Aeneid

Virgil

Vergil. The Aeneid of Virgil. Williams, Theodore, C, translator. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1910.

  1. Meanwhile the kings ride forth: Latinus first,
  2. looming tall-statured from his four-horse car;
  3. twelve rays of gold encircle his bright brow,
  4. sign of the sun-god, his progenitor;
  5. next Turnus, driving snow-white steeds, is seen,—
  6. two bread-tipped javelins in his hand he bears;
  7. Aeneas, of Rome's blood the source and sire,
  8. with star-bright shield and panoply divine,
  9. far-shining comes; Ascanius by his side—
  10. of Roman greatness the next hope is he.
  11. To camp they rode, where, garbed in blameless white,
  12. with youngling swine and two-year sheep unshorn,
  13. the priest before the flaming altars drove
  14. his flock and offering: to the rising sun
  15. all eyes are lifted, as with careful hand
  16. the salted meal is scattered, while with knives
  17. they mark each victim's brow, outpouring wine
  18. from shallow bowls, the sacrifice to bless.
  1. Then good Aeneas, his sword drawn, put forth
  2. this votive prayer: “O Sun in heaven; and thou,
  3. Italia, for whom such toils I bear,
  4. be witness of my orison. On thee,
  5. Father omnipotent, I call; on thee,
  6. his Queen Saturnia,—now may she be
  7. more gracious to my prayer! O glorious Mars,
  8. beneath whose godhead and paternity
  9. all wars begin and end, on thee I call;
  10. hail, all ye river-gods and haunted springs;
  11. hail, whatsoever gods have seat of awe
  12. in yonder distant sky, and ye whose power
  13. is in the keeping of the deep, blue sea:
  14. if victory to Ausonian Turnus fall,
  15. then let my vanquished people take its way
  16. unto Evander's city! From these plains
  17. Iulus shall retire—so stands the bond;
  18. nor shall the Trojans with rebellious sword
  19. bring after-trouble on this land and King.
  20. But if on arms of ours success shall shine,
  21. as I doubt not it shall (may gods on high
  22. their will confirm!), I purpose not to chain
  23. Italian captive unto Teucrian lord,
  24. nor seek I kingly power. Let equal laws
  25. unite in federation without end
  26. the two unconquered nations; both shall share
  27. my worshipped gods. Latinus, as my sire,
  28. shall keep his sword, and as my sire receive
  29. inviolable power. The Teucrians
  30. shall build my stronghold, but our citadel
  31. shall bear forevermore Lavinia's name.”