The Aeneid

Meanwhile, Aeneas climbs a cliff and seeks a complete view far and wide over the sea in the hope that he may catch some site of a wind tossed Antheus and the Trojian biremes, or capys or the armour of Caicus on the lofty sterns.

He does not observe any ship in his view, (but he does notice) three stags wandering on the shore; all the herd follows these behind and the long column grazes along the valley.

Hereupon, Aeneas stopped still and with his hand seized his bow and swift arrows, weapons which the faithful Achates was carrying, and first of all, the leaders themselves, bearing their heads high with their tree-like antlers, he lays low, then he throws into confusion the ordinary deer and whole herd, driving (them) with his weapons amid the leafy groves

Nor does he stop until triumphantly he lays low on the ground seven huge bodies, equalling the number (of deer) with (the number of) ships.

From here he made for the port and shared (the venison) between all his comrades.

Then he divided the wine which the noble hero Acestes had stored in jars on the Sicilian shore and had given it (to them) as they were departing and soothed their sorrowing hearts with (these) words:

‘Comrades, (and in fact, we are not unaware of evils previously), you who have suffered more serious things, god will give an end to these (evils) also.

Not only have you approached the fury of the Scylla and the deeply resounding rocks, but you have also experienced the rocks of the Cyclopes: recall your sprits and dismiss your gloomy fear; one day, perhaps, it will help to remember even these things.

Through various misfortunes through so many critical events we are making our way to Latium, where the fates reveal peaceful dwellings; there it is permitted that the kingdom of Troy should rise again

Endure, and save yourselves for favourable circumstances’

Such words did he say in his speech, and, though sick in mind with huge anxieties, he feigned hope on his face (and) suppressed the grief deep in his heart.

And now it was the end (of the meal) when Jupiter, looking down from the highest heaven over the sail-covered sea, the lands lying (beneath), the shores and the widespread peoples, accordingly, in the height of heaven, paused and fixed his eyes in the kingdoms of Libya

And so Venus, sadder (by comparison) and filling her shining eyes with tears, addressed him as he was considering such anxieties in his heart:

‘O (thou) who rulest the affairs of both men and gods with your everlasting commands and frighten them with the thunderbolt, what (sin) so great could my Aeneas or the Trojans have commited against you, against whom, having suffered so many deaths, the whole world is closed because of Italy?

You definitely promised that as the years rolled by, from this (line) one day the Romans would be leaders, from the revived blood of Teucer, to hold the sea and all lands under their control-what thought has changed you, father?

Which this (thought) I used to alleviate the fall of Troy and its sad ruins, balancing opposite fates with fates;

Now the same ill fortune pursues men driven by so many calamities. What end to their toils do you (intend to) give, great king?’

But the youth, Ascanius, to whom the surname Iulus is now added,-

(it was Ilus, while the state of Ilium stood firm in its sovereignty), will complete 30 mighty years in complete control as the months roll by; he will transfer the kingdom from the site of Lavinium and will fortify Alba Longa with great strength.

Now here, there will be a kingly rule for 300 whole years under the race of Hector, until the princess Ilia, a priestess, pregnant by Mars will bring forth twin offspring.

Then Romulus, rejoicing in the tawny covering of the she-wolf nurse, will take over the race, build the walls of Mars and call (the inhabitants) Roman after his own name.

For these I set neither limits to their affairs nor (fixed) times;

I have given them supreme power without end.

Moreover, savage Juo, who now harasses the sea, earth and heaven with fear, will change her plans for the better, and with me will cherish the Romans, masters of the world and a race which wears the toga.

While these things seemed miraculous to Trojan Aeneas, while he was amazed and astounded, fixed in the same gaze, Queen Dido, most beautiful in appearance, proceeded to the temple with a great crowd of Young men thronging around her.

Such is Diana as she trains her bands of dancers on the banks of the Eurotas or through the ridges of Cynthus, following whom, a thousand mountain nymphs throng around on this side and that;

She carries a quiver on her shoulder, and as she walks, she towers abover all goddesses

(joys seize the secret heart of the daughter of Lato)

Such was Dido as she joyfully made her way through the midst of them, urging on the work and the future kingdom.

Then, at the gates of the goddess, under the middle of the dome of the temple, surrounded with arms and resting high on the throne she sat down.

She was giving rights and laws to the men and distributing equally the tasks the works involved in fair proportions or drawing lots (for them):

When suddenly Aeneas saw approaching in the midst of a great throng Antheus, Sergestus, brave Cloanthus and others of the Trojans, whom a black whirlwind had scattered over the sea and had driven them far away to other shores.

Both (Aeneas) himself and Achates were astounded, stricken with both joy and fear;

They burned with eagerness to join right hands,

But the strangeness of the situation disturbed their minds.

They kept hidden and, wrapped in the hollow mist, they watched to see what the men’s fortune was, on what shore they were leaving their fleet and why they were coming; heyyyy

For men chosen from all the ships were advancing, begging favour and noisily making for the temple.

He spoke these words and sent the son of Maia down from high heaven, so that the land and citadel of new Carthage might lie open with hospitality for the Trojans, lest Dido, unaware of her doom, might keep (them) away from her territory.

Mercury flew through the mightly air on the oarage of his wings and quickly stood on the shores of Libya.

And now he carries out his instructions, and the Carthaginians lay aside their fierce spirits as the god wishes.

Above all, the queen assumes a calm feeling and kindly disposition towards the Trojans.

Meanwhile, they hastened on their way, where the path indicated,

And now they were climbing the very large hill which overhangs the city and looks from above over the citadel facing it.

Aeneas admires the massive structure, once huts, (and) admires the gates, the noise and the paving of the roads.

The Carthaginians press on eagerly: some build walls, construct the citadel, and roll up rocks with their hands, others choose a site for a house and enclose it with a furrow;

They choose laws, magistrates and the venerable senate

Here some dig out a harbour; here others lay the deep foundations for the theatre and cut out huge columns from the cliffs, fitting adornments for the future stage.

Such is the toil that keeps bees busy in early summer beneath the sun throughout the flowery countryside, when they lead out the full-grown Young of the race or when they pack the runny honey and swell the cells with sweet néctar, or recieve the loads of the bees coming (in), or, forming a column, keep the drones, a lazy bunch from the hives.

The work seethes (with activity) and the honey, reeking of thyme, emits a scent. ‘o fortunate ones, whose walls are already rising!’

Aeneas says, and looks up at the high points of the city.

He walks along surrounded by a cloud (wonderful to relate) through the middle (of the Carthaginians) mixes with the men and is not seen by anyone.

'Stop your fear, Cytherean-born, know that the destinies of your descendants remain firmly fixed:

you will see the city and the promised walls of lavinium, and you will raise high-souled Aeneas on high to the stars of heaven:

nor has any thought changed me

Know that this man ( for i will tell you at great length, since this anxiety is tormenting you, and, unravelling the secrets of fate, I will set them in motion)

will wage a huge war in italy, will subdue firce nations and will set up customs and wals for his men, until the third summer has seen him reigning in latium and three winters have passed by for the subjugated Rutuli.

Smiling at her, the father of men and gods with that expression with which he calms the sky and storms, lightly touched his daughter's mouth and then spoke these words.