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Notes Display Latin text | translated by Theodore C. Williams Book V Chapter 13: Euryalus wins, thanks to Nisus | Next chapter Return to index Previous chapter |
They heard, and took their places. The loud horn gave signal, and impetuous from the line, swift as a bursting storm they sped away, eyes fixed upon the goal. Far in advance Nisus shot forward, swifter than the winds or winged thunderbolt; the next in course, next, but out-rivalled far, was Salius, and after him a space, Euryalus came third; him Helymus was hard upon; and, look! Diores follows, heel on heel, close at his shoulder -- if the race be long he sure must win, or claim a doubtful prize. Now at the last stretch, spent and panting, all pressed to the goal, when in a slime of blood Nisus, hard fate! slipped down, where late the death of victims slain had drenched the turf below. Here the young victor, with his triumph flushed, lost foothold on the yielding ground, and plunged face forward in the pool of filth and gore; but not of dear Euryalus was he forgetful then, nor heedless of his friend; but rising from the mire he hurled himself in Salius' way; so he in equal plight rolled in the filthy slough. Euryalus leaped forth, the winner of the race by gift of his true friend, and flying to the goal stood first, by many a favoring shout acclaimed. Next Helymus ran in; and, for the third, last prize, Diores. But the multitude now heard the hollowed hill-side ringing with wild wrath from Salius, clamoring where the chieftains sate for restitution of his stolen prize, lost by a cheat. But general favor smiles upon Euryalus, whose beauteous tears commend him much, and nobler seems the worth of valor clothed in youthful shape so fair. Diores, too, assists the victor's claim, with loud appeal -- he too has won a prize, and vainly holds his last place, if the first to Salius fall. |
315-347 Haec ubi dicta, locum capiunt signoque repente corripiunt spatia audito limenque relinquunt, effusi nimbo similes. simul ultima signant, primus abit longeque ante omnia corpora Nisus emicat et uentis et fulminis ocior alis; proximus huic, longo sed proximus interuallo, insequitur Salius; spatio post deinde relicto tertius Euryalus; Euryalumque Helymus sequitur; quo deinde sub ipso ecce uolat calcemque terit iam calce Diores incumbens umero, spatia et si plura supersint transeat elapsus prior ambiguumque relinquat. iamque fere spatio extremo fessique sub ipsam finem aduentabant, leui cum sanguine Nisus labitur infelix, caesis ut forte iuuencis fusus humum uiridisque super madefecerat herbas. hic iuuenis iam uictor ouans uestigia presso haud tenuit titubata solo, sed pronus in ipso concidit immundoque fimo sacroque cruore. non tamen Euryali, non ille oblitus amorum: nam sese opposuit Salio per lubrica surgens; ille autem spissa iacuit reuolutus harena, emicat Euryalus et munere uictor amici prima tenet, plausuque uolat fremituque secundo. post Helymus subit et nunc tertia palma Diores Hic totum caueae consessum ingentis et ora prima patrum magnis Salius clamoribus implet, ereptumque dolo reddi sibi poscit honorem. tutatur fauor Euryalum lacrimaeque decorae, gratior et pulchro ueniens in corpore uirtus. adiuuat et magna proclamat uoce Diores, qui subiit palmae frustraque ad praemia uenit ultima, si primi Salio reddentur honores. |