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Frātērnās ăcĭēs āltērnăquĕ rēgnă prŏfānīs

dēcērtāta ŏdĭīs sōntīsque ēvōlvĕrĕ Thēbās,

Pīĕrĭūs mēntī călŏr īncĭdĭt. Ūndĕ iŭbētīs

īrĕ, dĕaē? Gēntīsnĕ cănām prīmōrdĭă dīraē,

Sīdŏnĭōs rāptūs ĕt ĭnēxōrābĭlĕ pāctūm5

lēgĭs Ăgēnŏrĕaē scrūtāntēmque aēquŏră Cādmūm?

lōngă rĕtrō sĕrĭēs, trĕpĭdūm sī Mārtĭs ŏpērtī

āgrĭcŏlam īnfāndīs cōndēntēm proēlĭă sūlcīs

ēxpĕdĭām pĕnĭtūsquĕ sĕquār, quō cārmĭnĕ mūrīs

iūssĕrĭt Āmphīōn Tўrĭōs āccēdĕrĕ mōntēs,10

ūndĕ grăvēs īraē cōgnāta īn moēnĭă Bācchō,

quōd saēvaē Iūnōnĭs ŏpūs, cuī sūmpsĕrĭt ārcūs

īnfēlīx Ăthămās, cūr nōn ēxpāvĕrĭt īngēns

Īŏnĭūm sŏcĭō cāsūră Pălaēmŏnĕ mātēr.

Ātque ădĕō iām nūnc gĕmĭtūs ēt prōspĕră Cādmī15

praētĕrĭīssĕ sĭnām: līmēs mĭhĭ cārmĭnĭs ēstŏ

Oēdĭpŏdaē cōnfūsă dŏmūs, quāndo Ītălă nōndūm

sīgnă nĕc Ārctōōs aūsīm spērārĕ trĭūmphōs

bīsquĕ iŭgō Rhēnūm, bĭs ădāctūm lēgĭbŭs Hīstrūm

ēt cōniūrātō dēiēctōs vērtĭcĕ Dācōs20

aūt dēfēnsă prĭūs vīx pūbēscēntĭbŭs ānnīs

bēllă Iŏvīs tēque, ō Lătĭaē dĕcŭs āddĭtĕ fāmaē,

quēm nŏvă mātūrē sŭbĕūntem ēxōrsă părēntīs

aētērnūm sĭbĭ Rōmă cŭpīt - lĭcĕt ārtĭŏr ōmnīs

līmĕs ăgāt stēllās ēt tē plăgă lūcĭdă caēlī,25

Plēĭădūm Bŏrĕaēque ĕt hĭūlcī fūlmĭnĭs ēxpērs,

sōllĭcĭtēt, lĭcĕt īgnĭpĕdūm frēnātŏr ĕquōrūm

īpsĕ tŭīs āltē rădĭāntēm crīnĭbŭs ārcūm

īmprĭmăt aūt māgnī cēdāt tĭbĭ Iūppĭtĕr aēquā

pārtĕ pŏlī -, mănĕās hŏmĭnūm cōntēntŭs hăbēnīs,30

ūndārūm tērraēquĕ pŏtēns, ēt sīdĕră dōnēs.

Tēmpŭs ĕrīt, cūm Pīĕrĭō tŭă fōrtĭŏr oēstrō

fāctă cănām: nūnc tēndŏ chĕlŷn sătĭs ārmă rĕfērrĕ

Āŏnĭa ēt gĕmĭnīs scēptrum ēxĭtĭālĕ tўrānnīs

nēc fŭrĭīs pōst fātă mŏdūm flāmmāsquĕ rĕbēllīs35

sēdītiōnĕ rŏgī tŭmŭlīsquĕ cărēntĭă rēgūm

fūnĕra ĕt ēgēstās āltērnīs mōrtĭbŭs ūrbēs,

caērŭlă cūm rŭbŭīt Lērnaēō sānguĭnĕ Dīrcē

ēt Thĕtĭs ārēntīs ādsuētūm strīngĕrĕ rīpās

hōrrŭĭt īngēntī vĕnĭēntem Īsmēnŏn ăcērvō.40

Quēm prĭŭs hērōūm, Clīō, dăbĭs? Īmmŏdĭcum īraē

Tŷdĕă? Laūrĭgĕrī sŭbĭtōs ān vātĭs hĭātūs?

Ūrgĕt ĕt hōstīlēm prōpēllēns caēdĭbŭs āmnēm

tūrbĭdŭs Hīppŏmĕdōn, plōrāndăquĕ bēllă prŏtērvī

Ārcădŏs ātque ălĭō Căpăneūs hōrrōrĕ cănēndūs.45

Īmpĭă iām mĕrĭtā scrūtātūs lūmĭnă dēxtrā

mērsĕrăt aētērnā dāmnātūm nōctĕ pŭdōrēm

Oēdĭpŏdēs lōngāque ănĭmām sūb mōrtĕ tĕnēbāt.

Īllum īndūlgēntēm tĕnĕbrīs īmaēquĕ rĕcēssū

sēdĭs ĭnāspēctōs caēlō rădĭīsquĕ pĕnātēs50

sērvāntēm tămĕn ādsĭdŭīs cīrcūmvŏlăt ālīs

saēvă dĭēs ănĭmī scĕlĕrūmque īn pēctŏrĕ Dīraē.

Tūnc văcŭōs ōrbēs, crūdum āc mĭsĕrābĭlĕ vītaē

sūpplĭcĭum, ōstēntāt caēlō mănĭbūsquĕ crŭēntīs

pūlsăt ĭnānĕ sŏlūm saēvāque ĭtă vōcĕ prĕcātūr:55

"Dī, sōntēs ănĭmās āngūstăquĕ Tārtără poēnīs

quī rĕgĭtīs, tūque ūmbrĭfĕrō Stŷx līvĭdă fūndō,

quām vĭdĕō, mūltūmquĕ mĭhī cōnsuētă vŏcārī

ādnŭĕ, Tīsĭphŏnē, pĕrŭērsăquĕ vōtă sĕcūndā:

sī bĕnĕ quīd mĕrŭī, sī mē dē mātrĕ cădēntēm60

fōvīstī grĕmĭo ēt trāiēctūm vūlnĕrĕ plāntās

fīrmāstī, sī stāgnă pĕtī Cīrrhaēă bĭcōrnī

īntērfūsă iŭgō, pōssēm cūm dēgĕrĕ fālsō

cōntēntūs Pŏlўbō, trĭfĭdaēque īn Phōcĭdŏs ārtō

lōngaēvum īmplĭcŭī rēgēm sĕcŭīquĕ trĕmēntīs65

ōră sĕnīs, dūm quaērŏ pătrēm, sī Sphīngŏs ĭnīquaē

cāllĭdŭs āmbāgēs tē praēmōnstrāntĕ rĕsōlvī,

sī dūlcīs fŭrĭās ēt lāmēntābĭlĕ mātrīs

cōnŭbĭūm gāvīsŭs ĭnī nōctēmquĕ nĕfāndām

saēpĕ tŭlī nātōsquĕ tĭbī, scīs īpsă, părāvī,70

mōx ăvĭdūs poēnaē dĭgĭtīs caēdēntĭbŭs ūltrō

īncŭbŭī mĭsĕrāque ŏcŭlōs īn mātrĕ rĕlīquī:

ēxaūdī, sī dīgnă prĕcōr quaēque īpsă fŭrēntī

sūbĭcĕrēs. ōrbūm vīsū rēgnīsquĕ cărēntēm

nōn rĕgĕre aūt dīctīs maērēntēm flēctĕre ădōrtī,75

quōs gĕnŭī quōcūmquĕ tŏrō; quīn ēccĕ sŭpērbī

prō dŏlŏr!) ēt nōstrō iāmdūdūm fūnĕrĕ rēgēs

īnsūltānt tĕnĕbrīs gĕmĭtūsque ōdērĕ pătērnōs.

Hīsne ĕtĭām fūnēstŭs ĕgo? Ēt vĭdĕt īstă dĕōrūm

īgnāvūs gĕnĭtōr? Tū sāltēm dēbĭtă vīndēx80

hūc ădĕs ēt tōtōs īn poēnam ōrdīrĕ nĕpōtēs.

Īndŭĕ quōd mădĭdūm tābō dĭădēmă crŭēntīs

ūnguĭbŭs ābrĭpŭī, vōtīsque īnstīnctă pătērnīs

ī mĕdĭa īn frātrēs, gĕnĕrīs cōnsōrtĭă fērrō

dīssĭlĭānt. Dā, Tārtărĕī rēgīnă bărāthrī,85

quōd cŭpĭām vīdīssĕ nĕfās, nēc tārdă sĕquētūr

mēns iŭvĕnūm; mŏdŏ dīgnă vĕnī: mĕă pīgnŏră nōscēs."

Tālĭă dīcēntī crūdēlīs dīvă sĕvērōs

ādvērtīt vūltūs. Ĭnămoēnūm fōrtĕ sĕdēbāt

Cōcŷtōn iūxtā, rĕsŏlūtăquĕ vērtĭcĕ crīnēs90

lāmbĕrĕ sūlpŭrĕās pērmīsĕrăt ānguĭbŭs ūndās.

Īlĭcĕt īgnĕ Iŏvīs lāpsīsquĕ cĭtātĭŏr āstrīs

trīstĭbŭs ēxĭlŭīt rīpīs: dīscēdĭt ĭnānĕ

vūlgŭs ĕt ōccūrsūs dŏmĭnaē păvĕt; īllă pĕr ūmbrās

ēt cālīgāntēs ănĭmārum ēxāmĭnĕ cāmpōs95

Taēnărĭaē līmēn pĕtĭt īrrĕmĕābĭlĕ pōrtaē.

Sēnsĭt ădēssĕ Dĭēs, pĭcĕō Nōx ōbvĭă nīmbō

lūcēntēs tūrbāvĭt ĕquōs; prŏcŭl ārdŭŭs Ātlāns

hōrrŭĭt ēt dŭbĭā caēlūm cērvīcĕ rĕmīsīt.

ārrĭpĭt ēxtēmplō Mălĕaē dē vāllĕ rĕsūrgēns100

nōtum ĭtĕr ād Thēbās; nĕque ĕnīm vēlōcĭŏr ūllās

ītquĕ rĕdītquĕ vĭās cōgnātăvĕ Tārtără māvūlt.

Cēntum īllī stāntēs ūmbrābānt ōră cĕrāstaē,

tūrbă mĭnāx dīrī căpĭtīs; sĕdĕt īntŭs ăbāctīs

fērrĕă lūx ŏcŭlīs, quālīs pēr nūbĭlă Phoēbēs105

Ātrăcĭā rŭbĕt ārtĕ lăbōr; sūffūsă vĕnēnō

tēndĭtŭr āc sănĭē glīscīt cŭtĭs; īgnĕŭs ātrō

ōrĕ văpōr, quō lōngă sĭtīs mōrbīquĕ fămēsquĕ

ēt pŏpŭlīs mōrs ūnă vĕnīt; rĭgĕt hōrrĭdă tērgō

pālla, ēt caērŭlĕī rĕdĕūnt īn pēctŏră nōdī:110

Ātrŏpŏs hōs ātque īpsă nŏvāt Prōsērpĭnă cūltūs.

Tūnc gĕmĭnās quătĭt īră mănūs: haēc īgnĕ rŏgālī

fūlgŭrăt, haēc vīvō mănŭs āĕră vērbĕrăt hŷdrō.

Ūt stĕtĭt, ābrūptā quā plūrĭmŭs ārcĕ Cĭthaērōn

ōccūrrīt caēlō, fĕră sībĭlă crīnĕ vĭrēntī115

cōngĕmĭnāt, sīgnūm tērrīs, ūnde ōmnĭs Ăchaēī

ōră mărīs lātē Pĕlŏpēăquĕ rēgnă rĕsūltānt.

Aūdĭĭt ēt mĕdĭūs caēlī Pārnāsŏs ĕt āspēr

Eūrōtās, dŭbĭāmquĕ iŭgō frăgŏr īmpŭlĭt Oētēn

īn lătŭs, ēt gĕmĭnīs vīx flūctĭbŭs ōbstĭtĭt Īsthmōs.120

Īpsă sŭūm gĕnĕtrīx cūrvō dēlphīnĕ văgāntēm

ābrĭpŭīt frēnīs grĕmĭōquĕ Pălaēmŏnă prēssīt.

Ātque ĕă Cādmēō praēcēps ŭbĭ cūlmĭnĕ prīmūm

cōnstĭtĭt āssuētāque īnfēcīt nūbĕ pĕnātēs,

prōtĭnŭs āttŏnĭtī frātrūm sūb pēctŏrĕ mōtūs,125

gēntīlīsque ănĭmōs sŭbĭīt fŭrŏr aēgrăquĕ laētīs

īnvĭdĭa ātquĕ părēns ŏdĭī mĕtŭs, īndĕ rĕgēndī

saēvŭs ămōr, rūptaēquĕ vĭcēs iūrīsquĕ sĕcūndī

āmbĭtŭs īmpătĭēns, ēt sūmmō dūlcĭŭs ūnūm

stārĕ lŏcō, sŏcĭīsquĕ cŏmēs dīscōrdĭă rēgnīs.130

Sīc ŭbĭ dēlēctōs pēr tōrva ārmēntă iŭvēncōs

āgrĭcŏla īmpŏsĭtō sŏcĭāre ādfēctăt ărātrō,

īlli īndīgnāntēs, quīs nōndūm vōmĕrĕ mūltō

ārdŭă nōdōsōs cērvīx dēscēndĭt ĭn ārmōs,

īn dīvērsă trăhūnt ātque aēquīs vīncŭlă lāxānt135

vīrĭbŭs ēt vărĭō cōnfūndūnt līmĭtĕ sūlcōs:

haūd sĕcŭs īndŏmĭtōs praēcēps dīscōrdĭă frātrēs

āspĕrăt. Āltērnī plăcŭīt sūb lēgĭbŭs ānnī

ēxsĭlĭō mūtārĕ dŭcēm. Sīc iūrĕ mălīgnō

fōrtūnām trānsīrĕ iŭbēnt, ūt scēptră tĕnēntēm140

foēdĕrĕ praēcĭpĭtī sēmpēr nŏvŭs āngĕrĕt hērēs.

Haēc īntēr frātrēs pĭĕtās ĕrăt, haēc mŏră pūgnaē

sōlă nĕc īn rēgēm pērdūrātūră sĕcūndūm.

Ēt nōndūm crāssō lăquĕārĭă fūlvă mĕtāllō,

mōntĭbŭs aūt āltē Grāīs ēffūltă nĭtēbānt145

ātrĭă, cōngēstōs sătĭs ēxplĭcĭtūră clĭēntīs;

nōn īmpācātīs rēgum ādvĭgĭlāntĭă sōmnīs

pīlă, nĕc āltērnā fērrī stătĭōnĕ gĕmēntēs

ēxcŭbĭaē nēc cūră mĕrō cōmmīttĕrĕ gēmmās

ātque aūrūm vĭŏlārĕ cĭbīs: sēd nūdă pŏtēstās150

ārmāvīt frātrēs, pūgna ēst dē paūpĕrĕ rēgnō.

Dūmque ŭtĕr āngūstaē squālēntĭă iūgĕră Dīrcēs

vērtĕrĕt aūt Tўrĭī sŏlĭō nōn āltŭs ŏvārēt

ēxsŭlĭs āmbĭgĭtūr, pĕrĭīt iūs fāsquĕ bŏnūmquĕ

ēt vītaē mōrtīsquĕ pŭdōr. Quō tēndĭtĭs īrās,155

ā, mĭsĕrī? Quīd sī pĕtĕrētūr crīmĭnĕ tāntō

līmĕs ŭtērquĕ pŏlī, quēm Sōl ēmīssŭs Ĕōō

cārdĭnĕ, quēm pōrtū vērgēns prōspēctăt Hĭbērō,

quāsquĕ prŏcūl tērrās ōblīquō sīdĕrĕ tāngīt

āvĭŭs aūt Bŏrĕā gĕlĭdās mădĭdīvĕ tĕpēntēs160

īgnĕ Nŏtī? quīd sī Phrўgĭaē Tўrĭaēquĕ sŭb ūnūm

cōnvēctēntŭr ŏpēs. Lŏcă dīra ārcēsquĕ nĕfāndaē

sūffēcēre ŏdĭō, fŭrĭīsque īmmānĭbŭs ēmptūm

Oēdĭpŏdaē sēdīssĕ lŏcō. Iām sōrtĕ cărēbāt

dīlātūs Pŏlўnīcĭs hŏnōs. Quīs tūnc tĭbĭ, saēvĕ,165

quīs fŭĭt īllĕ dĭēs, văcŭā cūm sōlŭs ĭn aūlā

rēspĭcĕrēs iūs ōmnĕ tŭūm cūnctōsquĕ mĭnōrēs,

ēt nūsquām pār stārĕ căpūt? Iām mūrmŭră sērpūnt

plēbĭs Ĕchīŏnĭaē, tăcĭtūmque ā prīncĭpĕ vūlgūs

dīssĭdĕt, ēt, quī mōs pŏpŭlīs, vēntūrŭs ămātūr.170

Ātque ălĭquīs, cuī mēns hŭmĭlī laēsīssĕ vĕnēnō

sūmmă nĕc īmpŏsĭtōs ūmquām cērvīcĕ vŏlēntī

fērrĕ dŭcēs: "Hāncne Ōgўgĭīs" ăĭt "āspĕră rēbūs

fātă tŭlērĕ vĭcēm, tŏtĭēns mūtārĕ tĭmēndōs

āltērnōquĕ iŭgō dŭbĭtāntĭă sūbdĕrĕ cōllă?175

Pārtītī vērsānt pŏpŭlōrūm fātă mănūquĕ

fōrtūnām fēcērĕ lĕvēm. Sēmpērnĕ vĭcīssīm

ēxŭlĭbūs sērvīrĕ dăbōr? tĭbĭ, sūmmĕ dĕōrūm

tērrārūmquĕ sătōr, sŏcĭīs hānc āddĕrĕ mēntēm

sēdĭt? Ăn īndĕ vĕtūs Thēbīs ēxtēndĭtŭr ōmēn,180

ēx quō Sīdŏnĭī nēquīquām blāndă iŭvēncī

pōndĕră Cārpăthĭō iūssūs sălĕ quaērĕrĕ Cādmūs

ēxsŭl Hўāntēōs īnvēnīt rēgnă pĕr āgrōs,

frātērnāsque ăcĭēs fētaē tēllūrĭs hĭātū

aūgŭrĭūm sērōs dīmīsĭt ăd ūsquĕ nĕpōtēs?185

Cērnĭs, ŭt ērēctūm tōrvā sūb frōntĕ mĭnētūr

saēvĭŏr āssūrgēns dēmptō cōnsōrtĕ pŏtēstās.

Quās gĕrĭt ōrĕ mĭnās, quāntō prĕmĭt ōmnĭă fāstū!

Hīcne ūmquām prīvātŭs ĕrīt? Tămĕn īllĕ prĕcāntī

mītĭs ĕt ādfātū bŏnŭs ēt pătĭēntĭŏr aēquī.190

quīd mīrūm? Nōn sōlŭs ĕrāt. Nōs vīlĭs ĭn ōmnīs

prōmptă mănūs cāsūs, dŏmĭnō cuīcūmquĕ părātī.

quālĭtĕr hīnc gĕlĭdūs Bŏrĕās, hīnc nūbĭfĕr Eūrūs

vēlă trăhūnt, nūtāt mĕdĭaē fōrtūnă cărīnaē,

- heū dŭbĭō sūspēnsă mĕtū tŏlĕrāndăquĕ nūllīs195

āspĕră sōrs pŏpŭlīs! - hīc īmpĕrăt, īllĕ mĭnātūr".

Āt Iŏvĭs īmpĕrĭō răpĭdī sŭpĕr ātrĭă caēlī

lēctūs cōncĭlĭō dīvūm cōnvēnĕrăt ōrdŏ

īntĕrĭōrĕ pŏlō. spătĭīs hīnc ōmnĭă iūxtā,

prīmaēque ōccĭdŭaēquĕ dŏmūs ēt fūsă sŭb ōmnī200

tērra ātque ūndă dĭē. Mĕdĭīs sēse ārdŭŭs īnfērt

īpsĕ dĕīs, plăcĭdō quătĭēns tămĕn ōmnĭă vūltū,

stēllāntīquĕ lŏcāt sŏlĭō; nēc prōtĭnŭs aūsī

caēlĭcŏlaē, vĕnĭām dōnēc pătĕr īpsĕ sĕdēndī

trānquīllā iŭbĕt ēssĕ mănū. Mōx tūrbă văgōrūm205

sēmĭdĕum ēt sūmmīs cōgnātī nūbĭbŭs Āmnēs

ēt cōmprēssă mĕtū sērvāntēs mūrmŭră Vēntī

aūrĕă tēctă rĕplēnt. Mīxtā cōnvēxă dĕōrūm

māiēstātĕ trĕmūnt, rădĭānt māiōrĕ sĕrēnō

cūlmĭna ĕt ārcānō flōrēntēs lūmĭnĕ pōstēs.210

Pōstquām iūssă quĭēs sĭlŭītque ēxtērrĭtŭs ōrbīs,

īncĭpĭt ēx āltō - grăve ĕt īmmūtābĭlĕ sānctīs

pōndŭs ădēst vērbīs, ēt vōcēm fātă sĕquūntūr -:

"Tērrārūm dēlīctă nĕc ēxsătŭrābĭlĕ Dīrīs

īngĕnĭūm mōrtālĕ quĕrōr. Quōnam ūsquĕ nŏcēntūm215

ēxĭgăr īn poēnās? taēdēt saēvīrĕ cŏrūscō

fūlmĭnĕ, iām prīdēm Cŷclōpum ŏpĕrōsă fătīscūnt

brācchĭa ĕt Aēŏlĭīs dēsūnt īncūdĭbŭs īgnēs.

Ātque ădĕō tŭlĕrām fālsō rēctōrĕ sŏlūtōs

Sōlĭs ĕquōs, caēlūmquĕ rŏtīs ērrāntĭbŭs ūrī,220

ēt Phăĕthōntēā mūndūm squālērĕ făvīllā.

Nīl āctūm, nĕquĕ tū vălĭdā quōd cūspĭdĕ lātē

īrĕ pĕr īllĭcĭtūm pĕlăgō, gērmānĕ, dĕdīstī.

nūnc gĕmĭnās pūnīrĕ dŏmōs, quīs sānguĭnĭs aūctōr

īpse ĕgŏ, dēscēndō. Pērsēōs āltĕr ĭn Ārgōs225

scīndĭtŭr, Āŏnĭās flŭĭt hīc ăb ŏrīgĭnĕ Thēbās.

Mēns cūnctīs īmpōstă mănēt: quīs fūnĕră Cādmī

nēscĭăt ēt tŏtĭēns ēxcītam ā sēdĭbŭs īmīs

Eūmĕnĭdūm bēllāsse ăcĭēm, mălă gaūdĭă mātrūm

ērrōrēsquĕ fĕrōs nĕmŏrum ēt rĕtĭcēndă dĕōrūm230

crīmĭnă? Vīx lūcīs spătĭō, vīx nōctĭs ăbāctaē

ēnŭmĕrārĕ quĕām mōrēs gēntēmquĕ prŏfānām.

Scāndĕrĕ quīn ĕtĭām thălămōs hīc īmpĭŭs hērēs

pātrĭs ĕt īmmĕrĭtaē grĕmĭum īncēstārĕ părēntīs

āppĕtĭīt, prŏprĭōs mōnstrō rĕvŏlūtŭs ĭn ōrtūs.235

Īllĕ tămēn sŭpĕrīs aētērnă pĭācŭlă sōlvīt

prōĭĕcītquĕ dĭēm, nēc iam āmplĭŭs aēthĕrĕ nōstrō

vēscĭtŭr; āt nātī - făcĭnūs sĭnĕ mōrĕ! - cădēntēs

cālcāvēre ŏcŭlōs. iām iām rătă vōtă tŭlīstī

dīrĕ sĕnēx! Mĕrŭērĕ tŭaē, mĕrŭērĕ tĕnēbraē240

ūltōrēm spērārĕ Iŏvēm. Nŏvă sōntĭbŭs ārmă

īnĭcĭām rēgnīs, tōtūmque ā stīrpĕ rĕvēllām

ēxĭtĭālĕ gĕnūs. Bēllī mĭhĭ sēmĭnă sūntō

Ādrāstūs sŏcĕr ēt sŭpĕrīs ādiūnctă sĭnīstrīs

cōnŭbĭa. Hānc ĕtĭām poēnīs īncēssĕrĕ gēntēm245

dēcrētūm; nĕque ĕnim ārcānō dē pēctŏrĕ fāllāx

Tāntălŭs ēt saēvaē pĕrĭīt īniūrĭă mēnsaē".

Sīc pătĕr ōmnĭpŏtēns. āst īllī saūcĭă dīctīs

flāmmātō vērsāns ĭnŏpīnūm cōrdĕ dŏlōrēm

tālĭă Iūnŏ rĕfērt: "Mēne, ō iūstīssĭmĕ dīvūm,250

mē bēllō cērtārĕ iŭbēs? Scīs, sēmpĕr ŭt ārcēs

Cŷclōpūm māgnīquĕ Phŏrōnĕŏs īnclĭtă fāmā

scēptră vĭrīs ŏpĭbūsquĕ iŭvēm, lĭcĕt īmprŏbŭs īllīc

cūstōdēm Phărĭaē sōmnō lētōquĕ iŭvēncaē

ēxstīnguās, saēptīs ēt tūrrĭbŭs aūrĕŭs īntrēs.255

Mēntītīs īgnōscŏ tŏrīs: īllam ōdĭmŭs ūrbēm,

quām vūltū cōnfēssŭs ădīs, ŭbĭ cōnscĭă māgnī

sīgnă tŏrī tŏnĭtrūs ăgĭs ēt mĕă fūlmĭnă tōrquēs.

Fāctā luānt Thēbaē: cūr hōstēs ēlĭgĭs Ārgōs?

quīn ăgĕ, sī tānta ēst thălămī dīscōrdĭă sānctī,260

ēt Sămŏn ēt vĕtĕrēs ārmīs ēxscīndĕ Mўcēnās,

vērtĕ sŏlō Spārtēn. Cūr ūsquām sānguĭnĕ fēstō

cōniŭgĭs āră tŭaē, cŭmŭlō cūr tūrĭs Ĕōī

laētă călēt? Mĕlĭūs vōtīs Mărĕōtĭcă fūmāt

Cōptŏs ĕt aērĭsŏnī lūgēntĭă flūmĭnă Nīlī.265

Quōd sī prīscă lŭūnt aūctōrūm crīmĭnă gēntēs

sūbvēnītquĕ tŭīs sēra haēc sēntēntĭă cūrīs,

pērcēnsēre aēvī sĕnĭūm, quō tēmpŏrĕ tāndēm

tērrārūm fŭrĭās ăbŏlēre ēt saēcŭlă rētrō

ēmēndārĕ săt ēst? iāmdūdum āb sēdĭbŭs īllīs270

īncĭpĕ, flūctĭvăgā quā praētērlābĭtŭr ūndā

Sīcănĭōs lōngē rĕlĕgēns Ālphēŏs ămōrēs.

Ārcădĕs hīc tŭă - nēc pŭdŏr ēst - dēlūbră nĕfāstīs

īmpŏsŭērĕ lŏcīs, īllīc Māvōrtĭŭs āxīs

Oēnŏmăī Gĕtĭcōquĕ pĕcūs stăbŭlārĕ sŭb Haēmō275

dīgnĭŭs, ābrūptīs ĕtĭāmnum ĭnhŭmātă prŏcōrūm

rēlĭquĭīs trūnca ōră rĭgēnt. tămĕn hīc tĭbĭ tēmplī

grātŭs hŏnōs, plăcĕt Īdă nŏcēns mēntītăquĕ mānēs

Crētă tŭōs. Mē Tāntălĕīs cōnsīstĕrĕ tēctīs,

quaē tāndem īnvĭdĭa ēst? bēllī dēflēctĕ tŭmūltūs280

ēt gĕnĕrīs mĭsĕrēscĕ tŭī. Sūnt īmpĭă lātē

rēgnă tĭbī, mĕlĭūs gĕnĕrōs pāssūră nŏcēntēs."

Fīnĭĕrāt prĕcĭbūs mīscēns cōnvīcĭă Iūnŏ.

Āt nōn īllĕ grăvīs dīctīs, quāmquam āspĕră mōtū,

rēddĭdĭt haēc: "Ĕquĭdem haūd rēbār tē mēntĕ sĕcūndā285

lātūrām, quōdcūmquĕ tŭōs, lĭcĕt aēquŭs, ĭn Ārgōs

cōnsŭlĕrēm, nĕquĕ mē, sī dētūr cōpĭă, fāllīt

mūltă sŭpēr Thēbīs Bācchum aūsūrāmquĕ Dĭōnēn

dīcĕrĕ, sēd nōstrī rĕvĕrēntĭă pōndĕrĭs ōbstāt.

Hōrrēndōs ĕtĕnīm lătĭcēs, Stўgĭa aēquŏră frātrīs290

ōbtēstōr, mānsūrum ātque īrrĕvŏcābĭlĕ vērbūm,

nīl fŏrĕ, quōd dīctīs flēctār! quāre īmpĭgĕr ālīs

pōrtāntēs praēcēdĕ Nŏtōs, Cŷllēnĭă prōlēs,

āĕră pēr lĭquĭdūm rēgnīsque īllāpsŭs ŏpācīs

dīc pătrŭō: sŭpĕrās sĕnĭōr se āttōllăt ăd aūrās295

Lāĭŭs, ēxstīnctūm nātī quēm vūlnĕrĕ nōndūm

ūltĕrĭōr Lēthēs āccēpīt rīpă prŏfūndī

lēge Ĕrĕbī; fĕrăt hīc dīrō mĕă iūssă nĕpōtī:

gērmānum ēxsĭlĭō frētum Ārgŏlĭcīsquĕ tŭmēntēm

hōspĭtĭīs, quōd spōntĕ cŭpīt, prŏcŭl īmpĭŭs aūlā300

ārcĕăt, āltērnūm rēgni īnfĭtĭātŭs hŏnōrēm.

Hīnc caūsae īrārūm, cērtō rĕlĭqua ōrdĭnĕ dūcām".

Pārĕt Ătlāntĭădēs dīctīs gĕnĭtōrĭs ĕt īndĕ

sūmmă pĕdūm prŏpĕrē plāntārĭbŭs īllĭgăt ālīs,

ōbnūbītquĕ cŏmās ēt tēmpĕrăt āstră gălērō.305

Tūm dēxtraē vīrgam īnsĕrŭīt, quā pēllĕrĕ dūlcēs

aūt suādēre ĭtĕrūm sōmnōs, quā nīgră sŭbīrĕ

Tārtăra ĕt ēxsānguīs ănĭmāre āssuēvĕrăt ūmbrās.

Dēsĭlŭīt, tĕnŭīque ēxcēptŭs ĭnhōrrŭĭt aūrā.

Nēc mŏră, sūblīmīs rāptīm pĕr ĭnānĕ vŏlātūs310

cārpĭt ĕt īngēntī dēsīgnāt nūbĭlă gŷrō.

Īntĕrĕā pătrĭīs ōlīm văgŭs ēxsŭl ăb ōrīs

Oēdĭpŏdīŏnĭdēs fūrtō dēsērtă pĕrērrāt

Āŏnĭaē. iāmiāmque ănĭmīs mălĕ dēbĭtă rēgnă

cōncĭpĭt, ēt lōngūm sīgnīs cūnctāntĭbŭs ānnūm315

stārĕ gĕmīt. Tĕnĕt ūnă dĭēs nōctēsquĕ rĕcūrsāns

cūră vĭrūm, sī quāndo hŭmĭlēm dēcēdĕrĕ rēgnō

gērmānum ēt sēmēt Thēbīs ŏpĭbūsquĕ pŏtītūm

cērnĕrĕt; hāc aēvūm cŭpĭāt prō lūcĕ păcīscī.

Nūnc quĕrĭtūr ceū tārdă fŭgaē dīspēndĭă, sēd mōx320

āttōllīt flātūs dŭcĭs ēt sēdīssĕ sŭpērbūs

dēiēctō iām frātrĕ pŭtāt: spēs ānxĭă mēntēm

ēxtrăhĭt ēt lōngō cōnsūmīt gaūdĭă vōtō.

Tūnc sĕdĕt, Īnăchĭās ūrbēs Dănăēĭăque ārvă

ēt cālīgāntēs ābrūptō sōlĕ Mўcēnās325

fērre ĭtĕr īmpăvĭdūm, seū praēvĭă dūcĭt Ĕrīnŷs,

seū fōrs īllă vĭaē, sīve hāc īmmōtă vŏcābāt

Ātrŏpŏs. Ōgўgĭīs ŭlŭlātă fŭrōrĭbŭs āntră

dēsĕrĭt ēt pīnguēs Bācchēō sānguĭnĕ cōllēs.

Īndĕ plăgām, quā mōllĕ sĕdēns īn plānă Cĭthaērōn330

pōrrĭgĭtūr lāssūmque īnclīnăt ăd aēquŏră mōntēm,

praētĕrĭt. Hīnc ārtē scŏpŭlōso īn līmĭtĕ pēndēns

īnfāmēs Scīrōnĕ pĕtrās Scŷllaēăquĕ rūră

pūrpŭrĕō rēgnātă sĕnī mītēmquĕ Cŏrīnthōn

līnquĭt ĕt īn mĕdĭīs aūdīt dŭŏ lītŏră cāmpīs.335

Iāmquĕ pĕr ēmĕrĭtī sūrgēns cōnfīnĭă Phoēbī

Tītānīs lātē, mūndō sūbvēctă sĭlēntī,

rōrĭfĕrā gĕlĭdūm tĕnŭāvĕrăt āĕră bīgā;

iām pĕcŭdēs vŏlŭcrēsquĕ tăcēnt, iām Sōmnŭs ăvārīs

īrrēpsīt cūrīs prōnūsque ēx aēthĕrĕ nūtāt,340

grātă lăbōrātaē rĕfĕrēns ōblīvĭă vītaē.

Sēd nēc pūnĭcĕō rĕdĭtūrūm nūbĭlă caēlō

prōmīsērĕ iŭbār, nēc rārēscēntĭbŭs ūmbrīs

lōngă rĕpērcūssō nĭtŭērĕ crĕpūscŭlă Phoēbō:

dēnsĭŏr ā tērrīs ēt nūllī pērvĭă flāmmaē345

sūbtēxīt nōx ātră pŏlōs. Iām claūstră rĭgēntīs

Aēŏlĭaē pērcūssă sŏnānt, vēntūrăquĕ raūcō

ōrĕ mĭnātŭr hĭēmps, vēntī trānsvērsă frĕmēntēs

cōnflīgūnt āxēmque ēmōtō cārdĭnĕ vēllūnt,

dūm caēlūm sĭbĭ quīsquĕ răpīt; sēd plūrĭmŭs Aūstēr350

īnglŏmĕrāt nōctēm, tĕnĕbrōsă vŏlūmĭnă tōrquēns,

dēfūndītque īmbrēs, sīccō quōs āspĕr hĭātū

praēsŏlĭdāt Bŏrĕās; nēc nōn ābrūptă trĕmīscūnt

fūlgŭra, ĕt āttrītūs sŭbĭtā făcĕ rūmpĭtŭr aēthēr.

Iām Nĕmĕā, iām Taēnărĭīs cōntērmĭnă lūcīs355

Ārcădĭaē căpĭta āltă mădēnt; rŭĭt āgmĭnĕ māgnō

Īnăchŭs ēt gĕlĭdās sūrgēns Ĕrăsīnŭs ĭn ūndās.

Pūlvĕrŭlēntă prĭūs cālcātăquĕ flūmĭnă nūllaē

āggĕrĭbūs tĕnŭērĕ mŏraē, stāgnōquĕ rĕfūsāst

fūndĭtŭs ēt vĕtĕrī spūmāvīt Lērnă vĕnēnō.360

Frāngĭtŭr ōmnĕ nĕmūs, răpĭūnt āntīquă prŏcēllaē

brācchĭă sīlvārūm, nūllīsque āspēctă pĕr aēvūm

sōlĭbŭs ūmbrōsī pătŭēre aēstīvă Lўcaēī.

Īllĕ tămēn, mŏdŏ sāxă iŭgīs fŭgĭēntĭă rūptīs

mīrātūs, mŏdŏ nūbĭgĕnās ē mōntĭbŭs āmnēs365

aūrĕ păvēns pāssīmque īnsānō tūrbĭnĕ rāptās

pāstōrūm pĕcŏrūmquĕ dŏmōs, nōn sēgnĭŭs āmēns

īncērtūsquĕ vĭaē pēr nīgră sĭlēntĭă vāstūm

haūrĭt ĭtēr; pūlsāt mĕtŭs ūndĭque ĕt ūndĭquĕ frātēr.

Āc vĕlŭt hībērnō dēprēnsūs nāvĭtă pōntō,370

cuī nĕquĕ Tēmŏ pĭgēr nĕque ămīcō sīdĕrĕ mōnstrāt

Lūnă vĭās, mĕdĭō caēlī pĕlăgīquĕ tŭmūltū

stāt rătĭōnĭs ĭnōps, iāmiāmque aūt sāxă mălīgnīs

ēxspēctāt sūbmērsă vădīs aūt vērtĭce ăcūtō

spūmāntēs scŏpŭlōs ērēctae īncūrrĕrĕ prōraē:375

tālĭs ŏpācă lĕgēns nĕmŏrūm Cādmēĭŭs hērōs

āccĕlĕrāt, vāstō mĕtŭēnda ūmbōnĕ fĕrārūm

ēxcŭtĭēns stăbŭla, ēt prōnō vīrgūltă rĕfrīngīt

pēctŏrĕ; dāt stĭmŭlōs ănĭmō vīs maēstă tĭmōrīs,

dōnĕc ăb Īnăchĭīs vīctā cālīgĭnĕ tēctīs380

ēmĭcŭīt lūcēm dēvēxa īn moēnĭă fūndēns

Lārīsaēŭs ăpēx. Īllō spē cōncĭtŭs ōmnī

ēvŏlăt, hīnc cēlsaē Iūnōnĭă tēmplă Prŏsŷmnaē

laēvŭs hăbēns, hīnc Hērcŭlĕō sīgnātă văpōrĕ

Lērnaēī stāgna ātră vădī, tāndēmquĕ rĕclūsīs385

īnfērtūr pōrtīs. Āctūtūm rēgĭă cērnīt

vēstĭbŭla; hīc ārtūs īmbrī vēntōquĕ rĭgēntīs

prōĭcĭt īgnōtaēque ācclīnīs pōstĭbŭs aūlaē

īnvītāt tĕnŭīs ād dūră cŭbīlĭă sōmnōs.

Rēx ĭbĭ trānquīllē, mĕdĭō dē līmĭtĕ vītaē390

īn sĕnĭūm vērgēns, pŏpŭlōs Ādrāstŭs hăbēbāt,

dīvĕs ăvīs ĕt ŭtrōquĕ Iŏvēm dē sānguĭnĕ dūcēns.

Hīc sēxūs mĕlĭōrĭs ĭnōps, sēd prōlĕ vĭrēbāt

fēmĭnĕā, gĕmĭnō nātārūm pīgnŏrĕ fūltūs.

Cuī Phoēbūs gĕnĕrōs - mōnstrum ēxĭtĭābĭlĕ dīctū!395

mōx ădăpērtă fĭdēs - fātō dūcēntĕ cănēbāt

saētĭgĕrūmquĕ sŭem ēt fūlvum ādvēntārĕ lĕōnēm.

Īd vōlvēns nōn īpsĕ pătēr, nōn dōctĕ fŭtūrī

Āmphĭărāĕ vĭdēs, ĕtĕnīm vĕtăt aūctŏr Ăpōllŏ.

tāntum īn cōrdĕ sĕdēns aēgrēscīt cūră părēntī.400

Ēcce aūtem āntīquām fātō Călўdōnă rĕlīnquēns

Ōlĕnĭūs Tŷdeūs - frātērnī sānguĭnĭs īllūm

cōnscĭŭs hōrrŏr ăgīt - ĕădēm sūb nōctĕ sŏpōrā

lūstră tĕrīt, sĭmĭlīsquĕ Nŏtōs dēquēstŭs ĕt īmbrēs,

īnfūsām tērgō glăcĭem ēt līquēntĭă nīmbīs405

ōră cŏmāsquĕ gĕrēns sŭbĭt ūnō tēgmĭnĕ, cūiūs

fūsŭs hŭmō gĕlĭdā pārtēm prĭŏr hōspĕs hăbēbāt.

hīc vēro āmbōbūs răbĭēm fōrtūnă crŭēntām

āttŭlĭt: haūd pāssī sŏcĭīs dēfēndĕrĕ nōctēm

cūlmĭnĭbūs, paūlum āltērnīs īn vērbă mĭnāsquĕ410

cūnctāntūr; mōx ūt iāctīs sērmōnĭbŭs īraē

īntŭmŭērĕ sătīs, tūm vēro ērēctŭs ŭtērquĕ

ēxsērtāre ŭmĕrōs nūdāmquĕ lăcēssĕrĕ pūgnām.

Cēlsĭŏr īllĕ grădū prōcēra īn mēmbră sĭmūlquĕ

īntĕgĕr ānnōrūm, sēd nōn ēt vīrĭbŭs īnfrā415

Tŷdĕă fērt ănĭmūs, tōtōsque īnfūsă pĕr ārtūs

māiŏr ĭn ēxĭgŭō rēgnābāt cōrpŏrĕ vīrtūs.

Iām crēbrōs īctūs ōra ēt căvă tēmpŏră cīrcūm

ōbnīxi īngĕmĭnānt, tēlōrum aūt grāndĭnĭs īnstār

Rhīpaēaē, flēxōquĕ gĕnū văcŭa īlĭă tūndūnt.420

Nōn ălĭtēr quām Pīsaēō sŭă lūstră Tŏnāntī

cūm rĕdĕūnt crūdīsquĕ vĭrūm sūdōrĭbŭs ārdēt

pūlvĭs; ăt hīnc tĕnĕrōs căvĕaē dīssēnsŭs ĕphēbōs

cōncĭtăt, ēxclūsaēque ēxspēctānt praēmĭă mātrēs:

sīc ălăcrēs ŏdĭō nūllāquĕ cŭpīdĭnĕ laūdīs425

āccēnsi īncūrrūnt, scrūtātŭr ĕt īntĭmă vūltūs

ūncă mănūs pĕnĭtūsque ŏcŭlīs cēdēntĭbŭs īntrāt.

Fōrsăn ĕt āccīnctōs lătĕrī - sīc īră fĕrēbāt -

nūdāssēnt ēnsēs, mĕlĭūsque hōstīlĭbŭs ārmīs

lūgēndūs frātrī, iŭvĕnīs Thēbānĕ, iăcērēs,430

nī rēx, īnsŏlĭtūm clāmōrem ēt pēctŏre ăb āltō

strīdēntēs gĕmĭtūs nōctīs mīrātŭs ĭn ūmbrīs,

mōvīssēt grēssūs, māgnīs cuī sōbrĭă cūrīs

pēndēbāt sōmnō iām dētĕrĭōrĕ sĕnēctūs.

Īsque ŭbĭ prōgrĕdĭēns nŭmĕrōsā lūcĕ pĕr āltă435

ātrĭă dīmōtīs ādvērsō līmĭnĕ claūstrīs

tērrĭbĭlēm dīctū făcĭēm, lăcĕra ōră pŭtrēsquĕ

sānguĭnĕō vĭdĕt īmbrĕ gĕnās: "Quaē caūsă fŭrōrīs,

ēxtērnī iŭvĕnēs - nĕque ĕnīm mĕŭs aūdĕăt īstās

cīvĭs ĭn ūsquĕ mănūs -, quīsnam īmplācābĭlĭs ārdōr440

ēxtūrbāre ŏdĭīs trānquīllă sĭlēntĭă nōctīs?

Ūsque ādeōne āngūstă dĭēs ēt trīstĕ, părūmpēr

pācem ănĭmō sōmnūmquĕ pătī? sēd prōdĭtĕ tāndēm,

ūnde ōrtī, quō fērtĭs ĭtēr, quaē iūrgĭă? nām vōs

haūd hŭmĭlēs tānta īră dŏcēt, gĕnĕrīsquĕ sŭpērbī445

māgnă pĕr ēffūsūm clārēscūnt sīgnă crŭōrēm".

Vīx ĕă, cūm mīxtō clāmōre ōblīquă tŭēntēs

īncĭpĭūnt ūnā: "Rēx ō mītīssĭme Ăchīvūm,

quīd vērbīs ŏpŭs? Īpse ūndāntīs sānguĭnĕ vūltūs

āspĭcĭs". Haēc pāssīm tūrbātīs vōcĭs ămāraē450

cōnfūdērĕ sŏnīs; īnde ōrsŭs ĭn ōrdĭnĕ Tŷdeūs

cōntĭnŭāt: "Maēstī cŭpĭēns sōlācĭă cāsūs

mōnstrĭfĕraē Călўdōnĭs ŏpēs Ăchĕlōĭăque ārvă

dēsĕrŭī; vēstrīs haēc me ēcce īn fīnĭbŭs īngēns

nōx ŏpĕrīt. tēctō caēlūm prŏhĭbērĕ quĭs īstĕ455

ārcŭĭt? ān quŏnĭām prĭŏr haēc ād līmĭnă fōrtĕ

mōlītūs grēssūs? părĭtēr stăbŭlārĕ bĭmēmbrēs

Cēntaūrōs ūnāquĕ fĕrūnt Cŷclōpăs ĭn Aētnā

cōmpŏsĭtōs. Sūnt ēt răbĭdīs iūra īnsĭtă mōnstrīs

fāsquĕ sŭūm: nōbīs sŏcĭārĕ cŭbīlĭă tērraē.460

Sēd quĭd ĕgo? aūt hŏdĭē spŏlĭīs gāvīsŭs ăbībīs,

quīsquĭs ĕs, hīs, aūt mē, sī nōn ēffētŭs ŏbōrtō

sānguĭs hĕbēt lūctū, māgnī dē stīrpĕ crĕātūm

Oēnĕŏs ēt Mārtī nōn dēgĕnĕrārĕ pătērnō

āccĭpĭēs". "Nēc nōs ănĭmī nēc stīrpĭs ĕgēntēs"465

īllĕ rĕfērt cōntrā, sēd mēns sĭbĭ cōnscĭă fātī

cūnctātūr prōfērrĕ pătrēm. tūnc mītĭs Ădrāstūs:

"Īmmo ăgĭte, ēt pŏsĭtīs, quās nōx ĭnŏpīnăquĕ suāsīt

aūt vīrtūs aūt īră, mĭnīs sūccēdĭtĕ tēctō.

Iām părĭtēr cŏĕānt ănĭmōrum īn pīgnŏră dēxtraē.470

Nōn haēc īncāssūm dīvīsque ābsēntĭbŭs āctă;

fōrsăn ĕt hās vēntūrŭs ămōr praēmīsĕrĭt īrās,

ūt mĕmĭnīssĕ iŭvēt". nēc vānā vōcĕ lŏcūtūs

fātă sĕnēx, sĭquĭdem hānc pĕrhĭbēnt pēr vūlnĕră iūnctīs

ēssĕ fĭdēm, quāntā pārtītum ēxtrēmă prŏtērvō475

Thēsĕă Pīrĭthŏō, vĕl ĭnānēm mēntĭs Ŏrēstēn

ōppŏsĭtō răbĭdām Pўlădē vītāssĕ Mĕgaērām.

Tūnc quŏquĕ mūlcēntēm dīctīs cōrda āspĕră rēgēm

iām făcĭlēs, vēntīs ūt dēcērtātă rĕsīdūnt

aēquŏră, lāxātīsquĕ dĭū tămĕn aūră sŭpērstēs480

īmmŏrĭtūr vēlīs, pāssī sŭbĭērĕ pĕnātēs.

Hīc prīmūm lūstrāre ŏcŭlīs cūltūsquĕ vĭrōrūm

tēlăquĕ māgnă văcāt: tērgō vĭdĕt hūiŭs ĭnānēm

īmpēxīs ūtrīmquĕ iŭbīs hōrrērĕ lĕōnēm,

īllĭŭs īn spĕcĭēm, quēm pēr Teūmēsĭă tēmpē485

Āmphĭtrўōnĭădēs frāctūm iŭvĕnālĭbŭs ānnīs

āntĕ Clĕōnaēī vēstītūs proēlĭă mōnstrī.

Tērrĭbĭlēs cōntrā saētīs āc dēntĕ rĕcūrvō

Tŷdĕă pēr lātōs ŭmĕrōs āmbīrĕ lăbōrānt

ēxŭvĭaē, Călўdōnĭs hŏnōs. Stŭpĕt ōmĭnĕ tāntō490

dēfīxūs sĕnĭōr, dīvīna ōrācŭlă Phoēbī

āgnōscēns mŏnĭtūsquĕ dătōs vōcālĭbŭs āntrīs.

Ōbtūtū gĕlĭda ōră prĕmīt, laētūsquĕ pĕr ārtūs

hōrrŏr ĭīt; sēnsīt mănĭfēstō nūmĭnĕ dūctōs

ādfŏrĕ, quōs nēxīs āmbāgĭbŭs aūgŭr Ăpōllŏ495

pōrtēndī gĕnĕrōs, vūltū fāllēntĕ fĕrārūm,

ēdĭdĕrāt. tūnc sīc tēndēns ād sīdĕră pālmās:

"Nōx, quaē tērrārūm caēlīque āmplēxă lăbōrēs

īgnĕă mūltĭvăgō trānsmīttīs sīdĕră lāpsū,

īndūlgēns rĕpărāre ănĭmūm, dūm prōxĭmŭs aēgrīs500

īnfūndāt Tītān ăgĭlēs ănĭmāntĭbŭs ōrtūs,

tū mĭhĭ pērplēxīs quaēsītam ērrōrĭbŭs ūltrō

ādvĕhĭs ālmă fĭdēm vĕtĕrīsque ēxōrdĭă fātī

dētĕgĭs: āssīstās ŏpĕrī tŭăque ōmĭnă fīrmēs.

Sēmpĕr hŏnōrātām dīmēnsīs ōrbĭbŭs ānnī505

tē dŏmŭs īstă cŏlēt; nīgrī tĭbĭ, dīvă, lĭtābūnt

ēlēctā cērvīcĕ grĕgēs, lūstrālĭăque ēxtă

lāctĕ nŏvō pērfūsŭs ĕdēt Vūlcānĭŭs īgnīs.

Sālvē prīscă fĭdēs trĭpŏdum ōbscūrīquĕ rĕcēssūs!

Dēprēndī, Fōrtūnă, dĕōs!" Sīc fātŭs, ĕt āmbōs510

īnnēctēns mănĭbūs tēcta īntĕrĭōrĭs ăd aūlaē

prōgrĕdĭtūr. Cānīs ĕtĭāmnum āltārĭbŭs īgnēs

sōpītūm cĭnĕrem ēt tĕpĭdī lībāmĭnă sācrī

sērvābānt; ădŏlērĕ fŏcōs ĕpŭlāsquĕ rĕcēntēs

īnstaūrārĕ iŭbēt. Dīctīs pārērĕ mĭnīstrī515

cērtātim āccĕlĕrānt; vărĭō strĕpĭt īctă tŭmūltū

rēgĭă: pārs ōstrō tĕnŭēs aūrōquĕ sŏnāntēs

ēmūnīrĕ tŏrōs āltēque īnfērrĕ tăpētās,

pārs tĕrĕtīs lēvārĕ mănu āc dīspōnĕrĕ mēnsās.

Āst ălĭī tĕnĕbrās ĕt ŏpācām vīncĕrĕ nōctēm520

ādgrēssī tēndūnt aūrātīs vīncŭlă lŷchnīs.

Hīs lăbŏr īnsērtō tōrrēre ēxsānguĭă fērrō

vīscĕră caēsārūm pĕcŭdum, hīs cŭmŭlārĕ cănīstrīs

pērdŏmĭtām sāxō Cĕrĕrēm. Laētātŭr Ădrāstūs

ōbsĕquĭō fērvērĕ dŏmūm, iāmque īpsĕ sŭpērbīs525

fūlgēbāt strātīs sŏlĭōque ēffūltŭs ĕbūrnō.

Pārte ălĭā iŭvĕnēs sīccātī vūlnĕră lŷmphīs

dīscūmbūnt, sĭmŭl ōră nŏtīs foēdātă tŭēntūr

īnquĕ vĭcem īgnōscūnt. Tūnc rēx lōngaēvŭs Ăcāstēn

- nātārum haēc āltrīx ĕădem ēt fīdīssĭmă cūstōs530

lēctă săcrūm iūstaē Vĕnĕri ōccūltārĕ pŭdōrēm -

īmpĕrăt āccīrī tăcĭtāque īmmūrmŭrăt aūrĕ.

Nēc mŏră praēcēptīs, cūm prōtĭnŭs ūtrăquĕ vīrgŏ

ārcāno ēgrēssaē thălămō: mīrābĭlĕ vīsū,

Pāllădŏs ārmĭsŏnaē phărĕtrātaēque ōră Dĭānaē535

aēquă fĕrūnt, tērrōrĕ mĭnūs. Nŏvă deīndĕ pŭdōrī

vīsă vĭrūm făcĭēs: părĭtēr pāllōrquĕ rŭbōrquĕ

pūrpŭrĕās haūsērĕ gĕnās, ŏcŭlīquĕ vĕrēntēs

ād sānctūm rĕdĭērĕ pătrēm. Pōstquam ōrdĭnĕ mēnsaē

vīctă fămēs, sīgnīs pērfēctam aūrōquĕ nĭtēntēm540

Īăsĭdēs pătĕrām fămŭlōs ēx mōrĕ pŏpōscīt,

quā Dănăūs lībārĕ dĕīs sĕnĭōrquĕ Phŏrōneūs

āssuētī. tĕnĕt haēc ŏpĕrūm caēlātă fĭgūrās:

Pērseūs ānguĭcŏmām praēsēctō Gōrgŏnă cōllō

ālĕs hăbēt, iāmiāmquĕ văgās - ĭtă vīsŭs - ĭn aūrās545

ēxsĭlĭt; īllă grăvīs ŏcŭlōs lānguēntĭăque ōră

paēnĕ mŏvēt vīvōque ĕtĭām pāllēscĭt ĭn aūrō.

Hīnc Phrўgĭūs fūlvīs vēnātōr tōllĭtŭr ālīs,

Gārgără dēsīdūnt sūrgēnti ēt Trōiă rĕcēdīt,

stānt maēstī cŏmĭtēs, frūstrāquĕ sŏnāntĭă lāssānt550

ōră cănēs ūmbrāmquĕ pĕtūnt ēt nūbĭlă lātrānt.

Hānc ūndāntĕ mĕrō fūndēns vŏcăt ōrdĭnĕ cūnctōs

caēlĭcŏlās, Phoēbum ānte ălĭōs, Phoēbum ōmnĭs ăd ārām

laūdĕ cĭēt cŏmĭtūm fămŭlūmque ēvīnctă pŭdīcā

frōndĕ mănūs, cuī fēstă dĭēs lārgōquĕ rĕfēctī555

tūrĕ văpōrātīs lūcēnt āltārĭbŭs īgnēs.

Fōrsĭtăn, ō iŭvĕnēs, quaē sīnt ĕă sācră quĭbūsquĕ

praēcĭpŭūm caūsīs Phoēbi ōbtēstēmŭr hŏnōrēm"

rēx ăĭt, "ēxquīrānt ănĭmī. Nōn īnscĭă suāsīt

rēlĭgĭō, māgnīs ēxērcĭtă clādĭbŭs ōlīm560

plēbs Ārgīvă lĭtānt; ănĭmōs ādvērtĭtĕ, pāndām.

Pōstquām caērŭlĕī sĭnŭōsă vŏlūmĭnă mōnstrī,

tērrĭgĕnām Pŷthōnă dĕūs sēptem ōrbĭbŭs ātrīs

āmplēxām Dēlphōs squāmīsque ānnōsă tĕrēntēm

rōbŏră, Cāstălĭīs dūm fōntĭbŭs ōrĕ trĭsūlcō565

fūsŭs hĭāt nīgrō sĭtĭēns ălĭmēntă vĕnēnō,

pērcŭlĭt, ābsūmptīs nŭmĕrōsa īn vūlnĕră tēlīs,

Cīrrhaēīquĕ dĕdīt cēntūm pēr iūgĕră cāmpī

vīx tāndem ēxplĭcĭtūm, nŏvă deīndĕ pĭācŭlă caēdīs

pērquīrēns nōstrī tēcta haūd ŏpŭlēntă Crŏtōpī570

āttĭgĭt. Huīc prīmīs ēt pūbem ĭnĕūntĭbŭs ānnīs

mīră dĕcōrĕ pĭō sērvābāt nātă pĕnātēs

īntĕmĕrātă tŏrīs. Fēlīx, sī Dēlĭă nūmquām

fūrtă nĕc ōccūltūm Phoēbō sŏcĭāssĕt ămōrēm!

Nāmque ūt pāssă dĕūm Nĕmĕaēi ād flūmĭnĭs ūndām,575

bīs quīnōs plēnā cūm frōntĕ rĕsūmĕrĕt ōrbēs

Cŷnthĭă, sīdĕrĕūm Lātōnaē fētă nĕpōtēm

ēdĭdĭt; āc poēnām mĕtŭēns - nĕque ĕnim īllĕ cŏāctīs

dōnāssēt thălămīs vĕnĭām pătĕr - āvĭă rūră

ēlĭgĭt āc nātūm saēpta īntĕr ŏvīlĭă fūrtīm580

mōntĭvăgō pĕcŏrīs cūstōdī māndăt ălēndūm.

Nōn tĭbĭ dīgnă, pŭēr, gĕnĕrīs cūnābŭlă tāntī

grāmĭnĕōs dĕdĭt hērbă tŏrōs ēt vīmĭnĕ quērnō

tēxtă dŏmūs; claūsa ārbŭtĕī sūb cōrtĭcĕ lībrī

mēmbră tĕpēnt, suādētquĕ lĕvēs căvă fīstŭlă sōmnōs,585

ēt pĕcŏrī cōmmūnĕ sŏlūm. Sēd fātă nĕc īllūm

cōncēssērĕ lărēm; vĭrĭdī nām caēspĭtĕ tērraē

prōiēctūm tĕmĕre ēt pătŭlō caēlum ōrĕ trăhēntēm

dīră cănūm răbĭēs, mōrsū dēpāstă crŭēntō,

dīssĭcĭt. hīc vēro āttŏnĭtās ūt nūntĭŭs aūrēs590

mātrĭs ădīt, pūlsi ēx ănĭmō gĕnĭtōrquĕ pŭdōrquĕ

ēt mĕtŭs: īpsa ūltrō saēvīs plāngōrĭbŭs āmēns

tēctă rĕplēt, văcŭūmquĕ fĕrēns vēlāmĭnĕ pēctūs

ōccūrrīt cōnfēssă pătrī; nēc mōtŭs ĕt ātrō

īmpĕrăt - īnfāndūm! - cŭpĭēntem ōccūmbĕrĕ lētō.595

Sērŏ mĕmōr thălămī maēstaē sōlācĭă mōrtī,

Phoēbĕ, părās mōnstrum īnfāndīs Ăchĕrōntĕ sŭb īmō

cōncēptum Eūmĕnĭdūm thălămīs, cuī vīrgĭnĭs ōră

pēctŏrăque; aētērnūm strīdēns ā vērtĭcĕ sūrgīt

ēt fērrūgĭnĕām frōntēm dīscrīmĭnăt ānguīs.600

Haēc tūm dīră lŭēs nōctūrnō squālĭdă pāssū

īllābī thălămīs, ănĭmāsque ā stīrpĕ rĕcēntīs

ābrĭpĕre āltrīcūm grĕmĭīs mōrsūquĕ crŭēntō

dēvēsci ēt mūltūm pătrĭō pīnguēscĕrĕ lūctū.

Haūt tŭlĭt ārmōrūm praēstāns ănĭmīquĕ Cŏroēbūs605

sēque ūltrō lēctīs iŭvĕnūm, quī rōbŏrĕ prīmī

fāmām pōsthăbĭtā făcĭlēs ēxtēndĕrĕ vītā,

ōbtŭlĭt. īllă nŏvōs ībāt pŏpŭlātă pĕnātēs

pōrtārum īn bĭvĭō - lătĕrī dŭŏ cōrpŏră pārvūm

dēpēndēnt, ēt iam ūncă mănūs vītālĭbŭs haērēt610

fērrātīque ūnguēs tĕnĕrō sūb cōrdĕ tĕpēscūnt -:

ōbvĭŭs huīc, lătŭs ōmnĕ vĭrūm stīpāntĕ cŏrōnā,

fīt iŭvĕnīs, fērrūmque īngēns sūb pēctŏrĕ dūrō

cōndĭdĭt, ātque īmās ănĭmaē mūcrōnĕ cŏrūscō

scrūtātūs lătĕbrās tāndēm sŭă mōnstră prŏfūndō615

rēddĭt hăbērĕ Iŏvi. iŭvăt īre ēt vīsĕrĕ iūxtā

līvēntīs īn mōrte ŏcŭlōs ŭtĕrīquĕ nĕfāndām

prōlŭvĭem ēt crāssō squālēntĭă pēctŏră tābō,

quā nōstraē cĕcĭdēre ănĭmaē. Stŭpĕt Īnăchă pūbēs,

māgnăquĕ pōst lăcrĭmās ĕtĭāmnūnc gaūdĭă pāllēnt.620

Hī trăbĭbūs dūrīs, sōlācĭă vānă dŏlōrī,

prōtĕrĕre ēxănĭmōs ārtūs āsprōsquĕ mŏlārēs

dēcūlcārĕ gĕnīs, nĕquĭt īram ēxplērĕ pŏtēstās.

Īllam ēt nōctūrnō cīrcūm strīdōrĕ vŏlāntēs

īmpāstaē fūgīstĭs ăvēs, răbĭdāmquĕ cănūm vīm625

ōrăquĕ sīccă fĕrūnt trĕpĭdōrum ĭnhĭāssĕ lŭpōrūm.

Saēvĭŏr īn mĭsĕrōs fātīs ūltrīcĭs ădēmptaē

Dēlĭŭs īnsūrgīt, sūmmāquĕ bĭvērtĭcĭs ūmbrā

Pārnāsī rĕsĭdēns ārcū crūdēlĭs ĭnīquō

pēstĭfĕra ārmă iăcīt, cāmpōsque ēt cēlsă Cўclōpūm630

tēctă sŭpēriēctō nĕbŭlārum īncēndĭt ămīctū.

Lābūntūr dūlcēs ănĭmaē, Mōrs fīlă Sŏrōrūm

ēnsĕ mĕtīt cāptāmquĕ tĕnēns fērt mānĭbŭs ūrbēm.

Quaērēntī, quaē caūsă, dŭcī, quĭs ăb aēthĕrĕ laēvūs

īgnĭs ĕt īn tōtūm rēgnārēt Sīrĭŭs ānnūm,635

īdem aūctōr Paēān rūrsūs iŭbĕt īrĕ crŭēntō

īnfĕrĭās mōnstrō iŭvĕnēs, quī caēdĕ pŏtītī.

fōrtūnāte ănĭmī lōngūmque īn saēcŭlă dīgnē

prōmĕrĭtūrĕ dĭēm! Nōn tū pĭă dēgĕnĕr ārmă

ōccŭlĭs aūt cērtaē trĕpĭdās ōccūrrĕrĕ mōrtī.640

cōmmĭnŭs ōră fĕrēns Cīrrhaēi īn līmĭnĕ tēmplī

cōnstĭtĭt ēt sācrās ĭtă vōcĭbŭs āspĕrăt īrās:

"Nōn mīssūs, Thŷmbraēĕ, tŭōs sūpplēxvĕ pĕnātēs

ādvĕnĭō: mĕă mē pĭĕtās ēt cōnscĭă vīrtūs

hās ēgērĕ vĭās. Ĕgŏ sūm, quī caēdĕ sŭbēgī,645

Phoēbĕ, tŭūm mōrtālĕ nĕfās, quēm nūbĭbŭs ātrīs

ēt squālēntĕ dĭē, nīgrā quēm tābĕ sĭnīstrī

quaērĭs, ĭnīquĕ, pŏlī. Quōdsī mōnstra ēffĕră māgnīs

cāra ădĕō sŭpĕrīs, iāctūrăquĕ vīlĭŏr ōrbī

mōrs hŏmĭnum ēt saēvō tānta īnclēmēntĭă caēlōst,650

quīd mĕrŭēre Ārgī? Mē, mē, dīvum ōptĭmĕ, sōlūm

ōbiēcīssĕ căpūt fātīs praēstābăt. Ăn īllūd

lēnĕ măgīs cōrdī, quōd dēsōlātă dŏmōrūm

tēctă vĭdēs, īgnīquĕ dătīs cūltōrĭbŭs ōmnīs

lūgĕt ăgēr? sēd quīd fāndō tŭă tēlă mănūsquĕ655

dēmŏrŏr? ēxspēctānt mātrēs, sūprēmăquĕ fīūnt

vōtă mĭhī. sătĭs ēst: mĕrŭī, nē pārcĕrĕ vēllēs.

Proīndĕ mŏvē phărĕtrās ārcūsque īntēndĕ sŏnōrōs

īnsīgnēmque ănĭmām lētō dēmīttĕ; sĕd īllūm,

pāllĭdŭs Īnăchĭīs quī dēsŭpĕr īmmĭnĕt Ārgīs,660

dūm mŏrĭōr, dīspēllĕ glŏbūm". sōrs aēquă mĕrēntēs

rēspĭcĭt. Ārdēntēm tĕnŭīt rĕvĕrēntĭă caēdīs

Lētŏĭdēn, trīstēmquĕ vĭrō sūbmīssŭs hŏnōrēm

lārgītūr vītaē; nōstrō mălă nūbĭlă caēlō

dīffŭgĭūnt, āt tū stŭpĕfācti ā līmĭnĕ Phoēbī665

ēxōrātŭs ăbīs. Īnde haēc stătă sācră quŏtānnīs

sōllēmnēs rĕcŏlūnt ĕpŭlaē, Phoēbēăquĕ plācāt

tēmplă nŏvātŭs hŏnōs. hās fōrte īnvīsĭtĭs ārās

vōs quaē prōgĕnĭēs? Quāmquām Călўdōnĭŭs Oēneūs,

ēt Pārthāŏnĭaē, sī dūdūm cērtŭs ăd aūrēs670

clāmŏr ĭīt, tĭbĭ iūră dŏmūs. Tū pāndĕ, quĭs Ārgōs

ādvĕnĭās, quāndo haē vărĭīs sērmōnĭbŭs hōraē".

Dēiēcīt maēstōs ēxtēmplo Īsmēnĭŭs hērōs

īn tērrām vūltūs, tăcĭtēque ād Tŷdĕă laēsūm

ōblīquāre ŏcŭlōs; tūm lōngă sĭlēntĭă mōvīt:675

"Nōn sŭpĕr hōs dīvūm tĭbĭ sūm quaērēndŭs hŏnōrēs,

ūndĕ gĕnūs, quaē tērră mĭhī, quīs dēflŭăt ōrdŏ

sānguĭnĭs āntīquī: pĭgĕt īntēr sācră fătērī.

Sēd sī praēcĭpĭtānt mĭsĕrūm cōgnōscĕrĕ cūraē,

Cādmŭs ŏrīgŏ pătrūm, tēllūs Māvōrtĭă Thēbē,680

ēst gĕnĕtrīx Ĭŏcāstă mĭhī". Tūm mōtŭs Ădrāstūs

hōspĭtĭīs - āgnōvĭt ĕnīm -: "Quīd nōtă rĕcōndīs?

Scīmŭs" ăīt "nēc sīc āvērsūm fāmă Mўcēnīs

vōlvĭt ĭtēr. rēgnum ēt fŭrĭās ŏcŭlōsquĕ pŭdēntēs

nōvĭt ĕt Ārctōīs sī quīs dē sōlĭbŭs hōrrēt685

quīquĕ bĭbīt Gāngēn aūt nīgrum ōccāsĭbŭs īntrāt

Ōcĕănum, ēt sī quōs īncērtō lītŏrĕ Sŷrtēs

dēstĭtŭūnt. Nē pērgĕ quĕrī cāsūsquĕ prĭōrūm

ānnŭmĕrārĕ tĭbī: nōstrō quŏquĕ sānguĭnĕ mūltūm

ērrāvīt pĭĕtās, nēc cūlpă nĕpōtĭbŭs ōbstāt.690

Tū mŏdŏ dīssĭmĭlīs rēbūs mĕrĕārĕ sĕcūndīs

ēxcūsārĕ tŭōs. ēt iām tēmōnĕ sŭpīnō

lānguĕt Hўpērbŏrĕaē glăcĭālīs pōrtĭtŏr Ūrsaē.

Fūndĭtĕ vīnă fŏcīs, sērvātōrēmquĕ părēntūm

Lētŏĭdēn vōtīs ĭtĕrūmque ĭtĕrūmquĕ cănāmūs.695

Phoēbĕ părēns, seū tē Lўcĭaē Pătărēă nĭvōsīs

ēxērcēnt dūmētă iŭgīs, seū rōrĕ pŭdīcō

Cāstălĭaē flāvōs ămŏr ēst tĭbĭ mērgĕrĕ crīnēs,

seū Troīām Thŷmbraēŭs hăbēs, ŭbĭ fāmă vŏlēntēm

īngrātīs Phrўgĭōs ŭmĕrīs sŭbĭīssĕ mŏlārēs,700

seū iŭvăt Aēgaēūm fĕrĭēns Lātōnĭŭs ūmbrā

Cŷnthŭs ĕt āssĭdŭām pĕlăgō nōn quaērĕrĕ Dēlōn:

tēlă tĭbī lōngēquĕ fĕrōs lēntāndŭs ĭn hōstēs

ārcŭs, ĕt aēthĕrĭī dōnō cēssērĕ părēntēs

aētērnūm flōrērĕ gĕnās, tū dōctŭs ĭnīquās705

Pārcārūm praēnōssĕ mănūs fātūmquĕ quŏd ūltrāst

ēt sūmmō plăcĭtūră Iŏvī, quīs lētĭfĕr ānnūs,

bēllă quĭbūs pŏpŭlīs, quaē mūtēnt scēptră cŏmētaē,

tū Phrўgă sūbmīttīs cĭthăraē, tū mātrĭs hŏnōrī

tērrĭgĕnām Tĭtўōn Stўgĭīs ēxtēndĭs hărēnīs.710

Tē vĭrĭdīs Pŷthōn Thēbānăquĕ mātĕr ŏvāntēm

hōrrŭĭt īn phărĕtrīs, ūltrīx tĭbĭ tōrvă Mĕgaēră

iēiūnūm Phlĕgўān sūbtēr căvă sāxă iăcēntēm

aētērnō prĕmĭt āccŭbĭtū dăpĭbūsquĕ prŏfānīs

īnstĭmŭlāt, sēd mīxtă fămēm fāstīdĭă vīncūnt:715

ādsīs, ō mĕmŏr hōspĭtĭī, Iūnōnĭăque ārvă

dēxtĕr ămēs, seū tē rŏsĕūm Tītānă vŏcārī

gēntĭs Ăchaēmĕnĭaē rītū, seū praēstăt Ŏsīrīm

frūgĭfĕrūm, seū Pērsaēī sūb rūpĭbŭs āntrī

īndīgnātă sĕquī tōrquēntēm cōrnŭă Mīthrām."720

Fraternas acies alternaque regna profanis

decertata odiis sontisque evolvere Thebas,

Pierius menti calor incidit. Unde iubetis

ire, deae? Gentisne canam primordia dirae,

5Sidonios raptus et inexorabile pactum

legis Agenoreae scrutantemque aequora Cadmum?

longa retro series, trepidum si Martis operti

agricolam infandis condentem proelia sulcis

expediam penitusque sequar, quo carmine muris

10iusserit Amphion Tyrios accedere montes,

unde graves irae cognata in moenia Baccho,

quod saevae Iunonis opus, cui sumpserit arcus

infelix Athamas, cur non expaverit ingens

Ionium socio casura Palaemone mater.

15Atque adeo iam nunc gemitus et prospera Cadmi

praeteriisse sinam: limes mihi carminis esto

Oedipodae confusa domus, quando Itala nondum

signa nec Arctoos ausim sperare triumphos

bisque iugo Rhenum, bis adactum legibus Histrum

20et coniurato deiectos vertice Dacos

aut defensa prius vix pubescentibus annis

bella Iovis teque, o Latiae decus addite famae,

quem nova mature subeuntem exorsa parentis

aeternum sibi Roma cupit - licet artior omnis

25limes agat stellas et te plaga lucida caeli,

Pleiadum Boreaeque et hiulci fulminis expers,

sollicitet, licet ignipedum frenator equorum

ipse tuis alte radiantem crinibus arcum

imprimat aut magni cedat tibi Iuppiter aequa

30parte poli -, maneas hominum contentus habenis,

undarum terraeque potens, et sidera dones.

Tempus erit, cum Pierio tua fortior oestro

facta canam: nunc tendo chelyn satis arma referre

Aonia et geminis sceptrum exitiale tyrannis

35nec furiis post fata modum flammasque rebellis

seditione rogi tumulisque carentia regum

funera et egestas alternis mortibus urbes,

caerula cum rubuit Lernaeo sanguine Dirce

et Thetis arentis adsuetum stringere ripas

40horruit ingenti venientem Ismenon acervo.

Quem prius heroum, Clio, dabis? Immodicum irae

Tydea? Laurigeri subitos an vatis hiatus?

Urget et hostilem propellens caedibus amnem

turbidus Hippomedon, plorandaque bella protervi

45Arcados atque alio Capaneus horrore canendus.

Impia iam merita scrutatus lumina dextra

merserat aeterna damnatum nocte pudorem

Oedipodes longaque animam sub morte tenebat.

Illum indulgentem tenebris imaeque recessu

50sedis inaspectos caelo radiisque penates

servantem tamen adsiduis circumuolat alis

saeva dies animi scelerumque in pectore Dirae.

Tunc vacuos orbes, crudum ac miserabile vitae

supplicium, ostentat caelo manibusque cruentis

55pulsat inane solum saevaque ita voce precatur:

"Di, sontes animas angustaque Tartara poenis

qui regitis, tuque umbrifero Styx livida fundo,

quam video, multumque mihi consueta vocari

adnue, Tisiphone, perversaque vota secunda:

60si bene quid merui, si me de matre cadentem

fovisti gremio et traiectum vulnere plantas

firmasti, si stagna peti Cirrhaea bicorni

interfusa iugo, possem cum degere falso

contentus Polybo, trifidaeque in Phocidos arto

65longaevum implicui regem secuique trementis

ora senis, dum quaero patrem, si Sphingos iniquae

callidus ambages te praemonstrante resolvi,

si dulcis furias et lamentabile matris

conubium gavisus ini noctemque nefandam

70saepe tuli natosque tibi, scis ipsa, paravi,

mox avidus poenae digitis caedentibus ultro

incubui miseraque oculos in matre reliqui:

exaudi, si digna precor quaeque ipsa furenti

subiceres. orbum visu regnisque carentem

75non regere aut dictis maerentem flectere adorti,

quos genui quocumque toro; quin ecce superbi

pro dolor!) et nostro iamdudum funere reges

insultant tenebris gemitusque odere paternos.

Hisne etiam funestus ego? Et videt ista deorum

80ignavus genitor? Tu saltem debita vindex

huc ades et totos in poenam ordire nepotes.

Indue quod madidum tabo diadema cruentis

unguibus abripui, votisque instincta paternis

i media in fratres, generis consortia ferro

85dissiliant. Da, Tartarei regina barathri,

quod cupiam vidisse nefas, nec tarda sequetur

mens iuvenum; modo digna veni: mea pignora nosces."

Talia dicenti crudelis diva severos

advertit vultus. Inamoenum forte sedebat

90Cocyton iuxta, resolutaque vertice crines

lambere sulpureas permiserat anguibus undas.

Ilicet igne Iovis lapsisque citatior astris

tristibus exilvit ripis: discedit inane

vulgus et occursus dominae pavet; illa per umbras

95et caligantes animarum examine campos

Taenariae limen petit irremeabile portae.

Sensit adesse Dies, piceo Nox obvia nimbo

lucentes turbavit equos; procul arduus Atlans

horruit et dubia caelum cervice remisit.

100arripit extemplo Maleae de valle resurgens

notum iter ad Thebas; neque enim velocior ullas

itque reditque vias cognatave Tartara mavult.

Centum illi stantes umbrabant ora cerastae,

turba minax diri capitis; sedet intus abactis

105ferrea lux oculis, qualis per nubila Phoebes

Atracia rubet arte labor; suffusa veneno

tenditur ac sanie gliscit cutis; igneus atro

ore vapor, quo longa sitis morbique famesque

et populis mors una venit; riget horrida tergo

110palla, et caerulei redeunt in pectora nodi:

Atropos hos atque ipsa novat Proserpina cultus.

Tunc geminas quatit ira manus: haec igne rogali

fulgurat, haec vivo manus aëra verberat hydro.

Ut stetit, abrupta qua plurimus arce Cithaeron

115occurrit caelo, fera sibila crine virenti

congeminat, signum terris, unde omnis Achaei

ora maris late Pelopeaque regna resultant.

Audiit et medius caeli Parnasos et asper

Eurotas, dubiamque iugo fragor impulit Oeten

120in latus, et geminis vix fluctibus obstitit Isthmos.

Ipsa suum genetrix curvo delphine vagantem

abripuit frenis gremioque Palaemona pressit.

Atque ea Cadmeo praeceps ubi culmine primum

constitit assuetaque infecit nube penates,

125protinus attoniti fratrum sub pectore motus,

gentilisque animos subiit furor aegraque laetis

invidia atque parens odii metus, inde regendi

saevus amor, ruptaeque vices iurisque secundi

ambitus impatiens, et summo dulcius unum

130stare loco, sociisque comes discordia regnis.

Sic ubi delectos per torva armenta iuvencos

agricola imposito sociare adfectat aratro,

illi indignantes, quis nondum vomere multo

ardua nodosos cervix descendit in armos,

135in diversa trahunt atque aequis vincula laxant

viribus et vario confundunt limite sulcos:

haud secus indomitos praeceps discordia fratres

asperat. Alterni placuit sub legibus anni

exsilio mutare ducem. Sic iure maligno

140fortunam transire iubent, ut sceptra tenentem

foedere praecipiti semper novus angeret heres.

Haec inter fratres pietas erat, haec mora pugnae

sola nec in regem perduratura secundum.

Et nondum crasso laquearia fulva metallo,

145montibus aut alte Grais effulta nitebant

atria, congestos satis explicitura clientis;

non impacatis regum aduigilantia somnis

pila, nec alterna ferri statione gementes

excubiae nec cura mero committere gemmas

150atque aurum violare cibis: sed nuda potestas

armavit fratres, pugna est de paupere regno.

Dumque uter angustae squalentia iugera Dirces

verteret aut Tyrii solio non altus ovaret

exsulis ambigitur, periit ius fasque bonumque

155et vitae mortisque pudor. Quo tenditis iras,

a, miseri? Quid si peteretur crimine tanto

limes uterque poli, quem Sol emissus Eoo

cardine, quem portu vergens prospectat Hibero,

quasque procul terras obliquo sidere tangit

160avius aut Borea gelidas madidive tepentes

igne Noti? quid si Phrygiae Tyriaeque sub unum

convectentur opes. Loca dira arcesque nefandae

suffecere odio, furiisque immanibus emptum

Oedipodae sedisse loco. Iam sorte carebat

165dilatus Polynicis honos. Quis tunc tibi, saeve,

quis fuit ille dies, vacua cum solus in aula

respiceres ius omne tuum cunctosque minores,

et nusquam par stare caput? Iam murmura serpunt

plebis Echioniae, tacitumque a principe vulgus

170dissidet, et, qui mos populis, venturus amatur.

Atque aliquis, cui mens humili laesisse veneno

summa nec impositos umquam cervice volenti

ferre duces: "Hancne Ogygiis" ait "aspera rebus

fata tulere vicem, totiens mutare timendos

175alternoque iugo dubitantia subdere colla?

Partiti versant populorum fata manuque

fortunam fecere levem. Semperne vicissim

exulibus servire dabor? tibi, summe deorum

terrarumque sator, sociis hanc addere mentem

180sedit? An inde vetus Thebis extenditur omen,

ex quo Sidonii nequiquam blanda iuvenci

pondera Carpathio iussus sale quaerere Cadmus

exsul Hyanteos invenit regna per agros,

fraternasque acies fetae telluris hiatu

185augurium seros dimisit ad usque nepotes?

Cernis, ut erectum torva sub fronte minetur

saevior assurgens dempto consorte potestas.

Quas gerit ore minas, quanto premit omnia fastu!

Hicne umquam privatus erit? Tamen ille precanti

190mitis et adfatu bonus et patientior aequi.

quid mirum? Non solus erat. Nos vilis in omnis

prompta manus casus, domino cuicumque parati.

qualiter hinc gelidus Boreas, hinc nubifer Eurus

vela trahunt, nutat mediae fortuna carinae,

195- heu dubio suspensa metu tolerandaque nullis

aspera sors populis! - hic imperat, ille minatur".

At Iovis imperio rapidi super atria caeli

lectus concilio divum convenerat ordo

interiore polo. spatiis hinc omnia iuxta,

200primaeque occiduaeque domus et fusa sub omni

terra atque unda die. Mediis sese arduus infert

ipse deis, placido quatiens tamen omnia vultu,

stellantique locat solio; nec protinus ausi

caelicolae, veniam donec pater ipse sedendi

205tranquilla iubet esse manu. Mox turba vagorum

semideum et summis cognati nubibus Amnes

et compressa metu servantes murmura Venti

aurea tecta replent. Mixta convexa deorum

maiestate tremunt, radiant maiore sereno

210culmina et arcano florentes lumine postes.

Postquam iussa quies silvitque exterritus orbis,

incipit ex alto - grave et immutabile sanctis

pondus adest verbis, et vocem fata sequuntur -:

"Terrarum delicta nec exsaturabile Diris

215ingenium mortale queror. Quonam usque nocentum

exigar in poenas? taedet saevire corusco

fulmine, iam pridem Cyclopum operosa fatiscunt

bracchia et Aeoliis desunt incudibus ignes.

Atque adeo tuleram falso rectore solutos

220Solis equos, caelumque rotis errantibus uri,

et Phaëthontea mundum squalere favilla.

Nil actum, neque tu valida quod cuspide late

ire per illicitum pelago, germane, dedisti.

nunc geminas punire domos, quis sanguinis auctor

225ipse ego, descendo. Perseos alter in Argos

scinditur, Aonias fluit hic ab origine Thebas.

Mens cunctis imposta manet: quis funera Cadmi

nesciat et totiens excitam a sedibus imis

Eumenidum bellasse aciem, mala gaudia matrum

230erroresque feros nemorum et reticenda deorum

crimina? Vix lucis spatio, vix noctis abactae

enumerare queam mores gentemque profanam.

Scandere quin etiam thalamos hic impius heres

patris et immeritae gremium incestare parentis

235appetiit, proprios monstro revolutus in ortus.

Ille tamen superis aeterna piacula solvit

proiecitque diem, nec iam amplius aethere nostro

vescitur; at nati - facinus sine more! - cadentes

calcavere oculos. iam iam rata vota tulisti

240dire senex! Mervere tuae, meruere tenebrae

ultorem sperare Iovem. Nova sontibus arma

iniciam regnis, totumque a stirpe revellam

exitiale genus. Belli mihi semina sunto

Adrastus socer et superis adiuncta sinistris

245conubia. Hanc etiam poenis incessere gentem

decretum; neque enim arcano de pectore fallax

Tantalus et saevae periit iniuria mensae".

Sic pater omnipotens. ast illi saucia dictis

flammato versans inopinum corde dolorem

250talia Iuno refert: "Mene, o iustissime divum,

me bello certare iubes? Scis, semper ut arces

Cyclopum magnique Phoroneos inclita fama

sceptra viris opibusque iuvem, licet improbus illic

custodem Phariae somno letoque iuvencae

255exstinguas, saeptis et turribus aureus intres.

Mentitis ignosco toris: illam odimus urbem,

quam vultu confessus adis, ubi conscia magni

signa tori tonitrus agis et mea fulmina torques.

Facta luant Thebae: cur hostes eligis Argos?

260quin age, si tanta est thalami discordia sancti,

et Samon et veteres armis exscinde Mycenas,

verte solo Sparten. Cur usquam sanguine festo

coniugis ara tuae, cumulo cur turis Eoi

laeta calet? Melius votis Mareotica fumat

265Coptos et aerisoni lugentia flumina Nili.

Quod si prisca luunt auctorum crimina gentes

subuenitque tuis sera haec sententia curis,

percensere aevi senium, quo tempore tandem

terrarum furias abolere et saecula retro

270emendare sat est? iamdudum ab sedibus illis

incipe, fluctivaga qua praeterlabitur unda

Sicanios longe relegens Alpheos amores.

Arcades hic tua - nec pudor est - delubra nefastis

imposuere locis, illic Mavortius axis

275Oenomai Geticoque pecus stabulare sub Haemo

dignius, abruptis etiamnum inhumata procorum

reliquiis trunca ora rigent. tamen hic tibi templi

gratus honos, placet Ida nocens mentitaque manes

Creta tuos. Me Tantaleis consistere tectis,

280quae tandem invidia est? belli deflecte tumultus

et generis miseresce tui. Sunt impia late

regna tibi, melius generos passura nocentes."

Finierat precibus miscens convicia Iuno.

At non ille gravis dictis, quamquam aspera motu,

285reddidit haec: "Equidem haud rebar te mente secunda

laturam, quodcumque tuos, licet aequus, in Argos

consulerem, neque me, si detur copia, fallit

multa super Thebis Bacchum ausuramque Dionen

dicere, sed nostri reverentia ponderis obstat.

290Horrendos etenim latices, Stygia aequora fratris

obtestor, mansurum atque irrevocabile verbum,

nil fore, quod dictis flectar! quare impiger alis

portantes praecede Notos, Cyllenia proles,

aëra per liquidum regnisque illapsus opacis

295dic patruo: superas senior se attollat ad auras

Laius, exstinctum nati quem vulnere nondum

ulterior Lethes accepit ripa profundi

lege Erebi; ferat hic diro mea iussa nepoti:

germanum exsilio fretum Argolicisque tumentem

300hospitiis, quod sponte cupit, procul impius aula

arceat, alternum regni infitiatus honorem.

Hinc causae irarum, certo reliqua ordine ducam".

Paret Atlantiades dictis genitoris et inde

summa pedum propere plantaribus illigat alis,

305obnubitque comas et temperat astra galero.

Tum dextrae virgam inservit, qua pellere dulces

aut suadere iterum somnos, qua nigra subire

Tartara et exsanguis animare assueverat umbras.

Desilvit, tenuique exceptus inhorruit aura.

310Nec mora, sublimis raptim per inane volatus

carpit et ingenti designat nubila gyro.

Interea patriis olim vagus exsul ab oris

Oedipodionides furto deserta pererrat

Aoniae. iamiamque animis male debita regna

315concipit, et longum signis cunctantibus annum

stare gemit. Tenet una dies noctesque recursans

cura virum, si quando humilem decedere regno

germanum et semet Thebis opibusque potitum

cerneret; hac aevum cupiat pro luce pacisci.

320Nunc queritur ceu tarda fugae dispendia, sed mox

attollit flatus ducis et sedisse superbus

deiecto iam fratre putat: spes anxia mentem

extrahit et longo consumit gaudia voto.

Tunc sedet, Inachias urbes Danaëiaque arva

325et caligantes abrupto sole Mycenas

ferre iter impavidum, seu praevia ducit Erinys,

seu fors illa viae, sive hac immota vocabat

Atropos. Ogygiis ululata furoribus antra

deserit et pingues Baccheo sanguine colles.

330Inde plagam, qua molle sedens in plana Cithaeron

porrigitur lassumque inclinat ad aequora montem,

praeterit. Hinc arte scopuloso in limite pendens

infames Scirone petras Scyllaeaque rura

purpureo regnata seni mitemque Corinthon

335linquit et in mediis audit duo litora campis.

Iamque per emeriti surgens confinia Phoebi

Titanis late, mundo subuecta silenti,

rorifera gelidum tenuaverat aëra biga;

iam pecudes volucresque tacent, iam Somnus avaris

340irrepsit curis pronusque ex aethere nutat,

grata laboratae referens oblivia vitae.

Sed nec puniceo rediturum nubila caelo

promisere iubar, nec rarescentibus umbris

longa repercusso nituere crepuscula Phoebo:

345densior a terris et nulli pervia flammae

subtexit nox atra polos. Iam claustra rigentis

Aeoliae percussa sonant, venturaque rauco

ore minatur hiemps, venti transuersa frementes

confligunt axemque emoto cardine vellunt,

350dum caelum sibi quisque rapit; sed plurimus Auster

inglomerat noctem, tenebrosa volumina torquens,

defunditque imbres, sicco quos asper hiatu

praesolidat Boreas; nec non abrupta tremiscunt

fulgura, et attritus subita face rumpitur aether.

355Iam Nemea, iam Taenariis contermina lucis

Arcadiae capita alta madent; ruit agmine magno

Inachus et gelidas surgens Erasinus in undas.

Pulverulenta prius calcataque flumina nullae

aggeribus tenuere morae, stagnoque refusast

360funditus et veteri spumavit Lerna veneno.

Frangitur omne nemus, rapiunt antiqua procellae

bracchia silvarum, nullisque aspecta per aevum

solibus umbrosi patuere aestiva Lycaei.

Ille tamen, modo saxa iugis fugientia ruptis

365miratus, modo nubigenas e montibus amnes

aure pavens passimque insano turbine raptas

pastorum pecorumque domos, non segnius amens

incertusque viae per nigra silentia vastum

haurit iter; pulsat metus undique et undique frater.

370Ac velut hiberno deprensus navita ponto,

cui neque Temo piger neque amico sidere monstrat

Luna vias, medio caeli pelagique tumultu

stat rationis inops, iamiamque aut saxa malignis

exspectat submersa vadis aut vertice acuto

375spumantes scopulos erectae incurrere prorae:

talis opaca legens nemorum Cadmeius heros

accelerat, vasto metuenda umbone ferarum

excutiens stabula, et prono virgulta refringit

pectore; dat stimulos animo vis maesta timoris,

380donec ab Inachiis victa caligine tectis

emicuit lucem devexa in moenia fundens

Larisaeus apex. Illo spe concitus omni

evolat, hinc celsae Iunonia templa Prosymnae

laevus habens, hinc Herculeo signata vapore

385Lernaei stagna atra vadi, tandemque reclusis

infertur portis. Actutum regia cernit

vestibula; hic artus imbri ventoque rigentis

proicit ignotaeque acclinis postibus aulae

invitat tenuis ad dura cubilia somnos.

390Rex ibi tranquille, medio de limite vitae

in senium vergens, populos Adrastus habebat,

dives avis et utroque Iovem de sanguine ducens.

Hic sexus melioris inops, sed prole virebat

feminea, gemino natarum pignore fultus.

395Cui Phoebus generos - monstrum exitiabile dictu!

mox adaperta fides - fato ducente canebat

saetigerumque suem et fulvum adventare leonem.

Id volvens non ipse pater, non docte futuri

Amphiaraë vides, etenim vetat auctor Apollo.

400tantum in corde sedens aegrescit cura parenti.

Ecce autem antiquam fato Calydona relinquens

Olenius Tydeus - fraterni sanguinis illum

conscius horror agit - eadem sub nocte sopora

lustra terit, similisque Notos dequestus et imbres,

405infusam tergo glaciem et liquentia nimbis

ora comasque gerens subit uno tegmine, cuius

fusus humo gelida partem prior hospes habebat.

hic vero ambobus rabiem fortuna cruentam

attulit: haud passi sociis defendere noctem

410culminibus, paulum alternis in verba minasque

cunctantur; mox ut iactis sermonibus irae

intumuere satis, tum vero erectus uterque

exsertare umeros nudamque lacessere pugnam.

Celsior ille gradu procera in membra simulque

415integer annorum, sed non et viribus infra

Tydea fert animus, totosque infusa per artus

maior in exiguo regnabat corpore virtus.

Iam crebros ictus ora et cava tempora circum

obnixi ingeminant, telorum aut grandinis instar

420Rhipaeae, flexoque genu vacua ilia tundunt.

Non aliter quam Pisaeo sua lustra Tonanti

cum redeunt crudisque virum sudoribus ardet

pulvis; at hinc teneros caveae dissensus ephebos

concitat, exclusaeque exspectant praemia matres:

425sic alacres odio nullaque cupidine laudis

accensi incurrunt, scrutatur et intima vultus

unca manus penitusque oculis cedentibus intrat.

Forsan et accinctos lateri - sic ira ferebat -

nudassent enses, meliusque hostilibus armis

430lugendus fratri, iuvenis Thebane, iaceres,

ni rex, insolitum clamorem et pectore ab alto

stridentes gemitus noctis miratus in umbris,

movisset gressus, magnis cui sobria curis

pendebat somno iam deteriore senectus.

435Isque ubi progrediens numerosa luce per alta

atria dimotis adverso limine claustris

terribilem dictu faciem, lacera ora putresque

sanguineo videt imbre genas: "Quae causa furoris,

externi iuvenes - neque enim meus audeat istas

440civis in usque manus -, quisnam implacabilis ardor

exturbare odiis tranquilla silentia noctis?

Usque adeone angusta dies et triste, parumper

pacem animo somnumque pati? sed prodite tandem,

unde orti, quo fertis iter, quae iurgia? nam vos

445haud humiles tanta ira docet, generisque superbi

magna per effusum clarescunt signa cruorem".

Vix ea, cum mixto clamore obliqua tuentes

incipiunt una: "Rex o mitissime Achivum,

quid verbis opus? Ipse undantis sanguine vultus

450aspicis". Haec passim turbatis vocis amarae

confudere sonis; inde orsus in ordine Tydeus

continuat: "Maesti cupiens solacia casus

monstriferae Calydonis opes Acheloiaque arva

deservi; vestris haec me ecce in finibus ingens

455nox operit. tecto caelum prohibere quis iste

arcuit? an quoniam prior haec ad limina forte

molitus gressus? pariter stabulare bimembres

Centauros unaque ferunt Cyclopas in Aetna

compositos. Sunt et rabidis iura insita monstris

460fasque suum: nobis sociare cubilia terrae.

Sed quid ego? aut hodie spoliis gavisus abibis,

quisquis es, his, aut me, si non effetus oborto

sanguis hebet luctu, magni de stirpe creatum

Oeneos et Marti non degenerare paterno

465accipies". "Nec nos animi nec stirpis egentes"

ille refert contra, sed mens sibi conscia fati

cunctatur proferre patrem. tunc mitis Adrastus:

"Immo agite, et positis, quas nox inopinaque suasit

aut virtus aut ira, minis succedite tecto.

470Iam pariter coëant animorum in pignora dextrae.

Non haec incassum divisque absentibus acta;

forsan et has venturus amor praemiserit iras,

ut meminisse iuvet". nec vana voce locutus

fata senex, siquidem hanc perhibent per vulnera iunctis

475esse fidem, quanta partitum extrema protervo

Thesea Pirithoo, vel inanem mentis Oresten

opposito rabidam Pylade vitasse Megaeram.

Tunc quoque mulcentem dictis corda aspera regem

iam faciles, ventis ut decertata residunt

480aequora, laxatisque diu tamen aura superstes

immoritur velis, passi subiere penates.

Hic primum lustrare oculis cultusque virorum

telaque magna vacat: tergo videt huius inanem

impexis utrimque iubis horrere leonem,

485illius in speciem, quem per Teumesia tempe

Amphitryoniades fractum iuvenalibus annis

ante Cleonaei vestitus proelia monstri.

Terribiles contra saetis ac dente recurvo

Tydea per latos umeros ambire laborant

490exuviae, Calydonis honos. Stupet omine tanto

defixus senior, divina oracula Phoebi

agnoscens monitusque datos vocalibus antris.

Obtutu gelida ora premit, laetusque per artus

horror iit; sensit manifesto numine ductos

495adfore, quos nexis ambagibus augur Apollo

portendi generos, vultu fallente ferarum,

ediderat. tunc sic tendens ad sidera palmas:

"Nox, quae terrarum caelique amplexa labores

ignea multivago transmittis sidera lapsu,

500indulgens reparare animum, dum proximus aegris

infundat Titan agiles animantibus ortus,

tu mihi perplexis quaesitam erroribus ultro

advehis alma fidem veterisque exordia fati

detegis: assistas operi tuaque omina firmes.

505Semper honoratam dimensis orbibus anni

te domus ista colet; nigri tibi, diva, litabunt

electa cervice greges, lustraliaque exta

lacte novo perfusus edet Vulcanius ignis.

Salve prisca fides tripodum obscurique recessus!

510Deprendi, Fortuna, deos!" Sic fatus, et ambos

innectens manibus tecta interioris ad aulae

progreditur. Canis etiamnum altaribus ignes

sopitum cinerem et tepidi libamina sacri

servabant; adolere focos epulasque recentes

515instaurare iubet. Dictis parere ministri

certatim accelerant; vario strepit icta tumultu

regia: pars ostro tenues auroque sonantes

emunire toros alteque inferre tapetas,

pars teretis levare manu ac disponere mensas.

520Ast alii tenebras et opacam vincere noctem

adgressi tendunt auratis vincula lychnis.

His labor inserto torrere exsanguia ferro

viscera caesarum pecudum, his cumulare canistris

perdomitam saxo Cererem. Laetatur Adrastus

525obsequio fervere domum, iamque ipse superbis

fulgebat stratis solioque effultus eburno.

Parte alia iuvenes siccati vulnera lymphis

discumbunt, simul ora notis foedata tuentur

inque vicem ignoscunt. Tunc rex longaevus Acasten

530- natarum haec altrix eadem et fidissima custos

lecta sacrum iustae Veneri occultare pudorem -

imperat acciri tacitaque immurmurat aure.

Nec mora praeceptis, cum protinus utraque virgo

arcano egressae thalamo: mirabile visu,

535Pallados armisonae pharetrataeque ora Dianae

aequa ferunt, terrore minus. Nova deinde pudori

visa virum facies: pariter pallorque ruborque

purpureas hausere genas, oculique verentes

ad sanctum rediere patrem. Postquam ordine mensae

540victa fames, signis perfectam auroque nitentem

Iasides pateram famulos ex more poposcit,

qua Danaus libare deis seniorque Phoroneus

assueti. tenet haec operum caelata figuras:

Perseus anguicomam praesecto Gorgona collo

545ales habet, iamiamque vagas - ita visus - in auras

exsilit; illa gravis oculos languentiaque ora

paene movet vivoque etiam pallescit in auro.

Hinc Phrygius fulvis venator tollitur alis,

Gargara desidunt surgenti et Troia recedit,

550stant maesti comites, frustraque sonantia lassant

ora canes umbramque petunt et nubila latrant.

Hanc undante mero fundens vocat ordine cunctos

caelicolas, Phoebum ante alios, Phoebum omnis ad aram

laude ciet comitum famulumque evincta pudica

555fronde manus, cui festa dies largoque refecti

ture vaporatis lucent altaribus ignes.

Forsitan, o iuvenes, quae sint ea sacra quibusque

praecipuum causis Phoebi obtestemur honorem"

rex ait, "exquirant animi. Non inscia suasit

560religio, magnis exercita cladibus olim

plebs Argiva litant; animos advertite, pandam.

Postquam caerulei sinvosa volumina monstri,

terrigenam Pythona deus septem orbibus atris

amplexam Delphos squamisque annosa terentem

565robora, Castaliis dum fontibus ore trisulco

fusus hiat nigro sitiens alimenta veneno,

perculit, absumptis numerosa in vulnera telis,

Cirrhaeique dedit centum per iugera campi

vix tandem explicitum, nova deinde piacula caedis

570perquirens nostri tecta haud opulenta Crotopi

attigit. Huic primis et pubem ineuntibus annis

mira decore pio servabat nata penates

intemerata toris. Felix, si Delia numquam

furta nec occultum Phoebo sociasset amorem!

575Namque ut passa deum Nemeaei ad fluminis undam,

bis quinos plena cum fronte resumeret orbes

Cynthia, sidereum Latonae feta nepotem

edidit; ac poenam metuens -neque enim ille coactis

donasset thalamis veniam pater- avia rura

580eligit ac natum saepta inter ovilia furtim

montivago pecoris custodi mandat alendum.

Non tibi digna, puer, generis cunabula tanti

gramineos dedit herba toros et vimine querno

texta domus; clausa arbutei sub cortice libri

585membra tepent, suadetque leves cava fistula somnos,

et pecori commune solum. Sed fata nec illum

concessere larem; viridi nam caespite terrae

proiectum temere et patulo caelum ore trahentem

dira canum rabies, morsu depasta cruento,

590dissicit. hic vero attonitas ut nuntius aures

matris adit, pulsi ex animo genitorque pudorque

et metus: ipsa ultro saevis plangoribus amens

tecta replet, vacuumque ferens velamine pectus

occurrit confessa patri; nec motus et atro

595imperat - infandum! - cupientem occumbere leto.

Sero memor thalami maestae solacia morti,

Phoebe, paras monstrum infandis Acheronte sub imo

conceptum Eumenidum thalamis, cui virginis ora

pectoraque; aeternum stridens a vertice surgit

600et ferrugineam frontem discriminat anguis.

Haec tum dira lues nocturno squalida passu

illabi thalamis, animasque a stirpe recentis

abripere altricum gremiis morsuque cruento

devesci et multum patrio pinguescere luctu.

605Haut tulit armorum praestans animique Coroebus

seque ultro lectis iuvenum, qui robore primi

famam posthabita faciles extendere vita,

obtulit. illa novos ibat populata penates

portarum in bivio - lateri duo corpora parvum

610dependent, et iam unca manus vitalibus haeret

ferratique ungues tenero sub corde tepescunt-:

obvius huic, latus omne virum stipante corona,

fit iuvenis, ferrumque ingens sub pectore duro

condidit, atque imas animae mucrone corusco

615scrutatus latebras tandem sua monstra profundo

reddit habere Iovi. iuvat ire et visere iuxta

liventis in morte oculos uterique nefandam

prolvviem et crasso squalentia pectora tabo,

qua nostrae cecidere animae. Stupet Inacha pubes,

620magnaque post lacrimas etiamnunc gaudia pallent.

Hi trabibus duris, solacia vana dolori,

proterere exanimos artus asprosque molares

deculcare genis, nequit iram explere potestas.

Illam et nocturno circum stridore volantes

625impastae fugistis aves, rabidamque canum vim

oraque sicca ferunt trepidorum inhiasse luporum.

Saevior in miseros fatis ultricis ademptae

Delius insurgit, summaque biverticis umbra

Parnasi residens arcu crudelis iniquo

630pestifera arma iacit, camposque et celsa Cyclopum

tecta superiecto nebularum incendit amictu.

Labuntur dulces animae, Mors fila Sororum

ense metit captamque tenens fert manibus urbem.

Quaerenti, quae causa, duci, quis ab aethere laevus

635ignis et in totum regnaret Sirius annum,

idem auctor Paean rursus iubet ire cruento

inferias monstro iuvenes, qui caede potiti.

fortunate animi longumque in saecula digne

promeriture diem! Non tu pia degener arma

640occulis aut certae trepidas occurrere morti.

comminus ora ferens Cirrhaei in limine templi

constitit et sacras ita vocibus asperat iras:

"Non missus, Thymbraee, tuos supplexue penates

advenio: mea me pietas et conscia virtus

645has egere vias. Ego sum, qui caede subegi,

Phoebe, tuum mortale nefas, quem nubibus atris

et squalente die, nigra quem tabe sinistri

quaeris, inique, poli. Quodsi monstra effera magnis

cara adeo superis, iacturaque vilior orbi

650mors hominum et saevo tanta inclementia caelost,

quid meruere Argi? Me, me, divum optime, solum

obiecisse caput fatis praestabat. An illud

lene magis cordi, quod desolata domorum

tecta vides, ignique datis cultoribus omnis

655luget ager? sed quid fando tua tela manusque

demoror? exspectant matres, supremaque fiunt

vota mihi. satis est: merui, ne parcere velles.

Proinde move pharetras arcusque intende sonoros

insignemque animam leto demitte; sed illum,

660pallidus Inachiis qui desuper imminet Argis,

dum morior, dispelle globum". sors aequa merentes

respicit. Ardentem tenuit reverentia caedis

Letoiden, tristemque viro submissus honorem

largitur vitae; nostro mala nubila caelo

665diffugiunt, at tu stupefacti a limine Phoebi

exoratus abis. Inde haec stata sacra quotannis

sollemnes recolunt epulae, Phoebeaque placat

templa novatus honos. has forte invisitis aras

vos quae progenies? Quamquam Calydonius Oeneus,

670et Parthaoniae, si dudum certus ad aures

clamor iit, tibi iura domus. Tu pande, quis Argos

advenias, quando hae variis sermonibus horae".

Deiecit maestos extemplo Ismenius heros

in terram vultus, taciteque ad Tydea laesum

675obliquare oculos; tum longa silentia movit:

"Non super hos divum tibi sum quaerendus honores,

unde genus, quae terra mihi, quis defluat ordo

sanguinis antiqui: piget inter sacra fateri.

Sed si praecipitant miserum cognoscere curae,

680Cadmus origo patrum, tellus Mavortia Thebe,

est genetrix Iocasta mihi". Tum motus Adrastus

hospitiis - agnovit enim -: "Quid nota recondis?

Scimus" ait "nec sic aversum fama Mycenis

volvit iter. regnum et furias oculosque pudentes

685novit et Arctois si quis de solibus horret

quique bibit Gangen aut nigrum occasibus intrat

Oceanum, et si quos incerto litore Syrtes

destituunt. Ne perge queri casusque priorum

annumerare tibi: nostro quoque sanguine multum

690erravit pietas, nec culpa nepotibus obstat.

Tu modo dissimilis rebus mereare secundis

excusare tuos. et iam temone supino

languet Hyperboreae glacialis portitor Ursae.

Fundite vina focis, servatoremque parentum

695Letoiden votis iterumque iterumque canamus.

Phoebe parens, seu te Lyciae Patarea nivosis

exercent dumeta iugis, seu rore pudico

Castaliae flavos amor est tibi mergere crines,

seu Troiam Thymbraeus habes, ubi fama volentem

700ingratis Phrygios umeris subiisse molares,

seu iuvat Aegaeum feriens Latonius umbra

Cynthus et assiduam pelago non quaerere Delon:

tela tibi longeque feros lentandus in hostes

arcus, et aetherii dono cessere parentes

705aeternum florere genas, tu doctus iniquas

Parcarum praenosse manus fatumque quod ultrast

et summo placitura Iovi, quis letifer annus,

bella quibus populis, quae mutent sceptra cometae,

tu Phryga submittis citharae, tu matris honori

710terrigenam Tityon Stygiis extendis harenis.

Te viridis Python Thebanaque mater ovantem

horruit in pharetris, ultrix tibi torva Megaera

ieiunum Phlegyan subter cava saxa iacentem

aeterno premit accubitu dapibusque profanis

715instimulat, sed mixta famem fastidia vincunt:

adsis, o memor hospitii, Iunoniaque arva

dexter ames, seu te roseum Titana vocari

gentis Achaemeniae ritu, seu praestat Osirim

frugiferum, seu Persaei sub rupibus antri

720indignata sequi torquentem cornua Mithram."