumuere iubas, dicto prius astitit arvis.
680Tempus erat, medii cum solem in culmina mundi
tollit anhela dies, ubi tardus hiantibus arvis
stat vapor atque omnes admittunt aethera luci.
Undarum vocat ille deas mediusque silentum
incipit: "Agrestes fluviorum numina Nymphae
685et nostri pars magna gregis, perferte laborem,
quem damus. Argolicos paulum mihi fontibus amnis
stagnaque et errantis obducite pulvere rivos.
Praecipuam Nemeen, qua nostra in moenia bellis
nunc iter, ex alto fugiat liquor; adiuvat ipse
690Phoebus adhuc summo, cesset ni vestra voluntas,
limite; vim coeptis indulgent astra, meaeque
aestifer Erigones spumat canis. ite volentes,
ite in operta soli; post vos ego gurgite pleno
eliciam, et quae dona meis amplissima sacris,
695vester habebit honos, nocturnaque furta licentum
cornipedum et cupidas Faunorum arcebo rapinas".
Dixerat; ast illis tenuis percurrere visus
ora situs, viridisque comis exhorruit umor.
Protinus Inachios haurit sitis ignea campos:
700diffugere undae, squalent fontesque lacusque,
et cava ferventi durescunt flumina limo.
Aegra solo macies, tenerique in origine culmi
inclinata seges, deceptum margine ripae
stat pecus, atque amnis quaerunt armenta natatus.
705Sic ubi se magnis refluus suppressit in antris
Nilus et Eoae liquentia pabula brumae
ore premit, fumant desertae gurgite valles
et patris undosi sonitus exspectat hiulca
Aegyptos, donec Phariis alimenta rogatus
710donet agris magnumque inducat messibus annum.
Aret Lerna nocens, aret Lyrcius et ingens
Inachus advolvensque natantia saxa Charadrus
et numquam in ripis audax Erasinus et aequus
fluctibus Asterion, ille alta per avia notus
715audiri et longe pastorum rumpere somnos.
Sic Hyperionis cum lux effrena per orbem
rapta ruit Phaëthontis equos, magnumque laborem
discordes gemuere poli, dum pontus et arva
stellarumque ruunt crines, non amnibus undae,
720non lucis mansere comae, sed multus ubique
ignis, ubique faces et longa fluminis instar
indiget Aegaeon deceptus imagine ripae.
Una tamen tacitas sed iussu numinis undas
haec quoque secreta nutrit Langia sub umbra.
725Nondum illi raptus dederat lacrimabile nomen
Archemorus, nec fama deae; tamen avia servat
et nemus et fluvium; manet ingens gloria nympham,
dum tristem Hypsipylen ducibus sudatus Achaeis
ludus et atra sacrum recolit trieteris Ophelten.
730Ergo nec ardentis clipeos vectare nec artos
thoracum nexus - tantum sitis horrida torret -
sufficiunt; non ora modo angustisque perusti
faucibus, interior sed vis quatit; aspera pulsu
corda, gelant venae, et siccis cruor aeger adhaeret
735visceribus; tunc sole putris, tunc pulvere tellus
exhalat calidam nubem. Non spumeus imber
manat equum: siccis illidunt ora lupatis,
ora catenatas procul exsertantia linguas;
nec legem dominosve pati, sed perfurit arvis
740flammatum pecus. huc illuc impellit Adrastus
exploratores, si stagna Licymnia restent,
si quis Amymones superet liquor: omnia caecis
ignibus hausta sedent, nec spes umentis Olympi,
ceu flavam Libyen desertaque pulveris Afri
745collustrent nullaque umbratam nube Syenen.
Tandem inter silvas - sic Euhius ipse pararat -
errantes subitam pulchro in maerore tuentur
Hypsipylen; illi quamuis et ab ubere Opheltes
non suus, Inachii proles infausta Lycurgi,
750dependet - neglecta comam nec dives amictu -,
regales tamen ore notae, nec mersus acerbis
exstat honos. Tunc haec adeo stupefactus Adrastus:
"Diva potens nemorum -nam te vultusque pudorque
mortali de stirpe negant -, quae laeta sub isto
755igne poli non quaeris aquas, succurre propinquis
gentibus; Arquitenens seu te Latonia casto
de grege transmisit thalamis, seu lapsus ab astris
non humilis fecundat amor - neque enim ipse deorum
arbiter Argolidum thalamis novus -, aspice maesta
760agmina. nos ferro meritas exscindere Thebas
mens tulit, imbelli sed nunc sitis aspera fato
submittitque animos et inertia robora carpit.
Da fessis in rebus opem, seu turbidus amnis,
seu tibi foeda palus; nihil hac in sorte pudendum,
765nil humile est; tu nunc undis - Pluvioque rogaris
pro Iove -, tu refugas vires et pectora bellis
exanimata reple: sic hoc tibi sidere dextro
crescat onus. tantum reduces det flectere gressus
Iuppiter, o quanta belli donabere praeda!
770Dircaeos tibi, diva, greges numerumque rependam
sanguinis, et magna hic lucus signabitur ara."
Dixit, et orantis media inter anhelitus ardens
verba rapit, cursuque animae labat arida lingua;
idem omnes pallorque viros flatusque soluti
775oris habet. Reddit demisso Lemnia vultu:
"Diva quidem vobis, etsi caelestis origost,
unde ego? mortales utinam haut transgressa fuissem
luctibus! Altricem mandati cernitis orbam
pignoris; at nostris an quis sinus uberaque ulla,
780scit deus, et nobis regnum tamen et pater ingens.
Sed quid ego haec, fessosque optatis demoror undis?
mecum age nunc, si forte vado Langia perennes
servat aquas; solet et rabidi sub limite Cancri
semper, et Icarii quamuis iuba fulguret astri,
785ire tamen". Simul haerentem, ne tarda Pelasgis
dux foret, a! miserum vicino caespite alumnum
- sic Parcae volvere - locat ponique negantis
floribus adgestis et amico murmure dulces
solatur lacrimas: qualis Berecyntia mater,
790dum parvum circa iubet exsultare Tonantem
Curetas trepidos; illi certantia plaudunt
orgia, sed magnis resonat vagitibus Ide.
At puer in gremio vernae telluris et alto
gramine nunc faciles sternit procursibus herbas
795in vultum nitens, caram modo lactis egeno
nutricem clangore ciens iterumque renidens
et teneris meditans verba illuctantia labris
miratur nemorum strepitus aut obvia carpit
aut patulo trahit ore diem nemorique malorum
800inscius et vitae multum securus inerrat.
Sic tener Odrysia Mavors nive, sic puer ales
vertice Maenalio, talis per litora reptans
improbus Ortygiae latus inclinabat Apollo.
Illi per dumos et opaca virentibus umbris
805devia; pars cingunt, pars arta plebe sequuntur
praecelerantque ducem. medium subit illa per agmen
non humili festina modo; iamque amne propinquo
rauca sonat vallis, saxosumque impulit aures
murmur: ibi exsultans conclamat ab agmine primus,
810sicut erat levibus tollens vexilla maniplis
Argus: "aquae!" longusque virum super ora cucurrit
clamor: "aquae!" sic Ambracii per litora ponti
nauticus in remis iuvenum monstrante magistro
fit sonus inque vicem contra percussa reclamat
815terra, salutatus cum Leucada pandit Apollo.
Incubuere vadis passim discrimine nullo
turba simul primique, nequit secernere mixtos
aequa sitis, frenata suis in curribus intrant
armenta, et pleni dominis armisque feruntur
820quadripedes; hos turbo rapax, hos lubrica fallunt
saxa, nec implicitos fluvio reverentia reges
proterere aut mersisse vado clamantis amici
ora. fremunt undae, longusque a fontibus amnis
diripitur, modo lene virens et gurgite puro
825perspicuus nunc sordet aquis egestus ab imis
alveus; inde tori riparum et proruta turbant
gramina; iam crassus caenoque et pulvere sordens,
quamquam expleta sitis, bibitur tamen. Agmina bello
decertare putes iustumque in gurgite Martem
830perfurere aut captam tolli victoribus urbem.
Atque aliquis regum medio circumfluus amni:
"Silvarum, Nemea, longe regina virentum,
lecta Iovi sedes, quam tu non Herculis actis
dura magis, rabidi cum colla comantia monstri
835frangeret et tumidos animam angustaret in artus!
Hac saevisse tenus populorum in coepta tuorum
sufficiat; tuque o cunctis insuete domari
solibus, aeternae largitor corniger undae
laetus eas, quacumque domo gelida ora resolvis
840immortale tumens; neque enim tibi cana repostas
bruma nives raptasque alio de fonte refundit
arcus aquas gravidive indulgent nubila Cori,
sed tuus et nulli ruis expugnabilis astro.
Te nec Apollineus Ladon nec Xanthus uterque
845Spercheosque minax Centaureusque Lycormas
praestiterint; tu pace mihi, tu nube sub ipsa
armorum festasque super celebrabere mensas
a Iove primus honos. bellis modo laetus ovantes
accipias fessisque libens iterum hospita pandas
850flumina defensasque velis agnoscere turmas."
