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Notes Display Latin text | translated by Theodore C. Williams Book XI Chapter 28: Chloreus | Next chapter Return to index Previous chapter |
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But it soon befell that Chloreus, once a priest of Cybele, shone forth in far-resplendent Phrygian arms, and urged a foaming steed, which wore a robe o'erwrought with feathery scales of bronze and gold; while he, in purples of fine foreign stain, bore light Gortynian shafts and Lycian bow; his bow was gold; a golden casque he wore upon his priestly brow; the saffron cloak, all folds of rustling cambric, was enclasped in glittering gold; his skirts and tunics gay were broidered, and the oriental garb swathed his whole leg. Him when the maiden spied, (Perchance she fain on temple walls would hang the Trojan prize, or in such captured gold her own fair shape array), she gave mad chase, and reckless through the ranks her prey pursued, desiring, woman-like, the splendid spoil. Then from his ambush Arruns seized at last the fatal moment and let speed his shaft, thus uttering his vow to heavenly powers: Chief of the gods, Apollo, who dost guard Soracte's hallowed steep, whom we revere first of thy worshippers, for thee is fed the heap of burning pine; for thee we pass through the mid-blaze in sacred zeal secure, and deep in glowing embers plant our feet. O Sire Omnipotent, may this my spear our foul disgrace put by. I do not ask for plunder, spoils, or trophies in my name, when yonder virgin falls; let honor's crown be mine for other deeds. But if my stroke that curse and plague destroy, may I unpraised safe to the cities of my sires return. Event: Acts and death of Camilla |
768-793 Forte sacer Cybelo Chloreus olimque sacerdos insignis longe Phrygiis fulgebat in armis spumantemque agitabat equum, quem pellis aenis in plumam squamis auro conserta tegebat. ipse peregrina ferrugine clarus et ostro spicula torquebat Lycio Gortynia cornu; aureus ex umeris erat arcus et aurea uati cassida; tum croceam chlamydemque sinusque crepantis carbaseos fuluo in nodum collegerat auro pictus acu tunicas et barbara tegmina crurum. hunc uirgo, siue ut templis praefigeret arma Troia, captiuo siue ut se ferret in auro uenatrix, unum ex omni certamine pugnae caeca sequebatur totumque incauta per agmen femineo praedae et spoliorum ardebat amore, telum ex insidiis cum tandem tempore capto concitat et superos Arruns sic uoce precatur: 'summe deum, sancti custos Soractis Apollo, quem primi colimus, cui pineus ardor aceruo pascitur, et medium freti pietate per ignem cultores multa premimus uestigia pruna, da, pater, hoc nostris aboleri dedecus armis, omnipotens. non exuuias pulsaeue tropaeum uirginis aut spolia ulla peto, mihi cetera laudem facta ferent; haec dira meo dum uulnere pestis pulsa cadat, patrias remeabo inglorius urbes.' |