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Notes Display Latin text | translated by Theodore C. Williams Book II Chapter 14: Panthus reports | Next chapter Return to index Previous chapter |
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When Panthus met me [Note 1], who had scarce escaped the Grecian spears, -- Panthus of Othrys' line, Apollo's priest within our citadel; his holy emblems, his defeated gods, and his small grandson in his arms he bore, while toward the gates with wild, swift steps he flew. How fares the kingdom, Panthus? What strong place is still our own? But scarcely could I ask when thus, with many a groan, he made reply: -- Dardania's death and doom are come to-day, implacable. There is no Ilium now; our Trojan name is gone, the Teucrian throne Quite fallen. For the wrathful power of Jove has given to Argos all our boast and pride. The Greek is lord of all yon blazing towers. yon horse uplifted on our city's heart disgorges men-at-arms. False Sinon now, with scorn exultant, heaps up flame on flame. Others throw wide the gates. The whole vast horde that out of proud Mycenae hither sailed is at us. With confronting spears they throng each narrow passage. Every steel-bright blade is flashing naked, making haste for blood. Our sentries helpless meet the invading shock and give back blind and unavailing war. By Panthus' word and by some god impelled, I flew to battle, where the flames leaped high, where grim Bellona called, and all the air resounded high as heaven with shouts of war. Rhipeus and Epytus of doughty arm were at my side, Dymas and Hypanis, seen by a pale moon, join our little band; and young Coroebus, Mygdon's princely son, who was in Troy that hour because he loved Cassandra madly, and had made a league as Priam's kinsman with our Phrygian arms: ill-starred, to heed not what the virgin raved! Note 1: me = Aeneas Event: The fall of Troy |
31-46 Ecce autem telis Panthus elapsus Achiuum, Panthus Othryades, arcis Phoebique sacerdos, sacra manu uictosque deos paruumque nepotem ipse trahit cursuque amens ad limina tendit. 'quo res summa loco, Panthu? quam prendimus arcem?' uix ea fatus eram gemitu cum talia reddit: 'uenit summa dies et ineluctabile tempus Dardaniae. fuimus Troes, fuit Ilium et ingens gloria Teucrorum; ferus omnia Iuppiter Argos transtulit; incensa Danai dominantur in urbe. arduus armatos mediis in moenibus astans fundit equus uictorque Sinon incendia miscet insultans. portis alii bipatentibus adsunt, milia quot magnis umquam uenere Mycenis; obsedere alii telis angusta uiarum oppositis; stat ferri acies mucrone corusco stricta, parata neci; uix primi proelia temptant portarum uigiles et caeco Marte resistunt.' talibus Othryadae dictis et numine diuum in flammas et in arma feror, quo tristis Erinys, quo fremitus uocat et sublatus ad aethera clamor. addunt se socios Rhipeus et maximus armis Epytus, oblati per lunam, Hypanisque Dymasque et lateri adglomerant nostro, iuuenisque Coroebus Mygdonides—illis ad Troiam forte diebus uenerat insano Cassandrae incensus amore et gener auxilium Priamo Phrygibusque ferebat, infelix qui non sponsae praecepta furentis audierit! |