Testi della poesia latinaTesti della poesia latinaĪntĕrĕā trĕpĭdīs Făbĭūs spēs ūnĭcă rēbūs.
īllĕ quĭdēm sŏcĭōs ātque aēgrām vūlnĕrĕ praēcēps
Aūsŏnĭam ārmābāt vĭrĭdīque ād dūră lăbōrūm
bēllātōr sĕnĭō iām cāstră mŏvēbăt ĭn hōstēm,
sēd mēns hūmānā māiōr nōn tēlă nĕc ēnsēs5
nēc fōrtēs spēctābăt ĕquōs. tōt mīlĭă cōntrā
Poēnōrum īnvīctūmquĕ dŭcēm, tŏt ĭn āgmĭnă sōlūs
ībăt ĕt īn sēsē cūncta ārmă vĭrōsquĕ gĕrēbāt.
āc nī sācră sĕnī vīs īmprēssūmquĕ fŭīssēt
sīstĕrĕ cūnctāndō Fōrtūnam ādvērsă fŏvēntēm,10
ūltĭmă Dārdănĭī trānsīssēt nōmĭnĭs aētās.
īllĕ mŏdūm sŭpĕrīs īn Pūnĭcă cāstră făvōrīs
āddĭdĭt ēt Lĭbўaē fīnem īntēr prōspĕră bēllă
vīncēndī stătŭīt, tŭmĕfāctūm clādĭbŭs īllĕ
Hēspĕrĭīs lēntō Poēnūm mŏdĕrāmĭnĕ lūsīt.15
sūmmĕ dŭcūm, quī rēgna ĭtĕrūm lābēntĭă Troīaē
ēt flūxās Lătĭī rēs māiōrūmquĕ lăbōrēs,
quī Cārmēntĭs ŏpēs ēt rēgna Ēvāndrĭă sērvās,
sūrge, ăge ĕt ēmĕrĭtō sācrūm căpŭt īnsĕrĕ caēlō.
Āt Lĭbўaē dūctōr, pōstquām nŏvă nōmĭnă lēctō20
dīctātōrĕ vĭgēnt, rāptīm mūtātă Lătīnīs
īmpĕrĭa haūd frūstrā rĕpŭtāns cōgnōscĕre ăvēbāt,
quaē fōrtūnă vĭrō, quōdnām dĕcŭs, ūltĭmă fēssīs
āncŏră cūr Făbĭūs, quēm pōst tōt Rōmă prŏcēllās
Hānnĭbălī pŭtĕt ēssĕ părēm. fērvōrĕ cărēntēs25
āngēbānt ānnī fraūdīque ĭnăpērtă sĕnēctūs.
ōcĭŭs āccītūm cāptīvo ēx āgmĭnĕ pōscīt
prōgĕnĭēm rītūsquĕ dŭcīs dēxtraēquĕ lăbōrēs.
Cīlnĭŭs Ārrētī Tŷrrhēnīs ōrtŭs ĭn ōrīs
clārūm nōmĕn ĕrāt, sēd laēva āddūxĕrăt hōră30
Tīcīnī iŭvĕnēm rīpīs, fūsūsquĕ rŭēntīs
vūlnĕre ĕquī Lĭbўcīs praēbēbāt cōllă cătēnīs.
hīc ārdēns ēxtrēmă mălīs ēt rūmpĕrĕ vītām
"nōn cūm Flāmĭnĭō tĭbĭ rēs, nēc fērvĭdă Grācchī
īn mănĭbūs cōnsūlta" īnquīt; "Tīrŷnthĭă gēns ēst.35
quām sī fātă tŭīs gĕnŭīssēnt, Hānnĭbăl, ōrīs,
tērrārum īmpĕrĭūm Cārthāgĭnĭs ārcĕ vĭdērēs.
nōn ĕgŏ tē lōngā sĕrĭē pēr sīngŭlă dūcām.
hōc săt ĕrīt; nōscēs Făbĭōs cērtāmĭne ăb ūnō:
Vēiēntūm pŏpŭlī vĭŏlātā pācĕ nĕgābānt40
āccēptārĕ iŭgum, āc vīcīnō Mārtĕ fŭrēbāt
ād pōrtās bēllūm, cōnsūlquĕ cĭēbăt ăd ārmă.
dīlēctūs vĕtĭtī, prīvātăquĕ cāstră pĕnātēs
Hērcŭlĕi īmplēvērĕ. dŏmō, mīrābĭle, ăb ūnā
pātrĭcĭūs iūnctīs ēxērcĭtŭs ībăt ĭn ārmīs.45
tēr cēntum ēxsĭlŭērĕ dŭcēs. quōcūmquĕ lĭbērēt
ūnō nōn păvĭdūs rēxīssēs bēllă măgīstrō.
sēd dīrum ēgrēssīs ōmēn: Scĕlĕrātă mĭnācī
strīdēntīs sŏnĭtū trĕmŭērūnt līmĭnă pōrtaē,
māxĭmăque Hērcŭlĕī mūgīvīt nūmĭnĭs āră.50
īnvāsēre hōstēm, nŭmĕrārīque āspĕră vīrtūs
haūd ēst pāssă vĭrōs ēt plūrēs mīlĭtĕ caēdēs.
saēpĕ glŏbō dēnsī, saēpe ēt pēr dēvĭă pāssīm
dīspērsī sŭbĭērĕ vĭcēs, mĕrĭtīquĕ lăbōrĕ
aēquātō nūllī quīsquām vīrtūtĕ sĕcūndūs,55
dūcĕrĕ tēr cēntūm Tārpēia ād tēmplă trĭūmphōs.
spēs heū fāllācēs ōblītăquĕ cōrdă cădūcūm,
mōrtālī quōdcūmquĕ dătūr! grēx īllĕ vĭrōrūm,
quī Făbĭā gēnte īncŏlŭmī dēfōrmĕ pŭtābāt
pūblĭcă bēllă gĕrī, părĭtēr cĕcĭdērĕ dĕōrūm60
īnvĭdĭā sŭbĭtīs cīrcūmvĕnĭēntĭbŭs ārmīs.
nēc tămĕn ōccīsōs ēst cūr laētērĕ; sŭpērsūnt,
quōt tĭbĭ sīt Lĭbўaēquĕ sătīs; cērtāvĕrĭt ūnūs
tēr cēntūm dēxtrīs. tām vīvĭdă mēmbră lăbōrquĕ
prōvĭdŭs ēt caūtā sōllērtĭă tēctă quĭētĕ.65
nēc vērō călĭdī nūnc tū cuī sānguĭnĭs aētās
fōdĕrĭs īn pūgnā vēlōcĭŭs īlĭă plāntā
bēllātōrĭs ĕquī frēnīsquĕ mŏmōrdĕrĭs ōră."
quēm cērnēns ăvĭdūm lētī pōst tālĭă Poēnūs
"nēquīquām nōstrās, dēmēns," ăĭt "ēlĭcĭs īrās70
ēt cāptīvă părās mŏrĭēndo ēvādĕrĕ vīnclă.
vīvēndum ēst. ārtā sērvēntūr cōllă cătēnā."
haēc iŭvĕnīs dīvīsquĕ tŭmēns aūsīsquĕ sĕcūndīs.
Āt pātrēs Lătĭāsquĕ nŭrūs rāptābăt ăd ārās
cūră dĕūm. maēstō sūffūsaē lūmĭnă vūltū75
fēmĭnĕūs mātrēs grădĭtūr chŏrŭs; ōrdĭnĕ lōngō
Iūnōnī pāllām cōncēptăquĕ vōtă dĭcābānt:
"hūc ădĕs, ō rēgīnă dĕūm, gēns cāstă prĕcāmūr
ēt fĕrĭmūs, dīgnō quaēcūmque ēst nōmĭnĕ, tūrbă
Aūsŏnĭdūm pūlchrūmque ĕt, ăcu ēt sūbtēmĭnĕ fūlvō80
quōd nōstraē nēvērĕ mănūs, vĕnĕrābĭlĕ dōnūm.
āc dūm dēcrēscīt mātrūm mĕtŭs, hōc tĭbĭ, dīvă,
īntĕrĕā vēlāmĕn ĕrīt. sī pēllĕrĕ nōstrīs
Mārmărĭcām tērrīs nūbēm dăbĭs, ōmnĭs ĭn aūrō
prēssă tĭbī vărĭā fūlgēbīt gēmmă cŏrōnā."85
nēcnōn ēt prŏprĭō vĕnĕrāntūr Pāllădă dōnō
Phoēbūmque ārmĭgĕrūmquĕ dĕūm prīmāmquĕ Dĭōnēn.
tānta ădĕō, cūm rēs trĕpĭdaē, rĕvĕrēntĭă dīvūm
nāscĭtŭr; āt rāraē fūmānt fēlīcĭbŭs āraē.
Dūm Rōma āntīquōs tēmplīs īndīcĭt hŏnōrēs,90
iām Făbĭūs caūtō prōcēdēns āgmĭne ĕt ārtĕ
bēllāndī lēntō sĭmĭlīs praēclūsĕrăt ōmnēs
fōrtūnaēque hōstīquĕ vĭās. dīscēdĕrĕ sīgnīs
haūd lĭcĭtūm, sūmmūmquĕ dĕcūs, quō tōllĭs ăd āstră
īmpĕrĭī, Rōmānĕ, căpūt, pārērĕ dŏcēbāt.95
vērum ŭbĭ prīmă sătīs cōnspēcta īn mōntĭbŭs āltīs
sīgnă prŏcūl fūlsītquĕ nŏvīs ēxērcĭtŭs ārmīs,
ārrēctaē spēs Sīdŏnĭaē, fērvētquĕ sĕcūndīs
fōrtūnaē iŭvĕnīs. vīncēndī sōlă vĭdētūr
quōd nōndūm stĕtĕrīnt ăcĭēs, mŏră. "pērgĭtĕ," clāmāt100
"ītĕ cĭtī, rŭĭte ād pōrtās, prōpēllĭtĕ vāllūm
pēctŏrĭbūs. quāntūm cāmpī dīstāmŭs, ăd ūmbrās
tāntum hōstī sŭpĕrēst. rĕsĭdēs ād bēllă vŏcāntūr,
quīs pŭdĕāt cērtārĕ, sĕnēs. quōdcūmquĕ vĭdētīs
hōc rĕlĭquum ēst, prīmō dāmnātum ŭt ĭnūtĭlĕ bēllō.105
ēn, ŭbĭ nūnc Grācchi ātque ŭbĭ sūnt nūnc fūlmĭnă gēntīs
Scīpĭădaē? pūlsi Aūsŏnĭā nōn āntĕ păvēntēm
dīmīsērĕ fŭgām, quām tērrŏr ăd ūltĭmă mūndī
Ōcĕănūmquĕ tŭlīt; prŏfŭgūs nūnc ērrăt ŭtērquĕ
nōmĭnă nōstră trĕmēns ēt rīpās sērvăt Hĭbērī.110
ēst ĕtĭām, cūr Flāmĭnĭō mĭhĭ glōrĭă caēsō
crēvĕrĭt ēt tĭtŭlīs lĭbĕāt cūr fīgĕrĕ nōstrīs
crūdūm Mārtē vīrĭ nŏmēn. quōt dēmĕrĕ nōstēr
huīc ānnōs Făbĭō glădĭūs vălĕt? ēt tămĕn aūdēt.
aūdĕăt! haūd ūltrā fāxō spēctētŭr ĭn ārmīs."115
Tālĭă vōcĭfĕrāns vŏlŭcrī răpĭt āgmĭnă cūrsū
āc praēvēctŭs ĕquō nūnc dēxtrā prōvŏcăt hōstēm,
nūnc vōce īncrĕpĭtāt, mīssā nūnc ēmĭnŭs hāstā
fērtŭr ŏvāns pūgnaēque ăgĭtāt sĭmŭlācră fŭtūraē,
ūt Thĕtĭdīs prōlēs Phrўgĭīs Vūlcānĭă cāmpīs120
ārmă tŭlīt clĭpĕo āmplēxūs tērrāmquĕ pŏlūmquĕ
mātērnūmquĕ frĕtūm tōtūmque ĭn ĭmāgĭnĕ mūndūm.
Cāssārūm sĕdĕt īrārūm spēctātŏr ĕt āltī
cēlsūs cōllĕ iŭgī dŏmăt ēxsūltāntĭă cōrdă
īnfrāctāsquĕ mĭnās dīlātō Mārtĕ fătīgāt125
sōllērs cūnctāndī Făbĭūs, ceū nōctĕ sŭb ātrā
mūnītīs pāstōr stăbŭlīs pĕr ŏvīlĭă claūsūm
īmpăvĭdūs sōmnī sērvāt pĕcŭs; ēffĕră saēvīt
ātque īmpāstă trŭcēs ŭlŭlātūs tūrbă lŭpōrūm
ēxērcēt mōrsūquĕ quătīt rēstāntĭă claūstră.130
Īrrĭtŭs īncēptī mŏvĕt īnde ātque Āpŭlă tārdō
ārvă Lĭbŷs pāssū lĕgĭt āc nūnc vāllĕ rĕsīdīt
cōndĭtŭs ōccūltā, sī praēcĭpĭtārĕ sĕquēntēm
ātque ĭnŏpīnātā dētūr cīrcūmdărĕ fraūdĕ,
nūnc nōctūrnă părāt caēcaē cēlāntĭbŭs ūmbrīs135
fūrtă vĭaē rētrōque ăbĭtūm fīctōsquĕ tĭmōrēs
āssĭmŭlāt, tūm cāstră cĭtūs dēsērtă rĕlīctā
ōstēntāt praēda ātque īnvītāt prōdĭgŭs hōstēm,
quālīs Maēŏnĭā pāssīm Maēāndrŭs ĭn ōrā,
cūm sĭbĭ gūrgĭtĭbūs flēxīs rĕvŏlūtŭs ŏbērrāt.140
nūllă văcānt īncēptă dŏlīs, sĭmŭl ōmnĭă vērsāt
mīscētque ēxăcŭēns vărĭa ād cōnāmĭnă mēntēm,
sīcŭt ăquaē splēndōr rădĭātūs lāmpădĕ sōlīs
dīssūltāt pēr tēctă văgā sŭb ĭmāgĭnĕ vībrāns
lūmĭnĭs ēt trĕmŭlā lăquĕārĭă vērbĕrăt ūmbrā.145
iāmquĕ dŏlōrĕ fŭrēns ĭtă sēcum īmmūrmŭrăt īraē:
"ōbvĭă sī prīmūs nōbīs hīc tēlă tŭlīssēt,
nūllănĕ nūnc Trĕbĭae ēt Thrăsўmēnnī nōmĭnă? nūllī
lūgērēnt Ĭtălī? nūmquām Phăĕthōntĭŭs āmnīs
sānguĭnĕā pōntūm tūrbāssēt dēcŏlŏr ūndā?150
īnvēntūm, dūm sē cŏhĭbēt tĕrĭmūrquĕ sĕdēndō,
vīncēndī gĕnŭs. ēn quŏtĭēns, vĕlŭt ōbvĭŭs īrēt
dīscīnxīt rătĭōnĕ dŏlōs fraūdēsquĕ rĕsōlvīt!"
haēc sēcūm, mĕdĭō sōmnī cūm būcĭnă nōctēm
dīvĭdĕrēt iāmque ēxcŭbĭās sōrtītŭs ĭnīquās155
tērtĭŭs ābrūptā vĭgĭl īrĕt ăd ārmă quĭētĕ.
vērtĭt ĭtēr Daūnīquĕ rĕtrō tēllūrĕ rĕlīctā
Cāmpānās rĕmĕāt nōtūs pŏpŭlātŏr ĭn ōrās.
hīc vēro, īntrāvīt pōstquam ūbĕrĭs ārvă Fălērnī
(dīvĕs ĕa ēt nūmquām tēllūs mēntītă cŏlōnō)160
āddūnt frūgĭfĕrīs ĭnĭmīca īncēndĭă rāmīs.
Haūd fās, Bācchĕ, tŭōs tăcĭtūm trāmīttĕre hŏnōrēs,
quāmquām māgna īncēptă vŏcēnt. mĕmŏrābĕrĕ, sācrī
lārgītōr lătĭcīs, grăvĭdaē cuī nēctărĕ vītēs
nūllī dānt prēlīs nōmēn praēfērrĕ Fălērnīs.165
Māssĭcă sūlcābāt mĕlĭōrĕ Fălērnŭs ĭn aēvō
ēnsĭbŭs īgnōtīs sĕnĭōr iŭgă. pāmpĭnŭs ūmbrās
nōndum ūvaē vĭrĭdēs nūdō tēxēbăt ĭn ārvō,
pōcŭlă nēc nōrānt sūcīs mūlcērĕ Lўaēī.
fōntĕ sĭtim ēt pūrā sŏlĭtī dēfēndĕrĕ lŷmphā.170
āttŭlĭt hōspĭtĭō pērgēntem ād lītŏră Cālpēs
ēxtrēmūmquĕ dĭēm pēs dēxtĕr ĕt hōră Lўaēūm,
nēc pĭgĭtūm pārvōsquĕ lărēs hŭmĭlīsquĕ sŭbīrĕ
līmĭnă caēlĭcŏlām tēctī. cēpērĕ vŏlēntēm
fūmōsī pōstēs ēt rītū paūpĕrĭs aēvī175
āntĕ fŏcōs mēnsaē, laētūs nēc sēnsĕrăt hōspēs
ādvēnīssĕ dĕūm, sĕd ĕnīm dē mōrĕ părēntūm
grātō cūrsābāt stŭdĭo īnstābātquĕ sĕnēctaē,
dōnĕc ŏpēs fēstās pūrīs nūnc pōmă cănīstrīs
cōmpŏsŭīt, nūnc īrrĭgŭīs cĭtŭs ēxtŭlĭt hōrtīs180
rōrāntēs ūmōrĕ dăpēs. tūm lāctĕ făvīsquĕ
dīstīnxīt dūlcēs ĕpŭlās nūllōquĕ crŭōrĕ
pōllūtā cāstūs mēnsā Cĕrĕālĭă dōnă
āttŭlĭt āc prīmūm Vēstaē dēcērpsĭt hŏnōrēm
ūndĭque ĕt īn mĕdĭām iēcīt lībāmĭnă flāmmām.185
dēssĕ tŭōs lătĭcēs hāc sēdŭlĭtātĕ sĕnīlī
cāptŭs, Ĭācchĕ, vĕtās. sŭbĭtō, mīrābĭlĕ dīctū,
fāgĭnă pāmpĭnĕō spūmārūnt pōcŭlă sūcō,
paūpĕrĭs hōspĭtĭī prĕtĭūm, vīlīsquĕ rŭbēntī
flūxīt mūlctră mĕro, ēt quērcu īn crātēră căvātā190
dūlcĭs ŏdōrātīs ūmōr sūdāvĭt ăb ūvīs.
"ēn căpĕ" Bācchŭs ăīt "nōndūm tĭbĭ nōtă, sĕd ōlīm
vītĭcŏlaē nōmēn pērvūlgātūră Fălērnī
mūnĕra" - ĕt haūd ūltrā lătŭīt dĕŭs. īndĕ nĭtēntēm
lūmĭnĕ pūrpŭrĕō frōntēm cīnxērĕ cŏrŷmbī195
ēt fūsaē pēr cōllă cŏmaē, dēxtrāquĕ pĕpēndīt
cānthărŭs, āc vītīs thŷrsō dēlāpsă vĭrēntī
fēstās Nŷsaēō rĕdĭmīvīt pālmĭtĕ mēnsās.
nēc făcĭlīs laētō cērtāssĕ, Fălērnĕ, săpōrī,
pōstquam ĭtĕrātă tĭbī sūnt pōcŭlă, iām pĕdĕ rīsūm,200
iām līnguā tĭtŭbāntĕ mŏvēs pātrīquĕ Lўaēō
tēmpŏră quāssātūs grātēs ēt praēmĭă dīgnă
vīx īntēllēctīs cōnārīs rēddĕrĕ vērbīs,
dōnēc cōmpŏsŭīt lūctāntĭă lūmĭnă Sōmnūs,
Sōmnūs, Bācchĕ, tĭbī cŏmĕs āddĭtŭs. hīnc ŭbĭ prīmō205
ūngŭlă dīspērsīt rōrēs Phăĕthōntĭă Phoēbō
ūvĭfĕrīs lātē flōrēbāt Māssĭcŭs ārvīs
mīrātūs nĕmŏra ēt lūcēntēs sōlĕ răcēmōs.
īt mōntī dĕcŭs, ātque ēx īllō tēmpŏrĕ dīvēs
Tmōlŭs ĕt āmbrŏsĭīs Ărĭūsĭă pōcŭlă sūcīs210
āc Mēthŷmnă fĕrōx lăcŭbūs cēssērĕ Fălērnīs.
Haēc tūm vāstă dăbāt tērrīsque īnfēstŭs ăgēbāt
Hānnĭbăl, ēt sīccī stĭmŭlābānt sānguĭnĭs ēnsēs
lūdĭfĭcāntĕ dŭcēm Făbĭō. iāmque īmprŏbă cāstrīs
Aūsŏnĭīs vōta ēt pūgnāndī prāvă lĭbīdŏ215
glīscēbāt; prōnī dēcūrrĕrĕ mōntĕ părābānt.
Dā fāmaē, dā, Mūsă, vĭrūm, cuī vīncĕrĕ bīnă
cōncēssūm cāstra ēt gĕmĭnōs dŏmĭtārĕ fŭrōrēs.
"fērvĭdă sī nōbīs cōrda ābrūptūmquĕ pŭtāssēnt
īngĕnĭūm pātrēs ēt sī clāmōrĭbŭs" īnquīt220
"tūrbārī făcĭlēm mēntēm, nōn ūltĭmă rērūm
ēt dēplōrātī māndāssēnt Mārtĭs hăbēnās.
stāt pēnsātă dĭū bēllī sēntēntĭă: vīncām
sērvāre īnvītōs ūrgēntēsque ūltĭmă fātă.
nūllī pēr Făbĭum ē vōbīs cĕcĭdīssĕ lĭcēbīt.225
sī lūcīs pĭgĕt ēt sūprēmīs ēssĕ cŭpīdōst
nōmĭnĭs Aūsŏnĭī taēdētque īn tēmpŏrĕ tālī
nūllūm clādĕ nŏvā clāraēquĕ frăgōrĕ rŭīnaē
īnsīgnēm fēcīssĕ lŏcūm, rĕvŏcāndŭs ăb ātrīs
Flāmĭnĭūs nōbīs ēst sēdĭbŭs. īllĕ rŭĕndī230
iām dūdūm prŏpĕrāns sīgnum aūspĭcĭūmquĕ dĕdīssēt.
ān nōndūm praēcēps vīcīnăquĕ fātă vĭdētīs?
ūna, ūt dēbēllēt, sătĭs ēst vīctōrĭă Poēnō.
stātĕ, vĭri, ēxaūdītĕ dŭcēm! cum ōptābĭlĕ tēmpūs
dēpōscēt dēxtrās, tūnc īstă fĕrōcĭă dīctă235
aēquēntūr fāctīs. nōn ēst, mĭhĭ crēdĭtĕ, nōn ēst
ārdŭŭs īn pūgnās fērrī lăbŏr. ūnă rĕclūsīs
ōmnēs iām pōrtīs īn cāmpum ēffūdĕrĭt hōră.
māgnum īllūd sōlīsquĕ dătūm, quōs mītĭs ĕūntēs
Iūppĭtĕr āspēxīt, māgnum ēst, ēx hōstĕ rĕvērtī.240
fōrtūnaē Lĭbўs īncūmbīt flātūquĕ sĕcūndō
fīdĭt ăgēns pūppīm. dūm dēsĭnăt aūră sĭnūsquĕ
dēstĭtŭāt tŭmĭdōs sūbdūctō flāmĭnĕ vēntūs,
īn rēm cūnctārī fŭĕrīt. nōn ūllă pĕrēnnī
āmplēxū Fōrtūnă fŏvēt. iām cōpĭă quāntō245
ārtĭŏr, ēt nūllō Tўrĭīs cērtāmĭnĕ quāntūm
dētrītum ēst fāmaē! quīn īntēr cētĕră nōstrā
haūd laūde āfŭĕrīt, mŏdŏ quī - sēd pārcĕrĕ dīctīs
sīt mĕlĭūs. iām vōs ăcĭēs ēt proēlĭa ĕt hōstēm
pōscĭtĭs? ō mănĕāt, sŭpĕrī, fīdūcĭă tālīs!250
īntĕrĕa ēxclūsā māiōrīs sōrtĕ pĕrīclī
mē sōlūm, quaēsō, tōtī me ōppōnĭtĕ bēllō."
hīs dīctīs frāctūs fŭrŏr ēt răbĭda ārmă quĭērūnt,
ūt, cūm tūrbātīs plăcĭdūm căpŭt ēxtŭlĭt ūndīs
Nēptūnūs tōtūmquĕ vĭdēt tōtōquĕ vĭdētūr255
rēgnātōr pōntō, saēvī fĕră mūrmŭră vēntī
dīmīttūnt nūllāsquĕ mŏvēnt īn frōntĭbŭs ālās
tūm sēnsim īnfūsā trānquīllă pĕr aēquŏră pācĕ
lānguēntēs tăcĭtō lūcēnt īn lītŏrĕ flūctūs.
Sēnsīt cūră săgāx Poēnī fraūdīsquĕ vĕnēnō260
āggrĕdĭtūr mēntēs. paūca ātque haēc rūrĭs ăvītī
iūgĕră nēc mūltīs Făbĭūs vērtēbăt ărātrīs;
Māssĭcŭs ūvĭfĕrīs āddēbāt nōmĭnă glēbīs.
hīnc pēstēm plăcĭtūm mōlīri ēt spārgĕrĕ caūsās
īn cāstra āmbĭgŭās. fērrō flāmmīsquĕ pĕpērcīt265
sūspēctāmquĕ lŏcō pācēm dĕdĭt ārtĕ mălīgnā,
ceū clāndēstīnō trăhĕrētūr foēdĕrĕ bēllūm.
Īntēllēctŭs ĕrāt Făbĭō, Tўrĭōsquĕ vĭdēbāt
dīctātōr saēvīrĕ dŏlōs; sēd nōn văcăt āgrām
īnvĭdĭām glădĭōs īntēr lĭtŭōsquĕ tĭmērĕ270
ēt dŭbĭā mōrsūs fāmaē dēpēllĕrĕ pūgnā,
dōnēc rēptāntem ēt nēquīquām saēpĕ trăhēntēm
hūc īllūc cāstra āc scrūtāntēm proēlĭă Poēnūm,
quā nĕmŏrōsă iŭga ēt scŏpŭlōsī vērtĭcĕ cōllēs
ēxsūrgūnt, claūsīt spārsa ād dīvōrtĭă tūrmā.275
hīnc Laēstrŷgŏnĭaē sāxōsō mōntĕ prĕmēbānt
ā tērgō rūpēs, ūndōsīs squālĭdă tērrīs
hīnc Lītērnă pălūs, nēc fērri aūt mīlĭtĭs ūsūm
pōscēbāt rĕgĭō, saēptōs sēd fraūdĕ lŏcōrūm
ārtă fămēs poēnās mĭsĕrae ēxāctūră Săgūntī280
ūrgēbāt, fīnīsque ădĕrāt Cārthāgĭnĭs ārmīs.
Cūnctă pĕr ēt tērrās ēt lātī stāgnă prŏfūndī
cōndĭdĕrāt sōmnūs, pŏsĭtōquĕ lăbōrĕ dĭērūm
pācēm nōctĕ dătām mōrtālĭbŭs ōrbĭs ăgēbāt.
āt nōn Sīdŏnĭūm cūrīs flāgrāntĭă cōrdă285
dūctōrēm vĭgĭlēsquĕ mĕtūs haūrīrĕ sĭnēbānt
dōnă sŏpōrĭfĕraē nōctīs. nām mēmbră cŭbīlī
ērĭgĭt ēt fūlvī cīrcūmdāt pēllĕ lĕōnīs,
quā sŭpĕrīnstrātōs prōiēctūs grāmĭnĕ cāmpī
prēssĕrăt āntĕ tŏrōs. tūnc ād tēntōrĭă frātrīs290
fērt grēssūs vīcīnă cĭtōs. nēc dēgĕnĕr īllĕ
bēllĭgĕrī rītūs taūrīnō mēmbră iăcēbāt
ēffūltūs tērgo ēt mūlcēbāt trīstĭă sōmnō.
stāt prŏcŭl hāstă vĭrī tērraē dēfīxă prŏpīnquaē
ēt dīra ē sūmmā pēndēbāt cūspĭdĕ cāssīs;295
āt clĭpĕūs cīrcā lōrīcăque ĕt ēnsĭs ĕt ārcūs
ēt tēlūm Bălĭārĕ sĭmūl tēllūrĕ quĭēscūnt.
iūxtā lēctă mănūs, iŭvĕnēs īn Mārtĕ prŏbātī,
ēt sŏnĭpēs strātō cārpēbāt grāmĭnă dōrsō.
ūt pĕpŭlērĕ lĕvem īntrāntīs vēstīgĭă sōmnūm,300
"heūs!" īnquīt părĭtērquĕ mănūs ād tēlă fĕrēbāt,
"quaē tē cūră vĭgīl fēssūm, gērmānĕ, fătīgāt?"
āc iām cōnstĭtĕrāt sŏcĭōsque īn caēspĭtĕ fūsōs
īncūssā rĕvŏcāt cāstrōrum ād mūnĕră plāntā,
cūm Lĭbўaē dūctōr: "Făbĭūs mē nōctĭbŭs aēgrīs,305
īn cūrās Făbĭūs nōs ēxcĭtăt, īllă sĕnēctūs,
heū fātīs quaē sōlă mĕīs cūrrēntĭbŭs ōbstāt.
cērnĭs, ŭt ārmātā cīrcūmfūndārĕ cŏrōnā,
ēt vāllēt claūsōs cōllēctūs mīlĕs ĭn ōrbēm.
vērum ăgĕ nūnc, quŏnĭām rēs ārtaē, pērcĭpĕ pōrrō,310
quaē mĕdĭtātă mĭhī. lātōs cōrrēptă pĕr āgrōs
ārmēnta āssuētō bēllī dē mōrĕ sĕquūntūr.
cōrnĭbŭs ārēntēs ēdīcam īnnēctĕrĕ rāmōs
sārmēntīquĕ lĕvīs frōntī rĕlĭgārĕ mănīplōs,
ādmōtūs cūm fērvōrēm dīspērsĕrĭt īgnīs,315
ūt pāssim ēxsūltēnt stĭmŭlāntĕ dŏlōrĕ iŭvēncī
ēt văgă pēr cōllēs cērvīce īncēndĭă iāctēnt.
tūm tērrōrĕ nŏvō trĕpĭdūs lāxābĭt ĭnīquās
cūstōs ēxcŭbĭās māiōrăquĕ nōctĕ tĭmēbīt.
sī cōrdī cōnsūltă (mŏrās ēxtrēmă rĕcūsānt),320
āccīngāmŭr" ăīt. gĕmĭnō tēntōrĭă grēssū
īndĕ pĕtūnt. īngēns clĭpĕō cērvīcĕ rĕpōstā
īntĕr ĕquōs īntērquĕ vĭrōs īntērquĕ iăcēbāt
cāptă mănū spŏlĭa ēt rōrāntĭă caēdĕ Mărāxēs
āc dīrum, īn sōmnō ceū bēllă căpēssĕrĕt, āmēns325
clāmōrēm tūm fōrtĕ dăbāt dēxtrāquĕ trĕmēntĕ
ārmă tŏro ēt nōtūm quaērēbāt fērvĭdŭs ēnsēm.
huīc Māgo, īnvērsā quătĭēns ūt dīspŭlĭt hāstā
bēllāntēm sōmnūm: "tĕnĕbrīs, fōrtīssĭmĕ dūctōr,
īrās cōmpēsce ātque īn lūcēm proēlĭă dīffēr.330
ād fraūdem ōccūltāmquĕ fŭgām tūtōsquĕ rĕcēptūs
nūnc nōcte ūtēndum ēst. ārēntēs nēctĕrĕ frōndēs
cōrnĭbŭs ēt lātīs āccēnsa īmmīttĕrĕ sīlvīs
ārmēnta, ōppŏsĭtī rĕsĕrēnt quō claūstră mănīplī,
gērmānūs părăt ātque ōbsēssa ēvēllĕrĕ cāstră.335
ēmērgāmŭs, ĕt hīc Făbĭō pērsuādĕăt āstūs
nōn cērtārĕ dŏlīs." nĭhĭl hīnc cūnctāntĕ, sĕd ācrīs
īncēptī laētō iŭvĕne ād tēntōrĭa Ăchērraē
fēstīnānt, cuī pārcă quĭēs mĭnĭmūmquĕ sŏpōrīs
nēc nōtūm sōmnō nōctēs aēquārĕ; fĕrōcī340
pērvĭgĭl īnsērvībăt ĕquō fēssūmquĕ lĕvābāt
trāctāndo ēt frēnīs ōra ēxăgĭtātă fŏvēbāt.
āt sŏcĭī rĕnŏvānt tēla ārēntēmquĕ crŭōrēm
fērrō dētērgēnt ēt dānt mūcrōnĭbŭs īrās.
quīd fōrtūnă lŏcī pōscāt, quīd tēmpŭs, ĕt īpsī345
quaēnam ăgĭtēnt, pāndūnt ēt coēptīs īrĕ mĭnīstrūm
haūd sēgnem hōrtāntūr. dīscūrrīt tēssĕră cāstrīs,
īntēntīquĕ dŏcēnt, quaē sīnt prŏpĕrāndă, mŏnētquĕ
quīsquĕ sŭōs. īnstāt trĕpĭdīs stĭmŭlātquĕ rŭēntēs
nāvŭs ăbīrĕ tĭmōr, dūm caēcă sĭlēntĭă dūmquĕ350
māiōrēs ūmbraē. răpĭdā iām sūbdĭtă pēstĕ
vīrgūlta ātque āltīs sūrgūnt ē cōrnĭbŭs īgnēs.
hīc vēro ūt glīscēntĕ mălo ēt quāssāntĭbŭs aēgră
ārmēntīs căpĭta ādiūtaē pīnguēscĕrĕ flāmmaē
coēpēre ēt vīncēns fūmōs ērūmpĕrĕ vērtēx,355
pēr cōllēs dūmōsquĕ (lŭēs ăgĭt ātră), pĕr āltōs
sāxōsī scŏpŭlōs mōntīs lŷmphātă fĕrūntūr
cōrpŏra ănhēlă bŏum, ātque ōbsēssīs nārĭbŭs īgnī
lūctāntūr frūstrā răbĭdī mūgīrĕ iŭvēncī.
pēr iŭgă, pēr vāllēs ērrāt Vūlcānĭă pēstīs360
nūsquām stāntĕ mălō, vīcīnăquĕ lītŏră fūlgēnt.
quām mūlta āffīxūs caēlō sūb nōctĕ sĕrēnā
flūctĭbŭs ē mĕdĭīs sūlcātōr nāvĭtă pōntī
āstră vĭdēt, quām mūltă vĭdēt, fērvōrĭbŭs ātrīs
cūm Călăbrōs ūrūnt ād pīnguĭă pābŭlă sāltūs,365
vērtĭcĕ Gārgānī rĕsĭdēns īncēndĭă pāstōr.
Āt făcĭē sŭbĭtā vŏlĭtāntūm mōntĭbŭs āltīs
flāmmārūm, quīs tūnc cĕcĭdīt cūstōdĭă sōrtī,
hōrrēre ātque īpsōs nūllō spārgēntĕ văgārī
crēdĕre ĕt īndŏmĭtōs pāscī sūb cōllĭbŭs īgnēs.370
caēlōne ēxcĭdĕrīnt ēt māgnā fūlmĭnă dēxtrā
tōrsĕrĭt Ōmnĭpŏtēns, ān caēcīs rūptă căvērnīs
fūdĕrĭt ēgēstās āccēnsō sūlphŭrĕ flāmmās
īnfēlīx tēllūs, mĕdĭa īn fōrmīdĭnĕ quaērūnt.
iāmque ăbĕūnt, faūcēsquĕ vĭaē cĭtŭs ōccŭpăt ārmīs375
Poēnŭs ĕt īn pătŭlōs ēxsūltāns ēmĭcăt āgrōs.
hūc tămĕn ūsquĕ vĭgīl prōcēssĕrăt ārtĕ rĕgēndī
dīctātōr, Trĕbĭam ēt Tūscī pōst stāgnă prŏfūndī
ēssĕt ŭt Hānnĭbălī Făbĭūm Rōmānăquĕ tēlă
ēvāsīssĕ sătīs. quīn ēt vēstīgĭă pūlsī380
ēt grēssūs prĕmĕrēt cāstrīs, nī sācră vŏcārēnt
ād pătrĭōs vĕnĕrāndă dĕōs. tūm vērsŭs ăd ūrbēm
āllŏquĭtūr iŭvĕnēm, cuī mōs trāmīttĕrĕ sīgnă
ēt bēllī sūmmām prīmāsquĕ iŭbēbăt hăbēnās,
ātque hīs praēfōrmāt dīctīs fīngītquĕ mŏnēndō:385
"sī fāctīs nōndūm, Mĭnŭcī, tē caūtă prŏbārĕ
ērŭdĭīt Fōrtūnă mĕīs, nēc dūcĕrĕ vērbă
ād vērūm dĕcŭs āc prāvīs ārcērĕ vălēbūnt.
vīdīstī claūsum Hānnĭbălēm. nīl mīlĕs ĕt ālaē
iūvēre aūt dēnsīs lĕgĭō cōnfērtă mănīplīs.390
tēstōr tē, sōlūs claūsī, nēc deīndĕ mŏrābōr.
dīs sĭnĕ mē lībārĕ dăpem ēt sōllēmnĭă fērrĕ:
hūnc ĭtĕrum ātque ĭtĕrūm vīnctūm vēl mōntĭbŭs āltīs
āmnĭbŭs aūt răpĭdīs (mŏdŏ pūgna ābsīstĭtĕ) trādām.
īntĕrĕā (crēde ēxpērtō, nōn fāllĭmŭr) aēgrīs395
nīl mōvīssĕ sălūs rēbūs. sīt glōrĭă mūltīs
ēt plăcĕāt, quīppe ēgrĕgĭūm, prōstērnĕrĕ fērrō
hōstēm, sēd Făbĭō sīt vōs sērvāssĕ trĭūmphūs.
plēnă tĭbī cāstra ātque īntāctūs vūlnĕrĕ mīlēs
crēdĭtŭr. hōs nōbīs (ĕrĭt haēc sāt glōrĭă) rēddĕ.400
iām cērnēs Lĭbўcum huīc vāllo āssūltārĕ lĕōnēm,
iām praēdās ōffērrĕ tĭbī, iām vērtĕrĕ tērgă
rēspēctāntem ădĕo ātque īrās cūm fraūdĕ cŏquēntēm.
claūde, ōrō, cāstra ēt cūnctās spēs ērĭpĕ pūgnaē.
haēc mŏnŭīssĕ sătīs. sēd sī cōmpēscĕrĕ cōrdă405
nōn dătŭr ōrāntī, māgnō tē iūrĕ pĭōquĕ
dīctātōr căpĕre ārmă vĕtō." sīc cāstră rĕlīnquēns
vāllārāt mŏnĭtīs āc sē rĕfĕrēbăt ăd ūrbēm.
Ēcce aūtēm flātū clāssīs Phoēnīssă sĕcūndō
lītŏră Cāiētaē Laēstrŷgŏnĭōsquĕ rĕcēssūs410
sūlcābāt rōstrīs pōrtūsque īntrārăt ăpērtōs
āc tōtūs mūltō spūmābāt rēmĭgĕ pōntūs,
cūm trĕpĭdaē frĕmĭtū vĭtrĕīs ē sēdĭbŭs āntrī
aēquŏrĕaē pĕlăgō sĭmŭl ēmērsērĕ sŏrōrēs
āc pōssēssă vĭdēnt īnfēstīs lītŏră prōrīs.415
tūm māgnō pērcūlsă mĕtū Nērēĭă tūrbă
āttŏnĭtaē prŏpĕrē rĕflŭūnt ād līmĭnă nōtă,
Tēlĕbŏūm mĕdĭō sūrgūnt quā rēgnă prŏfūndō
pūmĭcĕaēquĕ prŏcūl sēdēs. īmmānĭs ĭn āntrō
cōndĭtŭr ābrūptō Prōteūs āc spūmĕă lātē420
caūtĭbŭs ōbiēctīs rēiēctāt caērŭlă vātēs.
īs pōstquām (sāt gnārŭs ĕnīm rērūmquĕ mĕtūsquĕ)
pēr vărĭās lūsīt fōrmās ēt tērrŭĭt ātrī
sērpēntīs squāmīs hōrrēndăquĕ sībĭlă tōrsīt
aūt frĕmŭīt tōrvō mūtātūs mēmbră lĕōnĕ,425
"dīcĭte," ăīt "quaē caūsă vĭaē? quīsve ōră rĕpēntĕ
pērvāsīt pāllōr? cūr scīrĕ fŭtūră lĭbīdŏ?"
ād quaē Cŷmŏdŏcē, Nŷmphārūm māxĭmă nātū
Ītălĭdūm: "nōstī nōstrōs, praēsāgĕ, tĭmōrēs.
quīd Tўrĭaē clāssēs ērēptăquĕ lītŏră nōbīs430
pōrtēndūnt? nūm mīgrāntūr Rhoētēĭă rēgnă
īn Lĭbўām sŭpĕrīs? aūt hōs Sārrānŭs hăbēbīt
nāvĭtă iām pōrtūs? pătrĭā nūm sēdĕ fŭgātaē
Ātlāntem ēt Cālpēn ēxtrēma hăbĭtābĭmŭs āntră?"
Tūnc sīc, ēvōlvēns rĕpĕtīta ēxōrdĭă rētrō,435
īncĭpĭt āmbĭgŭūs vātēs rĕsĕrātquĕ fŭtūră:
"Lāŏmĕdōntēūs Phrўgĭā cūm sēdĭt ĭn Īdā
pāstŏr ĕt ērrāntēs dūmōsă pĕr āvĭă taūrōs
ārgūtā rĕvŏcāns ād rōscĭdă pāscŭă cānnā,
aūdīvīt sācraē lēntūs cērtāmĭnă fōrmaē,440
tūm, mātrīs cūrrūs, nĭvĕōs ăgĭtābăt ŏlōrēs
tēmpŏră sōllĭcĭtūs lītīs sērvāssĕ Cŭpīdŏ.
pārvŭlŭs ēx ŭmĕrō cŏrўtōs ēt aūrĕŭs ārcūs
fūlgēbāt, nūtūquĕ vĕtāns trĕpĭdārĕ părēntēm
mōnstrābāt grăvĭdām tēlīs sē fērrĕ phărētrām.445
āst ălĭūs nĭvĕā cōmēbāt frōntĕ căpīllōs,
pūrpŭrĕōs ălĭūs vēstīs rĕlĭgābăt ămīctūs,
cūm sīc sūspīrāns rŏsĕō Vĕnŭs ōrĕ dĕcōrōs
āllŏquĭtūr nātōs: "tēstīs cērtīssĭmă vēstraē
ēccĕ dĭēs pĭĕtātĭs ădēst. quīs crēdĕrĕ sālvīs450
hōc aūsīt vōbīs? dē fōrma ātque ōrĕ (quĭd ūltrā
iām sŭpĕrēst rērūm?) cērtāt Vĕnŭs. ōmnĭă pārvīs
sī mĕă tēlă dĕdī blāndō mĕdĭcātă vĕnēnō
sī vēstēr, caēlo āc tērrīs quī foēdĕră sāncīt,
stāt sūpplēx, cūm vūltĭs, ăvūs: vīctōrĭă nōstră455
Cŷprŏn Ĭdūmaēās rĕfĕrāt dē Pāllădĕ pālmās,
dē Iūnōnĕ Păphōs cēntūm mĭhĭ fūmĕt ĭn ārīs."
dūmque haēc ālĭgĕrīs īnstāt Cўthĕrēă, sŏnābāt
ōmnĕ nĕmūs grădĭēntĕ dĕā. iām bēllĭcă vīrgŏ
aēgĭdĕ dēpŏsĭta ātque āssuētūm cāssĭdĕ crīnēm460
īnvōlvī tūnc cōmptă tămēn pācēmquĕ sĕrēnīs
cōndīscēns ŏcŭlīs ībāt lūcōquĕ fĕrēbāt
praēdīctō sācraē vēstīgĭă cōncĭtă plāntaē.
pārte ălĭa īntrābāt iūssīs Sātūrnĭă sīlvīs
iūdĭcĭūm Phrўgĭs ēt fāstūs pāstōrĭs ĕt Īdēn465
pōst frātrīs lātūră tŏrōs. pōstrēmă nĭtēntī
āffūlsīt vūltū rīdēns Vĕnŭs. ōmnĭă cīrcā
ēt nĕmŏra ēt pĕnĭtūs frōndōsīs rūpĭbŭs āntră
spīrāntēm sācrō trāxērūnt vērtĭce ŏdōrēm.
nēc iūdēx sēdīssĕ vălēt, fēssīquĕ nĭtōrīs470
lūcĕ cădūnt ŏcŭli, āc mĕtŭīt dŭbĭtāssĕ vĭdērī.
sēd vīctaē fĕră bēllă dĕaē vēxērĕ pĕr aēquōr,
ātque ēxcīsă sŭō părĭtēr cūm iūdĭcĕ Troīă.
tūm pĭŭs Aēnēās tērrīs iāctātŭs ĕt ūndīs
Dārdănĭōs Ĭtălā pŏsŭīt tēllūrĕ pĕnātēs.475
dūm cētē pōnto īnnābūnt, dūm sīdĕră caēlō
lūcēbūnt, dūm sōl Īndō sē lītŏrĕ tōllēt,
hīc rēgna ēt nūllaē rēgnīs pēr saēcŭlă mētaē.
āt vōs, ō nātaē, cūrrīt dum īmmōbĭlĕ fīlūm,
Hādrĭăcī fŭgĭte īnfaūstās Sāsōnĭs hărēnās.480
sānguĭnĕīs tŭmĭdūs pōntō mīscēbĭtŭr ūndīs
Aūfĭdŭs ēt rūbrōs īmpēllĕt ĭn aēquŏră flūctūs,
dāmnātōquĕ dĕūm quōndām pēr cārmĭnă cāmpō
Aētōlaē rūrsūs Teūcrīs pūgnābĭtĭs ūmbraē.
Pūnĭcă Rōmŭlĕōs quătĭēnt mōx spīcŭlă mūrōs,485
mūltāque Hāsdrŭbălīs fūlgēbīt strāgĕ Mătaūrūs.
hīnc īlle ē fūrtō gĕnĭtūs pătrŭīquĕ pĭābīt
īdem ūltōr pātrīsquĕ nĕcēm; tūm lītŭs Ĕlīssaē
īmplēbīt flāmmīs āvēllētque Ītălă Poēnūm
vīscĕră tōrrēntem ēt prŏprĭīs sŭpĕrābĭt ĭn ōrīs.490
huīc Cārthāgo ārmīs, huīc Āfrĭcă nōmĭnĕ cēdēt.
hīc dăbĭt ēx sēsē, quī tērtĭă bēllă fătīgēt
ēt cĭnĕrēm Lĭbўaē fĕrăt īn Căpĭtōlĭă vīctōr."
Quaē dum ārcānă dĕūm vātēs ēvōlvĭt ĭn āntrō,
iām mŏnĭta ēt Făbĭūm bēllīque ĕquĭtūmquĕ măgīstēr495
ēxŭĕrāt mēnte āc praēcēps tēndēbăt ĭn hōstēm.
pāscĕrĕ nēc Poēnūs prāvum āc nūtrīrĕ fŭrōrēm
dērăt ĕt, ūt pārvō māiōra ād proēlĭă dāmnō
ēlĭcĕrēt, dăbăt īntērdūm sĭmŭlāntĭă tērgă,
nōn ălĭtēr, quām quī spārsā pēr stāgnă prŏfūndī500
ēvŏcăt ē lĭquĭdīs pīscēm pĕnĕtrālĭbŭs ēscă,
cūmquĕ lĕvēm sūmmā vīdīt iām nārĕ sŭb ūndā,
dūcīt sīnuātō cāptīvum ād lītŏră līnō.
Fāmă fŭrīt vērsōs hōstēs Poēnūmquĕ sălūtēm
īnvēnīssĕ fŭgā; lĭcĕāt sī vīncĕrĕ, fīnēm505
prōmīttī clādūm; sĕd ĕnīm dĭcĭōnĕ cărērĕ
vīrtūtem ēt poēnās vīncēntĭbŭs ēssĕ rĕpōstās.
claūsūrūm iām cāstră dŭcēm rūrsūsquĕ rĕfērrī
vāgīnaē iūssūrum ēnsēs, rēddātŭr ĭn ārmīs
ūt rătĭo ēt pūrgēt mīlēs, cūr vīcĕrĭt hōstēm.510
haēc vūlgūs. nēcnōn pātrūm Sātūrnĭă mēntēs
īnvĭdĭaē stĭmŭlō fŏdĭt ēt pŏpŭlārĭbŭs aūrīs.
tūnc īndīgnă fĭdē cēnsēnt ōptāndăquĕ Poēnō,
quaē mōx haūd pārvō lŭĕrēnt dāmnātă pĕrīclō:
dīvĭdĭtūr mīlēs, Făbĭōque ĕquĭtūmquĕ măgīstrō515
īmpĕrĭa aēquāntūr. frĕmĭtūs spērnēbăt ĕt ēxpērs
īrārūm sĕnĭōr, māgnās nē pēndĕrĕt āltī
ērrōrīs poēnās pătrĭa īncōnsūltă, tĭmēbāt.
āc tūm, mūltă pŭtāns sēcum ūt rĕmĕāvĭt ăb ūrbĕ,
pārtītūs sŏcĭās vīrēs vīcīnă prŏpīnquīs520
sīgnă iŭgīs lŏcăt ēt spĕcŭlā sūblīmĭs ăb āltā
nōn Rōmānă mĭnūs sērvāt quām Pūnĭcă cāstră.
nēc mŏră dīsiēctō Mĭnŭcī vēcōrdĭă vāllō
pērdēndī sĭmŭl ēt pĕrĕūndi ārdēbăt ămōrĕ.
Quēm pōstquām răpĭdūm vīdīt prōcēdĕrĕ cāstrīs525
hīnc Lĭbўs, hīnc Făbĭūs, sĭmŭl āccēndērĕ săgācēs
īn sŭbĭtūm cūrās. prŏpĕrē căpĕre ārmă mănīplīs
ēdīcīt vāllīquĕ tĕnēt mūnīmĭnĕ tūrmās
Aūsŏnĭūs; tōrquēt tōtās īn proēlĭă vīrēs
Poēnōrūm dūctōr prōpēllītque āgmĭnă vōcĕ:530
"dūm dīctātŏr ăbēst, răpĕ, mīlēs, tēmpŏră pūgnaē.
nōn spērātă dĭū plānō cērtāmĭnă cāmpō
ōffērt ēccĕ dĕūs. quŏnĭām dătă cōpĭă, lōngūm
dētērgētĕ sĭtūm fērrō mūltōquĕ crŭōrĕ
ēxsătĭātĕ, vĭrī, plēnōs rūbīgĭnĭs ēnsēs."535
Ātque ĕă Cūnctātōr pēnsābăt ăb āggĕrĕ vāllī
pērlūstrāns cāmpōs ŏcŭlīs tāntōquĕ pĕrīclō
dīscĕrĕ, quīnam ēssēt Făbĭūs, tē, Rōmă, dŏlēbāt.
cuī nātūs iūncta ārmă fĕrēns "dăbĭt īmprŏbŭs" īnquīt
"quās dīgnum ēst, poēnās, quī pēr sūffrāgĭă caēcă540
īnvāsīt nōstrōs haēc ād dīscrīmĭnă fāscēs.
īnsānaē spēctātĕ trĭbūs! prō lūbrĭcă rōstră
ēt vānīs fŏră laētă vĭrīs! nūnc mūnĕră Mārtīs
aēquēnt īmpĕrĭo ēt sōlēm cōncēdĕrĕ nōctī
scīscānt īmbēllēs. māgnā mērcēdĕ pĭābūnt545
ērrōrīs răbĭem ēt nōstrūm vĭŏlāssĕ părēntēm."
tūm sĕnĭōr quătĭēns hāstām lăcrĭmīsquĕ cŏōrtīs:
"sānguĭnĕ Poēnōrūm, iŭvĕnīs, tām trīstĭă dīctă
sūnt ăbŏlēndă tĭbī. pătĭārne ānte ōră mănūsquĕ
cīvēm dēlērī nōstrās? aūt vīncĕrĕ Poēnūm550
mē spēctāntĕ sĭnām? nōn aēquāvīssĕ mĭnōrēm
sōlvētūr cūlpā, sī sūnt mĭhĭ tālĭă cōrdă?
iāmque hōc, nē dŭbĭtēs, lōngaēvī, nātĕ, părēntīs
āccĭpe ĕt aētērnō fīxūm sūb pēctŏrĕ sērvā:
sūccēnsērĕ nĕfās pătrĭaē, nēc foēdĭŏr ūllă555
cūlpă sŭb ēxtrēmās fērtūr mōrtālĭbŭs ūmbrās.
Sīc dŏcŭērĕ sĕnēs. quāntūs quālīsquĕ fŭīstī,
cūm pūlsūs lăre ĕt ēxtōrrīs Căpĭtōlĭă cūrrū
īntrărĕs ēxūl! tībī cōrpŏră caēsă, Cămīllĕ,
dāmnātā quōt sūnt dēxtrā! pācātă fŭīssēnt560
nī cōnsūltă vĭrō mēnsque īmpĕnĕtrābĭlĭs īraē,
mūtāssēntquĕ sŏlūm scēptrīs Aēnēĭă rēgnă
nūllăquĕ nūnc stārēs tērrārūm vērtĭcĕ, Rōmă.
pōne īrās, ō nātĕ, mĕās. sŏcĭa ārmă fĕrāmūs
ēt cĕlĕrēmŭs ŏpēm." iāmque īntērmīxtă sŏnābānt565
clāssĭcă, prōcūrsūsquĕ vĭrōs cōllīsĕrăt ācēr.
Prīmūs claūstră mănū pōrtaē dīctātŏr ĕt āltōs
dīsiēcīt pōstēs rūpītque īn proēlĭă cūrsūm.
nōn grăvĭōrĕ mŏvēnt vēntī cērtāmĭnă mōlĕ
Ōdrўsĭūs Bŏrĕās ēt Sŷrtīm tōllĕrĕ pōllēns570
Āfrĭcŭs, ōbnīxī cūm bēllă fŭrēntĭă tōrquēnt;
dīstrāxērĕ frĕtum āc dīvērsa ād lītŏră vōlvūnt
aēquōr quīsquĕ sŭūm; sĕquĭtūr strīdēntĕ prŏcēllā
nūnc hūc, nūnc īllūc rāptūm măre ĕt īntŏnăt ūndīs.
haūd prōrsūs dărĕt ūllŭs hŏnōs tēllūsquĕ sŭbāctă575
Phoēnīcum ēt Cārthāgō ruēns, īniūrĭă quāntūm
ōrta ēx īnvĭdĭā dĕcŏrīs tŭlĭt. ōmnĭă nāmquĕ
dūră sĭmūl dēvīctă vĭrō, mĕtŭs, Hānnĭbăl, īraē,
īnvĭdĭa, ātque ūnā fāma ēt fōrtūnă sŭbāctaē.
Poēnŭs ăb ēxcēlsō răpĭdōs dēcūrrĕrĕ vāllō580
ūt vīdīt, trĕmŭēre īraē, cĕcĭdītquĕ rĕpēntĕ
cūm gĕmĭtū spēs haūd dŭbĭaē praēsūmptă rŭīnaē;
quīppe ăcĭēm dēnsō cīrcūmvāllāvĕrăt ōrbĕ
haūsūrūs claūsōs cōniēctīs ūndĭquĕ tēlīs.
ātque hīc Dārdănĭūs prāvō cērtāmĭnĕ dūctōr585
iām Stўga ĕt aētērnās īntrārāt mēntĕ tĕnēbrās
(nām Făbĭum aūxĭlĭūmquĕ vĭrī spērārĕ pŭdēbāt)
cūm sĕnĭōr gĕmĭnō cōmplēxūs proēlĭă cōrnū
ūltĕrĭōrĕ lĭgāt Poēnōrūm tērgă cŏrōnā
ēt mŏdŏ claūdēntēs ăcĭēm nūnc, ēxtĭmă cīngēns,590
claūsōs īpsĕ tĕnēt. māiōrēm sūrgĕre ĭn ārmă
māiōrēmquĕ dĕdīt cērnī Tīrŷnthĭŭs. āltaē
scīntīllānt crīstae ēt, mīrūm, vēlōcĭbŭs īngēns
pēr sŭbĭtūm mēmbrīs vēnīt vĭgŏr; īngĕrĭt hāstās
ādvērsūmquĕ prĕmīt tēlōrūm nūbĭbŭs hōstēm,595
quālīs pōst iŭvĕnēm nōndūm sŭbĕūntĕ sĕnēctā
rēctŏr ĕrāt Pўlĭūs bēllīs aētātĕ sĕcūndā.
Īndĕ rŭēns Thŭrĭn ēt Būtēn ēt Nārĭn ĕt Ārsēn
dāt lētō fīsūmquĕ mănūs cōnfērrĕ Măhālcēn,
cuī dĕcŭs īnsīgne ēt quaēsītūm cūspĭdĕ nōmēn.600
tūm Gărădūm lārgūmquĕ cŏmaē prōstērnĭt Ădhērbēn
ēt gĕmĭnās ăcĭēs sŭpĕrāntēm vērtĭcĕ Thūlīn,
quī sūmmās āltō prēnsābăt ĭn āggĕrĕ pīnnās.
ēmĭnŭs hōs. glădĭō Săphărūm glădĭōquĕ Mŏnaēsūm
ēt Mŏrĭnūm pūgnās aērīs strīdōrĕ cĭēntēm,605
dēxtĕrĭōrĕ gĕnā sēdīt cuī lētĭfĕr īctūs
pērquĕ tŭbām fīxaē dēcūrrēns vūlnĕrĕ mālaē
ēxtrēmō flūxīt prōpūlsūs mūrmŭrĕ sānguīs.
prōxĭmŭs huīc iăcŭlō Năsămōnĭŭs ōccĭdĭt Īdmōn.
nāmquĕ sŭpēr tĕpĭdō lāpsāntēm sānguĭne ĕt aēgrā610
lūbrĭcă nītēntēm nēquīquam ēvādĕrĕ plāntā
īmpāctō prōstērnĭt ĕquō trĕpĭdēquĕ lĕvāntēm
mēmbra āfflīctă sŏlō prēssā vĭŏlēntĭŭs hāstā
īmplĭcŭīt tērraē tēlūmque īn caēdĕ rĕlīquīt.
haērĕt hŭmī cōrnūs mōtū trĕmĕfāctă iăcēntīs615
ēt cāmpō sērvāt māndātum āffīxă cădāvēr.
Nēcnōn ēxēmplō laūdīs fŭrĭātă iŭvēntūs,
Sŷllaēquē Crāssīquĕ sĭmūl iūnctūsquĕ Mĕtēllō
Fūrnĭŭs āc mĕlĭōr dēxtraē Tōrquātŭs, ĭnībānt
proēlĭa ĕt ūnănĭmī vēl mōrte ēmīssĕ vŏlēbānt620
spēctārī Făbĭō. mĭsĕr hīc vēstīgĭă rētrō
dūm răpĭt ēt mōlēm sūbdūctō cōrpŏrĕ vītāt
īntōrtī Bĭbŭlūs sāxi ātque īn tērgă rĕfērtūr,
strāgĕ sŭpēr lāpsūs sŏcĭūm, quā fībŭlă mōrsūs
lōrīcaē crēbrō lāxātă rĕsōlvĕrăt īctū,625
āccēpīt lătĕrī pĕnĭtūsque īn vīscĕra ădēgīt
ēxstābāt fīxō quōd fōrtĕ cădāvĕrĕ fērrūm.
heū sōrtēm nĕcĭs! ēvāsīt Gărămāntĭcă tēlă
Mārmărĭdūmquĕ mănūs, ŭt ĭnērtī cūspĭdĕ fūsūs
ōccĭdĕrēt, tēlō nōn īn sŭă vūlnĕră mīssō.630
vōlvĭtŭr ēxănĭmīs, tūrpātquĕ dĕcōră iŭvēntā
ōră nŏvūs pāllōr. mēmbrīs dīmīssă sŏlūtīs
ārmă flŭūnt, ērrātquĕ nĭgēr pēr lūmĭnă sōmnūs.
Vēnĕrăt ād bēllūm Tўrĭā Sīdōnĕ nĕpōtūm
ēxcītūs prĕce ĕt aūxĭlĭō sŏcĭa ārmă fĕrēbāt635
Ēōā tŭmĭdūs phărĕtrātī mīlĭtĭs ālā
gēns Cādmī, Clĕădās, fūlvā cuī plūrĭmă pāssīm
cāssĭde ĕt aūrātō fūlgēbāt gēmmă mŏnīlī,
quālĭs ŭbi Ōcĕănī rĕnŏvātūs Lūcĭfĕr ūndā
laūdātūr Vĕnĕri ēt cērtāt māiōrĭbŭs āstrīs.640
ōstro īpse āc sŏnĭpēs ōstrō tōtūmquĕ pĕr āgmēn
pūrpŭra Ăgēnŏrĕīs sătŭrātă mĭcābăt ăēnīs.
hīc ăvĭdūm pūgnae ēt tām clārum ēxcīdĕrĕ nōmēn
Brūtum ēxōptāntēm vărĭē nūnc laēvŭs ĭn ōrbēm,
nūnc dēxtēr lĕvĭbūs flēxō pēr dēvĭă gŷrīs645
lūdĭfĭcātŭs ĕquō vŏlŭcrēm pōst tērgă săgīttām
fūndĭt Ăchaēmĕnĭō dētrēctāns proēlĭă rītū.
nēc dāmnātă mănūs, mĕdĭō sēd, flēbĭlĕ, mēntō
ārmĭgĕrī Cāscaē pĕnĕtrābĭlĭs haēsĭt hărūndŏ
ōblīquūmquĕ sĕcāns sūrrēctā cūspĭdĕ vūlnūs650
ūmēntī fērrum ādmōvīt tĕpĕfāctă pălātō.
āt Brūtūs dīrō cāsū tūrbātŭs ămīcī
aūsūm mūltă vĭrum ēt spārgēntem īn vūlnĕră saēvōs
fraūdĕ fŭgaē călămōs iām nūllīs cūrsĭbŭs īnstāt
prēndĕrĕ cōrnĭpĕdīs, sēd tōtām pēctŏrĭs īrām655
māndăt ătrōx hāstaē tēlūmquĕ vŏlātĭlĕ nōdō
ēxcŭtĭt āc sūmmūm, quā lāxă mŏnīlĭă crēbrō
nūdābānt vērsū, trāmīttīt cūspĭdĕ pēctūs.
lābĭtŭr īntēntō cōrnū trānsfōssŭs, ĕt ūnā
ārcūm laēvă cădēns, dīmīsīt dēxtră săgīttām.660
Āt nōn tām trīstī sōrtītūs proēlĭă Mārtĕ
Phoēbēī Sōrāctĭs hŏnōr Cārmēlŭs ăgēbāt.
sānguĭnĕ quīppĕ sŭō iām Bāgrădă tīnxĕrăt ēnsēm,
dūx rēctōrquĕ Nŭbaē pŏpŭlī, iām fūsŭs ĕīdēm
Zeūsĭs, Ămŷclaēī stīrps īmpācātă Phălāntī,665
quēm tŭlĕrāt mātēr clārō Phoēnīssă Lăcōnī.
tālĭă dūm mĕtŭīt, nēc pūgnaē fīsŭs ĭn hōstĕ
tām răpĭdō nēc deīndĕ fŭgaē, suādēntĕ păvōrĕ
pēr dūmōs mĭsĕr īn vīcīnă căcūmĭnă quērcūs
rēpsĕrăt ātque āltā sēse ōccūltābăt ĭn ūmbrā670
Hāmpsĭcŭs īnsīstēns trĕmŭlīs sūb pōndĕrĕ rāmīs.
hūnc lōngā mūlta ōrāntēm Cārmēlŭs ĕt āltōs
mūtāntēm sāltū rāmōs trānsvērbĕrăt hāstā,
ūt, quī vīscātā pŏpŭlātŭr hărūndĭnĕ lūcōs,
dūm nĕmŏrīs cēlsī prōcēră căcūmĭnă sēnsīm675
sūbstrūctā cērtāt tăcĭtūs cōntīngĕrĕ mētā,
sūblīmēm călămō sĕquĭtūr crēscēntĕ vŏlūcrēm.
ēffūdīt vītam, ātque āltē mānāntĕ crŭōrĕ
mēmbră pĕpēndērūnt cūrvāto ēxsānguĭă rāmō.
Iāmque īn pālāntēs āc vērsōs tērgă fĕrōcēs680
pūgnābānt Ĭtălī, sŭbĭtūs cūm mōlĕ păvēndā
tērrĭfĭcīs Maūrūs prōrūmpīt Tūngĕr ĭn ārmīs.
nīgră vĭrō mēmbra, ēt fūrvī iŭgă cēlsă trăhēbānt
cōrnĭpĕdēs, tōtūsquĕ nŏvaē fōrmīdĭnĭs ārtĕ
cōncŏlŏr aēquābāt līvēntĭă cūrrŭs ĕquōrūm685
tērgă, nĕc ērēctīs sĭmĭlēs īmpōnĕrĕ crīstīs
cēssārāt pēnnās, ātērquĕ tĕgēbăt ămīctūs,
ceū quōndam aētērnaē rēgnātōr nōctĭs, ăd īmōs
cūm fŭgĕrēt thălămōs Hēnnaēā vīrgĭnĕ rāptā,
ēgīt nīgrāntēm Stўgĭā cālīgĭnĕ cūrrūm.690
āt Cătŏ tūm prīmā spārsūs lānūgĭnĕ mālās,
quōd pĕpĕrērĕ dĕcūs Cīrcaēō Tūscŭlă dōrsō
moēnĭă, Lāērtaē quōndām rēgnātă nĕpōtī,
quāmquām tārdātōs tūrbātā frōntĕ Lătīnōs
cōllēgīssĕ grădūm vĭdĕt, īmpērtērrĭtŭs īpsĕ695
fērrātā cālce ātque ēffūsā lārgŭs hăbēnā
cūnctāntem īmpēllēbăt ĕquūm. nĕgăt ōbvĭŭs īrĕ
ēt trĕpĭdāt cāssā sŏnĭpēs ēxtērrĭtŭs ūmbrā.
tūm cĕlĕr īn pūgnām dōrsō dēlātŭs ăb āltō
ālĭpĕdēm plāntā cūrrūm prĕmĭt ātquĕ vŏlāntī700
āssĭlĭt ā tērgō. cĕcĭdēre ēt lōră rĕpēntĕ
ēt stĭmŭlī, fērrūmquĕ sŭpēr cērvīcĕ trĕmīscēns
pāllŭĭt īnfēlīx sūbdūctō sānguĭnĕ Maūrūs.
ōră răpīt glădĭō praēfīxăquĕ cūspĭdĕ pōrtāt.
Āt saēvō Māvōrtĕ fĕrōx pērrūmpĭt ănhēlūm705
dīctātōr cūm caēdĕ glŏbūm. mĭsĕrābĭlĕ vīsū,
vūlnĕrĭbūs fēssum āc mūltō lābēntĕ crŭōrĕ
dūctōrēm cērnīt sūprēma āc foēdă prĕcāntēm.
mānāvērĕ gĕnīs lăcrĭmaē, clĭpĕōquĕ păvēntēm
prōtĕgĭt ēt nātūm stĭmŭlāns "fōrtīssĭmĕ, lābēm710
hānc pēllāmŭs" ăīt "Poēnōque ōb mītĭă fāctă,
quōd nūllōs nōstrīs īgnēs dīspērsĕrĭt ārvīs,
dīgnum ēxpēndāmūs prĕtĭūm." tūnc ārtĕ pătērnā
āc stĭmŭlīs gaūdēns iŭvĕnīs cīrcūmdătă Poēnūm
āgmĭnă dētūrbāt glădĭō cāmpūmquĕ rĕlāxāt,715
dōnēc Sīdŏnĭūs dēcēdĕrĕt aēquŏrĕ dūctōr,
ceū stĭmŭlāntĕ fămē răpŭīt cūm Mārtĭŭs āgnūm
āvērsō pāstōrĕ lŭpūs fētūmquĕ trĕmēntēm
ōrĕ tĕnēt prēssō, tūm, sī vēstīgĭă cūrsū
aūdītīs cĕlĕrēt bālātĭbŭs ōbvĭă pāstōr,720
iām sĭbĭmēt mĕtŭēns spīrāntēm dēntĭbŭs īmīs
rēiēctāt praēdam ēt văcŭō fŭgĭt aēgĕr hĭātū.
tūm dēmūm, Tўrĭūm quās cīrcūmfūdĕrăt ātră
tēmpēstās, Stўgĭaē tāndēm fūgērĕ tĕnēbraē.
tōrpēbānt dēxtrae, ēt sēsē mĕrŭīssĕ nĕgābānt725
sērvārī, sŭbĭtīsquĕ bŏnīs mēns aēgră nătābāt,
ūt, quī cōllāpsā prēssī iăcŭērĕ rŭīnā,
ērŭtă cūm sŭbĭtō mēmbra ēt nōx ātră rĕcēssīt,
cōnīvēnt sōlēmquĕ păvēnt āgnōscĕrĕ vīsū.
Quīs āctīs sĕnĭōr nŭmĕrātō mīlĭtĕ laētūs730
cōllēs ēt tūtō rĕpĕtēbăt ĭn āggĕrĕ cāstră.
ēcce aūtem ē mĕdĭā iām mōrtĕ rĕnātă iŭvēntūs
clāmōrēm tōllēns ād sīdĕra ĕt ōrdĭnĕ lōngō
ībăt ŏvāns Făbĭūmquĕ dĕcūs Făbĭūmquĕ sălūtēm
cērtātim ēt māgnā mĕmŏrābānt vōcĕ părēntēm.735
tūm quī pārtītīs dīssēdĕrăt āntĕ mănīplīs
"sāncte" ăĭt "ō gĕnĭtōr, rĕvŏcāto ād lūcĭs hŏnōrēm
sī fās vēră quĕrī, cūr nōbīs cāstră vĭrōsquĕ
dīvĭdĕre ēst lĭcĭtūm? pătĭēns cūr ārmă dĕdīstī,
quaē sōlūs rēxīssĕ vălēs? hōc mūnĕrĕ lāpsī740
aētērnās mūltō cūm sānguĭnĕ vīdĭmŭs ūmbrās.
ōcĭŭs hūc ăquĭlās sērvātăquĕ sīgnă rĕfērtĕ.
hīc pătrĭa ēst, mūrīque ūrbīs stānt pēctŏre ĭn ūnō.
tūquĕ dŏlōs, Poēne, ātque āstūs tāndem ēxŭĕ nōtōs;
cūm sōlō tĭbĭ iām Făbĭō sūnt bēllă gĕrēndă."745
Haēc ŭbĭ dīctă dĕdīt, mīlle hīnc, vĕnĕrābĭlĕ vīsū,
caēspĭtĕ dē vĭrĭdī sūrgūnt prŏpĕrāntĭbŭs āraē.
nēc prĭŭs aūt ĕpŭlās aūt mūnĕră grātă Lўaēī
fās cuīquām tĕtĭgīssĕ fŭīt, quām mūltă prĕcātūs
īn mēnsām Făbĭō sācrūm lībāvĭt hŏnōrēm.750
Interea trepidis Fabius spes unica rebus.
ille quidem socios atque aegram vulnere praeceps
Ausoniam armabat viridique ad dura laborum
bellator senio iam castra movebat in hostem,
5sed mens humana maior non tela nec enses
nec fortes spectabat equos. tot milia contra
Poenorum invictumque ducem, tot in agmina solus
ibat et in sese cuncta arma virosque gerebat.
ac ni sacra seni vis impressumque fuisset
10sistere cunctando Fortunam adversa foventem,
ultima Dardanii transisset nominis aetas.
ille modum superis in Punica castra favoris
addidit et Libyae finem inter prospera bella
vincendi statuit, tumefactum cladibus ille
15Hesperiis lento Poenum moderamine lusit.
summe ducum, qui regna iterum labentia Troiae
et fluxas Latii res maiorumque labores,
qui Carmentis opes et regna Evandria servas,
surge, age et emerito sacrum caput insere caelo.
20At Libyae ductor, postquam nova nomina lecto
dictatore vigent, raptim mutata Latinis
imperia haud frustra reputans cognoscere avebat,
quae fortuna viro, quodnam decus, ultima fessis
ancora cur Fabius, quem post tot Roma procellas
25Hannibali putet esse parem. fervore carentes
angebant anni fraudique inaperta senectus.
ocius accitum captivo ex agmine poscit
progeniem ritusque ducis dextraeque labores.
Cilnius Arreti Tyrrhenis ortus in oris
30clarum nomen erat, sed laeva adduxerat hora
Ticini iuvenem ripis, fususque ruentis
vulnere equi Libycis praebebat colla catenis.
hic ardens extrema malis et rumpere vitam
"non cum Flaminio tibi res, nec fervida Gracchi
35in manibus consulta" inquit; "Tirynthia gens est.
quam si fata tuis genuissent, Hannibal, oris,
terrarum imperium Carthaginis arce videres.
non ego te longa serie per singula ducam.
hoc sat erit; nosces Fabios certamine ab uno:
40Veientum populi violata pace negabant
acceptare iugum, ac vicino Marte furebat
ad portas bellum, consulque ciebat ad arma.
dilectus vetiti, privataque castra penates
Herculei implevere. domo, mirabile, ab una
45patricius iunctis exercitus ibat in armis.
ter centum exsilvere duces. quocumque liberet
uno non pavidus rexisses bella magistro.
sed dirum egressis omen: Scelerata minaci
stridentis sonitu tremuerunt limina portae,
50maximaque Herculei mugivit numinis ara.
invasere hostem, numerarique aspera virtus
haud est passa viros et plures milite caedes.
saepe globo densi, saepe et per devia passim
dispersi subiere vices, meritique labore
55aequato nulli quisquam virtute secundus,
ducere ter centum Tarpeia ad templa triumphos.
spes heu fallaces oblitaque corda caducum,
mortali quodcumque datur! grex ille virorum,
qui Fabia gente incolumi deforme putabat
60publica bella geri, pariter cecidere deorum
invidia subitis circumuenientibus armis.
nec tamen occisos est cur laetere; supersunt,
quot tibi sit Libyaeque satis; certaverit unus
ter centum dextris. tam vivida membra laborque
65providus et cauta sollertia tecta quiete.
nec vero calidi nunc tu cui sanguinis aetas
foderis in pugna velocius ilia planta
bellatoris equi frenisque momorderis ora."
quem cernens avidum leti post talia Poenus
70"nequiquam nostras, demens," ait "elicis iras
et captiva paras moriendo evadere vincla.
vivendum est. arta serventur colla catena."
haec iuvenis divisque tumens ausisque secundis.
At patres Latiasque nurus raptabat ad aras
75cura deum. maesto suffusae lumina vultu
femineus matres graditur chorus; ordine longo
Iunoni pallam conceptaque vota dicabant:
"huc ades, o regina deum, gens casta precamur
et ferimus, digno quaecumque est nomine, turba
80Ausonidum pulchrumque et, acu et subtemine fulvo
quod nostrae nevere manus, venerabile donum.
ac dum decrescit matrum metus, hoc tibi, diva,
interea velamen erit. si pellere nostris
Marmaricam terris nubem dabis, omnis in auro
85pressa tibi varia fulgebit gemma corona."
necnon et proprio venerantur Pallada dono
Phoebumque armigerumque deum primamque Dionen.
tanta adeo, cum res trepidae, reverentia divum
nascitur; at rarae fumant felicibus arae.
90Dum Roma antiquos templis indicit honores,
iam Fabius cauto procedens agmine et arte
bellandi lento similis praecluserat omnes
fortunaeque hostique vias. discedere signis
haud licitum, summumque decus, quo tollis ad astra
95imperii, Romane, caput, parere docebat.
verum ubi prima satis conspecta in montibus altis
signa procul fulsitque novis exercitus armis,
arrectae spes Sidoniae, fervetque secundis
fortunae iuvenis. vincendi sola videtur
100quod nondum steterint acies, mora. "pergite," clamat
"ite citi, ruite ad portas, propellite vallum
pectoribus. quantum campi distamus, ad umbras
tantum hosti superest. resides ad bella vocantur,
quis pudeat certare, senes. quodcumque videtis
105hoc reliquum est, primo damnatum ut inutile bello.
en, ubi nunc Gracchi atque ubi sunt nunc fulmina gentis
Scipiadae? pulsi Ausonia non ante paventem
dimisere fugam, quam terror ad ultima mundi
Oceanumque tulit; profugus nunc errat uterque
110nomina nostra tremens et ripas servat Hiberi.
est etiam, cur Flaminio mihi gloria caeso
creverit et titulis libeat cur figere nostris
crudum Marte viri nomen. quot demere noster
huic annos Fabio gladius valet? et tamen audet.
115audeat! haud ultra faxo spectetur in armis."
Talia vociferans volucri rapit agmina cursu
ac praevectus equo nunc dextra provocat hostem,
nunc voce increpitat, missa nunc eminus hasta
fertur ovans pugnaeque agitat simulacra futurae,
120ut Thetidis proles Phrygiis Vulcania campis
arma tulit clipeo amplexus terramque polumque
maternumque fretum totumque in imagine mundum.
Cassarum sedet irarum spectator et alti
celsus colle iugi domat exsultantia corda
125infractasque minas dilato Marte fatigat
sollers cunctandi Fabius, ceu nocte sub atra
munitis pastor stabulis per ovilia clausum
impavidus somni servat pecus; effera saevit
atque impasta truces ululatus turba luporum
130exercet morsuque quatit restantia claustra.
Irritus incepti movet inde atque Apula tardo
arva Libys passu legit ac nunc valle residit
conditus occulta, si praecipitare sequentem
atque inopinata detur circumdare fraude,
135nunc nocturna parat caecae celantibus umbris
furta viae retroque abitum fictosque timores
assimulat, tum castra citus deserta relicta
ostentat praeda atque invitat prodigus hostem,
qualis Maeonia passim Maeandrus in ora,
140cum sibi gurgitibus flexis revolutus oberrat.
nulla vacant incepta dolis, simul omnia versat
miscetque exacuens varia ad conamina mentem,
sicut aquae splendor radiatus lampade solis
dissultat per tecta vaga sub imagine vibrans
145luminis et tremula laquearia verberat umbra.
iamque dolore furens ita secum immurmurat irae:
"obvia si primus nobis hic tela tulisset,
nullane nunc Trebiae et Thrasymenni nomina? nulli
lugerent Itali? numquam Phaëthontius amnis
150sanguinea pontum turbasset decolor unda?
inventum, dum se cohibet terimurque sedendo,
vincendi genus. en quotiens, velut obvius iret
discinxit ratione dolos fraudesque resolvit!"
haec secum, medio somni cum bucina noctem
155divideret iamque excubias sortitus iniquas
tertius abrupta vigil iret ad arma quiete.
vertit iter Daunique retro tellure relicta
Campanas remeat notus populator in oras.
hic vero, intravit postquam uberis arva Falerni
160(dives ea et numquam tellus mentita colono)
addunt frugiferis inimica incendia ramis.
Haud fas, Bacche, tuos tacitum tramittere honores,
quamquam magna incepta vocent. memorabere, sacri
largitor laticis, gravidae cui nectare vites
165nulli dant prelis nomen praeferre Falernis.
Massica sulcabat meliore Falernus in aevo
ensibus ignotis senior iuga. pampinus umbras
nondum uvae virides nudo texebat in arvo,
pocula nec norant sucis mulcere Lyaei.
170fonte sitim et pura soliti defendere lympha.
attulit hospitio pergentem ad litora Calpes
extremumque diem pes dexter et hora Lyaeum,
nec pigitum parvosque lares humilisque subire
limina caelicolam tecti. cepere volentem
175fumosi postes et ritu pauperis aevi
ante focos mensae, laetus nec senserat hospes
advenisse deum, sed enim de more parentum
grato cursabat studio instabatque senectae,
donec opes festas puris nunc poma canistris
180composuit, nunc irriguis citus extulit hortis
rorantes umore dapes. tum lacte favisque
distinxit dulces epulas nulloque cruore
polluta castus mensa Cerealia dona
attulit ac primum Vestae decerpsit honorem
185undique et in mediam iecit libamina flammam.
desse tuos latices hac sedulitate senili
captus, Iacche, vetas. subito, mirabile dictu,
fagina pampineo spumarunt pocula suco,
pauperis hospitii pretium, vilisque rubenti
190fluxit mulctra mero, et quercu in cratera cavata
dulcis odoratis umor sudavit ab uvis.
"en cape" Bacchus ait "nondum tibi nota, sed olim
viticolae nomen pervulgatura Falerni
munera" - et haud ultra latuit deus. inde nitentem
195lumine purpureo frontem cinxere corymbi
et fusae per colla comae, dextraque pependit
cantharus, ac vitis thyrso delapsa virenti
festas Nysaeo redimivit palmite mensas.
nec facilis laeto certasse, Falerne, sapori,
200postquam iterata tibi sunt pocula, iam pede risum,
iam lingua titubante moves patrique Lyaeo
tempora quassatus grates et praemia digna
vix intellectis conaris reddere verbis,
donec composuit luctantia lumina Somnus,
205Somnus, Bacche, tibi comes additus. hinc ubi primo
ungula dispersit rores Phaëthontia Phoebo
vviferis late florebat Massicus arvis
miratus nemora et lucentes sole racemos.
it monti decus, atque ex illo tempore dives
210Tmolus et ambrosiis Ariusia pocula sucis
ac Methymna ferox lacubus cessere Falernis.
Haec tum vasta dabat terrisque infestus agebat
Hannibal, et sicci stimulabant sanguinis enses
ludificante ducem Fabio. iamque improba castris
215Ausoniis vota et pugnandi prava libido
gliscebat; proni decurrere monte parabant.
Da famae, da, Musa, virum, cui vincere bina
concessum castra et geminos domitare furores.
"fervida si nobis corda abruptumque putassent
220ingenium patres et si clamoribus" inquit
"turbari facilem mentem, non ultima rerum
et deplorati mandassent Martis habenas.
stat pensata diu belli sententia: vincam
servare invitos urgentesque ultima fata.
225nulli per Fabium e vobis cecidisse licebit.
si lucis piget et supremis esse cupidost
nominis Ausonii taedetque in tempore tali
nullum clade nova claraeque fragore ruinae
insignem fecisse locum, revocandus ab atris
230Flaminius nobis est sedibus. ille ruendi
iam dudum properans signum auspiciumque dedisset.
an nondum praeceps vicinaque fata videtis?
una, ut debellet, satis est victoria Poeno.
state, viri, exaudite ducem! cum optabile tempus
235deposcet dextras, tunc ista ferocia dicta
aequentur factis. non est, mihi credite, non est
arduus in pugnas ferri labor. una reclusis
omnes iam portis in campum effuderit hora.
magnum illud solisque datum, quos mitis euntes
240Iuppiter aspexit, magnum est, ex hoste reverti.
fortunae Libys incumbit flatuque secundo
fidit agens puppim. dum desinat aura sinusque
destituat tumidos subducto flamine ventus,
in rem cunctari fuerit. non ulla perenni
245amplexu Fortuna fovet. iam copia quanto
artior, et nullo Tyriis certamine quantum
detritum est famae! quin inter cetera nostra
haud laude afuerit, modo qui - sed parcere dictis
sit melius. iam vos acies et proelia et hostem
250poscitis? o maneat, superi, fiducia talis!
interea exclusa maioris sorte pericli
me solum, quaeso, toti me opponite bello."
his dictis fractus furor et rabida arma quierunt,
ut, cum turbatis placidum caput extulit undis
255Neptunus totumque videt totoque videtur
regnator ponto, saevi fera murmura venti
dimittunt nullasque movent in frontibus alas
tum sensim infusa tranquilla per aequora pace
languentes tacito lucent in litore fluctus.
260Sensit cura sagax Poeni fraudisque veneno
aggreditur mentes. pauca atque haec ruris aviti
iugera nec multis Fabius vertebat aratris;
Massicus uviferis addebat nomina glebis.
hinc pestem placitum moliri et spargere causas
265in castra ambiguas. ferro flammisque pepercit
suspectamque loco pacem dedit arte maligna,
ceu clandestino traheretur foedere bellum.
Intellectus erat Fabio, Tyriosque videbat
dictator saevire dolos; sed non vacat agram
270invidiam gladios inter lituosque timere
et dubia morsus famae depellere pugna,
donec reptantem et nequiquam saepe trahentem
huc illuc castra ac scrutantem proelia Poenum,
qua nemorosa iuga et scopulosi vertice colles
275exsurgunt, clausit sparsa ad divortia turma.
hinc Laestrygoniae saxoso monte premebant
a tergo rupes, undosis squalida terris
hinc Literna palus, nec ferri aut militis usum
poscebat regio, saeptos sed fraude locorum
280arta fames poenas miserae exactura Sagunti
urgebat, finisque aderat Carthaginis armis.
Cuncta per et terras et lati stagna profundi
condiderat somnus, positoque labore dierum
pacem nocte datam mortalibus orbis agebat.
285at non Sidonium curis flagrantia corda
ductorem vigilesque metus haurire sinebant
dona soporiferae noctis. nam membra cubili
erigit et fulvi circumdat pelle leonis,
qua superinstratos proiectus gramine campi
290presserat ante toros. tunc ad tentoria fratris
fert gressus vicina citos. nec degener ille
belligeri ritus taurino membra iacebat
effultus tergo et mulcebat tristia somno.
stat procul hasta viri terrae defixa propinquae
295et dira e summa pendebat cuspide cassis;
at clipeus circa loricaque et ensis et arcus
et telum Baliare simul tellure quiescunt.
iuxta lecta manus, iuvenes in Marte probati,
et sonipes strato carpebat gramina dorso.
300ut pepulere levem intrantis vestigia somnum,
"heus!" inquit pariterque manus ad tela ferebat,
"quae te cura vigil fessum, germane, fatigat?"
ac iam constiterat sociosque in caespite fusos
incussa revocat castrorum ad munera planta,
305cum Libyae ductor: "Fabius me noctibus aegris,
in curas Fabius nos excitat, illa senectus,
heu fatis quae sola meis currentibus obstat.
cernis, ut armata circumfundare corona,
et vallet clausos collectus miles in orbem.
310verum age nunc, quoniam res artae, percipe porro,
quae meditata mihi. latos correpta per agros
armenta assueto belli de more sequuntur.
cornibus arentes edicam innectere ramos
sarmentique levis fronti religare maniplos,
315admotus cum fervorem disperserit ignis,
ut passim exsultent stimulante dolore iuvenci
et vaga per colles cervice incendia iactent.
tum terrore novo trepidus laxabit iniquas
custos excubias maioraque nocte timebit.
320si cordi consulta (moras extrema recusant),
accingamur" ait. gemino tentoria gressu
inde petunt. ingens clipeo cervice reposta
inter equos interque viros interque iacebat
capta manu spolia et rorantia caede Maraxes
325ac dirum, in somno ceu bella capesseret, amens
clamorem tum forte dabat dextraque tremente
arma toro et notum quaerebat fervidus ensem.
huic Mago, inversa quatiens ut dispulit hasta
bellantem somnum: "tenebris, fortissime ductor,
330iras compesce atque in lucem proelia differ.
ad fraudem occultamque fugam tutosque receptus
nunc nocte utendum est. arentes nectere frondes
cornibus et latis accensa immittere silvis
armenta, oppositi reserent quo claustra manipli,
335germanus parat atque obsessa evellere castra.
emergamus, et hic Fabio persuadeat astus
non certare dolis." nihil hinc cunctante, sed acris
incepti laeto iuvene ad tentoria Acherrae
festinant, cui parca quies minimumque soporis
340nec notum somno noctes aequare; feroci
pervigil inservibat equo fessumque levabat
tractando et frenis ora exagitata fovebat.
at socii renovant tela arentemque cruorem
ferro detergent et dant mucronibus iras.
345quid fortuna loci poscat, quid tempus, et ipsi
quaenam agitent, pandunt et coeptis ire ministrum
haud segnem hortantur. discurrit tessera castris,
intentique docent, quae sint properanda, monetque
quisque suos. instat trepidis stimulatque ruentes
350navus abire timor, dum caeca silentia dumque
maiores umbrae. rapida iam subdita peste
virgulta atque altis surgunt e cornibus ignes.
hic vero ut gliscente malo et quassantibus aegra
armentis capita adiutae pinguescere flammae
355coepere et vincens fumos erumpere vertex,
per colles dumosque (lues agit atra), per altos
saxosi scopulos montis lymphata feruntur
corpora anhela boum, atque obsessis naribus igni
luctantur frustra rabidi mugire iuvenci.
360per iuga, per valles errat Vulcania pestis
nusquam stante malo, vicinaque litora fulgent.
quam multa affixus caelo sub nocte serena
fluctibus e mediis sulcator navita ponti
astra videt, quam multa videt, fervoribus atris
365cum Calabros urunt ad pinguia pabula saltus,
vertice Gargani residens incendia pastor.
At facie subita volitantum montibus altis
flammarum, quis tunc cecidit custodia sorti,
horrere atque ipsos nullo spargente vagari
370credere et indomitos pasci sub collibus ignes.
caelone exciderint et magna fulmina dextra
torserit Omnipotens, an caecis rupta cavernis
fuderit egestas accenso sulphure flammas
infelix tellus, media in formidine quaerunt.
375iamque abeunt, faucesque viae citus occupat armis
Poenus et in patulos exsultans emicat agros.
huc tamen usque vigil processerat arte regendi
dictator, Trebiam et Tusci post stagna profundi
esset ut Hannibali Fabium Romanaque tela
380evasisse satis. quin et vestigia pulsi
et gressus premeret castris, ni sacra vocarent
ad patrios veneranda deos. tum versus ad urbem
alloquitur iuvenem, cui mos tramittere signa
et belli summam primasque iubebat habenas,
385atque his praeformat dictis fingitque monendo:
"si factis nondum, Minuci, te cauta probare
erudiit Fortuna meis, nec ducere verba
ad verum decus ac pravis arcere valebunt.
vidisti clausum Hannibalem. nil miles et alae
390iuvere aut densis legio conferta maniplis.
testor te, solus clausi, nec deinde morabor.
dis sine me libare dapem et sollemnia ferre:
hunc iterum atque iterum vinctum vel montibus altis
amnibus aut rapidis (modo pugna absistite) tradam.
395interea (crede experto, non fallimur) aegris
nil movisse salus rebus. sit gloria multis
et placeat, quippe egregium, prosternere ferro
hostem, sed Fabio sit vos servasse triumphus.
plena tibi castra atque intactus vulnere miles
400creditur. hos nobis (erit haec sat gloria) redde.
iam cernes Libycum huic vallo assultare leonem,
iam praedas offerre tibi, iam vertere terga
respectantem adeo atque iras cum fraude coquentem.
claude, oro, castra et cunctas spes eripe pugnae.
405haec monvisse satis. sed si compescere corda
non datur oranti, magno te iure pioque
dictator capere arma veto." sic castra relinquens
vallarat monitis ac se referebat ad urbem.
Ecce autem flatu classis Phoenissa secundo
410litora Caietae Laestrygoniosque recessus
sulcabat rostris portusque intrarat apertos
ac totus multo spumabat remige pontus,
cum trepidae fremitu vitreis e sedibus antri
aequoreae pelago simul emersere sorores
415ac possessa vident infestis litora proris.
tum magno perculsa metu Nereia turba
attonitae propere refluunt ad limina nota,
Teleboum medio surgunt qua regna profundo
pumiceaeque procul sedes. immanis in antro
420conditur abrupto Proteus ac spumea late
cautibus obiectis reiectat caerula vates.
is postquam (sat gnarus enim rerumque metusque)
per varias lusit formas et terruit atri
serpentis squamis horrendaque sibila torsit
425aut fremuit torvo mutatus membra leone,
"dicite," ait "quae causa viae? quisve ora repente
pervasit pallor? cur scire futura libido?"
ad quae Cymodoce, Nympharum maxima natu
Italidum: "nosti nostros, praesage, timores.
430quid Tyriae classes ereptaque litora nobis
portendunt? num migrantur Rhoeteia regna
in Libyam superis? aut hos Sarranus habebit
navita iam portus? patria num sede fugatae
Atlantem et Calpen extrema habitabimus antra?"
435Tunc sic, evolvens repetita exordia retro,
incipit ambiguus vates reseratque futura:
"Laomedonteus Phrygia cum sedit in Ida
pastor et errantes dumosa per avia tauros
arguta revocans ad roscida pascua canna,
440audivit sacrae lentus certamina formae,
tum, matris currus, niveos agitabat olores
tempora sollicitus litis servasse Cupido.
parvulus ex umero corytos et aureus arcus
fulgebat, nutuque vetans trepidare parentem
445monstrabat gravidam telis se ferre pharetram.
ast alius nivea comebat fronte capillos,
purpureos alius vestis religabat amictus,
cum sic suspirans roseo Venus ore decoros
alloquitur natos: "testis certissima vestrae
450ecce dies pietatis adest. quis credere salvis
hoc ausit vobis? de forma atque ore (quid ultra
iam superest rerum?) certat Venus. omnia parvis
si mea tela dedi blando medicata veneno
si vester, caelo ac terris qui foedera sancit,
455stat supplex, cum vultis, avus: victoria nostra
Cypron Idumaeas referat de Pallade palmas,
de Iunone Paphos centum mihi fumet in aris."
dumque haec aligeris instat Cytherea, sonabat
omne nemus gradiente dea. iam bellica virgo
460aegide deposita atque assuetum casside crinem
involvi tunc compta tamen pacemque serenis
condiscens oculis ibat lucoque ferebat
praedicto sacrae vestigia concita plantae.
parte alia intrabat iussis Saturnia silvis
465iudicium Phrygis et fastus pastoris et Iden
post fratris latura toros. postrema nitenti
affulsit vultu ridens Venus. omnia circa
et nemora et penitus frondosis rupibus antra
spirantem sacro traxerunt vertice odorem.
470nec iudex sedisse valet, fessique nitoris
luce cadunt oculi, ac metuit dubitasse videri.
sed victae fera bella deae vexere per aequor,
atque excisa suo pariter cum iudice Troia.
tum pius Aeneas terris iactatus et undis
475Dardanios Itala posuit tellure penates.
dum cete ponto innabunt, dum sidera caelo
lucebunt, dum sol Indo se litore tollet,
hic regna et nullae regnis per saecula metae.
at vos, o natae, currit dum immobile filum,
480Hadriaci fugite infaustas Sasonis harenas.
sanguineis tumidus ponto miscebitur undis
Aufidus et rubros impellet in aequora fluctus,
damnatoque deum quondam per carmina campo
Aetolae rursus Teucris pugnabitis umbrae.
485Punica Romuleos quatient mox spicula muros,
multaque Hasdrubalis fulgebit strage Mataurus.
hinc ille e furto genitus patruique piabit
idem ultor patrisque necem; tum litus Elissae
implebit flammis avelletque Itala Poenum
490viscera torrentem et propriis superabit in oris.
huic Carthago armis, huic Africa nomine cedet.
hic dabit ex sese, qui tertia bella fatiget
et cinerem Libyae ferat in Capitolia victor."
Quae dum arcana deum vates evolvit in antro,
495iam monita et Fabium bellique equitumque magister
exuerat mente ac praeceps tendebat in hostem.
pascere nec Poenus pravum ac nutrire furorem
derat et, ut parvo maiora ad proelia damno
eliceret, dabat interdum simulantia terga,
500non aliter, quam qui sparsa per stagna profundi
evocat e liquidis piscem penetralibus esca,
cumque levem summa vidit iam nare sub unda,
ducit sinvato captivum ad litora lino.
Fama furit versos hostes Poenumque salutem
505invenisse fuga; liceat si vincere, finem
promitti cladum; sed enim dicione carere
virtutem et poenas vincentibus esse repostas.
clausurum iam castra ducem rursusque referri
vaginae iussurum enses, reddatur in armis
510ut ratio et purget miles, cur vicerit hostem.
haec vulgus. necnon patrum Saturnia mentes
invidiae stimulo fodit et popularibus auris.
tunc indigna fide censent optandaque Poeno,
quae mox haud parvo luerent damnata periclo:
515dividitur miles, Fabioque equitumque magistro
imperia aequantur. fremitus spernebat et expers
irarum senior, magnas ne penderet alti
erroris poenas patria inconsulta, timebat.
ac tum, multa putans secum ut remeavit ab urbe,
520partitus socias vires vicina propinquis
signa iugis locat et specula sublimis ab alta
non Romana minus servat quam Punica castra.
nec mora disiecto Minuci vecordia vallo
perdendi simul et pereundi ardebat amore.
525Quem postquam rapidum vidit procedere castris
hinc Libys, hinc Fabius, simul accendere sagaces
in subitum curas. propere capere arma maniplis
edicit vallique tenet munimine turmas
Ausonius; torquet totas in proelia vires
530Poenorum ductor propellitque agmina voce:
"dum dictator abest, rape, miles, tempora pugnae.
non sperata diu plano certamina campo
offert ecce deus. quoniam data copia, longum
detergete situm ferro multoque cruore
535exsatiate, viri, plenos rubiginis enses."
Atque ea Cunctator pensabat ab aggere valli
perlustrans campos oculis tantoque periclo
discere, quinam esset Fabius, te, Roma, dolebat.
cui natus iuncta arma ferens "dabit improbus" inquit
540"quas dignum est, poenas, qui per suffragia caeca
invasit nostros haec ad discrimina fasces.
insanae spectate tribus! pro lubrica rostra
et vanis fora laeta viris! nunc munera Martis
aequent imperio et solem concedere nocti
545sciscant imbelles. magna mercede piabunt
erroris rabiem et nostrum violasse parentem."
tum senior quatiens hastam lacrimisque coortis:
"sanguine Poenorum, iuvenis, tam tristia dicta
sunt abolenda tibi. patiarne ante ora manusque
550civem deleri nostras? aut vincere Poenum
me spectante sinam? non aequavisse minorem
solvetur culpa, si sunt mihi talia corda?
iamque hoc, ne dubites, longaevi, nate, parentis
accipe et aeterno fixum sub pectore serva:
555succensere nefas patriae, nec foedior ulla
culpa sub extremas fertur mortalibus umbras.
Sic docuere senes. quantus qualisque fuisti,
cum pulsus lare et extorris Capitolia curru
intrares exul! tibi corpora caesa, Camille,
560damnata quot sunt dextra! pacata fuissent
ni consulta viro mensque impenetrabilis irae,
mutassentque solum sceptris Aeneia regna
nullaque nunc stares terrarum vertice, Roma.
pone iras, o nate, meas. socia arma feramus
565et celeremus opem." iamque intermixta sonabant
classica, procursusque viros colliserat acer.
Primus claustra manu portae dictator et altos
disiecit postes rupitque in proelia cursum.
non graviore movent venti certamina mole
570Odrysius Boreas et Syrtim tollere pollens
Africus, obnixi cum bella furentia torquent;
distraxere fretum ac diversa ad litora volvunt
aequor quisque suum; sequitur stridente procella
nunc huc, nunc illuc raptum mare et intonat undis.
575haud prorsus daret ullus honos tellusque subacta
Phoenicum et Carthago ruens, iniuria quantum
orta ex invidia decoris tulit. omnia namque
dura simul devicta viro, metus, Hannibal, irae,
invidia, atque una fama et fortuna subactae.
580Poenus ab excelso rapidos decurrere vallo
ut vidit, tremuere irae, ceciditque repente
cum gemitu spes haud dubiae praesumpta ruinae;
quippe aciem denso circumuallaverat orbe
hausurus clausos coniectis undique telis.
585atque hic Dardanius pravo certamine ductor
iam Styga et aeternas intrarat mente tenebras
(nam Fabium auxiliumque viri sperare pudebat)
cum senior gemino complexus proelia cornu
ulteriore ligat Poenorum terga corona
590et modo claudentes aciem nunc, extima cingens,
clausos ipse tenet. maiorem surgere in arma
maioremque dedit cerni Tirynthius. altae
scintillant cristae et, mirum, velocibus ingens
per subitum membris venit vigor; ingerit hastas
595adversumque premit telorum nubibus hostem,
qualis post iuvenem nondum subeunte senecta
rector erat Pylius bellis aetate secunda.
Inde ruens Thurin et Buten et Narin et Arsen
dat leto fisumque manus conferre Mahalcen,
600cui decus insigne et quaesitum cuspide nomen.
tum Garadum largumque comae prosternit Adherben
et geminas acies superantem vertice Thulin,
qui summas alto prensabat in aggere pinnas.
eminus hos. gladio Sapharum gladioque Monaesum
605et Morinum pugnas aeris stridore cientem,
dexteriore gena sedit cui letifer ictus
perque tubam fixae decurrens vulnere malae
extremo fluxit propulsus murmure sanguis.
proximus huic iaculo Nasamonius occidit Idmon.
610namque super tepido lapsantem sanguine et aegra
lubrica nitentem nequiquam evadere planta
impacto prosternit equo trepideque levantem
membra afflicta solo pressa violentius hasta
implicuit terrae telumque in caede reliquit.
615haeret humi cornus motu tremefacta iacentis
et campo servat mandatum affixa cadaver.
Necnon exemplo laudis furiata iuventus,
Syllaeque Crassique simul iunctusque Metello
Furnius ac melior dextrae Torquatus, inibant
620proelia et unanimi vel morte emisse volebant
spectari Fabio. miser hic vestigia retro
dum rapit et molem subducto corpore vitat
intorti Bibulus saxi atque in terga refertur,
strage super lapsus socium, qua fibula morsus
625loricae crebro laxata resolverat ictu,
accepit lateri penitusque in viscera adegit
exstabat fixo quod forte cadavere ferrum.
heu sortem necis! evasit Garamantica tela
Marmaridumque manus, ut inerti cuspide fusus
630occideret, telo non in sua vulnera misso.
volvitur exanimis, turpatque decora iuventa
ora novus pallor. membris dimissa solutis
arma fluunt, erratque niger per lumina somnus.
Venerat ad bellum Tyria Sidone nepotum
635excitus prece et auxilio socia arma ferebat
Eoa tumidus pharetrati militis ala
gens Cadmi, Cleadas, fulva cui plurima passim
casside et aurato fulgebat gemma monili,
qualis ubi Oceani renovatus Lucifer unda
640laudatur Veneri et certat maioribus astris.
ostro ipse ac sonipes ostro totumque per agmen
purpura Agenoreis saturata micabat aenis.
hic avidum pugnae et tam clarum excidere nomen
Brutum exoptantem varie nunc laevus in orbem,
645nunc dexter levibus flexo per devia gyris
ludificatus equo volucrem post terga sagittam
fundit Achaemenio detrectans proelia ritu.
nec damnata manus, medio sed, flebile, mento
armigeri Cascae penetrabilis haesit harundo
650obliquumque secans surrecta cuspide vulnus
umenti ferrum admovit tepefacta palato.
at Brutus diro casu turbatus amici
ausum multa virum et spargentem in vulnera saevos
fraude fugae calamos iam nullis cursibus instat
655prendere cornipedis, sed totam pectoris iram
mandat atrox hastae telumque volatile nodo
excutit ac summum, qua laxa monilia crebro
nudabant versu, tramittit cuspide pectus.
labitur intento cornu transfossus, et una
660arcum laeva cadens, dimisit dextra sagittam.
At non tam tristi sortitus proelia Marte
Phoebei Soractis honor Carmelus agebat.
sanguine quippe suo iam Bagrada tinxerat ensem,
dux rectorque Nubae populi, iam fusus eidem
665Zeusis, Amyclaei stirps impacata Phalanti,
quem tulerat mater claro Phoenissa Laconi.
talia dum metuit, nec pugnae fisus in hoste
tam rapido nec deinde fugae, suadente pavore
per dumos miser in vicina cacumina quercus
670repserat atque alta sese occultabat in umbra
Hampsicus insistens tremulis sub pondere ramis.
hunc longa multa orantem Carmelus et altos
mutantem saltu ramos transuerberat hasta,
ut, qui viscata populatur harundine lucos,
675dum nemoris celsi procera cacumina sensim
substructa certat tacitus contingere meta,
sublimem calamo sequitur crescente volucrem.
effudit vitam, atque alte manante cruore
membra pependerunt curvato exsanguia ramo.
680Iamque in palantes ac versos terga feroces
pugnabant Itali, subitus cum mole pavenda
terrificis Maurus prorumpit Tunger in armis.
nigra viro membra, et furvi iuga celsa trahebant
cornipedes, totusque novae formidinis arte
685concolor aequabat liventia currus equorum
terga, nec erectis similes imponere cristis
cessarat pennas, aterque tegebat amictus,
ceu quondam aeternae regnator noctis, ad imos
cum fugeret thalamos Hennaea virgine rapta,
690egit nigrantem Stygia caligine currum.
at Cato tum prima sparsus lanugine malas,
quod peperere decus Circaeo Tuscula dorso
moenia, Laërtae quondam regnata nepoti,
quamquam tardatos turbata fronte Latinos
695collegisse gradum videt, imperterritus ipse
ferrata calce atque effusa largus habena
cunctantem impellebat equum. negat obvius ire
et trepidat cassa sonipes exterritus umbra.
tum celer in pugnam dorso delatus ab alto
700alipedem planta currum premit atque volanti
assilit a tergo. cecidere et lora repente
et stimuli, ferrumque super cervice tremiscens
palluit infelix subducto sanguine Maurus.
ora rapit gladio praefixaque cuspide portat.
705At saevo Mavorte ferox perrumpit anhelum
dictator cum caede globum. miserabile visu,
vulneribus fessum ac multo labente cruore
ductorem cernit suprema ac foeda precantem.
manavere genis lacrimae, clipeoque paventem
710protegit et natum stimulans "fortissime, labem
hanc pellamus" ait "Poenoque ob mitia facta,
quod nullos nostris ignes disperserit arvis,
dignum expendamus pretium." tunc arte paterna
ac stimulis gaudens iuvenis circumdata Poenum
715agmina deturbat gladio campumque relaxat,
donec Sidonius decederet aequore ductor,
ceu stimulante fame rapuit cum Martius agnum
averso pastore lupus fetumque trementem
ore tenet presso, tum, si vestigia cursu
720auditis celeret balatibus obvia pastor,
iam sibimet metuens spirantem dentibus imis
reiectat praedam et vacuo fugit aeger hiatu.
tum demum, Tyrium quas circumfuderat atra
tempestas, Stygiae tandem fugere tenebrae.
725torpebant dextrae, et sese meruisse negabant
servari, subitisque bonis mens aegra natabat,
ut, qui collapsa pressi iacuere ruina,
eruta cum subito membra et nox atra recessit,
conivent solemque pavent agnoscere visu.
730Quis actis senior numerato milite laetus
colles et tuto repetebat in aggere castra.
ecce autem e media iam morte renata iuventus
clamorem tollens ad sidera et ordine longo
ibat ovans Fabiumque decus Fabiumque salutem
735certatim et magna memorabant voce parentem.
tum qui partitis dissederat ante maniplis
"sancte" ait "o genitor, revocato ad lucis honorem
si fas vera queri, cur nobis castra virosque
dividere est licitum? patiens cur arma dedisti,
740quae solus rexisse vales? hoc munere lapsi
aeternas multo cum sanguine vidimus umbras.
ocius huc aquilas servataque signa referte.
hic patria est, murique urbis stant pectore in uno.
tuque dolos, Poene, atque astus tandem exue notos;
745cum solo tibi iam Fabio sunt bella gerenda."
Haec ubi dicta dedit, mille hinc, venerabile visu,
caespite de viridi surgunt properantibus arae.
nec prius aut epulas aut munera grata Lyaei
fas cuiquam tetigisse fuit, quam multa precatus
750in mensam Fabio sacrum libavit honorem.
