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Pōstquām cāstră dŭcēs, pūgnaē iām mēntĕ, prŏpīnquī

īmpŏsŭērĕ iŭgīs ādmōtăquĕ cōmmĭnŭs ārmă

pārquĕ sŭūm vīdērĕ dĕī, căpĕre ōmnĭă Caēsār

moēnĭă Grāĭŏrūm spērnīt Mārtēmquĕ sĕcūndūm

iām nĭsĭ dē gĕnĕrō fātīs dēbērĕ rĕcūsāt.5

Fūnēstām mūndō vōtīs pĕtĭt ōmnĭbŭs hōrām,

īn cāsūs quaē cūnctă fĕrāt; plăcĕt ālĕă fātī

āltĕrŭtrūm mērsūră căpūt. Tēr cōllĭbŭs ōmnīs

ēxplĭcŭīt tūrmās ēt sīgnă mĭnāntĭă pūgnām,

tēstātūs nūmquām Lătĭaē sē dēssĕ rŭīnaē.10

Ūt vĭdĕt ād nūllōs ēxcīrī pōssĕ tŭmūltūs

īn pūgnām gĕnĕrūm, sēd claūsō fīdĕrĕ vāllō,

sīgnă mŏvēt tēctūsquĕ vĭā dūmōsă pĕr ārvă

Dŷrrăchĭī praēcēps răpĭēndās tēndĭt ăd ārcīs.

Hōc ĭtĕr aēquŏrĕō praēcēpīt līmĭtĕ Māgnūs,15

quēmquĕ vŏcāt cōllēm Taūlāntĭŭs īncŏlă Pētrām,

īnsēdīt cāstrīs Ĕphўrēăquĕ moēnĭă sērvāt,

dēfēndēns tūtām vēl sōlīs tūrrĭbŭs ūrbēm.

Nōn ŏpŭs hānc vĕtĕrūm nēc mōlēs strūctă tŭētūr

hūmānūsquĕ lăbōr, făcĭlīs, lĭcĕt ārdŭă tōllāt,20

cēdĕrĕ vēl bēllīs vēl cūnctă mŏvēntĭbŭs ānnīs;

sēd mūnīmĕn hăbēt nūllō quāssābĭlĕ fērrō

nātūrām sēdēmquĕ lŏcī; nām claūsă prŏfūndō

ūndĭquĕ praēcĭpĭtī scŏpŭlīsquĕ vŏmēntĭbŭs aēquōr

ēxĭgŭō dēbēt, quōd nōn ēst īnsŭlă, cōllī.25

Tērrĭbĭlēs rătĭbūs sūstēntānt moēnĭă caūtēs,

Iōnīūmquĕ fŭrēns, răbĭdō cūm tōllĭtŭr aūstrō,

tēmplă dŏmōsquĕ quătīt spūmātque īn cūlmĭnă pōntūs.

Hīc ăvĭdām bēllī răpŭīt spēs īmprŏbă mēntēm

Caēsărĭs, ūt vāstīs dīffūsūm cōllĭbŭs hōstēm30

cīngĕrĕt īgnārūm dūctō prŏcŭl āggĕrĕ vāllī.

Mētātūr tērrās ŏcŭlīs, nēc caēspĭtĕ tāntūm

cōntēntūs frăgĭlī sŭbĭtōs āttōllĕrĕ mūrōs,

īngēntīs caūtēs āvūlsăquĕ sāxă mĕtāllīs

Grāĭŏrūmquĕ dŏmōs dīrēptăquĕ moēnĭă trānsfērt.35

Ēxstrŭĭtūr quōd nōn ărĭēs īmpēllĕrĕ saēvūs,

quōd nōn ūllă quĕāt vĭŏlēntī māchĭnă bēllī;

frāngūntūr mōntēs plānūmquĕ pĕr ārdŭă Caēsār

dūcĭt ŏpūs: pāndīt fōssās tūrrītăquĕ sūmmīs

dīspōnīt cāstēllă iŭgīs, māgnōquĕ rĕcēssū40

āmplēxūs fīnēs, sāltūs, nĕmŏrōsăquĕ tēsquă

ēt sīlvās, vāstāquĕ fĕrās īndāgĭnĕ claūdīt.

Nōn dēsūnt cāmpī, nōn dēsūnt pābŭlă Māgnō,

cāstrăquĕ Caēsărĕō cīrcūmdătŭs āggĕrĕ mūtāt.

Flūmĭnă tōt cūrsūs īllīc ēxōrtă fătīgānt,45

īllīc mērsă sŭōs, ŏpĕrūmque ūt sūmmă rĕvīsāt,

dēfēssūs Caēsār mĕdĭīs īntērmănĕt āgrīs.

Nūnc vĕtŭs Īlĭăcōs āttōllāt fābŭlă mūrōs

ādscrībātquĕ dĕīs; frăgĭlī cīrcūmdătă tēstā

moēnĭă mīrēntūr rĕfŭgī Băbўlōnĭă Pārthī:50

ēn quāntūm Tīgrīs, quāntūm cĕlĕr āmbĭt Ŏrōntēs,

Āssўrĭīs quāntūm pŏpŭlīs tēllūrĭs ĕōaē

sūffĭcĭt īn rēgnūm, sŭbĭtūm bēllīquĕ tŭmūltū

rāptūm claūsĭt ŏpūs. Tāntī pĕrĭērĕ lăbōrēs;

Tōt pŏtŭērĕ mănūs aūt iūngĕrĕ Sēstŏn Ăbŷdō55

īngēstōquĕ sŏlō Phrīxēum ēlīdĕrĕ pōntūm

aūt Pĕlŏpīs lātīs Ĕphўrēn ābrūmpĕrĕ rēgnīs

ēt rătĭbūs lōngaē flēxūs dōnārĕ Mălēaē

aūt ălĭquēm mūndī, quămŭīs nātūră nĕgāssēt,

īn mĕlĭūs mūtārĕ lŏcūm. cŏĭt ārĕă bēllī:60

hīc ălĭtūr sānguīs tērrās flūxūrŭs ĭn ōmnīs,

hīc ēt Thēssălĭcaē clādēs Lĭbўcaēquĕ tĕnēntūr;

aēstŭăt āngūstā răbĭēs cīvīlĭs hărēnā.

Prīmă quĭdēm sūrgēns ŏpĕrūm strūctūră fĕfēllīt

Pōmpĕĭūm, vĕlŭtī mĕdĭaē quī tūtŭs ĭn ārvīs65

Sīcănĭaē răbĭdūm nēscīt lātrārĕ Pĕlōrūm,

aūt văgă cūm Tēthŷs Rŭtŭpīnăquĕ lītŏră fērvēnt,

ūndă Călēdŏnĭōs fāllīt tūrbātă Brĭtānnōs.

Ūt prīmūm vāstō saēptās vĭdĕt āggĕrĕ tērrās,

īpsĕ quŏque ā tūtā dēdūcēns āgmĭnă Pētrā70

dīvērsīs spārgīt tŭmŭlīs, ūt Caēsărĭs ārmă

lāxĕt ĕt ēffūsō claūdēntēm mīlĭtĕ tēndāt,

āc tāntūm saēptī vāllō sĭbĭ vīndĭcăt āgrī,

pārvă Mўcēnaēaē quāntūm sācrātă Dĭānaē

dīstăt ăb ēxcēlsā nĕmŏrālĭs Ărīcĭă Rōmā,75

quōquĕ mŏdō tērraē praēlāpsūs moēnĭă Thŷbrīs

īn mărĕ dēscēndīt, sī nūsquām tōrquĕăt āmnēm.

Clāssĭcă nūllă sŏnānt ĭnĭūssăquĕ tēlă văgāntūr,

ēt fīt saēpĕ nĕfās iăcŭlūm tēmptāntĕ lăcērtō.

Māiōr cūră dŭcēs mīscēndīs ābstrăhĭt ārmīs:80

Pōmpĕĭum ēxhaūstaē praēbēnda ād grāmĭnă tērraē,

quaē cūrrēns ōbtrīvĭt ĕquēs; grădĭbūsquĕ cĭtātīs

ūngŭlă frōndēntēm dīscūssīt cōrnĕă cāmpūm.

Bēllĭgĕr āttōnsīs sŏnĭpēs dēfēssŭs ĭn ārvīs,

ādvēctōs cūm plēnă fĕrānt praēsēpĭă cūlmōs,85

ōrĕ nŏvās pōscēns mŏrĭbūndūs lābĭtŭr hērbās

ēt trĕmŭlō mĕdĭōs ābrūmpīt pōplĭtĕ gŷrōs.

Cōrpŏră dūm sōlvīt tābēs ēt dīgĕrĭt ārtūs,

trāxĭt ĭnērs caēlūm flŭĭdaē cōntāgĭă pēstīs

ōbscūram īn nūbēm. Tālī spīrāmĭnĕ Nēsīs90

ēmīttīt Stўgĭūm nĕbŭlōsīs āĕră sāxīs,

āntrăquĕ lētĭfĕrī răbĭēm Tŷphōnĭs ănhēlānt.

Īndĕ lăbānt pŏpŭlī, caēlōquĕ părātĭŏr ūndă

ōmnĕ pătī vīrūs dūrāvīt vīscĕră caēnō.

Iām rĭgĕt ātră cŭtīs dīstēntăquĕ lūmĭnă rūmpīt,95

īgnĕăque īn vūltūs ēt sācrō fērvĭdă mōrbō

pēstĭs ăbīt, fēssūmquĕ căpūt sē fērrĕ rĕcūsāt.

Iām măgĭs ātquĕ măgīs praēcēps ăgĭt ōmnĭă fātūm,

nēc mĕdĭī dĭrĭmūnt mōrbī vītāmquĕ nĕcēmquĕ,

sēd lānguōr cūm mōrtĕ vĕnīt, tūrbāquĕ cădēntūm100

aūctă lŭēs, dūm mīxtă iăcēnt īncōndĭtă vīvīs

cōrpŏră; nām mĭsĕrōs ūltrā tēntōrĭă cīvēs

spārgĕrĕ fūnŭs ĕrāt. Tămĕn hōs mīnvērĕ lăbōrēs

ā tērgō pĕlăgūs pūlsūsque ăquĭlōnĭbŭs āēr

lītŏrăque ēt plēnaē pĕrĕgrīnā mēssĕ cărīnaē.105

Āt lībēr tērraē spătĭōsīs cōllĭbŭs hōstīs

āĕrĕ nōn pīgrō nĕc ĭnērtĭbŭs āngĭtŭr ūndīs,

sēd pătĭtūr saēvām, vĕlŭtī cīrcūmdătŭs ārtā

ōbsĭdĭōnĕ, fămēm. Nōndūm tūrgēntĭbŭs āltām

īn sĕgĕtēm cūlmīs cērnīt mĭsĕrābĭlĕ vūlgūs110

īn pĕcŭdūm cĕcĭdīssĕ cĭbōs ēt cārpĕrĕ dūmōs

ēt fŏlĭīs spŏlĭārĕ nĕmūs lētūmquĕ mĭnāntīs

vēllĕre ăb īgnōtīs dŭbĭās rādīcĭbŭs hērbās;

quaē mōllīrĕ quĕūnt flāmmā, quaē frāngĕrĕ mōrsū

quaēquĕ pĕr ābrāsās ŭtĕrō dēmīttĕrĕ faūcēs,115

plūrĭmăque hūmānīs ānte hōc īncōgnĭtă mēnsīs

dīrĭpĭēns mīlēs sătŭrūm tămĕn ōbsĭdĕt hōstēm.

Ūt prīmūm lĭbŭīt rūptīs ēvādĕrĕ claūstrīs

Pōmpĕĭō cūnctāsquĕ sĭbī pērmīttĕrĕ tērrās,

nōn ōbscūră pĕtīt lătĕbrōsaē tēmpŏră nōctīs120

ēt rāptūm fūrtō sŏcĕrī cēssāntĭbŭs ārmīs

dēdīgnātŭr ĭtēr: lātīs ēxīrĕ rŭīnīs

quaērĭt ĕt īmpūlsō tūrrēs cōnfrīngĕrĕ vāllō

pērque ōmnīs glădĭōs ēt quā vĭă caēdĕ părāndāst.

Ōppōrtūnă tămēn vāllī pārs vīsă prŏpīnquī,125

quā Mĭnŭcī cāstēllă văcānt ēt cōnfrăgă dēnsīs

ārbŏrĭbūs dūmētă tĕgūnt. Hīc pūlvĕrĕ nūllō

prōdĭtŭs āgmĕn ăgīt sŭbĭtūsque īn moēnĭă vēnīt.

Tōt sĭmŭl ē cāmpīs Lătĭaē fūlsērĕ vŏlūcrēs,

tōt cĕcĭnērĕ tŭbaē. Nē quīd vīctōrĭă fērrō130

dēbērēt, păvŏr āttŏnĭtōs cōnfēcĕrăt hōstēs.

Quōd sōlūm vălŭīt vīrtūs, iăcŭērĕ pĕrēmptī,

dēbŭĕrānt quō stārĕ lŏcō; quī vūlnĕră fērrēnt,

iām dērānt, ēt nīmbŭs ăgēns tōt tēlă pĕrībāt.

Tūm pĭcĕōs vōlvūnt īmmīssaē lāmpădĕs īgnēs,135

tūm quāssaē nūtānt tūrrēs lāpsūmquĕ mĭnāntūr.

Rōbŏrĭs īmpāctī crēbrōs vŏmĭt āggĕr ăd īctūs.

Iām Pōmpēiānaē cēlsī sŭpĕr ārdŭă vāllī

ēxĭĕrānt ăquĭlaē, iām mūndī iūră pătēbānt:

quēm nōn mīllĕ sĭmūl tūrmīs nēc Caēsărĕ tōtō140

aūfērrēt Fōrtūnă lŏcūm, vīctōrĭbŭs ūnūs

ērĭpŭīt vĕtŭītquĕ căpī sēque ārmă tĕnēntĕ

āc nōndūm strātō Māgnūm vīcīssĕ nĕgāvīt.

Scaēvă vĭrō nōmēn; cāstrōrum īn plēbĕ mĕrēbāt

āntĕ fĕrās Rhŏdănī gēntēs; ĭbĭ sānguĭnĕ mūltō145

prōmōtūs Lătĭām lōngō gĕrĭt ōrdĭnĕ vītēm;

prōnŭs ăd ōmnĕ nĕfās ēt quī nēscīrĕt, ĭn ārmīs

quām māgnūm vīrtūs crīmēn cīvīlĭbŭs ēssēt.

Hīc ŭbĭ quaērēntīs sŏcĭōs iām Mārtĕ rĕlīctō

tūtă fŭgaē cērnīt: "Quō vōs păvŏr" īnquĭt "ădēgīt150

īmpĭŭs ēt cūnctīs īgnōtūs Caēsărĭs ārmīs?

Ō fămŭlī tūrpēs, sērvūm pĕcŭs, ābsquĕ crŭōrĕ

tērgă dătīs mōrtī? Cŭmŭlō vōs dēssĕ vĭrōrūm

nōn pŭdĕt ēt būstīs īntērquĕ cădāvĕră quaērī?

nōn īrā sāltēm, iŭvĕnēs, pĭĕtātĕ rĕmōtā155

stābĭtĭs? Ē cūnctīs, pēr quōs ērūmpĕrĕt hōstīs,

nōs sŭmŭs ēlēctī. nōn pārvō sānguĭnĕ Māgnī

īstĕ dĭēs ĭĕrīt. Pĕtĕrēm fēlīcĭŏr ūmbrās

Caēsărĭs īn vūltū; tēstem hūnc Fōrtūnă nĕgāvīt:

Pōmpēiō laūdāntĕ cădām. Cōnfrīngĭtĕ tēlă160

pēctŏrĭs īmpūlsū iŭgŭlīsquĕ rĕtūndĭtĕ fērrūm.

Iām lōngīnquă pĕtīt pūlvīs sŏnĭtūsquĕ rŭīnaē,

sēcūrāsquĕ frăgōr cōncūssīt Caēsărĭs aūrēs.

Vīcĭmŭs, ō sŏcĭī; vĕnĭēt quī vīndĭcĕt ārcēs,

dūm mŏrĭmūr." Mōvīt tāntūm vōx īllă fŭrōrēm165

quāntūm nōn prīmō sūccēndūnt clāssĭcă cāntū,

mīrāntēsquĕ vĭrum ātque ăvĭdī spēctārĕ sĕquūntūr

scītūrī iŭvĕnēs, nŭmĕrō dēprēnsă lŏcōquĕ

ān plūs quām mōrtēm vīrtūs dărĕt. Īllĕ rŭēntī

āggĕrĕ cōnsīstīt prīmūmquĕ cădāvĕră plēnīs170

tūrrĭbŭs ēvŏlŭīt sŭbĕūntīsque ōbrŭĭt hōstīs

cōrpŏrĭbūs; tōtaēquĕ vĭrō dānt tēlă rŭīnaē

rōbŏrăque ēt mōlēs, hōstī sēque īpsĕ mĭnātūr.

Nūnc sŭdĕ, nūnc dūrō cōntrārĭă pēctŏră cōntō

dētrūdīt mūrīs ēt vāllī sūmmă tĕnēntīs175

āmpŭtăt ēnsĕ mănūs; căpŭt ōbtĕrĭt ōssăquĕ sāxō

āc mălĕ dēfēnsūm frăgĭlī cōmpāgĕ cĕrēbrūm

dīssĭpăt; āltĕrĭūs flāmmā crīnēsquĕ gĕnāsquĕ

sūccēndīt; strīdēnt ŏcŭlīs ārdēntĭbŭs īgnēs.

Ūt prīmūm cŭmŭlō crēscēntĕ cădāvĕră mūrūm180

ādmōvērĕ sŏlō, nōn sēgnĭŏr ēxtŭlĭt īllūm

sāltŭs ĕt īn mĕdĭās iēcīt sŭpĕr ārmă cătērvās,

quām pēr sūmmă răpīt cĕlĕrēm vēnābŭlă pārdūm.

Tūnc dēnsōs īntēr cŭnĕōs cōmprēssŭs ĕt ōmnī

vāllātūs bēllō vīncīt, quēm rēspĭcĭt, hōstēm.185

Iāmque hĕbĕs ēt crāssō nōn āspēr sānguĭnĕ mūcrŏ;

pērcūssūm Scaēvaē frāngīt, nōn vūlnĕrăt hōstēm

pērdĭdĭt ēnsĭs ŏpūs, frāngīt sĭnĕ vūlnĕrĕ mēmbră.

Īllūm tōtă prĕmīt mōlēs, īllum ōmnĭă tēlă.

Nūllă fŭīt nōn cērtă mănūs, nōn lāncĕă fēlīx,190

pārquĕ nŏvūm Fōrtūnă vĭdēt cōncūrrĕrĕ, bēllūm

ātquĕ vĭrūm. Fōrtīs crēbrīs sŏnăt īctĭbŭs ūmbŏ,

ēt gălĕaē frāgmēntă căvaē cōnprēssă pĕrūrūnt

tēmpŏră, nēc quīdquām nūdīs vītālĭbŭs ōbstāt

iām praētēr stāntīs īn sūmmīs ōssĭbŭs hāstās.195

Quīd nūnc, vaēsānī, iăcŭlīs lĕvĭbūsvĕ săgīttīs

pērdĭtĭs haēsūrōs nūmquām vītālĭbŭs īctūs?

Hūnc aūt tōrtĭlĭbūs vībrātă phălārĭcă nērvīs

ōbrŭăt aūt vāstī mūrālĭă pōndĕră sāxī;

hūnc ărĭēs fērrō bāllīstăquĕ līmĭtĕ tōrtă200

prōmŏvĕāt. Stāt nōn frăgĭlīs prō Caēsărĕ mūrūs

Pōmpēiūmquĕ tĕnēt; iām pēctŏră nōn tĕgĭt ārmīs,

āc vĕrĭtūs crēdī clĭpĕō laēvāquĕ văcāssĕ

aūt cūlpā vīxīssĕ sŭā, tōt vūlnĕră bēllī

sōlŭs ŏbīt dēnsāmquĕ fĕrēns īn pēctŏrĕ sīlvām205

iām grădĭbūs fēssīs, īn quēm cădăt, ēlĭgĭt hōstēm.

Pār pĕlăgī mōnstrīs, Lĭbўcaē sīc bēlŭă tērraē

Sīc Lĭbўcūs dēnsīs ĕlĕphāns ōbprēssŭs ăb ārmīs

ōmnĕ rĕpērcūssūm squālēntī mīssĭlĕ tērgō

frāngĭt ĕt haērēntīs mōtā cŭtĕ dīscŭtĭt hāstās;210

vīscĕră tūtă lătēnt pĕnĭtūs, cītrāquĕ crŭōrēm

cōnfīxaē stānt tēlă fĕraē; tōt fāctă săgīttīs,

tōt iăcŭlīs ūnām nōn ēxplēnt vūlnĕră mōrtēm.

Dīctaēā prŏcŭl ēccĕ mănū Gōrtŷnĭs hărūndŏ

tēndĭtŭr īn Scaēvām, quaē vōtō cērtĭŏr ōmnī215

īn căpŭt ātque ŏcŭlī laēvūm dēscēndĭt ĭn ōrbēm.

Īllĕ mŏrās fērrī nērvōrum ēt vīncŭlă rūmpīt

ādfīxām vēllēns ŏcŭlō pēndēntĕ săgīttām

īntrĕpĭdūs tēlūmquĕ sŭō cūm lūmĭnĕ cālcāt.

Pānnŏnĭs haūd ălĭtēr pōst īctūm saēvĭŏr ūrsă,220

cūm iăcŭlūm pārvā Lĭbўs āmēntāvĭt hăbēnā,

sē rŏtăt īn vūlnūs tēlūmque īrātă rĕcēptūm

īmpĕtĭt ēt sēcūm fŭgĭēntēm cīrcŭmĭt hāstām.

Pērdĭdĕrāt vūltūm răbĭēs; stĕtĭt īmbrĕ crŭēntō

īnfōrmīs făcĭē. Laētūs frăgŏr aēthĕră pūlsāt225

vīctōrūm; māiōră vĭrīs ē sānguĭnĕ pārvō

gaūdĭă nōn făcĕrēt cōnspēctum īn Caēsărĕ vūlnūs.

Īllĕ tĕgēns āltā sūpprēssūm mēntĕ fŭrōrēm

mītĭs ĕt ā vūltū pĕnĭtūs vīrtūtĕ rĕmōtā

"Pārcĭte" ăīt "cīvēs; prŏcŭl hīnc āvērtĭtĕ fērrūm,230

cōllātūră mĕaē nīl sūnt iām vūlnĕră mōrtī:

nōn ĕgĕt īngēstīs, sēd vūlsīs pēctŏrĕ tēlīs.

Tōllĭte ĕt īn Māgnī vīvēntēm pōnĭtĕ cāstrīs;

hōc vēstrō praēstātĕ dŭcī; sīt Scaēvă rĕlīctī

Caēsărĭs ēxēmplūm pŏtĭūs quām mōrtĭs hŏnēstaē."235

Crēdĭdĭt īnfēlīx sĭmŭlātīs vōcĭbŭs Aūlūs

nēc vīdīt rēctō glădĭūm mūcrōnĕ trĕmēntēm

mēmbrăquĕ cāptīvī părĭtēr lātūrŭs ĕt ārmă

fūlmīneūm mĕdĭīs ēxcēpīt faūcĭbŭs ēnsēm.

Īncălŭīt vīrtūs ātque ūnā caēdĕ rĕfēctūs240

"Sōlvăt" ăīt "poēnās, Scaēvām quīcūmquĕ sŭbāctūm

spērāvīt; pācēm glădĭō sī quaērĭt ăb īstō

Māgnŭs, ădōrātō sūmmīttāt Caēsărĕ sīgnă.

Ān sīmīlēm vēstrī sēgnemque ād fātă pŭtātīs?

Pōmpēī vōbīs mĭnŏr ēst caūsaēquĕ sĕnātūs245

quām mĭhĭ mōrtĭs ămōr." Sĭmŭl haēc ēffātŭr, ĕt āltūs

Caēsărĕās pūlvīs tēstātŭr ădēssĕ cŏhōrtēs.

Dēdĕcŭs hīc bēllī Māgnō crīmēnquĕ rĕmīsīt,

nē sōlūm tōtaē fŭgĕrēnt tē, Scaēvă, cătērvaē.

Sūbdūctō quī Mārtĕ rŭīs: nām sānguĭnĕ fūsō250

vīrēs pūgnă dăbāt. Lābēntēm tūrbă sŭōrūm

ēxcĭpĭt ātque ŭmĕrīs dēfēctum īmpōnĕrĕ gaūdēt.

Āc vĕlŭt īnclūsūm pērfōsso īn pēctŏrĕ nūmēn

ēt vīvām māgnaē spĕcĭēm Vīrtūtĭs ădōrānt

tēlăquĕ cōnfīxīs cērtānt ēvēllĕrĕ mēmbrīs255

ēxōrnāntquĕ dĕōs āc nūdūm pēctŏrĕ Mārtēm

ārmīs, Scaēvă, tŭīs, fēlīx hōc nōmĭnĕ fāmaē,

sī tĭbĭ dūrŭs Hĭbēr aūt sī tĭbĭ tērgă dĕdīssēt

Cāntăbĕr ēxĭgŭīs aūt lōngīs Teūtŏnŭs ārmīs.

Nōn tū bēllōrūm spŏlĭīs ōrnārĕ Tŏnāntīs260

tēmplă pŏtēs, nōn tū laētīs ŭlŭlārĕ trĭūmphīs.

Īnfēlīx, quāntā dŏmĭnūm vīrtūtĕ părāstī!

Nōn măgĭs hāc Māgnūs cāstrōrūm pārtĕ rĕpūlsūs

īntrā claūstră pĭgēr dīlātō Mārtĕ quĭēvīt,

quām mărĕ lāssātūr, cūm sē tōllēntĭbŭs eūrīs265

frāngēntēm flūctūs scŏpŭlūm fĕrĭt aūt lătŭs āltī

mōntĭs ădēst sērāmquĕ sĭbī părăt ūndă rŭīnām.

Hīnc vīcīnă pĕtēns plăcĭdō cāstēllă prŏfūndō

īncūrsū gĕmĭnī Mārtīs răpĭt ārmăquĕ lātē

spārgĭt ĕt ēffūsō lāxāt tēntōrĭă cāmpō,270

mūtāndaēquĕ iŭvāt pērmīssă lĭcēntĭă tērraē.

Sīc plēnō Pădŭs ōrĕ tŭmēns sŭpĕr āggĕrĕ tūtās

ēxcūrrīt rīpās ēt tōtōs cōncŭtĭt āgrōs,

sūccŭbŭīt sī quā tēllūs cŭmŭlōquĕ fŭrēntēm

ūndārūm nōn pāssă rŭīt, tūnc flūmĭnĕ tōtō275

trānsĭt ĕt īgnōtōs ăpĕrīt sĭbĭ gūrgĭtĕ cāmpōs;

īllōs tērră fŭgīt dŏmĭnōs, hīs rūră cŏlōnīs

āccēdūnt dōnāntĕ Pădō. vīx proēlĭă Caēsār

sēnsĕrăt, ēlātūs spĕcŭlā quaē prōdĭdĭt īgnīs:

īnvĕnĭt īmpūlsōs prēssō iām pūlvĕrĕ mūrōs,280

frīgĭdăque ūt vĕtĕrīs dēprēndīt sīgnă rŭīnaē;

āccēndīt pāx īpsă lŏcī mōvītquĕ fŭrōrēm

Pōmpēiānă quĭēs ēt vīctō Caēsărĕ sōmnūs.

Īrĕ vĕl īn clādēs prŏpĕrāt, dūm gaūdĭă tūrbēt.

Tōrquātō rŭĭt īndĕ mĭnāx, quī Caēsărĭs ārmă285

sēgnĭŭs haūd vīdīt quām mālō naūtă trĕmēntĕ

ōmnĭă sūbdūcīt Cīrcaēaē vēlă prŏcēllaē,

āgmĭnăque īntĕrĭūs mūrō brĕvĭōrĕ rĕcēpīt,

dēnsĭŭs ūt pārvā dīspōnĕrĕt ārmă cŏrōnā.

Trānsĭĕrāt prīmī Caēsār mūnīmĭnă vāllī290

cūm sŭpĕr ē tōtīs īmmīsīt cōllĭbŭs ārmă

ēffūdītque ăcĭēs ōbsaēptūm Māgnŭs ĭn hōstēm.

Nōn sīc Aētnaēīs hăbĭtāns īn vāllĭbŭs hōrrēt

Ēncĕlădūm, spīrāntĕ nŏtō, cūm tōtă căvērnās

ēgĕrĭt ēt tōrrēns īn cāmpōs dēflŭĭt Aētnă,295

Caēsărĭs ūt mīlēs, glŏmĕrātō pūlvĕrĕ vīctūs

ānte ăcĭēm, caēcī trĕpĭdūs sūb nūbĕ tĭmōrīs,

hōstĭbŭs ōccūrrīt fŭgĭēns īnque īpsă păvēndō

fātă rŭīt. Tōtūs mīttī cīvīlĭbŭs ārmīs

ūsquĕ vĕl īn pācēm pŏtŭīt crŭŏr: īpsĕ fŭrēntīs300

dūx tĕnŭīt glădĭōs. Fēlīx āc lībĕră lēgūm,

Rōmă, fŏrēs iūrīsquĕ tŭī, vīcīssĕt ĭn īllō

sī tĭbĭ Sūllă lŏcō. Dŏlĕt heū sēmpērquĕ dŏlēbīt

quōd scĕlĕrūm, Caēsār, prōdēst tĭbĭ sūmmă tŭōrūm,

cūm gĕnĕrō pūgnāssĕ pĭō. Prō trīstĭă fātă!305

Nōn Ŭtĭcaē Lĭbўē clādēs, Hīspānĭă Mūndaē

flēssĕt ĕt īnfāndō pōllūtūs sānguĭnĕ Nīlūs

nōbĭlĭūs Phărĭō gēstāssēt rēgĕ cădāvēr,

nēc Iŭbă Mārmărĭcās nūdūs prēssīssĕt hărēnās

Poēnōrūmque ūmbrās plācāssēt sānguĭnĕ fūsō310

Scīpĭŏ, nēc sānctō cărŭīssēt vītă Cătōnĕ.

Vltĭmŭs ēssĕ dĭēs pŏtŭīt tĭbĭ, Rōmă, mălōrūm,

ēxīre ē mĕdĭīs pŏtŭīt Phārsālĭă fātīs.

Dēsĕrĭt āvērsō pōssēssām nūmĭnĕ sēdēm

Caēsăr ĕt Ēmăthĭās lăcĕrō pĕtĭt āgmĭnĕ tērrās.315

Ārmă sĕcūtūrūm sŏcĕrī quācūmquĕ fŭgāssēt

tēmptāvērĕ sŭō cŏmĭtēs dēvērtĕrĕ Māgnūm

hōrtātū, pătrĭās sēdēs ātque hōstĕ cărēntēm

Aūsŏnĭām pĕtĕrēt. "Nūmquām mē Caēsărĭs" īnquīt

"ēxēmplō rēddām pătrĭā, nūmquāmquĕ vĭdēbīt320

mē nĭsĭ dīmīssō rĕdĕūntēm mīlĭtĕ Rōmă.

Hēspĕrĭām pŏtŭī mōtū sūrgēntĕ tĕnērĕ,

sī vēllēm pătrĭīs ăcĭēm cōmmīttĕrĕ tēmplīs

āc mĕdĭō pūgnārĕ fŏrō. Dūm bēllă rĕlēgēm,

ēxtrēmūm Scўthĭcī trānscēndām frīgŏrĭs ōrbēm325

ārdēntēsquĕ plăgās. Vīctōr tĭbĭ, Rōmă, quĭētēm

ērĭpĭām, quī, nē prĕmĕrēnt tē proēlĭă, fūgī?

Ā pŏtĭūs, nē quīd bēllō pătĭārĭs ĭn īstō,

tē Caēsār pŭtĕt ēssĕ sŭām." Sīc fātŭs ĭn ōrtūs

Phoēbēōs cōndīxĭt ĭtēr tērraēquĕ sĕcūtūs330

dēvĭă, quā vāstōs ăpĕrīt Cāndāvĭă sāltūs,

cōntĭgĭt Ēmăthĭām, bēllō quām fātă părābānt.

Thēssălĭām, quā pārtĕ dĭēm brūmālĭbŭs hōrīs

āttōllīt Tītān, rūpēs Ōssaēă cŏērcēt;

cūm pēr sūmmă pŏlī Phoēbūm trăhĭt āltĭŏr aēstās,335

Pēlĭŏn ōppōnīt rădĭīs nāscēntĭbŭs ūmbrās;

āt mĕdĭōs īgnēs caēlī răpĭdīquĕ Lĕōnīs

sōlstĭtĭālĕ căpūt nĕmŏrōsūs sūmmŏvĕt Ōthrŷs.

Ēxcĭpĭt ādvērsōs zĕphўrōs ĕt Ĭāpўgă Pīndūs

ēt mātūrātō praēcīdīt vēspĕrĕ lūcēm;340

nēc mĕtŭēns īmī bŏrĕān hăbĭtātŏr Ŏlŷmpī

lūcēntēm tōtīs īgnōrāt nōctĭbŭs Ārctōn.

Hōs īntēr mōntīs, mĕdĭā quī vāllĕ prĕmūntūr,

pērpĕtŭīs quōndām lătŭērĕ pălūdĭbŭs āgrī,

flūmĭnă dūm cāmpī rĕtĭnēnt nēc pērvĭă Tēmpē345

dānt ădĭtūs pĕlăgī stāgnūmque īmplēntĭbŭs ūnūs

crēscĕrĕ cūrsŭs ĕrāt. Pōstquām dīscēssĭt Ŏlŷmpō

Hērcŭlĕā grăvĭs Ōssă mănū sŭbĭtaēquĕ rŭīnām

sēnsĭt ăquaē Nĕrĕūs, mĕlĭūs mānsūră sŭb ūndīs

Ēmăthĭs aēquŏrĕī rēgnūm Phārsālŏs Ăchīllīs350

ēmĭnĕt ēt, prīmā Rhoētēĭă lītŏră pīnū

quaē tĕtĭgīt, Phўlăcē Ptĕlĕōsque ēt Dōrĭŏn īrā

flēbĭlĕ Pīĕrĭdūm, Trāchīn prĕtĭōquĕ nĕfāndaē

lāmpădŏs Hērcŭlĕīs fōrtīs Mĕlĭboēă phărētrīs

ātque ōlīm Lārīsă pŏtēns, ŭbĭ nōbĭlĕ quōndām355

nūnc sŭpĕr Ārgŏs ărānt, vĕtĕrēs ŭbĭ fābŭlă Thēbās

mōnstrăt Ĕchīŏnĭās, ŭbĭ quōndām Pēnthĕŏs ēxūl

cōllă căpūtquĕ fĕrēns sūprēmō trādĭdĭt īgnī

quēstă, quŏd hōc sōlūm nātō răpŭīssĕt, Ăgāvē.

Ērgo ābrūptă pălūs mūltōs dīscēssĭt ĭn āmnēs.360

Pūrŭs ĭn ōccāsūs, pārvī sēd gūrgĭtĭs, Aēās

Īŏnĭō flŭĭt īndĕ mărī, nēc fōrtĭŏr ūndīs

lābĭtŭr āvēctaē pătĕr Īsĭdĭs ēt tŭŭs, Oēneū,

paēnĕ gĕnēr crāssīs ōblīmăt Ĕchīnădăs ūndīs,

ēt Mĕlĕāgrēām măcŭlātūs sānguĭnĕ Nēssī365

Ēvēnōs Călўdōnă sĕcāt. Fĕrĭt āmnĕ cĭtātō

Mālĭăcās Spērchēŏs ăquās, ēt flūmĭnĕ pūrō

īrrĭgăt Āmphrŷsōs fămŭlāntīs pāscŭă Phoēbī,

quīquĕ nĕc ūmēntīs nĕbŭlās nēc rōrĕ mădēntēm

āĕră nēc tĕnŭēs vēntōs sūspīrăt, Ănaūrōs,370

ēt quīsquīs pĕlăgō pēr sē nōn cōgnĭtŭs āmnīs

Pēnēō dōnāvĭt ăquās. Īt gūrgĭtĕ rāptō

Āpĭdănōs nūmquāmquĕ cĕlēr, nĭsĭ mīxtŭs, Ĕnīpeūs.

Āccĭpĭt Āsōpōs cūrsūs Phoēnīxquĕ Mĕlāsquĕ.

Sōlŭs, ĭn āltĕrĭūs nōmēn cūm vēnĕrĭt ūndaē,375

dēfēndīt Tĭtărēsŏs ăquās lāpsūsquĕ sŭpērnē

gūrgĭtĕ Pēnēī prō sīccīs ūtĭtŭr ārvīs;

hūnc fāma ēst Stўgĭīs mānārĕ pălūdĭbŭs āmnēm

ēt căpĭtīs mĕmŏrēm flŭvĭī cōntāgĭă vīlīs

nōllĕ pătī sŭpĕrūmquĕ sĭbī sērvārĕ tĭmōrēm.380

Ūt prīmum ēmīssīs pătŭērūnt āmnĭbŭs ārvă,

pīnguīs Bēbrўcĭō dīscēssīt vōmĕrĕ sūlcūs;

mōx Lĕlĕgūm dēxtrā prēssūm dēscēndĭt ărātrūm;

Aēŏlĭdaē Dŏlŏpēsquĕ sŏlūm frēgērĕ cŏlōnī

ēt Māgnētĕs ĕquīs, Mĭnўaē gēns cōgnĭtă rēmīs.385

Īllīc sēmĭfĕrōs Īxīŏnĭdās Cēntaūrōs

fētă Pĕlēthrŏnĭīs nūbēs ēffūdĭt ĭn āntrīs:

āspĕră tē Phŏlŏēs frāngēntēm, Mōnўchĕ, sāxă,

tēquĕ sŭb Oētaēō tōrquēntēm vērtĭcĕ vūlsās,

Rhoētĕ fĕrōx, quās vīx bŏrĕās īnvērtĕrĕt, ōrnōs,390

hōspĕs ĕt Ālcīdaē māgnī, Phŏlĕ, tēquĕ pĕr āmnēm

īmprŏbĕ Lērnaēās vēctōr pāssūrĕ săgīttās,

tēquĕ, sĕnēx Chīrōn, gĕlĭdō quī sīdĕrĕ fūlgēns

īmpĕtĭs Haēmŏnĭō māiōrēm Scōrpĭŏn ārcū.

Hāc tēllūrĕ fĕrī mĭcŭērūnt sēmĭnă Mārtīs.395

Prīmŭs ăb aēquŏrĕā pērcūssīs cūspĭdĕ sāxīs

Thēssălĭcūs sŏnĭpēs, bēllīs fērālĭbŭs ōmēn,

ēxīlvīt, prīmūs chălўbēm frēnōsquĕ mŏmōrdīt

spūmāvītquĕ nŏvīs Lăpĭthaē dŏmĭtōrĭs hăbēnīs.

Prīmă frĕtūm scīndēns Păgăsaēō lītŏrĕ pīnūs400

tērrēnum īgnōtās hŏmĭnēm prōiēcĭt ĭn ūndās.

Prīmūs Thēssălĭcaē rēctōr tēllūrĭs Ĭōnōs

īn fōrmām călĭdaē pērcūssīt pōndĕră māssaē,

fūdĭt ĕt ārgēntūm flāmmīs aūrūmquĕ mŏnētā

frēgĭt ĕt īmmēnsīs cōxīt fōrnācĭbŭs aēră.405

Īllīc quōd pŏpŭlōs scĕlĕrāta īmpēgĭt ĭn ārmă,

dīvĭtĭās nŭmĕrārĕ dătum ēst. Hīnc māxĭmă sērpēns

dēscēndīt Pŷthōn Cīrrhaēăquĕ flūxĭt ĭn ārvă,

ūnde ēt Thēssălĭcaē vĕnĭūnt ād Pŷthĭă laūrūs.

Īmpĭŭs hīnc prōlēm sŭpĕrīs īmmīsĭt Ăloēūs,410

īnsĕrŭīt cēlsīs prŏpĕ sē cūm Pēlĭŏn āstrīs

sīdĕrĭbūsquĕ vĭās īncūrrēns ābstŭlĭt Ōssă.

Hāc ŭbĭ dāmnātā fātīs tēllūrĕ lŏcārūnt

cāstră dŭcēs, cūnctōs bēllī praēsāgă fŭtūrī

mēns ăgĭtāt, sūmmīquĕ grăvēm dīscrīmĭnĭs hōrām415

ādvēntārĕ pălam ēst, prŏpĭūs iām fātă mŏvērī.

Dēgĕnĕrēs trĕpĭdānt ănĭmī pĕĭōrăquĕ vērsānt;

ād dŭbĭōs paūcī praēsūmptō rōbŏrĕ cāsūs

spēmquĕ mĕtūmquĕ fĕrūnt. Tūrbaē sēd mīxtŭs ĭnērtī

Sēxtŭs ĕrāt, Māgnō prōlēs nōn dīgnă părēntĕ,420

quī mōx Scŷllaēīs ēxūl grāssātŭs ĭn ūndīs

pōllŭĭt aēquŏrĕōs Sĭcŭlūs pīrātă trĭūmphōs.

Quī stĭmŭlāntĕ mĕtū fātī praēnōscĕrĕ cūrsūs

īmpātiēnsquĕ mŏraē vēntūrīsque ōmnĭbŭs aēgēr

nōn trĭpŏdās Dēlī, nōn Pŷthĭă cōnsŭlĭt āntră425

nēc quaēsīssĕ lĭbēt, prīmīs quīd frūgĭbŭs āltrīx

aērĕ Iŏvīs Dōdōnă sŏnēt, quīs nōscĕrĕ fībrā

fātă quĕāt, quīs prōdăt ăvēs, quīs fūlgŭră caēlī

sērvĕt ĕt Āssўrĭā scrūtētūr sīdĕră cūrā,

aūt sī quīd tăcĭtūm, sēd fās ĕrăt. Īllĕ sŭpērnīs430

dētēstāndă dĕīs saēvōrum ārcānă măgōrūm

nōvĕrăt ēt trīstīs sācrīs fērālĭbŭs ārās,

ūmbrārūm Dītīsquĕ fĭdēm, mĭsĕrōquĕ lĭquēbāt

scīrĕ părūm sŭpĕrōs. vānūm saēvūmquĕ fŭrōrēm

ādiŭvăt īpsĕ lŏcūs vīcīnăquĕ moēnĭă cāstrīs435

Haēmŏnĭdūm, fīctī quās nūllă lĭcēntĭă mōnstrī

trānsĭĕrīt, quārūm quīdquīd nōn crēdĭtŭr ārs ēst.

Thēssălă quīn ĕtĭām tēllūs hērbāsquĕ nŏcēntēs

rūpĭbŭs īngĕnŭīt sēnsūrăquĕ sāxă cănēntēs

ārcānūm fērālĕ măgōs. Ĭbĭ plūrĭmă sūrgūnt440

vīm fāctūră dĕīs, ēt tērrīs hōspĭtă Cōlchīs

lēgĭt ĭn Haēmŏnĭīs, quās nōn ādvēxĕrăt, hērbās.

Īmpĭă tōt pŏpŭlīs, tōt sūrdās gēntĭbŭs aūrēs

caēlĭcŏlūm dīraē cōnvērtūnt cārmĭnă gēntīs.

Ūnă pĕr aēthĕrĭōs ēxīt vōx īllă rĕcēssūs445

vērbăque ăd īnvītūm pērfērt cōgēntĭă nūmēn,

quōd nōn cūră pŏlī caēlīquĕ vŏlūbĭlĭs ūmquām

āvŏcăt. Īnfāndūm tĕtĭgīt cūm sīdĕră mūrmūr

tūnc Băbўlōn Pērsēă lĭcēt sēcrētăquĕ Mēmphīs

ōmnĕ vĕtūstōrūm sōlvāt pĕnĕtrālĕ măgōrūm,450

ābdūcēt sŭpĕrōs ălĭēnīs Thēssălĭs ārīs.

Cārmĭnĕ Thēssălĭdūm dūra īn praēcōrdĭă flūxīt

nōn fātīs āddīctŭs ămōr, flāmmīsquĕ sĕvērī

īllĭcĭtīs ārsērĕ sĕnēs. nēc nōxĭă tāntūm

pōcŭlă prōfĭcĭūnt aūt cūm tūrgēntĭă sūcō455

frōntĭs ămātūraē sūbdūcūnt pīgnŏră fētaē:

mēns haūstī nūllā sănĭē pōllūtă vĕnēnī

ēxcāntātă pĕrīt. Quōs nōn cōncōrdĭă mīxtī

āllĭgăt ūllă tŏrī blāndaēquĕ pŏtēntĭă fōrmaē,

trāxērūnt tōrtī măgĭcā vērtīgĭnĕ fīlī.460

Cēssāvērĕ vĭcēs rērūm, dīlātăquĕ lōngā

haēsīt nōctĕ dĭēs; lēgī nōn pārŭĭt aēthēr,

tōrpŭĭt ēt praēcēps aūdītō cārmĭnĕ mūndūs,

āxĭbŭs ēt răpĭdīs īmpūlsōs Iūppĭtĕr ūrgēns

mīrātūr nōn īrĕ pŏlōs. Nūnc ōmnĭă cōmplēnt465

īmbrĭbŭs ēt călĭdō praēdūcūnt nūbĭlă Phoēbō

ēt tŏnăt īgnārō caēlūm Iŏvĕ; vōcĭbŭs īsdēm

ūmēntīs lātē nĕbŭlās nīmbōsquĕ sŏlūtīs

ēxcūssērĕ cŏmīs. vēntīs cēssāntĭbŭs aēquōr

īntŭmŭīt; rūrsūs vĕtĭtūm sēntīrĕ prŏcēllās470

cōntĭcŭīt tūrbāntĕ nŏtō, pūppīmquĕ fĕrēntēs

īn vēntūm tŭmŭērĕ sĭnūs. Dē rūpĕ pĕpēndīt

ābscīsā fīxūs tōrrēns, āmnīsquĕ cŭcūrrīt

nōn quā prōnŭs ĕrāt. Nīlūm nōn ēxtŭlĭt aēstās;

Maēāndēr dīrēxĭt ăquās, Rhŏdănūmquĕ mŏrāntēm475

praēcĭpĭtāvĭt Ărār. Sūmmīssō vērtĭcĕ mōntēs

ēxplĭcŭērĕ iŭgūm; nūbēs sūspēxĭt Ŏlŷmpūs,

sōlĭbŭs ēt nūllīs Scўthĭcaē, cūm brūmă rĭgērēt,

dīmădŭērĕ nĭvēs. īmpūlsām sīdĕrĕ Tēthŷn

rēppŭlĭt Haēmŏnĭūm dēfēnsō lītŏrĕ cārmēn.480

Tērră quŏque īmmōtī cōncūssīt pōndĕrĭs āxēs

ēt mĕdĭūm vērgēns tĭtŭbāvīt nīsŭs ĭn ōrbēm.

Tāntaē mōlĭs ŏnūs pērcūssūm vōcĕ rĕcēssīt

pērspēctūmquĕ dĕdīt cīrcūmlābēntĭs Ŏlŷmpī.

Ōmnĕ pŏtēns ănĭmāl lētī gĕnĭtūmquĕ nŏcērĕ485

ēt păvĕt Haēmŏnĭās ēt mōrtĭbŭs īnstrŭĭt ārtēs.

Hās ăvĭdaē tīgrēs ēt nōbĭlĭs īră lĕōnūm

ōrĕ fŏvēnt blāndō; gĕlĭdōs hīs ēxplĭcăt ōrbēs

īnquĕ prŭīnōsō cŏlŭbēr dīstēndĭtŭr ārvō.

Vīpĕrĕī cŏĕūnt ābrūptō cōrpŏrĕ nōdī490

hūmānōquĕ cădīt sērpēns ādflātă vĕnēnō.

Quīs lăbŏr hīc sŭpĕrīs cāntūs hērbāsquĕ sĕquēndī

spērnēndīquĕ tĭmōr? cūiūs cōmmērcĭă pāctī

ōbstrīctōs hăbŭērĕ dĕōs? pārērĕ nĕcēssēst

ān iŭvăt? īgnōtā tāntūm pĭĕtātĕ mĕrēntūr495

ān tăcĭtīs vălŭērĕ mĭnīs? hōc iūrĭs ĭn ōmnīs

ēst īllīs sŭpĕrōs, ăn hăbēnt haēc cārmĭnă cērtūm

īmpĕrĭōsă dĕūm quī mūndūm cōgĕrĕ, quīdquīd

cōgĭtŭr īpsĕ, pŏtēst? Īllīs ēt sīdĕră prīmūm

praēcĭpĭtī dēdūctă pŏlō, Phoēbēquĕ sĕrēnă500

nōn ălĭtēr dīrīs vērbōrum ōbsēssă vĕnēnīs

pāllŭĭt ēt nīgrīs tērrēnīsque īgnĭbŭs ārsīt,

quām sī frātērnā prŏhĭbērĕt ĭmāgĭnĕ tēllūs

īnsĕrĕrētquĕ sŭās flāmmīs caēlēstĭbŭs ūmbrās,

ēt pătĭtūr tāntōs cāntū dēprēssă lăbōrēs505

dōnēc sūppŏsĭtās prŏpĭōr dēspūmĕt ĭn hērbās.

Hōs scĕlĕrūm rītūs, haēc dīraē cārmĭnă gēntīs

ēffĕră dāmnārāt nĭmĭaē pĭĕtātĭs Ĕrīcthō

īnquĕ nŏvōs rītūs pōllūtām dūxĕrăt ārtēm.

Īllī nāmquĕ nĕfās ūrbīs sūmmīttĕrĕ tēctō510

aūt lărĭbūs fērālĕ căpūt dēsērtăquĕ būstă

īncŏlĭt ēt tŭmŭlōs ēxpūlsīs ōbtĭnĕt ūmbrīs

grātă dĕīs Ĕrĕbī. coētūs aūdīrĕ sĭlēntūm,

nōssĕ dŏmōs Stўgĭās ārcānăquĕ Dītĭs ŏpērtī

nōn sŭpĕrī, nōn vītă vĕtāt. Tĕnĕt ōră prŏfānaē515

foēdă sĭtū măcĭēs, caēlōque īgnōtă sĕrēnō

tērrĭbĭlīs Stўgĭō făcĭēs pāllōrĕ grăvātūr

īmpēxīs ŏnĕrātă cŏmīs; sī nīmbŭs ĕt ātraē

sīdĕră sūbdūcūnt nūbēs, tūnc Thēssălă nūdīs

ēgrĕdĭtūr būstīs nōctūrnăquĕ fūlmĭnă cāptāt.520

Sēmĭnă fēcūndaē sĕgĕtīs cālcātă pĕrūssīt

ēt nōn lētĭfĕrās spīrāndō pērdĭdĭt aūrās.

Nēc sŭpĕrōs ōrāt nēc cāntū sūpplĭcĕ nūmēn

aūxĭlĭārĕ vŏcāt nēc fībrās īllă lĭtāntīs

nōvīt; fūnĕrĕās ārīs īmpōnĕrĕ flāmmās525

gaūdĕt ĕt āccēnsō răpŭīt quaē tūră sĕpūlchrō.

Ōmnĕ nĕfās sŭpĕrī prīmā iām vōcĕ prĕcāntīs

cōncēdūnt cārmēnquĕ tĭmēnt aūdīrĕ sĕcūndūm.

Vīvēntēs ănĭmās ĕt ădhūc sŭă mēmbră rĕgēntēs

īnfōdīt būstō, fātīs dēbēntĭbŭs ānnōs530

mōrs īnvītă sŭbīt, pērvērsā fūnĕră pōmpā

rēttŭlĭt ā tŭmŭlīs, fūgērĕ cădāvĕră lēctūm.

Fūmāntīs iŭvĕnūm cĭnĕrēs ārdēntĭăque ōssă

ē mĕdĭīs răpĭt īllă rŏgīs īpsāmquĕ, părēntēs

quām tĕnŭērĕ, făcēm nīgrōquĕ vŏlāntĭă fūmō535

fērālīs frāgmēntă tŏrī, vēstēsquĕ flŭēntēs

cōllĭgĭt īn cĭnĕrēs ĕt ŏlēntīs mēmbră făvīllās.

Āst ŭbĭ sērvāntūr sāxīs, quĭbŭs īntĭmŭs ūmōr

dūcĭtŭr, ēt trāctā dūrēscūnt tābĕ mĕdūllaē

cōrpŏră, tūnc ōmnīs ăvĭdē dēsaēvĭt ĭn ārtūs540

īmmērgītquĕ mănūs ŏcŭlīs gaūdētquĕ gĕlātōs

ēffōdīsse ōrbēs ēt sīccaē pāllĭdă rōdīt

ēxcrēmēntă mănūs. Lăquĕūm nōdōsquĕ nŏcēntīs

ōrĕ sŭō rūmpīt, pēndēntĭă cōrpŏră cārpsīt

ābrāsītquĕ crŭcēs pērcūssăquĕ vīscĕră nīmbīs545

vūlsĭt ĕt īncōctās ādmīssō sōlĕ mĕdūllās.

Īnsērtūm mănĭbūs chălўbēm nīgrāmquĕ pĕr ārtūs

stīllāntīs tābī sănĭēm vīrūsquĕ cŏāctūm

sūstŭlĭt ēt nērvō mōrsūs rĕtĭnēntĕ pĕpēndīt.

Ēt quōdcūmquĕ iăcēt nūdā tēllūrĕ cădāvēr,550

āntĕ fĕrās vŏlŭcrēsquĕ sĕdēt nēc cārpĕrĕ mēmbră

vūlt fērrō mănĭbūsquĕ sŭīs mōrsūsquĕ lŭpōrūm

ēxspēctāt sīccīs rāptūra ē faūcĭbŭs ārtūs.

Nēc cēssānt ā caēdĕ mănūs, sī sānguĭnĕ vīvō

ēst ŏpŭs, ērūmpāt iŭgŭlō quī prīmŭs ăpērtō,555

nēc rĕfŭgīt caēdēs, vīvūm sī sācră crŭōrēm

ēxtăquĕ fūnĕrĕaē pōscūnt trĕpĭdāntĭă mēnsaē;

vūlnĕrĕ sīc vēntrīs, nōn quā nātūră vŏcābāt,

ēxtrăhĭtūr pārtūs călĭdīs pōnēndŭs ĭn ārīs;

ēt quŏtĭēns saēvīs ŏpŭs ēst āc fōrtĭbŭs ūmbrīs,560

īpsă făcīt mānēs: hŏmĭnūm mōrs ōmnĭs ĭn ūsūst.

Īllă gĕnaē flōrēm prīmaēvō cōrpŏrĕ vūlsīt,

īllă cŏmām laēvā mŏrĭēnti ābscīdĭt ĕphēbō.

Saēpe ĕtĭām cārīs cōgnāto īn fūnĕrĕ dīră

Thēssălĭs īncŭbŭīt mēmbrīs ātque ōscŭlă fīgēns565

trūncāvītquĕ căpūt cōnprēssăquĕ dēntĭbŭs ōră

lāxāvīt sīccōque haērēntēm gūttŭrĕ līnguām

praēmōrdēns gĕlĭdīs īnfūndīt mūrmŭră lābrīs

ārcānūmquĕ nĕfās Stўgĭās māndāvĭt ăd ūmbrās.

Hānc ūt fāmă lŏcī Pōmpēiō prōdĭdĭt, āltā570

nōctĕ pŏlī, Tītān mĕdĭūm quō tēmpŏrĕ dūcīt

sūb nōstrā tēllūrĕ dĭēm, dēsērtă pĕr ārvă

cārpĭt ĭtēr. fīdī scĕlĕrūm suētīquĕ mĭnīstrī

ēffrāctōs cīrcūm tŭmŭlōs āc būstă văgātī

cōnspēxērĕ prŏcūl praērūpta īn caūtĕ sĕdēntēm,575

quā iŭgă dēvēxūs Phārsālĭcă pōrrĭgĭt Haēmūs.

Īllă măgīs măgĭcīsquĕ dĕīs īncōgnĭtă vērbă

tēmptābāt cārmēnquĕ nŏvōs fīngēbăt ĭn ūsūs.

Nāmquĕ tĭmēns nē Mārs ălĭūm văgŭs īrĕt ĭn ōrbēm

Ēmăthĭs ēt tēllūs tām mūltā caēdĕ cărērēt,580

pōllūtōs cāntū dīrīsquĕ vĕnēfĭcă sūcīs

cōnspērsōs vĕtŭīt trānsmīttĕrĕ bēllă Phĭlīppōs,

tōt mōrtēs hăbĭtūră sŭās ūsūrăquĕ mūndī

sānguĭnĕ; caēsōrūm trūncārĕ cădāvĕră rēgūm

spērăt ĕt Hēspĕrĭaē cĭnĕrēs āvērtĕrĕ gēntīs585

ōssăquĕ nōbĭlĭūm tāntōsque ādquīrĕrĕ mānēs.

Hīc ārdōr sōlūsquĕ lăbōr, quīd cōrpŏrĕ Māgnī

prōiēctō răpĭāt, quōs Caēsărĭs īnvŏlĕt ārtūs.

Quām prĭŏr ādfātūr Pōmpēi īgnāvă prŏpāgŏ

"Ō dĕcŭs Haēmŏnĭdūm, pŏpŭlīs quaē pāndĕrĕ fātă590

quaēquĕ sŭō vēntūră pŏtēs dēvērtĕrĕ cūrsū,

tē prĕcŏr, ūt cērtūm lĭcĕāt mĭhĭ nōscĕrĕ fīnēm,

quēm bēllī fōrtūnă părēt. Nōn ūltĭmă tūrbaē

pārs ĕgŏ Rōmānaē, Māgnī clārīssĭmă prōlēs,

vēl dŏmĭnūs rērūm vēl tāntī fūnĕrĭs hērēs.595

Mēns dŭbĭīs pērcūssă păvēt rūrsūsquĕ părātāst

cērtōs fērrĕ mĕtūs; hōc cāsĭbŭs ērĭpĕ iūrīs,

nē sŭbĭtī caēcīquĕ rŭānt. vēl nūmĭnă tōrquĕ

vēl tū pārcĕ dĕīs ēt mānĭbŭs ēxprĭmĕ vērūm.

Ēlўsĭās rĕsĕrā sēdēs īpsāmquĕ vŏcātām,600

quōs pĕtăt ē nōbīs, Mōrtēm mĭhĭ cōgĕ fătērī.

Nōn hŭmĭlīs lăbŏr ēst; dīgnūm quōd quaērĕrĕ cūrēs

vēl tĭbĭ quō tāntī praēpōndĕrĕt ālĕă fātī."

Īmpĭă laētātūr vūlgātaē nōmĭnĕ fāmaē

Thēssălĭs ēt cōntrā: "Sī fātă mĭnōră mŏvērēs,605

prōnum ĕrăt, ō iŭvĕnīs, quōs vēllēs" īnquĭt "ĭn āctūs

īnvītōs praēbērĕ dĕōs. Cōncēdĭtŭr ārtī,

ūnām cūm rădĭīs prēssērūnt sīdĕră mōrtēm,

īnsĕrŭīssĕ mŏrās, ēt quāmvīs fēcĕrĭt ōmnīs

stēllă sĕnēm, mĕdĭōs hērbīs praērūmpĭmŭs ānnōs.610

Āt sĭmŭl ā prīmā dēscēndĭt ŏrīgĭnĕ mūndī

caūsārūm sĕrĭēs ātque ōmnĭă fātă lăbōrānt

sī quīcquām mūtārĕ vĕlīs, ūnōquĕ sŭb īctū

stāt gĕnŭs hūmānūm, tūnc (Thēssălă tūrbă fătēmūr)

plūs Fōrtūnă pŏtēst. Sēd sī praēnōscĕrĕ cāsūs615

cōntēntūs, făcĭlēsque ădĭtūs mūltīquĕ pătēbūnt

ād vērūm: tēllūs nōbīs aēthērquĕ chăōsquĕ

aēquŏrăque ēt cāmpī Rhŏdŏpēăquĕ sāxă lŏquēntūr.

Sēd prōnūm, cūm tāntă nŏvaē sīt cōpĭă mōrtīs,

Ēmăthĭīs ūnūm cāmpīs ādtōllĕrĕ cōrpūs,620

ūt mŏdŏ dēfūnctī tĕpĭdīquĕ cădāvĕrĭs ōră

plēnā vōcĕ sŏnēnt nēc mēmbrīs sōlĕ pĕrūstīs

aūrĭbŭs īncērtūm fērālīs strīdĕăt ūmbră."

Dīxĕrăt ēt nōctīs gĕmĭnātīs ārtĕ tĕnēbrīs

maēstūm tēctă căpūt squālēntī nūbĕ pĕrērrāt625

cōrpŏră caēsōrūm tŭmŭlīs prōiēctă nĕgātīs.

Cōntĭnŭō fūgērĕ lŭpī, fūgērĕ rĕvūlsīs

ūnguĭbŭs īmpāstaē vŏlŭcrēs, dūm Thēssălă vātēm

ēlĭgĭt ēt gĕlĭdās lētō scrūtātă mĕdūllās

pūlmōnīs rĭgĭdī stāntīs sĭnĕ vūlnĕrĕ fībrās630

īnvĕnĭt ēt vōcēm dēfūncto īn cōrpŏrĕ quaērīt.

Fātă pĕrēmptōrūm pēndēnt iām mūltă vĭrōrūm,

quēm sŭpĕrīs rĕvŏcāssĕ vĕlīt. Sī tōllĕrĕ tōtās

tēmptāssēt cāmpīs ăcĭēs ēt rēddĕrĕ bēllō,

cēssīssēnt lēgēs Ĕrĕbī, mōnstrōquĕ pŏtēntī635

ēxtrāctūs Stўgĭō pŏpŭlūs pūgnāssĕt Ăvērnō.

Ēlēctūm tāndēm trāiēctō gūttŭrĕ cōrpūs

dūcĭt, ĕt īnsērtō lăquĕīs fērālĭbŭs ūncō

pēr scŏpŭlōs mĭsĕrūm trăhĭtūr, pēr sāxă cădāvēr

vīctūrūm mōntīsquĕ căvī, quēm trīstĭs Ĕrīcthō640

dāmnārāt sācrīs, āltā sūb rūpĕ lŏcātūr.

Haūd prŏcŭl ā Dītīs caēcīs dēprēssă căvērnīs

īn praēcēps sūbsēdĭt hŭmūs, quām pāllĭdă prōnīs

ūrgēt sīlvă cŏmīs ēt nūllō vērtĭcĕ caēlūm

sūspĭcĭēns Phoēbō nōn pērvĭă tāxŭs ŏpācāt.645

Mārcēntēs īntūs tĕnĕbraē pāllēnsquĕ sŭb āntrīs

lōngā nōctĕ sĭtūs nūmquām nĭsĭ cārmĭnĕ fāctūm

lūmĕn hăbēt. Nōn Taēnărĭīs sīc faūcĭbŭs āēr

sēdĭt ĭnērs, maēstūm mūndī cōnfīnĕ lătēntīs

āc nōstrī, quō nōn mētuānt ādmīttĕrĕ mānēs650

Tārtărĕī rēgēs. nām quāmvīs Thēssălă vātēs

vīm făcĭāt fātīs, dŭbĭum ēst, quōd trāxĕrĭt īllūc,

āspĭcĭāt Stўgĭās, ān quōd dēscēndĕrĭt, ūmbrās.

Dīscŏlŏr ēt vărĭō fŭrĭālīs cūltŭs ămīctū

īndŭĭtūr, vūltūsque ăpĕrītūr crīnĕ rĕmōtō655

ēt cŏmă vīpĕrĕīs sūbstrīngĭtŭr hōrrĭdă sērtīs.

Vt păvĭdōs iŭvĕnīs cŏmĭtēs īpsūmquĕ trĕmēntēm

cōnspĭcĭt ēxănĭmī dēfīxūm lūmĭnă vūltū:

"Pōnĭte" ăīt "trĕpĭdā cōncēptōs mēntĕ tĭmōrēs.

Iām nŏvă, iām vērā rēddētūr vītă fĭgūrā,660

ūt quămŭīs păvĭdī pōssīnt aūdīrĕ lŏquēntēm.

Sī vērō Stўgĭōsquĕ lăcūs rīpāmquĕ sŏnāntēm

īgnĭbŭs ōstēndām, sī mē praēsēntĕ vĭdērī

Eūmĕnĭdēs pōssīnt vīllōsăquĕ cōllă cŏlūbrīs

Cērbĕrŭs ēxcŭtĭēns ēt vīnctī tērgă gĭgāntēs?665

quīs tĭmŏr, īgnāvī, mĕtŭēntīs cērnĕrĕ mānēs?"

Pēctŏră tūnc prīmūm fērvēntī sānguĭnĕ sūpplēt

vūlnĕrĭbūs lāxātă nŏvīs tābōquĕ mĕdūllās

āblŭĭt ēt vīrūs lārgē lūnārĕ mĭnīstrāt.

Hūc quīcquīd fētū gĕnŭīt nātūră sĭnīstrō670

mīscētūr. Nōn spūmă cănūm, quĭbŭs ūndă tĭmōrīst

vīscĕră nōn lŷncīs, nōn dūraē nōdŭs hўaēnaē

dēfŭĭt ēt cērvī pāstaē sērpēntĕ mĕdūllaē,

nōn pūppīm rĕtĭnēns eūrō tēndēntĕ rŭdēntīs

īn mĕdĭīs ĕchĕnāĭs ăquīs ŏcŭlīquĕ drăcōnūm675

quaēquĕ sŏnānt fētā tĕpĕfāctă sŭb ālĭtĕ sāxă;

nōn Ărăbūm vŏlŭcēr sērpēns īnnātăquĕ rūbrīs

aēquŏrĭbūs cūstōs prĕtĭōsaē vīpĕră cōnchaē

aūt vīvēntĭs ădhūc Lĭbўcī mēmbrānă cĕrāstaē

aūt cĭnĭs ēōā pŏsĭtī phoēnīcĭs ĭn ārā.680

Quō pōstquām vīlēs ĕt hăbēntīs nōmĭnă pēstīs

cōntŭlĭt, īnfāndō sătŭrātās cārmĭnĕ frōndīs

ēt, quĭbŭs ōs dīrūm nāscēntĭbŭs īnspŭĭt, hērbās

āddĭdĭt ēt quīcquīd mūndō dĕdĭt īpsă vĕnēnī.

Tūm vōx Lēthaēōs cūnctīs pōllēntĭŏr hērbīs685

ēxcāntārĕ dĕōs cōnfūndīt mūrmŭră prīmūm

dīssŏna ĕt hūmānaē mūltūm dīscōrdĭă līnguaē.

Lātrātūs hăbĕt īllă cănūm gĕmĭtūsquĕ lŭpōrūm,

quōd trĕpĭdūs būbō, quōd strīx nōctūrnă quĕrūntūr,

quōd strīdēnt ŭlŭlāntquĕ fĕraē, quōd sībĭlăt ānguīs;690

ēxprĭmĭt ēt plānctūs īllīsaē caūtĭbŭs ūndaē

sīlvārūmquĕ sŏnūm frāctaēquĕ tŏnītrŭă nūbīs.

Tōt rērūm vōx ūnă fŭīt. Mōx cētĕră cāntū

ēxplĭcăt Haēmŏnĭō pĕnĕtrātque īn Tārtără līnguă:

"Eūmĕnĭdēs Stўgĭūmquĕ nĕfās Poēnaēquĕ nŏcēntūm695

ēt Chăŏs īnnŭmĕrōs ăvĭdūm cōnfūndĕrĕ mūndōs

ēt rēctōr tērraē, quēm lōnga īn saēcŭlă tōrquēt

mōrs dīlātă dĕūm, Stŷx, ēt, quōs nūllă mĕrētūr

Thēssălĭs, Ēlўsĭōs, caēlūm mātrēmquĕ pĕrōsă

Pērsĕphŏnē nōstraēque Hĕcătēs pārs ūltĭmă, pēr quām700

mānĭbŭs ēt mĭhĭ sūnt tăcĭtaē cōmmērcĭă līnguaē,

iānĭtŏr ēt sēdīs lāxaē, quī vīscĕră saēvō

spārgīs nōstră cănī rĕpĕtītăquĕ fīlă sŏrōrēs

trāctūraē tūque ō flāgrāntīs pōrtĭtŏr ūndaē,

iām lāssātĕ sĕnēx ād mē rĕdĕūntĭbŭs ūmbrīs,705

ēxaūdītĕ prĕcēs; sī vōs sătĭs ōrĕ nĕfāndō

pōllūtōquĕ vŏcō, sī nūmquam haēc cārmĭnă fībrīs

hūmānīs iēiūnă cănō, sī pēctŏră plēnă

saēpĕ dĕdī, lāvī călĭdō prōsēctă cĕrēbrō,

sī quīsquīs vēstrīs căpŭt ēxtăquĕ lāncĭbŭs īnfāns710

īmpŏsŭīt vīctūrŭs ĕrāt, pārētĕ prĕcāntī.

Nōn īn Tārtărĕō lătĭtāntēm pōscĭmŭs āntrō

ādsuētāmquĕ dĭū tĕnĕbrīs, mŏdŏ lūcĕ fŭgātā

dēscēndēntem ănĭmām; prīmō pāllēntĭs hĭātū

haērĕt ădhūc Ōrcī, lĭcĕt hās ēxaūdĭăt hērbās715

ād mānēs vēntūră sĕmēl. Dŭcĭs ōmĭnă nātō

Pōmpēiānă cănāt nōstrī mŏdŏ mīlĭtĭs ūmbră,

sī bĕnĕ dē vōbīs cīvīlĭă bēllă mĕrēntūr."

Haēc ŭbĭ fātă căpūt spūmāntĭăque ōră lĕvāvīt,

ādspĭcĭt ādstāntēm prōiēctī cōrpŏrĭs ūmbrām720

ēxănĭmēs ārtūs īnvīsăquĕ claūstră tĭmēntēm

cārcĕrĭs āntīquī. Păvĕt īre īn pēctŭs ăpērtūm

vīscĕrăque ēt rūptās lētālī vūlnĕrĕ fībrās.

Ā mĭsĕr ēxtrēmūm cuī mōrtīs mūnŭs ĭnīquē

ērĭpĭtūr, nōn pōssĕ mŏrī. Mīrātŭr Ĕrīcthō725

hās fātīs lĭcŭīssĕ mŏrās, īrātăquĕ Mōrtī

vērbĕrăt īmmōtūm vīvō sērpēntĕ cădāvēr

pērquĕ căvās tērraē, quās ēgīt cārmĭnĕ, rīmās

mānĭbŭs īllātrāt rēgnīquĕ sĭlēntĭă rūmpīt:

"Tīsĭphŏnē vōcīsquĕ mĕaē sēcūră Mĕgaēră,730

nōn ăgĭtīs saēvīs Ĕrĕbī pĕr ĭnānĕ flăgēllīs

īnfēlīcem ănĭmām? iām vōs ĕgŏ nōmĭnĕ vērō

ēlĭcĭām Stўgĭāsquĕ cănēs īn lūcĕ sŭpērnā

dēstĭtŭām; pēr būstă sĕquār, pēr fūnĕră cūstōs;

ēxpēllām tŭmŭlīs, ăbĭgām vōs ōmnĭbŭs ūrnīs.735

Tēquĕ dĕīs, ād quōs ălĭō prōcēdĕrĕ vūltū

fīctă sŏlēs, Hĕcătē, pāllēntī tābĭdă fōrmā,

ōstēndām făcĭēmque Ĕrĕbī mūtārĕ vĕtābō.

Ēlŏquăr, īmmēnsō tērraē sūb pōndĕrĕ quaē tē

cōntĭnĕānt, Hēnnaēă, dăpēs, quō foēdĕrĕ maēstūm740

rēgēm nōctĭs ămēs, quaē tē cōntāgĭă pāssām

nōlŭĕrīt rĕvŏcārĕ Cĕrēs. Tĭbĭ, pēssĭmĕ mūndī

ārbĭtĕr, īmmīttām rūptīs Tītānă căvērnīs,

ēt sŭbĭtō fĕrĭērĕ dĭē. Pārētĭs, ăn īllĕ

cōnpēllāndŭs ĕrīt, quō nūmquām tērră vŏcātō745

nōn cōncūssă trĕmīt, quī Gōrgŏnă cērnĭt ăpērtām

vērbĕrĭbūsquĕ sŭīs trĕpĭdām cāstīgăt Ĕrīnŷn,

īndēspēctă tĕnēt vōbīs quī Tārtără, cūiūs

vōs ēstīs sŭpĕrī, Stўgĭās quī pēiĕrăt ūndās?"

Prōtĭnŭs āstrīctūs cālvīt crŭŏr ātrăquĕ fōvīt750

vūlnĕra ĕt īn vēnās ēxtrēmăquĕ mēmbră cŭcūrrīt.

Pērcūssaē gĕlĭdō trĕpĭdānt sūb pēctŏrĕ fībraē,

ēt nŏvă dēsuētīs sūbrēpēns vītă mĕdūllīs

mīscētūr mōrtī. Tūnc ōmnīs pālpĭtăt ārtūs,

tēndūntūr nērvī; nēc sē tēllūrĕ cădāvēr755

paūlātīm pēr mēmbră lĕvāt tērrāquĕ rĕpūlsūmst

ērēctūmquĕ sĕmēl. Dīstēntō lūmĭnă rīctū

nūdāntūr. Nōndūm făcĭēs vīvēntĭs ĭn īllō,

iām mŏrĭēntĭs ĕrāt; rĕmănēt pāllōrquĕ rĭgōrquĕ,

ēt stŭpĕt īllātūs mūndō. sēd mūrmŭrĕ nūllō760

ōra ādstrīctă sŏnānt: vōx īllī līnguăquĕ tāntūm

rēspōnsūră dătūr. "Dīc" īnquīt Thēssălă "māgnā,

quōd iŭbĕō, mērcēdĕ mĭhī; nām vēră lŏcūtūm

īmmūnēm tōtō mūndī praēstābĭmŭs aēvō

ārtĭbŭs Haēmŏnĭīs; tālī tŭă mēmbră sĕpūlchrō,765

tālĭbŭs ēxūrām Stўgĭō cūm cārmĭnĕ sīlvīs,

ūt nūllōs cāntātă măgōs ēxaūdĭăt ūmbră.

Sīt tāntī vīxīsse ĭtĕrūm, nēc vērbă nĕc hērbaē

aūdēbūnt lōngaē sōmnūm tĭbĭ sōlvĕrĕ Lēthēs

ā mē mōrtĕ dătā. Trĭpŏdās vātēsquĕ dĕōrūm770

sōrs ōbscūră dĕcēt: cērtūs dīscēdăt, ăb ūmbrīs

quīsquīs vēră pĕtīt dūraēque ōrācŭlă Mōrtīs

fōrtĭs ădīt. Nē pārcĕ, prĕcōr: dā nōmĭnă rēbūs,

dā lŏcă, dā vōcēm, quā mēcūm fātă lŏquāntūr".

Āddĭdĭt ēt cārmēn quō quīcquīd cōnsŭlĭt ūmbrām775

scīrĕ dĕdīt. maēstūm flētū mānāntĕ cădāvēr:

"Trīstĭă nōn ĕquĭdēm Pārcārūm stāmĭnă" dīxīt

"āspēxī tāctaē rĕvŏcātŭs ăb āggĕrĕ rīpaē;

quōd tămĕn ē cūnctīs mĭhĭ nōscĕrĕ cōntĭgĭt ūmbrīs,

ēffĕră Rōmānōs ăgĭtāt dīscōrdĭă mānēs780

īmpĭăque īnfērnām rūpērūnt ārmă quĭētēm.

Ēlўsĭās ălĭī sēdēs āc Tārtără maēstă

dīvērsī līquērĕ dŭcēs; quīd fātă părārēnt

hī fēcērĕ pălām. Trīstīs fēlīcĭbŭs ūmbrīs

vūltŭs ĕrāt; vīdī Dĕcĭōs, nātūmquĕ pătrēmquĕ,785

lūstrālēs bēllīs ănĭmās, flēntēmquĕ Cămīllūm

ēt Cŭrĭōs, Sūllām dē tē, Fōrtūnă, quĕrēntēm;

dēplōrāt Lĭbўcīs pĕrĭtūrām Scīpĭŏ tērrīs

īnfaūstām sŭbŏlēm; māiōr Cārthāgĭnĭs hōstīs

nōn sērvītūrī maērēt Cătŏ fātă nĕpōtīs;790

sōlūm tē, cōnsūl dēpūlsīs prīmĕ tўrānnīs,

Brūtĕ, pĭās īntēr gaūdēntēm vīdĭmŭs ūmbrās.

Ābrūptīs Cătĭlīnă mĭnāx frāctīsquĕ cătēnīs

ēxūltāt Mărĭīquĕ trŭcēs nūdīquĕ Cĕthēgī;

vīdi ĕgŏ laētāntīs, pŏpŭlārĭă nōmĭnă, Drūsōs795

lēgĭbŭs īmmŏdĭcōs aūsōsque īngēntĭă Grācchōs;

aētērnīs chălўbīs nōdīs ēt cārcĕrĕ Dītīs

cōnstrīctaē plaūsērĕ mănūs, cāmpōsquĕ pĭōrūm

pōscīt tūrbă nŏcēns. Rēgnī pōssēssŏr ĭnērtīs

pāllēntīs ăpĕrīt sēdēs ābrūptăquĕ sāxă800

āspĕrăt ēt dūrūm vīnclīs ădămāntă părātquĕ

poēnām vīctōrī. Rĕfĕr haēc sōlācĭă tēcūm,

ō iŭvĕnīs, plăcĭdō mānēs pātrēmquĕ dŏmūmquĕ

ēxspēctārĕ sĭnū rēgnīque īn pārtĕ sĕrēnā

Pōmpēīs sērvārĕ lŏcūm. Nēc glōrĭă pārvaē805

sōllĭcĭtēt vītaē: vĕnĭēt quaē mīscĕăt ōmnīs

hōră dŭcēs. Prŏpĕrātĕ mŏrī māgnōquĕ sŭpērbī

quāmvīs ē pārvīs ănĭmō dēscēndĭtĕ būstīs

ēt Rōmānōrūm mānēs cālcātĕ dĕōrūm.

Quēm tŭmŭlūm Nīlī, quēm Thŷbrĭdĭs ādlŭăt ūndă,810

quaērĭtŭr; ēt dŭcĭbūs tāntūm dē fūnĕrĕ pūgnă.

Tū fātūm nē quaērĕ tŭūm: cōgnōscĕrĕ Pārcaē

mē rĕtĭcēntĕ dăbūnt; tĭbĭ cērtĭŏr ōmnĭă vātēs

īpsĕ cănēt Sĭcŭlīs gĕnĭtōr Pōmpēiŭs ĭn ārvīs,

īllĕ quŏque, īncērtūs quō tē vŏcĕt, ūndĕ rĕpēllāt,815

quās iŭbĕāt vītārĕ plăgās, quaē sīdĕră mūndī.

Eūrōpām, mĭsĕrī, Lĭbўāmque Ăsĭāmquĕ tĭmētĕ:

dīstrĭbŭīt tŭmŭlōs vēstrīs Fōrtūnă trĭūmphīs.

Ō mĭsĕrāndă dŏmūs, tōtō nīl ōrbĕ vĭdēbīs

tūtĭŭs Ēmăthĭā". Sīc pōstquām fātă pĕrēgīt,820

stāt vūltū maēstūs tăcĭtō mōrtēmquĕ rĕpōscīt.

Cārmĭnĭbūs măgĭcīs ŏpŭs ēst hērbīsquĕ, cădāvēr

ūt cădăt, ēt nĕquĕūnt ănĭmām sĭbĭ rēddĕrĕ fātă

cōnsūmptō iām iūrĕ sĕmēl. Tūnc rōbŏrĕ mūltō

ēxstrŭĭt īllă rŏgūm; vēnīt dēfūnctŭs ăd īgnēs.825

Āccēnsā iŭvĕnēm pŏsĭtūm strŭĕ līquĭt Ĕrīcthō,

tāndēm pāssă mŏrī, Sēxtōque ād cāstră părēntīs

īt cŏmĕs, ēt caēlō lūcīs dūcēntĕ cŏlōrēm,

dūm fērrēnt tūtōs īntrā tēntōrĭă grēssūs

iūssă tĕnērĕ dĭēm, dēnsās nōx praēstĭtĭt ūmbrās.830

Postquam castra duces, pugnae iam mente, propinqui

imposuere iugis admotaque comminus arma

parque suum videre dei, capere omnia Caesar

moenia Graiorum spernit Martemque secundum

5iam nisi de genero fatis debere recusat.

Funestam mundo votis petit omnibus horam,

in casus quae cuncta ferat; placet alea fati

alterutrum mersura caput. Ter collibus omnis

explicuit turmas et signa minantia pugnam,

10testatus numquam Latiae se desse ruinae.

Ut videt ad nullos exciri posse tumultus

in pugnam generum, sed clauso fidere vallo,

signa movet tectusque via dumosa per arva

Dyrrachii praeceps rapiendas tendit ad arcis.

15Hoc iter aequoreo praecepit limite Magnus,

quemque vocat collem Taulantius incola Petram,

insedit castris Ephyreaque moenia servat,

defendens tutam vel solis turribus urbem.

Non opus hanc veterum nec moles structa tuetur

20humanusque labor, facilis, licet ardua tollat,

cedere vel bellis vel cuncta moventibus annis;

sed munimen habet nullo quassabile ferro

naturam sedemque loci; nam clausa profundo

undique praecipiti scopulisque vomentibus aequor

25exiguo debet, quod non est insula, colli.

Terribiles ratibus sustentant moenia cautes,

Ioniumque furens, rabido cum tollitur austro,

templa domosque quatit spumatque in culmina pontus.

Hic avidam belli rapuit spes improba mentem

30Caesaris, ut vastis diffusum collibus hostem

cingeret ignarum ducto procul aggere valli.

Metatur terras oculis, nec caespite tantum

contentus fragili subitos attollere muros,

ingentis cautes avulsaque saxa metallis

35Graiorumque domos direptaque moenia transfert.

Exstruitur quod non aries impellere saevus,

quod non ulla queat violenti machina belli;

franguntur montes planumque per ardua Caesar

ducit opus: pandit fossas turritaque summis

40disponit castella iugis, magnoque recessu

amplexus fines, saltus, nemorosaque tesqua

et silvas, vastaque feras indagine claudit.

Non desunt campi, non desunt pabula Magno,

castraque Caesareo circumdatus aggere mutat.

45Flumina tot cursus illic exorta fatigant,

illic mersa suos, operumque ut summa revisat,

defessus Caesar mediis intermanet agris.

Nunc vetus Iliacos attollat fabula muros

adscribatque deis; fragili circumdata testa

50moenia mirentur refugi Babylonia Parthi:

en quantum Tigris, quantum celer ambit Orontes,

Assyriis quantum populis telluris eoae

sufficit in regnum, subitum bellique tumultu

raptum clausit opus. Tanti periere labores;

55Tot potuere manus aut iungere Seston Abydo

ingestoque solo Phrixeum elidere pontum

aut Pelopis latis Ephyren abrumpere regnis

et ratibus longae flexus donare Maleae

aut aliquem mundi, quamuis natura negasset,

60in melius mutare locum. coit area belli:

hic alitur sanguis terras fluxurus in omnis,

hic et Thessalicae clades Libycaeque tenentur;

aestuat angusta rabies civilis harena.

Prima quidem surgens operum structura fefellit

65Pompeium, veluti mediae qui tutus in arvis

Sicaniae rabidum nescit latrare Pelorum,

aut vaga cum Tethys Rutupinaque litora fervent,

unda Caledonios fallit turbata Britannos.

Ut primum vasto saeptas videt aggere terras,

70ipse quoque a tuta deducens agmina Petra

diversis spargit tumulis, ut Caesaris arma

laxet et effuso claudentem milite tendat,

ac tantum saepti vallo sibi vindicat agri,

parva Mycenaeae quantum sacrata Dianae

75distat ab excelsa nemoralis Aricia Roma,

quoque modo terrae praelapsus moenia Thybris

in mare descendit, si nusquam torqueat amnem.

Classica nulla sonant iniussaque tela vagantur,

et fit saepe nefas iaculum temptante lacerto.

80Maior cura duces miscendis abstrahit armis:

Pompeium exhaustae praebenda ad gramina terrae,

quae currens obtrivit eques; gradibusque citatis

ungula frondentem discussit cornea campum.

Belliger attonsis sonipes defessus in arvis,

85advectos cum plena ferant praesepia culmos,

ore novas poscens moribundus labitur herbas

et tremulo medios abrumpit poplite gyros.

Corpora dum solvit tabes et digerit artus,

traxit iners caelum fluidae contagia pestis

90obscuram in nubem. Tali spiramine Nesis

emittit Stygium nebulosis aëra saxis,

antraque letiferi rabiem Typhonis anhelant.

Inde labant populi, caeloque paratior unda

omne pati virus duravit viscera caeno.

95Iam riget atra cutis distentaque lumina rumpit,

igneaque in vultus et sacro fervida morbo

pestis abit, fessumque caput se ferre recusat.

Iam magis atque magis praeceps agit omnia fatum,

nec medii dirimunt morbi vitamque necemque,

100sed languor cum morte venit, turbaque cadentum

aucta lues, dum mixta iacent incondita vivis

corpora; nam miseros ultra tentoria cives

spargere funus erat. Tamen hos minuere labores

a tergo pelagus pulsusque aquilonibus aër

105litoraque et plenae peregrina messe carinae.

At liber terrae spatiosis collibus hostis

aëre non pigro nec inertibus angitur undis,

sed patitur saevam, veluti circumdatus arta

obsidione, famem. Nondum turgentibus altam

110in segetem culmis cernit miserabile vulgus

in pecudum cecidisse cibos et carpere dumos

et foliis spoliare nemus letumque minantis

vellere ab ignotis dubias radicibus herbas;

quae mollire queunt flamma, quae frangere morsu

115quaeque per abrasas utero demittere fauces,

plurimaque humanis ante hoc incognita mensis

diripiens miles saturum tamen obsidet hostem.

Ut primum libuit ruptis evadere claustris

Pompeio cunctasque sibi permittere terras,

120non obscura petit latebrosae tempora noctis

et raptum furto soceri cessantibus armis

dedignatur iter: latis exire ruinis

quaerit et impulso turres confringere vallo

perque omnis gladios et qua via caede parandast.

125Opportuna tamen valli pars visa propinqui,

qua Minuci castella vacant et confraga densis

arboribus dumeta tegunt. Hic pulvere nullo

proditus agmen agit subitusque in moenia venit.

Tot simul e campis Latiae fulsere volucres,

130tot cecinere tubae. Ne quid victoria ferro

deberet, pavor attonitos confecerat hostes.

Quod solum valuit virtus, iacuere perempti,

debuerant quo stare loco; qui vulnera ferrent,

iam derant, et nimbus agens tot tela peribat.

135Tum piceos volvunt immissae lampades ignes,

tum quassae nutant turres lapsumque minantur.

Roboris impacti crebros vomit agger ad ictus.

Iam Pompeianae celsi super ardua valli

exierant aquilae, iam mundi iura patebant:

140quem non mille simul turmis nec Caesare toto

auferret Fortuna locum, victoribus unus

eripuit vetuitque capi seque arma tenente

ac nondum strato Magnum vicisse negavit.

Scaeva viro nomen; castrorum in plebe merebat

145ante feras Rhodani gentes; ibi sanguine multo

promotus Latiam longo gerit ordine vitem;

pronus ad omne nefas et qui nesciret, in armis

quam magnum virtus crimen civilibus esset.

Hic ubi quaerentis socios iam Marte relicto

150tuta fugae cernit: "Quo vos pavor" inquit "adegit

impius et cunctis ignotus Caesaris armis?

O famuli turpes, servum pecus, absque cruore

terga datis morti? Cumulo vos desse virorum

non pudet et bustis interque cadavera quaeri?

155non ira saltem, iuvenes, pietate remota

stabitis? E cunctis, per quos erumperet hostis,

nos sumus electi. non parvo sanguine Magni

iste dies ierit. Peterem felicior umbras

Caesaris in vultu; testem hunc Fortuna negavit:

160Pompeio laudante cadam. Confringite tela

pectoris impulsu iugulisque retundite ferrum.

Iam longinqua petit pulvis sonitusque ruinae,

securasque fragor concussit Caesaris aures.

Vicimus, o socii; veniet qui vindicet arces,

165dum morimur." Movit tantum vox illa furorem

quantum non primo succendunt classica cantu,

mirantesque virum atque avidi spectare sequuntur

scituri iuvenes, numero deprensa locoque

an plus quam mortem virtus daret. Ille ruenti

170aggere consistit primumque cadavera plenis

turribus evolvit subeuntisque obruit hostis

corporibus; totaeque viro dant tela ruinae

roboraque et moles, hosti seque ipse minatur.

Nunc sude, nunc duro contraria pectora conto

175detrudit muris et valli summa tenentis

amputat ense manus; caput obterit ossaque saxo

ac male defensum fragili compage cerebrum

dissipat; alterius flamma crinesque genasque

succendit; strident oculis ardentibus ignes.

180Ut primum cumulo crescente cadavera murum

admovere solo, non segnior extulit illum

saltus et in medias iecit super arma catervas,

quam per summa rapit celerem venabula pardum.

Tunc densos inter cuneos compressus et omni

185vallatus bello vincit, quem respicit, hostem.

Iamque hebes et crasso non asper sanguine mucro;

percussum Scaevae frangit, non vulnerat hostem

perdidit ensis opus, frangit sine vulnere membra.

Illum tota premit moles, illum omnia tela.

190Nulla fuit non certa manus, non lancea felix,

parque novum Fortuna videt concurrere, bellum

atque virum. Fortis crebris sonat ictibus umbo,

et galeae fragmenta cavae conpressa perurunt

tempora, nec quidquam nudis vitalibus obstat

195iam praeter stantis in summis ossibus hastas.

Quid nunc, vaesani, iaculis levibusve sagittis

perditis haesuros numquam vitalibus ictus?

Hunc aut tortilibus vibrata phalarica nervis

obruat aut vasti muralia pondera saxi;

200hunc aries ferro ballistaque limite torta

promoveat. Stat non fragilis pro Caesare murus

Pompeiumque tenet; iam pectora non tegit armis,

ac veritus credi clipeo laevaque vacasse

aut culpa vixisse sua, tot vulnera belli

205solus obit densamque ferens in pectore silvam

iam gradibus fessis, in quem cadat, eligit hostem.

Par pelagi monstris, Libycae sic belua terrae

Sic Libycus densis elephans obpressus ab armis

omne repercussum squalenti missile tergo

210frangit et haerentis mota cute discutit hastas;

viscera tuta latent penitus, citraque cruorem

confixae stant tela ferae; tot facta sagittis,

tot iaculis unam non explent vulnera mortem.

Dictaea procul ecce manu Gortynis harundo

215tenditur in Scaevam, quae voto certior omni

in caput atque oculi laevum descendit in orbem.

Ille moras ferri nervorum et vincula rumpit

adfixam vellens oculo pendente sagittam

intrepidus telumque suo cum lumine calcat.

220Pannonis haud aliter post ictum saevior ursa,

cum iaculum parva Libys amentavit habena,

se rotat in vulnus telumque irata receptum

impetit et secum fugientem circumit hastam.

Perdiderat vultum rabies; stetit imbre cruento

225informis facie. Laetus fragor aethera pulsat

victorum; maiora viris e sanguine parvo

gaudia non faceret conspectum in Caesare vulnus.

Ille tegens alta suppressum mente furorem

mitis et a vultu penitus virtute remota

230"Parcite" ait "cives; procul hinc avertite ferrum,

collatura meae nil sunt iam vulnera morti:

non eget ingestis, sed vulsis pectore telis.

Tollite et in Magni viventem ponite castris;

hoc vestro praestate duci; sit Scaeva relicti

235Caesaris exemplum potius quam mortis honestae."

Credidit infelix simulatis vocibus Aulus

nec vidit recto gladium mucrone trementem

membraque captivi pariter laturus et arma

fulmineum mediis excepit faucibus ensem.

240Incalvit virtus atque una caede refectus

"Solvat" ait "poenas, Scaevam quicumque subactum

speravit; pacem gladio si quaerit ab isto

Magnus, adorato summittat Caesare signa.

An similem vestri segnemque ad fata putatis?

245Pompei vobis minor est causaeque senatus

quam mihi mortis amor." Simul haec effatur, et altus

Caesareas pulvis testatur adesse cohortes.

Dedecus hic belli Magno crimenque remisit,

ne solum totae fugerent te, Scaeva, catervae.

250Subducto qui Marte ruis: nam sanguine fuso

vires pugna dabat. Labentem turba suorum

excipit atque umeris defectum imponere gaudet.

Ac velut inclusum perfosso in pectore numen

et vivam magnae speciem Virtutis adorant

255telaque confixis certant evellere membris

exornantque deos ac nudum pectore Martem

armis, Scaeva, tuis, felix hoc nomine famae,

si tibi durus Hiber aut si tibi terga dedisset

Cantaber exiguis aut longis Teutonus armis.

260Non tu bellorum spoliis ornare Tonantis

templa potes, non tu laetis ululare triumphis.

Infelix, quanta dominum virtute parasti!

Non magis hac Magnus castrorum parte repulsus

intra claustra piger dilato Marte quievit,

265quam mare lassatur, cum se tollentibus euris

frangentem fluctus scopulum ferit aut latus alti

montis adest seramque sibi parat unda ruinam.

Hinc vicina petens placido castella profundo

incursu gemini Martis rapit armaque late

270spargit et effuso laxat tentoria campo,

mutandaeque iuvat permissa licentia terrae.

Sic pleno Padus ore tumens super aggere tutas

excurrit ripas et totos concutit agros,

succubuit si qua tellus cumuloque furentem

275undarum non passa ruit, tunc flumine toto

transit et ignotos aperit sibi gurgite campos;

illos terra fugit dominos, his rura colonis

accedunt donante Pado. vix proelia Caesar

senserat, elatus specula quae prodidit ignis:

280invenit impulsos presso iam pulvere muros,

frigidaque ut veteris deprendit signa ruinae;

accendit pax ipsa loci movitque furorem

Pompeiana quies et victo Caesare somnus.

Ire vel in clades properat, dum gaudia turbet.

285Torquato ruit inde minax, qui Caesaris arma

segnius haud vidit quam malo nauta tremente

omnia subducit Circaeae vela procellae,

agminaque interius muro breviore recepit,

densius ut parva disponeret arma corona.

290Transierat primi Caesar munimina valli

cum super e totis immisit collibus arma

effuditque acies obsaeptum Magnus in hostem.

Non sic Aetnaeis habitans in vallibus horret

Enceladum, spirante noto, cum tota cavernas

295egerit et torrens in campos defluit Aetna,

Caesaris ut miles, glomerato pulvere victus

ante aciem, caeci trepidus sub nube timoris,

hostibus occurrit fugiens inque ipsa pavendo

fata ruit. Totus mitti civilibus armis

300usque vel in pacem potuit cruor: ipse furentis

dux tenuit gladios. Felix ac libera legum,

Roma, fores iurisque tui, vicisset in illo

si tibi Sulla loco. Dolet heu semperque dolebit

quod scelerum, Caesar, prodest tibi summa tuorum,

305cum genero pugnasse pio. Pro tristia fata!

Non Uticae Libye clades, Hispania Mundae

flesset et infando pollutus sanguine Nilus

nobilius Phario gestasset rege cadaver,

nec Iuba Marmaricas nudus pressisset harenas

310Poenorumque umbras placasset sanguine fuso

Scipio, nec sancto carvisset vita Catone.

Ultimus esse dies potuit tibi, Roma, malorum,

exire e mediis potuit Pharsalia fatis.

Deserit averso possessam numine sedem

315Caesar et Emathias lacero petit agmine terras.

Arma secuturum soceri quacumque fugasset

temptavere suo comites devertere Magnum

hortatu, patrias sedes atque hoste carentem

Ausoniam peteret. "Numquam me Caesaris" inquit

320"exemplo reddam patria, numquamque videbit

me nisi dimisso redeuntem milite Roma.

Hesperiam potui motu surgente tenere,

si vellem patriis aciem committere templis

ac medio pugnare foro. Dum bella relegem,

325extremum Scythici transcendam frigoris orbem

ardentesque plagas. Victor tibi, Roma, quietem

eripiam, qui, ne premerent te proelia, fugi?

A potius, ne quid bello patiaris in isto,

te Caesar putet esse suam." Sic fatus in ortus

330Phoebeos condixit iter terraeque secutus

devia, qua vastos aperit Candavia saltus,

contigit Emathiam, bello quam fata parabant.

Thessaliam, qua parte diem brumalibus horis

attollit Titan, rupes Ossaea coërcet;

335cum per summa poli Phoebum trahit altior aestas,

Pelion opponit radiis nascentibus umbras;

at medios ignes caeli rapidique Leonis

solstitiale caput nemorosus summovet Othrys.

Excipit adversos zephyros et Iapyga Pindus

340et maturato praecidit vespere lucem;

nec metuens imi borean habitator Olympi

lucentem totis ignorat noctibus Arcton.

Hos inter montis, media qui valle premuntur,

perpetuis quondam latuere paludibus agri,

345flumina dum campi retinent nec pervia Tempe

dant aditus pelagi stagnumque implentibus unus

crescere cursus erat. Postquam discessit Olympo

Herculea gravis Ossa manu subitaeque ruinam

sensit aquae Nereus, melius mansura sub undis

350Emathis aequorei regnum Pharsalos Achillis

eminet et, prima Rhoeteia litora pinu

quae tetigit, Phylace Pteleosque et Dorion ira

flebile Pieridum, Trachin pretioque nefandae

lampados Herculeis fortis Meliboea pharetris

355atque olim Larisa potens, ubi nobile quondam

nunc super Argos arant, veteres ubi fabula Thebas

monstrat Echionias, ubi quondam Pentheos exul

colla caputque ferens supremo tradidit igni

questa, quod hoc solum nato rapuisset, Agave.

360Ergo abrupta palus multos discessit in amnes.

Purus in occasus, parvi sed gurgitis, Aeas

Ionio fluit inde mari, nec fortior undis

labitur avectae pater Isidis et tuus, Oeneu,

paene gener crassis oblimat Echinadas undis,

365et Meleagream maculatus sanguine Nessi

Evenos Calydona secat. Ferit amne citato

Maliacas Spercheos aquas, et flumine puro

irrigat Amphrysos famulantis pascua Phoebi,

quique nec umentis nebulas nec rore madentem

370aëra nec tenues ventos suspirat, Anauros,

et quisquis pelago per se non cognitus amnis

Peneo donavit aquas. It gurgite rapto

Apidanos numquamque celer, nisi mixtus, Enipeus.

Accipit Asopos cursus Phoenixque Melasque.

375Solus, in alterius nomen cum venerit undae,

defendit Titaresos aquas lapsusque superne

gurgite Penei pro siccis utitur arvis;

hunc fama est Stygiis manare paludibus amnem

et capitis memorem fluvii contagia vilis

380nolle pati superumque sibi servare timorem.

Ut primum emissis patuerunt amnibus arva,

pinguis Bebrycio discessit vomere sulcus;

mox Lelegum dextra pressum descendit aratrum;

Aeolidae Dolopesque solum fregere coloni

385et Magnetes equis, Minyae gens cognita remis.

Illic semiferos Ixionidas Centauros

feta Pelethroniis nubes effudit in antris:

aspera te Pholoës frangentem, Monyche, saxa,

teque sub Oetaeo torquentem vertice vulsas,

390Rhoete ferox, quas vix boreas inverteret, ornos,

hospes et Alcidae magni, Phole, teque per amnem

improbe Lernaeas vector passure sagittas,

teque, senex Chiron, gelido qui sidere fulgens

impetis Haemonio maiorem Scorpion arcu.

395Hac tellure feri micuerunt semina Martis.

Primus ab aequorea percussis cuspide saxis

Thessalicus sonipes, bellis feralibus omen,

exilvit, primus chalybem frenosque momordit

spumavitque novis Lapithae domitoris habenis.

400Prima fretum scindens Pagasaeo litore pinus

terrenum ignotas hominem proiecit in undas.

Primus Thessalicae rector telluris Ionos

in formam calidae percussit pondera massae,

fudit et argentum flammis aurumque moneta

405fregit et immensis coxit fornacibus aera.

Illic quod populos scelerata impegit in arma,

divitias numerare datum est. Hinc maxima serpens

descendit Python Cirrhaeaque fluxit in arva,

unde et Thessalicae veniunt ad Pythia laurus.

410Impius hinc prolem superis immisit Aloeus,

inservit celsis prope se cum Pelion astris

sideribusque vias incurrens abstulit Ossa.

Hac ubi damnata fatis tellure locarunt

castra duces, cunctos belli praesaga futuri

415mens agitat, summique gravem discriminis horam

adventare palam est, propius iam fata moveri.

Degeneres trepidant animi peioraque versant;

ad dubios pauci praesumpto robore casus

spemque metumque ferunt. Turbae sed mixtus inerti

420Sextus erat, Magno proles non digna parente,

qui mox Scyllaeis exul grassatus in undis

polluit aequoreos Siculus pirata triumphos.

Qui stimulante metu fati praenoscere cursus

impatiensque morae venturisque omnibus aeger

425non tripodas Deli, non Pythia consulit antra

nec quaesisse libet, primis quid frugibus altrix

aere Iovis Dodona sonet, quis noscere fibra

fata queat, quis prodat aves, quis fulgura caeli

servet et Assyria scrutetur sidera cura,

430aut si quid tacitum, sed fas erat. Ille supernis

detestanda deis saevorum arcana magorum

noverat et tristis sacris feralibus aras,

umbrarum Ditisque fidem, miseroque liquebat

scire parum superos. vanum saevumque furorem

435adiuvat ipse locus vicinaque moenia castris

Haemonidum, ficti quas nulla licentia monstri

transierit, quarum quidquid non creditur ars est.

Thessala quin etiam tellus herbasque nocentes

rupibus ingenuit sensuraque saxa canentes

440arcanum ferale magos. Ibi plurima surgunt

vim factura deis, et terris hospita Colchis

legit in Haemoniis, quas non advexerat, herbas.

Impia tot populis, tot surdas gentibus aures

caelicolum dirae convertunt carmina gentis.

445Una per aetherios exit vox illa recessus

verbaque ad invitum perfert cogentia numen,

quod non cura poli caelique volubilis umquam

avocat. Infandum tetigit cum sidera murmur

tunc Babylon Persea licet secretaque Memphis

450omne vetustorum solvat penetrale magorum,

abducet superos alienis Thessalis aris.

Carmine Thessalidum dura in praecordia fluxit

non fatis addictus amor, flammisque severi

illicitis arsere senes. nec noxia tantum

455pocula proficiunt aut cum turgentia suco

frontis amaturae subducunt pignora fetae:

mens hausti nulla sanie polluta veneni

excantata perit. Quos non concordia mixti

alligat ulla tori blandaeque potentia formae,

460traxerunt torti magica vertigine fili.

Cessavere vices rerum, dilataque longa

haesit nocte dies; legi non parvit aether,

torpuit et praeceps audito carmine mundus,

axibus et rapidis impulsos Iuppiter urgens

465miratur non ire polos. Nunc omnia complent

imbribus et calido praeducunt nubila Phoebo

et tonat ignaro caelum Iove; vocibus isdem

umentis late nebulas nimbosque solutis

excussere comis. ventis cessantibus aequor

470intumuit; rursus vetitum sentire procellas

conticuit turbante noto, puppimque ferentes

in ventum tumuere sinus. De rupe pependit

abscisa fixus torrens, amnisque cucurrit

non qua pronus erat. Nilum non extulit aestas;

475Maeander direxit aquas, Rhodanumque morantem

praecipitavit Arar. Summisso vertice montes

explicuere iugum; nubes suspexit Olympus,

solibus et nullis Scythicae, cum bruma rigeret,

dimaduere nives. impulsam sidere Tethyn

480reppulit Haemonium defenso litore carmen.

Terra quoque immoti concussit ponderis axes

et medium vergens titubavit nisus in orbem.

Tantae molis onus percussum voce recessit

perspectumque dedit circumlabentis Olympi.

485Omne potens animal leti genitumque nocere

et pavet Haemonias et mortibus instruit artes.

Has avidae tigres et nobilis ira leonum

ore fovent blando; gelidos his explicat orbes

inque pruinoso coluber distenditur arvo.

490Viperei coeunt abrupto corpore nodi

humanoque cadit serpens adflata veneno.

Quis labor hic superis cantus herbasque sequendi

spernendique timor? cuius commercia pacti

obstrictos habuere deos? parere necessest

495an iuvat? ignota tantum pietate merentur

an tacitis valuere minis? hoc iuris in omnis

est illis superos, an habent haec carmina certum

imperiosa deum qui mundum cogere, quidquid

cogitur ipse, potest? Illis et sidera primum

500praecipiti deducta polo, Phoebeque serena

non aliter diris verborum obsessa venenis

palluit et nigris terrenisque ignibus arsit,

quam si fraterna prohiberet imagine tellus

insereretque suas flammis caelestibus umbras,

505et patitur tantos cantu depressa labores

donec suppositas propior despumet in herbas.

Hos scelerum ritus, haec dirae carmina gentis

effera damnarat nimiae pietatis Erictho

inque novos ritus pollutam duxerat artem.

510Illi namque nefas urbis summittere tecto

aut laribus ferale caput desertaque busta

incolit et tumulos expulsis obtinet umbris

grata deis Erebi. coetus audire silentum,

nosse domos Stygias arcanaque Ditis operti

515non superi, non vita vetat. Tenet ora profanae

foeda situ macies, caeloque ignota sereno

terribilis Stygio facies pallore gravatur

impexis onerata comis; si nimbus et atrae

sidera subducunt nubes, tunc Thessala nudis

520egreditur bustis nocturnaque fulmina captat.

Semina fecundae segetis calcata perussit

et non letiferas spirando perdidit auras.

Nec superos orat nec cantu supplice numen

auxiliare vocat nec fibras illa litantis

525novit; funereas aris imponere flammas

gaudet et accenso rapuit quae tura sepulchro.

Omne nefas superi prima iam voce precantis

concedunt carmenque timent audire secundum.

Viventes animas et adhuc sua membra regentes

530infodit busto, fatis debentibus annos

mors invita subit, perversa funera pompa

rettulit a tumulis, fugere cadavera lectum.

Fumantis iuvenum cineres ardentiaque ossa

e mediis rapit illa rogis ipsamque, parentes

535quam tenuere, facem nigroque volantia fumo

feralis fragmenta tori, vestesque fluentes

colligit in cineres et olentis membra favillas.

Ast ubi servantur saxis, quibus intimus umor

ducitur, et tracta durescunt tabe medullae

540corpora, tunc omnis avide desaevit in artus

immergitque manus oculis gaudetque gelatos

effodisse orbes et siccae pallida rodit

excrementa manus. Laqueum nodosque nocentis

ore suo rumpit, pendentia corpora carpsit

545abrasitque cruces percussaque viscera nimbis

vulsit et incoctas admisso sole medullas.

Insertum manibus chalybem nigramque per artus

stillantis tabi saniem virusque coactum

sustulit et nervo morsus retinente pependit.

550Et quodcumque iacet nuda tellure cadaver,

ante feras volucresque sedet nec carpere membra

vult ferro manibusque suis morsusque luporum

exspectat siccis raptura e faucibus artus.

Nec cessant a caede manus, si sanguine vivo

555est opus, erumpat iugulo qui primus aperto,

nec refugit caedes, vivum si sacra cruorem

extaque funereae poscunt trepidantia mensae;

vulnere sic ventris, non qua natura vocabat,

extrahitur partus calidis ponendus in aris;

560et quotiens saevis opus est ac fortibus umbris,

ipsa facit manes: hominum mors omnis in usust.

Illa genae florem primaevo corpore vulsit,

illa comam laeva morienti abscidit ephebo.

Saepe etiam caris cognato in funere dira

565Thessalis incubuit membris atque oscula figens

truncavitque caput conpressaque dentibus ora

laxavit siccoque haerentem gutture linguam

praemordens gelidis infundit murmura labris

arcanumque nefas Stygias mandavit ad umbras.

570Hanc ut fama loci Pompeio prodidit, alta

nocte poli, Titan medium quo tempore ducit

sub nostra tellure diem, deserta per arva

carpit iter. fidi scelerum suetique ministri

effractos circum tumulos ac busta vagati

575conspexere procul praerupta in caute sedentem,

qua iuga devexus Pharsalica porrigit Haemus.

Illa magis magicisque deis incognita verba

temptabat carmenque novos fingebat in usus.

Namque timens ne Mars alium vagus iret in orbem

580Emathis et tellus tam multa caede careret,

pollutos cantu dirisque venefica sucis

conspersos vetuit transmittere bella Philippos,

tot mortes habitura suas usuraque mundi

sanguine; caesorum truncare cadavera regum

585sperat et Hesperiae cineres avertere gentis

ossaque nobilium tantosque adquirere manes.

Hic ardor solusque labor, quid corpore Magni

proiecto rapiat, quos Caesaris involet artus.

Quam prior adfatur Pompei ignava propago

590"O decus Haemonidum, populis quae pandere fata

quaeque suo ventura potes devertere cursu,

te precor, ut certum liceat mihi noscere finem,

quem belli fortuna paret. Non ultima turbae

pars ego Romanae, Magni clarissima proles,

595vel dominus rerum vel tanti funeris heres.

Mens dubiis percussa pavet rursusque paratast

certos ferre metus; hoc casibus eripe iuris,

ne subiti caecique ruant. vel numina torque

vel tu parce deis et manibus exprime verum.

600Elysias resera sedes ipsamque vocatam,

quos petat e nobis, Mortem mihi coge fateri.

Non humilis labor est; dignum quod quaerere cures

vel tibi quo tanti praeponderet alea fati."

Impia laetatur vulgatae nomine famae

605Thessalis et contra: "Si fata minora moveres,

pronum erat, o iuvenis, quos velles" inquit "in actus

invitos praebere deos. Conceditur arti,

unam cum radiis presserunt sidera mortem,

inservisse moras, et quamuis fecerit omnis

610stella senem, medios herbis praerumpimus annos.

At simul a prima descendit origine mundi

causarum series atque omnia fata laborant

si quicquam mutare velis, unoque sub ictu

stat genus humanum, tunc (Thessala turba fatemur)

615plus Fortuna potest. Sed si praenoscere casus

contentus, facilesque aditus multique patebunt

ad verum: tellus nobis aetherque chaosque

aequoraque et campi Rhodopeaque saxa loquentur.

Sed pronum, cum tanta novae sit copia mortis,

620Emathiis unum campis adtollere corpus,

ut modo defuncti tepidique cadaveris ora

plena voce sonent nec membris sole perustis

auribus incertum feralis strideat umbra."

Dixerat et noctis geminatis arte tenebris

625maestum tecta caput squalenti nube pererrat

corpora caesorum tumulis proiecta negatis.

Continuo fugere lupi, fugere revulsis

unguibus impastae volucres, dum Thessala vatem

eligit et gelidas leto scrutata medullas

630pulmonis rigidi stantis sine vulnere fibras

invenit et vocem defuncto in corpore quaerit.

Fata peremptorum pendent iam multa virorum,

quem superis revocasse velit. Si tollere totas

temptasset campis acies et reddere bello,

635cessissent leges Erebi, monstroque potenti

extractus Stygio populus pugnasset Averno.

Electum tandem traiecto gutture corpus

ducit, et inserto laqueis feralibus unco

per scopulos miserum trahitur, per saxa cadaver

640victurum montisque cavi, quem tristis Erictho

damnarat sacris, alta sub rupe locatur.

Haud procul a Ditis caecis depressa cavernis

in praeceps subsedit humus, quam pallida pronis

urget silva comis et nullo vertice caelum

645suspiciens Phoebo non pervia taxus opacat.

Marcentes intus tenebrae pallensque sub antris

longa nocte situs numquam nisi carmine factum

lumen habet. Non Taenariis sic faucibus aër

sedit iners, maestum mundi confine latentis

650ac nostri, quo non metuant admittere manes

Tartarei reges. nam quamuis Thessala vates

vim faciat fatis, dubium est, quod traxerit illuc,

aspiciat Stygias, an quod descenderit, umbras.

Discolor et vario furialis cultus amictu

655induitur, vultusque aperitur crine remoto

et coma vipereis substringitur horrida sertis.

Ut pavidos iuvenis comites ipsumque trementem

conspicit exanimi defixum lumina vultu:

"Ponite" ait "trepida conceptos mente timores.

660Iam nova, iam vera reddetur vita figura,

ut quamuis pavidi possint audire loquentem.

Si vero Stygiosque lacus ripamque sonantem

ignibus ostendam, si me praesente videri

Eumenides possint villosaque colla colubris

665Cerberus excutiens et vincti terga gigantes?

quis timor, ignavi, metuentis cernere manes?"

Pectora tunc primum ferventi sanguine supplet

vulneribus laxata novis taboque medullas

abluit et virus large lunare ministrat.

670Huc quicquid fetu genuit natura sinistro

miscetur. Non spuma canum, quibus unda timorist

viscera non lyncis, non durae nodus hyaenae

defuit et cervi pastae serpente medullae,

non puppim retinens euro tendente rudentis

675in mediis echenais aquis oculique draconum

quaeque sonant feta tepefacta sub alite saxa;

non Arabum volucer serpens innataque rubris

aequoribus custos pretiosae vipera conchae

aut viventis adhuc Libyci membrana cerastae

680aut cinis eoa positi phoenicis in ara.

Quo postquam viles et habentis nomina pestis

contulit, infando saturatas carmine frondis

et, quibus os dirum nascentibus inspuit, herbas

addidit et quicquid mundo dedit ipsa veneni.

685Tum vox Lethaeos cunctis pollentior herbis

excantare deos confundit murmura primum

dissona et humanae multum discordia linguae.

Latratus habet illa canum gemitusque luporum,

quod trepidus bubo, quod strix nocturna queruntur,

690quod strident ululantque ferae, quod sibilat anguis;

exprimit et planctus illisae cautibus undae

silvarumque sonum fractaeque tonitrua nubis.

Tot rerum vox una fuit. Mox cetera cantu

explicat Haemonio penetratque in Tartara lingua:

695"Eumenides Stygiumque nefas Poenaeque nocentum

et Chaos innumeros avidum confundere mundos

et rector terrae, quem longa in saecula torquet

mors dilata deum, Styx, et, quos nulla meretur

Thessalis, Elysios, caelum matremque perosa

700Persephone nostraeque Hecates pars ultima, per quam

manibus et mihi sunt tacitae commercia linguae,

ianitor et sedis laxae, qui viscera saevo

spargis nostra cani repetitaque fila sorores

tracturae tuque o flagrantis portitor undae,

705iam lassate senex ad me redeuntibus umbris,

exaudite preces; si vos satis ore nefando

pollutoque voco, si numquam haec carmina fibris

humanis ieiuna cano, si pectora plena

saepe dedi, lavi calido prosecta cerebro,

710si quisquis vestris caput extaque lancibus infans

imposuit victurus erat, parete precanti.

Non in Tartareo latitantem poscimus antro

adsuetamque diu tenebris, modo luce fugata

descendentem animam; primo pallentis hiatu

715haeret adhuc Orci, licet has exaudiat herbas

ad manes ventura semel. Ducis omina nato

Pompeiana canat nostri modo militis umbra,

si bene de vobis civilia bella merentur."

Haec ubi fata caput spumantiaque ora levavit,

720adspicit adstantem proiecti corporis umbram

exanimes artus invisaque claustra timentem

carceris antiqui. Pavet ire in pectus apertum

visceraque et ruptas letali vulnere fibras.

A miser extremum cui mortis munus inique

725eripitur, non posse mori. Miratur Erictho

has fatis licuisse moras, irataque Morti

verberat immotum vivo serpente cadaver

perque cavas terrae, quas egit carmine, rimas

manibus illatrat regnique silentia rumpit:

730"Tisiphone vocisque meae secura Megaera,

non agitis saevis Erebi per inane flagellis

infelicem animam? iam vos ego nomine vero

eliciam Stygiasque canes in luce superna

destituam; per busta sequar, per funera custos;

735expellam tumulis, abigam vos omnibus urnis.

Teque deis, ad quos alio procedere vultu

ficta soles, Hecate, pallenti tabida forma,

ostendam faciemque Erebi mutare vetabo.

Eloquar, immenso terrae sub pondere quae te

740contineant, Hennaea, dapes, quo foedere maestum

regem noctis ames, quae te contagia passam

noluerit revocare Ceres. Tibi, pessime mundi

arbiter, immittam ruptis Titana cavernis,

et subito feriere die. Paretis, an ille

745conpellandus erit, quo numquam terra vocato

non concussa tremit, qui Gorgona cernit apertam

verberibusque suis trepidam castigat Erinyn,

indespecta tenet vobis qui Tartara, cuius

vos estis superi, Stygias qui peierat undas?"

750Protinus astrictus calvit cruor atraque fovit

vulnera et in venas extremaque membra cucurrit.

Percussae gelido trepidant sub pectore fibrae,

et nova desuetis subrepens vita medullis

miscetur morti. Tunc omnis palpitat artus,

755tenduntur nervi; nec se tellure cadaver

paulatim per membra levat terraque repulsumst

erectumque semel. Distento lumina rictu

nudantur. Nondum facies viventis in illo,

iam morientis erat; remanet pallorque rigorque,

760et stupet illatus mundo. sed murmure nullo

ora adstricta sonant: vox illi linguaque tantum

responsura datur. "Dic" inquit Thessala "magna,

quod iubeo, mercede mihi; nam vera locutum

immunem toto mundi praestabimus aevo

765artibus Haemoniis; tali tua membra sepulchro,

talibus exuram Stygio cum carmine silvis,

ut nullos cantata magos exaudiat umbra.

Sit tanti vixisse iterum, nec verba nec herbae

audebunt longae somnum tibi solvere Lethes

770a me morte data. Tripodas vatesque deorum

sors obscura decet: certus discedat, ab umbris

quisquis vera petit duraeque oracula Mortis

fortis adit. Ne parce, precor: da nomina rebus,

da loca, da vocem, qua mecum fata loquantur".

775Addidit et carmen quo quicquid consulit umbram

scire dedit. maestum fletu manante cadaver:

"Tristia non equidem Parcarum stamina" dixit

"aspexi tactae revocatus ab aggere ripae;

quod tamen e cunctis mihi noscere contigit umbris,

780effera Romanos agitat discordia manes

impiaque infernam ruperunt arma quietem.

Elysias alii sedes ac Tartara maesta

diversi liquere duces; quid fata pararent

hi fecere palam. Tristis felicibus umbris

785vultus erat; vidi Decios, natumque patremque,

lustrales bellis animas, flentemque Camillum

et Curios, Sullam de te, Fortuna, querentem;

deplorat Libycis perituram Scipio terris

infaustam subolem; maior Carthaginis hostis

790non servituri maeret Cato fata nepotis;

solum te, consul depulsis prime tyrannis,

Brute, pias inter gaudentem vidimus umbras.

Abruptis Catilina minax fractisque catenis

exultat Mariique truces nudique Cethegi;

795vidi ego laetantis, popularia nomina, Drusos

legibus immodicos ausosque ingentia Gracchos;

aeternis chalybis nodis et carcere Ditis

constrictae plausere manus, camposque piorum

poscit turba nocens. Regni possessor inertis

800pallentis aperit sedes abruptaque saxa

asperat et durum vinclis adamanta paratque

poenam victori. Refer haec solacia tecum,

o iuvenis, placido manes patremque domumque

exspectare sinu regnique in parte serena

805Pompeis servare locum. Nec gloria parvae

sollicitet vitae: veniet quae misceat omnis

hora duces. Properate mori magnoque superbi

quamuis e parvis animo descendite bustis

et Romanorum manes calcate deorum.

810Quem tumulum Nili, quem Thybridis adluat unda,

quaeritur; et ducibus tantum de funere pugna.

Tu fatum ne quaere tuum: cognoscere Parcae

me reticente dabunt; tibi certior omnia vates

ipse canet Siculis genitor Pompeius in arvis,

815ille quoque, incertus quo te vocet, unde repellat,

quas iubeat vitare plagas, quae sidera mundi.

Europam, miseri, Libyamque Asiamque timete:

distribuit tumulos vestris Fortuna triumphis.

O miseranda domus, toto nil orbe videbis

820tutius Emathia". Sic postquam fata peregit,

stat vultu maestus tacito mortemque reposcit.

Carminibus magicis opus est herbisque, cadaver

ut cadat, et nequeunt animam sibi reddere fata

consumpto iam iure semel. Tunc robore multo

825exstruit illa rogum; venit defunctus ad ignes.

Accensa iuvenem positum strue liquit Erictho,

tandem passa mori, Sextoque ad castra parentis

it comes, et caelo lucis ducente colorem,

dum ferrent tutos intra tentoria gressus

830iussa tenere diem, densas nox praestitit umbras.