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Notes Do not display Latin text | translated by Theodore C. Williams Book VI Chapter 8: Aeneas finds the Golden Bough | Next chapter Return to index Previous chapter |
Aeneas oversees and shares the toil, Cheers on his mates, and swings a woodman's steel. But, sad at heart with many a doubt and care, O'erlooks the forest wide; then prays aloud: O, that the Golden Bough from this vast grove Might o'er me shine! For, O Aeolides, The oracle foretold thy fate, too well! Scarce had he spoken, when a pair of doves Before his very eyes flew down from heaven To the green turf below; the prince of Troy Knew them his mother's [Note 1] birds, and joyful cried, O, guide me on, whatever path there be! In airy travel through the woodland fly, To where yon rare branch shades the blessed ground. Fail thou not me, in this my doubtful hour, O heavenly mother! So saying, his steps lie stayed, Close watching whither they should signal give; The lightly-feeding doves flit on and on, Ever in easy ken of following eyes, Till over foul Avernus' sulphurous throat Swiftly they lift them through the liquid air, In silent flight, and find a wished-for rest On a twy-natured tree, where through green boughs Flames forth the glowing gold's contrasted hue. As in the wintry woodland bare and chill, Fresh-budded shines the clinging mistletoe, Whose seed is never from the parent tree O'er whose round limbs its tawny tendrils twine, -- So shone th' out-leafing gold within the shade Of dark holm-oak, and so its tinsel-bract Rustled in each light breeze. Aeneas grasped The lingering bough, broke it in eager haste, And bore it straightway to the Sibyl's shrine. Note 1: mother = Venus Event: Aeneas visits the Underworld |
183-211 Nec non Aeneas opera inter talia primus hortatur socios paribusque accingitur armis. atque haec ipse suo tristi cum corde uolutat aspectans siluam immensam, et sic forte precatur: 'si nunc se nobis ille aureus arbore ramus ostendat nemore in tanto! quando omnia uere heu nimium de te uates, Misene, locuta est.' uix ea fatus erat, geminae cum forte columbae ipsa sub ora uiri caelo uenere uolantes, et uiridi sedere solo. tum maximus heros maternas agnouit auis laetusque precatur: 'este duces, o, si qua uia est, cursumque per auras derigite in lucos ubi pinguem diues opacat ramus humum. tuque, o, dubiis ne defice rebus, diua parens.' sic effatus uestigia pressit obseruans quae signa ferant, quo tendere pergant. pascentes illae tantum prodire uolando quantum acie possent oculi seruare sequentum. inde ubi uenere ad fauces graue olentis Auerni, tollunt se celeres liquidumque per aera lapsae sedibus optatis gemina super arbore sidunt, discolor unde auri per ramos aura refulsit. quale solet siluis brumali frigore uiscum fronde uirere noua, quod non sua seminat arbos, et croceo fetu teretis circumdare truncos, talis erat species auri frondentis opaca ilice, sic leni crepitabat brattea uento. corripit Aeneas extemplo auidusque refringit cunctantem, et uatis portat sub tecta Sibyllae. |