Testi della poesia latinaTesti della poesia latinaPūlsă sĭtīs flŭvĭō, pŏpŭlātăquĕ gūrgĭtĭs ālveūm
āgmĭnă līnquēbānt rīpās āmnēmquĕ mĭnōrēm;
ācrĭŏr ēt cāmpūm sŏnĭpēs răpĭt ēt pĕdĕs ārvă
īmplĕt ŏvāns, rĕdĭērĕ vĭrīs ănĭmīquĕ mĭnaēquĕ
vōtăquĕ, sānguĭnĕīs mīxtūm ceū fōntĭbŭs īgnēm5
haūsīssēnt bēllī māgnāsque īn proēlĭă mēntēs.
Dīspŏsĭti īn tūrmās rūrsūs lēgēmquĕ sĕvērī
ōrdĭnĭs, ūt cuīque āntĕ lŏcūs dūctōrquĕ, mŏnēntūr
īnstaūrārĕ vĭās. Tēllūs iām pūlvĕrĕ prīmō
crēscĭt, ĕt ārmōrūm trānsmīttūnt fūlgŭră sīlvaē.10
Quālĭă trāns pōntūm Phărĭīs dēprēnsă sĕrēnīs
raūcă Păraētŏnĭō dēcēdūnt āgmĭnă Nīlō,
quō fĕră cōgĭt hĭēmps: īllaē clāngōrĕ fŭgācī,
ūmbră frĕtīs ārvīsquĕ, vŏlānt, sŏnăt āvĭŭs aēthēr.
Iām Bŏrĕān īmbrēsquĕ pătī, iām nārĕ sŏlūtīs15
āmnĭbŭs ēt nūdō iŭvăt aēstīvārĕ sŭb Haēmō.
Hīc rūrsūs sĭmĭlī prŏcĕrūm vāllāntĕ cŏrōnā
dūx Tālāiŏnĭdēs, āntīqua ūt fōrtĕ sŭb ōrnō
stābăt ĕt ādmōtī nīxūs Pŏlўnīcĭs ĭn hāstām:
"Āt tămĕn, ō quaēcūmque ĕs" ăīt, "cuī, glōrĭă tāntāst,20
vēnĭmŭs īnnŭmĕraē fātō dēbērĕ cŏhōrtēs,
quēm nōn īpsĕ dĕūm sătŏr āspērnētŭr hŏnōrēm,
dīc ăgĕ, quāndŏ tŭīs ălăcrēs ābsīstĭmŭs ūndīs,
quaē dŏmŭs aūt tēllūs, ănĭmām quĭbŭs haūsĕrĭs āstrīs?
Dīc, quĭs ĕt īllĕ pătēr? Nĕque ĕnīm tĭbĭ nūmĭnă lōngē,25
trānsĭĕrīt fōrtūnă lĭcēt, māiōrquĕ pĕr ōră
sānguĭs, ĕt ādflīctō spīrāt rĕvĕrēntĭă vūltū".
Īngĕmĭt, ēt paūlūm flētū cūnctātă mŏdēstō
Lēmnĭăs ōrsă rĕfērt: "Īmmānĭă vūlnĕră, rēctōr,
īntēgrārĕ iŭbēs, Fŭrĭās ēt Lēmnŏn ĕt ārtīs30
ārma īnsērtă tŏrīs dēbēllātōsquĕ pŭdēndō
ēnsĕ mărēs; rĕdĭt ēccĕ nĕfās ēt frīgĭdă cōrdī
Eūmĕnĭs. Ō mĭsĕraē, quĭbŭs hīc fŭrŏr āddĭtŭs! Ō nōx!
Ō pătĕr! Īlla ĕgŏ nām, pŭdĕāt nē fōrtĕ bĕnīgnaē
hōspĭtĭs, īllă, dŭcēs, rāptūm quaē sōlă părēntēm35
ōccŭlŭī. quīd lōngă mălīs ēxōrdĭă nēctō?
Ēt vōs ārmă vŏcānt māgnīque īn cōrdĕ părātūs.
Hōc mĕmŏrāssĕ săt ēst: clārō gĕnĕrātă Thŏāntĕ
sērvĭtĭum Hŷpsĭpўlē vēstrī fĕrŏ cāptă Lўcūrgī."
Ādvērtēre ănĭmōs, māiōrque ĕt hŏnōră vĭdērī40
pārque ŏpĕrī tāntō; cūnctīs tūnc nōscĕrĕ cāsūs
ōrtŭs ămōr, pătĕr ānte ălĭōs hōrtātŭr Ădrāstūs:
"Īmmo ăgĕ, dūm prīmī lōngē dămŭs āgmĭnă vūlgī
nēc făcĭlīs Nĕmĕā lātās ēvōlvĕrĕ vīrīs,
quīppe ōbtēntă cŏmīs ĕt ĭnēlūctābĭlĭs ūmbră,45
pāndĕ nĕfās laūdēsquĕ tŭās gĕmĭtūsquĕ tŭōrūm,
ūnde hōs ādvĕnĭās rēgnō dēiēctă lăbōrēs."
Dūlcĕ lŏquī mĭsĕrīs vĕtĕrēsquĕ rĕdūcĕrĕ quēstūs.
Īncĭpĭt: Aēgaēō prĕmĭtūr cīrcūmflŭă Nēreō
Lēmnŏs, ŭbi īgnĭfĕrā fēssūs rēspīrăt ăb Aētnā50
Mūlcĭbĕr; īngēntī tēllūrēm prōxĭmŭs ūmbrā
vēstĭt Ăthōs nĕmŏrūmque ōbscūrăt ĭmāgĭnĕ pōntūm;
Thrācĕs ărānt cōntrā, Thrācūm fātālĭă nōbīs
lītŏra, ĕt īndĕ nĕfās. Flōrēbāt dīvĕs ălūmnīs
tērră, nĕc īllă Sămō fāmā Dēlōvĕ sŏnāntī55
pēiŏr ĕt īnnŭmĕrīs quās spūmĭfĕr āssĭlĭt Aēgōn.
Dīs vīsūm tūrbārĕ dŏmōs, nēc pēctŏră cūlpā
nōstră văcānt: nūllōs Vĕnĕrī sācrāvĭmŭs īgnīs,
nūllă dĕaē sēdēs; mŏvĕt ēt caēlēstĭă quōndām
cōrdă dŏlōr lēntōque īrrēpūnt āgmĭnĕ Poēnaē.60
Īllă Păphōn vĕtĕrēm cēntūmque āltārĭă līnquēns
nēc vūltū nēc crīnĕ prĭōr sōlvīssĕ iŭgālēm
cēstŏn ĕt Īdălĭās prŏcŭl āblēgāssĕ vŏlūcrēs
fērtŭr. Ĕrānt cērtē, mĕdĭā quaē nōctĭs ĭn ūmbrā
dīvam ălĭōs īgnīs māiōrăquĕ tēlă gĕrēntēm65
Tārtărĕās īntēr thălămīs vŏlĭtāssĕ sŏrōrēs
vūlgārēnt; ūtque īmplĭcĭtīs ārcānă dŏmōrūm
ānguĭbŭs ēt saēvā fōrmīdĭnĕ nūptă rĕplēssēt
līmĭnă, nēc fīdī pŏpŭlūm mĭsĕrātă mărītī,
prōtĭnŭs ā Lēmnō tĕnĕrī fūgīstĭs Ămōrēs,70
mūtŭs Hўmēn vērsaēquĕ făcēs ēt frīgĭdă iūstī
cūră tŏrī! Nūllaē rĕdĕūnt īn gaūdĭă nōctēs,
nūllŭs ĭn āmplēxū sŏpŏr ēst, Ŏdĭa āspĕra ŭbīquĕ
ēt Fŭrŏr ēt mĕdĭō rĕcŭbāt Dīscōrdĭă lēctō.
cūră vĭrīs tŭmĭdōs ādvērsā Thrācăs ĭn ōrā75
ērŭĕre ēt saēvām bēllāndō frāngĕrĕ gēntēm.
Cūmquĕ dŏmūs cōntrā stāntēsque īn lītŏrĕ nātī,
dūlcĭŭs Ēdōnās hĭĕmēs Ārctōnquĕ prĕmēntēm
ēxcĭpĕre, aūt tāndēm tăcĭtā pōst proēlĭă nōctĕ
frāctōrūm sŭbĭtās tōrrēntum aūdīrĕ rŭīnās.80
īllae aūtēm trīstēs - nām mē tūnc lībĕră cūrīs
vīrgĭnĭtās ānnīquĕ tĕgūnt - sūb nōctĕ dĭēquĕ
āssĭdŭīs aēgrae īn lăcrĭmīs sōlāntĭă mīscēnt
cōllŏquĭa, aūt saēvām spēctānt trāns aēquŏră Thrācēn.
Sōl ŏpĕrūm mĕdĭūs sūmmō lībrābăt Ŏlŷmpō85
lūcēntīs, ceū stārĕt, ĕquōs; quătĕr āxĕ sĕrēnō
īntŏnŭīt, quătĕr āntră dĕī fūmāntĭs ănhēlōs
ēxsĕrŭēre ăpĭcēs, vēntīsque ābsēntĭbŭs Aēgōn
mōtŭs ĕt īngēntī pērcūssīt lītŏră pōntō:
cūm sŭbĭto hōrrēndās aēvī mātūră Pŏlŷxō90
tōllĭtŭr īn fŭrĭās thălămīsque īnsuētă rĕlīctīs
ēvŏlăt. Īnsānō vĕlŭtī Teūmēsĭă Thŷiās
rāptă dĕō, cūm sācră vŏcānt Īdaēăquĕ suādēt
būxŭs ĕt ā sūmmīs aūdītūs mōntĭbŭs Eūhān:
sīc ērēctă gĕnās ăcĭēmque ōffūsă trĕmēntī95
sānguĭnĕ dēsērtām răbĭdīs clāmōrĭbŭs ūrbēm
ēxăgĭtāt, claūsāsquĕ dŏmōs ēt līmĭnă pūlsāns
cōncĭlĭūm vŏcăt; īnfēlīx cŏmĭtātŭs ĕūntī
haērēbānt nāti. ātque īllaē nōn sēgnĭŭs ōmnēs
ērūmpūnt tēctīs, sūmmāsque ād Pāllădŏs ārcēs100
īmpĕtŭs: hūc prŏpĕrē stīpāmŭr ĕt ōrdĭnĕ nūllō
cōngēstaē; strīctō mōx ēnsĕ sĭlēntĭă iūssīt
hōrtātrīx scĕlĕrum ēt mĕdĭō sīc aūsă prŏfārī:
"Rēm sūmmam īnstīnctū sŭpĕrūm mĕrĭtīquĕ dŏlōrīs,
ō vĭdŭaē (fīrmāte ănĭmōs ēt pēllĭtĕ sēxūm!)105
Lēmnĭădēs, sāncīrĕ părō; sī taēdĕt ĭnānēs
aētērnūm sērvārĕ dŏmōs tūrpēmquĕ iŭvēntaē
flōrĕ sĭtum ēt lōngīs stĕrĭlīs īn lūctĭbŭs ānnōs,
īnvēnī, prōmīttŏ, vĭām - nēc nūmĭnă dēsūnt -,
quā rĕnŏvāndă Vĕnūs: mŏdŏ pār īnsūmĭtĕ rōbūr110
lūctĭbŭs, ātque ădĕō prīmum hōc mĭhĭ nōscĕrĕ dētūr.
tērtĭă cānĕt hĭēmps; cuī cōnŭbĭālĭă vīnclă
aūt thălămī sēcrētŭs hŏnōs? Cŭĭ cōniŭgĕ pēctūs
īntĕpŭīt? cūiūs vīdīt Lūcīnă lăbōrēs,
dīcĭtĕ, vēl iūstōs cūiūs pūlsāntĭă mēnsīs115
vōtă tŭmēnt? Quā pācĕ fĕrās vŏlŭcrēsquĕ iŭgārī
mōs dătŭs. heū sēgnēs! pŏtŭītne ūltrīcĭă Grāiūs
vīrgĭnĭbūs dărĕ tēlă pătēr laētūsquĕ dŏlōrūm
sānguĭnĕ sēcūrōs iŭvĕnūm pērfūndĕrĕ sōmnōs:
āt nōs vūlgŭs ĭnērs? quōdsī prŏpĭōrĭbŭs āctīs120
ēst ŏpŭs, ēcce ănĭmōs dŏcĕāt Rhŏdŏpēĭă cōniūnx,
ūltă mănū thălămōs părĭtērque ĕpŭlātă mărītō.
Nēc vōs īmmūnīs scĕlĕrūm sēcūrăvĕ cōgō.
Plēnă mĭhī dŏmŭs ātque īngēns, ēn cērnĭtĕ, sūdōr.
Quāttŭŏr hōs ūnā, dĕcŭs ēt sōlācĭă pātrīs,125
īn grĕmĭō, lĭcĕt āmplēxū lăcrĭmīsquĕ mŏrēntūr,
trānsădĭgām fērrō sănĭēmque ēt vūlnĕră frātrūm
mīscēbō pātrēmquĕ sŭpēr spīrāntĭbŭs āddām.
Ēcquă tŏt īn caēdēs ănĭmūm prōmīttĭt?" ăgēbāt
plūrĭbŭs; ādvērsō nĭtŭērūnt vēlă prŏfūndō:130
Lēmnĭă clāssĭs ĕrāt. Răpŭīt gāvīsă Pŏlŷxō
fōrtūnam ātque ĭtĕrāt: "Sŭpĕrīsnĕ vŏcāntĭbŭs ūltrō
dēsŭmŭs? Ēccĕ rătēs! Deūs hōs, dĕŭs ūltŏr ĭn īrās
ādpōrtāt coēptīsquĕ făvēt. Nĕc ĭmāgŏ quĭētīs
vānă mĕaē: nūdō stābāt Vĕnŭs ēnsĕ, vĭdērī135
clāră mĭhī sōmnōsquĕ sŭpēr: "Quīd pērdĭtĭs aēvūm?"
īnquĭt, 'ăge āvērsīs thălămōs pūrgātĕ mărītīs.
Īpsă făcēs ălĭās mĕlĭōrăquĕ foēdĕră iūngām'.
Dīxĭt, ĕt hōc fērrūm strātīs, hōc, crēdĭtĕ, fērrūm
īmpŏsŭīt. Quīn ō mĭsĕraē, dūm tēmpŭs ăgī rēm,140
cōnsŭlĭte; ēn vălĭdīs spūmānt ēvērsă lăcērtīs
aēquŏră, Bīstŏnĭdēs vĕnĭūnt fōrtāssĕ mărītaē".
Hīnc stĭmŭli īngēntēs, māgnūsque ādvōlvĭtŭr āstrīs
clāmŏr. Ămāzŏnĭō Scўthĭām fērvērĕ tŭmūltū
lūnātūmquĕ pŭtēs āgmēn dēscēndĕre, ŭbi ārmă145
īndūlgēt pătĕr ēt saēvī mŏvĕt ōstĭă Bēllī.
Nēc vărĭūs frĕmŏr aūt stŭdĭa īn cōntrārĭă rāptī
dīssēnsūs, ūt plēbĕ sŏlēt: fŭrŏr ōmnĭbŭs īdēm,
īdem ănĭmūs sōlārĕ dŏmōs iŭvĕnūmquĕ sĕnūmquĕ
praēcĭpĭtārĕ cŏlūs plēnīsque āffrāngĕrĕ pārvōs150
ūbĕrĭbūs fērrōque ōmnīs ēxīrĕ pĕr ānnōs.
Tūnc vĭrĭdī lūcō - lūcūs iŭgă cēlsă Mĭnērvaē
prōptĕr ŏpācăt hŭmūm nĭgĕr īpsĕ, sĕd īnsŭpĕr īngēns
mōns prĕmĭt ēt gĕmĭnā pĕrĕūnt cālīgĭnĕ sōlēs -,
hīc sānxērĕ fĭdēm, tū Mārtĭă tēstĭs Ĕnŷō155
ātque īnfērnă Cĕrēs, Stўgĭaēque Ăchĕrōntĕ rĕclūsō
āntĕ prĕcēs vēnērĕ dĕaē; sēd fāllĭt ŭbīquĕ
mīxtă Vĕnūs, Vĕnŭs ārmă tĕnēt, Vĕnŭs ādmŏvĕt īrās.
Nēc dē mōrĕ crŭōr: nātūm Chărŏpēĭă cōniūnx
ōbtŭlĭt, āccīngūnt sēse ēt mīrāntĭă fērrō160
pēctŏră cōngēstīsque ăvĭdaē sĭmŭl ūndĭquĕ dēxtrīs
pērfrīngūnt, āc dūlcĕ nĕfās īn sānguĭnĕ vīvō
cōniūrānt, mātrēmquĕ rĕcēns cīrcūmvŏlăt ūmbră.
Tālĭă cērnēntī mĭhĭ quāntŭs ĭn ōssĭbŭs hōrrōr,
quīsvĕ pĕr ōră cŏlōr! Quālīs cūm cērvă crŭēntīs165
cīrcūmuēntă lŭpīs, nūllūm cuī pēctŏrĕ mōllī
rōbŭr ĕt īn vŏlŭcrī tĕnŭīs fīdūcĭă cūrsū,
praēcĭpĭtāt sūspēnsă fŭgām, iāmiāmquĕ tĕnērī
crēdĭt ĕt ēlūsōs aūdīt cōncūrrĕrĕ mōrsūs.
Īlli ădĕrānt, prīmīs iāmque ōffēndērĕ cărīnaē170
lītŏrĭbūs, cērtānt sāltū cōntīngĕrĕ tērrām
praēcĭpĭtēs. Mĭsĕrī, quōs nōn aūt hōrrĭdă vīrtūs
Mārtĕ sŭb Ōdrўsĭo, aūt mĕdĭi īnclēmēntĭă pōntī
haūsĕrĭt! Ālta ĕtĭām sŭpĕrūm dēlūbră văpōrānt
prōmīssāsquĕ trăhūnt pĕcŭdēs: nĭgĕr ōmnĭbŭs ārīs175
īgnĭs, ĕt īn nūllīs spīrāt dĕŭs īntĕgĕr ēxtīs.
Tārdĭŭs ūmēntī nōctēm dēiēcĭt Ŏlŷmpō
Iūppĭtĕr ēt vērsūm mītī, rĕŏr, aēthĕră cūrā
sūstĭnŭīt, dūm fātă vĕtānt, nēc lōngĭŭs ūmquām
cēssāvērĕ nŏvaē pērfēctō sōlĕ tĕnēbraē.180
Sēră tămēn mūndō vēnērūnt āstră, sĕd īllīs
ēt Părŏs ēt nĕmŏrōsă Thăsōs crēbraēquĕ rĕlūcēnt
Cŷclădĕs; ūnă grăvī pĕnĭtūs lătĕt ōbrŭtă caēlō
Lēmnŏs, ĭn hānc trīstēs nĕbŭlae, ēt plăgă caēcă sŭpērnē
tēxĭtŭr, ūnă văgīs Lēmnōs nōn āgnĭtă naūtīs.185
tūm dŏmĭbūs fūsi ēt nĕmŏrūm pĕr ŏpācă săcrōrūm
dītĭbŭs īndūlgēnt ĕpŭlīs văcŭāntquĕ prŏfūndō
aūrum īmmānĕ mĕrō, dūm quaē pēr Strŷmŏnă pūgnaē,
quīs Rhŏdŏpē gĕlĭdōvĕ lăbōr sūdātŭs ĭn Haēmō,
ēnŭmĕrārĕ văcāt. Nēc nōn, mănŭs īmpĭă, nūptaē190
sērta īntēr fēstāsquĕ dăpēs quō māxĭmă cūltū
quaēquĕ iăcēnt; dĕdĕrāt mītīs Cўthĕrēă sŭprēmā
nōctĕ vĭrōs lōngōquĕ brĕvēm pōst tēmpŏrĕ pācēm
nēquīquam ēt mĭsĕrōs pĕrĭtūro ādflāvĕrăt īgnī.
Cōntĭcŭērĕ chŏrī, dăpĭbūs lūdōquĕ lĭcēntī195
fīt mŏdŭs ēt prīmaē dēcrēscūnt mūrmŭră nōctīs,
cūm cōnsānguĭnĕī mīxtūs cālīgĭnĕ Lētī
rōrĕ mădēns Stўgĭō mŏrĭtūram āmplēctĭtŭr ūrbēm
Sōmnŭs ĕt īmplăcĭdō fūndīt grăvĭa ōtĭă cōrnū
sēcērnītquĕ vĭrōs. vĭgĭlānt nūptaēquĕ nŭrūsquĕ200
īn scĕlŭs, ātque hĭlărēs ăcŭūnt fĕră tēlă Sŏrōrēs.
Īnvāsērĕ nĕfās, cūnctō sŭă rēgnăt Ĕrīnŷs
pēctŏrĕ. Nōn ălĭtēr Scўthĭcōs ārmēntă pĕr āgrōs
Hŷrcānaē claūsērĕ lĕaē, quās ēxĭgĭt ōrtū
prīmă fămēs, ăvĭdīque īmplōrānt ūbĕră nātī.205
Quōs tĭbĭ nām, dŭbĭtō, scĕlĕrūm dē mīllĕ fĭgūrīs
ēxpĕdĭām cāsūs? Hĕlўmūm tĕmĕrārĭă Gōrgē
ēvīnctūm rāmīs āltāque īn mōlĕ tăpētūm
ēfflāntēm sōmnō crēscēntĭă vīnă sŭpērstāns
vūlnĕră dīsiēctā rīmātūr vēstĕ, sĕd īllūm210
īnfēlīx sŏpŏr ādmōtā sūb mōrtĕ rĕfūgīt.
Tūrbĭdŭs īncērtūmque ŏcŭlīs vĭgĭlāntĭbŭs hōstēm
ōccŭpăt āmplēxū, nēc sēgnĭŭs īllă tĕnēntīs
pōne ădĭgīt cōstās, dōnēc sŭă pēctŏră fērrō
tāngĕrĕt. īs dēmūm scĕlĕrī mŏdŭs; ōră sŭpīnāt215
blāndŭs ădhūc ŏcŭlīsquĕ trĕmēns ēt mūrmŭrĕ Gōrgēn
quaērĭt ĕt īndīgnō nōn sōlvīt brācchĭă cōllō.
Nōn ĕgŏ nūnc vūlgī quāmquām crūdēlĭă pāndām
fūnĕră, sēd prŏprĭā lūctūs dē stīrpĕ rĕcōrdōr:
quōd tē, flāvĕ Cўdōn, quōd tē pēr cōllă rĕfūsīs220
īntāctūm, Crēnaēĕ, cŏmīs, quĭbŭs ūbĕră mēcūm
ōblīquūmque ā pātrĕ gĕnūs, fōrtēmquĕ, tĭmēbām
quēm dēspōnsă, Gўān vīdī lāpsārĕ crŭēntaē
vūlnĕrĕ Mŷrmĭdŏnēs, quōdque īntēr sērtă tŏrōsquĕ
bārbără lūdēntēm fŏdĭēbăt Ĕpōpĕă mātēr.225
Flēt sŭpĕr aēquaēvūm sŏrŏr ēxārmātă Lўcāstē
Cŷdĭmŏn, heū sĭmĭlīs pĕrĭtūro īn cōrpŏrĕ vūltūs
āspĭcĭēns flōrēmquĕ gĕnae ēt quās fīnxĕrăt aūrō
īpsă cŏmās, cūm saēvă părēns iām cōniŭgĕ fūsō
āstĭtĭt īmpēllītquĕ mĭnīs ātque īngĕrĭt ēnsēm.230
Ūt fĕră, quaē răbĭē plăcĭdō dēsuētă măgīstrō
tārdĭŭs ārmă mŏvēt stĭmŭlīsque ēt vērbĕrĕ crēbrō
īn mōrēs nĕgăt īrĕ sŭōs, sīc īllă iăcēntī
īncĭdĭt ūndāntēmquĕ sĭnū cōllāpsă crŭōrēm
ēxcĭpĭt ēt lăcĕrōs prĕmĭt īn nŏvă vūlnĕră crīnīs.235
Ūt vēro Ālcĭmĕdēn ĕtĭāmnum īn mūrmŭrĕ trūncōs
fērrĕ pătrīs vūltūs ĕt ĕgēntēm sānguĭnĭs ēnsēm
cōnspēxī, rĭgŭērĕ cŏmae ātque īn vīscĕră saēvūs
hōrrŏr ĭīt: mĕŭs īllĕ Thŏās, mĕă dīră vĭdērī
dēxtră mĭhi! Ēxtēmplō thălămīs tūrbātă pătērnīs240
īnfĕrŏr. īllĕ quĭdēm dūdūm - quīs māgnă tŭēntī
sōmnŭs? - ăgīt vērsāns sēcum, ētsī lātă rĕcēssīt
ūrbĕ dŏmūs, quīnām strĕpĭtūs, quaē mūrmŭră nōctīs,
cūr frĕmĭbūndă quĭēs? Trĕpĭdō scĕlŭs ōrdĭnĕ pāndō,
quīs dŏlŏr, ūnde ănĭmī: "Vīs nūlla ārcērĕ fŭrēntēs;245
hāc sĕquĕre, ō mĭsĕrāndĕ; prĕmūnt ădĕrūntquĕ mŏrāntī,
ēt mēcūm fōrtāssĕ cădēs". Hīs mōtŭs ĕt ārtūs
ērēxīt strātīs. Fĕrĭmūr pēr dēvĭă vāstaē
ūrbĭs ĕt īngēntēm nōctūrnaē caēdĭs ăcērvūm
pāssim, ūt quōsquĕ săcrīs crūdēlīs vēspĕră lūcīs250
strāvĕrăt, ōccūltā spĕcŭlāmūr nūbĕ lătēntēs.
Hīc īmprēssā tōrĭs ŏra ēxstāntēsquĕ rĕclūsīs
pēctŏrĭbūs căpŭlōs māgnārum ēt frāgmĭnă trūncă
hāstārum ēt fērrō lăcĕrās pēr cōrpŏră vēstēs,
crātērās prōnōs ĕpŭlāsque īn caēdĕ nătāntīs255
cērnĕre ĕrāt, iŭgŭlīsquĕ mŏdō tōrrēntĭs ăpērtīs
sānguĭnĕ pērmīxtō rĕdĕūntem īn pōcŭlă Bācchūm.
Hīc iŭvĕnūm mănŭs ēt nūllīs vĭŏlābĭlĭs ārmīs
tūrbă sĕnēs, pŏsĭtīquĕ pătrūm sŭpĕr ōră gĕmēntūm
sēmĭnĕcēs pŭĕrī trĕpĭdās īn līmĭnĕ vītaē260
sīngūltānt ănĭmās. Gĕlĭdā nōn saēvĭŭs Ōssā
lūxŭrĭānt Lăpĭthārum ĕpŭlaē, sī quāndŏ prŏfūndō
Nūbĭgĕnaē cālvērĕ mĕrō; vīx prīmŭs ăb īrā
pāllŏr, ĕt īmpūlsīs sūrgūnt ād proēlĭă mēnsīs.
Tūnc prīmūm sēsē trĕpĭdīs sūb nōctĕ Thўōneūs265
dētēxīt, nātō pōrtāns ēxtrēmă Thŏāntī
sūbsĭdĭa, ēt mūltā sŭbĭtūs cūm lūcĕ rĕfūlsīt.
Āgnōvī: nōn īllĕ quĭdēm tūrgēntĭă sērtīs
tēmpŏră nēc flāvā crīnēm dēstrīnxĕrăt ūvā:
nūbĭlŭs īndīgnūmque ŏcŭlīs līquēntĭbŭs īmbrēm270
ādlŏquĭtūr: "Dūm fātă dăbānt tĭbĭ, nātĕ, pŏtēntēm
Lēmnŏn ĕt ēxtērnīs ĕtĭām sērvārĕ tĭmēndām
gēntĭbŭs, haūd ūmquām iūstō mĕă cūră lăbōrī
dēstĭtĭt: ābscĭdĕrūnt trīstēs crūdēlĭă Pārcaē
stāmĭnă, nēc dīctīs, sūpplēx quaē plūrĭmă fūdī275
āntĕ Iŏvēm frūstrā, lăcrĭmīsque āvērtĕrĕ lūctūs
cōntĭgĭt; īnfāndūm nātaē cōncēssĭt hŏnōrēm.
Āccĕlĕrātĕ fŭgām, tūque, ō mĕă dīgnă prŏpāgŏ,
hāc rĕgĕ, vīrgŏ, pătrēm, gĕmĭnī quā brācchĭă mūrī
lītŭs ĕūnt: īllā, quā rērĕ sĭlēntĭă, pōrtā280
stāt fūnēstă Vĕnūs fērrōque āccīnctă fŭrēntēs
ādiŭvăt - ūndĕ mănūs, ūnde haēc Māvōrtĭă dīvaē
pēctŏră? tū lātō pātrēm cōmmīttĕ prŏfūndō.
Sūccēdām cūrīs." ĭtă fātŭs ĭn āĕră rūrsūs
sōlvĭtŭr ēt nōstrūm, vīsūs ārcēntĭbŭs ūmbrīs,285
mītĭs ĭtēr lōngaē clārāvīt līmĭtĕ flāmmaē.
Quā dătă sīgnă, sĕquōr; deīn cūrvō rōbŏrĕ claūsūm
dīs pĕlăgī vēntīsque ēt Cŷclădăs Aēgaēōnī
āmplēxō cōmmēndŏ pătrēm, nēc flētĭbŭs ūmquām
fīt mŏdŭs āltērnīs, nī iām dīmīttăt Ĕōō290
Lūcĭfĕr āstră pŏlō. Tūnc dēmūm lītŏrĕ raūcō
mūltă mĕtū rĕpŭtāns ēt vīx cōnfīsă Lўaēō
dīvĭdŏr, īpsă grădū nītēntĕ, sĕd ānxĭă rētrō
pēctŏră, nēc rĕquĭēs, quīn ēt sūrgēntĭă caēlō
flāmĭna ĕt ē cūnctīs prōspēctēm cōllĭbŭs ūndās.295
Ēxŏrĭtūr pŭdĭbūndă dĭēs, caēlūmquĕ rĕtēxēns
āvērsūm Lēmnō iŭbăr ēt dēclīnĭă Tītān
ōppŏsĭtā iŭgă nūbĕ rĕfērt. Pătŭērĕ fŭrōrēs
nōctūrnī, lūcīsquĕ nŏvaē fōrmīdĭnĕ cūnctīs,
quāmquam īntēr sĭmĭlēs, sŭbĭtūs pŭdŏr; īmpĭă tērraē300
īnfŏdĭūnt scĕlĕra aūt fēstīnīs īgnĭbŭs ūrūnt.
Iām mănŭs Eūmĕnĭdūm cāptāsquĕ rĕfūgĕrăt ārcēs
ēxsătŭrātă Vĕnūs; lĭcŭīt sēntīrĕ quĭd aūsaē,
ēt tūrbārĕ cŏmās ēt lūmĭnă tīnguĕrĕ flētū.
Īnsŭlă dīvĕs ăgrīs ŏpĭbūsque ārmīsquĕ vĭrīsquĕ,305
nōtă sĭtu ēt Gĕtĭcō nūpēr dītātă trĭūmphō,
nōn mărĭs īncūrsū, nōn hōstĕ, nĕc aēthĕrĕ laēvō
pērdĭdĭt ūna ōmnēs ōrbāta ēxcūssăquĕ fūndō
īndĭgĕnās: nōn ārvă vĭrī, nōn aēquŏră vērtūnt,
cōntĭcŭērĕ dŏmūs, crŭŏr āltŭs ĕt ōblĭtă crāssō310
cūnctă rŭbēnt tābō, māgnaēque īn moēnĭbŭs ūrbīs
nōs tāntum ēt saēvī spīrānt pēr cūlmĭnă mānēs.
Īpsă quŏque ārcānīs tēcti īn pĕnĕtrālĭbŭs āltō
mōlĭŏr īgnĕ pўrām, scēptrūm sŭpĕr ārmăquĕ pātrīs
īnĭcĭo ēt nōtās rēgūm vēlāmĭnă vēstēs,315
āc prŏpĕ maēstă rŏgūm cōnfūsīs īgnĭbŭs āstō
ēnsĕ crŭēntātō, fraūdēmque ĕt ĭnānĭă būstă
plāngŏ mĕtū, sī fōrtĕ prĕmānt, cāssūmquĕ părēntī
ōmĕn ĕt hāc dŭbĭōs lētī prĕcŏr īrĕ tĭmōrēs.
Hīs mĭhĭ prō mĕrĭtīs, ūt fālsī crīmĭnĭs āstū320
pārtă fĭdēs, rēgno ēt sŏlĭō cōnsīdĕrĕ pātrīs
- sūpplĭcĭūm! - dătŭr. Ānne īllīs ōbsēssă nĕgārēm?
Āccēssī, saēpe āntĕ dĕōs tēstātă fĭdēmquĕ
īmmĕrĭtāsquĕ mănūs; sŭbĕō - prō dīră pŏtēstās! -
ēxsāngue īmpĕrĭum ēt maēstām sĭnĕ cūlmĭnĕ Lēmnōn.325
Iām măgĭs ātquĕ măgīs vĭgĭlēs dŏlŏr āngĕrĕ sēnsūs,
ēt gĕmĭtūs clāri, ēt paūlātim īnvīsă Pŏlŷxō,
iām mĕmĭnīssĕ nĕfās, iām pōnĕrĕ mānĭbŭs ārās
cōncēssum ēt mūltūm cĭnĕrēs iūrārĕ sĕpūltōs.
Sīc ŭbĭ dūctōrēm trĕpĭdaē stăbŭlīquĕ mărītūm,330
quēm pĕnĕs ēt sāltūs ĕt ădūltaē glōrĭă gēntīs,
Māssŷlō frāngī stŭpŭērĕ sŭb hōstĕ iŭvēncaē,
īt trūncūm sĭne hŏnōrĕ pĕcūs, rēgēmquĕ pĕrēmptūm
īpse ăgĕr, īpsi āmnēs ēt mūta ārmēntă quĕrūntūr.
Ēcce aūtem aērātā dīspēllēns aēquŏră prōrā335
Pēlĭăs īntāctī lātē sŭbĭt hōspĭtă pōntī
pīnŭs; ăgūnt Mĭnўaē, gĕmĭnūs frăgŏr ārdŭă cānēt
pēr lătĕra, ābrūptām crēdās rādīcĭbŭs īrĕ
Ōrtўgĭam aūt frāctūm pĕlăgō dēcūrrĕrĕ mōntēm.
Āst ŭbĭ sūspēnsīs sĭlŭērūnt aēquŏră tōnsīs,340
mītĭŏr ēt sĕnĭbūs cŷgnīs ēt pēctĭnĕ Phoēbī
vōx mĕdĭā dē pūppĕ vĕnīt, mărĭa īpsă cărīnaē
āccēdūnt. Pōst nōssĕ dătum ēst: Oēāgrĭŭs īllīc
ācclīnīs mālō mĕdĭīs īntērsŏnăt Ōrpheūs
rēmĭgĭīs tāntōsquĕ iŭbēt nēscīrĕ lăbōrēs.345
Īllīs īn Scўthĭcūm Bŏrĕān ĭtĕr ōrăquĕ prīmī
Cŷănĕīs ārtātă mărīs. Nōs Thrācĭă vīsū
bēllă rătaē vărĭō tēcta īncūrsārĕ tŭmūltū,
dēnsārūm pĕcŭdum aūt fŭgĭēntūm mōrĕ vŏlūcrūm.
Heū | ŭbĭ nūnc fŭrĭaē? Pōrtūs āmplēxăquĕ lītūs350
moēnĭă, quā lōngē pĕlăgō dēspēctŭs ăpērtō,
scāndĭmŭs ēt cēlsās tūrrēs; hūc sāxă sŭdēsquĕ
ārmăquĕ maēstă vĭrum ātque īnfēctōs caēdĭbŭs ēnsēs
sūbvēctānt trĕpĭdaē; quīn ēt squālēntĭă tēxtă
thōrācum ēt vūltū gălĕās īntrārĕ sŏlūtō355
nōn pŭdĕt; aūdācēs rŭbŭīt mīrātă cătērvās
Pāllăs ĕt ādvērsō rīsīt Grādīvŭs ĭn Haēmō.
Tūnc prīmum ēx ănĭmīs praēcēps āmēntĭă cēssīt,
nēc rătĭs īllă sălō, sēd dīvūm sēră pĕr aēquōr
iūstĭtĭa ēt poēnaē scĕlĕrum ādvēntārĕ vĭdēntūr.360
Iāmque ăbĕrānt tērrīs, quāntūm Cōrtŷnĭă cūrrūnt
spīcŭlă, caērŭlĕō grăvĭdām cūm Iūppĭtĕr īmbrī
īpsă sŭpēr nūbēm rătĭs ārmāmēntă Pĕlāsgaē
sīstĭt ăgēns; īnde hōrrŏr ăquīs ēt rāptŭs ăb ōmnī
sōlĕ dĭēs mīscēt tĕnĕbrās, quīs prōtĭnŭs ūndă365
cōncŏlŏr; ōbnīxī lăcĕrānt căvă nūbĭlă vēntī
dīrĭpĭūntquĕ frĕtūm, nīgrīs rĕdĭt ūmĭdă tēllūs
vērtĭcĭbūs, tōtūmquĕ nŏtīs cērtāntĭbŭs aēquōr
pēndĕt ĕt ārquātō iāmiām prŏpĕ sīdĕră dōrsō
frāngĭtŭr, īncērtaē nēc iām prĭŏr īmpĕtŭs ālnō,370
sēd lăbăt ēxstāntēm rōstrīs mŏdŏ gūrgĭte ĭn īmō,
nūnc caēlō Trītōnă fĕrēns. nēc rōbŏră prōsūnt
sēmĭdĕum hērōūm, pūppēmque īnsānă flăgēllāt
ārbŏr ĕt īnstăbĭlī prōcūmbēns pōndĕrĕ cūrvās
rāptăt ăquās, rēmīquĕ cădūnt īn pēctŭs ĭnānēs.375
nōs quŏquĕ pēr rūpēs mūrōrūmque āggĕre ăb ōmnī,
dūm lăbŏr īllĕ vĭrīs frĕtăque īndīgnāntŭr ĕt Aūstrōs,
dēsŭpĕr īnvălĭdīs flŭĭtāntĭă tēlă lăcērtīs
- quīd nōn aūsă mănūs? - Tĕlămōna ēt Pēlĕă cōntrā
spārgĭmŭs, ēt nōstrō pĕtĭtūr Tīrŷnthĭŭs ārcū.380
Īllī - quīppĕ sĭmūl bēllō pĕlăgōquĕ lăbōrānt -
pārs clĭpĕīs mūnīrĕ rătēm, pārs aēquŏră fūndō
ēgĕrĕre; āst ălĭī pūgnānt, sĕd ĭnērtĭă mōtū
cōrpŏră, sūspēnsaēquĕ cărēnt cōnāmĭnĕ vīrēs.
Īnstāmūs iāctū tēlōrum, ēt fērrĕă nīmbīs385
cērtăt hĭēms, vāstaēquĕ sŭdēs frāctīquĕ mŏlārēs
spīcŭlăque ēt mūltā crīnītūm mīssĭlĕ flāmmā
nūnc pĕlăgō, nūnc pūppĕ cădūnt, dăt ŏpērtă frăgōrēm
pīnŭs, ĕt ābiūnctīs rĕgĕmūnt tăbŭlātă căvērnīs.
Tālĭs Hўpērbŏrĕā vĭrĭdīs nĭvĕ vērbĕrăt āgrōs390
Iūppĭtĕr; ōbrŭĭtūr cāmpīs gĕnŭs ōmnĕ fĕrārūm,
dēprēnsaēquĕ cădūnt vŏlŭcrēs, ēt mēssĭs ămārō
strātă gĕlū, frăgŏr īndĕ iŭgīs, īnde āmnĭbŭs īraē.
Ūt vēro ēlīsīt nūbēs Iŏvĕ tōrtŭs ăb āltō
īgnĭs ĕt īngēntēs pătŭēre īn fūlmĭnĕ naūtaē,395
dīrĭgŭēre ănĭmī, mănĭbūsque hōrrōrĕ rĕmīssīs
ārma ălĭēnă cădūnt, rĕdĭīt īn pēctŏră sēxūs.
cērnĭmŭs Aēăcĭdās mūrīsque īmmānĕ mĭnāntēm
Āncaēum ēt lōngā pēllēntēm cūspĭdĕ rūpēs
Īphĭtŏn; āttŏnĭtō mănĭfēstŭs ĭn āgmĭnĕ sūprāst400
Āmphĭtrўōnĭădēs pūppēmque āltērnŭs ŭtrīmquĕ
īngrăvăt ēt mĕdĭās ārdēt dēscēndĕre ĭn ūndās.
Āt lĕvĭs ēt mĭsĕraē nōndūm mĭhĭ nōtŭs Ĭāsōn
trānstră pĕr ēt rēmōs īmprēssăquĕ tērgă vĭrōrūm
nūnc māgnum Oēnīdēn, nūnc īlle hōrtātĭbŭs Īdān405
ēt Tălăum ēt cānā rōrāntem āspārgĭnĕ pōntī
Tŷndărĭdēn ĭtĕrāns gĕlĭdīque īn nūbĕ părēntīs
vēlă lăbōrāntī Călăīn sūbnēctĕrĕ mālō
vōcĕ mănūquĕ rŏgāt; quătĭūnt īmpūlsĭbŭs īllī
nūnc frĕtă, nūnc mūrōs, sēd nēc spūmāntĭă cēdūnt410
aēquŏra ĕt īncūssaē rĕdĕūnt ā tūrrĭbŭs hāstaē.
Īpsĕ grăvīs flūctūs clāvūmque aūdīrĕ nĕgāntēm
lāssăt ăgēns Tīphŷs pāllētque ēt plūrĭmă mūtāt
īmpĕrĭa āc laēvās dēxtrāsque ōbtōrquĕt ĭn ūndās
prōrām nāvĭfrăgīs ăvĭdām cōncūrrĕrĕ sāxīs,415
dōnĕc ăb ēxtrēmaē cŭnĕō rătĭs Aēsŏnĕ nātūs
Pāllădĭōs ŏlĕaē, Mōpsī gēstāmĭnă, rāmōs
ēxtŭlĭt ēt sŏcĭūm tūrbā prŏhĭbēntĕ pŏpōscīt
foēdĕră; praēcĭpĭtēs vōcem īnvōlvērĕ prŏcēllaē.
tūnc mŏdŭs ārmōrūm, părĭtērque ēxhaūstă quĭērānt420
flāmĭnă, cōnfūsōquĕ dĭēs rēspēxĭt Ŏlŷmpō.
quīnquāgīnta īllī, trăbĭbūs dē mōrĕ rĕvīnctīs,
ēmĭnŭs ābrūptō quătĭūnt nŏvă lītŏră sāltū,
māgnōrūm dĕcŏra āltă pătrūm, iām frōntĕ sĕrēnī
nōscēndīque hăbĭtū, pōstquām tŭmŏr īrăquĕ cēssīt425
vūltĭbŭs. Ārcānā sīc fāma ērūmpĕrĕ pōrtā
caēlĭcŏlās, sī quāndŏ dŏmōs lītūsquĕ rŭbēntūm
Aēthĭŏpum ēt mēnsās ămŏr ēst īntrārĕ mĭnōrēs;
dānt flŭvĭī mōntēsquĕ lŏcūm, tūm tērră sŭpērbīt
grēssĭbŭs ēt paūlūm rēspīrāt caēlĭfĕr Ātlās.430
hīc ĕt ăb āssērtō nūpēr Mărăthōnĕ sŭpērbūm
Thēsĕa ĕt Īsmărĭōs, Ăquĭlōnĭă pīgnŏră, frātrēs,
ūtrăquĕ quīs rŭtĭlā strīdēbānt tēmpŏră pīnnā,
cērnĭmŭs, hīc Phoēbō nōn īndīgnāntĕ prĭōrēm
Ādmētum ēt dūraē sĭmĭlēm nĭhĭl Ōrphĕă Thrācaē,435
tūnc prōlēm Călўdōnĕ sătām gĕnĕrūmquĕ prŏfūndī
Nērĕŏs. Āmbĭgŭō vīsūs ērrōrĕ lăcēssūnt
Oēbălĭdaē gĕmĭnī; chlămўs huīc, chlămўs ārdĕt ĕt īllī,
āmbo hāstīlĕ gĕrūnt, ŭmĕrōs ēxsērtŭs ŭtērquĕ,
nūdŭs ŭtērquĕ gĕnās, sĭmĭlī cŏmă fūlgŭrăt āstrō.440
aūdĕt ĭtēr māgnīquĕ sĕquēns vēstīgĭă mūtāt
Hērcŭlĭs ēt tārdā quāmvīs sē mōlĕ fĕrēntēm
vīx cūrsū tĕnĕr aēquăt Hўlās Lērnaēăquĕ tōllēns
ārmă sŭb īngēntī gaūdēt sūdārĕ phărētrā.
ērgo ĭtĕrūm Vĕnŭs ēt tăcĭtīs cōrda āspĕră flāmmīs445
Lēmnĭădūm pērtēmptăt Ămōr. Tūnc rēgĭă Iūnŏ
ārma hăbĭtūsquĕ vĭrūm pūlchraēque īnsīgnĭă gēntīs
mēntĭbŭs īnsĭnŭāt, cērtātīmque ōrdĭnĕ cūnctaē
hōspĭtĭbūs pătŭērĕ fŏrēs; tūnc prīmŭs ĭn ārīs
īgnĭs, ĕt īnfāndīs vēnēre ōblīvĭă cūrīs;450
tūnc ĕpŭlaē fēlīxquĕ sŏpōr nōctēsquĕ quĭētaē,
nēc sŭpĕrūm sĭnĕ mēntĕ, rĕōr, plăcŭērĕ fătēntēs.
fōrsĭtăn ēt nōstraē fātum ēxcūsābĭlĕ cūlpaē
nōscĕrĕ cūră, dŭcēs. Cĭnĕrēs fŭrĭāsquĕ mĕōrūm
tēstŏr: ŭt ēxtērnās nōn spōnte aūt crīmĭnĕ taēdās455
āttĭgĕrīm - scīt cūră dĕum -, ētsī blāndŭs Ĭāsōn
vīrgĭnĭbūs dărĕ vīnclă nŏvīs; sŭă iūră crŭēntūm
Phāsĭn hăbēnt, ălĭōs Cōlchī gĕnĕrātĭs ămōrēs.
Iāmque ēxūtă gĕlū tĕpŭērūnt sīdĕră lōngīs
sōlĭbŭs, ēt vēlōx īn tērgă rĕvōlvĭtŭr ānnūs.460
Iām nŏvă prōgĕnĭēs pārtūsque īn vōtă sŏlūtī,
ēt nōn spērātīs clāmātūr Lēmnŏs ălūmnīs.
Nēc nōn īpsă tămēn thălămī mŏnĭmēntă cŏāctī
ēnītōr gĕmĭnōs, dūrōquĕ sŭb hōspĭtĕ mātēr
nōmĕn ăvī rĕnŏvō; nēc quaē fōrtūnă rĕlīctīs465
nōssĕ dătūr, iām plēnă quătēr quīnquēnnĭă vērgūnt,
sī mŏdŏ fātă sĭnūnt ălŭītquĕ rŏgātă Lўcāstē.
Dētŭmŭēre ănĭmī mărĭs, ēt clēmēntĭŏr Aūstēr
vēlă vŏcāt: rătĭs īpsă mŏrām pōrtūsquĕ quĭētōs
ōdĭt ĕt āssērtī tēndīt rĕtĭnācŭlă sāxī.470
īndĕ fŭgām Mĭnўaē, sŏcĭōsque āppēllăt Ĭāsōn
ēffĕrŭs, ō | ŭtĭnām iām tūnc mĕă lītŏră rēctīs
praētērvēctŭs ăquīs, cuī nōn sŭă pīgnŏră cōrdī,
nōn prōmīssă fĭdēs; cērtē stāt fāmă rĕmōtīs
gēntĭbŭs: aēquŏrĕī rĕdĭērūnt vēllĕră Phrīxī.475
Ūt stătă lūx pĕlăgō vēntūrūmque aēthĕră sēnsīt
Tīphўs ĕt ōccĭdŭī rŭbŭērĕ cŭbīlĭă Phoēbī,
heū | ĭtĕrūm gĕmĭtūs, ĭtĕrūmquĕ nŏvīssĭmă nōx ēst.
vīx rĕsĕrātă dĭēs, ēt iām rătĕ cēlsŭs Ĭāsōn
īrĕ iŭbēt, prīmōquĕ fĕrīt dūx vērbĕrĕ pōntūm.480
Īllōs ē scŏpŭlīs ēt sūmmō vērtĭcĕ mōntīs
spūmĕă pōrrēctī dĭrĭmēntīs tērgă prŏfūndī
prōsĕquĭmūr vīsū, dōnēc lāssāvĭt hĭāntīs
lūx ŏcŭlōs lōngūmquĕ pŏlō cōntēxĕrĕ vīsāst
aēquŏr ĕt ēxtrēmī prēssīt frĕtă mārgĭnĕ caēlī.485
Fāmă sŭbīt pōrtūs, vēctūm trāns āltă Thŏāntă
frātērnā rēgnārĕ Chĭō, mĭhĭ crīmĭnă nūllă,
ēt văcŭōs ārsīssĕ rŏgōs; frĕmĭt īmpĭă plēbēs,
sōntĭbŭs āccēnsaē stĭmŭlīs făcĭnūsquĕ rĕpōscūnt.
quīn ĕtĭam ōccūltaē vūlgo īncrēbrēscĕrĕ vōcēs:490
"Sōlănĕ fīdă sŭīs, nōs aūtem īn fūnĕră laētaē?
nōn dĕŭs haēc fātūmquĕ! quĭd īmpĕrăt ūrbĕ nĕfāndā?"
Tālĭbŭs ēxănĭmīs dīctīs - ēt trīstĕ prŏpīnquāt
sūpplĭcĭūm, nēc rēgnă iŭvānt - văgă lītŏră fūrtīm
īncŏmĭtātă sĕquōr fūnēstăquĕ moēnĭă līnquō,495
quā fŭgă nōtă pătrīs; sēd nōn ĭtĕrum ōbvĭŭs Eūhān,
nām mē praēdōnūm mănŭs hūc āppūlsă tăcēntēm
ābrĭpĭt ēt vēstrās fămŭlām trānsmīttĭt ĭn ōrās".
Tālĭă Lērnaēīs ĭtĕrāt dūm rēgĭbŭs ēxūl
Lēmnĭăs ēt lōngā sōlātūr dāmnă quĕrēlā,500
īmmĕmŏr ābsēntīs - sīc dī suāsīstĭs! - ălūmnī,
īllĕ grăvīs ŏcŭlōs lānguēntĭăque ōră cŏmāntī
mērgĭt hŭmō, fēssūsquĕ dĭū pŭĕrīlĭbŭs āctīs
lābĭtŭr īn sōmnōs, prēnsā mănŭs haērĕt ĭn hērbā.
Īntĕrĕā cāmpīs, nĕmŏrīs săcĕr hōrrŏr Ăchaēī,505
tērrĭgĕna ēxŏrĭtūr sērpēns, trāctūquĕ sŏlūtō
īmmānēm sēsē vĕhĭt āc pōst tērgă rĕlīnquīt.
Līvĭdă fāx ŏcŭlīs, tŭmĭdī stăt ĭn ōrĕ vĕnēnī
spūmă vĭrēns, tēr līnguă vĭbrāt, tērna āgmĭna ădūncī
dēntĭs, ĕt aūrātaē crūdēlīs glōrĭă frōntīs510
prōmĭnĕt. Īnăchĭō sānctūm dīxērĕ Tŏnāntī
āgrĭcŏlaē, cuī cūră lŏci ēt sīlvēstrĭbŭs ārīs
paūpĕr hŏnōs; nūnc īllĕ dĕī cīrcūmdărĕ tēmplă
ōrbĕ văgō lābēns, mĭsĕraē nūnc rōbŏră sīlvaē
āttĕrĭt ēt vāstās tĕnŭāt cōmplēxĭbŭs ōrnōs;515
saēpĕ sŭpēr flŭvĭōs gĕmĭnaē iăcĕt āggĕrĕ rīpaē
cōntĭnŭūs, squāmīsque īncīsŭs ădaēstŭăt āmnīs.
Sēd nūnc, Ōgўgĭī iūssīs quāndo ōmnĭs ănhēlāt
tērră dĕī trĕpĭdaēquĕ lătēnt īn pūlvĕrĕ Nŷmphaē,
saēvĭŏr ānfrāctū lătĕrūm sĭnŭōsă rĕtōrquēns520
tērgă sŏlō sīccīquĕ nŏcēns fŭrĭt īgnĕ vĕnēnī.
Stāgnă pĕr ārēntēsquĕ lăcūs fōntēsquĕ rĕprēssōs
vōlvĭtŭr ēt văcŭīs flŭvĭōrum īn vāllĭbŭs ērrāt,
īncēnsūsquĕ sĭtī lĭquĭdūm nūnc āĕră lāmbīt
ōrĕ sŭpīnātō, nūnc ārvă gĕmēntĭă rādēns525
prōnŭs ădhaērĕt hŭmō, sī quīd vĭrĭdāntĭă sūdēnt
grāmĭnă; pērcūssaē călĭdīs ādflātĭbŭs hērbaē,
quā tŭlĭt ōră, cădūnt, mŏrĭtūrque ād sībĭlă cāmpūs:
quāntŭs ăb Ārctōīs dīscrīmĭnăt aēthĕră plaūstrīs
Ānguĭs ĕt ūsquĕ Nŏtōs ălĭēnūmque ēxĭt ĭn ōrbēm;530
quāntŭs ĕt īllĕ săcrī spīrīs īntōrtă mŏvēbāt
cōrnŭă Pārnāsī, dōnēc tĭbĭ, Dēlĭĕ, fīxūs
vēxĭt hărūndĭnĕām cēntēnō vūlnĕrĕ sīlvām.
Quīs tĭbĭ, pārvĕ, dĕūs tām māgnī pōndĕră fātī
sōrtĕ dĕdīt? Tūne hōc vīx prīma ād līmĭnă vītaē535
hōstĕ iăcēs? Ăn ŭt īndĕ săcēr pēr saēcŭlă Grāīs
gēntĭbŭs ēt tāntō dīgnūs mŏrĕrērĕ sĕpūlcrō?
Ōccĭdĭs ēxtrēmaē dēstrīctūs vērbĕrĕ caūdaē
īgnārō sērpēntĕ pŭēr, fŭgĭt īlĭcĕt ārtūs
sōmnŭs ĕt īn sōlām pătŭērūnt lūmĭnă mōrtēm.540
Cūm tămĕn āttŏnĭtō mŏrĭēns vāgītŭs ĭn aūrās
ēxcĭdĭt ēt rūptīs īmmūtŭĭt ōrĕ quĕrēlīs,
quālĭă nōn tōtās pĕrăgūnt īnsōmnĭă vōcēs,
aūdĭĭt Hŷpsĭpўlē, făcĭlēmquĕ nĕgāntĭă cūrsūm
ēxănĭmīs gĕnŭa aēgră răpīt; iām cērtă mălōrūm545
mēntĭs ăb aūgŭrĭō spārsōquĕ pĕr ōmnĭă vīsū
lūstrăt hŭmūm quaērēns ēt nōtă vŏcābŭlă pārvō
nēquīquam īngĕmĭnāns: nūsquam īlle, ēt prātă rĕcēntīs
āmīsērĕ nŏtās. vĭrĭdī pĭgĕr āccŭbăt hōstīs
cōllēctūs gŷrō spătĭōsăquĕ iūgĕră cōmplēt550
sīc ĕtĭam, ōblīquā cērvīcem ēxpōstŭs ĭn ālvō.
Hōrrŭĭt īnfēlīx vīsū lōngōquĕ prŏfūndūm
īncēndīt clāmōrĕ nĕmūs; nēc tērrĭtŭs īllĕ,
sēd iăcĕt. Ārgŏlĭcās ŭlŭlātūs flēbĭlĭs aūrīs
īmpŭlĭt; ēxtēmplō mŏnĭtū dŭcĭs ādvŏlăt ārdēns555
Ārcăs ĕquēs caūsāmquĕ rĕfērt. tūnc squāmĕă dēmūm
tōrvŭs ăd ārmōrūm rădĭōs frĕmĭtūmquĕ vĭrōrūm
cōllă mŏvēt: răpĭt īngēntī cōnāmĭnĕ sāxūm,
quō dīscrētŭs ăgēr, văcŭāsque īmpēllĭt ĭn aūrās
ārdŭŭs Hīppŏmĕdōn, quō tūrbĭnĕ bēllĭcă quōndām560
lībrātī sălĭūnt pōrtārum īn claūstră mŏlārēs.
Cāssă dŭcīs vīrtūs: iām mōllĭă cōllă rĕfūsūs
īn tērgūm sērpēns vĕnĭēntem ēxhaūsĕrăt īctūm.
Dāt sŏnĭtūm tēllūs, nĕmŏrūmquĕ pĕr āvĭă dēnsī
dīssūltānt nēxūs. "Āt nōn mĕă vūlnĕră" clāmāt565
ēt trăbĕ frāxĭnĕā Căpăneūs sŭbĭt ōbvĭŭs "ūmquām
ēffŭgĭēs, seū tū păvĭdī fĕrŭs īncŏlă lūcī,
sīvĕ dĕīs, ŭtĭnāmquĕ dĕīs, cōncēssă vŏlūptās,
nōn, sī cōnsērtūm sŭpĕr haēc mĭhĭ mēmbră Gĭgāntă
sūbvĕhĕrēs". vŏlăt hāstă trĕmēns ĕt hĭāntĭă mōnstrī570
ōră sŭbīt līnguaēquĕ sĕcāt fĕră vīnclă trĭsūlcaē,
pērquĕ iŭbās stāntīs căpĭtīsque īnsīgnĕ cŏrūscī
ēmĭcăt, ēt nīgrī sănĭē pērfūsă cĕrēbrī
fīgĭtŭr āltă sŏlō. lōngūs vīx tōtă pĕrēgīt
mēmbră dŏlōr, răpĭdō cĕlĕr īllĕ vŏlūmĭnĕ tēlūm575
cīrcŭmĭt āvūlsūmquĕ fĕrēns ĭn ŏpācă rĕfūgīt
tēmplă dĕi; hīc māgnō tēllūrēm pōndĕrĕ mēnsūs
īmplōrāntem ănĭmām dŏmĭnīs āssībĭlăt ārīs.
Īllum ēt cōgnātaē stāgna īndīgnāntĭă Lērnaē,
flōrĭbŭs ēt vērnīs āssuētaē spārgĕrĕ Nŷmphaē,580
ēt Nĕmĕēs rēptātŭs ăgēr, lūcōsquĕ pĕr ōmnīs
sīlvĭcŏlaē frāctā gĕmŭīstĭs hărūndĭnĕ, Faūnī.
Īpse ĕtĭam ē sūmmā iām tēlă pŏpōscĕrăt aēthră
Iūppĭtĕr, ēt dūdūm nīmbīque hĭĕmēsquĕ cŏībānt,
nī mĭnŏr īră dĕō grăvĭōrăquĕ tēlă mĕrērī585
sērvātūs Căpăneūs; mōtī tămĕn aūră cŭcūrrīt
fūlmĭnĭs ēt sūmmās lībāvīt vērtĭcĕ crīstās.
Iāmquĕ pĕrērrātīs īnfēlīx Lēmnĭă cāmpīs,
lībĕr ŭt ānguĕ lŏcūs, mŏdĭcō sŭpĕr āggĕrĕ lōngē
pāllĭdă sānguĭnĕīs īnfēctās rōrĭbŭs hērbās590
prōspĭcĭt. Hūc māgnō cūrsūm răpĭt ēffĕră lūctū
āgnōscītquĕ nĕfās, tērraēque īllīsă nŏcēntī
fūlmĭnĭs īn mōrēm nōn vērba īn fūnĕrĕ prīmō,
nōn lăcrĭmās hăbĕt: īngĕmĭnāt mĭsĕra ōscŭlă tāntūm
īncūmbēns ănĭmaēquĕ fŭgām pēr mēmbră tĕpēntēm595
quaērĭt hĭāns. nōn ōră lŏcō, nōn pēctŏră rēstānt,
rāptă cŭtīs, tĕnŭia ōssă pătēnt nēxūsquĕ mădēntēs
sānguĭnĭs īmbrĕ nŏvī, tōtūmque īn vūlnĕrĕ cōrpūs.
Āc vĕlŭt ālĭgĕraē sēdēm fētūsquĕ părēntīs
cūm pĭgĕr ūmbrōsā pŏpŭlātŭs ĭn īlĭcĕ sērpēns,600
īllă rĕdīt quĕrŭlaēquĕ dŏmūs mīrātă quĭētēm
iām stŭpĕt īmpēndēns ādvēctōsque hōrrĭdă maēstō
ēxcŭtĭt ōrĕ cĭbōs, cūm sōlŭs ĭn ārbŏrĕ pārēt
sānguĭs ĕt ērrāntēs pēr cāptă cŭbīlĭă plūmaē.
Ūt lăcĕrōs ārtūs grĕmĭō mĭsĕrāndă rĕcēpīt605
īntēxītquĕ cŏmīs, tāndēm lāxātă dŏlōrī
vōx īnvēnĭt ĭtēr, gĕmĭtūsque īn vērbă sŏlūtī:
Ō mĭhĭ dēsērtaē nātōrūm dūlcĭs ĭmāgŏ,
Ārchĕmŏre, ō rērum ēt pătrĭaē sōlāmĕn ădēmptaē
sērvĭtĭīquĕ dĕcūs, quī tē, mĕă gaūdĭă, sōntēs610
ēxstīnxērĕ dĕī, mŏdŏ quēm dīgrēssă rĕlīquī
lāscīvum ēt prōnō vēxāntēm grāmĭnă cūrsū?
heū | ŭbĭ sīdĕrĕī vūltūs? ŭbĭ vērbă lĭgātīs
īmpērfēctă sŏnīs rīsūsque ēt mūrmŭră sōlī
īntēllēctă mĭhī? Quŏtĭēns tĭbĭ Lēmnŏn ĕt Ārgō615
suētă lŏqui ēt lōngā sōmnūm suādērĕ quĕrēlā:
sīc ĕquĭdēm lūctūs sōlābăr ĕt ūbĕră pārvō
iām mātērnă dăbām, cuī nūnc vĕnĭt īrrĭtŭs ōrbaē
lāctĭs ĕt īnfēlīx īn vūlnĕră līquĭtŭr īmbēr.
nōscŏ dĕōs: ō vēră mĕī praēsāgĭă sōmnī620
nōctūrnīquĕ mĕtūs, ēt nūmquam īmpūnĕ pĕr ūmbrās
āttŏnĭtaē mĭhĭ vīsă Vĕnūs! quōs ārgŭŏ dīvōs?
Īpsa ĕgŏ tē - quĭd ĕnīm tĭmĕām mŏrĭtūră fătērī? -
ēxpŏsŭī fātīs. Quaē mēntem īnsānĭă trāxīt?
Tāntănĕ mē tāntaē tĕnŭēre ōblīvĭă cūraē?625
Dūm pătrĭōs cāsūs fāmaēque ēxōrsă rĕtrāctō
āmbĭtĭōsă mĕaē - pĭĕtās haēc māgnă fĭdēsquĕ! -,
ēxsōlvī tĭbĭ, Lēmnĕ, nĕfās; ŭbĭ lētĭfĕr ānguīs,
fērtĕ, dŭcēs, mĕrĭtī sī qua ēst mĭhĭ grātĭă dūrī,
sī quĭs hŏnōs dīctīs, aūt vōs ēxstīnguĭtĕ fērrō,630
nē trīstīs dŏmĭnōs ōrbāmque ĭnĭmīcă rĕvīsām
Eūrўdĭcēn, quāmquam haūd īllī mĕă cūră dŏlēndō
cēssĕrĭt. hōcnĕ fĕrēns ŏnŭs īllaētābĭlĕ mātrīs
trānsfūndām grĕmĭō? Quaē mē prĭŭs īmă sŭb ūmbrās
mērgăt hŭmūs!" Sĭmŭl haēc tērrāque ēt sānguĭnĕ vūltūm635
sōrdĭdă māgnōrūm cīrcā vēstīgĭă rēgūm
vērtĭtŭr, ēt tăcĭtē maērēntĭbŭs īmpŭtăt ūndās.
Ēt iām sācrĭfĭcī sŭbĭtūs pēr tēctă Lўcūrgī
nūntĭŭs īmplērāt lăcrĭmīs īpsūmquĕ dŏmūmquĕ,
īpsum ādvēntāntēm Pērsēī vērtĭcĕ sānctō640
mōntĭs, ŭbi āvērsō dĕdĕrāt prōsēctă Tŏnāntī,
ēt căpŭt īrātīs rĕdĭēns quāssābăt ăb ēxtīs.
Hīc sēse Ārgŏlĭcīs īmmūnēm sērvăt ăb ārmīs
haūd ănĭmī văcŭūs, sēd tēmpla āraēquĕ tĕnēbānt.
Nēcdum ĕtĭām rēspōnsă dĕūm mŏnĭtūsquĕ vĕtūstī645
ēxcĭdĕrānt vōxque ēx ădўtīs āccēptă prŏfūndīs:
"Prīmă, Lўcūrgĕ, dăbīs Dīrcaēō fūnĕră bēllō".
Īd căvĕt, ēt maēstūs vīcīnī pūlvĕrĕ Mārtīs
āngĭtŭr ād lĭtŭōs pĕrĭtūrūsque īnvĭdĕt ārmīs.
Ēccĕ - fĭdēs sŭpĕrūm! - lăcĕrās cŏmĭtātă Thŏāntīs650
ādvĕhĭt ēxsĕquĭās, cōntrā sŭbĭt ōbvĭă mātēr,
fēmĭnĕōs coētūs plāngēntĭăque āgmĭnă dūcēns.
Āt nōn māgnănĭmō pĭĕtās īgnāvă Lўcūrgō:
fōrtĭŏr īllĕ mălīs, lăcrĭmāsque īnsānă rĕsōrbēt
īră pătrīs, lōngō răpĭt ārvă mŏrāntĭă pāssū655
vōcĭfĕrāns: "Īlla aūtem ŭbĭnām, cuī pārvă crŭōrīs
laētăvĕ dāmnă mĕī? Vīvītne? Īmpēllĭtĕ rāptām,
fērtĕ cĭtī cŏmĭtēs; fāxo ōmnīs fābŭlă Lēmnī
ēt pătĕr ēt tŭmĭdaē gĕnĕrīs mēndācĭă sācrī
ēxcĭdĕrīnt". Ībāt lētūmque īnfērrĕ părābāt660
ēnsĕ fŭrēns rāptō; vĕnĭēnti Oēnēĭŭs hērōs
īmpĭgĕr ōbiēctā prōtūrbāt pēctŏră pārmā,
āc sĭmŭl īnfrēndēns: "Sīste hūnc, vēsānĕ, fŭrōrēm,
quīsquĭs ĕs!" Ēt părĭtēr Căpăneūs ācērquĕ rĕdūctō
ādfŭĭt Hīppŏmĕdōn rēctōque Ĕrўmānthĭŭs ēnsĕ,665
āc iŭvĕnēm mūltō praēstrīngūnt lūmĭne; ăt īndĕ
āgrēstūm prō rēgĕ mănūs. Quōs īntĕr Ădrāstūs
mītĭŭs ēt sŏcĭaē vĕrĭtūs cōmmērcĭă vīttaē
Āmphĭărāŭs ăīt "Nē, quaēso; ābsīstĭtĕ fērrō,
ūnŭs ăvūm sānguīs, nēve īndūlgētĕ fŭrōrī,670
tūquĕ prĭōr". Sēd nōn sēdātō pēctōrĕ Tўdeūs
sūbĭcĭt: "Ānnĕ dŭcēm sērvātrīcēmquĕ cŏhōrtīs
Īnăchĭae īngrātīs cōrām tōt mīlĭbŭs aūsīs
māctāre īn tŭmŭlōs - quāntī prō fūnĕrĭs ūltōr! -,
cuī rēgnūm gĕnĭtōrquĕ Thŏās ēt lūcĭdŭs Eūhān675
stīrpĭs ăvūs? Tĭmĭdōnĕ părūm, quōd gēntĭbŭs āctīs
ūndĭque ĭn ārmă tŭīs īntēr răpĭda āgmĭnă pācēm
sōlŭs hăbēs? Hăbĕāsque, ēt tē vīctōrĭă Grāiūm
īnvĕnĭāt tŭmŭlīs ĕtĭāmnum haēc fātă gĕmēntēm".
Dīxĕrăt, ēt tāndēm cūnctāntĕ mŏdēstĭŏr īrā680
īllĕ rĕfērt: "Ĕquĭdēm nōn vōs ād moēnĭă Thēbēs
rēbăr, ăt hōstīlīs hūc ādvēnīssĕ cătērvās.
Pērgĭte ĭn ēxcĭdĭūm sŏcĭī, sī tāntă vŏlūptās,
sānguĭnĭs, īmbŭĭte ārmă dŏmi, ātque haēc īrrĭtă dūdūm
tēmplă Iŏvīs - quĭd ĕnim haūd lĭcĭtūm? - fĕrăt īmpĭŭs īgnīs,685
sī vīlēm, tāntī prĕmĕrēnt cūm pēctŏră lūctūs,
īn fămŭlām iūs ēssĕ rătūs dŏmĭnōquĕ dŭcīquĕ.
Sēd vĭdĕt haēc, vĭdĕt īllĕ dĕūm rēgnātŏr, ĕt aūsīs
sēră quĭdēm, mănĕt īră tămēn". Sīc fātŭs, ĕt ārcēs
rēspĭcĭt. Ātque īllīc ălĭō cērtāmĭnĕ bēllī690
tēctă frĕmūnt; vŏlŭcrēs ĕquĭtūm praēvērtĕrăt ālās
fāmă rĕcēns, gĕmĭnōs ālīs āmplēxă tŭmūltūs:
īlli ād fātă răpi ātque īllī iam ōccūmbĕrĕ lētō,
sīc mĕrĭtam Hŷpsĭpўlēn ĭtĕrānt, crēdūntquĕ, nĕc īraē
fīt mŏră, iāmquĕ făcēs ēt tēlă pĕnātĭbŭs īnstānt,695
vērtĕrĕ rēgnă frĕmūnt rāptūmque aūfērrĕ Lўcūrgūm
cūm Iŏvĕ cūmque ārīs; rĕsŏnānt ŭlŭlātĭbŭs aēdēs
fēmĭnĕīs, vērsūsquĕ dŏlōr dāt tērgă tĭmōrī.
Ālĭpĕdūm cūrrū sĕd ĕnīm sūblīmĭs Ădrāstūs
sēcum ānte ōră vĭrūm frĕmĭbūndă Thŏāntĭdă pōrtāns700
īt mĕdĭūs tūrmīs, ēt: "Pārcĭtĕ, pārcĭtĕ!" clāmāt,
Nīl āctūm saēvē, mĕrĭtūs nēc tālĕ Lўcūrgūs
ēxcĭdĭūm, grātīque īnvēntrīx flūmĭnĭs ēccĕ".
Sīc ŭbĭ dīvērsīs mărĭa ēvērtērĕ prŏcēllīs
hīnc Bŏrĕās Eūrūsque, īllīnc nĭgĕr īmbrĭbŭs Aūstēr,705
pūlsă dĭēs rēgnāntque hĭĕmēs, vĕnĭt aēquŏrĭs āltī
rēx sūblīmĭs ĕquīs, gĕmĭnūsque ād spūmĕă Trītōn
frēnă nătāns lātē pĕlăgō dāt sīgnă cădēndī,
ēt iām plānă Thĕtīs, mōntēsque ēt lītŏră crēscūnt.
Quīs sŭpĕrūm tāntō sōlātūs fūnĕră vōtō710
pēnsāvīt lăcrĭmās ĭnŏpīnăquĕ gaūdĭă maēstaē
rēttŭlĭt Hŷpsĭpўlaē? Tū gēntīs cōndĭtŏr, Eūhān,
quī gĕmĭnōs iŭvĕnēs Lēmnī dē lītŏrĕ vēctōs
īntŭlĕrās Nĕmĕaē mīrāndăquĕ fātă părābās.
Caūsă vĭaē gĕnĕtrīx, nĕc ĭnhōspĭtă tēctă Lўcūrgī715
praēbŭĕrānt ădĭtūs, ēt prōtĭnŭs īllĕ tўrānnō
nūntĭŭs ēxstīnctaē mĭsĕrāndō vūlnĕrĕ prōlīs.
Ērgo ādsūnt cŏmĭtēs - prō fōrs ēt caēcă fŭtūrī
mēns hŏmĭnūm! - rēgīquĕ făvēnt; sēd Lēmnŏs ăd aūrīs
ūt prīmūm dīctūsquĕ Thŏās, pēr tēlă mănūsquĕ720
īrrŭĕrānt, mātrēmque ăvĭdīs cōmplēxĭbŭs āmbō
dīrĭpĭūnt flēntēs āltērnăquĕ pēctŏră mūtānt.
Īllă vĕlūt rūpēs īmmōtō sāxĕă vīsū
haērĕt ĕt ēxpērtīs nōn aūdēt crēdĕrĕ dīvīs.
Ūt vēro ēt vūltūs ēt sīgna Ārgōă rĕlīctīs725
ēnsĭbŭs ātque ŭmĕrīs āmbōrum īntēxtŭs Ĭāsōn,
cēssērūnt lūctūs, tūrbātăquĕ mūnĕrĕ tāntō
cōrrŭĭt, ātque ălĭō mădŭērūnt lūmĭnă flētū.
Āddĭtă sīgnă pŏlō, laētōque ŭlŭlāntĕ tŭmūltū
tērgăque ĕt aēră dĕī mōtās crĕpŭērĕ pĕr aūrās.730
Tūnc pĭŭs Oēclīdēs, ūt prīmă sĭlēntĭă vūlgī
mōllĭŏr īră dĕdīt plăcĭdāsque āccēssŭs ăd aūrīs:
"Aūdīte, ō dūctōr Nĕmĕaē lēctīquĕ pŏtēntēs
Īnăchĭdaē, quaē cērtŭs ăgī mănĭfēstăt Ăpōllŏ.
Īstĕ quĭdem Ārgŏlĭcīs haūd ōlim īndēbĭtŭs ārmīs735
lūctŭs ădēst, rēctō dēscēndūnt līmĭtĕ Pārcaē:
ēt sĭtĭs īntĕrĭtū flŭvĭōrum ēt lētĭfĕr ānguīs,
ēt pŭĕr, heū nōstrī sīgnātūs nōmĭnĕ fātī,
Ārchĕmŏrūs, cūncta haēc sŭpĕrūm dēmīssă sŭprēmā
mēntĕ flŭūnt. Dīffērte ănĭmōs fēstīnăquĕ tēlă740
pōnĭtĕ; mānsūrīs dōnāndŭs hŏnōrĭbŭs īnfāns.
ēt mĕrŭīt; dēt pūlchră sŭīs lībāmĭnă vīrtūs
mānĭbŭs, ātque ŭtĭnām plūrīs īnnēctĕrĕ pērgās,
Phoēbĕ, mŏrās, sēmpērquĕ nŏvīs bēllārĕ vĕtēmūr
cāsĭbŭs, ēt sēmpēr Thēbē fūnēstă rĕcēdās!745
Āt vōs māgnōrūm trānsgrēssī fātă părēntūm
fēlīcēs, lōngūm quĭbŭs hīnc pēr saēcŭlă nōmēn,
dūm Lērnaēă pălūs ēt dūm pătĕr Īnăchŭs ībīt,
dūm Nĕmĕā trĕmŭlās cāmpīs iăcŭlābĭtŭr ūmbrās,
nē flētū vĭŏlātĕ săcrūm, nē plāngĭtĕ dīvōs:750
nām dĕŭs īstĕ, dĕūs, Pўlĭaē nēc fātă sĕnēctaē
mālŭĕrīt, Phrўgĭīs aūt dēgĕrĕ lōngĭŭs ānnīs".
Fīnĭĕrāt, caēlōquĕ căvām nōx īndŭĭt ūmbrām.
Pulsa sitis fluvio, populataque gurgitis alveum
agmina linquebant ripas amnemque minorem;
acrior et campum sonipes rapit et pedes arva
implet ovans, rediere viris animique minaeque
5votaque, sanguineis mixtum ceu fontibus ignem
hausissent belli magnasque in proelia mentes.
Dispositi in turmas rursus legemque severi
ordinis, ut cuique ante locus ductorque, monentur
instaurare vias. Tellus iam pulvere primo
10crescit, et armorum transmittunt fulgura silvae.
Qualia trans pontum Phariis deprensa serenis
rauca Paraetonio decedunt agmina Nilo,
quo fera cogit hiemps: illae clangore fugaci,
umbra fretis arvisque, volant, sonat avius aether.
15Iam Borean imbresque pati, iam nare solutis
amnibus et nudo iuvat aestivare sub Haemo.
Hic rursus simili procerum vallante corona
dux Talaionides, antiqua ut forte sub orno
stabat et admoti nixus Polynicis in hastam:
20"At tamen, o quaecumque es" ait, "cui, gloria tantast,
venimus innumerae fato debere cohortes,
quem non ipse deum sator aspernetur honorem,
dic age, quando tuis alacres absistimus undis,
quae domus aut tellus, animam quibus hauseris astris?
25Dic, quis et ille pater? Neque enim tibi numina longe,
transierit fortuna licet, maiorque per ora
sanguis, et adflicto spirat reverentia vultu".
Ingemit, et paulum fletu cunctata modesto
Lemnias orsa refert: "Immania vulnera, rector,
30integrare iubes, Furias et Lemnon et artis
arma inserta toris debellatosque pudendo
ense mares; redit ecce nefas et frigida cordi
Eumenis. O miserae, quibus hic furor additus! O nox!
O pater! Illa ego nam, pudeat ne forte benignae
35hospitis, illa, duces, raptum quae sola parentem
occulvi. quid longa malis exordia necto?
Et vos arma vocant magnique in corde paratus.
Hoc memorasse sat est: claro generata Thoante
servitium Hypsipyle vestri fero capta Lycurgi."
40Aduertere animos, maiorque et honora videri
parque operi tanto; cunctis tunc noscere casus
ortus amor, pater ante alios hortatur Adrastus:
"Immo age, dum primi longe damus agmina vulgi
nec facilis Nemea latas evolvere viris,
45quippe obtenta comis et ineluctabilis umbra,
pande nefas laudesque tuas gemitusque tuorum,
unde hos advenias regno deiecta labores."
Dulce loqui miseris veteresque reducere questus.
Incipit: "Aegaeo premitur circumflua Nereo
50Lemnos, ubi ignifera fessus respirat ab Aetna
Mulciber; ingenti tellurem proximus umbra
vestit Athos nemorumque obscurat imagine pontum;
Thraces arant contra, Thracum fatalia nobis
litora, et inde nefas. Florebat dives alumnis
55terra, nec illa Samo fama Delove sonanti
peior et innumeris quas spumifer assilit Aegon.
Dis visum turbare domos, nec pectora culpa
nostra vacant: nullos Veneri sacravimus ignis,
nulla deae sedes; movet et caelestia quondam
60corda dolor lentoque irrepunt agmine Poenae.
Illa Paphon veterem centumque altaria linquens
nec vultu nec crine prior solvisse iugalem
ceston et Idalias procul ablegasse volucres
fertur. Erant certe, media quae noctis in umbra
65divam alios ignis maioraque tela gerentem
Tartareas inter thalamis volitasse sorores
vulgarent; utque implicitis arcana domorum
anguibus et saeva formidine nupta replesset
limina, nec fidi populum miserata mariti,
70protinus a Lemno teneri fugistis Amores,
mutus Hymen versaeque faces et frigida iusti
cura tori! Nullae redeunt in gaudia noctes,
nullus in amplexu sopor est, Odia aspera ubique
et Furor et medio recubat Discordia lecto.
75cura viris tumidos adversa Thracas in ora
ervere et saevam bellando frangere gentem.
Cumque domus contra stantesque in litore nati,
dulcius Edonas hiemes Arctonque prementem
excipere, aut tandem tacita post proelia nocte
80fractorum subitas torrentum audire ruinas.
illae autem tristes - nam me tunc libera curis
virginitas annique tegunt - sub nocte dieque
assiduis aegrae in lacrimis solantia miscent
colloquia, aut saevam spectant trans aequora Thracen.
85Sol operum medius summo librabat Olympo
lucentis, ceu staret, equos; quater axe sereno
intonuit, quater antra dei fumantis anhelos
exservere apices, ventisque absentibus Aegon
motus et ingenti percussit litora ponto:
90cum subito horrendas aevi matura Polyxo
tollitur in furias thalamisque insueta relictis
evolat. Insano veluti Teumesia Thyias
rapta deo, cum sacra vocant Idaeaque suadet
buxus et a summis auditus montibus Euhan:
95sic erecta genas aciemque offusa trementi
sanguine desertam rabidis clamoribus urbem
exagitat, clausasque domos et limina pulsans
concilium vocat; infelix comitatus eunti
haerebant nati. atque illae non segnius omnes
100erumpunt tectis, summasque ad Pallados arces
impetus: huc propere stipamur et ordine nullo
congestae; stricto mox ense silentia iussit
hortatrix scelerum et medio sic ausa profari:
"Rem summam instinctu superum meritique doloris,
105o viduae (firmate animos et pellite sexum!)
Lemniades, sancire paro; si taedet inanes
aeternum servare domos turpemque iuventae
flore situm et longis sterilis in luctibus annos,
inveni, promitto, viam - nec numina desunt -,
110qua renovanda Venus: modo par insumite robur
luctibus, atque adeo primum hoc mihi noscere detur.
tertia canet hiemps; cui conubialia vincla
aut thalami secretus honos? Cui coniuge pectus
intepuit? cuius vidit Lucina labores,
115dicite, vel iustos cuius pulsantia mensis
vota tument? Qua pace feras volucresque iugari
mos datus. heu segnes! potuitne ultricia Graius
virginibus dare tela pater laetusque dolorum
sanguine securos iuvenum perfundere somnos:
120at nos vulgus iners? quodsi propioribus actis
est opus, ecce animos doceat Rhodopeia coniunx,
ulta manu thalamos pariterque epulata marito.
Nec vos immunis scelerum securave cogo.
Plena mihi domus atque ingens, en cernite, sudor.
125Quattuor hos una, decus et solacia patris,
in gremio, licet amplexu lacrimisque morentur,
transadigam ferro saniemque et vulnera fratrum
miscebo patremque super spirantibus addam.
Ecqua tot in caedes animum promittit?" agebat
130pluribus; adverso nituerunt vela profundo:
Lemnia classis erat. Rapuit gavisa Polyxo
fortunam atque iterat: "Superisne vocantibus ultro
desumus? Ecce rates! Deus hos, deus ultor in iras
adportat coeptisque favet. Nec imago quietis
135vana meae: nudo stabat Venus ense, videri
clara mihi somnosque super: "Quid perditis aevum?"
inquit, 'age aversis thalamos purgate maritis.
Ipsa faces alias melioraque foedera iungam'.
Dixit, et hoc ferrum stratis, hoc, credite, ferrum
140imposuit. Quin o miserae, dum tempus agi rem,
consulite; en validis spumant eversa lacertis
aequora, Bistonides veniunt fortasse maritae".
Hinc stimuli ingentes, magnusque advolvitur astris
clamor. Amazonio Scythiam fervere tumultu
145lunatumque putes agmen descendere, ubi arma
indulget pater et saevi movet ostia Belli.
Nec varius fremor aut studia in contraria rapti
dissensus, ut plebe solet: furor omnibus idem,
idem animus solare domos iuvenumque senumque
150praecipitare colus plenisque affrangere parvos
uberibus ferroque omnis exire per annos.
Tunc viridi luco - lucus iuga celsa Minervae
propter opacat humum niger ipse, sed insuper ingens
mons premit et gemina pereunt caligine soles -,
155hic sanxere fidem, tu Martia testis Enyo
atque inferna Ceres, Stygiaeque Acheronte recluso
ante preces venere deae; sed fallit ubique
mixta Venus, Venus arma tenet, Venus admovet iras.
Nec de more cruor: natum Charopeia coniunx
160obtulit, accingunt sese et mirantia ferro
pectora congestisque avidae simul undique dextris
perfringunt, ac dulce nefas in sanguine vivo
coniurant, matremque recens circumuolat umbra.
Talia cernenti mihi quantus in ossibus horror,
165quisve per ora color! Qualis cum cerva cruentis
circumuenta lupis, nullum cui pectore molli
robur et in volucri tenuis fiducia cursu,
praecipitat suspensa fugam, iamiamque teneri
credit et elusos audit concurrere morsus.
170Illi aderant, primis iamque offendere carinae
litoribus, certant saltu contingere terram
praecipites. Miseri, quos non aut horrida virtus
Marte sub Odrysio, aut medii inclementia ponti
hauserit! Alta etiam superum delubra vaporant
175promissasque trahunt pecudes: niger omnibus aris
ignis, et in nullis spirat deus integer extis.
Tardius umenti noctem deiecit Olympo
Iuppiter et versum miti, reor, aethera cura
sustinuit, dum fata vetant, nec longius umquam
180cessavere novae perfecto sole tenebrae.
Sera tamen mundo venerunt astra, sed illis
et Paros et nemorosa Thasos crebraeque relucent
Cyclades; una gravi penitus latet obruta caelo
Lemnos, in hanc tristes nebulae, et plaga caeca superne
185texitur, una vagis Lemnos non agnita nautis.
tum domibus fusi et nemorum per opaca sacrorum
ditibus indulgent epulis vacuantque profundo
aurum immane mero, dum quae per Strymona pugnae,
quis Rhodope gelidove labor sudatus in Haemo,
190enumerare vacat. Nec non, manus impia, nuptae
serta inter festasque dapes quo maxima cultu
quaeque iacent; dederat mitis Cytherea suprema
nocte viros longoque brevem post tempore pacem
nequiquam et miseros perituro adflaverat igni.
195Conticuere chori, dapibus ludoque licenti
fit modus et primae decrescunt murmura noctis,
cum consanguinei mixtus caligine Leti
rore madens Stygio morituram amplectitur urbem
Somnus et implacido fundit gravia otia cornu
200secernitque viros. vigilant nuptaeque nurusque
in scelus, atque hilares acuunt fera tela Sorores.
Invasere nefas, cuncto sua regnat Erinys
pectore. Non aliter Scythicos armenta per agros
Hyrcanae clausere leae, quas exigit ortu
205prima fames, avidique implorant ubera nati.
Quos tibi nam, dubito, scelerum de mille figuris
expediam casus? Helymum temeraria Gorge
evinctum ramis altaque in mole tapetum
efflantem somno crescentia vina superstans
210vulnera disiecta rimatur veste, sed illum
infelix sopor admota sub morte refugit.
Turbidus incertumque oculis vigilantibus hostem
occupat amplexu, nec segnius illa tenentis
pone adigit costas, donec sua pectora ferro
215tangeret. is demum sceleri modus; ora supinat
blandus adhuc oculisque tremens et murmure Gorgen
quaerit et indigno non solvit bracchia collo.
Non ego nunc vulgi quamquam crudelia pandam
funera, sed propria luctus de stirpe recordor:
220quod te, flave Cydon, quod te per colla refusis
intactum, Crenaee, comis, quibus ubera mecum
obliquumque a patre genus, fortemque, timebam
quem desponsa, Gyan vidi lapsare cruentae
vulnere Myrmidones, quodque inter serta torosque
225barbara ludentem fodiebat Epopea mater.
Flet super aequaevum soror exarmata Lycaste
Cydimon, heu similis perituro in corpore vultus
aspiciens floremque genae et quas finxerat auro
ipsa comas, cum saeva parens iam coniuge fuso
230astitit impellitque minis atque ingerit ensem.
Ut fera, quae rabie placido desueta magistro
tardius arma movet stimulisque et verbere crebro
in mores negat ire suos, sic illa iacenti
incidit undantemque sinu collapsa cruorem
235excipit et laceros premit in nova vulnera crinis.
Ut vero Alcimeden etiamnum in murmure truncos
ferre patris vultus et egentem sanguinis ensem
conspexi, riguere comae atque in viscera saevus
horror iit: meus ille Thoas, mea dira videri
240dextra mihi! Extemplo thalamis turbata paternis
inferor. ille quidem dudum - quis magna tuenti
somnus? - agit versans secum, etsi lata recessit
urbe domus, quinam strepitus, quae murmura noctis,
cur fremibunda quies? Trepido scelus ordine pando,
245quis dolor, unde animi: "Vis nulla arcere furentes;
hac sequere, o miserande; premunt aderuntque moranti,
et mecum fortasse cades". His motus et artus
erexit stratis. Ferimur per devia vastae
urbis et ingentem nocturnae caedis acervum
250passim, ut quosque sacris crudelis vespera lucis
straverat, occulta speculamur nube latentes.
Hic impressa toris ora exstantesque reclusis
pectoribus capulos magnarum et fragmina trunca
hastarum et ferro laceras per corpora vestes,
255crateras pronos epulasque in caede natantis
cernere erat, iugulisque modo torrentis apertis
sanguine permixto redeuntem in pocula Bacchum.
Hic iuvenum manus et nullis violabilis armis
turba senes, positique patrum super ora gementum
260semineces pueri trepidas in limine vitae
singultant animas. Gelida non saevius Ossa
luxuriant Lapitharum epulae, si quando profundo
Nubigenae calvere mero; vix primus ab ira
pallor, et impulsis surgunt ad proelia mensis.
265Tunc primum sese trepidis sub nocte Thyoneus
detexit, nato portans extrema Thoanti
subsidia, et multa subitus cum luce refulsit.
Agnovi: non ille quidem turgentia sertis
tempora nec flava crinem destrinxerat uva:
270nubilus indignumque oculis liquentibus imbrem
adloquitur: "Dum fata dabant tibi, nate, potentem
Lemnon et externis etiam servare timendam
gentibus, haud umquam iusto mea cura labori
destitit: absciderunt tristes crudelia Parcae
275stamina, nec dictis, supplex quae plurima fudi
ante Iovem frustra, lacrimisque avertere luctus
contigit; infandum natae concessit honorem.
Accelerate fugam, tuque, o mea digna propago,
hac rege, virgo, patrem, gemini qua bracchia muri
280litus eunt: illa, qua rere silentia, porta
stat funesta Venus ferroque accincta furentes
adiuvat - unde manus, unde haec Mavortia divae
pectora? tu lato patrem committe profundo.
Succedam curis." ita fatus in aëra rursus
285solvitur et nostrum, visus arcentibus umbris,
mitis iter longae claravit limite flammae.
Qua data signa, sequor; dein curvo robore clausum
dis pelagi ventisque et Cycladas Aegaeoni
amplexo commendo patrem, nec fletibus umquam
290fit modus alternis, ni iam dimittat Eoo
Lucifer astra polo. Tunc demum litore rauco
multa metu reputans et vix confisa Lyaeo
dividor, ipsa gradu nitente, sed anxia retro
pectora, nec requies, quin et surgentia caelo
295flamina et e cunctis prospectem collibus undas.
Exoritur pudibunda dies, caelumque retexens
aversum Lemno iubar et declinia Titan
opposita iuga nube refert. Patuere furores
nocturni, lucisque novae formidine cunctis,
300quamquam inter similes, subitus pudor; impia terrae
infodiunt scelera aut festinis ignibus urunt.
Iam manus Eumenidum captasque refugerat arces
exsaturata Venus; licuit sentire quid ausae,
et turbare comas et lumina tinguere fletu.
305Insula dives agris opibusque armisque virisque,
nota situ et Getico nuper ditata triumpho,
non maris incursu, non hoste, nec aethere laevo
perdidit una omnes orbata excussaque fundo
indigenas: non arva viri, non aequora vertunt,
310conticuere domus, cruor altus et oblita crasso
cuncta rubent tabo, magnaeque in moenibus urbis
nos tantum et saevi spirant per culmina manes.
Ipsa quoque arcanis tecti in penetralibus alto
molior igne pyram, sceptrum super armaque patris
315inicio et notas regum velamina vestes,
ac prope maesta rogum confusis ignibus asto
ense cruentato, fraudemque et inania busta
plango metu, si forte premant, cassumque parenti
omen et hac dubios leti precor ire timores.
320His mihi pro meritis, ut falsi criminis astu
parta fides, regno et solio considere patris
- supplicium! - datur. Anne illis obsessa negarem?
Accessi, saepe ante deos testata fidemque
immeritasque manus; subeo - pro dira potestas! -
325exsangue imperium et maestam sine culmine Lemnon.
Iam magis atque magis vigiles dolor angere sensus,
et gemitus clari, et paulatim invisa Polyxo,
iam meminisse nefas, iam ponere manibus aras
concessum et multum cineres iurare sepultos.
330Sic ubi ductorem trepidae stabulique maritum,
quem penes et saltus et adultae gloria gentis,
Massylo frangi stupuere sub hoste iuvencae,
it truncum sine honore pecus, regemque peremptum
ipse ager, ipsi amnes et muta armenta queruntur.
335Ecce autem aerata dispellens aequora prora
Pelias intacti late subit hospita ponti
pinus; agunt Minyae, geminus fragor ardua canet
per latera, abruptam credas radicibus ire
Ortygiam aut fractum pelago decurrere montem.
340Ast ubi suspensis silverunt aequora tonsis,
mitior et senibus cygnis et pectine Phoebi
vox media de puppe venit, maria ipsa carinae
accedunt. Post nosse datum est: Oeagrius illic
acclinis malo mediis intersonat Orpheus
345remigiis tantosque iubet nescire labores.
Illis in Scythicum Borean iter oraque primi
Cyaneis artata maris. Nos Thracia visu
bella ratae vario tecta incursare tumultu,
densarum pecudum aut fugientum more volucrum.
350Heu | ubi nunc furiae? Portus amplexaque litus
moenia, qua longe pelago despectus aperto,
scandimus et celsas turres; huc saxa sudesque
armaque maesta virum atque infectos caedibus enses
subuectant trepidae; quin et squalentia texta
355thoracum et vultu galeas intrare soluto
non pudet; audaces rubuit mirata catervas
Pallas et adverso risit Gradivus in Haemo.
Tunc primum ex animis praeceps amentia cessit,
nec ratis illa salo, sed divum sera per aequor
360iustitia et poenae scelerum adventare videntur.
Iamque aberant terris, quantum Cortynia currunt
spicula, caeruleo gravidam cum Iuppiter imbri
ipsa super nubem ratis armamenta Pelasgae
sistit agens; inde horror aquis et raptus ab omni
365sole dies miscet tenebras, quis protinus unda
concolor; obnixi lacerant cava nubila venti
diripiuntque fretum, nigris redit umida tellus
verticibus, totumque notis certantibus aequor
pendet et arquato iamiam prope sidera dorso
370frangitur, incertae nec iam prior impetus alno,
sed labat exstantem rostris modo gurgite in imo,
nunc caelo Tritona ferens. nec robora prosunt
semideum heroum, puppemque insana flagellat
arbor et instabili procumbens pondere curvas
375raptat aquas, remique cadunt in pectus inanes.
nos quoque per rupes murorumque aggere ab omni,
dum labor ille viris fretaque indignantur et Austros,
desuper invalidis fluitantia tela lacertis
- quid non ausa manus? - Telamona et Pelea contra
380spargimus, et nostro petitur Tirynthius arcu.
Illi - quippe simul bello pelagoque laborant -
pars clipeis munire ratem, pars aequora fundo
egerere; ast alii pugnant, sed inertia motu
corpora, suspensaeque carent conamine vires.
385Instamus iactu telorum, et ferrea nimbis
certat hiems, vastaeque sudes fractique molares
spiculaque et multa crinitum missile flamma
nunc pelago, nunc puppe cadunt, dat operta fragorem
pinus, et abiunctis regemunt tabulata cavernis.
390Talis Hyperborea viridis nive verberat agros
Iuppiter; obruitur campis genus omne ferarum,
deprensaeque cadunt volucres, et messis amaro
strata gelu, fragor inde iugis, inde amnibus irae.
Ut vero elisit nubes Iove tortus ab alto
395ignis et ingentes patuere in fulmine nautae,
diriguere animi, manibusque horrore remissis
arma aliena cadunt, rediit in pectora sexus.
cernimus Aeacidas murisque immane minantem
Ancaeum et longa pellentem cuspide rupes
400Iphiton; attonito manifestus in agmine suprast
Amphitryoniades puppemque alternus utrimque
ingravat et medias ardet descendere in undas.
At levis et miserae nondum mihi notus Iason
transtra per et remos impressaque terga virorum
405nunc magnum Oeniden, nunc ille hortatibus Idan
et Talaum et cana rorantem aspargine ponti
Tyndariden iterans gelidique in nube parentis
vela laboranti Calain subnectere malo
voce manuque rogat; quatiunt impulsibus illi
410nunc freta, nunc muros, sed nec spumantia cedunt
aequora et incussae redeunt a turribus hastae.
Ipse gravis fluctus clavumque audire negantem
lassat agens Tiphys palletque et plurima mutat
imperia ac laevas dextrasque obtorquet in undas
415proram navifragis avidam concurrere saxis,
donec ab extremae cuneo ratis Aesone natus
Palladios oleae, Mopsi gestamina, ramos
extulit et socium turba prohibente poposcit
foedera; praecipites vocem involvere procellae.
420tunc modus armorum, pariterque exhausta quierant
flamina, confusoque dies respexit Olympo.
quinquaginta illi, trabibus de more revinctis,
eminus abrupto quatiunt nova litora saltu,
magnorum decora alta patrum, iam fronte sereni
425noscendique habitu, postquam tumor iraque cessit
vultibus. Arcana sic fama erumpere porta
caelicolas, si quando domos litusque rubentum
Aethiopum et mensas amor est intrare minores;
dant fluvii montesque locum, tum terra superbit
430gressibus et paulum respirat caelifer Atlas.
hic et ab asserto nuper Marathone superbum
Thesea et Ismarios, Aquilonia pignora, fratres,
utraque quis rutila stridebant tempora pinna,
cernimus, hic Phoebo non indignante priorem
435Admetum et durae similem nihil Orphea Thracae,
tunc prolem Calydone satam generumque profundi
Nereos. Ambiguo visus errore lacessunt
Oebalidae gemini; chlamys huic, chlamys ardet et illi,
ambo hastile gerunt, umeros exsertus uterque,
440nudus uterque genas, simili coma fulgurat astro.
audet iter magnique sequens vestigia mutat
Herculis et tarda quamuis se mole ferentem
vix cursu tener aequat Hylas Lernaeaque tollens
arma sub ingenti gaudet sudare pharetra.
445ergo iterum Venus et tacitis corda aspera flammis
Lemniadum pertemptat Amor. Tunc regia Iuno
arma habitusque virum pulchraeque insignia gentis
mentibus insinuat, certatimque ordine cunctae
hospitibus patuere fores; tunc primus in aris
450ignis, et infandis venere oblivia curis;
tunc epulae felixque sopor noctesque quietae,
nec superum sine mente, reor, placuere fatentes.
forsitan et nostrae fatum excusabile culpae
noscere cura, duces. Cineres furiasque meorum
455testor: ut externas non sponte aut crimine taedas
attigerim - scit cura deum -, etsi blandus Iason
virginibus dare vincla novis; sua iura cruentum
Phasin habent, alios Colchi generatis amores.
Iamque exuta gelu tepuerunt sidera longis
460solibus, et velox in terga revolvitur annus.
Iam nova progenies partusque in vota soluti,
et non speratis clamatur Lemnos alumnis.
Nec non ipsa tamen thalami monimenta coacti
enitor geminos, duroque sub hospite mater
465nomen avi renovo; nec quae fortuna relictis
nosse datur, iam plena quater quinquennia vergunt,
si modo fata sinunt alvitque rogata Lycaste.
Detumuere animi maris, et clementior Auster
vela vocat: ratis ipsa moram portusque quietos
470odit et asserti tendit retinacula saxi.
inde fugam Minyae, sociosque appellat Iason
efferus, o | utinam iam tunc mea litora rectis
praetervectus aquis, cui non sua pignora cordi,
non promissa fides; certe stat fama remotis
475gentibus: aequorei redierunt vellera Phrixi.
Ut stata lux pelago venturumque aethera sensit
Tiphys et occidui rubuere cubilia Phoebi,
heu | iterum gemitus, iterumque novissima nox est.
vix reserata dies, et iam rate celsus Iason
480ire iubet, primoque ferit dux verbere pontum.
Illos e scopulis et summo vertice montis
spumea porrecti dirimentis terga profundi
prosequimur visu, donec lassavit hiantis
lux oculos longumque polo contexere visast
485aequor et extremi pressit freta margine caeli.
Fama subit portus, vectum trans alta Thoanta
fraterna regnare Chio, mihi crimina nulla,
et vacuos arsisse rogos; fremit impia plebes,
sontibus accensae stimulis facinusque reposcunt.
490quin etiam occultae vulgo increbrescere voces:
"Solane fida suis, nos autem in funera laetae?
non deus haec fatumque! quid imperat urbe nefanda?"
Talibus exanimis dictis - et triste propinquat
supplicium, nec regna iuvant - vaga litora furtim
495incomitata sequor funestaque moenia linquo,
qua fuga nota patris; sed non iterum obvius Euhan,
nam me praedonum manus huc appulsa tacentem
abripit et vestras famulam transmittit in oras".
Talia Lernaeis iterat dum regibus exul
500Lemnias et longa solatur damna querela,
immemor absentis - sic di suasistis! - alumni,
ille gravis oculos languentiaque ora comanti
mergit humo, fessusque diu puerilibus actis
labitur in somnos, prensa manus haeret in herba.
505Interea campis, nemoris sacer horror Achaei,
terrigena exoritur serpens, tractuque soluto
immanem sese vehit ac post terga relinquit.
Livida fax oculis, tumidi stat in ore veneni
spuma virens, ter lingua vibrat, terna agmina adunci
510dentis, et auratae crudelis gloria frontis
prominet. Inachio sanctum dixere Tonanti
agricolae, cui cura loci et silvestribus aris
pauper honos; nunc ille dei circumdare templa
orbe vago labens, miserae nunc robora silvae
515atterit et vastas tenuat complexibus ornos;
saepe super fluvios geminae iacet aggere ripae
continuus, squamisque incisus adaestuat amnis.
Sed nunc, Ogygii iussis quando omnis anhelat
terra dei trepidaeque latent in pulvere Nymphae,
520saevior anfractu laterum sinvosa retorquens
terga solo siccique nocens furit igne veneni.
Stagna per arentesque lacus fontesque repressos
volvitur et vacuis fluviorum in vallibus errat,
incensusque siti liquidum nunc aëra lambit
525ore supinato, nunc arva gementia radens
pronus adhaeret humo, si quid viridantia sudent
gramina; percussae calidis adflatibus herbae,
qua tulit ora, cadunt, moriturque ad sibila campus:
quantus ab Arctois discriminat aethera plaustris
530Anguis et usque Notos alienumque exit in orbem;
quantus et ille sacri spiris intorta movebat
cornua Parnasi, donec tibi, Delie, fixus
vexit harundineam centeno vulnere silvam.
Quis tibi, parve, deus tam magni pondera fati
535sorte dedit? Tune hoc vix prima ad limina vitae
hoste iaces? An ut inde sacer per saecula Grais
gentibus et tanto dignus morerere sepulcro?
Occidis extremae destrictus verbere caudae
ignaro serpente puer, fugit ilicet artus
540somnus et in solam patuerunt lumina mortem.
Cum tamen attonito moriens vagitus in auras
excidit et ruptis immutuit ore querelis,
qualia non totas peragunt insomnia voces,
audiit Hypsipyle, facilemque negantia cursum
545exanimis genua aegra rapit; iam certa malorum
mentis ab augurio sparsoque per omnia visu
lustrat humum quaerens et nota vocabula parvo
nequiquam ingeminans: nusquam ille, et prata recentis
amisere notas. viridi piger accubat hostis
550collectus gyro spatiosaque iugera complet
sic etiam, obliqua cervicem expostus in alvo.
Horruit infelix visu longoque profundum
incendit clamore nemus; nec territus ille,
sed iacet. Argolicas ululatus flebilis auris
555impulit; extemplo monitu ducis advolat ardens
Arcas eques causamque refert. tunc squamea demum
torvus ad armorum radios fremitumque virorum
colla movet: rapit ingenti conamine saxum,
quo discretus ager, vacuasque impellit in auras
560arduus Hippomedon, quo turbine bellica quondam
librati saliunt portarum in claustra molares.
Cassa ducis virtus: iam mollia colla refusus
in tergum serpens venientem exhauserat ictum.
Dat sonitum tellus, nemorumque per avia densi
565dissultant nexus. "At non mea vulnera" clamat
et trabe fraxinea Capaneus subit obvius "umquam
effugies, seu tu pavidi ferus incola luci,
sive deis, utinamque deis, concessa voluptas,
non, si consertum super haec mihi membra Giganta
570subueheres". volat hasta tremens et hiantia monstri
ora subit linguaeque secat fera vincla trisulcae,
perque iubas stantis capitisque insigne corusci
emicat, et nigri sanie perfusa cerebri
figitur alta solo. longus vix tota peregit
575membra dolor, rapido celer ille volumine telum
circumit avulsumque ferens in opaca refugit
templa dei; hic magno tellurem pondere mensus
implorantem animam dominis assibilat aris.
Illum et cognatae stagna indignantia Lernae,
580floribus et vernis assuetae spargere Nymphae,
et Nemees reptatus ager, lucosque per omnis
silvicolae fracta gemuistis harundine, Fauni.
Ipse etiam e summa iam tela poposcerat aethra
Iuppiter, et dudum nimbique hiemesque coibant,
585ni minor ira deo gravioraque tela mereri
servatus Capaneus; moti tamen aura cucurrit
fulminis et summas libavit vertice cristas.
Iamque pererratis infelix Lemnia campis,
liber ut angue locus, modico super aggere longe
590pallida sanguineis infectas roribus herbas
prospicit. Huc magno cursum rapit effera luctu
agnoscitque nefas, terraeque illisa nocenti
fulminis in morem non verba in funere primo,
non lacrimas habet: ingeminat misera oscula tantum
595incumbens animaeque fugam per membra tepentem
quaerit hians. non ora loco, non pectora restant,
rapta cutis, tenuia ossa patent nexusque madentes
sanguinis imbre novi, totumque in vulnere corpus.
Ac velut aligerae sedem fetusque parentis
600cum piger umbrosa populatus in ilice serpens,
illa redit querulaeque domus mirata quietem
iam stupet impendens advectosque horrida maesto
excutit ore cibos, cum solus in arbore paret
sanguis et errantes per capta cubilia plumae.
605Ut laceros artus gremio miseranda recepit
intexitque comis, tandem laxata dolori
vox invenit iter, gemitusque in verba soluti:
O mihi desertae natorum dulcis imago,
Archemore, o rerum et patriae solamen ademptae
610servitiique decus, qui te, mea gaudia, sontes
exstinxere dei, modo quem digressa reliqui
lascivum et prono vexantem gramina cursu?
heu | ubi siderei vultus? ubi verba ligatis
imperfecta sonis risusque et murmura soli
615intellecta mihi? Quotiens tibi Lemnon et Argo
sueta loqui et longa somnum suadere querela:
sic equidem luctus solabar et ubera parvo
iam materna dabam, cui nunc venit irritus orbae
lactis et infelix in vulnera liquitur imber.
620nosco deos: o vera mei praesagia somni
nocturnique metus, et numquam impune per umbras
attonitae mihi visa Venus! quos arguo divos?
Ipsa ego te - quid enim timeam moritura fateri? -
exposui fatis. Quae mentem insania traxit?
625Tantane me tantae tenuere oblivia curae?
Dum patrios casus famaeque exorsa retracto
ambitiosa meae - pietas haec magna fidesque! -,
exsolvi tibi, Lemne, nefas; ubi letifer anguis,
ferte, duces, meriti si qua est mihi gratia duri,
630si quis honos dictis, aut vos exstinguite ferro,
ne tristis dominos orbamque inimica revisam
Eurydicen, quamquam haud illi mea cura dolendo
cesserit. hocne ferens onus illaetabile matris
transfundam gremio? Quae me prius ima sub umbras
635mergat humus!" Simul haec terraque et sanguine vultum
sordida magnorum circa vestigia regum
vertitur, et tacite maerentibus imputat undas.
Et iam sacrifici subitus per tecta Lycurgi
nuntius implerat lacrimis ipsumque domumque,
640ipsum adventantem Persei vertice sancto
montis, ubi averso dederat prosecta Tonanti,
et caput iratis rediens quassabat ab extis.
Hic sese Argolicis immunem servat ab armis
haud animi vacuus, sed templa araeque tenebant.
645Necdum etiam responsa deum monitusque vetusti
exciderant voxque ex adytis accepta profundis:
"Prima, Lycurge, dabis Dircaeo funera bello".
Id cavet, et maestus vicini pulvere Martis
angitur ad lituos periturusque invidet armis.
650Ecce - fides superum! - laceras comitata Thoantis
advehit exsequias, contra subit obvia mater,
femineos coetus plangentiaque agmina ducens.
At non magnanimo pietas ignava Lycurgo:
fortior ille malis, lacrimasque insana resorbet
655ira patris, longo rapit arva morantia passu
vociferans: "Illa autem ubinam, cui parva cruoris
laetave damna mei? Vivitne? Impellite raptam,
ferte citi comites; faxo omnis fabula Lemni
et pater et tumidae generis mendacia sacri
660exciderint". Ibat letumque inferre parabat
ense furens rapto; venienti Oeneius heros
impiger obiecta proturbat pectora parma,
ac simul infrendens: "Siste hunc, vesane, furorem,
quisquis es!" Et pariter Capaneus acerque reducto
665adfuit Hippomedon rectoque Erymanthius ense,
ac iuvenem multo praestringunt lumine; at inde
agrestum pro rege manus. Quos inter Adrastus
mitius et sociae veritus commercia vittae
Amphiaraus ait "Ne, quaeso; absistite ferro,
670unus avum sanguis, neve indulgete furori,
tuque prior". Sed non sedato pectore Tydeus
subicit: "Anne ducem servatricemque cohortis
Inachiae ingratis coram tot milibus ausis
mactare in tumulos - quanti pro funeris ultor! -,
675cui regnum genitorque Thoas et lucidus Euhan
stirpis avus? Timidone parum, quod gentibus actis
undique in arma tuis inter rapida agmina pacem
solus habes? Habeasque, et te victoria Graium
inveniat tumulis etiamnum haec fata gementem".
680Dixerat, et tandem cunctante modestior ira
ille refert: "Equidem non vos ad moenia Thebes
rebar, at hostilis huc advenisse catervas.
Pergite in excidium socii, si tanta voluptas,
sanguinis, imbuite arma domi, atque haec irrita dudum
685templa Iovis - quid enim haud licitum? - ferat impius ignis,
si vilem, tanti premerent cum pectora luctus,
in famulam ius esse ratus dominoque ducique.
Sed videt haec, videt ille deum regnator, et ausis
sera quidem, manet ira tamen". Sic fatus, et arces
690respicit. Atque illic alio certamine belli
tecta fremunt; volucres equitum praeverterat alas
fama recens, geminos alis amplexa tumultus:
illi ad fata rapi atque illi iam occumbere leto,
sic meritam Hypsipylen iterant, creduntque, nec irae
695fit mora, iamque faces et tela penatibus instant,
vertere regna fremunt raptumque auferre Lycurgum
cum Iove cumque aris; resonant ululatibus aedes
femineis, versusque dolor dat terga timori.
Alipedum curru sed enim sublimis Adrastus
700secum ante ora virum fremibunda Thoantida portans
it medius turmis, et: "Parcite, parcite!" clamat,
Nil actum saeve, meritus nec tale Lycurgus
excidium, gratique inventrix fluminis ecce".
Sic ubi diversis maria evertere procellis
705hinc Boreas Eurusque, illinc niger imbribus Auster,
pulsa dies regnantque hiemes, venit aequoris alti
rex sublimis equis, geminusque ad spumea Triton
frena natans late pelago dat signa cadendi,
et iam plana Thetis, montesque et litora crescunt.
710Quis superum tanto solatus funera voto
pensavit lacrimas inopinaque gaudia maestae
rettulit Hypsipylae? Tu gentis conditor, Euhan,
qui geminos iuvenes Lemni de litore vectos
intuleras Nemeae mirandaque fata parabas.
715Causa viae genetrix, nec inhospita tecta Lycurgi
praebuerant aditus, et protinus ille tyranno
nuntius exstinctae miserando vulnere prolis.
Ergo adsunt comites - pro fors et caeca futuri
mens hominum! - regique favent; sed Lemnos ad auris
720ut primum dictusque Thoas, per tela manusque
irruerant, matremque avidis complexibus ambo
diripiunt flentes alternaque pectora mutant.
Illa velut rupes immoto saxea visu
haeret et expertis non audet credere divis.
725Ut vero et vultus et signa Argoa relictis
ensibus atque umeris amborum intextus Iason,
cesserunt luctus, turbataque munere tanto
corruit, atque alio maduerunt lumina fletu.
Addita signa polo, laetoque ululante tumultu
730tergaque et aera dei motas crepuere per auras.
Tunc pius Oeclides, ut prima silentia vulgi
mollior ira dedit placidasque accessus ad auris:
"Audite, o ductor Nemeae lectique potentes
Inachidae, quae certus agi manifestat Apollo.
735Iste quidem Argolicis haud olim indebitus armis
luctus adest, recto descendunt limite Parcae:
et sitis interitu fluviorum et letifer anguis,
et puer, heu nostri signatus nomine fati,
Archemorus, cuncta haec superum demissa suprema
740mente fluunt. Differte animos festinaque tela
ponite; mansuris donandus honoribus infans.
et meruit; det pulchra suis libamina virtus
manibus, atque utinam pluris innectere pergas,
Phoebe, moras, semperque novis bellare vetemur
745casibus, et semper Thebe funesta recedas!
At vos magnorum transgressi fata parentum
felices, longum quibus hinc per saecula nomen,
dum Lernaea palus et dum pater Inachus ibit,
dum Nemea tremulas campis iaculabitur umbras,
750ne fletu violate sacrum, ne plangite divos:
nam deus iste, deus, Pyliae nec fata senectae
malverit, Phrygiis aut degere longius annis".
Finierat, caeloque cavam nox induit umbram.
