1. Homer, Iliad, 7.44-7.45, 7.53, 21.284-21.304 (8th cent. BCE - 7th cent. BCE)
Tagged with subjects: • Helenus • Helenus (seer),
Found in books: Farrell (2021), Juno's Aeneid: A Battle for Heroic Identity, 253; Lipka (2021), Epiphanies and Dreams in Greek Polytheism: Textual Genres and 'Reality' from Homer to Heliodorus, 28; Luck (2006), Arcana mundi: magic and the occult in the Greek and Roman worlds: a collection of ancient texts, 298; Mowat (2021), Engendering the Future: Divination and the Construction of Gender in the Late Roman Republic, 47
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7.44 τῶν δʼ Ἕλενος Πριάμοιο φίλος παῖς σύνθετο θυμῷ 7.45 βουλήν, ἥ ῥα θεοῖσιν ἐφήνδανε μητιόωσι·
7.53 ὣς γὰρ ἐγὼ ὄπʼ ἄκουσα θεῶν αἰειγενετάων.
21.284 ὣς φάτο, τῷ δὲ μάλʼ ὦκα Ποσειδάων καὶ Ἀθήνη 21.285 στήτην ἐγγὺς ἰόντε, δέμας δʼ ἄνδρεσσιν ἐΐκτην, 21.286 χειρὶ δὲ χεῖρα λαβόντες ἐπιστώσαντʼ ἐπέεσσι. 21.287 τοῖσι δὲ μύθων ἦρχε Ποσειδάων ἐνοσίχθων· 21.288 Πηλεΐδη μήτʼ ἄρ τι λίην τρέε μήτέ τι τάρβει· 21.289 τοίω γάρ τοι νῶϊ θεῶν ἐπιταρρόθω εἰμὲν 21.290 Ζηνὸς ἐπαινήσαντος ἐγὼ καὶ Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη· 21.291 ὡς οὔ τοι ποταμῷ γε δαμήμεναι αἴσιμόν ἐστιν, 21.292 ἀλλʼ ὅδε μὲν τάχα λωφήσει, σὺ δὲ εἴσεαι αὐτός· 21.293 αὐτάρ τοι πυκινῶς ὑποθησόμεθʼ αἴ κε πίθηαι· 21.294 μὴ πρὶν παύειν χεῖρας ὁμοιΐου πολέμοιο 21.295 πρὶν κατὰ Ἰλιόφι κλυτὰ τείχεα λαὸν ἐέλσαι 21.296 Τρωϊκόν, ὅς κε φύγῃσι· σὺ δʼ Ἕκτορι θυμὸν ἀπούρας 21.297 ἂψ ἐπὶ νῆας ἴμεν· δίδομεν δέ τοι εὖχος ἀρέσθαι. 21.298 τὼ μὲν ἄρʼ ὣς εἰπόντε μετʼ ἀθανάτους ἀπεβήτην· 21.299 αὐτὰρ ὃ βῆ, μέγα γάρ ῥα θεῶν ὄτρυνεν ἐφετμή, 21.300 ἐς πεδίον· τὸ δὲ πᾶν πλῆθʼ ὕδατος ἐκχυμένοιο, 21.301 πολλὰ δὲ τεύχεα καλὰ δαὶ κταμένων αἰζηῶν 21.302 πλῶον καὶ νέκυες· τοῦ δʼ ὑψόσε γούνατʼ ἐπήδα 21.303 πρὸς ῥόον ἀΐσσοντος ἀνʼ ἰθύν, οὐδέ μιν ἴσχεν 21.304 εὐρὺ ῥέων ποταμός· μέγα γὰρ σθένος ἔμβαλʼ Ἀθήνη.'' None | sup>
7.44 to do battle with him man to man in dread combat. So shall the bronze-greaved Achaeans have indignation and rouse some one to do battle in single combat against goodly Hector. So he spake, and the goddess, flashing-eyed Athene, failed not to hearken. And Helenus, the dear son of Priam, understood in spirit ' "7.45 this plan that had found pleasure with the gods in council; and he came and stood by Hector's side, and spake to him, saying:Hector, son of Priam, peer of Zeus in counsel, wouldst thou now in anywise hearken unto me? for I am thy brother. Make the Trojans to sit down, and all the Achaeans, " 7.53 /and do thou challenge whoso is best of the Achaeans to do battle with thee man to man in dread combat. Not yet is it thy fate to die and meet thy doom; for thus have I heard the voice of the gods that are for ever. So spake he and Hector rejoiced greatly when he heard his words;
21.284 then had a brave man been the slayer, and a brave man had he slain. But now by a miserable death was it appointed me to be cut off, pent in the great river, like a swine-herd boy whom a torrent sweepeth away as he maketh essay to cross it in winter. So spake he, and forthwith Poseidon and Pallas Athene 21.285 drew nigh and stood by his side, being likened in form to mortal men, and they clasped his hand in theirs and pledged him in words. And among them Poseidon, the Shaker of Earth, was first to speak:Son of Peleus, tremble not thou overmuch, neither be anywise afraid, such helpers twain are we from the gods— 21.290 and Zeus approveth thereof —even I and Pallas Athene. Therefore is it not thy doom to be vanquished by a river; nay, he shall soon give respite, and thou of thyself shalt know it. But we will give thee wise counsel, if so be thou wilt hearken. Make not thine hands to cease from evil battle 21.295 until within the famed walls of Ilios thou hast pent the Trojan host, whosoever escapeth. But for thyself, when thou hast bereft Hector of life, come thou back to the ships; lo, we grant thee to win glory. 21.299 until within the famed walls of Ilios thou hast pent the Trojan host, whosoever escapeth. But for thyself, when thou hast bereft Hector of life, come thou back to the ships; lo, we grant thee to win glory. When the twain had thus spoken, they departed to the immortals, but he went on 21.300 toward the plain, or mightily did the bidding of the gods arouse him; and the whole plain was filled with a flood of water, and many goodly arms and corpses of youths slain in battle were floating there. But on high leapt his knees, as he rushed straight on against the flood, nor might the wide-flowing River stay him; for Athene put in him great strength. 21.304 toward the plain, or mightily did the bidding of the gods arouse him; and the whole plain was filled with a flood of water, and many goodly arms and corpses of youths slain in battle were floating there. But on high leapt his knees, as he rushed straight on against the flood, nor might the wide-flowing River stay him; for Athene put in him great strength. '' None |
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2. Sophocles, Philoctetes, 86-120, 126-131, 592-596, 610-619, 839-842, 1054-1062, 1333, 1337-1342, 1415, 1423-1424, 1437-1438 (5th cent. BCE - 5th cent. BCE)
Tagged with subjects: • Helenus • Helenus (Trojan seer) • Helenus, and Neoptolemus • Helenus, and Philoctetes • Helenus, as the voice of the gods • Neoptolemus, and Helenus • Odysseus, and Helenus • Philoctetes, Helenus' prophecy • Philoctetes, and Helenus • oracle, of Helenus
Found in books: Budelmann (1999), The Language of Sophocles: Communality, Communication, and Involvement, 111, 112, 113, 114, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 188; Fletcher (2012), Performing Oaths in Classical Greek Drama, 93; Jouanna (2018), Sophocles: A Study of His Theater in Its Political and Social Context, 57, 75, 330, 374, 375; Lipka (2021), Epiphanies and Dreams in Greek Polytheism: Textual Genres and 'Reality' from Homer to Heliodorus, 92, 93; Sommerstein and Torrance (2014), Oaths and Swearing in Ancient Greece, 96
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86 I abhor acting on advice, son of Laertes , which causes pain in the hearing. It is not in my nature to achieve anything by means of evil cunning, nor was it, as I hear, in my father’s. 90 But I am ready to take the man by force and without treachery, since with the use of one foot only, he will not overcome so many of us in a struggle. And yet I was sent to assist you and am reluctant to be called traitor. Still I prefer, my king, 95 to fail when doing what is honorable than to be victorious in a dishonorable manner. Odysseu 96 Son of a father so noble, I, too, in my youth once had a slow tongue and an active hand. But now that I have come forth to the test, I see that the tongue, not action, is what masters everything among men. Neoptolemu 100 What, then, are your orders—apart from my lying? Odysseu'101 I command you to take Philoctetes by deceit. Neoptolemu 102 And why by deceit rather than by persuasion? Odysseu 103 He will never listen; and by force you cannot take him. Neoptolemu 104 Has he strength so terrific to make him bold? Odysseu 105 Yes, shafts inevitable, escorts of death. Neoptolemu 106 Then one does not dare even approach him? Odysseu 107 No, unless he takes the man by deceit, as I prescribe. Neoptolemu 108 Then you think it brings no shame to speak what is false? Odysseu 109 No, not if the falsehood yields deliverance. Neoptolemu 110 And with what expression on his face will anyone dare mouth those lies? Odysseu 111 When what you do promises gain, it is wrong to shrink back. Neoptolemu 112 And what gain is it for me that he should come to Troy ? Odysseu 113 His arrows alone will capture Troy . Neoptolemu 114 Then I am not to be the conqueror, as you said? Odysseu 115 Neither will you be without them, nor they without you. Neoptolemu 116 It would seem, then, that we must track them down, if things stand as you say. Odysseu 117 Know that by doing this task, you win two rewards. Neoptolemu 118 What are they? If I knew, I would not refuse the deed. Odysseu 119 You will be celebrated in the same breath as clever and as noble. Neoptolemu 120 So be it! I will do it, and cast off all shame. Odysseu
126 and I will send our lookout back to your ship. And, if in my view you seem to linger at all beyond the due time, I will send that same man back again, after disguising him as the captain of a merchant-ship, so that secrecy may be on our side. 130 Then, son, as he tells his artful story, take whatever in his tale is from time to time helpful to you. Now I will go to the ship, leaving matters here to you. May escorting Hermes the Deceiver, lead us on, and divine Victory, Athena Polias, who saves me always! Exit Odysseus, on the spectators’ left. Choru
592 I will. It is after this man that those two whom I named to you, Diomedes and forceful Odysseus, are sailing. They are oath-bound to retrieve him, either by winning words or by overpowering might. 595 And all the Achaeans heard this clearly from the mouth Odysseus, for his confidence of success in this action was higher than his comrade’s. Neoptolemu
610 Helenus then prophesied for them whatever matter they asked, and, pertaining to Troy , he foretold that they would never sack its towers, unless by winning words they should bring Philoctetes here from the island where he now dwells. And, as soon as he heard the seer prophecy this, Laertes ’ son 615 immediately promised that he would bring the man and show him to the Achaeans. He thought it most likely that he would get him willingly, but, if unwilling, then by force, and he added that, were he to fail in this, whoever wished it might sever his head.
839 No, even though he hears nothing, I see that 840 we have made this bow our quarry to no end, if we sail without him. His must be the victor’s crown. It is he that the god commanded we bring. It would be a foul disgrace upon us to boast of deeds in which failure and fraud had equal parts. Choru
1054 And accordingly, where the judgment at hand is of just and good men, you could find no man more pious than me. Victory, however, is my inborn desire in every field—save with regard to you. To you, in this case, I will gladly give way. Yes, release him, and lay not another finger upon him. 1055 Let him stay here. We have no further need of you, now that we have these weapons. For Teucer is there among our forces, well-skilled in this craft, as am I, and I believe that I can master this bow in no way worse than you, and point it with no worse a hand. 1060 So what need is there of you? Farewell! Enjoy your strolls on Lemnos ! We must be going. And perhaps your onetime prize will bring me the honor which ought to have been your own. Philoctete
1333 as long as the sun still rises in the east and sets in the west, until of your own free will you come to the plains of Troy , find there the sons of Asclepius, our comrades, be relieved of this infection, and, with this bow’
1337 aid and mine, be hailed as the sacker of Troy ’s towers. How I know these things are so ordained, I will tell you. We have a Trojan prisoner, Helenus, foremost among seers, who says plainly that all this must come to pass, and further, 1340 that this very summer must see the complete capture of Troy . Otherwise he willingly gives himself over for execution, if these prophecies of his prove false. Therefore, now that you understand everything, give way graciously. It is a glorious addition to your gain to be singled out
1415 to reveal to you the purposes of Zeus, and to halt the journey on which you are departing. Hearken to my words. First I would tell you of my own fortunes—how, by toiling through and enduring so many toils to the end, I have won the glory of deathlessness, as you witness.
1423 And for you, be sure, this fate is ordained, that through these toils of yours you will make your life far-famed. You shall go with this man to the Trojan city, where, first, you shall be healed of your cruel sickness,
1437 for you have not the might to subdue the Trojan realm without him, nor he without you. Rather, like twin lions with the same quarry, each of you must guard the other’s life. For the healing of your sickness, I will send Asclepius to Troy , since it is doomed to fall a second time ' None |
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3. Vergil, Aeneis, 2.681-2.686, 3.246, 3.252, 3.294-3.410, 3.412-3.470, 8.42
Tagged with subjects: • Aeneas at Cumae, prophecy of Helenus • Cumaean Sibyl, described by Helenus • Helenus
Found in books: Farrell (2021), Juno's Aeneid: A Battle for Heroic Identity, 130, 245; Mowat (2021), Engendering the Future: Divination and the Construction of Gender in the Late Roman Republic, 47, 85; Pillinger (2019), Cassandra and the Poetics of Prophecy in Greek and Latin Literature, 156, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164; Santangelo (2013), Roman Frugality: Modes of Moderation from the Archaic Age to the Early Empire and Beyond, 232
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2.681 Namque manus inter maestorumque ora parentum 2.682 ecce levis summo de vertice visus Iuli 2.683 fundere lumen apex, tactuque innoxia mollis 2.684 lambere flamma comas et circum tempora pasci. 2.685 Nos pavidi trepidare metu, crinemque flagrantem 2.686 excutere et sanctos restinguere fontibus ignis.
3.246 infelix vates, rumpitque hanc pectore vocem:
3.252 praedixit, vobis Furiarum ego maxuma pando.
3.294 Hic incredibilis rerum fama occupat auris, 3.295 Priamiden Helenum Graias regnare per urbes, 3.296 coniugio Aeacidae Pyrrhi sceptrisque potitum, 3.297 et patrio Andromachen iterum cessisse marito. 3.298 Obstipui, miroque incensum pectus amore, 3.299 compellare virum et casus cognoscere tantos. 3.300 Progredior portu, classis et litora linquens, 3.301 sollemnis cum forte dapes et tristia dona 3.302 ante urbem in luco falsi Simoentis ad undam 3.303 libabat cineri Andromache, Manisque vocabat 3.304 Hectoreum ad tumulum, viridi quem caespite iem 3.305 et geminas, causam lacrimis, sacraverat aras. 3.306 Ut me conspexit venientem et Troïa circum 3.307 arma amens vidit, magnis exterrita monstris 3.308 deriguit visu in medio, calor ossa reliquit; 3.309 labitur, et longo vix tandem tempore fatur: 3.310 Verane te facies, verus mihi nuntius adfers, 3.311 nate dea? Vivisne, aut, si lux alma recessit, 3.312 Hector ubi est? Dixit, lacrimasque effudit et omnem 3.313 implevit clamore locum. Vix pauca furenti 3.314 subicio, et raris turbatus vocibus hisco: 3.315 Vivo equidem, vitamque extrema per omnia duco; 3.316 ne dubita, nam vera vides. 3.317 Heu, quis te casus deiectam coniuge tanto 3.318 excipit, aut quae digna satis fortuna revisit 3.319 Hectoris Andromachen? Pyrrhin’ conubia servas? 3.320 Deiecit vultum et demissa voce locuta est: 3.321 O felix una ante alias Priameïa virgo, 3.322 hostilem ad tumulum Troiae sub moenibus altis 3.323 iussa mori, quae sortitus non pertulit ullos, 3.324 nec victoris eri tetigit captiva cubile! 3.325 nos, patria incensa, diversa per aequora vectae, 3.326 stirpis Achilleae fastus iuvenemque superbum, 3.327 servitio enixae, tulimus: qui deinde, secutus 3.328 Ledaeam Hermionen Lacedaemoniosque hymenaeos, 3.329 me famulo famulamque Heleno transmisit habendam. 3.330 Ast illum, ereptae magno inflammatus amore 3.331 coniugis et scelerum Furiis agitatus, Orestes 3.332 excipit incautum patriasque obtruncat ad aras. 3.333 Morte Neoptolemi regnorum reddita cessit 3.334 pars Heleno, qui Chaonios cognomine campos 3.335 Chaoniamque omnem Troiano a Chaone dixit, 3.336 Pergamaque Iliacamque iugis hanc addidit arcem. 3.337 Sed tibi qui cursum venti, quae fata dedere? 3.338 Aut quisnam ignarum nostris deus adpulit oris? 3.339 Quid puer Ascanius? superatne et vescitur aura, 3.340 quem tibi iam Troia— 3.341 Ecqua tamen puero est amissae cura parentis? 3.342 Ecquid in antiquam virtutem animosque virilis 3.343 et pater Aeneas et avunculus excitat Hector? 3.344 Talia fundebat lacrimans longosque ciebat 3.345 incassum fletus, cum sese a moenibus heros 3.346 Priamides multis Helenus comitantibus adfert, 3.347 adgnoscitque suos, laetusque ad limina ducit, 3.348 et multum lacrimas verba inter singula fundit. 3.349 Procedo, et parvam Troiam simulataque magnis 3.350 Pergama, et arentem Xanthi cognomine rivum 3.351 adgnosco, Scaeaeque amplector limina portae. 3.352 Nec non et Teucri socia simul urbe fruuntur: 3.353 illos porticibus rex accipiebat in amplis; 3.354 aulaï medio libabant pocula Bacchi, 3.355 impositis auro dapibus, paterasque tenebant. 3.356 Iamque dies alterque dies processit, et aurae 3.357 vela vocant tumidoque inflatur carbasus austro. 3.358 His vatem adgredior dictis ac talia quaeso: 3.359 Troiugena, interpres divom, qui numina Phoebi, 3.360 qui tripodas, Clarii laurus, qui sidera sentis, 3.361 et volucrum linguas et praepetis omina pennae, 3.363 religio, et cuncti suaserunt numine divi 3.364 Italiam petere et terras temptare repostas: 3.365 sola novum dictuque nefas Harpyia Celaeno 3.366 prodigium canit, et tristis denuntiat iras, 3.367 obscenamque famem—quae prima pericula vito? 3.368 Quidve sequens tantos possim superare labores? 3.369 Hic Helenus, caesis primum de more iuvencis, 3.370 exorat pacem divom, vittasque resolvit 3.371 sacrati capitis, meque ad tua limina, Phoebe, 3.372 ipse manu multo suspensum numine ducit, 3.373 atque haec deinde canit divino ex ore sacerdos: 3.374 Nate dea,—nam te maioribus ire per altum 3.375 auspiciis manifesta fides: sic fata deum rex 3.376 sortitur, volvitque vices; is vertitur ordo— 3.377 pauca tibi e multis, quo tutior hospita lustres 3.378 aequora et Ausonio possis considere portu, 3.379 expediam dictis; prohibent nam cetera Parcae 3.380 scire Helenum farique vetat Saturnia Iuno. 3.381 Principio Italiam, quam tu iam rere propinquam 3.382 vicinosque, ignare, paras invadere portus, 3.383 longa procul longis via dividit invia terris. 3.384 Ante et Trinacria lentandus remus in unda, 3.385 et salis Ausonii lustrandum navibus aequor, 3.386 infernique lacus, Aeaeaeque insula Circae, 3.387 quam tuta possis urbem componere terra: 3.388 signa tibi dicam, tu condita mente teneto: 3.390 litoreis ingens inventa sub ilicibus sus 3.391 triginta capitum fetus enixa iacebit. 3.392 alba, solo recubans, albi circum ubera nati, 3.393 is locus urbis erit, requies ea certa laborum. 3.394 Nec tu mensarum morsus horresce futuros: 3.395 fata viam invenient, aderitque vocatus Apollo. 3.396 Has autem terras, Italique hanc litoris oram, 3.397 proxuma quae nostri perfunditur aequoris aestu, 3.398 effuge; cuncta malis habitantur moenia Grais. 3.399 Hic et Narycii posuerunt moenia Locri, 3.400 et Sallentinos obsedit milite campos 3.401 Lyctius Idomeneus; hic illa ducis Meliboei 3.402 parva Philoctetae subnixa Petelia muro. 3.403 Quin, ubi transmissae steterint trans aequora classes, 3.404 et positis aris iam vota in litore solves, 3.405 purpureo velare comas adopertus amictu, 3.406 ne qua inter sanctos ignis in honore deorum 3.407 hostilis facies occurrat et omina turbet. 3.408 Hunc socii morem sacrorum, hunc ipse teneto: 3.409 hac casti maneant in religione nepotes. 3.410 Ast ubi digressum Siculae te admoverit orae
3.412 laeva tibi tellus et longo laeva petantur 3.413 aequora circuitu: dextrum fuge litus et undas. 3.414 Haec loca vi quondam et vasta convolsa ruina— 3.415 tantum aevi longinqua valet mutare vetustas— 3.416 dissiluisse ferunt, cum protinus utraque tellus 3.417 una foret; venit medio vi pontus et undis 3.418 Hesperium Siculo latus abscidit, arvaque et urbes 3.419 litore diductas angusto interluit aestu. 3.420 Dextrum Scylla latus, laevum implacata Charybdis 3.421 obsidet, atque imo barathri ter gurgite vastos 3.422 sorbet in abruptum fluctus, rursusque sub auras 3.423 erigit alternos et sidera verberat unda. 3.424 At Scyllam caecis cohibet spelunca latebris, 3.425 ora exsertantem et navis in saxa trahentem. 3.426 Prima hominis facies et pulchro pectore virgo 3.427 pube tenus, postrema immani corpore pristis, 3.428 delphinum caudas utero commissa luporum. 3.429 Praestat Trinacrii metas lustrare Pachyni 3.430 cessantem, longos et circumflectere cursus, 3.431 quam semel informem vasto vidisse sub antro 3.432 Scyllam, et caeruleis canibus resotia saxa. 3.433 Praeterea, si qua est Heleno prudentia, vati 3.434 si qua fides, animum si veris implet Apollo, 3.435 unum illud tibi, nate dea, proque omnibus unum 3.436 praedicam, et repetens iterumque iterumque monebo: 3.437 Iunonis magnae primum prece numen adora; 3.438 Iunoni cane vota libens, dominamque potentem 3.439 supplicibus supera donis: sic denique victor 3.440 Trinacria finis Italos mittere relicta. 3.441 Huc ubi delatus Cumaeam accesseris urbem, 3.442 divinosque lacus, et Averna sotia silvis, 3.443 insanam vatem aspicies, quae rupe sub ima 3.444 fata canit, foliisque notas et nomina mandat. 3.445 Quaecumque in foliis descripsit carmina virgo, 3.446 digerit in numerum, atque antro seclusa relinquit. 3.447 Illa manent immota locis, neque ab ordine cedunt; 3.448 verum eadem, verso tenuis cum cardine ventus 3.450 numquam deinde cavo volitantia prendere saxo, 3.451 nec revocare situs aut iungere carmina curat: 3.452 inconsulti abeunt, sedemque odere Sibyllae. 3.453 Hic tibi ne qua morae fuerint dispendia tanti,— 3.454 quamvis increpitent socii, et vi cursus in altum 3.455 vela vocet, possisque sinus implere secundos,— 3.456 quin adeas vatem precibusque oracula poscas 3.457 ipsa canat, vocemque volens atque ora resolvat. 3.458 Illa tibi Italiae populos venturaque bella, 3.459 et quo quemque modo fugiasque ferasque laborem 3.460 expediet, cursusque dabit venerata secundos. 3.461 Haec sunt, quae nostra liceat te voce moneri. 3.462 Vade age, et ingentem factis fer ad aethera Troiam. 3.463 Quae postquam vates sic ore effatus amico est, 3.464 dona dehinc auro gravia sectoque elephanto 3.465 imperat ad navis ferri, stipatque carinis 3.466 ingens argentum, Dodonaeosque lebetas, 3.467 loricam consertam hamis auroque trilicem, 3.468 et conum insignis galeae cristasque comantis, 3.469 arma Neoptolemi; sunt et sua dona parenti. 3.470 Addit equos, additque duces;
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2.681 hattered, and in his very hearth and home ' "2.682 th' exulting foe, the aged King did bind " '2.683 his rusted armor to his trembling thews,— 2.684 all vainly,— and a useless blade of steel 2.685 he girded on; then charged, resolved to die 2.686 encircled by the foe. Within his walls
3.246 was cradled there, and old Iasius,
3.252 I marvelled at the heavenly presences
3.294 or ken our way. Three days of blinding dark, 3.295 three nights without a star, we roved the seas; 3.296 The fourth, land seemed to rise. Far distant hills 3.297 and rolling smoke we saw. Down came our sails, 3.298 out flew the oars, and with prompt stroke the crews 3.299 wept the dark waves and tossed the crested foam. 3.300 From such sea-peril safe, I made the shores 3.301 of Strophades,—a name the Grecians gave 3.302 to islands in the broad Ionic main, — 3.303 the Strophades, where dread Celaeno bides, 3.304 with other Harpies, who had quit the halls 3.305 of stricken Phineus, and for very fear 3.306 fled from the routed feast; no prodigy 3.307 more vile than these, nor plague more pitiless 3.308 ere rose by wrath divine from Stygian wave; 3.309 birds seem they, but with face like woman-kind; 3.310 foul-flowing bellies, hands with crooked claws, 3.311 and ghastly lips they have, with hunger pale. 3.312 Scarce had we made the haven, when, behold! 3.313 Fair herds of cattle roaming a wide plain, 3.314 and horned goats, untended, feeding free 3.315 in pastures green, surprised our happy eyes. 3.316 with eager blades we ran to take and slay, 3.317 asking of every god, and chicfly Jove, 3.318 to share the welcome prize: we ranged a feast, 3.319 with turf-built couches and a banquet-board 3.320 along the curving strand. But in a trice, 3.321 down from the high hills swooping horribly, 3.322 the Harpies loudly shrieking, flapped their wings, 3.323 natched at our meats, and with infectious touch 3.324 polluted all; infernal was their cry, 3.325 the stench most vile. Once more in covert far 3.326 beneath a caverned rock, and close concealed 3.327 with trees and branching shade, we raised aloft 3.328 our tables, altars, and rekindled fires. 3.329 Once more from haunts unknown the clamorous flock 3.330 from every quarter flew, and seized its prey 3.331 with taloned feet and carrion lip most foul. 3.332 I called my mates to arms and opened war 3.333 on that accursed brood. My band obeyed; 3.334 and, hiding in deep grass their swords and shields, 3.335 in ambush lay. But presently the foe ' "3.336 wept o'er the winding shore with loud alarm : " '3.337 then from a sentry-crag, Misenus blew 3.338 a signal on his hollow horn. My men 3.339 flew to the combat strange, and fain would wound 3.340 with martial steel those foul birds of the sea; 3.341 but on their sides no wounding blade could fall, 3.342 nor any plume be marred. In swiftest flight 3.343 to starry skies they soared, and left on earth 3.344 their half-gnawed, stolen feast, and footprints foul. 3.345 Celaeno only on a beetling crag 3.346 took lofty perch, and, prophetess of ill, 3.347 hrieked malediction from her vulture breast: 3.348 “Because of slaughtered kine and ravished herd, 3.349 ons of Laomedon, have ye made war? 3.350 And will ye from their rightful kingdom drive 3.351 the guiltless Harpies? Hear, O, hear my word 3.352 (Long in your bosoms may it rankle sore!) 3.353 which Jove omnipotent to Phoebus gave, 3.354 Phoebus to me: a word of doom, which I, ' "3.355 the Furies' elder sister, here unfold: " '3.356 ‘To Italy ye fare. The willing winds 3.357 your call have heard; and ye shall have your prayer 3.358 in some Italian haven safely moored. 3.359 But never shall ye rear the circling walls 3.360 of your own city, till for this our blood 3.361 by you unjustly spilt, your famished jaws 3.363 She spoke: her pinions bore her to the grove, 3.364 and she was seen no more. But all my band 3.365 huddered with shock of fear in each cold vein; 3.366 their drooping spirits trusted swords no more, 3.367 but turned to prayers and offerings, asking grace, 3.368 carce knowing if those creatures were divine, 3.369 or but vast birds, ill-omened and unclean. 3.370 Father Anchises to the gods in heaven 3.371 uplifted suppliant hands, and on that shore 3.372 due ritual made, crying aloud; “Ye gods 3.373 avert this curse, this evil turn away! 3.374 Smile, Heaven, upon your faithful votaries.” 3.375 Then bade he launch away, the chain undo, 3.376 et every cable free and spread all sail. ' "3.377 O'er the white waves we flew, and took our way " "3.378 where'er the helmsman or the winds could guide. " '3.379 Now forest-clad Zacynthus met our gaze, 3.380 engirdled by the waves; Dulichium, 3.381 ame, and Neritos, a rocky steep, 3.382 uprose. We passed the cliffs of Ithaca 3.383 that called Laertes king, and flung our curse ' "3.384 on fierce Ulysses' hearth and native land. " "3.385 nigh hoar Leucate's clouded crest we drew, " "3.386 where Phoebus' temple, feared by mariners, " "3.387 loomed o'er us; thitherward we steered and reached " '3.388 the little port and town. Our weary fleet 3.390 So, safe at land, our hopeless peril past, 3.391 we offered thanks to Jove, and kindled high 3.392 his altars with our feast and sacrifice; ' "3.393 then, gathering on Actium 's holy shore, " '3.394 made fair solemnities of pomp and game. 3.395 My youth, anointing their smooth, naked limbs, 3.396 wrestled our wonted way. For glad were we, 3.397 who past so many isles of Greece had sped ' "3.398 and 'scaped our circling foes. Now had the sun " "3.399 rolled through the year's full circle, and the waves " "3.400 were rough with icy winter's northern gales. " '3.401 I hung for trophy on that temple door 3.402 a swelling shield of brass (which once was worn 3.403 by mighty Abas) graven with this line: 3.404 SPOIL OF AENEAS FROM TRIUMPHANT FOES. 3.405 Then from that haven I command them forth; 3.406 my good crews take the thwarts, smiting the sea 3.407 with rival strokes, and skim the level main. ' "3.408 Soon sank Phaeacia's wind-swept citadels " '3.409 out of our view; we skirted the bold shores 3.410 of proud Epirus, in Chaonian land,
3.412 Here wondrous tidings met us, that the son 3.413 of Priam, Helenus, held kingly sway ' "3.414 o'er many Argive cities, having wed " "3.415 the Queen of Pyrrhus, great Achilles' son, " '3.416 and gained his throne; and that Andromache 3.417 once more was wife unto a kindred lord. 3.418 Amazement held me; all my bosom burned ' "3.419 to see the hero's face and hear this tale " '3.420 of strange vicissitude. So up I climbed, 3.421 leaving the haven, fleet, and friendly shore. 3.422 That self-same hour outside the city walls, 3.423 within a grove where flowed the mimic stream 3.424 of a new Simois, Andromache, 3.425 with offerings to the dead, and gifts of woe, 3.426 poured forth libation, and invoked the shade 3.427 of Hector, at a tomb which her fond grief 3.428 had consecrated to perpetual tears, 3.429 though void; a mound of fair green turf it stood, 3.430 and near it rose twin altars to his name. 3.431 She saw me drawing near; our Trojan helms 3.432 met her bewildered eyes, and, terror-struck 3.433 at the portentous sight, she swooning fell 3.434 and lay cold, rigid, lifeless, till at last, 3.435 carce finding voice, her lips addressed me thus : 3.436 “Have I true vision? Bringest thou the word 3.437 of truth, O goddess-born? Art still in flesh? 3.438 Or if sweet light be fled, my Hector, where?” 3.439 With flood of tears she spoke, and all the grove 3.440 reechoed to her cry. Scarce could I frame 3.441 brief answer to her passion, but replied 3.442 with broken voice and accents faltering: ' "3.443 “I live, 't is true. I lengthen out my days " '3.444 through many a desperate strait. But O, believe 3.445 that what thine eyes behold is vision true. 3.446 Alas! what lot is thine, that wert unthroned ' "3.447 from such a husband's side? What after-fate " '3.448 could give thee honor due? Andromache, 3.450 With drooping brows and lowly voice she cried : 3.451 “O, happy only was that virgin blest, 3.452 daughter of Priam, summoned forth to die ' "3.453 in sight of Ilium, on a foeman's tomb! " '3.454 No casting of the lot her doom decreed, ' "3.455 nor came she to her conqueror's couch a slave. " '3.456 Myself from burning Ilium carried far ' "3.457 o'er seas and seas, endured the swollen pride " "3.458 of that young scion of Achilles' race, " '3.459 and bore him as his slave a son. When he ' "3.460 ued for Hermione, of Leda's line, " "3.461 and nuptial-bond with Lacedaemon's Iords, " '3.462 I, the slave-wife, to Helenus was given, 3.463 and slave was wed with slave. But afterward 3.464 Orestes, crazed by loss of her he loved, 3.465 and ever fury-driven from crime to crime, 3.466 crept upon Pyrrhus in a careless hour 3.467 and murdered him upon his own hearth-stone. 3.468 Part of the realm of Neoptolemus 3.469 fell thus to Helenus, who called his lands ' "3.470 Chaonian, and in Trojan Chaon's name " "
8.42 There, 'twixt the poplars by the gentle stream, " ' None | |
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