Catullus 64 Text (complete) Flashcards
PELIACO quondam prognatae uertice pinus
Once upon a time, pines sprung from Pelion’s peak
dicuntur liquidas Neptuni nasse per undas
are said to have swum through the liquid waves of Neptune
Phasidos ad fluctus et fines Aeetaeos,
To the Phasisian waves and the lands of Aeetes,
cum lecti iuuenes, Argiuae robora pubis,
When the chosen youths, the strength of Argive manhood
auratam optantes Colchis auertere pellem
Choosing to run away with the Golden Fleece from the Colchians,
ausi sunt uada salsa cita decurrere puppi,
They dared to traverse with swift ship through the salty waters,
caerula uerrentes abiegnis aequora palmis.
Sweeping the azure sea with fir oars,
diua quibus retinens in summis urbibus arces
For whom the goddess herself occupying the citadels in the highest cities
ipsa leui fecit uolitantem flamine currum,
Made the flying chariot with a light wind,
pinea coniungens inflexae texta carinae.
Fitting the pine timbers to the curved keel.
illa rudem cursu prima imbuit Amphitriten.
She first stained inexperienced Amphitrite with sailing;
Quae simul ac rostro uentosum proscidit aequor,
And when she plowed the windy sea with her beak
tortaque remigio spumis incanuit unda,
And the water, churned by the oarage, whitened with foam,
emersere feri candenti e gurgite uultus
faces emerged from the white eddy
aequoreae monstrum Nereides admirantes.
Aquatic Nereides admiring the marvel
illa, atque haud alia, uiderunt luce marinas
On that day, and no other, [mortals] saw
mortales oculi nudato corpore Nymphas
with their own eyes [Marine] nymphs, with naked body,
nutricum tenus exstantes e gurgite cano.
as far as their breasts, standing out from the white whirlpool; so I sing.
tum Thetidis Peleus incensus fertur amore,
Then Peleus was set aflame with love of Thetis,
tum Thetis humanos non despexit hymenaeos,
Then Thetis did not despise human marriages
tum Thetidi pater ipse iugandum Pelea sensit.
Then the father himself realized Peleus must be joined to Thetis.
o nimis optato saeclorum tempore nati
Oh heroes born in the most joyful of ages,
heroes, saluete, deum genus! o bona matrum
Hail Heroes, race of gods! Oh mothers’…
progenies, saluete iter…
…offspring, hail again!
vos ego saepe meo uos carmine compellabo.
Often I will address you in my song,
teque adeo eximie taedis felicibus aucte,
And you so increased in importance by fortunate wedding torches
Thessaliae columen Peleu, cui Iuppiter ipse,
Oh Peleus height of Thessaly, to whom Jupiter himself,
ipse suos diuum genitor concessit amores.
The father of the gods himself concedes the his own love?
tene Thetis tenuit pulcerrima Neptunine?
Did Thetis, most beautiful daughter of Neptune hold you?
tene suam Tethys concessit ducere neptem,
Did not Tethys, agree to lead you, her own granddaughter
Oceanusque, mari totum qui amplectitur orbem?
and Oceanus who surrounds the whole world with the sea?
quae simul optato finitae tempore luces
Likewise do these days at the appointed time
aduenere, domum conuentu tota frequentat
come, all [Thessaly] celebrates at the home assembly
[Thessalia], oppletur laetanti regia coetu:
The palace is filled with rejoicing crowd:
dona ferunt prae se, declarant gaudia uultu.
They bear gifts before them, they show their joy with their face.
deseritur Scyros, linquunt Phthiotica Tempe,
Scyros is deserted, they leave Phthotic Tempe,
Crannonisque domos ac moenia Larisaea,
And the Crannonian homes and Larissian walls;
Pharsaliam coeunt, Pharsalia tecta frequentant.
They gather at Pharsalus, they crowd the Pharsalian roofs.
rura colit nemo, mollescunt colla iuuencis,
No man tills his field, the necks of cattle grow soft,
non humilis curuis purgatur uinea rastris,
The low vine is not cleansed by curved hoe,
non glebam prono conuellit uomere taurus,
The bull does not heave up turf with leaning-forward ploughshare,
non falx attenuat frondatorum arboris umbram,
The scythe of the pruners does not diminish the shade of the tree,
squalida desertis rubigo infertur aratris.
Dirty rust is spread on deserted plows.
ipsius at sedes, quacumque opulenta recessit
But the home of (Peleus) himself, as far back as royal opulence went back,
regia, fulgenti splendent auro atque argento.
They shone with gleaming gold and silver.
candet ebur soliis, collucent pocula mensae,
The ivory of the chairs gleamed white, the cups of the table shine,
tota domus gaudet regali splendida gaza.
The whole house rejoices with glittering royal treasure.
puluinar uero diuae geniale locatur
Truly the nuptial seat of the goddess was located
sedibus in mediis, Indo quod dente politum
in the middle of the palace, glittering with Indian ivory,
tincta tegit roseo conchyli purpura fuco.
tinged with the red rouge of the purple conch.
haec vestis priscis hominum variata figuris
This cloth, variegated with the ancient figures of men
heroum mira virtutes indicat arte.
depicts the deeds of heroes with artful skill.
namque fluentisono prospectans litore Diae,
For (Ariadne) looking out from the wave-resounding shore of Dia,
Thesea cedentem celeri cum classe tuetur
she sees Theseus departing with the fast fleet,
indomitos in corde gerens Ariadna furores,
Ariadne - bearing uncontrollable furies in her heart
necdum etiam sese quae visit visere credit,
Nor even yet does she believe that she sees what she sees,
utpote fallaci quae tum primum excita somno
Naturally, since she who was at that point first roused from deceitful sleep
desertam in sola miseram se cernat harena.
perceives herself unhappy, deserted on a lonely beach.
immemor at iuvenis fugiens pellit vada remis,
But the heedless youth fleeing strikes the channels with oars,
irrita ventosae linquens promissa procellae.
leaving behind empty promises to the windy storm.
quem procul ex alga maestis Minois ocellis,
Whom far off out of the seaweed the Minoan with sad little eyes,
saxea ut effigies bacchantis, prospicit, eheu,
as stony as a statue of a Maenad, watches, alas,
prospicit et magnis curarum fluctuat undis,
watches and is tossed on the great waves of cares,
non flavo retinens subtilem vertice mitram,
Not holding back the fine-spun headdress on the blond head,
non contecta levi velatum pectus amictu,
Her chest not having been covered by the light cloak,
non tereti strophio lactentis vincta papillas,
Her milk white breasts not having been bound by a smooth girdle,
omnia quae toto delapsa e corpore passim
All which having slipped from the whole body here and there
ipsius ante pedes fluctus salis alludebant.
the waves of salt were playing with before her very feet
sed neque tum mitrae neque tum fluitantis amictus
But she caring for the plight neither then of the headdress
illa vicem curans toto ex te pectore, Theseu,
nor then of the floating cloak, she having been destroyed, was
toto animo, tota pendebat perdita mente.
depending on you Theseus out of her whole chest, whole spirit, whole mind.
misera, assiduis quam luctibus externavit
Wretched one, whom [the Erycinian] maddened with constant griefs
spinosas [Erycina] serens in pectore curas,
sowing thorny cares in the chest,
illa tempestate, ferox quo ex tempore Theseus
in that season, out of which time bold Theseus
egressus curuis e litoribus Piraei
having set forth from the curved shores of Piraeus
attigit iniusti regis Gortynia templa.
touched the Gortynian temples of an unjust king.
nam perhibent olim crudeli peste coactam
For they say that once having been forced by a cruel plague
Androgeoneae poenas exsolvere caedis
to set free the punishments of Androgenian slaughter
electos iuvenes simul et decus innuptarum
Select youths and the flower of virgins at the same time
Cecropiam solitam esse dapem dare Minotauro.
Cecropia was accustomed to give to the Minotaur as sacrifice
quis angusta malis cum moenia vexarentur,
Who the narrow walls were worried by the evil,
ipse suum Theseus pro caris corpus Athenis
Theseus himself for dear Athens
proicere optavit potius quam talia Cretam
wished to throw down [his own body] rather than let such…
funera Cecropiae nec funera portarentur.
…corpses of Cecropia [to Crete] as corpses be carried.
atque ita nave levi nitens ac lenibus auris
And thus pressing on in a light ship and with gentle breezes
magnanimum ad Minoa venit sedesque superbas.
he comes to great-hearted Minos and the haughty seats.
hunc simul ac cupido conspexit lumine virgo
And at the same time the [royal] virgin caught sight of this man
[regia], quam suavis exspirans castus odores
with desiring eyes, whom breathing out pleasant odors, the chaste…
lectulus in molli complexu matris alebat,
…little bed in the soft embrace of the mother was nourishing,
quales Eurotae praecingunt flumina myrtus
Like how the rivers of the Eurota gird around the myrtle trees
aurave distinctos educit verna colores,
or the vernal breeze leads out the various colors,
non prius ex illo flagrantia declinavit
Not before she had turned her burning eyes from that one
lumina quam cuncto concepit corpore flammam
she received a flame in the whole body
funditus atque imis exarsit tota medullis.
and whole blazed up utterly in the deepest marrows.
heu misere exagitans immiti corde furores,
Alas stirring up the furies from the miserable one with cruel heart,
sancte puer, curis hominum qui gaudia misces,
sacred boy, who mixes the cares and joys of men,
quaeque regis Golgos quaeque Idalium frondosum,
and who rules Golgi and leafy Idalium,
qualibus incensam iactastis mente puellam
with what kind of waves have you tossed the girl having been
fluctibus in flavo saepe hospite suspirantem!
inflamed in the mind, often sighing in the golden haired guest!
quantos illa tulit languenti corde timores,
What great fears that one carried in the weak heart!
quanto saepe magis fulgore expalluit auri,
With what great brilliance greater than gold she grew pale often,
cum saevum cupiens contra contendere monstrum
When, desiring to contend against the savage beast,
aut mortem appeteret Theseus aut praemia laudis.
Theseus was seeking out either death or the rewards of praise.
non ingrata tamen frustra munuscula divis
A not unpleasant -albeit in vain- present to the gods…
promittens tacito succendit vota labello.
…promising, with a silent little lip she offered prayers.
nam velut in summo quatientem bracchia Tauro
For just as, when shaking the branches on highest Taurus
quercum aut conigeram sudanti cortice pinum
an oak or a coniferous pine sweating with the bark
indomitus turbo contorquens flamine robur
an uncontrollable storm twisting the oak with a gust
eruit (illa procul radicitus exturbata
uproots it (far off, having been wrenched up by the roots
prona cadit, lateque cum eius obvia frangens),
lies it face-down, breaking all around whatever is in the way)
sic domito saevum prostravit corpore Theseus
Thus Theseus, its body subdued, laid low the savage one
nequiquam vanis iactantem cornua ventis.
vainly tossing the horns to the empty winds.
inde pedem sospes multa cum laude reflexit
Thence he turned back the foot, safe and with much praise
errabunda regens tenui vestigia filo,
ruling the wandering footsteps with a thin thread,
ne labyrintheis e flexibus egredientem
lest going out of the labyrinthine windings
tecti frustraretur inobservabilis error.
the imperceptible maze of the house may deceive him.
sed quid ego a primo digressus carmine plura
But why do I having digressed from my first song (any) more…
commemorem, ut linquens genitoris filia vultum,
…recall, how the daughter leaving behind the face of the father
ut consanguineae complexum, ut denique matris,
the embrace of the sister, finally of the mother,
quae misera in gnata deperdita laetabatur,
who miserable (&) dejected, was rejoicing in her daughter:
omnibus his Thesei dulcem praeoptarit amorem,
above all these the sweet love of Theseus did she choose.
aut ut vecta rati spumosa ad litora Diae
or how, borne by raft, to the foamy shores of Dia
venerit, aut ut eam devinctam lumina somno
she came, or how, whilst she was bound in the eyes by sleep,
liquerit immemori discedens pectore coniunx?
with heedless heart her husband deserted her, departing.
saepe illam perhibent ardenti corde furentem
Often they say that she, raging in her burning heart
clarisonas imo fudisse ex pectore voces,
poured out clear-sounding cries out of the deepest chest,
ac tum praeruptos tristem conscendere montes
but that then, saddened, she climbs the steep mountains,
unde aciem in pelagi vastos protenderet aestus,
Whence she might stretch out the sight on the vast swells of the sea,
tum tremuli salis adversas procurrere in undas
then that she runs out into the opposing waves of trembling salt
mollia nudatae tollentem tegmina surae,
raising the soft backs of the nude calves,
atque haec extremis maestam dixisse querelis,
and that the wretch said these final complaints,
frigidulos udo singultus ore cientem:
summoning chilly sobs with a wet face:
“sicine [me] patriis avectam, perfide, ab aris,
“Thus having been carried, O perfidious man, from the paternal altars
perfide, deserto liquisti in litore, Theseu?
wicked one, did you leave [me] behind on the deserted shore, Theseus?
sicine discedens neglecto numine divum
Thus departing, the divine plan neglected,
immernor ah devota domum periuria portas?
heedless -ah!- do you carry home perjuries devoted-to-destruction?
nullane res potuit crudelis flectere mentis
Was no thing able to turn the cruel mind’s
consilium? tibi nulla fuit clementia praesto
decision? Was there no clemency at hand in you,
immite ut nostri vellet miserescere pectus?
cruel one, that your heart might wish to have mercy on us?
at non haec quondam blanda promissa dedisti
But you did not give these promises once with a soothing
voce mihi, non haec miserae sperare iubebas,
…voice to me, you were not ordering (me) to wait in misery for these things,
sed conubia laeta, sed optatos hymenaeos:
but for a happy marriage, and long-expected wedding songs
quae cuncta aerii discerpunt irrita venti.
which all the airy winds tear to pieces.
nunc iam nulla viro iuranti femina credat,
Now already, let no woman believe a man giving pledge,
nulla viri speret sermones esse fideles:
let no woman expect the words of a man to be faithful;
quis dum aliquid cupiens animus praegestit apisci,
Who while the mind desiring is eager to obtain something,
nil metuunt iurare, nihil promittere parcunt:
they fear no vow, there is nothing they will refrain from promising:
sed simul ac cupidae mentis satiata libido est,
but as soon as the lust of their desirous is satiated
dicta nihil metuere, nihil periuria curant.
they will revere none of what they have said, care nothing for perjuries.
certe ego te in medio versantem turbine leti
Certainly as you turned in the midst of the whirlwind of death
eripui et potius germanum amittere crevi
I snatched you away, and decided instead to lose my brother
quam tibi fallaci supremo in tempore dessem:
rather than not be there for you -deceiver- at the critical moment:
pro quo dilaceranda feris dabor alitibusque
For which I will be given to the beasts and birds to be torn apart
praeda neque iniecta tumulabor mortua terra.
as prey, and dead having been tossed in the earth I will not be buried.
quaenam te genuit sola sub rupe leaena,
For what lioness gave birth to you under a lone crag,
quod mare conceptum spumantibus exspuit undis.
What sea spit you having been conceived from foaming waves,
quae Syrtis, quae Scylla rapax, quae vasta Charybdis,
what Syrtis, what predatory Scylla, what vast Carybdis (bore you),
talia qui reddis pro dulci praemia vita?
you who return such reward for sweet life?
si tibi non cordi fuerant conubia nostra,
If our marriages had not been to you to the heart,
saeva quod horrebas prisci praecepta parentis,
because you were bristling at the savage order of the ancient parent,
at tamen in vestras potuisti ducere sedes
but yet you were able to lead me into your seats,
quae tibi iucundo famularer serva labore
I who as a slave could serve you with joyous labor,
candida permulcens liquidis vestigia lymphis
soothing the pure footsteps with clear waters,
purpureave tuum constemens veste cubile.
or covering your bed with a purple cloth.
sed quid ego ignaris nequiquam conqueror auris
But why should I having been terrified by evil complain to the airs
exsternata malo, quae nullis sensibus auctae
to the senseless, who having been augmented with no senses
nec missas audire queunt nec reddere voces?
are able to neither hear nor return the voices having been sent?
ille autem prope iam mediis versatur in undis,
He meanwhile now near is turned in the middle waves
nec quisquam adparet vacua mortalis in alga.
nor does any mortal appear in the empty seaweed.
sic nimis insultans extremo tempore saeva
Thus savage fortune even insulting too much in the final time
fors etiam nostris invidit questibus auris.
begrudges (her) ears with our complaints.
Iuppiter omnipotens, utinam ne tempore primo
Almighty Jupiter, I would that in the first time
Gnosia Cecropiae tetigissent litora puppes,
the decks of Cecrops had not touched the Gnosian shore,
indomito nec dira ferens stipendia tauro
nor bearing dire tributes to the uncontrollable bull
perfidus in Creta religasset navita funem,
that the faithless voyager had tied his ropes into Crete,
nec malus hic celans dulci crudelia forma
nor this wicked one hiding cruel decisions in a sweet form
consilia in nostris requiesset sedibus hospes!
had rested in our seats as a guest!
nam quo me referam? quali spe perdita nitor?
For where should I return myself? What hope do I -ruined- lean on?
Idaeosne petam montes? ah, gurgite lato
Should I seek the Idonian mountains? But a savage surface of water
discernens ponti truculentum ubi dividit aequor?
separating with a wide sea divides (it and me).
an patris auxilium sperem, quemne ipsa reliqui
But should I hope for help of the father? Whom I myself left behind
respersum iuvenem fraterna caede secuta?
following the youth splattered with fraternal slaughter?
coniugis an fido consoler memet amore,
Should I console myself with the faithful love of the husband?
quine fugit lentos incurvans gurgite remos?
Who flees bending his flexible oars in the sea?
praeterea nullo litus, sola insula, tecto,
Moreover the lone island is nourished by no roof,
nec patet egressus pelagi cingentibus undis:
nor does an exit of the sea open with the waves girding.
nulla fugae ratio, nulla spes: omnia muta,
No way of flight, no hope; all is quiet,
omnia sunt deserta, ostentant omnia letum.
All are deserted, all things show death.
non tamen ante mihi languescent lumina morte,
Not however before my eyes grow weak with death,
nec prius a fesso secedent corpore sensus
nor before the senses fall from my tired body,
quam iustam a divis exposcam prodita multam
I having been betrayed will demand from the gods just punishment
caelestumque fidem postrema comprecer hora.
and pray for the faith of the heavenly ones in the last hour.
quare, facta virum multantes vindice poena
Wherefore, punishing the deeds of men with vengeful penalty
Eumenides, quibus anguino redimita capillo
Eumenides, for whom a forehead crowned with snaky hair
frons exspirantis praeportat pectoris iras,
brings forth angers of the exhaling chest,
huc huc adventate, meas audite querelas,
Here, here, come, listen to my complaints,
quas ego, vae miserae, extremis proferre medullis
Which I, woe to unhappy (me), impoverished, am compelled to
cogor inops, ardens, amenti caeca furore.
bring forth from the last marrows, raging, blind with insane fury.
Quae quoniam verae nascuntur pectore ab imo,
Which since they are born true from the deepest chest,
vos nolite pati nostrum vanescere luctum,
You! Do not suffer our grief to vanish,
sed quali solam Theseus me mente reliquit,
But with like what mind Theseus left me alone
tali mente, deae, funestet seque suosque.”
With such a mind, goddesses, let he pollute with death himself and his own.”
has postquam maesto profudit pectore voces
After she had poured these voices from the sad chest,
supplicium saevis exposcens anxia factis,
uneasily demanding punishment for the savage deeds,
adnuit invicto caelestum numine rector,
The ruler of the celestial ones assented with unconquerable divine will;
quo nutu tellus atque horrida contremuerunt
With which motion the earth and the bristling seas trembled
aequora concussitque micantia sidera mundus.
and the heavens shook the shining stars.
ipse autem caeca mentem caligine Theseus
But the man himself with blind darkness
consitus oblito dimisit pectore cuncta
having been beset sent away from the chest having forgotten every
quae mandata prius constanti mente tenebat,
instruction which before he was holding in the constant mind,
dulcia nec maesto sustollens signa parenti
nor raising the sweet signs to the wretched parent
sospitem Erechtheum se ostendit visere portum
did he show that he himself, safe saw the Erechthean harbour.
namque ferunt olim, classi cum moenia divae
For they say once, that when, [leaving] the walls of the goddess with his fleet,
[linquentem] gnatum ventis concrederet Aegeus,
Aegeus entrusted his son to the winds
talia complexum iuveni mandata dedisse:
that the one embracing gave such orders to the youth:
“gnate mihi longe iucundior unice vita,
“My son, my only, more pleasant to me than long life,
gnate, ego quem in dubios cogor dimittere casus
Son, whom I send away into doubtful misfortunes,
reddite in extrema nuper mihi fine senectae,
having returned to me recently in the final limit of old age,
quandoquidem fortuna mea ac tua fervida virtus
since my fortune and your burning virtue
eripit invito mihi te, cui languida nondum
snatches you from unwilling me, to whom the slow eyes are not yet
lumina sunt gnati cara saturata figura,
satisfied with the dear figure of the son,
non ego te gaudens laetanti pectore mittam,
I, not rejoicing with a glad chest, will send you,
nec te ferre sinam fortunae signa secundae,
and not will I a low you to bring signs of favourable fortune,
sed primum multas expromam mente querelas
but first I will bring out many complaints from the mind,
canitiem terra atque infuso pulvere foedans,
defiling my white hair with earth and dust having been poured;
inde infecta vago suspendam lintea malo,
thence I will hang sails having been painted on the wandering mast,
nostros ut luctus nostraeque incendia mentis
so that the sail having been covered with Spanish rust colored dye
carbasus obscurata decet ferrugine Hibera.
will show our griefs and our loves of the mind.
quod tibi si sancti [[concesserit]] incola Itoni,
Because if to you the sacred resident of Itonus,
quae nostrum genus ac sedes defendere Erechthei
who protects our race and seats of Erectheus
adnuit, ut tauri respergas sanguine dextram,
-so it is declared- [[shall grant]] that you sprinkle the right hand with the blood of the bull,
tum vero facito ut memori tibi condita corde
then in truth make it that these orders thrive in the heart having been founded in mindful you,
haec vigeant mandata, nec ulla oblitteret aetas,
these orders thrive, nor let any time cause it to be forgotten;
ut simul ac nostros invisent lumina collis,
that at the same time the eyes see our hills
funestam antennae deponant undique vestem
let the sails put down from all sides the deadly cloth
candidaque intorti sustollant vela rudentes,
and let the twisted ropes raise the pure sail,
quam primum cernens ut laeta gaudia mente
which as I first discerning, glad things in the happy mind
agnoscam, cum te reducem aetas prospera sistet.”
shall realize, when favorable time will set up you returning.”
haec mandata prius constanti mente tenentem
These orders [Theseus] left behind remembering in the constant mind
[Thesea] ceu pulsae ventorum flamine nubes
just as clouds having been pushed with a gust of the winds
aerium nivei montis liquere cacumen.
left behind an airy snowy peak of a mountain.
at pater, ut summa prospectum ex arce petebat
But the father, as he was seeking out sight from the highest arc,
anxia in adsiduos absumens lumina fletus,
exhausting the anxious eyes in constant cryings,
cum primum inflati conspexit lintea veli,
as soon as he spotted the linen of the inflated sail,
praecipitem sese scopulorum e vertice iecit
threw himself headfirst from the top of the crags,
amissum credens immiti Thesea fato.
believing Theseus having been lost to cruel fate.
sic funēsta domus ingressus tecta paterna
Thus into the houses stepping forth and the paternal roofs fatal…
morte ferox Theseus, qualem Minoidi luctum
…with death, bold Theseus, just like the grief which to the daughter of Minos…
obtulerat mente immemori, talem ipse recepit.
…he had brought with his forgetful mind, so he himself received.
quae tum prospectans cedentem maesta carinam
Who then looking forth sad on the retreating keel
multiplices animo volvebat saucia curas.
was turning many cares in the wounded spirit.
at parte ex alia florens volitabat Iacchus
But out of another part flowering Bacchus was flitting about
cum thiaso Satyrorum et Nysigenis Silenis,
with the rout of the Satyrs and Nysian Silenus
te quaerens, Ariadna, tuoque incensus amore.
seeking you, Ariadne, having been inflamed with love of you.
Cui Thyades passim lymphata mente furebant
/
quae tum alacres passim lymphata mente furebant
In rapture his Bacchantes raved madly, crazed in mind,
euhoe bacchantes, euhoe capita inflectentes.
with cries of ‘euhoe’ and tossing heads,
harum pars tecta quatiebant cuspide thyrsos,
of whom some brandished the thyrsus with hidden tip,
pars e divulso iactabant membra iuvenco,
some tossed about the torn limbs of bullocks,
pars sese tortis serpentibus incingebant,
some girded themselves with twining snakes,
pars obscura cavis celebrabant orgia cistis,
some celebrated the secret orgies of the hollow box,
orgia quae frustra cupiunt audire profani,
orgies which in vain they wished the profane to hear:
plangebant aliae proceris tympana palmis
others beat the drums with the flat of their hands,
aut tereti tenuis tinnitus aere ciebant,
or raised a clear ringing from rounded cymbals:
multis raucisonos efflabant cornua bombos
they blew endless strident calls on the horns
barbaraque horribili stridebat tibia cantu.
and the barbarous flute shrilled with fearful tunes.
talibus amplifice vestis decorata figuris
Such the splendid workings of figured tapestry
pulvinar complexa suo velabat amictu.
covering the sacred couch its cloth embraced.
quae postquam cupide spectando Thessala pubes
After which the youth of Thessaly gazing eagerly
expleta est, sanctis coepit decedere divis.
were satisfied, [and] began to leave the goddess’s sanctuary.
hic, qualis flatu placidum mare matutino
As if [ruffling] the placid sea with morning breeze,
horrificans Zephyrus proclivas incitat undas
Zephyr stirs the willing waves
aurora exoriente vagi sub limina solis,
while Aurora rises to the wandering Sun’s threshold,
quae tarde primum clementi flamine pulsae
so that at first struck by a gentle gust, slowly…
procedunt, leviterque sonant plangore cachinni,
…do they move, and their splashing resounds with slight lamentation,
post vento crescente magis magis increbescunt
while afterwards they increase, swelling more and more,
purpureaque procul nantes ab luce refulgent,
and reflect the red of the sunrise far-off as they rise:
sic tum vestibuli linquentes regia tecta
thus then leaving the courtyard of the royal palace,
ad se quisque vago passim pede discedebant.
here and there to their homes with wandering feet each disperses.
quorum post abitum princeps e vertice Peli
After their departure from the height of Pelion, prince…
advenit Chiron portans silvestria dona:
…Chiron arrived carrying woodland gifts:
nam quoscumque ferunt campi, quos Thessala magnis
since what the fields bear, whatever the country of Thessaly on great…
montibus ora creat, quos propter fluminis undas
mountains brings forth, whatever [flowers] by the river’s waves
aura parit [flores] tepidi fecunda Favoni,
the fecund breath of the warm west wind produces,
hos indistinctis plexos tulit ipse corollis,
he brought woven together in mixed garlands,
quo permulsa domus iucundo risit odore.
so that the house smiled, charmed by happy fragrance.
confestim Penios adest, viridantia Tempe,
Immediately Peneus came to green Tempe,
Tempe quae silvae cingunt super impendentes,
Tempe, whose hanging woods encircle it above
naiasin linquens Doris celebranda choreis,
leaving Doris to be honoured by the sea’s dance:
non vacuus: namque ille tulit radicitus altas
not empty-handed, since he carried by the roots a tall
fagos ac recto proceras stipite laurus,
beech-tree and long-leafed laurel from a straight trunk,
non sine nutanti platano lentaque sorore
not without nodding plane, and pliant poplar
flammati Phaethontis et aeria cupressu.
scorched Phaethon’s sister, and airy cypress.
haec circum sedes late contexta locavit,
These he placed woven, here and there, round the house
vestibulum ut molli velatum fronde vireret.
till the courtyard was green, veiled with fresh foliage.
post hunc consequitur sollerti corde Prometheus
Prometheus followed after him, skilled in mind,
extenuata gerens veteris vestigia poenae
showing faint traces of his ancient punishment,
quam quondam [silici] restrictus membra catena
when once, bound in tight chains
persolvit pendens e verticibus praeruptis.
he suffered hanging from the high ledge of rock.
inde pater divum sancta cum coniuge natisque
Then the father of the gods with his sacred consort and sons
advenit, caelo te solum, Phoebe, relinquens
arrived from the sky, leaving behind only you, Phoebus,
unigenamque simul cultricem montibus Idri:
and the one born together with you, she who lives on the slopes of Ida:
Pelea nam tecum pariter soror adspernata est
Peleus is still disdained by both you and your sister,
nec Thetidis taedas voluit celebrare iugalis.
nor are you willing to celebrate Thetis’s wedding torches.
qui postquam niveis flexerunt sedibus artus,
Then the gods seated their limbs at the white benches,
large multiplici constructae sunt dape mensae,
at tables richly heaped with various sacrificial meals,
cum interea infirmo quatientes corpora motu
while, moving their bodies in trembling dance,
veridicos Parcae coeperunt edere cantus.
the Fates began to utter their prophetic song.
his corpus tremulum complectens undique vestis
Quivering seized their bodies, their white ankles
candida purpurea talos incinxerat ora,
wholly covered by the red hem of their dresses,
at roseae niveo residebant vertice vittae,
and a red headband circling their white hair,
aeternumque manus carpebant rite laborem.
and their hands were busy, as ever, at their eternal work.
laeva colum molli lana retinebat amictum,
The left hand held the distaff, wound with soft wool,
dextera tum leviter deducens fila supinis
then the right, drawing out the thread lightly, with upturned…
formabat digitis, tum prono in pollice torquens
…fingers shaped it, then twisting it under the thumb,
libratum tereti versabat turbine fusum,
turned the level spindle in smooth rotation,
atque ita decerpens aequabat semper opus dens,
and often a plucking tooth made the strands equal,
laneaque aridulis haerebant morsa labellis
and fragments of wool, that once projected
quae prius in levi fuerant exstantia filo.
from the light threads, clung to their dry lips:
ante pedes autem candentis mollia lanae
and, before their feet, bright wool from a soft fleece
vellera virgati custodibant calathisci.
was guarded by a basket woven of willow.
haec tum clarisona vellentes vellera voce
Then in a clear voice, pushing away the fleece,
talia divino fuderunt carmine fata,
they poured out these prophecies in divine song,
carmine perfidiae quod post nulla arguet aetas:
a song not to be proven wrong, by any amount of years.
“o decus eximium magnis virtutibus augens,
“O adding marvellous glory to your great braveries,
Emathiae tutamen, opis clarissime nato,
Defence of Emathia, dearest son of the powerful one,
accipe quod laeta tibi pandunt luce sorores,
accept what the glad sisters bring to the light,
veridicum oraclum. sed vos, quae fata secuntur,
true oracles. But you who accompany fate,
currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.
fly, guiding threads: fly, spindle.
adveniet tibi iam portans optata maritis
Now comes to you bearing the longed-for bride,
Hesperus, adveniet fausto cum sidere coniunx,
Hesperus, the wife approaches beneath an auspicious star
quae tibi flexanimo mentem perfundat amore
who pours out her heart to you with tender love,
languidulosque paret tecum coniungere somnos
and in languid sleep prepares to lie with you,
levia substernens robusto bracchia collo.
spreading her delicate arms beneath your strong neck.
currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.
fly, guiding threads: fly, spindle.
nulla domus tales unquam contexit amores,
No house has ever sheltered such love,
nullus amor tali coniunxit foedere amantes
no love has ever joined lovers in such a union,
qualis adest Thetidi, qualis concordia Peleo.
even as harmony comes to Thetis, and Peleus.
currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.
fly, guiding threads: fly, spindle.
nascetur vobis expers terroris Achilles,
A child shall be born to you, Achilles, expert in terror
hostibus haud tergo, sed forti pectore notus,
never showing his back to the foe, but famed for his brave heart
qui persaepe vago victor certamine cursus
who most often the victor in the fickle foot-race,
flammea praevertet celeris vestigia cervae.
with fiery hooves outstrips the swift deer
currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.
fly, guiding threads: fly, spindle.
non illi quisquam bello se conferet heros,
No hero dare confront him in battle,
cum Phrygii Teucro manabunt sanguine campi
when the Phrygian fields flow with Teucrian blood,
Troicaque obsidens longinquo moenia bello
and besieging the walls of Troy in weary war
periuri Pelopis vastabit tertius heres.
the third heir of deceitful Pelops lays them waste.
currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.
fly, guiding threads: fly, spindle.
illius egregias virtutes claraque facta
his illustrious powers and bright deeds
saepe fatebuntur gnatorum in funere matres,
do women often lament at the funerals of their sons
cum incultum cano solvent a vertice crinem
as neglected hair streams down from their white heads,
putridaque infirmis variabunt pectora palmis.
and weak palms mark their withered breasts.
currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.
fly, guiding threads: fly, spindle.
namque velut densas praecerpens messor aristas
Now, as a reaper prematurely mowing the dense stalks,
sole sub ardenti flaventia demetit arva,
scythes the golden fields under his eager feet,
Troiugenum infesto prosternet corpora ferro.
he destroys the Trojan bodies with his fierce blade.
currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.
Fly, guiding threads: fly, spindle.
testis erit magnis virtutibus unda Scamandri,
Scamander’s wave shall be a witness to his great deeds of courage,
quae passim rapido diffunditur Hellesponto,
which pour down on all sides to the swift Hellespont,
cuius iter caesis angustans corporum acervis
whereof the course, narrowing by the heaped bodies of the dead,
alta tepefaciet permixta fiumina caede.
the deep waters grow warm intermixed with the slain.
denique testis erit morti quoque reddita praeda
At last it will be a witness also to a death-prize paid,
cum teres excelso coacervatum aggere bustum
when a heaped tomb by the high rampart receives
excipiet niveos percussae virginis artus.
the smooth white members of a sacrificed virgin girl.
nam simul ac fessis dederit fors copiam Achivis
Then as soon as luck grants the riches to the weary Greeks,
urbis Dardaniae Neptunia solvere vincla,
of the Dardanian city loosening Neptune’s bond,
alta Polyxenia madefient caede sepulcra,
the high barrow will be soaked with Polyxenia’s slaughter:
quae, velut ancipiti succumbens victima ferro,
who bowing like a sacrifice to the two-edged blade
proiciet truncum submisso poplite corpus.
will fall to her knees, a maimed corpse.
currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.
fly, guiding threads: fly, spindle.
quare agite optatos animi coniungite amores.
So perform the desires of your soul, join in love.
accipiat coniunx felici foedere divam,
Let the husband accept his goddess in joyful contract,
dedatur cupido iam dudum nupta marito.
now the bride be given to her loving partner.
non illam nutrix orienti luce revisens
The nurse returning at daybreak will not
hesterno collum poterit circumdare filo,
encircle her neck with yesterday’s ribbon,
(currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi),
(fly, guiding threads: fly, spindle)
anxia nec mater discordis maesta puellae
nor the anxious mother by her troubled daughter’s…
secubitu caros mittet sperare nepotes.
…sad bed forgo the hope of dear grandchildren.
currite ducentes subtegmina, currite, fusi.”
fly, guiding threads: fly, spindle.
talia praefantes quondam felicia Pelei
Such [song] happily prophesying to Peleus
[carmina] divino cecinerunt pectore Parcae.
from the Parcae’s divine hearts.
praesentes namque ante domos invisere castas
Once the gods in person visited the pure houses
heroum et sese mortali ostendere coetu
of heroes, and showed themselves to the mortal crowd,
praesentes namque ante domos invisere castas
Once in person they visited the pure houses
heroum et sese mortali ostendere coetu
of heroes, and showed themselves to the mortal crowd,
caelicolae nondum spreta pietate solebant.
the gods were not yet accustomed to men’s scorn for piety.
saepe pater divum templo in fulgente, revisens
Often the father of the gods revisiting his thundering temple,
annua cum festis venissent sacra diebus,
when the annual rites came round on the holy days,
conspexit terra centum procumbere tauros.
saw a hundred bulls lying on the ground.
saepe vagus Liber Parnasi vertice summo
Often the wandering Child to the high peak of Parnassus
Thyiadas effusis euantis crinibus egit,
led Thyiadas with with their flowing hair
cum Delphi tota certatim ex urbe ruentes
when all rushing in emulation from the [happy] town of Delphos
acciperent [laeti] divum fumantibus aris.
received the god with smoking altars.
saepe in letifero belli certamine Mavors
Often in the fatal struggles of war, Mars
aut rapidi Tritonis era aut Rhamnusia virgo
or the lady of Lake Tritonis, or the Rhamnusian Virgin
armatas hominum est praesens hortata catervas.
Artemis, appeared to exhort the crowds of armed men.
sed postquam tellus scelere est imbuta nefando,
But afterwards earth was tainted by impious wickedness
iustitiamque omnes cupida de mente fugarunt,
and all fled from justice with eager minds,
perfudere manus fraterno sanguine fratres,
the brother’s hand was stained with a brother’s blood,
destitit exstinctos natus lugere parentes,
the child ceased to mourn for its dead parents,
optavit genitor primaevi funera nati
the father opted the younger son’s death
Liber ut innuptae poteretur flore novercae,
in order that he might [acquire] a single woman in her prime
ignaro mater substernens se impia nato
the impious mother spreading herself beneath the unknowing son,
impia non verita est divos scelerare parentes,
impious, she did not fear to desecrate the household shrine,
omnia fanda nefanda malo permixta furore
all piety was confused with impiety in evil frenzy
iustificam nobis mentem avertere deorum.
turning the just will of the gods from us.
quare nec talis dignantur visere coetus
So such as they do not visit our marriages,
nec se contingi patiuntur lumine claro.
nor allow themselves to approach us, in the light of day.
