Testi della poesia latinaTesti della poesia latinaNōndūm cūnctă pŏlō vĭgĭl īnclīnāvĕrăt āstră
ōrtŭs ĕt īnstāntēm cōrnū tĕnuĭōrĕ vĭdēbāt
lūnă dĭēm, trĕpĭdās ŭbĭ iām Tīthōnĭă nūbēs
dīscŭtĭt āc rĕdŭcī māgnūm părăt aēthĕră Phoēbō.
āgmĭnă iām rārīs Dīrcaēă pĕnātĭbŭs ērrānt,5
nōctīs quēstă mŏrās; quāmvīs tūnc ōtĭă tāndēm
ēt prīmūs pōst bēllă sŏpōr, tămĕn aēgră quĭētēm
pāx fŭgăt ēt saēvī mĕmĭnīt vīctōrĭă bēllī.
vīx prīmō prōfērrĕ grădum ēt mūnīmĭnă vāllī
sōlvĕrĕ, vīx tōtās rĕsĕrāre aūdācĭă pōrtās;10
stānt vĕtĕrēs ānte ōră mĕtūs cāmpīquĕ văcāntīs
hōrrŏr: ŭt āssĭdŭō iāctātīs aēquŏrĕ tēllūs
prīmă lăbāt, sīc āttŏnĭtī nīl cōmmĭnŭs īrĕ
mīrāntūr fūsāsquĕ pŭtānt āssūrgĕrĕ tūrmās.
sīc ŭbĭ pērspĭcŭaē scāndēntēm līmĭnă tūrrīs15
Īdălĭaē vŏlŭcrēs fūlvum āspēxērĕ drăcōnēm,
īntŭs ăgūnt nātōs ēt fētă cŭbīlĭă vāllānt
ūnguĭbŭs īmbēllēsquĕ cĭtānt ād proēlĭă pīnnās;
mōx rŭĕrīt lĭcĕt īllĕ rĕtrō, tămĕn āĕră nūdūm
cāndĭdă tūrbă tĭmēt, tāndēmque īngrēssă vŏlātūs20
hōrrĕt ĕt ā mĕdĭīs ĕtĭāmnūm rēspĭcĭt āstrīs.
Ītŭr ĭn ēxsānguēm pŏpŭlūm bēllīquĕ iăcēntīs
rēlĭquĭās, quācūmquĕ dŏlōr lūctūsquĕ crŭēntī
ēxēgērĕ dŭcēs; hī tēla, hī cōrpŏra, ăt īllī
caēsōrūm tāntum ōră vĭdēnt ălĭēnăquĕ iūxtā25
pēctŏră; pārs cūrrūs dēflēnt vĭdŭīsquĕ lŏquūntūr,
hōc sōlūm quĭă rēstăt, ĕquīs; pārs ōscŭlă fīgūnt
vūlnĕrĭbūs māgnīs ēt dē vīrtūtĕ quĕrūntūr.
frīgĭdă dīgĕrĭtūr strāgēs: pătŭērĕ rĕcīsaē
cūm căpŭlīs hāstīsquĕ mănūs mĕdĭīsquĕ săgīttaē30
lūmĭnĭbūs stāntēs; mūltīs vēstīgĭă caēdīs
nūllă, rŭūnt plānctū pēndēnte ĕt ŭbīquĕ părātō.
āc cīrcum īnfōrmīs trūncōs mĭsĕrābĭlĕ sūrgīt
cērtāmēn, quī iūstă fĕrānt, quī fūnĕră dūcānt.
saēpe ĕtĭam hōstīlīs (lūsīt Fōrtūnă părūmpēr)35
dēcēptī flēvērĕ vĭrōs; nēc cērtă făcūltās
nōscĕrĕ, quēm mĭsĕrī vītēnt cālcēntvĕ crŭōrēm.
āt quĭbŭs ēst īllaēsă dŏmūs văcŭīquĕ dŏlōrēs,
aūt dēsērtă văgī Dănăūm tēntōrĭă lūstrānt
īmmīttūntquĕ făcēs, aūt (quaē pōst bēllă vŏlūptās)40
quaērūnt, dīspērsūs iăcĕāt quō pūlvĕrĕ Tŷdeūs,
ān rāptī pătĕāt spĕcŭs aūgŭrĭs, aūt ŭbĭ dīvūm
hōstĭs, ăn aēthĕrĭaē vīvānt pēr mēmbră făvīllaē.
iām lăcrĭmīs ēxēmptă dĭēs, nēc sērŭs ăbēgīt
vēspĕr: ămānt mĭsĕrī lāmēntă mălīsquĕ frŭūntūr.45
nēc sŭbĭērĕ dŏmōs, sēd cīrcūm fūnĕră pērnōx
tūrbă sĕdēt, vĭcĭbūsquĕ dătīs āltērnă gĕmēntēs
īgnĕ fĕrās plānctūquĕ fŭgānt; nēc dūlcĭbŭs āstrīs
vīctă nĕc āssĭdŭō cŏĭērūnt lūmĭnă flētū.
tērtĭŭs Aūrōraē pūgnābāt Lūcĭfĕr, ēt iām50
mōntĭbŭs ōrbātīs, lūcōrūm glōrĭă, māgnaē
Teūmēsī vēnērĕ trăbēs ĕt ămīcă Cĭthaērōn
sīlvă rŏgīs; ārdēnt ēxcīsaē vīscĕră gēntīs
mōlĭbŭs ēxstrūctīs: sūprēmō mūnĕrĕ gaūdēnt
Ōgўgĭī mānēs; quĕrĭtūr mĭsĕrābĭlĕ Grāiūm55
nūdă cŏhōrs vĕtĭtūmquĕ gĕmēns cīrcūmvŏlăt īgnēm.
āccĭpĭt ēt saēvī mānēs Ĕtĕōclĭs ĭnīquōs
haūdquāquām rēgālĭs hŏnōs, Ārgīvŭs hăbērī
frātēr iūssŭs ădhūc ātque ēxŭlĕ pēllĭtŭr ūmbrā.
Āt nōn plēbĕĭō fūmārĕ Mĕnoēcĕă būstō60
rēx gĕnĭtōr Thēbaēquĕ sĭnūnt, nēc rōbŏră vīlēm
strūxērūnt dē mōrĕ rŏgūm; sēd bēllĭcŭs āggēr
cūrrĭbŭs ēt clĭpĕīs Grāiōrūmque ōmnĭbŭs ārmīs
stērnĭtŭr; hōstīlēs sŭpĕr īpse, ūt vīctŏr, ăcērvōs,
pācĭfĕrā laūrō crīnēm vīttīsquĕ dĕcōrūs65
āccŭbăt: haūd ălĭtēr, quām cūm pōscēntĭbŭs āstrīs
laētŭs ĭn āccēnsā iăcŭīt Tīrŷnthĭŭs Oētā.
spīrāntēs sŭpĕr īnfĕrĭās cāptīvă Pĕlāsgūm
cōrpŏră frēnātōsquĕ pătēr, sōlācĭă fōrtī
bēllōrūm, māctābăt ĕquōs; hīs ārdŭŭs īgnīs70
pālpĭtăt, ēt gĕmĭtūs tāndem ērūpērĕ pătērnī:
"Ō nĭsĭ māgnănĭmaē nĭmĭūs tē laūdĭs ĭnīssēt
ārdŏr, Ĕchīŏnĭōs mēcūm vĕnĕrāndĕ pĕnātēs
ātque ūltrā rēctūrĕ pŭēr, vĕnĭēntĭă quī nūnc
gaūdĭa ĕt īngrātūm rēgnī mĭhĭ mūnŭs ăcērbās!75
tū sŭpĕrūm cōnvēxă lĭcēt coētūsquĕ pĕrēnnī
(crēdo ĕquĭdēm) vīrtūtĕ cŏlās, mĭhĭ flēbĭlĕ sēmpēr
nūmĕn ĕrīs; pōnānt ārās ēxcēlsăquĕ Thēbaē
tēmplă dĭcēnt: ūnī fās sīt lūgērĕ părēntī.
ēt nūnc heū quaē dīgnă tĭbī sōllēmnĭă quāsvĕ80
lārgĭăr ēxsĕquĭās? nēc sī fātālĕ pŏtēstās
Ārgŏs ĕt īmpūlsās cĭnĕrī mīscērĕ Mўcēnās,
mēquĕ sŭpēr, cuī vītă (nĕfās!) ēt sānguĭnĕ nātī
pārtŭs hŏnōs. ĕădēmnĕ dĭēs, ĕădem īmpĭă bēllă
tē, pŭĕr, ēt dīrōs mīsēre īn Tārtără frātrēs,85
ēt nūnc Oēdĭpŏdī pār ēst fōrtūnă dŏlōrīs
āc mĭhĭ? quām sĭmĭlēs gĕmĭmūs, bŏnĕ Iūppĭtĕr, ūmbrās!
āccĭpĕ, nātĕ, tŭī nŏvă lībāmēntă trĭūmphī,
āccĭpe ĕt hōc rĕgĭmēn dēxtraē frōntīsquĕ sŭpērbaē
vīncŭlă, quaē pātrī mĭnĭmūm laētāndă dĕdīstī.90
rēgēm tē, rēgēm trīstēs Ĕtĕōclĕŏs ūmbraē
āspĭcĭānt." sĭmŭl haēc dīcēns crīnēmquĕ mănūmquĕ
dēstrŭĭt, āccēnsāque ĭtĕrāt vĭŏlēntĭŭs īrā:
"Saēvum ăgĕdum īmmītēmquĕ vŏcēnt, sī fūnĕră Lērnaē
tēcum ārdērĕ vĕtō; lōngōs ŭtĭnam āddĕrĕ sēnsūs95
cōrpŏrĭbūs caēlōque ănĭmās Ĕrĕbōquĕ nŏcēntēs
pēllĕrĕ fās, īpsūmquĕ fĕrās, īpsum ūncă vŏlūcrūm
ōră sĕqui ātque ārtūs rēgūm mōnstrārĕ nĕfāndōs!
eī mĭhĭ, quōd pŏsĭtōs hŭmŭs ālmă dĭēsquĕ rĕsōlvēt.
quāre ĭtĕrūm rĕpĕtēns ĭtĕrūmque ēdīcŏ: sŭprēmā100
nē quĭs ŏpe ēt flāmmīs aūsīt iūvīssĕ Pĕlāsgōs;
aūt nĕcĕ fāctă lŭēt nŭmĕrōque ēxplēbĭt ădēmptă
cōrpŏră; pēr sŭpĕrōs māgnūmquĕ Mĕnoēcĕă iūrō".
dīxĭt, ĕt ābrēptūm cŏmĭtēs īn tēctă fĕrēbānt.
Flēbĭlĭs īntĕrĕā văcŭīs cŏmĭtātŭs ăb Ārgīs105
(fāmă trăhīt mĭsĕrās) ōrbaē vĭdŭaēquĕ rŭēbānt
Īnăchĭdēs ceū cāptă mănūs; sŭă vūlnĕră cuīquĕ,
pār hăbĭtūs cūnctīs, dēiēcti īn pēctŏră crīnēs
āccīnctīquĕ sĭnūs; mānānt lăcĕra ōră crŭēntīs
ūnguĭbŭs, ēt mōllēs plānctū crēvērĕ lăcērtī.110
prīmă pĕr āttŏnĭtās nīgraē rēgīnă cătērvaē,
trīstĭbŭs īllābēns fămŭlīs ĭtĕrūmquĕ rĕsūrgēns,
quaērĭt ĭnōps Ārgīă vĭās; nōn rēgĭă cōrdī,
nōn pătĕr: ūnă fĭdēs, ūnūm Pŏlўnīcĭs ămātī
nōmĕn ĭn ōrĕ sĕdēt; Dīrcēn īnfaūstăquĕ Cādmī115
moēnĭă pōsthăbĭtīs vĕlĭt īncŏlŭīssĕ Mўcēnīs.
prōxĭmă Lērnaēō Călўdōnĭdăs āgmĭnĕ mīxtās
Tŷdĕŏs ēxsĕquĭās trăhĭt haūt cēssūră sŏrōrī
Dēĭpўlē; scĕlŭs īllă quĭdēm mōrsūsquĕ prŏfānōs
aūdĭĕrāt mĭsĕrāndă vĭrī, sēd cūnctă iăcēntī120
īnfēlīx īgnōscĭt ămōr. pōst āspĕră vīsū,
āc dēflēndă tămēn, dīgnō plāngōrĕ Nĕālcē
Hīppŏmĕdōntă cĭēns. vātīs mōx īmpĭă cōniūnx
heū văcŭōs pŏsĭtūră rŏgōs. Pōstrēmă gĕmēntūm
āgmĭnă Maēnălĭaē dūcīt cŏmĕs ōrbă Dĭānaē,125
ēt grăvĭs Ēvādnē: dŏlĕt haēc quĕrĭtūrquĕ lăbōrēs
aūdācīs pŭĕrī, māgnī mĕmŏr īllă mărītī
īt tōrvūm lăcrĭmāns sūmmīsque īrāscĭtŭr āstrīs.
īllās ēt lūcīs Hĕcătē spĕcŭlātă Lўcaēīs
prōsĕquĭtūr gĕmĭtū, dūplēxque ād lītŭs ĕūntīs130
plānxĭt ăb Īsthmĭăcō gĕnĕtrīx Thēbānă sĕpūlcrō,
nōctĭvăgūmquĕ grĕgēm, quāmvīs sĭbĭ lūgĕt, Ĕleūsīn
flēvĭt ĕt ārcānōs ērrāntĭbŭs ēxtŭlĭt īgnīs.
īpsă pĕr āvērsōs dūcīt Sātūrnĭă cāllēs
ōccūltātquĕ vĭās, nē plēbs cōngrēssă sŭōrūm135
īrĕ vĕtēt pĕrĕātque īngēntīs glōrĭă coēptī.
nēc nōn fūnctă dŭcūm rĕfŏvēndī cōrpŏră cūrām
Īrĭs hăbēt, pūtrēsque ārcānīs rōrĭbŭs ārtūs
āmbrŏsĭaēquĕ rĭgāt sūcīs, ūt lōngĭŭs ōbstēnt
ēxspēctēntquĕ rŏgum ēt flāmmās nōn āntĕ fătīscānt.140
Squālĭdŭs ēccĕ gĕnās ĕt ĭnānī vūlnĕrĕ pāllēns
Ōrnўtŭs (hīc sŏcĭō dēsērtŭs ăb āgmĭnĕ, tārdāt
plāgă rĕcēns) tĭmĭdō sēcrētă pĕr āvĭă fūrtō
dēbĭlĕ cārpĭt ĭtēr frāctaēque īnnītĭtŭr hāstaē.
īsque ŭbĭ mōtă nŏvō stŭpŭīt lŏcă sōlă tŭmūltū145
fēmĭnĕūmquĕ grĕgēm, quaē iām sŭpĕr āgmĭnă Lērnē
sōlă vĭdēt, nōn īllĕ vĭām caūsāsvĕ rĕquīrīt,
quīppĕ pătēnt, maēstō sēd sīc prĭŏr ōccŭpăt ōrĕ:
"Quō, mĭsĕraē, quō fērtĭs ĭtēr? fūnūsnĕ pĕrēmptīs
spērātīs cĭnĕrēmquĕ vĭrīs? stāt pērvĭgĭl īllīc150
ūmbrārūm cūstōs ĭnhŭmātăquĕ cōrpŏră rēgī
ādnŭmĕrāt. nūsquām lăcrĭmaē, prŏcŭl ūsquĕ fŭgātī
āccēssūs hŏmĭnūm: sōlīs ăvĭbūsquĕ fĕrīsquĕ
īrĕ lĭcēt. vēstrīsnĕ Crĕōn dăbĭt aēquŭs hŏnōrēm
lūctĭbŭs? īmmītīs cĭtĭūs Būsīrĭdŏs ārās155
Ōdrўsĭīquĕ fămēm stăbŭlī Sĭcŭlōsquĕ lĭcēbīt
ēxōrārĕ dĕōs; răpĭēt fōrtāssĕ prĕcāntīs,
sī mēns nōtă mĭhī, nēc cōniŭgĭālĭă sūprā
fūnĕră, sēd cārīs lōngē māctābĭt ăb ūmbrīs.
quīn fŭgĭtīs, dūm tūtă vĭa ēst, Lērnāmquĕ rĕvērsaē160
nōmĭnă, quōd sŭpĕrēst, văcŭīs dătĭs ōrbă sĕpūlcrīs
ābsēntēsque ănĭmās ăd ĭnānĭă būstă vŏcātīs?
aūt vōs Cēcrŏpĭām (prŏpĕ nāmque ēt Thēsĕă fāmāst
Thērmōdōntĭăcō laētūm rĕmĕārĕ trĭūmphō)
īmplōrātĭs ŏpēm? bēllō cōgēndŭs ĕt ārmīs165
īn mōrēs hŏmĭnēmquĕ Crĕōn". sīc fātŭs, ăt īllīs
hōrrŭĕrānt lăcrĭmaē, stŭpŭītque īmmānĭs ĕūndī
īmpĕtŭs, ātque ūnō vūltūs pāllōrĕ gĕlātī.
nōn sĕcŭs āfflāvīt mōllēs sī quāndŏ iŭvēncās
tīgrĭdĭs Hŷrcānaē iēiūnūm mūrmŭr, ĕt īpsĕ170
aūdītū tūrbātŭs ăgēr, tĭmŏr ōmnĭbŭs īngēns,
quaē plăcĕāt, quōs īllă fămēs ēscēndăt ĭn ārmōs.
Cōntĭnŭō dīscōrs vărĭō sēntēntĭă mōtū
scīndĭtŭr: hīs Thēbās tŭmĭdūmque āmbīrĕ Crĕōntă,
hīs plăcĕt Āctaēaē sī quīd clēmēntĭă gēntīs175
ādnŭăt; ēxtrēmūm cūrārum āc tūrpĕ rĕvērtī.
hīc nōn fēmĭnĕaē sŭbĭtūm vīrtūtĭs ămōrēm
cōllĭgĭt Ārgīā, sēxūque īmmānĕ rĕlīctō
trāctăt ŏpūs: plăcĕt (ēgrĕgĭī spēs dūră pĕrīclī!)
cōmmĭnŭs īnfāndī lēgēs āccēdĕrĕ rēgnī,180
quō Rhŏdŏpēs nōn ūllă nŭrūs nĕc ălūmnă nĭvōsī
Phāsĭdĭs īnnūptīs vāllātă cŏhōrtĭbŭs īrēt.
tūnc mŏvĕt ārtĕ dŏlūm, quō sēmĕt ăb āgmĭnĕ fīdō
sēgrĕgĕt, īmmītīsquĕ dĕōs rēgēmquĕ crŭēntūm
cōntēmptrīx ănĭmae ēt māgnō tĕmĕrārĭă lūctū185
prōvŏcĕt; hōrtāntūr pĭĕtās īgnēsquĕ pŭdīcī.
īpse ĕtĭam ānte ŏcŭlōs ōmnī mănĭfēstŭs ĭn āctū,
nūnc hōspēs mĭsĕraē, prīmās nūnc spōnsŭs ăd ārās,
nūnc mītīs cōniūnx, nūnc iām sūb cāssĭdĕ tōrvā
maēstŭs ĭn āmplēxū mūltūmque ā līmĭnĕ sūmmō190
rēspĭcĭēns: sēd nūlla ănĭmō vērsātŭr ĭmāgŏ
crēbrĭŏr, Āŏnĭī quām quaē dē sānguĭnĕ cāmpī
nūdă vĕnīt pōscītquĕ rŏgōs. hīs ānxĭă mēntēm
aēgrēscīt fŭrĭīs ēt, quī cāstīssĭmŭs ārdōr,
fūnŭs ămāt; tūnc ād cŏmĭtēs cōnvērsă Pĕlāsgās:195
"Vōs" ăĭt "Āctaēās ăcĭēs Mărăthōnĭăque ārmă
ēlĭcĭte, ādspīrētquĕ pĭō Fōrtūnă lăbōrī.
mē sĭnĭte Ōgўgĭās, tāntaē quaē sōlă rŭīnaē
caūsă fŭī, pĕnĕtrārĕ dŏmōs ēt fūlmĭnă rēgnī
prīmă pătī; nēc sūrdă fĕraē pūlsābĭmŭs ūrbīs200
līmĭnă: sūnt īllīc sŏcĕrī mĭhĭ sūntquĕ sŏrōrēs
cōniŭgĭs, ēt Thēbās haūd īgnōrāndă sŭbībō.
nē tāntūm rĕvŏcātĕ grădūs: īllo īmpĕtŭs īngēns
aūgŭrĭūmque ănĭmī". nēc plūra, ūnūmquĕ Mĕnoētēn
(ōlim hīc vīrgĭnĕī cūstōs mŏnĭtōrquĕ pŭdōrīs)205
ēlĭgĭt ēt, quāmquām rŭdĭs ātque īgnāră lŏcōrūm,
praēcĭpĭtēs grēssūs, quā vēnĕrăt Ōrnўtŭs, aūfērt.
ātque ŭbĭ vīsă prŏcūl sŏcĭās līquīssĕ mălōrūm:
"Ānne" ăĭt "hōstīlēs ĕgŏ tē tābēntĕ pĕr āgrōs
(heū dŏlŏr!) ēxspēctēm, quaēnām sēntēntĭă lēntī210
Thēsĕŏs? ān bēllō prŏcĕrēs, ān dēxtĕr hărūspēx
ādnŭăt? īntĕrĕā fūnūs dēcrēscĭt. ĕt ūncīs
ālĭtĭbūs nōn hōs pŏtĭūs sūppōnĭmŭs ārtūs?
ēt nūnc mē dūrām, sī quīs tĭbĭ sēnsŭs ăd ūmbrās,
mē tārdām Stўgĭīs quĕrĕrīs, fīdīssĭmĕ, dīvīs.215
heū sī nūdŭs ădhūc, heū sī iām fōrtĕ sĕpūltūs:
nōstrum ūtrūmquĕ nĕfās; ădĕō vīs nūllă dŏlēntī,
mōrs nūsquām saēvūsvĕ Crĕōn? hōrtārĭs ĕūntēm,
Ōrnўtĕ!" sīc dīcēns māgnō Mĕgărēĭă praēcēps
ārvă răpīt pāssū, dēmōnstrāt prōxĭmă quīsquĕ220
ōbvĭŭs hōrrēscītque hăbĭtūs mĭsĕrāmquĕ vĕrētūr.
vādĭt ătrōx vīsū, nīl cōrdĕ nĕc ōrĕ păvēscēns,
ēt nĭmĭīs cōnfīsă mălīs prŏpĭōrquĕ tĭmērī:
nōctĕ vĕlūt Phrўgĭā cūm lāmēntātă rĕsūltānt
Dīndўmă, pīnĭgĕrī răpĭtūr Sĭmŏēntĭs ăd āmnēm225
dūx vēsānă chŏrī, cūiūs dĕă sānguĭnĕ lēctō
īpsă dĕdīt fērrum ēt vīttātā frōndĕ nŏtāvīt.
Iām pătĕr Hēspĕrĭō flāgrāntēm gūrgĭtĕ cūrrūm
ābdĭdĕrāt Tītān, ălĭīs rĕdĭtūrŭs ăb ūndīs,
cūm tămĕn īllă grăvēm lūctū fāllēntĕ lăbōrēm230
nēscĭt ăbīssĕ dĭēm: nēc cālīgāntĭbŭs ārvīs
tērrētūr, sēd frāngĭt ĭtēr pĕr ĕt īnvĭă sāxă
lāpsūrāsquĕ trăbēs nĕmŏrūmque ārcānă, sĕrēnō
nīgră dĭē, caēcīsque īncīsă nŏvālĭă fōssīs,
pēr flŭvĭōs sēcūră vădī sōmnōsquĕ fĕrārūm235
praētĕr ĕt hōrrēndīs īnfēstă cŭbīlĭă mōnstrīs.
tāntum ănĭmī lūctūsquĕ vălēnt! pŭdĕt īrĕ Mĕnoētēn
tārdĭŭs, īnvălĭdaēquĕ grădūm mīrātŭr ălūmnaē.
quās nōn īllă dŏmōs pĕcŭdūmque hŏmĭnūmquĕ mŏdēstō
pūlsāvīt gĕmĭtū! quŏtĭēns āmīssŭs ĕūntī240
līmĕs, ĕt ērrāntēm cŏmĭtīs sōlācĭă flāmmaē
dēstĭtŭūnt gĕlĭdaēquĕ făcēm vīcērĕ tĕnēbraē!
iāmquĕ sŭpīnāntūr fēssīs lātēquĕ fătīscūnt
Pēnthēī dēvēxă iŭgī, cūm pēctŏre ănhēlō
iām prŏpĕ dēfĭcĭēns sīc īncĭpĭt ōrĕ Mĕnoētēs:245
"Haūd prŏcŭl, ēxāctī sī spēs nōn blāndă lăbōrīs,
Ōgўgĭās, Ārgīă, dŏmōs ĕt ĕgēnă sĕpūlcrī
būstă iăcērĕ rĕōr; grăvĕ cōmmĭnŭs aēstŭăt āēr
sōrdĭdŭs, ēt māgnaē rĕdĕūnt pĕr ĭnānĕ vŏlūcrēs.
haēc īlla ēst crūdēlĭs hŭmūs, nēc moēnĭă lōngē.250
Cērnĭs, ŭt īngēntīs mūrōrūm pōrrĭgăt ūmbrās
cāmpŭs, ĕt ē spĕcŭlīs mŏrĭēns īntērmĭcĕt īgnīs?
moēnĭă sūnt iūxtā; mŏdŏ nōx măgĭs īpsă tăcēbāt,
sōlăquĕ nīgrāntēs lāxābānt āstră tĕnēbrās."
hōrrŭĭt Ārgīā, dēxtrāmque ād moēnĭă tēndēns:255
"Ūrbs ōptātă prĭūs, nūnc tēcta hōstīlĭă Thēbaē,
ēt tămĕn, īllaēsās sī rēddīs cōniŭgĭs ūmbrās,
sīc quŏquĕ dūlcĕ sŏlūm, cērnīs, quō praēdĭtă cūltū,
quā stīpātă mănū, iūxtā tŭă līmĭnă prīmūm
Oēdĭpŏdīs māgnī vĕnĭō nŭrŭs? īmprŏbă nōn sūnt260
vōtă: rŏgōs hōspēs plānctūmque ēt fūnĕră pōscō.
īllum, ōro, ēxtōrrēm rēgnī bēllōquĕ fŭgātūm,
īllūm, quēm sŏlĭō nōn ēs dīgnātă pătērnō,
rēddĕ mĭhī! tūque, ōrŏ, vĕnī, sī mānĭbŭs ūllă
ēffĭgĭēs ērrāntque ănĭmaē pōst mēmbră sŏlūtaē,265
tū mĭhĭ pāndĕ vĭās, tŭăque īpse ād fūnĕră dēdūc,
sī mĕrŭī!" dīxīt, tēctūmque ādgrēssă prŏpīnquaē
pāstōrālĕ căsaē rĕfĭcīt spīrāmĭnă fēssī
īgnĭs ĕt hōrrēndōs īrrūmpīt tūrbĭdă cāmpōs.
quālĭs ăb Aētnaēīs āccēnsā lāmpădĕ sāxīs270
ōrbă Cĕrēs māgnaē vărĭābăt ĭmāgĭnĕ flāmmaē
Aūsŏnĭūm Sĭcŭlūmquĕ lătūs, vēstīgĭă nīgrī
rāptōrīs vāstōsquĕ lĕgēns īn pūlvĕrĕ sūlcōs;
īllĭŭs īnsānīs ŭlŭlātĭbŭs īpsĕ rĕmūgīt
Ēncĕlădūs rūptōquĕ vĭās īllūmĭnăt īgnī:275
Pērsĕphŏnēn āmnēs sīlvaē frĕtă nūbĭlă clāmānt,
Pērsĕphŏnēn tāntūm Stўgĭī tăcĕt aūlă mărītī.
Ādmŏnĕt āttŏnĭtām fīdūs mĕmĭnīssĕ Crĕōntīs
āltŏr ĕt ōccūltō sūbmīttĕrĕ lāmpădă fūrtō.
Rēgīna Ārgŏlĭcās mŏdŏ fōrmīdātă pĕr ūrbēs,280
vōtum īmmānĕ prŏcīs spēsque aūgūstīssĭmă gēntīs,
nōctĕ sŭb īnfēstā, nūllō dŭce ĕt hōstĕ prŏpīnquō,
sōlă pĕr ōffēnsūs ārmōrum ēt lūbrĭcă tābō
grāmĭnă, nōn tĕnĕbrās, nōn cīrcūmfūsă trĕmīscēns
cōncĭlĭa ūmbrārum ātque ănĭmās sŭă mēmbră gĕmēntēs285
saēpĕ grădū caēcō fērrūm cālcātăquĕ tēlă
dīssĭmŭlāt, sōlūsquĕ lăbōr vītāssĕ iăcēntīs,
dūm fūnūs pŭtăt ōmnĕ sŭūm, vīsūquĕ săgācī
rīmātūr pŏsĭtōs ēt cōrpŏră prōnă sŭpīnāt
īncūmbēns, quĕrĭtūrquĕ părūm lūcēntĭbŭs āstrīs.290
Fōrtĕ sŏpōrĭfĕrās caēlī sēcrētă pĕr ūmbrās
Iūnŏ, sĭnū māgnī sēmēt fūrātă mărītī,
Thēsĕŏs ād mūrōs, ūt Pāllădă flēctĕrĕt, ībāt,
sūpplĭcĭbūsquĕ pĭīs făcĭlēs ăpĕrīrĕt Ăthēnās.
Ātque ŭbĭ pēr cāmpōs ērrōrĕ fătīscĕrĕ vānō295
īmmĕrĭtam Ārgīān sŭpĕrō rēspēxĭt ăb āxĕ,
īndŏlŭīt vīsu, ēt lūnārĭbŭs ōbvĭă bīgīs
ādvērtīt vūltūm plăcĭdāque ĭtă vōcĕ lŏcūtāst:
"Dā mĭhĭ pōscēntī mūnūs brĕvĕ, Cŷnthĭă, sī quīs
ēst Iūnōnĭs hŏnōs; cērtē Iŏvĭs īmprŏbă iūssū300
tēr nōctem Hērcŭlĕām -, vĕtĕrēs sēd mīttŏ quĕrēlās:
ēn lŏcŭs ōffĭcĭō. cūltrīx plăcĭtīssĭmă nōstrī
Īnăchĭs Ārgīā cērnīs quā nōctĕ văgētūr
nēc rĕpĕrīrĕ vĭrūm dēnsīs quĕăt aēgră tĕnēbrīs?
ēt tĭbĭ nīmbōsūm lānguēt iŭbăr: ēxsĕrĕ quaēsō305
cōrnŭa ĕt āssuētō prŏpĭōr prĕmăt ōrbĭtă tērrās.
Hūnc quŏquĕ, quī cūrrū mădĭdās tĭbĭ prōnŭs hăbēnās
dūcĭt, ĭn Āŏnĭōs vĭgĭlēs dēmīttĕ Sŏpōrēm".
vīx ĕă, cūm scīssīs māgnūm dĕă nūbĭbŭs ōrbēm
prōtŭlĭt; ēxpāvēre ūmbraē, fūlgōrquĕ rĕcīsūs310
sīdĕrĭbūs; vīx īpsă tŭlīt Sātūrnĭă flāmmās.
Prīmām pēr cāmpōs īnfūsō lūmĭnĕ pāllām
cōniŭgĭs īpsă sŭōs nōscīt mĭsĕrāndă lăbōrēs,
quāmquām tēxtă lătēnt sūffūsăquĕ sānguĭnĕ maērēt
pūrpŭră; dūmquĕ dĕōs vŏcăt ēt dē fūnĕrĕ cārō315
hōc sŭpĕrēssĕ pŭtāt, vĭdĕt īpsum īn pūlvĕrĕ paēnĕ
cālcātūm. Fūgēre ănĭmūs vīsūsquĕ sŏnūsquĕ,
īnclūsītquĕ dŏlōr lăcrĭmās; tūm cōrpŏrĕ tōtō
stērnĭtŭr īn vūltūs ănĭmūmquĕ pĕr ōscŭlă quaērīt
ābsēntēm, prēssūmquĕ cŏmīs āc vēstĕ crŭōrēm320
sērvātūră lĕgīt. mōx tāndēm vōcĕ rĕvērsā:
"Hūnc ĕgŏ tē, cōniūnx, ād dēbĭtă rēgnă prŏfēctūm
dūctōrēm bēllī gĕnĕrūmquĕ pŏtēntĭs Ădrāstī
āspĭcĭō, tālīsquĕ tŭīs ōccūrrŏ trĭūmphīs?
Hūc āttōllĕ gĕnās dēfēctăquĕ lūmĭnă: vēnīt325
ād Thēbās Ārgīă tŭās; ăgĕ, moēnĭbŭs īndūc
ēt pătrĭōs ōstēndĕ lărēs ēt mūtŭă rēddĕ
hōspĭtĭa. Heū quĭd ăgō? Prōiēctūs caēspĭtĕ nūdō
hōc pătrĭaē tēllūrĭs hăbēs. quaē iūrgĭă? cērtē
īmpĕrĭūm nōn frātĕr hăbēt! Nūllāsnĕ tŭōrūm330
mōvīstī lăcrĭmās? Ŭbĭ mātĕr, ŭbi īnclĭtă fāmā
Āntĭgŏnē? Mĭhĭ nēmpĕ iăcēs, mĭhĭ vīctŭs ĕs ūnī!
Dīcēbām: "Quō tēndĭs ĭtēr? Quīd scēptră nĕgātă
pōscĭs? hăbēs Ārgōs, sŏcĕrī rēgnābĭs ĭn aūlā;
hīc tĭbĭ lōngŭs hŏnōs, hīc īndīvīsă pŏtēstās".335
Quīd quĕrŏr? Īpsă dĕdī bēllūm maēstūmquĕ rŏgāvī
īpsă pătrem, ūt tālēm nūnc tē cōmplēxă tĕnērēm.
Sēd bĕne hăbēt, sŭpĕrī, grātum ēst, Fōrtūnă; pĕrāctă
spēs lōngīnquă vĭaē: tōtōs īnvēnĭmŭs ārtūs.
eī mĭhĭ, sēd quāntō dēscēndīt vūlnŭs hĭātū!340
Hōc frātēr? Quā pārtĕ, prĕcōr, iăcĕt īllĕ nĕfāndūs
praēdātōr? vīncām vŏlŭcrēs - sĭt ădīrĕ pŏtēstās -
ēxclūdāmquĕ fĕrās; ăn hăbēt fūnēstŭs ĕt īgnīs?
Sēd nēc tē flāmmīs ĭnŏpēm tŭă tērră vĭdēbīt:
ārdēbīs lăcrĭmāsquĕ fĕrēs, quās fērrĕ nĕgātūm345
rēgĭbŭs, aētērnūmquĕ tŭō fămŭlātă sĕpūlcrō
dūrābīt dēsērtă fĭdēs, tēstīsquĕ dŏlōrūm
nātŭs ĕrīt, pārvōquĕ tŏrūm Pŏlўnīcĕ fŏvēbō".
Ēcce ălĭōs gĕmĭtūs ălĭāmque ād būstă fĕrēbāt
Āntĭgŏnē mĭsĕrāndă făcēm, vīx nāctă pĕtītōs350
moēnĭbŭs ēgrēssūs; īllām nām tēmpŏre ĭn ōmnī
āttēndūnt vĭgĭlēs ēt rēx iŭbĕt īpsĕ tĭmērī,
cōntrāctaēquĕ vĭcēs ēt crēbrĭŏr ēxcŭbăt īgnīs.
Ērgŏ dĕīs frātrīquĕ mŏrās ēxcūsăt ĕt āmēns,
ūt paūlum īmmīssō cēssīt stătĭo hōrrĭdă sōmnō,355
ērūmpīt mūrīs: frĕmĭtū quō tērrĭtăt āgrōs
vīrgĭnĭs īră lĕaē, răbĭēs cuī lībĕră tāndēm
ēt prīmūs sĭnĕ mātrĕ fŭrōr. Nēc lōngă mŏrātă,
quīppĕ trŭcēm cāmpum ēt, pŏsĭtūs quō pūlvĕrĕ frātēr,
nōvĕrăt. Ātque īllām cōntrā vĭdĕt īrĕ Mĕnoētēs,360
cuī văcăt, ēt cāraē gĕmĭtūs cōmpēscĭt ălūmnaē.
cūm tămĕn ērēctās ēxtrēmūs vīrgĭnĭs aūrēs
āccēssīt sŏnŭs, ūtque ātrā sūb vēstĕ cŏmīsquĕ
squālēntem ēt crāssō foēdātām sānguĭnĕ vūltūs
āstrōrūm rădĭīs ĕt ŭtrāque ā lāmpădĕ vīdīt:365
"Cūiŭs" ăīt "mānēs, aūt quēm tĕmĕrārĭă quaērīs
nōctĕ mĕā?" nĭhĭl īllă dĭū, sĕd ĭn ōră mărītī
dēĭcĭt īnquĕ sŭōs părĭtēr vēlāmĭnă vūltūs,
cāptă mĕtū sŭbĭtō paūlūmque ōblītă dŏlōrīs.
Hōc măgĭs īncrĕpĭtāns sūspēctă sĭlēntĭă pērstāt370
Āntĭgŏnē, cŏmĭtēmquĕ prĕmēns īpsāmquĕ; sĕd āmbō
dēfĭcĭūnt fīxīquĕ sĭlēnt. Tāndem ōră rĕtēxīt
Ārgīā, cōrpūsquĕ tămēn cōmplēxă prŏfātūr:
"Sī quĭd ĭn hōc vĕtĕrī bēllōrūm sānguĭnĕ mēcūm
quaēsītūră vĕnīs, sī tū quŏquĕ dūră Crĕōntīs375
iūssă tĭmēs, pōssūm tĭbĭ mē cōnfīsă fătērī.
sī mĭsĕra ēs - cērtē lăcrĭmās lāmēntăquĕ cērnō -,
iūnge, ăgĕ, iūngĕ fĭdēm: prōlēs ĕgŏ rēgĭs Ădrāstī
- eī mĭhĭ! nūm quĭs ădēst? - cārī Pŏlўnīcĭs ăd īgnīs,
ētsī rēgnă vĕtānt." stŭpŭīt Cādmēĭă vīrgŏ380
īntrĕmŭītquĕ sĭmūl, dīcēntēmque ōccŭpăt ūltrō:
"Mēne ĭgĭtūr sŏcĭām - prō fōrs īgnāră! - mălōrūm,
mēnĕ tĭmēs? mĕă mēmbră tĕnēs, mĕă fūnĕră plāngīs.
Cēdŏ, tĕnē, pŭdĕt heū! pĭĕtās īgnāvă sŏrōrīs!
haēc prĭŏr!" hīc părĭtēr lāpsaē iūnctōquĕ pĕr īpsūm385
āmplēxū mīscēnt ăvĭdaē lăcrĭmāsquĕ cŏmāsquĕ,
pārtītaēque ārtūs rĕdĕūnt āltērnă gĕmēntēs
ād vūltum ēt cārā vĭcĭbūs cērvīcĕ frŭūntūr.
dūmquĕ mŏdo haēc frātrēm mĕmŏrāt, nūnc īllă mărītūm,
mūtŭăque ēxōrsaē Thēbās Ārgōsquĕ rĕnārrānt,390
lōngĭŭs Ārgīā mĭsĕrōs rĕmĭnīscĭtŭr āctūs:
"Pēr tĭbĭ fūrtīvī sācrūm cōmmūnĕ dŏlōrīs,
pēr sŏcĭōs mānēs ēt cōnscĭă sīdĕră iūrō:
nōn hīc āmīssōs, quāmquām văgŭs ēxsŭl, hŏnōrēs,
nōn gēntīlĕ sŏlūm, cāraē nōn pēctŏră mātrīs,395
tē cŭpĭīt ūnām nōctēsquĕ dĭēsquĕ lŏcūtūs
Āntĭgŏnēn; ĕgŏ cūră mĭnōr făcĭlīsquĕ rĕlīnquī.
Tū tămĕn ēx cēlsā sūblīmēn fōrsĭtăn ārcĕ
āntĕ nĕfās Grāīs dāntēm vēxīllă mănīplīs
vīdīstī, tēque īlle ăcĭē rēspēxĭt ăb īpsā400
ēnsĕ sălūtātam ēt nūtāntīs vērtĭcĕ cōnī:
nōs prŏcŭl. ēxtrēmās sēd quīs dĕŭs ēgĭt ĭn īrās?
nīl vēstraē vālvērĕ prĕcēs? tĭbĭne īstĕ nĕgāvīt
ōrāntī?" caūsās āc trīstĭă rēddĕrĕ fātă
coēpĕrăt Āntĭgŏnē; fīdūs cŏmĕs ādmŏnĕt āmbās:405
Hēia ăgĭte īncēptūm pŏtĭūs! Iām sīdĕră pāllēnt
vīcīnō tūrbātă dĭē, pērfērtĕ lăbōrēm,
tēmpŭs ĕrīt lăcrĭmīs, āccēnsō flēbĭtĭs īgnĕ".
Haūt prŏcŭl Īsmēnī mōnstrābānt mūrmŭră rīpās,
quā tūrbātŭs ădhūc ēt sānguĭnĕ dēcŏlŏr ībāt.410
hūc lăcĕrōs ārtūs sŏcĭō cōnāmĭnĕ pōrtānt
īnvălĭdaē, iūngītquĕ cŏmēs nōn fōrtĭŏr ūlnās.
sīc Hўpĕrīŏnĭūm tĕpĭdō Phăĕthōntă sŏrōrēs
fūmāntēm lāvērĕ Pădō; vīx īllĕ sĕpūlcrō
cōndĭtŭs, ēt flēntēs stābānt ād flūmĭnă sīlvaē.415
ūt sănĭēs pūrgātă vădō mēmbrīsquĕ rĕvērsūs
mōrtĭs hŏnōs, īgnēm mĭsĕraē pōst ūltĭmă quaērūnt
ōscŭlă; sēd gĕlĭdaē cīrcum ēxănĭmēsquĕ făvīllaē
pūtrĭbŭs īn fŏvĕīs, ātque ōmnĭă būstă quĭēscūnt.
Stābăt ădhūc seū fōrtĕ rŏgūs, seū nūmĭnĕ dīvūm,420
cuī tōrrērĕ dătūm saēvōs Ĕtĕōclĕŏs ārtūs,
sīvĕ lŏcūm mōnstrīs ĭtĕrūm Fōrtūnă părābāt,
seū dīssēnsūrōs sērvāvĕrăt Eūmĕnĭs īgnēs.
Hīc tĕnŭēm nīgrīs ĕtĭāmnum ādvīvĕrĕ lūcēm
rōbŏrĭbūs părĭtēr cŭpĭdaē vīdērĕ, sĭmūlquĕ425
flēbĭlĕ gāvīsaē; nĕc ădhūc, quaē būstă, rĕpērtūm,
sēd plăcĭdūs quēmcūmquĕ rŏgānt mītīsquĕ sŭprēmī
ādmīttāt cĭnĕrīs cōnsōrtem ēt mīscĕăt ūmbrās.
Ēcce ĭtĕrūm frātrēs: prīmōs ūt cōntĭgĭt ārtūs
īgnĭs ĕdāx, trĕmŭērĕ rŏgi ēt nŏvŭs ādvĕnă būstō430
pēllĭtŭr; ēxūndānt dīvīsō vērtĭcĕ flāmmaē
āltērnōsque ăpĭcēs ābrūptā lūcĕ cŏrūscānt.
Pāllĭdŭs Eūmĕnĭdūm vĕlŭtī cōmmīsĕrĭt īgnīs
Ōrcŭs, ŭtērquĕ mĭnāx glŏbŭs ēt cōnātŭr ŭtērquĕ
lōngĭŭs; īpsae ĕtĭām cōmmōtō pōndĕrĕ paūlūm435
sēcēssērĕ trăbēs. Cōnclāmāt tērrĭtă vīrgŏ:
"Ōccĭdĭmūs, fūnctāsquĕ mănū stĭmŭlāvĭmŭs īrās.
frātĕr ĕrāt; quĭs ĕnim āccēssūs fĕrŭs hōspĭtĭs ūmbraē
pēllĕrĕt? ēn clĭpĕī frāgmēn sēmūstăquĕ nōscō
cīngŭlă, frātĕr ĕrāt! cērnīsne ūt flāmmă rĕcēdāt440
cōncūrrātquĕ tămēn? Vīvūnt ŏdĭa īmprŏbă, vīvūnt.
Nīl āctūm bēllō; mĭsĕrī, sīc, dum ārmă mŏvētīs,
vīcīt nēmpĕ Crĕōn! Nūsquām iām rēgnă, quĭs ārdōr?
cuī fŭrĭtīs? sēdātĕ mĭnās; tūque ēxsŭl ŭbīquĕ
sēmpĕr ĭnōps aēquī, iām cēde: hōc nūptă prĕcātūr,445
hōc sŏrŏr, aūt saēvōs mĕdĭaē vĕnĭēmŭs ĭn īgnīs".
Vīx ĕă, cūm sŭbĭtūs cāmpōs trĕmŏr āltăquĕ tēctă
īmpŭlĭt ādiūvītquĕ rŏgī dīscōrdĭs hĭātūs,
ēt vĭgĭlūm tūrbātă quĭēs, quĭbŭs īpsĕ mălōrūm
fīngēbāt sĭmŭlācră sŏpōr: rŭĭt īlĭcĕt, ōmnēm450
prōspēctūm lūstrāns ārmāta īndāgĭnĕ mīlēs.
īllōs īnstāntēs sĕnĭōr tĭmĕt ūnŭs; ăt īpsaē
āntĕ rŏgūm saēvīquĕ pălām sprēvīssĕ Crĕōntīs
īmpĕrĭa ēt fūrtūm clārō clāngōrĕ fătēntūr
sēcūraē, quīppe ōmnĕ vĭdēnt flūxīssĕ cădāvēr.455
Āmbītūr saēvā dē mōrte ănĭmōsăquĕ lētī
spēs fŭrĭt: haēc frātrīs răpŭīsse, haēc cōniŭgĭs ārtūs
cōntēndūnt vĭcĭbūsquĕ prŏbānt: "Ĕgŏ cōrpŭs, ĕgo īgnīs",
"Mē pĭĕtās", "Mē dūxĭt ămōr". Dēpōscĕrĕ saēvă
sūpplĭcĭa ēt dēxtrās iŭvăt īnsērtārĕ cătēnīs.460
Nūsquam īlla āltērnīs mŏdŏ quaē rĕvĕrēntĭă vērbīs,
īram ŏdĭūmquĕ pŭtēs; tāntūs dīscōrdăt ŭtrīmquĕ
clāmŏr, ĕt ād rēgēm, quī dēprēndērĕ, trăhūntūr.
Āt prŏcŭl Āctaēīs dēxtrā iām Pāllădĕ mūrīs
Iūnŏ Phŏrōnēās īndūcīt praēvĭă mātrēs465
āttŏnĭtās, nōn īpsă mĭnūs, coētūmquĕ gĕmēntēm
cōncĭlĭāt pŏpŭlīs ēt flētĭbŭs āddĭt hŏnōrēm.
īpsă mănū rāmōsque ŏlĕaē vīttāsquĕ prĕcāntīs
trādĭt, ĕt ōbtēntā sūbmīttĕrĕ lūmĭnă pāllā
ēt praēfērrĕ dŏcēt văcŭās sĭnĕ mānĭbŭs ūrnās.470
ōmnĭs Ĕrēchthēīs ēffūsă pĕnātĭbŭs aētās
tēctă vĭāsquĕ rĕplēnt: ūnde hōc ēxāmĕn ĕt ūnā
tōt mĭsĕraē? Nēcdūm caūsās nōvērĕ mălōrūm,
iāmquĕ gĕmūnt. Dĕă cōncĭlĭīs sē mīscĕt ŭtrīsquĕ
cūnctă dŏcēns, quā gēntĕ sătaē, quaē fūnĕră plāngānt475
quīdvĕ pĕtānt; vărĭīs nēc nōn ādfātĭbŭs īpsaē
Ōgўgĭās lēgēs īmmānsuētūmquĕ Crĕōntă
mūltum ĕt ŭbīquĕ frĕmūnt. Gĕtĭcaē nōn plūră quĕrūntūr
hōspĭtĭbūs tēctīs trūncō sērmōnĕ vŏlūcrēs,
cūm dŭplĭcēs thălămōs ĕt ĭnīquūm Tērĕă clāmānt.480
Ūrbĕ fŭīt mĕdĭā nūllī cōncēssă pŏtēntūm
āră dĕūm, mītīs pŏsŭīt Clēmēntĭă sēdēm,
ēt mĭsĕrī fēcērĕ săcrām; sĭnĕ sūpplĭcĕ nūmquām
īllă nŏvō, nūllā dāmnāvīt vōtă rĕpūlsā.
Aūdītī quīcūmquĕ rŏgānt, nōctēsquĕ dĭēsquĕ485
īrĕ dătum ēt sōlīs nūmēn plācārĕ quĕrēlīs.
Pārcă sŭpērstĭtĭō: nōn tūrĕă flāmmă, nĕc āltūs
āccĭpĭtūr sānguīs: lăcrĭmīs āltārĭă sūdānt,
maēstārūmquĕ sŭpēr lībāmĭnă sēctă cŏmārūm
pēndēnt ēt vēstēs mūtātā sōrtĕ rĕlīctaē.490
mītĕ nĕmūs cīrcā, cūltūque īnsīgnĕ vĕrēndō
vīttātaē laūrūs ēt sūpplĭcĭs ārbŏr ŏlīvaē.
Nūlla aūtem ēffĭgĭēs, nūllī cōmmīssă mĕtāllō
fōrmă dĕī, mēntēs hăbĭtāre ēt pēctŏră gaūdēt.
Sēmpĕr hăbēt trĕpĭdōs, sēmpēr lŏcŭs hōrrĕt ĕgēnīs495
coētĭbŭs, īgnōtaē tāntūm fēlīcĭbŭs āraē.
Fāma ēst, dēfēnsōs ăcĭē pōst būstă pătērnī
nūmĭnĭs Hērcŭlĕōs sēdēm fūndāssĕ nĕpōtēs.
fāmă mĭnōr fāctīs: īpsōs nām crēdĕrĕ dīgnūm
caēlĭcŏlās, tēllūs quĭbŭs hōspĭtă sēmpĕr Ăthēnaē,500
ceū lēgēs hŏmĭnēmquĕ nŏvūm rītūsquĕ săcrōrūm
sēmĭnăque īn văcŭās hīnc dēscēndēntĭă tērrās,
sīc sācrāssĕ lŏcō cōmmūne ănĭmāntĭbŭs aēgrīs
cōnfŭgĭum, ūndĕ prŏcūl stārēnt īraēquĕ mĭnaēquĕ
rēgnăque, ĕt ā iūstīs Fōrtūnă rĕcēdĕrĕt ārīs.505
Iām tūnc īnnŭmĕraē nōrānt āltārĭă gēntēs:
hūc vīctī bēllīs pătrĭāque ā sēdĕ fŭgātī,
rēgnōrūmque ĭnŏpēs scĕlĕrūmque ērrōrĕ nŏcēntēs
cōnvĕnĭūnt pācēmquĕ rŏgānt; mōx hōspĭtă sēdēs
vīcĭt ĕt Oēdĭpŏdaē Fŭrĭās †ēt fūnŭs Ŏlŷnthī†510
tēxĭt ĕt ā mĭsĕrō mātrēm sūbmōvĭt Ŏrēstĕ.
hīc vūlgō mōnstrāntĕ lŏcūm mănŭs ānxĭă Lērnaē
dēvĕnĭūnt, cēdūnt mĭsĕrōrūm tūrbă prĭōrūm.
vīx ĭbĭ, sēdātīs rĕquĭērūnt pēctŏră cūrīs:
ceū pătrĭō sŭpĕr āltă grŭēs Ăquĭlōnĕ fŭgātaē515
cūm vīdērĕ Phărōn; tūnc aēthĕră lātĭŭs īmplēnt,
tūnc hĭlărī clāngōrĕ sŏnānt; iŭvăt ōrbĕ sĕrēnō
cōntēmpsīssĕ nĭvēs ēt frīgŏră sōlvĕrĕ Nīlō.
Iāmquĕ dŏmōs pătrĭās Scўthĭcaē pōst āspĕră gēntīs
proēlĭă laūrĭgĕrō sŭbĕūntēm Thēsĕă cūrrū520
laētĭfĭcī plaūsūs mīssūsque ād sīdĕră vūlgī
clāmŏr ĕt ēmĕrĭtīs hĭlărīs tŭbă nūntĭăt ārmīs.
āntĕ dŭcēm spŏlĭa ēt, dūrī Māvōrtĭs ĭmāgŏ,
vīrgĭnĕī cūrrūs cŭmŭlātăquĕ fērcŭlă crīstīs
ēt trīstēs dūcūntŭr ĕquī trūncaēquĕ bĭpēnnēs,525
quīs nĕmŏra ēt sŏlĭdām Maēōtĭdă caēdĕrĕ suētaē,
cōrŷtīquĕ lĕvēs pōrtāntŭr ĕt īgnĕă gēmmīs
cīngŭla ĕt īnfōrmēs dŏmĭnārūm sānguĭnĕ pēltaē.
Īpsae aūtēm nōndūm trĕpĭdaē sēxūmvĕ fătēntūr,
nēc vūlgārĕ gĕmūnt āspērnāntūrquĕ prĕcārī,530
ēt tāntum īnnūptaē quaērūnt dēlūbră Mĭnērvaē.
Prīmŭs ămōr nĭvĕīs vīctōrēm cērnĕrĕ vēctūm
quādrĭiŭgīs; nēc nōn pŏpŭlōs īn sēmĕt ăgēbāt
Hīppŏlўtē, iām blāndă gĕnās pătĭēnsquĕ mărītī
foēdĕrĭs. hānc pătrĭaē rītūs frēgīssĕ sĕvērōs535
Ātthĭdĕs ōblīquē sēcūm mīrāntŭr ŏpērtō
mūrmŭrĕ, quōd nĭtĭdī crīnēs, quōd pēctŏră pāllā
tōtă lătēnt, māgnīs quōd bārbără sēmĕt Ăthēnīs
mīscĕăt ātque hōstī vĕnĭāt plăcĭtūră mărītō.
Paūlum ĕt ăb īnsēssīs maēstaē Pĕlŏpēĭdĕs ārīs540
prōmōvērĕ grădūm sĕrĭēmque ēt dōnă trĭūmphī
mīrāntūr, vīctīque ănĭmō rĕdĭērĕ mărītī.
ātque ŭbĭ tārdāvīt cūrrūs ĕt ăb āxĕ sŭpērbō
ēxplōrāt caūsās vīctōr pōscītquĕ bĕnīgnā
aūrĕ prĕcēs, aūsa ānte ălĭās Căpănēĭă cōniūnx:545
"Bēllĭgĕr Aēgīdē, sŭbĭtaē cuī māxĭmă laūdīs
sēmĭnă dē nōstrīs ăpĕrīt Fōrtūnă rŭīnīs,
nōn ēxtērnă gĕnūs, dīraē nēc cōnscĭă nōxaē
tūrbă sŭmūs: dŏmŭs Ārgŏs ĕrāt rēgēsquĕ mărītī,
nōn ŭtĭnam ēt fōrtēs! Quĭd ĕnīm sēptēnă mŏvērĕ550
cāstra ĕt Ăgēnŏrĕōs ŏpŭs ēmēndārĕ pĕnātēs?
Nēc quĕrĭmūr caēsōs: haēc bēllĭcă iūră vĭcēsquĕ
ārmōrūm; sēd nōn Sĭcŭlīs ēxōrtă sŭb āntrīs
mōnstră nĕc Ōssaēī bēllō cĕcĭdērĕ bĭmēmbrēs.
mīttŏ gĕnūs clārōsquĕ pătrēs: hŏmĭnum, īnclĭtĕ Thēseū,555
sānguĭs ĕrānt, hŏmĭnēs, ĕădēmque īn sīdĕra, ĕōsdēm
sōrtītūs ănĭmārum ălĭmēntăquĕ vēstră crĕātī,
quōs vĕtăt īgnĕ Crĕōn Stўgĭaēque ā līmĭnĕ pōrtaē,
ceū sătŏr Eūmĕnĭdum aūt Lēthaēī pōrtĭtŏr āmnīs,
sūbmŏvĕt āc dŭbĭō caēlīque Ĕrĕbīquĕ sŭb āxĕ560
dētĭnĕt. heū prīncēps Nātūra! ŭbĭ nūmĭna, ŭbi īllēst
fūlmĭnĭs īniūstī iăcŭlātŏr? Ŭbi ēstĭs, Ăthēnaē?
sēptĭmă iām sūrgēns trĕpĭdīs Aūrōră iăcēntēs
āvērsātŭr ĕquīs; rădĭōs dēclīnăt ĕt hōrrēt
stēllĭgĕrī iŭbăr ōmnĕ pŏlī; iām cōmmĭnŭs īpsaē565
pābŭlă dīră fĕraē cāmpūmque ōdērĕ vŏlūcrēs
spīrāntēm tābo ēt caēlūm vēntōsquĕ grăvāntēm.
Quāntum ĕtĕnīm sŭpĕrēssĕ rĕār? Nūda ōssă pŭtrēmquĕ
vērrĕrĕ pērmīttāt sănĭēm. prŏpĕrātĕ, vĕrēndī
Cēcrŏpĭdaē; vōs īstă dĕcēt vīndīctă, prĭūsquām570
Ēmăthĭī Thrācēsquĕ dŏlēnt, quaēque ēxstăt ŭbīquĕ
gēns ārsūră rŏgīs mānēsque hăbĭtūră sŭprēmōs.
Nām quĭs ĕrīt saēvīrĕ mŏdūs? Bēllāvĭmŭs, ēstŏ;
sēd cĕcĭdēre ŏdĭa ēt trīstēs mōrs ōbrŭĭt īrās.
Tū quŏque, ŭt ēgrĕgĭōs fāmā cōgnōvĭmŭs āctūs,575
nōn trŭcĭbūs mōnstrīs Sĭnĭn īnfāndūmquĕ dĕdīstī
Cērcўŏna, ēt saēvūm vēllēs Scīrōnă crĕmātūm.
Crēdo ĕt Ămāzŏnĭīs Tănăīn, fūmāssĕ sĕpūlcrīs,
ūnde haēc ārmă rĕfērs, sĕd ĕt hūnc dīgnārĕ trĭūmphūm.
dā tērrīs ūnūm caēlōque Ĕrĕbōquĕ lăbōrēm,580
sī pătrĭūm Mărăthōnă mĕtū, sī tēctă lĕvāstī
Crēsĭă, nēc fūdīt vānōs ănŭs hōspĭtă flētūs.
Sīc tĭbĭ nōn ūllaē sŏcĭā sĭnĕ Pāllădĕ pūgnaē,
nēc săcĕr īnvĭdĕāt părĭbūs Tīrŷnthĭŭs āctīs,
sēmpĕr ĕt īn cūrrū, sēmpēr tē mātĕr ŏvāntēm585
cērnăt, ĕt īnvīctaē nīl tālĕ prĕcēntŭr Ăthēnaē".
Dīxĕrăt; ēxcĭpĭūnt cūnctaē tēndūntquĕ prĕcāntīs
cūm clāmōrĕ mănūs; rŭbŭīt Nēptūnĭŭs hērōs
pērmōtūs lăcrĭmīs; iūstā mōx cōncĭtŭs īrā
ēxclāmāt: "Quaēnam īstă nŏvōs īndūxĭt Ĕrīnŷs590
rēgnōrūm mōrēs? Nōn haēc ĕgŏ pēctŏră līquī
Grāiōrum ābscēdēns, Scўthĭām Pōntūmquĕ nĭvālēm
cūm pĕtĕrēm; nŏvŭs ūndĕ fŭrōr? Vīctūmnĕ pŭtāstī
Thēsĕă, dīrĕ Crĕōn? Ādsūm, nēc sānguĭnĕ fēssūm
crēdĕ; sĭtīt mĕrĭtōs ĕtĭāmnum haēc hāstă crŭōrēs.595
Nūllă mŏra ēst; vērte hūnc ădĕō, fīdīssĭmĕ Phēgeū,
cōrnĭpĕdem, ēt Tўrĭās īnvēctūs prōtĭnŭs ārcēs
aūt Dănăīs ēdīcĕ rŏgōs aūt proēlĭă Thēbīs".
Sīc ăĭt ōblītūs bēllīquĕ vĭaēquĕ lăbōrūm,
hōrtātūrquĕ sŭōs vīrēsque īnstaūrăt ănhēlās:600
ūt mŏdŏ cōnŭbĭīs taūrūs sāltūquĕ rĕcēptō
cūm pŏsŭīt pūgnās, ălĭō sī fōrtĕ rĕmūgīt
bēllātōrĕ nĕmūs, quāmquam ōra ēt cōllă crŭēntō
īmbrĕ mădēnt, nŏvŏs ārmă părāt cāmpūmquĕ lăcēssēns
dīssĭmŭlāt gĕmĭtūs ēt vūlnĕră pūlvĕrĕ cēlāt.605
Īpsă mĕtūs Lĭbўcōs sērvātrīcēmquĕ Mĕdūsām
pēctŏrĭs īncūssā mōvīt Trītōnĭă pārmā.
prōtĭnŭs ērēctī tōtō sĭmŭl āgmĭnĕ Thēbās
rēspēxēre ānguēs; nēcdum Āttĭcŭs īrĕ părābāt
mīlĕs, ĕt īnfēlīx ēxpāvīt clāssĭcă Dīrcē.610
Cōntĭnŭo īn pūgnās haūt sōlum āccēnsă iŭvēntūs,
quī mŏdŏ Caūcăsĕī cŏmĭtēs rĕdĭērĕ trĭūmphī:
ōmnĭs ăd ārmă rŭdēs ăgĕr ēxstĭmŭlāvĭt ălūmnōs.
Cōnvĕnĭūnt ūltrōquĕ dŭcīs vēxīllă sĕquūntūr,
quī gĕlĭdūm Braūrōnă vĭrī, quī rūră lăcēssūnt615
Mūnўchĭa ēt trĕpĭdīs stăbĭlēm Pīraēĕă naūtīs
ēt nōndum Ēōō clārūm Mărăthōnă trĭūmphō.
Mīttĭt ĭn ārmă mănūs gēntīlĭbŭs hōspĭtă dīvīs
Īcărĭī Cĕlĕīquĕ dŏmūs vĭrĭdēsquĕ Mĕlaēnaē,
dīvĕs ĕt Aēgălĕōs nĕmŏrūm Pārnēsquĕ bĕnīgnūs620
vītĭbŭs ēt pīnguī mĕlĭōr Lўcăbēsŏs ŏlīvā.
Vēnĭt ătrōx Ălăeūs ĕt ŏlēntĭs ărātŏr Hўmēttī,
quaēquĕ rŭdēs thŷrsōs hĕdĕrīs vēstīstĭs, Ăchārnaē.
līnquĭtŭr Ēōīs lōngē spĕcŭlābĭlĕ prōrīs
Sūnĭŏn ūndĕ văgī cāsūrum īn nōmĭnă pōntī625
Crēsĭă dēcēpīt fālsō rătĭs Aēgĕă vēlō.
Hōs Sălămīn pŏpŭlōs, īllōs Cĕrĕālĭs Ĕleūsīn
hōrrĭdă sūspēnsīs ād proēlĭă mīsĭt ărātrīs,
ēt quōs Cāllĭrhŏē nŏvĭēns ērrāntĭbŭs ūndīs
īmplĭcăt, ēt rāptaē quī cōnscĭŭs Ōrīthŷiaē630
cēlāvīt rīpīs Gĕtĭcōs Ēlīsŏs ămōrēs.
Īpsĕ quŏque īn pūgnās văcŭātūr cōllĭs, ŭbi īngēns
līs sŭpĕrūm, dŭbĭīs dōnēc nŏvă sūrgĕrĕt ārbōr
rūpĭbŭs ēt lōngā rĕfŭgūm mărĕ frāngĕrĕt ūmbrā.
Īssĕt ĕt Ārctōās Cādmēa ād moēnĭă dūcēns635
Hīppŏlўtē tūrmās: rĕtĭnēt iām cērtă tŭmēntīs
spēs ŭtĕrī, cōniūnxquĕ rŏgāt dīmīttĕrĕ cūrās
Mārtĭs ĕt ēmĕrĭtās thălămō sācrārĕ phărētrās.
Hōs ŭbĭ vēlle ăcĭēs ēt dūlcī glīscĕrĕ fērrō
dūx vĭdĕt, ūtquĕ pĭīs rāptīm dēnt ōscŭlă nātīs640
āmplēxūsquĕ brĕvēs, cūrrū sīc fātŭr ăb āltō:
"Tērrārūm lēgēs ēt mūndī foēdĕră mēcūm
dēfēnsūră cŏhōrs, dīgnās īnsūmĭtĕ mēntēs
coēptĭbŭs: hāc ōmnēm dīvūmque hŏmĭnūmquĕ făvōrēm
Nātūrāmquĕ dŭcēm coētūsquĕ sĭlēntĭs Ăvērnī645
stārĕ pălam ēst; īllīc Poēnārum ēxērcĭtă Thēbīs
āgmĭna ĕt ānguĭcŏmaē dūcūnt vēxīllă sŏrōrēs.
īte ălăcrēs tāntaēquĕ, prĕcōr, cōnfīdĭtĕ caūsaē."
dīxĭt, ĕt ēmīssā praēcēps ĭtĕr īncŏhăt hāstā:
quālĭs Hўpērbŏrĕōs ŭbĭ nūbĭlŭs īnstĭtĭt āxēs650
Iūppĭtĕr ēt prīmā trĕmĕfēcīt sīdĕră brūmā,
rūmpĭtŭr Aēŏlĭa ēt lōngam īndīgnātă quĭētēm
tōllĭt hĭēms ănĭmōs vēntōsăquĕ sībĭlăt Ārctōs;
tūnc mōntēs ūndaēquĕ frĕmūnt, tūnc proēlĭă caēcīs
nūbĭbŭs ēt tŏnĭtrūs īnsānăquĕ fūlmĭnă gaūdēnt.655
Īctă gĕmīt tēllūs, vĭrĭdēs grăvĭs ūngŭlă cāmpōs
mūtăt, ĕt īnnŭmĕrīs pĕdĭtūmque ĕquĭtūmquĕ cătērvīs
ēxspīrāt prōtrītŭs ăgēr, nēc pūlvĕrĕ crāssō
ārmōrūm lūx vīctă pĕrīt, sĕd ĭn aēthĕră lōngūm
frāngĭtŭr, ēt mĕdĭīs ārdēnt īn nūbĭbŭs hāstaē.660
Nōctem ădĕō plăcĭdāsque ŏpĕrī iūnxērĕ tĕnēbrās,
cērtāmēnque īmmānĕ vĭrīs, quō cōncĭtă tēndānt
āgmĭnă, quīs vīsās prōclāmĕt ăb āggĕrĕ Thēbās,
cūiŭs ĭn Ōgўgĭō stēt prīncēps lāncĕă mūrō.
Āt prŏcŭl īngēntī Nēptūnĭŭs āgmĭnă Thēseūs665
āngūstāt clĭpĕō, prŏprĭaēque ēxōrdĭă laūdīs
cēntum ūrbēs ūmbōnĕ gĕrīt cēntēnăquĕ Crētaē
moēnĭă, sēque īpsūm mōnstrōsi āmbāgĭbŭs āntrī
hīspĭdă tōrquēntēm lūctāntīs cōllă iŭvēncī
āltērnāsquĕ mănūs cīrcum ēt nōdōsă lĭgāntēm670
brācchĭa ĕt ābdūctō vītāntēm cōrnŭă vūltū.
Tērrŏr hăbēt pŏpŭlōs, cūm saēptŭs ĭmāgĭnĕ tōrvā
īngrĕdĭtūr pūgnās: bīs Thēsĕă bīsquĕ crŭēntās
caēdĕ vĭdērĕ mănūs; vĕtĕrēs rĕmĭnīscĭtŭr āctūs
īpsĕ tŭēns sŏcĭūmquĕ grĕgēm mĕtŭēndăquĕ quōndām675
līmĭna, ĕt ābsūmptō pāllēntēm Gnōsĭdă fīlō.
Saēvŭs ăt īntĕrĕā fērrō pōst tērgă rĕvīnctās
Āntĭgŏnēn vĭdŭāmquĕ Crĕōn Ādrāstĭdă lētō
ādmŏvĕt; āmbae hĭlărēs ēt mōrtĭs ămōrĕ sŭpērbaē
ēnsĭbŭs īntēntānt iŭgŭlōs rēgēmquĕ crŭēntūm680
dēstĭtŭūnt: cūm dīctă fĕrēns Thēsēĭă Phēgeūs
ādstĭtĭt. Īllĕ quĭdēm rāmīs īnsōntĭs ŏlīvaē
pācĭfĭcūs, sēd bēllă cĭēt bēllūmquĕ mĭnātūr,
grāndĕ frĕmēns, nĭmĭūmquĕ mĕmōr māndāntĭs ĕt īpsūm
iām prŏpĕ, iām mĕdĭōs ŏpĕrīrĕ cŏhōrtĭbŭs āgrōs685
īngĕmĭnāns. Stĕtĭt āmbĭgŭō Thēbānŭs ĭn aēstū
cūrārūm, nūtāntquĕ mĭnae ēt prĭŏr īră tĕpēscīt.
tūnc fīrmāt sēsē, fīctūmque āc trīstĕ rĕnīdēns
"Pārvănĕ prōstrātīs" īnquīt, "dŏcŭmēntă Mўcēnīs
sānxĭmŭs? Ēn ĭtĕrūm, quī moēnĭă nōstră lăcēssānt.690
Āccĭpĭmūs, vĕnĭānt; sēd nē pōst bēllă quĕrāntūr:
lēx ĕădēm vīctīs". Dīcīt; sēd pūlvĕrĕ crāssō
cālīgārĕ dĭem ēt Tўrĭōs iŭgă pērdĕrĕ mōntēs
āspĭcĭt; ārmārī pŏpŭlōs tămĕn ārmăquĕ fērrī
īpsĕ iŭbēt pāllēns, mĕdĭaēque īn sēdĭbŭs aūlaē695
Eūmĕnĭdās sŭbĭtās flēntēmquĕ Mĕnoēcĕă cērnīt
tūrbĭdŭs īmpŏsĭtōsquĕ rŏgīs gaūdērĕ Pĕlāsgōs.
Quīs fŭĭt īllĕ dĭēs, tāntō cūm sānguĭnĕ Thēbīs
pāx īnvēntă pĕrīt? pătrĭīs mŏdŏ fīxă rĕvēllūnt
ārmă dĕīs, clĭpĕīsque ōbdūcūnt pēctŏră frāctīs,700
ēt gălĕās hŭmĭlēs ĕt ădhūc sōrdēntĭă tābō
spīcŭlă: nōn phărĕtrīs quīsquām, nōn ēnsĕ dĕcōrūs,
nōn spēctāndŭs ĕquō; cēssāt fīdūcĭă vāllī,
mūrōrūm pătĕt ōmnĕ lătūs, mūnīmĭnă pōrtaē
ēxpōscūnt: prĭŏr hōstĭs hăbēt; fāstīgĭă dēsūnt:705
dēiēcīt Căpăneūs; ēxsānguĭs ĕt aēgră iŭvēntūs
iām nēc cōniŭgĭbūs sūprēmă nĕc ōscŭlă nātīs
iūngĭt, ĕt āttŏnĭtī nīl ōptāvērĕ părēntēs.
Āttĭcŭs īntĕrĕā, iŭbăr ūt clārēscĕrĕ rūptīs
nūbĭbŭs ēt sōlēm prīmīs āspēxĭt ĭn ārmīs,710
dēsĭlĭt īn cāmpūm, quī sūbtēr moēnĭă nūdōs
āssērvāt mānēs, dīrīsquĕ văpōrĭbŭs aēgrūm
āĕră pūlvĕrĕā pĕnĭtūs sūb cāssĭdĕ dūcēns
īngĕmĭt ēt iūstās bēllī flāmmātŭr ĭn īrās.
Hūnc sāltēm mĭsĕrīs dūctōr Thēbānŭs hŏnōrēm715
lārgītūs Dănăīs, quōd nōn sŭpĕr īpsă iăcēntūm
cōrpŏră bēllĭgĕrās ăcĭēs Mārtēmquĕ sĕcūndūm
mīscŭĭt; āt lăcĕrā nē quīd dē strāgĕ nĕfāndūs
pērdĕrĕt, ēlĭgĭtūr saēvōs pōtūră crŭōrēs
tērră rŭdīs. iāmque āltērnās īn proēlĭă gēntēs720
dīssĭmĭlīs Bēllōnă cĭēt; nōn clāmŏr ŭtrīmquĕ,
nōn ūtrīmquĕ tŭbaē: stāt dēbĭlĭs āltĕră pūbēs
sūbmīssōs ēnsēs nēquīquam āmēntăquĕ dēxtrīs
lāxă tĕnēns; cēdūnt tēllūre, ārmīsquĕ rĕdūctīs
ōstēntānt vĕtĕrēs ĕtĭāmnum īn sānguĭnĕ plāgās.725
Iām nēc Cēcrŏpĭīs īdēm dūctōrĭbŭs ārdōr,
lānguēscūntquĕ mĭnae ēt vīrtūs sēcūră rĕsīdīt:
vēntōrūm vĕlŭt īră mĭnōr, nĭsĭ sīlvă fŭrēntēs
īmpĕdĭt, īnsānīquĕ tăcēnt sĭnĕ lītŏrĕ flūctūs.
Ūt vēro aēquŏrĕūs quērcūm Mărăthōnĭdă Thēseūs730
ēxtŭlĭt, ērēctaē cūiūs crūdēlĭs ĭn hōstēs
ūmbră cădīt cāmpūmquĕ trŭcēm lūx cūspĭdĭs īmplēt:
ceū pătĕr Ēdōnōs Haēmī dē vērtĭcĕ Māvōrs
īmpŭlĕrīt cūrrūs, răpĭdō mōrtēmquĕ fŭgāmquĕ
āxĕ vĕhēns, sīc ēxănĭmīs īn tērgă rĕdūcīt735
pāllŏr Ăgēnŏrĭdās; taēdēt fŭgĭēntĭbŭs ūtī
Thēsĕă, nēc făcĭlēm dīgnātūr dēxtră crŭōrēm.
Cētĕră plēbĕĭō dēsaēvīt sānguĭnĕ vīrtūs.
Sīc iŭvăt ēxănĭmīs prōiēctăquĕ praēdă cănēsquĕ
dēgĕnĕrēsquĕ lŭpōs: māgnōs ălĭt īră lĕōnēs.740
Āttămĕn Ōlĕnĭūm Lămўrūmque, hūnc tēlă phărētrā
prōmēntem, hūnc saēvī tōllēntēm pōndĕră sāxī
dēĭcĭt, ēt trĭplĭcī cōnfīsōs rōbŏrĕ gēntīs
Ālcĕtĭdās frātrēs, tŏtĭdēm quōs ēmĭnŭs hāstīs
cōntĭnŭāt; fērrūm cōnsūmpsīt pēctŏrĕ Phŷleūs,745
ōrĕ mŏmōrdĭt Hĕlōps, ŭmĕrō trānsmīsĭt Ĭāpŷx.
Iāmque ēt quādrĭiŭgō cēlsūm pĕtĭt Haēmŏnă cūrrū,
hōrrēndūmquĕ mănū tēlūm rŏtăt: īllĕ păvēntīs
ōblīquāvĭt ĕquōs; lōngō pērlātă tĕnōrĕ
trānsĭĭt hāstă dŭōs, sĭtĭēbāt vūlnĕră nēc nōn750
tērtĭă, sēd mĕdĭō cūspīs tēmōnĕ rĕtēntāst.
Sēd sōlūm vōtīs, sōlūm clāmōrĕ trĕmēndō
ōmnĭbŭs īn tūrmīs ōptāt vŏcĭtātquĕ Crĕōntă.
Ātque hūnc dīvērsā bēllōrum īn frōntĕ mănīplōs
hōrtāntēm dīctīs frūstrāque ēxtrēmă mĭnāntēm755
cōnspĭcĭt; ābscēdūnt cŏmĭtēs: sēd Thēsĕă iūssī
līnquēbānt frētīquĕ dĕīs ātque īpsĭŭs ārmīs;
īllĕ tĕnēt rĕvŏcātquĕ sŭōs; ūtque aēquă nŏtāvīt
hīnc ātque hīnc ŏdĭa, ēxtrēmā sē cōllĭgĭt īrā,
iām lētālĕ fŭrēns, ātque aūdāx mōrtĕ fŭtūrā:760
"Nōn cūm pēltĭfĕrīs" ăĭt, "haēc tĭbĭ pūgnă pŭēllīs,
vīrgĭnĕās nē crēdĕ mănūs: hīc crūdă vĭrōrūm
proēlĭă, nōs māgnūm quī Tŷdĕă quīquĕ fŭrēntēm
Hīppŏmĕdōntă nĕcī Căpănēăquĕ mīsĭmŭs ūmbrīs
pēctŏră. Quaē bēllūm praēcēps āmēntĭă suāsīt,765
īmprŏbĕ? Nōnnĕ vĭdēs, quōs ūlcīscārĕ, iăcēntīs?"
Sīc ăĭt, ēt frūstrā pĕrĭtūrūm mīssĭlĕ sūmmō
āfflīxīt clĭpĕō. rīsīt vōcēsquĕ mănūmquĕ
hōrrĭdŭs Aēgīdēs, fērrātāque ārbŏrĕ māgnōs
mōlītūr iāctūs, nēc nōn prĭŭs ōrĕ sŭpērbō770
īntŏnăt: "Ārgŏlĭcī, quĭbŭs haēc dătŭr hōstĭă, mānēs,
pāndĭtĕ Tārtărĕūm chăŏs ūltrīcēsquĕ părātĕ
Eūmĕnĭdās, vĕnĭt ēccĕ Crĕōn!" Sīc fātŭs, ĕt aūrās
dīssĭpăt hāstă trĕmēns; tūnc quā sūbtēmĭnĕ dūrō
mūltĭplĭcēm tĕnŭēs ĭtĕrānt thōrācă cătēnaē,775
īncĭdĭt: ēmĭcŭīt pēr mīllĕ fŏrāmĭnă sānguīs
īmpĭŭs; īlle ŏcŭlīs ēxtrēmo ērrōrĕ sŏlūtīs
lābĭtŭr. āssīstīt Thēseūs grăvĭs ārmăquĕ tōllēns:
"Iāmnĕ dăre ēxstīnctīs iūstōs" ăĭt "hōstĭbŭs īgnēs,
iām vīctōs ŏpĕrīrĕ plăcēt? vāde ātră dătūrĕ780
sūpplĭcĭa ēxtrēmīquĕ tămēn sēcūrĕ sĕpūlcrī".
Āccēdūnt ūtrīmquĕ pĭō vēxīllă tŭmūltū
pērmīscēntquĕ mănūs; mĕdĭō iām foēdĕră bēllō,
iāmque hōspēs Thēseūs; ōrānt sūccēdĕrĕ mūrīs
dīgnārīquĕ dŏmōs. Nēc tēcta hōstīlĭă vīctōr785
āspērnātŭs ĭnīt; gaūdēnt mātrēsquĕ nŭrūsquĕ
Ōgўgĭaē, quālīs thŷrsō bēllāntĕ sŭbāctūs
mōllĭă laūdābāt iām mārcĭdŭs ōrgĭă Gāngēs.
Ēccĕ pĕr ādvērsās Dīrcaēī vērtĭcĭs ūmbrās
fēmĭnĕūs quătĭt āstră frăgōr, mātrēsquĕ Pĕlāsgaē790
dēcūrrūnt: quālēs Bācchēa ād bēllă vŏcātaē
Thŷiădĕs āmēntēs, māgnūm quās pōscĕrĕ crēdās
aūt fēcīssĕ nĕfās; gaūdēnt lāmēntă nŏvaēquĕ
ēxsūltānt lăcrĭmaē; răpĭt hūc, răpĭt īmpĕtŭs īllūc,
Thēsĕă māgnănĭmūm quaērānt prĭŭs, ānnĕ Crĕōntă,795
ānnĕ sŭōs: vĭdŭī dūcūnt ād cōrpŏră lūctūs.
Nōn ĕgŏ, cēntēnā sī quīs mĕă pēctŏră lāxēt
vōcĕ dĕūs, tōt būstă sĭmūl vūlgīquĕ dŭcūmquĕ,
tōt părĭtēr gĕmĭtūs dīgnīs cōnātĭbŭs aēquēm:
tūrbĭnĕ quō sēsē cārīs īmplēvĕrĭt aūdāx800
īgnĭbŭs Ēvādnē fūlmēnque īn pēctŏrĕ māgnō
quaēsĭĕrīt; quō mōrĕ iăcēns sŭpĕr ōscŭlă saēvī
cōrpŏrĭs īnfēlīx ēxcūsēt Tŷdĕă cōniūnx;
ūt saēvōs nārrēt vĭgĭlēs Ārgīă sŏrōrī;
Ārcădă quō plānctū gĕnĕtrīx Ĕrўmānthĭă clāmēt,805
Ārcădă, cōnsūmptō sērvāntēm sānguĭnĕ vūltūs,
Ārcădă, quēm gĕmĭnaē părĭtēr flēvērĕ cŏhōrtēs.
vīx nŏvŭs īstă fŭrōr vĕnĭēnsque īmplēssĕt Ăpōllŏ,
ēt mĕă iām lōngō mĕrŭīt rătĭs aēquŏrĕ pōrtūm.
Dūrābīsnĕ prŏcūl dŏmĭnōquĕ lĕgērĕ sŭpērstēs,810
ō mĭhĭ bīssēnōs mūltūm vĭgĭlātă pĕr ānnōs
Thēbăĭ? Iām cērtē praēsēns tĭbĭ Fāmă bĕnīgnūm
strāvĭt ĭtēr coēpītquĕ nŏvām mōnstrārĕ fŭtūrīs.
Iām tē māgnănĭmūs dīgnātūr nōscĕrĕ Caēsār,
Ītălă iām stŭdĭō dīscīt mĕmŏrātquĕ iŭvēntūs.815
vīvĕ, prĕcōr; nēc tū dīvīnam Aēnēĭdă tēmptā,
sēd lōngē sĕquĕre ēt vēstīgĭă sēmpĕr ădōrā.
Mōx, tĭbĭ sī quĭs ădhūc praētēndīt nūbĭlă līvōr
ōccĭdĕt, ēt mĕrĭtī pōst mē rĕfĕrēntŭr hŏnōrēs.
Nondum cuncta polo vigil inclinaverat astra
ortus et instantem cornu tenuiore videbat
luna diem, trepidas ubi iam Tithonia nubes
discutit ac reduci magnum parat aethera Phoebo.
5agmina iam raris Dircaea penatibus errant,
noctis questa moras; quamuis tunc otia tandem
et primus post bella sopor, tamen aegra quietem
pax fugat et saevi meminit victoria belli.
vix primo proferre gradum et munimina valli
10solvere, vix totas reserare audacia portas;
stant veteres ante ora metus campique vacantis
horror: ut assiduo iactatis aequore tellus
prima labat, sic attoniti nil comminus ire
mirantur fusasque putant assurgere turmas.
15sic ubi perspicuae scandentem limina turris
Idaliae volucres fulvum aspexere draconem,
intus agunt natos et feta cubilia vallant
unguibus imbellesque citant ad proelia pinnas;
mox ruerit licet ille retro, tamen aëra nudum
20candida turba timet, tandemque ingressa volatus
horret et a mediis etiamnum respicit astris.
Itur in exsanguem populum bellique iacentis
reliquias, quacumque dolor luctusque cruenti
exegere duces; hi tela, hi corpora, at illi
25caesorum tantum ora vident alienaque iuxta
pectora; pars currus deflent viduisque loquuntur,
hoc solum quia restat, equis; pars oscula figunt
vulneribus magnis et de virtute queruntur.
frigida digeritur strages: patuere recisae
30cum capulis hastisque manus mediisque sagittae
luminibus stantes; multis vestigia caedis
nulla, ruunt planctu pendente et ubique parato.
ac circum informis truncos miserabile surgit
certamen, qui iusta ferant, qui funera ducant.
35saepe etiam hostilis (lusit Fortuna parumper)
decepti flevere viros; nec certa facultas
noscere, quem miseri vitent calcentve cruorem.
at quibus est illaesa domus vacuique dolores,
aut deserta vagi Danaum tentoria lustrant
40immittuntque faces, aut (quae post bella voluptas)
quaerunt, dispersus iaceat quo pulvere Tydeus,
an rapti pateat specus auguris, aut ubi divum
hostis, an aetheriae vivant per membra favillae.
iam lacrimis exempta dies, nec serus abegit
45vesper: amant miseri lamenta malisque fruuntur.
nec subiere domos, sed circum funera pernox
turba sedet, vicibusque datis alterna gementes
igne feras planctuque fugant; nec dulcibus astris
victa nec assiduo coierunt lumina fletu.
50tertius Aurorae pugnabat Lucifer, et iam
montibus orbatis, lucorum gloria, magnae
Teumesi venere trabes et amica Cithaeron
silva rogis; ardent excisae viscera gentis
molibus exstructis: supremo munere gaudent
55Ogygii manes; queritur miserabile Graium
nuda cohors vetitumque gemens circumuolat ignem.
accipit et saevi manes Eteoclis iniquos
haudquaquam regalis honos, Argivus haberi
frater iussus adhuc atque exule pellitur umbra.
60At non plebeio fumare Menoecea busto
rex genitor Thebaeque sinunt, nec robora vilem
struxerunt de more rogum; sed bellicus agger
curribus et clipeis Graiorumque omnibus armis
sternitur; hostiles super ipse, ut victor, acervos,
65pacifera lauro crinem vittisque decorus
accubat: haud aliter, quam cum poscentibus astris
laetus in accensa iacuit Tirynthius Oeta.
spirantes super inferias captiva Pelasgum
corpora frenatosque pater, solacia forti
70bellorum, mactabat equos; his arduus ignis
palpitat, et gemitus tandem erupere paterni:
"O nisi magnanimae nimius te laudis inisset
ardor, Echionios mecum venerande penates
atque ultra recture puer, venientia qui nunc
75gaudia et ingratum regni mihi munus acerbas!
tu superum convexa licet coetusque perenni
(credo equidem) virtute colas, mihi flebile semper
numen eris; ponant aras excelsaque Thebae
templa dicent: uni fas sit lugere parenti.
80et nunc heu quae digna tibi sollemnia quasve
largiar exsequias? nec si fatale potestas
Argos et impulsas cineri miscere Mycenas,
meque super, cui vita (nefas!) et sanguine nati
partus honos. eademne dies, eadem impia bella
85te, puer, et diros misere in Tartara fratres,
et nunc Oedipodi par est fortuna doloris
ac mihi? quam similes gemimus, bone Iuppiter, umbras!
accipe, nate, tui nova libamenta triumphi,
accipe et hoc regimen dextrae frontisque superbae
90vincula, quae patri minimum laetanda dedisti.
regem te, regem tristes Eteocleos umbrae
aspiciant." simul haec dicens crinemque manumque
destruit, accensaque iterat violentius ira:
"Saevum agedum immitemque vocent, si funera Lernae
95tecum ardere veto; longos utinam addere sensus
corporibus caeloque animas Ereboque nocentes
pellere fas, ipsumque feras, ipsum unca volucrum
ora sequi atque artus regum monstrare nefandos!
ei mihi, quod positos humus alma diesque resolvet.
100quare iterum repetens iterumque edico: suprema
ne quis ope et flammis ausit iuvisse Pelasgos;
aut nece facta luet numeroque explebit adempta
corpora; per superos magnumque Menoecea iuro".
dixit, et abreptum comites in tecta ferebant.
105Flebilis interea vacuis comitatus ab Argis
(fama trahit miseras) orbae viduaeque ruebant
Inachides ceu capta manus; sua vulnera cuique,
par habitus cunctis, deiecti in pectora crines
accinctique sinus; manant lacera ora cruentis
110unguibus, et molles planctu crevere lacerti.
prima per attonitas nigrae regina catervae,
tristibus illabens famulis iterumque resurgens,
quaerit inops Argia vias; non regia cordi,
non pater: una fides, unum Polynicis amati
115nomen in ore sedet; Dircen infaustaque Cadmi
moenia posthabitis velit incoluisse Mycenis.
proxima Lernaeo Calydonidas agmine mixtas
Tydeos exsequias trahit haut cessura sorori
Deipyle; scelus illa quidem morsusque profanos
120audierat miseranda viri, sed cuncta iacenti
infelix ignoscit amor. post aspera visu,
ac deflenda tamen, digno plangore Nealce
Hippomedonta ciens. vatis mox impia coniunx
heu vacuos positura rogos. Postrema gementum
125agmina Maenaliae ducit comes orba Dianae,
et gravis Evadne: dolet haec queriturque labores
audacis pueri, magni memor illa mariti
it torvum lacrimans summisque irascitur astris.
illas et lucis Hecate speculata Lycaeis
130prosequitur gemitu, duplexque ad litus euntis
planxit ab Isthmiaco genetrix Thebana sepulcro,
noctivagumque gregem, quamuis sibi luget, Eleusin
flevit et arcanos errantibus extulit ignis.
ipsa per aversos ducit Saturnia calles
135occultatque vias, ne plebs congressa suorum
ire vetet pereatque ingentis gloria coepti.
nec non functa ducum refovendi corpora curam
Iris habet, putresque arcanis roribus artus
ambrosiaeque rigat sucis, ut longius obstent
140exspectentque rogum et flammas non ante fatiscant.
Squalidus ecce genas et inani vulnere pallens
Ornytus (hic socio desertus ab agmine, tardat
plaga recens) timido secreta per avia furto
debile carpit iter fractaeque innititur hastae.
145isque ubi mota novo stupuit loca sola tumultu
femineumque gregem, quae iam super agmina Lerne
sola videt, non ille viam causasve requirit,
quippe patent, maesto sed sic prior occupat ore:
"Quo, miserae, quo fertis iter? funusne peremptis
150speratis cineremque viris? stat pervigil illic
umbrarum custos inhumataque corpora regi
adnumerat. nusquam lacrimae, procul usque fugati
accessus hominum: solis avibusque ferisque
ire licet. vestrisne Creon dabit aequus honorem
155luctibus? immitis citius Busiridos aras
Odrysiique famem stabuli Siculosque licebit
exorare deos; rapiet fortasse precantis,
si mens nota mihi, nec coniugialia supra
funera, sed caris longe mactabit ab umbris.
160quin fugitis, dum tuta via est, Lernamque reversae
nomina, quod superest, vacuis datis orba sepulcris
absentesque animas ad inania busta vocatis?
aut vos Cecropiam (prope namque et Thesea famast
Thermodontiaco laetum remeare triumpho)
165imploratis opem? bello cogendus et armis
in mores hominemque Creon". sic fatus, at illis
horruerant lacrimae, stupuitque immanis eundi
impetus, atque uno vultus pallore gelati.
non secus afflavit molles si quando iuvencas
170tigridis Hyrcanae ieiunum murmur, et ipse
auditu turbatus ager, timor omnibus ingens,
quae placeat, quos illa fames escendat in armos.
Continuo discors vario sententia motu
scinditur: his Thebas tumidumque ambire Creonta,
175his placet Actaeae si quid clementia gentis
adnuat; extremum curarum ac turpe reverti.
hic non femineae subitum virtutis amorem
colligit Argia, sexuque immane relicto
tractat opus: placet (egregii spes dura pericli!)
180comminus infandi leges accedere regni,
quo Rhodopes non ulla nurus nec alumna nivosi
Phasidis innuptis vallata cohortibus iret.
tunc movet arte dolum, quo semet ab agmine fido
segreget, immitisque deos regemque cruentum
185contemptrix animae et magno temeraria luctu
provocet; hortantur pietas ignesque pudici.
ipse etiam ante oculos omni manifestus in actu,
nunc hospes miserae, primas nunc sponsus ad aras,
nunc mitis coniunx, nunc iam sub casside torva
190maestus in amplexu multumque a limine summo
respiciens: sed nulla animo versatur imago
crebrior, Aonii quam quae de sanguine campi
nuda venit poscitque rogos. his anxia mentem
aegrescit furiis et, qui castissimus ardor,
195funus amat; tunc ad comites conversa Pelasgas:
"Uos" ait "Actaeas acies Marathoniaque arma
elicite, adspiretque pio Fortuna labori.
me sinite Ogygias, tantae quae sola ruinae
causa fui, penetrare domos et fulmina regni
200prima pati; nec surda ferae pulsabimus urbis
limina: sunt illic soceri mihi suntque sorores
coniugis, et Thebas haud ignoranda subibo.
ne tantum revocate gradus: illo impetus ingens
auguriumque animi". nec plura, unumque Menoeten
205(olim hic virginei custos monitorque pudoris)
eligit et, quamquam rudis atque ignara locorum,
praecipites gressus, qua venerat Ornytus, aufert.
atque ubi visa procul socias liquisse malorum:
"Anne" ait "hostiles ego te tabente per agros
210(heu dolor!) exspectem, quaenam sententia lenti
Theseos? an bello proceres, an dexter haruspex
adnuat? interea funus decrescit. et uncis
alitibus non hos potius supponimus artus?
et nunc me duram, si quis tibi sensus ad umbras,
215me tardam Stygiis quereris, fidissime, divis.
heu si nudus adhuc, heu si iam forte sepultus:
nostrum utrumque nefas; adeo vis nulla dolenti,
mors nusquam saevusve Creon? hortaris euntem,
Ornyte!" sic dicens magno Megareia praeceps
220arva rapit passu, demonstrat proxima quisque
obvius horrescitque habitus miseramque veretur.
vadit atrox visu, nil corde nec ore pavescens,
et nimiis confisa malis propiorque timeri:
nocte velut Phrygia cum lamentata resultant
225Dindyma, pinigeri rapitur Simoëntis ad amnem
dux vesana chori, cuius dea sanguine lecto
ipsa dedit ferrum et vittata fronde notavit.
Iam pater Hesperio flagrantem gurgite currum
abdiderat Titan, aliis rediturus ab undis,
230cum tamen illa gravem luctu fallente laborem
nescit abisse diem: nec caligantibus arvis
terretur, sed frangit iter per et invia saxa
lapsurasque trabes nemorumque arcana, sereno
nigra die, caecisque incisa novalia fossis,
235per fluvios secura vadi somnosque ferarum
praeter et horrendis infesta cubilia monstris.
tantum animi luctusque valent! pudet ire Menoeten
tardius, invalidaeque gradum miratur alumnae.
quas non illa domos pecudumque hominumque modesto
240pulsavit gemitu! quotiens amissus eunti
limes, et errantem comitis solacia flammae
destituunt gelidaeque facem vicere tenebrae!
iamque supinantur fessis lateque fatiscunt
Penthei devexa iugi, cum pectore anhelo
245iam prope deficiens sic incipit ore Menoetes:
"Haud procul, exacti si spes non blanda laboris,
Ogygias, Argia, domos et egena sepulcri
busta iacere reor; grave comminus aestuat aër
sordidus, et magnae redeunt per inane volucres.
250haec illa est crudelis humus, nec moenia longe.
Cernis, ut ingentis murorum porrigat umbras
campus, et e speculis moriens intermicet ignis?
moenia sunt iuxta; modo nox magis ipsa tacebat,
solaque nigrantes laxabant astra tenebras."
255horruit Argia, dextramque ad moenia tendens:
"Urbs optata prius, nunc tecta hostilia Thebae,
et tamen, illaesas si reddis coniugis umbras,
sic quoque dulce solum, cernis, quo praedita cultu,
qua stipata manu, iuxta tua limina primum
260Oedipodis magni venio nurus? improba non sunt
vota: rogos hospes planctumque et funera posco.
illum, oro, extorrem regni belloque fugatum,
illum, quem solio non es dignata paterno,
redde mihi! tuque, oro, veni, si manibus ulla
265effigies errantque animae post membra solutae,
tu mihi pande vias, tuaque ipse ad funera deduc,
si merui!" dixit, tectumque adgressa propinquae
pastorale casae reficit spiramina fessi
ignis et horrendos irrumpit turbida campos.
270qualis ab Aetnaeis accensa lampade saxis
orba Ceres magnae variabat imagine flammae
Ausonium Siculumque latus, vestigia nigri
raptoris vastosque legens in pulvere sulcos;
illius insanis ululatibus ipse remugit
275Enceladus ruptoque vias illuminat igni:
Persephonen amnes silvae freta nubila clamant,
Persephonen tantum Stygii tacet aula mariti.
Admonet attonitam fidus meminisse Creontis
altor et occulto submittere lampada furto.
280Regina Argolicas modo formidata per urbes,
votum immane procis spesque augustissima gentis,
nocte sub infesta, nullo duce et hoste propinquo,
sola per offensus armorum et lubrica tabo
gramina, non tenebras, non circumfusa tremiscens
285concilia umbrarum atque animas sua membra gementes
saepe gradu caeco ferrum calcataque tela
dissimulat, solusque labor vitasse iacentis,
dum funus putat omne suum, visuque sagaci
rimatur positos et corpora prona supinat
290incumbens, queriturque parum lucentibus astris.
Forte soporiferas caeli secreta per umbras
Iuno, sinu magni semet furata mariti,
Theseos ad muros, ut Pallada flecteret, ibat,
supplicibusque piis faciles aperiret Athenas.
295Atque ubi per campos errore fatiscere vano
immeritam Argian supero respexit ab axe,
indoluit visu, et lunaribus obvia bigis
advertit vultum placidaque ita voce locutast:
"Da mihi poscenti munus breve, Cynthia, si quis
300est Iunonis honos; certe Iovis improba iussu
ter noctem Herculeam -, veteres sed mitto querelas:
en locus officio. cultrix placitissima nostri
Inachis Argia cernis qua nocte vagetur
nec reperire virum densis queat aegra tenebris?
305et tibi nimbosum languet iubar: exsere quaeso
cornua et assueto propior premat orbita terras.
Hunc quoque, qui curru madidas tibi pronus habenas
ducit, in Aonios vigiles demitte Soporem".
vix ea, cum scissis magnum dea nubibus orbem
310protulit; expavere umbrae, fulgorque recisus
sideribus; vix ipsa tulit Saturnia flammas.
Primam per campos infuso lumine pallam
coniugis ipsa suos noscit miseranda labores,
quamquam texta latent suffusaque sanguine maeret
315purpura; dumque deos vocat et de funere caro
hoc superesse putat, videt ipsum in pulvere paene
calcatum. Fugere animus visusque sonusque,
inclusitque dolor lacrimas; tum corpore toto
sternitur in vultus animumque per oscula quaerit
320absentem, pressumque comis ac veste cruorem
servatura legit. mox tandem voce reversa:
"Hunc ego te, coniunx, ad debita regna profectum
ductorem belli generumque potentis Adrasti
aspicio, talisque tuis occurro triumphis?
325Huc attolle genas defectaque lumina: venit
ad Thebas Argia tuas; age, moenibus induc
et patrios ostende lares et mutua redde
hospitia. Heu quid ago? Proiectus caespite nudo
hoc patriae telluris habes. quae iurgia? certe
330imperium non frater habet! Nullasne tuorum
movisti lacrimas? Ubi mater, ubi inclita fama
Antigone? Mihi nempe iaces, mihi victus es uni!
Dicebam: "Quo tendis iter? Quid sceptra negata
poscis? habes Argos, soceri regnabis in aula;
335hic tibi longus honos, hic indivisa potestas".
Quid queror? Ipsa dedi bellum maestumque rogavi
ipsa patrem, ut talem nunc te complexa tenerem.
Sed bene habet, superi, gratum est, Fortuna; peracta
spes longinqua viae: totos invenimus artus.
340ei mihi, sed quanto descendit vulnus hiatu!
Hoc frater? Qua parte, precor, iacet ille nefandus
praedator? vincam volucres - sit adire potestas -
excludamque feras; an habet funestus et ignis?
Sed nec te flammis inopem tua terra videbit:
345ardebis lacrimasque feres, quas ferre negatum
regibus, aeternumque tuo famulata sepulcro
durabit deserta fides, testisque dolorum
natus erit, parvoque torum Polynice fovebo".
Ecce alios gemitus aliamque ad busta ferebat
350Antigone miseranda facem, vix nacta petitos
moenibus egressus; illam nam tempore in omni
attendunt vigiles et rex iubet ipse timeri,
contractaeque vices et crebrior excubat ignis.
Ergo deis fratrique moras excusat et amens,
355ut paulum immisso cessit statio horrida somno,
erumpit muris: fremitu quo territat agros
virginis ira leae, rabies cui libera tandem
et primus sine matre furor. Nec longa morata,
quippe trucem campum et, positus quo pulvere frater,
360noverat. Atque illam contra videt ire Menoetes,
cui vacat, et carae gemitus compescit alumnae.
cum tamen erectas extremus virginis aures
accessit sonus, utque atra sub veste comisque
squalentem et crasso foedatam sanguine vultus
365astrorum radiis et utraque a lampade vidit:
"Cuius" ait "manes, aut quem temeraria quaeris
nocte mea?" nihil illa diu, sed in ora mariti
deicit inque suos pariter velamina vultus,
capta metu subito paulumque oblita doloris.
370Hoc magis increpitans suspecta silentia perstat
Antigone, comitemque premens ipsamque; sed ambo
deficiunt fixique silent. Tandem ora retexit
Argia, corpusque tamen complexa profatur:
"Si quid in hoc veteri bellorum sanguine mecum
375quaesitura venis, si tu quoque dura Creontis
iussa times, possum tibi me confisa fateri.
si misera es - certe lacrimas lamentaque cerno -,
iunge, age, iunge fidem: proles ego regis Adrasti
- ei mihi! num quis adest? - cari Polynicis ad ignis,
380etsi regna vetant." stupuit Cadmeia virgo
intremuitque simul, dicentemque occupat ultro:
"Mene igitur sociam - pro fors ignara! - malorum,
mene times? mea membra tenes, mea funera plangis.
Cedo, tene, pudet heu! pietas ignava sororis!
385haec prior!" hic pariter lapsae iunctoque per ipsum
amplexu miscent avidae lacrimasque comasque,
partitaeque artus redeunt alterna gementes
ad vultum et cara vicibus cervice fruuntur.
dumque modo haec fratrem memorat, nunc illa maritum,
390mutuaque exorsae Thebas Argosque renarrant,
longius Argia miseros reminiscitur actus:
"Per tibi furtivi sacrum commune doloris,
per socios manes et conscia sidera iuro:
non hic amissos, quamquam vagus exsul, honores,
395non gentile solum, carae non pectora matris,
te cupiit unam noctesque diesque locutus
Antigonen; ego cura minor facilisque relinqui.
Tu tamen ex celsa sublimen forsitan arce
ante nefas Grais dantem vexilla maniplis
400vidisti, teque ille acie respexit ab ipsa
ense salutatam et nutantis vertice coni:
nos procul. extremas sed quis deus egit in iras?
nil vestrae valuere preces? tibine iste negavit
oranti?" causas ac tristia reddere fata
405coeperat Antigone; fidus comes admonet ambas:
Heia agite inceptum potius! Iam sidera pallent
vicino turbata die, perferte laborem,
tempus erit lacrimis, accenso flebitis igne".
Haut procul Ismeni monstrabant murmura ripas,
410qua turbatus adhuc et sanguine decolor ibat.
huc laceros artus socio conamine portant
invalidae, iungitque comes non fortior ulnas.
sic Hyperionium tepido Phaëthonta sorores
fumantem lavere Pado; vix ille sepulcro
415conditus, et flentes stabant ad flumina silvae.
ut sanies purgata vado membrisque reversus
mortis honos, ignem miserae post ultima quaerunt
oscula; sed gelidae circum exanimesque favillae
putribus in foveis, atque omnia busta quiescunt.
420Stabat adhuc seu forte rogus, seu numine divum,
cui torrere datum saevos Eteocleos artus,
sive locum monstris iterum Fortuna parabat,
seu dissensuros servaverat Eumenis ignes.
Hic tenuem nigris etiamnum aduivere lucem
425roboribus pariter cupidae videre, simulque
flebile gavisae; nec adhuc, quae busta, repertum,
sed placidus quemcumque rogant mitisque supremi
admittat cineris consortem et misceat umbras.
Ecce iterum fratres: primos ut contigit artus
430ignis edax, tremuere rogi et novus advena busto
pellitur; exundant diviso vertice flammae
alternosque apices abrupta luce coruscant.
Pallidus Eumenidum veluti commiserit ignis
Orcus, uterque minax globus et conatur uterque
435longius; ipsae etiam commoto pondere paulum
secessere trabes. Conclamat territa virgo:
"Occidimus, functasque manu stimulavimus iras.
frater erat; quis enim accessus ferus hospitis umbrae
pelleret? en clipei fragmen semustaque nosco
440cingula, frater erat! cernisne ut flamma recedat
concurratque tamen? Vivunt odia improba, vivunt.
Nil actum bello; miseri, sic, dum arma movetis,
vicit nempe Creon! Nusquam iam regna, quis ardor?
cui furitis? sedate minas; tuque exsul ubique
445semper inops aequi, iam cede: hoc nupta precatur,
hoc soror, aut saevos mediae veniemus in ignis".
Vix ea, cum subitus campos tremor altaque tecta
impulit adiuvitque rogi discordis hiatus,
et vigilum turbata quies, quibus ipse malorum
450fingebat simulacra sopor: ruit ilicet, omnem
prospectum lustrans armata indagine miles.
illos instantes senior timet unus; at ipsae
ante rogum saevique palam sprevisse Creontis
imperia et furtum claro clangore fatentur
455securae, quippe omne vident fluxisse cadaver.
Ambitur saeva de morte animosaque leti
spes furit: haec fratris rapuisse, haec coniugis artus
contendunt vicibusque probant: "Ego corpus, ego ignis",
"Me pietas", "Me duxit amor". Deposcere saeva
460supplicia et dextras iuvat insertare catenis.
Nusquam illa alternis modo quae reverentia verbis,
iram odiumque putes; tantus discordat utrimque
clamor, et ad regem, qui deprendere, trahuntur.
At procul Actaeis dextra iam Pallade muris
465Iuno Phoroneas inducit praevia matres
attonitas, non ipsa minus, coetumque gementem
conciliat populis et fletibus addit honorem.
ipsa manu ramosque oleae vittasque precantis
tradit, et obtenta submittere lumina palla
470et praeferre docet vacuas sine manibus urnas.
omnis Erechtheis effusa penatibus aetas
tecta viasque replent: unde hoc examen et una
tot miserae? Necdum causas novere malorum,
iamque gemunt. Dea conciliis se miscet utrisque
475cuncta docens, qua gente satae, quae funera plangant
quidue petant; variis nec non adfatibus ipsae
Ogygias leges immansuetumque Creonta
multum et ubique fremunt. Geticae non plura queruntur
hospitibus tectis trunco sermone volucres,
480cum duplices thalamos et iniquum Terea clamant.
Urbe fuit media nulli concessa potentum
ara deum, mitis posuit Clementia sedem,
et miseri fecere sacram; sine supplice numquam
illa novo, nulla damnavit vota repulsa.
485Auditi quicumque rogant, noctesque diesque
ire datum et solis numen placare querelis.
Parca superstitio: non turea flamma, nec altus
accipitur sanguis: lacrimis altaria sudant,
maestarumque super libamina secta comarum
490pendent et vestes mutata sorte relictae.
mite nemus circa, cultuque insigne verendo
vittatae laurus et supplicis arbor olivae.
Nulla autem effigies, nulli commissa metallo
forma dei, mentes habitare et pectora gaudet.
495Semper habet trepidos, semper locus horret egenis
coetibus, ignotae tantum felicibus arae.
Fama est, defensos acie post busta paterni
numinis Herculeos sedem fundasse nepotes.
fama minor factis: ipsos nam credere dignum
500caelicolas, tellus quibus hospita semper Athenae,
ceu leges hominemque novum ritusque sacrorum
seminaque in vacuas hinc descendentia terras,
sic sacrasse loco commune animantibus aegris
confugium, unde procul starent iraeque minaeque
505regnaque, et a iustis Fortuna recederet aris.
Iam tunc innumerae norant altaria gentes:
huc victi bellis patriaque a sede fugati,
regnorumque inopes scelerumque errore nocentes
conveniunt pacemque rogant; mox hospita sedes
510vicit et Oedipodae Furias †et funus Olynthi†
texit et a misero matrem submovit Oreste.
hic vulgo monstrante locum manus anxia Lernae
deveniunt, cedunt miserorum turba priorum.
vix ibi, sedatis requierunt pectora curis:
515ceu patrio super alta grues Aquilone fugatae
cum videre Pharon; tunc aethera latius implent,
tunc hilari clangore sonant; iuvat orbe sereno
contempsisse nives et frigora solvere Nilo.
Iamque domos patrias Scythicae post aspera gentis
520proelia laurigero subeuntem Thesea curru
laetifici plausus missusque ad sidera vulgi
clamor et emeritis hilaris tuba nuntiat armis.
ante ducem spolia et, duri Mavortis imago,
virginei currus cumulataque fercula cristis
525et tristes ducuntur equi truncaeque bipennes,
quis nemora et solidam Maeotida caedere suetae,
corytique leves portantur et ignea gemmis
cingula et informes dominarum sanguine peltae.
Ipsae autem nondum trepidae sexumve fatentur,
530nec vulgare gemunt aspernanturque precari,
et tantum innuptae quaerunt delubra Minervae.
Primus amor niveis victorem cernere vectum
quadriiugis; nec non populos in semet agebat
Hippolyte, iam blanda genas patiensque mariti
535foederis. hanc patriae ritus fregisse severos
Atthides oblique secum mirantur operto
murmure, quod nitidi crines, quod pectora palla
tota latent, magnis quod barbara semet Athenis
misceat atque hosti veniat placitura marito.
540Paulum et ab insessis maestae Pelopeides aris
promovere gradum seriemque et dona triumphi
mirantur, victique animo rediere mariti.
atque ubi tardavit currus et ab axe superbo
explorat causas victor poscitque benigna
545aure preces, ausa ante alias Capaneia coniunx:
"Belliger Aegide, subitae cui maxima laudis
semina de nostris aperit Fortuna ruinis,
non externa genus, dirae nec conscia noxae
turba sumus: domus Argos erat regesque mariti,
550non utinam et fortes! Quid enim septena movere
castra et Agenoreos opus emendare penates?
Nec querimur caesos: haec bellica iura vicesque
armorum; sed non Siculis exorta sub antris
monstra nec Ossaei bello cecidere bimembres.
555mitto genus clarosque patres: hominum, inclite Theseu,
sanguis erant, homines, eademque in sidera, eosdem
sortitus animarum alimentaque vestra creati,
quos vetat igne Creon Stygiaeque a limine portae,
ceu sator Eumenidum aut Lethaei portitor amnis,
560submovet ac dubio caelique Erebique sub axe
detinet. heu princeps Natura! ubi numina, ubi illest
fulminis iniusti iaculator? Ubi estis, Athenae?
septima iam surgens trepidis Aurora iacentes
aversatur equis; radios declinat et horret
565stelligeri iubar omne poli; iam comminus ipsae
pabula dira ferae campumque odere volucres
spirantem tabo et caelum ventosque gravantem.
Quantum etenim superesse rear? Nuda ossa putremque
verrere permittat saniem. properate, verendi
570Cecropidae; vos ista decet vindicta, priusquam
Emathii Thracesque dolent, quaeque exstat ubique
gens arsura rogis manesque habitura supremos.
Nam quis erit saevire modus? Bellavimus, esto;
sed cecidere odia et tristes mors obruit iras.
575Tu quoque, ut egregios fama cognovimus actus,
non trucibus monstris Sinin infandumque dedisti
Cercyona, et saevum velles Scirona crematum.
Credo et Amazoniis Tanain, fumasse sepulcris,
unde haec arma refers, sed et hunc dignare triumphum.
580da terris unum caeloque Ereboque laborem,
si patrium Marathona metu, si tecta levasti
Cresia, nec fudit vanos anus hospita fletus.
Sic tibi non ullae socia sine Pallade pugnae,
nec sacer invideat paribus Tirynthius actis,
585semper et in curru, semper te mater ovantem
cernat, et invictae nil tale precentur Athenae".
Dixerat; excipiunt cunctae tenduntque precantis
cum clamore manus; rubuit Neptunius heros
permotus lacrimis; iusta mox concitus ira
590exclamat: "Quaenam ista novos induxit Erinys
regnorum mores? Non haec ego pectora liqui
Graiorum abscedens, Scythiam Pontumque nivalem
cum peterem; novus unde furor? Victumne putasti
Thesea, dire Creon? Adsum, nec sanguine fessum
595crede; sitit meritos etiamnum haec hasta cruores.
Nulla mora est; verte hunc adeo, fidissime Phegeu,
cornipedem, et Tyrias invectus protinus arces
aut Danais edice rogos aut proelia Thebis".
Sic ait oblitus bellique viaeque laborum,
600hortaturque suos viresque instaurat anhelas:
ut modo conubiis taurus saltuque recepto
cum posuit pugnas, alio si forte remugit
bellatore nemus, quamquam ora et colla cruento
imbre madent, novos arma parat campumque lacessens
605dissimulat gemitus et vulnera pulvere celat.
Ipsa metus Libycos servatricemque Medusam
pectoris incussa movit Tritonia parma.
protinus erecti toto simul agmine Thebas
respexere angues; necdum Atticus ire parabat
610miles, et infelix expavit classica Dirce.
Continuo in pugnas haut solum accensa iuventus,
qui modo Caucasei comites rediere triumphi:
omnis ad arma rudes ager exstimulavit alumnos.
Conveniunt ultroque ducis vexilla sequuntur,
615qui gelidum Braurona viri, qui rura lacessunt
Munychia et trepidis stabilem Piraeea nautis
et nondum Eoo clarum Marathona triumpho.
Mittit in arma manus gentilibus hospita divis
Icarii Celeique domus viridesque Melaenae,
620dives et Aegaleos nemorum Parnesque benignus
vitibus et pingui melior Lycabesos oliva.
Venit atrox Alaeus et olentis arator Hymetti,
quaeque rudes thyrsos hederis vestistis, Acharnae.
linquitur Eois longe speculabile proris
625Sunion unde vagi casurum in nomina ponti
Cresia decepit falso ratis Aegea velo.
Hos Salamin populos, illos Cerealis Eleusin
horrida suspensis ad proelia misit aratris,
et quos Callirhoë noviens errantibus undis
630implicat, et raptae qui conscius Orithyiae
celavit ripis Geticos Elisos amores.
Ipse quoque in pugnas vacuatur collis, ubi ingens
lis superum, dubiis donec nova surgeret arbor
rupibus et longa refugum mare frangeret umbra.
635Isset et Arctoas Cadmea ad moenia ducens
Hippolyte turmas: retinet iam certa tumentis
spes uteri, coniunxque rogat dimittere curas
Martis et emeritas thalamo sacrare pharetras.
Hos ubi velle acies et dulci gliscere ferro
640dux videt, utque piis raptim dent oscula natis
amplexusque breves, curru sic fatur ab alto:
"Terrarum leges et mundi foedera mecum
defensura cohors, dignas insumite mentes
coeptibus: hac omnem divumque hominumque favorem
645Naturamque ducem coetusque silentis Averni
stare palam est; illic Poenarum exercita Thebis
agmina et anguicomae ducunt vexilla sorores.
ite alacres tantaeque, precor, confidite causae."
dixit, et emissa praeceps iter incohat hasta:
650qualis Hyperboreos ubi nubilus institit axes
Iuppiter et prima tremefecit sidera bruma,
rumpitur Aeolia et longam indignata quietem
tollit hiems animos ventosaque sibilat Arctos;
tunc montes undaeque fremunt, tunc proelia caecis
655nubibus et tonitrus insanaque fulmina gaudent.
Icta gemit tellus, virides gravis ungula campos
mutat, et innumeris peditumque equitumque catervis
exspirat protritus ager, nec pulvere crasso
armorum lux victa perit, sed in aethera longum
660frangitur, et mediis ardent in nubibus hastae.
Noctem adeo placidasque operi iunxere tenebras,
certamenque immane viris, quo concita tendant
agmina, quis visas proclamet ab aggere Thebas,
cuius in Ogygio stet princeps lancea muro.
665At procul ingenti Neptunius agmina Theseus
angustat clipeo, propriaeque exordia laudis
centum urbes umbone gerit centenaque Cretae
moenia, seque ipsum monstrosi ambagibus antri
hispida torquentem luctantis colla iuvenci
670alternasque manus circum et nodosa ligantem
bracchia et abducto vitantem cornua vultu.
Terror habet populos, cum saeptus imagine torva
ingreditur pugnas: bis Thesea bisque cruentas
caede videre manus; veteres reminiscitur actus
675ipse tuens sociumque gregem metuendaque quondam
limina, et absumpto pallentem Gnosida filo.
Saevus at interea ferro post terga revinctas
Antigonen viduamque Creon Adrastida leto
admovet; ambae hilares et mortis amore superbae
680ensibus intentant iugulos regemque cruentum
destituunt: cum dicta ferens Theseia Phegeus
adstitit. Ille quidem ramis insontis olivae
pacificus, sed bella ciet bellumque minatur,
grande fremens, nimiumque memor mandantis et ipsum
685iam prope, iam medios operire cohortibus agros
ingeminans. Stetit ambiguo Thebanus in aestu
curarum, nutantque minae et prior ira tepescit.
tunc firmat sese, fictumque ac triste renidens
"Parvane prostratis" inquit, "documenta Mycenis
690sanximus? En iterum, qui moenia nostra lacessant.
Accipimus, veniant; sed ne post bella querantur:
lex eadem victis". Dicit; sed pulvere crasso
caligare diem et Tyrios iuga perdere montes
aspicit; armari populos tamen armaque ferri
695ipse iubet pallens, mediaeque in sedibus aulae
Eumenidas subitas flentemque Menoecea cernit
turbidus impositosque rogis gaudere Pelasgos.
Quis fuit ille dies, tanto cum sanguine Thebis
pax inventa perit? patriis modo fixa revellunt
700arma deis, clipeisque obducunt pectora fractis,
et galeas humiles et adhuc sordentia tabo
spicula: non pharetris quisquam, non ense decorus,
non spectandus equo; cessat fiducia valli,
murorum patet omne latus, munimina portae
705exposcunt: prior hostis habet; fastigia desunt:
deiecit Capaneus; exsanguis et aegra iuventus
iam nec coniugibus suprema nec oscula natis
iungit, et attoniti nil optavere parentes.
Atticus interea, iubar ut clarescere ruptis
710nubibus et solem primis aspexit in armis,
desilit in campum, qui subter moenia nudos
asservat manes, dirisque vaporibus aegrum
aëra pulverea penitus sub casside ducens
ingemit et iustas belli flammatur in iras.
715Hunc saltem miseris ductor Thebanus honorem
largitus Danais, quod non super ipsa iacentum
corpora belligeras acies Martemque secundum
miscuit; at lacera ne quid de strage nefandus
perderet, eligitur saevos potura cruores
720terra rudis. iamque alternas in proelia gentes
dissimilis Bellona ciet; non clamor utrimque,
non utrimque tubae: stat debilis altera pubes
submissos enses nequiquam amentaque dextris
laxa tenens; cedunt tellure, armisque reductis
725ostentant veteres etiamnum in sanguine plagas.
Iam nec Cecropiis idem ductoribus ardor,
languescuntque minae et virtus secura residit:
ventorum velut ira minor, nisi silva furentes
impedit, insanique tacent sine litore fluctus.
730Ut vero aequoreus quercum Marathonida Theseus
extulit, erectae cuius crudelis in hostes
umbra cadit campumque trucem lux cuspidis implet:
ceu pater Edonos Haemi de vertice Mavors
impulerit currus, rapido mortemque fugamque
735axe vehens, sic exanimis in terga reducit
pallor Agenoridas; taedet fugientibus uti
Thesea, nec facilem dignatur dextra cruorem.
Cetera plebeio desaevit sanguine virtus.
Sic iuvat exanimis proiectaque praeda canesque
740degeneresque lupos: magnos alit ira leones.
Attamen Olenium Lamyrumque, hunc tela pharetra
promentem, hunc saevi tollentem pondera saxi
deicit, et triplici confisos robore gentis
Alcetidas fratres, totidem quos eminus hastis
745continuat; ferrum consumpsit pectore Phyleus,
ore momordit Helops, umero transmisit Iapyx.
Iamque et quadriiugo celsum petit Haemona curru,
horrendumque manu telum rotat: ille paventis
obliquavit equos; longo perlata tenore
750transiit hasta duos, sitiebat vulnera nec non
tertia, sed medio cuspis temone retentast.
Sed solum votis, solum clamore tremendo
omnibus in turmis optat vocitatque Creonta.
Atque hunc diversa bellorum in fronte maniplos
755hortantem dictis frustraque extrema minantem
conspicit; abscedunt comites: sed Thesea iussi
linquebant fretique deis atque ipsius armis;
ille tenet revocatque suos; utque aequa notavit
hinc atque hinc odia, extrema se colligit ira,
760iam letale furens, atque audax morte futura:
"Non cum peltiferis" ait, "haec tibi pugna puellis,
virgineas ne crede manus: hic cruda virorum
proelia, nos magnum qui Tydea quique furentem
Hippomedonta neci Capaneaque misimus umbris
765pectora. Quae bellum praeceps amentia suasit,
improbe? Nonne vides, quos ulciscare, iacentis?"
Sic ait, et frustra periturum missile summo
afflixit clipeo. risit vocesque manumque
horridus Aegides, ferrataque arbore magnos
770molitur iactus, nec non prius ore superbo
intonat: "Argolici, quibus haec datur hostia, manes,
pandite Tartareum chaos ultricesque parate
Eumenidas, venit ecce Creon!" Sic fatus, et auras
dissipat hasta tremens; tunc qua subtemine duro
775multiplicem tenues iterant thoraca catenae,
incidit: emicuit per mille foramina sanguis
impius; ille oculis extremo errore solutis
labitur. assistit Theseus gravis armaque tollens:
"Iamne dare exstinctis iustos" ait "hostibus ignes,
780iam victos operire placet? vade atra dature
supplicia extremique tamen secure sepulcri".
Accedunt utrimque pio vexilla tumultu
permiscentque manus; medio iam foedera bello,
iamque hospes Theseus; orant succedere muris
785dignarique domos. Nec tecta hostilia victor
aspernatus init; gaudent matresque nurusque
Ogygiae, qualis thyrso bellante subactus
mollia laudabat iam marcidus orgia Ganges.
Ecce per adversas Dircaei verticis umbras
790femineus quatit astra fragor, matresque Pelasgae
decurrunt: quales Bacchea ad bella vocatae
Thyiades amentes, magnum quas poscere credas
aut fecisse nefas; gaudent lamenta novaeque
exsultant lacrimae; rapit huc, rapit impetus illuc,
795Thesea magnanimum quaerant prius, anne Creonta,
anne suos: vidui ducunt ad corpora luctus.
Non ego, centena si quis mea pectora laxet
voce deus, tot busta simul vulgique ducumque,
tot pariter gemitus dignis conatibus aequem:
800turbine quo sese caris impleverit audax
ignibus Evadne fulmenque in pectore magno
quaesierit; quo more iacens super oscula saevi
corporis infelix excuset Tydea coniunx;
ut saevos narret vigiles Argia sorori;
805Arcada quo planctu genetrix Erymanthia clamet,
Arcada, consumpto servantem sanguine vultus,
Arcada, quem geminae pariter flevere cohortes.
vix novus ista furor veniensque implesset Apollo,
et mea iam longo meruit ratis aequore portum.
810Durabisne procul dominoque legere superstes,
o mihi bissenos multum vigilata per annos
Thebai? Iam certe praesens tibi Fama benignum
stravit iter coepitque novam monstrare futuris.
Iam te magnanimus dignatur noscere Caesar,
815Itala iam studio discit memoratque iuventus.
vive, precor; nec tu divinam Aeneida tempta,
sed longe sequere et vestigia semper adora.
Mox, tibi si quis adhuc praetendit nubila livor
occidet, et meriti post me referentur honores.
