Statius: THEBAID

Atque ea cunctantes Tyrii primordia belli
Iuppiter haud aequo respexit corde Pelasgos,
concussitque caput motu quo celsa laborant
sidera proclamatque adici ceruicibus Atlans.
tunc ita uelocem Tegees adfatus alumnum:                5
'i, medium rapido Borean inlabere saltu
Bistonias, puer, usque domos axemque niuosi
sideris, Oceano uetitum qua Parrhasis ignem
nubibus hibernis et nostro pascitur imbri.
atque ibi seu posita respirat cuspide Mauors,                10
quamquam inuisa quies, seu, quod reor, arma tubasque
insatiatus habet caraeque in sanguine gentis
luxuriat: propere monitus iramque parentis
ede, nihil parcens. nempe olim accendere iussus
Inachias acies atque omne quod Isthmius umbo                15

And with them hesitating at those things, the Tyrians at the beginnings of war
Iuppiter regarded the Pelasgos with a not even heart,
and shook his head with the motion by which the lofty stars toil
and proclaimed that Atlas be added to the necks.
tunc ita uelocem Tegees adfatus alumnum                5
"Go, glide into mid-course with a swift Boreal leap,
to the Bistonian homes, boy, and to the axle of the snowy star,
to the Parrhasian fire forbidden by Ocean,
nurtured by wintry clouds and fed by our rain.
and there, whether Mars breathes with his spear laid aside,                10
though hated peace, or, as I think, insatiate, possesses arms and trumpets
and luxuriates in the blood of his beloved race: quickly, warned, bring forth
the anger of your father, sparing nothing. For once, having been ordered to kindle
the Inachian battle-lines and all that the Isthmian boss of the shield                15

distinet et raucae circumtonat ira Maleae:
illi, uix muros limenque egressa iuuentus,
sacra colunt; credas bello rediisse, tot instant
plausibus, offensique sedent ad iusta sepulcri.
hicne tuus, Gradiue, furor? sonat orbe recusso 20
discus et Oebalii coeunt in proelia caestus.

and the hoarse wrath of Malea rings about and divides:
those youths, scarce forth from walls and threshold, perform sacred rites; 20
you would think they had returned to war, so many press on with applause, and, being affronted, sit at the rightful rites of the tomb.
Is this then your madness, Gradivus? the discus sounds with the struck arena 20
and the Oebalian boxing-gauntlets meet in combat.

at si ipsi rabies ferrique insana uoluptas
qua tumet, inmeritas cineri dabit impius urbes
ferrum ignemque ferens, implorantesque Tonantem
sternet humi populos miserumque exhauriet orbem. 25
nunc lenis belli nostraque remittitur ira.
quodni praecipitat pugnas dictoque iubentis
ocius impingit Tyriis Danaa agmina muris
(nil equidem crudele minor), sit mite bonumque
numen et effreni laxentur in otia mores, 30

but if madness itself and the insane lust for iron,
wherewith he swells, the impious man will give undeserving cities to ash,
bearing sword and fire, and, imploring the Thunderer,
will prostrate peoples on the ground and drain the wretched orb. 25
now gentle is the war and our wrath is relaxed.
but if, hurrying on the battles and at the bidding of one who orders,
more swiftly he drives the Danaan ranks against the Tyrian walls
(I for my part am by no means less cruel), may the divine power be mild and good
and may unbridled customs be loosened into peace, 30

reddat equos ensemque mihi, nec sanguinis ultra
ius erit: aspiciam terras pacemque iubebo
omnibus; Ogygio sat erit Tritonia bello.'
    dixerat, et Thracum Cyllenius arua subibat;
atque illum Arctoae labentem cardine portae                35
tempestas aeterna plagae praetentaque caelo
agmina nimborum primique Aquilonis hiatus
in diuersa ferunt: crepat aurea grandine multa
palla, nec Arcadii bene protegit umbra galeri.
hic steriles delubra notat Mauortia siluas                40
(horrescitque tuens), ubi mille furoribus illi
cingitur auerso domus inmansueta sub Haemo.
ferrea compago laterum, ferro arta teruntur
limina, ferratis incumbunt tecta columnis.

“Give back to me horses and sword, nor will there be law for blood any longer:
I will behold the lands and will bid peace to all; Tritonia will have had enough of Ogygian war.”
    so she had spoken, and Cyllenius ascended the Thracian fields;
and an eternal tempest from the hinge of the Arctic gate, slipping toward him,                35
a scourge stretched out from the sky, drives the hosts of clouds and the first yawning of the North
in different directions: the golden pall rattles with much hail,
nor does the shade of the Arcadian helmet well protect. Here the Mauortian woodmarks barren shrines                40
(and she shudders watching), where a thousand madnesses gird him,
the house untamed under Haemus is hemmed about. Ironly joined are the sides, thresholds pressed hard with iron
are worn away, the roofs lean upon iron-bound columns.

laeditur aduersum Phoebi iubar, ipsaque sedem 45

the radiance of Phoebus is harmed opposite, and the very seat 45

lux timet, et durus contristat sidera fulgor.
digna loco statio: primis salit Impetus amens
e foribus caecumque Nefas Iraeque rubentes
exanguesque Metus, occultisque ensibus astant
Insidiae geminumque tenens Discordia ferrum. 50
innumeris strepit aula Minis, tristissima Virtus
stat medio, laetusque Furor uultuque cruento
Mors armata sedet; bellorum solus in aris
sanguis et incensis qui raptus ab urbibus ignis.
terrarum exuuiae circum et fastigia templi 55
captae insignibant gentes: caelataque ferro
fragmina portarum bellatricesque carinae
et uacui currus protritaque curribus ora,
paene etiam gemitus: adeo uis omnis et omne
uulnus.

the light fears, and harsh brightness saddens the stars.
a station worthy of the place: Madness leaps first, Impetus wild
from the gates, and blind Nefas and the reddening Wraths
and bloodless Fear, and Standing close with hidden blades
Ambushes and Discord holding a twin-edged sword. 50
the court rings with countless Threats, most sorrowful Virtue
stands in the middle, and Mischief sits rejoicing with a bloody countenance
and armed Death; the altars of wars alone are
blood and fire snatched from burning cities. Around the spoils of lands and the temple’s roofs 55
the captured peoples marked them with insignia: and fragments engraved with iron of the gates
and warlike hulls and empty chariots and the mouths worn by wheels,
almost even groans: so great is every force and every
wound.

ubique ipsum, sed non usquam ore remisso 60

everywhere himself, but nowhere with mouth relaxed 60

cernere erat: talem diuina Mulciber arte
ediderat; nondum radiis monstratus adulter
foeda catenato luerat conubia lecto.
    quaerere templorum regem uix coeperat ales
Maenalius, tremit ecce solum et mugire refractis                65
corniger Hebrus aquis; tunc quod pecus utile bello
uallem infestabat, trepidas spumare per herbas,
signa aduentantis, clausaeque adamante perenni
dissiluere fores. Hyrcano in sanguine pulcher
ipse subit curru, diraque aspergine latos                70
mutat agros, spolia a tergo flentesque cateruae.

it was to be seen: by divine Mulciber’s art he had fashioned such a one; not yet shown to the rays, the adulterer had expiated foul nuptials on a chained couch.
the bird Maenalius had scarcely begun to seek the king of temples, behold the horned Hebrus trembles the ground and bellows with his broken waters; 65
then the herd, useful for war, was harrying the valley, foaming through the trembling grasses, the standards of the coming force, and the doors, shut with everlasting adamant, sprang apart. Fair of Hyrcanian blood himself mounts the chariot, and with a dire spray changes the broad fields, spoils at his rear and weeping bands.

dant siluae nixque alta locum; regit atra iugales
sanguinea Bellona manu longaque fatigat
cuspide. deriguit uisu Cyllenia proles
summisitque genas: ipsi reuerentia patri, 75

dense woods and deep snow give place; dark Bellona rules the yoked teams
with a bloody hand and wearies them with a long spear. The Cyllenian offspring grew cold at the sight
and let his cheeks sink; they themselves, from reverence for their father, 75

si prope sit, dematque minas nec talia mandet.
'quod Iouis imperium, magno quid ab aethere portas?'
occupat Armipotens, 'neque enim hunc, germane, sub axem
sponte uenis hiemesque meas, cui roscida iuxta
Maenala et aestiui clementior aura Lycaei.' 80
ille refert consulta patris. nec longa moratus,
sicut anhelabant, iuncto sudore uolantes
Mars impellit equos, resides in proelia Graios
ipse etiam indignans.

if it be near, and may he strip away the threats and not entrust such things.
'what of Jove's imperium — what do you bear from the mighty aether?'
interrupts Armipotens, 'for do not, brother, come beneath this axle of your own accord
and bring upon him my winters and my seasons, to whom the dewy Maenalus and the more clement
summer breeze of Lycaeus are near.'
he repeats his father's deliberations. Nor long delaying, as they panted, with sweat joined,
Mars urges on the horses, and, himself also indignant, drives the remaining Greeks into battle.

uidit pater altus et irae
iam leuior tardo flectebat pondere uultum. 85
ut si quando ruit debellatasque relinquit
Eurus aquas, pax ipsa tumet pontumque iacentem
exanimis iam uoluit hiems: nondum arma carinis
omnia, nec toto respirant pectore nautae.
finierat pugnas honor exequialis inermes; 90

the lofty Father saw, and already his face, lighter in anger, was relaxing from its slow weight. 85
as when at times the East Wind rushes forth and leaves the conquered waters, peace itself swells and the sea lying calm the winter now breathless rolls:
not yet are all arms upon the keels, nor do the sailors breathe with full breast.
the funerary honour had closed the unarmed combats; 90

necdum aberant coetus, cunctisque silentibus heros
uina solo fundens cinerem placabat Adrastus
Archemori: 'da, parue, tuum trieteride multa
instaurare diem, nec saucius Arcadas aras
malit adire Pelops Eleaque pulset eburna 95
templa manu, nec Castaliis altaribus anguis,
nec sua pinigero magis adnatet umbra Lechaeo.
nos te lugenti, puer, infitiamur Auerno,
maestaque perpetuis sollemnia iungimus astris,
nunc festina cohors. at si Boeotia ferro 100
uertere tecta dabis, magnis tunc dignior aris,
tunc deus, Inachias nec tantum culta per urbes
numina, captiuis etiam iurabere Thebis.'
dux ea pro cunctis, eadem sibi quisque uouebat.

not yet had the assemblies gone, and with all silent
the hero, pouring wine upon the ground, appeased Archemorus:
'give, little one, thou whose triennial day renews many things,
nor wounded would Pelops prefer to visit Arcadian altars
and Elea’s ivory doorposts with his hand, nor let a serpent hiss
about the Castalian altars, nor let his shade more gladly swim
to fattening Lechaeum. We deny thee, boy, to Avernus' mourning,
and join melancholy rites to everlasting stars;
hasten now, the cohort. But if thou wilt turn the roofs
of Boeotia to iron, then more worthy shalt thou be of mighty altars,
then a god—nor wilt thou swear the divinities of Inachian cities alone,
but also the enslaved at Thebes.'
the leader spoke these things for all, and each vowed the same for himself.
95

iam pronis Gradiuus equis Ephyraea premebat 105

now Gradivus, with his horses leaning forward, pressed on from Ephyraean lands 105

litora, qua summas caput Acrocorinthos in auras
tollit et alterna geminum mare protegit umbra.
inde unum dira comitum de plebe Pauorem
quadripedes anteire iubet: non alter anhelos
insinuare metus animoque auertere uires 110
aptior; innumerae monstro uocesque manusque
et facies quamcumque uelit; bonus omnia credi
auctor et horrificis lymphare incursibus urbes.
si geminos soles ruituraque suadeat astra,
aut nutare solum aut ueteres descendere siluas, 115
a! miseri uidisse putant.

the shores, where Acrocorinthus lifts its highest head into the airs
and the sea with alternating shadow shelters the twin; from there he orders one grim of the companions from the plebs, Pauor, a quadruped, to go before: no other is more fit to instil panting fears and to divert strength from the mind;110
countless are the forms, voices, hands, and any face which he wishes; a ready auctor for all things to be believed, and to harry cities with horrific incursions of phantoms. if he should urge twin suns and stars about to fall,
or that the ground should totter or the ancient woods descend,115
ah! the wretched think they have seen.

tunc acre nouabat
ingenium: falso Nemeaeum puluere campum
erigit; attoniti tenebrosam a uertice nubem
respexere duces; falso clamore tumultum
auget, et arma uirum pulsusque imitatur equorum, 120

then keenly he renewed his device:
with false dust he raises a Nemean field;
the leaders, astonished, looked back at a dark cloud from the summit;
with false shouting he increases the tumult, and imitates the arms of men and the beating of horses' hooves, 120

terribilemque uagas ululatum spargit in auras.
exiluere animi, dubiumque in murmure uulgus
pendet: 'ubi iste fragor? ni fallimur aure.

and scatters a terrifying, wandering ululation into the airs.
spirits leapt up, and the doubtful crowd hangs in murmuring:
'where is that crash? unless our ear deceives us.'

sed unde
puluereo stant astra globo? num Ismenius ultro
miles? ita est: ueniunt.

but whence
do the stars stand in a dusty globe? is that an Ismenian soldier of his own accord?
so it is: they come.

tanta autem audacia Thebis?                125
an dubitent, age, dum inferias et busta colamus?'
haec Pauor attonitis; uariosque per agmina uultus
induitur: nunc Pisaeis e milibus unus,
nunc Pylius, nunc ore Lacon, hostesque propinquos
adiurat turmasque metu consternat inani.                130
nil falsum trepidis. ut uero amentibus ipse
incidit et sacrae circum fastigia uallis
turbine praeuectus rapido ter sustulit hastam,
ter concussit equos, clipeum ter pectore plausit:
arma, arma insani sua quisque ignotaque nullo                135

Such audacity against Thebes?                125
Or will they hesitate, come now, while we perform the inferias and tend the tombs?'
This Fear to the astonished; and through the ranks he is clad with various faces:
now one of the Pisaean thousands,
now a Pylian, now in Laconic mouth, and he adjures the near foes
and lays the squadrons low with groundless dread.                130
nothing false to the terrified. But when he himself fell among the maddened
and, borne about the ridges of the sacred valley by a swift whirl, thrice uplifted his spear,
thrice shook the horses, thrice struck his shield upon his breast:
"Arms! arms!" each raves his own and things unknown to any                135

more rapit, mutant galeas alienaque cogunt
ad iuga cornipedes; ferus omni in pectore saeuit
mortis amor caedisque, nihil flagrantibus obstat:
praecipitant redimuntque moras. sic litora uento
incipiente fremunt, fugitur cum portus; ubique                140
uela fluunt, laxi iactantur ubique rudentes;
iamque natant remi, natat omnis in aequore summo
ancora, iam dulcis medii de gurgite ponti
respicitur tellus comitesque a puppe relicti.
    uiderat Inachias rapidum glomerare cohortes                145
Bacchus iter; gemuit Tyriam conuersus ad urbem,
altricemque domum et patrios reminiscitur ignes,
purpureum tristi turbatus pectore uultum:
non crines, non serta loco, dextramque reliquit
thyrsus, et intactae ceciderunt cornibus uuae.                150

the throng seizes more, they change their helmets and force strange cornipedes to the yoke; a savage love of death and slaughter rages in every breast, nothing hinders the ardent: they plunge headlong and strip away delays. thus the shores roar as the wind begins, the harbour is put to flight; everywhere                140
sails stream, everywhere the slack ropes are flung about;
and now the oars swim, every anchor rides on the surface of the sea, now the sweet land of the mid-sea is seen from the gulf and comrades left behind on the stern are glimpsed.
    Bacchus had seen the Inachian cohorts swiftly massing for the road                145
he groaned, turned toward the Tyrian city, and remembered his nurse-home and his ancestral fires, his purple face disturbed with a sad heart:
not hair, not garlands in their place, he left behind, and the thyrsus his right hand, and untouched grapes fell from the clusters.                150

ergo ut erat lacrimis lapsoque inhonorus amictu
ante Iouem (et tunc forte polum secretus habebat)
constitit, haud umquam facie conspectus in illa
(nec causae latuere patrem), supplexque profatur:
'excindisne tuas, diuum sator optime, Thebas? 155
saeua adeo coniunx? nec te telluris amatae
deceptique laris miseret cinerumque meorum?
esto, olim inuitum iaculatus nubibus ignem,
credimus: en iterum atra refers incendia terris,
nec Styge iurata, nec paelicis arte rogatus. 160
quis modus?

therefore, as he was, dishonored with tears and a fallen cloak
he stood before Jupiter (and then perhaps he kept the sky apart)
never before seen in that face
(nor were the causes hidden from his father), and as a suppliant he speaks:
'Will you destroy your Thebes, best begetter of the gods? 155
is your wife so savage? Does it not move you, lover of the land
and of the deceived hearth, and pity my ashes?
Be it so, once you, unwilling, hurled fire into the clouds,
we believe: behold again you bring black fires upon the lands,
neither sworn by the Styx, nor requested by the paramour’s art. 160
what measure?

an nobis pater iratusque bonusque
fulmen habes? sed non Danaeia limina talis
Parrhasiumque nemus Ledaeasque ibis Amyclas.
scilicet e cunctis ego neglectissima natis
progenies?

do you, father both angry and good, have a thunderbolt for us?
but you will not go to Danaean thresholds nor to the Parrhasian grove nor to Ledaean Amyclae.
am I, then, of all the children the most neglected progeny?

ego nempe tamen qui dulce ferenti 165

I, indeed, nevertheless, who bring sweet things 165

pondus eram, cui tu dignatus limina uitae
praereptumque uterum et maternos reddere menses.
adde quod imbellis rarisque exercita castris
turba meas acies, mea tantum proelia norunt,
nectere fronde comas et ad inspirata rotari 170
buxa: timent thyrsos nuptarum et proelia matrum.
unde tubas Martemque pati, qui feruidus ecce
quanta parat?

I was a burden, for whom you deigned the thresholds of life
and to restore a snatched womb and maternal months.
Add that an unwarlike throng, trained in sparse camps,
knows my ranks, my battles alone,
to bind my hair with foliage and to be turned toward the breathed boxwood 170
—they fear the thyrsi of brides and the battles of mothers.
Why, then, should they endure trumpets and Mars, who, see, with what fierce ardor he prepares?

quid si ille tuos Curetas in arma
ducat et innocuis iubeat decernere peltis?
quin etiam inuisos (sic hostis defuit?) Argos 175
eligis! o ipsis, genitor, grauiora periclis
iussa: nouercales ruimus ditare Mycenas!

what if that man should lead your Curetes to arms
and bid them decide by harmless peltæ?
nay even you choose hated Argos (so the enemy was lacking?) 175
choose! O you who, father, bid things more grievous than the perils themselves:
shall we, nuptial-sacked, overthrow to enrich Mycenae!

cedo equidem. quo sacra tamen ritusque peremptae
gentis, et in tumulos si quid male feta reliquit
mater, abire iubes? Thracen siluasque Lycurgi? 180

I yield, indeed. But to what place do you bid the sacred rites and rituals of a destroyed people go, and whatever, ill-omened, the mother left upon the tombs—must these depart? The Thracian forests and the woods of Lycurgus? 180

anne triumphatos fugiam captiuus ad Indos?
da sedem profugo. potuit Latonia frater
saxa (nec inuideo) defigere Delon et imis
commendare fretis; cara summouit ab arce
hostiles Tritonis aquas; uidi ipse potentem 185
gentibus Eois Epaphum dare iura, nec ullas
Cyllene secreta tubas Minoaue curat
Ida: quid heu tantum nostris offenderis aris?

or shall I, a captive, flee triumphant to the Indians?
grant a seat to the fugitive. The Latonian brother could (nor do I envy) fix rocks at Delos and commit them to the lowest seas;
he removed the hostile waters of Triton from the dear citadel; I myself saw him grant Epaphus authority over the eastern peoples, 185
nor does Cyllene heed any secret trumpets, nor Ida, Minoan: ah, why do you so grievously affront our altars?

hic tibi (quando minor iam nostra potentia) noctes
Herculeae placitusque uagae Nycteidos ardor,                190
hic Tyrium genus et nostro felicior igne
taurus: Agenoreos saltem tutare nepotes.'
    inuidiam risit pater, et iam poplite flexum
sternentemque manus tranquillus ad oscula tollit
inque uicem placida orsa refert: 'non coniugis ista                195

here for you (since now our power is less) the Herculean nights
and the pleasures and wandering ardor of Nycteidos,                190
here the Tyrian stock and a bull more fortunate than our fire:
at least guard the Agenoreos' descendants.'
    the father laughed at the envy, and now, bent at the knee
and the hands spreading him prostrate, he calmly lifts him to kisses
and in turn, having spoken with a placid voice, replies: 'these are not a wife's                195

consiliis, ut rere, puer, nec saeua roganti
sic expostus ego: inmoto deducimur orbe
fatorum; ueteres seraeque in proelia causae.
nam cui tanta quies irarum aut sanguinis usus
parcior humani? uidet axis et ista per aeuum 200
mecum aeterna domus quotiens iam torta reponam
fulmina, quam rarus terris hic imperet ignis.

to counsels, as a boy, and not to the fierce suppliant
thus addressed I: we are led forth by the unmoved orb
of fates; old and belated causes into battles.
for to whom is so great a calm of wrath or the use of blood
more sparing of the human? the axis also sees these things through the ages 200
how often I shall, with the eternal house now twisted, restore
the thunderbolts, how rarely this fire shall rule the lands.

quin etiam inuitus magna ulciscendaque passis
aut Lapithas Marti aut ueterem Calydona Dianae
expugnare dedi: nimia est iactura pigetque 205
tot mutare animas, tot reddere corpora uitae.
Labdacios uero Pelopisque a stirpe nepotes
tardum abolere mihi; scis ipse (ut crimina mittam
Dorica) quam promptae superos incessere Thebae;
te quoque++sed, quoniam uetus excidit ira, silebo. 210

indeed, unwilling and compelled to revenge great injuries suffered,
I gave to storm either the Lapiths for Mars or the ancient Calydonian Diana:
the loss is excessive and it repels me 205
to change so many souls, to restore so many bodies to life.
But to root out swiftly the descendants sprung from the stock of Labdacus and Pelops
would be slow for me; you yourself know (to dismiss Doric charges)
how ready the Thebans were to assail the gods above;
you also—but, since the old anger has fallen away, I will be silent. 210

non tamen aut patrio respersus sanguine Pentheus,
aut matrem scelerasse toris aut crimine fratres
progenuisse reus, lacero tua lustra repleuit
funere: ubi hi fletus, ubi tunc ars tanta precandi?
ast ego non proprio diros impendo dolori                215
Oedipodionidas: rogat hoc tellusque polusque
et pietas et laesa fides naturaque et ipsi
Eumenidum mores. sed tu super urbe moueri
parce tua: non hoc statui sub tempore rebus
occasum Aoniis, ueniet suspectior aetas                220
ultoresque alii: nunc regia Iuno queretur.'
his ille auditis mentemque habitumque recepit;
ut, cum sole malo tristique rosaria pallent
usta Noto, si clara dies Zephyrique refecit
aura polum, redit omnis honos, emissaque lucent                225

not however Pentheus, sprinkled with paternal blood,
or guilty of defiling his mother on couches or of fathering brothers by crime,
was the accused one; your years were filled with torn funeral
by that slaughter: where are those tears, where then that great art of beseeching?
but I do not, for my own, heap dire grief upon the Oedipodian line:                215
this asks the earth and the pole and piety and injured faith and nature itself
and the very customs of the Eumenides. But you, spare to be moved above the city:
I did not set this to fall beneath Aonian times for affairs; a more suspect age will come                220
and other avengers: now royal Juno will complain.'
At these words he recovered his mind and his mien;
as, when with an evil sun and pale the sad roses are scorched by the South Wind,
if bright day and the Zephyr-refreshed breeze renew the sky, all honour returns, and the things let loose shine forth                225

germina, et informes ornat sua gloria uirgas.
nuntius attonitas iamdudum Eteoclis ad aures
explorata ferens longo docet agmine Graios
ire duces, nec iam Aoniis procul afore campis;
quacumque ingressi tremere ac miserescere cunctos 230
Thebarum; qui stirpe refert, qui nomine et armis.
ille metum condens audire exposcit et odit
narrantem: hinc socios dictis stimulare suasque
metiri decernit opes.

its shoots, and its glory adorns the misshapen rods.
but a messenger, bringing the explored tidings long since to the astonished ears of Eteocles,
reports that the Greeks march in a long column as leaders, and that they are no longer far from the Aonian fields;
wherever they have entered the peoples of Thebes tremble and pity all 230
whom he names by lineage, whom by name and by arms. He demands to hear the condensed fear and hates
the one who tells it: from this he resolves to spur his allies with words and to weigh his resources.

exciuerat omnem
Aoniam Euboeamque et Phocidos arua propinquae 235
Mars, ita dulce Ioui. longe fugit ordine uelox
tessera: propellunt acies, seseque sub armis
ostentant; subeunt campo qui proximus urbi
damnatus bellis patet expectatque furores.
nondum hostes contra, trepido tamen agmine matres 240

Mars had roused all Aonian and Euboean and the fields of neighboring Phocis 235
— Mars, so dear to Jove. Far fled a swift tessera in array:
the battle-lines drive them on, and they display themselves under arms;
those who nearest the city, doomed by wars, enter the field and stand open and await the furies.
Not yet are enemies in turn; yet mothers, in a trembling throng 240

conscendunt muros, inde arma nitentia natis
et formidandos monstrant sub casside patres.
turre procul sola nondum concessa uideri
Antigone populis teneras defenditur atra
ueste genas; iuxtaque comes quo Laius ibat 245
armigero; tunc uirgo senem regina ueretur.
quae sic orsa prior: 'spesne obstatura Pelasgis
haec uexilla, pater?

they mount the walls; thence they show gleaming arms on their backs
and beneath the helmet display fathers to be feared. from the tower seen afar, not yet yielded to the peoples,
Antigone is defended, her tender cheeks in a dark robe; and beside her the companion with whom Laius went 245
armored; then the maiden and the queen feared the old man.
who first thus began: 'Is there hope, father, that these standards will oppose the Pelasgians?'

Pelopis descendere totas
audimus gentes: dic, o precor, extera regum
agmina; nam uideo quae noster signa Menoeceus, 250
quae noster regat arma Creon, quam celsus aena
Sphinge per ingentes Homoloidas exeat Haemon.'
sic rudis Antigone, senior cui talia Phorbas:
'mille sagittiferos gelidae de colle Tanagrae
promouet ecce Dryas; hic, cui niuea arma tridentem 255

We hear that whole peoples descend from Pelops:
tell, I pray, the foreign hosts of kings; for I see which standards our Menoeceus bears, 250
which arms our Creon rules, how high Haemon, brazen with Sphinx, issues forth through the mighty Homoloids.'
thus raw Antigone spoke, to whom the elder Phorbas made answer with such things:
'Behold Dryas marshals a thousand bowmen from the chilly hill of Tanagra; this man, to whom snowy arms and the trident 255

atque auro rude fulmen habent, Orionis alti
non falsus uirtute nepos: procul, oro, paternum
omen et innuptae uetus excidat ira Dianae.
iungunt se castris regisque in nomen adoptant
Ocalee Medeonque et confertissima lucis 260
Nisa Dionaeisque auibus circumsona Thisbe.
proximus Eurymedon, qui pastoralia Fauni
arma patris pinuque iubas imitatur equinas,
terribilis siluis: reor et Mauorte cruento
talis erit.

and they bear a crude bolt of gold, a not false grandson of lofty Orion in prowess:
from afar, I beg, let the paternal omen and the ancient wrath of unmarried Diana fall away.
they join themselves to the camp and are adopted in the name of king Ocaleus and Medeon and of the very dense light 260
Nisa and Thisbe resounding with the birds of Dione all around.
next is Eurymedon, who imitates the pastoral arms of the Fauns of his father and the horselike manes of pine,
terrible in the woods: I judge he will be such also with bloody Mauortus.

dites pecorum comitantur Erythrae,                 265
qui Scolon densamque iugis Eteonon iniquis,
qui breue litus Hyles Atalantaeamque superbi
Schoenon habent notique colunt uestigia campi;
fraxineas Macetum uibrant de more sarisas
saeuaque difficiles excludere uulnera peltas.                270
ecce autem clamore ruunt Neptunia proles
Onchesti, quos pinigeris Mycalesos in agris
Palladiusque Melas Hecataeaque gurgite nutrit
Gargaphie, quorumque nouis Haliartos aristis
inuidet et nimia sata laeta superuenit herba.                275

the wealthy in cattle accompany Erythrae,                 265
who Scolus and the dense Eteonon on harsh ridges,
who have the short shore of Hylus and proud Atalantian Schoenus
and cultivate the well-known footprints of the plain;
they brandish ash-made sarissas according to custom
and fierce peltas that ward off hard wounds.                270
but behold, with a shout rush the Neptune-born offspring
Onchestus, whom Palladius and Melas and the Hecataean gulf nourish
in the pine-rich fields of Mycale and Gargaphie, and whose
new Haliartus envies the ears of grain
and an overly sown, joyous grass comes in upon them.                275

tela rudes trunci, galeae uacua ora leonum,
arborei dant scuta sinus. hos regis egenos
Amphion en noster agit (cognoscere pronum,
uirgo), lyra galeam tauroque insignis auito.
macte animo iuuenis!

the rough spears of trunks, helmets with the hollow mouths of lions,
the bosom of the wood gives them shields. Behold, our Amphion drives these needy men of the king
(eager to recognise, maiden), distinguished by lyre, by helmet, and by his ancestral bull.
be strong in spirit, young man!

medios parat ire per enses 280
nudaque pro caris opponere pectora muris.
uos etiam nostris, Heliconia turba, uenitis
addere rebus opem; tuque, o Permesse, canoris
et felix Olmie uadis, armastis alumnos
bellorum resides. patriis concentibus audis 285
exultare gregem, quales, cum pallida cedit
bruma, renidentem deducunt Strymona cycni.

he prepares to go into the midst of swords 280
and to offer his naked breast as a bulwark for his dear ones.
You too, Heliconian throng, come to add aid to our affairs; and you, O Permessus, of tuneful streams,
and fortunate Olmian waters, go — fosterer of the armed youths of war.
With ancestral harmonies you hear the flock leap for joy 285
such as, when pale winter yields, the Strymon swans lead forth their gleaming brood.

ite alacres, numquam uestri morientur honores,
bellaque perpetuo memorabunt carmine Musae.'
dixerat, et paulum uirgo interfata loquenti: 290

Go forth briskly; your honors shall never die,
and the Wars shall sing of you for evermore.'
thus she had spoken, and the maiden, a little cut off while speaking: 290

'illi autem, quanam iunguntur origine fratres?
sic certe paria arma uiris, sic exit in auras
cassidis aequus apex; utinam haec concordia nostris!'
cui senior ridens: 'non prima errore uidendi
falleris, Antigone: multi hos (nam decipit aetas) 295
dixerunt fratres. pater est natusque, sed aeui
confudere modos: puerum Lapithaona nymphe
Dercetis expertem thalami crudumque maritis
ignibus ante diem cupido uiolauit amore
improba conubii; nec longum, et pulcher Alatreus 300
editus, ac primae genitorem in flore iuuentae
consequitur traxitque notas et miscuit annos.

'but those men, of what origin are they said to be brothers?
thus indeed equal arms for the men, thus equally
the helmet's crest rises into the airs; would that this concord were ours!'
to whom the elder, smiling: 'you are not deceived in the first error of seeing, Antigone: many have called these (for age deceives) 295
brothers. A father he is and was born, but the measures of life are confounded: the Lapithae-born nymph Dercetis, inexperienced in the bridal bed and raw to husbandly fires, before the day, by a relentless desire of marriage, violated the boy with love;
nor long after, and fair Alatreus was borne forth, and in the first bloom of youth followed his sire, and drew his features and mingled their years.

et nunc sic fratres mentito nomine gaudent,
plus pater: hunc olim iuuat et uentura senectus.
tercentum genitor totidemque in proelia natus 305
exercent equites: hi deseruisse feruntur
exilem Glisanta Coroniamque feracem,
messe Coroniam, Baccho Glisanta colentes.
sed potius celsos umbrantem hunc aspice late
Hypsea quadriiugos; clipei septemplice tauro 310

and now thus the brothers rejoice in a feigned name,
more the father: this one pleases him once, and the coming old age will please him.
the sire trains three hundred and as many men born for battles 305
to serve as cavalry: these are said to have deserted
slender Glisanta and fertile Coronia,
Coronia for the harvest, Glisanta for Bacchus tending.
but rather behold this Hypsea, lofty, casting shade far and wide,
four‑yoked; with a shield sevenfold like a bull 310

laeua, ter insuto seruantur pectora ferro,
pectora: nam tergo numquam metus. hasta uetustum
siluarum decus, emissae cui peruia semper
armaque corporaque et numquam manus inrita uoti.
Asopos genuisse datur, dignusque uideri 315
tunc pater, abreptis cum torrentissimus exit
pontibus, aut natae tumidus cum uirginis ultor
flumina concussit generum indignata Tonantem.

on the left, thrice the hearts are preserved with iron stitched in,
hearts: for there is never fear at the back. The spear, an ancient ornament of the woods,
to which the pathways are ever sent forth, and arms and bodies and hands never vain to the vow.
He is given out to have sprung from Asopus, and then the father seems worthy,315
when, most torrentous, having torn away the bridges he issues forth, or, swollen as avenger of his daughter, the Thunderer, indignant, shook the rivers at his son-in-law.

namque ferunt raptam patriis Aeginan ab undis
amplexu latuisse Iouis: furit amnis et astris 320
infensus bellare parat (nondum ista licebant
nec superis); stetit audaces effusus in iras,
conseruitque manum, nec quem imploraret habebat,
donec uix tonitru summotus et igne trisulco
cessit. adhuc ripis animosus gurges anhelis 325

for they say Aegina, seized from her paternal waves,
lay hidden in the embrace of Jove: the river rages and, hostile to the stars, 320
prepares to wage war (those things were not yet permitted
nor to the gods); it stood poured forth into audacious wrath,
and it closed its hand, and had no one to whom to implore,
until, scarcely shaken by thunder and by a three‑furrowed fire,
it yielded. Still the bold gulf upon the banks pants with heaving 325

fulmineum cinerem magnaeque insignia poenae
gaudet et Aetnaeos in caelum efflare uapores.
talem Cadmeo mirabimur Hypsea campo,
si modo placauit felix Aegina Tonantem.
ducit Itonaeos et Alalcomenaea Mineruae 330
agmina, quos Midea et quos uuida suggerit Arne,
Aulida qui Graeanque serunt uiridesque Plataeas,
et sulco Peteona domant, refluumque meatu
Euripum, qua noster, habent teque, ultima tractu
Anthedon, ubi gramineo de litore Glaucus 335
poscentes inrupit aquas, iam crine genisque
caerulus, et mixtos expauit ab inguine pisces.

he delights to blow lightning-made ash and the signatures of great punishment
and Etnean vapors up into the sky. We shall marvel such on Cadmean Hypsean field,
if only happy Aegina has appeased the Thunderer. She leads the Itonaean and Alalcomenean hosts of Minerva 330
whom Midea and marshy Arne supply, who plant Aulis and Graea and the green Plataeas,
and who tame Peteon with the plough, and by the ebb of their course hold back the Euripus — where ours has you, at the utmost stretch
Anthedon, where Glaucus from the grassy shore, imploring, burst into the waters, now blue of hair and cheek,
and put to flight the fishes mixed about from his groin.

glandibus et torta Zephyros incidere funda
cura: Cydoneas anteibunt gaesa sagittas.
tu quoque praeclarum forma, Cephise, dedisses 340

to assail the Zephyrs with acorns and a twisted sling is the care:
Cydonian spears will precede arrows.
you too, O Cephise, would have bestowed a splendid form 340

Narcissum, sed Thespiacis iam pallet in agris
trux puer; orbata florem, pater, adluis unda.
quis tibi Phoebeas acies ueteremque reuoluat
Phocida? qui Panopen, qui Daulida, qui Cyparisson,
et ualles, Lebadia, tuas et Hyampolin acri                345
subnixam scopulo, uel qui Parnason utrumque
aut Cirrham tauris Anemorianque supinant
Coryciumque nemus propellentemque Lilaean
Cephisi glaciale caput, quo suetus anhelam
ferre sitim Python amnemque auertere ponto:                350
omnibus inmixtas cono super aspice laurus
armaque uel Tityon uel Delon habentia, uel quas
hic deus innumera laxauit caede pharetras.
Iphitus asper agit, genitor cui nuper ademptus
Naubolus Hippasides, tuus, o mitissime Lai,                355

Narcissus — but the fierce boy already grows pale in the Thespian fields;
deprived of his flower, father, the wave drowns him with its wash.
Who will for you roll back Phoebean gaze and ancient Phocis?
Who the Panopen, who the Daulidæan, who Cyparisson,
and the valleys, Lebadia, yours and Hyampolis, leaning upon a keen                345
rock, or who each Parnassus or
Cirrha that the bulls and Anemorian plain prostrate,
and Corycium’s grove and the Lilaean stream that drives on
Cephisus’ ice-cold head, by which the Python, accustomed to pant,
is wont to bear thirst and to turn the river to the deep sea:                350
look, laurel mixed above the cone with all things,
and bearing arms either of Tityon or of Delos, or those
whose god here has loosed innumerable quivers in slaughter.
Rough Iphitus stirs, whose father recently was taken away —
Naubolus, son of Hippasides, yours, O most gentle Laius,                355

hospes; adhuc currus securaque lora tenebam,
cum tua subter equos iacuit conuulsa cruentis
ictibus (o utinam nostro cum sanguine!) ceruix.'
    dicenti maduere genae, uultumque per omnem
pallor iit, uocisque repens singultus apertum                360
intercepit iter; refouet frigentis amicum
pectus alumna senis; redit atque exile profatur:
'o mihi sollicitum decus ac suprema uoluptas,
Antigone! seras tibi demoror improbus umbras,
fors eadem scelera et caedes uisurus auitas,                365
donec te thalamis habilem integramque resignem:
hoc satis, et fessum uita dimittite, Parcae.
sed dum labor iners, quanti (nunc ecce reuiso)
transabiere duces: Clonin atque in terga comantes
non ego Abantiadas, non te, saxosa Caryste,                370

guest; I was still holding the chariot and the reins at ease,
when beneath your horses your neck lay torn by bloody
blows (O that it had been with my blood!) .'
As he spoke his cheeks grew wet, and pallor spread over his whole face,
and a sudden sob cut off the open course of his voice 360
intercepting his path; the old man’s foster-daughter warms the chilled
friend’s breast; he returns and utters a thin voice:
'O my anxious honor and last delight, Antigone! I wickedly delay for you the late shades,
perhaps you will see the same crimes and ancestral slaughter,
until I restore you fit and intact to your bridal-chambers:
this is enough, and Fates, dismiss my weary life. But while the task lies idle, how many (now, behold, as I look back)
will our leaders have crossed: Clonin and those comely with flowing hair put to flight to the rear—
neither I, son of Abas, nor you, rocky Carystus,'

non humiles Aegas altumque Capherea dixi.
et iam acies obtunsa negat, cunctique resistunt,
et tuus armatis iubet ecce silentia frater.'
    uix ea turre senex, cum rector ab aggere coepit:
'magnanimi reges, quibus haud parere recusem,                375
ductor et ipse, meas miles defendere Thebas,
non ego uos stimulare parem (nam liber in arma
impetus, et meritas ultro iurastis in iras),
nec laudare satis dignasque rependere grates
sufficiam (referent superi uestraeque subacto                380
hoste manus): urbem socia de gente subistis
tutari, quam non aliis populator ab oris
belliger externaue satus tellure, sed hostis
indigena adsultat, cui castra aduersa regenti
hic pater, hic genetrix, hic iunctae stirpe sorores,                385

not lowly Aegas and lofty Capherea I named.
and now the line denies being blunted, and all hold fast in resistance,
and behold your brother bids the armed keep silence.'
    scarcely had the old man spoken this from the tower, when the commander began from the rampart:
'magnanimous kings, to whom I would by no means refuse to obey,                375
leader myself, and a soldier, to defend my Thebes,
I am not fit to goad you on (for a free impulse rushes to arms,
and you yourselves swore to avenge deserved wrongs),
nor shall I be able to praise and render worthy thanks enough
(above the conquered enemy the gods and your hands will report):                380
you have stood up to guard the city from a allied people,
not plundered by other coasts nor born of a foreign belligerent land, but an indigenous enemy
springs upon us, to whom the opposite camp is set against his ruler—
here a father, here a mother, here sisters joined in the same stock,'                385

hic erat et frater. cerne en ubicumque nefandus
excidium moliris auis: uenere uolentes
Aoniae populi, nec sum tibi, saeue, relictus.
quid uelit ista cohors et te sentire decebat:
reddere regna uetant.' sic fatus et omnia rite 390
disponit, qui bella gerant, qui moenia seruent,
quas in fronte manus, medio quas robore sistat.

here was also a brother. behold now, wherever you contrive the nefarious
destruction of the city: the willing Aonian people have come,
nor am I, savage one, left to you. What that cohort desires and what it behooved you to feel:
they forbid the restoration of kingdoms.' Thus having spoken he duly 390
arranges all things — who shall wage wars, who shall guard the walls,
which hands he stations on the front, which in the midst he sets by strength.

perspicuas sic luce fores et uirgea pastor
claustra leuat, dum terra recens; iubet ordine primo
ire duces, media stipantur plebe maritae;                395
ipse leuat grauidas et humum tactura parentum
ubera, succiduasque apportat matribus agnas.
    interea Danai noctemque diemque sub armis,
noctem iterum rursusque diem (sic ira ferebat)
ingeminant: contempta quies, uix aut sopor illis                400

thus by clear light the rod-bearing shepherd lifts the visible doors and the bolts, while the ground is fresh; he bids the leaders go in the foremost rank, the married wives be packed in the middle with the common folk;                395
he himself lifts the pregnant women, about to touch the breasts of their parents' ground, and brings to the mothers the lambs ready to be weaned.
    meanwhile the Danaans double night and day under arms,
night again and day again (thus wrath urged them)
they repeat: rest despised, scarcely even sleep for them                400

aut epulae fecere moram; properatur in hostem
more fugae. nec monstra tenent, quae plurima nectit
prodigiale canens certi fors praeuia fati.
quippe serunt diros monitus uolucresque feraeque
sideraque auersique suis decursibus amnes, 405
infestumque tonat pater et mala fulgura lucent;
terrificaeque adytis uoces clausaeque deorum
sponte fores; nunc sanguineus, nunc saxeus imber,
et subiti manes flentumque occursus auorum.

or banquets made delay; they rush upon the enemy
in the manner of flight. Nor do the portents hold them, which, prodigious, chance foreknowing a certain fate sings and weaves very many things together.
for dire monitions and birds and beasts sow and the stars and rivers running contrary in their courses 405
and the father thunders hostile and evil lightnings gleam;
and terrifying voices in the shrines and the doors of the gods shut of their own will;
now a blood-red shower, now a stony rain,
and sudden manes and meetings of weeping ancestors.

tunc et Apollineae tacuere oracula Cirrhae,                 410
et non adsuetis pernox ululauit Eleusin
mensibus, et templis Sparte praesaga reclusis
uidit Amyclaeos (facinus!) concurrere fratres.
Arcades insanas latrare Lycaonis umbras
nocte ferunt tacita, saeuo decurrere campo                415
Oenomaum sua Pisa refert; Acheloon utroque
deformem cornu uagus infamabat Acarnan.
Perseos effigiem maestam exorantque Mycenae
confusum Iunonis ebur; mugire potentem
Inachon agricolae, gemini maris incola narrat                420

then also the Apollinean oracles at Cirrha fell silent,                 410
and Eleusis wailed through the night in months not accustomed to it,
and, the temples at Sparta being opened as a presage, it saw the Amyclaean brothers (a crime!) run together.
The Arcadians report that the shades of Lycaon bay madly
by night in the silent places, and rush down the savage plain;                415
Pisa tells of its Oenomaus; Acarnan, roaming both shores,
branded Acheloüs with his misshapen horn. Mycenae entreat the mournful effigy of Perseus
and the bewildered ivory of Juno; the farmers of Inachus say that the powerful river lowed,                420

Thebanum toto planxisse Palaemona ponto.
haec audit Pelopea phalanx, sed bellicus ardor
consiliis obstat diuum prohibetque timeri.
iam ripas, Asope, tuas Boeotaque uentum
flumina.

That Palaemon had dashed the Theban on the whole sea.
the Pelopid phalanx hears this, but warlike ardor
stands against counsels and the dread of the gods forbids fear.
now your banks, Asope, and the Boeotian rivers have come.

non ausae transmittere protinus alae                425
hostilem fluuium; forte et trepidantibus ingens
descendebat agris, animos siue imbrifer arcus,
seu montana dedit nubes, seu fluminis illa
mens fuit obiectusque uado pater arma uetabat.
tunc ferus Hippomedon magno cum fragmine ripae                430
cunctantem deiecit equum, ducibusque relictis
gurgite de medio frenis suspensus et armis,
'ite uiri,' clamat, 'sic uos in moenia primus
ducere, sic clausas uoueo perfringere Thebas.'
praecipitant cuncti fluuio puduitque secutos.                435

not daring to launch their wings straight across the hostile river;                425
and by chance a huge mass came down upon the trembling fields, whether a rain‑bearing arch of heaven poured, or a mountain cloud let fall, or that was the mind of the river itself, and the ford, being set before them, the father forbade arms there. Then fierce Hippomedon, with a great breaking of the bank,                430
threw down the horse that hesitated, and, his leaders left behind, hung in the middle of the stream by reins and by arms,
"Go, men," he cries, "thus do I vow first to lead you into the walls,
thus to break open the shut Thebes."                435

ac uelut ignotum si quando armenta per amnem
pastor agit, stat triste pecus, procul altera tellus
omnibus et late medius timor: ast ubi ductor
taurus init fecitque uadum, tunc mollior unda,
tunc faciles saltus, uisaeque accedere ripae.                440
    haud procul inde iugum tutisque accommoda castris
arua notant, unde urbem etiam turresque uidere
Sidonias; placuit sedes fidique receptus
colle per excelsum patulo quem subter aperto
arua sinu, nullique aliis a montibus instant                445
despectus; nec longa labor munimina durus
addidit: ipsa loco mirum natura fauebat.
in uallum elatae rupes deuexaque fossis
aequa et fortuito ductae quater aggere pinnae;
cetera dant ipsi, donec sol montibus omnis                450

and just as when a shepherd drives unknown herds across a river
the flock stands sad, the far bank to all and widely the middle a fear: but where the leader
the bull enters and has made a ford, then the wave is softer,
then the crossings easy, and the banks seen approachable.                440
    not far from there they mark a ridge and fields fit and safe for camps,
from which they even saw the city and Sidonian towers; a dwelling pleased them and a haven of trust
upon a high hill broad beneath whose open curve
fields lie, with no outlook pressing from other mountains;                445
no harsh toil added long fortifications: nature itself favored the place wonderfully.
into the rampart rise cliffs and slopes and moats
evened and by chance led with a fourfold mound of palisades;
the rest the heights themselves give, until the sun with all its light on the mountains                450

erepsit rebusque dedit sopor otia fessis.
quis queat attonitas dictis ostendere Thebas?
urbem in conspectu belli suprema parantis
territat insomnem nox atra diemque minatur.

Sleep crept in and gave respite from affairs to the weary.
who can portray Thebes stunned by those words?
the city, preparing its last things in the sight of war,
the black night terrifies the sleepless and threatens the day.

discurrunt muris; nil saeptum horrore sub illo, 455
nil fidum satis, inualidaeque Amphionis arces.
rumor ubique alius plures adnuntiat hostes,
maioresque timor; spectant tentoria contra
Inachia externosque suis in montibus ignes.
hi precibus questuque deos, hi Martia tela 460
belligerosque hortantur equos, hi pignora fletu
cara premunt miserique rogos et crastina mandant
funera.

they run about the walls; nothing enclosed is safe under that horror, 455
nothing faithworthy enough, and the weak citadels of Amphion.
a rumor everywhere proclaims yet more foes,
and a greater fear; they watch the tents opposite
the Inachian camps and foreign fires on their hills.
some by prayers and plaints implore the gods, others the martial weapons 460
and warlike steeds they urge on, some press beloved pledges with weeping
and, wretched, heap the pyres and entrust the funerals to the morrow.

si tenuis demisit lumina somnus,
bella gerunt; modo lucra morae, modo taedia uitae
attonitis; lucemque timent lucemque precantur. 465

if slender sleep has let fall their eyes,
they wage wars; now the gains of delay, now the weariness of life
astonish them; and they both fear the light and beg for the light. 465

it geminum excutiens anguem et bacchatur utrisque
Tisiphone castris; fratrem huic, fratrem ingerit illi,
aut utrique patrem: procul ille penatibus imis
excitus implorat Furias oculosque reposcit.
    iam gelidam Phoeben et caligantia primus                470
hauserat astra dies, cum iam tumet igne futuro
Oceanus lateque nouo Titane reclusum
aequor anhelantum radiis subsidit equorum:
ecce truces oculos sordentibus obsita canis
exangues Iocasta genas et bracchia planctu                475
nigra ferens ramumque oleae cum uelleris atri
nexibus, Eumenidum uelut antiquissima, portis
egreditur magna cum maiestate malorum.
hinc atque hinc natae, melior iam sexus, aniles
praecipitantem artus et plus quam possit euntem                480

she shakes off a double serpent and rages with both
Tisiphone through the camps; to this one she thrusts a brother, to that one she thrusts a brother,
or to each a father: far off, roused from his lowest penates,
he cries to the Furies and demands his eyes restored.
    now the day had first drained cold Phoebe and the dimming stars                470
when Ocean already swells with a fire to come
and far and wide the sea, laid open by the new Titan’s rays,
recedes beneath the panting steeds:
behold the grim one, her hair streaked with grey and eyes grown foul,
bearing pale Jocasta’s cheeks and arms drenched in lamentation                475
clad in black and bearing a branch of olive with ties of dark fleece,
like the most ancient of the Eumenides she issues from the gates
with great majesty of evils.
here and there her daughters, the sex now called better, aged women
fall upon the hastening limbs and hinder the goer more than he can bear                480

sustentant. uenit ante hostes, et pectore nudo
claustra aduersa ferit tremulisque ululatibus orat
admitti: 'reserate uiam! rogat impia belli
mater; in his aliquod ius execrabile castris
huic utero est.' trepidi uisam expauere manipli 485
auditamque magis; remeat iam missus Adrasto
nuntius: excipiunt iussi mediosque per enses
dant iter.

sustain they. She comes before the enemies, and with bare breast strikes the opposing barriers
and with trembling wails begs to be admitted: "Open the way! the impious mother of war begs; in these camps there is some accursed right to this womb." 485
the frightened cohorts recoiled at the sight and were the more terrified at what they heard; let a messenger now sent to Adrastus return: they receive the man ordered and make a path through the midst with their swords.

illa duces ut primum aspexit Achiuos
clamorem horrendum luctu furiata resoluit:
'Argolici proceres, ecquis monstrauerit hostem 490
quem peperi? quanam inueniam, mihi dicite, natum
sub galea?' uenit attonitae Cadmeius heros
obuius, et raptam lacrimis gaudentibus implet
solaturque tenens, atque inter singula, 'matrem,
matrem' iterat, nunc ipsam urguens, nunc cara sororum 495

as soon as she first beheld the Achaean leaders
the furious woman broke forth a horrendous cry with grief:
'Argolic chiefs, has anyone pointed out the enemy 490
whom I bore? by what means shall I find, tell me, the son
beneath his helmet?' then the Cadmean hero came to the astonished one
and, seizing her, fills her with tears that rejoice and comforts her holding her,
and among particulars repeats, 'mother,
mother,' now urging her herself, now (urging) the dear sisters 495

pectora, cum mixta fletus anus asperat ira:
'quid molles lacrimas uenerandaque nomina fingis,
rex Argiue, mihi? quid colla amplexibus ambis
inuisamque teris ferrato pectore matrem?
tune ille exilio uagus et miserabilis hospes? 500
quem non permoueas?

she beats her breasts, and the old woman, with mingled tears, vents her harsh anger:
'why do you forge soft tears and venerable names, O Argive king, for me? why do you encircle my neck with embraces
and wear down a hated mother with an iron breast? is he then a wanderer in exile and a miserably guest, 500
whom you do not move?'

longae tua iussa cohortes
expectant, multoque latus praefulgurat ense.
a miserae matres! hunc te noctesque diesque
deflebam?

your long cohorts await your orders
and your flank shines all the more with the sword.
O wretched mother! Was it for this man that I bewailed you night and day?

si uerba tamen monitusque tuorum
dignaris, dum castra silent suspensaque bellum 505
horrescit pietas, genetrix iubeoque rogoque:
i mecum patriosque deos arsuraque saltem
tecta uide, fratremque (quid aufers lumina?) fratrem
adloquere et regnum iam me sub iudice posce:
aut dabit, aut ferrum causa meliore resumes. 510

if you deign, however, to heed the words and the monition of yours,
while the camp is silent and war, suspended, piety shudders, 505
mother, I both command and beg: go with me and see the ancestral gods and at least the roofs about to burn,
and address your brother — what, do you steal away his eyes? — your brother,
and demand the kingdom from me now as judge:
either he will give it, or you will resume the sword for a better cause. 510

anne times ne forte doli, et te conscia mater
decipiam? non sic miseros fas omne penates
effugit: uix Oedipode ducente timeres.
nupsi equidem peperique nefas, sed diligo tales
(a dolor) et uestros etiamnum excuso furores. 515
quodsi adeo perstas, ultro tibi, saeue, triumphum
detulimus: religa captas in terga sorores,
inice uincla mihi: grauis huc utcumque feretur
et pater.

Or am I to fear deceit, and, your mother being privy, deceive you? The divine law does not thus wholly abandon the wretched penates: scarcely would you fear with Oedipus as leader. I indeed married and bore — a nefas — but I love such (men) (ah, pain) and I even now excuse your furies. 515
But if you persist so far, of your own accord, cruel one, we will bring you a triumph: bind the captured sisters to your rear, throw chains upon me: and even my heavy father shall be brought here somehow.

ad uestrum gemitus nunc uerto pudorem,
Inachidae, liquistis enim paruosque senesque 520
et lacrimas has quisque domi: sua credite matri
uiscera! si uobis hic paruo in tempore carus
(sitque precor), quid me, oro, decet quidue ista, Pelasgi,
ubera? ab Hyrcanis hoc Odrysiisue tulissem
regibus, et si qui nostros uicere furores. 525

to your shame now I turn my groans, Inachidae; for you have left behind little ones and old men 520
and these tears—each at home: trust a mother’s entrails! If this boy here is dear to you for so short a time (may he be, I pray), what is fitting for me, I beg, and what are those breasts, O Pelasgians? Would I have borne him off to Hyrcanian or Odrysian kings, and could any of them have mastered our rages? 525

adnuite, aut natum complexa superstite bello
hic moriar.' tumidas frangebant dicta cohortes,
nutantesque uirum galeas et sparsa uideres
fletibus arma piis. quales ubi tela uirosque
pectoris impulsu rabidi strauere leones,                530
protinus ira minor, gaudentque in corpore capto
securam differre famem: sic flexa Pelasgum
corda labant, ferrique auidus mansueuerat ardor.
    ipse etiam ante oculos nunc matris ad oscula uersus,
nunc rudis Ismenes, nunc flebiliora precantis                535
Antigones, uariaque animum turbante procella
exciderat regnum: cupit ire, et mitis Adrastus
non uetat; hic iustae Tydeus memor occupat irae:
'me potius, socii, qui fidum Eteoclea nuper
expertus, nec frater eram, me opponite regi,                 540
cuius adhuc pacem egregiam et bona foedera gesto
pectore in hoc.

Grant it, or, having clasped my son and surviving the war,
let me die here.' The swelling cohorts were broken by those words,
and you would see the helmets of the wavering men nodding and their arms
sprinkled with pious tears. Such as when maddened lions,
by the impulse of the chest, lay low men and spears,                530
at once lesser wrath, and they rejoice, with the body captured,
to defer certain hunger: thus the bent hearts of the Pelasgians
sank, and the ardor eager for iron had grown tame.     He himself even now turned before his eyes to his mother's kisses,
now to untried Ismenus, now to the more weeping Antigones beseeching                535
and a various storm, troubling his spirit, had cast down his rule: he longs to go, and gentle Adrastus
does not forbid; here Tydeus, mindful of just wrath, takes up the charge:
'Rather me, comrades, who lately proved faithful to Eteocles, though no brother was I,
set me against the king, whose still I bear in my breast an outstanding peace and good treaties                 540
in this.'

ubi tunc fidei pacisque sequestra
mater eras, pulchris cum me nox uestra morata est
hospitiis? nempe haec trahis ad commercia natum?
duc illum in campum, uestro qui sanguine pinguis 545

where then were you, mother, guardian of faith and peace,
when your night detained me with fair hospitality?
Do you indeed drag this one, born for commerce, to trafficking?
lead him into the field, he who, rich in your blood 545

spirat adhuc pinguisque meo. tu porro sequeris,
heu nimium mitis nimiumque oblite tuorum?
scilicet infestae cum te circum undique dextrae
nudabunt enses, haec flebit et arma quiescent?

he still breathes, and fat with my blood. And you furthermore follow,
alas, too gentle, and too forgetful of your own?
shall hostile right hands, when they surround you on every side,
draw forth swords, and will she weep and the arms lie idle?

tene ille, heu demens, semel intra moenia clausum 550
possessumque odiis Argiua in castra remittet?
ante haec excusso frondescet lancea ferro,
Inachus ante retro nosterque Achelous abibit.
sed mite adloquium et saeuis pax quaeritur armis:
haec quoque castra patent, necdum meruere timeri. 555
an suspectus ego?

will he, ah madman, once shut within the walls 550
and seized by Argive hatreds, return him to the camp?
before these things, with its iron shaken off, will the spear put forth leaves,
Inachus go forward and our Achelous depart backward.
but a gentle address and peace are sought with savage arms:
these camps too lie open, nor have they yet deserved to be feared. 555
am I suspected?

abscedo et mea uulnera dono.
intret: et hic genetrix eadem mediaeque sorores.
finge autem pactis euictum excedere regnis,
nempe iterum reddes?' rursus mutata trahuntur
agmina consiliis: subito ceu turbine caeli 560

I depart, and I give my wounds as a gift.
Let her enter: and here let the mother herself and the middle sisters.
But suppose, by pacts, he comes forth vanquished from the realms,
—'surely you will restore him again?'— again, with counsels changed, the ranks are drawn along:
suddenly, as by a whirlwind of the heavens 560

obuius aduersum Boreae Notus abstulit aequor.
arma iterum furiaeque placent; fera tempus Erinys
arripit et primae molitur semina pugnae.
errabant geminae Dircaea ad flumina tigres,
mite iugum, belli quondam uastator Eoi 565
currus, Erythraeis sed nuper uictor ab oris
Liber in Aonios meritas dimiserat agros.

Facing the oncoming Boreas, the South Wind swept away the sea.
arms and madness please again; savage Erinys seizes the time and fashions the first seeds of battle.
twin Dircaean tigers wandered to the rivers,
the gentle yoke, once the devastator of the Eous war-chariot, 565
but lately Liber, victor from the Erythraean shores, had cast it into the Aonian well‑earned fields.

illas turba dei seniorque ex more sacerdos
sanguinis oblitas atque Indum gramen olentes
palmite maturo uariisque ornare corymbis                570
curat et alterno maculas interligat ostro.
iamque ipsi colles, ipsa has (quid credat?) amabant
armenta, atque ausae circum mugire iuuencae;
quippe nihil grassata fames: manus obuia pascit,
exceptantque cibos fusoque horrenda supinant                 575
ora mero, uaga rure quies; si quando benigno
urbem iniere gradu, domus omnis et omnia sacris
templa calent, ipsumque fides intrasse Lyaeum.
has ubi uipereo tactas ter utramque flagello
Eumenis in furias animumque redire priorem                580

that throng of gods and the elder priest, after the custom, cares
for those forgetful of blood and scented with Indian grass,
to adorn with ripe palm-shoot and with various corymbs                570
and to bind stains with alternating purple. And now the hills themselves, these very (what to believe?) loved
the herds, and the heifers dared to low around;
for no hunger having assailed: the hand feeds what meets it,
and they receive foods and, with poured wine, horrible mouths sup,                 575
a roaming peace of the countryside; if ever with kindly step
they entered the city, every house and all the temples glowed with rites,
and Faith herself had entered the Lyaium. When, these touched three times with the viperous whip
by the Eumenides, each was turned into a Fury and the mind returned to its former state                580

impulit, erumpunt non agnoscentibus agris.
ceu duo diuerso pariter si fulmina caelo
rupta cadant longumque trahant per nubila crinem:
non aliter cursu rapidae atque inmane frementes
transiliunt campos aurigamque impete uasto,                585
Amphiarae, tuum (nec defuit omen, eriles
forte is primus equos stagna ad uicina trahebat)
corripiunt; mox Taenarium (qui proximus) Idan
Aetolumque Acamanta premunt: fuga torua per agros
cornipedum, uisa donec flammatus Aconteus                590
strage uirum, cui sueta feras prosternere uirtus
(Arcas erat), densis iam fida ad moenia uersas
insequitur telis, multumque hastile resumens
ter, quater adducto per terga, per ilia telo
transigit. illae autem longo cum limite fusi                595

he impelled them; they break out while the fields do not know them.
as if two lightnings, equally loosed in different skies,
should fall and draw a long mane along the clouds:
no less, rushing and belligerent, they bound across the plains
and with overwhelming onset overtake the charioteer, Amphiaraus—your omen was not lacking (perhaps the rustic first drove his horses to near marshes)—585
they seize him; soon Idas of Taenarum (who was nearest) and Idan
and Aetolian Acamas press upon him: a grim flight through the fields
of the horned steeds, until Aconteus, seen blazing in slaughter,590
lays low the man whose accustomed prowess was to fell wild beasts
(he was an Arcadian); now faithful to the ramparts with dense spears turned,
he pursues with weapons, and thrice, the spear-shaft drawing back much,
thrice, four times, through the backs and through the loins with thrusts of the spear
transfixes them. But those, driven far with a long line,595

sanguinis ad portas utrimque extantia ducunt
spicula semianimes, gemituque imitante querelas
saucia dilectis adclinant pectora muris.
templa putes urbemque rapi facibusque nefandis
Sidonios ardere lares, sic clamor apertis                600
exoritur muris; mallent cunabula magni
Herculis aut Semeles thalamum aut penetrale ruisse
Harmoniae. cultor Baccheus Acontea Phegeus
iam uacuum telis geminoque in sanguine ouantem
comminus ense petit; subeunt Tegeaea iuuentus                605
auxilio tardi: iam supra sacra ferarum
corpora maerenti iuuenis iacet ultio Baccho.
    rumpitur et Graium subito per castra tumultu
concilium; fugit exertos Iocasta per hostes
iam non ausa preces; natas ipsamque repellunt                610

to the gates on either side they lead spits sticking with blood
half-alive, and wounded breasts lean against the beloved walls,
with a groan imitating complaints. You would think the temples and the city seized and the Sidonian hearths burning with impious torches; thus a cry rises from the open walls                600
they would prefer the cradle of great Hercules or Semele’s bedchamber or the inner shrine of Harmony to have collapsed. Phegeus, a Bacchic worshipper of Aconteus,
now empty of spears and rejoicing in twin blood, attacks at close quarters with his sword; the Tegean youth come up                605
slow to help: already above the sacred places of the beasts lies the avenging youth grieving for Bacchus’s body.
And suddenly through the camp a Greek tumult breaks their council; Iocasta flees through the exposed enemies,
no longer daring prayers; they drive off her daughters and her herself                610

qui modo tam mites, et praeceps tempore Tydeus
utitur: 'ite age, nunc pacem sperate fidemque!
num saltem differre nefas potuitue morari,
dum genetrix dimissa redit?' sic fatus aperto
ense uocat socios. saeuus iam clamor et irae 615
hinc atque inde calent; nullo uenit ordine bellum,
confusique duces uulgo, et neglecta regentum
imperia; una equites mixti peditumque cateruae
et rapidi currus; premit indigesta ruentes
copia, nec sese uacat ostentare nec hostem 620
noscere.

who but now so gentle, and Tydeus, headlong in season, uses:
'go then, now hope for peace and fidelity!
could it not at least have been possible to defer or to delay,
while the mother, dismissed, returns?' thus having spoken with sword open
he calls his comrades. a savage shout and the angers 615
blaze here and there; war comes with no order,
the leaders confused in the common throng, and the commands
of rulers neglected; together cavalry mingled with ranks of foot
and swift chariots; an undigested mass of rushing men presses,
nor is there leisure to display themselves nor to know the enemy. 620

sic subitis Thebana Argiuaque pubes
conflixere globis; retro uexilla tubaeque
post tergum et litui bellum inuenere secuti.
tantus ab exiguo crudescit sanguine Mauors!
uentus uti primas struit intra nubila uires, 625

thus with sudden onset Theban and Argive youth clashed in spheres;
behind them banners and trumpets and lituuses found war in their wake, having followed.
so great from so small Mars grows fierce with blood!
as the wind arrays its first forces within the clouds, 625

lenis adhuc, frondesque et aperta cacumina gestat,
mox rapuit nemus et montes patefecit opacos.
    nunc age, Pieriae, non uos longinqua, sorores,
consulimus, uestras acies uestramque referte
Aoniam; uidistis enim, dum Marte propinquo                630
horrent Tyrrhenos Heliconia plectra tumultus.
    Sidonium Pterelan sonipes male fidus in armis
rumpentem frenos diuersa per agmina raptat
iam liber, sic fessa manus.

still gentle, and bears leaves and open summits,
soon it seized the grove and laid bare the shady mountains.
now come, Pierian, not from afar, O sisters,
we deliberate — bring back your ranks and your Aonian line;
you saw, for while Mars approached,630
the Heliconian plectra bristle at Tyrrhenian tumults.
the Sidonian Pterelan, a sonipes ill‑faithful in arms,
seizing the breaking reins, dashes through the disparate columns,
now free — so the hand is wearied.

uenit hasta per ambos
Tydeos: et laeuum iuueni transuerberat inguen 635
labentemque adfigit equo. fugit ille perempto
consertus domino, nec iam arma aut frena tenentem
portat adhuc: ceu nondum anima defectus utraque
cum sua Centaurus moriens in terga recumbit.
certat opus ferri: sternunt alterna furentes 640

the spear came through both Tydean men
and pierced the young man’s left groin 635
and fixed him to the slipping horse. He flees, his master slain,
the one grappled, and no longer holding either arms or reins
still bears him: as when, the breath not yet departed, both
with his own Centaur, dying, falls back upon the haunches.
the work of iron contends: alternately they lay low, raging 640

Hippomedon Sybarin, Pylium Periphanta Menoeceus,
Parthenopaeus Ityn: Sybaris iacet ense cruento,
cuspide trux Periphas, Itys insidiante sagitta.
Caeneos Inachii ferro Mauortius Haemon
colla rapit, cui diuiduum trans corpus hiantes                645
truncum oculi quaerunt, animus caput; arma iacentis
iam rapiebat Abas: cornu deprensus Achiua
dimisit moriens clipeum hostilemque suumque.
    quis tibi Baccheos, Eunaee, relinquere cultus,
quis lucos, uetitus quibus emansisse sacerdos,                650
suasit et adsuetum Bromio mutare furorem?

Hippomedon the Sybarite, Periphant of Pylos Menoeceus,
Parthenopaeus of Itys: Sybaris lies by a bloody sword,
grim Periphas by a spear, Itys by an ambushing arrow.
Caeneus, son of Inachius, Mauortian Haemon
seizes necks with iron, for through the split body the gaping eyes                645
seek the severed trunk, the spirit the head; Abas was already snatching up
the fallen man's arms: seized by an Achaean horn
he, dying, let go his shield and his own horn.
    Who persuaded you, Eunaee, to abandon Bacchic rites,
who the groves, from which the priest was forbidden to pour libations,                650
and urged you to change the customary frenzy for Bromius?

quem terrere queas? clipei penetrabile textum
pallentes hederae Nysaeaque serta coronant,
candida pampineo subnectitur instita pilo,
crine latent umeri, crescunt lanugine malae, 655

Whom can you frighten? Pale ivy and Nysian garlands crown the pierced weave of the shield,
a white tunic is bound beneath with a pampine fiber cap, shoulders lie hidden by hair, cheeks grow with downy fuzz, 655

et rubet imbellis Tyrio subtemine thorax,
bracchiaque in manicis et pictae uincula plantae
carbaseique sinus, et fibula rasilis auro
Taenariam fulua mordebat iaspide pallam,
quam super a tergo uelox gorytos et arcus                660
pendentesque sonant aurata lynce pharetrae.
it lymphante deo media inter milia longum
uociferans: 'prohibete manus, haec omine dextro
moenia Cirrhaea monstrauit Apollo iuuenca;
Parcite, in haec ultro scopuli uenere uolentes.                665
gens sacrata sumus: gener huic est Iuppiter urbi
Gradiuusque socer; Bacchum haud mentimur alumnum
et magnum Alciden.' iactanti talia frustra
turbidus aeria Capaneus occurrit in hasta.
qualis ubi primam leo mane cubilibus atris.                670

and the unwarlike breastplate glowed with Tyrian dye beneath its hem,
and the arms in sleeves and the painted thongs of the sandal-straps
and the folds of fine linen, and a clasp of beaten gold
bit a tawny Taenarian pallium with jaspis, above which at the back a swift quiver and bows                660
and the hanging golden quiver-ornaments of lyncean sound rang. She goes, proclaiming for the Lymphaean god long amid the thousands:
shouting, 'Hands off; with a right omen this heifer showed the walls of Cirrhaea to Apollo;
Spare them; they came to these rocks willingly of their own accord.                665
We are a consecrated people: Jupiter is son-in-law to this city
and Gradivus (Mars) its father-in-law; we do not deny Bacchus as foster-child
and great Alcides.' To her vaunting such things in vain
turbulent Capaneus met with his aerial spear. Such as when a lion at first light from his black lairs                670

erexit rabiem et saeuo speculatur ab antro
aut ceruum aut nondum bellantem fronte iuuencum,
it fremitu gaudens, licet arma gregesque lacessant
uenantum, praedam uidet et sua uulnera nescit:
sic tum congressu Capaneus gauisus iniquo 675
librabat magna uenturam mole cupressum.
ante tamen, 'quid femineis ululatibus,' inquit,
'terrificas, moriture, uiros? utinam ipse ueniret
cui furis!

he roused a madness and from his savage cave beholds
either a stag or a young bull not yet fighting with its brow,
he goes, rejoicing in his roar, although arms and flocks assail him
the quarry comes, he sees the spoil and knows not his wounds:
thus then Capaneus, glad in an unjust encounter, 675
poised a great cypress that was about to fall by its weight.
yet before, 'why with feminine shrieks,' he said,
'do you terrify, men doomed to die? Would that the very fury
to whom this madness belongs would come!'

haec Tyriis cane matribus!' et simul hastam
expulit; illa uolans, ceu uis non ulla moretur 680
obuia, uix sonuit clipeo et iam terga reliquit.
arma fluunt, longisque crepat singultibus aurum,
eruptusque sinus uicit cruor. occidis audax,
occidis Aonii puer altera cura Lyaei.

'Sing these things to the Tyrian mothers!' and at once he cast forth the spear; it, flying, as if no force could delay it, met him, scarcely struck the shield and already left his back.
Arms gush, and gold creaks with long sobs,
and the burst fold yielded to blood. Bold one, you slay,—you slay, Aonian boy, another care of Lyaeus.'

marcida te fractis planxerunt Ismara thyrsis, 685

withered Ismara thyrsi bewailed you, broken, 685

te Tmolos, te Nysa ferax Theseaque Naxos
et Thebana metu iuratus in orgia Ganges.
nec segnem Argolicae sensere Eteoclea turmae,
parcior ad ciues Polynicis inhorruit ensis.
eminet ante alios iam formidantibus arua 690
Amphiaraus equis ac multo puluere uertit
campum indignantem: famulo decus addit inane
maestus et extremos obitus inlustrat Apollo.

you, Tmolos, you, Nysa rich in fruit, and Thesea Naxos
and the Ganges, sworn into orgies by Theban fear.
nor did the Eteoclean troop of Argos feel sluggish,
the sword was more sparing and shuddered at the citizens of Polynices.
he towers before the others, already the fields fearing, 690
Amphiaraus with his horses and much dust turns the indignant plain:
sorrowful, he bestows a vain glory on his servant and Apollo illuminates their final deaths.

ille etiam clipeum galeamque incendit honoro
sidere; nec tarde fratri, Gradiue, dedisti 695
ne qua manus uatem, ne quid mortalia bello
laedere tela queant: sanctum et uenerabile Diti
funus eat. talis medios aufertus in hostes
certus et ipse necis, uires fiducia leti
suggerit; inde uiro maioraque membra diesque 700

he even kindled his shield and helmet with starry honor;
and not slowly did you grant to your brother, Gradiue, 695
that no hand might harm the seer, that no mortal spear might be able to wound him in war:
let his funeral go sacred and venerable to Dis. Thus snatched up into the midst of the enemy,
he himself, certain of death, confidence in death supplies strength; thence to the man greater limbs and days 700

laetior et numquam tanta experientia caeli,
si uacet: auertit morti contermina Virtus.
ardet inexpleto saeui Mauortis amore
et fruitur dextra atque anima flagrante superbit.
hicne hominum casus lenire et demere Fatis 705
iura frequens?

more joyful, and never had such an experience of heaven, if it is vacant:
Virtue, bordering on death, turns away.
he burns with the unfulfilled love of fierce Mars
and enjoys with his right hand and, proud, the soul blazing, exults.
is this — frequent among the Fates — to soften men's fortunes
and to take away their rights?

quantum subito diuersus ab illo
qui tripodas laurusque sequi, qui doctus in omni
nube salutato uolucrem cognoscere Phoebo!
innumeram ferro plebem, ceu letifer annus
aut iubar aduersi graue sideris, immolat umbris 710
ipse suis: iaculo Phlegyan iaculoque superbum
Phylea, falcato Clonin et Chremetaona curru
comminus hunc stantem metit, hunc a poplite sectum,
cuspide non missa Chromin Iphinoumque Sagenque
intonsumque Gyan sacrumque Lycorea Phoebo 715

how utterly changed at a stroke from that man
who follows tripods and laurel, who, skilled in every
cloud, can recognise the bird hailed by Phoebus!
he slays with iron countless plebs, like a death-bringing year
or the light of an unfavourable star, and offers it up to his own shades 710
himself: with a javelin Phlegyas and with a javelin proud Phylea,
with the hooked (or scythe-like) Clonius and Chremetaon in his chariot
at close quarters he mows down this one standing, that one sliced at the ham,
with a spear not thrown Chromis and Iphinous and Sagen
and unshorn Gyan and Lycorea, sacred to Phoebus 715

(inuitus: iam fraxineum demiserat hastae par robur,
et excussis apparuit infula cristis),
Alcathoum saxo, cui circum stagna Carysti
et domus et coniunx et amantes litora nati.
uixerat ille diu pauper scrutator aquarum,                720
decepit tellus, moriens hiemesque Notosque
laudat et experti meliora pericula ponti.
    aspicit has longe iamdudum Asopius Hypseus
palantum strages ardetque auertere pugnam,
quamquam haud ipse minus curru Tirynthia fundens                725
robora; sed uiso praesens minor augure sanguis:
illum armis animisque cupit. prohibebat iniquo
agmine consertum cunei latus; inde superbus
exeruit patriis electum missile ripis,
ac prius: 'Aonidum diues largitor aquarum,                730

(reluctant: now he had let fall the ash-wood strength, equal to a spear,
and with the crests shaken the fillet appeared),
Alcathous by a rock, around whom the pools of Carystus
and house and wife and shores dear to his lovers lay.
he had lived long a poor seeker of waters,                720
the earth betrayed him, dying he praises the wintry storms and the South Winds
and the sea experienced, and prefers the more perilous waves.
    far off Asopius Hypseus now sees these things long since
the slaughter of the planks and burns to avert the fight,
although no less he himself with his Tirynthian chariot pouring forth                725
(was) of strength; but seeing the present augury the blood is diminished:
he desires that man in arms and spirit. The welded wedge was checked
by an unjust battle-line at the flank; thence proudly
he hurled a missile chosen from his ancestral banks,
and before (this) said: "O rich bestower of Aonian waters,                730

clare Giganteis etiamnum, Asope, fauillis,
da numen dextrae: rogat hoc natusque tuique
quercus alumna uadi; fas et me spernere Phoebum,
si tibi conlatus diuum sator. omnia mergam
fontibus arma tuis tristesque sine augure uittas.' 735
audierat genitor: uetat indulgere uolentem
Phoebus, et aurigam iactus detorquet in Hersen.
ille ruit: deus ipse uagis succedit habenis,
Lernaeum falso simulans Haliacmona uultu.

shine still with Giant-like embers, Asopus, grant a divinity to my right hand:
this he begs, and your son and the oak, foster-child of the ford, entreats it;
and it is right that Phoebus spurn me, if the gods' begetter were bestowed on you.
I will plunge everything — my arms into your springs and my sad fillets without augury.' 735
his father had heard: Phoebus forbids to indulge the willing one,
and he twists the hurled charioteer off into Hersen. He rushes: the god himself takes the wandering reins,
falsely assuming a visage like Haliacmon of Lerna.

tunc uero ardenti non ulla obsistere temptant 740
signa, ruunt solo terrore, et uulnere citra
mors trepidis ignaua uenit, dubiumque tuenti
presserit infestos onus impuleritne iugales.
sic ubi nubiferum montis latus aut noua uentis
soluit hiems, aut uicta situ non pertulit aetas, 745

then indeed not any signs try to resist the burning, 740
they rush down to the ground in terror, and death, cowardly, comes to the trembling without a wound,
and the doubtful weight presses upon the beholder whether hostile yoked forces have driven him on.
Thus when the cloud-bearing flank of a mountain or a new winter loosens to the winds,
or when an age, conquered by decay, could no longer endure, 745

desilit horrendus campo timor, arua uirosque
limite non uno longaeuaque robora secum
praecipitans, tandemque exhaustus turbine fesso
aut uallem cauat aut medios intercipit amnes.
non secus ingentique uiro magnoque grauatus 750
temo deo nunc hoc, nunc illo in sanguine feruet.
ipse sedens telis pariterque ministrat habenis
Delius, ipse docet iactus aduersaque flectit
spicula fortunamque hastis uenientibus aufert.

a dreadful Fear vaulted down upon the plain, the fields and the men,
sweeping away with it oaks of long age over more than one boundary,
and at last, spent by the whirlwind, weary, it either hollowed out a valley
or cut off the rivers in their middle course. Not otherwise, burdened by the great man and the mighty god, 750
the spear‑shaft now seethes in this one's blood, now in that one's. He himself, seated, equally tends the weapons and the reins—
the Delian himself trains the throws and bends the opposing spears,
and carries off good fortune from spears that come.

sternuntur terra Melaneus pedes, Antiphus alto 755
nil defensus equo, genitusque Heliconide nympha
Aetion, caesoque infamis fratre Polites,
conatusque toris uittatam attingere Manto
Lampus: in hunc sacras Phoebus dedit ipse sagittas.
et iam cornipedes trepidi ad moribunda reflantes 760

Melaneus' feet lie strewn on the ground, Antiphus on the deep 755
not defended by any horse, and Aetion, begotten of a Heliconian nymph,
and Polites, infamous with his brother slain,
and Lampus, who strove to touch Manto, veiled on couches:
upon this one Phoebus himself gave sacred arrows.
and now the horn‑footed steeds, trembling, blowing back toward the dying 760

corpora rimantur terras, omnisque per artus
sulcus et incisis altum rubet orbita membris.
hos iam ignorantes terit impius axis, at illi
uulnere semineces (nec deuitare facultas)
uenturum super ora uident; iam lubrica tabo                765
frena, nec insisti madidus dat temo, rotaeque
sanguine difficiles, et tardior ungula fossis
uisceribus: tunc ipse furens in morte relicta
spicula et e mediis extantes ossibus hastas
auellit, strident animae currumque sequuntur.                770
    tandem se famulo summum confessus Apollo
'utere luce tua longamque' ait 'indue famam,
dum tibi me iunctum Mors inreuocata ueretur.
uincimur: inmites scis nulla reuoluere Parcas
stamina; uade diu populis promissa uoluptas                775

bodies are scraped along the earth, and through every limb
a furrow and the deep track reddens in the cut flesh.
the impious axle already grinds these, ignorant, but they
half-dead from the wound (nor is there power to avoid)
see it coming over their faces; now the reins slick with gore                765
give no hold, the wet pole will not be planted, and the wheels
are clogged with blood, and the hoof, slower, in the ditches
with entrails: then he himself, raging, left in death,
tears out spears and javelins standing from the midst of bones,
the souls squeal and follow the chariot.                770
    till at last Apollo, acknowledging himself supreme to his servant,
said, 'use your light and don a long renown,
while Death, unrevoked, fears me joined to you.
we are overcome: you know the merciless Parcae do not unwind their
threads; go, long be the pleasure promised to the peoples'                775

Elysiis, certe non perpessure Creontis
imperia aut uetito nudus iaciture sepulcro.'
ille refert contra, et paulum respirat ab armis:
'olim te, Cirrhaee pater, peritura sedentem
ad iuga (quis tantus miseris honor?) axe trementi 780
sensimus; instantes quonam usque morabere manes?
audio iam rapidae cursum Stygis atraque Ditis
flumina tergeminosque mali custodis hiatus.
accipe commissum capiti decus, accipe laurus,
quas Erebo deferre nefas.

Elysian, certainly not to be endured are Creontis' commands, nor will one be cast naked into a forbidden tomb.'
he answers in turn, and a little withdraws his breath from his arms:
'Once we perceived you, father of Cirrhae, sitting destined to perish 780
at the yoke (what so great an honour for the wretched?) on a trembling axle; we felt you; how long, O threatening shades, will you delay?
I already hear the swift course of the Styx and the black rivers of Dis
and the threefold gorges of the guardian of evil. Receive the glory entrusted to your head, receive the laurel,
which it is a sacrilege to carry down to Erebus.

nunc uoce suprema, 785
si qua recessuro debetur gratia uati,
deceptum tibi, Phoebe, larem poenasque nefandae
coniugis et pulchrum nati commendo furorem.'
desiluit maerens lacrimasque auertit Apollo:
tunc uero ingemuit currusque orbique iugales. 790

now with his last voice, 785
if any grace is due to a prophet departing,
I entrust to you, Phoebus, the deceived household and the penalties of an impious wife
and the fair madness of my son.'
he leapt down grieving and Apollo turned away his tears:
then indeed he groaned, and the chariot and the yoked wheels of the axle. 790

non aliter caeco nocturni turbine Cauri
scit peritura ratis, cum iam damnata sororis
igne Therapnaei fugerunt carbasa fratres.
    iamque recessurae paulatim horrescere terrae
summaque terga quati grauiorque efferuere puluis                795
coeperat; inferno mugit iam murmure campus.
bella putant trepidi bellique hunc esse fragorem
hortanturque gradus; alius tremor arma uirosque
mirantesque inclinat equos; iam frondea nutant
culmina, iam muri, ripisque Ismenos apertis                800
effugit; exciderunt irae, nutantia figunt
tela solo, dubiasque uagi nituntur in hastas
comminus inque uicem uiso pallore recedunt.
sic ubi nauales miscet super aequora pugnas
contempto Bellona mari, si forte benigna                805

no otherwise did the blind whirlwind of the nocturnal Caurus
know the doomed raft, when already the sails of the Therapnaean
brothers, condemned by their sister’s fire, fled.
    and now the earth, about to withdraw, began little by little to bristle,
and the highest backs to shake and the heavier dust to be thrown up                795
began; the plain already bellowed with an underworld murmur.
The fearful think it wars and that this is the clash of battle;
they spur their steps on; another trembling topples arms and men
and bends the wondering horses; now leafy summits nod,
now walls, and the Ismenus flees with its banks laid bare                800
furies have broken loose, the nodding ones fix their weapons
in the soil, and wavering spears lean against roaming lances
at close quarters, and with a pallor seen they withdraw in turn.
Thus when naval fights mingle over the seas
with Bellona scorning the sea, if by chance she is gracious                805

tempestas, sibi quisque cauent, ensesque recondit
mors alia, et socii pacem fecere timores.
talis erat campo belli fluitantis imago.
siue laborantes concepto flamine terrae
uentorum rabiem et clausum eiecere furorem,                810
exedit seu putre solum carpsitque terendo
unda latens, siue hac uoluentis machina caeli
incubuit, siue omne fretum Neptunia mouit
cuspis et extremas grauius mare torsit in oras,
seu uati datus ille fragor, seu terra minata est                815
fratribus: ecce alte praeceps humus ore profundo
dissilit, inque uicem timuerunt sidera et umbrae.
illum ingens haurit specus et transire parentes
mergit equos; non arma manu, non frena remisit:
sicut erat, rectos defert in Tartara currus,                820

tempest, each one takes heed for himself, and another death sheaths the swords,
and comrades made peace with their fears.
Such was the image of the war floating on the field.
Whether the laboring earth, with a blast conceived, cast out the rage of the winds
and expelled the imprisoned fury,                 810
or the putrid soil gnawed away, wearing down the hidden wave by grinding,
or this machine of the rolling heaven fell upon them, or Neptune’s spear
stirred the whole sea and more grievously twisted the outer shores of the deep,
or that crash was given to the seer, or the earth menaced the brothers:                 815
behold, the high steep ground bursts open with a deep mouth,
and in turn the stars and shadows trembled with fear.
A vast cavern swallowed him and, plunging, engulfs the horses as they attempted to cross;
it yielded neither arms in hand nor loosened reins: as he was, it bears the chariots straight down into Tartarus,                820

respexitque cadens caelum, campumque coire
ingemuit, donec leuior distantia rursus
miscuit arua tremor lucemque exclusit Auerno.

and the collapsing sky looked back, and the plain groaned to come together
until a lighter tremor again mingled the distant fields
and shut out light from Avernus.