Aeneid

Virgil

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

  1. Meanwhile Aeneas, now well launched away,
  2. steered forth with all the fleet to open sea,
  3. on his unswerving course, and ploughed the waves,
  4. sped by a driving gale; but when his eyes
  5. looked back on Carthage, they beheld the glare
  6. of hapless Dido's fire. Not yet was known
  7. what kindled the wild flames; but that the pang
  8. of outraged love is cruel, and what the heart
  9. of desperate woman dares, they knew too well,
  10. and sad foreboding shook each Trojan soul.
  11. Soon in mid-sea, beyond all chart of shore,
  12. when only seas and skies were round their way,
  13. full in the zenith loomed a purple cloud,
  14. storm-laden, dark as night, and every wave
  15. grew black and angry; from his Iofty seat
  16. the helmsman Palinurus cried, “Alas!
  17. What means this host of storms encircling heaven?
  18. What, Neptune, wilt thou now?” He, having said,
  19. bade reef and tighten, bend to stronger stroke,
  20. and slant sail to the wind; then spake again:
  21. “High-souled Aeneas, not if Jove the King
  22. gave happy omen, would I have good hope
  23. of making Italy through yonder sky.
  24. Athwart our course from clouded evening-star
  25. rebellious winds run shifting, and the air
  26. into a cloud-wrack rolls. Against such foes
  27. too weak our strife and strain! Since now the hand
  28. of Fortune triumphs, let us where she calls
  29. obedient go. For near us, I believe,
  30. lies Eryx' faithful and fraternal shore:
  31. here are Sicilian havens, if my mind
  32. of yon familiar stars have knowledge true.”
  33. then good Aeneas: “For a friendly wind
  34. long have I sued, and watched thee vainly strive.
  35. Shift sail! What happier land for me and mine,
  36. or for our storm-beat ships what safer shore,
  37. than where Dardanian Acestes reigns;
  38. the land whose faithful bosom cherishes
  39. Anchises' ashes?” Heedful of his word,
  40. they landward steer, while favoring zephyrs fill
  41. the spreading sail. On currents swift and strong
  42. the fleet is wafted, and with thankful soul
  43. they moor on Sicily's familiar strand.